New Arrival
Over at a table in the cafeteria were the 3 girls of Bismarck, Prinz Eugen, and Graf Zeppelin. These ships were girls from Germany's navy, the Kriegsmarine.
On one side of the table was Graf by herself. On the other side was Bismarck alongside Prinz Eugen.
"Are you okay from that debacle Prinz?" Bismarck asked in a comforting tone with a little hint of worry towards Prinz Eugen.
"I'm alright Bismarck-nee-sama, it's fine now." Prinz Eugen said waving her hands in front of her.
What Bismarck was referring to was the event where Bismarck and Prinz Eugen had been confronted by a certain USS Saratoga. She approached them because she had apparently wanted to talk to Prinz Eugen. Apparently, Saratoga had known Prinz Eugen from before because they were both at Operation Crossroads together and ran off her mouth about it. But the recollection had caused Prinz Eugen great discomfort and Bismarck had to get Prinz Eugen away from Saratoga.
"The Americans are certainly quite something aren't they?" Bismarck said.
"I'm kind of wary of them." Graf said. "They were of course our enemies during the war. It's kind of skeptical to have former enemies working together. I've seen them causing some discomfort for people like Prinz here or Akagi."
"Well..." Prinz interjected and Bismarck and Graf turned their heads towards her. "It's not like I hate the Americans. I was even in the American fleet for a short time after and I actually enjoyed the little time I spent with them." Prinz Eugen said with a small smile. "I just really don't like to be reminded about what happened concerning mine and so many others deaths from that experiment. In fact, I would like to talk to Saratoga again and maybe meet the Americans again."
Bismarck and Graf both knew that Prinz was a kind-hearted girl that they should have expected something like this.
Bismarck let out a little smile. "I don't know if I really have an opinion on the Americans. I was sunk before they had joined the war so I don't know if I could have actually considered them my enemy." Bismarck said.
Graf was surprised at the responses she got from Bismarck and Prinz Eugen but she shrugged.
"I guess that it is true the Americans hadn't been our main combatant that we fought. Especially since I never even got to fight." Graf said grumbling the last line.
"If there was someone we'd have to be wary about, it would honestly be the British." Bismarck said. "They're the ones I'd watch out for."
Bismarck, Graf, and Prinz could only sweatdrop as they saw the new arrival. Nagato had called in another for another announcement that another ship from a foreign fleet was joining them at their base. Instead of an American this time, however, it was someone from yet another foreign fleet.
"The Royal Navy has also decided to send some of their girls here after hearing about the exchange we had with the Americans." Nagato said.
"Hello, my name is Warspite, thank you for having me." The new arrival said.
"So please, I hope you welcome our new arrival to our fleet warmly to demonstrate the bond of this coalition fleet against the Abyssals." Nagato said. "Dismissed!"
As the introductions concluded, varying amount of reactions had come from the girls at the introduction of the new girl.
The Italians were shifting kind of nervously, most notably Zara and Pola.
The Japanese ships were piqued with interest at the new girl. Much how like the Germans felt about the Americans, they felt no grudge towards the Royal Navy despite being on the allied side because they had mainly fought in another ocean. Although those that had fought in the Indian Ocean Raid recalled she had been there during that battle.
"A r-real British girl?!" Kongou exclaimed. "Oh no! My one defining trait is being taken away from me! The Admiral will surely lose interest in me!" Kongou sniffled exaggeratedly.
"There there, it's alright onee-san." Kirishima said as the rest of the Kongou sisters comforted her.
And meanwhile, the Americans had a look of surprise and yet happiness on their face.
"Dang, they sent Warspite of all people?" Washington asked. "That's pretty bold."
"The British must have heard about how we sent Enterprise and probably wanted to send their most famous and decorated ship too." South Dakota said.
Of course, the first girls to approach welcome the British ship were the Americans, their allies in WW2. The two American battleships in the base were the first ones to approach Warspite after the introduction by Nagato was done.
"Hey there Warspite. It's nice to see you here." Washington said welcoming the girl.
"Hello there Washington, South Dakota." Warspite said nodding her head to return the welcome. "It is nice to see you too." Warspite said with a bright smile returning the feeling.
Both Washington and South Dakota had been sent off to the Atlantic at one point in their history. Over there, they had served with the Royal Navy and had gotten to know some of the British girls including Warspite.
"I'm surprised to see you here in the Pacific." Washington said. "I thought that the Royal Navy girls would focus on handling the Abyssals in the Atlantic."
"That's what I thought too. But apparently our Admiral had heard about how the Americans were sending their shipgirls to Japan and he thought that maybe we should too."
A tense feeling had washed over Bismarck, Graf, and Prinz as they had observed who it was that had just joined them on the base.
"W-What's the Royal Navy doing here?" Prinz Eugen asked.
"I think I heard that they were starting to summon their own shipgirls as well." Graf said. "But I never imagined they were going to come here too."
The 3 German girls stared at the new arrival for a second.
"So is this how the Japanese felt seeing the Americans again?" Graf asked.
"It would appear so." Bismarck groaned with a cross look on her face.
The Other Sister
Enterprise was currently out on a sortie.
It was a typical Abyssal hunting mission meant to clear out an area.
And alongside with her for the mission were a couple of cruisers and couple of destroyers running escort for her. But there was one significant companion right beside her.
"You know Shoukaku, I don't think I've been with you like this."
Shoukaku turned to Enterprise with a peculiar look on her face.
"What do you mean Enterprise-san?"
"I mean together like this."
"But we're often around each other. We sleep in the same room, we eat together, and we are usually in company together." Shoukaku said.
"Yes that is true. But I mean like this, just the two of us, alone." Enterprise clarified.
"Ah, I get it." Shoukaku said with a dawning realization on her face. "You're right." She smiled. "I don't think we've been alone together like this. Usually we're joined with Zuikaku or your friends."
"Exactly. that's why I think this is a unique situation. Gives me a chance to spend some time and talk with you."
Shoukaku giggled. "Well even though this is a mission, I'm glad that I get to spend some time with you too then. Usually I see you with Zuikaku so I'm happy I get this chance too."
It was true that Enterprise did spend a good amount of time with Zuikaku. But mostly because it was usually pretty fun and interesting for Enterprise to be around the temperamental twin-tailed girl. But Enterprise really did want to start hanging out with Shoukaku as well. The other Crane sister that she had faced off in battle with so many times was someone she wanted to get to know too. Especially now that they were fighting side by side.
"And speaking of seeing you with Zuikaku, I have a question about that Enterprise-san."
"What is it?"
"I can't help but notice your antics together, most notably because Zuikaku always complains to me about you." Shoukaku giggled. "But do you intentionally go out of your way to try to tease Zuikaku?"
"Oh, you know it." Enterprise smiled. "Why? Do you think I should stop or something?"
"No, it's not that. I don't really mind. In fact, I do find it amusing." Shoukaku smiled. "I liked how it lead to Zuikaku opening up and getting used to you some more."
"Really? I thought that she's still been annoyed with me as usual."
"But she's been more tolerable of you more has she not?"
"That is true." Enterprise said. "But I also think that's mostly because I'm the only shield she has in stopping Lexington."
Shoukaku giggled. "Even before that, I think that she started opening up to you more. Zuikaku just uh, struggles to convey her feelings."
"You mean she's tsundere?"
"Yeah, that." Shoukaku said with a sheepish smile. "I'm surprised you know the term."
"Being around you guys, I picked up a couple of Japanese terms."
"Well either way, I appreciate how you and Zuikaku are becoming close." Shoukaku smiled.
"Well then I shall continue on with what I am currently doing." Enterprise said. "Still though, I wish it was as easy to get along with her as I did with you initially."
Enterprise to this day was still surprised how Shoukaku had just went up to her and said that she wanted to get along well with her the first day she was here.
"Everyone I first met usually had a weird reaction to me." Enterprise smiled.
"Well you do have quite a history with a lot of people. Of course it'd be tough initially."
"I figured that would be the case when I first got here." Enterprise let out a sigh. "It's surprising that you were the first one that I got along with considering our history together."
"Yeah, we do have more of a complex history together than the others." Shoukaku said.
"Which is why I appreciate how nice you are Shoukaku. You're a pretty charming person." Enterprise said.
"Oh please, you don't need to praise me Enterprise-san." Shoukaku said holding up her hands. "If I were to be honest, I had some doubts as well."
"Oh?"
"I was worried you wouldn't like us because of our history either. My biggest worry was that you wouldn't have forgave us because we sank your sister."
"You were worried...because you thought I might not have forgiven you guys?"
Shoukaku nodded.
A smile started creeping up on Enterprise's face and she let out a giggle. "Most people would usually be doubtful because of their own feelings, not because of others'". Enterprise said. "Oh Shoukaku, I think you just might be even more nicer than I thought you already were."
Shoukaku blushed.
"But I'm glad that you were the first one to bridge the gap." Enterprise said.
Shoukaku turned her head slightly away from Enterprise because of her slight embarassment. "It was no problem. Although I believe you were the one that closed the gap when you hugged me."
"Was that surprising for you?"
"It wasn't...unpleasant."
"Aww, you want another one?" Enterprise said outstretching her arms.
"Hehe, I'm good Enterprise-san." Shoukaku said while slowly inching away.
"Come on, you know you want too."
"I don't want Lexington-san to start going after me too."
"Too late!" Enterprise said glomping Shoukaku.
"L-Let's just focus on the mission."
"Let's get you to the repair docks Shoukaku."
"Sorry about this Enterprise-san."
Enterprise was currently holding a battered a tattered Shoukaku around her shoulder. With Shoukaku leaning on her, she was helping her walk.
The mission they had been sent on actually went surprisingly well for their task force. Unfortunately though, during the battle, a stray dive bomber had gotten close to the carriers. During the battle, it had flown straight towards Enterprise. The bomber had released its payload near Enterprise. Enterprise was staring at the familiar gray object she had seen many times in her life come flying towards her. What she didn't expect though was that Shoukaku had jumped right in front of her to take the hit for her.
"What do you have to be sorry for?
"For burdening you like this."
"O my god Shoukaku, you're too nice." Enterprise said exasperatedly. "If anything, I should be the one apologizing! You were the one that took the bomb hit for me."
"It's alright Enterprise-san, I wanted to protect you."
"While I appreciate that Shoukaku, I think I think I'm beginning to understand why Zuikaku always worries about you getting hurt for her."
"She tells you about it?"
"It's one of the things she opens up to me about." Enterprise said.
"Yeah, she does always berate me about it." Shoukaku said with a smile.
"Why do you do it?" Enterprise asked.
"Well, just like in the past, I was often the one that took the brunt of the hits in battles. I guess it carried over when we came back as kanmusu. But I don't really mind. As long as Zuikaku was safe, then I was okay with it."
"You know she often worries about you over it right?"
"I do. But I just think of it as the job as an older sister. Protecting one's younger sister is only natural."
"I think I understand that feeling. I'm an older sister too." Enterprise said. "On one hand, I understand the need of wanting to protect your little sibling. You have that feeling that everything is alright as long as they make it right?"
Shoukaku nodded her head in agreement to Enterprise's statement.
"But on the other hand I'm a middle child. So I'm also a younger sister and an older sister." Enterprise said. "So I understand the perspective as the one being protected. And more often than not, it's usually guilt and worry than it is relief."
"I understand Enterprise-san." Shoukaku said. "But still, I think it is worth it."
"Guess I can't change your mind about that." Enterprise said. "Actually, that brings up another question. I'm not your sister, so why did you try to save me?"
"Well, it was because I wanted to. Do I need any more of a reason than that?"
"But you usually wouldn't do that for someone would you?"
"Is it wrong to say that I like you a lot Enterprise-san?"
"O god Shoukaku. You're TOO nice."
Shoukaku giggled.
Sorry for the long delay between the chapters. College just started up again and haven't had much time to write much.
Anyways, hope you enjoyed the chapter. With the introduction of Warspite into KanColle, I just thought I'd write that little bit up about it. And we also have some time with Shoukaku. I wrote a lot about Zuikaku but the other Crane sister needs love too.
Anyways, here's the omake. Instead of it being the usual American side, it's a Moments of the War omake so I hope you enjoy it.
Enterprise was holding a plane in her hand. She wasn't doing maintenance or checking up on it or anything. She was just holding it, looking at it. It wasn't even one of her usual cache of planes she held on her.
"What's that?" A voice said.
Enterprise turned and looked up to see that it was Hornet that had just spoken and come up to her.
"Ah, hey there Hornet." Enterprise said as she motioned to Hornet to sit down across from her in the little lounge area they were currently in. "Have a seat, I have a story I want to tell you."
Hornet nodded and happily made her way to take the seat. She always loved the stories that Enterprise had told her. Her and Yorktown had always been specifically told stories by Enterprise about her sisters, the previous versions of her and Yorktown.
"This, Hornet," Enterprise said as Hornet took her seat. "is a B-25 Mitchell Bomber." Enterprise said as she hold it up to Hornet to look at.
"B-25? Isn't that an army plane?" Hornet asked with a dubious expression as she looked at the plane. "Why do you have one? Could you even be able to launch those big bombers?"
"I'm not actually using this plane." Enterprise said. "And for the record, yes you could launch one if you wanted to." She giggled.
"If you're not using it, then why do you have it?"
"Well...it's just a little memento." Enterprise said.
"Memento?" Hornet asked.
"Yup, memento." Enterprise said. "This thing is related to the story I wanted to tell you. What's the date today Hornet?"
"Uhh, April 18." Hornet noted.
"It's been 2 years since that day." Enterprise mused.
"What happened 2 years ago?" Hornet said leaning close.
"You ever hear about that bombing raid on Tokyo back in 1942?"
"Yeah, I wasn't constructed yet at the time but I heard it was a pretty big deal." Hornet said. "That it gave a huge morale boost for us and it was one of the primary causes that led up to Midway."
"Right on the money Little H." Enterprise said. "It's been 2 years since that raid. And these were the planes that were used in the raid."
"Huh." Hornet said. "You know, one of the things I heard about it was from President Roosevelt who said that the planes were sent from 'Shangri-La'". Hornet said. "Never really understood what that meant."
"Hehe, good ol' FDR." Enterprise said. "But you obviously know that whole thing about it coming from the heavens thing is bullshit."
"That much I could deduce." Hornet said.
"Well I'll let you in on a little secret." Enterprise said. "Those planes, actually came from a carrier."
"A carrier?" Hornet said surprised. "Wait a minute. Did it come from you?" Hornet asked with an almost excited tone to her voice.
Enterprise giggled at Hornet's assumption. Enterprise already knew what was running through Hornet's mind and was probably adding fuel to her admiration of her. Enterprise swore that the Essex sisters' admiration just kept growing exponentially every time she told them a story.
"No, it wasn't me." Enterprise said with an amused smile.
"Oh." Hornet said in a disappointed tone. "Why do you have that B-25 as a memento then?"
"Because I was there on the mission." Enterprise said. "I just wasn't the one who launched the planes."
"If it wasn't you, who was it then that launched the planes?"
A little smile crept up onto Enterprise's face.
"The carrier who launched the planes was my little sister, Hornet."
As soon as Enterprise said that, Hornet was taken back a little at what she heard.
Enterprise also smiled. She knew that Hornet must have been shocked to learn that her predecessor played one of the most important roles in one of the pivotal events in the Pacific.
"You should have seen her, she was crying as the bombers were taking off of her flight deck." Enterprise said. "She knew the risks that the men were taking. The idea that Jimmy Doolittle came up with was a one way street. Yet she couldn't help but feel sad that they were never going to come back. Hornet always was kind-hearted like that."
Enterprise's face started to look somewhat blissfully as it softened up.
Hornet could tell that Enterprise was probably fondly remembering her sister.
"Well anyways." Enterprise clapped her hands together as she snapped out of her stupor.
Hornet listened in close as she could as she saw that Enterprise looked like she was about to continue.
"Wow, that's a pretty good story E." Hornet said as Enterprise finished the story.
"Yeah." Enterprise said with a small smile.
Enterprise had told Hornet the rest of the story about the Doolittle raid. The whole process of how they had to sneak up to the Japanese homeland, the chilling feeling as the weather and temperature changed, the feeling of distress when a Japanese patrol boat found them, and the feeling of pride and sadness as she watched the Doolittle raiders take off into the sun.
Hornet had always loved Enterprise's stories and this one was no exception.
"I'll tell you what Hornet." Enterprise said.
"Hmm?"
"Here."
"Wha-?" Hornet watched as Enterprise stood up, walked up to her, and held out the B-25 plane.
"Take it. You can have it." Enterprise said.
"But why?"
"I don't really have any more need for it."
"I can't take it E."
"Why not?"
Hornet frowned a little. "You don't have this B-25 as a memento of the raid. You have it because it's to honor your sister, don't you?"
Enterprise's smile softened a little at what Hornet said, but never dropped. "You're pretty sharp Little H."
"Then you know why I can't take it." Hornet said. "It's something precious to remind you of your sister. Why give it to me?"
Enterprise smiled. She could tell how Hornet was trying to be sensitive and compassionate to her.
Enterprise placed the B-25 in Hornet's hand. Then she put her other hand on top of Hornet's head and patted it.
"Thanks for being thoughtful of me." Enterprise smiled. "But it's fine Little H. I'm doing this because I want you to have it. I think it's pretty fitting for this to be passed down to the next Hornet."
Hornet blushed a little as Enterprise patted her.
"Don't you worry about me missing my sister. Sure, I miss her a lot, but..."
Enterprise paused for a second.
"You know, weren't you and Yorktown the ones that told me we'd grow as close as sisters?" Enterprise said.
Hornet blushed a little but nonetheless nodded her head. "Yeah, but what's that got to do with this?"
"Just think of this as passing down the torch from my sister to you. That we'll be just as close as me and my little sister once were." Enterprise smiled.
