A/N: This chapter lacks romance and plot, so if you're only reading for that by all means skip. Kind of based off of the manga, I guess.. Anyway, enjoy!


"Sundae~ Sundae~ I'm going to have a sundae~!" Maikaze sings out as she skips happily along the path. Nowaki walks along beside her as they head for the cafe. "You're way too excited.." she stated, slightly embarrassed from all the eyes now watching them.

"I've never tried the sundaes here before."

"Well, neither have I."

"Hm?" Maikaze tilts her head as she bears a bright smile, "that means we'll be trying something new together, right?"

"I guess so.."

"Hey, I have an idea! How about we both order a different flavor and I can try yours and you can try mine? That way, we get to try two differ—" she trails off as she spots something in the bush before dashing towards it.

"I didn't plan on trying a sundae, but I guess I coul—hey, where are you going?"

Nowaki watches with a confused expression as her friend bounds over to some bushes. Left without an explanation, she decides to follow her.

"Maikaze, what are you doing?" Nowaki asks.

The said girl spins around to face Nowaki, "Look!" she beams, holding out a small white dog.

"What the—"

"Isn't he cute?" Maikaze squeals, cuddling the pup.

"Uh, yeah, but—"

"Let's name him!" exclaims Maikaze.

"Wait, Mai—"

"I think we should call him," she pauses briefly as she sniffs the dog, "Kaoru!"

"Fragrance!? Wait, Maikaze, you can't get carried awa—"

"You don't like the name? Then how about… Yuichi?"

"The name isn't the problem here."

The pup let out a soft bark, catching both girls' attention.

"Yuichi? You like that name, huh? Okay! Yuichi it is, yay!"

"Yay," Nowaki lets out an overwhelmed sigh, knowing it's out of her hands for now.

Nowaki eventually agrees to bring the pup back to the Naval Base with them, despite her best efforts to oppose the idea. Along the way home she keeps an eye out for any "lost dog" posters or for anyone searching for a lost pet, but no such luck. Though, she finds herself somewhat relieved; explaining to Maikaze that Yuichi already had a home would have been a difficult task.

"Welcome to your new home, Yuichi!" Maikaze beams as they reach the Naval District.

"Um, but what if he alrea—"

Yuichi cuts her off with a bark, making her jolt with surprise.

"His bark is surprisingly loud for how small he is," Nowaki mumbles, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

"Yeah, that means he'll grow to be a big dog, right?" Maikaze asks, placing Yuichi down on the grass.

"I suppose so."

They watch as the small pup runs around, wagging his tail as he happily plays.

"Uh, you know, The Admiral might not even l—"

"What? You don't think The Admiral likes dogs? That's so mean!"

"That's not exactly what I mean, but," she trails off, looking somewhat defeated.

Maikaze looks so happy, there's no way Nowaki can tell her that Yuichi might already have a home; let alone that The Admiral might not accept him here.

But if she finds out later on, she'll be even more upset, Nowaki thinks to herself as she argues with herself on whether or not to tell Maikaze.

Meanwhile, the said girl had already run off to play with her new puppy. Giggles and barking was all that could be heard from the two as they took turns chasing each other around. Nowaki sat down on a nearby bench as she watched Maikaze pick up the pup and begin dancing around with him in her arms. Guilt stabbed at her, but looking at how happy Mai was, she was able to ignore it.

"Nowaki, come dance with us!" The blonde called out, waving a hand around.

"No thanks," Nowaki answered, loud enough so her friend could hear.

"Aw, come on, it'll be fun!"

"Uh," Nowaki lets out an inaudible grumble as she quickly thinks up an excuse.

"Woof!" Yuichi barks as he playfully rolls around on the grass, his white coat turning green.

"Ah, first let's bathe Yuichi."

"Okay!"

They walk Yuichi to the factory where they set up a bucket full of water and soap before placing him inside.

"Let's get you all nice and clean!" Maikaze sings out as she gently washes all the grass off.

"Why don't we take him to The Admiral next, while he's all clean and smells nice?" she suggests.

"Good idea. We'll have to ask if we can keep him here, anyway," says Nowaki.

"Oh yeah. Well, The Admiral will have to say yes! Yuichi is too cute to say no to," explains Maikaze.

Nowaki gulps as the guilt returns. Apparently, Yuichi isn't the only one too cute to say no to. Though, she could always ask Arashi to help break it to her, right? But then again, Arashi would probably take Mai's side. Hagikaze could help. After all, Maikaze always listens to her and that way she also has a soft way of dealing with these things.

"Who could say 'no' to this adorable face?" Maikaze jokes as she gives Yuichi a few ridiculous hair styles.

Who am I kidding? Hagikaze would fall to Mai's side as well, Nowaki says to herself.

"Okay," Mai pauses briefly to sniff Yuichi again, "all done!" she declares proudly.

"Why'd you sniff him?" asks Nowaki, confused.

"To see if he smells clean," declares Maikaze.

"Oh, right. Anyway, let's go see The Admiral, it's getting pretty late already."

"Okay! Let's go, Yuichi." Maikaze gently lifts the white pup once again into her arms as they make their way to the Commander's Office.

"I hope he says we can keep him. Don't you?" asks Maikaze.

"Yeah, I do, just—" Nowaki trails off as they reach the door to the office. "Be prepared in case he says no, okay?"

"Sure." Maikaze stutters.

After a deep breath, Nowaki knocks on the door. "Excuse us."

"Come in," a man's voice sounds from inside. The girls enter, closing the door behind them.

"Good evening, Nowaki; Maikaze. What can I do for you—" The Admiral suddenly stops, looking at the white pup.

"Wait, is that a dog!?"

"Uh—uh, Y-yes," Nowaki says nervously.

"Mhm! This is Yuichi!" exclaims Maikaze.

"Where'd you find a dog?" The Admiral asks.

"I found him in town," explains Maikaze.

"Oh, I see. Well, did you find his owners?"

"He was all alone, so I decided to adopt him!" Maikaze beams, cuddling Yuichi.

The Admiral looks to Nowaki with a slightly confused and nervous look before returning his gaze to the pup.

"Uh, Maikaze, he didn't have a collar?"

"Nope! But we can get him one. I think a nice blue one will suit him, don't you think so too, Nowaki?"

"Huh? Uh, y-yeah," Nowaki continues to stutter.

"Girls, are you aware that he might already have a home?" asks The Admiral.

"No way. He was all alone when I found him. His home is with us!"

"He might of run away.." he stops, not wanting to upset Maikaze. "..Well, before I can make a decision we have to make sure he doesn't already belong to someone.. I'll take him to the vets tonight and if nothing comes up, I might consider it, okay? and even then, it might not be a yes. We're a Naval District, not a petting zoo. We don't exactly have the time nor place for a pet.."

"Aw. But, Akitsushima has her Taitei-chan.."

"Eh? That's not exactly a pet.. This is completely different from that.."

"..Shimakaze has her Rensouhou-chan and Amatsukaze has Rensouhou-kun.."

"Thats.. equipment though.. Not a living thing.."

"What about Musume and her cat.?"

Nowaki and the Admiral exchange a quick look of defeat, noting that Maikaze is surprisingly quick at counter arguments.

"Well, let's just see if he has a home first, yeah? I'll take him tonight and have an answer for you by morning.."

"Alrighty~! Thank you, Admiral." Maikaze reluctantly hands Yuichi to the Commander, "Be careful with him.."

"I will.."

"Thanks Admiral. We'll be going back to our rooms now." Nowaki states as she and Maikaze leave the office.

"Take care."

A few hours pass by and the two girls hop into bed after eating dinner with the rest of their division and telling them about Yuichi. "I hope Yuichi can stay.." Maikaze says from the top bunk. "Me too. But you know, I kind of understand where the Admiral was coming from. It might be dangerous for Yuichi to stay here."

"I can protect him. I'm not that weak ya' know?"

"I know.. Just, a number of things could happen.. for instance.. he could wonder into the factory alone and get hurt by some of the heavy equipment and machinery."

"Oh.. I guess you're right.."

"..Sorry. I know you really like him."

"It's okay.. I wouldn't want him to get hurt."

"Well, lets sleep for now. We can worry about that tomorrow."

"Mm! Good night then, Nowachi~!"

Nowaki lets out a small grumble of annoyance "Don't call me that.."

"Its cute.."

"It's not. Anyway. Night, Maikaze."

"..Night Yuichi.." Maikaze whispers before slipping into a deep sleep.

x

Morning arrives at the Base as most of the fleet girls have already begun their day. Nowaki and Maikaze included. Hurriedly, they rush down the hall to the Admirals office. "Excuse us!" Maikaze calls out as she bursts through the door, making the Admiral jump. "Oh, Maikaze, Nowaki, Good morning." he says, adjusting his hat, "what can I do for you?"

"Is Yuichi here? Can he stay?!" Maikaze asks, frantically looking around for her pup.

"Ah.. Sorry, Maikaze. It turns out he already had a home. The owner came and picked him up last night..."

"...O-oh.. I see.."

The blondes shoulders slumps forward as her head drops. The office seemingly becoming dark and depressing. "Uh.. S-sorry, Maikaze.." Nowaki says, placing her hand on the girls shoulder. "I-it's fine, right?.. He already had a home and I'm sure he missed them."

"Y-yeah.. Well, his owner was really happy to see him again." Admiral says, trying to reassure her.

"That's good. I'm glad.." Maikaze says, smiling. Though her eyes still show her sadness.

Slowly, Mai spins around to face Nowaki before moving closer for a hug, which Nowaki gladly reciprocates. "Sorry, Mai.." she says as she pats her back. "I told you, didn't I? It's okay.. I'm happy he got to go home.. and this means he'll be safe, right?" The smaller girl answers as tears trickle down her face.

"U-uhm.. If it helps.. his owner had a little girl who was really happy to have him home.. when he went missing she was crying and was really worried. That's what her mother said."

"Really?" Maikaze asks, cheering up a little. "Yeah. They wouldn't have found him without your help so good work, Maikaze." Admiral answers, giving her the thumbs up.

"..He he, I got MVP~!"

Nowaki covers her mouth as she tries to silence her laughter. "..pfft MVP.." she whispers to herself. "That sure changed your mood quickly, huh?"

"Mm! I'm just glad I could help out."

"Nice work." Nowaki gives Maikaze a gentle squeeze before letting her go. "I'm going to miss Yuichi~! But, I'll be fine. After all I have my Nowachi~!"

"Eh? Your comparing me to a dog..?"

"Hm.. Not really. Just, you make me feel less lonely~!"

"Gee.. thanks."

"He he.. Well, lets go to that cafe today.. we didn't get to try the sundaes last time."

"Sounds good." Nowaki agrees and they begin leaving the office before the Admiral calls out, "Oh, I almost forgot.. Apparently his name was Taromaru."

"Taromaru..? Ah! That's a cute name, too!"

"Isn't it? Well, I'd hate to be rude but I have papers to sort.. again. Good luck today and thank you girls for taking the news so well.."

"No worries, leave it to me! Kagerou Class Destroyer, Maikaze, ready to sortie!.. to the cafe~!" she jokes.

The Admiral laughs before waving the girls out and returning to his workload. "..You okay?" Nowaki asks as they head outside. "Yeah.. It was fun while it lasted, at least... Ah! B-but.. you know what would make me happy again?!"

"..What.?"

"Dance with me, Nowachi~!"

"Uh.. You're kidding, right? There's no way.."

"Aw. Come on.. Just for a little while.."

"..F-fine. I guess.. Five minutes couldn't hurt.."

"Yay~! Thanks, Nowachi."

"Yeah, Yeah.." Maikaze skips down the hall, leading Nowaki along behind her.

As they reach the door to go outside they're greeted by Arashi and Hagikaze, the latter one holding a box labelled 'Mai'. "Morning, Nowachi, Mai." Arashi greets them, a large smirk across her face. "Morning guys.. Whats this.?" Nowaki asks. "Yeah, whats in the box..?" Maikaze asks, bouncing towards them. "The Admiral organised it.. Here you are, Maikaze." Hagikaze hands the box to Maikaze.

Excitedly, she looks inside to find a small bundle of white and black fur. "Ah!" she exclaims quickly placing the box on the ground. "So cute.." reaching in she then pulls out a little puppy. Its fur a mix of black and white, blue eyes and a curly tail. "Really? I'm allowed..?" Hagikaze nods in response. "Yay~! Now, what will I name you? Hm.. how about Shinji.?"

Arashi, Nowaki and Hagi all exchange looks of relief. "Shinji sounds great." Arashi states, leaning down to pat the puppy. "Doesn't it.?! Okay then, Lets go play Shinji!"

With that, she and Arashi run off to play chase with the puppy. "Remind me to thank the Admiral later.." Nowaki says, taking a seat on a nearby bench. "Of course. Though.. I hope he knows what he started.."

"Hm? What do you mean.?"

"Well, since Maikaze was allowed to keep a dog, the other girls are going to want a pet now.. right?"

"Ah... I see. Maybe he didn't think this through."

"Perhaps. At least his heart was in the right place.."

"Yeah.."

x

Afterwards a lot of ship girls came by the office wanting a pet.


A/N: IT WAS MEANT TO BE A COMEDY, BUT SOMEHOW IT TURNED SOMEWHAT DRAMATIC. Also, I can't seem to escape the CCC's, (Cringe, Cheesy and Cliché). Anyway, as usual it drifted away from what I originally had planned and it turned.. childish? I guess. Yeah.. Childish. But, the dogs first name 'Kaoru' means fragrance, 'Yuichi' means heroic first son and 'Shinji' is true second son. Taromaru, I simply stole from Gakkou Gurashi x'3 Hue hue. I do hope you enjoyed reading and thank you so much for reading these one shots! Mai, Nowaki, Hagi and Arashi are 4 of my favourite characters and I really enjoy writing about them~! (Especially when its Yuri, Lol).