Well that took longer than I expected but because of your patience I got two chapters for you this time that will change a few things in the story but do tell me how I did with that part as I never really tried writing something like that
Big Thank you goes to Killroy122496 for beta reading both chapters and his help with the various OCs
Enjoy the chapter everyone ;)
War knows no Countries
Chapter 15: Learning about the Past
Akeno, Genichiro, Ava and Strife sat down together in the room since Sekiro and Ava wanted Akeno to get some more rest as her muscles had grown a bit weak over the time she had been recovering from her injuries.
With Akeno back in the bed Genichiro, Ava and Strife sitting on some chairs around the room but all of them were looking towards Akeno and they had questions they wanted answers to but the same was true for Akeno.
"Alright we all have questions so we should each take turns asking a question alright?" Akeno asked breaking the silence in the room and Genichiro and Ava nodded at that with Strife simply replying with a simple "Alright".
"So how did you change your outfit like that" Strife asked without a second thought but Akeno had to sigh at that "to be honest I think that it is part of my powers as an Akai senchō same thing with my weapons but other than that I got nothing" Akeno explained.
"Now my turn Sekiro what actually is going on with that name everyone calls you by?" Akeno asked getting a sheepish laugh from Sekiro before he replied "Well all of us took some sort of fake identity due to all of us having some not so favorable run ins with the law but it also allowed us to throw of most of our pursuers" Sekiro explained.
Emma seemed to notice something on Akenos back as she was still wearing the red black dress with an open back "hey Akeno I don´t know why but what is up with the black wing like tattoos on your back?" Emma asked getting the attention of both Sekiro and Strife but as they took a look only Sekiro was able to see the two wings that looked like tattoos.
Akeno looked at them all with a raised eyebrow before she remembered from where the wings had come but before she could say anything Strife did instead "You Kids seems to see something that I don´t unless I´m just really drunk which isn´t the case right now" Strife mumbled as he sat back down on his chair.
Emma, Sekiro and Akeno exchanged a glance before Akeno explained that the wings on her back were the result of her training to use the powers of a demon that had served the Akai senchō clan and that was probably the reason only those that were descendants of the clan were able to see the mark.
"So what exactly does this mark have to do with the power you are trying to learn?" Emma asked with a thoughtful expression on her face.
"The short version is that the mark is a sign to identify the person who has been given the task of judging if someone is worthy or not of the true powers of an Akai senchō" Akeno explained with her eyes closed.
That caused the other three people in the room to stay silent that is until another voice cut the silence "So you are the other half that Muramasa told me to worry about" Riya simply said as she leaned against the doorframe.
"So you do have a way to talk to that little sister of mine, she still angry about me having no choice in having myself sealed away in a blade due to the paranoia of some humans?" asked Akeno but her voice sounded a lot more mature and her eyes turned a sinister red.
"I don´t really know she only talks to me when she feels like it" Riya replied as she took a seat in the room as well looking towards Akeno sitting in her bed.
"I see so that is something we have to work on as well in the time I´m staying here don´t we" Akeno mumbled as she stared at the ceiling of the room as her eyes stopped glowing.
The five of them talked about the true powers of the Akai senchō for a while longer until Akeno actually fell asleep as Genichiro, Ava and Riya were talking about how they would be able to fix Akenos ship as it was still a design they had never seen and therefore had no idea how to fix the damage Geniciro´s air attack caused to the ship.
"That girl really is something else you better make sure she doesn´t run away on you even if you have to put a collar on her and keep her by the leash" Strife whispered into Genichiros ear as his head started turning really red for some reason as he remembered a rather innocent activity he did in his younger years.
"It isn´t anything like that" Genichiro yelled his head as red as a tomato before stomping away towards his bridge as Ava, Riya and Strife giggled before the door to Akenos room.
The group of three returned to the dining hall to meet up with everyone of course Genichiro did join them a while later but didn´t say a word throughout the entire meal and once everyone was done with eating Isoroku Nomura made an announcement.
"Well we did get a lot of supplies thanks to everyone´s efforts but there is still something we need to discuss mainly the person that you attacked Genichiro. I understand that she is an old friend of you and Ava and that you really care about her but from what Strife told me of his meeting with her she is hiding a lot of things from us" Isoroku started but that was the moment Riya cut him off.
"It is true that she has a lot to hide from us but that comes with the role she holds in the clans hierarchy as she is the wielder of the twin blade that holds the sister of none other than Muramasa" Riyas explanation causing complete silence to fall over the room.
"Her blade and my own are basically two sides of the same coin. With my blade I can mark someone as a candidate to become a true Akai senchō but only her blade can truly grant this to happen or take all of it away including the memories the person has about the Clan" Riya continued to explain as everyone hung their hands as they realized just in what kind of situation they found themselves.
"But from what Strife told me she is only here because she found a few old friends from her childhood again so we can´t say what she will do once she does leave us" Isoroku mumbled but at that moment someone started laughing.
It was a simple happy laughter that seemed to come from the harbor and echoed over the entire base for several minutes and from the windows of the dining hall they were able to stop what looked like an absolutely massive black bird flying through the early evening sky.
Riya was the first to leave the room with no one noticing her leave and a few minutes later she arrived at the harbor to find exactly what she had expected as she had drawn her blade with a silver white hilt and midnight black blade with a blood red dragon on the blade.
On the highest point of the Yamamotos bridge tower stood a girl clad in a beautiful dress of Red Orange and black frills but on her back were two midnight black bird like wings except for some reason it looked as if dark gray ash was falling from the feathers but disappeared just as they were about to hit the ground.
Riya had only one way to describe this being "A fallen Angel" whispered Riya only for her to once more find herself in the world colored with a dark gray with a black sky "Not exactly but my sister has always been the one who far too easily allows their hosts to learn about her powers" Muramasa mumbled as she looked towards the distant black horizon.
"I understand that you two are sisters but why do you seem so full of anger all the time Muramasa?" Riya asked but that was the moment she heard the sound of flapping wings and a moment later none other than Akeno landed on top of the old Japanese mansion.
Muramasa glared up at the girl as the two wings disappeared from Akenos back but it were the eyes that Riya noticed immediately they were no longer just a simple glowing blood red no they were almost the same color as Akenos hair a light ruby red but for some reason they seemed very cold almost emotionless to Riya.
"So you have already fully bonded with your new host dear sister of mine" hissed Muramasa as Akeno simply jumped down from the roof to the ground without making even the slightest of noises.
"As a matter of fact yes I did the girls thirst for power and knowledge is only surpassed by her hatred" Asuramaru replied as Akeno allowed her to take over for the moment.
"And yet, there seems to be a different reason that you chose her as your new host isn´t that right?" Muramasa asked as Akenos eyes narrowed dangerously "Do not even go there sister you will not find what you are searching for" Asuramaru warned as the two wings appeared again but this time they looked as if they were on fire.
"Farewell for now sister once my host is truly awake I will be sure to complete your bond until then I wish you farewell" Akeno gave a slight bow before she flew off into the black sky until she completely disappeared into the darkness.
"You will learn soon enough leave now for I have some thinking to do" mumbled Muramasa before Riya found herself lying on the ground in the harbor of their base "Damn demons and their freaking powers" Riya mumbled as she got up returning her blade to its scabbard on her side before walking back to her room to get some rest as it was completely dark at this point.
But unknown to any of them Akeno was moving from ship to ship and as she did so a deep crimson red glow would surround her for several minutes until she moved on to the next ship where the same thing happened again and again until she returned to the room on the Haruna and fell asleep the moment she was close to the bed.
Akeno may seem to be fast asleep but in reality she was once more on the red sea with the purple sky surrounded by the various ships she had just visited a few minutes ago "Well the sooner I start the earlier I´m finished" mumbled Akeno looking towards the various ships from the Tsukubas bow.
The next day saw everyone a lot more active as training for most of the younger boys and girls was started once more to further their knowledge of how to survive in the world by giving them the skills of seasoned veteran soldiers that had went through hell and back.
To no one's surprise Genichiro did not join them for training but stayed onboard his ship but by the time lunch rolled around Riya decided to see what he was up to as she walked through the corridors of the ship she heard muffled laughter and someone talking in Genichiros room.
Riya walked through the door without knocking only to stop dead in her tracks at what she saw Akeno was on the ground on all fours in a simple gray t-shirt and short sports shorts but that wasn´t why Riyas face was turning a dark shade of red.
No it were the dog like ears and fluffy gray red tail Akeno had along with a very old worn black collar that was around her neck that was what had Riya turn towards Genichiro who was sitting on a chair by his desk staring blankly at Riya.
That is until Riya started spluttering something before she pointed a finger at Genichiro "You dam perv I always told you to not take Strife´s advice seriously" Riya screamed drawing her blade as Akeno literally jumped over towards Genichiro in a defensive stance confusing Riya even more that is until she noticed a very distinct growling sound coming from Akeno who had narrowed her eyes at Riya.
"Down girl" Genichiro yelled a bit loud but it had the desired effect he wanted Akeno let out a soft whimper before simply lying down on the soft carpet of the room as Genichiro sighed "Riya I swear I have no idea why but for some reason Akeno has been acting like an affectionate puppy ever since I was able to wake her up" Genichiro explained with closed eyes as he was petting Akenos head who leaned into it with a content smile.
"Then what´s up with the collar?" asked Riya still red-faced silently glaring at Akeno as she lowered her blade to her side.
"Well that part I can explain as soon as she was awake she started sniffing around almost like a dog until she found that old collar in my desk I don´t even remember why I had it in there honestly" Genichiro replied as Akeno closed her eyes rubbing her head against his leg.
"I might have an idea why she is doing that but I´m not one hundred percent sure about it" Riya mumbled before she sat down and explained that Muramasa told her that with the full powers of an Akai senchō also came the effect of having certain animal traits added to your body depending on which type of ship you used as your flag ship of a larger fleet.
It made some strange sense to Genichiro and by the time the two left Akeno was lazily sleeping on the carpet on the floor with her tail lying by her side of course Akeno knew exactly what was going on during the time she had spent in the other realm looking at everything the rogue Akai senchō ever did with their fleet.
But just as she had wanted to return back to the normal world she found herself in what looked like an underground submarine bunker with various submarines mostly medium sized German designs and a few Japanese ones as well but there had been a group of ten or maybe twelve absolutely massive submarines Akeno had never seen before.
The submarine fleet reacted to her presence and as soon as Akeno returned to the normal world she couldn´t help it as with every new ship type you created a bond you would be acting like the animal most people of the old clan associated the ship type with in case of the submarines that was the wolf even if Akeno acted a bit more friendly towards Genichiro.
Riya and Genichiro ate breakfast before returning to the Haruna with Genichiro carrying a tray with some food on it as Akeno was probably hungry by now Riya did knock on the door but no one answered them so the two went inside only to find Akeno with one hand on the black collar around her neck and looking at them for one moment before her entire face turned the same color as her hair and she tried to hide under the blanket of the bed.
Genichiro set the tray with the food down on the table before approaching the bed again "come on Akeno it isn´t that bad I actually found it pretty adorable how you acted" Genichiro tried to calm his childhood friend down who glared at him and Riya from underneath the blanket with just her face being visible.
"That´s not it and you know it" mumbled Akeno who tried to look everywhere but at Genichiro who was chuckling a bit causing Akeno to pout even more.
It took Riya and Genichiro another thirty minutes before Akeno got out from under the blanket but only after the two swore to her that they would never tell another soul about what had happened.
Just like Genichiro had thought Akeno was hungry and while she ate the three of them talked a bit more and Akeno told them that she would not take away the powers of anyone that had them as she had spend last night to look at everything they had ever done with their ships.
That of course meant that Akeno would be staying with them until she was done with granting everyone the full powers of a true Akai senchō seeing as none of them were aside from them being able to command massive steel giants or war with just a simple thought.
Genichiro actually left at one point as Strife wanted something from him leaving Akeno alone with Riya "So what will actually happen when you grant someone the true power of the old clan?" Riya asked sipping some lemonade she got from a freezer.
Akeno thought about that for a moment before she started grinning with an innocent smile "Well depending on which ship you have bonded with first you will have something similar happen to you as what happened with me today of course if you bonded with several types of ships you will go through each bond once more" Akeno explained getting a simple nod from Riya.
"But in your case I also have to complete the bond to that little sister of mine" Akeno added her voice sounding a lot more mature again and before Riya knew what was going on she found herself standing on her feet blocking a sinister looking red Katana with her own as sparks flew through the air.
"Try to keep up will you" Akeno giggled as she pushed Riya away from her only for Akeno to turn around and run out of the room.
Riya needed a moment longer to understand what had just happened but now she was angry no she wasn´t just angry she was furious and with that furry she was running after Akeno to strike her down.
Akeno kept ahead of Riya until they were on deck and their clash of blades started even though Riya thought she would easily gain the upper hand she quickly found herself losing to Akeno who either sidestepped or redirected Riyas attacks with casual ease.
Of course their fight did not go unnoticed by everyone else on the base but they knew better than to get between them as one quick look from Akenos eyes had them freeze in place.
Riya and Akeno continued their fight until they both stood onboard the Dönitz "It seems this will be a lot easier than I thought" Akeno mumbled as she dodged another strike of Riyas blade.
´Let´s get this over with´ Akeno thought with a grimace of pain as Riyas blade was redirected by her own but instead it cut right into Akenos shoulder and only when the red warm blood of Akeno landed on her face did Riya realize what she had done as she let go of her blade as Akeno fell to the ground.
"Shit no" Riya cursed but as she tried to take a step she could no longer move a muscle as Akeno got up again and with a scream of pain pulled out Riyas blade from her shoulder and approached Riya with slow steps even as her blood flowed down her right arm coating her own blade and clothes.
"You succeeded take what is yours and learn in the future my friend" Akeno told Riya as Riya took hold of her blade once more only for her to collapse to the ground her eyes closed with Akeno looking at her.
Akeno managed to use Asuramarus blade and powers to clean up both her blood and heal her badly injured shoulder before anyone else arrived to see what had happened.
Of course she had to explain what had happened but before she went to bed to rest she granted both Emma and Sekiro the true powers of an Akai senchō that however did cause them both to grow Lion ears and tails and to snuggle with Akeno who had no other choice as to look after her three old childhood friends as they got accustomed to their new powers.
Akeno continued with this and got to know everyone on base a lot better but a few of them almost did not even need her help as they had somehow learned the necessary steps on their own however Akeno did have to give them a mark that was a simple symbol of a black anchor that stood before two crossed red Katanas.
But only those that had the powers of an Akai senchō or a candidate was able to see the symbol at all to others it looked as if the skin on their right shoulder had never been disturbed in the first place.
Riya took over three days to wake up again and by the end of the week Akeno was done with granting everyone their true powers but during the entire time she had a strange feeling every time she was with Sekiro she felt as if her entire body heated up uncontrollably and she was barely able to stay calm during conversations with him.
Emma and Riya simply watched with Emma having a knowing smile on her face while Riya seemed to be envious or something close to it however as much as Akeno wanted to she was unable to leave yet as the Tsukuba took another two weeks to get completely repaired.
A few things happened in those two weeks mainly Akeno talked with Emma about why she felt so confused every time she saw Sekiro and Sekiro had a near death experience as he accidently walked into Riyas room when she was in the process of changing clothes after a shower and had only her panties on.
Akeno knew why she felt so confused but she still wasn´t sure what to do about it as she walked into a private office where the man behind the desk who called her here introduced himself as Isoroku Nomura "I understand my boys and girls now have access to their full power thanks to you is that about right?" the bearded man asked as he walked over to a cupboard mounted on the wall.
Akeno looked around the room aside from a book shelf and the desk there wasn´t really anything in the room aside from the cupboard Nomura was standing at "Well that is part of my duty as one of the Seraphs of the Akai senchō clan after all" Akeno replied with a neutral expression on her face.
Nomura seemed to have found what he was looking for and picked up two glasses in his hands before approaching Akeno "Is that right?" he mumbled offering one of the glasses to Akeno who took it "Then I guess I have to thank you for doing at least that much maybe we will see each other in the future and work together" he added before raising his glass and after Akeno did the same he emptied it in one go so Akeno followed suit without as much as even a twitching eyebrow.
Nomura simply nodded as Akeno tried to return the glass to him but he walked over to a table with two couches and sat down "Sit with me there are a few things I need to talk with you about" Nomura explained so Akeno sat down and placed the glass on the table.
The two of them talked about what Akeno would be doing once she left them and Akeno was able to put his worries to rest that she wouldn´t report their position to the blue mermaids and without Akeno really noticing it Nomura refilled her glass a couple of times and she emptied it as they started talking about what they had experienced in their lives.
Of course at some point Akeno started to feel a bit light headed so Nomura gave Genichiro and Riya a call and a few minutes later Genichiro had to deal with a drunk Akeno who was clinging to him like an affectionate cat and when Riya complained about that Akeno suddenly had a fox tail and ears to go with it.
Genichiro and Riya somehow managed to get Akeno back to the Haruna but as they tried to leave Akeno suddenly grabbed both of their arms "Akeno let go" Riya mumbled annoyed but the glare Akeno gave her stopped her dead in her tracks.
"You like Sekiro as well donchu you?" asked Akeno with a slight slurring of her words causing Riyas face to go tomato red in an instant as Sekiro looked from one girl to the other "I know because I actually like you and him a lot as well not just in a big brother or sister way like Marlowe or Claire but as someone much much more" Akeno whispered with half closed eyes.
"SO I don´t wantchu two to leave and all three of us to spend the night together if that is ochay" added Akeno slightly getting up only to almost fall over until Riya caught her "So you´re telling me you like the two of us and you are okay with sharing?" asked Riya in the quietest whisper possible and Akeno simply gave her a wide smile with a nod of her head.
Riya had to sigh at this before she looked at Genichiro "Gen no Sekiro how do you feel about this?" Riya asked as Akeno looked from her to Sekiro and back.
Sekiro had no idea what he should do here with two girls who obviously had a crush on him deciding that they both loved him and wanted to know how he felt about them in return but before he could decide fate or better yet karma seemed to want in on the fun as Aria literally ran through the door hitting Sekiro in the back of the head with it and knocking him out.
And with three girls now in the room and a knocked out boy on the ground none of them knew how to handle this awkward situation at least they managed to get Sekiro into his own bed that was a bit too large for one person but as Riya tried to leave she noticed that Akeno had snuck under the covers with Sekiro just wearing what looked like a black red two piece swimsuit.
"That girl has no brakes it would seem" Muramasa whispered to Riya who angrily looked at Akeno for a moment only for her to turn around and lock the door to the room and undress as well before getting into bed with the other two with Akeno lying on the right side of Sekiro and Riya lying on the other as the two girls drifted off to sleep with Akeno still having her fox ears and tail and Riya having her lion ears and tail.