Harry hadn't expected the day to feel so heavy. Watching Shikaku crumble to his knees and weep for his son had rattled something deep inside him. He'd expected a cold, calculating shinobi—the kind Tsunade sometimes growled about after too much sake. Not this… father. Not this man who held Shikamaru like he'd just reclaimed his heart after losing it at sea.
It made Harry ache with quiet relief.
They had been given guest quarters in the palace—lavish rooms decorated in golden silks and fine woodwork. Shinji had offered them as long a stay as needed. But the moment plans for their return to Konoha were floated, it felt like something tightened around Harry's ribs.
They were leaving soon. Everything was about to change.
And Shikamaru… he had chosen Harry's room again without hesitation, small fingers clinging to Teddy's sling and his dragon egg as they trailed after him through the palace halls. Harry hadn't had the heart to tell him to stop.
So, when Shikaku hesitated at their door that night, Harry did too.
"Um," Harry said, awkwardly clearing his throat as he turned to the older man. "There's… uh. Two beds in the room. The boys usually sleep with me. But if you want to stay—"
Shikaku studied him then. Really studied him.
It made Harry blush.
"I—I can convince Shikamaru to sleep with you instead," Harry stammered, trying not to trip over his words. "If you'd prefer privacy or—"
"Dad! Maashah! It's time for bed!" Shikamaru's voice called from inside the room, sleepy and bossy all at once.
Shikaku's lips twitched.
Harry huffed a quiet laugh and shrugged. "Well. That solves that."
Inside the room, Harry gently peeled Teddy from his shoulder, changing him into a soft cotton onesie. The crib floated quietly beside one of the beds—enchanted to sway if Teddy stirred, and kept just warm enough to mimic a mother's arms. Harry kissed the baby's curls and whispered, "Goodnight, my little wolf," brushing a thumb under his chin.
He didn't realise Shikaku had been watching.
When he turned, the man was silent—eyes dark, but not unreadable. Something warm flickered in them. Something… sad.
Harry turned away too, heart fluttering.
Shikamaru soon emerged from the bathroom, teeth brushed, hair loose, and pyjamas slightly too big on his gangly frame. "I'm ready," he announced, climbing up onto one of the beds and patting the mattress beside him. "Story time?"
Harry smiled. "Demanding as ever."
Shikaku chuckled from the armchair in the corner. "You've got him spoiled."
"He spoils us," Shikamaru said proudly. "Maashah knows all the best stories. About gods and stars and monsters."
"Oh?" Shikaku raised a brow. "Then I'd love to hear one."
Harry pretended to groan. "You two are conspiring against me."
Shikamaru grinned. "Come on, Maashah."
Harry climbed onto the bed beside him, poking his side until Shikamaru snorted and wiggled away. With a flick of his fingers, the lights dimmed, and soft golden sparks drifted from his fingertips into the air.
They began to swirl.
First, a bow.
Then a man aiming into the stars.
Harry's voice dropped into a soft rhythm, fingers twitching to control the spark-show.
"Long ago, there was a man named Orion," he began, "son of Poseidon, god of the seas. He was a mighty hunter, brave and bold. But—like many heroes—he was arrogant. He boasted that no beast could best him. That no creature could outmatch his bow."
Shikaku leaned forward slightly, eyes tracking the moving constellations as golden arrows struck shimmering beasts—lions, boars, wolves.
"Gaia, mother of the earth, didn't like that boast," Harry continued. "So she sent a scorpion, enormous and terrible, to humble him. Orion fought. And fought. But in the end… he fell."
A tiny golden scorpion struck the glittering hunter. The lights flared—then dimmed.
"But the gods saw his bravery. And for that, they placed him in the sky, forever running from the scorpion. If you look up on a clear winter night in a different sky, you'll see him. For the rest of time until the stars die, the scorpion will forever chase him across the heavens."
There was silence when the lights faded. Telling that story always made him think of the cold nights he spent with Flick and the Old One in their forest, when he was first learning to use his magic.
Then Shikamaru whispered, "Tell the one about the sisters next? The ones with the flame."
Harry smiled. "You just want to see the phoenix again."
Shikamaru shrugged.
From the armchair, Shikaku murmured, "You're good with him."
Harry looked over, eyes adjusting to the dim gold. "He's easy to love."
"He's had to be strong for too long," Shikaku said. "He still talks like a little old man, but now… there's light in him again. That's your doing."
Harry ducked his head. "Thank you."
More sparks danced—a blazing phoenix unfurling into the night air.
By the third tale, Shikamaru was curled against Harry's side, breathing slow, egg hugged to his chest.
Harry paused then, letting the lights fade.
Shikaku's voice was soft. "Where did you learn stories like that?"
Harry smiled, not opening his eyes. "Some from books. Some from my people. Some from the stars themselves."
"I can see why he begs for your stories," Shikaku murmured, glancing at his son.
Harry chuckled. "We've spent a lot of nights like this."
The quiet stretched again.
"You're not what I expected," Shikaku said finally.
"Neither are you," Harry replied, just as softly.
When he turned his head, Shikaku was looking at him again—studying, but not unkind. The flickering magic from earlier still shimmered faintly in the air. Harry saw the way the man's chakra seemed to flare in tiny pulses, like he was trying to unravel the illusions, to pierce them.
Harry tilted his head. "Still trying to figure out the tricks?"
"I'm not used to things I can't explain."
Harry smiled crookedly. "I've learned not everything needs explaining."
Silence again.
And then, "he calls you Maashah," Shikaku said. "That means mother."
Harry tensed.
Shikaku's gaze softened. "Don't worry. I'm not here to take that from you."
Harry's heart thudded. "I never meant to replace—"
"I know," Shikaku cut in. "I can see it. The way he looks at you. The way you hold him. You didn't just rescue him. You raised him."
Harry blinked rapidly. "How did you know it meant mother?"
"A ninja from Waterfall told me, said that I didn't have to worry because if anyone deserved the title it was you."
A long beat passed as Harry blushed and cursed Okada for not keeping his silence.
"He'll want us to be friends, you know," Shikaku said at last. "He'll hate it if we're awkward."
Harry gave a watery laugh. "He's already decided we're co-parents."
"He's bossy like that."
"Old man in a child's body," Harry agreed.
They shared a quiet smile.
Eventually, Shikaku stood and crossed to the second bed. He looked down at his son, then back at Harry.
"Rest, Hari," he said, and the way he said it—Hari, not Hari-sama, not stranger—made something in Harry's chest ease.
"You too, Shikaku."
~
Harry awoke early.
The sky outside was still dark, just a whisper of lavender smudging the horizon. His body knew it was too early, but rest had abandoned him hours ago. The warmth of the room, the presence of Shikaku in the bed beside his sons, was grounding—and yet his mind stirred with all the weight of their decisions. Moving to Konoha. Trusting strangers. Binding futures together.
He moved quietly, and flicked a silencing charm around the bed. Shikaku looked... tense, even in sleep. His brow furrowed, jaw tight. He looked like a man ready to spring up swinging.
Harry padded silently to the hearth, pausing by Teddy's floating crib. The boy snuffled gently in his sleep, fingers curled around his favourite dragon plush. A little drool glistened at the corner of his mouth. Harry smiled and brushed it away.
Then, gently, he pried the dragon egg from Shikamaru's clutching arms, whispering a soft apology when the boy murmured in protest. The egg was warm, the faintest glow emanating beneath the shell—so faint, one might think it imagined. Harry stepped barefoot across the room and knelt by the cold hearth. With a flick of his fingers, fire bloomed silently to life, curling golden-orange around the edges.
The egg nestled in, completely unharmed. The fire shaped around it like a protective nest, welcoming rather than consuming.
Satisfied, Harry stood and stretched. The day ahead was going to be long.
There were documents still to complete—official ones. Paperwork for the Daimyo's steward, finalising the Ryūjin Clan's legitimisation within Fire Country. The steward would want names, a statement of values, and of course, a crest. That last part had him stuck.
He sat cross-legged at the low table, papers spread around him, quill enchanted to follow the lines of his writing without a sound. Shizune had helped fill in many of the cultural blanks yesterday, but the crest—
He had too many to choose from. The Potter coat of arms, the Black family seal, even the Slytherin. He'd considered a dragon, of course. But it felt too obvious.
And then he thought of the Peverells.
The ritual that brought him here had its roots in their lost legacy. If he owed anyone for this strange, bittersweet second chance at a family… it was them.
He sketched the symbol gently on a fresh sheet of parchment. A vertical line, a circle, a triangle. Subtle. Elegant. Unmistakable.
Then, just to be safe, he made three copies of the entire packet—spelled to alert him if tampered with. The originals he sealed with wax and bound with an indestructible charm.
"Paranoid git," he muttered to himself.
A soft whimper behind him interrupted his thoughts.
Harry rose immediately, casting a glance at the bed. The silencing charm held firm, keeping the little cries from waking the others. He was grateful for that—Shikaku and Shikamaru were sprawled in identical positions: flat on their backs, arms flopped over their heads, mouths open. Little puffs of air left them in sync.
Harry stifled a laugh.
They really were alike.
He leaned into the crib and lifted Teddy into his arms. The baby blinked up at him with tear-damp lashes, fingers already grasping at Harry's shirt.
"There you are, my Teddy bear," Harry murmured. "You hungry, sweetheart?"
A sleepy coo answered him.
Harry rubbed his back gently, muttering a warming charm over a bottle from the baby bag. Teddy latched on immediately, sucking greedily, one tiny fist wrapped around Harry's sleeve.
He stood by the window, rocking side to side. The horizon was brighter now, pale orange creeping above the rooftops. Morning would be here soon.
Unseen behind him, a pair of brown eyes watched sleepily from the bed—half-lidded, content. Shikaku didn't move, but he watched the way Harry held his son with practiced care, the way his silhouette moved like a lullaby. The sight soothed something in him and he closed his eyes again, succumbing to sleep once more.
When Harry finally lifted the silencing charm an hour later, it startled Shikaku awake.
His training kicked in—shoulders tensing, eyes snapping open—but he stilled himself before reacting. It only took a second to assess; he was safe. The room was warm, the fire burning low. His son was in bed. And Hari was kneeling in front of Shikamaru gently brushing the hair from Shikamaru's face.
"Time to wake up, starlight," he whispered.
The boy groaned, snuggling deeper into the covers. Teddy had already crawled halfway across the bed, fingers poking at Shikamaru's nose and cheeks, sticky with drool and sleepy affection.
"Maaa, stop him," Shikamaru giggled, flailing an arm.
Teddy gave him a big wet kiss to the chin and giggled madly.
Harry laughed softly. "That's what you get for sleeping in."
"Where's Egg?" Shikamaru mumbled.
"In the hearth," Harry replied. "Safe and warm. Right where it needs to be."
The boy visibly relaxed. "Oh. Okay." He hesitated. "Maashah… can you…?"
He held out a familiar old hair tie—one with the Nara clan symbol.
He took it gently and motioned for the boy to turn around. "Of course."
As he brushed Shikamaru's thick hair into the signature Nara style—the same style the boy once abandoned to avoid recognition—Harry marvelled at the resemblance. The high ponytail, spiked at the ends, was unmistakable.
He could see Shikaku's outline in his son. Could see the bloodline in his posture, in the way Shikamaru sat so still and calm, despite his young age.
"You look just like your father," Harry murmured.
Shikaku, behind him now fully awake, smirked faintly.
"He does, doesn't he?" came the gruff voice.
Harry looked up realising Shikaku was awake now. "Hmm?"
Shikaku let out a shaky breath.
"You look rested," Harry offered gently. "If you want more sleep, I can take the boys for breakfast—"
"Most people don't ask a Nara if they want more sleep," Shikaku said with a small smirk. "We're famous for it."
Harry blinked. "You are?"
Shikaku chuckled. "High intellect drains chakra. Makes naps essential."
Harry looked concerned. "Should Shikamaru be sleeping more? I didn't—"
"He's getting plenty," Shikaku said, waving him off. "Honestly? He's got more energy now than I've ever seen. Whatever you've been feeding him, keep at it."
Harry chuckled, wondering if his blood had anything to do with it. Shikamaru has been more excitable since the adoption.
There was silence for a few moments.
And then Harry noticed something.
Shikaku had slept shirtless. And now that the blanket had slid lower, Harry had a front-row view.
Muscles. Broad shoulders. A tapered waist. His skin was dusted with dark hair over his chest, a trail leading beneath the waistband of his pants. And scars—old ones, pale against his tanned skin. One above the hip, one over the ribs.
Harry swallowed.
Hard.
And promptly turned away, ears bright pink.
Shikaku, of course, noticed.
A smirk tugged at his lips, and he flexed slightly—just enough for his muscles to shift beneath his skin. He watched Harry fumble with Teddy's bottle and excuse himself with the most stammering nonsense he'd ever heard.
"I'm—uh—I think I'll take Teddy to get dressed. Shikamaru, you almost ready?"
The boy, now dressed and brushing his teeth in the bathroom, called out, "Almost done!"
Harry disappeared into the bathroom with a red face, and Shikaku let out a quiet chuckle.
This was going to be interesting.
And maybe… just maybe, good.
Really good.
~
By the time Harry was done thoroughly chastising himself for being so obvious in his admiration of Shikaku, he wandered back into the main room only to find both Nara lounging lazily in the armchairs as if they'd never moved. Shikamaru was clearly basking in the attention, happy and content, while wearing his newly tied clan ponytail with far too much pride for someone who usually thought doing anything was too troublesome.
They were talking—of all things—about food.
"You've been spoiling him," Shikaku smirked without even looking up, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the armrest. His voice held the tone of someone long used to pointing out the obvious.
Harry snorted, trying to hide his smile as he flopped down onto the empty couch across from them. "Guilty," he admitted with a dramatic shrug, eyes dancing with mirth. "But to be fair, he has very good taste in food."
"I do," Shikamaru said proudly, though he slouched further into the chair like a cat sunning itself. "That grilled salmon with miso was amazing."
"I'll try and make it again, but you'll have to help me. Fair's fair."
"Troublesome," Shikamaru muttered, though he didn't actually say no.
Harry turned to Shikaku, a thoughtful expression softening his features. "Speaking of food… we found those rice cakes— the ones from Earth Country with the nutty red bean filling. You apparently said they were the best you ever had."
The older man's eyes widened, and a strangled sound caught in his throat. "He… remembered that?" Shikaku asked, voice hoarse with disbelief.
Harry nodded, his voice gentle, a private kind of quiet. "I think he remembers everything you've told him."
For a moment, Shikaku looked dangerously close to tearing up. He cleared his throat, blinking rapidly, and turned away under the guise of reaching for a nearby cup of tea. Harry, ever considerate, let the moment pass without comment, pretending not to notice how deeply affected Shikaku had become.
Instead, he rose and nudged Shikamaru lightly with a hip. "Come on, sleepyhead. Let's go get some breakfast before I start hiding vegetables in your dango."
"You would never," Shikamaru mumbled, but he stood up with a dramatic sigh and followed Harry out of the room.
The morning sun was already climbing when they arrived in one of the smaller parlours where breakfast was laid out. Asuma was already there, sipping from a mug and lazily buttering a piece of toast.
"Shinji's got lessons," he said by way of greeting, mouth full. "Can't be missing them—Tanaka'd have my hide."
He waved a hand toward a table where Ensui, Kakashi, and Shibi were already seated, engaged in some mild debate. Tsunade, for her part, was slouched over at the far end, chin propped in her palm, clearly trying and failing to stay awake. Harry arched a brow, stepping lightly over and tugging playfully at her ponytail.
"Tsunade," he sing-songed, "it's time to wake up, cousin."
At that single word, the room went completely silent.
Even the sound of chewing stopped. Cups were suspended in mid-air. Chairs creaked as everyone present turned, one by one, to stare at him.
"Cousin?!" half the room echoed in astonishment.
Shikaku, by contrast, looked remarkably unsurprised—more like someone who had just had a long-standing theory validated and was internally patting himself on the back.
Tsunade smirked into her palm and lifted her head to meet Harry's eyes, both of them clearly enjoying the shock value.
Harry took mercy and explained, "Hashirama's grandfather was my many-times-great uncle."
He didn't technically lie. Not quite. He simply didn't clarify that the connection involved near-millennial timelines and a wizarding bloodline most of them would never understand.
Asuma groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Of course," he muttered. "The damn necklace should've been a giveaway."
He grinned wryly, gesturing to the gem still hanging from Harry's throat. "Why didn't you just join the Senju clan officially?"
"I don't have Senju blood," Harry replied easily, eyes twinkling. "Tsunade has my family's blood."
Tsunade raised her sake cup in toast. "A lot of the gifts that manifested in the Senju," she said casually, "came from the Peverell line. Not the other way around."
There was a low, collective murmur of disbelief, eyes narrowing and widening across the room.
Harry added, "Besides, I can't allow my family—or any of our bloodlines—to be taken advantage of. Having a royal decree helps. Means we're protected. Even if it does mean I have to write reports to the Daimyo after every single clan meeting." He groaned. "I already have so much paperwork. It's not fair."
He shot Tsunade a look of exaggerated suffering.
"At least," he added with mock bitterness, "my dear cousin will now be sharing my misery."
Shikaku chuckled under his breath. "So Tsunade's coming back to the village… properly?"
Tsunade rolled her eyes, but her smirk didn't fade. "Yeah," she said. "I've decided to settle in for a while."
Asuma let out a bark of laughter. "Bet the old man's gonna love that."
Kakashi arched a brow behind his mask. "… will you be joining the mission rota again?"
Tsunade shot him a narrow-eyed glare. "No. I'll be staying in the village. Focusing on the hospital. It's probably a dump by now."
She and Harry shared a look—one that suggested their return had far deeper motives than simple infrastructure.
After breakfast, Harry handed Teddy a small snack and coaxed Shikamaru into eating more than three bites, before turning back to Tsunade with a thick folder of paperwork.
"You sure about this?" he asked.
Tsunade nodded once. "Yeah, brat. There's not enough Senju left to fill the whole compound. What harm is there in giving you half?"
A pin could have dropped in the silence that followed.
Asuma nearly dropped his tea. "You're… separating the Senju compound?" he asked, dumbfounded. "That's unheard of."
"Most clans are stuck-up greedy snobs," Tsunade replied dryly. "No offense."
"Taken," Shibi muttered, adjusting his glasses.
Harry laughed and added, "The Daimyo's steward got a detailed map of the entire estate. Asked me to mark what I needed." He smiled at Tsunade. "I let her do it instead."
She smirked, clearly proud of her decision. "Split it right down the middle. Gave him the half closer to the Nara grounds."
Shikamaru had been unusually quiet during all this, but his eyes widened as the implications hit him. He looked up at Harry, lower lip wobbling slightly.
"You… you really want to be that close?"
Harry softened immediately, leaning in to kiss Shikamaru's forehead. "Of course I do."
Then, hesitating slightly, he glanced at Shikaku, whose face was unreadable. His heart thudded uncomfortably in his chest.
"I, uh," Harry cleared his throat, "I hope I'm not overstepping. But I wanted to be nearby. Just in case."
Shikaku looked at him for a long, unreadable moment. Then he cracked a small smirk.
"Bedtime stories'll be easier if you're next door."
Relief and warmth bloomed in Harry's chest, and he returned the smirk with a beaming grin.
Kakashi, ever suspicious, narrowed his eye. "Tsunade-sama… why would you just give away half your clan's land?"
He glanced between her and Harry with exaggerated suspicion, as though waiting for a hidden genjutsu to unravel.
Tsunade just snorted and grabbed the pen. "Because I can, Hatake."
She signed the documents with a flourish, and Harry handed her a slim black briefcase. It looked plain, but the locking rune on the handle shimmered faintly.
"What's this?" she asked, lifting it easily in one hand. "More paperwork?"
Harry grinned. "No matter what you say, I'm not accepting a gift that valuable without paying for it. Family or not."
Tsunade scowled. "I said—"
"If you don't take it, I'll find a way to deposit it in your bank account."
She sighed, clearly preparing another argument, but curiosity got the better of her. She clicked the case open—
—and gasped.
Shizune, peeking over her shoulder, went visibly pale. "Are… are those real?"
Harry, slightly offended, crossed his arms. "Of course they are!"
He leaned against the table. "I don't have a bank account here yet, so they'll will have to do. Eight of them. Worth over a hundred million ryo. Is that enough? It is a big compound, even split in half."
Tsunade let out a distinctly undignified squeal and—without hesitation—rubbed one of the bars against her cheek like a cat claiming a new toy.
Every man in the room stared.
Harry snorted, thoroughly amused. "I could have given it to you in coins, if you wanted to roll around in it."
Shizune was still gaping. "How did you even get gold bars?"
Before Harry could answer, Shikamaru chimed in—voice far too innocent for his own good.
"Maashah has vaults of gold. And jewels. And—"
"Shika!" Harry groaned, burying his face in his hands. "We don't share finances outside of family!"
Shikamaru just shrugged. "Tsunade is family. Dad and Cousin Ensui are family too."
The aforementioned men smirked together in amused solidarity at someone else having to deal with a brat with Nara snark for once.
Harry chuckled, ruffling Shikamaru's hair. "Well, I was the head of four clans back in my homeland. Three of them came with substantial wealth. It wasn't a big deal—most of it went into feeding the dragons before I established my own livestock farms."
Shikaku raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "You're a long way from home if it took a comet to bring you to the Land of Fire."
Harry's smile faltered, his gaze drifting to the flickering flames in the hearth. Memories of his arrival, the pain of realising Luna hadn't come with him, and the overwhelming sense of loss that washed over him.
Asuma, noticing the change in Harry's demeanour, stepped in. "It was quite the sight when that comet crashed right in front of us. Even more so when he summoned a dragon."
Harry snapped out of his reverie, smirking. "You're lucky you protected Teddy, or Nox would have burned you all to a crisp."
Asuma grinned, leaning closer. "Maybe I wouldn't mind a little heat if it means getting your attention."
Shikamaru's eyes narrowed, his voice a mutter. "Nox should burn you anyway."
Shikaku shot his son a look but couldn't suppress a smirk agreeing with his son, the feeling of jealousy in his chest undeniable.
Shibi, seated farther away, adjusted his glasses. "Where have these dragon summons been all these centuries? Dragons were only myth until recently."
Harry groaned, rubbing his temples. "Okay, I need clarification. I've heard about toad and slug summons. Tsunade, this squirt says you can summon slugs, and apparently, a toad saved the village. What kind of magical creatures are these? Snakes I can understand—even I can summon a wild snake—but how can a slug heal people?"
Tsunade looked offended, crossing her arms. "Katsuyu, my summon, can heal hundreds with her chakra. She can flatten a medium-sized village if fully summoned."
Harry blinked. "Wait, slugs can be that big?"
Shikaku chuckled. "Shikamaru probably forgot to mention that summons can be as tall as buildings. They have unique gifts, and chakra strengthens them."
Ensui leaned forward, curiosity piqued. "Why don't you know this, considering your dragon summons?"
Harry looked slightly offended. "I made no contract with them. They're my family. We don't need a contract."
Shikamaru beamed. "Nox said that when Maashah laid her egg and hatched her, they formed a bond deeper than any familiar."
Harry's eyes widened in horror. "Laid her egg?"
Kakashi looked pale, even behind his mask. "You birthed the dragons?"
Asuma smirked. "Maybe the rumours of him being a god are true. Is this even his real form?"
Shikaku, Shibi, and Ensui looked frozen and stared wide-eyed at Harry.
Harry waved his hands frantically. "I've NEVER laid an egg in my life!"
Shikamaru looked confused. "But Nox said you did."
Harry laughed in disbelief. "She was joking, Shikamaru. At least, I hope she was."
He took a deep breath pushing down his disbelief.
"I was there when her egg hatched. I was the first person she saw. It helped that I could communicate with her and raised her, she's not even seven years old yet."
Shikamaru pouted. "Nox says I'm her little brother, so that means she's your daughter."
Harry nodded. "Of course she is, the dragons are my children, my family. They always will be."
Shikamaru turned to his father. "When my egg hatches, I'll be an uncle because the egg came from Nox, and she made it just for me."
Harry interjected, sending Shikaku a serious look. "We have a lot to discuss—clan matters, knowledge that needs to be shared so I can protect Shikamaru and his dragon."
Shikaku nodded solemnly. "I'm honoured that you've shared your clan gift with my son. But I agree that we need to ensure no one takes advantage of it."
Harry smiled in relief. "Can it wait until we reach Konoha? There are things I'll only share with you as Shikamaru's father."
Ensui pouted playfully. "I'm family too, you know."
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Shut up, brat. This isn't something everyone should know."
Harry chuckled, the warmth of the room and the presence of his newfound family easing the weight of his responsibilities. It wouldn't last, there was a lot to tell Shikaku still, especially the blood adoption and what it means for their son.
~
The rest of the day had passed in a blur of goodbyes, ceremony, and thinly veiled political manoeuvring. Harry stood tall and graceful—cloaked in robes of deep midnight blue embroidered with silvery threads shaped like protective runes and dragons—as he accepted the Clan seal and an official scroll from Shinji, the royal court gathered in all its pomp and self-importance. Advisors flanked the dais like vultures, spouting effusive praise as they clambered to earn the favour of the "Great Maashah." Harry, practiced in court politics from a young age, only smiled politely as he returned pleasantries laced with subtle barbs and graceful redirections.
Shikaku stood off to the side with his arms folded, a grin tugging at his mouth as he watched Harry manoeuvre through the political jungle like a seasoned shinobi through enemy traps.
Later, back in the privacy of their guest quarters, Shikaku chuckled and nudged Harry with an elbow. "You have a skilled tongue," he said with that lazy grin. "With those silvered words, you could waltz into a council meeting and have half of them eating out of your palm."
Harry snorted, loosening the formal wrap around his shoulders and falling onto a cushion beside him. "Don't tempt me. I've had enough council meetings to last a lifetime. Back home, I was tossed into the political arena at fourteen. Forced to claw my way through the smirks and scorn of politicians three times my age who couldn't believe a teenager could run circles around them."
Shikaku raised a brow. "Fourteen, huh? That's around the time I was figuring out how to fake a nap in mission briefings."
A small chuckle escaped Harry, and something in the warmth of it made Shikaku pause. The moment lengthened, stretching into something quieter, something… more relaxed. Shikaku leaned slightly closer, his eyes flickering over Harry's lounged body. But before either of them could move—or not move—further, a cheerful, "Maashah!" called from the courtyard broke the tension like a snapped string.
They both jumped slightly, and Shikaku quickly looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. Harry exhaled, lips twitching in bemusement.
Outside, Shikamaru was crouched in the courtyard with Teddy crawling toward him. "He won't walk for me, he wants to be carried," Shikamaru muttered as he reached out to steady the baby. Teddy squealed and latched onto his sleeve.
"You're lucky he loves you," Harry said from the doorway, arms folded as he teased. "Otherwise he'd have bit you already with his tiny baby teeth for not bowing down to his demands."
Teddy cooed and tugged Shikamaru's hair affectionately in reply.
The following morning was clear, the sky a soft pale blue as dawn bathed the palace walls in warm light. In Shinji's private courtyard, Nox waited, wings partially unfurled, great obsidian scales gleaming.
Shinji stood beside her, eyes red-rimmed, but chin held high. "You're really going again," he said quietly as Harry stepped up, Shikamaru holding one of his hands and Teddy strapped snugly to his chest.
Harry nodded, then reached out to ruffle Shinji's hair. "You'll be alright. Don't forget what I told you—if your father slips, you contact me. And if you're ever in trouble you call me. The pendant I gave you will do the work. Just a smear of blood."
Shinji nodded. "And I can really visit you in Konoha?"
"You'll have a room in our home. Always."
That made the young prince tear up again. He startled Shikamaru then with a sudden hug, and even more surprisingly, Shikamaru didn't recoil. "I'll miss you brat," Shinji whispered.
"...Yeah," Shikamaru muttered, awkwardly patting his back. "Well... don't get yourself hurt. You're annoying, but you're... okay."
Teddy chirped from his perch, stretching toward the prince, who grinned and scooped the baby into his arms for one last cuddle. "He gives the best cuddles," Shinji sighed wistfully.
Tanaka, stoic as ever, bowed low. "Lord Ryūjin. I wish you and your clan safe travels. It was an honour."
"The honour was mine," Harry said genuinely. "Thank you for your hospitality."
Asuma chose this moment to sidle up beside them, one eyebrow cocked and that damnable smirk on his face. "You know," he drawled, "next time you drop in, maybe leave the kids at home. We could have a... private reunion. Candlelight, good sake, just you and me."
Harry blinked at him. "A reunion huh? How could I—"
Before Harry could fully respond with a teasing quip, a furious voice shrieked, "Stay away from my Maashah!"
Shikamaru lunged at Asuma, fists swinging with all the fury of a small hurricane. "Nox! Get him!"
The great dragon, rather than being alarmed, let out a low amused rumble, her serpentine head lowering to inspect the situation. Then she hissed in Parseltongue.
"Mother needs a mate. How else will we get more siblings?"
"He can just adopt another brother though!"
Harry blanched. "Nox! Shikamaru!"
"He can bear his own hatchlings; the smoking man would be a strong mate."
Shikamaru, however, turned wide eyes on her. "If he's going to mate anyone, it's going to be my dad!"
The courtyard fell into stunned silence as Shikamaru shouted that in Japanese.
Harry groaned, covering his face, "Oh Merlin."
Across the way, Shikaku choked on a breath and stared at his son. "Excuse me?!"
"Maashah doesn't need the smoking man to be his mate," Shikamaru shot back, arms crossed.
Harry was now physically holding his own face in both hands.
Shikaku, meanwhile, looked like he didn't know whether to be mortified or proud. "What were you saying to the dragon, exactly?"
Before Shikamaru could spill more secrets, Harry lunged and clamped a hand over the boy's mouth, his eyes wide in panic. "Nothing! He said nothing! And he is in so much trouble."
Tsunade, watching from the steps with her arms crossed, was laughing silently, shoulders shaking. She'd warned Harry he should be careful about all those looks he gave Shikaku the day before. Now it was all unravelling. And deliciously so.
Harry sighed, still half holding Shikamaru. "Some things," he said sternly, "are not meant to be discussed in public."
"But—" Shikamaru started.
Harry ruffled his hair aggressively. "No buts. And you never tell Nox to get someone unless you're in danger. You're lucky she knows the difference."
He handed over a warm egg, pressing it into the boy's hands. "Now, take care of this properly and we will talk more later."
Shikamaru nodded a little chastised and embarrassed to be scolded, instantly distracted by the egg, already murmuring to it, leaving Harry to avoid the smug or laughing looks of everyone around him.
Travel plans had been made the night before: they'd journey on foot through the forest paths toward Konoha, keeping a low profile. Nox would fly high and scout, only to be summoned back if needed.
Harry stood before her now, pressing his forehead gently to her massive snout. "I know you hate flying without me," he murmured, "but I'll call if we need you."
"You'd better," Nox huffed.
With a theatrical flourish of her wings and a tail-flick that nearly knocked over a guard tower, Nox launched into the sky with a roar that echoed for miles.
As they exited the palace and made their way through the capital toward the gates, Harry began to feel the familiar press of stares and the weight of expectation.
"Maashah!" came the cries.
Hands reached out, offering food, asking for blessings, hand-carved trinkets, scraps of cloth, and paper talismans. They called to him like he was a god.
"Maashah, bless my daughter!"
"Maashah, take this charm for your journey!"
Teddy whimpered, face scrunching, the press of unfamiliar scents and sounds too much for his small senses. Shikamaru clung close to Harry's cloak.
Harry smiled and offered kind words, but tension was threading through his shoulders.
When Teddy started crying, loud and hiccupping, Harry grimaced and looked ready to bolt.
Shikaku took one look at him and barked an order. "Ensui! Pick up Shikamaru. We're moving."
Harry blinked as arms suddenly scooped him up—bridal style, Teddy carefully tucked on his chest.
"Wha—Shikaku, put me down!"
"Buckle up, princess," Shikaku said smugly. "Can't have your worshippers tearing you apart for a piece of the Great Mother."
He leapt to the rooftops, the others quickly following suit.
Harry shrieked quietly before burying his face in Shikaku's flak vest, left open with a mesh top that did nothing to cover the mans chest. Unfortunately, that put him nose to pec—and oh no, now he was thinking about how firm Shikaku's chest was under that mesh.
He silently begged the gods to smite him.
And was that a flex? Had the man just flexed? And is that his nipple right by his mouth? Gods this was torture…
Behind them, Tsunade and Shikamaru exchanged a high-five.
Once the capital gates vanished behind them and the forest embraced them once more, Shikaku finally slowed and dropped down onto a soft patch of moss.
"You can put me down now," Harry muttered, cheeks pink.
Shikaku blinked, almost startled, then gently let him go. "Right."
Harry immediately shushed Teddy, bouncing him. "There we go, little wolf. You did so well."
"Shikkaaa," Teddy sniffled, reaching out for his big brother.
Shikamaru bounded over and let his little brother tug his hair, cooing nonsense words.
Harry looked at them, something soft and fierce in his gaze. His boys.
As Kakashi adjusted his gloves, he looked around the clearing. "Alright. From here on, we should run in the trees. We've got a few days before the mission deadline is up."
Harry blinked. "Run in the trees?"
Kakashi turned toward him with that ever-present calm, one eye squinting as though this should be obvious.
"Yes," Kakashi replied. "Tree running. Faster, safer, less likely to leave tracks."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Kakashi, I'm not a ninja." Getting disbelieving looks from nearly all the ninja present.
Tsunade snorted from where she was checking her gear. "He's right. Hari hasn't been trained in tree-walking—chakra control, not to mention it'd require using chakra in the first place."
Shibi, who had been keeping a deliberate and somewhat suspicious distance from Harry, spoke for the first time since they'd started that morning. His voice was measured but respectful.
"I can confirm Tsunade-sama's analysis. Hari-sama does not use chakra. Not in the way shinobi do."
There was a flicker of curiosity that passed through the gathered ninja like a quiet wind. They all looked at Harry—some openly, some with subtle glances—but none pressed further. Harry appreciated that. Still, he felt the moment hang in the air like an unsaid question.
"I do have a flying carpet," Harry offered, adjusting the strap of his bag. "Slower than my dragon, but it'll keep up with you. I can follow from above."
Four heads tilted slightly, synchronously.
"Flying carpet?" Ensui mouthed to Shikaku.
Kakashi looked back at him. "Flying... carpet?" he echoed, as though just saying the words tasted funny.
Kakashi frowned again. "Like... it flies?"
Tsunade sighed, raising a hand and whacking Kakashi on the back of the head.
"It's a suitable mode of transportation," she said flatly, as if daring anyone to argue.
Kakashi rubbed the back of his head. "It's not that I doubt it… but how do we keep Hari and the children safe if they're in the air, completely separated from the group?"
"I'll go with them," Shikaku said suddenly.
Harry blinked, startled by the easy confidence in the man's voice. Shikaku gave a shrug that was almost casual.
"Call it curiosity. I'm not thrilled about being separated from my son again anyway." He turned to Harry with a faint, assessing smile. "Besides, I wouldn't mind getting to know the man my son's been bragging about."
Harry's lips twitched in amusement. "There's a lot to brag about."
"I like long stories."
With that, Harry reached into his bag and pulled out a shrunken square of enchanted carpet, no larger than a scarf. With a casual flick of his hand, he unshrunk it, the carpet expanding with a shimmer of magic until it floated several inches above the grass.
Ensui let out a sound that was somewhere between awe and confusion. "It's real!"
He moved around the carpet, waving his hands under and over it as if looking for strings or jutsu lines. "No chakra?" he muttered. "No strings? Nothing?"
Harry chuckled. "There's room for one more, if someone else wants to come up."
"I volunteer," Ensui said immediately, raising his hand like an overeager student. Shizune shot him a small glare, and Harry had the distinct impression she was beginning to warm to the idea of flying—just not enough to fight for it.
Shikamaru hopped onto the carpet with the casual confidence of someone who'd done it before. He turned and grinned at his father and cousin.
"You can't fall off. If you walk to the edge while it's flying, it just bounces you back."
Shikaku gave a low hum and rolled his shoulders. "Alright. Kakashi, start running. We'll follow from above."
Kakashi nodded, mask twitching in amusement. "Don't hit a bird."
As the group of Leaf ninja disappeared into the trees, Harry tapped the edge of the carpet with his hand. It lifted smoothly into the air.
Ensui let out what could only be described as a very manly shriek, clinging to the edge as they soared upward.
"WE'RE NOT EVEN THAT HIGH!" Shikamaru yelled over the wind, laughing his head off.
Shikaku had gone pale, clutching his son with one hand and the edge of the carpet with the other. "You didn't mention heights."
"I figured it was obvious," Harry called back, glancing at Shikaku with concern. "You good?"
Shikaku took a deep breath, his face a shade lighter than parchment. "I'm fine."
Harry smirked. "Better buckle up. You're the princess now."
That earned a bark of laughter from the older Nara, who loosened his grip on his son just a bit.
They flew for a few hours, the green blur of the forest passing beneath them like a living sea. The carpet moved in wide arcs, sometimes dipping low enough to see the team through the trees, sometimes high enough to catch the warmth of the sun.
During the flight, Shikaku and Ensui took turns telling Harry about Konoha—about the sprawling village hidden beneath forest canopy, about clan histories, strange festivals involving masked animals, the war monuments, the shops that carried the best dango and BBQ.
If Harry hadn't known about the darker undercurrents—the corrupt council, the kidnapped children, the bloodied past—it might have sounded like an idyllic little haven.
Around noon, Harry leaned forward. "We need to stop. Teddy's getting restless, and I want to let him stretch his legs."
Shikaku gave a small nod and closed his eyes for a moment. Harry suddenly felt a ripple—a pulse of chakra that shot outward like a sonar.
His head whipped toward the man. "What was that?"
Shikaku opened one eye. "You felt that?"
"I can sense a lot of things," Harry admitted, "but I can feel... energy. Living things. When it shifts, when it pulses. It's different from mine, but... not that different."
Shikaku hummed in interest. "I sent a chakra ping to Shibi. He'll relay the message that we're stopping."
They descended into a lovely clearing surrounded by soft-leaved trees and a gentle brook. No chakra signatures, no magical pulses, no lurking threats. Just quiet.
Harry reached into his pack and pulled out a picnic basket, setting it down and flicking it open.
Ensui stared. "How do you fit that in there? Is it storage sealed?"
"Sort of. My people use something similar to seals." Harry passed him the bag. "Here. Try it. Think of chopsticks."
Ensui frowned, closed his eyes, and reached into the bag. His eyes flew open as something tapped his fingers in the infinite space. When he pulled out a bundle of chopsticks, he let out a short gasp.
"This... is worth a fortune."
Shikaku chuckled, pulling out a thermos and some rice balls from the basket. "You ever thought of going into business? Outside of raising kids and clan meetings, I mean."
Harry laughed. "I'll be busy. Teaching Tsunade some of my healing techniques. Training. Helping Shikamaru with his dragon. There's a lot more he needs to learn."
"Well, you're welcome in the Nara compound anytime," Shikaku said, looking at him seriously. "My mother would murder me if I said otherwise."
Shikamaru looked up from where he was unpacking lunch. "Grandma's mad?"
Shikaku pulled his son into a side hug. "No. She's worried. We all were. And maybe a little angry."
Shikamaru blinked. "At Maashah?"
Shikaku chuckled. "Not at all. She ordered me to bring back you and your saviour."
Harry looked down at the grass, touched. They didn't even know him. Just had the word of a couple of foreign ninja and a prince. And yet... they trusted him. That warmth stirred in his chest again.
At that moment, Teddy toddled over on wobbly legs, cheeks puffed in frustration. He tugged at his own curls and babbled something at Harry, looking upset.
"Oh," Harry sighed. "I'm sorry, darling."
He looked up at the others. "Don't be alarmed—Teddy can change his hair and eyes. But I had to put a…seal on him to stop it for the past few days. Too many people were watching."
"Change his hair?" Ensui asked, mouth slightly open.
Harry reached out, muttered a soft spell, and the charm lifted with a shimmer.
Teddy squealed in delight as his brown curls shifted into a glowing rainbow, then ran toward Shikamaru and launched himself into Shikaku's lap.
The elder Nara blinked, startled, but caught the boy gently.
"Shika," Teddy said, pointing to the smaller version standing nearby.
Shikaku smiled and waved Harry off when he moved to take Teddy back.
"I'm Shikaku," he said softly.
Shikamaru beamed. "Teddy, this is my dad, remember?"
Then Teddy said something that made Harry freeze.
"DA!"
The word was triumphant, innocent—and it cut right through him. Pride. Pain. A small piece of his heart twisted. Teddy didn't have a father. Not really. Harry was both mother and father. But still...
Teddy's hair morphed again, turning into a dark, spiky mess that looked almost exactly like Shikamaru's usual bedhead.
Shikaku's jaw actually dropped. "He looks like..."
Harry stepped forward gently and scooped Teddy up off the mans lap. "I'm sorry. He doesn't understand the meaning. He copies Shikamaru a lot."
Shikamaru reached for one of the spare hair ties around his father's wrist. "Can I?" he asked.
Shikaku handed it over wordlessly.
Shikamaru pulled Teddy into his lap, tongue poking out in concentration, and tied the baby's messy hair into a tiny spiky ponytail.
Harry clutched at his heart. "That's illegal levels of cute."
And then Tsunade's voice cut in, teasing and warm.
"Well. I didn't expect you and Shikaku to have a kid so soon, Hari."
Both men stammered.
"What? No, he's—"
"—be funny—"
"—that's not—"
"—we're not—"
Tsunade laughed.
Harry rolled his eyes and leaned into the moment. "Guess we're just that fast, huh?"
Shikaku smirked. "And here I thought I'd have time to court you first."
Shikamaru groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Adults are so embarrassing."
"Don't worry," Harry said, ruffling his hair. "You'll get there too."
Shikaku grinned. "And you'll be just like your Maashah."
And all Harry could think, looking at his son, his boy, and the man who looked so much like him was… if only you knew.
~
They hadn't come across many villages on the road to Konoha, and with the sun beginning to set behind the thick treetops, the group agreed to make camp for the night. The trees in this part of Fire Country stood tall and old, whispering in the breeze as if they, too, held secrets.
Harry leaned toward Tsunade, keeping his voice low. "Would it be too much if I pulled out the magical tent?" he asked, glancing around the clearing. "I don't want to make a scene."
Tsunade raised a brow and smirked. "You already showed them you can make your bag swallow a tea set. A tent won't tip the scale." Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial murmur. "Besides, after all you've revealed, what's one more magical marvel?"
Harry nodded, biting the inside of his cheek. Whispering a soft incantation, he summoned the rolled-up magical tent from his enchanted backpack, doing his best to set it up the muggle way, hammering down stakes and pulling at canvas lines.
Once the last rope was pulled taut, Harry stood and dusted his hands. "Alright. The inside's… well, let's just say it's bigger. You're welcome to stay inside if you prefer not to camp outdoors tonight."
Ensui elbowed Shikaku playfully. "Maybe he just wants to share his tent with his courter," he whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear.
Harry ignored the jab and waved his hand, gesturing toward the entrance. "There are plenty of rooms. Like my bag, it's expanded on the inside. No one needs to sleep under the stars unless they want to."
Tsunade gave a huff of amusement and strode forward. "I'll take a bed and a pillow that isn't a rock, thank you," she said, striding inside with Shizune close behind.
Shikamaru wasted no time, racing forward with Teddy squealing after him. Their laughter echoed faintly before the tent flap swung closed.
A low rumble shook the ground as Nox arrived, settling down protectively around the camp's edge. The forest protested as several trees cracked under her immense weight, but she was already snoring by the time Harry finished casting subtle wards around their perimeter.
Harry looked toward Shibi, who had kept his distance. "You alright with all the energy near you? The tent… it's probably laced with a lot of it."
Shibi smiled faintly, though it looked a bit off given his high collar. "I'm adjusting. The tent is… ticklish. But not harmful."
Harry nodded, relieved, and stepped inside the tent, leaving the others to make their decision. It wasn't long before the first one followed.
"What the fuck?!" Shikaku's voice rang through the tent.
"Language!" Harry and Shikamaru chorused from opposite ends, making Shikaku bark a hysterical laugh as he wandered into the open lounge space.
The inside of the tent was more like a cosy house; a central lounge with cushy armchairs, warm lighting, plush rugs, and doors leading off into multiple rooms. The walls shimmered faintly with magic, the runes etched into the canvas glowing faintly before disappearing beneath a settling illusion.
"It's… it's huge," Shikaku muttered, still looking around.
Kakashi was next, followed by Shibi and Ensui. Each one had their own reaction.
"Are you sure you don't want to open a ninja gear shop?" Kakashi asked, eyes scanning the space. "An empty one of these could house over forty shinobi."
Harry was already curled up with his boys on the plush sofa, Teddy nestled in his arms, Shikamaru sprawled against his side. He smiled conspiratorially at his son. "Are they going to force me into opening a shop, Shika? Think they're turning on me?"
Shikamaru giggled. "You'd make the best shop, Maashah. Everyone would want your stuff."
Ensui wandered to a corner and started poking at the walls. "The Nara R&D would kill to see this in detail."
"I'd believe it," Shikaku muttered, crouching next to a panel of faded runes that vanished when his fingers got too close. He looked up at Harry, dark eyes glinting. "You ever think about sharing some of these secrets?"
Harry smirked and leaned forward, his voice low and teasing. "I would… but I'm my own clan now. Don't they say clan secrets are sacred?"
That earned a loud laugh from Shikaku, surprising even Ensui.
None of them noticed the way Shikamaru's face beamed, his heart near bursting as he watched his Maashah and father getting along so well. Tsunade winked at him from her armchair, and he gave her a secret smile back. Even Ensui looked stunned, as if he hadn't seen his cousin this relaxed in years.
Harry glanced over at Shibi, who had been uncharacteristically quiet. "You doing alright?"
Shibi didn't move at first, still observing the space. "It feels… contained. Structured. Not as chaotic as your free-energy."
Harry nodded. "Glad it's not overwhelming you."
Kakashi moved to a nearby window, the illusion showing the moonlight creeping into the forest. "We should keep watch tonight. Full moon. We'll be more visible."
Harry froze.
His breath caught in his throat, and his head snapped toward the window. "Full moon?"
Tsunade looked up sharply, her eyes widening. "Shit."
Shikamaru's eyes darted to Harry. "We have to make the den, right? Teddy hates being inside when he—" He clamped his mouth shut and looked at his father uncertainly.
The room tensed.
Kakashi straightened, voice firm. "What's going on?"
Harry opened his mouth—to lie, to deflect, to say he and Teddy would just sleep in one of the back rooms—but Shikaku beat him to it.
"Kakashi." His voice was low, but commanding. "As the mission lead and client, anything you learn about Hari-sama's clan stays out of reports. Understood?"
Kakashi's lone visible eye narrowed, but he nodded.
Tsunade exhaled and folded her arms. "You can trust them, Hari. These four are the good ones." She turned toward the others, her eyes sharp and lethal. "If a single word of this leaks—written, spoken, or otherwise—the royal court and the Senju seat will fall on you like a hammer."
Harry looked at Shikaku. Really looked. His mind skimmed the faintest edge of the man's thoughts, not enough to pry, just enough to know he meant every word. The honesty there anchored him.
So he sighed and explained.
"Every full moon, Teddy shifts. Into a wolf cub." His voice was soft, unsure. "He's not dangerous. He's just… more energetic. Baby fangs are sharp, but he's harmless. I usually transform with him and we spend the night outside. I forgot the moon cycle with everything that happened."
He shifted Teddy gently in his lap, running a hand through his curls. "He hates being cooped up on a full moon. So… we'll be outside tonight. You're welcome to stay in here, but don't be alarmed by the howling."
Silence.
Then, Kakashi, surprisingly calm. "Do you need a pack?"
Harry blinked. "What?"
"A pack. Wolves don't like to be alone," Kakashi said awkwardly. "I have some dog summons if you do."
Harry stared at him. Then laughed—wet and disbelieving. "Thank you, Kakashi. We will be okay though."
The man lifted his book again as if trying to hide behind it. "Still. Offer stands."
~
The forest clearing glowed under the gentle light of the full moon. The silver beams filtered through the tree canopy, dappling the clearing and illuminating the soft edges of Harry's magical tent and the slumbering form of Nox, curled protectively at its edge. There was a hush over the group, quiet anticipation threading the air.
They waited, and little Teddy stood wobbling on his feet just outside the tent, clutching at Harry's cloak and letting out a quiet whimper.
Immediately, Teddy let out a happy little squeal, his body beginning to shimmer with the faint glow of moonlight.
The transformation was painless—always was, for a moon cub—but it was mesmerising. Everyone watched, breath held, as Teddy shrank slightly, limbs elongating and reshaping. In moments, the toddler had become a fluffy wolf cub with midnight-black fur, identical to the hair he'd morphed into earlier, with bright green-amber eyes gleaming up at them.
A collective aww echoed from the group. Even Kakashi's book had drooped in his hand.
"He's... adorable," Shizune whispered.
"Oh my gods," Ensui breathed, as Teddy bounded forward a few steps before circling back and nuzzling into Harry's leg. "He's like a little plush toy."
Teddy whined and pawed at Harry's robe insistently.
Harry sighed, a small smile tugging at his lips and took off his robe and shirt, not liking the feeling of transforming with it. "Alright, alright."
He knelt again, this time closing his eyes. His body shimmered, bones snapping silently into place, his clothes vanishing as fur erupted from his skin. It was elegant, even beautiful to watch—power wrapped in fluid grace. In seconds, where Harry had stood was now a massive black wolf, almost shoulder-height to Kakashi.
His fur gleamed under the moonlight, sleek and shadowy, but it was his eyes—brilliant green and impossibly human—that made the ninja freeze.
Kakashi didn't move as the massive wolf padded toward him, Teddy bounding excitedly ahead. Harry gave him a careful sniff. The man's scent was layered—leather, rain, and faint traces of other canines. Harry huffed quietly in amusement.
He smells like an alpha, Harry thought, catching the mingled scents of several dogs. His pack, maybe? Or something similar.
Then Harry turned away, his great head dipping down to gently pick Teddy up by the scruff. The cub let out a delighted yip as Harry trotted over to Nox's side, setting him down within the comforting curl of her tail. The dragon rumbled in her sleep but didn't stir.
Shikamaru immediately ran after them, laughing as he tried to pounce on his squirming brother. Teddy barked, circling his brother excitedly, tail wagging as he nipped playfully at Shikamaru's sleeves.
Harry gave a deep, fond rumble and leaned down, giving Shikamaru's face a long, slow lick.
"Ewwww! Maashah, gross!" Shikamaru shrieked, wiping at his cheek while laughing.
That was when Shikaku finally relaxed. No aggression, no loss of control—just gentle warmth, the way any parent might be with their children, even in an unfamiliar form.
Shikamaru waved him over eagerly. "Dad, come see! Isn't he cute?"
Shikaku chuckled as he approached. "Cuter than you," he teased, but there was deep affection in his voice as he knelt beside them.
"He's so fluffy," Shikamaru grinned. "I wish I could turn into a wolf."
Shikaku ruffled his hair. "If you could, the Inuzuka clan would be fighting over who gets to marry you first."
Harry's large wolfish head tilted.
Shikaku laughed. "There's a clan in Konoha, the Inuzuka. They're bonded with dogs—like family. They'd love a pup like this."
Harry's ears perked, and he stepped forward slightly as Shikaku hesitated.
"Can I…?" the man asked, reaching out but pausing when Harry tensed.
A beat.
Then Harry nudged his hand with his nose, giving permission.
Shikaku's fingers sank into the thick fur behind his ears. "You make for a beautiful wolf," he murmured.
Harry would've flushed if he could, but the praise made something warm coil in his chest. Thankfully, his fur hid the response, but Nox's rumbling sleepy laughter didn't help.
"You should mate with him," she hissed in Parseltongue.
"I told you to stop talking about it!" Harry rumbled back, ears twitching.
Shikamaru giggled, having understood every word. "Dad will protect us," he whispered to Nox, who only grinned and curled around them protectively.
Suddenly, a growl was heard and Teddy pounced on Harry's back leg, gnawing enthusiastically on his ear.
Harry let out a huff of a chuckle and rolled over gently, sending the pup sprawling with a yip.
What followed was a blur of fur and laughter, soft yips and growls. Shikamaru was in the middle of it all, chasing Teddy, curling around his Maashah, piling blankets into nests. Shikaku watched, amusement and calm radiating from him. He hadn't seen his son this happy in years.
As the night wore on and the children tired themselves out, the group began settling down. Tsunade and Shizune retired into the tent, Kakashi taking up watch near the edge of the clearing with Shibi. Ensui had long since passed out against a log.
Harry—still in wolf form—lay near the fire, Teddy curled up between his large front paws, already dozing with soft puffs of breath. Shikaku sat with his back against a tree, Shikamaru snuggled in his lap, completely passed out.
Harry padded over gently with Teddy held by his scruff, nudging Shikaku's side with his nose, motioning toward the tent.
But Shikaku looked down at the bundle in his arms, then at the content look on Teddy's sleeping face.
"It wouldn't hurt to sleep out here for a night," he murmured, voice low and soft with emotion.
Harry's heart stuttered. He padded back to the nest of blankets they'd built earlier, curling protectively around Teddy, who whined in his sleep and shifted closer.
Shikaku moved too, carefully laying Shikamaru down beside his brother, covering them both with a blanket. He hesitated, then took the nearby log, laying down with a long exhale.
The fire crackled softly. The moon hung high. And for the first time in weeks—no, months—they felt like this was home.