Butterflies And Dragons
Chapter 26:
The End Of The Innocence
Japan, now entrenched in the middle of summer, was full of activity. Schoolgirls and schoolboys were frolicking on the beach, while others were taking part in festivals in their hometowns in their yukatas, falling in love and believing in the power of trust. Soon, the autumn leaves would come about one month later. Young men and women were dancing to some bluesy tunes with some clapping and catchy backbeats (the Black Keys being a classic example of this) at the local discotheques, while others were watching some nice dramas from all across Asia and in the USA. Old men were playing Chinese checkers, chess and backgammon at the social clubs while drinking hard liquor and smoking their lives away. And the often-glorified NEETs and otaku of the country were living their virtual dreams while awash in their personal loneliness and self-satisfaction.
In the metropolis of Tokyo, that urban, concrete jungle of perversion and corruption that Akagi, Kaga, Souryuu, Hiryuu and Fubuki called home for a few months before the World Archery Championships, preparations were underway for the city to awake and host the Summer Olympics in 2020. A half a world away, in the Carnaval capital of the world known as Rio de Janeiro, the organizers were tidying up some well-publicized loose ends before they were slated to host the show, the circus, the big time, several months from August of the year of the Good Lord 2015.
Before their fated operation, a trip to a city dear to their hearts for good luck was due. Morning came one August summer day on the island of Etajima, and the Naval District. Fubuki was sleeping in her camisole and underwear next to Admiral Kensuke Tanaka, her husband. As she felt the burning heat trigger her skin to sweat profusely the sunlight shone on her maidenlike frame as she opened an eye, blinded by the light of the rising sun hovering over the Land of The Rising Sun. "Morning," she whispered. "It's morning..."
She stretched, and proceeded to shower before donning a special yukata. In a change from her usual hair tied back, she decided to ditch the hairband to allow her locks to bounce and flutter. It didn't hurt to have a visual change of pace every now and then, but now she could pass for Yukina Himeragi, just with a different hair color and eye color. 35 degrees Centigrade, partly cloudy skies, 79 percent humidity. It was Aug. 6, 2015.
Today was an important day. The commemoration of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Three days later, Nagasaki would be hit, and soon after, World War II would conclude. The Admiral finally awoke. "So, it's that day, huh?" he said, whispering to himself. "It's an important day for everyone. We need to leave the bay and head for Hiroshima." He also took a bath and donned his yukata.
Each member of the fleet was given a special yukata that incorporated the colors of their uniform. Those whose uniforms were based on Japanese clothes were allowed to wear their KanMusu outfits, but all elected to wear yukata as this was a day of remembrance. All the members of the fleet assembled at the port to board ferries, their purses, cameras and some knapsacks in hand.
In a special ferry that was set aside for them. Fubuki was seated next to Mutsuki, Yuudachi and Shigure to her left, and Akagi, Kaga, Souryuu and Hiryuu to her right, and the Admiral in front of the group. "Are you bringing Kisaragi with you?" the Admiral asked Mutsuki.
"I am," she said, pointing to the stroller with Kisaragi looking up at the sky, sucking on a pacifier. Mutsuki took Kisaragi, and placed her on her lap, propping her so that she could see the ocean, and everything else.
"It's that day, huh, Mutsuki-mama?" asked Kisaragi via telekinesis to Mutsuki.
"It's an emotional one," she replied through her closed eyes, rocking her. "Back then, when you were an actual ship, you never got to see the end of the war. Neither did I, but when we were reborn, we learned about the history and how it impacts what we do now as shipgirls."
"I want to see Hiroshima for myself, mama. I think it's a wonderful place to see, but I've never seen it for myself."
"You won't be disappointed, Kisaragi-chan, I promise."
She blushed as Mutsuki tickled her face a little. "I'm glad."
Fubuki looked on, reflective of her purpose as an advocate of peace and selflessness. "Hey, Fubuki-chan, what are you thinking about poi?" asked Yuudachi.
"A lot of things, all of them reflecting on the end of the war 70 years ago." It was 7:30 a.m. JST. In about 45 minutes, it would be exactly 70 years to the bomb drop. Soon enough, the ferry reached Hiroshima, to which the entire fleet was divided into groups to tour the city and the important attractions that reminded the world of that day of Armageddon.
"You will all divide into groups, and the Admiral has his own group," said Nagato, Mutsu alongside. "Follow the path that has been set for you to see everything you need to see."
"Be sure to meet up at the spot provided at 12 p.m. for lunch, where one of the local government leaders will address you, as well as a few other distinguished guests," added Mutsu.
"Have fun and never forget. Dismissed."
"Yes, ma'am!" said the rest of the girls.
The Admiral accompanied his group to a tram. "This tram is a holdover from 1945 and has been restored to its former self," the Admiral said, the crew boarding Hiroden Streetcar No. 653, and Hiroden Streetcar Route 3. "It is one of the few vehicles to not only survive the war but remain in use."
"It's in your colors, too, Kaga," Akagi said. "Maybe it's thinking of you after winning that gold."
"As expected, this is too embarrassing," she whispered as the tram slowly moved before gliding.
Souryuu watched as they passed by buildings, trees, children and adults walking by, schoolgirls and schoolboys lollygagging around. It was a warm day in Hiroshima. "So peaceful. It's different from back then, isn't it, Hiryuu?"
"Almost too peaceful..."
"I almost wished that what happened back then never happened at all." Soon, a blinding light caused them all to close their eyes. When they opened it, the car was still riding, but what they saw moved them to tears. "No...NOOOOOO!"
Kisaragi was crying out loud. "Mutsuki-mama, this stench, this is too hot, help!"
"Oh my God..." Mutsuki looked around and saw destruction everywhere, people looking half-dead, clamoring for help, their clothes torn, their bodies desperately clinging to their souls as they burned in the stifling hot conditions.
"No, I don't want this! Ken-kun!" cried Fubuki, sobbing as Admiral Tanaka comforted her while scanning the city, now apparently in ruins.
All of Destroyer Group Six was with them. "To see so much destruction and so many people dying and the cries of desperation and pain...I hate this," Akatsuki cried through her open eyes, seeing the entire scenery of death surrounding her. "I hate this so much."
"So...this has to be Hiroshima back in August 1945," Akagi said, noticing that the tram was relatively fine and unaffected by its surroundings. Also, all of them were wearing their KanMusu outfits, indicating that they had indeed traveled back in time to remember this tragic day in their nation's history.
"This...was 70 years ago?" Akatsuki whispered. "My God..."
"To think that so much could happen to one city nanodesu," Inazuma said, also in tears. "If this is how peace can be achieved, I just don't know...nano...desu..."
All of the girls were in tears, but the Admiral was lost in his own thoughts as memories of the losing battles that piled up in 1944 and 1945 for Japan raced through his head.
The sinking of Yamato. The invasions of Io-to, a.k.a. Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. The firebombings of Tokyo. The collective suicides of many top military officers, their blood splashing onto the floor as the Emperor announced in the Jewel Voice Broadcast of the country accepting the Joint Declaration and surrender to the Allies. Dresden. Nanking. Bombs over Britain. Bullets Over Broadway! London Blitz...Ballroom Blitz! He saw the scenes of drama in front of him as the tram continue to head north towards the Genbaku Dome. Genbaku, standing for Genshi Bakudan. The atomic bomb.
Fubuki held the Admiral's hands, the nightmares of August 1945 racing through her head as well. Even the visions of the 2011 Sendai Earthquake and Tsunami were in their heads, all of them. The loss, the heartbreak, the soul-crushing loss of hope. The proverbial gut-punches. The tears, the screams towards the heavens. The desire...to stop living for the ones they wanted to live for and join them in Paradise because they felt they wouldn't wanted it any other way.
She looked in her lover's eyes, which were also starting to tear up, and they both looked at the pictures of the past, of seven decades past, the pictures now forever ingrained in the head of the KanMusu who were in the city, all remembering the past, seeing the hopelessness that would be made up for with the occupation of Japan by the Americans. And the tragedies of the present were unified in a crossroads that turned their sorrow into a resolve to change, to transform, to become advocates for peace, justice, and happeness for the sake of all humanity.
Wiping away her tears, and now realizing her purpose as an advocate for peace, she closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she saw a flock of doves, two butterflies and two dragons surround them as they began to magically transform Hiroshima City back to its glorious state, the tram now passing through buildings rising, the scenery looking more and more beautiful and glorious, the vestiges of the war now starting to disappear as it went forward in time, slowly but surely, to the present day.
"So beautiful," Ikazuchi said. "We're watching Hiroshima rise from the ruins."
"Khorosho," Hibiki sighed, smiling. In the background, a song played.
"Remember when the days were long
And rolled beneath a deep blue sky
Didn't have a care in the world
With mommy and daddy standin' by
But "happily ever after" fails
And we've been poisoned by these fairy tales
The lawyers dwell on small details
Since daddy had to fly
But I know a place where we can go
That's still untouched by men
We'll sit and watch the clouds roll by
And the tall grass wave in the wind
You can lay your head back on the ground
And let your hair fall all around me
Offer up your best defense
But this is the end
This is the end of the innocence
O' beautiful, for spacious skies
But now those skies are threatening
They're beating plowshares into swords
For this tired old man that we elected king
Armchair warriors often fail
And we've been poisoned by these fairy tales
The lawyers clean up all details
Since daddy had to lie
But I know a place where we can go
And wash away this sin
We'll sit and watch the clouds roll by
And the tall grass wave in the wind
Just lay your head back on the ground
And let your hair spill all around me
Offer up your best defense
But this is the end
This is the end of the innocence
Who knows how long this will last
Now we've come so far, so fast
But, somewhere back there in the dust
That same small town in each of us
I need to remember this
So baby give me just one kiss
And let me take a long last look
Before we say goodbye
Just lay your head back on the ground
And let your hair fall all around me
Offer up your best defense
But this is the end
This is the end of the innocence."
As the song ended, a dove flew and perched on Fubuki's shoulder, nuzzling next to her, causing Fubuki to giggle like a baby. "So cute, so peaceful," she said. The dove would be on her shoulder for the rest of the day until the fleet left later that night for Etajima via ferry from Hiroshima Port.
"Good morning, Fubuki," the dove said. "My name is Tori."
"And it talks! Oh my goodness!"
"Welcome to Hiroshima City," said Tori. "What you witnessed was a sample of what happened 70 years ago, followed by a transformation of this city into the city of peace that you now know and love."
"Is that so..."
"Soon we will be arriving at the memorial, but there should be a place nearby where you will have lunch. They have determined, I think, a place."
"So you are a local bird to this area?" the Admiral asked Tori.
"Correct. We doves are everywhere, and we are attracted in particular to the KanMusu for their bravery, tenacity and raw beauty so much that we accompany them. It is said that the KanMusu are dove magnets because of their desire for peace and happiness in this difficult, changing, unforgiving world."
"Good to hear," the Admiral said, noting that the mood of the girls changed to that of relief and increasing joy. They were wiping their eyes that were full of tears of happiness, and some were praying with smiles on their faces. The Admiral nodded as the tram entered Genbaku Dome Station. "Everyone, off! This is our stop!"
"Yes, sir!" they all said as they left the tram, walking with arms entwined with the exceptions of Admiral Tanaka holding Fubuki's hand and Mutsuki carring Kisaragi on the stroller as they walked towards a restaurant near the memorial.
A restaurant called Nagataya was home to some really good okonomiyaki and was just 0.1 miles away from the memorial, located in Otemachi, Naka Ward. A full staff of chefs were cooking the delectable mixture of ingredients for the fleet, who had the place booked for lunch. A really large okonomiyaki, confirmed as the largest by the Guinness Book of World Records (staff from that company were on the premises), was cooked by Nagataya's staff for the entire fleet and it weighed 1.7 tons, a new record, all set for the fleet to consume.
Naturally, Akagi and Yamato had the largest portions to themselves. Within an hour, it was all gone. Some of the older KanMusu were having some sake and shochu to go with their okonomiyaki, and Akagi herself ordered everything else from the menu because her share wasn't going to be enough for her capacity and they knew it.
"A noble Admiral always pays his chefs," Admiral Tanaka said, paying the staff off for the meal.
Nagato nodded. Next to her was a survivor of the bomb, still living in Hiroshima and feeling happy about life. "You guys enjoying the meal?" Nagato asked.
"Ooooou!" they all said.
"Mmmf, mmmmf, mfff," said Akagi as if to say, "Can't talk, eating."
"This is so scrumptious, how do they do it?" asked Souryuu, sipping a Calpis to go with her okonomiyaki.
"They must be gods of making okonomiyaki, everything is made from scratch and cooked to order," Hiryuu replied. "It's nice to finally eat real Japanese food after a while. Also, a change of pace from the curry and desserts. So fresh!"
"Divine! Mmmmmm!"
"Attention, ladies," said the survivor, speaking through a microphone. "My name is Sunao Tsuboi, and I am a survivor of atomic bombing of Hiroshima 70 years ago. Please listen to my story." They all paid attention. "Thank you. Back in 1945, I was a student at Hiroshima Technical School. Today was just a normal day for me. I was not called up to join the military or be a kamikaze pilot because our military was in shambles.
"When the bomb dropped, there was a real blinding light that just blew your mind. Then the shock wave the followed...it sent me flying 30 feet into the air and I was unconsciouness. I had no idea at all what happened to me. Then, I wake up...destruction everywhere. There were houses gone, wiped out, destroyed, and bodies in the streets. Some burning, some loss of arms and legs...death was in the air everywhere you turned.
"I thought to myself, how was I able to escape this destruction? I could barely walk and I was covered in burns all over my body. None of you could take something like that. I know who you all are, you are the KanMusu of Admiral Tanaka, correct?"
"Yes, we are," said Nagato.
"Hmph. You would all sink into the ocean, dead, your eyes closed, your clothes torn and your fate sealed. The bombing of Hiroshima...it sealed the fate of many of my friends at school and so many more. It is something that changed the world and I thank the gods that it has never happened again since Aug. 9 of 1945, when Nagasaki faced a similar fate.
"We hibakusha are starting to disappear as we enter old age. Thanks to radiation from the fallout, cancer is invading us. We live our pain every day of our lives and wonder if it is our turn to join those who were lost on that day 70 years ago. And so, our stories are being preserved by people in this city, in this country, and all around the world so that the atrocities that were done in the name of ending a conflict that changed the world, and in the name of peace, ultimately...will never happen any more.
"You are all warriors dedicated to defending our nation from the evils of the modern era. I may not live much longer to hear more of your stories of courage and triumph and heartbreak and defeat, but to have met you all, such proud and beautiful women representing the best that Japan has to offer, is an honor that I will carry for the rest of my life, how long it may be. Thank you, and I hope you enjoy visiting Hiroshima. Thank you very much." The fleet applauded as he bowed and then they returned to eating and chatting amongst themselves for a bit.
"I like how this ward is named me, the great Naka-chan," Naka said, enthusiastic as ever. "It's like, it wanted my presence so they named the ward Naka ward after myself. This is my ward, and I will protect it with my spirit and prayer and song."
"Are you finished eating?" Jintsuu deadpanned.
"Whatever Jintsuu, stop affecting my mood!"
"All right, no need to go Nico Yazawa on us," Sendai said, shrugging it off. "We're here to commemorate history, not go lollygagging like you."
Naka returned to finishing her meal, pouting. "Jeez, you guys are impossible...mou."
After passing by some other attractions near the main point of interest, the fleet decided to tour the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Genbaku Dome, which was the memorial proper. "And so much history," said the Admiral, "can be seen in ruins like this. This dome, the Genbaku Dome, survived the blast and has been preserved to become a shrine that commemorates the tragedy that took place.
"When I was younger, and a lad just learning the ways of the world, my esteemed KanMusu, my father would take me to this place and tell me the story of those who have died, vaporized or left burning, and the tears would fall down his face as he showed me those images of the suffering that comes from paying the price of war and a desire to defend the dignity of the Emperor. He said to me, Son, you do not realize how good you will have it if you work hard and enlist in the self-defense forces when you reach the age to do so. You will be fighting to preserve peace across the land and accept your calling to do good things for humanity.
"I did not choose to be your Admiral. Fate and my willingness to advocate for a utilitarian world, where I put my country above myself, brought me to all of you and ever since I made up my mind, I made a promise to all of you as a lad, here underneath the watchful eye of the dome, that I would do my best to be your Admiral and make our Marine Self-Defense Force a strong and capable navy. It is safe to say, as commemorate 70 years to the drop of the bomb on this city, that I am fulfilling this promise to all of you...and of course..." A kiss. "To you, Fubuki."
"OOOOOOH!" said a number of the girls, fawning at the pair.
"You're all ringed anyway, I had to choose." Giggles and smiles all around.
"Thank you, Ken-kun," Fubuki said, blushing.
The fleet continued on, passing bu the horrifying, surreal images of casualties and victims of the attacks, moving some of them to tears while thickening the skin of others. A number of them looked to the heavens, beating their chests and staring as if to say, "I'm sorry this had to happen to you. When we were ships, we faced a similar fate."
Nagato knew this well. In her past existence, she was used for nuclear testing and as she sank in Bikini Atoll, she turned into a reef and a scuba diving destination for the willing. Perhaps it was her transformation as a tourist spot that attributed to her penchant for destroyers and of all things cute despite her tough, professional side. Mutsu noticed that asmile was on her face as if to say, "It couldn't be helped. Our misery needed to end, and it needed to end at that point." She had the might and resilence worthy of the Big Seven, and lived and died by it. That was Nagato, no question about that.
All in all, the visit galvanized the fleet's purpose and commitment to being of use to the JMSDF and, in turn, His Majesty The Emperor Akihito. They looked at each other and were motivated to be successful in their next operation.
Night fell on the city of Hiroshima, and the fleet, decked in their yukata, watched as they placed lanterns on the waters of the Ota River near the Aioi Bridge, ground zero of the bomb drop and part of the memorial as the north entrance to the grounds of remembrance.
"What a day it is to be alive and to not face a fate like that of those who perished seven decades ago, huh?" said Amatsukaze to Shimakaze, walking with some of the other destroyers.
"Well, we sank before they did, Ama," she replied, tweaking her headpiece. "But we're here, we're breathing, it feels good."
"Kyuuuu!" said Rensouhou, bouncing about as some onlookers and armchair military enthusiasts took selfies with the sociable artillery with character and attitude and spunk. Some of the visitors noticed the fleet and also had selfies with some of the ships. Even Kitakami and Ooi got into the fun, getting into a pretend tug of war to win one of their fans.
"Look at all these lanterns," Fubuki said, taking photos of the lanterns in a row. Kure, Sasebo and Tokyo would do similar acts that night. It was Thursday in Japan.
Ryuujou sang. "If you go, if you go your way and I go mine, are we so, are we so helpless against the tide? Baby, every dog on the street knows that we're in love with defeat. Are we ready to be swept off our feet and stop chasing every breaking wave?"
"Ryuujou, you sure have a nice voice, honey," Tenryuu said, grinning.
"Thank ya kindly," she replied. "That's mah favorite song right there. I think they're all in a good place now. We need to prevail for all of them and all y'all. Right, Admiral?"
"RJ, I don't know about you," said Admiral Tanaka, they fleet all looking at him as Fubuki embraced him, his voice cracking, her spirit lifting higher and higher so much that he was even speaking to the ghosts of those who perished, "but by the grace of Amaterasu the most high, and as her as my witness...we will not lose this operation!"
The cry from the fleet. "O Admiral My Admiral! O Commander My Commander! Banzai! Banzai! BANZAI!"
"This is where we say goodbye," Tori told Fubuki. "I shall take off. Best of luck and may the gods be on your side!"
"Goodbye, Tori-kun," Fubuki said as Tori flew off into the sky, disappearing into the open darkness. As Kisaragi watched the stars fall from the quiet comfort of her stroller, the fleet would then take the streetcar back to the port and return to Etajima to get set for the monthly operation.
END CHAPTER 26