"Commander~ Say ahhh~"
Atago forces a fork into my face.
"I can feed myself-"
Atago shoves the fork into my mouth as I try to voice my protest.
The sweet sensation of O-sho melts into my mouth as Atago tries to force feed me her new favorite dish. I groan as the O-sho dissolves into my throat and swallow it with a hard gulp. Atago looks quite pleased at my reaction.
It had been 3 months since we had been undergoing Atago's retrofit. We had spent almost every waking hour together, looking around and seeing the sights abroad. We had finally reached our destination in Kyoto by specific request of Atago. Despite her complete fear of heights, she wanted to see the mountain her namesake came from.
We eat at a small restaurant at the foot of the mountain which looks magnificent against the dazzling cherry blossoms as spring comes around again. Mount Atago looks stunning with her hills full of cherry blossom trees in full bloom.
But by far the prettiest sight was the fox in front of me who continues to tease me.
"Yes yes, it's very good. It melts in your mouth as soon as your tongue touches it. It's amazing."
"Hmmhmm~ See I told you you'd like it!"
Atago flashes me her brilliant smile which makes my heart melt. Her perfect white teeth almost allow me to see my reflection in them.
Atago catches me staring at her and blushes slightly.
"So what are we going to do today?"
"Well, I was thinking we could try a hot spring while we're here. I've heard they're particularly putent here."
"A hot spring~ Oh my, is the commander trying to see me naked?"
"It's not anything I haven't seen before." I say seriously, causing Atago to blush as her teasing was rejected.
"We just haven't been to one yet, which means you have not been able to explore the pleasures of one."
"I will admit that, but it can't be much more different than the ocean right?"
Atago was wrong. Atago practically began living when she dipped deeply in the hot water with a long sigh. Her naked body only being covered by a towel as she slides closer to towel kept falling off of her breasts allowing me to peek in every once and a while. Much to Atago's enjoyment.
"If you want to look at my breasts I will gladly allow you too~"
"A tempting offer, but part of the charm is seeing you dressed in a towel." I muse.
"You look quite good in just a towel too, commander~" She squeezes her breasts into my arm as she hugs it, obviously tempting me to change my mind.
The heavy steam in the spring caused a large cloud to fall right in front of her breasts, saving me from the rising blush. Atago tries to shoo away the cloud but is unsuccessful for a moment. A small gust of wind blows it away.
Though by the time it did, Atago had fallen deeply into the springs healing powers as she relaxed. I too felt the tension in my muscles fade as the hot water worked wonders for our bodies. Atago stuck her bare leg out of the water and began to wash it seductively. I could not tell whether on purpose or not, but knowing Atago...
Seeing Atago's naked top half was not a rare occurrence. Seeing her naked lower half though was as I am drawn to the unique shine of her long legs. Feeling something rising within me, I push those feelings deep back down and continue to watch her clean herself.
Her wet black hair is also attractive as she flips it behind her, sinking her leg back into the water. "Oh my, commander~ your eyes say they want to partake in me~" She licks her lips.
I bite my lip to stop myself from saying yes.
"I am merely teasing you, commander~ I know why you brought me here. You got a letter from the Emperor telling you to meet him and you want to interrupt our vacation to do so but you wanted to tell me in the nicest way possible after a nice relaxing hot spring bath. Am I right?"
I hang my mouth open as I try to think of a response to her deadly accurate statement.
"Uhm. Yeah. H-how'd you know."
"I know the way you walk and speak, commander~ I can always tell when you're keeping something from me~" She tries to draw attention to her body as she says this. Knowing this is a trap, I turn to look away. Atago giggles.
"But I do appreciate my first hot spring experience. I'll have to come back here with my sisters one day. Of course you'd be welcome to join us, com-man-der~"
She slips off of me and stretches, raising her arm to the sky.
"Well, best not keep him waiting."
She exits the hot spring with a sigh. The Sakura petals dance down from the sky and land on her head. She picks it off from the top of her head and holds it in her palm. She smiles at the fresh and pink petal, examining the smooth texture. The wind blows it away back into the bright and open blue sky.
Trapped in her beauty and the beauty of spring, I stare. Something I find myself doing a lot nowadays. This time, Atago seems too deep in thought to notice as she leads me to the tarmac.
"You wanted to speak with me, Emperor."
The Emperor stands, looking out of his grand window that surveyed all of Tokyo. He hardly acknowledges my presence.
"The situations become quite desperate, Hiroto. After we were forced to withdraw from Guadalcanal, we've suffered crushing blow after crushing blow. Somehow that damned carrier still isn't at the bottom of the ocean and two more seem to show up everyday. We cannot sustain this much longer."
"Then why can't you just surrender? You're the Emperor, despite the military running things you still have the people who would follow you to hell and back. If you'd surrender then-"
"Then what? If we surrender we ruin the honor of the dead and my ancestors! The Union would still use us like pawns in their silly little chess match to receive whatever resources they want from us. I will not allow the Eagle Union to move any closer! But for that to happen, we need to take out their carriers. How do you suggest we do that with only two remaining carriers of our own?"
"Is this a rhetorical question, sir?"
The Emperor paces behind his desk. Clearly frustrated with the rate the war was going. The will of the Sakura people reflected in his fiery and passionate eyes.
"Yes… and No. At this point I just don't know what to do anymore. Your father would have had a plan…"
"Emperor if I may speak~" The black haired fox speaks up from behind me.
"I believe that our current tactics could be used in a more indirect manner."
The Emperor raises a brow.
"Go on."
"Well, you see. We only have two fleet carriers compared to the Eagle Union's untold amount of carriers with more well on their way. What I suggest we do, is use our two carriers as bait. As the enemy fleet and carriers focus their attention on them, make them fight where they don't want to. The two carriers lure them into a trap, perhaps behind some islands or somewhere else where their radar won't help them, a small task force of destroyers and cruisers could get close enough even in daylight to open fire upon the enemy fleet without being detected."
"While I am impressed at your officer skills, I'm afraid that is far too risky than you are making it sound. Planes from those same aircraft carriers could spot you easily and then make course corrections, not to mention that our carriers would be in a serious disadvantage. It is a thought though. Perhaps there are other ways to execute this tactic."
"I suggest that we force them into an advantageous position like Atago said, make them fight where they don't want to be and where we do want to be. It is how the Chinese have been doing it for years and something I learned about aboard the mass produced ships. However, there are few places that may be immune to something like carrier attacks that form sort of a natural Anti-Air defence. Like say here for example."
I point to the Phillipine islands, more specifically to a key tactical gulf that lay just southeast of the San Bernardino strait. It was obvious the Eagle Union would have to capture this point if they wanted to regain the philippines.
"My training tells me that they would land here." I point to a more northern gulf just above the strait.
"However, we must get them to meet us here. Between the San Bernardino strait and Surigao strait. This will be the most advantageous spot for our surface fleets to remain protected against Airborne attacks and allow our ships to shine at their best. If we were ever looking to win a decisive battle it would have to be here." I point to Leyte Gulf.
The commander looks at the map in silence before letting out a light chuckle.
"You remind me so much of your father, commander."
"Thank you sir."
"Leyte Gulf, huh? You're sure about this? This will provide you with the cover you need to avoid air attacks and allow you to return fire?"
"Yes sir. All we need is to force them there."
"Consider it done. We will need to do some more extensive planning of course, but for now, let's just keep this little plan to ourselves."
"Yes, my Emperor. Is there anything else you need of me?"
"Yes, how has your vacation been? I hope you have taken this time to get closer with Atago."
"I am not permitted to have any relations with my Kansen, my Emperor."
"Good answer. I'll write to you two when we have a more conclusive and decisive battle plan. Until then, enjoy your vacation."
"Thank you, my Emperor." We both bow our heads and leave quietly.
"He's just as bad of a liar as his father was…" The Emperor throws up a pen and catches it, clicking it once to extend the tip before writing something down on a piece of paper.
"He's also getting smarter, almost more so than his father. But we all know where that got him…"
"Is our vacation over already? I didn't even get to go to the beach yet." Atago says disappointed.
"It's been 6 months Atago. If you wanted to go to the beach you should have asked me."
"I didn't want to bother you while you and the Emperor formulated a strategy. I don't quite understand all the words you use."
"Nonsense, your input helped guide me to my own answers the entire time. I would have been lost without you."
"Aww commander~ You're going to make me blush~"
Atago's retrofit took much longer than expected. This could more than likely be attributed to the very minor damage she received in the Second battle of Guadalcanal which had torn a hole through her superstructure. However, by the end of it I made sure to keep my word. Atago had been outfitted with two more triple mount type 96 AA mounts.
Easy to say Atago was ecstatic.
"Wow, now those are some Anti-Aircraft guns. Thanks commander~"
"Looks like she got a modernization too. Her armor looks thicker and the plating around the weapon control system are obviously new."
"Oh my, commander~ Talking about how I look. You truly are shameless~"
"Just trying to say she looks stunning as always." I receive a bright Atago smile for my complement.
"Oh well, I still have a few more days. I suppose I could sunbathe in my new bikini."
"I can't call that a bikini, it's basically underwear."
"Aren't all bikinis just underwear? Or did you secretly just want to see me in my regular bikini."
"W-well. Anything you wear is fantastic, but…"
"You don't have to say anything else, commander~ I promise you I'll model this new bikini very personally for you later~" She licks her lips and traces her finger down my chest to my manhood where I twinge with excitement.
"As much as I would love to see that, I'm afraid you have something much more important behind you." I smile widely.
"More important than you? There is no such thing~"
A stern hand grabs Atago's shoulder from behind. Atago jumps as a shiver runs down her spine in response. Atago's nervous expression said she already knew who it was.
"How about your sisters?" Takao says with a twinge of jealousy.
The three other Takao class sisters stand directly behind their sister who welcomes them with a big hug. The four sisters smile brightly after being reunited once again as their older sister squeezes them tightly.
"You're all my number one~ Oh my, should I pamper you like I pamper the commander~"
"Th-that's fine Atago, sister. You're crushing us!" Maya speaks in protest, causing the oldest cruiser to release them.
"I didn't know you all were stationed here!" Atago says excitedly. "I wish you could have come with us on vacation. We did so many things."
"It's alright Atago. We didn't want to get in between the two of you~" Choukai winks. Atago tries to stamper in protest but is quickly silenced by Takao.
"I heard you are in charge of the next campaign in the Philippines, commander. I must say I'm impressed, though I don't know any other information. I've heard what you're planning is big."
"You know if I could I would tell you Takao. I'm very sorry."
"Oh no, I completely understand the secrecy behind it all. You will have my sword either way."
"Come on Takao~ You're going to make me jealous, professing your love like that~" Atago wraps her arms around her younger sister.
"I have done no such thing, I was just complimenting the commander." Takao is still able to manage speaking straight even with the massive flush on her face. Her ears shy away from me which surprised me at first. I thought it was her hair.
"Mhmm~ You don't have to hide your feelings from me, dear sister. Your older sister can read you like a book~"
"Atagooo." The poor heavy cruiser shrinks in embarrassment. I give the fox sister a gentle headpat right between her fox ears. She elicits a small peep in surprise.
"Hiroto, would you mind letting me and my sisters catch up? I promise I'll be back before dinner so that we can all go for a drink~"
"That sounds good. Don't get into too much trouble."
"We'll try~"
Atago leads her sisters away, as she does so I hear Takao whisper to her.
"You call him by his first name?!"
"Of course! You should try it sometime."
"As if I would be so bold."
I chuckle as Atago looks back and blows me a kiss. My heart jumps as she walks away with her sisters.
"You guys are so cute~"
A female voice calls out from behind me. I physcially jump as I am caught receiving Atago's blown kiss. I rapidly turn around to a beautiful white haired carrier I had only heard over the radio.
"Shokaku! It's good to see you!" I shout out awkwardly, trying to hide both my embarresment and my guilt.
"Calm down, commander. I won't tell a single soul."
I let out a sigh of relief. "How are you doing? I hope your reconstruction went well."
"It did, thank you commander. It feels good to be back out on the front lines after being away for so long. I can visually see the impact of my absence." She says as she looks out over the ocean.
"Indeed. Without a main fleet carrier in this part of the world it has been loss after loss after loss. I trust Zuikaku is with you as well."
"Indeed. It seems there have been rumors of a large scale assault in defense of the Phillipines. It would explain why there are so many main fleet ships here. Have you heard that Master Nagato is here?"
"I have not. Though having the flagship of the Sakura Empire is a quite nice boost to the moral."
Shokaku sighs. "I wish my commander would finally acknowledge his feelings for me. It would be nice to have what you two have."
"It is a rather silly rule. Though I understand their reasoning."
"They obviously do not understand that we have feelings too. Though I suppose you're right, it may prove challenging if ships got pregnant and… other things." Shokaku blushes slightly before clearing her throat.
"A-anyways. I wanted to tell you that I and my sister will be in your care for quite some time. We have been assigned to your task force for any needs you may need." She smiles teasingly. "Of course, except for romantic."
We both laugh out loud at her joke. Zuikaku, who had been attracted by the sound of her sister laughing comes and joins in on the conversation.
"Hello commander. Great to see you again." She says standing next to her white haired sister.
"And you too, Zuikaku. Were you able to obtain more resources for your planes at Tokyo?"
"Yes sir. I'm ready and willing to fight. Especially if it's against the grey ghost."
"I'm sorry you were not able to sink her back then. Normally, that many hits would have left her inoperable. I don't know how they do it."
"It's not something you should be ashamed of commander. Enterprise is a worthy adversary. She bravely stands upon her flight deck even while under attack, that is the mark of a true warrior."
"If I didn't know any better I'd say you've fallen for her, sister."
"I-I have not sister, surely you jest! I could not forgive her for all of the pain she has caused the Sakura Empire."
"I only tease, dear sister."
"Are you two lovely ladies out for some food? I could go for a bite myself."
"That would be lovely, commander~" Shokaku purrs. Zuikaku seems much more hesitant.
"I don't know. It's kind of like eating with your boss…"
"Then just call me Tsuyoshi. We can chat about the grey ghost if you like."
"Alright. You've sold me. Though don't you think your ship will get jealous if she sees us."
I chuckle rather loudly. "Does everyone know about us?"
"Only people who have seen you two flirt together." Shokaku musses.
"Great so that leaves only two people in the world who don't know."
The two crane sisters laugh at my tease on the unpresent Atago. The three of us sit down at a small cafe just outside of port and talk at great length about carrier operations that, until then, I had very little knowledge of. The two acted like normal sisters. Much more different than the interactions I was used to with Atago, Takao, Maya, and Choukai. They had an air of royalty and beauty always surrounding them which would constantly call attention to their presence as all who entered who stop and stare for a moment.
After a quick talk, we part. Though it would not be very long till we would meet again…
"You know commander, I'm getting quite tired of chasing these women all across the Pacfic."
It had been months later before Atago and I saw any real action again. Though we had sortied many times, covering for our troop transports, we had experienced little combat. That was until quite recently when an Eagle Union force of carriers attacked the Gilbert Islands, a small group of islands in the middle of nowhere that were of strategical importance to the Sakura Empire.
In response, Admiral Yamamoto himself gave the order to pursue the carriers and find them. Admiral Yamamoto had our fuel tanks filled to the brim for this exact reason. Together with his flagship Yamato and the two crane sisters, Atago and I sailed along the deep pacific in search of the carrier force.
Takao and Maya were at either side of our vanguard force with Choukai just behind Atago, sailing in her wake. Not so far behind us are the silhouettes of two large battleships and two large carriers accompanied by a plethera of destroyers and other heavy cruisers. Yamamoto had sent us ahead in order to make contact using the new upgrades to Atago's surveillance systems.
"I know, they do seem to escape just before we can engage them everytime."
"Though, I don't mind sailing the ocean with you after so much time on land~"
"Me too Atago. Hey, that's new. I never noticed it till just now." I look over at Atago's port side and find an upgraded rangefinder. Not that she was inaccurate before hand, but this was a huge advantage to her over the Union ships.
"Do you like it? I was told it's the newest model."
"It looks spectacular. Hopefully we are able to put it to good use."
"While I do appreciate you paying attention to my hull, I would much rather you pepper me with compliments instead." She only sounds like she's teasing a little behind her smile.
"I could compliment you all day, that doesn't seem very fair to your hull does it?" I tease back. Atago looks saddened by the tease though she knew it was a joke.
I give her a quick kiss on her nose.
"I was kidding, Atago. You're so stunning I fear I may not find the right words to describe you."
Atago blushes hard as she tries to cool herself off. I smile at her blush and give her another quick kiss, this time on the lips. This quick kiss turns into a quite lengthy one as I cannot resist the sweet taste of Atago anymore. Atago tries to fight back against my tongue, which she easily accomplishes with her strength and expertise in the matter as she explores the insides of my mouth. Of course, at some point we needed to breath. However this brief moment did not last long as we embrace our lips once more in a moment of passion.
…
Another miss. Our task force failed to locate the enemy fleet and we returned home in shame. However, unbeknownst to everyone else, this had been according to plan. With the carriers on the run, they were forced to retreat northwards and abandon their campaign for now to focus on their own plans for the invasion of the Phillipines.
The plans for the battle that the Emperor and I discussed were well underway. We were currently sitting in port, waiting for our next orders…
"Takao has been gettin restless. She wants to attack the convoys now and without further delay." Atago informs me.
"I know and I thank her for her patience but we have to wait for the opportune moment to strike. If we charge in there without a plan, we run a serious risk of losing all four of you."
"I tried to tell her that but she wouldn't listen. Typical of Takao I suppose."
"I thank you for trying. Bouganville will have to wait, without air support we cannot accomplish any reconissence and all actions in the area have been met with overhwelming adversity. This won't be easy."
"I believe you can think of something, commander~"
"Thans Atago. What do you say to another date after this?"
"Another one? I'm not complaining but you seem to be taking me on a lot more dates recently. Why would that be~"
She sits on my desk, flashing her thighs at me. I stare for perhaps too long as Atago takes notice with a smirk.
"I just like spending time with you."
"Or perhaps you want something a bit more afterwards~" She makes it evident that she was trying to attract my attention to her legs, or more specifically, what lay between them.
I turn away to hide my blush which Atago takes full advantage of slipping her hand to my chest and making her way down my shirt to my pants. She unbuckles them and licks her lips in preperation.
Air raid sirens go off. Both Atago and I jump as I quickly fasten my belt back on in a rush. Atago is dissapointed but that was hardly the expression she wore. I rush up with her to the bridge where an attack had already begun.
A black sky of a hundred planes moves closer each second as the port around us is turned into a chaos of explosions and yelling. Without having to tell her, Atago opens up her brand new Anti-Aircraft guns and fills the sky with her new ability. The change in firepower was obvious when the first rounds left their guns as Atago strikes down two planes instantly.
The sky was then soon turned to an even darker shade of blac as Union planes mix with the Anti-Aircraft flac clouds of all surrounding ships. Atago's new armament made her a target as an entire squadron descends upon us.
Atago's anti-aircraft fire managed only to take out a few of them before they released their payload. The first few missed their mark by a large margin. However, soon they began getting closer until eventually they began landing close enough to damage the ship. A bomb to our port side rocks the ship violently as it lands just into the water next to her, blowing the bottom of her hull in.
The next bomb lands at her bow and lightly damages that as well. The third and final bomb to make contact with the ship blows apart the glass in the bridge. I feel a sharp pain in my gut as the shockwave from the bomb causes to knock both Atago and I on our backs. Atago gets up quickly, but the pain in my gut would not leave as I groan in pain on the florr of the bridge.
Atago drops her concentration on her Anti-Aircraft fire and rush over to my side. I clench my bleeding wound as Atago tries to perform first aid.
"Hiroto! Okay calm down, deep breathes. This is going to hurt."
Atago reaches into my wound and pulls out a large piece of debris which causes me to yell out in pain. Atago apologises profusely as tears line her eyes. She rips off a part of her uniform and tries to stop the bleeding which continually leaks out of my open wound.
"Agh, fuck!" I yell out as she applies pressure to my wound.
"I'm sorry! I'm so very sorry!" She says as tears fall down her face.
"A-are you alright?"
"I-I'm fine. You shouldn't speak. You're still losing blood." She says through her tears.
I groan in pain as she continues to apply pressure.
The sounds of air raid sirens continue but the airplanes had stopped raining bombs on the port after the third bomb. Atago desperately tries to call for a medic but her please and cries for help are met with only the sound of the siren.
Atago continues to rip off her uniform until the bleeding stops. She takes off a single thigh high and ties it around my waist to try and stop the bleeding without having to apply pressure now that the wound had stopped bleeding out majorly.
Atago rests my head in her lap which does help alleviate some of the pain.
She carreses my hair as I grunt in agany. Her tears leak down onto my face as the tries to recollect herself after the attack.
"Medic!" She shouts one last time.
When the door swings open, Atago turns around to see who it was. She is both disappointed and happy to see her sister there.
"Atago! What's wrong! I heard your cries!"
Takao looks over to my body on the floor and the wound in my gut. Her heart sinks.
"We need to get him to a medic." She says seriously, reaching for my body. However Atago does not wish to cause me anymore pain and refuses to let her sister take me.
"I can't… He's hurt…"
"I know, that's why we need to get him to a medic. But we need to move him."
"But…"
"Do you have a stretcher somewhere? I have one in my closet." Takao opens up a small door that leads into a cramped room. In this "closet" are many different items. Among them is a stretcher. Takao takes the stretcher and lays it down onto the ground next to my body. She loos desperately to her sister.
"If you really love him, you'll help me get Hiroto onto this stretcher." If it wasn't for the circumstances, I would have blushed profusely at the mention of my name.
Atago takes my head off her lap.
Through her tears she says, "I'm sorry."
Atago and Takao lift my body to put me on the stretcher, causing an intense flare in pain. I yell out in agony which causes Atago to weep even more. The teo heavy cruisers lift the stretcher into the air and carefully off the ship. As we descend the staircase to the port, the last thing I see before blacking out is Atago's face.
I jolt awake in a cold sweat. My wound pulsates painfully as I jerk my hand to cover it in case my blood was spilt. A large IV sticks into my arm but that was hardly the more painful experience.
A weird dream to say the least. Can't say it was the first time I had it and it probably won't be the last. I shake my head clear of that thought and focus on the scene in front of me.
I was in a hospital. Or at least I think I was. There were hundreds of other beds around me all with their own injured in them. I take a moment to adjust my vision to the sunlight which bore in through the windows across from me. The light from the windows accented a beautiful sleeping fox at my bedside, she used my bed as a pillow.
I reach out and touch her head and ears, giving it an affectionate pet as she sleeps. Unconsciously, she grows a smile at the touch. Her beautiful face was highlighted by the light and caused my heart to flutter in awe at her stunning beauty.
Atago slowly begins to wake until she sees the hand patting her. Her golden eyes open wide and grap me into a hug.
"Commander! I'm so glad you're awake!"
I give her a pained laugh as the sudden moment causes the pain in my gut to flare. Atago notices the pain and immediately lightens up.
"Hey Atago. How long was I out for?"
Atago moves away a tear which had formed in her eye. "About 5 days. I was so worried about you."
"I'm alright Atago really."
"And no small thanks to your Kansen for that. If you had stayed on that bridge you would have died after losing so much blood." The doctor chimes in, checking on a patient next to me who was obviously dead.
"Th-thank you Atago. Sincerely, I owe you my life."
"If you want to thank anyone, thank Takao. She's the one that helped me to do it."
I sit and ponder that sentence for a bit. "How are your sisters? Were they damaged? What's happened in the last 5 days? What's our next assignment? What-" I am shushed by Atago's kind hand which holds a finger to my mouth.
"My sisters are fine, I was the only one to sustain damage." Almost as if Atago could read my mind she states the next answer without me even asking the question. "Yes I'm fine, it was very light damage. Although the underside of my hull has been blown in which could require substantial repair."
Atago grabbed my hand and explained the rest to me. On that day, two Eagle Union carriers had bombed the port, sending the Sakura navy into dissaray. In a desperate attempt to slavage as many vessels as possible, Atago is to undergo repairs in Tokyo in her first dry dock repair of the war along with a dozen or so others.
My plan had been postponed due to this but it was still on track to happen by early to late next year. A minor setback in the grand scheme. However, Atago's welfare I valued high above my own.
"What about you? Did you get hurt?" I wait for an answer.
Atago shakes her head no.
We sit in a comfortable silence as I try to rest and ignore the slight constant pain in my gut. I mostly spend my time watching the beautiful fox stare right back at me as our eyes became locked in a battle of passion. Atago is the first one to speak.
"My sisters came to visit you a couple of times. Takao had tried to explain her appearance by pretending like she came to see how I was doing. I know her too well to know that was a lie."
"The doctor says you have a few more days before you can walk again, so I'm going to stay by yourside feeding you and nursing you back to health~"
"Atago you don't have to do that-"
"I want to do this commander~ I want to repay the favors you've done for me."
"There isn-"
"Shhh. I'll be right back so don't move anywhere~"
Atago leaves and then returns shortly after with a bowl of soup. Standard soup found in most rations in a hospital. Though the food was not particularly enticing, the women serving me it was.
"Alright commander~ Say ahhh~"
"Ahhh-"
Atago feeds me the soup slowly and, in a way, seductively. The way she blew on the soup and put the spoon into my mouth arose more than one thing in me. Atago was obviously trying to make this moment last as long as she could, taking slower and slower spoonfuls. I have rarely seen her happier than right now.
"There. All done~"
"Thank you Atago."
The fox kisses my forehead and gets up from her seat next to my bed. For the first time I noticed she was not wearing her Military unifrom but instead that Sakura school girl unifrom she ahd bought all that time ago.
It was far better looking on her than I expected.
"I've got to go commander, I promise I'll be back soon though~" She waves goodbye.
"S-see you." I call back to her as she walks out of the hospital.
I had made up my mind. After the next battle I was going to do it…
Atago had been playing with her new radar for the past three months. After her repairs and subsequent retrofit in Tokyo, she was the most modern cruiser in the Sakura navy. Atago immediatly got to testing her new radar out in open waters as soon as we returned to port. Picking up things she normally couldn't see.
"Commander! This is amazing! It's like I can see the entire ocean with this."
"It makes sense as to why the Eagle Union uses this method en masse."
"I'll say. What do you think of your sister now, Takao."
"While I am certainly impressed, it has yet to prove itself combat worthy. I will stick to the techniques we have been using so far into the war."
"Lighten up sister, if you could see what I see, you'd want one too~"
"Even so, we cannot afford to give another Takao class radar when others need it so desperately. Sorry Takao." I respond almost immediately before I got Takao's hopes up.
"It is alright, commander. I'll let the oldest have all the fun."
"I'm sure you'll get one soon, Takao."
I listen closely to the surrounding sea as their conversation ends. The rushing of the waves as we cruise had become a calming sound to me, even in the heat of battle. As I listen I could hear the birds chirping from a nearby island and the call of a whale as it passed by us, flipping its tail through the water. I also heard what sounded like the rushing of waves in a small river, completely different to the regular sound of crashing waves that I had grown so accustomed to.
I listen closer.
Torpedoes.
"Atago! Turn to starboard!"
"What but-"
"Just do it!"
Atago turns sharply to starboard as the sound of small waves comes closer and closer. In the water are four small wakes that seem to originate from underwater. Clear indication of torpedoes. Atago's rudder slams as far as it could go as we barely manage to dodge out of the way of the torpedoes.
"Geez that was a close one." I watch as they disappear behind us.
"Takao, we have a submarine in the area. Remain vigilante and search your sonar for anything."
"Roger that."
"Dammit, the one time I'm not checking sonar…"
Atago lets out a large sigh as she watches the torpedoes de-arm after a certain distance. She walks up to me.
"Good call commander. We could have been toast there."
"It's all thanks to your quick reactions."
"Geez commander~ You're making me blush~"
I give her a headpat between her animal ears and focus back onto the sonar which detects nothing in the ocean beneath us.
"It seems they got away. And so should we if there are submarine operations going on in this area."
"I've already got us turning away, commander."
"Nicely done. Let us live to fight another day. And the day after that. And the day after that. And the day after-"
5 months had passed quickly. There had been little time of play and a lot more dates with Atago as we waited for our next mission. My wound had completely healed and left a scar almost as big as my entire thumb in its wake. Atago still managed me carefully as not to agrivate it further even after I said it was okay.
However we had resumed some of our more, personal, adventures.
When we received our next mission, I knew the final cards were about to be played before our true battle at Leyte Gulf.
Over the short period of time, I had met some interesting Kansen. All of which referred to me as commander except for one notable exception. Our newest carrier, Taihou had a weird habit of talking to everyone as if they were lower than her. She spoke very highly of her commander however which left quite the impression of him on me. What kind of person would someone like that prefer?
Regardless, Atago carried on with her duties of escorting our carriers to the next battle in the Phillippine Sea. A key strategy to force the Union ships south.
It had been two years since I had met the flirtatious cruiser and everyday had been enjoyable since then. Even the bad times when we were mourning or injured, it only made the good times that much more enjoyable. The Crane sisters were just behind us, out of range of sight but clearly visible on Atago's radar.
"Can you believe it's almost been 2 years commander?"
"Not really, my time with you seems almost like my whole life."
"You've gotten quite good at that commander~"
"I've learned from the best." I muse.
Atago leads the vanguard fleet towards the front lines where they would inevitably confront the Eagle Union's own fleet waiting for us. This was a risky gamble that could spell disaster if we failed and great victory should we succeed.
"I've got the fleet in my sights! Damn, they're much further South than I was hoping." Zuiaku reports in.
"Keep your eyes on them Zuikaku and launch a direct attack on their carriers. We need to at least knock one out of the battle."
"Yes sir."
Both planes from Zuikaku and Shokaku soar high above as they take off in the especially strong Eastern winds. The conditions were perfect for our task force. With the close relation to the airrforce base in Guam and and the winds in front of us, there were few things that we didn't have compared to the Eagle Union.
Atago hums as she cuts through the open ocean, adjusting her course to meet with the enemy vanguard's force.
A chilling report comes over the radio from the flagship of the operation. The newly constructed armored carrier Taihou. Though the report is not from the Kansen but from the commander.
"Attention! We have been hit by a submarine torpedo. While we are fine, I must request that you keep your sonar at full alert. We have already set our aircraft to tail the enemy force. Be careful out there."
There was a slight hint of worry and desperation in his voice. The new commander with his new ship had already taken heavy damage during their first real battle. It would be scary normally, but on today of all days it is not something I wanted to hear.
"Sonar is clean, commander. It looks like we will not have to worry about those pesky things for at least a little while."
"Good job, Atago."
"This is Zuikaku, checking up on the other groups of carrier planes. Where is your location, my planes are already here."
"Sorry sister, I'm running behind just a little. Could you wait up for me, my planes won't survive without yours."
"Of course, dearest sister. Taihou, what are the status of yours?"
"She informs me that they are trailing behind by quite a large margin. You should strike without us, we will keep the pressure on them."
"Good thinking. We should be ready whe-... Wait a minute. What are those? Oh shit. Hellcats!"
Zuikaku shrieks in alarm into the radio as a dogfight begins between her and the hellcat fighters from the Eagle Union.
One she seems to be losing.
"What's going on!? I can shoot down a single one of them! Shokaku I need support!"
"I'm coming sister! I'm coming."
But it was too late. By the time Shokaku's planes arrived, all of Zuikaku's first strike had been shot down. Zuikaku began swearing both on and off the radio at her damned Eagle Union counterparts as her sister began her attack run on the fleet. After a long moment of silence, her report finally came through.
"One hit on a Union battleship. Crippled but not dead. No surviving aircraft from the first wave."
Her solemn truth rings out across the entire fleet. That was two whole squadrons gone in the blink of an eye. We truly were not ready for what kind of battle this would be.
Suddenly, as we were launching the second waves of attacks from the dec of the carriers. A large boom sent shockwaves across the ocean. The sound of the explosion cracked a couple of Atago's bridge windows along with any other exposed pieces of glass.
I look out towards the North West where the sound had originated from. I look out and see a large black cloud just over the horizon, stretching our for miles. I immediatly grab the radio to identify the source of the explosion.
"IJN Taihou, what's going on over there?"
I receive no response after a long moment.
"Taihou, what are your coordinates."
Still nothing.
I look out over the horizon at the black plume of smoke and remeber what they had alerted us to earlier.
"Commander… I think Taihou is gone." Atago says seriously.
I hang my head in defeat. And then slam it into a broken window, shattering the glass.
"That's already the collection of so many people's efforts gone in just under an hour. It took all of Sakura to create that ship. What hope could we possibly hope for the future without her…"
"I know it seems bad but we need to keep on moving forward commander. We can still win this, but not with that attitude." Atago says, knowing exactly what to say to make me continue.
"You're right. We must continue on for both her and the Sakura Empire."
…
The carriers sent up two more flights after the first two had failed. Their plane reserves were quickly depleting as Eagle Union fighter planes continued to shoot the carrier's planes out of the sky. Already having lost planes in the hundreds, the two carriers were scraping what little they could together to form a strike on the Eagle Union task force.
These two air groups would also fail. With an increasingly exhausted amount of planes in reserve, it seems like they would not be able to form another attack by carrier on the Eagle Union force.
From directly behind, and explosion rang out. This one much more loud than the last as something massive is ripped in two immediately.
"SISTER!" Zuikaku shouts out over the radio.
"Z-zui… it's so cold…"
"NO! SISTER STAY WITH ME! SIISSTER!"
Zuikaku's sadness was felt throughout the entire fleet. It was the first time that someone close to me had died since my father's death all those many years ago. I had almost forgotten what it felt like as a bit of my heart breaks.
Shokaku's wreck slips underneath the sea along with her Kansen and commander. Zuikaku's grief was almost too much to bear as her sadness could be heard from the carrier itself. I bite my finger and close my eyes to prevent myself from crying out in both anger and sadness.
Atago sniffs, her new military unifrom getting a little misty from her leaking eyes.
"ENTERPRISE! I WILL DESTROY YOU! MARK MY WORDS! YOU WILL COME TO FEAR MY NAME AND REGRET THE DAY YOU WERE LAUNCHED!"
Zuikaku's rage would become the centerforce of passion for the rest of the day.
…
Three hours had passed since Shokaku had sunk and Zuikaku was no less enraged. However, her already depleted flight deck had no chance of mounting a counter attack in retaliation. All we could do was wait for the Union's counterattack.
As the vanguard fleet pushed forward, we found no sign of the enemy fleet even though their positions were clearly marked just hours before by carrier planes. The sun was beginning to set allowing for our ships to operate under the cover of darkness.
It was beginning to look as though a Eagle Union counterattack would not be coming, especially so late into the night.
"It sure is peaceful tonight…" I state to the only person who cared.
"It is…"
"I think I might be done with this war. I cannot bare to see anymore sweet shipgirls harmed like Shokaku. This is not right."
"We were made for this commander. We live and die by the Sakura Empire as weapons of war. It is what we were made to do."
"That's bullshit. You're only girls. Terrifyingly strong girls but girls all the same. There is something wrong with sending you out onto the battlefield even if it does reduce the need for a crew to zero…"
"Commander…"
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to force that onto you. There's just so much more to you than the weapons you were made to be. I may be the only commander that thinks so but…"
I grab Atago's hands and look deeply into her eyes.
"Come with me Atago. We can run away, hide, flee. Anthing is better than losing you out here…"
"Commander… we can't just leave. What about my sisters? And all the others who are depending on us back home and right now?" She squeezes my hands. "I would love nothing more than to run away with you, but we have a duty to protect those we love…"
I stop talking. She was right. There were somethings worth fighting for and my friends and loved ones were definitely worth that fight. I would take on the entire world if it came down to it.
My opinions are swiftly changed as the sounds of engines fill the dimming sky.
"Here they come!" Atago shouts as hundreds of planes appear out of the sky. I stare up in shock at the sheer number of planes the Eagle Union was able to produce. The hundreds of planes far outweighed the 30 or so fighters we had patrolling the remaining carriers.
A brief dogfight breaks out above as both groups of fighters begin dancing around each other. The confidence Zuikaku had that she was going to kill Enterprise clear in her fighting as her Zeroes expertly take out a large portion of their fighter forces.
Though the fighters were just a distraction. Multiple dive bombers screech towards our oil tankers, dropping bombs on both of them and blowing them out of the water.
The bad news kept coming however as the carrier Hiyo was sunk immediately afterwards.
Zuikaku also found herself begin the target of a large portion of the Eagle Union's attacks as her fighters rush to cover her. Her fighters doing their best job to take out a good portion of the enemies planes, but it was not enough.
Zuikaku yelps as she is damaged by multiple 500lb bombs, creating holes in her flight deck and slightly damaging her hull.
"Zuikaku are you alright?!"
"I'LL KILL HER! I'LL MAKE SURE SHE ENDS UP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN!"
"I'll take that as a yes."
I look out over the dark horizon as the sun sets over the battlefield, casting it's infernal color onto the sea as five plumes of dark ash clouds rise from the wrecks of two oil tankers and 3 fleet carriers.
I look out over the destruction and begin to cry. This was not how it was supposed to go. The Union carriers retreated to the South and our initial plan had been set into motion. But at what cost? Three carriers gone and nothing to show for it. This war was over if we were not successful in our last attempt at Leyte Gulf.
Atago comforts me as we retreat into the night, leaving our Union enemies to enjoy their brief victory.
"Commander… why did you bring me here?"
I stare a thousand yards away as we stand upon Mount Atago, 2 months later.
Atago had said yes to climbing the mountain but only if she could pay respects to the fallen at the shrine on her peak. After a quick prayer to the gods, we stand in front of a quiet waterfall. The falling water only making a sound when absolutely necessary. A torii arch accents the view as a hot summer breeze blows past us.
I nervously scratch my cheek. This was the moment. However it felt so wrong to do it after such great sadness…
Atago waits for an answer while I think of something to say. I wish to make comment on her beauty but I feel like she had heard it all before. My heart wants to leap out of my chest and just tell her but I had to make this perfect for her.
"Atago… I realized something when leaving the Battle of the Philippine Sea. I realized how little time we have on this planet and how little our lives mean in the grand scheme of time. But I also realized how much you have changed me. I wanted to thank you somehow but I knew I would never be able to find the words to do so. You cared for me when I was injured, you've always been there for me when I'm sad, and you're always there for the happier moments as well like eating together or sharing the same bed. I've realized how I feel about you, or I guess I did a while ago but didn't have the courage to ask until just recently…"
I can feel Atago's heart beat in rapid succession, matching with my own rising heartbeat and I get down on one knee and hold out a dark blue box with a dazzling ring made of platinum inside.
"C-C-Commander! Th-this isn't fair~" Atago stampers in protest, cupping her hands to her mouth as tears form in her eyes.
"Atago…"
"Yes, Hiroto."
"Will you marry me?"
Atago's tears of joy run down her cheeks as she hugs me and wraps me around in her embrace.
"Of course I'll marry you, Hiroto! I would love nothing more!"
"A-are you sure? We will never be able to be like a normal couple. We have to keep this a secret…"
"I don't care. I'll stay by your side forever, now that I have you, I'll never let you go!"
I return her crushing hug and hold her close, feeling nothing but love and raw emotion as we grasp onto each other. Eventually, Atago smashes her lips into mine as our loving embrace creates new sensations together.
We part only to breathe. I take this chance to slide the ring onto her finger and kiss her hand. She giggles like a schoolgirl at the touch.
"We're going to have an interesting time together from here on out."
"As long as it is with you, I shall never tire of it."
We immediately return to enjoying each other as the summer breeze changes course.
Next time: The Battle of Leyte Gulf - Part 1