Harry Potter & the Shipgirls

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Leaves were falling from the trees as DesDiv6 walked along one of the park paths, only for Inazuma to stop as she noticed something. "Is that Hoppou-Chan over there?"

As they looked in the same direction, the other three Destroyers noticed the Abyssal on a bench. In her gloved hands was a fallen leaf that she twirled back in forth in amazement. Suddenly, she looked up as Akatsuki shouted. "Hi, Hoppou-Chan!"

Just blinking, Hoppou waved at the four as they rushed over. While some of the shipgirls were still nervous with the Abyssal around, the girls of DesDiv6 fully embraced her as a new friend as they had with Harry. Needless to say, it was not exactly uncommon to see Harry and Hoppou with DesDiv6 with Hoppou holding Harry's hand. "Hello."

Coming to a stop, all four shipgirls looked around before Ikazuchi huffed as all they saw were falling leaves and piles of them. "Where is he?"

Meanwhile, Inazuma just leaned over to Hoppou. "Um... Hoppou-Chan... have you seen Harry-Chan anywhere?"

Head tilting to the side, the Abyssal nodded some. "Hoppou has seen big brother around."

Raising an eyebrow, Hibiki frowned some. "So do you know where he is?"

All Hoppou did was nod some before a sound caused Ikazuchi to look around in confusion. "Did you hear that?"

Akatsuki narrowed her eyes and then shrugged it off. "Probably just something in the trees." Then she turned back to Hoppou and smiled. "So, do you know where Harry-Chan is?"

Smiling, Hoppou nodded. "Hoppou knows where big brother is! He's being silly though."

For several moments, DesDiv6 waited for her to continue. However, Hoppou just turned back to her leaf , twirling it around again. Finally, Ikazuchi coughed. "So... are you going to tell us where Harry-Chan is?"

When Hoppou looked up though, she shook her head. "Hoppou can't tell where big brother is. Big brother told Hoppou not to tell anyone where he is." She then leaned forward and nodded. "But Hoppou thinks that big brother is being a very silly boy."

Crossing her arms, Ikazuchi just huffed. "That's just like him."

Just chuckling weakly, Inazuma waved one hand. "Harry-Chan's not that bad, Ikazuchi..."

Once more though, her twin just huffed. "Sometimes though he's just such a boy." She then turned toward the white haired Destroyer. "Right, Hibiki?"

Said Destroyer nodded. "Sometimes..."

Then they all heard something and looked around, but before they could do anything, the leaf pile right beside Hibiki and Ikazuchi exploded upwards and both of them were grabbed and pulled back. "GRAH! LEAF MONSTER ATTACK!"

Even though later she denied it, Ikazuchi squealed as did Hibiki as the arms around their waists yanked them back into the leaf pile. "EEEEEEEEE!"

Waving her arms in the air, Inazuma leapt back. "Hwawawa! Something's got them!" Then she paused as she heard laughter and noticed who had grabbed them, Akatsuki stopping her screech at the same time.. "HARRY-CHAN!"

Both Hibiki and Ikazuchi turned their heads and then blushed at seeing Harry laying back laughing as well as his arms around their waists. "You should have seen your faces!"

Covering her face, Hibiki tried not to groan, as Ikazuchi facepalmed. "Really, Harry-Chan!? Really!?"

Still laughing, Harry just nodded. "Yup!"

Face still hidden behind her hands, Hibiki shook her head. "Not khorosho."

Part of her though liked having Harry's arm around her waist though. However, a moment later, the air was driven from Harry's lungs as Inazuma leapt onto him. "That wasn't very funny, Nanodesu!"

Harry just kept laughing and wincing as Inazuma shook him though. Meanwhile, Akatsuki looked at him and sniffed. "Not very gentlemanly."

Within a few seconds though, Ikazuchi had grabbed her and pulled her into the pile of children. "Aw, come on!"

Blinking, Hoppou just watched as Akatsuki complained. "Eee! This isn't very lady-like, Ikazuchi!"

As the only answer was yet more laughter from Harry and Ikazuchi, Hoppou tilted her head to the side. When, a few minutes later, a breathless Harry laid there with DesDiv6 on top of him, though only Ikazuchi did not have blushes among her sisters, the Abyssal shook her head. 'Silly.' Then she hopped of the bench and picked up a pile of leaves before throwing them on top of the group to their shouts. "Very silly."
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Having dropped off Hoppou, Harry was walking alongside DesDiv6 with a grin on his face. "That was hilarious."

There was a pout on Inazuma's face as she huffed a bit. "No it wasn't, Nanodesu!"

With a frown on her face, Hibiki reached into the back of her shirt and grabbed a leaf that was there before tossing it to the side. "Not Khorosho."

Ikazuchi snorted though and shook her head. "No way, Harry-Chan's right, it was hilarious!"

Grumbling, Akatsuki shook her head. "That isn't the sort of thing that ladies do..."

Just placing his hands behind his head, Harry shrugged before the group lapsed into silence. Seeing Inazuma try to say something only to fail though, Harry sighed. "So, uh... I was thinking of getting someone else, but you came along." Having gotten their attention, he scratched his nose a bit. "Uh... why were you looking for me?"

Uncomfortable, Inazuma shared a look with her sisters before kicking a stone. "We kind of wanted to talk about... what happened during the sleepover."

Mood dropping, Harry looked down at the ground. "Oh..."

A moment later though, he blinked as Inazuma reached over and grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze. On the other side, Hibiki did the same as Ikazuchi got in front and began to walk backwards as she looked at him. Arms crossed against her chest, the Destroyer frowned. "Why did you never tell us what happened before Nagato-San adopted you?"

Shrugging, Harry tried to look away, only to see Inazuma looking at him with a kind expression. "We're your friends, Harry-Chan. And when you had that nightmare and... you know, told us what it was about and ran out in the morning."

Now, if anything more uncomfortable, Harry grimaced. "I try not to think about it. I mean... it's the past, right?"

Huffing, Akatsuki glared at a car. "It doesn't matter, Harry-Chan! They hurt you, and as real friends you shouldn't be afraid to tell us these things."

What caught everyone's attention was that Hibiki spoke up. "Kaa-San knew, you know." With attention now on her, she continued. "Both about the dream and what happened before now... guess we woke her up."

Ikazuchi frowned. "Cha! Yeah, I guess that Kaa-San would have known..." She then rubbed a finger under her nose. "But what happened to you makes me so angry! What kind of... of... relatives would have put you into a cupboard! Especially when they gave their son two bedrooms to himself!"

Trying for a bit of humor, Harry gave them a brittle smile. "The Dursleys, I guess..."

Just giving her sister a look, Hibiki frowned. "Well... they should hope that they never meet us... or Tatsuta-Oba-San. She had one of those smiles of hers on her face and asked Kaa-San if she knew where the Dursleys were."

A shiver ran through all five of them before Ikazuchi shook it off. "Anyways, what we're trying to say is that we're here and that you can rely on us!"

Nodding, Inazuma glared a bit. "Yeah! Especially with those meanie meanies! Nanodesu! How could they do such mean things to you, Nanodesu!? If I ever see them-"

Akatsuki placed a finger against her lips and stopped her in her tracks, only to shake her head and look at Harry. "She did the same thing after you left."

There was a blush on Harry's face as he tried to imagine it before shaking it off. "Thanks." Moments later, Harry blinked as all four members of DesDiv6 hugged him tightly which caused his worries of how they might think of him to vanish before he hugged them back. "Thank you so much..."

Once they pulled back, Ikazuchi raised a fist. "Right! Enough of all this serious stuff, let's head to Mamiya's! Hot chocolates for all!"

With cheers, they began to run as they followed Ikazuchi, Harry having the biggest grin of them all.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

She was angry.

No, too small a word to describe her feelings at this moment. It would be like comparing a grain of sand to a boulder. She was furious with what she had been told.

As she watched the Light Cruiser Oni leave, Wanko, better known as "Harbor Princess" by the humans and shipgirls, barely held back a snarl at the smirk on her fellow Abyssal's face. She knew it was from delivering the news she did. And she focused on that rage to keep the grief from overwhelming her. Hoppou...

Her little sister Hoppou...

Slain by the shipgirls. Her entire fleet destroyed and sunk. Oh, she knew that the others enjoyed her pain. After all, her and Hoppou were two that simply claimed a portion of the ocean and that was it. Neither had wanted to kill unless attacked. But now, Hoppou, dearest Hoppou... was gone. Part of her felt like she had her boilers ripped from her body and Wanko had no doubt that they expected her to soon wreak bloody vengeance on both the humans and the shipgirls.

Oh, was she ever tempted.

Unlike the others though, she was not about to lash out. First, she would check herself. With the wave of an arm, one of her subs submerged and began to go north. It would take time, she knew. However, she would know in the end.

Now though... now was time to prepare as she deployed her rigging and looked at her own fleet. "Find me... resources. I must... build. Let the humans... and shipgirls... not see... until it is too late."

Simply acknowledging the orders, her fleet went to the task as she stared out to see.

A bloody, oily tear sliding down one cheek.
_________________________________

Yet again, Wanko was staring out at the ocean. She hadn't wanted it to be true, but it was. The Abyssal had seen through the eyes of her Submarine and seen the devastation of where Hoppou had lived. Dead Abyssals clogging the ocean floor as humans and shipgirls had crawled over the islands here. But none had seen her Submarine.

It hurt.

But despite the ever present rage, the pure, agonizing fury that powered her boilers, Wanko still did not lash out yet. However, the seas themselves practically frothed in the storms that were unleashed. She wanted to know exactly who she was first going to sink, to tear limb from limb. For that reason, and that reason alone, she waited and bided her time. Not because she was nervous. It was more because unlike her siblings, she understood what was needed first.

And so, almost two weeks after receiving confirmation, Wanko walked deep into her lair. There, she entered her trophy room, ghostly light lit the shelves there. Slowly, she made her way along them until she stopped and plucked two items she needed for the one thing that, in her mind, put her above the other Abyssal Princesses and Demons. One, looked like a lighter. And the other was a simple ring. "Yes... it is... time..." For a few moments, she looked at the comparatively tiny items as she remembered where she got them. Shaking herself out of her memories, she soon left her trophy room and soon reached the ocean before turning toward a Re Class. "Wait... here... you keep... guard, Revina."

Grinning, and showing a mouthful of sharp teeth, the Re blinked. "Okey-doky, Ma'am! And if anyone pokes around?"

Briefly, Wanko paused and then shrugged as she slipped the ring onto her horn. "Do with them... as you will..." Ignoring the laughs, she soon slipped beneath the waves and made her way along the coast of Australia Eventually, she sensed her destination and made her way up a river into the interior, silent and unnoticed. Hours after she left her base though, she reached a bend in the river and walked out of the water. Night was already falling as she reached a road and stopped before looking both ways.

Wanko waited though as two young boys on bicycles passed within feet of her, though neither noticed. Once they were gone though, she pulled out her lighter and carefully clicked it, several of the lights going out along the stretch of road. Then she strode across the road with a few steps to a gas station, though it was boarded up. That wasn't what interested her though, in fact, she could care less. What she wanted was in the box under the overhang. Opening the box, the Abyssal reached inside and pulled out the newspapers inside, some of them going back weeks as members of the town dropped them off to be picked up every two months. Flipping through them, Wanko frowned. 'Where is it...'

One of the newspapers caught her eye and she gasped. There on the cover was Hoppou, a shipgirl beside her. Narrowing her eyes, Wanko began to read the story slowly as she sat down. She didn't even care about the cars that passed the old station as no one noticed her. It was past midnight when she slowly closed the last newspaper before tucking them into her clothes. Part of her was practically singing in joy. "Hoppou... alive..." However, the image of her beside the shipgirl floated up and Wanko's expression became a frown. "But... captured..."

After a few minutes though, the Abyssal shook it off and then stood up and made her way across the road again, though she did click the lighter a few more times, releasing lights that once more lit up the road. And then she was back in the brush heading toward the river. It wouldn't be until noon that she returned to her base and she carefully placed the items back in her trophy room, though before she left, Wanko looked at the desiccated corpse in the corner and nodded. "Once more... thank... you..." Shaking her head, she left the room as she still could not believe the foolishness of some humans. Trying to sneak into her lair to kill her.

However, she did enjoy the ring since it made humans ignore her with the lighter getting rid of their lights...

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

There was a look of pure happiness on Shinano's face as she looked around at the room. Part of it was because it was her Commissioning Day, another part was that everyone that she cared for was right there in the room with her. Both Yamato and Musashi had made sure to show up and the other Carriers had as well. The Carrier thought that the cake that Harry baked for her was one of the best she had ever tasted though. And much to her surprise, the Submarines had also shown up with presents. Shinano still did not understand where they found clothing that actually fit her or how they knew her measurements.

It didn't help that she wasn't sure that she wanted to know.

But now she was also opening other presents and blinked at the one from Harry before she closely examined it. Giggling at her actions, the ten year old grinned at her. "Aren't you going to open it up?"

Frowning, Shinano pretended to think about it to smiles. "I don't know... should I, Yamato-Nee-San?"

Yamato just grinned at her before ruffling her hair. "I, Yamato, think that you should."

When Shinano then looked at Musashi, said Battleship just crossed her arms beneath her pagodas to draw attention. In reality, all it did was cause amused eyerolls though. "This Musashi agrees."

Meanwhile, Harry just mock pouted before he reached over to it. "Guess I'll just take it back."

Before he could reach it though, Shinano held it out of reach. "I'll open it, I'll open it!" There was a blush on her face at the smile on Harry's face as she slowly opened the gift, only to realize that it was inside a box. When she opened the box though, Shinano furrowed her eyebrows. "An Aircraft Carrier?"

Leaning in, Musashi adjusted her glasses some as she examined it. "Hmm... it is a very nice model."

Snickers caused them to look at Harry who walked over. "It's not just a model." Reaching over for the flight deck, Harry pressed something and a section popped up. "See?"

Eyes wide, Shinano's expression brightened. "It's a clock!"

Thoughtful, Akagi also leaned in and smiled while Shinano played with it, pressing the clock down into the flight deck and then flipping it open. "It's rather lovely... though I don't recognize what class it is."

Harry just shrugged though. "I don't think that it's any specific class. But I thought that you might like it."

Smile on her face, Shinano just pulled Harry into a hug. "It's wonderful, thank you." She then looked it over with a frown. "I'll just have to decide which of my shelves to put it on..." Gently, Shinano placed it to the side before clapping her hands. "Thank you, everyone. This... this really has been wonderful."

However, Iku just shook her head and made her way over to the stereo and pressed a button. "Who says that it's done yet?"

Grabbing Shinano's hands, Harry laughed as he pulled her to her feet as music filled the air. "Come on!"

Face flushed, Shinano just nodded as a bright smile grew on her face as she let herself get pulled out to a clear spot. "I'm getting up, I'm getting up!"

Still sitting down, Musashi just watched as Harry and Shinano swung their arms back and forth as they shuffled around, both of them laughing. Her and Yamato shared a look and then laughed as they both just continued to watch the party.

 

[darthcourt10]

Finbar

Refering to the comments about Australian Submarines.

Now, History tells us that Australia didn't have any Subs during WW2. Not a one. They had 2 English WW1 O class subs which they got rid of in the 30's and a Dutch K class which never worked properly, thus never went to sea during the war...
On the other hand, Freemantle (It's near Perth in Western Australia) played host to 122 US Navy Submarines, 31 Royal Navy Submarines and 11 Royal Netherlands Navy Submarines...

Which led to this idea.

The submarine fleet of the US Shipgirl Navy were known as incorrigible thieves. Their skill with break and enter, lock picking, pick pocketing, insider trading and other forms of theft were famous. If it wasn't nailed down, it was thought to be fair game and some of the girls carried crowbars just in case it was.

On the other hand, there were a few others that were a little..affected..by their time spent in service in other nations. No more than the USS Growler, also nicknamed the Kangaroo Express. She, more than most sub's had spend rather a lot of time in Australia, both in Brisbane for extensive repairs and out of Freemantle before she died at the torpedoes of Shigure. Her fellow shipgirls knew her as a skilled Submarine, who was fearless in pursuit of her job.
Yet, despite her very american attitude regarding most things, it was only once she returned that she could combine her two biggest thrills, getting up close to her enemy without them knowing about it, and then sinking them.

Which led to this situation.

"check it out!" Growler whispered to Seahorse. She was really quite pleased to be sent out with her old friend. They worked well together and knew how good the other was. Still, even so, Seahorse was looking a little nervous.

"Thats a Light Cruiser Princess!" She whispered back, both were being as quiet as possible, despite being just below the surface and more than a mile away, they were taking no chances.

"Yep! But it's destroyer escorts are way out in front clearing the way. Right now, she's waiting for them to report back before she moves on." The grin on Growler's face was manic.

"Which means we can shoot now and scoot out to report it. If she notices us, we are in trouble!" Seahorse was clearly the more cautious of the two

"Uhuh. Right now, she is moving up to the Marshal Islands. That means if we don't do anything, whoever is there is getting reinforcements. If we don't act now, they will be much harder to defeat and those Oni's are too fast not to be able to dodge. Someone needs to get closer." Growler was grinning, even as she nodded. "Which is why you are going to hang back, I'll sneak in and hit her with a spread, then, you give me five minutes and nail her from range. She won't be able to avoid the old one-two wolfpack attack!"

Seahorse sighed but nodded and bumped fists with Growler, who then dove down a bit and started sneaking up on the Water Oni, who was oblivious to the danger approaching from her rear.

Seahorse just shook her head as she lined up her shots, She'd have to be careful, but she planned a full six shot spread. Even if Growler didn't sink anything, her own spread would freak out the Abyssal and force her to break off pursuit. They'd thought up this technique during the war, and now it was time to test it. The only problem was... Growler had spent a lot of time in Australia. She had a disturbing fascination with getting far too close to disturbing animals and deliberately antagonizing them.

Under the water, Growler grinned wildly as she pulled out a a torpedo and very carefully made some adjustments to it before she put her tools away and moved closer.

The Light Cruiser Princess was sneering as she stood tall, looking north as she scanned for ... whatever she was looking for. So much attention ws she paying, that she hadn't notice the very quiet Growler. Quiet, except that she had an underwater camera out, mounted on her shoulder.

"This here is a rare Light Cruiser Princess. Now, you'd best notice that she is a speedy devil, very fast and hits hard too. She has six inch guns and a surface Radar, which combined with her speed and Escorts, means she is death on legs in narrow zones like an archipelago. Fast enough to outrun the big ships, can turn tight as any destroyer and has enough fire power to ruin the day of any destroyers who go in to chase her. She's also got twin depth charge launchers, but she need to be really moving to use them safely. Luckily, she doesn't carry any torpedoes. This means she is custom designed for hunting destroyers and some cargo raiding too. On the other hand, she isn't nearly as dangerous to a submarine as her escorts and right now...the nearest one is about an hour to the north. So, I'm gonna stick a torpedo up her arse."

Sneaking closer, Growler surfed with dreadful slowness behind the Abyssal, her slasher grin was broad, her eyes were wide with manic, sadistic glee and held in both hands.....was a torpedo.

For the Light Cruiser Princess, the day was turning into an exercise in frustration. One of her beloved destroyers has caught the scent of a submarine, so she had let them off the leash to hunt it down, clearing the way for her. Unfortunately, they had lost it, she thought, or more likely, were driving it north, out of her path. Thus it was a great surprise when she felt a sudden pain in her....screws.

"SURPRISE!!!!" Came an ecstatic voice right next to her ear, scaring the life out of her and causing her to leap into the air in shock as she turned to see what was going on, only for what she thought might be an American Submarine, in the brief fraction of a second she saw her, before Growler, wielding the torpedo like a baseball bat, slammed it into her head.

The explosion of a detonating torpedo knocked Growler backwards, where upon she dove back underwater and started swimming down and away as fast as she could, leaving a very shocked Light Cruiser Princess with a gashed, bleeding and mangled face to gape in shock and rage, before the torpedo lodged up her..... exhaust vent.... detonated, breaking her keel and ending her life.

The two submarines met up a few hours later, where upon Seahorse got the confirmation she feared.

"You stuck a torpedo up her arse, on a timed fuse, them smacked her in the face with another torpedo?"

"Yup. This report is going to be awesome. Best of all, I got it all on video!"

"You do realise, Tenryuu will kill you if her DesDiv ever hear about this? Not to mention the ulcer the Admiral is going to have?"

"Yup." Growler giggled. "This is going to be the best patrol report ever!"

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

"Mikasa-Sama, can we speak to you for a moment?"

Blinking, Mikasa looked up from her cup of tea to see Yokosuka's Subgirls in front of her looking somewhat nervous. Even though she knew their reputation for being "Lewdmarines", she had little contact with them just the same. For some odd reason though, seeing them tripped her "Grandma Sense" rather heavily and told her that there was a source of amusement. "Of course, Dess."

After she glanced at her fellow Subs, Iku cleared her throat. "We were wondering if you could teach us to manifest our hulls."

Out of everything she had expected though, that was the last thing that she had expected. So slowly, and gently, she sat her tea cup down with a click. "Manifest your hulls?"

Nodding, Imuya took a deep breath. "During your last sortie when you were escorting the inter-island convoy... I saw you manifest your hull. We checked and we know that your real one was still in Battleship Park the whole time."

Slowly, the Pre-Dreadnought nodded before she hummed. "It could have been all an illusion though. After all, it's happened where someone looks to where a shipgirl is on the water with her rigging out and instead sees their hulls rather then their human form. That is what you might have seen..."

However, Imuya narrowed her eyes. "Except when one of the ships were sinking, you were picking people up and bringing them onto your hull, so it was solid."

Chuckling, all Mikasa did to their surprise was shake her head. "Well now, it seems that you caught me." With a stretch, she grinned widely. "So you want to know how Mikasa-Obaa-Chan did that, hmm?" At their nods, Mikasa hummed as she leaned against one closed fist. "I wonder why you would like to know how to do it. After all, all it is really useful for is to have normal humans be able to stand on your hull."

A heavy blush on her face, Shioi looked slightly away. "... We have our reasons..."

Just humming, Mikasa's grin became positively feline. "Would one of those reasons happen to be a certain someone? Perhaps a someone with emerald eyes?" At the bright red blushes on all the Submarines, Mikasa laughed. "I see..."

With a frown, RO coughed. "So, um..."

Taking some pity on them, Mikasa leaned back and considered the girls in front of her. "Hmm... it's not exactly easy to do so."

Imuya straightened her back some. "We'll do it."

For several moments Mikasa watched them with a serious expression on her face before she nodded. "I can actually see that. As to how... it's rather complicated and will take a lot of work on your parts. I don't expect that you'll manage it for some time though."

Much to the Pre-Dreadnought's surprise though, Iku nodded. "Could you also teach Shinano?" At seeing the raised eyebrow, Iku looked somewhat uncomfortable. "I figure that she might want to learn it..."

However, Mikasa slowly nodded as she made a thoughtful sound before suddenly she grinned. "Oh, I am sure that she would love to learn it. Perhaps even for the same reasons as you. I am rather impressed that you would like for her to learn as well." Making some more hums, she picked up her cup of tea and sipped it. "Perhaps I should even teach a class on it, for I am certain that more then a few of the others would like to learn it. For example... Chibi-Kon and Mutsu-Chan would love to have their Admirals deep inside them."

Choking some, Hachi leaned back. "L-lewd!"

All Mikasa did was smirk and snicker at their expressions.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

With a smile, Harry set up the three bowls down onto the table and nodded. "Here you go, one of my specials! Chicken noodle and rice soup and..." Reaching over, he placed a basket down onto the table before adding a small tub of butter. "And some nice, warm bread rolls fresh from the oven! Perfect for a early winter meal."

Drool was dripping from Akizuki's face before she clapped her hands together and closed her eyes. Then she opened them and took a sip of the soup before actually crying. "It's... so good..."

Beside her, her sisters also nodded with tears in their eyes as the embarrassed Harry rubbed the back of his head. "I don't think that it's really that great..."

Wide eyed, Teruzuki just gestured at the bowls in front of them. "N-not great!? This food is a gift."

Hatsuzuki then gulped as she looked down at the dinner roll she had just bit into. "A... are you sure that this won't be a too a great a burden on our supplies?"

In reply, Harry only hooded his eyes. "It's soup."

Clapping her hands to her mouth, Teruzuki swallowed nervously. "We... we're running out of supplies again, aren't we? And this is... this is going to be our last good meal for a long time, right?"

As he noticed that the other two Akizuki Destroyers were now looking at their food, Harry reached out and gently tapped each of them on their foreheads. "It's just some soup and we're not running out of supplies. We just got a convoy last week after all and another will arrive next week."

Quickly, Akizuki looked back down at the steaming bowls of soup and then back at Harry. "A-are you sure?"

Slowly, Harry blinked. "Yes, I'm sure." Then he gently ruffled their hair which brought smiles to the three sisters' faces. "Now, just enjoy your dinner, okay?"

Once they nodded, he gave them one last smile and then walked off. After he was out of earshot, Hatsuzuki let out a soft sniff. "He's so good to us... and gives us such good, filling food."

Taking a bite of a dinner roll, Teruzuki nodded as she chewed it slowly, making sure that it lasted. Meanwhile, Akizuki took a sip of soup and whimpered. "And there's so much food."

With a sigh, Teruzuki nodded. "The future is truly wonderful..."

Several minutes later, when Harry looked back, he could see the three sisters making sure to wipe their bowls with bread to catch every last bit of broth. Just shaking his head, Harry started to walk over with some pie so that this time they wouldn't forget dessert. How they could forget, he didn't know.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Yawning, Shimakaze slowly opened her eyes and blinked as the room came into focus. Then she smiled at the feeling of arms around her and turned her head to see Karakaze there gently sleeping. If it was possible, her smile became even more bright at the sight of the dirty blonde Destroyer currently cuddled to her back. 'I'll never get over this... who needs speed when you have family.'

A mutter escaped from the other Destroyer as she pulled Shimakaze closer. "Mmm... warm..."

For her part though, Shimakaze was way too busy just doing what had rapidly become her favorite hobby besides trying to go faster. Simply watching her sisters sleep peacefully. Karakaze in particular looked a lot like Shimakaze, though her hair was dirty blonde and her eyes were reddish brown. Several minutes passed like that before Shimakaze looked around the Destroyer Common Room and smirked at the sight of all the other snoring Destroyers. She did roll her eyes though at the sight of Fubuki, Yuudachi, and Mutsuki in the corner though. "Those three, Ou..."

Then she turned her head and had to surpress a snicker at the sight of Harry cuddled with the Akizukis, though Hibiki had also stayed the night along with the rest of DesDiv6 and was currently sleeping on Harry's chest. All of which brought Shimakaze's mind back to why they were all there and her smile widened just a fraction. A yawn was heard though and she watched as Harry woke up and rubbed his eyes. For several seconds, he looked around and then spotted Shimakaze and Karakaze before nodding as he whispered. "Good morning."

Just nodding herself, the Destroyer snickered as Hibiki began to grumble. "Good morning to you, Harry-Chan."

Harry looked around and his eyes widened a bit. "Wow... last night was a big party..."

Snickering, Shimakaze stilled for a moment when Karakaze grumbled before she fell back asleep. "Well, it was a Commissioning Celebration for my sisters..." It was then that she realized that the others were not around and blinked before relaxing as one of her fairies gave a report that they had left for a bathroom. "So, it would have to be big, Ou."

As Hibiki was now somewhat awake, she sat up and looked around before looking at Harry. "Morning..."

With a smile on his face, Harry went to get up. "Good morning." Before he could though, Teruzuki's arms tightened and then pulled him back into the cuddle pile moments before her sisters also grabbed him. Looking at them though, he could tell that they were asleep which made him blink. "Um..."

For several moments, Hibiki just watched this before she shrugged and then cuddled back against his chest. "Khorosho."

At the look he gave her, Shimakaze fought herself not to laugh. She did snicker though at the poor boy. "Sorry, Harry-Chan, too slow."

Grumbling, Harry leaned back as much as he was able before sighing. "Could be worse, I suppose."

Shimakaze only nodded at that before she felt a stirring behind her. "Onee-Chan?"

Over her shoulder appeared the sleepy face of Karakaze who looked around, which Shimakaze smiled at. "Yes?"

Mouth open in a wide yawn, Karakaze blinked. "Where's the others?"

Chuckling, Shimakaze shook her head. "They went to the bathroom."

The eldest of the sisters could see Karakaze considering this before she laid back down. "Oh." Softly smiling, Shimakaze turned until she was facing Karakaze and tightened the embrace which caused the sleepy smile on the younger Destroyer to widen. "This is nice."

All Shimakaze did was nod as she stroked the hair of her sister. "You have no idea..."
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Blinking in the harsh, winter sunlight, Rose turned away from the sun as she heard footsteps and smiled. "Good morning, Haruna."

Haruna for her part just smiled back, though it was a brighter one. "Good morning, Rose-Chan." She then looked over the tsukumogami. "Are you ready?"

Simply nodding, Rose adjusted her overcoat even as her breath fogged in the air. "Quite ready as a matter of fact." Walking up beside Haruna, the two of them began to walk away from the Battleship dorms. "I must admit though, I am curious as to where we are going exactly."

Giggling, Haruna looked down at the smaller woman who only reached shoulder height to her at best. "Haruna is taking Rose-Chan shopping of course."

Eyes wide Rose stared at her before she smacked her closed fist into her palm. "That's right! Christmas is on the way and I need to do some shopping for presents for Master and others." Hearing more giggles, Rose blinked and tilted her head some. "What is so funny?"

Unable to help herself, Haruna pulled Rose into an embrace. "Because you're being silly. While we can get some presents, Haruna is taking you shopping so that Rose-Chan can get some items for herself. Such as more clothes."

Her eyebrows raising, Rose blinked. "More clothes?" She then looked herself over. "Is there a problem with my uniform?"

Slowly shaking her head, Haruna smiled. "No." Haruna then looked over Rose herself and hummed. "Haruna thinks that Rose-Chan looks very nice in her uniform."

Frowning, Rose furrowed her eyebrows some. "Then why should I have need for new clothing?"

As she shook her head, Haruna wagged a finger at her in mock disappointment. "Because having just uniforms is no good. But Haruna thinks that Rose-Chan would look very nice in some new clothing and that she should get some as well."

Tilting her head, Rose furrowed her eyebrows before nodding. "I suppose that you may be right. Does that mean that you have clothing besides your uniform?"

While she nodded, Haruna gestured with one hand. "Haruna actually has a number of clothes."

For a moment, Rose tried to imagine Haruna wearing some of the clothes that she had caught other women wearing, especially in the modern day before blushing. 'Oh my...' Not for the first time, Rose puzzled under the odd emotions she sometimes felt before shaking it off. 'Perhaps it is because I awoke I was owned by Master's grandfather since my old Mistress had passed... and then owned by Master.' Ignoring the stab of pain at the thought that her previous owners were gone, Rose shoved the idea to the back of her mind before she caught sight of one of the soldiers on an early morning run. A sly smile caused her lips to turn up a bit. 'Hmm, I suppose that comes from my Mistresses.'

Not knowing what was passing through her friend's mind, Haruna hummed as she continued to walk. 'Haruna is happy that Rose-Chan is coming.' Looking down at her, Haruna tightened the half hug some, though she was careful not to do so too much. She didn't want to hurt Rose after what had happened when they met. Though, that said, Haruna did feel protective of Rose. It was then that Haruna noticed that they were close to their destination. "Ah! There's Onee-Sama's car!"

Looking up from her thoughts, Rose blinked and gave a sound of appreciation. "A Range Rover! Here in Japan?"

Just nodding, Haruna's smile widened. "Onee-Sama found it on a trip to England and brought it back. Then she fixed it with us helping." She then reached into her robes and pulled out some keys that she twirled on one finger. Onee-Sama let Haruna drive it for today."

Rose smiled a bit. "Very good, I do believe that I will enjoy this trip of ours."

Brightly smiling, Haruna pulled her into a full on hug with her chin on Rose's head. "Haruna thinks so too!"

All Rose did was blush though, yet there was also a smile on her face.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Flying along the dell, Seamus Finnigan looked around before landing and walking over to a shed. After a few more moments, he unlocked it and placed the broom inside before locking it back up. "There we go." With another look around, he walked home and through the back door in time to see his mother glaring at him. "Heh... hi Mum."

The woman just scowled as she placed her hands on her hips and glared at him. "And where were you now, Seamus?"

With a nervous look on his face, the red head glanced toward the door from the kitchen where he could hear music and loud talking. "I was just taking a walk." At the narrowing of his mother's eyes, he held up his hands. "Honest."

Slowly, his mother raised her eyebrow before crossing her arms against her chest. "So if I was to look in the broom shed, I would not find at least one of the brooms out of place then?" When he flinched, she sighed and rubbed the side of her head in exasperation. "What am I going to do with you, Seamus? You know why I told you no to using brooms during the day and what do you go and do?"

Grimacing, the ten year old scowled. "Aw, come on, Mum. Nothing's going to happen and the muggles didn't see anything."

Her expression now becoming stormy, his mother growled at him. "You are tempting Murphy to smack you, you are Seamus Finnigan! I did not go and raise no idiot of a son!" She then pointed outside. "The muggles have been noticing something strange flying around and the Obliviators have already stated that anyone caught is going to get a lot worse then a talking to. And then there's how you haven't been keeping up with your school work."

Just sighing, Seamus looked away. "Come on, Mum. I ain't going to need any of that silly muggle stuff. Especially as I'm going to Hogwarts."

All she did though was rub the side of her head. "What am I going to do with you..." Then to his surprise, she turned around and grabbed a plate off to the side and shoved it into his hands before pointing at the door. "Take that to booth 2-D."

Looking from the plate to his mother, Seamus sputtered a bit. "But, Mum-"

With a glare, she jabbed her finger into his chest. "Don't you 'Mum' me, Seamus. Consider this punishment for the stunt that you just pulled."

Despite his glare, she wouldn't budge and finally, he grumbled and walked through the door. "Fine." Part of him though was disturbed by the sly grin on his mother's face. As he walked through the crowded room though, he waved at his father who was at the bar serving drinks to patrons, said man waving back. Upon reaching the booth in question, Seamus sighed. "I got your order..."

However, at seeing who was in there, he gulped. At the same time, the Irish shipgirl Muirchú just grinned widely with her face flushed from the alcohol she had already consumed. Though Seamus still did not know where the ten year old looking girl put it all."Well now, as I live and breath, Seamus Finnigan. It has been a while..." Then she pouted some. "Some poor girl might think that you were avoiding her."

Just gulping at the predatory looks on her and her companions, several Flower Class Corvettes, Seamus internally cursed his mother as he gave them a shaky smile. "You know that I wouldn't. I've been, uh, a little busy."

Leaning against her fist, Muirchú just hummed in amusement. "I'm sure." Suddenly, the musicians began to play a song and she grabbed him. "Come here you! It's been a bit since we sang together." Clearing her throat, she began to sing. "FUCK YOU, I'M DRUNK! FUCK YOU I'M DRUNK! YOU POUR MY BEERS DOWN THE SINK, I'VE GOT MORE IN THE TRUNK!"

At the same time, Seamus could see his mother smirking at him from the kitchen door as he flinched from the off-key singing. 'Sometimes I really hate, Mum...'
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Naka was checking various odds and ends when she heard Harry call out. "I'm ready, Naka-Nee!"

Smiling, she turned with a chuckle. "That's great, I'm just getting the livestream set up..."

Whatever else she was about to say died in her throat as she spotted Harry dressed as an elf. For several moments, she was making odd noises before Harry tilted his head to the side. "Is something wrong, Naka-Nee?"

All Naka did though was shake her head. "No, nothing's wrong..." Meanwhile inside her head, she chanted the same thing over and over. 'Must not glomp the chibi. Must not glomp the chibi. Must not glomp the chibi. Must not glomp the chibi...'

Once he sat down, Harry looked around in curiosity. Despite being a frequent "Guest" on Naka's show, he still found her studio to be rather interesting. "Um, where are we getting the music from?" Taking a deep breath, Naka pointed at a table which caused Harry to blink as he noticed that there was an band of fairies there with instruments. Several of them he could recognize as being from his mother and he waved at them. "Hi guys!"

With a nod, one of Nagato's fairies waved back at him. "Desu!"

Just shaking her head, Naka got up and sat down in her chair. "Anyways, they'll be providing the music. I got to admit, they're pretty damn good at what they do."

Spinning the chair around, the ten year old boy just grinned. "Of course they are!"

Out of the corner of Naka's eye, she could see several of the fairies give Harry thumbs up at the compliment before she shook her head in amusement. Then she looked down at the program. "Anyways, you got a good list of songs here for the carol episode... though I do have a question."

Coming to a stop, Harry blinked at her in confusion. "Okay...?"

Slightly frowning, the Cruiser pointed at one part. "I'm wondering why you're singing 'Silent Night' twice."

For a moment, Harry blinked at her and then shrugged. "I wanted to do something nice for RO-Chan and Hachi-Chan, so I'm singing it in German."

That caused Naka's eyebrows to raise. "German... really?" At his nod, she made a note. "Well, that's up to you." Naka then tapped another one and handed him the checklist. "Now, I've listed the songs that we're both going to sing, though most will just be you singing."

Confused, Harry frowned a bit. "But... I'm not that great of a singer, Naka-Nee. Are you sure that you want me to do this?"

Reaching over, Naka ruffled his hair. "I do. And you don't need to be great, Harry-Chan, trust me on that. And for my audience, they're going to love it no matter how you sing because it's different." She didn't say the rest out loud. 'Also, the cuteness factor and your accent will drive some of them wild.'

Just blinking, Harry shrugged. "Okay."

With a soft chuckle, Naka continued to take him through what she wanted to do with him as he nodded and listened.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Hearing the door open as she did some editing on one of her newest covers, Naka didn't bother looking up as she already knew who it was. "Here to pick up Chibi, Nagato?"

For a moment, Nagato paused before looking to see where Harry was in a recliner asleep with a blanket wrapped around him. A soft smile spread across her face as she nodded some. "I am." Much to Naka's surprise, Nagato took a seat in one of her chairs which creaked under the Battleship's weight. "He seemed to have enjoyed himself actually."

After some thought, Naka paused her work and turned in her chair as she looked toward Harry with a soft smile. "He did as a matter of fact. Once he got over his nervousness anyways." Getting up, Naka walked toward the small fridge she kept around. "Would you like something to drink?"

Just nodding, Nagato leaned forward some. "I would as a matter of fact."

Not even a minute later, she blinked as Naka handed her a glass of eggnog and gave the Cruiser a raised eyebrow, which caused Naka to smirk. "I like to get into the spirit of the holidays where possible." Watching Nagato sip her drink, Naka leaned back in her chair with one of her own. "Anyways, the Chibi had a blast and I enjoyed having him on my show. Thanks for letting him be on it by the way."

There was a slight upturn of Nagato's lips as she nodded. "He's always enjoyed coming onto your shows, Naka."

Both of them slipped into silence as they enjoyed the other's company until Naka let out a sigh. "You got some questions, I take it?"

Nagato nodded as she placed the glass down onto Naka's desk, making sure to put it onto the coaster there. "I've... been wondering something for a while now and I suppose that this is as good a time to ask as any."

Having already guessed, Naka gestured with one hand. "Go on."

As she raised an eyebrow, Nagato let out a nod. "I've noticed that when Harry goes onto your shows, you always make sure that he receives some of the money that's made. I never wondered about it until fairly recently... but you give him an equal share of the profits of what you make from both your shows and what you sell from them that involves him."

Simply nodding, Naka gave her a slight smirk. "And you're wondering why?"

Leaning forward, Nagato placed her chin on top of one fist. "Well, after having mentioned it to someone it turns out to be very odd."

For a little while, Naka just stared off into the distance before she quietly spoke. "Did you know that I'm was not summoned, but am a Natural Born?"

That was a bit of news and Nagato sat up. "No, actually, I didn't."

On Naka's face there was a thin smile before she snorted. "I'm not surprised, I don't make a big deal over it after all." Sipping her eggnog, Naka sighed. "Before becoming a shipgirl, my biggest dream was to become an Idol. To see people looking up at me for my music, for my acting, and so on. Growing up, I practiced and trained to be an idol, to make it big. I watched actual Idols in various videos and took notes, did research... did everything I could to make it happen."

Frowning, Nagato narrowed her eyes. "What happened."

While still staring off into the distance, Naka reached up to a picture on her desk and took it down. "Never did make it. Here." Passing over the picture, Naka tapped it. "That's me from before I became a shipgirl. I keep it to remind me of where I came from."

Her eyebrows raising, Nagato looked down at the person in the photograph and felt her eyes widen as she compared it with Naka. While there were similarities there, the two of them also had major differences. "What was the problem?"

Scoffing, Naka waved a hand around. "Lots of things really. Despite healthy diets and exercise, I was never able to get rid of the last little bit of fat. Nothing too bad, in fact I was a good weight for a girl my age and height. Also... I was too 'Headstrong', which meant I wasn't vapid. Skin wasn't absolutely perfect and so on. The Idol Industry is harsh. And I found out how harsh it was as at one audition just before I found out that I was a shipgirl that I got torn apart because I was, quote, 'Wasting their time over and over.'"

At the bitterness in Naka's voice, Nagato winced. "Indeed?" At the nod, she shook her head. "At least your parents..."

The Battleship trailed off as Naka snorted. "My parents did not support me in the slightest. They told me to go and get a real job, to give up on my dreams."

With a thoughtful look on Nagato's face, she searched Naka's expression. "So that is why..."

Naka nodded with a soft sigh. "That I will never stiff Harry on what he's learned? Or any of the other shipgirls that come on my shows or who I sell songs they sing? Yeah..." She stared off into the distance. "Everyone has dreams of what they're going to do once the war is over. Myself? " Waving at her equipment, Naka had a smirk on her face. "All this will build up my reputation, my funds, and build connections. Then I'm going to use this and change the industry. I'm going to take my success and build upon it until I crush those fucking bastards under it with them choking to death on their own bile."

Eyes wide, Nagato leaned back some. "I see..."

There was a gleam of dark amusement in Naka's eyes as she chuckled. "Did you know that after my first sortie, the bastards who tore me apart showed up and tried to get me to sign a contract with them?"

Now narrowing her eyes, Nagato frowned. "No, I've never heard of this."

If anything, the amusement in Naka's eyes increased. "They had somehow found out who I was and showed up as I was leaving the docks. I listened to them and then gave them my answer... for some odd reason they didn't like having a Oxygen torpedo dropped on their feet. Then the JMSDF got involved, especially their PR department." The Cruiser's tone then turned dryer then the Sahara. "It seems that they were even less happy then I was with them, though that could be due to them somehow having gotten a hold of classified information."

All Nagato did was wince as she could easily guess how that went. Then she shook it off as she finished her drink. "Just the same, thank you for what you've done for Harry."

Expression brightening, Naka winked at her. "Hey, like I said, I would never cheat the Chibi, I'm his Nee-San after all and Naka-Chan takes care of her family.

For some reason, that amused Nagato and made her feel more at ease.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Walking into Dumbledore's office, Victory blinked at the sight that met her. "Hey, Bumblebee, you're late for our get together."

She could hear a sigh from the door that was off to the side letting her know that Dumbledore was in his quarters moments before his voice drifted out. "Most sorry about that, Vicky. However, something has come up and I am afraid that I shall have to miss it"

Intrigued, Victory walked over with a raised eyebrow. "Oh? How so?"

There was a note of tiredness in Dumbledore's voice and he soon poked his head out as he frowned. "Apparently, Belgium has called yet another meeting regarding the Statute and the current issues regarding it."

When he ducked back into his quarters, Victory leaned over to look in. "I see..."

On Dumbledore's face there was a thin smile as he shook his head. "No, I don't think that you do, my friend. Among other things, they're demanding yet more support for protecting themselves as their Ministry simply does not have the manpower to keep things secret."

Snorting, Victory just shook her head. "You know my thoughts on the whole thing, Albus. Perhaps it was of use back in the 1600s, but it should have been done away with well before now. Especially with the Abyssals being a danger to everyone."

Just humming, Albus looked over his choices and sighed. "And sometimes I find myself agreeing with you. However, others would need to be convinced and more then a few would much rather continue on the path that we were treading or worse."

Victory grimaced a little bit at that. "Speaking of... how did things go with that pink toad?"

Lips twitching, Dumbledore glanced at her. "Why, one would think that you did not like Madam Umbridge."

Crossing her arm across her chest, Victory gave him a snort as her tone turned dry. "Whatever could have possibly have given you that impression, Bumblebee? It would not have been me stating that I was considering strapping her to one of my cannons and firing it after the last time we met."

Eyes twinkling, Dumbledore shook his head. "Perish the thought, Vicky." He ignored her telling him not to call her that. "I believe though it was more the language you used."

Her own lips twitching, Victory shrugged. "My language is positively clean for someone who has been rode as often and as hard by as many sailors as I have, Bumblebee. Or at least, that's how Consititution would put it."

For several moments, the Headmaster just blinked before he shook it off. "Hmm... I see."

At the sound of something skittering across the floor though, Victory looked around. "So, how long do you figure that it'll take you before the whole mess has been sorted out, yet again, until the next time?"

Sighing, Dumbledore shook his head. "Possibly the better part of a week I am afraid." Much to Victory's surprise though, he held up two robes which looked like colorful, tie-dye versions of ship camouflage. "Which do you think would be the best?"

Tilting her head, Victory pointed to the one in his right hand after giving the matter some thought. "That one, its more eyewatering and headache inducing."

With a smile on his face, Albus nodded before tossing said robes off to the side. "Thank you."

Following the robes flight, Victory boggled a bit at what happened next. "Bumblebee... what the hell..."

Dumbledore looked over his shoulder and then smiled. "Ah, it's something that a former Muggleborn student of mine came up with. Most useful I must admit. Even presses and folds my clothing."

Simply staring at the trunk, Victory shook her head as she watched it rush around on dozens of tiny feet. "Never thought of you as a Pratchett fan, Bumblebee."

All he did was smile behind his beard. "You never asked, though they are rather wonderful stories."

Highly amused, Victory just shook her head. "Quite."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

"Why, hello there."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With a snicker, Harry just shook his head.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Slowly, Harry nodded a bit. "Huh."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All Harry did though was simply shrug.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Intrigued, the Captain leaned forward. "Oh?"

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

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

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

Yonehara just nodded. "Yeah, I know."

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eyes sparkling, Harry nodded. "Okay!"

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

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

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bemused, Harry looked at him. "Really?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

Slowly, Goto nodded. "Sounds about right."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kongou only smiled and nodded. "Dess!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grimacing, the second man nodded. "Yes."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

"Are we there yet?"

"No."

"Are we there yet?"

"No."

"Are we there yet?"

"No."

"Are we there yet?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Are we there yet?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[darthcourt10]

Shaithan

Old Bones

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coming to attention, Nagato nodded. "Hai!"

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

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

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kongou blinked at that. "War?"

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

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

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

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

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

 

[darthcourt10]

Matroslvan

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

***

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

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

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

----

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ron let out a small laugh.

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

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

Arthur paused, and changed the subject.

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

"Why did she do that?!"

Older twin shrugged.

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

"However, two hours later the problem resurfaced."

Another nod.

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

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

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

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

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

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

As good reason as any other, Arthur shrugged.

***

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

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Flipping the card, Jake nodded. "Thanks."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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