Sorry for the delay just having to get used to a new job and the shift. Still trying to make it as regular as possible but I am probably gonna have a few weeks with no update at times. As usuall hope you enjoy it and if you see any erros please send me a PM
Once more the gathering of Akagi Shoukaku Musashi Tenryuu Yamato Sendai Naka and Jintsuu lead of by Enterprise.
"Explain to me, how have things managed to get WORSE in less than a day!" Enterprise roared
"Well in our defense we had no idea Kaga would confess...and not realize she had confessed," Akagi responded
"Wait, Kaga confessed!?"
"Yup."
"Ok, ok time out...How are things moving this fast is this normal over here? We have been back for less than a week and Kaga has confessed to Zuikaku. I thought they were not enemies but definitely not close."
Shoukaku answered this time "Well, the thing is Kaga did not really confess she just did not want Zuikaku to fall into the hands of the Americans namely you which in the moment basically came out as a really strong confession."
"Ok so Zuikaku got confessed to and what was her answer?"
"She did not answer she kinda sorta fled." Shoukaku answered sheepishly
"Yeah, she came to me about that, I didn't know about the confession being a mistake. Does Zuikaku know it was a mistake..."
"Nope." Akagi said with a shake of her head
"Is that a good or a bad thing."
"That depends on Kaga."
"Speaking of Kaga where is she?"
"We left her looking at a book and mumbling to herself in the room about the whole situation," Sendai stated this time lying across both Naka and Jintsuu's laps.
"Fine at least she has not done anything too hasty, what about Crane?"
"Well, Zuikaku has been at the archery range almost since morning so I assume she is still there."
At this point, Tenryuu asked.
"So what exactly do you intend to do, have Kaga explain the situation to Zuikaku or what?
"Well that's the thing we have no idea what to do yet, Kaga may have feelings for Crane but we do not know if its romantic."
"Can't we just make her confess officially?" Musashi asked
"I do not see that ending very well." Akagi responded, "it is one thing to get Kaga to admit Zuikaku is a competent ship, it is another to get her to admit she has feelings for her."
"Well can we confirm that she does have feelings, I Yamato believe she might have something after all that reading."
Naka raised her hand
"Before we go any further has anyone made sure that Zuikaku is actually going to say yes to the not really a confession confession?"
"Well if she was gonna say no then wouldn't she have then and there," Enterprise responded
"I doubt it I mean she is doing that old status thing, I doubt she has even thought of what it means to her and not the status of the fleet." Naka countered
"Ok, I have an idea," Tenryuu stated
"Why not test the waters first."
"What?" Enterprise asked
"We test the water we get each of them aside and find out how they feel I mean Shoukaku and Akagi if you sat down with each one on one they would more open up to you."
"I see then we can figure how risky this situation is without any issue then move from their and from how things are going we can just."
At that moment Hatsuzuki burst into the room.
"KAGA IS TALKING TO ZUIKAKU AT THE ARCHERY RANGE!"
Pandemonium ensued in the room.
xxx
Archery Range
xxx
Kaga came into the room seeing Zuikaku focused on her archery, Zuikaku was so focused she did not notice Kaga moving about in the room. After Zuikaku had loosed her arrow Kaga had made her presencee known.
"Ah Kaga...I, I have to tell. What I mean is..."
"Hold Zuikaku, before you say anything I must confess something to you first."
"I wha.. I mean...go ahead."
"Zuikaku the confession I made to you was a mistake, I never intended to confess to you I merely did not want the pride of our navy to be affected by the presence of the Americans. You had left for some time with them and when you came back you came back in the company of those who had done so much to our country our people they had destroyed our fleet our national pride, everything. I did not want you to be tainted by them. When you returned I could not believe you came back with Americans much less for you to be so...intimate."
As Kaga spoke Zuikaku remained silent and listened with her head hung low as Kaga continued.
"When you were here you were just an inexperienced child to me you lacked capable pilots and lacked most any sense of pride as a carrier. To me, I thought you were an ill fit to be a carrier. Then you... you suddenly you were a better carrier I hear that you are more capable than myself and the other carriers on base. Then to be humiliated by you and then you just leave on an extended mission. I was frustrated to have been so embarrassed by you in front of the fleet and admiral."
At some point, Zuikaku had closed her eyes and tremble ever so slightly.
"What I want to tell you now is something I have wanted to say for some time."
Kaga stepped toward Zuikaku who looked away.
"Zuikaku... I am sorry"
If Zuikaku had been expecting something it was not that. Zuikaku looked back toward Kaga who was just in front of her and a few inches shorter
"Zuikaku I am sorry for what I did for how I treated you for how I behaved. When you were gone I learned so much about the war about you so much that I should have known."
Zuikaku looked on wide-eyed and stunned that this could be coming from the prideful carrier Kaga. So stunned was she that she did not respond as Kaga took a step back and bowed. For a few seconds, Zuikaku did not move. Kaga remained bowed in front of Zuikaku till she found her voice.
"K...ahem,Kaga, please stop that, thank you for the apology please just stand up.
Kaga stood with a blush of embarrassment this would be the first time she has bowed her head this deeply to anyone.
"Thank you Zuikaku."
"Thank you, Kaga, for telling I know this was not easy for you."
"I have learned many important things when it comes to working with other and about the dangers of pride." Kaga cut in
"Your pride is needed Kaga it motivates the fleet, so continue to hold your head up. We have time to get used to working with each other again."
"Indeed a good relationship is built on acceptance and compromise or so I have read."
"What have been reading?!"
"Which brings me to my main reason for being here."
Zuikaku mentally braced herself
"There is something else."
"Yes as said that confession was a mistake."
"Ah" Zuikaku felt a strange sting yes after the whole explanation it made sense that it was a mistake, but it still did not feel any better.
"So I am sorry that I made that confession to you it was not my intention to confess any feelings for you at the time."
"I see, understood Kaga." with a sigh Zuikaku began to move to put away her bow stepping past Kaga.
"Zuikaku!"
Turning back to face Kaga
"Yes, Kaga..."
Kaga stood head held high looking with determination at Zuikaku
"Zuikaku I ask you this time will you be mine..."
"Yes, Kaga I will be here with the fleet so no need to worry about."
"I am confessing to you Zuikaku I want you to be mine, not the fleets, mine."
Zuikaku tried to speak but only stuttered "K I Ye.."
A loud crash startled the two carriers out of their little world, looking over to the door, there was a gaping hole and there some of the most powerful ships lay in a heap having pressed too hard into the door.
Enterprise poked her head through the hole. "I can explain."
From the heap, all heads nodded
"Can you now," Zuikaku notched an arrow and drawing her bow "Well start talking or I start bombing."
"Yes well, first of all, we just came by to see how the archery was going I had no idea that Kaga was here and... not buying it are you.
"Nope."
"Would you believe me if I said this was a big misunderstanding and we were trying to prevent an embarrassing moment to happen."
"Go on..."
"We kinda found out the confession was a mistake and wanted to make sure that you know, nothing bad happened to you."
Zuikaku lowered her bow
"Ok I can accept that, then why not just come inside."
"Well we did try to peek at first but the door would not budge then we heard you guys talking."
"The door was opened."
"I blocked the door when I entered," Kaga stated.
Zuikaku looked back to Kaga and slightly tilted her head
"I did not want to be interrupted, but that seems to have failed."
"So this is not a prank or anything like that then," Zuikaku said relaxing her shoulders.
"You think I would stoop to childish pranks like those destroyers."
"Sorry, Kaga its, it's just been well a weird few days," said Zuikaku looking a little unsure as she rubbed her shoulder
"EVERYONE OUT!" Shoukaku bellowed as she started shoving everyone out of the range. "Excuse us," she said as she closed the door
With the range empty now and only Zuikaku and Kaga once more alone.
"Well, this is a bit." Kaga started
"Kaga did you really mean that you, you know you."
"Ah yes the confession was a mistake, once more I am sorry..."
"Not that!" Zuikaku sighed and facepalmed. "Nevermind I am just gonna go"
As Zuikaku began to head for the door Kaga grabbed her hand. "Wait, Zuikaku I meant what I said and I will prove it to you."
Kaga stepped back and quickly headed for the door yanking it open with a flurry the set of ships once again crashed to the floor without the doors support.
"USS ENTERPRISE I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL FOR ZUIKAKU'S HAND!"
"I HEREBY ACCEPT THIS DUEL AND IT'S LEGITIMACY!" responded Shoukaku.
With a nod Kaga marched off, leaving the group of stunned ships still on the floor and one standing with a bow at her feet watching slack-jawed.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Admiral' s Office
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"So let me get this straight, Kaga has challenged Enterprise to a carrier duel."
"Yes."
"You allowed this to happen."
"I had nothing to do with it."
"You did not stop them, as a matter of fact, you set the date and area."
"I like to think of it as a learning experience."
"What if this damages our relations with the Americans or even the other Western Nations"
"Oh Nagato I think you can handle that issue, right Saratoga"
"Oh, yes Nagato knows how to treat us well, don't you dear."
"Sara, uhmm...Admiral, what is Saratoga doing in here?"
"She wanted to see your work so I invited her to watch."
"You really do have such a commanding presence Nagato." Saratoga purred
"There is no way I can stop this is there."
"You could but then most of the base would be very displeased with you standing in the way of a duel for love."
"Wait wait wait. A duel for... love?"
"Indeed Nagato dear, Kaga has challenged Enterprise in the name of love."
"Kaga wants to claim Enterprise?"
"..."
"..."
"Nagato..."
"Oh dear."
"How did you manage to get through her thick armor again Saratoga."
"I survived a nuke with her..."
"Yeah, that would help."
"If you are both finished poking at my past trauma could you tell me what is going on, is Kaga trying to take the number one spot by beating the ship that beat Zuikaku?"
"She was so dashing when we first met."
"Oh, poor poor Saratoga I wish you all the patience in the world."
"Thank you, admiral it means a lot to have your support."
Facepalming in Nagato pondered how it had come to this, she was sure Saratoga would be a great help against the admiral, but now it seems that she has allied herself. What would Akatsuki do in a situation like this?
"A truly elephan..elegant lady would take everything in stride and ask politely what she wanted like coffee flavored cotton candy.
Thank you Akatsuki, she thought
"So why is Kaga challenging Enterprise to a duel of...love."
dramatically the admiral and Saratoga sighed "Aoba" they both called and the doors to the admiral's office burst open to reveal the cruiser in question.
"I was wondering when you would call, I just finished making the ad for the duel."
"Wait you made an ad for it as well?"
"Well yeah, its kind of a big deal. The Pride fo the First Fleet vs The Grey Ghost."
"I see and where is the love in this duel?"
Rolling out a large poster Aoba presents a picture of Kaga and Enterprise weapons drawn in front of large rock protruding out of the sea waves crashing dramatically behind them and in the middle of the picture half turned away was Zuikaku in a white dress, chained to a rock like a sacrifice to Poseidon himself.
"How did you make this so fast?" Nagato asked looking at the detail that went into the poster.
"Oh, I have been working on this with Akigumo from the day Zuikaku came back."
"How did you get them to agree to this."
"Oh they didn't they have no idea about this, I don't even think they know anyone will be watching this duel.
"Isn't it romantic Nagato."
"I..."
"A Japanese samurai fighting to claim her lady and honor from the hands of a western cowboy."
"It's interesting..."
"Interesting it's beautiful and to top it all off no one knows who will win."
"Yes, it would be an interesting battle, to say the least, but..."
"Personally I have my bets on our Enterprise she has experience against greater odds," Saratoga said
"Well, I would not count out Kaga she really has been training since Zuikaku left. Plus she has more experienced pilots."
"Had admiral she had the most experienced pilots, I am sure Zuikaku has the most and Enterprise has been in combat with Zuikaku at her side over the last few months."
"Oh, this could be a problem. What do you think Nagato."
Having not been able to follow the conversation a Nagato responded as best she could
"Well...I hmmm"
"Hey, Zuikaku has no idea what Kaga has learned while she was away so both sides are pretty much gonna face the unknown in a sense. This just got more interesting, now we can test Kaga's improvement and evaluate Enterprise at the same time."
"Admiral you do know a true lady figured out your plan from before."
All heads turned to the door to reveal the destroyers Hibiki and Akatsuki.
"Well good day madam Hibiki, Lady Akatsuki," said Saratoga with a curtsy
"Miss Saratoga," Akatsuki answered with a bow. Hibiki nodded her head, then bowed after a swift elbow from Akatsuki knocked some of the wind out of her.
"So admiral it seems that your plan is finally coming to a head."
Akatsuki continued as she entered the room, Hibiki followed rubbing her stomach.
"Yes, it has after months of planning it seems things are going to work out fine."
Alright, I have had enough of this. Nagato finally thought to herself with as much authority in her voice but not to sound threatening she finally asked
"Someone explains to me why is this a duel of love, why is Zuikaku a prize in this duel and why does it seem everyone was expecting it."
There was a silence for a moment as everyone looked at each other and then back at Nagato.
The admiral was silently elected to speak
"Nagato, what do you know of Kaga's behavior towards Zuikaku before she left?"
"She was a bit prideful maybe haughty even."
"What about after the loss just before Zuikaku left."
"She was angry at first but then."
"You spoke to her," Akatsuki added.
"I told her she needs to learn more about Zuikaku's part in the past after Midway."
"Yes." nodded the Admiral "and when Zuikaku left what did Kaga do."
"She trained very hard and looked for information about Zuikaku, constantly spoke to anyone who served with her on her missions from then and now."
"Yes indeed, but did she only ask about her missions."
"Well, she spent a lot of time with Sendai only because Shoukaku had been going to bed early was what Akagi had said."
"Akagi said that?" Akatuski asked.
"Yes, Akagi has been spending the night with Shoukaku to help her with the training routines."
"MOVING ON." The Admiral quickly said. "What did she talk with Sendai about
"We from what I heard she just asked more about Zuikaku."
"Alright now after hearing all this about Zuikaku who she thought was an inexperienced ship that lost the war now has all this new knowledge. How do you think she felt."
Nagato looked unsure at the moment, till Saratoga spoke up.
"Nagato you remember after the war at Bikini, we ships of varying nations winners and vanquished together at the end. We have an understanding of each other after that. It's why you were drawn to me or one of the reasons you were drawn to me."
"Yes, for some reason I just wanted to protect you and the others."
"Well, now that was you and an enemy coming to an understanding and look at you now. Kaga did not get that chance she felt Zuikaku was a failure that needs constant attention. Then now imagine after Zuikaku leaves, you learn she gave everything in a losing war till her very end even being a decoy in her final mission."
"I would be disgusted with myself."
"Well now Zuikaku comes back and she has an opportunity to start making things right."
"Yes, I assume she would jump at the opportunity."
"Yes that is exactly what would happen, and it was going to happen except for one small problem."
Saratoga sighed. "It was really bad timing."
"What do you mean bad timing?" Nagato asked
"Well Kaga came to see Zuikaku when she came back here in the office, and then this is probably where things went awry. Aoba the picture please."
"Picture?"
"Ah yes you would not have known as you were" the admiral glanced over at Saratoga who blushed slightly. " preoccupied."
"I... well"
"Preoccupied?" Akatsuki parroted with a tilted head
Nagato started to sweat ever so slightly, Hibiki noticing the situation pulled Akatsuki back and said one-word "Photo."
"Here ya go," Aoba said handing the photo to the admiral who handed it to Nagato.
Nagato looked at the photo with Saratoga looking over her shoulder and everything suddenly made sense. "I see."
"What, what is that," Akatsuki asked. Aoba went over and showed Hibiki and Akatuski the photo on her camera.
"Khorosho"
There in the picture was Zuikaku cradling Enterprise after the carrier was trampled by Shoukaku.
"Yes very gallant but look behind Zuikaku outside the office."
There in the back was Kaga looking at the scene in front of her, with shock.
"So this is what did it," Nagato said
"Well from what I have been told this is what started it." the admiral agreed heads nodded around the office.
"So she does not want Zuikaku to get that close to her old nemesis, because she sees her as a romantic rival," Nagato concluded proudly
"If only it were that simple..." the admiral said with a sigh
"What do you mean?"
"Saratoga why don't you explain it."
"Gladly. Well from what I have heard Kaga confessed to Zuikaku by accident."
"How do you confess by accident?" Nagato with a hand massaging her forehead
"Remember what we spoke about Kaga learning about Zuikaku. Well, she took this scene to be that Zuikaku is being manipulated by the Grey Ghost for some reason."
"And she confessed why?"
"Well its more that she.."
"Claimed ownership of Zuikaku and would not let the Grey Ghost have her," Akatsuki said with a squeal it's every ladies dream to be sought after so deeply.
Admiral Goto sat behind her desk and rested her chin on her hands
"Indeed it would have been wonderfully romantic if it had meant that and not literally that she was going to keep Enterprise from taking Zuikaku back to America somehow. Zuikaku fled to think about her answer and had no idea about the mistake."
"Wait but then this entire duel is a mistake, it's only going to lead to suffering!" Nagato concluded
"Calm down Nagato do you really think I would have let this happen, knowing that, there is more to this story."
"I am almost afraid to ask what more is there?"
"Well to her credit Kaga upon realizing what she had done, she found Zuikaku and confessed properly. There were some interruptions to the second confession and the result of that is Kaga challenged Enterprise for the right to court Zuikaku. Which brings us to where we are right now."
"I don't even know where to begin," Nagato said still massaging her scalp
"Well think quick cause you are one of the judges in this duel."
"Wait wait why am I one of the judges?"
"Well you see we need witnesses and since Yamato, Musashi Fuso and Yamashiro are going to be the boundary markers for this we need you to basically give commentary. Aoba has been setting up cameras on buoys and floats all around to get as much data as we can about the battle."
"Why are we not using this to keep tabs on abyssal and such?"
"Well for the same reason I have not strapped any rockets or ballistic missiles to you. The abyssal presence just mess with anything that has a decent signal. We can record you lot but it fizzles out when it picks up abyssal signatures.'
"Any reason why that is?"
"As of now no but at least if anything goes on the blip we have early warning."
"So what do I need to do with the camera?"
This time Aoba moved to speak.
"Nothing all you need to do is watch the feed and basically give us your opinion on strategy and such, Saratoga will be there with you as well."
"Why not have another carrier like Shoukaku judge?"
"Well Shoukaku will also watching but she will be out on the field as well providing more coverage."
"Admiral, how big of a spectacle is this going to be?"
"You see about that... Seeing as how it's going to be a single CV vs CV match it could take a very long time for them to battle, so..."
"We are going to record it and publish the highlights of the battle later." Aoba said, "The full vid will be used for training purposes depending on well, how everything goes."
"Also the subs are going to be recording as well, they are to remain as undetected as possible and also be first responders if there is any problem."
"You really put a lot of effort into this admiral, if you did that with the paperwork I would not have to chase you as often. Speaking of paperwork."
"Already done. Everything for the match is set up."
"Not that paperwork your MANDATORY paperwork," Akatsuki asked
"..."
"..."
"This is why you came here isn't it Akatsuki" the admiral pouted
"With all that's going on now, this would be the perfect time for you to slip away with Nagato distracted."
Saratoga looked at this role exchange between destroyer and admiral and she thought with a chuckle.
"This really is an interesting place"