You ever wake up one morning and you just… you just know your day is fucked? Well, this was that, multiplied by an indecent number.

"Suruga… do you feel it?" I asked, unable to eat the food she had placed in front of me. Something felt wrong, and my stomach turned sour as this unshakable feeling of trepidation refused to yield.

"Kohiko… if you worry every day then you only create self-fulfilling prophecies," She turned back and smiled, placing a cup of coffee down as well. This was the good coffee, she made it with a siphon. Plus the breakfast…

"This is something different, Suru… but, what is all this for?" I asked, smiling at her. She raised an eyebrow and giggled.

"You really need to take some time off, my love… it's your birthday!" She bent down and kissed me before standing back up, turning and shaking her butt enticingly. In a heartbeat, my anxiety evaporated and I ate voraciously.

When I finished, I patted my belly over dramatically and I informed the secretary that I would take the day off.

Suruga and I enjoyed our time together, making love in the late morning hours in the comfort of our bed, bodies pressed together as we tangled ourselves up in the sheets. I never felt as at peace as I did when we were like this, joined physically…

Being inside of Suruga was… it awoke something in me that made me never want to get out of bed, and to just stay like this forever. Unfortunately, I only have a few rounds in me before I need to indulge in a refractory period, so after we bathed together (there was some fooling around, I mean… how could I not?, Suruga relaxed and let her Tanuki side come out, still blushing a little as I stroked her ears.

"Hehe… I love you, Kohiko," she said, pushing herself against me and nuzzling me softly.

I returned her affection and replied, "I love you too, Suruga, more than I could ever properly tell you."

Our affections lasted a few minutes, after which we wrapped ourselves up against the cold and retired to the living room to sit together and read. I maintained a small library, and Suruga's additions were mostly in the Sakura script, but my working knowledge had improved immensely. She raised an eyebrow as I selected one of the thicker pieces in her collection.

"Ahh… you sure?" She asked, placing her hand on another one. I shook my head.

"It's ok, Suru, I can always ask you, right?"

She scoffed, swatting at me playfully, "Hey! You know I enjoy the time I get to read too, right?"

We chuckled and sat down, a pot of hot tea beside us as we relaxed. I hadn't felt this at ease in weeks, and I forgot all about the negative energy of the early morning.

Suruga handed me a small box, wrapped up with a little bow. We had been reading for a couple hours at this point and I accepted it with a smile.

"What's this?" I asked, holding it carefully.

"A present! You'll need to open it to find out… do you not know what presents are?" She cocked her head, unsure. I maintained my straight face, but after a few seconds she saw through me and pushed me playfully, "Kohiko! I can't believe you…" she pouted.

I kissed her, smiling, "You really are cute, Suru." I carefully opened the wrapping, setting it aside and running my thumb along the masterfully made small wooden box beneath it. The wood was exquisite, the craftsmanship doubly so. A certain excitement buzzed through Suruga as I noticed the nearly imperceptible seam along the middle of the box.

The lid slid smoothly along a complex joint, and centered inside the box was what looked like a coin. No… a medallion. I picked it up, scrutinizing it.

On the front was printed IJN SURUGA, followed by her hull number and a date. On the back was something extraordinary.

Think. Plan. Act. Victories are born of Intellect, not Bravado.

I smiled, realizing what it was, "Suruga… this is your commissioning medallion!" A tear rolled my cheek as I realized the importance of this gift.

"The only one… it was given to me when I came into being, and I want you to have it. Kohiko… never have I felt this way about someone, and I never want you to forget me!" She pulled me close to her, and I lost myself in her arms for a little while.

"Suru… I'd never forget you. We'll always be together! Why don't we get married?" I said, and she stiffened for just a moment. I felt her tail brush my cheek.

"I would love to, but… we'd just be inviting issues. I want to be your wife, Kohiko, I truly do, but now… just a little longer, hopefully, just… a little longer…" she sighed, but put on a brave smile.

I understood, and admired the medallion… I would keep it with me wherever I went, always safe in its box.

The last hours of the day were precious and sweet, and it wasn't until the phone rang that I wished I could just revisit them for eternity.

"Shikikan… you need to come to the office, or the main square… the Iron Blood has made their move."

It takes but a single moment to shatter the work of years. When the news broke that the Iron Blood and the Royal Navy were set to go to war, I immediately called a meeting with the entire JNOF.

Neither side wished to fight the other, at least here, but I could see their fear of the other taking the initiative. Suruga stood by my side, her rigging deployed, as was that of my Sakura security team.

Javelin and Nimi stood to either side of me, my adoptive daughters attempting to control their emotions. They had become such close friends, and to have something like this happen… Graf Spee stood and waved, a gesture I returned.

Repulse stood up and spoke, "Commander, I hate to be the one to say this, but… you have a history with the Iron Blood, yeah? I mean… her…" She turned her head to look at Spee. The pocket battleship blushed and lowered her head.

"Spee and I share a special friendship, yes, but I have no reason to favor the Iron Blood over the Royal Navy. Didn't we just…" they suddenly cut me off by shouting, and I frowned as Suruga carefully aimed her guns.

"I don't want to fight…" Javelin sobbed and threw her arms around Nimi. The Iron Blood destroyer looked up at me, and I smiled and nodded before turning my attention back to the sudden cacophony of the arguments between the two factions.

Even as Nimi and Javelin sobbed, clinging together on their knees, the arguments quickly escalated into a physical confrontation. I attempted to calm the kansen down, but they weren't listening, and that's when I saw a rigging deploy.

"Suruga, blanks, full broadside, NOW!" I ordered, and plugged my ears, squeezing my eyes shut. A moment later I was still blind and deaf from the massive explosion as she fired all ten sixteen-inch guns at once.

So was everyone else, but far worse off. I recovered quickly and stood in the middle of them, yelling, "Why the hell are you fighting? You are here for what, again? Is this how you repay my leadership? If you wish to go, then go. Join your side and hash it out and see who wins. Otherwise, stay with me and we will find a way to resolve this, together!"

I stood there, fuming, my emotions running so hot they blanked out the freezing temperatures of the night air. They recovered and stood at attention, not a single shipgirl deserting me. I smiled.

"Now…" I began as the other shipgirls joined the now calmed group. They represented every nation to some extent, and as I looked over my amassed fleet, I felt a surge of pride resonate through me. All of these girls were friends, or at least they worked together amicably.

The next part wasn't so easy to say, "We will work to resolve the situation as cleanly as possible, however… these are your sisters, your countrymen, maybe even some of them are your friends. I need to know you support the idea of global balance and peace above your own personal desires. Think. If you can't do that, then I need you to leave. Know that I care about each of you deeply, but this is… this scenario was one I was working to avoid for years."

No one moved. I nodded.

"You stand with the JNOF," I said.

"No… we stand with you, and with Suruga, Commander Kohiko!" Javelin jumped up, raising her fist in the air. The others nodded and spoke in agreement.

So many 'unproven' ships stood together towards the center of the crowd. I turned my attention to them. These were the kansen never fully realized, their potential unknown. I called them out one by one, "Azuma, Ibuki, Izumo, Shinano, Drake, Z46. You have never had a chance to prove yourselves, yet I see within you the kind of power that wins not just battles, but that can shift the balance of power entirely."

The Sakura kansen bowed, Drake grinned and adopted a power stance, and Z46 gave me a small smile. I turned to Suruga, and she blushed, unused to having all eyes on her.

"Suruga, you are… so much more than I could ever state. Your brilliant mind has brought our fleet back time and again… it's thanks to you we've never lost a single shipgirl. Yet you've never had your mettle tested in battle… rigging, please," I couldn't hide the love in my voice, and she turned to the crowd, spreading her arms and summoning her arsenal.

I inspected her ten sixteen-inch guns, the Eagle Union battleships looking on with more than a little envy at her armament.

"K-Kohiko…" her shy whisper barely reached my ears. I smiled at her and turned back to the crowd.

"Suruga will be my flagship. Her orders supersede mine from here on out. Congratulations, Suruga, you are now the Commander of the Join Naval Operations Fleet. We will conduct all future operations with you operating your rigging directly. A C-130 is idling on the tarmac and we will be leaving now," I nodded as the crowd cheered and Suruga blushed furiously.

"Kohiko! I'm not cut out…" She began.

I cut her off, "Suru, you've always been leading, you just didn't realize it. You deserve the recognition… I'm just a human, but you are the Kansen that spoke out and defended her sisters. You are the reason they fight so hard, far more so than I am. I love you," I told her, and she sighed, but I saw her pride at my words.

All 43 kansen, plus Suruga, loaded onto the waiting plane along with the necessary supplies. The Iris had promised to loan us an airfield on the coast, and as we took off, Suruga and I discussed in earnest the future of our fleet.

So, apparently Kohiko made an executive decision and put me in charge… I'm sure he wanted it to be a surprise, and I am honored, but…

I mean, it's not that I'm not grateful…

I just don't know what to do! He says I've been the one really leading, but I think he's being too modest. There's nothing special about me!

"Suru, I can see the gears turning in your head," Kohiko joked, resting a hand on mine. I felt my brow furrow and forced myself to relax. I leaned against him, sighing.

"Kohiko… I wish we had talked about this beforehand…" I avoided his gaze. I could feel him deflate a little and I didn't want to ruin it completely.

"Suruga, I thought you'd be… you've earned this, deserve this!" The edge of desperation in his voice. I loved him dearly, and I knew this came from his heart…

Damn it! I hate this… why can't I just be happy he… ugh…

I swallowed, "I just would've liked time to prepare… but forget about it. I'm happy, Kohiko, I just…"

"Just what?"

"I… I don't know!" I couldn't find the words. I felt so overwhelmed, and when he stood up, I grabbed his arm. "H-hey! Where are you going?"

"Giving you some time," he said.

"I don't want that, I want to talk. Kohiko…" Damn it! Damn it, damn it, damn it! I should've just kept my mouth shut.

"I'll be back in a bit, I'm going to go to check on the fleet," I released his arm, holding back my emotions. I know I should be happy… I know I should be… I am happy!

But I am so scared…

"Hey."

I looked up and saw Graf Spee standing in front of me. She looked concerned. The Iron Blood pocket battleship took a seat unprompted and set her hands on her lap. She reminded me of the girls in the Sakura Empire.

I liked her. She was sharp, but I knew there was more between her and Kohiko than they were letting on, or at least there used to be. I almost felt bad, but at the same time I knew what I felt and felt so happy to be by his side.

"Kohiko showed me what you gave him," she began. I looked up sharply at this. I felt a pang of jealousy shoot through me, but I suppressed it. I should be proud, happy! I am, though… I really am… "You don't agree with his decision?"

"It's not that, Spee, I knew he would go to you. He's so comfortable around you, you're like his childhood friend. I know you were more than the item you claimed, but that's in the past…" I sighed, frustrations obvious. I wanted to pin Kohiko down and have my way with him, for him to tease me the way he enjoys, to sneak up behind me and pull me against him, fondling my breasts.

"You ok? You're panting…" She leaned forward, and I swallowed, getting my desires under control. Heh… never thought I'd be saying something like that. I nodded, and she continued, "You're right, though. We were together, and I loved him. I did something stupid, though… I followed Bismarck's orders, and I got caught. I don't… I don't want to go too much more into it, but I lost a portion of his trust that day. We couldn't, well… we couldn't really be intimate after that. Our relationship fizzled out, but I'm grateful to have him as a friend."

She paused, looking at me, her blush rising, "You as well, I hope."

I caught myself holding my breath and let it out slowly, thinking. What did she do? Yamato tried to play games, but I always shut her down… I shook my head. I refused to be critical of Spee, I'm sure she had her reasons at the time.

"Spee, we've known each other for years, of course you're my friend," I reassured her, "whatever's in the past can stay there, as far as I'm concerned."

She smiled, nodding, "You're kind, Suruga. I'm truly glad he's with you… the love I see between the two of you is a brilliant flame that made whatever we had a mere glimmer of that magnificence."

My face felt hot at her words, and I looked down at my hands, folded neatly in my lap. I saw Spee stand up, spreading her arms. I looked up, but she leaned down and enveloped me in a hug. It felt… relaxing, somehow.

She broke away a moment later, "Now, I have to say, I couldn't be happier to serve under you, Suruga. You're… what you did. It was amazing. Showing the world we aren't just weapons, or tools. Not a single shipgirl here believes in the deceit and lies of the major powers."

"I'm just another kansen, Spee. I don't understand why he believes that I'm the one always making the decisions. We discuss everything!"

"You want to change that?"

"Well, no…"

"Then there you go. Nothing changes but your title. He wanted you to be recognized for what you've done. The time for diplomacy is over, Suruga, and I have to warn you… there will be decisions you don't want to make, but will have to."

Spee left me with those words, and I slumped in my chair, intrigued yet mildly annoyed. I wasn't a fan of obfuscation or cryptic statements.

I closed my eyes as I thought, opening them only when I felt a familiar weight settle next to me. I opened them to see Kohiko and smiled.

"I'm sorry, Kohiko… I spoke with Spee and…" I began, but he just held up a finger. I watched as he pulled out my commissioning coin, stroking it with his thumb.

"I should've talked to you. I know you don't like surprises, so I'm sorry," Kohiko said.

"No… I'm grateful. I just don't want things to change. I still want to lead beside you," I reiterated.

Kohiko nodded, "I wouldn't have it any other way, my love." I kissed his smiling mouth, relief washing over me like a cool wave.

We still had a long flight ahead of us, so we slept as best as we could.

Time might as well have been frozen on the English Channel as the two fleets faced off against one another. If there were any other players, they were keeping themselves well hidden. Queen Elizabeth, her faithful bodyguard Warspite, and every single one of the Royal Navy's powerful KGV-class battleships guarded the core of a mighty fleet formation.

Carriers, cruisers, and destroyers all fulfilled their roles, though a single shot had yet to be fired. The regal Prince of Wales stared at the unusually serious Prinz Eugen, while tears of disbelief flooded Hood's eyes as she stared daggers at Bismarck.

The Iron Blood fleet was also fully assembled, though they had fewer ships. This wasn't as important as it may seem due to the presence of prototype equipment, and Friedrich herself. Though she was known to most as the dunkler engel.

Bismarck stood beside her sister, Tirpitz, wearing a serious expression as she called out to Queen Elizabeth, "Surrender, don't waste the lives of your kansen."

"We will never surrender! Why don't you scurry back into whatever hole you came from?" QE shot back.

A small smile formed on Bismarck's lips, and a moment later, two figures appeared overhead. They were unmistakably Sirens, and they settled in front of the Iron Blood fleet. Curses, and the word traitors, could be heard throughout Royal Navy fleet.

The battleship Monarch appeared in front of the formation, snarling at the sirens, "I may dislike those who claim to be my family… but I utterly despise the likes of you!"

The siren designated Purifier grinned, moving so they were face to face, "Ooh~, look at this! One of your fresh developments? An 'anti-Siren' ship? Too bad you don't have the faintest concept of what we are."

Her mockery set Wales teeth on edge, and she turned to Prinz Eugen, who had deceived her, "You promised me, Eugen! Yet you stand here, guns trained on my allies and I. Were you always this heartless? Or was this your plan all along?"

Wales fought back her tears, the betrayal of her former lover almost too much to bear. Eugen said nothing, averting her eyes. Perhaps she felt some guilt, or perhaps she had sided with her Chancellor.

The lovely Hood, a regal beauty in every regard, was now reduced to a tear-stained wreck, her rigging twitching as her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. She screamed across the divide to Bismarck, "How dare you! We talked of love, and peace… Bismarck… I gave you my heart, and you do this… you promised me it wouldn't come to this! You PROMISED!" Hood's miserable sobbing continued as she fell to her knees.

Bismarck looked uncomfortable, but the other Siren, this one designated Observer, chuckled as she watched the unfolding drama, "Wow, an impressive display of subterfuge. You may yet be spared. Now, finish them off."

"It's not that easy…" Bismarck muttered, though she knew she was merely stalling.

"Tch…" Purifier scoffed, eager to wreak havoc.

"Say something!" Hood stood up and sailed forward despite the desperate pleas of her fellow shipgirls. She no longer cared about living.

"Return to your comrades, Hood. You were a tool, nothing more. I knew that I could count on you to keep the Royal Navy's guard down and give me time to prepare," Bismarck's words caught many by surprise, her tone icy as even her own fleet looked at her with something approaching disbelief.

Purifier's maniacal laughter as Hood slumped must have triggered something deep inside the kansen, because her eyes were blank when she looked up and took aim at Bismarck. To be used in such a fashion…

She fired.

Bismarck looked on in disbelief, failing to react in time as multiple shells struck her squarely, severely damaging her rigging. Bismarck gasped, coughing blood as she looked at her former lover, unable to comprehend that she did this.

The air remained still for a few more seconds until a bestial cry roared from the dunkler engel, her salvo startling everyone into action. The sky darkened with aircraft as the two sides engaged in what had to be the largest naval battle ever seen.

Wounded shipgirls were quickly retrieved, the preservation of their life far outstripping any need for noble sacrifices.

The Sirens, however, were merciless, and being held at bay only by the efforts of Monarch, who was proving to be not only resilient, but possessing a combat acumen unmatched by most in the Royal Navy.

That wasn't to say that the KGV class weren't holding their own, but it required their combined efforts to keep Friedrich at bay.

Their strategy quickly shifted to defense as they sought to protect the carriers at all costs. Illustrious' power was maintaining the balance, but she often found herself doing everything she could to fend off Graf Zeppelin's attacks.

One side had to give, eventually… and for the Royals, things weren't looking good. Warspite had already absorbed an incredible amount of damage protecting the Queen and was having navigational anomalies.

She stood by her queen's side, yet when a trio of bombers made it past all air defenses, she looked at QE with tears in her eyes and hugged her, shielding her with her body as the ordinance deployed overhead.

QE cried as a support ship came to retrieve the gravely wounded Warspite, screaming her vengeance as she rallied her forces. The Iron Blood technology… well, their Siren-enhanced tech, was giving them the edge.

If someone didn't intervene soon…

Richelieu was gracious enough to loan me her ship so I could join my kansen in battle. Every single one of the 44 shipgirls were moving with all due haste towards the distant battle. Suruga contacted me over shortwave as soon as we came within engagement range.

"They've noticed the scout planes, Shinano is pulling them back. The Royal Navy contingent seems agitated, but I'll keep them in line. Ready to provide support as well, Shikikan," her professional tone snapped me into combat mode, and I planned, supporting Suruga as she took off, joining with the others in the back-line.

"Good luck, Shikikan," I whispered, surprised at the pride I felt at calling her that. In no time at all we were flanking the Iron Blood, but they reacted quickly, forcing us to adapt our tactics. I kept the Iron Blood contingent near the carriers, along with my trio of Sakura destroyers. Air superiority would be the key to winning this engagement.

Suruga's guns boomed as I watched her target the most prominent threat on the battlefield, Friedrich. Mikasa and Ibuki provided cover as she also performed her duties as the flagship.

I dispatched Vestal to assist in the Royal Navy rescue ops, though I caught a sense of urgency from her when she rushed over to help Warspite. I wished the small battleship the best. She didn't deserve to go like this.

Izumo was taking pressure off of Monarch, giving her a little breathing room as she demonstrated her own ability as a Siren killer. Drake began harassing the pair of Sirens as well, causing them significant consternation as they had to refocus their efforts on defending against the cruiser.

Azuma sailed straight into a direct conflict with Friedrich, the big cruiser holding off the attacks of the massive battleship and causing damage of her own.

It didn't take long for them to refocus their attacks away from the battered Royal Navy, and soon the quartet of destroyers defending me found themselves under heavy fire. Laffey, Ayanami, Javelin, and Z23 all leveraged their evasion to great success while a group of light cruisers harassed their harassers.

Colorado, West Virginia, and Maryland jumped to Suruga's defense when the enemy discovered she was the flagship, their guns thundering as I re-tasked the Eagle Union cruisers and destroyers to provide a ring of defense around her.

Shinano… watching her work in the middle of the carrier contingent was incredible. She was launching planes as though there was no tomorrow, and there were also these… I don't know what to call them, but they looked like razors of light, that she would send towards the enemy from time to time.

For a time, the Iron Blood held, but they were already tired from their attack on the Royal Navy. When you add in the 'unproven' ships in my fleet that turned out to be worthy…

A massive explosion signalled the loss of the Graf Zeppelin, and even Friedrich withered beneath so much firepower. They were breaking with their established tactics, though they could have done significantly more damage if they had stuck to focusing their firepower. Hood and Tirpitz were duelling, but it was already over.

Friedrich collapsed, and everyone who had been relying on her covering fire found themselves in a tight spot. Prinz Eugen and Wales were facing one another, Prinz weakened, but Wales shook her head.

I watched the exchanged through my binoculars as Wales' rigging disappeared and she just stood there.

Eugen advanced on her, but just threw her arms around the Royal battleship, her own rigging disappearing as I saw them collapse to their knees, holding each other tightly.

"Mopping up… Prinz and Wales, what a couple. I'm glad they didn't fight," Richelieu came to stand beside me.

"So am I. The others are surrendering as well. Deutschland… Spee is shaking her a little, hugging her, she looks so mad. I need… I need to see Bismarck. Can you take us in and have her brought on board?" I asked the cardinal.

"I'm looking forward to this~," Richelieu didn't seem to have any love for the chancellor.

I returned to observing the battlefield, looking for the sirens. I didn't see any evidence that they were even here. I'd have a cleanup team scour the area, just in case.

A half-hour later, Bismarck was brought into a hold. Suruga and QE joined me.

"Your Majesty," I greeted her, "How is Warspite?"

Q.E. Looked dejected, "She's… stable. Vestal got here just in time. Thank you so much, Commander, really…"

"I'm glad to hear it," I told her.

"Also… there were no casualties, on either side. The kansen are tough, but you saved us, Commander," Elizabeth took my hand, squeezing it before letting it go. I had never seen her so grateful for anything before.

Bismarck was coming to, and the four of us stood in front of her. Most of the Iron Blood ships surrendered peacefully, but a few had to be taken into custody. Graf Zeppelin's rigging suffered major damage, but she herself wasn't terribly injured.

The Iron Blood battleship wasn't looking great, her socket was damaged, a piece of her rigging still hanging out of it. It looks like they had had to cut it off in order to haul her aboard. She likely could never fight again.

"Haha… never thought… a Royal Navy battlecruiser could do this… guess she was mad, huh…" Something seemed off about Bismarck. The confident, strong-willed chancellor was gone, her laughter a bit… mad. "Ahaha… guess those Sirens didn't help after all, but I'm still the ruler! Boom! Boom! Ahh, my rigging doesn't seem to work… Have to get that fixed! Ohoho, there's a pain in my lower back, the socket, ahh… I see… huh, my self-diagnostic seems… oh… I'll just…"

"We have some questions for you," I said, snapping my fingers in front of her. She looked to me, then to Suruga.

"Oh… oh my, yes… I guess my plan didn't work then… fucking Spee… useless… haha… should have just killed the both of you. Suruga… how does it feel? Being responsible for all this?"

Suruga shook her head, "Classic, projecting your faults onto someone else. You brought this on yourself, Bismarck. Now you'll get to spend your days never knowing what it's like to truly be a kansen again. Killing you would be a mercy."

"Oh, we have a place for her…" QE said, her voice dripping with malice, "Let's see how she handles the cold…"

Personally, I didn't want to find out just what the Queen had in store for Bismarck.

Tirpitz broke down crying when she heard about the fate of her sister. Victorious was with her, declaring that she'd advocate for the battleship. The last week had been… harsh. Eventually, the decision was reached to not punish the Iron Blood fleet as no ships were lost. Warspite was on crutches, slowly recovering but insistent on being next to QE.

I had my suspicions, but now I knew just how close the two were. The Queen let no one touch her, but that didn't apply to Warspite, and now that I knew what being in love with someone was like, I could see just how close the royal protector was to her charge, and vice versa.

Tirpitz slammed her fist into the table, "She can't hurt anyone now… but this is inhumane! You can't just lock her up in that tower and leave her to rot! She's broken… she needs someone to look after her!"

QE grimaced, "The only reason you're here is because Victorious vouched for you. Why would we let that war criminal out, so she could poison other minds? You all followed her so readily…"

"We didn't have a choice! Didn't you see the implants? That fucking Siren tech made her out to be a fucking god!" Tirpitz seethed, "Now she's a lame duck with busted rigging… at least let me make her comfortable… I can provide a good life for her… with Victorious."

Vicky went red, and the Queen raised her eyebrows, "Why am I the only one not aware of all the relationships between my kansen and the Iron Blood? First, Hood and Bismarck, then Wales and Eugen, and now you two? Not that I can do much about it… apparently the Iron Blood just knows how to fuck."

Warspite looked surprised at the Queen's outburst, "My Queen, that language is not befitting one of your station."

"Really, Warspite?" QE raised her eyebrows, but sighed, "Yeah… You're right. Fine, Tirpitz, take your sister and go back to Berlin. Vicky can join you. I'll warn you, however, that I'll order both of you executed should you even try to plan an attack on my people again."

Tirpitz looked visibly relieved, "Thank you, like I said, I just want her to be comfortable…"

QE waved them away, turning her head from Victorious before the carrier could make a statement. She looked right at me.

"Suruga, or should I say, Commander Suruga, it appears we have you to thank for saving us."

"Nonsense… Kohiko was far more involved than I was…" I said.

"Kohiko, is that true?" QE turned to him.

"Not at all. Suruga has shown that not only is she an effective tactician, but a formidable combatant as well," he said, and I sighed. I didn't particularly enjoy praise.

"Well, it seems to me we are in your debt. I will give you almost anything, but Warspite and Belfast… I need them here…" There was that look again! "So I will assign to you Formidable, Howe, Sheffield, Shropshire, and Eskimo."

"Much appreciated," I said, taking the dossiers handed to me. She then waved us out of the room, and I took one last look as I went out the door. I hid my smile as I saw QE nuzzle up to Warspite, sighing.

They didn't notice me looking, and I turned away before they knew that I knew. Kohiko looked at me, raising an eyebrow.

"Ah, it's nothing. These are some excellent kansen she's loaning to us," I deflected.

"Yeah, they are. Now, apparently we have reservations again, but at least this time they're just for the two of us…"

The adrenaline from the battle was still within me, and the implication of his statement excited me enough to grab his hand, squeezing it hard.

He looked at me in surprise, and I could hear the need in my voice, "I think I'll be taking the lead, tonight!"

He chuckled, "As you wish, Shikikan!"

That sent a shiver of excitement through me!

I didn't want to wait! I pushed him to the bed, pulling off his pants as I roughly pulled at my uniform, desire and lust mingling with the excitement of a victory. My crotch burned, and as I squeezed my breast, it felt so sensitive.

His dick sprung up, and I salivated as I took it into my mouth, bobbing my head, swallowing as I took it into my throat.

"F-fuck yes, Suru!" He moaned. I pulled my head back, and licked his thigh, taking one of his balls into my mouth, sucking it softly.

He twitched, precum already leaking from his tip. I wanted him to say what he said earlier…

"Kohiko… call me, call me Shikikan again…" I asked him as I reached down to tease my clit.

"Y-yes, Shikikan…" he moaned, and I moaned softly as I teased myself. It sent such a thrill through me! Ahh… I always preferred to stay out of the limelight, but… I was in charge…

I pressed my tongue to his thigh, massaging his sensitive spot as his musk filled my senses. Amazing… amazing… I took his cock back into my mouth, soft yet firm, so eager to be in my throat!

"Shikikan! It feels amazing! Your throat is the best~," he moaned, and I pinched my clit, bringing myself close to orgasm. I knew he could cum a few times, sometimes even more, but I wanted to feel his seed in my throat, filling my stomach…

Aha… I've turned into such a lewd battleship… I try to hide it, but when I'm with him, it feels so good to give in to my desires! I always let my tanuki side come out when he takes me in the ass, but tonight I would ride him, Suruga the oni would ride his dick until he filled my bowels with his cum!

"I'm gonna… I'm gonna cum, Shikikan!" He moaned, and I tore my head up. I looked at him, his lewd expression surely reflected in my own face. I giggled and got up on my knees, showing him my wet pussy.

"Do you want it? You think you can make your Shikikan cum?" I said, spreading it for him to see. His cock twitched in response, and I poked the tip, a little precum getting on my finger. I brought it up to my mouth, licking it as he stared at me.

"Yes! I want you to cum in my mouth!" He begged, and I nodded. He loved servicing me, and I him. I positioned my hips above him and turned around, lowering myself onto my hands and knees, immediately feeling his tongue enter me.

"Haah!" I cried out, but quickly went on the attack, as though it were a competition to see who could get who to cum first. I was moving my tongue along his muscle as I took his entire length, moving my head furiously.

His tongue spun inside of me, making me clench involuntarily each time he thrust it into me, his hands spreading me apart. I felt it coming on; it threatened to overwhelm me, but I felt him swell inside me first! I drew back until only his tip was in my mouth, sucking on it, pressing my tongue against his head.

His hands squeezed as he came, his thick seed shooting into my mouth. His tongue dived deep into me, and I felt my own climax shake me, my own juices squirting from me as I swallowed his.

His cum was delicious~. I swallowed every last drop, but I was in no mood to wait. I got up and turned around, taking his cock into my hand and guiding it into my cunt, moaning as he pressed up against my cervix.

"Kohiko! It's so good, your dick is so good! Does it feel good inside me?" I pressed my hands against his chest, leaning over him a little.

"Amazing! Your pussy is incredible~," he replied, and I smacked my hips harder against him, desperate to feel his load fill my womb.

"You want my ass too? I know how much you like my ass, Kohiko…"

"I love it, Shikikan! Fuck, I love being in your ass!" He moaned, his cock twitching inside me at the mere thought.

Assertive… I was being so assertive! It felt good! Yes Yes Yes!

"Then cum! I know you want to! It's ok, I'm ready too~," I rubbed my clit, leaning down a little more, his hands reaching up to grab both my breasts, teasing my sensitive nipples. It was good… so good!

I cried out as his cock poured his thick, hot stuff right into my womb, making me collapse on top of him as I came, our lips locking together.

"Yes, yes! So much! Ahh… you want to see my ass?" I moaned as he finished cumming in me, lifting my hips up, his seed dripping from my slit. I turned around and spread my cheeks, showing him my anus, flexing it for him.

I knew how much he loves this… and I do as well. I positioned myself above his cock, facing away from him so he could enjoy my ass. He held his cock as I lowered myself, his dick spreading my anus open as it entered me.

"Ahh! Haah! Oh… it's good, it's so good!" I moaned, unable to contain my excitement.

"Your ass is so tight! This is amazing, Shikikan!" I felt his hands squeeze my butt as my rectum squeezed against him. I felt so full, and my pussy wouldn't stop throbbing. I rubbed it as I lowered myself until he was completely inside of me.

This was incredible! I was riding him, his cock in my ass! His hands pulled me backwards, and I leaned back, his hands fondling my breasts again, teasing my nipples… haah…

He was thrusting up into me as I was pressing down against him, resting on my elbows, almost laying on top of him. He was reaching so deep in me… deeper than ever before, and I couldn't hide my sounds of pleasure any more!

"Shikikan! I'm gonna cum! I'm gonna cum again!" He moaned, and sure enough, a moment later his seed was pouring into my bowels, filling my stomach with a white-hot feeling of pleasure. I moaned, quickly rolling off of him, and sticking my ass into the air. I let go of my control and felt the ears on my head, the tail on my back.

"Now fuck me! Fuck me, Kohiko! Use your tanuki however you want! M-my ass again!" I moaned, crying out with pleasure as his cock filled my rectum again, his hand grasping my tail and pulling it ever so slightly.

Now I needed him to assert this dominance… I needed to know he still was in control, too…

"Shikikan… harder, Shikikan…" I moaned, and sure enough, a moment later he was bent over me, my rectum squeezing against his cock as I felt his teeth against my ear. My right ear was his favorite!

Oh, it was good… it was so good… His cock pounding me, his firm grip on me, I was his… I was his and would always be!

He came again and again, filling me four more times, my ass so full with his cum I could feel it as it poured out of me when he finally pulled out.

I could feel air entering my ass as I panted, unable to move. He spread my cheeks, admiring his handiwork.

"D-don't stare…" I said, my voice weak.

"Suru… it's so sexy!" He said, and pushed his cock back in, slowly thrusting until he went soft.

He helped me lay down fully, and I giggled as he lay next to me, kissing me deeply.

"I wanna be on top more often…" I said, and he smiled.

"Whatever you like~," he said, his tone seductive.

I felt his fingers enter me, and I moaned.

"W-what are you doing…" I said.

"You're so close again… I just want to make sure you have one more!" He said.

I was impressed by his thoughtfulness, but I already lost count of the number of times I came! Nonetheless, he hooked his fingers into my g-spot and quickly made me make even more of a mess of the sheets.

"Alright… oh… gods… I love you, Kohiko!" I threw my arms around him with what strength I had left, and then exhaustion took me.