Harry Potter & the Shipgirls

[darthcourt10]

Snippet 92: S0ngD0g13

Kaylee stood on a hilltop overlooking the Inland Sea; on either side of her stood Monitor and Kotetsu. "Veterans' Day. Remembrance Day. A proud day, and a hard one, too..."

Monitor nodded. "I read the history books; lotta boys who didn't come home. Makes a body wonder what they were really fightin' about..."

Kotetsu shrugged. "Politics, land, sovereignty, survival... States' Rights," she jabbed at the Union ironclad. "In the end, I can't honestly say it made much difference what the Cause was; they still believed in it. We still believe in it. Virginia, what was that quote about 'It's good that war's terrible'?"

"It is well that War is so terrible, or we should grow too fond of it." She cleared her throat. "Robert E. Lee, at Fredericksburg. Here's a better one, or at least a more-modern one..."

"When I go home people'll ask me, 'Hey Hoot, why do you do it man? What, you some kinda war junkie?' You know what I'll say? I won't say a goddamn word. Why? They won't understand. They won't understand why we do it. They won't understand that it's about the men next to you, and that's it. That's all it is."

Kotetsu chuckled. "Seriously, Virginia? Quoting Hoot from Blackhawk Down?"

"What can I say, the Delta-Boy knew how to shuck it right down to the cob. Point remains."

Monitor and Kotetsu nodded, and Monitor spoke. "Dulce et Decorum est, pro Patria Mori."

"Bullshit," said Virginia. "Dyin's dyin'; ain't nothing 'sweet' or 'proper' bout it."

She pressed 'play' on her phone's YouTube App, and the trio stood silent as Friends by Owlflight played. After it ended, each raised a glass and toasted, "Absent Friends," and drained the raw 140-proof moonshine within.

At their feet, their Fairies raised rifles and aimed out to sea, and three volleys rang out...

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Reaching into the dryer, Taigei hummed a bit as she pulled out a hooded sweater and quickly flapped it in the air. Briefly giving it an examination, she folded it and placed it into the waiting basket with a smile on her face. 'This is so much better then having to do it by hand.' Giving a look around, she sniffed one of the shirts and her smile grew. 'Good, the slight mustiness is gone.'

A light laugh though made her look over her shoulder to find Ryuuhou in the doorway to the Submarine's laundry room. "D-did you actually sniff RO-Chan's shirt?"

There was a small blush on Taigei's face as she folded said shirt and she looked away with a sniff. "I was making sure that it was no longer musty as it's been in her dresser for some time. She does need to make a good impression so it's best that all her clothes are clean and fresh after being left for so long. Especially as she will be heading home to Germany for a time." Placing the shirt into another basket, she giggled some, unable to hold it in any longer. "Um, and I sort of like the smell of the new fabric softner."

Head tilting to the side as she considered that, Ryuuhou eventually nodded. "Hai, it does smell pretty nice." Glancing at the baskets, she frowned some. "Are they going to have enough clothing?"

Only nodding as she worked on a hoodie, Taigei chuckled a little. "Well, I would hope so with the work that I am putting in to get everything ready..." Trailing off for a moment, she frowned before shaking her head and her expression brightened. "Though Hachi-Chan is putting some of what she's already used so far through Harry-Chan's Owl Box so that I can do her wash. And Shioi-Chan and RO-Chan are getting back tonight so they should have everything they need for when they leave tomorrow night for Hogwarts."

Upon Ryuuhou's face was a considering look before she crossed the distance between her and her "Twin". Reaching Taigei, the Light Carrier hugged her gently from behind. "If you want, I can always ask Teitoku if you can go yourself. That way you can go and visit Harry-Chan for a while yourself and check up on him."

Chewing her lips for a moment, Taigei sighed a bit and shook her head. "I can't... we don't have many Submarine Tenders with the amount of Submarines we do have. And I cover everything all the way to Hokkaido." Turning her head, she gave her sister a closed eye smile. "Besides, I trust my girls when they tell me that Harry-Chan is alright."

Expression soft, Ryuuhou could tell that the smile she had got was rather brittle and what her true feelings on the matter were. However, despite the help that Tsurugizaki and Takasaki brought as Submarine Tenders, both of them were still rather new. Which meant that Taigei had to still do a lot of the work needed for Japan's returned Submarine Fleet. "I suppose that you're right."

Gently smiling, Taigei gave her a small giggle. "Of course I am, I'm your Onee-Sama after all." Both of them shared a small smile at that. Turning back towards the work she was doing, she hummed a little. "Besides, in two weeks I'll be able to see Harry-Chan for myself."

Slowly, Ryuuhou gave a nod to that. "I suppose that's true enough." A sigh escaping from her, she frowned some. "Though I wish that I could see him sooner. Just so that we can make sure that he's alright ourselves."

That got her a hum from Taigei as the Submarine Tender continued her work. The purple haired young woman knew that her counterpart felt the same way about the young boy as she did. It was not quite the same way as her charges, but she would not deny that her own boilers had nearly gone out when she got the news that Harry had been close enough to dying that he began to manifest as a fairy on Verniy. Nor would she deny how absolutely frightened she was of what might have happened. As much so as she would for any of her girls.

Deeply in thought, she continued her work as if on automatic as her mind drifted back. When she was first summoned, Taigei was rather confused at the whole new world she found herself now in. Last thing she had remembered, she was a steel hulled ship and yet now she was a young woman. Not just that, but the world itself was heavily changed from what she remembered from the 1930s and 1940s. It was like something from the science fiction books and magazines that a few of her crew had smuggled on board just before the war. It was not helped as she was somewhat confused as to what they wanted with her. After all, she was a poorly designed Submarine Tender and she knew that.

However, thankfully, her girls helped her adapt and she found herself in rather great demand to take care of Japan's slowly growing Submarine fleet.

And that was another thing as well. When she had returned, for some time, she was worried for her girls. After all, they needed care and she was unsure how much they were getting. It did not help much when she heard certain rumors regarding them. But then, she walked in to find Harry there with treats for the Submarines when they returned from their patrols. When Taigei asked the Submarines, they told her that Harry had done that for some time. Something that had surprised her even as it warmed her boilers. There was even once that she had asked Harry himself why he did it, why he brought such things for her girls. Confused, he had turned and given her his answer.
"Because they work really, really hard and deserve it. Besides... they're my friends, why wouldn't I want to give them something for all their hard work? Especially since they enjoy it when I do so."

Unknown to Harry, that was when he claimed a place in her heart.

When her girls had needed someone to notice them, not for their behavior but for their work? He had done so. More then that, even though he did not have to he still went out of his way to reward them. The Submarines often came home to find various treats and such specificially for them. A nice chocolate cake... a tin of brownies, cupcakes, small pies. Stuff that told them that their hard work was appreciated by someone out there who cared for them. More then that though, Harry also gave them something that they considered precious...

His friendship and companionship.

Any time that the Submarines needed someone to just hug them, Harry had no trouble doing so. He spent time with them when he could, which meant the world for all of them. Basically just letting them get away from the war and allowing them to be simply people enjoying themselves. Taigei had often brightly smiled when she watched their sleepovers and heard the laughter of her girls as them and Harry had enjoyed movies or games. For a time, they were not shipgirls, they were not at war, they were simply people enjoying some time relaxing with their friends and having fun.

Harry may not know it, but that meant the world not just for the Submarines, but also Taigei as she knew someone else loved her girls as much as she did. It was also something that helped her worries late at night when she was awake and staring at the ceiling in deep thought. Mainly wondering if someone was going to convert her into a Carrier, and so cause her Submarines to no longer have a Tender there for them when they needed it.

Granted, nowadays she no longer had that worry with Ryuuhou being summoned, but still.

It was not just the Submarines that he helped out though. He had then extended to Taigei herself the same thing he had for the Submarines as she was adapting to the new world and afterwards. For example, when she had to go out and get various things, Harry sometimes went along with her to help. Several times at the beginning when she went out to shop at the stores on the base, Harry had given her a hand. When she got confused about things, he had explained things best that he could but never got annoyed with her or her questions. And it had not stopped there either.

More then once found the two of them beside each other as Taigei cooked meals for the Submarines. While some of the newer foods were strange at times for the returned Submarine Tender, she took more then some joy in teaching Harry more traditional meals. Something that he enjoyed doing as much as she did teaching him. Times like that she didn't feel so out of place.

Unknown to her, similar thoughts were going through Ryuuhou's head. The Light Carrier could remember being summoned and the extreme confusion that followed. She could remember being Taigei, but now she was separate from the Submarine Tender. At the same time though, she had not felt all that useful. Even during the Second World War, she barely saw any real action and was considered something of a failure even for a conversion. A fact that she still felt in the new life she had been given.

Not helping either was how her aircrews were barely trained and extremely green. They often made mistakes even in practice when everything was perfect. Something that lead to her often trying to practice extremely early when no one was around the Carrier Range. Better that way that no one was witnessing her failure as a Carrier. Right up to the point that is, when Harry had caught her at the range. It had taken a bit, but he got the story from her which lead to him helping her get training from Shinano. And from there, she improved bit by bit, but she still looked back on that day fondly.

The cinnamon rolls he had given her to cheer her up that day alongside Taigei had helped greatly.

Which brought to mind another fact. And, sharing a look with her "Twin", Taigei, Ryuuhou knew that she was thinking the same thing. Both of them knew that Harry's dream was to one day become an Admiral for shipgirls. Something that despite the years he was still heading for as strongly as he could. The two of them both believed that he would one day stand tall as an Admiral. That one day, he would be leading shipgirls into battle and caring for them afterwards. Besides that, there was one other fact. Ryuuhou and Taigei had decided between them that when that day came, when Harry finally became an Admiral?

Both the Light Carrier and the Submarine Tender would be joining those shipgirls who would want to be serving under him. They trusted him with how he would treat the two of them. And after the war? When the fighting was all done and it was time to slowly stand down and get used to the peace? To finally have lives outside the fighting?

Sometimes, the two of them would dream of such a time. And those dreams often included being close to that black haired boy who would have become a man. Ryuuhou imagined playing with the various children, both normal and shipgirl, teaching the Carriers if there were any about how to be one alongside Shinano and others. Taigei dreamed of helping to take care of the little ones, sometimes as an designated Onee-Chan, sometimes as an Oba-Chan... and so on. There was also the dream of her, Mamiya, and some of the others opening a resturant. But Harry was usually involved in them, often helping.

Lovely dreams that they were looking forward to one day seeing as being made a reality.

Finding that she had done all the laundry while deep in thought, Taigei shook her head and picked up one of the baskets before turning to Ryuuhou. "Ryuuhou-Chan? Mind giving me a hand to put these into the girls' lugage? That way it's all done when they get back rather then them needing to rush around?"

Lips twitching, Ryuuhou only took one of the baskets herself and easily picked it up. "Not a problem, Onee-Chan. Best to get it out of the way now for them after all."

With a final smile between the two of them, they left the room still talking about whatever came to mind such as Taigei explaining some of the recipes she had been exchanging with the German Type XIVs recently.

 

[darthcourt10]

NotHimAgain

Wow, this one's short. I guess that, until negotiations start, I don't have much to work with.
Much-Needed Words

-----

Yuzuki shuffles nervously, trying not to lock eyes with the aircraft carrier sitting at her kitchen table. "Is this gonna take long?" she asks. "Because at this rate I'm gonna be late for school."

"Oh, don't worry," Akagi replies, waving off her concerns with a wave of her hand. "I just need a minute of your time."

'And the refrigerator,' Yuzuki thinks snidely. She is careful not to say it out loud, even if it is sort of true. Since the Shipgirl walked into her house, she has been pulling various foodstuffs out of who knows where—she's probably going to run out at some point. But then, there's a much more pressing issue at hand.

"So," she laughs nervously. "Inoue and his… Abyssal, then?" Akagi looked up from her food, and lowered her bento. Clasping her hands in her lap, she takes a deep breath.

"The situation that they are a part of is a very tricky one," she explains, voice calmer and much sterner than mere seconds ago. "Tell me, what do you know about Abyssals?"

"Huh?"

"Indulge me, please," Akagi prods. Yuzuki grimaces, gritting her teeth and trying to summarize what she understands.

"We don't know where they come from or why," she admits finally, "but they want to destroy humanity. Well, some of them do. There are others that signed on to that treaty, who work with humans."

Akagi nods. "That's incredibly basic, but we can work from here. How do I put this… What do you think it would have been like if the Sengoku period and World War II had happened at the same time?" Taking in Yuzuki's confusion, she continues. "Japan split into many tiny factions, fighting each other and the outside world at the same time. The comparison is a poor one, but that is basically what is going on with the Abyssals."

"And what," Yuzuki asks slowly, "does this have to do with Inoue's girlfriend?"

"Nemo-chan is a member of a fleet that is neutral, but has agreed to negotiations with the Japanese fleet. They are also notoriously isolationist and territorial. If something were to happen, and Nemo-chan were to get in trouble, their reaction might not be the best."

Yuzuki laughs, a skeptical barking sound that fills the room for a single second. "So what," she demands, slapping her hands on the table, "are you just telling me to keep quiet, to not tell my friends about this?"

"Yes," Akagi replies, unimpressed. "That is exactly what I am asking of you." Yuzuki stares in disbelief.

"They deserve to know, Sakurada and Tachibana both!" she snaps, jumping to her feet. "They've been dealing with heartbreak over this, it's put them through a grinder—why—"

"Uzukawa-san," Akagi cuts her off with a glare. Yuzuki falls back into her seat, stunned by the sheer ice in her gaze. "Why do you think Nemo has been able to regularly visit Inoue-san?" Why? Because she wanted to—wait, the ocean is a big place, isn't it? If she's visiting regularly, then that would mean that… that she's close enough… that they're close enough… Yuzuki feels the fight leaving her body.

"The situation is delicate on a number of levels," Akagi repeats, "and an Abyssal coming to shore to meet her boyfriend… she's already proven able to get through patrols easily enough, and how do you think your average person would respond to this? I mean, given the way you felt about it." Yuzuki becomes further aware of the sinking feeling down at her feet that is beginning to travel up her legs. "You care about people, Uzukawa-san. It's a very good trait to have and I applaud it. It also means that I trust you will have the good sense not to discuss this with anyone."

And suddenly everything turns upside down. "I" Yuzuki attempts, trying to force words together into sentences and failing, "That… No fair."

Akagi looks around, then leans across the table conspiratorially. She gestures for Yuzuki to lean in closer, and Yuzuki, unable to do anything about it, follows her beckon.

"Also," the carrier hisses, "Those two are at least two deca-Harrys."

The room is silent. Yuzuki tries to process what she just heard. She fails. "Huh?" she asks.

"I mean, Kaga says it's only about one deca-Harry, and Kongou says that it's romantic love and not just general adorable-ness so the metric is different, but she was made in England so what does she know?" Akagi continues enthusiastically. "Didn't you see them together?"

"I… uh… I need to go," Yuzuki manages, fumbling for her bookbag.

It is not until that evening that she realizes she was so flustered by the final few words before she and Akagi both left, that she forgot whether or not to bring it up with her friends.
-----

Well what do you think, sirs?

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Just about out of breath, Harry tensed as he ran through the small dell near Hogwarts before suddenly falling forwards into a roll. And it was in the nick of time of the small stinging sensation at the very tip of his ear said anything about it. "BLISTERING BARNICLES!" Eyes widening and shooting to his feet as another impact smacked into the ground just behind his heel, Harry flung off a Stinging Hex followed by another spell which hit something with a splat. 'Too close!'

As he ran behind a tree, Harry could hear laughter. "Not bad! But you really should..." Suddenly, Yukikaze appeared with a handgun cocked and aimed at him with a grin on her face before firing. Slowly walking up to the body, she looked down at the groaning boy as he rubbed the red blotch on his forehead. "Keep moving."

Reaching down, she was about to grab Harry's hand when his wand whipped up and nailed her in the nose with a stinging hex. Harry rolled to his feet and hit both her feet with a blue bell flame spell which made her yelp, though mostly in surprise rather then pain as she hopped everywhere. "And you should be more careful, Yukikaze-Chan!" Watching as she hopped around, he leaned back and groaned. "Did you have to nail me in the forehead with a paintball by the way?"

Finally putting out the flames, Yukikaze grimaced a bit before shrugging. "You did ask for some help, Harry-Chan. And the most important aspect of battle is to keep moving." Standing straight, she held up one finger and nodded. "Standing still means that everyone can target you. And in a case where this Voldemorty person shows up again, you need to keep moving and try to get away."

Slowly getting to his feet, Harry grumbled a bit before trying to wipe at the paint on his forehead. "Did you need to aim for my forehead though? That smarts..."

More then a little sheepish, Yukikaze rubbed the back of her head. "Um, oops? I was aiming for your shoulder..." Seconds later there was a sound and suddenly a paintball round smashed into the side of her head and made her yelp. "MARUYU-SAN!"

Both the wizard and Yukikaze looked around to try and find the small Submarine, but could not spot here. Not even when she spoke up, seemingly from everywhere. "You should be more careful next time! Mogu, mogu!"

Huffing a bit, Yukikaze grumbled a bit. "Stupid mole..."

There was another sound of gunshot and Yukikaze's head snapped back as another paintball round smacked her right into the forehead. "NOT A MOLE! MOGU MOGU!"

Even as a dismayed Yukikaze rubbed her forehead, Harry snickered softly as he leaned against the tree. The pout on the Destroyer's face only turned the snickers into chuckles, which made Yukikaze huff and cross her arms. "Don't laugh, Harry-Chan! It's not funny." After a few seconds though she started giggling herself. "Okay, maybe it's a bit funny."

Suddenly both of them jumped as Maruyu's voice spoke up. "Really funny. Especially when I hit you, Yukikaze-San." Both of them whipped around to see Maruyu on a nearby stump with a sniper version of a paintball gun. "You jumped pretty high!"

Eyes narrowing, Yukikaze frowned at her. "How do you even do that?! You're wearing a white and red swimsuit and we're in a forest. And yet you keep surprising me!"

Fingers held up in a V shape, Maruyu winked. "Because I'm a real Submarine, you know? And I've gotten a lot of practice up in Kure and elsewhere." Leaning forward a bit, she looked at Harry with a small smile. That morning when Harry had asked her if she would give him a hand with some training, she had been confused. However, that had soon changed quite a bit when she had spotted the paintball guns.

A fact that both Harry, who she was acting as someone taking pot shots at him from a distance, and Yukikaze, who she sometimes acted as a comrade of Harry's flinging spells her way during her own "Fight", came to regret.

Greatly and often.

But the little Submarine had a lot of fun and was even now smiling at the two as Harry used his magic to clean the paint from both of them. He hadn't needed to do anything for Maruyu as even with their best efforts, neither of the two had tagged her. Reaching into her belt that was lined with pouches, Maruyu pulled out two bottles and tossed them to both Harry and Yukikaze. The two thanked her and then opened said bottles to take a drink. Pulling the bottle away from his lips, Harry looked between the Destroyer and the Submarine. "So, um... How did I do by the way?" When the two shipgirls shared a look though, he sighed and hung his head. "That bad, huh?"

Sipping her own bottle, Maruyu shrugged some. "It's not really that bad, Harry-Chan. After all, it takes time to get used to how a fight flows. And, um, for someone of your age? You did pretty well."

His head rising, Harry looked from one to another. "Really? I did pretty good?"

Lips twitching, Yukikaze nodded. "Hai, Harry-Chan. You did pretty good for someone your age." Unknown to Harry, Yukikaze shared a look with Maruyu who gave a nod. While they were pulling their punches, they were not going easy on him. "Anyways, there's some ways that you can improve upon it..."

Maruyu gave a small nod with a frown on her face. "She's right, Harry-Chan. Now, here's where you went wrong..."

While the Submarine discussed what had happened with Harry, Yukikaze began to think. She had known Harry for some time, in fact from his early days in Yokosuka. But she wasn't that close and it was around the time she got shipped out to Taiwan to help out there as per an agreement to help the island cover the surrounding sea. It was only when Hamakaze as well as Isokaze were summoned, and Taiwan began to summon shipgirls of the old Republic of China Navy that she was able to head back to Japan for anything longer then leave.

Granted, the last time she checked the mainlanders were still pissed off over that the old ROC ships had returned but to Taiwan.

Upon her return, she was greeted by her two sisters and the three of them had shared tears and laughs. Yukikaze had grabbed hold of them as if she never wanted to let go. And there was a part of her that didn't want to. She had also met Shinano soon after and the Carrier herself pulled her into a tight embrace much to her surprise. Of course, it was not long after before she first saw the interactions between Harry and Shinano. At first, she was rather confused by the whole thing in much the same way as Hamakaze and Isokaze.

Soon enough though, she settled into simply observing it. There was a part of her that was happy that Shinano had someone like Harry who was as close to her as he was. Both of them, to Yukikaze, fit somehow. She could still remember when Harry had left for Hogwarts for his First Year. Shinano had, in the privacy of their quarters, given up some tears that night. And Yukikaze and her sisters had shared in that with some of their own. But eventually, Shinano had dried her eyes and then continued on. Every letter she answered back, but not once did the Carrier, the Yamato class, let herself feel sadness like that.

Yukikaze had never told her tall friend that to her, Shinano proved herself every inch the equal of her own sisters.

And then, thanks to Harry providing materials, they managed to summon Urakaze! Another one of her sisters now returned and for that, he would have her thankfulness. Still, time went onwards, always onwards. All the while, Yukikaze just watched and observed with a smile. The recent happenings though had scared her, though she also admitted that it was one of the very few times she had ever seen Shinano frightened out of her wits and also enraged beyond all belief. But... they had made it through what happened.

Now that things had calmed down, Yukikaze was happy to provide guard duty for Harry until the issue of a certain poltergeist had been taken care of. Something that Shinano had taken her aside before she had come and spoken to her to with a voice that as cold as mountain air during a blizzard and just as deadly with what she should do if needed. It was something that she did not even have to ask as Yukikaze was more then willing to make the spirit regret anything he might pull. Yukikaze also knew that Isokaze had a similar conversation with Shinano, even though neither Destroyer had discussed it with the other.

However, neither of them had issue with that and Yukikaze was more then prepared for her duties. After all, she liked Harry, even if it was not quite in the same way as the others. The Destroyer did acknowledge all he did for her Flagship though as well as for Louisiana. In fact, Yukikaze did look forward to seeing Harry as an Admiral and hoped to be there when it happened and to be serving under him. From everything that she could see, he would be a good, if not excellent Officer of the type who cared for those under him when that happened. When, not if, something that she agreed with Shinano with.

Granted, she also agreed with Shinano, the one time the highly embarrassed Carrier had spoken up, that Harry would be a rather handsome Officer as well. Something that was hammered in when she had seen pictures of Harry's father, James and realized how much his son resembled him. Sometimes in her dreams, the Destroyer could just see the future, including after the war. While not always, it at times had her sisters and herself living in a house next door. Others, they lived in the same house as Harry and the others including a very happy Shinano who sometimes was playing with the children in the house, such as one who looked like the Carrier but with brilliant green eyes...

A finger snapping in front of her face caused her to blink some and then smile at the concerned look on Harry's face. "Something wrong, Harry-Chan?"

Frowning, Harry raised an eyebrow at her and shook his head. "No, nothing's wrong. It's just that you looked deep in thought is all."

There was a blush on her cheeks, something that Yukikaze could just feel as she waved him off. "Ah, well... um... Yukikaze was just remembering something is all." Looking up at the sky, she gave a small smile and nodded. "Anyways, it's nearly lunch time so we should head back to the school before the others worry too much. I also want to check some things to see if I can make us all something tonight as it's my last night at Hogwarts."

More then a little curious, Harry tilted his head as did Maruyu. "Make something? Like what?"

With a small shrug, Yukikaze giggled some. "Well, I was thinking about making us some bubble tea. I learned how to while in Taiwan and I know that Shinano-Sama and the others like it. Kongou-Sama on the other hand... not so much." That got her amused snorts and she shrugged again. "But people seem to enjoy it and I wonder how Miss Kaylee might like it..."

 

[darthcourt10]

UCCMaster

NotHimAgain said:
Back when Phineas and Ferb was on. Man, that was a fun show.​

An awesome show indeed.

Once again random snippet time! With Veterans day here, I got to get in touch with the Japanese side of my heritage. I'm Japanese American, and unique to the Japanese Americans is our WWii history. So without further ado. Note: All characters are fictional and have no resemblance to actual figures in life.

---

Colorado River Reservation, Arizona

A light breeze swept through dusty plains of silt and dirt, causing a slight dust cloud to form. Two figures stood overlooking the tall white monument erect in the loneliness of the desert. An older stout man sitting in a wheelchair, his wrinkled face and old eyes sad, yet reminiscent. He wore an tattered polo and pants and a tattered cap. Perhaps the most prominent feature of the man was the hook that adored where his left hand should have been. Behind him, holding the handles of his chair, a tall woman in a navy blue puffer vest and shorts joined the man.

"It's been seventy three years." The older man muttered under his breath, more akin to the sound of paper crackling than a human voice.

"Yes Mr. Hirimoto, it's been a long time." The woman replied, "It's been a long time, but we still remember."

The man creaked a brow. "How do you know what happened?"

Jersey grinned. "We had people aboard from the 141st during the cleanup. They told us. Thus, we remember, when others didn't."

"He told us to get everyone. But we were it." Hirimoto muttered, a tear streaking down his wrinkled cheeks. "You know how many of us there were?"

Jersey shook her head respectfully. "No sir, how many were there?"

"Eighteen!" Hirimoto gasped, "Just two weeks ago there had been four hundred of us!"

"Sir, I sympathies your losses. The Lost Battalion is extremely grateful for you and your brethren's sacrifices."

"He saw us as cannon fodder. We were…well…we weren't American to him." The man snorted, "Heh, we showed him."

Hirimoto stared back at the pillar peaking up into the sky. "Was it worth it? America…was it worth it? We sure thought so."

"I assure you, apple pie is worth anything." Jersey chuckled.

"Heh, Apple pie…that's something to look forward to…these jaws can handle anything!" Hirimoto gnashed his fake teeth as if to make a joke.

Jersey thought it was funny. "You guys are American you know that? I don't see you as any different from another American out there."

Hirimoto raised his old head to the young woman's gaze. "You know…no one's ever told me that before. Even the government didn't…took 'em forty fucking years to realize that it was a mistake to put us here…much less that we were Americans."

"Do you see yourself as American Mr. Hirimoto?"

The man cracked a small grin. "Fuck yeah!"

Jersey grinned furiously. "Then let's go get some fucking pie! This place gives me the creeps. It's like you can feel everything at once. The anguish, the anger, the rage, and yet…the silence and endurance. You guys some serious nutshells, with staying quiet in all of the shit you guys went through."

---

In honor of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a US Infantry regiment made mostly of Nisei and Sansei from the Japanese Internment camps such as Poston mentioned above. When drafted, each man was forced to go through a questionnaire that included the following:

"Are you willing to serve in the armed forces of the United States on combat duty, wherever ordered?"

"Will you swear unqualified allegiance to the United States of America and faithfully defend the United States from any or all attack by foreign or domestic forces, and forswear any form of allegiance or obedience to the Japanese emperor, or any other foreign government, power or organization?"

Despite both questions implicitly stating that the men questioned had loyalties to Japan, seventy five percent of said men answered yes to both questions and were enlisted in either the 442nd or 100th Infantry regiments.

The 442nd would see combat in the fall of 1944 in France against German infantry and armor divisions. Their most famous battle was the rescue of a portion of the 141st Infantry aka "The Lost Battalion" where about 275 soldiers were trapped two kilometers behind enemy lines. The 442nd were deployed in a week long struggle with German infantry and grenadiers in thick fog, nighttime conditions and fighting up hill. Despite heavy fighting, the 442nd completed the impossible and made it to the beleaguered 141st. However, the Japanese American troops had suffered over 160 casualties and 2,000 wounded despite the 141st only taking 60 wounded/killed.

When lined up, their general (who saw Nisei as cannon fodder) was furious at that lack of numbers of his men demanding they bring out the rest of their companies. The reply was that all were in attendance. The 442nd would eventually go on to become the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in US history, the "subclass citizens" earning over eight presidential citations. Despite all their service, their platoon's poor usage resulted in a 93% casualty rate, abnormally high for the US army, earning 9,500 Purple Hearts.

During Veterans day at my church, we had several of our Nisei who served in the 442nd come up to be honored for their dutiful service to a country that didn't even trust them.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Slowly going through the papers on his desk, Goto hummed a bit before glancing up at the Submarines there. "Welcome back to the both of you. Now, I assume that you want to go and get ready for your Leave?" At their nods, he closed the folder and leaned back with his hands on his stomach. "Then just give me a brief verbal report then."

RO stood with her hands behind her back as she went through her logs before nodding. "All seems to be in order for the moment, Teitoku. Between the two of us we sank four Abyssal Armed Merchant Cruisers, and three Abyssal Cargo Carriers in the Disputed Waters..."

While she gave him the coordinates, Goto turned to the map where Ooyodo was putting some colored marks on the plastic that covered the map. Eyes narrowing, he considered the "Disputed Waters" which was where the still Abyssal held territories met the human ones. Once RO was done with their report of what they encountered, Goto nodded some. "That's some good news, though I wonder about the lack of activity."

Glancing at the blonde Submarine beside her, Shioi then took a deep breath. "Since we were done with our combat patrol, we made our way back. Along the way we swung by the Izu Islands as they were due to be checked and I could perform a quick survey with my planes. That way it's less that needs to be done." Humming, Goto nodded at that as checking the islands were one of the jobs the Submarines did with their floatplanes. "No Abyssal activity was visible on the islands..." Eyebrows furrowing, she shook her head. "Still can't believe that there's now an island at Myōjin-shō..."

Just looking over her shoulder, Ooyodo shook her head. "It must have formed shortly after Blood Week as it had reached a decent size by the time that the early campaigns occurred."

A frown on his face, Goto thought back and nodded. "That was... three months after Kongou and the others returned and lead a spearhead to push back the Abyssal presence in the Izu Islands. From memory, there was a small fleet gathered there and we suspected that a Princess or Demon class was attempting to form. We still don't know if the Abyssals had anything to do with the island's formation or not..." Giving the matter a few more seconds of thought, Goto shook it off and turned towards Shioi and RO. "Anything of interest so far?"

Both Submarines glanced at each other before Shioi bit her lip. "Well... there was some activity on Hachijō-jima. Or at least there was visible evidence that some has been happening again... Just not Abyssal activity."

Groaning, Goto pinched his nose and let out a sigh. "Oh for... don't tell me that another group of 'Reclaimers' landed there and set up shop. Because none of us would be happy having to pull their asses out of the fire again."

There were grimaces not just from Ooyodo, but also Nagato who was listening from her own desk. Even RO looked rather annoyed at the idea while Shioi looked resigned. 'Reclaimers' were considered annoyances by a good chunk of the JMSDF and fools by many more. After the evacuations during Blood Week, the islands had been empty of people. But that had not lasted as within six months, groups of people landed on them to "Reclaim" them for humanity. Not all of them were former residents either as on at least one island a wrecked drug lab had been found.

Most of those who went out simply vanished, presumed killed by the Abyssals who lurked in the area. Others though would either get found by patrols or get caught by radio signals on the islands. A few sent out distress signals when Abyssals showed up as they often did. Which meant, for various reasons, the JMSDF and Coast Guard would need to head out to rescue or force them off the islands. Often at a risk to their own lives.

Some of them would even fight the military members sent to drag them back to the mainland.

It goes without saying that a rather large number of military and Coast Guard personnel despised them. In fact, the only ones that were somewhat liked were the Ship Spotters, and that was mainly because they were both extremely small groups or singular people and provided intelligence on Abyssal movements that were needed in the early days. Even with the recent pushback of the Abyssal forces, the closest island that was opened for residents to return was Mikura-Jima, though few had.

Opening the folder, Goto began to look through it. "Where is the activity on the island?" At seeing the uneasy look, he raised an eyebrow. "Well?"

Shioi's next words caused Goto to frown even more as he understood her reaction. "The only apparent activity is at the Hachijo Royal Resort." A frown on her face, she flipped through the papers until she came to some pictures which she showed him. "See? The grounds have all been fixed up."

For several moments, Goto stared at the pictures before flipping to another picture, this showing the hotel from another angle. Yet again, it showed the building as being in far better condition then it should have by all rights have been in. "The other residences? Their condition?"

Just shaking her head, Shioi frowned. "No change there, it's just the former hotel..." Pausing for a moment, she then furrowed her eyebrows. "I had my planes get closer, but all they could see was animals."

About to flip a page, Goto paused and then looked up in interest. "Animals you say?" When the Submarine nodded, he leaned back with a thoughtful look on his face. "Hmm... now isn't that interesting? I wonder..." Eyes narrowing, Goto quickly checked his computer. In particular the files showing Abyssal movements. Oddly, he was not surprised when he discovered that Abyssal groups had started to avoid the island for some reason before the shipgirls had driven them back. 'Hmm...'

Confused, Shioi just frowned some. "Um, Teitoku? Is something wrong?"

Glancing at her, Goto shook his head some. "No, nothing is wrong. Just a thought occurring to me is all... Please, continue with your report." Even though they were curious, both Submarines did so and, soon enough, Goto nodded. "Thank you. Now then, both of you have to go and get prepared for your trips. Enjoy them, you've earned it."

Both RO and Shioi came to attention and gave him a salute. Once they were gone, Nagato looked up from her own paperwork. "Your thoughts?"

Hands clasped in front of his face as he stared down at the picture in front of him, Goto frowned. "My thoughts?" Several moments passed before he sighed. "My thoughts are that there is something going on there. Now, what sort of thing at the moment? I'm not too sure." Taking out a magnifying glass, Goto examined one of the images and his frown deepened at the sight of what looked like a long wake heading towards close to where the hotel grounds reached the shore. "But whatever it is, I may need to have a talk with Haru-San..."
____________________________________________________________________________

It was early on her final morning at Hogwarts before heading back to Yokosuka that Louisiana awoke at the bottom of the cuddlepile as was her usual position over the past week. Her awakening though was not accidental at all as she had planned for it. After all, if this was her last day at seeing either Harry or Natsumi, then she was going to enjoy every moment. Once she was fully awake though, Louisiana turned her attention towards the two young teens currently resting on top of her with a smile.

Both of them were currently cuddled up to each other and using the Battleship's chest for pillows. A glance to one side showed Louisiana that Regina was cuddled into her side with her tail roughly where Harry's feet were from how it felt. Then, slowly, Louisiana turned her head to the other side and smiled at seeing Isokaze and Yukikaze on her other side. The two Destroyers softly breathing as they slept. Yukikaze in particular was hold Isokaze close as if protecting her from something.

After a second though, Louisiana remembered their past and realized that she might have been doing just that unconsciously.

Then Louisiana turned her attention to the main portion of the Cuddlepile. From what she could see, Maruyu was on top of Harry and sleeping, or at least the lump under the blanket on top of Harry was about the right size. Her head pillowed on Natsumi's shoulder and between the kitsune and the two Destroyers, Imuya had a smile on her face. Part of Louisiana wondered what the Submarine was dreaming about before mentally shaking her head. Spotting to other lumps though, the Battleship raised her eyebrows. It took only a moment for one of her fairies to appear and then lift the blanket up.

Louisiana had a smile bloom on her face at the sight of Hachi and Iku both cuddling on either side of Harry's legs. Their heads pillowed on Harry's stomach as they both dreamed. A snort caused her to turn her head to Harry's shoulder where Niiyodo was resting her head. The Light Cruiser grumbled a bit as she rubbed her still closed eyes before grabbing the blanket and then pulling down. Snuggling into Harry's shoulder some more, Niiyodo soon drifted back off much to Louisiana's amusement. Part of her wondered how Ooyodo would have reacted to her sister's actions before smiling at the image that put into her head. From what Louisiana understood, the Secretary Ship likely would have had a large, bright smile on her face before making sure that no one bothered her little sister.

With her survey of the cuddlepile done, Louisiana laid her head back and closed her eyes as she simply enjoyed the closeness of the cuddlepile. Feeling the weight of the two people most important to her heart, the American smiled. Natsumi's presence brought up one memory of older days when the kitsune was not used to cuddlepiles. In fact, Louisiana could remember Natsumi not being sure about them. But during sleepovers and such, she had been pulled into them.

It always amused Louisiana not only how quickly Natsumi had gotten used to it, but how she seemed to now enjoy them.

Which brought up yet more memories to the shipgirl currently being used as a mattress. Various memories of the two with her came up in Louisiana's mind one by one. The one where the two found her and then helped her out of that House was one she never forgot. Even though they were so small compared to her, they had come looking for her when no one else had. And they helped her away from her prison and the days after only made her come to care for them even more.

And Louisiana had for a long time now realized that she not only cared for them, but loved them. Being a Battleship and not subtle, she didn't even bother to hide that fact. And while Harry may not have quite clued in, though she suspected he had an idea, Natsumi certainly knew. Especially after this past Christmas when she outright admitted it to the kitsune. Granted, while she did not hide it, Louisiana was not about to make an actual move until the two of them were much older. Not that she minded the wait as that gave her time to put her own plan into motion.

The prize at the end of which was being at least with the two of them.

Granted, that was not to say that she was blind to the others. In fact, the Battleship had no issue with Hibiki, Shinano, Regina, or any of the others. None of them knew this, but Louisiana understood one fact. If she lost and she was not with Harry or Natsumi? Or if Harry was with one of the others along with maybe Natsumi? She would hurt. She would hurt mightily, more then taking a beating in a battle that might cause her to sink. However, while she would be hurt, she would also be happy for them. For to her, that was what love was. Even if you were not with the one you loved, even if it hurt to see them with someone else, if you loved them then you would be happy at the same time for them being happy. And the shipgirl knew that she could be that.

However, that was not to say that she would much mind even if the group was bigger then just her and Natsumi with Harry in another way. Louisiana would welcome them into a family after all. Much like they had welcomed her when they met her. For example, Shinano was in some ways like a sister to her, so she had no problem there.

Which was why times like this were so precious to her. Because it reminded her of her own dreams she had. Of her and an adult Natsumi working in the kitchen, sometimes alongside Harry himself. There were times when the others were also there, care and love in the room which made her smile. But what truly made her happy was the smiles that everyone had. And then there were the children that would be around them. Some had fox tails and ears which made it easy to guess who was their mother, with a few having brilliant green eyes. Others looked like either normal humans or shipgirls. One of whom looked like a mix between her and Harry, though she walked around with a swimsuit on.

Such dreams were why Louisiana had her own plans after all. And she had plenty of time to make them work out in the end... But for right now, the Battleship simply laid there soaking in the peacefulness of the cuddlepile. Mainly because soon enough they would be back in Yokosuka and she would need to wait for two weeks to see them again. In the end though?

That made times like this so much more wonderful and precious.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

As he slowly walked along a cobblestone path, Dumbledore grimaced a bit at the cold, biting wind. Looking over his shoulder, he gave a thankful nod to the shipgirl following him. "Once more, I must thank you for coming, Victory. It... it helps to know that if something was to happen-"

The shipgirl rapidly cut him off with a gesture of her hand. "Nothing will happen, Albus. You will not fall as you fear, you will stand tall and conquer." Ignoring the silence from her friend, she gazed around with a frown on her face. "I know that we are in Germany, but where exactly are we in the country?"

On Albus' face was a frown as he waved his wand and another several meters of snow vanished. Said wand was not the Elder Wand, but rather his original one as he had given the Elder wand to Victory for safe keeping. "We're in Southern Germany, in what is known as Bavaria as a matter of fact not so far from the Czech border. "

Her eye trailing to the massive stone building that even now rose above them, dark and menancing, Victory frowned. "Bavaria, you say? Hmm..." Examining the building, her frown deepened. "I don't see any guards, Albus."

Darkly chuckling, Dumbledore gestured at the walls. "I would ask for you to check your eyesight, Vicky."

Eye narrowing, Victory looked back at the walls and frowned. It only took her a few moments before she spotted one of the gargoyles turn it's head towards her and Albus, seemingly glaring. A glare that she met evenly. "Albus, what exactly are those?"

Glancing at said being, Dumbledore shook his head. "A form of Grotesque, I'm afraid. I... have never been quite clear on what they were really though from some notes I recovered I am certain that I do not want to know." Seeing her look, he grimaced. "Their name is most apt in this case as, from what I have gathered... Gellart bound actual spirits to them and controlled them as guards here. And as he needed the spirits to be as fresh as possible..."

Victory hissed a bit as it clicked into place. "I see... But why keep them as guards then, Albus? Especially for..."

All Dumbledore did was hum as he continued to walk forward. "They were enspelled to be under the direct control of the leader of Magical Germany. Once Grindlewald was defeated, they defaulted to a new leader and he could no longer control them. Due to that, and not wanting to entrust his security in case someone decided on revenge or wanting to free him, they were ordered to guard over him. Their only orders are to prevent him from leaving the prison and to make sure not to harm him themselves."

That caused Victory to pause and give him a look. "I would assume that he was in danger of such?" At the nod, she scowled. "Dammit, Albus! Then why in the world would you allow!? And why not let them rest!?"

In reply, Dumbledore was quiet for several moments as he stared at the top of the tower. He could see a small window even from where he was. "The way that Gellart made them, as soon as he dies so do they, the magic binding them will fail within a few years. So it was felt by those who suffered under him that not killing him, that imprisoning him here in his most infamous prison would be suitable and 'humane'. At the most, I have gotten them to agree to a Mediwitch or wizard coming by every so often to check up on him." Closing his eyes, he sighed. "It was all that I could do in the face of the hatred he faced as there were those that would have been much more cruel."

Looking up at the building, Victory frowned and shuddered a bit. "I am unsure of that, Albus. We haven't even entered yet and I can feel... as if hate, anger, and suffering in the air from here. As if those who suffered here are still within the walls. To be exposed to that for so long... do you think that he is even sane?"

A frown on his face, Dumbledore grimaced. "If I know Gellart, then yes, he would still be sane despite all that focused on him. Such an atmosphere was created when he incarcerated thousands in Numengard. Wizards, witches, magical beings, even non-magicals and Squibs. be thankful then, that you have never seen the lower, below ground levels of this forsaken place, Victory for I saw it sealed myself. It was there that the worst horrors, depravities and darkness occurred... They did things down there, things that I believe were performed by what could only be the magical versions of that muggle, Mengele."

Shudders ran down Victory's keel as her friend said that and they came into sight of the gate. There, above the gate was an ironwork sign which Victory muttered to herself. "'Für das größere Wohl'..."

Dumbledore nodded as he held back a sigh, feeling guilt well up in him. "Yes... 'For the Greater Good.' Something that to this day is looked at in disgust."

Behind him, it all clicked and Victory looked at the building in horror. "In the name of the Lord, Almighty, Albus... It's a bloody magical version of a concentration camp!" Eye wide, she stepped forward and boggled at her friend. "This... this is like imprisoning Hitler in a Nazi concentration camp!"

It said something that Dumbledore only nodded as the gates opened before them. After a few minutes, he frowned. "Rather... apt, I suppose. Perhaps they felt that the spirits here would make him suffer..." Shaking off his own feelings, Dumbledore lead her inside. "Now then... Gellart is imprisoned at the top of the prison."

The two of them slowly climbed the staircase and walked through the halls of the prison. As they did so, Victory's gaze drifted to the various empty cells. Black, metal bars covering one wall with a stone bed. In some of the cells were what looked like bird cages that hung from the ceiling.

However, what disturbed the shipgirl most was the atmosphere that surrounded her. It was like the very crimes and suffering permated the stones of the prison. And Victory would swear that she could hear, almost beyond hearing, the sounds of those who been imprisoned and died there. Their pleading, screams, and sobbing. Each breeze carried with it the odd feeling of almost ghostly touches, hands gripping at her clothes as if trying to get her to help them escape the prison. Out of the corner of her eye she could see shadows. Some looked like twisted shades of people reaching out for her. Others were akin to faces frozen in dispair, pleading and screaming.

Each step was as if she had a massive weight on her back.

What made it worse for the shipgirl though was how her friend was acting. One could be mistaken as if each step sapped more and more of his energy, more of his life. Or if one was to assume that weights had been added to him and were slowly increasing with each level. Walking up alongside her friend, Victory placed her hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze to let him know that she was there. Reaching up, Dumbledore gave it a squeeze back. Neither of them talked as they made their way through Numengard. There was just something that forced the two to continue on in silence with only their own thoughts for company through the darkness.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they reached the topmost level and found a door there. Staring at it evenly, Victory glanced at Dumbledore. "Is that where...?"

All Dumbledore did was nod as he walked the last few steps to the door and then paused. Inside his head, he was fighting a battle of his own. All through the entire journey, the elderly wizard was beset with doubts. If Numengard was a symbol of Grindlewald's sins, then to Dumbledore it was a monument to his own. How often did What Ifs go through his head every time he thought back, What Ifs that came all the stronger now. What if he had stood up earlier? Fought his friend before he had finally done so? What if he had hunted down Grindlewald after that fight which claimed his sister? He could have prevented so much...

How many of those lives lost to his former friend's evil also stained his own soul?

Yet now that he stood there, before the door behind which Grindlewald laid, he was beset with other thoughts. How easy it would be to just turn around and walk away. To leave this place behind once and for all. It's not like Victory would judge him for it, Albus knew. So... very... easy. All he had to do... was to turn around... and never look back.

The image of a smiling Harry with his friends drifted to the forefront of his mind at that moment.

And Albus Dumbledore, considered by many to be the greatest wizard currently alive. Defeater of Grindlewald. The only one who Voldemort feared above all others. One who considered himself a coward for his own past...

Opened the door to reveal a room with a wooden bed, a threadbare blanket, a small window far too small for a man to fit through.

There was also an emaciated old man there, one who turned and raised one eyebrow at his visitor. On his face there was some surprise before he gave a hum and smiled, a small bit revealing the missing teeth. "Hello, Albus. Now isn't this unexpected though rather pleasant."

Victory just behind him, Dumbledore walked into the cell to face his darkest demons and what may be his biggest battle in a way...

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Coming to a stop, Dumbledore gave his former friend a once over. Internally, a part of him flinched as the years were not kind in the slightest. Something of that must have shown as Grindlewald smiled a bit wider before spreading out his arms. "I must say, normally I would offer you some tea, but it seems that we're all out."

Voice dry, Dumbledore narrowed his eyes some. "How unfortunate."

Gellert examined Dumbledore before a smirk crossed his face. "Well now, I see that you are facing me without my former wand. Have you passed it on or... ah, I see. You do not trust yourself, do you my old friend? How very saddening."

Jaw muscles clenching, Albus glared at him as Grindlewald tutted at him until he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Ignore him, Albus. He is not worth it, not in the slightest."

That, of course, brought Gellert's attention to Victory and he made a show of giving her a once over. "My, my. And what is this, Albus? A lady friend? Hmm... how unexpected considering our past. Did you finally decide to conform to society's expectations then?"

Feeling her friend tense under her hand. Victory turned and gave Grindlewald an even gaze. "How very droll of you. Then again, it seems that your time here has left you completely without manners, if you had any to begin with. Why, you have not even made yourself presentable for a lady."

Somewhat to her annoyance, Grindlewald gave a cackle before giving a half bow. "Well met, Madame. I believe that you have me at a disadvantage as I do not know your name and yet you know who I am. And I suspect the past that I share with dear Albus. Has he ever told you exactly how much he cared for me?"

Eyebrow raising, Victory snorted. "My name is Victory. As for your past, I know of it as Albus has few secrets from me. To be quite honest, I am more disappointed that he even considered someone such as yourself considering your attitude. He could have done far better for himself."

That caused Gellert to stare at her for several moments before he roared with laughter. "Oh, I do like you Frau Victory. Tell me, are you still afloat then?" At the sight of them both freezing, the Dark Lord grinned. "Oh yes, I do know a thing or two about you Sea Nymphs born from ships. I met the most splendid example down in Greece in 1916. Apparently she was around during Troy if she could be believed, and considering that she created a hoarde of warriors from the teeth of dragons, I feel that she could be believed. My time with her was quite interesting to be honest."

With a deep breath, Albus let it out. "Enough games, Gellert. While interesting this conversation was not what I have come for."

Humming, Grindlewald gave Dumbledore a thoughtful look as he murmured. "No, I suppose that you did not. A shame. But why... ah, you need information then, yes. Something regarding perhaps that Dark Lord? Yes, yes, of course such information is not cheap."

Once more, Dumbledore felt his jaw muscles clench before let it out in a hiss. "Name your price, Gellert. This is far too important to me and I shall see what I can do."

For several moments the emaciated old man's eyes gleamed before he grinned. "A nice cup of tea and perhaps some biscuits would be nice. And maybe a nicer blanket." Looking at the threadbare one on his bed, he sighed. "I'm afraid that the current one is not quite up to my standards."

Not having expected that, Dumbledore was at a loss as to what to say. Something he noted with some disquiet seemed to amuse Grindlewald to no end. Clearing his throat, Albus frowned. "I... shall see what I can do."

Victory just snorted before pulling a metal tea cup and filling it with some tea from a beaten up teapot. With a snort, she handed it to the prisoner who took it with some glee and then sipped it. "Here you go then." A plate appeared in her hands with biscuits on it and she set it down on the bed. "Now then..."

Ignoring her, Grindlewald sipped the tea and took a sip before smacking his lips. "Ah, good. Nice and strong, I like it." With a hum, he took one of the biscuits and dipped it into the tea before taking a bite. "Wonderful. You know, the cooks in this place are quite awful. I've made complaints to them, but they ignore it if you would believe it."

Simply waving his wand, Dumbledore conjured two wooden chairs that him and Victory sat down in. "I suppose that the catering here leaves something to be desired. Now, about that information?" All Grindlewald did was wave Dumbledore on as he took another biscuit. "I need to know about Horcruxes."

Much to his surprise though, Gellert paused for a moment before sighing. "Of course, that young, foolish boy. But then I suppose that it is to be expected that he would make one..." Glancing at Dumbledore, he frowned before closing his eyes. "Ah, I see, he made more then one. More the fool he is then."

Her eye widening, Victory stared at him. "How..."

All he did though was chuckle and wag a finger at her. "I have known Albus for some time, Frau Victory. His tells are easy enough for me to read. Still..." Thoughtful, he took another sip of tea. "To make multiples of such horrible things. So very foolish of him, but how many? Hmm... Ah, yes, most likely he would aim for seven. Yes, that would make the most sense as it would appeal to his fool mind. A powerful, magical number. Thirteen he would likely avoid due to it's connection with death and luck. One such as him would not want to attach himself to either. Three would be too few. So yes, seven it would be as the number is also attached to protections."

Despite himself, Dumbledore found himself rather amazed that his former foe came to said conclusion so quickly. 'Then again... perhaps I should not be.' Clearing his throat, he leaned forward. "And why do you see him as a fool? Because he made multiple ones?"

Lightly laughing, Grindlewald shook his head. "Hardly, I see him as a fool for many reasons, Albus. Creating even one marks him as such due to what it would cause. He's damned himself to something far more terrible then the afterlife. More then that makes it certain. I also see him as a fool in regards to him creating an alias then making people too afraid to even speak it or write it. For one obsessed with immortality and declaring that he has gone further then anyone else, he misses the forest for the trees."

Eyebrow raising, Victory frowned. "He does then? How so?"

Another laugh escaped from Grindlewald before he took a sip. "The Ancient Egyptians believed that immortality comes from having one's name spoken after death. That each time it would pass through someone's thoughts, past a person's lips, the person would live again. There is a certain truth to that. Voldemort? He has made it all but certain that his name is to be forgotten. He shall be the Unnamed Dark Lord in time, considered to be terrible, yes. But unknown past that, perhaps a few deeds, and for who defeats him. Other than that... forgotten. A fate worse for one such as him than even death I believe. Meanwhile, my own immortality is assured as my name will go down in history."

There was a considering look on Dumbledore's face. "Did you ever consider such, Gellert? Creating a Horcrux?"

Bemused, Grindlewald shook his head. "Oh, once perhaps. But the idea soon lost it's lustre to myself as I learned more. It is, after all, a false form of immortality. All lives have a certain length, a maximum amount of time that it would be capable of living if all goes right. Certain things such as the Philosopher's Stone can extend this indefinitely. But a Horcrux? No, it merely prevents all death except for old age. Once the person has reached the limit for themselves, their magic will fail and the anchors will deteriorate. It is why so many have been found intact, but without the piece of soul inside of them. Intelligent dark wizards and witches, and I use that lightly considering, only use such things to extend their time to find a form of immortality."

Dumbledore frowned as he watched Grindlewald. "And you were not interested in immortality? At all?"

Leaning forward, Grindlewald grinned showing his missing and rotten teeth. There was a gleam in his eyes chuckled. "My goal, as always was to master death, Albus. Not immortality. To live as long as I could, that was my goal but I always knew that death awaited at the end. I accepted it. As have you, my old friend or else you would not be the Master of the Elder Wand."

Head shooting up, Dumbledore stared at him. "What do you mean by that? To be the Master is to defeat the previous one."

After a moment, Grindlewald chuckled as he set aside the tea. Then he began to roar with laughter and nearly fell from the bed as the two stunned visitors stared. Finally, Grindlewald's laughter trailed off into coughs and wheezes. Breathless, he looked at them. "Is that what you think, Albus? Oh no, to be the Master of any of the Hallows means that one must accept death, to accept that there is an end to all things. The Elder Wand, to master it one needs to accept that Death is powerful, more powerful then any mere mortal. There are things more powerful then Death, but they are few and us humans and others are not among those things. The Cloak, to master is one must accept that Death can come silently, invisibly without one knowing. You may not see or sense it coming before it strikes. And the Stone... I have only solved that after some time here, in my prison thinking. To Master it one needs to accept that Death means meeting those who have come before you. Not to bring them back, but to meet them on the other side as the Stone allows for you to do so on this side. I suspect that in such a case the shades brought back would be more powerful and able to effect the world in various ways. Perhaps acting as Guardians..."

Frowning, Dumbledore stared at him. "And yet, you stated that you wished to live as long as possible..."

Only chuckling, Grindlewald waved a hand at him before taking the tea again and sipping it. "Yes? And? Wanting to live as long as one could does not mean not accepting death. It is part of Life to fight the inevitable, to rage and rage against the dying of the light. But that does not mean that one cannot accept that it will happen. And that is why that fool, Voldemort, will never master the Elder Wand even if he somehow manages to defeat the previous Master. He cannot accept death as being something that will one day happen to him. It would only be a powerful wand in his hands, nothing more or less. In fact, it may attempt to betray him by staying with it's previous Master, as long as they accepted death."

Clearing her throat, Victory frowned. "As... interesting as this is, I fail to see how it deals with the issue that we came for."

A blush appeared on Dumbledore's face before he nodded. "Of course..." Turning to the amused dark wizard, he frowned. "Now then, what do you know of removing a Horcrux? Especially from a living host?"

Eyebrows raising in surprise, Grindlewald stared at him for a moment before shaking his head. "That foolish, foolish boy." Leaning back, he closed his eyes for several moments humming. "To extract it from a living host though, someone important to you I would suppose? Yes, that makes some sense. But how..." Grindlewald sat there for several moments before slowly nodding. "There are... ways... of extracting a soul from a person. Under normal circumstances it would leave one as an empty shell, much like if they were kissed by a Dementor. And considering that is one of the methods, well..."

Grimacing, Dumbledore shook his head. "A Dementor is out of the question entirely. I will not even make the attempt as I know that they are uncontrollable at best."

Simply smiling, Grindlewald continued to lean back. "I would guess not. The other methods are not much better as there are chances of the soul drifting off to the afterlife. All of them are the darkest of rituals as the shell could be used for other purposes... The one who invented it used it to transfer themselves to a new body as their old one grew too old. Some used it to create servants. After all, without a soul the body can be used as simple puppets and one... Well, he was rather fond of the female form, not of the female mind if one catches my drift."

Both Dumbledore and Victory grimaced and had to hold back a shudder at that. Their thoughts were a mirror of the others. 'Disgusting.'

Meanwhile, as if he did not notice, Grindlewald continued. "One though did it to give his wife a new life of sorts. She was a ghost and he believed that if he was to remove the soul from the body, his wife could simply slip into it. They caught a young witch and did it, but unfortunately for them, the girl's lover interrupted the ritual and her soul re-entered her body, expelling the ghost. The damage done to the spirit was enough that it shattered the bonds keeping her on this plane. Her husband died in the backlash as well."

His eyes narrowing, Dumbledore frowned. "It cannot be that easy though."

In reply, Grindlewald made a gesture. "Of course not, as I said the rituals are extremely dark. They involve sacrifice after all. And you would need to make sure to extract the right soul. If you were to take the rightful soul and leave the Horcrux, then it would take over the body."

Eyes closed in thought, Dumbledore frowned for several moments before letting out a sigh. "Tell me."

Once the whole conversation was done, Victory could not help but curl her lip in disgust at what she had heard. She knew that her crew were horrified in much the same way she was, and so was Dumbledore who looked far older then what he was. Grindlewald, meanwhile, shrugged. "As I said, not what you were looking for I would assume."

Standing up, Dumbledore sighed a bit. "No, not what I was hoping." He then gave a small nod to Grindlewald before taking off his outer robe and transfiguring it into a blanket and placing it on the bed. "As per our deal. A good day, Gellert."

Grindlewald seemed almost saddened, but then gave a nod. "A good day, Albus. I hope that you find a way to save whoever it is you are trying to. Despite our differences, I do." As Victory put away the plate and now empty cup, the dark wizard held up a finger. "Please, Frau Victory, a moment of your time?" When she glanced at Dumbledore, Gellart shook his head. "Alone, if you would?"

After a look, Dumbledore nodded some. "I shall be waiting at the first flight of stairs then."

His footsteps could be heard walking away. Turning towards Gellart, Victory narrowed her eye into a glare. "What do you want?"

There was an odd look in Grindlewald's eyes as he looked at the door and then turned back to her. "What do I want? It's simply the same thing as you do so I will ask, look after Albus. I know enough of what is happening from the visits from the Medi-wizard to have an idea. And he shall need someone there for him in time."

Curious, Victory frowned at him for several moments before she spoke up. "How very odd, I would not have thought that you cared for him. Though more surprising is that you are not trying to ask me to help you escape."

Much to her confusion, Grindlewald smiled. "We have our differences between us. But Albus... he is the only one that was my friend. However it ended, I still feel much the same as we were equals, which is why I made the offer I did for his sister when we fought. As to myself..." He spread out his arms to his surroundings. "You may think this is my punishment, but in a way it is only the prelude. A hell of my own making and I am at but the opening act to it until I die. I expect it at the hands of that young fool, Voldemort when he comes to ask about the Elder Wand. Do not worry, I will not tell him anything, a last gasp before I enter my true punishment."

Utterly confused, Victory furrowed her eyebrows. "True punishment? You mean Hell itself then?"

A laugh burst from Grindlewald, one that made Victory shudder as for the first time she could see madness in his eyes. Then he was inches from her face and for a moment she could see why he was so feared a Dark Lord. "You have seen and heard them on your way, Frau Victory. The Unquiet Dead. They torment me so as I live, but cannot harm me. But when I die... when my spirit finally leaves this mortal shell I call a body with my final breath... That is when they will come. All of them." He then grinned. "However..."

For a brief moment, Victory could hear the whispers at the edge of her hearing and was then heading for the door, slamming it behind her as Grindlewald laughed. Reaching Dumbledore, she walked past him. "Let us leave this place, Albus. Let us leave it and never return unless it is to bring it down!"

Dumbledore frowned for a moment and then looked back to where he could hear Grindlewald's laughter. Several hours later they had left Numengard behind, but Victory could still hear Grindlewald's last whisper to her. "However, I have won in the end. I am now immortal as you shall never forget this meeting as long as you live, Frau Victory. And that shall be for a very long time indeed..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

As they walked along the corridor towards the meeting room, Taigei had to narrow her eyes some at RO who had a massive grin on her face. Narrowing her own eyes, the Submarine Tender frowned at her as she crossed her arms. "What are you up to, RO-Chan?"

If anything though, that made RO grin more. Even worse, the Submarine placed her hands behind her back and danced ahead a bit. "Whatever could you mean, Taigei-Nee-Chan? I'm up to nothing at all~"

Eyes narrowing to slits, Taigei hummed. "Nothing, hmm? We'll see about that, RO-Chan." A quick glance had her see that Shioi had a similar grin on her face. 'No, they're both up to something, but what? And could it have to do with why they asked for Ryuuhou to come along as well?'

However, soon enough she reached the door to the meeting room and opened it with Ryuuhou beside her. As she did so, part of her mind noted that both Submarines hung back some. Before Taigei could see anything though, a black haired missile was already heading in her direction. "TAIGEI-CHAN!"

Stumbling back a bit, Taigei looked down in shock as Harry hugged her. "Harry-Chan? Is that you?"

With a look up at her, Harry grinned a bit and nodded. "Yup! It's me alright!" Turning, he then hugged a surprised Ryuuhou with a smile. "Ryuuhou-Chan, you're here as well!"

The Light Carrier laughed a bit, but soon recovered and swept up Harry into a hug herself, followed by Taigei on the other side. "Harry-Chan, we were so worried when we heard what happened to you. Are you okay? You're not still hurt or anything, are you?"

Also looking down at him, Taigei nodded. "Hai, and what are you doing here? Don't you still have a week of school left?"

Looking down a bit, Harry rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry about worrying you, I didn't mean to do that. As for being hurt? Nah, I'm okay now. And I'm here because Iku-Chan said that I should at least let you see me unhurt, so here I am!" Hearing an amused cough from Goto, he flushed some. "Oh, and I'm making a delivery of some things."

From where he was sitting in a chair, Goto gave a small nod. "Quite." His gaze slowly turned to where Ooyodo was looking over some papers given to her by Niiyodo, the younger Cruiser looking slightly nervous. Goto then looked back at Taigei with a small nod with made the Tender blush a bit. "Besides, I thought that it would be a nice gesture."

Gently pulling away from the hug, Taigei gave a small bow. "Hai, thank you, Teitoku. It's much appreciated."

Now free from the hug, Harry walked over and pulled Shioi into an embrace with the tanned girl returning it warmly. "It's good to see you alright, Harry-Chan."

Beside her, RO nodded before accepting her own hug. "Ja, what she said Harry-Chan. It does our hearts good to see that you are not just alive, but healthy." Pulling away slightly, she gave him a smile and a wink. "Hopefully you do not mind us hanging around you so much, or I going on the journey to Germany?"

All Harry did though was shake his head rapidly. "No, no, I don't mind at all." He then gave a small shrug. "Actually, I enjoy being with you guys a lot." Moments later though, the black haired boy blinked at both the highly pleased smiles and small blushes on their faces. 'Was it something that I said?'

Reaching over, Shioi gave a small grin before she ruffled his hair some. As he blushed, she then turned to Goto with a raised eyebrow. "So are we still on for what we came up with?"

Goto leaned back in his chair and slowly nodded some. "You are, as a matter of fact." Checking his watch, he gave a small nod. "In fact, they should all still be in the mess hall at the moment having breakfast still."

Even as Harry blinked in confusion, Ooyodo looked up from her papers and gave a small nod. "Before you go though, Harry-Chan, you have some items here for Taigei-San, I believe? From what I have been told, you have been working at it for some time."

His eyes widening, Harry walked over to a box and then opened it up. Curious, Taigei walked over with a frown on her face. She was soon joined by RO and Shioi who were also waved over and the three looked at the tins inside. Harry took out two of the tins and placed them to the side before handing the box to Taigei. "Here you go, Taigei-Chan. Bruise Healing Cream to be used to help out when you need to do some first aid out at sea."

Doing a quick look inside, Taigei gave a bright smile to Harry. "T-thank you, Harry-Chan. This will be extremely helpful." At the confused looks, she gave a smile to the RO and Shioi. "It heals bruises, which means that it can do some quick work and heal damage from depth charges."

Their eyes widening, the two Submarines turned to Harry and stared as he placed the tins he had placed aside into their hands. "These are for you." At their looks, he gave a small shrug. "That way you can do some first aid if you need to."

Mouth opening and closing, Shioi finally just sighed and shook her head before hugging Harry and leaning down to give him a kiss on the cheek. "You're too nice sometimes, Harry-Chan. But still, thanks for caring."

As RO did the same, Harry blinked some though he blushed a bit nonetheless. A blush that increased as Iku and Hachi as well as Imuya joined in the hug. Something that found him in the center of a bunch of smiling, giggling Submarines. 'This... feels really nice.'

Winking at the others, Iku shook her head. "Harry-Chan really cares, we're lucky to have him as a friend. Aren't we?" There were grins and nods from the others. She then turned towards a bemused Goto with a smirk. "Is there anything else, Teitoku?"

Softly snorting, Goto nodded a bit. "Yes, but not quite yet. The last bit can wait until you return from the mess hall. Now..." The Admiral made a motion with his hands. "Go ahead and enjoy yourselves."

Less then a minute later, the sounds of talking as the Submarines escorted Harry towards the mess hall faded away, Louisiana, Isokaze, and Yukikaze joining them. Once they were gone, Ooyodo raised an eyebrow and looked towards Nagato with an amused look on her face. "I'm amazed that you didn't say anything."

Cocking an eyebrow, Nagato gave her an amused look back. "Should I have? Because I don't feel the need to. I do trust them with Harry after all, they would be among the last ones to get him involved in something that could see him hurt." There were nods from both Goto and Ooyodo at that before Nagato turned towards Niiyodo. "You could have gone with them."

All the Light Cruiser did though was shake her head with a smile. "No, let them enjoy their time with him. Besides, I have some items to discuss with Onee-Sama and Teitoku...." She then glanced at the two in question. "If that's okay?"

Just nodding, Goto gestured to one of the chairs. "Of course, I assume this has to do with the outline you sent for supplies?" At her nod, he watched as Ooyodo poured her sister a coffee and placed it down. "I have to admit, I am rather impressed with the idea. The outline was very well done indeed, have you talked with Percy-San in regards to it?"

Slowly, Niiyodo sipped her coffee before setting it down with a nod. "Hai, I spoke to him and he doesn't mind it much. His only worries are the cost of getting the owl boxes and perhaps someone stumbling across it before the Statute comes down. Percy-San thinks that he has a way though to prevent anyone from figuring things out on his end. He'll get his own house out in the countryside." She then turned and gave her sister a smile. "You chose really well for your boyfriend, Onee-Sama."

Due to having been taking a drink of coffee, Ooyodo paused before nearly doing a spittake. Quickly swallowing what was in her mouth, she coughed as she turned to her younger sister. "T-That's, he's not my boyfriend!" Crossing her arms, the Light Cruiser had a small blush on her cheeks. "We are just very close friends who share certain interests along with Supprin."

Head tilted to the side, Niiyodo blinked. "Then why does he have a picture from last Christmas of you in your outfit on one side of him and Supprin-San on the other side in the chair you're sharing?" Her lips then turned downwards into a frown and she huffed a bit even as her sister's face turned an even brighter red. "He's not playing you, is he? Because if he is, then I'll be having words with him!"

Waving her hands rapidly in the air, Ooyodo shook her head. "He's not, we're, I mean, that's... No one is playing anyone! We're just very, very close! That's all!"

Moments later she froze as Goto spoke up, reminding her that he was there. "Just friends, hmm? Very close and dear friends I would assume?" When the Light Cruiser turned to look at Goto, she noted he had a gleam in his eyes and a massive grin on his face. "How interesting..."

Jaw working for a moment, Ooyodo then pointed at him with a red face. "Not one word, Teitoku! Or else the blueberry muffins will suddenly be scarce, do you hear me! Scarce!"

Eyes wide, Goto stared at her. "You wouldn't..." At the stubborn look on her face, he sighed. "Because of course you would."

While this was going on, Niiyodo was looking from one to the other in confusion and then shrugged it off. 'Odd.' She then flipped through her papers and frowned as she ignored Nagato softly snickering. "Um, anyways, the cost for the owl boxes would be rather low as we can easily pay for them via the funds we're getting from the Room of Hidden Things. Not just on the magical side either as some of the furniture is being bought by some of the shipgirls in the Royal Navy." At the looks, Niiyodo shrugged. "Apparently some of them remind them of furniture from their days."

Giving it some thought, Goto eventually nodded some. "That does make a certain amount of sense. And with this we'll gain access to some foods that won't be blocked by the Abyssals shutting down the convoy routes?" At Niiyodo's nod, he frowned as she considered the thought. "Do we have any facilities where our end can go?"

Ooyodo flipped through her own clipboard and then nodded. "As a matter of fact, yes." She then walked over to some paper rolls and opened then to reveal a map of the tunnels before she pointed to one section. "During the war, this particular area was for storage. We're revamped all the tunnels including here, but we haven't used for anything yet. It's more then capable of holding plenty of supplies in it and it's also somewhat isolated from the rest of the base. In order to get out, they would need to head through these tunnels and outside."

Thoughtful, Goto leaned forward and then slowly nodded. "It seems that would work rather well. Ooyodo? Niiyodo? When the time comes, see what you can use for this. If nothing else, we can mark it down as a test facility for anyone who really asks questions, which in a way it is."

Quickly nodding, the two smiled as they spoke as one. "Hai, Teitoku!"
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

There was a soft murmur as the group walked along the grounds towards the mess hall, all of them talking and catching up with each other as they did so. Frowning, Harry looked over at Taigei with a frown. "Um, any more word about Sendai-Nee? How she is doing?"

On Taigei's face there was a small frown before she shook her head. "There's not much, but she's currently in Pearl with Maya. Both of them were pretty badly hurt by what happened after all, so they're not going to move them for a bit." She then grimaced a bit. "Sendai was practically in flames when Missouri-San put out the fires on her. So she was pretty badly burned. Um... third degree, I think."

When Harry winced though, Ryuuhou shook her head. "But she's doing a lot better! I know that Akashi-San really wants to thank you for the burn salve, it's done wonders and helped fix all the burn damage in a few hours. I know that the other Repair Ships really want some for themselves... and since it's safe for humans, so do some of the military."

Having just realized how she had sounded, Taigei wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulders and gave him a small hug. "Sendai-San is going to be all right, Harry-Chan. Before you know it, she's going to be running around screaming 'YASEN' again and scaring 'Cute little Destroyer-Chans' in the middle of the night. Besides, Jintsuu-San and Naka-San are there as well as Sendai-San's boyfriend and Nevada-San. Atago-San is also there for her own sister." Looking around, Taigei nodded before leaning in with a small giggle. "And from what I heard, Harder-Chan is heading there as well and Atago-San might have Alaska-San's boyfriend with her to help support her since her friend is unable to get away from the Gulf."

Simply nodding, Ryuuhou smiled a bit. "Alaska-San is a great friend, she knows that her best friend needs some support after what happened."

Just nodding, Harry filed away what he had heard in his head for later. Especially as he was still somewhat worried about Sendai. "So Sendai-Nee will be okay?" At their nods, he relaxed some. "That's good to hear."

Looking around, Shioi frowned some. "Granted, it's not just Sendai-San who got hurt recently." At Harry's confusion, she shook her head. "Fubuki-San and Kisaragi-San recently got pretty hurt on a convoy to Iwo Jima." Seeing green eyes widen, the Submarine waved her hands. "They're okay now though, they weren't that badly hurt to begin with after all."

A snort made them look at RO who shrugged. "Sorry, I was just remembering Shoukaku-San. Remember back in late January when she got hurt and lost an arm defending herself from a Abyssal Destroyer on the Southern Convoy Route? Zuikaku-San would not leave her side for days... until Shoukaku-San had enough and sent her away to watch that Destroyer Polo game. Though I don't think that she thought that would get the two of them together."

Blinking, Harry frowned some before shaking it off. "Well, at least they're better now?" It was then that Harry spotted three familiar people walking away from the mess hall and waved. "AKIZUKI-CHAN! HATSUZUKI-CHAN! TERUZUKI-CHAN! OVER HERE!"

The three looked around briefly until their eyes locked onto Harry and widened. Then, as one, they made their way over to him in a manner that made Iku blink. 'Why am I thinking of ducklings right now heading towards someone?'

Upon reaching him, with a path cleared for them, all three Destroyers promptly pulled him into a hug. "HARRY-CHAN!"

Sniffling, Teruzuki rubbed her head on his for a moment. "You're okay, Harry-Chan. You're okay..."

With a nod, Akizuki also reached up to wipe at her eyes before smiling. "We're so happy, Harry-Chan. You had us so worried!"

Even as Hatsuzuki nodded with her sisters, Harry just tried his best to give them each a hug back. "Sorry about that you guys. If I could have, I wouldn't have worried you at all. But I'm alright, see?"

Hachi raised an eyebrow and smirked a bit as she watched as Harry seemingly vanished between the three Duckies, only the top of his head visible. Glancing at Imuya, she grinned. "How long do you think that it will be until they remember that Harry-Chan's not a Submarine?"

Softly snorting, Imuya shook her head. "Soon enough."

Eventually, they did break away from Harry and look him over to make sure that he wasn't hurt. Of course, Akizuki gasped some as she spotted the new scar on Harry's arm. Gently, she ran a finger along it before yanking it away as if it burned and then looking at Harry. "Is... is that where...?"

Reaching up, Harry rubbed the scar a bit. "Where I got bit?" At their nods, he nodded some. "Hai, that's where the basilisk bit me. Madam Pomfrey stated that it's not going to go away since dark magic was involved in the bite."

Very gently, Hatsuzuki gripped Harry's arm and rubbed her thumb along it. "That should have never have happened." Her eyes then darkened some. "When we come, we will make sure that Peeves-Baka will not harm you again. If he tries..."

Her own eyes dark in a way that should have made Harry shiver, but made him feel protected instead, Teruzuki nodded. "He will regret it."

Glancing around, Harry gave a weak chuckle as he looked at the three. Their expressions left him with no doubt that Peeves should avoid the three of them or else. Shaking off the thoughts that ran through his head which revolved around what the three would do, he grabbed their hands best that he could. "Forget about that for now, let's head over to the mess hall for a bit! We can get something to eat quickly and see everyone."

It was like a switch was thrown as the three Akizuki sisters all began to shuffle a bit, even as they blushed from the fact that Harry was holding their hands. "Oh no, we couldn't... We ate enough... We should let everyone else have some..."

All Harry did though was squeeze what parts of their hands were in his own and smile up at them. "Hey, that's okay. Besides, you really should eat more when you can."

Chewing her lip, Teruzuki looked over at the others, only to not see any help coming from them. "Um, but..." Then her mind caught hold of something. "But it was evening over in Scotland, right? So you must have eaten already!"

Now it was Harry's turn to blush some. "Um, yeah... but I'm still kind of hungry." At their surprised looks, he chuckled weakly. "I'm a growing boy?"

RO began to giggle and nodded some. "Ja! Harry-Chan's growing up fast! He's getting taller all the time." Practically skipping forward, she came to a stop just behind him and made a motion with her hand that showed Harry was now reaching her chin. "See?"

Eyes wide, Akizuki looked down and realized that, yes, Harry had grown some since Christmas. "Wha... You got taller, Harry-Chan!" She did a quick measurement and then smiled down at him. "You grew a whole inch!"

Blushing as the other two Destroyers murmured their surprise, Harry nodded some though he smiled. "Yup! Though..." He looked down at his clothes some and frowned. "I'm getting a bit big for some of my clothes..."

Head tilting to the side, Hatsuzuki frowned. "Maybe you should give them away? So that others could use them?"

For several moments, Harry considered that before biting his lip. "Maybe? Some of it anyways... But since they're from the Wizarding World I don't think that I can just hand them over to various stores. I mean, I'm sure that they would notice the robes and stuff... And if I give them away to a second hand clothing store in the Wizarding World, I'm pretty sure that they would sell them as belonging to me with people buying them for that reason..." More then one of the girls gave a shudder at that as they were reminded of certain things. "But I want them to be used and not just thrown out or gathering dust..."

There was a gleam in Taigei's eye before she coughed. "Maybe some of the girls might like them, Harry-Chan. After all, they can be still be of use for some time."

Not having noticed blushes on some of the girls' faces, Harry only nodded. "Maybe..." With a shrug, he turned back to the Akizuki sisters and began to pull them along. "Anyways, let's head to the mess hall for a bit! I really want to see everyone else!"

All the three Destroyers did was let themselves get pulled along, though they began talking with Harry to catch up on things since they would be joining him at Hogwarts when he left.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Due to it being the usual hot, Hawaiian day, most people would not have given the young woman leaning against a railing on the shores of the harbor much more then a second glance. She just stood there staring off at nothing in particular, though some would have noted the tired look around her. However, there were those who did give her more then a second glance, one of whom walked up beside her. "Naka? What the heck are you doing out here?"

Jumping, the Light Cruiser snapped out of her thoughts and turned before blinking at the sight of Harder there. "Harder-Chan? What the heck are you doing here? You're supposed to be down by Okinawa!"

Simply shrugging, Harder walked up beside her. "Yeah, for a bit and then I decided to swing by the Hawaiian Islands, you know? Besides, not like I got a designated area, I'm too awesome for that sort of shit. The whole Pacific is my hunting ground." Coming to a stop, Harder gave her a side long look. "So I decided to go for a enthusiastic walk."

There was utter disbelief on Naka's face as she stared at the Submarine. "Bullshit."

A smirk on her face, Harder waved her off. "I know, I know. But it's true. And I decided on some resupply here at Pearl and found you by yourself... So what are you doing here?"

Naka stared at her before sighing and closing her eyes. "Cut the crap, Harder-Chan. You know why... And I should have never let you watch Hellsing or the Abridged series."

On Harder's face was a small smirk. "What? They're both awesome." Her smirk then fell away as she more closely looked at Naka. "And yeah, I know why your here... How's Sendai doing?"

For several moments, Naka was quiet before opening her eyes and looking skyward. "She's... doing better. It was still touch and go for a while there with the damage she took, a Light Cruiser was never meant to get into a fight with three Battleships. But... they managed, though she hasn't woken up since they brought her in."

Clapping her friend on the shoulder, Harder gave a small smile. "Not too surprising, she is your sister after all. And if she is half as tough as you, then this is not going to stop her in the slightest." Head tilting to the side, she raised an eyebrow. "That does beg the question though... who told you to get out of the Docks?"

Redness in her cheeks, the Light Cruiser looked away. "Who said that someone told me to get out of the docks?"

Tone utterly dry, Harder gave her a look. "Because I know you, Naka. You would be right there until she woke up if you had the choice."

Shoulders slumping a bit, Naka grumbled a bit. "Jintsuu told me to leave... Said that I needed some rest."

Arms crossed, Harder narrowed her eyes. "And she would be right. When the heck was the last time you slept? Or got a decent meal? And don't lie to me, Naka, we both know that I would know."

Only scowling, Naka grunted. "I've gotten enough to eat, Harder-Chan. Besides, us shipgirls don't need that much sleep."

Hand gripping Naka's shoulders, Harder spun her around. "Bullshit, Naka. We may be ships, but we are also people. Rest and good food are something that we need. And right now? I see someone who needs exactly that."

It was then that Harder realized that her hand could feel trembling in Naka's shoulders. "But Sendai-Nee..."

Expression turning gentle, Harder reached up and cupped Naka's cheek. "Sendai would understand you taking a break, Naka. In fact, she would be more pissed off that you weren't and instead of resting were out here brooding. I know that you Japs seem to find that hot or something, but it's not something that I want to see you doing either."

Swallowing, Naka looked away again. "I... I'm not brooding."

Harder snorted and rolled her eyes. "Yes, you are, Naka. And look at me for a moment." When Naka did, she had to blink at the care in the American's eyes. "I'm worried about you right now, you damn Traffic Cone." After several moments, Harder noted that Naka's bloodshot eyes were starting to turn moist. "Talk to me, Naka. I won't judge you and I will be there for you. God knows that you were there for me, so let me return the favor."

If anything, Naka's trembling got worse at that. "I... Sendai-Nee... I nearly lost her... I nearly lost my Nee-San. And she's just laying there and..."

Eyes searching Naka's face, Harder slowly nodded. "And it's hit you pretty damn hard. A lot harder then it would be for most shipgirls."

Slowly, Naka nodded and took a deep breath. "Y-yeah. She's my sister, one of two and..." Closing her eyes, Naka sniffled a bit. "Harder-Chan... You are probably the only one who knows as much about my history as anyone outside Jintsuu-Nee and Sendai-Nee. About my parents and..."

All of it clicked inside of Harder's head at that moment. 'Even though they haven't disowned you, they still don't really act like family. Not like Jintsuu, Sendai or the other Naka and for someone who's blood family ignores them...' Opening her arms, Harder nodded. "Come here, Naka."

Not even saying anything, Naka just stepped into the arms and stayed there as Harder wrapped them around her. Moments later, Naka was burying her face into the crook of the Submarine's neck as she squeezed her eyes shut and let out a harsh sob. "I... I nearly lost her..."

Rubbing her friend's back, Harder only nodded as she nuzzled Naka's ear. "I know, but she's okay now. Everything will be okay, so just let it out. I'm here for you, just let it all out." Pressing the side of her cheek against Naka's head, Harder ignored how Naka's legs seemed to give out as her trembling increased. Same with how she ignored how she felt hot droplets now making their way down her shoulder as she continued to rub Naka's back and support her. "Shhh... shhh... You don't need to keep it in anymore, Naka."

Unable to help herself, Naka just clutched onto Harder all the tighter as she buried her face in the Submarine's neck. Not a sound escaped her, but neither of them cared as they stood there for who knows how long. Eventually though, Naka's trembling subsided and she pulled away and looked at Harder with red rimmed eyes. "I... sorry about getting your clothes wet..."

Eyebrow raised, Harder glanced at her swimsuit before shrugging. "Eh, it doesn't bother me any. Besides, my swimsuit doesn't bother me getting wet." Ignoring the snort, she looked into Naka's eyes with a frown and a piercing stare. "Now, feeling a bit better there?"

With a slow nod, Naka weakly chuckled. "Yeah, a bit..." She then snorted as her lips twitched. "And I can't believe that you go everywhere with that."

Nodding as she noted the small glint in Naka's eyes, Harder shrugged. "What can I say? It's awesome and goes with anything, all I need to do is throw on some shorts or a pair of jeans and boom! Instant awesome. Then again, that describes anything that I do, so..."

Some weak laughs escaped from Naka as she shook her head. "Baka."

A grin on her face, Harder gave her a wink. "There we go, that's the Naka I know. The damn Traffic Cone that doesn't let anything knock her around." Her grin becoming a soft smile, the Submarine nodded. "Now, let's go and get something into those fuel tanks of yours and then get you to bed. A nice meal and some sleep will do you the world of good. You can use the quarters I do in the Submarine Dorms."

Just snorting, Naka allowed herself to be guided away from the shore. "Food, I can agree to. But sleep? What are you going to do if I don't?"

There was a wicked smirk on Harder's face as she hummed for a moment. "What am I going to do? I'll make sure that you have a nap even if I need to handcuff your ass to my bed."

Yet another weak laugh escaped from Naka as the two walked. "Handcuff me to your bed, huh Harder-Chan? My, how kinky, never knew that you had it in you."

Rolling her eyes skyward, Harder sighed before shaking her head. "Oh boy, there's that lewd Jap I know and care about. Don't know if I should be happy that she's back or not." Another weak chuckle reached her ears and she internally grinned. Sure enough though, the Submarine made sure that she had a good sized meal in her stomach before bringing her to the Submarine Dorms. Entering the room put aside for her, Harder nodded as nothing had changed. With how the Submarines came and went however they wanted, the guest portions were kept nice and tidy. 'Good, that makes it easier.'

As Harder turned on the AC and dimmed the lights, Naka sighed at the coolness brushing across her skin. "Ah... That's better."

With a nod, Harder turned around and walked over. "Yeah, a lot better. The Hawaiian climate is not comfortable at times after all." Grabbing the hem of Naka's shirt, she sighed. "Now, off with this and into bed with you. I don't want you getting up for a few hours."

Not even fighting as Harder pulled it off, Naka simply grumbled as she swayed while the past few days caught up with her. "I can do this myself, Harder-Chan. I can take care of myself."

That got her a snort from Harder as the Submarine rolled her eyes before working Naka's pants. "Could have fooled me. Besides, you're dead on your feet and likely to fall on your ass if you try." To prove her point, Harder moved her and then tapped her on the head and sent Naka falling back onto the bed. "See?"

Grumbling as her eyes began to flutter close, Naka tried to glare at her as she removed her shoes and then pants. "Fuck off."

Softly chuckling, Harder shook her head. "Nah, not in the mood." Helping Naka position herself, Harder got into the bed herself and laid down before pulling her friend into an embrace. "There we go."

More grumbles escaped from the Japanese shipgirl as she snuggled in a bit more. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. You don't need to do this."

Only shrugging, Harder softly scoffed. "Yeah, I do if I want to make sure knowing you. Now, you get some sleep and I'll be right here. And I don't want to hear a peep out of you for a couple of hours." Not getting an answer, she frowned and looked down. "Na-" However, Harder paused what she was going to say as she realized that Naka had her eyes closed and was now softly sleeping. With a sigh, she smiled down at her and shook her head. "Knew it, now you just sleep." Leaning down, she placed a kiss on Naka's head. "Rest up, you need it. And I'll be right here for you, Naka. No worries." Laying back herself, Harder sent a message over her phone to Jintsuu. The other Light Cruiser replied back a few seconds later, thanking her for taking care of Naka. Snorting, Harder shook her head as she sent another message. "Not a problem, I'll always take care of her."

With that done, Harder sighed and simply continued to stroke Naka's back until her own eyes closed and she joined her friend in slumber.

 

[darthcourt10]

NotHimAgain

I had a dream that Thanksgiving vacation was less than a week away (in America). And then that dream happened!

In other news, I made another thing.
Dinner Talk

-----

"They're late," Ichika mused, swallowing a large mouthful of noodles. Ushio winced as she watched them going down—that much at once had to hurt. She was right thinking about it, though. Miya and Miko, allegedly planning to be present for dinner, still had yet to arrive. Their ramen was going to get cold.

"They probably got held up somewhere," Umi, seated at Ushio's right, replied. "They weren't the type to blow people off like that. What way would they be coming by?"

"Hey, Namiko?"

Saki's voice, though still audible through the dinner conversation, was pitched lower than usual. Ushio looked up to her left, puzzled. "Is something the matter?"

Saki half-smiled. "Just wanted to make sure that you and Umi made nice." Ushio looked at her in askance as her words clicked one by one.

"Wait—how did you—" She attempted, startled. Saki cut her off by lightly poking her in the forehead with a smirk.

"You honestly think I can't tell when something's wrong between the two of you?" she asked, mock-slyly. Ushio rubbed her forehead and snickered quietly.

"We're okay," she reassured her. "Already made nice." And of course they had. After what the argument so many years ago had nearly done to the relationship between the three girls, making nice was very important.

"Hey," Umi cut in, glancing over at the two. "What are you talking about?" Ushio glanced up at Saki, meeting her eye. The two looked over at Umi, smirking.

"Nothing," they synchronized, speaking in a sing-song lilt. Umi made a face.

"Really? Just… really?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Ushio replied, bringing a hand up to stroke her chin. Behind her, Saki was most likely doing the same. "Is something the matter?" Umi sighed and turned back to her ramen.

Mamiya's cell phone rang. She pulled it out, examining the caller ID. "Hikawa-san," she said, tapping the call button. "Please excuse me." With quick, certain steps, she walked to the front door. Tatsuya watched his sister walk away, then turned back to Umi.

"So," he said, turning his gaze to Ushio and in turn Saki, "You all… Went to Yokosuka? And then she turned into a Shipgirl?"

"It's almost as if you've heard the story before," Saki replied, slightly deadpan. Tatsuya subsided slightly and Ushio felt her heart leap nervously. She didn't want anyone's feelings to get hurt, especially when they were here to help Yae.

"I-is there something you wanted to-to ask?" she said. "A-about tours, or something? Because I'm pretty sure it's not im-impossible to—"

"No, no," Tatsuya shook his head. "Nothing like that. Just curious about the bits I didn't hear." He looked down into his noodles, swirling them around. "Also," he added in a whisper, "if I ever meet Aso again she'll probably try to set me on fire." Ushio blinked, puzzled. He hadn't meant for anyone to hear that… had he? He'd met Aso before? What was the story there? Did she even want to know?

Tatsuya glanced towards her, and she began to wolf down her ramen. She couldn't see them, but she knew that Umi and Saki were giving her those 'what exactly are you doing' looks that they had developed from dealing with destroyers and younger siblings respectively.

"Nagawa-san!"

Ushio looked up, half-remembering the voice, and suddenly her arms were pressed to her sides by a massive hug. "S-S-Seo-san!" she exclaimed, fumbling and nearly losing her grip on her chopsticks. "W-what are you—"

"But it's been so long," Seo Miya, who had by some stroke of nature had apparently hit at least one-hundred eighty centimeters, cooed, "And you still look just adorable!"

"Miya," another voice came, and Ushio felt herself released, dropping back down into her seat. She turned to see Miya, looking slightly disappointed. Beside her stood Miko, meeting her eyes with an apologetic glance. Though unable to match the other for size, Ushio noted that she looked fit (if she recalled correctly, according to Miko's story, she was a runner) "It's good to see you again, everyone. Thanks for coming."

Yae smiled. Miko looked a bit startled, and then returned the smile. From where Ushio was sitting, it looked more tired, relieved, and… teary? Ushio looked over at Umi. She was smiling and waving at the two new arrivals, but Ushio caught her eye and she looked down. Blinking briefly, she smiled and shrugged. Ushio considered this, agreed, and nodded. Behind her, she heard Saki burst into giggles.

"Hey," Yae said suddenly, "Chisaki! You haven't said anything tonight!"

"Can't," Chisaki replied through a mouthful of food, "tired. More papers."

Ushio hadn't seen much of the miserable Yae that had been described to her. She was happy for that.
-----

Well what do you think, sirs?

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

There was a smile on Shioi's face as she sat across from Harry and simply watched as various shipgirls came up and hugged him. More than a few were extremely happy and relieved to see him fine, Fubuki and her group being one of those. Between various hugs and embraces, Harry was grinning as he ate a yogurt cup. Shioi did catch him sneaking food onto the plates of the Duckies without them noticing every time their attention was elsewhere. This was helped by how others kept distracting them and how happy they were to see Harry alright. Having noticed that Shioi had caught him, Harry gave the Submarine a wink. 'Harry-Chan...'

Shaking her head, Shioi turned to her own breakfast as she had to top up her fuel tanks, or was that her stomach? Well, one way or the other she had to eat before they headed out. As she did so, Shioi's mind turned to other matters. Mainly to the same thing that had been going through all the Yokosuka Subgirls minds since they got word of what had happened. If Iku and the others were horrified, Shioi had been stricken.

And there were many reasons for that.

Much like her fellows, Shioi when she had come back had often ended up ignored or given little attention by the human Officers and other shipgirls. Much like them, she went through dangers unlike what the surface shipgirls did. However... even among the Submarines she was alone. And it was not just because her sisters were yet to return, the rest of the I-400 class. That was just a part of it though a large chunk.

Back during the war, the idea that lead to her and her sisters had been the brainchild of Isoroku Yamamoto himself. His idea was relatively simple while also being complex that make work. Submarines were capable of sneaking into places and releasing their payloads. From that, along with how the IJN had experimented with Submarines using floatplanes before the war, had come the idea of a submersible Aircraft Carrier. An idea that culminated with the I-400 series, a group of Submarines who could sneak on close to the American mainland even during the war and perform strikes with the element of surprise with their planes. However, by the time that they were ready... time had run out for Japan. None of them would ever see combat or even a single mission.

Each of them were taken and examined by the Americans and then scuttled to deny any information to the Soviets.

Thus, when she had heard the call to return from where she was in the Endless Sunlit Sea, Shioi had done so. She could still remember the surfacing in the Summoning Pool to see it surrounded with shipgirls, Officers of the JMSDF, and Admiral Goto watching. All of them were surprised with who they had gotten and more then a few shipgirls had been confused when they were told who she was. Even though she was surprised with having returned in the form of a teenaged girl, Shioi had been happy. She was finally going to prove herself!

Soon after, she was placed in the same group as Iku and the others, all of whom were shocked when they had met her. After all, as the largest Submarine built by Japan, let alone the rest of the world in WWII, Shioi was tall when compared with the others. In fact, she a full head taller with long legs that she rather liked. That didn't stop them from welcoming her though with open arms. A fact she still looked fondly on to this day.

However... issues soon became apparent. She couldn't dive as fast as the others and was not nearly as maneuverable under the waves as her fellow Subgirls. It didn't matter to the others, but sometimes she heard comments from fellow shipgirls and humans, ones that stung. Due to her issues though, she mostly used for reconnaissance. Her three planes were able to cover large swaths of the ocean in order to hunt the Abyssals. More then one group was found by her and sunk either by fellow Submarines or surface forces due to her spotting them and passing it on.

But despite that and the companionship shown to her by the rest of the Subs, Shioi still found herself somewhat outside. She was a Submarine, but she was also a Aircraft Carrier, and not a very good one compared even to the smallest Light Carrier. After all, she only had three Floatplanes. If only her sisters had returned, then maybe... maybe they could do a lot more and make a real difference. They could even perform the missions they were built for, except against the Abyssals.

It was a few years after being summoned that she first saw Harry. At the time though, she had dismissed him as she didn't see him that often and mainly at a distance. Something that changed though after Iku had saved him from being killed during an Abyssal attack. That first visit to drop off treats to thank them had been a surprise, which was soon followed by happiness as he came back again and again. The young, black haired boy showing them with the attention that they wanted and craved.

Of course, eventually he asked her about herself. And being who she was, she explained about what she was. Shioi had expected, and got, the surprise at the idea of a submersible Aircraft Carrier. What she had not expected was for him to declare it to be cool and awesome before he asked her all sorts of questions. Questions that she found herself answering and enjoying doing so. Especially any that dealt with flying as she really enjoyed talking about that. Shioi, like the others, soon grew to enjoy the visits and looking forward to them. One day though... Harry had arrived to find the others comforting a tearful Shioi.

Mainly due to finding out the dark secret of Nakantorishima.

In the final days of the war, there were rumours about some sort of secret mission. One that her Captain was told would drive the Americans away from Japan out of fear of Japan's wrath. Wrath that would visit upon the Americans the same destruction that they had brought to Japanese cities such as Tokyo. Not much more information was given to him at the time, and he never did find out what that final mission was to be. It was not until after the First Battle of Nakanotorishima that Shioi found out and soon wished that she never had. Goto had taken her aside with some intelligence agents. She was questioned about if there was a mission that she was to do at the end of the war against the Americans.

Confused as that was a long time ago, she had answered all the questions truthfully and to the best of her ability. Everything that she could remember from her Captain, the rumours of some sort of super weapon. At the time, those members of her crew in the know thought that it was some kind of new explosive, far more powerful then any other. Or perhaps something cooked up by Unit-731, and horrific as that was. But one of the agents had thought that she was not telling them everything. During one of the interviews, he had confronted her and then told her what was going on and what her mission was to be.

Obscurials... souls of children often tortured and tormented until their very magic transformed them into beings of pure destruction.

He had been trying to get a reaction from her... And a reaction he got as she ran for the nearest garbage pail and emptied her fuel tanks into it out of sheer horror of what might have been. It was also one of the few times that Shioi could remember Goto being completely enraged beyond all belief, all at the agent. And if Goto was bad, then Mikasa who was also there was even worse, though she had to hold the Admiral back. Coldly, the Battleship had then grabbed the agent and taken him outside... with Shioi never seeing what happened to him afterward, not that she was in a state to care.

Sadly, the damage had already been done. The Submarine has found herself completely and utterly sickened with the thought of what she might have been party to. For some time afterwards, she had suffered nightmares where she had performed the mission in question. She could see her pilots, out of their eyes as they released their demonic payloads onto unsuspecting people. Where her pilots saw the screaming, tormented faces of children as they tore apart men, women, and children. And some of those tormented faces had green eyes. Others had aisle of black smoke, like messy hair.

That day that Harry had arrived to find Shioi was one just after such a nightmare. It was a day that became both a sad and a happy one for the Subgirl. Sad because of why she was reacting the way she had been. And happy because of Harry. She told him what happened after he did his best to get it out of her, sure that he would turn away in disgust. Instead, he had simply pulled her into a hug. He had not cared about what she might have done in another world. He simply cared about her now and as a friend. The black haired boy may not have known, but that day when he comforted her at her lowest was the day he earned a place in her heart.

Sure, Shioi was not sure what she felt, though she was sure that it was not the same as Iku, Hachi, or even Maruyu obviously did. But she still cared deeply for Harry. And while she understood that it was not quite love yet, she could see it eventually become that possibly. And that was why she decided to wait and see for when he was older. They had plenty of time after all and he was young yet.

And if Hachi's crazy plan worked?

Well, Shioi would be pretty damn happy. But even if it didn't, the large Submarine would be happy as the plan would mean that they would still be close with him. That they would remain close friends with him. Especially as all of them had planned to pool their resources and buy a house close to his. If nothing else, they would be the best damn aunts to any children Harry could ask for. And woe to anyone who threatened them. That, for the Submarines, would be more then enough to count as a massive success.

Squawks brought Shioi out of her thoughts and she blinked as she realized that she had finished her breakfast without realizing it. Another squawk caused her to look around before she noticed what was causing it and bit back laughter. Mainly because a squirming Harry was trying to get away from Iku who had one finger in his side. "IKU-CHAN!"

Unfortunately for Harry, that brought him within reach of Imuya who did the same thing as Iku, but from the other side. Grinning, Shioi watched the three of them playing as various people laughed. Suddenly, there was a flash inside her eye as one of her Fairies took a picture to add to the album that the Submarines had. An album specifically for moments like this so that they could be reminded of lighter times as needed. Their memories were fine though and they often looked back so that they could warm them as they made their way in the dark, cold sea.
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Goto looked across the table at the group in front of him with a thoughtful look on his face. Eventually, he nodded some with a sigh. "Now then, while you are all officially on leave, we all know that you are in fact protecting Harry. Thankfully, this is the last week we'll need to for right now. However, that said? This week is also the one that really matters."

Head tilting to the side, Hoel-Ni frowned some. "Because of Peeves?"

The Admiral nodded. "Because of Peeves. From reports he's been keeping his head down so far. But that could change if he catches wind of what is going to happen. If he does..."

Grimacing, Harry nodded with a shudder as he remembered one bit in Hogwarts: A History. "He'll likely start attacking the students as a whole... And might focus on my specifically due to what happened, right?" At the nod, the black haired boy scratched his head. "Great..."

Lips twitching, Goto gave him a small grin. "That is also why we're sending mostly the Destroyers and Submarines. Their guns are weaker and would do less damage to those around them. But should be more then enough to handle Peeves if needed."

When he glanced at Akizuki, the Destroyer in question gave a quick nod. "Hai, Teitoku! We've also had our crew arm themselves just in case." At the look the got, Akizuki blushed some. "So we have less need of using our big guns."

Chuckling, Nagato smiled at her. "Well, that might keep the damage down..." Her smile then vanished. "That said? This is the most dangerous part. If there was any time that Peeves might find out, it would be now as someone might relax and say something within hearing range. Operational security is a must at this point and we cannot afford to relax until every student is out of Hogwarts and safe. Of course, once that happens..."

Slowly, that got her similar grins from the other shipgirls. Meanwhile, Harry mimed sipping his lips. "Loose lips sink ships, right Mum?"

Only nodding, Nagato crossed her arms. "Exactly, Harry. Don't talk about it to anyone, or if you do? Make sure that Peeves is nowhere nearby and do it as low as possible. People relaxing when everything seems a done deal has caused more damage then anything else. And I want you to be safe coming home."

Clearing her throat, Ooyodo got their attention as she also glanced at her younger sister. "Now, with that in mind you still have your missions to complete." Part of her was amused by how Harry and Niiyodo stood up a bit straighter. "The materials that you've gathered already is going to be of great help with summoning as it is."

More then a little curious, Harry tilted his head at Ooyodo with a small frown. "Um, how much have we brought back anyways? I know that it was a lot, but..."

Her lips curling, Ooyodo made a show of flipping through the pages. "As of now? You have gathered about nine hundred pounds of steel in five pound ingots. Enough to summon several capital ships. Then you have six hundred pounds in copper, eight hundred in brass, one thousand and two hundred in pewter. You have also gathered nearly ten pounds of gold and about twenty-five of silver in the form of cauldrons. At current prices that is more then a decent chunk of cash that can got for various things for our operating funds."

Leaning back, Goto nodded some. "In particular the funds that will be used for things like buying potions ingredients and other magical items. The less attention that attracts until the Statute falls the better, so the funds will go a long way towards that." He then smiled a bit with a twinkle in his eyes. "Though you and Natsumi-San will, of course, get a small finders fee which will be some nice pocket change for you."

Weakly chuckling, Harry rubbed the back of his head. "Um, not that I really need it, but... thanks?"

All Goto did was nod that even as Harry blushed at the proud look that Nagato was giving him. Walking over, Nagato placed a hand onto his shoulder and shook her head. "Harry, you've done a lot of work in regards to that. I'm proud of what you've accomplished here and you should be too. If it was not for you using you magic to transfigure them into bars, we would need to cart back all the metal in the form of broken and badly damaged cauldrons. Much like Tenryuu and DesDiv6 are when during their resource expeditions they bring back a large amount of material."

Scratching his cheek, Harry gave a sheepish smile. "Thanks, Mum. But I really don't mind." Shrugging, he continued. "Besides, it gives me practice with transfiguration. Professor McGonagall was really happy with it when she found out and stated that perhaps in a few years I might do well enough that she has an offer of some sort." At the intrigued look, the black haired boy shook his head. "She won't tell me, but said she would talk with you first. Something about all the transfiguration, even if it's simple and repetitive, helping me get experience."

Interested, Nagato only nodded at that. "I see... then I shall look forward to that talk." Even as Harry smiled back, the Battleship looked down at the white lump that was clutching onto his leg. "Hoppou, you know that Harry needs to go back to school."

Two red eyes looked right back at her and blinked. "Hoppou knows. But Hoppou staying right here."

Unable to help himself at the sigh from his adopted mother, Harry snickered and patted Hoppou's head. "It's okay, Mum. Besides, Hoppou is just getting in what time she can..." He then frowned as he looked down at his little sister. "Though she said that she's going to make sure that I'm safe getting out of Hogwarts."

At that, everyone else turned to Hoppou who smiled at them with closed eyes. "Hoppou knows someone who wants to make sure that Big Brother is safe. And will make sure that Big Brother gets onto his train safely! Hoppou is sure of it! Hoppou also asked Headmaster and he said yes!" Cutely tilting her head to the side, she blinked. "Though Hoppou doesn't know why he said that the school needs some excitement now and then..."

More then one unsure look was passed around at that before they all decided to ask later. Clearing his throat, Goto turned towards RO who straightened a bit. "Now then, I do have one mission for you, RO-Kun. If you would step forward?"

Doing so, she came to a stop in front of the table at attention. Everyone could see her shift from being "RO" to her old personality of Yuu at the serious expression on Goto's face. "Ja, Admiral? What mission?"

Hands folded in front of his face, Goto considered her for a few moments before nodding. "Now, I am sure that you know that Harry will be going to Germany from Britain once he gets out of Hogwarts?" At her nod, he continued. "You will accompany him along with Hachi-Kun on this. To that end, you are the one who will be given the materials that Admiral Hartmann is to use."

Ooyodo stepped up and placed a lockbox onto the table. With deft fingers, she entered the combination as RO watched and then inserted a key and turned it. The box opened to reveal that the inside was padded and that were was two vials inside. One vial contained small shards of a red crystal and the other a glowing liquid. "Magicite and the Liquid of Life. One vial of each in order to help the Deutsche Marine get Wesen as well as any others."

Pulling the box towards her, RO stared down at the materials inside before nodding and pushing back. "I will guard it with my life."

The only thing that Goto did was nod at that. "I know that you will. From now until you hand it off, I now entrust these materials to you."

With a slow nod, RO watched as Ooyodo closed the lock box and locked it. "I, RO-500, U-511, am now entrusted with these materials until they are handed to Admiral Hartmann of the Deutsche Marine." Looking over the paper with the combination for the lock, RO memorized it and then nodded. She then took the lockbox and slid it into her pocket, even as she gained a far off look in her eyes. At the same time, she entered her hull carrying said lockbox and walked through it as various members of her crew watched. Then, RO handed the lockbox to her Captain who gave a salute and walked off to secure it. Outside, everyone watched as RO's consciousness returned to the outside world and gave a salute. "It is now secured."

Returning it, Goto leaned back and smiled. "Now that is all done, I have two final orders for you before you go. One, be safe, and two? Enjoy yourselves."

There were smiles on all their faces as they took a hold of the rope that was the portkey. "Hai, Taitoku!" With a final hug to Hoppou, Harry smiled and stood there and a minute later, they were all headed off to Hogwarts together.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Allowing Harry to lead the way through Hogwarts, Teruzuki glanced around from her position on one side of him. Behind Harry was Akizuki while Hatsuzuki took up the other side from where Teruzuki was. The three Destroyers were taking their duties extremely seriously as they walked along. Any movement out of the corner of their eyes caused the three to look in that direction. In fact, more then one ghost was startled when they came out from a wall and found the three girls all focused on them as they walked past.

Unknown to the Destroyers, the ghosts found that both uncanny and somewhat frightening on some levels.

Even so though, not all the attention that they got was negative though as they carried out their own conversations. Akizuki was talking with Kaylee about something involving Jaw while Hatsuzuki was having a soft discussion with Harry. None of them really taking heed of various male students and some of the females staring at them as they walked around in their usual uniforms. Some of the older boys especially were observing them closely, though the Destroyers didn't care as they kept watch. Out of all of them though, Teruzuki was keeping an especially close eye out for Peeves. After all, they had a bone to pick with him regarding how he had nearly gotten Harry killed.

Teruzuki almost wished that Peeves would try something and give them the excuse to end him once and for all, but caught herself. Mainly because him doing something very well would likely involve someone getting hurt. And if there was one thing that she did not want, it was for someone to get hurt. A laugh caused her to glance out of the side of her eye and smile a bit at seeing Harry grinning about something that Hatsuzuki had told him. The sight of him grinning and laughing caused all three Destroyers to smile, with Teruzuki shaking her head slightly.

While they walked along, part of Teruzuki was reminded of hearing about Harry's near death. It had shaken everyone pretty badly and she could remember the three cuddling together as they awaited word as to if their friend was okay or not. At hearing that he was, the relief that they felt could well have been visible. And when asked if they wanted to join him to keep watch, they had jumped at it. No one was going to hurt their friend if they could help it!
Before they knew it, they had arrived at the Great Hall and entered it to find various plates there. Not long after they sat down though, there were piles of food everywhere that the three Akizukis were looking at in pure awe.

Glancing some at the food and swallowing, Teruzuki turned to Harry. "H-how much can we get? I mean, what sort of portions?"

Highly amused, Harry gave them all a grin before gesturing at the food. "Go ahead and take as much as you like. After all, there's plenty for everyone and there's not exactly a limit as to how much food we can get. Not to mention that if needed, more can be made."

Chewing her lip, Akizuki reached out for a muffin before pulling back her hand. "I..." She then looked at Harry and swallowed. "Are you sure that's okay? I mean, shouldn't most of this be saved for the students?"

Unnoticed by them, there were looks of disbelief on various students' faces as they stared at the Destroyer in question. All Harry did though was roll his eyes and begin to pile food on plates. "Yes, I'm sure. Now, give me a second and I'll make sure to give you a right proper stuffing!"

Several coughs made them turn to find Alicia choking and pounding her chest while Katie was trying not to laugh. Noticing the looks, Alicia took a deep drag of pumpkin juice and waved them off. "Sorry, some food went down the wrong pipe. That's all..."

When the Destroyers turned back, Katie leaned towards her friend with a raised eyebrow. "You think that he realizes how that sounded? I mean... seriously?"

All Alicia did was snort and shake her head. "Nah, he didn't realize how that sounded, I think. But I'm not going to tell him." Glancing to Harry, she frowned some as she turned back to Katie. "Are you?"

That got her a roll of the eyes from Katie as she turned to her own breakfast. "No, thank you. I don't have a death wish after all."

Now with that settled, the two turned to eating as they listened in on the conversation going on. For example, Hatsuzuki was waving her hands in the air as Harry continued to pile food onto their plate. "Ah, Harry-Chan! I don't think that we need this much food."

Harry gave her a look and then added more bacon. "Nonsense! You girls need a lot more food. And I'm going to make sure that you are going to get it."

Those words brought a smile to Akizuki's face as she considered the meaning behind it. 'Hai, you would, Harry-Chan. And you always do.' Shaking her head, she swallowed before grabbing a waffle that was on her plate. At the same time, various memories ran through her head of Harry making them food and feeding them it. The first one was of course the day that they were summoned when he cooked them up some wonderful barbecued bolgna sandwiches.

Said type of sandwich was, of course, still among their favorite foods when they got it.

From there he had always made sure that they had enough to eat, even if he had to force them to take enough. Absolutely nothing would stop him in his quest in making sure that they would eat their fills. He would even stand there and shovel more food onto them. And they loved him for it. They loved the fact that someone cared enough for them to make sure that they could fill their bellies when needed, even if they continually thought that the supplies they used would be better elsewhere. Harry, himself, did not care.

Watching as Teruzuki happily bit into an apple, Akizuki could only smile wider. For the three of them, it was simply things in life that made them happy. Warm, filling food was one. Unless the food was supposed to be cold, of course. But even more important to them and the things that they treasured most was spending time with their friend while being fed. Sometimes hugs and headpats were also involved. And the best times was when Harry had them help out with making their own food. Lessons that they took to heart.

Really, was it any surprise that when they considered the future, it involved Harry? Akizuki knew that the same idea was in her sister's heads when they dreamed of the future. Mainly that they saw themselves living either at the same place as Harry or nearby, and coming over each meal time. And every time, there would be Harry ready for them with filling, tasty food, just for them. Food that he cooked up so that they could eat it, though sometimes they helped. During meals, there would also be hugs and such while they talked about various things.

Dreams like that always left them warm on the inside and happy, though the one time they described them they got odd looks.

At Harry's raised eyebrow though, Akizuki turned to her food fully. After all, Harry would stuff them full of food like he threatened if they did not eat. They would protest some, of course, but their hearts would not be in it. And in the end, that was what mattered to them. Something that brought a small shine to their eyes each and every time while their boilers heated up.
_______________________________________________________________________

The next two days passed rather quietly with Harry going to class with at least Maruyu following him between the times that she was teaching Regina some hand to hand moves. As well, there was usually one of the Akizuki class also with him. All to keep an eye on him and keep an eye out for Peeves who had been rather quiet. But except for the odd prank or him knocking down suits of armor, the poltergeist was not doing much. In fact, he was avoiding Harry.

Most likely, he expected that Harry would try and freeze him in place for several hours for revenge.

However, none of them minded that too much. After all, the less time he spent bothering them, the better. The teachers though seemed to think that they needed to cram as much into the minds of the students as possible and so increased their workload and homework. When combined with OWLs and such, it lead to some explosive situations that needed to be fixed. People looked for any stress relief that they could get in their free time as possible.
On Tuesday morning though, Kaylee had blinked at an update to the rules and frowned before gesturing at Harry and asking about it. Harry, after checking it himself was rather confused by the whole thing and tried to find out more. Despite him asking though, no one would answer him. Something that confused him as all he wanted to know was why farm animals were not allowed on Hogwarts grounds anymore.

Go figure.

With that in mind of course, it was no surprise that found Harry and the rest enjoying a bit of the now warmer March weather outside. The spring sunshine rained down on the group as they played on the grounds. The game? "WHAAAAAA-WHOOOOO!" That of tag. "THIS IS AWESOME!"

Blinking, Flora looked away from the conversation with Daphne and frowned as she scanned the grounds. "Where is that coming from?"

About to answer, any reply of Daphne's stopped as Regina slammed into the ground not far away, the Re-class having leapt over the hill. Hooves digging into the soft earth, she skidded long to slow down some before pushing off in another direction. But if that was not enough to have caused the four Slytherins to pause, the fact that a grinning Harry was astride Regina's tail certainly was. The black haired boy was wrapped around it with his head just above the tail's. Regina gave them a wave and a nod as she ran, her legs powering her along as she ran in front of them. "Um, good afternoon..."

Harry also gave them a nod and a grin. "Hi!" Then his eyes caught something and he blinked. "Regina! Akizuki-Chan has Maruyu-Chan!"

Head whipping around, Regina turned in the direction of the hill as did the four Slytherins. Unlike Harry and Regina though, the Slytherins just boggled as the Destroyer grabbed Maruyu and threw her in the direction of the Re-Class. The little Submarine flew through the air with a grin as she came down in an arc towards him. "I'VE GOT YOU THIS TIME!"

Sadly for her, at the very last moment Regina twirled away with her tail pulling Harry just out of the line of fire with Maruyu slamming into the ground and skidding past. Then her tail opened it's mouth and sprayed out a black cloud of smoke. As the Slytherins watched, Regina burst out of the cloud with Harry still on her tail and grinning like a madman as he patted it, something that it seemed to enjoy. Blinking, Flora tilted her head to the side. "What in the name of Merlin and Morgana are they doing?"

Rubbing at her eyes, Daphne frowned for a moment before staring. "I... think that it's some sort of game of tag? Or keep away? With... Potter being the ball? Maybe?"

With a hum, Hestia smirked a bit. "Well, it seems that Potter managed to get a piece of tail."

Closing her eyes, Tracy snorted and shook her head with a grin. "Oh man... now that was a good one. Tail, going to need to remember that." When she opened them though, she noticed something and looked up. "Wait, is that person? Natsumi?"

Nearly as one, they tilted their heads back and nodded with Daphne frowning. "Yes? And I believe that's Potter's broom... But is that Virginia hanging off it?"

Trace put her hands in her pockets, but gave a grunt of agreement. "Yes, but why..." Then her eyebrows raised some. "Never mind, she just let go and... yup, she's on a course with Regina."

Flora brought up one finger and pointed. "And look, those other Destroyers are close to catching her. And the Submarines I think that they were called?"

Looking, Daphne blinked as, sure enough, Regina was trying to avoid both RO and Shioi's lunges while both Teruzuki and Hatsuzuki tried to catch her while Akizuki nearly had her. Then the Abyssal narrowed her eyes and tensed her legs before leaping high into the air and forcing Natsumi to dodge. Something that made another shout of joy rip out of Harry's throat. "YEEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

Below her, Teruzuki only had moments before a shouting Virginia hit her and sent both tumbling along the ground. The four Slytherins all winced at the sound of the bodies hitting, but then stared as the two got to their feet and ran towards where Regina had landed and was once more running while Harry laughed. Tracy had a thoughtful look on her face. "You know what?" When they turned to look at her, the Slytherin had a bit of a shit eating grin on her face. "That right there is pretty damn awesome."

Rolling her eyes, Daphne snorted. "You would say that."

All Tracy did though was shrug. "So? Besides, want to watch them?" She then pointed her thumb. "Looks like half the school already is."

When they looked the other three Slytherins found that she was pretty much correct. Even from where they were they could see some students looking out the various windows in the castle. Others were watching from a distance at the odd game. Finally, after some thought, Daphne nodded. "Why not? It's interesting at least."

There were sounds of agreement from the other three as they turned back to the game going on.

 

[darthcourt10]

Snippet 93: S0ngD0g13

Charlotte perched atop a tall tree-stump and swung the lure around herself on its long cord as she watched Gin-ya playing with Harry and the others. All at once Gosling stooped and homed in on the swinging lure, turning upside-down in midair as she struck and bound. "Good girl, Gosling," the Acromantula said as she gave the Goshawk a piece of chicken. A second piece was given to Gosling when Charlotte clicked her fangs and the hawk hopped off the lure and onto the silk pad that Charlotte used in lieu of a gauntlet.

In the days since Charlotte had found Gosling, the hawk had grown her flight-feathers, and though she wasn't really ready to be flown at game, Charlotte made sure to fly her at the lure every day for exercise, and fed her good chicken from the kitchens so Gosling would grow big and strong. She'd also been training Gosling to respond to verbal commands and fang-clicks, just like Uncle James did with the dogs back in Kure, and Gosling was learning! Charlotte was so proud; she had the smartest hawk in Hogwarts!

Charlotte coiled the lure-line up and slipped it onto her harness; a nice Gryffindor named Gred had charmed it so she just had to coil it up and it would stick itself right to her side, and Gred's brother, Forge, said he'd make a hood for Gosling too. The pair, hawk and hawker, started toward the students, when a pheasant flushed just ahead of them, bursting out of the brush in a rush of feathers. Gosling took flight, flapping to gain height as the ring-neck flew toward Daphne and Tracey.

Gosling folded her wings and dove, cutting the corner as the pheasant tried to break right and escape. The Goshawk went inverted and struck, binding the bird and bearing it down as the students watched. Charlotte bounded over to Gosling. "Good girl, Gosling! Good girl! Now, Release!" The hawk stepped off the pheasant and onto the perch-pad, and was duly-praised and rewarded. Charlotte picked up the pheasant. "Didja see it? Didja see it?" she asked the others, her voice glowing with pride. "Gosling got her first ring-neck and she was awesome! Gin-ya, do ya think Gred'n'Forge can put the tail-feathers on Gosling's hood? For a trophy?"

"Maybe, Charlotte. It wouldn't hurt to ask, right? And yes, Face-Hugger, Gosling's a helluva hawk, and you're a helluva hawker who did a great job training her."

 

[darthcourt10]

Snippet 94: S0ngD0g13

Virginia sat by the fire in Gryffindor Tower, a cloth across her lap and the pieces of an arrow spread across it, waiting to be assembled...

A shaft of holly, thirty-six inches and carefully straightened by steaming until the full cloth-yard length was true. Onto one end she attached a nock of hand-carved dragon-tooth ivory, securing it with hoof-glue made from unicorn hoof-trimmings.

On the opposite end Virginia placed the arrowhead, a long bodkin-point carved from a leopard-seal's tooth and scrimshawed with Celtic Ogham runes around the base. This she secured with more unicorn-hoof glue...

The fletchings were a single right-wing feather from a snowy-owl and two right-wing feathers from Fawkes the phoenix; they were cut to shape and glued down, then tied down with thread of acromantula silk...

Kaylee set that arrow aside and started assembling a second, different arrow; a shaft of old, dark-stained yew, nocked with ebony and fletched with crow-quills off the left-wing, glued with hoof-glue made from clippings of warhorse-hooves, tipped with a broadhead of razor-edged black cast-iron that smelled faintly of woodsmoke and strongly of basilisk venom, and bound with rattlesnake-gut. As Kaylee slid a leather cover over the arrowhead, she smiled savagely and thought to herself...

Arrow, Black Arrow! I have saved you for the Last...

"Now, once the glue sets, I'll give the holly arrow to Akizuki, to give to Harry..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

It was a group of somewhat tired and rather dirty shipgirls, two twelve year olds, and one Abyssal that stumbled into the quarters that they had been given. All of them had enjoyed the rough play of the day, with even Niiyodo joining them near the end. Roughly an hour later though found them all relaxing as they waited for the time when dinner started.

Which is not to say that some of them did not start early.

"... Seriously? Are you eating just before dinner, Regina-San?"

Blinking, Regina looked over from where she was eating some chocolate covered peppermint patties and then swallowed with a shy look on her face as she turned towards Natsumi. "Um... I really like these though."

From where she was splayed out on a chair, Hoel-Ni turned towards her. "Wait, seriously? You like those things?" At the nod from Regina, the Destroyer hummed. "Huh... that's kind of interesting." Scratching her cheek, she gave a small shrug even as she noticed Harry walking over. "You ever have one of those York Peppermint Patties? Cause I can get some for you next time."

Almost immediately, the Re-Class' eyes sparkled a bit. "Would you? I love those so much, but we don't really get them in our territory that often."

Lips twitching as Hoel-Ni answered in the affirmative, Harry sat down beside Regina and looked her over. Reaching over, he tapped her on the arm and then pointed at her still somewhat damp hair which made her blink. "Hey, Regina? Want me to brush you hair since you just got out of the bath? So it doesn't get tangled?" Holding up a brush, he smiled some as her eyes widened. "I'm all ready for that."

Expression one of shyness, Regina nodded and then smiled. " If... if that would not be a problem. I mean, I would like that." Once Harry nodded, she got off the couch and sat on the floor so that he could more easily get to her hair. Pulling back he hood to show her silver hair, she gave him small smile. "Is this good?"

Smiling, Harry only nodded. "Yup, just give me a moment to pull out the rest from inside your poncho." Before he could though, Regina just shrugged it off her shoulders so that he could get to the rest of her hair. "Or... you could do that, I suppose."

Giggles escaped from the Re-Class before she stretched out. As she felt the first touch of the bristles against her scalp, Regina relaxed into them fully with her smile growing softer as she did so. How and why such a simple thing like that felt like that was beyond her. But she had learned to enjoy it as however it worked, it did feel really nice. A small purr of contentment escaped her as she felt all the tension leave her. 'Ah...'

Behind her, Harry just smiled a bit as he continued to work at the hair in front of him. The whole experience was not that strange to him as he had done thing for the various shipgirls back at Yokosuka. Shinano especially was fond of just having her hair brushed. Of course, when Regina began to purr, he had to grin and hold back snickers. 'Just like a big cat.

Then Harry had to hold back more snickers as he had the image of Regina with cat ears and a tail.

Unknown to him though, Regina slowly drifted off at the feeling of the gentle brushing into an almost meditative state. Most shipgirls assumed that, like them, Abyssals could visit their hulls. And while that was true for most, it was not for all. The full truth was only known to a select few shipgirls. There was yet another place that Abyssals could visit and while in real world Regina closed her eyes, it was in this place that she opened her eyes and looked around. Not that there was much to see as there was nothing but pitch blackness there, no light anywhere around where the Re-Class floated though she could still see.

That place was also cold, extremely so. It was not the cold of winter or perhaps the cold of night. No, this was a deeper cold. One or perhaps beautiful desolation.

It was the deep chill of the Abyss at the bottom of the ocean.

Utter calm and unafraid, Regina looked around this mess she was in, this spot deepest in her soul. She could still feel Harry as he worked at her hand and his voice, far off as if he was at the surface of the ocean. Regina could feel her hull outside of this space and the real world beyond that. Out of her sight, she could also feel the ever present storm of dark emotions that swirled around deep inside many Abyssals, but none of that touched this spot, this primordial darkness.

This peaceful darkness. It was a place that had at first confused Regina even as she enjoyed it. Oddly, the one time she had gone to Wanko and asked her about it, her Princess had gone silent. For some time the more powerful Abyssal had given her a searching look before smiling. She explained that it was a place that few Abyssals had been able to visit. Wanko also explained that she herself was one of those. Revina was the only other one that she knew for sure could visit it, though she suspected that Hoppou and Supprin could as well. It was also this place that she could feel Wanko's presence move through when the Installation needed to use her senses. Like a leviathan moving though the darkest of ocean depths.

Right now though, Regina had another reason to be here though. One that she had only recently come across and she enjoyed. And the Abyssal made her way through the darkness until she found that goal.

A small, golden light that stood out.

Once she was close enough, Regina came to a stop by it and closed her eyes as she felt the warmth that radiated from the small spark. For a while she enjoyed it before opening her we and looking down at it. The light pulsed softly in a rhythmic beat that she could also hear. Regina knew what, or rather who, the light represented and with extreme gentleness she reached out with her hands and cupped it before bringing it close to her chest. There was a look of care and wonder on her face as she stared down at it. 'Harry...'

Out in the real world, it took every thing for Harry not to jerk as he felt a jolt from the bracelet on his arm. The very same one that Wanko, Hoppou, and Supprin had given him. At the same time, he swore that he could hear Regina whisper his name. But that was impossible as said Abyssal was still laying there with her eyes closed and seemingly dead to the world as she enjoyed her hair being brushed. Something that he did not mind as she did do a lot of work guarding him. 'That was odd...'

Meanwhile, Regina stared down at the small star she held close to her heart. When Hoppou, Wanko, and Supprin had given him the bracelet, it was to simply mark him for their fleets. To let them know that he was a friend and, for Wanko and Hoppou, that he was important. But when Wanko has made him her, Regina's commander, this light had appeared here, softly beating like as if it had a heartbeat. It was untouched by the darkness around it, it warmth and light driving back the cold and shadows. But they also pressed back against the light. Two opposites. Yet... at the same time, the darkness and cold accepted the light, protecting it like a gentle blanket. Making sure that it was not extinguished by anything.

In a way, the opposites reminded Regina of herself. A being of darkness who nonetheless protected sources of light and warmth in her life. Beings such as Shinano, Louisiana, Lady Wanko... and the others. As well as Harry himself. Each of them brightened and warmed her life. To her, the light represented more than her connection with her Commander. It also represented Harry himself who brought it all about. Like Harry, it was small, bright, and threw off far more warmth than should have been possible. A small star in the night that could lead the way to something more. One that looked like it could be snuffed out by the darkness around it, but was instead protected by it and would not allow for it to go out.

Such as how she, Regina, would fight to protect Harry.

Floating in her darkness, her personal piece of the Abyss, Regina smiled as she curled up. Her knees folded close to her chest, with her tail wrapped around her legs. Her body protectively around his precious thing. The whole time her eyes stared deep into the spark's depths she now held in her clasped hands, almost against her chest. Various memories played inside the light. Times of laughter, or simple joys. Her first meeting with Shinano, the large Carrier giving her the wonderful gift of her friendship. The first hug from Harry. Or the recent playing they all had done. Wonderful memories that caused her boilers fire up a bit more and sent warmth shooting through her. But the best among them so far was the memory of the promise Wanko, her Princess had given her. That one day in the future, when the day came that they would truly fight alongside their human and shipgirl allies, once both sides trusted the other. On that day Harry would be there and she would be under his command. Not like now, but fully as a she now served under her Princess. That Harry would be her Admiral. Her Commander. It was a day she looked forward to with all her being and she could imagine herself beside Shinano and Louisiana, making sure that the future was bright.

Like the star she held in her hands, warming her and bringing light to her soul.

Like her friendships with Shinano and others.

Like Harry, who seemed to breathe warmth into her just by his presence.

And like how her darkness protected this small, most precious thing. This thing that brought light and warmth to this previously dark and cold place, Regina would protect her lights. Her warmth. And may the Abyss have mercy on whatever fools tried to hurt her lights, for Regina would have none.

Eventually, Regina came out of her trance and blinked as she looked up at Harry. Said boy was smiling back down at her. "And there we go, all done." With a hum, he ran his hand through her hair for one last time, he gave a nod. "No tangles or anything."

Red eyes met emerald as Regina's lips curled up in a small, soft smile. Slowly, she gave him a nod. "Thank you, Harry."

Harry simply shrugged in reply to that even as he continued to smile down at her. "It's not a big deal, Regina." Gently patting her tail which was not nuzzling him, he tilted his head some to the side as she smiled in a different way. 'Huh... she has a really pretty smile when she does that.' Hearing a snort from Hoel-Ni and seeing Regina's pale skin go completely red as she buried her face in her hands, Harry blinked. Then he chuckled weakly as he realized what had happened. "Um... I just said that out loud, didn't I?"

Very slowly, Hoel-Ni nodded from where she sat. The Destroyer was grinning so widely it hurt, but she was unable to stop herself. Not even when Regina peeled out from behind her fingers at Harry. "Why yes, yes you did. What a Casanova you are!"

Now blushing himself, Harry glanced at Regina to see her eyes looking at him from behind gaps inbetween her fingers. He then scratched his cheek some out of embarrassment. "Heh..." Spotting the time, he took the out that it gave him before nodding. "Um, right! It's almost dinner time and we should be heading down to the Great Hall." Getting off the couch, he offered his hand to Regina. "Want a hand getting up?"

After a moment, Regina slowly nodded and grasped his hand in her own, cooler one. Then, using her tail as an aid, she let herself get pulled to her hooves. With a small nod, she began walking beside Harry though to his confusion she was still holding his hand. But then he shrugged it off as unimportant. What he did not expect though was for Regina to be staring at him for a few moments before she softly spoke. "Harry? Did you, um, mean it?" At his confusion, she chewed her lip some before pointing at herself with her free hand. "A-about my smile?"

Briefly, Harry scratched the back of his head as a small bit of red spread across his cheeks at the reminder. Then he gave her a very small, almost shy nod. "Well, yes? I mean you do have a very pretty smile at times." His eyes hen widened as he felt coolness against his cheek and turns to see Regina pulling away after kissing him there. "Um..."

Giggling some even as she pulled up her scarf, Regina ignored how her face felt like it was on fire as well as the whistle from Hoel-Ni. She also ignored how Kaylee came up behind the Destroyer and gave her a slap to the back of the head. Meanwhile, Regina's voice soft as she spoke to the black haired boy. "Then for you... I'll try to smile some more." However, there was a last bit that Harry did not hear, spoken in a voice that was barely even a whisper. "My Light."

All Harry did though was smile back up at her as they continued to walk, his warm hand in hers.

 

[darthcourt10]

Snippet 95: S0ngD0g13

Gosling lashed out with a taloned foot at the barn owl in front of her, in the Hogwarts Owlery. "Move, Heartwood! Ye're on m' perch!"

As calm as the goshawk was with her eight-leg-partner, Charlotte, she was a brash, aggressive creature when the acromantula wasn't around.

Heartwood, a meek-tempered female, hopped and moved to another perch, not wishing to take a hooking from Gosling.

"You should take care to not fight so, Little Goose," pontificated Digger, a wizened old screech owl from his perch near the window. "Better to be friends than enemies."

"Awa' wi' ye, y' blind auld feather-duster; it's th' strong that get th' best, an' I'm stronger'n ony a' you lot, save fer Loyalty, or mayhap Potter's War-Fighter," Gosling snapped at Digger, speaking of Draco Malfoy's great eagle owl Fidelis, and of Hedwig.

She'd have continued, but was interrupted by her perch shifting and a white-plumed wing slapping her sharply in the back of the head. "You respect my strength, Little Goose? Then as the stronger of we two I'm telling you to mind your manners and not bully the smaller owls, or else." To Gosling's ears, the prim and proper tones of the snowy owl's voice were frosty with annoyance.

"Else what, Northern Queen?"

"Else you'll feel the sharp side of my beak, you foul-tempered vulture!" barked Hedwig. "I've had it up to my eyes with your behavior, and you'll either rectify it or take a pecking!"

Gosling mantled, her feathers lifting, and clacked her beak just in front of Hedwig's face. "Try it, ye blundersome, blunt-taloned pigeon!"

Hedwig started to respond when a small voice spoke from down on the floor. "Please, don't trouble yourself with this one, Lady Hedwig. Allow me." A tiny burrowing owl stepped out of his cubby and looked up at them.

"By all means, Cactus. She is all yours."

Before Gosling could even laugh at the thought of such a miniscule owl challenging her, Cactus struck. He shot upward and his talons struck the goshawk under the chin; he darted away and dove, striking Gosling and knocking her from the perch. He bound to the roots of her wings and fouled them such that Gosling couldn't maneuver to escape before she landed on her back below the perch, the wind knocked out of her.

Before she could recover, Cactus had his talons on her face, just below her right eye, and Gosling froze. She looked upward at the burrowing owl and saw the scars under his feathers, and the flat look in his eyes. "Size doesn't mean strength, Little Goose. I am not so large as the others, yet they all know my strength. Mind your manners, or one day you might face someone who is less-lenient than I or the White Queen; I'll not repeat this lesson, so take it to heart. Aye?"

"Aye, I hear ye, Sir Cactus," Gosling replied, petulant.

"Good. And, Little Goose? If you have any notion of trying to pay me back for this lesson I've taught you, forget it. Strike at me in anger and I'll teach you a harsher lesson than this, and take an eye for my payment."

"I- I hear ye, an' ye needn't worry of reprisal, Cactus."

"Good. Now apologize to Digger and Hedwig for your insults, and to Heartwood for taking her perch." Cactus stepped off of Gosling and the hawk regained her feet.

"M' deepest apologies, Digger, an' tae you as well, Hedwig, fer m' unkind words. An' I apologize, Heartwood, fer th' takin' o' yer perch. T'were rude o' me."

"Apology accepted, Gosling," said Heartwood.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Walking around one of the giant piles, Natsumi glanced at Shiromizu who was hissing in her ear from the position she was in around her shoulders. "Hmm? You ask something?"

If she could have, the snake would have rolled her eyes. "{I was asking about why you decided to walk around? You do have quite a bit of work left after all.}"

Bemused, Natsumi turned to her friend and chuckled some. "Hai, I do. But right now there's plenty in that pile of old cookware that the House Elves have thrown out and that Niiyodo-San is looking through. And Kaylee-San is looking around for anything that catches her eye." Then she shrugged. "Besides, we're heading out tomorrow morning and I wanted to have a look around here. Might be the last time I'm around for who knows how long?"

Hissing in amusement, Shiromizu bobbed her head. "{Yes, I suppose so-}"

When the snake on her shoulder stopped partway through whatever she was about to say, Natsumi turned and looked at her. Much to her confusion, the look on Shiromizu was one of complete and utter disgust, as if there was something indescribably foul in front of her. "Uh, Shiromizu-Chan? Something wrong?"

Pulling back, the snake shuddered. "{There is something utterly... disgusting nearby. I can practically smell it.}" Her tongue flicking out, she shook her head. "{It's like... like...}"

Eyes narrowing as her partner trailed off, Natsumi narrowed her eyes. "Like what, Shiromizu-Chan?"

For several moments, Shiromizu was silent before she continued in a quiet voice. "{Like the Diary. The one that caused the whole mess, but less... so."

Her eyes widening, Natsumi looked around. "The Diary? Are you sure that there's another one of those things nearby?" At Shiromizu's nod, she frowned some. "Can you guess the direction?"

After a few moments, Shiromizu pointed in one direction with her tail. "{That way, its in that direction.}"

Swallowing nervously, the kitsune made her way around various things. Finally, walking past a bust of a rather ugly warlock, she jerked back. "What in the name of the Kami..." Rubbing her arms, she felt the hackles on her neck raise up and could feel herself wanting to shift to her true form. Not out of fear, but out of disgust and pure anger. At the same time, she felt oily, as if something foul was covering her. It only took her a moment before she spotted what looked like an odd head ornament inside of a box and snarled at it as there was also a pull there to put it on. "Ugh, okay... that is just disgusting.'

While still snarling, she raised her hand and snapped her fingers. A small, green flame appeared before shooting away. Curious, and wanting her mind off what they found, Shiromizu tried to follow it with her gaze. "{What was that?}"

Natsumi glanced at her and then turned back to the object. "It's a trick that Oba-Chan taught me. Us kitsune can control our Kitsune-Bi and while they can't burn you, we can guide it along... but I want the others here first."

It was several long minutes later when they heard footsteps and Kaylee walked into view with Niiyodo behind her. At seeing Natsumi, the Ironclad raised an eyebrow. "Something wron-WHOOEEEE! Mother of Mares, what in the name of God is that... that..." Nose scrunching up, Kaylee shook her head. "It's like the most disgusting smell 've ever encountered, but it's not a smell at all."

Grimacing, Natsumi brought up her finger and pointed at the source. "Right there, whatever that is."

There was a frown on Kaylee's face for several moments before she shook her head. "A Diadem?" At the looks, she shook her head. "It's sort o' a crown I guess."

Slowly, the kitsune nodded as she could barely tear her eyes away. "Well, whatever it is, Shiromizu said it feels like that Diary. And after being here for a bit, I got to agree with her, it does." When Kaylee snarled and reached into her coat, Natsumi held her arm. "No."

Looking at her, there was anger in the American's eyes as she kept looking back. "No? Do you know what that Diary did? You did see Ginny, right? How it affected her?"

Evenly looking at her, Natsumi nodded. "Hai, I did notice you know. But if this is like the Diary, then it should be disposed of properly... and we should find out what it is in the first place and why it is here."

With a sigh, Kaylee relaxed some. "Fine..." She then gave a small snort. "You know, you reminded me of your aunt there for a moment."

Blushing, Natsumi scratched her cheek before pausing as she realized there was fur there. "Um, right... thanks." Shaking her head, she focused and soon enough she was back in her human form. "Niiyodo-San? I need for you to head to Dumbledore-Sensei's office. He needs to get Oba-Chan and the others here as soon as possible, though they were ready to go already."

Quickly nodding, the Light Cruiser looked like she wanted to be away from where they were, mere feet from the object. "Hai!"

Once she was gone, Natsumi took a deep breath before shaking her head and looked around. Nodding, she turned to Kaylee who seemed to be glaring at the object as if to make it combust. "Kaylee-San? You wouldn't happen to have any gum on you, would you?"

Needless to say, Kaylee blinked and then looked at the young Miko-in-training. "Gum? Chewing gum?" When she got a nod, the Ironclad scratched her head. "I... guess? But I don't think that this is the time for gum."

Grinning, Natsumi looked at her and held out one hand. "Actually, it is." Still confused, Kaylee handed over a piece and watched as the kitsune chewed it for a few minutes. Then Natsumi grabbed a stave from nearby and placed the wad of gum on one end before extending it to the box. Gently, she brought it down onto the lid and the gum stuck to it, allowing for her to lift the lid and then drop it onto the object, the feeling of foulness decreasing measurably when she did so. With a nod, Natsumi walked over and slapped some ofuda onto the box. "There, much better." With another look around, she spotted a cauldron and dumped what was in it out before pushing the box inside. Lifting the cauldron, she nodded. "Now to get this to the entrance and to wait for Oba-Chan and the others..."
___________________________________________________________________________

As it turned out, not just Haru showed up when Niiyodo contacted them. Hoshi also showed up as did Ryuujou, Junyou, and Hiyou as they had been in Yokosuka waiting for the mission the next day. Nagato had also come along as soon as she heard that it was like the Diary, not wanting to take the chance. Right now though, all of them outside of Niiyodo who didn't want to be near the object, as well as Dumbledore and Victory were looking at it on table, the box opened. Even though he did not want Natsumi there, Dumbledore had to allow it as Haru and Hoshi both argued with him over it with the elderly wizard giving in. At the current moment though, on Dumbledore's face was a saddened look as he shook his head. "I was afraid of this... this is the proof that he made more then one for certain."

Just glancing at him with narrowed eyes, Ryuujou frowned. "More then one... But what in tarnation is this?"

For once, Junyou was completely sober as she looked down at the Diadem. "I find myself wondering the same thing. It's... foul, somehow. As if it should not be."

Sighing, Dumbledore closed his eyes before shaking his head. "It is what is known as a... Horcrux, I'm afraid." When he noticed the confusion on the various shipgirls as well as the three kitsune, he hummed. "It is sort of an anchor for Voldemort. Have you ever read Lord of the Rings?"

Eyebrows raising, it was Kaylee who spoke up with her arms crossed against her chest. "You mean like the One Ring that Sauron made? How he couldn't be defeated until it was destroyed?"

All the Headmaster did was nod. "Quite, this is very similar in a way. But... far worse."

Her eyes looking from Dumbledore to the Diadem, Natsumi scratched her head. "Wait, so you're telling us that this is one of the ways that Voldemort kept himself from dying? And that the Diary is another?" At his nod, she frowned. "How is it worse though?"

It was almost a minute before Dumbledore spoke up. "A Horcrux is an extremely dark object. To make one involves a cold blooded murder of someone. Doing so normally damages one's soul, creating a sort of... rip, if you would. The rest of the process uses that rip and tears one's soul in half, one piece being kept in the dark's wizard's body and the other being placed into an object. It then acts as an anchor, keeping them from passing to the other side." There were looks of utter horror on the Japanese at that. "Of course, the person would be something less then a ghost. A wraith, if you will, that needs to feed on the living to gain enough to recreate a body."

Kaylee just stared down at the open box feeling her crew muttering to themselves. She could feel how disgusted they were with what they just heard. 'God Almighty...'

Suddenly, there was a sound like someone trying to keep themselves from getting sick and the Ironclad turned to Natsumi who was looking green. "Oba-Chan... I feel like I'm going to..."

The older kitsune just wrapped one arm around her niece's shoulders and shook her head. "Natsumi-Chan? Trust me, you're not the only one. To do such a thing to one's soul..."

At the confusion on Dumbledore's face at the sheer power of the reactions he was getting from the Japanese shipgirls and the kitsune, Hoshi softly growled. "You must understand, Dumbledore-Sensei, what this means in our culture. In Japan, the Soul is a treasure. A gift given to us, to violate it in such a way is... beyond unthinkable. It's disgusting to even consider such a thing."

Hiyou then spoke up in a soft voice. "And it gets worse." When everyone turned to her, she pointed at the Diadem. "The Diary. He's done this more then once to his soul."

Eyes wide, Ryuujou stared at her before closing her eyes. "Kami... That's just..." With a shudder, she tipped the brim of her hat down some. "How many?"

With a sigh, Dumbledore shook his head. "That is something that I do not know. However, I suspect that Tom used a magical number of Horcruxes, or was aiming for such." Seeing the interest, he frowned. "There are three major numbers in magic. Three, Seven, and Thirteen. I doubt that he would stop at three. Thirteen is very unlikely impossible considering the evidence. Which leaves him at..."

It was Nagato who finished. "Seven. He tore his soul in half seven times, that's..." Running her hand through her hair, she shook her head. "So we need to destroy seven of these items then?"

Dumbledore stared down at the Diadem with a look as if he was fighting himself. "It... is not that simple, I'm afraid. At least one of them I would rather see one of them survive. Hence why I wished to consult with you."

Briefly, Nagato froze before she stared at Dumbledore in complete horror. "You said that Harry... that Voldemort had accidentally given a piece of himself to Harry. No... No, no, no, no! Don't tell me that Harry-"

Slowly, the elderly wizard nodded with a sigh. "I'm afraid so, Harry's scar is one of the Horcruxes." Closing his eyes as he could hear sobs, with Nagato's legs nearly giving out, Dumbledore continued. "I believe that Tom on the night he went to kill Harry meant to create a Horcrux. He was going to use the murder of Harry to fuel it's creation and perhaps had done most of the preparation before hand. Or... his soul was so damaged that it was unstable. In any case, when the Killing Curse rebounded off young Mister Potter and struck him, a small piece of his soul broke off and lodged itself inside of Harry, in particular his scar. It is why it burns when Voldemort is close."

Head shaking, Natsumi swallowed some. "Are you sure? I mean, Harry-Chan... he doesn't show any signs of being like him! And look at the Diary, it possessed Ginny-San! Harry-Chan's not possessed and we would have sensed that!"

Expression grave, Dumbledore slowly grimaced. His answer making Natsumi seek her aunt's arms for comfort. "I'm afraid that I am correct. His Parseltongue was one example, another is how it hurts for him to be close to Tom's main soul. But... it seems that his mother's protection has prevented it from grabbing a true foothold in him." He then nodded towards the tearful Nagato. "And your love for him has only increased that protection. The Horcrux, while within him, cannot fully grab on. It was also not properly anchored when it was created. I suppose that one could call it a Proto-Horcrux in a way."

Arms crossed, Hoshi frowned a bit. "That's why you wanted to speak to us? To see if we have some method of expelling it without harming Harry-San?"

When Dumbledore nodded, Kaylee snorted. "I don't think that having an old priest and an young priest would help here."

For a second, Victory's lips twitched. "If only that could work." Then she frowned. "Albus and I have... tried to find some way. Unfortunately, every method in Europe has been exhausted, hence why your consultation on the subject."

Then Dumbledore took over. "There are some methods that could work... but they are extremely dark as they are normally used to remove one's soul." Shudders ran down the others backs at that. "But we could not be sure that it would remove the Horcrux and not Harry's soul. The only other method works if Tom uses a specific method to resurrect himself."

Looking up, Nagato took a deep breath. "What method is that?"

Silence met her for several seconds before Dumbledore spoke up, his voice thick with emotion. "Tom would need to perform a very specific method, one that he likely would use. Said method uses the Bone of the Father, unknowingly given, Flesh of the Servant willingly sacrificed... and Blood of an Enemy, forcibly taken. It would increase the connection between the two of them. If Tom was then to attempt to kill Harry with the Killing Curse, then there is a chance that Harry could survive with the Horcrux destroyed. It would be akin to Tom committing an act of regret by destroying a Horcrux. There is two possible chances of increasing the likelihood of survival, one of which is for Harry to willingly allow himself to be hit. But I don't want to take the chance..."

Growling, Nagato glared at him with nearly glowing eyes. "Unacceptable."

Her fingers tapping on the table, Junyou frowned as she rolled some thoughts around in her head before glancing at Ryuujou and Hiyou. "What do you think? Perhaps something like what is used to solve Kitsune Tsuki?" At the confusion from Dumbledore, the Light Carrier nodded towards the three kitsune. "Sometimes, a fox spirit can possess a human. There are methods to remove them, not all of them nice for the person being possessed. There's other Yokai that do it as well as some Yuurei, so maybe one of them would work." Then Junyou shrugged. "It's worth a shot."

Hoshi then glanced at the chalkboard before slowly nodding. "And perhaps... we will not need to do anything at all if we proceed smartly." Spotting the confusion, she walked over to the chalkboard and drew a circle. She then divided the circle in half before continuing to divide one part in half over and over. Once she was done, Hoshi shaded one part and then nodded before tapping it. "Okay, now this is Voldemort's soul, including the Horcruxes." Then Hoshi looked towards Dumbledore. "You stated that it's not fully anchored in Harry-San, correct?"

A little bit thoughtful, Dumbledore slowly nodded. "Quite. If it was fully anchored to Harry then it would likely show up far more then it has."

Only grunting, Hoshi went back to the chalkboard and waved her hand. Much to Dumbledore's surprise, the various "Slices" of the diagram moved with Harry's portion now separate. Then the Kyuubi continued. "I know a bit about the soul due to my... parent's training. Now, Ryuujou-Dono and the others could correct me on this, but we may have a chance here. If we gathered all these Horcruxes together and then destroyed them at once, as long as Voldemort is a spirit, then the shock of them being sent to the afterlife may be enough to pull the one in Harry-San out."

Rubbing her chin, Junyou nodded. "Like wrapping a string around a loose tooth and attaching it to the door before slamming it. If they are all connected then the portions that are in the afterlife might pull the rest towards them." Frown deepening, she shook her head. "We'd have to use some method to weaken the bindings with Harry-Chan until then though. Give me some time and I'll come up with something."

With a frown of her own, Haru walked up and examined the diagram. "It might work... Especially if used in conjuction with other methods." She then turned to Dumbledore with furrowed eyebrows. "You said that the protection that Harry-Chan's Okaa-San left by her sacrifice is preventing it from grabbing a true hold of him?"

Even as hope flared in him, Dumbledore nodded. "That is correct, though from my own research I do not think that it could extend past his seventeenth birthday. I believe at that point it will fail and start to affect him as it will try to grab a deeper hold, much like the parasite it is."

Snorting, Haru rolled her eyes. "Lovely, we're on a timer then to solve this."

All of a sudden there was a gasp as Natsumi spoke up. "Wait! I think that I know another way!" When everyone turned to her, she pointed at her aunt. "You even told me about it just a few months ago, Oba-Chan! During one of your lessons!"

Now that all the attention was on her, Haru blinked. "I... did? When?"

Her head shaking, Natsumi grinned. "The Taizan Fukun no Sai! If it can heal people about to die or bring back the recently dead... Then why couldn't it also remove the Horcrux from Harry-Chan!? It's not like Taizan-Dono would not find the idea of such a thing abhorrent after all."

Thoughtful, Haru glanced towards Hoshi who blinked. A look towards the three Light Carriers found them just as stunned. "I... I suppose that might work."

Confused, Dumbledore looked between them. "Excuse me, but... What is this Taizan Fukun no Sai? And how would it work?"

Ryuujou snorted some. "It's an ancient and powerful Onmyoudo ritual. In it, one calls forth the Judges of Meido and Jigoku such as Taizan-Dono, Enma-Dono, and others. They enter in the ritual and exchange for payment, they can perform grand feats such as extending one's life, saving one from death, or even resurrecting the dead. They ask for gold, silver, the finest silks, horses, even human life though you can substitute paper dolls for that one. It's considered among the height of Onmyoudo. They would certainly be able to do something, and would because they would find these Horcruxes an insult. There's just one small issue..."

Just scoffing, Hiyou shook her head and crossed her arms. "Yes, one small issue." At the looks from Dumbledore and Victory, she sighed. "It is extremely sought after and those who know it keep it secret, passing down to worthy successors. Only the oldest Onmyoudo families would hold it, and they don't advertise. I know that the ones who served on my hull didn't know it or know who had it. Honestly, I don't know of any families who-"

It was then that Nagato straightened some. "Wait, I think I might know of one." She then became thoughtful. "Sakura-San and Umi-San, the Hitobashira. They stated that their family was of the old lines and have lived in Kyoto for centuries. Maybe..."

Scratching her head, Ryuujou nodded. "It's worth a shot. But that's going to take some time, especially ta get all the materials needed together. Because this is going to be a real doozy."

With a chuckle, Hoshi nodded. "I believe that may be putting it rather mildy. But in either case, we should keep the Horcruxes we do find somewhere safe. They may also be used as payment. I believe that you all know methods of preventing them from being tracked?" At this nods, she smiled darkly. "Good. We can also use the ones in our possession to divine the locations of the others with the Law of Similarity."

Eyes brightening, Dumbledore nodded some. "In regards to payment, if needed I have a rather large amount of items that could be used as such. Being as I am an old man, I have gathered quite a bit that perhaps could be used."

Glancing at him, Kaylee nodded. "I can provide some silk from Charlotte." She then frowned and tilted her head at Dumbledore. "Though, uh, one thing bothers me."

His eyebrow raising, the Headmaster nodded. "Just one thing?"

A frown on her face, Kaylee shook her head. "You mentioned two ways to improve how Harry could survive. One was his willing sacrifice... what was the other?"

With everyone now looking at him, Dumbledore slowly smiled. "Ah, well... Have any of you ever read the Tale of the Three Deathly Hallows?" Out of all of them, only Nagato nodded. "It starts with three brothers..."
________________________________________________________________________________

There was silence as Dumbledore finished his tale with Natsumi scratching her cheek. "Um... That's a nice story? I mean, it's creepy and everything but... What does that have to do with Harry-Chan?"

In Dumbledore's eyes was a twinkle as he chuckled. "Everything, my dear."

Now thoughtful, Haru glanced at Hoshi who shared a look with her. Then the four tailed Kitsune turned to Natsumi. "Remember, Natsumi-Chan, every folk story has a small grain of truth to it. I suspect in this case though there is more then a little?"

Slowly nodding, Dumbledore reached into his robes and pulled out his wand that he set down on the table. The three Light Carriers and the three kitsune all stared at it as they feel the power in it. But beneath that, they could feel the touch of death. "Many years ago, the Elder Wand came into possession of Grindlewald after he had hunted for it. When I defeated him, I became it's Master in turn." He then gestured with his hand as various people stared at him. "The family name was Peverell."

Blinking, Nagato looked up at that as she flipped through her logs at the inkling of something. "Peverell? There's a gravestone with that name on it in Godric's Hollow."

On Dumbledore's face was a small smile. "Yes, the youngest brother called Godric's Hollow home. His line though became extinct as his granddaughter was the last member, she would marry a young man. A young man who went by the name of Hardwin Potter, Harry's ancestor."

Her eyes widening, Haru stared at him. "The Cloak... You mean to say that Harry-Chan's cloak is the same as the one in the story?"

Eyes twinkling, Dumbledore nodded. "Indeed I do. For example, every other example of an invisibility cloak losses it's power within a generation or two. But I know for a fact that Harry's great-grandfather owned the same cloak as did his grandfather and father. I know this as I was friends with his great-grandfather and once was allowed to examine it and was told it was owned by his own grandfather and father. The one that Harry currently has is the same one."

Feeling a headache coming on, Haru sighed and rubbed the side of her head. "Lovely, Harry-Chan owns something touched by death."

Albus just shook his head in amusement. "Despite the story, I very much doubt that Death was actually involved. No, I believe that the three brothers were very powerful and skilled wizards who perhaps dedicated their items to death. Nothing more or less."

That got him a snort from Hoshi as she pointed to the shipgirls. "Do not be so dismissive of the idea, Dumbledore-San. We live in times when Kami walk among us after all, so who is to say that the story is not more true then you think? Though I must give Harry-San's ancestor quite a bit of respect for pulling one over on a Shinigami. After all, I very much doubt that Izanami-no-Mikoto was the one that they met as she is locked away in Yomi."

Softly snorting, Victory shook her head. "There are more gods of death then just her. For example, Hades or even Anubis. Perhaps Azrael could be who it was. Maybe Death has a personification for all we know. But it's real, and that's what matters here."

With a small nod towards her while Hoshi granted Victory the point, Dumbledore sighed. "I believe that the Gaunts, Voldemort's family, hold the Stone. Mainly because Gellert's own research pointed towards that. In which case, I suspect that he perhaps made it into a Horcrux without knowing. But in regards to Harry, according to legend, one who holds all three becomes something called Master of Death. What that means... no one quite knows. But I believe that him becoming such may be enough to allow for him to return, a... return ticket, if you will."

Crossing her arms, Haru shook her head. She needed some time to digest everything told so far. "Hopefully, it does not come to that. That Stone... it is something that should not exist. The dead should rest in the afterlife, not be called forth."

There were nods from everyone before they turned back to the small box. Head tilting to the side, Natsumi coughed. "By the way... is this Diadem thing important? I mean, I doubt that he would use just a piece of cheap jewelry after all..."

In reply, Dumbledore nodded some and closed his eyes. "I'm afraid so. This would be the lost Diadem of Ravenclaw, a relic of Rowena Ravenclaw one of the Founders. Besides that, I suspect that he perhaps used the Goblet of Hufflepuff which belonged to Helga as well as a locket that belonged to Salazar Slytherin." Opening his eyes, he shook his head. "I suspect that he also wanted to use an item of Godric's, but the only ones are the Sorting Hat and the Sword. Most likely he wanted for their destruction to be hard as most would not want to destroy such precious treasures of history."

Lips a thin line, Kaylee growled. "Bastard."

His own lips twitching, Dumbledore hummed with his next words getting a snort of amusement. "Well, his parents were not married, I'm afraid. So that would in fact be quite true."

A laugh though made them turn to Ryuujou who had a grin on her face. "Thankfully though, exercising something from an inanimate object without destroying it is easier then doing the same from a living being." Reaching for the box, she closed it and then slapped some Ofuda onto it to seal it. "So sad for him..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Snippet 96: S0ngD0g13

Kaylee stalked outside after she'd left Dumbledore's office. Once she'd gotten onto the grounds, she staked up a target and strung her longbow, then hung her coat and guns up.

Her first arrow leapt off the string and slammed into the target. I knew he was a coward just by his war-name and a black-hearted monster by his deeds, but this, this is beyond the pale! To... Fuck! At least we have a plan. It's like Dad always used to say, you can go left or right or straight ahead, over or under or through, but in the moment, on the field, the only wrong decision's indecision...

"What in the name of all the kami is that?" asked Haru from behind Kaylee. "That arrow, it reeks of Death, and it's radiating power..."

The ironclad flinched in surprise and turned, realizing that she'd shot the other shafts in her quiver and started to reach for the Black Arrow. "To quote Tolkien again, Miss Haru, 'Arrow, Black Arrow! I have saved you for the Last...' This is my Black Arrow, Haru. Yew-wood and crow-quills, warhorse-hoof glue and binding of rattlesnake-gut, and a black-iron broadhead soaked in basilisk venom. And then, there's this." Kaylee turned the arrow just-so, and the Ogham that spiralled along the shaft were visible. "Celtic Ogham. It reads, 'Is mian liom gan eitilt, ach beidh mé ag eitilt go domhain agus beidh mé ag brath go domhain, agus is dócha go bhfaighidh bás bás.' In English, 'I wish not to fly, but I will fly true and bite deep, and what I bite will surely die.' I'm not any sort of Christian, Haru; I worship the Old Gods of my ancestors, and between Peeves an' that monster Riddle, I'm very-much inclined to invoking the Morrigna right now. Gods' Honest Truth, I feel like Cuchullain seeing the war-hosts of the south and west camped inside the borders of Ulaid."

The kitsune tilted her head. "I'm... sadly not familiar with the kami of the Celts, nor of 'Cuchullain'..."

Kaylee grinned. "The Morrigna, the three sister-goddesses of war and battle. Badb, called 'Battle Crow'; Macha the Red-Haired, who rules over the harvest of the unplowed field, the crop of which is the heads of the slain; Nemain, she of the frenzied chaos of battle."

"And Cuchullain? You mentioned feeling like him?"

Kaylee didn't so much smile, as she bared her teeth; there was a wild, raw light in her eyes, as though she were on the verge of running mad, and she quoted,

"He saw from him the ardent sparkling of the bright golden weapons over the heads of the four great provinces of Eriu, before the fall of the cloud of evening. Great fury and indignation seized him on seeing them, at the number of his opponents and at the multitude of his enemies. He seized his two spears, and his shield and his sword, and uttered from his throat a warrior's shout, so that sprites, and satyrs, and maniacs of the valley, and the demons of the air responded, terror-stricken by the shout which he had raised on high. And the Nemain confused the army; and the four provinces of Eriu dashed themselves against the points of their own spears and weapons, so that one hundred warriors died of fear and trembling in the middle of the fort and encampment that night."

Kaylee looked into Haru's eyes, and her voice was low and dire and so utterly unlike her normal voice as to make the kitsune unsure if it were Kaylee McAmis who spoke.

"Haru o' Clan Ono, Bear ye Witness; I, a Daughter of the Line of Mac Hamish in the lands of the Caledonii lay this curse upon Thomas Marvolo of the Lines of Riddle and Gaunt, and upon his warband and and bannermen; I call upon the threefold Morrigna to lay upon them the Curse of Macha on the Ulstermen; in their hour of greatest need, when they most require their arms be strong, may their strength fail and they be struck as weak as women in childbirth, helpless before their foemen. And if the cost of their being brought low be my life, I shall go unto my end hap'ly, as to a wedding-feast. By the Morrigna, by Lugh Long-Spear, by Epona the White Mare, and by my name of Kaylee Virginia McAmis, So Mote It Be."

 

[darthcourt10]

UCCMaster

Once again, random snippet time! This random snippet of kawaii has been brought to you by brainstorming in the shower.

---

San Diego Naval Base, takes place sometime amidst NotHimAgain's current snippet arc (though completely unrelated)

Nagato blinked and rubbed her eyes, making sure she hadn't mistaken what she had seen. "Is this…normal?"

Iowa nodded gloomily. "Yep, that's them alright. They're loud, obnoxious, and impossible to reason with."

"And you can't do anything about them?"

The American made battleship gave the Japanese one a sardonic grin. "Oh, we wish. If I had my way, they would be gone and we could get back to trying to bring safety to the seven seas. But no, not only do we have to tolerate their existence, but we also have to protect them."

The blonde sighed as she kept her arms crossed over her chest. "Seriously, you'd think we'd all be in agreement that making peace with the passive Abyssals is for the best."

The two battleships paused to observe the small group of picketers marching around the outskirts of the base, waving white signs with obnoxious slogans such as "No Deal!", "Keep the aliens off our lawns!", and "It's a Trap!"

"Yep," Iowa muttered, "Some people just can't get with the agenda. We try to have peace and they right back to making war for us. Fucking free speech."

Nagato raised her brow. "Really?"

"It's what keeps us from doing our jobs, the government from getting stuff done, and mostly it's just a minority bitching around mostly. Most of these guys are just a bunch of wimps who think that just because they have the right to complain means they should ruin it for the rest of us. They've probably never met an Abyssal in their life. So yeah, fuck free speech."

Nagato stared out at the group of picketers. "Really, I thought it'd mostly be victims of the attacks."

Iowa chuckled, "you'd think so. But I've found that the survivors and victims of the attacks tend to be the most forgiving and accepting of Abyssals. Something about being close to death that puts your life into perspective. So yeah, most of them have never seen an Abyssal other than propaganda. Wonder what'd they would do if they actually saw one." She continued to watch the protestors march when she suddenly felt a cold aura cover her. She froze before slowly turning around. "Nagato, is everything alright?"

The mom-boat a dark aura surrounding her as she giggled mysteriously. "What if they did meet an Abyssal?"

Iowa froze, "No, you're not thinking…"

---

The picketers continued marching around, their minds filled with rage, anger, and moron-ness. Their signs raised high, their voices loud, they marched senselessly. "Retribution for Victims!" One shouted amongst the voices.

Then, it happened. A small voice interrupted their march. "Ano…"

The picketers froze as one at the sight of a small albino child with red eyes peering up at them. "H-hoppou Abyssal. You want to hurt Hoppou? You want to hurt Hoppou's Onee-san?" Tear starting to form in the little girl's eyes as she tugged the hem of one of the picketer's shirt.

The crowd stopped to stare before a weird aura overtook them. Never before had they felt such conviction towards a certain ideal. But now, more than ever, they knew what they truly stood for, what made all things right and what justice truly was about.

"C-c-cute!" The crowd said as one, changed by the sight facing them.

Their heads slacked forward as their eyes rolled back. "Let's keep her!" One suggested. "Let's dress her up!" "She's so cute!"

"Ano…angry people okay?" Hoppou asked in confusion. "Why angry people acting weird?"

Then it hit her, she had seen these faces before. In fact, she had seen them almost everywhere she went. "No! No! Angry people turned weird! Weird people stay away! Don't steal Hoppou from Hoppou's Nii-san!" The princess dashed off as fast as her little legs could carry her. The picketers chased after the small traumatized princess. "Cute is justice!" "Give us our daily kawaii!" "Eheheh! Abyssals are cute!"

Hoppou shrieked in terror as the picketers pursued her at a speed unknown to man. Up ahead she saw Nagato-mama and Iowa-sama. She put all her might into her little legs. "Mama, save Hoppou from weird people!"

But the two battleships remained transfixed at the cuteness before them. "Must cuddle…" Nagato muttered. "Must cuddle daughter!"

"Come and hug auntie Iowa!" The other cried out, charging towards the small princess. With Abyssal skills, Hoppou ducked to the side, causing the multiton battleships to ram into the pack of cute crazed humans.

The sight was enough to snap Nagato out of her trance. She quickly sized up the situation and turned to the MP, "Alright, you saw what happened. The picketers attacked a member of the US Navy. Arrest them."

"Yes ma'am." The MP nodded before his squad dogpiled the protesters.

Nagato smiled with satisfaction before turning back to her daughter. "It's okay Hoppou, scary people aren't going to get you. I promise."

Hoppou clung to her mother's leg. "No weird mama?"

"No weird mama. I promise."

---

Cuteness is Justice as is Poi.

 

[darthcourt10]

Snippet 97: S0ngD0g13

Haru stared at Kaylee. Slowly, she drew a folded fan from inside her sleeve... then smacked the ironclad over the head. "Bad! Bad Kaylee! I get enough chuuni out of Tenryuu; I don't need it from you!"

"Ow! Ow! Dangit, Miss Haru, you like to stove me in with that fan!" yelped Kaylee; she was smiling, though. "But in all seriousness, I wish I could lay a curse on ol' Molde-Shorts an' his boys. I mean, shit, killin' is one thing, an' targetin' a kid is worse still, but godsdamn phylacteries?!"

"I know. It's... It's inhuman."

Kaylee chuckled darkly. "The argument could be made that after breaking his soul that many times that he ain't really human at all now. Say, him having such a thing for snakes, you reckon it'd work if we set a bunch of mongooses... mongeese... Rikki-Tikki-Tavi an' half a regiment of his kinfolk, on Riddle?"

The kitsune laughed aloud. "I don't know; maybe."

.............................................

In Yokosuka, Tenryuu sneezed. My Chuuni-Senses are tingling...

..............................................

Kaylee packed up her bow and arrows, and stashed the Black Arrow in her pilot-house footlocker, then drew the Paterson Colt from under her coat. "Miss Haru, you mind taking a look of this Colt for me? I asked Natsumi to see about making it good against haints and such..."

 

[darthcourt10]

NotHimAgain

S0ngD0g13 said:
Kaylee chuckled darkly. "The argument could be made that after breaking his soul that many times that he ain't really human at all now. Say, him having such a thing for snakes, you reckon it'd work if we set a bunch of mongooses... mongeese... Rikki-Tikki-Tavi an' half a regiment of his kinfolk, on Riddle?"​

A mongoose army. I want to see that happen some day.

Now in other news, I had a question about what's needed for a fleet to officially sign the treaty. Is there a vote or something? Also, please remember that I have only the slightest idea of what I am doing on any given day.
The First Talk

-----

Takumi looks at the door, tapping a beat on his desk with his pencil. The teacher is speaking, he knows it, and he knows that he needs to be paying attention, but it seems simply impossible to do so. Every time he stops to think and listen, his thoughts roll back to one solitary fact.

Today is the last day of the month.

He's not a particularly religious person, to be honest, but he's been offering up as many prayers as he can call to mind all last night, all morning. Please let negotiations go well. Please let Nemo be alright. Please let her be on time tonight, same as usual. Whoever it is up there, just please make everything okay. He caught Uzukawa's eye earlier in the morning. She's mainly had glares for him as of late, but today she simply gave him a look of sympathy and walked away before he could process it. However small the gesture is, he appreciates it.

"Hey," the kid in front of him, a short boy with coke-bottle glasses who he thinks is named Satou, hisses, grabbing him by the arm. Takumi registers his presence with a slightly confused blink. Looking up, he sees the teacher glaring back at him. Ah, that figures. Really, it does. Takumi straightens, trying to push tumultuous thoughts to the back of his mind, and struggles to return his attention to… what were they talking about, it's history class, he knows it is, and they've been going over… the Yamato period? Is that it?
-----

"We're sure this is going to work?" Kongou asks, turning the tablet computer back and forth in her hands. "Negotiations over video chat?"

"Would you be willing to bring the Admiral out here?" Musashi replies. Kongou gives her an irritated look. As if she would. Her relationship to Daisuke wasn't exactly a secret after all. If this would keep him out of danger but still allow him to speak to the Twin Princesses, she was all for it. And in any case, there were other things to keep her concern. Speaking of which…

"That," she says icily, "but I can think of a few other potential problems, among which is your state of dress." Musashi, clothing arrayed as slovenly as ever, looks back blankly.

"Since when have the Abyssals ever cared?" she asks. "It's not like they have a dress code themselves."

"Be that as it may," Kongou replies, keeping her temper, "there is a sort of decorum afforded to these sorts of events. I chose to wear my usual uniform because, as an approximation of a Miko's costume, there is a certain degree of formality in its usage, but dressing like that? That is simply unbecoming."

"Maybe we should have gotten Nagato for this, then," Musashi says, gesturing to the great expanse of blue. Privately, Kongou wishes that she had been available too.

Then radar picks up four objects incoming, and the time for bickering is over. Kongou activates the tablet, really hopes that Akashi's signal-booster-thingy is working, and brings up the video chat function on the tablet. She can see them closing in from the horizon—as far as she knows, this is the first time any personnel have encountered the ivory and onyx-haired duo. Something to be proud of, or maybe she should ask around a little more? They are flanked by a Re-class and a Ru-class, closing quickly, and she turns the screen of the tablet outwards.

"You're on, sir," she says.
-----

In a spray of water, the four of them pull to a stop. Shi-chi runs over a quick mental checklist. Except for the necessary border guards, all forces have been pulled back to the island. Riri in particular has been closed up in one of the caves to make absolutely sure that she will not go looking for more puffer fish. In case negotiations go bottom up, everyone is prepped for action. She looks between her companions—Ku-Tan, face masked with resolution and strength, Renata, studiously calm, and Ruri… flushed, and specifically not looking at the envoys and the little glowing rectangle? That doesn't seem right—Shi-chi looks back at the taller, darker-skinned Shipgirl, notes her clothing (explains it), and returned her gaze to the little man on the glowing rectangle. Is that their leader? How ingenious.

"Hello, Admiral," she says. Ku-Tan discretely pokes Ruri in the shoulder, and the girl snaps to attention. "We are the Twin Abyssal Princesses. Shall we get down to business?"
-----

Sorry for the abrupt cutoff. I'm home for Thanksgiving, and I got called to dinner in the middle of writing the snip. When I returned, the inspiration didn't.

Well what do you think, sirs?

 

[darthcourt10]

Snippet 98: S0ngD0g13

Harry paused outside Kaylee's door; he could hear something from within...

"No... No not... Please..."

The young man opened the door and found the ironclad on her bed, tossing and turning in the grip of a nightmare; there were tears running down her cheeks as she begged whatever bete noir that haunted her for mercy...

Harry approached and called out, "Kaylee? Kaylee, wake up," to no effect. He reached out to try and wake her...

When Kaylee felt a hand touch her shoulder she came awake instantly, her eyes wide and wild with panic as her hand flashed out from her coat; the report of her LeMat firing was deafening in the silent room.

"Harry-chan? Please go get your mother, or Haru-san," said Akizuki, holding Virginia's wrist up, the smoking revolver pointed at the ceiling; she'd grabbed Kaylee's arm and forced the pistol out-of-line. "Please?"

After Harry, startled, left to find Nagato or Haru, the lead-ship of the Akizuki-Class looked into Virginia's eyes. "Kaylee? Kaylee look at me; eyes on me," she said gently. "Focus on me."

"I... I almost shot him... I almost killed..." Kaylee looked like she was about to puke.

"But you didn't. Harry's fine, he's okay. And I don't think he'd blame you anyway, Kaylee; Harry knows more than most about PTSD."

Kaylee was breathing fast, her face pale; her revolver dropped from nerveless fingers as she began to hyperventilate. Akizuki grabbed Kaylee by the lapels and shook her once, firmly. "Eyes on me, Kaylee Virginia McAmis; focus on me, and match your breathing to mine." The destroyer started taking deep, slow breaths, and the ironclad tried to match them.

"I... I was little again," Kaylee murmured. "He was there." Akizuki knew precisely who 'He' was, and why he featured in Kaylee's nightmares. "Nobody came, nobody cared; I tried to fight but couldn't I was too little, too weak, but I kept fighting and suddenly it was all y'all I was fightin' an' your blood an' I was covered an' Harry tried to shake me an' I just reacted an'--" Kaylee curled into the smallest ball she could and sobbed, her normal facade of iron strength crumbling to dust as she cried. It was not a pretty cry; there were tears, yes, but there were also hitching breaths, and snot, and puffy eyes.

Akizuki just held Kaylee, rubbing her back as her cousin-by-choice broke down...

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

"Harry-Chan, what the heck are you doing?"

At Natsumi's voice, Harry shrugged but didn't turn away from his current task. "Transfiguring a brick into a bunch of smaller ones." Eyebrows furrowing, he shook his head. "Had a day dream or something. I think that it was about models."

Eyebrow raising, Natsumi looked over his shoulder and then blinked. "Um... right?" Shaking her head, she tapped his shoulder. "Anyways, I want you to meet someone, Harry-Chan."

Blinking, Harry turned and his eyes widened a bit at the Japanese woman who was looking him over in some amusement. Quickly getting to his feet with a heavy blush, he bowed a bit. "Ah, hello there. I'm Potter Harry, sorry about that."

The woman just waved him off with a somewhat amused air. "Don't worry about it, Harry-San. I've gotten a bit too into some projects of my own after all at times. My name is Maeda Hoshi." She then noticed that Harry had his eyebrows furrowed. "Is something wrong?"

For several moments, Harry frowned in thought before he shook his head. "No, it's just that... you seem familiar somehow."

Amusement sparkling in her eyes, Hoshi hummed a bit. "Do I now? How very odd." Moments later, she noted that his eyes widened some and he glanced towards Natsumi and then her. 'My, isn't he the intelligent one?'

Shaking off what thoughts ran through his head, Harry frowned some. "Um... how do you know Natsumi-Chan? If that's okay to ask..."

Just laughing lightly, Hoshi shook her head. "Ah, a bit of a story there I'm afraid. Her family and mine have been pretty close for a very long time. And let's just say that my family is indebted to hers for their friendship."

Natsumi gave a small nod. "Yeah, she's an old friend of the family, Harry-Chan. And she's here for... well, you know what." At Harry's glance, she smirked and gave a wave of her hand. "Besides, she's pretty nice and doesn't bite."

That made Hoshi snort a bit. "Or rather, I don't bite much."

She then grinned and showed some rather impressive canines which made Harry swallow. Of course, moments later, Natsumi huffed at her. "That's enough, Hoshi-San!"

Her expression shifting to a much softer one, Hoshi nodded as she gently ruffled Natsumi's hair. "I suppose that you have a point. But then if I cannot tease him, then what is left for me?" When she turned towards Harry, the black haired boy had the feeling that he was being somehow tested and met her gaze evenly. Even when the hairs on his neck began to prickle, he didn't look away from Hoshi, until finally she nodded as if she found what she was looking for. "You'll take care of Natsumi-Chan, will you? Sometimes she needs a bit of help."

All Harry did was straighten his back some. "Of course! I'll always take care of her."

Beside him, Natsumi hid her currently red face in her hands and let out a groan. "Harry-Chan, stop..." Peeking out between her fingers at the highly amused Hoshi, she puffed out her cheeks. "You too, Hoshi-San."

However, that only got her a barking laugh from Hoshi. "Ah, but it's so enjoyable and you are so adorable when embarrassed. Allow for this old woman to have some joys in life." She then winked at Harry. "Natsumi-Chan is so very cute when she's blushing, is she not?"

Scratching his cheek, Harry finally shrugged. "Um, I guess? I mean, she's normally cute..." Face pinkening as he realized what he had said, and that Natsumi was now fire engine red, Harry glanced around. "Treats! I'll be right back, I got to get some."

Only watching as Harry took off, Hoshi smirked a bit. "Very intelligent to know when to make a tactical retreat." The groan from Natsumi made the nine tails smirk even more. 'Yes, I think that I'm going to enjoy things around here some.'
___________________________________________________________________________

Pomfrey watched as Hermione slowly rotated her arm in place before testing her other arm. The whole time, she waved her wand at the thirteen year old girl as she went through various motions. "It seems that the potion has worked just as well as it should, Miss Granger." She then softly smiled at Hermione. "It's good to have you back, a lot of people have been worried."

Stretching, Hermione sighed a bit in pure happiness. "It's good to be back, Madam Pomfrey. So it's all over then?"

The school nurse made several notes to be sent to the Royal Navy as per the agreement with them, but nodded just the same. "Indeed it is, Miss Granger. The monster is dead and young Mister Potter was the one who slew it." Pausing, she turned to regard her patient who was examining the clothes left on the nearby table. "According to the rumor, it seems that he found out what it was and how the attacks were happening thanks to you."

A smile on her face, Hermione had a look of some surprise on her face. "It was Harry who found the note then?" At the nod, she shook her head. "I guess that I need to thank him for it then."

With a sigh, Madam Pomfrey shook her head. "Yes, well... I think that I can allow for you to leave." There was a frown on her face as she looked out the open door to the other empty beds, one in particular. 'Narcissa did usher her son out rather quickly... Though I suppose that we have the Malfoys to thank for the mandrake used in the potion.' Shaking it off, Poppy turned back to Hermione. "Now then, I don't believe that I need to ask for you to take it easy while you're on holiday, do I Miss Granger?"

Softly chuckling, the Light Cruiser shook her head. "I'm going to be too busy catching up on school work that I missed to get up to much, I'm afraid. And I am rather sure that when I get home that Mum and Dad, as well as my Grandfather and sisters, won't let me do much beyond that."

There was a twinkle in Poppy's eyes as she hummed a bit. "No, I suppose not. And I think that Miss Vanguard would be much the same considering her reaction when she found out what happened to her... Momboat, I think one of the Shipgirls called you."

Blushing, Hermione coughed a bit. "Well, I... I'm not really... that is..." Hermione then sighed at the look given to her and looked away. "Anyways, she's a good girl just the same."

Only shaking her head, Pomfrey sighed. "I never thought that I would see the day where a young women who looks like she's nearly twenty is calling a thirteen year old 'Mum'." Ignoring the deepening blush on Hermione's face, she continued. "But I suppose that these are the type of times that we live in now." Several moments of silence passed before the Mediwitch looked at Hermione. "Now then, I'll just leave you to use the shower and facilities. I am sure that you have need of such."

Hermione simply nodded and then Madam Pomfrey walked out and walked into her office. After two minutes passed though, the bushy haired witch turned to one corner in particular and tilted her head. "I know that you're there, Upholder. Come on out."

Silence met her until slowly, Upholder stepped out of the shadows looking rather sheepish and embarrassed. "Ah! Well met, Lady Hermione, Loveliest since Troy! I was... um..."

Walking over to the door, Hermione closed it before turning and regarding Upholder. Then, slowly, the shipgirl walked over to the Submarine and tilted her head to the side with a small smile. "You were here the whole time, weren't you?"

Even though it was phrased as a question, Upholder couldn't help but think that Hermione somehow knew it for a fact. Something that brought heat to her cheeks as she considered for a moment if Hermione had heard her confession... a thought she dismissed as silly. After all, she remembered overhearing the Mediwitch stating that those petrified would not hear or any such thing. And if there was anyone who would know, it would be one knowledgeable in such magic.

For once though, looking into the eyes of the Light Cruiser, Upholder dropped her act somewhat. "Indeed I have been guarding over you in this trying time, Milady! For I had sworn that none would hurt thee while you were asleep upon my honor as a Knight of the Undersea!"

She dropped her act some, not totally.

Meanwhile, Hermione only hummed. "So then, you forgive me for what happened just before Christmas? The whole thing with me acting like... you know..."

Upholder only straightened up some. "Of course I do, Lady Hermione! It was far more my fault then yours that it happened anyways. Anyways, I was only a smite embarrassed by what had happened." Even now though, the thought of what happened made her blush some. "But there are, and were, no hard feelings from me! Such thing may not be the type of peril that I expected to face, but as a Knight of the Undersea, I am more then willing to again!" Suddenly realizing what she had said sounded like, the Subgirl froze. "Um... that is to say... uh..." Clearing her throat, she made a dramatic bow. "But the gift you gave to me was most appreciated! Quests being given by a lady's hand is the bread and butter of a knight such as myself!"

At the same time Hermione thought back to what had happened while she was petrified. Everything that Upholder had said and how she had acted. While she had decided that she would not say anything for now and would wait to see if anything happened in the years to come, Hermione made one decision. One that had her bridge crew grinning as they sat back to watch the show.

Swiftly, Hermione moved forward as Upholder straightened up from her bow. By the widening of her eyes, Upholder was surprised, but the Light Cruiser was not to be stopped from her target. Moments later, Upholder found herself in a hug before Hermione got up on her tip toes and kissed her on the cheek. Pulling away, the bushy haired girl had a dusting of red on her cheeks, which was a lot less then could be said for Upholder's face. "Then thank you for protecting me as you did, my dashing knight."

Mouth opening and closing, Upholder boggled at her. "I... I... yes, well... that is to say you are... um, most welcome?"

Giving her a wink, Hermione walked over to her change of clothes. "Now then, just stay here while I have a shower and get changed and you can accompany me down to the feast before we leave Hogwarts for the three weeks." Then walking past Upholder, she reached up with two fingers and closed the Subgirl's dropped jaw. "After all, it would not do for you to have put in all the work and not have a reward."

With that, and another wink, Hermione walked out leaving the stunned Submarine standing there. An almost plaintive whine came from Upholder's mouth as she stared after her. 'What just happened... wait...' Horror crossed her face as she rapidly pulled out a bag and began looking through it. "Do I have anything to wear for such a feast!"

Outside, having heard that last bit, Hermione held back snickers before shaking her head and continuing to the showers. Who knew that would have been so much fun?

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Swallowing the bite of his eggs, Harry raised an eyebrow at Natsumi. "You're going to be staying, Natsumi-Chan?" He was about to say more but then just frowned. "Not going to come along with us?"

Just biting into some bacon, and sometimes glancing at Kaylee, Natsumi shook her head. "It's only for a day or two. Oba-Chan and Hoshi-San both need me to stay around for something." Both of them understood exactly what the "What" was in this case. "Besides, Nagato-San said that I would be meeting you in Germany."

A frown on his face, Harry considered that before scratching his head. "Wait, you mean for the trip?"

Natsumi only nodded at that. "Well, yes? Have you found out who is going with you by the way?"

With a hum, Harry pointed at both Hachi and RO who were currently also eating. "Well, Hachi-Chan and RO-Chan will be going along, Maruyu-Chan as well I think. And I know that Hanna will also be with us when we go and Akizuki-Chan, Teruzuki-Chan, and Hatsuzuki-Chan might be as well... Not sure who else might head out with us."

Confused, Kaylee looked up from where she was glumly drinking some coffee, looking like she had barely slept a wink. "You're going somewhere besides Germany, Harry?"

Ignoring the flinch that the Ironclad had as Nagato turned to her for a brief moment, Harry shrugged. "Yeah, we'll be heading out to check out the property of the European Branch of the Potters. It's going to be a bit of a trip as we're going to have to hike partway there over hills and such... The only path is apparently overgrown after all." After some thought, he then shook his head. "I want to know more about my family, you know? And from what's been found out the place looks to be pretty intact... and I want to check out one of the 'Treasures' of my family."

That made Natsumi blink, but it was Hoshi who spoke up in an interested tone. "A treasure of your family? If I may, what sort of treasure?"

For a moment Harry blinked before shrugging. "It was something that someone in my family created and gave to the European Branch at it's founding. They called it the 'Cauldron of Plenty', though it wasn't well known." Seeing the intrigued looks, he chuckled a bit. "Apparently they made it from an iron meteorite that they saw fall from sky. All it does is multiply foods like porridge, gruel, soups, and stews put into it. They weren't really creative with names..."

Hermione blinked from where she was and gave Harry a look. "Wait, it creates food? Doesn't that break a law of magic?"

All Harry did though was shake his head. "Not really? You can multiply food if you have it after all. And stuff like sauces aren't bothered by that." Frowning, he furrowed his eyebrows. "From the small note for it though, they based it on something else they found after a lot of research. Anyways..." Waving his hand, the twelve year old shrugged. "It was a big deal, especially when sieges of the European branch's home happened. Since it made food, it was perfect for that sort of thing. They mostly kept it secret though, but a lot of people knew that they had a powerful magical artifact there."

Surprise flittered across Niiyodo's face along with realization. "Harry-Chan? If it was known that they had a powerful magical artifact... is that why they were targeted?"

Considering it for several seconds, Harry finally nodded. "Maybe? I mean, Grindlewald was supposed to be obsessed with magical artifacts. Especially older ones."

On RO's face was a small frown. "Do you think that it might still be there, Harry-Chan? They might have carted it off..."

Much to her interest, Harry shook his head. "I don't think so... According to the notes left the cauldron was left in the Bergfried. And that was sealed shut so they would have had to bring it down to get inside as long as it was sealed unless someone let them in."

There was some confusion on Natsumi's face as she blinked. "A... Bergfried? What is a Bergfried?"

RO turned to her and gave a small nod. "It is a fortified stone tower. They were made centuries ago to withstand sieges when the rest of the residence had fallen to invasion." The Submarine then frowned. "I... suppose it makes sense that a wizard one would be much more fortified."

Looking up, Hachi hummed. "Any idea what it looks like, Harry-Chan?"

With a blink, the black haired boy went back over what he knew. "Not much? There's supposed to be a bergfried and a fortified house. Around both is a stone wall that's pretty thick and a small guard tower that was made into a potion's lab. There was supposed to be a small hamlet nearby, but..." Once more, Harry shrugged. "Not much was written down about it."

Eyes narrowed some, Haru turned towards Natsumi. "From memory you will be joining them on the camping trip, correct?" When she nodded, the older kitsune frowned. "Do be careful on your trip and keep an eye out."

A serious expression on her face, Hachi turned to Haru and bowed her head some. "You do not need to worry, we will make sure that her and Harry-Chan are safe for their trip. And we won't be alone."

Simply nodding, Haru gave a small smile. "I know that you'll protect her, but consider it an old Oba-San worry about her niece."

It was then that Regina, who had been staying quiet, spoke up. "Um, I-I may be going as well." As everyone turned to her, she smiled a bit. "Lady Wanko is still busy at Scapa Flow and has asked if I may accompany them. She's still waiting for permission though."

Bemused, Hoshi leaned forward some. "Really now? If I may ask, would it not cause a bit of a panic? After all you are very... identifiable."

Regina just blinked for a moment before she realized what was meant and shook her head. "Oh! Um, we have a way around that. See, I'll wear human clothes, and then have one of those big backpacks with my tail inside it. No one will notice."

Several moments of silence went by as everyone looked at her before glancing at each other. Then shrugging, they turned back to what they were eating. What would happen would happen.

As they had gotten ready the night before, none of them had needed to pack which lead to Harry being one of the last out of the Great Hall. To his surprise though, he felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to find a nervous Kaylee there. "Um, hi?"

Flinching a bit at the small amount of nervousness there, the Ironclad took off her hat and clutched it a bit. Memories of the night before going through her mind. Taking a deep breath, she nodded towards him. "Harry, I would like to apologize to you for last night. I did you some wrong with what happened and nearly... nearly harmed you if not..." Another shudder passed through her and she let out another breath. "I'd like to say that I am greatly sorry for what happened and ask that you forgive me."

Harry looked at her steadily and then shrugged. "Sure, I forgive you."

Eyes widened a bit, Kaylee boggled at him. "You forgive me..."

With his hands in his pockets, Harry just nodded. "I forgive you."

Mouth opening and closing, she finally just gave him a stare. "Like that? You forgive me for nearly shooting you."

Now crossing his arms, Harry shook his head. "Yes? I mean, you just reacted you know? And... well... I should have known better then to wake you up from a nightmare like that." Blushing at her icredulous stare, he scratched his neck and looked away. "Just, um... keep any loaded guns out of easy reach I guess when you're asleep?"

Deeply breathing, Kaylee only nodded. "I think that I learned my lesson about that, Harry. Don't you worry about that." As she watched Harry walk off to get his stuff, the Ironclad only shook her head in disbelief. 'Just like that... Akizuki was not kidding, was she?' For a minute she stood there and then walked off still shaking her head in disbelief.
________________________________________________________________________

Waiting as the others got ready, Akizuki looked over Harry's shoulder at a notepad he had opened. "So what is the plan, Harry-Chan?"

Just glancing at her, Harry tapped several spots with his pen. "Well... we're going to be heading out on Sunday evening via plane to Germany. We'll be met at the airport by Graf and Hanna. But while we're waiting after spending the night at the Leaky Cauldron... we're going for a short trip in Diagon Alley."

That made Teruzuki blink some. "A trip into Gringotts? Really?"

Humming, Harry nodded. "Hai, we're going to transfer some of my gold into Pounds so we can get it exchanged in Germany. I also want to buy a wizarding tent as well while we're there. Just in case we need it for our trip."

Akizuki frowned, but gave him a nod. "That makes some sense, I suppose. We should plan ahead just in case but... are wizarding tents a good idea?"

Pen tapping his notebook, Harry slowly shook his head. "Well, they're not a bad idea? Most of them have spells on them to keep dangerous animals and minor dark creatures away. And they're also pretty big on the inside. A wizarding version of a shelter-half for example is about the size of an living room on the inside. Larger ones can be the size of small apartments."

Eyes widening, Hatsuzuki thought it over. "Perhaps we should look to see if we could buy some ourselves." At their looks, she shook head. "For expeditions. Sometimes we do need to stop at islands to rest."

Shrugging, Harry shook his head. "Well, whatever one I buy I was going to let anyone use. I think that Tenryuu-Oba and the others would like it anyways." He then frowned. "Maybe I should see what other camping supplies they also got there..."

Head tilted to the side, Teruzuki wagged a finger at him. "Don't take too long though, we need to be at the airport for our flight. We don't want to be late as that would give a bad impression." Chewing her lips, she continued. "And, um, this is our first trip so I don't want to do that..."

A voice just behind them though made them jump a bit. "Nein, I wouldnt worry too much." They all whipped around to find RO there with a small grin on her face. "We will make sure that you're not late, won't we Hachi-Chan?"

It was then that Hachi spoke up and made them turn to find her standing beside Hatsuzuki with a grin. The Destroyer especially had not realized that she was there. "Hai, we'll make sure that you're on time, Harry-Chan." She then frowned a bit. "Have you ever been to Germany, Harry-Chan?"

Frowning, Harry eventually shook his head. "Um, not really? I was in Italy once when I was eight. That was kind of fun..." Hand on his stomach, Harry rubbed it a bit. "Aunt Roma makes really good food, though she kept giving me more until I couldn't eat any."

There was some awe on Teruzuki's face as she clenched her hands in front of her face. "R-Roma? The Battleship? And... and she stuffed you full of food?" When Harry nodded, she chewed her lip. "I-I, oh my... But what if she meets us?"

Gaze even, Harry smirked a bit. "Then I am sure that she would give you all sorts of food. And a lot of it." Whimpers came from the three Destroyers just from imagining it. They had all heard about Italian food after all, but Harry was not done yet. "And that's not counting Aunt Yavuz, I met her when she was visiting Italy herself. She really likes giving out a lot of food."

All three Duckies let out a soft moan as they had the image of two large, shadowy figures rising above them with plates of food, both grinning. One of them though had a pair of glasses that glinted in the light menacingly. "O-oh my..."

Getting to his knees on the couch, Harry then leaned forwards and whispered to them. "So much food that you can just be there for hours eating. And they keep it coming... But you know what?" At the shakes of their heads, Harry let out one last salvo. "I'd be right there, helping them stuff you full of food as I also ate."

The three Duckies just stared off into the distance with a soft keening sound. Meanwhile, Hachi leaned towards RO who seemed extremely amused by the whole thing. "That should be illegal to do."

Lips twitching, the German Submarine only nodded. Though she was considering what should happen if she was to introduce the Duckies to the Type XIVs. And currently, she was leaning towards seeing what would happen...

 

[darthcourt10]

NotHimAgain

We went to see Thor: Ragnorak in theaters today. "The Immigrant Song" is now stuck in my head. Snippet!
Talking Late

-----

Saki had the window seat again. She was looking out, inspecting the few clouds that hung from the deeper and deeper violet sky. Umi was leaning on her knees, resting her chin pensively in her hands. Maybe she was just tired? They had left the Haneda reference that evening with promises to come back and hash out details for Yae's prospective job with her—interviews, and what she would do while she was in the later stages of her pregnancy, which come to think about it, would probably be by late summer. Mrs. Ashida hadn't come back with them—apparently, she had been setting up temporary lodgings with the Hanedas for a while now. It was a good thing, Ushio thought, for her to be close to her daughter now.

"So," Saki said, dispelling the silence. Ushio was grateful—the silence had been the sort of tired quiet following a family outing, but it had begun to feel a bit awkward in the last few minutes. "Where do you think Haneoka went to?" Suddenly, Ushio wasn't so grateful. Beside her, she noticed Umi flinch. Saki looked between them. "Oh, uh… sorry. Just trying to fill the silence."

"Don't worry about it," Umi replied, straightening her back and looking out the windows opposite. "Water under the bridge."

"Are you sure?" Saki asked. Umi swiveled back around and gave her a half-smile. Saki sighed, and leaned her head against the window again. Ushio looked at her, slightly concerned. She was upset, that much she could tell. Unbidden, her hand lowered to rest on Umi's knee. She blinked in confusion, brow furrowed, but said nothing. Ushio's hand slid back into her own lap.

The silence returned.

"I hate this," Saki muttered."

"Saki?" Ushio asked. Her old friend turned and gave her a look that, just for a second, seemed mournful.

"I never know what's going on with you two," she complained. "Whatever it is you talk about or do, I'm only ever a part of it on the days that you come over to eat at Kurasu's." She slumped, arms crossed over her knees. "I don't want to tell you how to live your lives, but… I just feel locked out."

"Hey," Umi replied, "You're not exactly in daily contact—ow! Hey! Namiko, what gives?" Ushio glared at her, jabbing at her with her pointer finger.

"You need to be more sensitive!" she snapped. "Can't you see you're hurting her feelings?"

"Whoa, whoa," Saki cut in, waving them off, "she's basically right. It's just… This whole day, whatever happened between the two of you, I had no idea what it was or what to do about it. It was… okay, it was basically the worst I've ever felt."

Ushio and Umi exchanged glances. Umi actually looked slightly guilty. "It's okay," she said, reaching around Ushio's head to grasp her friend's shoulder. "We're good now. Though… I guess that isn't the problem, is it."

Ushio looked out the window—their surroundings were starting to become familiar. They would be home soon. "I'm sorry for making you feel that way," she added, leaning in to Saki's side.

"You shouldn't worry," Saki reassured her.

"No," Ushio said. "I've been hurting you."

"You didn't mean to."

"It doesn't matter, I did."

"You should give up," Umi advised, mischief sparkling in her eyes. "She's gonna be like this for at least a week, you know. And thus," she punches her fist, "In the interest of making things right, I'm going to princess carry you off the train!"

"Wh-what?" Saki stammered. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Hmm, you know what? You're right. How 'bout it Namiko?"

"Me?" Ushio's head bobbed up, confused and startled.

"You wanna princess carry Saki?"

"P-p-p-princess carry, what are you saying?"

"Hey, what are you thinking! It's not that weird, stop blushing!"

Umi threw back her head and laughed. Ushio and Saki paused, looking at each other. Ushio flushed, Saki gaping. Ushio giggled. Saki brought a hand up to her mouth and chuckled.

Ushio's cell rang. Saki, who had been starting to laugh harder, trailed off. "You need to get that?" she asked. Ushio replied by reaching into her pocket and checking the screen, brought up the message.

"Hey, is that Jaw?" Umi asked, leaning to check it herself. "Why's Jaw texting you?"

"I'm not sure, ye… oh," Ushio replied. Staring at a few simple words, part of a longer message.
-----

He's in Hokkaido.
-----
Well what do you think, sirs?

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Sipping her drink, Mutsuki turned to regard Tenryuu who was just staring at what was going on in front of her. "Uh... What the heck?"

The Destroyer gave a small shrug as she bobbed her head back and forth. "Fubuki-Chan might have accepted a drink from Gangut-San... She is heading out tomorrow." Eyebrows furrowing, Mutsuki shook her head. "Though why she mentioned heading to see someone in another country to model for them so that they will draw her I don't know..."

All Tenryuu did was give her a glance before shaking it off. She did give a small, silent prayer for the person that she knew Gangut was aiming for though. Well, his hips anyways, what with the gleam that was in her eye the last time the Battleship had told her about the guy. "A drink... She accepted a drink from Gangut-San..."

On the other side of the table, Yuudachi nodded. "POI!"

Kana then coughed a bit as she spoke up. "Um... it might have been more then one drink? I think?"

Giving her a look, Tenryuu noted that the Battleship had a blush that was awfully familiar to her. "... I see. And how much have you drank tonight?" Pausing, Kana frowned as she tried to consider. "More then five?"

A frown, Kana shook her head and then raised several fingers with a closed eyed smile. "This many!" Relaxing back, she sighed. "Gangut-San was right though, it's made me feel pretty nice." Then the Battleship grabbed Yuudachi and pulled her close, the poor Destroyer getting smothered in her chest. "And I don't feel nervous about some things so I can have a lot of fun!"

Eyebrow raising, Tenryuu hummed. "Right..." With a look around, she relaxed some. 'At least Kaga is not here to kill a certain Battleship. But it's probably a good thing that Gangut is not going to be around here for much longer as I really do not want to be her when Kaga finds out. What made her think that getting Kana drunk was a good idea...'

Beside her mother, Inazuma frowned as she looked to where Gangut and Fubuki were on the stage. "Huh... Fubuki-Chan has a pretty good singing voice, Nanodesu. Wonder why she doesn't sing more often?"

Ikazuchi meanwhile scratched her head in utter confusion. "Huh... that's odd."

Looking away from the scene at the table, Akatsuki frowned some. "What do you mean? What's so odd about Fubuki-Chan singing?"

Her eyebrows furrowed, Verniy glanced at the table and blinked. Mainly because Kana had now grabbed Mutsuki and pulled the Destroyer into the same fate as Yuudachi. Her crew making a note of avoiding the drunk Battleship, Verniy turned back to Gangut and Fubuki. "Da, she's not bad after all."

All Ikazuchi did, while ignoring the fact that neither Mutsuki nor Yuudachi were really fighting to get free of Kana, was shrug. "Just... the song that they're singing. That's all."
Blinking, Verniy allowed for her head to bob a bit a bit as she listened to the song.

"Ой, ты, песня, песенка девичья
Ты лети за ясным солнцем вслед
И бойцу на дальнем пограничье
От Катюши передай привет"

Several moments later, Verniy shook her head and smiled. "Da, they do sing Katyusha pretty good. Fubuki-Chan is getting it right on all counts." She then pointed at the band on one of the tables. "And Gangut-San's ship band is a nice touch. Very khorosho."

Throwing her hands into the air, Ikazuchi waved them around. "That's the issue though!"

Now turning towards her, Verniy frowned a bit. "What is wrong with singing that song? It's... not a bad one."

Just facepalming, Ikazuchi took a deep breath. "Fubuki-Chan is singing it... in Russian! That's what is wrong with it."

Confused, Akatsuki looked between her sister and Verniy who shrugged. It seemed that the white haired Destroyer was just as confused by the whole thing that she is. "Um, okay? But the song is in Russian. And it's not really lady-like to be singing along with Gangut in one language while she is doing so in another!"

Suddenly, it clicked in Inazuma's head and she smacked the bottom of her fist into her palm. "Oh! I get it! It's because she's singing it in Russian! After all, how does Fubuki-Chan know Russian!" Then Inazuma blinked. "Wait, how does she know Russian, Nanodesu?"

A look of relief on her face, Ikazuchi patted her twin on the shoulder. "Exactly!"

Verniy frowned a bit and considered the issue before tapping her chin. "Da, that is a good question. How does she know Russian?"

Pulling her head out of Kana's bust, Mutsuki took a deep breath. "Oh, Fubuki-Chan's always been able to speak Russian. Somehow."

It was then that Yuudachi pulled her head out. "She doesn't even know how. It's like it's some sort of cosmic joke, Poi!"

Then the two were both pulled back into the same position as before by a giggling Kana. Pinching her nose, Tenryuu just sighed some. "You know, I don't think that is the real issue here..."

And if anything, her headache got worse once Fubuki stumbled over after singing several songs with Gangut. Mainly because then Fubuki joined the same fate as her two fellow Destroyers. Not long after, Tenryuu got her daughters out there. She did not want to get involved in any of the shenanigans she saw coming from a mile off, thank you.
______________________________________________________________________

Wheels rolling along the rails, the Hogwarts Express continued on it's way towards London with it's cargo of students. Many of them still wondered about how and why they were all being sent home though. Rumors went up and down the train, with some sounding plausible. Others rumors making the rounds though? Not so much.

Harry had given odd looks at the girls whispering about vampire Salazar at one point. Their giggles and grins as they spoke about the fact that they had heard he wanted to seduce all the Pureblood girls in the school and drive out the Muggleborns disturbed him to no end. It was made worse by the blushes on their faces. Of course, Harry did wonder if they would still be so... giddy... if they knew how said Founder actually looked.

And then figured that he didn't want to know.

It was not the only rumor that made him give odd looks to people though. Some boys going on that Salazar's still living harem of snake-women made him edge away. He had seen more then enough of that type of person in Japan to know where it was going. Thankfully, that sort of thing were limited to some of the older students, something he took some comfort in. There were other ones though that he did laugh at. One that made him grin was that Salazar's ghost was found and was about to be tossed out of Hogwarts. If only he could tell them the truth.

Currently though he was in the small cabin that they had claimed as theirs. At this moment though, he was playing a game of poker with Ron. Looking over from where she was leaning against a blushing Upholder, Hermione raised an eyebrow at her red haired friend. "Ron? Why are you playing poker with Harry? You know that he's the biggest card shark in Gryffindor." She then turned and looked at Kaylee. "And you're just as bad for trying him as well."

Scratching her head, Kaylee frowned as she gave a narrowed eyed gaze to where an amused Harry was sitting in Regina's lap. "How the heck was I supposed to know. Mother o' Mares, Harry, how are you doing this?!"

Only humming as he leaned back into a smiling, though blushing, Regina, Harry grinned a bit. "Pure skill. But hey, if you want to fatten my pockets, there's some pocky back home calling my name."

Even as Kaylee frowned, Ron grumbled a bit. "It's a matter of pride, Hermione! I will win what I lose back, just you watch." Several moments later though, he was staring at their cards in disbelief as he lost again. Then Ron grabbed his hair. "What the Bloody Hell is going on here!?"

Rolling her eyes, Hermione softly snorted. "Card. Shark. Honestly, Ron, everyone else in Gryffindor learned a while ago not to play against him in Poker. You will always lose to him."

From where she was sitting, Akizuki nodded some. "Hai! Everyone back home in Yokosuka know better then to play against Harry-Chan. Especially if he's serious about it."

Shioi then raised her hand. "Um, everyone but New Jersey and Musashi. Every time they end up getting their clocks cleaned by Harry-Chan when they decide to play poker... Even when they cheat." At their looks, she shrugged. "Happened once."

A shudder ran through Hachi as she nodded. "I remember that... Harry-Chan didn't do anything to them..."

Cackling, Harry had a glow in his eyes. "Yup! I just told Aunt South Carolina and Mikasa-Oba what they did. And they never did it again."

Just wincing as she realized what had happened, Kaylee shook her head. "You're a hard man when you want to be, Harry. Hope that you realize that." Shuddering, she shook her head. "I would not want to be those two."

The black haired boy shrugged some as he collected his winnings from this round. "They really should have known better then to try and cheat a poor, innocent, little boy like me in a game. Mikasa-Oba was not amused in the slightest." He got various looks at his description of himself. "So! Another game?"

Both Ron and Kaylee looked at each other, silently asking about what Harry had just offered. Then they spotted Harry counting his winnings before they turned to Akizuki who held the cards. "DEAL US!"

While the Destroyer did so, and Maruyu shook her head at the two, Regina just smiled down at Harry as he leaned back with a small smirk. Tightening her embrace of him, she placed her head down on his and happily hummed. Partially at how much she was enjoying him sitting with her, but a bigger part was how he was acting. Harry was demolishing his foes without mercy, nor quarter given. It was utterly brutal what he was doing and he was enjoying it the whole time. Blood was in the water and Harry was circling the dying enemy.

Sure, it was just a card game, but it still sent a shiver down her keel.

 

[darthcourt10]

Snippet 99: S0ngD0g13

Severus found Kaylee sitting against a wall in the corridor outside his classroom, her knees drawn up to her chin. "Kaylee?" he asked simply. "You seem troubled."

Kaylee nodded silently, then wiped her nose with a bandana from her pocket. "Needed a quiet place for a while, Severus. I... Let's just say I needed to put some snakes back in their baskets."

Severus was unfamiliar with the turn of phrase, but the former spy recognized the look in the shipgirl's eyes; he'd seen it often enough in the mirror. "A bad night, I take it?"

Kaylee laughed bitterly. "An understatement of British proportions. I almost caused a tragedy because I was too stupid to remember basic weapons-safety and too weak to keep a lid on my personal demons."

Severus stiffened; she sounded very-much like some of his Snakes, the ones from... less-than-wholesome backgrounds. "You've not struck me as either weak or unintelligent, Miss McAmis, but perhaps I merely lack the full story. If you'd care to join me in my office? I'm sure you'd rather this not be aired in a public corridor."

Kaylee stood. "Sure. You promise to keep this under your hat? Please?" Gone was the confident, competent shipgirl, and in her place was a nervous, quiet teenage girl.

"You may rest assured of my discretion."

Once the pair were in Snape's office, he summoned Mufti for a pot of tea and they sat. Kaylee gazed into her cup as she marshalled her thoughts, then spoke. "You're not unintelligent; if I said that eight years ago there was an incident involving me, my father's stepbrother, and an anaesthetic in my drink, I'd imagine you'd know my meaning without me having to say it outright."

Severus paled, but nodded.

"I was a bitter, angry creature after that, hated the world and everything in it. Then I met someone, two years ago. She pulled me up from my knees and lit up the dark places, chased away the shadows in my mind and heart... A year ago she moved away, and ended up killed during an Abyssal attack."

Severus nodded, able to see that Kaylee wasn't done speaking.

"My parents were both cops, SWAT-team members. Think... Master Aurors with a strong dash of Hit-Wizard; 'SWAT' stands for 'Special Weapons And Tactics'. Shortly before I came to Japan, they were both killed in the line of duty..." Kaylee spoke in a flat monotone as she recounted how she came to Japan, then how she Awakened as a shipgirl while making a suicidal charge against an Abyssal.

"Kaylee," said Severus after she'd told the full story, ending in how she'd nearly shot Harry, "first, dry your eyes and wipe your nose." She dried her eyes and wiped her nose. "Secondly, if you were one of my students I would say you needed to speak to a Mind-Healer. You're..." He sighed. "You're a great deal similar to a man I knew before and during Voldemort's first rise to power; you internalize things instead of letting them out. That can work, in the short-term; in the long-term the pressure builds like a sealed container thrown into a fire, until finally..."

Kaylee nodded. "Boom."

Snape continued. "Yes, you were foolish for going to sleep with weapons so near-to-hand, but you didn't have that nightmare by choice, nor did you know that you would have that nightmare before going to sleep, nor did you know that Potter would overhear and try waking you. Those things are not your fault. You thankfully didn't shoot Harry, so obsessing over it will only serve to drive you madder than the Weasley Twins."

The Head of Slytherin refilled Kaylee's cup and spoke further. "I'm not a Mind-Healer, and I'm unaware of what equivalents exist in Muggle Japan, but I strongly recommend you seek out one of those equivalents, Kaylee. If you keep bottling it up, the inevitable explosion might-well rob me of a colleague; I would be quite displeased if that were to happen."

Kaylee nodded. "I will, Severus; I'll swallow my pride and see someone about it." She noticed the look on Snape's face when she mentioned 'swallowing her pride'. It was the half-glare that meant 'You are acting like a Dunderheaded Gryffindor'.

Severus took a breath and nodded. "And, if you feel you must, apologize to Potter. Now, it's very near mealtime; go eat."

As Kaylee straightened her back and walked toward the door, she paused. "Severus? That guy you knew, who you say I'm so like to; how'd he end up dealing with his troubles?"

"He made a poor decision," Severus said quietly. "Innocents died, and he's spent the rest of his life until now trying to atone." Snape recalled a bright, friendly girl from Cokeworth...

 

[darthcourt10]

NotHimAgain

Thanksgiving is... about three hours from being over. Perfect time for a snippet!

I'm kidding. Any time is a good time for a snippet.
Evening Looking Onward

-----

When Takumi arrives at the edge of sidewalk, which dips down into a simple concrete staircase leading to the edge of the beach, he's surprised to see Nemo standing there already. She's standing knee-deep in the surf, looking up at him. He smiles, stepping down the stairs, and waves. "You know, you're usually later than this," he calls to her.

"I know," Nemo replies, walking forward out of the water. "I just felt like I should be earlier today." She steps out onto the sand, caking it on her wet feet. "So I decided to meet you here, instead of the other way around."

"It's certainly a surprise," Takumi says, and it is, a little bit. More so, it's a relief. His imaginary fears are fading away with every step, the idea that some sort of spectacular mishap would cost his girlfriend her life in some dreadful, undefined manner. "Do you know how things went with the, uh… talks?"

"Sort of?" she says, wrinkling her nose. "I mean, I wasn't there, and I think all they really did was talk about setting up a better meeting place. That's what Renata told me, anyhow." Takumi isn't sure, but he thinks that means that things are progressing well. It's definitely a relief to hear it.

"Well," he says, and then they're standing face-to-face (sort of, she's still shorter than him) and he pulls her in to his chest. "I'm glad that you're okay."

"Uh, yeah?" she replies, confused, looking up at him. "Why wouldn't I be alright?" He looks down, taking in her questioning face—okay, it's a little bit flippant, he'd call it 'is something wrong with you?' It's a side of her that he hasn't quite been able to see since he brought her that newspaper. It's just been wracked nerves and, that single wonderful night, childlike joy and wonder (though he was happy to see that look in her eyes). It's wonderful getting to see her back to normal.

"You're right," he says, half-laughing. "It's nothing."
-----

Ku-Tan stands alone, amidst the spray of the ocean waves, looking out at the blue-turning-black expanses. As the sun drops lower in the sky, a burnt-orange disc sinking down under the horizon, she sighs, lowers herself down into a crouch, and runs her fingers through the surface of the water. This day has been one of the most strenuous of her life. What is she going to do when she has to meet the human admiral face-to-face?

She hears the familiar sound of another's rigging cutting through the waters, coming closer, closer. It's obvious who it is—there's only the one figure in her life who seeks her out in these moments.

"What's so interesting out here that you haven't come back to the island yet?" Shi-Chi asks warmly. Ku-Tan shrugs helplessly.

"Thoughts," she muses, "In my head. I guess. I don't know."

"What are you thinking of?" Shi-Chi continues, drifting closer.

"Just… I don't know, the talks. We can't keep talking to the Admiral on the… tablet, was it?" Ku-Tan points out. "Sooner or later…"

"Believe me, I know," Shi-Chi reassures her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'm running through a few possibilities—"

"We are not inviting them to the island," Ku-Tan snaps, brushing her off. "That is not, is never an option. Not a chance in hell." She stares at Shi-Chi, watches her face become worried, and realizes that her breath is growing heavier, more ragged.

"… I didn't bring that up as an option," Shi-Chi points out slowly, carefully. Somehow, Ku-Tan doesn't doubt that there would be some sort of odd advantage to admitting the human and his Shipgirls to the island, but as she stops and the breeze blows her hair across her eyes, cooling her face, she realizes that Shi-Chi knows what that means to her, and that she would not have considered the possibility. Her heart feels heavy, like it's stretched beyond it's limits, maybe even cracked.

"I…" Ku-Tan brings her hand up to her mouth, bites down on her knuckles. "I can't… I can't do this."

"You just did," her counterpart refutes, "Just today—"

"No, I mean," Ku-Tan's voice breaks, and she sobs. "They've been getting worse, Shi-Chi. Every night, I see them die. Every night, I'm back there, watching them tear everyone to pieces. I-I-" Her hands are gripping her hair. "I glanced over at Renata, this morning, and for a second?" Her hands release their grip. "I thought I saw one of them. One of her pets. This is—it's driving me crazy. I'm. Going. Crazy!"

Shi-Chi's arms are around her before she can breathe, pulling her in as she moans for air. Ku-Tan lets her hold her, letting the strength leave her body. "I'm an act, you know. All just a freaking act. I'm playing at being strong, some great figure that holds the fleet together, but… I can't do anything." Anything, she didn't say, but watch her own mind splinter and fall apart.

"That's not true," Shi-Chi replies, "I don't believe it for a second. You held your own today. Soldiered through the meeting."

"Barely."

"But you still did it," she repeats soothingly, "without any help from me. You are definitely strong, Ku-Tan. You just aren't letting yourself be strong."

"What does that even mean?" Ku-Tan laughs bitterly. Shi-Chi pauses, pursing her lips.

"I guess I don't really know," she admits. "I guess, I've traveled with you, built a fleet with you, and we've kept everything going all this time. That's something that takes strength, so don't ever say that you aren't."

"Even if I am strong," Ku-Tan says, resting her head against her shoulder, "I'm breaking. I can feel it. I'm going to snap at some point."

"Then I'll hold you together," Shi-Chi promises. "Just like always. I need you here with me—for a while, we were all that we had, remember? You helped me get through that. So I know that you can do this. And I swear I'll carry you through."
-----

"I'll admit," Takumi says, hands in his pockets, "I didn't really bring anything with me tonight. I guess, with the way things have been going, I sort of fell out of the habit." Nemo, laying spread-eagle on the sand beside him, looks up and smiles.

"It's okay," she replies, "It was never just about Shakespeare and music anyhow. You know that, right?"

"Yeah," he admits, sitting down. "It's just that… that was kind of our thing, you know? I brought you Shakespeare and science textbooks, and we had fun together. That was our thing—Wait a second! I am a Cat!" Nemo blinks at him in confusion.

"You're a what?" she asks.

"I haven't brought you any Japanese classics!" he explains. She laughs, and lightly punches him in the side.

"Idiot," she says affectionately. "What did I just say?"

"That this wasn't about me bringing you stuff?" Takumi lowers himself to lie in the sand. Nemo wriggles in closer, until they're flush up against each other.

"I think we're a little more than that now," she says, closing her eyes and bringing a hand up to cup his cheek.

"It was kind of fun for me, though," he replies defensively. "I got to see you experience those. I liked that."

"Really?" Nemo asks, looking away—shyly? Why is she being shy? This is silly! She tries to make herself look back at him—into an amused smile. Oh, he is just the worst, because he knows that giving her that look at this time is going to make her start giggling. "Maybe we could keep doing that, every once in a while."

"Well, you know," Takumi says, shifting his arm under her body to pull her in closer, "If this works out, I won't actually need to bring you things. I'll be able to take you to them." Nemo feels the laughter begin to subside. He's right. These late evenings on the beaches, that have defined them so much, won't be needed anymore. The thought of walking the streets again, in broad daylight, hand in hand… It's enchanting.

"I'm looking forward to it," she says simply.

"Me too," he replies.
-----

Well what do you think, sirs?

 

[darthcourt10]

taalismn

Coastal Defenses and the Abyssal War

"Used to be, roads like I-95 would be clogged and damned near impassable at some times during the summer, between the local commuters, beach-goers, and tourists. But since the Abyss, more often than not, these roads are nearly deserted even at season peak, on account of so many of the coastal towns becoming ghost towns...sometimes literally, if you listen to some of the more impressionable folks. Since the Shipgirls have come in, though, there's some trickle-back to the coasts, but everybody learns the evacuation routes, and everybody pays attention to the flashboards and radio alerts, and when the word goes up 'keep the military transit lanes open' everybody moves several lanes over and don't complain when the mobile artillery runs past."
-----Owen Witchel, Police Sergeant, Connecticut State Police

"Move away from the coast? You kidding me, young man? Sam's Seafood Shack isn't moving inland, we're staying right here! 'But all the business along the coast is going away'? Hah, the military's pouring more men and equipment and money along this stretch of coast than it's ever seen in the last two decades of hosting summerfolk. Those soldiers up at the new fort are going to want something other than government cooking after a while, and I mean to provide. Not just seafood but other types too...I got friends in other eateries willing to loan me some of their staff to make up what hungry boys and girls from Chicago and Iowa would consider comfort food. And if they want to taste local delicacies...well, I got a few more friends in the fishing fleet who are just as determined to stick it out and not go inland. Call it a vote of confidence from all of us that the military's going to protect us that we're sticking to our jobs and feeding them up good. No, Sam's is staying right here dishing up lobster rolls, hash, and hotdogs next to the missile launchers. We're going to see this war through!"
----Sammi Colchester, owner, Sam's Seafood Shack, Maine

"You can no longer get away from the war with a daytrip to the coast. Even a short walk along the beach, you're going to see the signs for the battery routes, the emergency call-in boxes, or even see the launchers and guns...manned and ready in their firing positions, or on the move to cover another post's flanks. Reminds you how attached we are to the coasts, and how close the war really is."

Though the Abyssals generally laughed at the typically low-caliber weapons of modern navies, and the guided missiles that were the prefered long range firepower, the world's armed forces learned through hard experience that if they could throw enough cannon rounds and missiles, they COULD hurt the Abyssals. Saturating areas with barrages and volleys could offset the detrimental effects that the Abyssals seemed to have on most modern precison guidance systems('Unless you're using nukes, a miss by meters is as good as a miss by miles'). This would affect the (re)development of world coastal defenses.

Britain immediately re-activated and expanded its Homeguard units on a scale not seen since WW2 and the threat of Operation SeaLIon. Most European nations quickly followed suit with hasty efforts to fortify their coastal ports and put in position ready response forces to any coastal incursions. In the United States, after cursing the BRACs of the 1990s, the U.S. military expanded existing coastal base facilities and reactivated mothballed ones...or seized by war emergencies act sites that had been sold for civilian development, compensated the owners, and rebuilt a number of old coastal sites.

Initially these coastal defenses were adhoc affairs, consisting mainly of relocated and repurposed army artillery weapons. Proposals to build new heavy-caliber coastal defense guns met with controversy, and instead the US Coastal Defense copied European forces in adopting mobile anti-shipping missile launchers, with multiple missile salvoes being the prefered way of overcoming the Abyssals' effects on precusion guidance systems. The favored weapon of the US military was the AGM-Harpoon, while in Europe, land-launch Exocet, Skua, and SeaEagle missiles were the norm. And despite its isolationist stance and politcial problems in the wake of losing much of its coastal population, China still managed to refine and export versions of its Silkworm anti-shipping missile systems throughout Asia and the MiddleEast.

In general, the mobility of the new coastal defense forces had to match the mobility of the Abyssals, as the massive infrastructures and static fortified positions required by the previously proposed heavy guns could be too easily flanked by amphibious Abyssal forces, especially on terror raids, rather than strategic strikes.

Amphibious attacks, in which Abyssal forces managed to make landfall, required an equally mobile response. Although Abyssals rarely ventured far inshore, prefering to stay close to their 'natural' element, the cannier or more bloodthirsty Abyssals realized, as many pirates of the Caribbean had, that coastal targets were often less well-defended in their inland sides. An Abyssal could be overwhelmed by massed conventional forces, provided the defenders were willing to endure high attrition rates, so pre-positioning existing equipment types near strategic targets, but those meant that there were less forces available to protect long shorelines and smaller communities against terror raids.

Existing tanks could bring solid firepower to the field, but were often too slow and cumbersome to quickly deploy. Many nations therefore took to wheeled vehicles mounting large-caliber guns that could be quickly mobilized and brought into play as rapid response forces, ideally shelling Abyssal incursions from the shelter of distance. As most coastal communities saw a great decline in residencies during the early years of the Abyssal War, the lessened traffic along coastal roads meant that these avenues could be more readily used by military columns consisting of fast wheeled vehicles. The French AMX-10, with its 105mm gun, was quickly adopted or copied in Europe. The Italian Centauro tank destroyer was another favorite, especially the 120mm mortar carrier version. The United States continued to cling to the use of its M1 Abrams, using wheeled tank transporters to move them into position quickly, but ultimately settled on a combination of Dragoon wheeled AFVs and an up-gunned variant of the LAV-25 armed with a 105mm cannon(though the U.S. Army and National Guard were not entirely happy with these 'half-measures', as one general opined for many ).

A secondary measure was saturation rocket bombardments, in which the Russians initially led the way, quickly revamping, reinstating, and exporting their BM-series of wheeled 'katyusha' launchers(while using the 9A52 Smerch system for its own defenses). The United States developed a wheeled version of the Vought Multiple Launch Rocket System, which allowed for faster travel over the coastal highways. Closer range engagements were handled by a variety of vehicles mounting anti-tank missiles such as the Swingfire in Britain, the Hellfire in America, and TOWs just about worldwide.

More historically traditional fixed and fortified defenses WERE built, especially around strategic targets such as the Panama Canal and Gibralter, but these were more the exception than the rule, and the massive forts of older times gave way to more low-key bunker complexes sporting retractable cannons and missile launchers. Less visible, but equally important, were offshore minefields and command-fired seabed torpedo launchers which were placed to at least delay Abyssal force approaches to sensitive coastlines.

Perhaps the biggest coastal defense change was a global mobilization of coastal communities and residents into situational awareness. The Abyss brought back civil defense in a big way...coast watchers were recruited and trained on an unprecedented scale, national guard and militia units expanded and deployed to the coastlines, and communications networks set up, even in Third World nations. Fishermen became not just a link to the resources of the sea, but the eyes and ears on it, and anybody with a private aircraft who flew near or over water was encouraged, if not outright drafted, into reporting anything they saw(an unexpected side effect would be a renewed romanticization of the fishing industry*).


*Coastal Defenses and the Mass Media
An interesting sidenote to the renewed militarization of the coasts was an increased number of mass media programs involving coastal defenses and the people manning them, albeit in ways that didn't focus on the actual defenses as much as the foibles of the personnel. The BBC was arguably the first with its comedic and almost instant fan-cult-favorite Washouts! depicting the daily antics of a fictitious backwater coastal battery position staffed by dysfunctional Homeguard recruits, followed by the more serious Watch on the Channel produced in France(and noted for its many visual and storyline references to the WW2 Atlantic Wall). The Americans inevitably followed suit with at least four series, including the execrable Baywatch: SeaGuardians, the expansion of the pre-War Deadliest Catch(covering other fishing grounds) and the gritty and dark Tideline.