13th April, 2013. Tokyo, Japan.
"That's the last one." Harry commented as he pointed his wand downwards, floating the wardstone into the two metre deep hole. The wardstone was made from shining obsidian, shaped like a trapezohedron and all over the stone's surface runes could be made out, glowing in intricate sequences. The letters swirled with all the colours of the rainbow, like oil on water mixed with mother-of-pearl. Shortly after placing the wardstone Harry filled the hole up with earth once more. Followed by a flick of the Elder Wand that mended the concrete to its original flawless state.
Beside him Nora nodded absent-mindedly, taking notes on her clipboard. Harry had no idea why she didn't use something more technologically advanced, but ever since Matsu asked to be his assistant Nora seemed to prefer analogue to digital. However, as long as she proved to be an immense help Harry did not care if she used a stone tablet and chisel. "I assume the protections are active around all the Neogene facilities right now?" the Neogene inquired, her baby-blue eyes roaming over the shimmering barrier that briefly flashed before vanishing.
The last Potter nodded in confirmation. "Yes, the wards should be active." ever since his ex-friends' appearance and the encounter with the Japanese wizards, Harry took time to prepare magical measures to protect himself and his. Wardstones were placed around NswF Headquarters and the other facilities working with Neogenes. Placed near enough to be effective, but far enough as to not interfere with the delicate technological equipment they worked with. As well as hopefully not disrupting others. Due to that, Harry's last few days had been busy indeed. Proven by the various protective enchantments and wards now woven over the building; including Anti-Apparition, Anti-Portkey, Anti-Scrying, an Homunculus spell, Owl-repelling, Anti-Animagus, an intruder alert and even an obscure ward against House-elves. Sadly Harry couldn't use anything stronger on the building, like the Fidelius, without arousing serious suspicion from muggles.
'If Diagon Alley can exist in the middle of London without frying nearby electronics, then this should work as well.' he thought.
Both silently left the alley as inconspicuous as possible, aided by a temporary and fading Cave Inimicum ward that had hidden their presence from people during their preparations.
The walk back to headquarters was spent in silence. Though, Harry used the time to check his version of the Marauder's Map for any faults. Like the original it was a piece of parchment and possessed the same enchantments on it, activating with a password, and letting the user observe people within the NswF buildings. The new map could switch between locations, was connected to the wards and the magical contracts, and able to alert the owner of the map to anyone trying to enter restricted areas without permission. As well as showing the location of traitors with differently coloured dots, but only on company property.
In just a few minutes Harry and Nora arrived on the level where Rie currently worked on Reina. The former wanting to check up on Reina to make sure the Neogene wasn't negatively affected from her ordeal. Harry had similar intentions coming here, but his went more in the direction of equipping the Neogenes to better fight magical foes.
"Seems everything is in order." Rie said satisfied, putting her instruments on a nearby tray and turning away from the table Reina sat on. Just in time to see Harry and Nora enter, Nora closing the door behind her. "You're right on time!" she exclaimed genially.
Somewhat caught off guard by her pleasant demeanour, Harry asked sarcastically. "Why so jovial, Rie? Did you already fill your quota for unethical experiments for the day?"
Rie snorted derisively. "No, I was waiting just for you!" the scientist replied, voice as saccharine as poisoned honey, and with a sardonic undertone in it as she rolled her eyes.
"How considerate of you. I'm touched, really!" he shot back with a mocking grin and a hand over his heart, enjoying nettling the scientist. He threw the newly made map towards Rie, who caught the parchment deftly. "I made it a little easier to catch spies and traitors." the wizard asked her. "How many of those were uncovered with the new contracts anyway?"
The scientist inspected the artefact carefully, noticing that it was most likely connected to the magical contracts set up. "We caught two sending information to MBI, and three that did the same to Hiyamakai Enterprises. They were subsequently dealt with accordingly. Though, nothing they knew was of much importance anyway."
"Izumi Higa is the CEO of Hiyamakai Enterprises, isn't he?" Harry mused, getting a nod from all women present. "Seems I have to visit him and have a talk about privacy."
Rie simply shrugged as she gave him the parchment back. "It's not like we're any different in that department." NswF did have spies in many other corporations, like Hiyamakai Enterprises and Douji Group Industries. MBI being the sole exception. "But you should probably hire some more corporate security to keep an eye on this. The others and I have enough on our hands as it is."
"Security, huh?" Harry had thought either Reina, Shiori or Nora could take that role, but Nora was his assistant and the other two had different jobs already. Not to mention that he wanted to fire useless personel and demote those that shouldn't be in certain positions they got through boot-licking. As well as then start to hire some men to replace those and achieve some balance in the workplace.
Those problems could wait for a little while longer, however. His attention was then turned to the beautiful woman sitting nearby, simply watching. "How are you, Reina?"
Reina blinked a few times, having been too engrossed with observing the confusing but intriguing byplay between Harry and Rie. She answered after gathering her thoughts. "I'm well, considering what happened."
"And, what exactly happened?" Harry asked, hopping onto a nearby chair with wheels typical for medical rooms of doctors. He spun around a few times before stopping and focussing back on Reina, arms crossed and his head tilted, looking at her as if trying to solve a puzzle. "More specifically, why did you kill Furumizu which led to you being on the run?" Nora as always taking her place only a step behind him.
The dark-haired Neogene frowned a little. Her right hand sat in her lap, gripping the wrist of her left tightly, covering the Witchblade sitting there. "I don't know." despite her almost cold tone Harry heard confusion in her voice. Clearly frustrated at herself for something.
Raising an eyebrow in bewilderment, he asked. "You don't know?" at her hesitant nod he frowned and decided to take a step back. "How about you tell us what lead up to it, then?"
Reina simply gave her agreement and told him. "Well, I had just come back from a rather long leave of absence. As usual I underwent some tests to inspect and ascertain the Witch blade's general status." Reina frowned a bit, trying to recollect all of the memory. "Furumizu himself had overseen all of it and seemed extraordinarily pleased." her hand tightened suddenly and involuntarily. "Before he left he had commented that my daughter would be the perfect mother for him. I don't think I was supposed to hear that and also don't know what he meant by that or how he had found out about Rihoko. Neither do I know why I reacted so violently to that revelation."
It was standard procedure, after all. Not that every Neogene but the high-ranking ones had known of becoming the mother of the next generation, with Furumizu as the father. Though, she had known Rihoko was different from the start, but something had prevented her from telling. It had been silly and illogical of her to not tell the truth, much less murder her own biological father and creator.
"I don't think Furumizu was talking about Rihoko." Harry explained, earning a surprised look from Reina. He leaned back a little, looking at the ceiling while resisting the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose in exasperation. "Maria, who was created like a usual Neogene, is also your daughter and the one he most likely had in mind." turning back to look at Reina, he asked. "How did Rihoko come to be anyway?" that was a weird thought. Little Rihoko living longer in this world than the now teenage-looking Maria.
"That's what I'd like to hear as well." Rie added, now listening to and watching the usually taciturn and emotionally detached Reina intently.
"As you wish." Reina didn't show her feelings on the matter of having another daughter, near robotic in her behaviour. "Chief among my motivations was curiosity. Trying to understand my own body and what induced intense emotions had always been an intriguing prospect to me. I usually kept an audio log of my actions, thoughts and the reasoning behind them. However, nothing I did brought me closer to understanding myself or emotions to a degree I felt sufficient. The last test I performed was to explore a romantic and sexual relationship. While that did yield results of a kind, my partner did not desire to stay committed, citing a lack of emotional availability on my part. However, motherhood presented it's own opportunities for further research." it had been surprisingly easy to find and convince a suitable partner, though Reina had known about the contributing factors involved in that decision. Her beauty being the main attractant to men.
'Not that it seemed satisfactory to them after a while.' she thought back, still a little peeved at that.
Harry looked at the woman in utter bewilderment, his mouth falling open in shock, nearly cradling his head in his hands in despair when Rie and Nora nodded in agreement. As if it was perfectly reasonable to conceive a child with a stranger only to see how that would influence her. Having the child not even being the main concern in that whole operation, but only interested in seeing what it was like and her emotional reactions to it.
"Leaving aside the complete recklessness, selfishness and short-sidedness of such a course of action, what did you find out?" this time he did groan and pinch the bridge of his nose, no longer able to hold back. 'That woman probably shouldn't have become a mother in her lifetime.' Harry thought, unable to help himself after hearing that story. Yet she did protect her daughter like any good mother would. 'Hopefully that means Maria won't be too disappointed by her.'
"I quickly grew immensely attached to her, increasingly protective and unwilling to part for short periods of time, no matter the reason. Quite irrational, all things considered." those few short weeks back at NswF always felt like years to her. Only made worse by being unable to call or contact Rihoko, lest Furumizu found out. Reina still did not understand as to why she did keep her daughter a secret from Furumizu. "Me killing Furumizu, my escape, fleeing from these wizards," the last word holding a strange inflection, as if she still couldn't belief they were real. Despite knowing it to be true. "All that culminated in you rescuing us with Shiori and me waking up with a girl claiming to be my daughter, which I presume was the aforementioned Maria."
"Indeed," Harry confirmed, hoping that Maria's mental state wasn't made worse by whatever Reina did, or didn't do. "It seems Rihoko is a witch, which is why you were hunted. They wanted to bind her magic to keep her out of their world and erase any memory of it from both of your minds." what followed was a rough description of the magical world and some of the prejudices and rules of them.
"Why is Rihoko able to use that power and Maria isn't?" Rie inquired curiously, not having seen any indication of any such abilities manifest in other Neogenes.
The last Potter had seen that question coming and answered to the best of his ability. "From what I know Furumizu was born a Squib, someone that had at least one magical parent but can't use magic themselves." he shrugged. "My guess is that all his children have a very high probability of also being a Squib, as evidenced by your Neogenes being such. Two Squibs always equals a Squib from what I've seen, but you'd have to find and check the 'Magical Gene', if it exists, to know for sure."
From what one could see Rie already was making notes in her mind to look deeper into that subject. 'Again, Furumizu and his inferior genes!' she thought annoyed, finding ever more faults with them the more she learned about Harry's. It was clear to her that the Neogenes needed a new father.
"Why did you come here?" Reina inquired, unashamedly discarding her hospital gown and beginning to redress in her normal clothes right in front of him. "I doubt it was to solely to check up on me."
Ignoring her nakedness, Harry answered. "I wanted to ask if you are interested in letting me improve upon your Witchblade? To make it more effective against magical opponents."
That caused all three women to stare at him in clear interest, Reina most of all. "Yes!" she all but shouted, invading his personal space while still being naked, having discarded the clothes to the floor. Only by noticing his expression did she take a step back and bowed, which made her generous bosom sway enticingly. "I'd be deeply in your debt."
Harry simply nodded. "Then please transform and I'll begin." while Reina did so Harry rummaged around the mokeskin-pouch around his neck, removing a bag, a glass container filled with a blue liquid and an humongous pelt, which looked like a leopards and roughly the size of an elephant. That was followed by flicking his wrist, setting the Elder Wand free once more. It was all the time Reina needed to encase herself in her black armour. Harry had a subtle smile gracing his face, kind of giddy to create again. In a sense, at least.
He took hold of her right arm at the wrist with his left, stretching the limb out and beginning his work. From the tip of his wand a thin red light shot out, letting him slowly and delicately paint with light on its surface. To better see his work he closed his organic eye, using his artificial one to zoom in a little and get a better view. Over the course of ten minutes Harry rotated her arm this and that way, putting runes and sockets onto it before pushing magic into the runes. After that he pulled rubies out of the bag, all of them perfectly cut. Luckily his newfound wealth made acquiring the precious stones trivial. He wove spells over each before inlaying them into the sockets he just created, and anchoring them deeply with spells. The same procedure was done to the rest of her armour as well.
Next he cut off a little bit from the gigantic hide before stuffing it back into his pouch, and put the smaller piece in the container, causing the liquid to bubble and change colour to a bright silver. Without further ado he used a third of the contents on Reina. The liquid immediately permeated into the armour itself, sinking in like rain into the earth.
"What did that do?" Rie asked, near demanded. Her eyes hungrily taking all the changes in, from the runes of amber to the glowing rubies. Her mind was thirsty for new knowledge, while possibilities raced through her mind.
Seeing that it worked, Harry commented. "I used a simple alchemical procedure to give Reina's armour an additional property." charms or potions on their own didn't achieve such results, but the combination of both did. "In essence I gave her armour partly one of the biggest magical resistances out of all creatures; the one from a Nundu." that should be more than enough to deal with any random witch or wizard. It'd take more than two dozen firing the same spells at her simultaneously for any effect to occur. And knowing the penchant for cowardice in magicals that was never going to happen. "Though, there are still a few spells able to harm you." Fiendfyre was an example, as was transfiguring the surroundings to attack being another method to circumvent it somewhat.
Reina nodded in gratitude and signalling that she understood. She'd be much more dangerous to any witch or wizard than before. Though, that didn't mean she could be reckless.
"Please extend your weapon." Harry requested, not even flinching as the long blade swiftly extended outwards an inch from his face. Here he also applied a few runes to anchor the advanced cutting spell, but that didn't take very long. When he was finished her blade hummed with a vivid red energy.
A slab of stone grew out of the ground at a wave of his wand. "Try it out." Not needing any more incentive Reina slashed at the small pillar, cleanly cutting it diagonally, causing the top half to slide down.
While he prepared the finishing touches on Reina, Nora also undressed and transformed herself, now looking at Harry expectantly. With an indulgent sigh he went to work. Nora's improvements went just as fast, the woman surprisingly accommodating when he needed to reach sensitive areas. But for her he used emeralds instead of rubies and her runes were sapphire in colour. No sense in not keeping with the colour scheme.
"There, all done!" he exclaimed happily at a job well done.
"What kind of improvements did you add in total?" Rie inquired impatiently once more, inspecting the runes glowing with ruby or emerald light on the two Neogenes before looking at him with a demanding look.
Storing the Elder Wand again and sitting back on the stool, Harry replied. "A variety of things." he began to count on the fingers of his left hand. "I made the armour more durable, nearly unbreakable in fact. Immunity to non-magical flames. A shield to deflect projectiles like bullets or arrows, as well as increased attack potential." to demonstrate he conjured an arrow that flung itself at Nora, only to be immediately reduced to splinters by a shimmering blue shield.
Nora got a gleam in her baby-blue eyes, an intense gaze now directed at Reina. "How about a rematch?" the assistant offered with a bloodthirsty grin, the claw extending in preparation and humming with emerald energy. The barely restrained violence that was constantly simmering under the surface of her being bubbling forth. "This time you'll be the one to lose!"
Reina reciprocated the gesture, her blade extended in a flash. "We'll see." was all she said with an indifferent air about her, but there was a gleam in her eyes that spoke of happiness. As if battle was what Neogenes were made for.
"Please refrain from doing so right now and let the improvements settle for a few days." Harry spoke up. "I first want to test it a bit more before you fight each other." fortunately the runes weren't crudely carved into the delicate device, but magically attached onto them.
They heeded his words, thankfully. Both their armours receded back into bracelet form, but where it vanished no clothes took their place. Something he didn't know how to properly implement without arousing suspicion from outsiders. "Thank you!" both bowed appropriately in appreciation before clothing themselves once more. Their Cloneblades were now studded with their respective gems in their dormant state, as well as adorned with the runes running between them.
"Where is Shiori, by the way?" Harry asked, thinking that he could complete the set while he was at it. "Better to also upgrade her Cloneblade while I'm at it."
Rie promptly informed him. "She told us that she wanted to work on something in the garage." having been the chauffeur of Furumizu Shiori was able to drive pretty much any vehicle, including planes, ships, trucks, helicopters and more. As well as being able to repair them.
"Alright then." he shrugged, stretching a little before stowing the utensils back into his mokeskin pouch. At that both Neogene's stomachs complained about the lack of food in them, rumbling loudly. "Let's grab a bite to eat before we do that though."
On their way Rie went off to do her own thing in research; much too impatient to wait for food. Harry also tried to get Maria to come with, but the girl would rather hole herself up than talk with anyone right now. Only Aoi, a fellow Neogene of her generation, was kept as company. The girl being Nora's daughter from the looks of it. While Reina went to Rihoko to eat something together.
Soon enough Harry and Nora arrived at his penthouse suite at the top of the skyscraper. Just above his office inside the building.
The opening door of the elevator revealed the living room that gave a spectacular view of the skyline of Tokyo through a wall of glass. A comfortable L-shaped couch sat on a luxurious carpet, placed before it was a rather huge Plasma TV with all kinds of consoles in front. Very few of the curios, antiques and other baubles Harry had collected over the years sat on various pieces of furniture.
Once inside, Harry called out. "I'm home!" somehow, no matter how often he said it, Harry never got tired of it.
Akitsu sat on the couch like a statue in her usual clothes, waiting patiently for his return and springing up immediately at his entrance. As always her face took on an expression of elation and adoration upon spotting him. "Harry-sama!" the Sekirei of Ice greeted him enthusiastically, hugging him to her body and kissing him immediately.
"Hello, Akitsu." he greeted back with a soft grin after separating from the affectionate Ice Sekirei. "How are you doing?"
"Good, now that you're here." she responded with a true smile and much faster than normal, nuzzling into his neck.
Harry repressed a sigh, asking. "What're you usually doing when I'm not around?" hoping that she wouldn't tell him what he feared she'd say. He was to be disappointed immediately after.
"Ah... waiting until you're back!" came the blunt, honest and utterly loyal reply.
"We really need to get you hobby of your own." he murmured, stroking Akitsu's cheek. An action that made the Sekirei not pay attention to anything else, his words going into one ear and out the other.
With her and Nora at his side Harry went towards the kitchen. The wizard could smell something delicious before he even entered. The kitchen wasn't overly large and made similar to all the other modern ones, possessing not much character in Harry's opinion. It was probably the wizard in him speaking, but Harry much preferred to cook with fire or gas than with electricity. Though, his vision was entirely occupied by something else. At the stove stood Kazehana, her enticing back turned to them. She was entirely naked except for an apron, revealing the inviting curve of her hips and incredibly luscious butt to all. Even letting him catch a peek at her pussy as she subtly leaned forward.
Kazehana turned around with an elegant twirl. "Hello, Harry-kun!" she greeted with a radiant but mischievous smile on her full lips. Her huge tits threatening to tear the fabric she wore to pieces, straining against the material. "Would you like dinner?" she sashayed forward, bosom bouncing and wide hips swinging hypnotically. All of her outrageously sinful curves on display for him.
"I didn't know you are on the menu." he replied cheekily, his eyes roaming over her approaching form hungrily.
Kazehana mock-complained with a pout, now standing before him. "You didn't let me finish." she then returned the gesture in full, sending him a smouldering look with her black eyes as her hands explored his front. "But I just might be." she purred, her lips hovering just out of reach.
His smile grew a little larger as he encircled her waist to pull the surprised Sekirei flush against him, pressing those nice breasts flat against his chest. Followed by squeezing and firmly kneading her beautiful and bountiful ass. "If not, you really should stop misleading me by looking so bloody delicious." he growled lustfully in her ear, nibbling and kissing and sucking a little at her neck before abruptly stopping. Kazehana squeaked and mewled in protest, but was left reeling anyway as a feeling of euphoria claimed her briefly.
Harry then took his seat at the table while levitating the food onto it with a flick of his wand.
"No fair!" both Kazehana and Akitsu complained in different pitch and for different reasons.
Harry grinned at them. "Too bad." Only for both Sekirei to each claim a leg of his as a seat in response. While Nora sat down a little further down, an indecipherable expression on her face.
"I hope you like Katsudon." the Wind Sekirei told him, putting a few strands of hair behind her ear in an uncharacteristic shy manner. A happy blush staining her pale cheeks at the situation she was in. Still a little in disbelief that she found such a loving Ashikabi by sheer accident. Even if he wasn't her first choice.
Harry put an arm around her waist and assured her. "If you put half as much love in it as in that greeting then I'll have no complaints."
"Harry-sama, say ah." Akitsu said, holding a bit of crispy chicken for him to eat.
Not really wanting to demoralize Akitsu – and knowing her insecurities – Harry let her feed him without complaint. Even if his own enjoyment was tempered by a smidgen of embarrassment at being pampered to such an extent.
"No fair!" they could hear Matsu exclaim – unknowingly repeating her fellow Sekirei's words – upon leaving her room to join them, and seeing their seating arrangement. She seemed to have had a similar idea as Kazehana, only wearing a so called Virgin-Killer. It was a sleeveless pullover barely reaching her waist, its back open and showing the underside of her breasts, making one hope they'd spill out soon.
Kazehana gave her a smug look while Akitsu fed him a little bit more food. "The last one loses." she teased good-naturedly. "That's what you get for taking so long."
"And I lent you that apron from my collection, too!" Matsu cried out theatrically, pointing an accusing finger at Kazehana. "You traitor!" The latter just leaned her head against Harry's shoulder provocatively, peeving Matsu even more. Grumbling, the Sekirei of Wisdom made to sit down with a huff, glaring a little at Kazehana and Akitsu. But not before going behind Harry, standing on her tip-toes and depositing her only slightly smaller bust – in comparison to Kazehana and Akitsu anyway – on top of his head. Seemingly intent to mark her territory with the action.
At first not much was discussed during dinner, but once they were nearly finished Harry brought up a topic of interest to him. "By the way Kazehana," he began, making said Sekirei perk up. "Matsu mentioned a Sekirei that had been rejected and fell to alcoholism. I wanted to know if that was you." it had been his hunch, but better to be sure.
"Really now?" Kazehana stared at an innocent-looking Matsu, one eyebrow twitching at the redhead. "It was just a tour around Japan tasting all the different sake." she insisted with a huff followed by an admittance. "However, I only did so because I was indeed rejected by my first choice of Ashikabi. Mostly to gain some distance and let my reaction peter out. Why do you ask?" the Wind Sekirei didn't say out loud that she feared he'd think less of her, assuming she still was in love with another.
"It's just that everyone I spoke to heavily implied a Sekirei only has one Ashikabi." the wizard explained. "So I thought you couldn't have another Ashikabi you could be reacting to."
The sensual Sekirei shook her head, humming. "That's not strictly true." she began to explain to her attentive audience. "As you probably know Sekirei can be winged by any Ashikabi, which is just a biological fact. What's not well known is that the reaction a Sekirei has to an Ashikabi varies in intensity depending on the compatibility. So it is possible to have a natural occurring reaction to two different people." she took a last sip of her sake. Not from a bottle but a small cup, though the bottle stood nearby. "However, it also depends on the strength of the Ashikabi to a degree."
"Most Sekirei themselves simply assume the first Ashikabi they strongly react to is their chosen one. Mostly due to the rarity of Ashikabi and therefore their lack of experience in the matter." Kazehana said with some melancholy creeping into her voice. "A misconception encouraged by MBI."
Harry nodded at that. "Hmm, that at least clears up why a Sekirei can be winged by any Ashikabi." otherwise it'd be a pretty cruel system with no safeguards in place, if a Sekirei only had one Ashikabi. Like a genetic filter or something. "Meaning a reaction to an Ashikabi simply means good compatibility, depending on the severity of said reaction." he remembered Matsu's reaction to him, as well as Akitsu's former situation. He'd still like to know what exactly determined an Ashikabi or a Sekirei's reaction, but knew any answer would be vague or guesswork.
"So I could reject one and not make it impossible for them to find another suitable Ashikabi in the future?" Harry questioned, wondering if he'd have to look out for more Sekirei. Even if Kazehana's words reassured him that he could reject a Sekirei and not royally fuck up their life forever.
Kazehana nodded reluctantly in affirmation, not wanting another to end up like her. "It was the case for me, but there's not much data on it in any case. I suppose it also depends on how strong a reaction we're talking about and a variety of other factors." she looked at him curiously, a teasing smile on her lips as she leaned her head on his shoulder and whispered. "Why, do you think more of us would be inconvenient?"
Harry nodded his head, squeezing both of their waists in instinctive reassurance. "A little. But mostly because we don't know if any future Sekirei are compatible with our group. We're in this together so I alone do not decide to add or reject another." he looked at each of them, telling them honestly. "As I see it we're a team. If one of us is uncomfortable with a possible future addition, then simply tell the rest. We can work it out from there. Sounds good?"
"Yes!" all three of them said simultaneously, each of the Sekirei smiling at him radiantly. They didn't think many Ashikabi would take such a thing into consideration. After all their position in the relationship was automatically and naturally much more submissive than his.
"Yes." came the straggling reply from Nora, ignoring the confused looks and eyebrows raised in befuddlement.
The wizard blinked once, twice, before saying. "Uh, Good." he then expertly ignored the implications of that. "Now that this is out of the way, do you guys know anyone that'd be suited for security work?" Harry inquired more out of curiosity than any hope of getting likely candidates. "I'd be nice if he or she has some experience with Sekirei, but I think that's too much to ask right now." there weren't many in the know, after all. And all his Neogenes and Sekirei were already occupied with other things than security work.
Matsu came through, however. "Oh, oh." she waved her hand in the air as if she was in school. "I know someone!" she told him enthusiastically, hoping to get a naughty reward in the future. "He's a former employee of MBI and also an Ashikabi with two Sekirei!"
"Oh, you mean the guy that constantly mooches of Miya?" Kazehana added absent-mindedly. She hadn't been around so much as to know much about the man. The Sekirei of Wind expertly ignored the look from Matsu that said she had done the exact same thing. Too busy snuggling into the embrace of her Ashikabi, pressing her huge breasts into him while subtly grinding her shapely rear into his crotch. All the while enjoying the feel of his hand sitting on her hips and the slowly swelling erection in his pants.
"What's his name?" Harry inquired, now feeling a deliriously happy and blushing Akitsu's hands going places that they weren't supposed to during dinner. "And didn't Minaka say that I was the first Ashikabi in that perverted game of his?"
"His name is Kaoru Seo." Matsu said while now only semi-playfully glaring at Akitsu and Kazehana, who sensually peppered his cheek with kisses. "He had been close friends with Asame Takehito, who was a close colleague of Minaka and Sahashi Takami. So he had access to MBI and the earliest Sekirei as they were adjusted, and therefore knew the details already. As for why Minaka claimed you to be the first Ashikabi is probably because Seo's Sekirei – Hikari and Hibiki, also called the Lightning Twins – hunt other Sekirei before they're winged to thin out the competition, as they call it. Which the chairman dislikes for potentially messing up his plans."
"Do they by any chance favour bondage gear as clothes?" The wizard perked up at the nods he was getting, followed by looking at Akitsu. "Huh, small world. Isn't that so, Akitsu?" He mused, getting a distracted nod from the Ice Sekirei. He elaborated upon noting Matsu's and Kazehana's interest. "I met his Sekirei attacking Akitsu shortly upon arriving in Japan." he told them succinctly.
A smile grew on Akitsu's face together with a happy blush at the memory. "Harry-sama rescued and winged me that night." her dark steel-blue eyes held a happy reverence in them as she spoke, accompanied by Kazehana's squeal of happiness. Followed by Akitsu leaning in and kissing her Ashikabi properly, which was reciprocated immediately after.
As always the Sekirei felt liquid power flood her veins as ecstasy reached every part of herself. It grew and grew the longer the kiss went on, until Harry stopped her. Otherwise he'd be here all day.
Nora spoke up then, intent to make herself useful to her employer. "NswF has some data on Seo Kaoru, including his residence and place of work – as sporadic as the latter seems to be."
The two Sekirei that knew Seo giggled at that painfully correct description, delivered in Nora's deadpan voice.
"Then please make the arrangements to visit him as soon as possible." Harry told her, wanting to get security personnel that was in the know and capable. It was to be seen if the latter condition was the case with Seo. While it would be convenient to have more Sekirei on his side, Harry also had to keep in mind the loyalty to their Ashikabi. As well said Ashikabi's willingness to cooperate against Minaka, or if he was an egoistic asshole.
Next he was addressing another issue on his mind. "Before we do that, Nora. I have another request."
"Of course, Harry-sama. Whatever it is, I shall do my utmost to make it true. After all, I serve at your pleasure." Nora intoned dutifully as she inclined her head. Was it Harry's imagination or did he see relief behind the fervent devotion in her baby-blue eyes?
Deciding to not mentally open that particular can of worms right now, Harry expertly ignored it. Something he grew to be even more proficient at than previously. Instead he replied simply while ignoring Kazehana's romantic sigh. "We need to know where Furumizu stored the Jinki, and I haven't been able to find any hint to their whereabouts." it seemed like an unsolvable problem for those who didn't know Harry's resources and capabilities. "Luckily I'm in the possession of an artefact that allows one to summon the shades of the dead." he claimed, followed by a small lie. "With the downside that only the summoner sees the ghosts."
He let them digest the information a little while, seeing their eyes widen in a mix of amazement and incredulity. One he had let the statement hang in the air enough, the wizard spoke again. "What I want from you, or maybe Rie, is to use it in my stead."
Nora nodded her assent, but questioned. "A mediator? But you are his heir by every law of this land." she pointed out, not seeing a reason why Furumizu might reject him in her simple world-view.
"Indeed, but he doesn't seem to have planned to bequeath anyone anything. Furumizu also does not know me and would be on his guard." he explained, adding. "Not to mention the high probability of him having extreme prejudice, if not outright hatred, against magicals."
"Why is that?" Kazehana inquired, head tilted to the side. Not having been part of his explanation to Akitsu and Matsu.
Nora explained in his stead. "The former head of NswF had been a Squib – a person unable to wield magic despite having at least one parent capable of doing so." she was one herself after all, as she had learned recently. "Apparently they're second-class citizens in all magical societies, be it one that pities or despises them."
"Growing up with either of that is bound to foster resentment in one way or another." Harry finished, remembering Filch's mix of hatred and jealously, as well as Petunia's potent brew of it. "As such I will play the role of arrogant and clueless magical. Done to confirm his beliefs that I'm here to plunder his wealth, sneer at his legacy, destroy all he holds dear and piss on the ashes."
With that a rough plan was soon created. All that was left was to execute it.
14th April, 2013. NswF Headquarters, Tokyo, Japan.
It only took a day for all the arrangements to be made for the theatre in Furumizu's former office to begin. All the actors in form of Nora, Rie and Shiori - who now also had an upgraded Cloneblade - were present. While they wore their usual clothes, Harry had donned a set of robes that made eyes bleed with the riot of colour they were. Done to better sell what they were about to advertise.
Harry thought it prudent to not include his Sekirei, considering that the dead man would surely recognize at least Matsu. The Last Potter would've preferred them over the Neogenes for what was to come, but the Sekirei wouldn't have the same impact as the Neogenes in that regard. Nor would he risk blowing it all up over a preventable mistake. He also could've transfigured his Sekirei to look like the Neogenes, but that plan had too many holes in it. Ranging from not knowing how closely Furumizu knew his employees to the possibility of the man's knowledge of magic being larger than anticipated.
Reina was obviously excluded due to having killed the man and being presumed missing.
Already having gone over the procedure a few times, Harry simply took the Resurrection Stone from the ring and turned it over to Rie. The scientist having wanted to be the one to summon her late and unlamented boss. She waited for Harry to sit on a nearby couch with Nora and Shiori on either side of him. It took a while for him to get into his role, which was against his better nature, but thankfully years of experience helped him manage.
Upon his nod Rie turned the stone three times to activate it while thinking of her late boss. Promptly Furumizu was summoned, now floating before her. The scientist did not drop the stone in astonishment, but a gasp of shock still escaped her.
The spectral being took a look around, an equally shocked look on his aged face. "What's going on?" he wondered before his gaze fell on his former second-in command. "Rie? How?"
"Hello... sir?" came the ambivalent reply, her voice charged with a mix of hidden joy and poorly-concealed loathing. Though, the joy wasn't due to seeing the old man again. "If that is what you truly are." she sniffed dismissively, playing her part as disbelieving scientist. Her heavy judging gaze taking in his mediocre body. From his weak chin and shoulders to his thin arms and protruding belly. And those were just the surface flaws indicating the disgusting mess that lay beneath.
"Potter-san, how do I know that's not just a hologram?!" the scientist shouted the demand to the raven-haired man sitting on the couch, drawing the apparition's attention there.
Furumizu's ghost saw him and immediately knew that he was looking at a wizard. The arrogant posture and long-suffering sigh told him that, aside from the more obvious signs in the form of his robes. "Stupid Muggle," the spectre heard him grumble in heavily accented Japanese. Only cementing the fact of him being a wizard in Furumizu's dead mind. "Only you can see him." The man then rolled his one good eye, a glowing emerald, and said. "Besides, that's not a – whatever you just said – but a ghost." the words were spoken slowly, as if he was talking with a dimwitted child, causing Rie's eyebrow to twitch. "Just ask that pathetic Squib something only he'd know, confirm that I'm his heir and don't interrupt me again." the raven-haired man dismissed, followed by a lecherous look directed at the Neogenes. "I'm busy."
Without confirming the impact of his callous command and expecting the matter to be closed, the wizard resumed what he did previously. "So, you two come here often?" he asked Nora and Shiori, his legs spread and his arms leisurely draped over both Neogene's shoulders in a possessive gesture.
"We work here." Nora informed him matter-of-factly, showing no signs of discomfort. Instead she nearly ruined the whole show by too eagerly leaning closer in invitation, to grant him easier access. She was supposed to slowly do so. Only the Neogene's willpower and her devotion to him prevented that outcome.
Harry sniggered at that. "A beauty with a sense of humour." he drawled with an amused grin that told everyone he thought she was joking. It then changed to a leer of lust that more appropriately conveyed what he thought her proper use was. "Don't be shy, I don't bite. Yet." His arms lowered from their shoulders to wrap around their torsos, pulling them closer towards him. Followed by him boldly grabbing a breast each and beginning to fondle the enticing mounds of flesh like he owned them. Seemingly done without consideration for the two women, all while acting as if it was a privilege to be molested that way by him.
'If he wants this to be convincing he needs to be rougher!' Nora thought with a mental smile in the safety of her mind, doing so as he trailed sweet kisses up her neck. Not even bothering to prevent a sigh from escaping her painted lips as shivers trailed down her spine and goosebumps erupted all over. Sure, to the outsider this might seem like molestation, – never mind that she consented to it – but as someone who had been molested twice on the train before taking care of that vermin appropriately, Nora knew what she was talking about. For one, as she mentioned, Harry wasn't nearly rough enough, as there was no pain from inconsiderate selfish pulling of her breasts or nipples. That he managed to do such with a strong and artificial limb when many men couldn't with their own spoke of great skill and care.
Harry's gentle caress and tender kisses spoke of considerable experience and sweet deference to her well-being. He was acting on what her body was telling him; be it her barely perceptible sighs or a shudder of desire. It weirdly gave her a sense of power, as if she could tell him to stop and he would. Not a single action done to dominate, humiliate or only further his own pleasure. Much the opposite. Nora could've subtly told him that this was less of a molestation and more of a seduction. Then again, maybe the difference was her consent? In the end she decided not to do anything foolish like that and instead begin kissing him back. For no other reason than to be more convincing, obviously.
Shiori meanwhile shifted a little in discomfort. Not because of disliking what was happening, – Harry and Rie had explained it beforehand and both Neogenes consented – but due to her body eagerly reacting to what was done to her right now. Practically feeling heat bloom on her cheeks as a fire ignited in her chest and loins from proximity alone. 'Is that how his Sekirei feel when so close to him?' she wondered, suppressing a lewd moan threatening to escape her throat as his hand slipped under her blouse and gently rolled a nipple expertly between his organic fingers. Intellectually Shiori knew the original purpose of the Witchblade for Ashikabi. A fact that didn't help her right now, nor the realization of the rather explicit dreams she had experienced after Harry made her as whole as possible.
Instead she focussed on her resentment towards Reina, having devoted most of her being to the woman in the past due to sisterly love and admiration. Only to be ignored and dismissed without consideration. The Neogene knew she could be... zealous in her dedication. More so than most of her fellows, a fact that was only exasperated by her Cloneblade sharpening those tendencies. Most Neogenes were followers to their core – even Reina, before killing Furumizu – not due to being women, but because they were raised from birth to be so. Deeply rooted social Japanese values such as compliance and obedience to authority did the rest.
The emotionally hurt part of her wanted Reina to watch this and see a devastating realisation, while the small rational part of Shiori knew her fellow Neogene wouldn't feel bad about it one way or another. The attempt at distraction was futile as any higher thoughts or resentful feelings were banished by the pleasure of being warmly embraced and played with by skilled hands.
"What's happening, Rie?!" Furumizu's ghost raged, non-existent spittle flying from his lips in his fury at seeing his tools debauched in such a way. Not because of any concern for their well-being, but more similar in nature to a child that watched another play with what he saw as his.
"He claims to be your heir, and has all the appropriate documentation to back that up. From a bank named Gringotts of all places." the scientist explained with a tight-lipped frown. "I wasn't particularly inclined to believe him and demanded more proof. After the things he's shown me I'm inclined to believe him." she laid the disbelief on thick in her voice. All while the spectacle behind her made the woman wonder what it'd take to convince Harry to put a baby in either Nora's, Shiori's or Reina's belly. The latter being a more pleasing prospect due to having proven fertile and capable of giving birth. Though, Harry seemed to think Reina to be an unfit mother after their conversation yesterday.
Normally she'd do so via artificial wombs, – technology salvaged from the Sekirei ship – but judging by Harry's reaction to such things that wasn't prudent or advisable. A natural pregnancy was much more beneficial in his case anyway, due to him being the sentimental type and his own history colouring his views. Rie knew he wanted a family more than anything by her observations and the information available to her. As such he'd never abandon a child of his, no matter the method of conception. Rie knew that such an act was extreme emotional manipulation, but it didn't violate their agreement and she frankly didn't care about such silly things, if she got what she wanted.
'I'd even do it myself to further the Project.' she thought resolutely. Intrigued by the thought and effects of pregnancy on herself, much like Reina had been.
However, these plans and thoughts were shelved for another day. For now she'd enjoy watching her late boss squirm and impotently seethe as her words penetrated his vaporous skull. It was a plan designed to push all of the ghost's buttons at once, playing on his complexes, prejudices and insecurities.
Furumizu's inferiority complex regarding his impotence was now used to confront him with a superior man that was threatening to easily replace him. Not knowing he had already been replaced and wasn't missed. His disdain for women born out of his impotence that created the misandrist belief that all women were traitorous and fickle sluts. Now seemingly confirmed by two of his most loyal Neogenes – Nora and Shiori – not only not refusing the wizard's overt advances but instead accepting them. Lastly was Furumizu's extreme envy and hatred directed at wizards and witches due to being a Squib, triggered by all of it being done by a wizard.
"You shouldn't trust him!" Furumizu exclaimed vehemently. He felt safe in the knowledge that only Rie could hear him as said by the intruder, banking on the usual arrogance of magicals for it to be true. "He's a pretender and will be the doom of NswF!" right now the ghost even irrationally resented the goblins of Gringotts, having thought them to follow the letters of contracts. Completely ignoring that they did exactly that and nothing more.
"Oh, and how do you plan to change that?" Rie inquired, leading him mentally to where she wanted him to go by pointing out the obvious. "You're dead."
"Immaterial!" The ghost waved her off imperiously. "I have a method to reverse that, now that you have pulled my soul back to Earth."
'Got you!' she thought gleefully, barely suppressing the smirk tugging at her lips. "How so?"
Driven by fear and loathing, the ghost spilled the beans. "You need certain ingredients, including the flesh of Maria among other things I stashed away with the Jinki." he gestured towards where his portrait still hung, largely done so Harry didn't seem disrespectful to the public. Despite being an ass, Furumizu was still seen positively due to his many philanthropic projects. "My secret vault containing them is behind that portrait."
The words were accompanied by a small spectral ball flowing from the apparition's mouth to Rie's. She instinctively chocked on nothing, whereupon she blinked and beheld a small but significant change before her. From behind the portrait's edges a metallic sheen slithered out, as if the portrait couldn't quite conceal the vault behind it.
"What just happened?" she asked in perplexed shock.
"He imparted the secret of a Fidelius Spell onto you." came the words of the Last Potter, now standing beside Rie. While Furumizu was a Squib and therefore unable to cast the spell himself, Harry knew you needed another to do so for you either way. So the ghost probably paid for those services or otherwise acquired them through certain contracts.
Harry's triumphant smile was feral, knowing that the Fidelius hid a secret inside a person's soul. Nothing but a willing Secret Keeper could impart it on another, be it through mind-magic or torture. Furumizu had taken that secret to his grave, but luckily Harry was able to summon souls from beyond. "Thanks, by the way!" he told the ghost, now looking directly at him and revealing that he could see and hear him just fine as the Master of the Deathly Hallows.
With a negligent wave of her hand, Rie banished the shocked ghost back to the afterlife. One part of her would've wanted to gloat, but the old bastard wasn't even worth that much wasted breath.
"Now, to see just what he was up to." he said after the secret was shared amongst them. With a simple spell the portrait was moved and the vault opened.
As it turned out the old man had tried to use the same method as Voldemort to 'resurrect' himself, in a way. Or rather give himself a body he saw not as cursed. All the ingredients were there, together with the two Jinki and an old grimoire detailing instructions that must've cost a fortune.
The Jinki were swiftly transported to the highest security lab – where all of the Cloneblades were also kept – for research and storage.
You can go to P-a-t-r-e-o-n .com (slash) Paperpusher101 if you want to support my work.