My eyes snapped open, feeling something off. I reached to my left, but found Suruga's side of the bed empty. This wasn't alarming in and of itself, but there was something else… I sat up, the muted light of the predawn sky dimly illuminating the room, a soft breeze carrying the gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore in through the open windows.

Her spot was still warm, so she must have left recently. I got up and threw on my PT uniform, sliding my feet into trainers before leaving. I jogged around the base, seeing if I could find her before heading towards the Sakura barracks.

"Sorry, Shikikan, I haven't seen her," Asashio said, her face apologetic.

"No need to apologize. Thanks for your help!" I patted her head, giving her a quick scratch behind the ears before heading out again. Sometimes we would spend time on the bluff, under the enormous tree there. Picnics, or just relaxing, it was one of our favorite spots.

As I approached, I heard voices too low to make out. Yet I placed them immediately. One was Suruga. No way I could mistake her voice. The other…

No way. The other was Purifier. I crept up the hill, taking cover behind the tree before they noticed me.

"I'm surprised." Purifier said. "I expected you to carry on with this forever."

"I'm not the jealous type, Purifier… but I needed time. The things you did were horrible. Thank Naganami, she's the one who convinced me." Suruga's exhausted sigh was an entire mood. I peeked around the trunk to see her dressed in a skirt and a zip-up hoodie. One of mine, in fact. She looked adorable in it.

She didn't even bother with her horns, so her tail swished from side to side. Wait, if she was in her tanuki form right now…

"Come out, I know you're hiding!" She called, looking in my direction. I emerged from the tree, holding my hands up. "Kohiko? What are you doing here?"

"Kohiko? But his name is…"

"Can it, Puri." I growled. She grinned. I turned to Suruga. "You were gone, so I…"

"I wanted to surprise you with the news but since you're here…" She waved at Purifier. "We're fine. Naganami and I had several seemingly endless conversations, and…"

I walked towards her, hugging her tightly. "Thank you."

She returned my embrace, her tail wagging excitedly.

"That's so cute…" Purifier said, transfixed by the Sakuran's animal accessory. I reached up to rub her ears, a small sound of delight escaping her before she got herself back under control.

Purifier was next, demanding affection as well, which was always happily given. Her hug was firm and reassuring.

The three of us sat on the edge of the bluff, looking out over the ocean as the first rays of sunlight crept over the water. "Here's to the beginning of a new era, yeah?"

"One can hope, Kohiko… but I suspect peace is far off. Especially now that you're having those dreams again."

"Wait… what dreams?" A look of worry overcame Purifier.

"That Siren Commander," I explained.

"Your mirror? Oh, shit… how did they… nevermind. I have to go for a few days, ok?" Purifier was buzzing with a strange energy as she leaned towards me. I kissed her deeply, and then she was gone, leaping over the bluff and tearing out to sea.

"That's not worrisome…" Suruga said. I put an arm around her and pulled her closer, pressing my lips to hers in a much deeper kiss.

"After everything we've been through, I'm sure we can handle it," I said once our lips parted. I felt her tail wrap around my waist. I couldn't help but inhale a few times as I became aware of her scent. It was always a little stronger in the morning, and I made sure to properly enjoy it.

"You're right…" She nestled against my shoulder as I stroked her arm. Enjoying the sunrise like this seemed like such a luxury, and I couldn't help but steal another kiss from her. "You're awfully affectionate this morning."

"You know I can't help myself with you~," I reminded her.

"I love you."

"I love you so much, my Suru. As long as you're by my side, I know everything will be alright."

"What a sweet sentiment." A soft voice joined ours. I nearly jumped out of my skin when I turned to see Metalena standing there.

"How did you-"

"I wasn't kidding when I said I know where everyone is at all times, Commander. Are you enjoying your early morning escapade with Suruga?" She smirked.

"Yes… but I'm guessing you want to join us?"

"Oh, sure. Is that ok, Suruga?" The META ship asked deferentially.

"Yes…" Suruga said, drawing out the sound. "Why are you being weird?"

"The pot and the kettle, Suruga, the pot and the kettle…" Metalena waggled her finger.

I sighed. "Look, Metalena… you obviously have something to say, otherwise you would have seen it was just the two of us and would have left us alone."

"Fine, fine… I'm not jealous or anything, but you could say that my curiosity is currently winning out over a much less… innocent emotion, shall we say. I wondered what that strange blip was when I got here, but that damn Siren is so sneaky I could never really suss her out. Then I see it up here, with you two, and I decided to investigate. Now, pray tell, Commander… exactly what kind of relationship have you formed with that Siren?"

Her red eyes glinted with something approaching malice when she spoke of Purifier.

"Puri is…"

"Oh? A pet name…"

"Helena…"

"Using my name outside of intimacy? Ah, you're worried how I'll react."

"Metalena, just let him finish for the love of…" Suruga growled, her stance around me growing more protective.

She giggled. "Oh my, so this is the real Suruga. Very cute, I like it! It's good to know you'll not let harm come to my dear Commander."

"Yeah, yeah…" Suruga's tail tightened around my waist.

"Helena, look. I know you META ships have a… deep seated resentment towards the Sirens that goes far beyond the normal 'enemies' viewpoint the majority of kansen have, but Purifier is different… I'll admit I wasn't able to resist her charms, but then it became mutual. Whatever her initial intentions were, I have complete faith that she is with us now."

"Is that your brain or your dick talking, Commander?" Metalena sighed.

"Come on, Helena…"

"Alright, but you should be more careful about where you put such blind faith. Suruga and Purifier may have made up… but I'll never be friendly with a fucking Siren, Commander."

"I'm not asking you to be."

"Hmm, seems you want to say something else."

"I'm not going to."

"Alright then. Enjoy the rest of your morning, Commander." Metalena stood and walked away without another word. She was rather cold this morning, and I knew I would need to speak to her later. For her to leave with no display of affection…

Suruga nuzzled me softly. "I know what you're thinking, and please deal with it later. I just want time with you right now."

"Me too, Suru, me too…" I said, and pulled her closer to me as we basked in each other's company. We opened a mutual connection and let ourselves wash over the other, our bond deepening as we closed our eyes, getting lost in each other.

Suruga and I shared something incredible, something no one else could possibly ever recreate or understand to any full extent. The arrival of the third beacon broke our reverie, however, as Naganami's precious voice informed us it was already midmorning.

We had been like that for hours, and while we felt no guilt, we had work to do!

Purifier showed up looking rather… deranged exactly three days after she left, panting and looking for all the world like she hadn't a wink of sleep in them.

"Oh my god, Puri, are you ok?" I rushed to help hold her up, guiding her to the couch. She sat down on it, then fell to her side, her eyes closing as soon as she hit the pillow. I sighed. Ibuki came over with some tea, then saw the passed out Siren.

"Ah… should I fetch Suruga?"

"No, it's alright, she's busy setting up the exercises. I'll just ask Purifier some questions when she wakes up."

My head swiveled as the door was nearly pushed off its hinges. Multiple shipgirls jostled and cursed as they attempted to get inside. I opened my mouth to reprimand them, but the alarm that was raised silenced and stilled everyone.

My mouth felt dry. "Batteries. Defensive formations. Everything you've got!" I ordered, and soon a flurry of activity took over the Port as I rushed outside to take stock of the situation, Suruga rushing to my side.

"What's going on?" I asked her for an update.

"A Siren on the horizon, Shikikan! She's just… waiting there." Suruga seemed perplexed. That was not a very Suruga thing. As such, I felt a cold sweat form on my brow. The kind of cold sweat that tells you that you are either very ill, or about to be in a lot of trouble.

In my case, it may have been both. I took the offered binoculars and peered through them towards the towering figure. It was a Siren, all right. Yet not one we had ever seen before. She was staying out of range of the coastal artillery, but I couldn't assume her intentions were peaceful.

"Shit, Commander…" Purifier's exhausted voice came to me. I turned to see her supported by New Jersey.

"I went looking for ya, Commander, and I found her barely able to stand and sayin' she needs to say something to ya," the battleship explained.

"Thank you, Jersey. You're a lifesaver."

"It's nothing, honey~," she smiled.

"Puri, what's going on?" I asked her.

"That's… they're… back…" She heaved, almost passing out again.

"The Sirens are back?" I clarified.

Purifier nodded.

"Then who's that?"

"Empress… that's… Empress…" Puri said, her voice weak. She then collapsed, utter exhaustion finally taking its toll. New Jersey cradled her.

"Honey, I'm gonna take her back to your office, 'kay?"

"You're a treasure~."

Suruga grasped my arm. The figure was moving closer, but no one was firing on her. Even at this distance, I could tell she was massive, easily three times the height of the average human or kansen.

She approached to within fifty meters and then stopped. We trained every gun on her, ever shipgirl had everything they had targeting this lone figure, and I realized right then that it may not be enough. We could push her back, maybe, but this single entity could more than likely end us if she so chose. So why was she here?

"Commander." Her voice leapt over the water, booming yet soft, commanding yet gentle. "I am the Arbiter: Empress III. You may call me Empress."

"Why are you here?" I demanded, my voice carrying well over the distance. If I wasn't so focused on her, I may have realized that this wasn't normal. She laughed.

"No time for pleasantries?" She asked, tilting her head. She acted as though she recognized not one of the other kansen as a threat. I looked over to see New Jersey joining the other battleships, bringing her impressive, unique guns to bear.

"Careful, Kohiko…" Suruga cautioned.

"You should listen to her, Commander." Empress yawned as if the whole situation was eminently boring to her.

Suruga's rigging sprang to life, and she aimed it squarely at the huge humanoid Siren. Her purple eyes flashed as she set her jaw.

Empress laughed again, "Impressive weapons. I'm surprised he gave them to you when they could be better utilized elsewhere. Hmm… it appears that another kansen has these same guns. No matter, it still won't make a difference. Isn't that right, Georgia?"

The battleship spat in response, and Empress looked tickled.

"Why are you here, Empress?" I asked again.

"Give me Purifier. She must pay for her betrayal."

To my surprise, Mikasa stepped forward. "No deal."

"Oh, so she speaks for you?" Empress laughed.

"The counsel of my shipgirls far supersedes that of any other." I stated.

"Interesting answer. Why Mikasa and not Suruga? Oh, I see… Suruga must have hated Purifier. She nearly succeeded in her mission, before she got… emotional. Ugh. You are such a pain in the ass, Commander. Yet, you are of sufficient value to warrant our… tolerance. Still, you will regret it if you don't give us back Purifier. See, you'll be spared but… I could just take away that which you love. Suruga, maybe? Or Wales… how about the sweet little Naganami?"

She laughed again.

"Damn it…" Suruga cursed under her breath. She looked at me and sighed. "I love you, Commander. For so long I wanted Purifier gone, out of the picture, but… I couldn't bear turning her over to this… this thing…"

"I love you too, Suruga. Nothing will ever change that."

She nodded and stepped forward. "You will not have what you came here for. Leave, or else the last thing you'll know is the might of the combined fleet. My guns will be the first to fire, and the last to stop firing."

"You stupid girl. Do you have any concept of how insignificant you are? There are a million other Instances just like this one. I could erase you from existence if I so chose! You humans and kansen… you can barely travel between your realities and you threaten me? I am everywhere at once, I know everything. I am, by your definition, an actual god, and you think-"

"FIRE!" Suruga screamed, and as promised, was the first to let loose. A withering assault followed, and though Empress seemed unaffected by it at first, she soon cracked under the combined firepower of over four hundred kansen. I stood watching, hands clasped behind my back, as the thundering of awesome firepower surrounded me.

It may have been because we took her by surprise mid-monologue, or perhaps she wasn't as much of a consummate badass as she had claimed to be. I saw her snarl through my binoculars as she turned and fled, unable to sustain such a focused attack further.

"Some god." Metalena was standing next to me, laughing as the Siren retreated. In fact, her laughter was what filled the eerie stillness as guns went silent. No one joined her, and she managed to get herself under control a moment later. "I told you, Commander."

"What has gotten into you, Helena?" I rounded on her. "Two weeks ago you were as tender and sweet as the memories you helped me recall made you out to be. Now you're…"

"You really think I've changed. Come on… take me right here, in front of everyone, and I'll show you I am still that same girl. The truth is, you need someone to help you take a hardline stance against the Sirens." Metalena sighed, her demeanor shifting in an instant as she reached up to caress my cheek. "I'm just trying to help you, Commander. I don't want to lose you. I don't mind sharing you, but losing you… I can't go through that again. I love you."

"You know I love you, too. You know I always will. This behavior, though…" I placed my hand over hers.

"I need you to understand, Commander. More than anything, I need you to understand that these beautiful women are deadly. You have a weakness for pretty girls. Purifier will always be a Siren. If she fights for us… then I can accept her. But she is still a Siren."

"Metalena, that's enough," Suruga told the META ship. She looked over at the shipgirl.

"Why you, I wonder… what is it he sees? You fill his heart so completely it's a wonder there's room for the rest of us. A Sakuran ship, born from a piece of paper. No history, no accomplishments aside from your own. Beautiful, sure, but average for a kansen. Yet the intelligence you hide…"

"Enough…" Suruga said quietly.

"Oho? See, to me there are no secrets. You have an interesting history, Sakuran. What surprises me the most is that someone like you can love him back just as intensely."

"Shut up!" Suruga hissed. A hush fell over the crowd as Suruga instinctively trained her guns on the META ship. "You are…"

"I am what, Suruga? I am wrong? I am broken? What am I?" Metalena smirked.

I rested a hand on Suruga's arm. "Always and forever, no matter what. Remember, Suru?"

Suruga sighed, lowering her weapons. "Kohiko…"

I hugged her, and she hugged me back. Gently. A kansen at full power is a fearsome thing and she could easily hurt me, but she needed this right now. I didn't know what Metalena was talking about, and I didn't need or want to know. What matters is who someone is right now, and who they've always been to the ones they care about. From the day I met her she had been wonderful.

I looked over to Metalena, the smirk disappearing from her face as Suruga's soft sobs could be heard even as she buried her head in my shoulder.

"Did you show me the truth, Helena? Were you really her?" The disappointment in my voice wasn't forced.

"Of course!" Her eyes widened in sudden fear. "W-why would you question that?"

"That Helena… she wouldn't have done this."

Metalena stood there, shocked. I watched as tears fell down her cheeks, dripping onto the stone pier as her mouth worked wordlessly.

A hand on my shoulder. "Shikikan, the entire port is watching." Mikasa said, her voice gentle but her meaning clear.

"Come on, Suru… let's go home."

My beloved shipfu nodded and sniffed as she walked, her head down as she withdrew her rigging. She clutched my arm. I sensed Metalena following behind us, unsure of how to proceed. When we were safely back in our quarters, Metalena pushed in behind us.

"Why are you here…" Suruga asked, voice laced with pain.

"I'm sorry…" The META ship whispered in response.

"Why am I punished for loving him?"

"Because only you have what everyone else desires. Even me… even his first doesn't stand a chance against you. I just hope you appreciate that."

"Of course I do!" Suruga cried, laying on the bed and clutching a pillow to her.

"Helena, please let us be right now…"

"Commander, I am sorry…"

"Helena, please…"

"Come on, B-"

"Helena!" My voice rose.

She stifled a sob, but nodded. I turned my attentions back to Suruga, laying behind her and wrapping my arms around the shipgirl, comforting her as best as I could. She turned around, letting her tanuki form out and nuzzling my chest, her body trembling. They were all so human, at the end of the day.

She was quiet, but I spoke of all the wonderful things we had done, the time we had spent together, reassured her and expressed my love any way I knew how. Exhaustion is a hell of a thing, and eventually she closed her eyes one last time and fell asleep in my arms.

I kissed her forehead and continued to hold her. I'd be here when she woke up, she'd need it.

Though I felt quite tired as well…

Hi there! Hope you've been enjoying the fic~ A big thank you to my supporters, and if you'd like to know more about my discord server, feel free to reach out to me on discord at delusionalcookie#1414! You can also find me on reddit at r/ or u/delusionalcookie~