A/N: Hello to everyone, I am back with the next chapter of this story. Here he we pick up with the aftermath of last time.
Disclaimer: I don't own Strike Witches
It was a rainy and downright miserable day in Orussia. Shirley, a sobbing Lucchini, Eila, Sanya and Hartmann were lined up outside in a perfect line. The weather was a perfect match for the somber mood. A group of Britannian soldiers came by carrying a coffin containing the remains of now Warrant Officer Lynnette Bishop and draped with a Britannian flag.
"Ten hut!" cried Shirley.
The witches stood at attention (save Eila) and saluted. The coffin went by and the witches dispersed.
"It's okay Francesca." said Shirley.
The young Romagna witch was still sobbing loudly and friend was doing all she could to calm her down.
"Lynne!" sobbed Lucchini.
"I know you miss her. We all do." said Shirley.
Eila looked around.
"Hey, where's Barkhorn?" asked Eila.
"She had to meet the Allied command." answered Hartmann.
"Considering all the setbacks we've faced. It makes sense." said Shirley.
"She should be back in a little bit." added Hartmann.
"How is Yoshika doing?" asked Sanya groggy.
"I haven't seen her since Lynne died." answered Shirley.
"She looked herself in her bedroom. I've tried to talk to her multiple times, but I haven't been able to get a reply. She seems to have barricaded her door since I can't get in." explained Eila.
"I'm worried about." said Shirley.
"So am I. She's incredible depressed and I am really worried." stated Shirley.
"You don't think she would do something...drastic?" asked Hartmann.
"Depression drives people to extremes." answered Shirley.
"Yoshika." said Lucchini worried.
"Things will be okay. Don't worry." said Shirley.
"I'll talk to Trude when she returns." offered Hartmann.
Several hours passed before Barkhorn finally returned from her meeting. Barkhorn walked back into the castle and headed to her office. Barkhorn entered her office and made sure to close to the door behind her. Barkhorn sat in her chair, leaned back, sighed and used her hand to rub the bridge of her nose. Suddenly, the doors of her office swung open and Hartmann raced in.
"Trude!" called Hartmann.
Hartmann held our her arms and headed over to Barkhorn. Hartmann threw herself onto the desk and kissed Barkhorn.
"Did you miss me that much?" asked Barkhorn.
"Of course." answered Hartmann.
Hartmann turned her head to the side and Barkhorn realized something was wrong.
"Hartmann, what is going on?" asked Barkhorn.
"It's Yoshika." answered Hartmann.
This answer caused Barkhorn to wince.
"She's been hauled up in her room since Lynnette died." said Hartmann.
"Has anyone been able to talk to her?" asked Barkhorn.
"Eila has tried." answered Hartmann.
"Any luck?" asked Barkhorn.
"No." answered Hartmann.
"Has she at least eaten?" asked Barkhorn.
"I'm not sure." answered Hartmann.
Barkhorn thought for a moment.
"Something has to be done." said Barkhorn.
"What?" asked Hartmann.
"We have to get through to Yoshika." answered Barkhorn.
"Easier said than done." noted Hartmann.
"I'll go and force my way in." said Barkhorn.
"I don't think brute force is the answer." replied Hartmann.
"You maybe right." admitted Barkhorn.
"So we're going to need an actual plan." said Hartmann.
Barkhorn leaned back and thought for a moment.
"I'll find a way to make her talk." said Barkhorn.
"How?" asked Hartmann.
"Persistence." said Barkhorn.
"Okay." said Harmtann.
Hartmann let out a sigh.
"Hey Trude, how did you talk with the command go?" asked Hartmann.
"We've been knocked down to reserve status." answered Barkhorn.
"I understand why." replied Hartmann.
"The 502nd has been given the lead." added Barkhorn.
"They can handle things. The 502nd is composed of some damn though witches." stated Hartmann.
"Of course." agreed Barkhorn.
"They be able to handle things." stated Hartmann.
"It seems the command is impatient with the progress." noted Barkhorn.
"What else is new." said Hartmann.
"They want the 502nd to launch an attack on the hive and end this." said Barkhorn.
"Those bastards have really put out of commission at crappy time." said Hartmann.
"Consider our experience with Neuroi hives, I cannot disagree." sighed Barkhorn.
Barkhorn let out a sigh before shaking her head.
"I'm sure the 502nd can handle things." said Barkhorn.
"Of course they can." agreed Hartmann.
"Let's take care of this situation with Miyfauji now." said Barkhorn.
Barkhorn stood up and headed for the door.
"Right." agreed a serious Hartmann.
Hartmann turned and followed Barkhorn out the door.
"I hope this works." thought Hartmann as they left.
The two witches left he office and made their way through the corridors of their base. They reached the room of Yoshika which Barkhorn attempted to open. The Major jiggled the doorknob, but she was unable to open it. Thus, Barkhorn decided to go her backup plan.
"Yoshika." said Barkhorn.
No reply came so Barkhorn knocked on the door.
"Sergeant Miyafuji, answer right now." demanded Barkhorn.
"Trude, please stay calm." said Hartmann.
Barkhorn let out a sigh.
"Yoshika, please open the door." requested Barkhorn.
Still no reply came so Barkhorn knocked again.
"Yoshika, answer me." said Barkhorn.
Shirley walked up having heard the noise.
"What's going on?" asked Shirley.
"Trude is trying to make sure Yoshika is okay." answered Hartmann.
Barkhorn continued knocking on the door.
"Yoshika, open the door. I am not mad, I just want to talk." said Barkhorn.
Barkhorn continued knocking on the door.
"I hate to say this, but I think your efforts are fruitless." stated Shirley.
"As a Karlslander, I refuse to be defeated." replied Barkhorn.
"That's Trude for you." sighed Hartmann.
"You still love her." noted Shirley.
"You've got me there." admitted Hartmann.
Barkhorn continued knocking on the door until her knuckle hurt.
"Trude, just give up." said Hartmann.
"Erica might be correct." agreed Shirley.
"I won't." said Barkhorn.
Barkhorn went back to knocking on the door.
"She'll never change." sighed Shirley.
Barkhorn shook her sore hand and decided to change tactics.
"Yoshika, please open the door. I merely wish to speak to you." said Trude.
Silence still continued as Barkhorn thought of her sister.
"Yoshika, I want to talk okay. Please." requested Barkhorn.
Footsteps and movement could be heard in the room before the door slightly opened.
"Come in." said a soft voice.
Barkhorn, Hartman and Shirley walked into the room and found Yoshika curled up on her bed.
"Yoshika." said Shirley softly.
Barkhorn and Hartmann sat on the bed while Shirley leaned against the wall due to her back pain.
"Are you okay?" asked Barkhorn.
"No." answered Yoshika weakly.
"I know how you feeling." began Barkhorn.
"No you don't." replied Yoshika bitterly.
"What do you mean?" asked Barkhorn.
"You've never had a love killed." answered Yoshika.
Barkhorn was taken aback, but quickly regrouped herself.
"You're correct and I shouldn't say that." agreed Barkhorn.
Yoshika remained curled up on her bed with an anguished expression.
"Don't forget, I saw Erica get shot down." noted Barkhorn.
"I saw Trude fight alcoholism and lose her arm." added Hartmann.
Barkhorn flinched at this.
"Don't forget what Eila and Sanya had to go through." said Shirley.
"This isn't making me feel better." stated Yoshika.
"The point is, we have all suffered and we have always been here for another. We are soldiers, a band of brothers." explained Barkhorn.
Hartmann giggled a bit.
"I think you mean a Band of Sisters." said Hartmann.
Barkhorn shot Hartmann a death glare.
"I was just trying to lighten the mood." said Hartmann.
Barkhorn rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to Yoshika.
"Yoshika we are here for you." said Barkhorn.
Yoshika sat up and stared at Barkhorn.
"I am appreciative of that." said Yoshika flatly.
Barkhorn was surprised while Hartmann and Shirley shared a surprised look.
"Are you okay?" asked Shirley.
"I'm fine." answered Yoshika flat.
"You're acting...weird." said Hartmann.
"What's the point in being happy. There's nothing to be happy about." sad Yoshika.
"It's okay Yoshika. Lynette is in Heaven now." replied Shirley.
"What kind of God would let Lynne die?" asked Yoshika coldly.
Barkhorn, Hartmann Shirley were taken aback by this.
"Yoshika, tragedy occurs all the time. We cannot know why thing happen, but they do." answered Shirley.
Yoshika laid back down clearly displeased with the response.
"Please leave me alone." requested Yoshika.
"Look Miyafuji-" began Barkhorn.
Barkhorn was stopped by Hartmann placing her hand on her shoulder.
"Trude, let's just go." said Hartmann.
"No. I came here to cheer Yoshika up and I will" stated Barkhorn firmly.
"You cannot force her to be happy." noted Shirley.
"People cope in different ways." added Hartmann.
Barkhorn let out a sigh and relented.
"Goodbye Yoshika." said Barkhorn.
"Bye." said Yoshika.
The trio left Yoshika alone. They began walking back to Barkhorn's office and agreed to let Yoshika have peace while checking up on her every now and again. As they were walking, they bumped into Eila and explained to her what was occurring.
"Damn." said Eila.
The Soumus witch rubbed her eyes hearing about the situation.
"I've been trying to help her and Lynne lately." stated Eila.
"We heard about that." noted Shirley.
"I'm really worried about her. We need to be there for her." said Eila.
"I agree." said Barkhorn.
"What will we do?" asked Shirley.
"For now we give Yoshika - and everyone - support." answered Barkhorn.
"Yes ma'am." replied the others.
Romagna political crisis: Umberto II of Romagna faced criticism for the setbacks Romagna faced during the Second Neuroi War and talk of republicanism spread. Umberto II reigned until 1946 when the threat of a referendum on abolishing the monarchy led him to resign in favor of his daughter who became Duchess Maria of Romagna. Maria calmed the situation and the monarchy survived.
A/N: There is chapter thirty-seven done. Next time, the final assault against the Neuroi. Please review.