"Kuma! There you are, Hibiki!"
Upon reaching the mess hall, Hibiki was ambushed by a very happy Kuma. The Light Cruiser threw her arms around the Destroyer, causing Hibiki to almost fall over. Yamato smiled and let out a tiny giggle.
"It seems like your friend missed you." Yamato giggled into her hand, smiling at the two Kanmusu.
"Kuma did miss you!" Kuma launched herself into a bear hug.
Hibiki let out a small smile and put her arms around Kuma in a return hug.
"Thank you, Kuma. Thank you for b-being, my friend…" Hibiki stuttered out before almost crying.
"Kuma! Hibiki, you're crying? Kuma didn't mean to hurt you with Kuma's hug!" The brown-haired Light Cruiser dropped her arms and stared wide-eyed at Hibiki.
Hibiki shook her head, "N-no, it wasn't your fault, Kuma. I just… You were the first to be my friend here and I r-really, appreciate it."
Kuma blinked in astonishment. "Kuma is happy to be your friend, Kuma is happy Hibiki is happy."
The brown-haired Kanmusu smiled and took Hibiki's hand.
"Anyway, let's get some breakfast, kuma! Kuma is hungry!"
Yamato watched the two younger Kanmusu walk into the mess hall and away from her. The Battleship smiled.
Pancakes were very popular in the naval base. Kuma had topped hers with so much honey that Hibiki couldn't even see the pancakes underneath.
"What? I'm a Kuma. Kuma likes honey." Kuma defended herself against Hibiki's stares as she cut into her honey-covered pancakes.
"I didn't say anything," Hibiki rolled her eyes, smiling. She cut into her own pancakes.
"Hey, can I have some of your honey? These pancakes are kind of plain." Hibiki questioned the bear-like Light Cruiser.
"Go ahead, kuma." Kuma's answer was muffled due to her mouth being full of pancakes.
Hibiki ate her pancakes, occasionally dipping pieces into Kuma's giant pool of honey.
"Hey, where's your friend? The pink haired… cat?"
"You mean Tama, kuma? She was called into the admiral's office a little while ago, haven't seen her today. I'm sure she's alright, kuma."
Kuma put her fork down and shrugged. At that moment, the mess hall doors swung open and a pink-haired Light Cruiser entered with a small 'nya.'
"Ah, there she is, kuma. Wait, that's not Tama, kuma. Tama wears shorts, this girl is wearing a skirt, kuma."
Hibiki stared at the new Kanmusu, the new Light Cruiser stared at Hibiki and then at Kuma.
"N-Nya! Teasing is forbidden, nya! Light Cruiser Tama, nya. Of course, not a cat, nya. Cats can't be remodeled, nya."
Kuma and Tama stared at each other for a few seconds before Kuma jumped out of her seat and almost tackled the cat-like Kanmusu to the floor.
"You got remodeled, kuma?! Tama is Tama Kai Ni, kuma?"
Tama could barely nod.
"I'm so jealous, kumaaaaa!" The nameship of the Kuma class whined and tugged at Tama's arm. "Come have breakfast with us, kuma! I'll share my pancakes with you, kuma! I hope you like honey, kuma!"
Tama shook her head, "It's okay, nya, I ate the canned mackerel in storage while the admiral wasn't looking, nya."
Kuma's jaw dropped, "B-but what if we need that, kuma? What if the Abyssals steal our food, kuma?"
Tama rubbed her stomach, "Don't worry, nya, it's safe in my tummy, nya."
Seeing Kuma and Tama interacting made Hibiki feel out of place. She was happy that her friend was happy, but the loneliness was starting to affect the Destroyer. With a sigh, she dug back into her breakfast.
Apparently, Hibiki's sigh was loud enough for Kuma to overhear. The brunette turned to Hibiki.
"Hibiki, are you okay, kuma?" Kuma stopped hugging Tama and took her original seat next to the silver-haired.
Hibiki solemnly nodded, trying not to let tears fall.
"Kuma!"
The next thing she knew, Hibiki was pulled into a hug by Kuma.
"Kuma… I…" Hibiki took a deep breath as Tama sat down next to Kuma. "I haven't told you this, and I really don't think now is the best time, but I have to let it out…" The Destroyer turned towards Kuma.
"You know how I wasn't originally part of this naval base? I came from another base stationed here, but the thing is, that base is gone, destroyed… along with… my sisters and my home. Whenever I see you and Tama together, I remember the times I had with my sisters and my Destroyer Division and me…" Hibiki trailed off as she broke into tears, grabbing on to Kuma's shirt.
Kuma and Tama stared at Hibiki with wide eyes. It was Kuma who then spoke up.
"I'm sorry, Hibiki, kuma. I knew something was bothering you ever since I first met you, but I didn't want to ask because I didn't want to bother you, kuma."
Tama spoke next, "I'm sorry I haven't talked to you much, Hibiki, nya. I'm sorry for ignoring you all this time, nya."
Hibiki sniffled and rubbed her eyes.
"I… want to see them again, but I know it's impossible… they were sunk, I was sunk… We were Destroyer Division Six, the flagship was Akatsuki… she always said she was a lady, Inazuma and Ikazuchi were almost twins, they were opposite in personality, however. Inazuma was reserved and timid, Ikazuchi was loud and cheerful. They were my sisters… my Division… my family…"
Hibiki hit the table with her fist, "They're gone and I can't do a thing to bring them back! Give them back! I don't want the fame of being alone, so give them back!"
Hibiki's sadness had turned to anger and Kuma had to pull the plates away on the table so Hibiki wouldn't break them.
"Well, have you talked to the admiral, kuma? I'm sure he'd let you on some sorties so you could get your revenge, kuma."
Hibiki glanced up at the brunette with anger in her eyes, which frightened Tama.
"You know what, I think I will. I'll tell the admiral that I want to sortie. If he asks why I'll just say that I want to."
Grabbing her plate, the silver-haired gulped down her pancakes and stood up.
"Do you want us to come with you, nya?" Tama eventually spoke up, still shaking from Hibiki's outburst.
"Thank you." The Destroyer nodded.
The three Kanmusu then walked towards the admiral's office.
My clenched fist, becoming transparent
Softly, lightly, gently dancing
All the laughter, that voice, that warmness
Softly, lightly, gently rotating…
I don't want the fame of being alone
SO GIVE THEM BACK.