CHAPTER 11:

GROWING EVER CLOSER

"Morons," Harry snarled quietly. "The end of the world is lumbering for them soon, and they're still engaging in petty arguments."

"Unfortunately, that's the nature of people for you," Raphtalia said with a frustrated sigh. "Even when they want to fight, they argue over who gets the glory. Never mind that this is a life or death battle to save the world. I have to wonder if this is something like what Mirelia went through while trying to prevent the other countries from attacking Melromarc after what her former consort did."

"Different reasons, but you're right, it's probably the same bullshit. Still, the old man's strategy meets with Mirelia's approval, and it seems to meet with those glory hounds' approval too. So I guess Fitoria made the right call in giving him a temporary parole."

Raphtalia giggled at his choice of words. They were in the Expanded Trunk. The hotel room might have been luxurious, but it was an extra layer of security. Not that they should have needed such things now that the Three Heroes Church had been dissolved, but Harry and Raphtalia had kept up the habit. Just as well, considering the Death Eaters showing their ugly mugs again. In fact, he should give serious thought to having Winky get a few for Ren, Itsuki…oh, and Motoyasu too.

Mirelia had arrived this morning, Éclair in tow, and they had promptly gone into a war council…where too many of the allied countries' generals had basically started waving their dicks around. Luge's strategems had at least won reluctant approval, even if his identity being concealed won no favours, but Fitoria had managed to lay down the law. Good thing too, Harry was on the verge of losing his temper and yelling at them. But Fitoria's rebuke had thankfully managed to spur on the generals to stop arguing.

In any case, Raphtalia was lying next to him in the bed that night. After the hiatus in their relationship caused by Rifana's death and the trauma it inflicted on both of them, he admitted that he welcomed Raphtalia making the first moves to thawing their relationship. They hadn't exactly been hostile or antagonistic or cold to each other, they'd just put the more physical parts of the relationship on hold. But he was worried that if he made the first moves, he'd stuff it up. Thankfully, Raphtalia seemed to understand him enough to make the first move to thawing their relationship.

Sadeena, of course, had noticed how close they were, and teased them gently but relentlessly. Then again, it could have been worse. Much worse. She had taken them aside one day during their stay waiting for Mirelia…

For all that Orcas were endearing, elegant and beautiful creatures, and Harry found Sadeena affable, her gaze still reminded him that, like her animal namesake, Sadeena was a predator. Her gaze seemed to pierce into his soul. And she was quite serious.

Though her serious expression broke when she smiled. "Well, Raphtalia, you've fallen for a fine specimen of a man. If it weren't for how much you clearly mean to each other, I'd love to have a piece of that myself. Hell, if you're willing, I'd join in."

"Big Sis!" Raphtalia yelped, her tail thrashing in agitation, her face turning as red as a tomato, a shade that Harry was sure his own face was attaining, and for much the same reason. As sexy as Sadeena was, it wasn't something he had considered, out of respect for his relationship with Raphtalia.

The Orca demi-human laughed, waving off the protest of her little sister figure. "It's okay, Raphtalia, I'm not going to poach your boyfriend." Then, her expression became solemn. "Though if it weren't for the commitment he showed you, to say nothing of the possibility of travelling between this world and Earth…it'd be another matter."

"…What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"The Cardinal Heroes, as well as those occasionally summoned to act as Vassal Heroes, have the option of returning home after their duty is done, so I've heard," Sadeena said. "And while demi-humans could age normally, too many of our kind age to adulthood through battle experience. We may gain the body and intellect of an adult, but some elements of our psyche are still immature. If Raphtalia had remained a slave, one you purchased in that prick Beloukas' business, would you still feel the same way as you do now once she aged up?"

"…Probably not. Don't get me wrong, I reckon she'd be pretty much the same, but I'd know she's still a kid," Harry said. "And she might have been infatuated with me because I was the Shield Hero. I've had to deal with that shit before."

"Exactly," Sadeena said. "Raphtalia would probably have had a one-sided crush on you, rather than the romantic love you have. Oh, I reckon you both would have genuinely cared for each other, had a strong friendship, but odds are that Raphtalia would have wanted something more, something you couldn't give to her. If we had met, then I would have tried to insert myself between you two, for her sake. Especially if you went back to Earth, and left her behind. It would have been kinder. But…circumstances are different. You met each other on Earth months before you got summoned. A bond was already established, and Raphtalia aged normally. While she's still a bit immature and impulsive, well, part of that is simply her being young. What's more, you gained perspective from your time on Earth, Raphtalia, as well as your friendship with Harry and Hermione."

"…Big Sis…" Raphtalia muttered.

"Honestly, it's like seeing your parents all over again," Sadeena said with a fond, nostalgic smile. "I can see how you're both committed to each other. So I have no worries at all. I know you don't need my blessing, but you have it anyway, and I'm sure if Raphalidon and Rebec were still with us, they'd give it too…"

She'd then made another crass joke about them using protection until they were ready to give her an honorary niece or nephew to spoil. But that was par for the course for Sadeena. By now, Harry was used to it, even if he, like Raphtalia, was embarrassed by it.

Still, would it be so bad to take that step? Not now, they had the Spirit Tortoise to deal with, and Kyo's plans. But they were growing ever more intimate lately. Their kisses had been deeper and longer, their touches more personal. Soon, Harry reckoned, they would go all the way.

Harry had considered that earlier in their time in Melromarc, but demurred. They were still feeling their way through the relationship, they had the machinations of Malty, the former king, and the Three Heroes' Church to contend with, and it took Hermione pointing out (when she joined them on their travels for a time) that Raphtalia had fallen for him for him to even consider truly reciprocating. Even after that revelation, and the thought that he could reciprocate, he wanted to develop their relationship first before they had sex. If he wanted to have a torrid fling, well, there were plenty of fangirls back home who'd be willing.

The first time they'd begun to get truly intimate was when they ended up in Faubrey. The thought of Siltvelt trying to ply Harry with willing and nubile demi-human concubines had spurred Raphtalia to take action. Ever since, they'd started sleeping together on a regular basis, albeit in the most literal sense of the term. And they needed that, drawing comfort from each other's presence.

Did they love each other? By now, Harry felt that he could say, albeit tentatively, 'Yes'. His feelings for her had grown beyond mere friendship and desire. True, he had little experience with love in general, romantic or familial, thanks to his being orphaned, and many of his relationships in Magical Britain being tainted either by Voldemort's hate-on towards him, or girls only wanting to see the Boy Who Lived, not Harry Potter. His relationships with Hermione or Luna could have gone in that direction eventually, but Raphtalia came into the picture.

And he was grateful for it. As shaky as their relationship was at times, it also had become strong, his strongest outside of Hogwarts and its staff and alumni. Even with as many friends he had made in this world after coming here, Raphtalia was at the top of the list.

Raphtalia's arms around him tightened, her bust pressing into his back just a little more. "…Harry, I'm…frightened."

"…Of the upcoming battle?" Harry asked. On her affirming hum, he said, "Yeah, me too. This is worse than the Battle of Hogwarts or the Waves. I mean, we have plans, but…even if we have Ost's help in stopping the Spirit Tortoise, we don't know what Kyo has cooked up. We don't know if he's working for the Vanguards of the Waves, and the Death Eaters could show up again. But…I know you still intend to fight, like I am."

"If we don't…we're dooming the people of this world, my world," Raphtalia said. "It's as simple as that."

"Yeah. It is, isn't it? And at least once Fitoria laid down the law to those glory hounds, they got their act together," Harry said. "You ready for tomorrow?"

"As ready as I can be. I know we'll need a good night's sleep for tomorrow, but…it's hard." He could feel and hear her tail beating the bed, betraying her anxiety as much as her tone did. "The Waves were already life and death battles, as was our fight against Balmus and his forces, but…we know this battle is for higher stakes than before. I'm scared. For me, for you, for everyone else we know, and the people of this world. And for that other world too, given Kyo and some of the others present there. But…even despite that, I'm still going to fight."

"Same here. I mean, I feel the same way, Raphtalia," Harry said. "Besides, for what he's doing to this world, and whatever he's doing to that other world…Kyo's going to pay. The lives of thousands of people can already be laid at his door. And I don't think he'll stop there. Besides, if he hates me for whatever reason…that makes him my enemy. The way he acted towards Itsuki, the way he spoke of me…he views this as a game himself."

"So let's make sure he loses that game, then," Raphtalia said. "I have had enough of people viewing my world like it's a computer game. At least Ren and Itsuki have grown out of it, and Motoyasu seems to be getting there…but Kyo…well, it's less that he's deluded himself into thinking that, and more that he simply treats his life and atrocities like one would a game. It's sickening. But we will put an end to his game. No continues, no extra lives. Just game over."

Harry chuckled at the venom in her tone. "Yeah. Let's do that…"

Early the next morning, Harry was surprised to find Raphtalia had gotten showered and dressed early, and had left him for now. They were about to set off with the army to face the Spirit Tortoise, so he was a bit surprised. But when he arrived at breakfast with Hedy and Rishia in tow, Raphtalia arrived mere seconds later, looking a little out of breath. "You all right, Raphtalia?" Harry asked.

The tanuki demi-human nodded. "Sorry, but…I had an idea when I woke up. Ost told me of a good jewellery store here in this city, and…I wanted to get something for us both."

"…Please tell me you didn't get engagement rings," Harry said flatly, albeit as a joke.

Raphtalia's face promptly went crimson, and she shook her head. "No, nothing like that! Or rather, not quite like that? I mean…we're growing closer, and I just…wanted to give you something, as a promise that we'll prevail." She then fished something out of her pocket, and handed it to him.

It was a locket, a simple gold locket. Thankfully, it was mostly unadorned, save for an engraved heart on it. Otherwise, he would have gotten flashbacks to Slytherin's Locket and the mess it caused thanks to the Horcrux inside it. "Umm, it's very nice, Raphtalia, and I'm grateful for it, but…why a locket?"

"Back in the olden days back on Earth, as well as here, people would give locks of their hair as a token of their affection and love, especially just prior to a departue," Raphtalia said, still blushing heavily. "I just thought…well, you know…"

"…Hey, it's okay, Raphtalia," Harry said, smiling warmly. "I mean, it's not normally my kind of gift, but I'm grateful for it. Do you want a bit of my hair too?"

Raphtalia devolved into embarrassed semi-coherent denials, and Hedy chuckled at her mother's state. Rishia seemed embarrassed herself. Still, at least times weren't so grim as to stop moments like this. Hopefully, they would live to have many more like this…

CHAPTER 11 ANNOTATIONS:

So, there you have it. Harry and Raphtalia are growing closer, and Raphtalia has given Harry a gift, in the form of an inadvertent and serendipitous Chekhov's Gun. Why is this a Chekhov's Gun, I hear you ask? Well, if you have to ask that question, it's clear that you're not familiar with the Kyo arc of either the light novels or the anime of The Rising of the Shield Hero. Harry hasn't exactly been cutting Raphtalia's hair and storing it away, so I needed another way for this to happen.

There'll be a timeskip to the end of the first Spirit Tortoise battle. I'm crap at writing battle and fight scenes, so it's somewhat like the anime battle, but resolved sooner because of Fitoria and Aultcray's help, as well as Ren and Itsuki helping out.

Review-answering time! Skull Flame: I know, right? Canon Atla is basically like a loli version of Albedo from Overlord, only more Chaotic Good than Lawful Evil. As for calling Motoyasu a rapist in one scene, well, Hedy does scream "Bad touch!" at one point in Not Your Kind of People, before sending him flying with her groin kick. That's in Chapter 30, titled "My Princess is Better than Yours". One of my best chapter titles ever, I reckon.

L: Yeah, Lüge won't be fully redeemed any time soon, or at least enough to be released by Fitoria. But he's making better progress than he did in canon. As for comparing him to Snape, I think Snape was an intensely selfish man, and part of the reason why he helped take down Voldemort, aside from his lust for Lily (I refuse to call it love), was to try and take down at least one if not both of the men who had fucked over his life. I mean, I'm sure he killed Dumbledore not just as a mercy killing, but out of satisfaction. He had some selflessness, enough to play both sides and ensure Voldemort died, even if it meant his life, but Snape is not a good man.

You know, I had never ever considered the possibility of Itsuki basically using Sakura as a mount to act as a mounted archer, but that has potential for later instalments. Thanks for the idea, I'll try to make sure I credit you with it should I use it. Horseback archers are often noted for their lethality when done well, with both history and fiction filled with examples. Add to that Itsuki's ability to hit whatever he wishes with unerring accuracy, and you have a pretty lethal combo.

No numbered annotations this time.