One thing Harry had quickly learned about Shikamaru was that the boy loved to nap. And cloud-watch. And complain about the cold while trying to nap and cloud-watch.
Harry found it adorable.
It had become a routine. After breakfast, they'd climb up to the rooftops, wrapped in blankets and warmed by Harry's charms. Shikamaru would sprawl out, lazily pointing at clouds while mumbling about shapes, before inevitably drifting off. Even Teddy, bundled up beside him, would eventually succumb to the warmth and quiet.
It was peaceful.
Which was exactly why Harry took the opportunity to make preparations. With both kids sound asleep and back in the room, he opened the Keep gateway.
"Tilly?"
The little house-elf appeared instantly, bowing. "Master Harry! How can Tilly help?"
"I need you to keep an eye on the kids while I handle something," he said. "I'll be back soon, but I need to make sure Shikamaru and Teddy are safe."
Tilly puffed up proudly. "Tilly will protect Master Harry's little ones!"
Satisfied, Harry disappeared into the city.
For the next few hours, he waited at the gates, watching people enter. He needed a family—an adult, two kids. It took some time, but finally, a man and woman entered, their children in tow. Perfect.
A whispered spell sent their documents floating into his hands.
He barely needed a minute to duplicate them before sending them back unnoticed. Examining them, he noted they were from the Land of Hot Springs, a small country, but one he could work with.
When he returned, Tilly was mid-story, Shikamaru sitting wide-eyed with Teddy in his lap.
"—and Master Harry fought a great big basilisk when he was just a tiny thing! As tall as three houses, it was! And he stabbed it right in its great big mouth!"
Harry rolled his eyes. "It wasn't that big."
Shikamaru turned to him, eyes shining. "You fought a what?!"
"A basilisk," Harry said, moving to sit beside him. "Big snake. Really nasty venom."
Shikamaru's grin was almost wicked. "You're way cooler than I thought."
Harry laughed. "Glad to know I'm earning points."
Tilly gasped. "Oh! And the goblins! Fierce warriors, they are! Master Harry fought a whole hoard once!"
"Exaggeration," Harry cut in, though he did grin. "But she's not wrong about them being fierce warriors. They live underground and craft incredible things. One of my best friends is a goblin."
He held up his wrist, showing Shikamaru the charms on his bracelet. "He built me this. It holds my shrunken trunk, Teddy's crib, and a few other things."
Shikamaru studied it with open curiosity. "Really?"
"Yeah. Goblin-made, so nearly indestructible."
Shikamaru looked impressed before shaking himself and focusing back on the documents Harry put on the table. "You need to fix these," he said. "Your name will stand out."
Harry hummed. "Are you sure you're six? Any ideas?"
Shikamaru pursed his lips, thinking. "Hari. It sounds like your name but spelled differently. And Peverell is weird."
Harry chuckled when the name was translated to needle. "I want to keep Peverell for now. It's a family name; I want to hold onto that."
Shikamaru tilted his head but didn't push. Instead, he carefully wrote out the changes while Harry used magic to transfer them onto the documents.
"Think this'll work?" Harry asked.
Shikamaru grinned. "Yeah. Hari, welcome to the Elemental Nations."
Harry smiled back warmly.
"Thanks, kiddo."
The documents were done. Shikamaru had carefully altered the writing, making sure the forgeries looked natural, and Harry had seamlessly enchanted them so they would pass even the most thorough inspection. He was such a smart boy, he didn't know of any six year olds who could write and think like he did.
It was a work of art, really, and Harry felt a certain satisfaction at the finished result.
As they sat in their room, the lanterns flickering softly against the wooden walls, Harry turned to Shikamaru. "So, where to next? You're the navigator."
Shikamaru frowned in thought, absentmindedly playing with the hem of his shirt. "Not Cloud Country."
Harry studied him. "Because of what happened?"
The boy nodded but didn't elaborate. That was fine. He didn't need to. The thought of those bastards who kidnapped him and planned to sell him to Kumo-nin still made Harry's blood boil.
"Fair enough. Anywhere else you want to avoid?"
Shikamaru hesitated. "Fire Country."
Harry's brows lifted slightly.
"That's where you're from?" Harry asked gently.
Shikamaru nodded, shoulders slightly tense. "I don't... I don't want to go back."
Harry reached out, placing a warm hand on the boy's shoulder. "You never have to go back if you don't want to. I won't let anyone hurt you again."
The relief in Shikamaru's eyes was subtle but unmistakable, and Harry knew he'd made the right call letting the boy decide their path.
"Okay," Harry continued. "Where do you want to go then?" He asked, spreading out the map.
Shikamaru perked up slightly, thinking hard. "Waterfall Country. Then Earth. And then Wind. I've heard stories about them. Especially about puppets in Wind Country. That sounds interesting."
Harry chuckled. "Sounds like a plan then."
Shikamaru shifted slightly, glancing at him. "Umm... do you think I can still learn to use chakra?"
"Not everyone can, right?" Harry asked, remembering that not all people in this world could harness their inner energy the way shinobi did.
Shikamaru shrugged his small shoulders. "My dad showed me how to reach it. How to move it inside me. A little outside as well, but that's it."
Harry tilted his head. "I haven't seen you using it?"
"I don't know how."
Harry hummed in understanding. "I'll help you figure it out."
Shikamaru looked surprised. "You can use chakra?"
"Not exactly," Harry admitted. "But my energy feels a lot like chakra. We can experiment when we leave the city. See if you can get the hang of it."
The boy's sharp eyes studied him. "Then why don't you use hand signs? All the ninja I've seen use them."
Harry grinned. "I don't need them. My people usually use pieces of wood to channel their energy. But I never needed one."
Shikamaru's brows furrowed in curiosity. "So how does it work?"
"It took a long time to learn to control the elements properly, but I also have thousands of spells I can use. Some are simple, others... not so much."
Shikamaru was practically vibrating with excitement. "Can I learn?"
Harry smiled. "We can try."
They had just finished dinner, the remnants of roasted fish and rice spread out on their plates, when Teddy made an excited squealing noise.
Both Harry and Shikamaru turned just in time to see the baby pushing himself forward, his tiny hands gripping the wooden floor as he wobbled forward in an unsteady crawl.
Harry gasped. "Oh Merlin—he's crawling!"
With a quick flick of his wrist, he summoned his magical camera from his trunk, snapping several enchanted photographs as Teddy giggled excitedly.
Shikamaru was laughing too, his face alight with excitement. But then, as Harry pulled Teddy into a warm hug, cooing and showering the baby with kisses, something in the boy's expression shifted.
Harry noticed immediately. "Hey," he said gently, lowering Teddy a little. "What's wrong?"
Shikamaru stiffened, looking away. "Nothing."
Harry wasn't convinced. "Shikamaru."
The boy hesitated, his small hands clenching the hem of his tunic before he finally muttered, "Why didn't my mother ever hug me like that?"
Harry felt his heart ache. He scooted closer, placing a reassuring hand on Shikamaru's back. "Some people just aren't meant to be parents."
Shikamaru's mouth twisted slightly, and his voice cracked. "But she was my mom. Was it my fault?"
Harry sighed. "Teddy's birth parents were terrible people too. His father was weak-willed, and his mother was greedy—she wanted to use him to get the family fortune."
Shikamaru's eyes widened in shock. "What?"
"Yeah," Harry murmured. "Teddy's a very special little boy. You've probably noticed him changing his hair or eyes?"
Shikamaru nodded slowly. "Yeah."
"He can also turn into a wolf."
Shikamaru's jaw dropped. "A wolf?"
Harry nodded, shifting Teddy so the baby rested comfortably in his arms. "There's something called a werewolf. Normally, they're cursed, forced to change every full moon. But Teddy... he's different. He's what we call a Moon Cub, blessed by the moon itself. Right now, he only transforms during the full moon, but when he's older, he'll be able to do it whenever he wants."
Shikamaru's mouth worked silently for a moment before he finally asked, "so... his mother thought he was a monster?"
Harry nodded. "She refused to love him. But he was just an innocent baby."
Shikamaru's hands curled into fists. "That's horrible."
"It is," Harry agreed. "But let me ask you something—do you blame Teddy for his parents not wanting him?"
Shikamaru's head snapped up, eyes burning with conviction. "No! Of course not!"
Harry smiled. "Then why would it be your fault that your mother didn't love you?"
Shikamaru's breath hitched. He blinked rapidly, as if trying to process the words. Then, his face crumpled.
"It's not my fault?"
"Not at all," Harry said firmly. "A true parent loves their child no matter what. Blood or not."
Tears spilled over Shikamaru's cheeks, and Harry pulled him close, hugging both him and Teddy in a warm, comforting embrace. Shikamaru clung to him, shoulders shaking as he cried softly into Harry's robe.
Harry held him tightly, rubbing slow, soothing circles into his back. "You're not alone anymore, Shikamaru. I promise."
~
The chill of morning clung to the air as the trio slipped out of the Land of Iron under Harry's veil. Shikamaru clung to Harry's hand, his other clutching the small satchel all of his belongings was stuffed into. Harry carried Teddy, the baby blinking sleepily against his shoulder.
"Are we flying on Nox again?" Shikamaru asked, looking up as the early sun caught on the frost-tipped trees.
Harry glanced skyward, his thoughts briefly flickering to the magnificent arc of black wings, the wind whipping past them as Nox roared in exhilaration. It had been freeing — thrilling even — but…
"I thought about it," he admitted, adjusting Teddy slightly. "But it might cause more trouble than it's worth. Dragons aren't exactly subtle."
Shikamaru frowned thoughtfully. "Didn't you stay in Fire Country's palace? Wouldn't they let you fly?"
Harry laughed — a little awkwardly. "About that…"
The boy turned curious eyes toward him. Harry scratched at the back of his neck sheepishly.
"The nobles there were trying to… well, they wanted to steal Nox, actually. Said something about her being a national treasure."
Shikamaru's eyebrows raised. "That's bad."
"Oh, it gets worse," Harry said dryly. "They also wanted to marry me off to the daimyo's daughter."
Shikamaru blinked. "Isn't that a good thing? I thought marrying into royalty was something people liked?"
Harry coughed, face going a little pink. "Well… it can be. But not for me, personally. I, um… I like men."
Shikamaru lit up. "Like Cousin Ensui!" he said excitedly. "He likes boys too. Grandma always said he was a difficult catch."
That caught Harry off-guard, it was the first time Shikamaru had mentioned his family in a positive light. He didn't press it, though; he just smiled softly and said, "Yes, like your cousin Ensui."
There was a brief pause before Shikamaru asked, eyes curious and bright, "Is that why you adopted Teddy? Since only girls can make babies?"
Harry laughed, a little sad, a little warm. "Not just because of that," he said. "I adopted Teddy because he needed me… and because I needed him, too."
He glanced down at the little boy in his arms, whose hair had turned an odd shade of peach-pink in his sleep. "There's a special kind of magic my people have. A blood ritual — it doesn't erase birth parents, but it adds another. It passes on our gifts, our name, our protection."
Shikamaru's expression turned thoughtful, almost wistful. "Do you… plan to adopt more kids?"
Harry missed the subtle yearning in his tone. He smiled instead, looking into the woods ahead. "Maybe one day. If someone wanted to be a part of my family… I'd say yes."
Shikamaru looked away.
They travelled slowly, the snowy roads gradually giving way to soft earth and green, budding trees. Harry kept the cold at bay with a warming charm laced through their cloaks, and the further they walked, the easier the land felt beneath their feet. And they stopped every night to pitch up the tent, letting harry ward the area.
On the third day, they came across a group of caravans creaking along the path — traders, wrapped in cloaks, with carts full of brightly dyed cloth and polished wooden boxes. One of the older merchants called out in a friendly voice, gesturing to the road ahead.
"You're lucky! Waterfall Village is just a day's travel from here!"
Harry nodded politely and thanked him in awkward, broken Japanese. The merchant smiled, but his eyes lingered, curious.
Shikamaru leaned close and whispered, "Maybe we should go in with them."
Harry frowned. "You think that's wise?"
"We need to know if the papers work, right?" Shikamaru reasoned. "If we want to travel."
Harry sighed but nodded. "Alright. Let's stay quiet and follow their lead."
~
The village itself was hidden within a lush valley, surrounded by cliffs and forest. A waterfall roared in the distance, spilling over moss-covered stone like silk. There were two entrances apparently, but Harry didn't feel like dragging two children underwater.
The gate was manned by two shinobi in forehead protectors — one older, one young and twitchy.
"Papers?" the older guard asked.
Harry handed them over with a confident smile, keeping Teddy settled and asleep in his sling. Shikamaru stood beside him, his small hands clenched at his sides.
There was a tense moment as the guard flipped through the documents. He squinted at the seals. At the family photo Harry had magicked together — all smiles and sun behind them.
The guard finally nodded. "Everything seems to be in order. Enjoy your visit."
They didn't let out a breath until they were well past the gate.
"That worked," Shikamaru whispered, both shocked and proud.
Harry chuckled. "You're a natural, kid. That forgery could fool the Wizengamot."
The inn they found was cosy, a family-run place with polished floors, paper doors, and a steaming onsen tucked behind it. The scent of herbal water and pinewood filled the air.
"I booked us a room," Harry said, holding up a carved wooden key. "With access to the private springs."
Shikamaru's eyes sparkled. "We're going in, right?"
Harry hesitated. "I… suppose?"
Minutes later, he regretted everything.
"IT'S SCALDING!" Harry yelped, yanking his foot back.
Shikamaru burst out laughing, half-submerged already, his hair tied up into a loose knot. "You're such a baby!"
"I'm English! We don't bathe in volcanoes!" He said, getting a confused look from Shikamaru who didn't know what being English meant.
Teddy squealed happily, splashing in the warm shallow corner Harry charmed to be cooler and safe, little floating duck charms bobbing around him.
"This is the best," Shikamaru sighed, stretching in the water.
Harry smiled letting his inner fire spread through his body to adapt to the water, letting himself sink into the warmth. The tension in his shoulders started to ease. "Yeah," he murmured. "It kind of is."
Later that night, they wandered through the village square, where lanterns were lit and warm food was served from street stalls. A performer in silver-dyed robes flicked his fingers, casting glowing chakra illusions — foxes made of light danced, stars spun like pinwheels, and koi swam in the air.
Teddy clapped in wonder. Shikamaru leaned forward, wide-eyed.
Harry approached the man after his set.
"Excuse me," he said in slow Japanese. "Do you… have scrolls? On chakra?"
The man blinked, then nodded, rummaging through a pack. "Basic one. For beginners."
Harry handed him a generous sum. "Thank you."
That night, after Teddy was asleep and Shikamaru had curled up beside him, Harry placed the scroll on the pillow next to him.
Shikamaru blinked at it, then grinned wide. "For me?"
Harry nodded. "You said you wanted to learn."
"I do," Shikamaru whispered, clutching the scroll. "I want to protect you. And Teddy."
Harry felt his heart clench. He pulled Shikamaru into a soft hug, holding him close.
"You don't have to get strong right now," he said gently. "I'll protect you both. Always."
Shikamaru sniffled, nodding against his chest.
"Okay."
Harry hummed softly, an old lullaby echoing in the quiet inn room. As Shikamaru drifted off, Harry watched him sleep and wondered, not for the first time, how long it would be before he asked — not out of need or desperation — but choice:
Would you like to be my son?
He would wait.
As long as it took.
~
The morning sun spilled gold across the rooftops of Takigakure, casting long beams of light that danced between the narrow stone paths and mossy railings. The ever-present sound of rushing water from the falls above, the streams below, the trickling rivulets that split the village like veins — made everything feel like a waking dream. Peaceful, wrapped in mist, the kind of place that made you forget to look over your shoulder.
It had been two days since Harry, Teddy, and Shikamaru arrived.
They'd explored the terraced markets layered into the cliffs, weaving between stalls of lacquered trinkets and rare teas. Shikamaru had bartered a wind-up deer from a crooked old woman who winked with her one good eye, while Harry learned how to pronounce "sweet red bean bun" without butchering the syllables too much. Teddy, strapped to his chest or hip, babbled at every bright lantern they passed.
For the first time in months, Harry's shoulders weren't tight with expectation. The road behind them was long and layered in ghosts. Fire Country had been beautiful — yes — but it was also a tangle of silk and steel. Hidden threats beneath courtly smiles. Nobles who spoke of honour while plotting in whispers.
Takigakure was different.
The village was carved into the rock itself, built with the land, not over it. There was no pretence here, only quiet resilience. And though Harry could still feel eyes on them — the quiet, practiced kind — it wasn't the same.
This morning, the trio wandered along a stone path by the lower falls, the spray misting their cloaks as the wind kicked up faintly floral scents from the garden terraces. Teddy was snug in a sling against Harry's chest, fast asleep, his little hand fisted in Harry's collar. Shikamaru, who had recently discovered a love for dramatic village gossip, was tugging at Harry's sleeve excitedly.
"There's a monster in the lake," he said, eyes wide. "It eats dreams and spits out illusions. A fisherman told me."
"I think the fisherman might've been drunk. Unless…" Harry replied, amused.
Shikamaru frowned, clearly disappointed.
That's when it happened.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw a blur. Fast and small.
Before he could summon a shield or whisper a spell, something collided with his legs, arms flinging tight around his waist, clutching with the force of panic. Harry staggered, instinctively shielding Teddy with one arm and reaching back with the other, yanking Shikamaru against him.
"Oi—what—?!"
A child. A girl. No older than seven. Mint-green hair in wild, uneven pigtails, thin limbs wiry with tension. Her face was buried in Harry's coat, her breath hitching in silent sobs. Her chakra — he could feel it — wild and dense, like lightning trapped in silk.
Before he could speak, shinobi flickered into existence. One by one, six of them, a well-coordinated team with flak vests and unreadable expressions. One of them, a younger man, had already drawn a kunai. Another, older, barked out with a commanding voice.
"Release the child. Now."
Harry raised his hand slowly, the one not holding Shikamaru. "I—I didn't grab her. She ran at me. I don't know her."
The girl didn't move. If anything, her grip tightened. Her tiny fingers dug into Harry's robes, and she let out a small, choked word.
"Stay."
Shikamaru scowled, eyes narrowed. "She bit someone. Look."
Sure enough, one of the shinobi was cradling his hand, a clear bite mark already bruising red.
"I can't—she won't let go," Harry said, still trying to keep the boys shielded. "I think she's scared."
One of the guards turned to another. "Get Hisen-sama. Now."
The others didn't lower their weapons.
Harry glanced at Shikamaru and switched to English. "Can you take Teddy? Strap him to you. I'll kneel down. Maybe she'll feel safer."
The boy nodded without hesitation. Together, they carefully shifted Teddy's sling to Shikamaru's chest. Teddy barely stirred, content in his nap.
Harry crouched. "Hello. Can you tell me your name?"
She peeked up, her face streaked with tears but determined. Her voice was a whisper. "Fu."
"Fu. That's a nice name. I'm Hari."
"Chōmei says you're safe," she said. "Chōmei says you're kind. Like the Sage. But warm. Like a mama."
"Who's Chōmei?" Harry asked gently.
"My friend," she said, as if that explained everything. "He lives in me. He's... he's scared, too."
Just then, a new figure arrived — tall, brown trench coat, calloused hands, eyes like river stones and his presence quieted the air.
"Fu," he said calmly.
The girl didn't move.
"Fu, let go."
She shook her head. "Chōmei says he's safe."
The man knelt. "He might be. But you're scaring people, little one."
She sniffled, but slowly let go of Harry's coat... only to grip his hand instead.
Harry looked helplessly up at the man. "I don't understand. She said…?"
The man nodded once. "You'll come with me."
"Is that a request or an order?"
"A compromise."
Harry sighed, then glanced at Shikamaru. "Let's go."
Hisen's home was carved into the cliffside, warm wood floors, lanterns glowing with light, walls painted with lotus motifs. It smelled of cedar and rain.
Fu refused to let go of Harry's hand the entire time.
They were led to a sitting room, where another man waited. Hisen introduced him as Senji, a village elder.
After tea was served and Teddy was fed, the conversation finally began.
Harry finally asked a question, "Fu says that her friend… lives inside of her?"
"Fu is a Jinchuriki," Senji said quietly. "She carries the Seven-Tails inside her. Chōmei. This is a village secret, meaning you are not to repeat it."
Harry blinked. "I don't know what that means." Confused, but also wondering why this man would tell him such a secret.
"You're not from here, are you?" Hisen asked, not accusing; just observing.
"No," Harry admitted. "I'm from a place where chakra is different. Beyond the…sea? Then from Land of Hot Springs" Struggling to find the word.
Fu, still curled beside him, nodded. "He feels like home."
Senji whispered, "Like the Sage... but warm. That's what she said."
"Do you have any idea what she might mean?" Hisen asked.
Harry shook his head. "I'm just... me. A healer. A protector, maybe."
They were offered dinner — despite the awkwardness — and to Harry's surprise, it felt almost normal. Shikamaru chatted politely with Shibuki, Hisen's son, who seemed fascinated by everything Harry said.
Teddy's hair changed colour again, from black to pink to soft sea-green, making the adults freeze.
Harry hurried to cover it with a hat. "It's a gift. From family. Please... don't tell anyone."
Senji and Hisen exchanged a silent agreement.
"We won't," Hisen said simply.
That night, they were offered a guest room. Futons were spread out. Shikamaru curled around Teddy, hand resting protectively on the baby's stomach. Fu, after some hesitation, curled on Harry's other side, sighing as if she hadn't slept peacefully in weeks.
Harry sat a while longer, watching them breathe.
Three children.
One he'd adopted. One who had chosen him. And one who came with a godlike creature inside her and called him safe.
What in Merlin's name do I do now?
~
The next morning Harry woke up quietly, taking in the adorableness of the three children still snoring away.
Harry quietly reached for the journal bound to the others and inked his daily update, trying to ignore the ache in his chest when he thought of them.
He closed the book gently and reached for Teddy, who began to stir as he heated the bottle with his hand, his fire just below his skin.
The baby blinked sleepily, his eyes unfocused.
"Maaaaa-ssaaa," Teddy mumbled in Parseltongue.
Harry smiled. "And good morning to you too, my little snake speaker."
Two chakra signatures hovered outside the room, alert but calm. They must've decided he really was just a man with children after all.
His thoughts flickered back to Fu. To the tailed beast within her. He wondered if it was like a werewolf—a symbiotic kind of possession? But Fu didn't seem cursed. She was a happy child, bright and whole.
Shikamaru stirred, opening one eye. "Hari?"
"Mm. Teddy wanted breakfast."
"He say that weird word again?"
Harry hesitated. "It's a word for 'parent'. In one of my family's languages."
Slightly lying a little by saying it was the word for parent, not mother.
Shikamaru sat up, yawning. "He says it a lot."
That hit Harry like a warm stone to the chest and he kissed Teddy's forehead.
"I know." Shikamaru scratched his head, glancing at the hairband on his wrist.
"We shouldn't do my hair today. I look too much like my clan. Someone might recognise me." He said sadly, playing with the little charm on the band.
Harry gave him a sad smile. "Okay. But maybe a little bun? Just to keep it out of your eyes."
"Only if I can do yours," Shikamaru declared.
"Deal." Harry sat cross-legged, and Shikamaru awkwardly pulled the hair into a half-up bun, sticking in the decorative pin they'd bought for the festival.
"It's a little messy," he admitted.
"It's perfect."
Fu blinked awake and sat up suddenly. "You're still here! Yay! Can I do your hair too?!"
"I'm doing it," Shikamaru said with a scowl, making Fu stick her tongue out at him.
"Children," Harry muttered with fond exasperation. Teddy chose that moment to crawl onto Harry's lap, chanting, "Maa-shah, maah-shah!"
"That word again," Shikamaru said curiously.
"Told you. It means parent," Harry said, brushing Teddy's wild hair, switching to Japanese now that Fu was awake.
They descended to breakfast shortly after. Guards bowed politely as Harry passed, as a guest of the village leader.
Shibuki greeted them with excitement.
"Did you see the comet the other week?"
"Comet? Uh, yes? It was big." Harry blinked, realising that he was the comet they were talking about.
Hisen raised a brow. "They say dragons returned to the world with that comet."
Shikamaru and Harry both tensed.
"Are dragons... special?" Harry asked carefully.
Senji chuckled. "Special? They're sacred. Ancient beings of power and wisdom. Some say they predate the Sage himself."
Harry smiled tightly. No wonder they built shrines for Nox.
~
The next few days passed in relative peace. Fu would pop in and out of their orbit, her lessons keeping her busy, but Harry included her whenever possible. Harry gave himself lessons too, finally sorting out the language he stole from the ninja that hurt Shikamaru. Thankfully, he was no longer speaking in broken sentences.
It also seemed that Shikamaru's jealousy faded once he realised Fu wasn't trying to steal Harry, and the two actually started playing together.
On one quiet morning, Harry braided Shikamaru's hair into a low bun, while Teddy wobbled to his feet, standing unsteadily.
It was Fu who noticed it first as she clapped excitedly, shouting, "He stood up!"
They all celebrated around Teddy, making the baby squeal in happiness. And Harry noticed how well Fu and Shikamaru got on now.
Later, Harry asked Hisen if Shikamaru could join Fu's chakra control lessons.
"Does he want to be a ninja?" Hisen asked.
"Not necessarily. But you don't need to be a ninja to use chakra."
"Hmm. Wise words. Be cautious who you share them with." Harry nodded.
Unsurprisingly Shikamaru excelled in the exercises, and he loved telling Harry about what he learnt that day when it was just them.
Harry found a peaceful hill just outside the village where he, Shikamaru, and Teddy cloud watched.
And without fail, Shikamaru would doze off with his head on Harry's shoulder.
"Narcoleptic," Harry muttered one day, brushing hair from the boy's face.
~
Suddenly, they had been in Takigakure for a week.
By midweek, Shikamaru had started calling Fu "annoying" with deep fondness, and Fu had started calling him "old man" with gleeful mischief when she found out about his fondness for board games.
Teddy had learned how to throw his mashed pumpkin across the room with terrifying precision, much to young Shibuki's horror and Harry's silent pride.
"You're raising a menace," Shibuki muttered, ducking as a spoon clattered near his shoulder.
"Just preparing him for life," Harry said serenely.
Okada —one of Fu's guards— who had started joining them for meals out of necessity, snorted into his tea. "This one's going to lead a rebellion before he's out of nappies."
"You think he'll wait that long," Shikamaru added dryly.
Teddy let out a high-pitched squeal and banged his tiny fist on the table like a tiny warlord.
~
That afternoon, Okada found him sitting beside the waterfall where he often took Teddy to nap. Fu was nearby, dangling her feet in the water. Shikamaru was close by and had a leaf balanced on his nose, determined not to let it fall.
"Hisen told me something strange," Okada said, kneeling beside him. "He said Fu's chakra has started changing. Not in a bad way. But like something is syncing with it."
Harry's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"Before, it was like Chōmei sat beside her. Now... it's like they're dancing. Merging. Harmonising."
Harry looked at Fu, her green pigtails bouncing as she laughed.
"She mentioned feeling lighter," he murmured. "I don't think Chōmei will hurt her."
Okada looked at him, eyes probing Harry as if he had all the answers.
~
On the twelth day, Takigakure burned.
The first explosion tore through the village like a thunderclap. Civilians screamed. Buildings crumbled. Chakra flared—sharp, wild, and unfamiliar.
"Stay together!" Harry shouted, arms snapping out as instinct took over. He swept Fu under one arm, Shikamaru under the other, Teddy clutched to his chest in his sling.
"Behind me!" barked Okada, drawing twin tanto. Another village guard joining them as they raced down the mountain steps.
In the village square, flames bloomed and smoke curled into the sky. And on the shrine's stone stairs, Harry could see Hisen and Shibuki fighting, father and son shoulder to shoulder.
Dark-cloaked shinobi darted through the air like ravens. Fast. Harry knew ninja were fast, but this was ridiculous.
"Give us the Hero Water!" one roared, a crackle of lightning around his hand. "NOW!"
This wasn't a skirmish. It was an assault.
Harry's mind locked onto the phrase. Hero Water?
Never mind, it's not safe. They weren't safe here anymore. He needed to get the children off the ground.
He put his palm out, facing the sky and let the gateway to the Keep open.
Using their bond, he called to the one force he could trust without hesitation. Nudging Nox urgently to come to him. Then from the sky burst Nox. Wings wide, and scales gleaming. Her arrival silencing the chaos for one breathless moment.
Nox landed just behind him, ninja and civilian alike were backing away as she stared menacingly at them all. "Mother, what is going on? Shall I burn them?"
"Someone is attacking the village. I need to get the children to safety."
"I will protect the hatchlings, you will show them why my mother is not to be messed with," she said, chest puffed up.
"Time to go!" Harry ordered. He dragged the children onto her saddle. The dragon's harness riddled with enchantments as he strapped the children in.
Placing a whiny Teddy into his crib, he placed his favourite stuffed dragon with him and a lingering kiss on his forehead. "I love you, Teddy." He whispered before warding the crib shut.
Turning back to Fu and Shikamaru he could see they were both scared. He couldn't do much about that right now though.
"You two, stay strapped in, Teddy will be safe in his crib. I'm going to help Hisen, okay?"
"But—what if you don't come back" Shikamaru choked, tears in his eyes.
Harry leaned down, resting his forehead against the boy's.
"My sweet, brave brilliant boy. I'll always come back to you." He held his face gently and pressed a light kiss to his forehead, turning to do the same to Fu who was looking at the battle below.
Shikamaru nodded fiercely, voice cracking. "I'll be strong. I promise."
Harry turned to Okada. "Okada, please get on. You said that Fu was important to the village? You are her guard. Nox will fly you around until the battle is over."
Okada looked like he wanted to argue, but saw something in Harry's eyes and obeyed, vaulting into the saddle without question.
"Understood. I will protect all the children with my life."
"I will take you up quickly, but you will take control of the reigns. Nox doesn't understand your language yet."
"Fly, Nox"
Nox launched upward with a single beat of her wings, tearing through the sky, earning scattered shouts from the enemy and allied ninja behind them.
They were high in the sky now, Harry passing on the reigns to Okada, "It's a bit like riding a horse. Pull left or right, but straight up to go down."
Okada looked pale, shaking at being this high in the air for the first time in his life.
He turned to Harry, a bit hysterical, "this is nothing like riding a horse!"
Despite the situation Harry laughed a little. Turning to the children again, he just said, "I'll be back soon, okay? Stay safe."
Then Harry dove off of Nox and let himself fall into the air. He briefly heard Shikamaru saying, "I hate it when he does that."
He fell through the air with the grace of a bird, spinning, gathering the air around him as he approached the ground.
This is what freedom feels like, he thought.
He dropped, landing in a crouch between a shocked Hisen and Shibuki. Wind coiled at his back as the ground below cracked from the pressure.
Hisen's eyes widened. "You said you weren't a shinobi."
"I'm not," Harry replied. "You don't need to be a shinobi to wield chakra, remember?"
Hisen dodged a barrage of shuriken suddenly, countering with a wall of water that blocked a fire jutsu from the left. Shibuki was panting, but the fourteen year old was still standing, flinging explosive tags from his pouch like a professional.
Another shinobi dropped from the roof to intercept him, blade swinging downward about to decapitate Shibuki.
"Expelliarmus!" Harry snarled.
A red bolt blasting from his palm, catching the attacker in the chest and launching him into a crumbled wall with bone-snapping force, the sword being separated from his person.
"—What the hell?" a Takigakure Jounin whispered nearby. "What kind of jutsu was that?"
Two more enemy ninja flanked Harry from either side, making him duck one strike, turn and shout, "Stupefy!"
The blast caught the left attacker mid-motion, flinging him back like a ragdoll, while the right ninja lunged with a kunai.
Harry twisted, planted a foot and cracked the earth beneath them with a seismic boom, splitting the ground in a wave radiating outward, tossing their enemies back.
One of the enemy Jounin stared at the crater beneath Harry's feet. "…That wasn't chakra." He whispered.
Another stepped forward, growling, "That's Tsunade's technique! That's chakra-enhanced strength. What bloodline is this bastard from?!"
Harry exhaled through his nose. He kept hearing her name, at some point he's going to have to find out why.
He turned, fingers glowing with another spell.
"I break."
A narrow detonation spell burst from his hand, slamming into the enemy shield wall and blowing three attackers clear off their feet. The force left a blackened crater in the stone path.
"He's using a bloodline!" a masked ninja shouted. "Some kind of forbidden clan technique—"
Harry turned toward Hisen, just as the older man staggered as blood seeped from a gash across his ribs.
"Hisen!" Harry cried out, alarmed at seeing the man who offered them shelter in such a state.
Another squad dropped in—a full team this time and they surrounded the shrine.
Shibuki stepped in front of his father, trembling.
"Don't," Hisen growled, grabbing the boy's shoulder. "You're not ready—"
"I am," Shibuki whispered.
The boy moved fast, his seals imperfect but his intent clear.
"Suiton: Rising Vortex!"
A spiral of water burst beneath one enemy's feet, launching him skyward—where Harry flicked his hand and whispered, "Stupefy." Making the shinobi drop like a stone.
"That's the Hero's son," one attacker muttered.
Another replied, "He's fourteen—kill the old one, grab the boy! We can force the location out of him!"
Harry's eyes blazed at hearing this.
"No," he said, voice low, wrathful. "You would dare to harm a child!"
Harry blasted them away with a pulse of air, six bodies being flung outward. He raised his hands on each side and summoned waves of water that separated into serpents. Three of the foreign nin were surrounded by the water, frozen then and dragged into the lake nearby.
The remaining three attackers regrouped and put some distance between them, now wary.
"Plan Delta," one hissed.
Then they came together and vanished underground, escaping like smoke.
Big mistake, he thought. He could feel the three life signatures making their way towards them and placed his palms on the ground, urging the rock below to trap them. It was a horrible way to die, but Harry has learnt that this world was vicious, and to protect his children, he would be too.
He spun around and was on Hisen in a moment, the fighting still going on around them. Placing his hands over Hisen wounds he urged the bleeding to stop, the most he could do right now given the situation.
"What exactly is the Hero Water?"
Panting, Hisen reached into his flak vest and pulled out a small vial, water shimmering inside.
"This water... boosts chakra a hundredfold for a time. But it rips your body apart. Most who use it die."
Harry could already see where this was going, and he wasn't going to let Hisen sacrifice himself like this. He held out his hand. "Give it to me."
"What? No."
"I won't use it. But they will. Give it. You trusted me with Fu," he said, making Hisen startle. "Trust me with this!"
Hisen hesitated... then passed it over, but Harry didn't pocket it.
With a subtle flick of his fingers, he duplicated it with a Geminio, sliding the real one into his expanded coat pocket, the fake into his palm.
"Wait—what are you—"
Harry raised the copy, glanced at the approaching attackers, and hurled it to the ground.
The vial shattered, its contents hissing into steam on contact.
"NO!" screamed one of the enemy Jounin. "YOU FOOL—DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'VE DESTROYED?!"
"Yes," Harry said flatly, already casting a protego.
A massive dome shimmered around him, Hisen, and Shibuki. Kunai and fire jutsu struck it and bounced harmlessly off.
"That was your only bargaining piece!" the shinobi growled. "That water was worth more than your village!"
Harry stepped forward, hands ready to attack.
"You want power that kills your own men? You're welcome to die for it. But not here."
The enemy ninja attacked again, hitting the shield with their kunai. Now with rage, not discipline and entirely far too late.
Harry dropped low, slammed both palms into the earth.
"I'm pushing you away!"
The shockwave exploded outward, launching enemies into the air like leaves in a storm. He spun, the wind picking up around him in a cyclone of magic, swirling with water that was slowly hardening to ice, before he directed it to attack the foreign nin.
It cut through two seals mid-cast and shattered a third ninja's mask.
"Wind chakra... no—water too? And sealess!" A retreating Jounin stammered. "I've only ever heard of a bloodline like this!"
"He's a monster," another muttered.
Signals whistled in the distance that seemed to signal the enemy ninja.
"Retreat! The water is destroyed. Everyone retreat!"
The enemy dissolved into smoke and flickers of chakra, melting away into the forest around the village. The suddenness of their retreat startled Harry.
Smoke curled into the sky and the shrine was scorched and broken, but it still stood.
Harry stood among the ruins, breath ragged, hands trembling from the suddenness of the fight.
Hisen looked at him, bloody but alive. "You're not a ninja?"
"No," Harry said softly, glancing at his hand.
Shibuki stepped up beside his father, eyes huge and starry.
"...What are you?"
Harry looked to the sky, where Nox circled, silhouetted in the mist.
And for a long moment, he didn't answer.
"A parent," he murmured. "A very protective one."
~
The battle was over, but the battlefield still held its breath.
Around him, stunned or bound enemy shinobi groaned, some still buried waist-deep in the broken earth from his earlier quake.
He exhaled, brushing sweaty hair from his forehead and nudging his mind toward the glowing presence of Nox.
Come back. It's safe now. He said, not in words but impressions.
The response through their bond was a flicker of savage amusement—followed by what might've been shrill screaming in the distance.
Harry rolled his eyes. Stop terrifying them, he thought, sending a nudge of admonishment.
Nox just sent a wave of smug satisfaction. But moments later, a roar shook the valley, making all the ninja flinch.
"CLEAR THE COURTYARD!" Harry shouted before they could panic. "She's coming in for a landing!"
They hesitated for a second, then moved quickly, clearing the broken courtyard around the shrine just as a massive black form cut through the clouds and descended with a roar of displaced wind.
Nox landed in front of Harry, wings folding, and eyes glowing like molten gold. She lowered her head and nudged him gently with her massive snout.
"You did well," he said softly, placing a hand on her warm scales. "Thank you for protecting them."
She huffed, steam curling from her nostrils.
"Where is the fire? Why didn't you burn them to ash?" She hissed, flicking her tongue with irritation. "I would've made it beautiful, Mother."
Harry sighed, stroking her snout. "This village has been kind to us. I couldn't just scorch it because of a few enemies."
Nox grumbled.
"I'm not leaving next time." Her tone brooked no argument.
"…Fine," Harry murmured, and she rumbled with contentment.
Behind him, Okada was helping Fu and Shikamaru down from the saddle. Shikamaru landed and, without hesitation, sprinted toward Harry. "I stayed brave!" he cried as he collided with him. "I stayed just like I promised!"
Harry knelt and caught him, arms wrapping tight. "I know," he said, voice cracking. "You did so good. I'm proud of you."
The tension melted away from his shoulders for the first time all day.
Over Shikamaru's shoulder, Okada held a wailing Teddy, trying to soothe him as his hair flashed a vibrant angry red.
"Bring him here."
Okada didn't need asking twice. As soon as Teddy was in Harry's arms, the baby clutched at his robes, fists tangled in fabric, burying his face in Harry's chest.
"Shh, now… Everything's okay." He said soothingly. "Mother's here."
"Maaaass-haaa," Teddy sobbed in Parseltongue.
Harry hummed softly, swaying, as the little boy's sobs faded into snuffles and hiccups. "That's it… you're safe."
Okada let out a long breath and said dryly, "I didn't do much, but for the record—I never want to fly again."
Harry huffed a laugh.
Shikamaru cuddled in close, head on Harry's shoulder, while Teddy latched to the other. Nox curled her long neck around them and puffed a playful blast of air, making both boys giggle.
Fu lingered nearby, eyes flicking between Harry and Hisen. Her steps faltered, until she saw the dark blood staining Hisen's robes, making her choice easy.
With a choked cry, she ran toward Hisen and wrapped herself around his side, holding him tight.
She dragged him towards Harry so she could be close to them all.
"Are you a… a Kami?" she whispered.
Harry blinked. "No—no, definitely not."
"Yes, and you should bow before my mother." Nox proclaimed behind him, tail thumping the ground like thunder.
Of course, none of them understood Parseltongue.
But the way Nox reared her head, the power still rolling off Harry, and the baby still chanting "Maashah" in his arms, left… impressions.
Whispers broke out. Murmurs, questions.
"Maashah…?"
"Is that what the dragon calls him?"
"Maybe that's his title—a dragon's word…"
Before Harry could stop it, ninja around them began nodding, some bowing slightly.
"Thank you, Maashah."
"…Thank you for saving our village, Maashah!"
Harry's face turned red. "No, no—that's not my name. It's just—"
But Shikamaru, the little imp, grinned up at him, cheek resting on his shoulder. "It's Maashah-sama," he said sweetly.
Harry groaned and let his head fall forward into Shikamaru's hair.
"I should've left you in the sky."
Shikamaru laughed, utterly content.
Then Hisen collapsed.
Shibuki darted to his father's side, eyes wide with panicked, calling for help.
Harry was there in a flash, lowering him gently and placing a hand over the wound.
"Wounds Will Be Healed, Wounds Will Be Healed…" The chant was soft, melodic.
No light pulsed beneath his palm, but the deep gash sealed. The bruises faded. Even the fractured ribs knitted clean beneath Hisen's robe.
The older man blinked and sat up, stunned.
"…Not even a scar," he whispered. "That wasn't chakra. There wasn't even… green light."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "I told you. I'm a healer."
Hisen met his gaze and smiled thinly. "You're not just a healer. You've a dragon at your back and feet that cracked the earth."
The ninja began crowding forward. Some stared at Nox, others pointing at Harry.
"It's him!"
"He matches the Fire Daimyō's wanted scroll!"
"He's the one who disappeared from the palace!"
Harry stiffened, arms tightening around the children.
But Senji pushed through the crowd, dark eyes flashing. "Enough!" he snapped. "He just fought beside us. Protected our children. Our village. If any of you think we're turning him in—try me."
The ninja looked away, chastened.
Some of the younger ones were staring up at Nox with awe, inching closer with hesitant steps.
Nox preened, lifting her head high.
"I have worshippers again, Mother! Look! They adore me!"
Harry muttered something under his breath, remembering the last time she had people worshipping her.
Teddy wriggled, pointing at Nox then beaming up at Harry.
"Masha! Masha!"
The watching ninja's confidence grew.
"…That's what the dragon calls him!"
"Then it's definitely his name!"
"Maashah-sama!"
"No!" Harry groaned, but his voice was drowned in cheers.
Shikamaru was full-on smirking now, his earlier joke running wild.
Before the adoration could escalate, Hisen stepped forward and bowed deeply, hand over heart.
"You helped save our village, Maashah-sama." He says this with a teasing smirk, making Harry narrow his eyes at the man. "Takigakure is in your debt. You will always have a place here."
Cheers echoed again.
Harry, red-faced, cleared his throat. "Right, uh—thank you. Really. But—maybe we should see to the injured? Some of your people need healing…"
He was already backing away.
Hisen straightened, clapping his hands. "You heard him! Gather the wounded! Secure the unconscious intruders!"
Harry added, "The ones I stunned will wake in a few hours. I'd recommend restraints if you're planning to question them."
As they moved toward the healing tents, Harry glanced sideways at Shikamaru.
"You little brat," he said fondly—in English, ruffling the boy's hair.
Shikamaru beamed.
~
The night passed in exhaustion and effort.
Harry worked alongside Takigakure's med-nin, guiding some, astounding others. His potions—bone-regrowing, flesh-mending, infection-purging—were like miracles to the others.
"That one's glowing green!" one of them whispered as a poultice hissed over a gangrenous wound.
Harry, sleeves rolled up, hair tied back, simply said, "Family recipe."
He healed torn muscles. Reset dislocated shoulders. Vanished internal bleeding with whispered incantations and potions. His diagnosis charms, though wordless, drew audible gasps.
A gruff med-nin blinked at a potion bubbling in green-blue hues. "And you're sure this is safe?"
Harry took a sip of it himself and handed it over. "I've tested worse."
Hours later, as dawn crept over the horizon, Harry found Hisen seated quietly outside a tent, wrapped in fresh bandages.
He joined him, hands in his coat.
Without a word, he pulled out the real Hero Water vial and passed it to Hisen under a cloth.
Hisen stared.
"You… really didn't destroy it?"
"No. But I thought… maybe you could claim it was lost. Destroyed in the attack. Say it's gone for another hundred years."
Hisen closed his hand around it. "That might be best."
They sat in silence.
"Maashah-sama," Hisen said after a long pause, glancing sideways with a sly smile.
Harry groaned slightly, before settling into a silence.
"I can't stay."
Hisen didn't look surprised. His sharp eyes flicked toward him, but he said nothing yet.
"I'm grateful," Harry continued, voice low but firm. "Truly. You've given me shelter, protection for the boys… a moment of peace we all needed."
He took a sip and stared into the cup's reflection.
"But some of those foreign ninja escaped. They saw Nox, my…power. They'll talk. And if there's one thing I've learned in this world—it's that people crave power. And when they see someone with it… they covet it. Or kill it."
Hisen sighed through his nose. "We can protect you. We would. You've more than earned that."
Harry shook his head slowly. "I believe you would try. But I won't put your people in danger for my sake."
His tone was quiet but immovable.
Hisen's jaw tensed. "And Fu?"
That name alone tightened Harry's chest.
"I'm very fond of her," he admitted, voice softening. "I'll miss her more than I can say. But she has someone here."
Hisen looked over at him, brow furrowed.
Harry met his gaze. "You. She has you. And maybe it's time she knows that. You've been more than just her leader, even if she doesn't see it clearly yet."
Hisen was silent for a long moment. When he finally answered, his voice was thick with something old and unspoken.
"I've kept a little distance," he said. "Being a Jinchuriki in a village this size… it's hard. She already carries the eyes of outsiders. If I got too close, it might've made her stand out even more. Or made people question why I favoured her."
Harry frowned. "That's awful."
Hisen gave him a tight smile. "It's politics. You think your home is different?"
"No," Harry said softly. "But I wish it was."
The night deepened around them, and silence stretched again before Hisen spoke, more quietly this time.
"You should be careful, wherever you go next," he said. "You've drawn attention now."
Harry glanced sideways, sensing the shift. "What do you mean?"
"I know a Nara when I see one."
Harry straightened, blinking. "…What?"
Hisen turned slightly, one eyebrow raised. "You really didn't know?"
Harry's heart thudded. "What are you talking about?"
"The boy," Hisen said. "The look. The eyes. The hair's down, but it's there. And, I was sure when I saw the crest on his wrist."
Harry's eyes widened. He thought of the hair band—grey, with a circular silver charm etched with the flowing symbol. Shikamaru had said it was his father's.
"I never asked him," Harry admitted. "I never pressured him. His mother sold him to a group of missing-nin. To be taken to Kumo."
Hisen's face darkened. "Gods."
"He threw himself into the sea during a storm," Harry continued, his throat thick. "He thought drowning was better than being a prisoner. I found him that night."
"You saved him," Hisen said grimly.
"I just… caught him in time."
The wind picked up, rustling the paper lanterns.
"I'm scared for him," Harry said quietly. "Not of him. For him. If I take him back to his home, who's to say it won't happen again? If his own mother could hand him over like that…"
Hisen closed his eyes briefly, the weight of too many truths sitting heavy between them.
"Hidden villages can be cruel," he admitted. "More than most people are willing to say aloud."
He opened his eyes again and fixed Harry with a look of quiet respect.
"You were right to take him as your own."
Harry didn't answer at first. He watched the faint moonlight catch on the rooftops below.
"…I think he sees me as his parent now," Harry murmured.
Hisen smirked faintly. "Quite the collection of children for someone so young."
Harry groaned softly, then sadly said. "Them and the dragons are probably the only children I'll ever have."
There was a long pause as Hisen studied him, expression unreadable.
"I'm sorry for that," he said at last.
Harry blinked.
"I see how much love you have in you. The way those children cling to you… It's not just survival. It's love."
Harry glanced away, throat tight.
"…We'll leave tomorrow night," he said, gently steering the conversation away. "Under the cover of darkness. Less chance of someone tracking Nox's shadow."
Hisen nodded slowly. "I understand. I wish it weren't necessary—but I do."
Harry stood, brushing off his coat. "Thank you. For everything."
He turned to go, but paused when Hisen suddenly sat up straighter.
"Wait."
Harry blinked. "What?"
"…Did you say dragons? Plural?" Hisen's voice sharpened. "You have more than one?"
Harry smirked over his shoulder. "Why? Planning to start a shrine?"
"How many?" Hisen demanded, suddenly very serious.
"Good night, Hisen," Harry called, walking away.
"Hari!" the man shouted. "How many dragons do you have?!"
But Harry was already gone, vanishing into the night, the soft click of boots the only answer left behind.
~
It was early morning when Harry gathered the children. The healing tents were quiet now, the rush of battle long faded, but something heavier hung in the air.
The hardest part was always the goodbye.
Fu stood in the courtyard, fidgeting with the hem of her jacket, Chōmei's presence faintly buzzing in the air around her like dragonfly wings. Shikamaru sat silently on the edge of the low wall, the crest on his wrist catching the first glint of sun. Teddy slept peacefully in his warded crib, bobbing gently near Harry.
Harry knelt down before them.
"We're leaving tonight."
Fu's face crumpled immediately.
"W-What?" Her voice cracked. "But… but why? Did—did I do something wrong?"
"No," Harry said quickly, reaching out to cup her cheeks with both hands, gently brushing his thumbs under her dampening eyes. "Fu, no. Not at all. This isn't because of anything you did. This battle, the strength I showed to those nin, it will only bring more battles to Takigakure's door."
She sniffled. "Then why? Chōmei doesn't want you to go either. Chōmei says… we can close doors. So they can't follow you. You could stay."
Harry let out a breath of both awe and affection, his lips twitching at her innocence.
"That's a very clever idea," he said softly, "but there are too many doors. Too many who saw what I can do, what Nox is. They'd come eventually and I can't let them hurt anyone here. Not your people. Not you."
Fu's shoulders hunched. "But I don't want you to go…"
"I would take you with me if I could," Harry said gently. "You and Chōmei. But someone would miss you dearly."
Fu's brow furrowed. "Who?"
Harry glanced toward the house beyond the courtyard. "Someone who has tried to protect you in his own awkward way. Someone who's not the best at showing it, but it's there."
"…Hisen?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Harry nodded. "He's a wonderful man. And maybe—if you asked—he'd let you call him something even more important."
Fu blinked at him. "Like what?"
Harry leaned in and whispered, "Father."
She stared at him, wide-eyed, as if he'd handed her the moon. Then slowly, her lips wobbled into a smile. "Do you really think he'd be okay with it?"
"I think he'd be honoured," Harry said solemnly. "You've always had a home here, Fu. You were just waiting to name it."
Fu lunged forward suddenly, throwing her arms around him with a strength that made Harry stagger. "I'm going to miss you," she mumbled into his chest. "Even if you're not really a Kami, I'm still calling you Maashah."
Harry's breath caught. His throat tightening, and for a moment, he couldn't answer. He just held her tightly instead.
Over Fu's shoulder, Shikamaru stood with his hands buried in his sleeves, his face shadowed. Fu turned, wiping her nose roughly.
"You!" she barked at him, pointing. "You ready to get your butt kicked one more time in your old man games?"
Shikamaru blinked, startled.
"You mean shogi?"
"I mean shogi!" she declared. "One more round before you run off with your weird old man!"
Harry gasped dramatically, mouthing the words to himself.
Shikamaru grinned. "Game on, bug-face!"
"Watch it, pineapple-head!"
Laughing, they bolted for the game room, their footsteps echoing down the hall.
Harry chuckled, still kneeling, when a hand appeared in front of him.
Okada.
"You okay?" the guard asked quietly.
Harry took the hand and let himself be pulled to his feet.
"Yeah," he said, clearing his throat. "Just… hard to say goodbye."
Okada watched him a moment, then glanced after the kids. "You certainly made an impression."
Harry let out a soft laugh. "They made one on me too."
There was a pause. Then, in a quieter voice, Harry added, "Maashah… it means 'mother' in my language."
Okada's eyes widened. "Oh…"
Understanding dawned and he squeezed Harry's hand once, firm and sure.
"Then you earned the title. And more. Even if you're a man," he added on a bit humorously.
Harry beamed—flushed, but warm—and Okada, cheeks suspiciously pink, cleared his throat and made a tactical retreat after the children.
~
The sky was cloudless as Nox soared silently through the air, her wings cutting through starlight.
Harry rode in the saddle, one hand steadying Shikamaru, the other resting protectively against Teddy's crib.
Shikamaru leaned into Harry's chest, blanket drawn around both of them.
"Will we ever come back?" he asked softly.
Harry was quiet for a moment.
"One day. I left them a gift," he said. "So we can stay in touch."
Shikamaru glanced up, eyes searching. "…Really?"
Harry smiled. "Really."
The boy snuggled closer and closed his eyes.
"I'm glad."
~ Fu's POV~
Fu woke with sunlight pressing against the screens of her room. Chōmei's voice murmured faintly, sleepy and warm within her mind.
But something tickled her neck, making her sit up.
There—on her pillow—was a note.
And beside it… a necklace and a mirror?
The note was messy, scribbled in uneven strokes and smudged ink. Her reading wasn't perfect, but she pieced it together slowly.
"Dear Fu and Chōmei. This is a gift. The necklace is a beacon of sorts, if you're ever in trouble, smear blood on the back and think of me. But the mirror—it's special. If you ever need me or Shikamaru, say our names. Wait a few days, okay? Unless you're really sad. I will always answer. Love, Hari."
Fu's eyes filled with tears again, but she smiled. Chōmei also feeling in high spirits after being included in the letter.
She cradled the mirror to her chest, heart thudding. Then—
"PAPA!" she screamed, flying out of her room. "PAPA! MAASHAH LEFT ME A PRESENT!"
Hisen stumbled out of the kitchen, his hair mussed, looking ready for war. "What's wrong? Is something—?"
"You said Papa," Shibuki cut in, stepping out behind Hisen, yawning. "Took you long enough, little sis."
Fu froze. Her cheeks turned red. "…I—!"
But Hisen's eyes were wide, stunned. "You… called me…"
She rushed forward and hugged him tight around the waist.
"You're my Papa," she mumbled. "Maashah said I could say it now. That you'd be okay with it."
Hisen didn't answer right away. He just knelt and held her tight.
"I'm more than okay with it," he said, voice thick.
Fu grinned through her tears. Then she pulled back, showing them the necklace and mirror.
"Do you think Okada got one too?" she asked, suddenly excited. "We all match!"
Shibuki blinked. "Wait, we?"
Fu blinked at their necks seeing that both father and brother wore matching pendants.
"Oh!" she gasped. "We do! It's a family gift!"
Shibuki chuckled. "You're such a sappy little sister."
"Shut up!"
Fu twirled on the spot, cradling the mirror and necklace proudly.
"I swear I'll only use it in an emergency!" she shouted. "Or if I really miss Maashah and Shika!"
She ran off again, spinning in circles of joy. Behind her, Hisen and Shibuki watched with soft, quiet smiles.
"…She called me Papa," Hisen said again, voice cracking slightly.
Shibuki grinned. "It's about time."
Okada ran in then, a matching necklace dangling from his open robes as he ran into the room, breathing laboured.
"Hisen-sama! The village—the village is repaired! Even the shrine—"
Hisen smiled, knowing it was Hari who left them one last gift, one that outshone all others.