Ise POV

"Ah, this is... mmmmmm."

I sighed in bliss from the hot water in the baths. For some reason, they serve to repair us and are a perfect place to relax in. With the convoy arriving in an hour, I wanted to enjoy the baths one more time. Once we left for Miyako-jima I had no idea when I would get to experience this again. Everyone had the same idea I did.

Shigure, Harusame, Awaji, and Hatsuyuki are in a splash fight with each other and Tenryu either hasn't noticed or doesn't care as she reads her book. I shifted to get into a more confrontable potion and sighed in content. I'm not sure how long I sat there enjoying the hot water, eventually, I heard Tenryu stand up and get out of the baths. A quick check revealed that the convoy would arrive in fifteen minutes. I stretched and climbed out of the water. I grabbed a towel and started drying off. "Hey, the convoy is arriving in fifteen-minutes."

"...Fine," Shigure sighed. "Alright girls, playtime is over."

"Awwww."

"Come on, just a few more minutes."

"Nope, I'm not falling for those puppy eyes this time."

Harusame pouted adorably and crossed her arms with a small huff. I watched with a smile and finished getting dressed before I left. I made my way to the dock and surprisingly I didn't find Tenryu there. I wonder where she is. It doesn't matter, she'll be here before the convoy arrives.

The weather is nice so it should be an enjoyable two days at sea. I hummed as I felt the cool sea breeze. I could hear someone approaching from behind me but I didn't acknowledge their presence. They stepped up beside me and I opened my eyes to see the Commander.

"It is a beautiful view."

I hummed in agreement. We stood in silence for a minute, "What's the situation on Miyako-jima?"

He sighed, "It is a stalemate. The abyssals haven't tried to retake the sea but they constantly skirmish with the fleet. Our forces on the island have been unable to break their defensive line. With the supplies from the convoy, we should be able to take the island."

"Hmmm. Demons?"

"None so far. Although, satellite imagery reports strange weather patterns around Taiwan. No one knows why but the admirals agree it is nothing good."

"Thanks for the information."

He hummed. "Well, this may be the last time we see each other Ise, fair winds."

"Fair winds to you too Commander."

He turned and walked away, "There is going to be a familiar face in the convoy."

I turned to ask him what he meant but he had already entered the base. I shook my head and looked out over the sea. I guess I'll know who this familiar face is when I see her. Finally, the convoy appeared on the horizon and I jumped into the ocean quickly followed by Tenryu and the destroyers. As we made our way to the convoy I filled them in.

"A stalemate? The army can't do anything right."

I rolled my eyes at Tenryu's attitude toward the army but didn't say anything.

"What has me curious is the weather around Taiwan."

"Awww is Awaji scared of the storms?"

"What!? NO! I said I'm curious about them not scared."

"I blame the abyssals."

"You can't blame every phenomenon on the abyssals."

"Phenomenon? What is that?"

"I think it means 'strange happenings.'

"Strange happenings? That's the abyssals in general."

"Exactly. So we can blame them for everything."

"Ugh. Ise."

"Not getting involved."

"Oh come on!"

"I know a lost battle when I see one Shigure."

"I refuse to admit defeat!"

Tenryu sighed at their antics but didn't do anything to stop them. I tuned them out as we approached the convoy. Six destroyers are fanned out in a semi-circle around the supply ships and in the middle is a heavy cruiser. As I get closer I could make out more of her features. She had three duel gun turrets and they looked to be 20cm guns. She had two quad torpedo launchers and I can see multiple AA guns across her hull. She turned and her lips curved upward into a small smile.

"Ise-san."

I smiled, "It's good to see you, Furutaka-san."

Tenryu sailed up beside me with a small grin, "I'm glad you have rejoined us Furutaka-san."

"I'm glad to be back Tenryu-san. It's good to see you both."

"Um, I hate to interrupt."

"It's fine," Furutaka waved off, "I am Furutaka."

"I am Shigure. It's a pleasure to meet you Furutaka-sama. This is my sister Harusame."

Harusame gave a small bow, "Furutaka-sama."

"My name is Awaji. It is nice to meet you Furutaka-sama."

I am Hatsuyuki. It is a pleasure Furutaka-sama." She bowed.

"Shigure-san, Harusame-san, Awaji-san, Hatsuyuki-san it is a pleasure to meet you."

With interdictions done we formed up and headed to Miyako-jima. Furutaka sailed up to me, "So, what have I missed?"

"A lot. It will take some time to fill you in on what has happened after, you know."

"You don't have to dance around it Ise. I know I almost died."

I closed my eyes, "Sorry, I thought it would be sensitive."

"It is fine. I shouldn't have said it so casually. So, what did I miss?"

"Hmm. I didn't miss as much as I thought I would. These Demons you told me about, you fought one?"

"Yes, Karukaya-chan saved me, nearly cost her life." I squeezed my hand so tight I can feel my nails digging into my skin. "Never again."

"Ise."

I looked at Furutaka and something flashed in her eyes but it was gone before I could make sense of it. She shook her head, "Sorry, the sun must be tricking my eyes."

I nodded, "Happens to all of us eventually. So, since you're healed will you lead the task force again?"

"I haven't decided. Do you want me to?"

"...I enjoy leading the task force." She smiled but didn't say anything.

Slowly Miyako-jima appeared on the horizon. I can see Kaga, Nomi, Kusagaki, Miyake, and Awaji on the horizon. I looked up as two Zeros roared overhead. They saluted us and continued on.

"Fuso, the convoy has arrived along with reinforcements."

"So I've heard. It is good to have you back."

"You miss me?"

"...Maybe."

I chuckled, "The abyssals try anything during our voyage?"

"They did. Six hours ago Tatsuta's force was patrolling near Kurima Island. They were caught in a sudden storm and Asagiri was split from her force. She reported two contacts on her radar before she was engaged by an abyssal. Her report states it was far more aggressive than standard destroyer-type abyssals and Ayanami's own report backs that up. They were engaged by a squadron of abyssals and began to fall back. This is where it gets interesting. The whole squadron reported that a storm suddenly appeared over the abyssals. It rapidly swirled around them and when it cleared they were gone."

"Sounds like the Commander was right."

"What do you mean?"

"Before we left the Commander told me that strange weather patterns were forming around Taiwan. Storms that appear and disappear within seconds. It looks as though the abyssals have something to do with it."

"...I'm not surprised. If you get caught in one of those storms stay on your guard."

"Understood. Where do you need us?"

"Stay with Kaga for now. You will be a rapid reaction force."

"Understood."

"...Furutaka-san, I'm glad you are healed," I could hear her smile

"Furutaka-sama is here!?"

"Wait, WHAT!?"

"Fuso, why didn't tell us!?"

"I wanted to surprise you."

"Surprise us? Who are you and what have you done with Fuso?"

"Uranami."

"EEP!"

"Alright everyone let's try to be professional here."

"Kirishima telling everyone to be professional? There is something wrong with that sentence."

"Hey! I now I can be airheaded but I can be professional as well!"

"Furutaka-sama is back!?"

"She is. It's good to have you back sis. I missed you." Kako's voice was filled with happiness.

"I missed you too, sister."

"Alright, I hate to interrupt but we are in an active combat zone."

"Ugh, the abyssals ruin everything," Karukaya grumbled.

With the fleet resupplied high-command drew up a plan to reclaim Miyako-jima. On the forth, the fleet would bombard abyssal positions from the air and the sea for an hour starting at thirteen hundred hours. At fourteen hundred hours the bombardment would stop and the assault would begin. Once the assault begins the fleet will provide fire support wherever it is needed.

BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!

Spotter planes fly overhead and give corrections to their respective ships. At fourteen hundred hours the fleet turns their guns on abyssal positions behind the frontline. They destroy artillery positions, concentrations of abyssals, and strange armored vehicles. Great columns of black smoke rise across the island along with the occasional fireball.

At fourteen fifteen hours requests for fire support start to come in and the battleships train their guns on the coordinates given. Bright flashes on the ocean are the only warning given before the shells slam home destroying anything in the vicinity and churning up the Earth. The fleet is taking out their frustrations that have been building for the past week. The sound of their guns resounded through the air and gave many of the soldiers on the ground chills.

At fourteen fifty hours, the first breakthroughs were reported but the fleet's guns never fell silent. As the battle continues a squadron of Zeros reports a squadron of abyssal fighters inbound. The abyssals turned away and tried to outrun the Zeros. They were lead to three more abyssal fighter squadrons escorting five squadrons of dive bombers. The Zeros disengaged and Kaga and Hiryu ordered their squadrons on patrol to intercept the abyssals while they launched more. The abyssal bombers were split into two groups. Three squadrons headed for Kaga and Hiryu while the remaining two squadrons moved to attack the advancing Japanese soldiers.

The squadrons that were on patrol moved to intercept the second group of dive bombers leaving the first group of attackers to be intercepted by the Zeros launched by Kaga and Hiryu. The abyssal fighters move to intercept and the Zeros went evasive throwing off their shots. They cut through the rearmost formation and gained altitude. They leveled out and spotted the abyssal fighters heading toward them. They couldn't engage the dive bombers until they dealt with fighters but they couldn't just leave the dive bombers alone. Three Zeros broke away while the rest moved to intercept the abyssal fighters.

As the dogfight began those three Zeros dove for the dive bombers but they are escorted by eight fighters. The fighters broke away and moved into a position to jump the Zeros when they pulled out of their dive. Another three bombers are shot down and the abyssals pounce. One Zero is shot down as it pulls up while the other two break away. Using the speed gained from the dive they gain altitude. The abyssals try to follow but can't match their climb.

The Zeros once again have the altitude advantage but are in a poor position to attack. They spend the next few minutes getting into position while Miyako-jima grows ever closer. They get in front of the formation and perform a Split S. They fire into the lead elements of the formation and destroy another two bombers. They turn hard to avoid the abyssal fighters and attack the formation again. A bomber's engine flames out while another one combusts into a fireball. The escorts move in and shoot down one Zero and damage the second forcing it to dive away.

The other Zeros that were tied up now move to intercept. The escorts break off and vanish into a cloud. The Zeros passed under it and the abyssals dived out of the cloud. Four Zeros were shot down and the rest scattered like leaves on the wind. The bombers continued toward their target and began their dive. They released their bombs and broke away heading back to their carrier. The bombs hit their mark and stalled the Japanese advance in the center.

The first group of attackers had been engaged by the Zeros launched from Kaga and Hiryu but their escorts were keeping the Zeros occupied. Puffs of black smoke started to appear around them as they closed in. Both Kaga and Hiryu launched another squadron and they turned to engage. They got one pass in before the abyssals started their dive. Kaga and Hiryu waited until the last second before they started taking evasive action giving the abyssals the least amount of time to correct. The first squadron of bombers failed to hit but the second squadron was already beginning their dive. Kaga and Hiryu once again took evasive action. Hiryu took two hits while Kaga avoided the bombs aimed for her. The third squadron didn't attack, they turned back due to heavy losses.

"Hiryu, status."

"My flight deck is damaged, I should be able to get it operational."

BOOM!

In the distance, thunder roared and a storm began to form.