Blaze here with another chapter up and ready. I'd like to thank all of you who have read, favorites and followed my story so far, it means a lot to me to know people are interested in my story.
With that being said, enjoy! Note: Blazepanzer does not own girls und panzer.
"No! Don't go! Please sis, don't go back!"
Hanoashi shot up as she heard the notice, slightly irritated at being awoken at first before she realized what was going on. Quietly, she rose out of her bed and sat next to her sister. "Shhh…" she whispered. "It's alright Aacob, I'm not going back."
Aacob opened her eyes slowly, tears flowing down her light brown eyes. "Sorry...I," she began, but paused when Hanoashi shook her head gently.
"You don't have to apologize," she whispered as she began to stroke Aacob hair. "I'm here, and I'm never leaving you again."
"Promise me?" Aacob whispered.
"I promise," Hanoashi whispered gently, before she joined Aacob in the bed. "Here."
"Can we...share the bed again for a while?" Aacob asked, her brown eyes pleading.
"Sure," Hanoashi smiled indulgently. "Besides, we did just that for quite some time in the past, remember?"
Aacob nodded. "Yep, it kept the nightmares of my father away, so I'm hoping it'll keep the new nightmares away as well."
"If you don't mind me asking," Hanoashi began hesitantly. "Can...may I ask why I am being sent back in those dreams?"
Aacob sighed. "It always changes," she admitted slowly. "Four times, I dreamt you where sent back," she added somberly. "One for shoplifting, one for drunk driving, one for dating an underage guy, and the last one...tonight...was for committing financial fraud."
Still sitting on the edge of the bed, Hanoashi found herself stunned. That's what she imagined I was sent back for? She gasped inwardly. However, she settled for shaking her head. "Aacob," she began slowly. "You know I'd never do those things, right?"
Aacob sighed. "I...I want to believe that. And I know I'm the last one who should doubt you, but with what happened with the handcuffs," she paused, clearly not too sure how to continue.
"I don't blame you," Hanoashi whispered. "Believe me, I've had doubts in myself too. But...going to juvenile re-taught me the value in following rules, and I'm not about to forget it."
"Thanks," Aacob whispered.
"Thanks Yolko," Aacob whispered, moving back to give her some room.
"Anytime Shino," Hanoashi smiled.
Aacob fell asleep soon, leaving the ginger haired girl along with her thoughts. Did me going to juvenile cause her this much pain? She wondered. I know they've missed me, but still, you'd think I died for about two weeks!
Her eyes briefly widened with shock as she realized the truth. No wonder, to them, I must have died for nearly two weeks! Neither of them where allowed to visit, considering that visitors where only allowed on Saturday, and only the parents where allowed to visit on the first Saturday. I was able to visit Rikona back when she was serving her sentence, but only Father had been able to visit me, so…
She struggled to fight back the tears as she realized the amount the pain she had caused her family, though eventually she was able to drift into sleep.
Hanoashi let out a small sigh as Aacob finished getting her ready. "Thanks Aacob," she smiled.
"No problem Yolko," Aacob smiled. "Besides, it looks really good on you," she added happily.
"Thanks," Hanoashi smiled in return.
The attire they where speaking of was the dress Aacob had bought for her yesterday, it was a black silk floral print dress with a brown cotton short sleeve undershirt. It was nice, and decently priced as well.
"So, we're heading to a military history museum, right? Hanoashi asked.
"Yep! Sounds fun!" Aacob smiled.
"You've got that right!" Hanoashi smiled in return.
A knock on the door got their attend. "Come in," Hanoashi smiled.
The door opened revealing Rikona. "You...look stunning cousin," Rikona began a slight smile forming across her face.
"Thanks," Hanoashi whispered, suddenly finding herself a bit worry for some reason. I know Aacob, Rikona and Miho are really glad to have me back...but after hearing my sister out...I'm not too sure about the whole story with Rikona. Miho though…
"Something wrong sis?" Rikona asked, confused.
"No...just still a bit overwhelmed about being free," Hanoashi admitted.
"I know," Rikona gently patted her on the shoulder. "It was the same when I got out," she added gently.
"If you don't mind me asking…" Hanoashi began hesitantly. "If...how did you manage to go two whole weeks?"
Rikona sat down. "Mostly, I was thinking of you."
Her heart thumbed when she heard that. "That's what kept me going too," Hanoashi whispered.
"Thinking of you and Aacob." But that's not what I really meant Rikona! She wailed inwardly, though she decided it was probably better not to dwell on jail any longer. I've done my time, so now that I'm free…
Miho entered the room at that time. "If we're going to the Military museum, we really should get breakfast first," she admitted.
"Yeah, I'd kinda hungry too," Aacob admitted.
"Let's get some pancakes," Rikona suggested.
Nooooo….not another bread product! Hanoashi moaned inwardly. We had Pizza last night and hamburger the meal before...although… she paused as a pain of guilt shot through her. I guess I don't get a vote in the manner considering…
"Pancakes are fine," Hanoashi smiled.
"I was thinking about eggs," Miho pouted.
"Eggs might be better," Rikona noted. "After all, we've been eating bread products all this time, so it'd be good to have some variety."
Is it alright for me to change my vote to eggs though? Hanoashi wondered, glancing at Aacob curiosity.
"But I want pancakes," Aacob whined playfully.
"I could always cook you some in the morning" Hanoashi offered.
"Ew...no offense sis, but your eggs are too greasy."
"I agree," Rikona noted.
"We could go separately," Miho suggested. "Hanoashi could go with Aacob for pancakes and me and Rikona could go for eggs."
But I wanted eggs! Hanoashi whined inwardly, though she squashed her inner desires and turned to Aacob. "Do you want Pancakes that much," she asked.
Aacob closed her eyes briefly and shook her head. "Yolko, I can tell that you really wanted eggs, so we'll go for that."
"Eh…" Hanoashi began before nodding. "Yeah...but Aacob I don't mind going with you for pancakes."
"Really?" Aacob asked, excited.
Hanoashi nodded firmly.
"Okay then sis, let's go!"
"Right, we'll meet you at the museum at 10:00," Rikona smiled.
As they exited the hotel, Hanoashi found herself walking in silence alongside her cousin. It's weird...being able to walk around like this freely, seems like only an hour ago I couldn't go out of my cell without having my hands cuffed behind my back, she mused.
"You sure you're okay sis?" Aacob asked. "You're...um...kinda quiet."
"It's just...weird being free," Hanoashi soothed quietly. "Trust me, I'm alright though."
"If you say so," Aacob frowned, clearly doubtful.
I guess if to be honest I am struggling with the freedom in a way. Still… Hanoashi shook her musings off. "There is something I'd like to ask you though," she began, changing the subject.
"What's up sis?" Aacob asked, gazing at her gently.
"Well...Miho and I talked about it yesterday...and we agreed that you should take over the M-18."
Aacob stopped and simply stared at her for a brief moment. "I'm...honored," she whispered. "But surely there's more qualified crewmen to put in charge." she added.
"You've handled yourself well during the last practice match, and while it is true you're not the most experienced tanker, your time in the Heiress Defense Force more than makes up for that."
"Alright sis...but if I may ask...why the M-18?"
"The M-18 is lightly armored and essentially a glass cannon," Hanoashi explained. "It needs a very disciplined commander, and it doesn't get any more disciplined than HDF member."
"I see," Aacob mused. "That's...good thinking. If I may ask though...who is going to command the other two tanks?"
"Takeo Kondou will command the P-40, and Ceaser will command the T-34-85," Hanoashi revealed.
"Hm...those are good choices, I think," Hanoashi mused. "And what about Deputy Commander?"
"If she so chooses, Azusa Sawa."
"A first year?" Aacob mused. "Not that I can complain about that of course."
"Well," Hanoashi began. "Erwin was my first choice, but Miho argued that Azusa was a better choice."
"And you went along with it?" Aacob asked. "Why?"
"Well, Miho said that it'd be better if I chose a first year as my deputy commander...and also...that it'd be better to chose a deputy commander who wasn't commanding a casemate."
"Yolko," Aacob began slowly."While there is some truth in that, I think Miho's taking into account what happened during that first match with Erwin."
"You mean the argument?" Hanoashi whispered. Miho would never do that! She argued inwardly, though deep down she had to admit that was a valid point. "Perhaps, though I hope not."
Miho pov: one hour later
"That was good," Miho sighed happily.
"Yeah, Egg N Toast has good breakfast items," Rikona smiled. "Although...I noticed that you seemed worried about something," she added carefully.
Miho sighed. "I'm just worried about her," Miho admitted quietly. "She just got out of juvenile and all, it must feel pretty weird to her."
"I'm guessing it was weird when you got out?" Rikona asked.
Miho nodded. "Especially since I got out nearly eleven weeks early."
"I was surprised to see you there," Rikona admitted.
"Yeah, same goes for me," Miho noted. "Although...I wonder why you didn't tell me that the Katoni had adopted Aacob?" she asked.
"At the time I wasn't too sure if the adoption would go though, and also…" she paused briefly. "Between you and me I was a little bit resentful over the situation." she added.
"You mean going to jail?" Miho asked, tipping her head in confusion.
"Not really that, although I quickly found out that while I like being handcuffed, I hated being in jail," Rikona answered earnestly. "No, I was actually a bit resentful over Hanoashi getting a sibling," she added.
"Why though?" Miho asked gently as she once again looked around to make sure no one was listening in.
"Well…" Rikona paused. "To my shame I thought Hanoashi was trying to replace me," she whispered.
"She'd never try to replace you!" Miho whispered harshly.
"I know that," Rikona whispered back somberly, her light green eyes clearly troubled. "Hanoashi and I are extremely close as cousins though, so much so that some in my family actually said that if one of us was a guy and we where not related, we'd be married."
"Sounds a bit crazy," Miho mused, briefly wondering what it'd be like to be married to either of them. It wouldn't do either of them any good though, since Heiress where supposed to have children if at all possible.
While she didn't know too much about Rikona, she knew Hanoashi well enough to understand that Hanoashi didn't have any interest in that kind of relationship. Her ginger haired friend was by no means homophobic, just not interested in participating in any girl on girl romance herself.
"Yeah, but they're not too far off the mark," Rikona sighed. "Thing is that I offered to do one really big thing for Hanoashi, anything she wanted as long as it was legal. So when I heard that she wanted me to help her adopt her friend...I kinda felt slapped in the face at the time."
"But Hanoashi was just trying to look out for her good friend, you know that, right?"
Rikona nodded. "I know, and I'm glad it worked out in the end. I just wish I didn't need to spend two weeks in prison reflecting on that," she added.
Miho gave her a sympathetic look. "I get where you're coming from," she reassured her. "But you have a new cousin, so you should time to spend with her," she added.
"Oh believe me, I do," Rikona smirked. "Ah...yesterday was so fun!" she added dreamily.
"It looks like you teased her half to death," Miho laughed
.
"Too true, but we did have fun," a new voice added.
Miho noticed that Aacob and Hanoashi had arrived. Come to think of it, she looks really good in that dress, if she accented it with that watch she almost always wears, it'd be perfect!
"Morning," Hanoashi waved her hand happily. "So, this is the military museum?" she added curiously.
"Yep," Miho smiled. Yukari would love to visit this place with us, she mused, missing her loader, but glad she could spend time with her friend.
"Come-on Aacob, let's have some fun!" Rikona cried happily, taking the brunet girl by the hand and rushing her into the building.
"Woah, slow down Rikona!" Aacob protested, though she had a smile on her face as her cousin in law dragged her into the building.
"It's good to see those two getting along," Hanoashi smiled.
"Yeah," Miho breathed, glad to see that Rikona was giving Aacob a chance.
"You alright Miho?" Hanoashi asked, her expression changing slightly to worry.
Hanoashi pov:
"Hanoashi," Miho began slowly. "Do you...feel odd?" she asked cautiously.
Where in the world did this come from! Hanoashi felt her blood beginning to boil over the prison talk. Look lady, I've done my time, I just want to get on with my life without thinking about it every two minutes!
"I'm fine," she muttered, not looking Miho in the eye as she entered the building. Look, I get that you are only looking out for me, but bringing it up over and over again is not helping! She ranted to herself as she paid for her entrance fee and headed toward the tank section, pausing next to a Panzer IV F2.
Aesthetically I prefer the Panzer IV H, she mused quietly. That is my favorite tank after all, she added as she admired the beige colored tank.
"Hanoashi?"
Turning to see that her friend had followed her, she hung her head slightly. "I'm sorry Miho," Hanoashi sighed. "I just...don't want to talk about it anymore."
"Say no more," Miho smiled reassuring before gazing at the Panzer IV. "Your favorite tank huh?"
Hanoashi nodded. "Yeah, though without the side skirts make it feel a bit...naked in my opinion."
"So...if you where to pilot a IV, would you go with or without the side skirts?" Miho asked.
"If you had asked me before I watched your matched with the H, I'd say without." Hanoashi remarked earnestly. "But...now I'm reconsidering."
"If you want...we could trade tanks," Miho offered suddenly.
Hanoashi briefly considered the proposition, but ended up shaking her head. "No, I mean I wouldn't mind switching up the commanders every now and then to mix things up, but the Panzer IV is your tank to command," she decided.
"I'm just thinking if you wanted to crew your favorite tank…" Miho trailed away, decided to drop the subject.
"I appreciate the offer, I really do. But I can't ask you to give up command of your tank and crew just because it's my favorite tank," Hanoashi rebutted gently yet firmly.
"Okay then," Miho admitted. "But...I bet you'd love to drive it though!" she added teasingly.
"Well...why not take the Panzer IV muddying sometime," Hanoashi suggested, smiling.
"We can do that?" Miho gasped.
"Well...no, we can't actually do that, but I do have two new teams joining us next week, so I'm thinking of gathering a few crews on Sunday for a practice match."
"You didn't tell me this yesterday," Miho pointed out. "And what will we do about tanks?"
"Sheila is providing the tanks, an M-22 Locust and a Tiger," Hanoashi admitted. "As for not telling you yesterday...I wanted to focus on the decisions for our current team at the time."
"I guess that's okay," Miho shrugged. "Still, it would be better had Rikona discussed it with me sooner," she added.
"Maybe Rikona had her reasons," Hanoashi shrugged in return. Probably to do with me going to jail, she added ruefully to herself. Maus dammit I was an idiot!
"Well, let's go look at the uniforms, shall we?" Miho asked.
Thank Maus! Hanoashi smiled inwardly. I do not want to reflect on that jail stuff anymore, she sighed inwardly.
"No, the American uniform is better!"
"No, the Japanese!"
"Well, so much for them getting along," Hanoashi thought as she walked over to the voice, her eyes widening as she saw that Aacob and Rikona where in a full blown shouting match.
"You would say the Japanese you Weeb!" Rikona growled.
"And you'd say that you bloody Yank!" Aacob shouted.
"You know I'm mostly Dutch!" Rikona growled.
Wait, you're not Dutch! Hanoashi ranted inwardly. Though as she continued to watch the argument escalate, fear suddenly crept in. I...I have to stop them! Hanoashi froze, but before she could do anything, a guard walked up to the arguing girls. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you two to come to the station with me," he told the two brunets.
At once Aacob and Rikona stopped their arguments, eyes widening.
Come on Blaze, you have to step in! She urged herself, before motioning to Miho. "If I can convince him that you and I can handle them, will you take Aacob back to the hotel?" she asked.
Miho nodded. "Okay, but you'd better hurry," she urged.
Noticing that Aacob and Rikona where placing their hands on the wall, she rushed forward. "Um...Sir?" she asked, becoming hesitantly.
"I'm busy here," the officer waved her off.
"No...I um...I just wanted to apologize for how my cousin and sister behaved...if you'd be kind enough to give them a bit of mercy, me and my friend here would make sure that they behave themselves."
The officer kept an eye on two girls in his custody, but he nodded. "Do they argue like this often?" he asked.
"No, this is the first time I've seen them argue like this," Hanoashi admitted truthfully.
"Alright then, but they have to leave this museum." he allowed, stepping back.
"I understand," Hanoashi bowed.
"Alright you two," the guard turned to Rikona and Aacob. "You may go, but if I see you causing a ruckus again, I'll send all four of you to the station."
"Thank you! And...and...I'm so sorry about causing so much trouble," Rikona gasped as she bowed.
"I', sorry officer," Aacob bowed, her brown eyes apologetic.
"So long as you understand, now get out," he barked, leaving the four girls.
"Aacob, you go with Miho, Rikona, you're coming with me," Hanoashi hissed, not in a good mood.
"A...alright," Rikona stammered.
Hanoashi lead Rikona out of the building and some ways away into a local park. "I no that I have no right to call you this given what I did about two weeks ago, but you and Aacob where both idiots back there!" she half shouted.
"I know cousin...I'm sorry!" Rikona bowed.
"Do you know how badly it would have hurt me if I say you go back to jail, even for a single night?" Hanoashi hissed.
"Yeah...I promise I'll make it up to you," Rikona cried, tears now forming in her eyes.
"Can you give you're cousin a hug then?" Hanoashi asked hesitantly.
Rikona nearly rushed over, wrapping her hands around Hanoashi in a gently manner. "I...I'm so sorry Blaze," she whispered. "I...I"
"It's okay Rikona, I forgive you," Hanoashi whispered. "Just please promise me you won't do that again," she asked.
"It's a promise," Rikona whispered gently.
Miho pov:
"You nearly got yourself arrested over a simple argument?" Miho gasped as she had lead Aacob toward a water museum quite a ways from the military history museum.
"Yeah," Aacob sighed sadly, glancing down. "I...I have no excuse for my actions."
Neither did Rikona, Miho told herself, waiting for Aacob to point that out in her defense.
But to her credit, Aacob never did.
"I guess I can't be too upset with you," Miho sighed. "Still, I guess it'd be better for you and Rikona to stay clear of each other for a few hours."
"Yeah...I" Aacob paused as she noticed Hanoashi and Aacob approaching them.
Hanoashi...is it wise to have these two together so soon? Miho asked herself irritably.
"Aacob...I...I'm sorry," Rikona began.
"I'm sorry too, Rikona." Aacob bowed.
"Cousins forever," Rikona asked, extending her hand.
Cousins forever," Aacob smiled, accepting the taller girl's hand.
"Wow," Rikona breathed.
"What's up?" Aacob asked, tipping her head.
"Your hands are soft," Rikona pointed out.
At once Aacob leapt back, gazing down as her cheeks flushed red.
"What's wrong Aacob?" Rikona asked, her light green eyes widening.
"It's...it's nothing," Aacob stammered.
"Aacob's always prided herself on being a tough gal, so when people comment on her hands being so soft, she gets embarrassed," Hanoashi pointed out.
"Sorry!" Rikona bowed deeply, clasping her hands together in a prayer like stance.
Aacob walked up to Rikona and took her hands. "It's quite alight cousin," she reassured her gently. "It's just like sis told you though, I get embarrassed by it, so..."
"Believe me, I was surprised by how soft they were as well," Hanoashi mused.
Aacob suddenly turned to Miho, grasping her left hand. "Well...wha...what do you think?" Aacob stammered.
"Um..." Miho glanced at Hanoashi. What should I do? She wondered. She grabbed my hand so suddenly... "Um...yeah...they are soft...really soft."
"So...who's softer, mine or Aacob's?" Hanoashi asked suddenly.
"Aacob's," Rikona admitted.
"Wait...um...Hanoashi...can I...hold your hand for a minute?" Miho asked hesitantly. Wait...did I just ask my best friend that! She scolded herself as soon as the words finished coming out of her mouth.
In turn Hanoashi stared at her for a brief moment in stunned silence before nodding. "Here," she sighed gently, extending her hand toward Miho.
Miho gingerly took her friends hand, surprised at how soft it still was. "How do you and Aacob keep these so soft?" she asked, tipping her head in confusion.
"No idea," Hanoashi admitted as she retracted her hand. "Father said that mother had soft hands, so maybe it's genetics," added.
"My bastard of an ex father said the same thing, except that he added that since I killed her, I owed him my hands."
"But wait...you mean that you..." Miho asked, stunned.
"No no no, it isn't like that," Hanoashi waved her hand. "Aacobs mother died when her father hit her mom in a fit of rage," she pointed out. "However, her father would..."
"Ex father," Aacob hissed. "Get it right!"
"Er...her ex father would pin the blame on Aacob, and would force her to do awful things to her." Hanoashi finished.
"How bad are we talking about?" Miho asked, her eyes filling with sympathy.
Aacob glanced down, and whispered things that Miho never wanted to hear a girl say her father, or ex father in Aacob's case have their daughter's do.