I know that it's a really short chapter considering how long it's been. But I just wanted to get something up to reassure everyone that this story has not died; it's just undergoing some major plot explorations...

Strike Witches / KanColle not mine.


8.

Crash.

Nagato tried to lift herself from the floor. The room before her was spinning, every small sound echoed painfully in her head and her throat felt uncomfortably dry. She managed to get back on the bed and waited for the room to stop moving.

When her surroundings were little more than a steady sway she rose to her feet and stumbled over to the cupboard to find clean clothes.

The night before seemed little more than a hazy dream. But the red marks on her shoulders from Minnas sharp nails remained as proof of her actions. She admired the handiwork in the mirror then ran her tongue over the cut in her lip. The passionate kiss she had shared with the Commander had brought light to a feisty side of Minna that she never knew existed. 'Maybe it's another wolf thing.'


After a much needed shower Nagato now stood across from the gorgeous witch in the Commanders office. They hadn't even had a chance to get breakfast when the message came across for her and Sakamoto to meet with Minna. A sense of déjà vu was in the atmosphere as they awaited the news.

The radio crackled evilly as it came to life. A man on the other end started to relay the message. 'I know what you're all thinking. But I'm afraid this time it's worse.'

'Please don't be Akagi. Please don't be Akagi.' Sakamoto was chanting the message over and over to herself almost prayer like.

'It's not the Akagi. This time a whole class of ship has vanished.'

'What!' Minna was clenching her knuckles like usual and now shot up from her chair. 'What class? How many ships? When? Where?' Her calm demeanour was slowly breaking apart with the latest news. Nagato had to admit this would be hard for anyone, she wasn't sure how she would cope if the positions were reversed.

'The Sendai class Ma'am. Three cruiser ships; Sendai, Jintsuu and Naka. We lost contact last night and confirmed the information just recently. We contacted you straight away. As we've come to understand girls have been appearing in their place and the girls may now be in trouble. Also…'

The man on the radio continued since no one had anything to say. 'The Akagi is travelling to Brittania to discuss the situation with you. Some Admirals are eager to learn about the girls who have been appearing.'

'Thank you for informing us as soon as possible.' Minna sighed heavily as she lowered herself back down into her chair. 'If you'll excuse us we have to go and make preparations for our three new guests.'

The room was uncomfortably silent. Nagato was fidgeting uncontrollably but knew she shouldn't put Minna in the same position as last time. Minna locked eyes with the fidgeting ship girl and simply nodded her head in approval. 'We'll split up the witches who are on duty. You can travel with one of the groups. I'll remain here and contact some other bases to see if any witches have come across the girls.'

Nagato turned tail quickly and mumbled her thanks as she exited the office. She broke into a jog and made it half way down the corridor before hearing her name echo down the walls. Irritated that someone would slow her departure she stopped and turned to find Sakamoto running out of the office. 'They've already been spotted.'

Nagato wasted no time in returning. She waited somewhat patiently as Minna explained that some witches from Romagna had spotted the girls early in the morning and now had them resting at their own base. Minna called for Yoshika, Lynne and Lucchini to meet them at the hanger and then allowed Nagato to ready herself and Fubuki.


Fubuki and Yoshika hadn't stopped talking the whole journey. Yoshika seemed unbelievably excited about new girls coming to join them and didn't at all seem fazed by the disappearance of the actual vessels. She was listening intently as Fubuki told her all about the new girls, Fubuki herself was just as excited as she told the witches all about her initial days at the Naval District.

Lucchini was some distance ahead effortlessly somersaulting through the clear sky singing some cheerful melody to herself. 'Romagna' and 'home' were the only words Nagato could clearly make out so she assumed the song was being sung in Lucchini's language. Lynne was the only calm witch, she cruised along next to Nagato hardly saying a word, probably because she was trying to drown Fubuki with her glare.

'We're here!' Lucchini shot off into the distance just as land started to come into view upon the horizon. Everyone stopped talking to pick up speed and follow her. Fubuki was muttering something about finally being able to see her friends and she had a massive smile plastered across her face.

Within the hour the girls found themselves welcomed by a small girl with a big attitude. She had a dark grey jacket on which came down to her thighs, the bounce in her step revealing the bright red underwear beneath. She led the girls towards the dining hall declaring that the girls they had found that morning were rested and now causing mayhem around the base. She seemed particularly annoyed at one girl who had apparently stacked tables together to make a stage and stated that she would become the number one idol of this new area.


'Hello everyone.' Naka was in the centre of the dining hall standing atop a table. She seemed to be handing out fliers though Nagato had no idea when she would have prepared them. 'I'm Naka-chan, idol of the fleet and I'll be giving my first concert in… Fubuki!'

Naka quickly jumped off the table throwing the fliers in the air behind her. Fubuki had also started running and the girls met halfway, quickly linking hands whilst they jumped around excitedly. They were surely exchanging news of their adventures but they were talking too fast and too shrill for Nagato to follow the conversation.

'My sister is already causing trouble.' Jintsuu had come to stand beside Nagato. Sendaii seemed to now be tearing Naka off of Fubuki in order to join in the fast-paced chat. Yoshika ran towards the girls and Fubuki quickly grabbed her by the wrist to introduce everyone, apparently the young witch had no trouble understanding what the shrill ship-girls were saying. Nagato simply sighed, she was happy to see that the girls were unharmed and reunited with friends.

'We have a fair way to travel, have you rested well?' Nagato was now alone with Jintsuu since Yoshika had come to drag a reluctant Lynne away.

Fubuki had started yelling across the mess hall before Nagato received a response. 'Jintsuu come meet everyone.'

She looked questioningly up at Nagato but took her leave when the gaze was answered with a subtle nod. 'I should go thank the commander for her hospitality anyway.'


Just over an hour had passed. By now everyone was well acquainted, Nagato had found and thanked the commander and after a short search Lucchini had finally been found asleep in a nearby tree. She was currently strolling behind the girls kicking up clouds of dirt as she mumbled something about the home air being better for sleeping than Brittania.

Nagato helped the younger girls secure their equipment as they were apparently still not used to doing so without the help of the launching sequence. When everyone was finally ready they straightened up and took to the sea once more, with the witches soaring ahead.

The journey home was surprisingly calm and the group of girls made it home faster than expected, which was convenient as the sun was just starting to drop behind the large Brittanian building. 'Alright everyone. We'll head inside and meet Commander Minna so you can then go get some better rest.'

'Night time!' Sendaii quickly cruised ahead of the other girls jumping and spinning in the water. 'Let's stay out for a bit longer Nagato-san.'

'First the Commander. Then you're welcome to stay up as long as you wish. But not on the sea, you don't know this world well enough yet.'

Sendaii punched her fists into the air in triumph. 'Woo hoo. Then let's go see the Commander already.'

'Come on Fubuki.' Sendaii yelled behind her as she once again shot off ahead.

Nagato simply sighed and shook her head before muttering to herself. 'You're not even going the right way Sendaii.'


So I have a massive list of excuses for why this has taken so long - but no one wants to listen to me whine.

Instead just try to believe me when I say I'm trying to commit more to this story.

wrt reviews; more girls are coming! I have already planned who I want next and how they fit into my story etc. I have little intention of introducing ship girls of other nations, however. Mainly because I don't know how to write about them. Sorry for the people this upsets.

Feel free to send me more suggestions, I have already worked in some to later chapters which are under development.

Enjoy Enjoy =)