Yawning, Harry smacked his lips a bit as he entered the dining hall before bowing to the group of Arashi that was there already, "Good morning."
A smile on her face, Koyuki chuckled and waved to the seat beside her, "And a good morning to you as well, Itoko. Now come and have a seat so that you can have something to eat before we head out. We'll be working most of the morning."
Simply doing as she asked, the wizard glanced around a bit, "I don't mind a bit of work."
Grinning, Kikyo poked him, "You say that now, Harry-Kun. But will it hold out?"
Just shrugging, Harry shook his head, "Harry will do his best!" Ignoring the amused looks, he glanced around before noticing what Kikyo was eating, "Is that a breakfast roll?"
In reply, she held up a finger as she chewed. Swallowing, Kikyo gave him a nod as well as a smile, "Hai, it is." Looking at it, she gave him a knowing smile as she opened her mouth for another bite, "You're wondering why I'm having it, I take it?"
Bemused, Harry nodded at that, "Well... it is a bit odd to see. I mean, that's something from Ireland." Seeing the looks, he shrugged, "Seamus, one of my dormmates back at Hogwarts swears by them for breakfast. Complains if one is not on the table actually."
Chuckling after she swallowed, the Hone-Onna smiled, "Well... Kaa-San actually brought it back when Tou-San took her to Ireland on one of his trips back."
Eyes widening, Harry boggled a bit, "Wait, you meant that Grandpa Ian took her back to Britain? Seriously?"
Across from him, Koyuki snorted a bit, "Is that really that much of a surprise." At his blink, she shook her head, "Ian-Jiji actually often brought members of our clan with him on trips back to Britain via the Kazehana. Mostly during the first twenty years actually..." Frowning thoughtfully, she shook her head, "Anyways, it was mainly so that they could learn skills back in Britain and Europe. While Jeffery-Jiji was able to teach us a lot, Ian-jiji wanted those of us alive to have other skills that he couldn't teach us."
Head cocked to the side, Harry furrowed his eyebrows, "Wouldn't that take a while though? Especially since you were sailing?"
The two female Yokai shared a look that stated how many times they had been asked these questions. But it also stated that neither of them minded all that much, after all, it was family history. Having finished her breakfast, Kikyo turned to him, "Ah, but that was the brilliance of it. The British Ministry of Magic didn't really check vessels heading in and out. After all, most magicals would use either the world wide floo network, or apparation and Portkeys to enter the country, not sailing ships. As for the Kazehana... You did not think that the shrinking that she was put under was something that we did, did you?"
Seeing the thirteen year old's shocked and surprised look, both of them giggled. A grin on her face, Koyuki shook her head, "You see, there were two ways which were similar. One way was to sail across the Indian Ocean and up the Red Sea. Once there, they would take everyone off the ship onto a flying carpet, shrink the ship, and carry it across the land to the Mediterranean, where they would enlarge it and continue on. The other way, was to sail across the Pacific to Central America, and do much the same, except dropping the ship in the Caribbean before continuing on to Britain. In either case, it would cut off days and weeks from the journey. Once in Britain, Ian-Jiji would sell whatever goods were onboard and pick up whoever was returning. Then they would do the same in reverse, just switching up the route. And it worked pretty well."
With a hum, Kikyo sipped her tea, "That was actually how Lyra-Kaa-San was brought to Japan. The Potters had a time turner though which they used to help out some..." Pausing, she grimaced a bit, "It sort of broke in 1899 for some reason. Though Tekeli-Chan complained about people making mistakes."
For a few moments, Harry stared at her before he turned to the green haired maid only to see her turn part of her hair into a slime-like tentacle which she used to lift several plates as she hummed something that made it feel like his brain was itching, "Wait, she's been around since then?"
Kikyo shrugged some, "Hai, she's been working for the Potters since... 1859, I think? I asked Tou-San once and all he did was grumble about idiot goblins on stupid expeditions to stupid ice covered places. His Tou-San had found her, though she's happy serving us or the Potters." Frowning, she furrowed her eyebrows, "Something about her previous Masters working her for a very long time without any breaks... Anyways..." With a wave of her hand, the Hone-Onna shook her head, "She arrived here via an Owl Box in the old Potter Manor before it was destroyed. Your Kaa-San sent her because they were going to hide in a cottage and didn't want her getting hurt if the manor was attacked."
His own eyebrows furrowing, Harry considered asking more about the Maid, but something told him that he was better off not knowing. Deciding to listen, he took one of the breakfast rolls and began to eat, though he raised an eyebrow at the sight of Koyuki eating some muesli, "By the way, can I ask you something?"
Swallowing, the Yuki-Onna nodded, "Of course, what is it, Itoko?"
A frown on his face, Harry pointed at her breakfast, "I've noticed that you all eat a lot of dairy. From what I know... shouldn't you be lactose intolerant?" At their looks of amusement, he flushed a bit, "I mean, I know that doesn't mean that you can't eat or drink dairy, but... it does mean that you can't consume a lot."
Only chuckling, Kikyo shook her head while ruffling his hair, "That is because of Tou-San." At the confusion, her smile widened, "There is a potion that Tou-San came across in the Potter archives. Apparently, many centuries ago, a clan was lactose intolerant. So they created the ritual so that someone could pass onto them the ability to not be affected. And said ritual made it so that not being lactose intolerant bred true as it were... Tou-San used it on our Kaa-Sans and on those of us that had issues. We use it when we induct new members via marriage on our spouses, though our children would not need it."
Blinking, the teen stared for a moment before shaking his head, "Useful."
That got him giggles and more hair ruffles before the conversation turned to other things. Soon enough, he was in the small building that the Arashi used for a loading bay helping Koyuki lift various products into a small cube van that they used for deliveries. Glancing at her, he internally shook his head at the fact that she was wearing a shirt with the sleeves rolled up, completely unaffected by the cold in the warehouse which did made him slightly jealous. That said, he could also see the toned muscles in said arms which had come about through hard work on the farm. Finally, she nodded before closing the truck's door, "And there we go, Itoko."
Leaning out the window, Kikyo smiled a bit, "All done?"
Simply shaking her head, the Yuki-Onna walked over to where she had set down a clipboard and looked at it, "Hai, that's everything." Walking to the other side, she hopped off the loading dock and helped Harry down, "Give us a minute and we'll be inside."
A laugh answered them before they reached the door and Koyuki waited until Harry was inside the truck's cab before getting in herself. It was a bit of a squeeze, but the teen didn't mind much as he buckled himself in before grinning in excitement, "So where to first?"
Unable to help herself, Koyuki ruffled his hair before turning her attention to the clipboard, "Hmm... actually, the first delivery is to the base itself."
Nodding, Kikyo began to drive out of the small warehouse, waving to the Arashi in the office there who opened the door and closed it once they were through. Driving along the road, she glanced at Harry, "You can listen to something on the radio while we drive if you want. Neither of us mind whatever you chose to listen to."
The thirteen year old shrugged some, "Whatever you might listen to? I don't mind."
Expression brightening, Koyuki reached into the glove compartment and pulled out a CD, "Great! That means that I can put on the new Three Wolf Knights album!" Waving it around, both Harry and Kikyo could see that the title was 'This is Love, War, Nightmares and Dreams' with drawn picture of a bar on the cover, "I've been wanting to listen to it for a while now."
Mock sighing, the Hone-Onna looked at Harry who snickered at her next words, "Oh boy, here we go again."
A mock outraged look on her face, Koyuki shook a fist at her fellow Yokai, "You are just jealous of them! They got real talent!"
Soon enough, the two women began an argument about each other's musical tastes even as J-rock filled the cab. The whole time, Harry was grinning and snickering at their bickering. Upon arriving at the Kushiro Base, Akebono was surprised to see Harry when the truck stopped and they got out, "Harry-Chan? What are you doing here?"
With a shrug, Harry shook his head, "Helping out family with some stuff. Mum's back at the Arashi farm with Hoppou, but you know me."
Poking him in the forehead, the Destroyer sighed, "Yes, I do. So I should not be too surprised." Once the door was up, she hopped up inside with a single jump while Koyuki climbed up in alongside Harry. The two worked together to bring out the needed pallets of dairy product for Akebono to examine, while Kasumi took said pallets from the back and carried them over her head as if they weighed nothing.
Which, to be honest, to her they likely didn't weigh much if anything.
After everything that the base had ordered was offloaded, Akebono jumped out with Harry while Koyuki closed the door. Clapping her hands, the Yuki-Onna nodded, "That should be about everything for the next two weeks, I think, Akebono-San."
Checking her own clipboard, the Destroyer nodded, "It is as a matter of fact." Holding out her hand, she smiled when Koyuki shook it, "Thank you, Koyuki-San. Your farm really is an important supplier." With a nod to Harry and then to the Youkai after signing the paperwork and handing it over, she backed up some, "Both of you have a nice day... now to go and find my Shitty Admiral..."
Koyuki only shook her head but said nothing as they headed back to the truck's cab. After closing the door, she gave the other Arashi a shrug, "I will never understand that girl and how she is."
With a glance towards her, Harry buckled himself in before Kikyo started the truck and headed off, "Akebono-Nee? She's tsundere, like really tsundere." He grinned a bit, "She also really likes Tanaka-San and so does Kasumi-Nee."
For several moments the two Arashi stared at him. Then, Koyuki looked out the window, "Wait, she likes the guy? And calls him 'Shitty Admiral' all the time?"
All Harry did was shrug at that, "She's tsundere and that's practically her pet name for him."
Yet again, the two Yokai stared at him before sharing a look, the same thought going through their minds, 'Shipgirls are weird...'
The rest of the morning passed by well enough with the three making deliveries. Not just to normal human stores and such, but to a few Yokai operated businesses. Much to Harry's amusement, said Yokai only glanced at him and didn't bother to comment about it beyond a shrug when either Koyuki or Kikyo stated that he was a cousin. Finally, they came to the last stop of the day and Harry blinked a bit some at the slightly run down large home. It was rather big, but had a few issues that he could pick out. Once more hopping out, Koyuki waited for Harry's feet to hit the ground and she began walking up to the door and knocked. When the door opened though, Harry's eyes widened and he tilted his head back to stare up at the massive woman who stood in the doorframe who had to be eight feet tall. 'Wow...' It was obvious that she was not a shipgirl, though Harry thought for a moment that she was an Abyssal due to the black hair and pale skin as well as slightly glowing eyes. His own glowed for a moment before he dismissed it as he could not see a hull or anything. Then his eyes widened some as he realized what she was, 'Hachishakusama...'
Upon seeing who it was though, her expression brightened, "Oh good! You arrived!" Looking over her shoulder, she cleared her throat, "Children, the milk delivery is here."
From behind her Harry could hear rushing feet and blinked as several young Yokai appeared. Each of them stared at him in curiosity before another female voice spoke up, "Oi! Move aside for your Nee-San! We got to offload it so that you can all have food, after all."
The Hachishakusama raised one eyebrow as a young wolfess stepped into view, "Now, now, Karen-Chan. You know how excitable they get. Especially when they're getting treats delivered."
Sighing, the now identified Karen nodded, "Hai, Oba-Chan. Sorry." Arms crossed, she glanced at them, "But as their Nee-San, they should listen to me."
However, the much taller Yokai just patted her head some, "Yes, dear." Ignoring the flush on the wolfess' cheeks, she turned back to the house, "Mami-Chan! Megumi-Chan! Kokoro-Chan! Izumi-Chan! We need your assistance!"
Moments later, a voice called out, "Hai, Oba-Chan!" A grinning Neko came out followed by a second, slightly younger one as well as another wolfess, obviously related to the first. And then a teenaged human girl also came out. The grinning Neko turned to the others, "Okay, you heard Oba-Chan! Izumi-Chan, you levitate them into the house as we bring them out!'
The witch nodded some as she pulled her cloak tighter, "Hai."
Once the door to the truck was open, Harry started to help them get the various items out. He learned that the other wolfess was Mami and the other Neko was Kokoro. As they worked, Harry decided to chat with them, "Um, so is this an orphanage?"
Karen tilted her head back and forth, "Not an official one, but... more a foster home of sorts for orphaned Yokai children." She grimaced a bit, "Let me just say that the system for us in regards to the Magical Diet is not the best."
Also wincing, the thirteen year old could only nod, "Hai, I can understand that."
Head cocked to the side, Momo frowned some as her wolf ears twitched, "Can I ask you something?" At his nod, she continued, "I know that your name is Harry, but... are you related to the Arashi Clan?"
With a chuckle, Harry nodded, "We share the same Great-Great Grandfather as a matter of fact. How about you? I assume that you and Karen-San are related?"
Brightly smiling, the wolfess nodded, "We are, she's my Onee-San, though... Izumi-Chan is too in a way."
Seeing his confusion, the witch smiled a bit, "Our parents before they died in Blood Week were friends, so we grew up together. And, well... we're practically sisters."
Megumi jerked her thumb to the younger Neko, grinning, "And that is my Imouto there, before you ask. I've been helping to take care of her for the past three years."
As he nodded, Harry overheard the giant Yokai thanking Kikyo for the massive discount which made him frown. Even though he didn't say anything, Karen sighed. Catching him glance at her, she shook her head, "We... don't have a lot of money. So the Arashi Clan donates to us food and the like." Ears drooping a bit in shame, she looked down, "For the kids, it helps makes things better." After a few moments, Karen let out a huff, "Anyways, now that we're old enough, we're going to be trying to find jobs to get. Then, we'll bring in money and help the kids as true Nee-Sans should!"
Lips curling as the others nodded in agreement, the wizard patted her shoulder, "I'm sure that you will." Even as he did so, there was a odd feeling around them. One that felt familiar... Furrowing his eyebrows, his frowned before looking around with his eyes glowing, only to freeze when they fell on the Yokai he was working with, 'What the...'
Having noticed, Mami stared a bit, "Um, why are your eyes glowing?"
Rapidly blinking, Harry shut off the flow of energy to his eyes before shaking his head. He than grinned and held his fingers in front of his face in a pose, "Sorry, had an odd feeling so I was using my Eyes of Mystic Disillusion to see beyond the veil!'
For several moments, the five other teens stared at him before Karen sighed and rolled her eyes, "Oh boy... a magical Chunni."
Just frowning, Kokoro tilted her head to the side, "Is it really chunni if it is an actual power?"
Izumi raised her hand and shook her head, "That was just an Onmyoudo trick. It's supposed to see hidden spirits and stuff, not really that big of a deal."
While the female teens argued, the only male simply became thoughtful even as he continued to work. Soon enough, they were done and Koyuki closed up the now empty truck's loading door. Turning towards the female Yokai, Harry bowed to them, "Thank you for the help."
Lightly laughing, Megumi shook her head, "Don't worry about it, we do this sort of thing anyways and it was great to meet you, Harry-San. Not often that we see a foreigner after all or meet one." She then winked, "Especially cute boys like you~"
Rolling her eyes, Karen flicked her ear, "Stop."
In reply, the Neko only laughed more. Shaking his head, Harry considered a few things and glanced around, "Um, you are all looking for a job, right?" When they nodded, he chewed his lip, "If... I make a suggestion?"
Eyebrow raised, Izumi made a motion with her hand, "Sure, go ahead?"
With another glance around, the thirteen year old took a deep breath, "Maybe go down to the Naval base and talk with them. Not only are they looking around for civilian contractors and stuff but, I... think that there is something that they need to check out if you would help them."
Confused, the various female Yokai nodded before they turned to head back to the house. As they did so, Harry once more activated his eyes and stared at the ghostly hulls around them. The two wolf Yokai and the witch had a Heavy Cruiser that really looked like Maya before she got her Anti-Air Refit. Meanwhile, the two Neko Yokai had a Battleship that sort of resembled a Yamato, but slightly smaller with two double turrets aft and two forward for four in total. Shaking his head, it was a thoughtful Harry who got up into the cab with Koyuki and Kikyo...
DID IAN SERIOUSLY SPILL THE BEANS ABOUT FLEET ENDING?!?!
