Chapter 2: Love Undefined

In the deep parts of the sea, Enterprise had just concluded her battle with Zuikaku. She didn't want to fight, yet she hoped that this battle had been enough to quench the brown-haired girl's advances.

Zuikaku remained silent with her face burning madly, and the only sounds she could hear were her heart thumping.

"Hey, what's going on here?!" Shouted a blonde-haired girl.

The four shipgirls turned their heads to see Cleveland, with the trio composed of Ayanami, Javelin, and Laffey behind her.

"We saw fighting in the beach shore," said a worried Javelin.

"Oh, it was nothing serious at all," said Enterprise with a friendly tone, extinguishing their worries.

"Shoukaku... Zuikaku... what are you two up to?" Asked Ayanami.

"Oh, us? We... we..." The pure embarrassment of being caught picking a fight was too much for her.

"Zuikaku felt that her rigging was a little rusty and wanted a friendly mock battle to make sure it was up to speed," jumped in Enterprise with a friendly smile to Zuikaku.

Zuikaku swallowed the lump of words that had crashed in her throat and she was thankful for Enterprise. If she did speak for herself, she would have blown it out of proportion.

Cleveland nodded hesitantly as Enterprise moved past them with Belfast behind her.

"Maybe we should head home," said Shoukaku.

Belfast remained by Enterprise's side even after they reached the dock that they started at. "That was certainly a good start to the day, don't you think?" Said Belfast trying to make a hint of small talk.

"Yeah, hopefully, she found what she was looking for and won't challenge me again for some time."

Belfast lowered her eyes at the meaning behind those words, especially after seeing how star-struck the Sakura Empire carrier was when picked up bridal style.

"Belfast, are you okay?" Enterprise noticed that the maid had been holding onto her apron rather tightly.

"Yes, I'm quite alright. I just remembered that some reports are pending, and I must attend to them."

"I... I understand. I must be getting started on my rounds anyway," Enterprise felt like she wanted to say something more, and the look of uncertainty on her face made Belfast sad.

"Until later, dear," smiled Belfast with a hopeful smile that guaranteed that it would be sooner.

They parted ways with Belfast holding herself back and allowing a back glance at the woman that had captured her heart.

(Zuikaku)

The rest of the day wasn't eventful and the trip back to the Sakura Empire was quiet for the crane sisters.

They reached the shore of their home. "It feels nice to be back," said Shoukaku happily. She didn't get a response from her younger sister which made her puff her cheeks out.

Zuikaku was in a world of her own. The only things that existed were Enterprise and her warped feelings that she couldn't understand. A head rested on her shoulder that did the trick in bringing her back to reality. "W-What's this for?"

Her older sister giggled. "You seem rather spacey. Was the loss too much, sister?"

"I... I... I can deal with a loss just fine. I just need to get stronger and improve." Declared Zuikaku in a failed attempt to find a reason for that loss to be her main worry.

"I see. Grey Ghost is a woman without match. Please don't feel that this one fight was the definitive one. A massive rock takes more than one punch to shatter."

The two sisters were not in the same line of thoughts, yet Zuikaku would never allow herself to lash out at her. In the end, she did feel an uplifting warmth in her heart. "Thanks, Shou," said the younger crane sister.

The older sister nodded with a giggle. "It's been a long time since we used our nicknames to each other, Zui."

The younger sister held her stern face and turned around to conceal her red-faced embarrassment.

"Oh, Zuikaku. I wouldn't be a good older sister If I didn't jab at you from time to time. Now... was there anything else you wanted to talk about?" Said the sisterly concern of the white-haired sister.

"No, none at all. I might head to the training room for a bit. I'll see you later for dinner." They parted ways leaving the matter unresolved.

Over at the training area. It was a square courtyard-style area with cobblestones lining the ground. There were wooden walkways at the perimeter of the area, fitting the Sakura Empire theme, and sliding door panels.

Zuikaku stood in the center of the cobblestone area with her katana being used to lean her body. She appeared to be lost in thought, gazing at the floating cherry blossom petals that came from the giant beautiful tree to her right.

A petal floated downward that brought her vision back to the three training dummies that stood before her. She clicked her tongue to dispel her idle mindset and took up her sword. Her eyes narrowed with the focus to make sure that her one clean cut was done perfectly. Just as she was about to move, her mind played one last trick in which she replaced the middle training dummy with Enterprise.

Her focus snapped and her lip quivered as she could not find it in her heart to strike. "What's wrong with me? So, she picked me up to avoid myself from hitting the water... is that enough to sway my heart? No, her power plays a part in this. That strong, unmovable strength that I acknowledge, and respect plays a part in this. I... I... I want to be the force that moves her..." Her cheeks turned bright red as she lost the meaning of her words. She couldn't tell if she meant it as a challenger or as a lover; maybe it was a bit of both.

The sliding door opened, making Zuikaku stand up straight and look to see who else had entered.

"Zuikaku? I'm sorry, I didn't think anyone was here today."

Zuikaku stood even straighter, if that was possible, at attention to her elder. "Takao! How are you doing today?" She said with a nervous smile.

Takao gestured her to relax for there wasn't any need for her to be formal. "I came by for some training and clarity. I can see that we are of one mind in that department," said Takao with a warm smile.

"T-Training, always... but clarity, I'm still trying to find that. Actually, I don't know how you can even do that while training."

Takao motioned her to move aside to face the training dummies. "Well... it's like reaching a state of clear mind where you let your instincts take over in all battle situations. If you overthink things or even rush in without relying on your instincts, then you could miss your chance." In that simultaneous instance, she effortlessly pulled out her own katana and quickly sheathed it back.

Zuikaku comically stood there with her jaw open as two of the three training dummies were cut in two.

They fell with a thud as If Takao's look alone caused it.

Takao gave her a friendly smile. "Of course, that's my philosophy of a clear mind, and as you can see... I haven't perfected it yet. Daily refinement is pivotal to self-growth. Dripping water can wear down the strongest of stones," she said with great pride.

"Shoukaku said something similar to that…" Zuikaku felt more lost than ever, and she decided to take the first step. "Takao, this must sound silly, but... do you think that strength alone can be a reason to like someone?"

"Hmm... like? I might be biased but I firmly believe there is reason to admire great strength, especially if you are striving for that."

Zuikaku bit the side of her cheek. "Let me rephrase that. Do you think strength alone can be a reason to be attracted to someone else?"

Takao blinked a few times until it finally registered. "Oh... uhh... I see. Well... like beauty, physical strength is something that can be observed at glance. It can be a reason to like someone in that way, however, it's bad to take that at face value. Take an apple, for instance, its beauty can be bold, vibrant, and inviting, but inside can be filled with worms and rottenness."

"I don't think she's rotten from the inside. I..." It dawned on her that she didn't even know much about Enterprise. Aside from her being the strongest of the Eagle Union, she didn't know who lay behind the exterior of the Grey Ghost.

"I'm surprised that you have an affection for someone else. Could it be possibly me; your elder?" Smirked Takao softly.

Zuikaku staggered backward at such a declaration. "If it was you, I wouldn't have told you!" She could see Takao fail to hold back her laugh at the brown-haired woman.

"It was a bad joke to break the ice. I will not further joke on the matter since you are looking for an answer."

"I am. I don't want to burden my sister about this matter, and I wouldn't find a good answer from her even if she meant well. It would be like you asking Atago this same problem."

Takao froze for a second as she envisioned her being in Zuikaku's shoes with her having a secret crush. "No... no, no, no. You're right, if I had a secret crush then my sister would be the last person I'd ask. And you shouldn't tell her either. She will hug you excessively and get too touchy until you spill the name of your crush," she said frantically.

"You have a point there," said the crane carrier.

"My answer is to go for it. People fall in love with looks taking center stage. After that, I would suggest you spend time with her to get a read on her personality. If you like what you see, then confront her with your feelings undiminished. Falling for strength isn't inherently bad, and I can actually see myself doing the same thing as well."

"What if she doesn't respond to them?" Ask Zuikaku with downcast eyes.

"Then there's nothing to be done. You can fight for her love, but it might make you end up pushing her away. If it comes to that conclusion, then follow what your heart tells you at that moment."

"You've given me a lot to think about," said Zuikaku with a bow.

"Don't mention it. As your elder, life guidance is one of my responsibilities. But then again, love guidance is out of my scope of operations after all." She landed her hand on the brown-haired girl's back with a smack as a show of friendship.

Zuikaku staggered forward, rubbing the part of her that got hit. She would be lying if she said that she wouldn't be feeling that impact tonight.

(Belfast)

The day had concluded, and everyone had retreated to their rooms. In one room, Belfast lay with her eyes gazing at the dark ceiling above. She tossed and turned as she tried to find some peace to succumb to sleep. Her eyes narrowed in frustration, causing her to lift herself from bed. "This is unbecoming of me." Her eyes filled with gloom as she recounted her parting with Enterprise that was a result of her trying to make sense of why she was so upset.

Her mind brought her to Zuikaku, who she didn't know what could be going through the Sakura Empire woman's head. The love-struck look that she had given to Enterprise made her stomach twist and her hands became restless. "What was with that look of hers? She goes and challenges Enterprise to a duel, and then she becomes love-struck when she loses?" Analyzing that that was the source of her displeasure, she gave herself a hard look when her gaze landed on her mirror stationed near a desk across her room. She looked at her reflection that reflected a face that she didn't like. This cruel reflection was her with the sourest and horrible look of jealousy that was truly unbecoming of a maid like her. Her heart ached with pain that pulled her away from the reflection. "This truly bothers me, but why? Are my feelings for Enterprise more than a friend?" Alone with her thoughts, she realized how stupid and useless that question was. The long gazes, the heart-pumping surge of blushes she would get by being with Enterprise, and the unsung moment that they could have had at the docks came rushing back to her.

"Enterprise…" The latest blush within her settled as she regained her breath at the Eagle Union Aircraft Carrier that had conquered her heart. She looked at her reflection again and could only see her regular face reflecting.

That night bore the fruit of clarity in her mind that she wasn't going to deny. She loved Enterprise. The next question was… if she was going to do anything about it.

(Zuikaku)

Inside the room of the Crane sisters, Shoukaku slept soundly on her bed. Across from her, was the bed of her younger sister that laid vacant. A window in the room shined the ghostly glow of the pale moon like a ray of light. The ray of light bathed a brown-haired girl that had her knees to her chest as she fondly looked at the moon. "Grey Ghost… no… even that doesn't sound right anymore." She paused slightly to ponder the new realizations forming in her mind. "… Enterprise. You are someone that I no longer only just want to conquer. Starting now, I want to be…" She knew what she wanted to be, sadly, she was never good with romantic one-liners. She softly chuckled as she didn't feel any internal strife in her heart. She vowed that tomorrow she would see that white-haired carrier.

(Enterprise)

The moon was indeed beautiful. Beautiful enough for a semi-passive emotionless being that was the Eagle Union's strongest carrier to admire. A harsh term indeed for her, however, to become the bearer of all the world's pain, she had to shut off her emotions and become the flagship of limitless strength to inspire her allies. To gain this strength, she had deprived herself of any human-like pastimes and focused on the battles and future battles to come. The only thing, she was allowed for herself was the pain and memories of the fallen that she needed to remember.

Of course, this was no longer the case as she recently realized that this path was one that she could no longer stomach to walk. She wouldn't deviate from the main goal but the way she was going about it had to change. She gained power for the sake of power and accepted that she was a tool for war.

However, there was a part of her that never truly accepted that; it was her heart that never accepted that. She gained the power to protect her friends not because she was a tool for war that needed to. She hated war and fought to make sure her friends and no others would have to suffer.

Her eagle landed near her on a bench during this quiet outside night. "So, you also like how the moon looks tonight?" She said with a small smile. The eagle said nothing and merely gazed majestically at the sky.

She chuckled and looked down at what she was carrying. It was a sack of the generic provisions that she housed in her room. "Those bars were one thing, but these were on a whole other scale," she said to her eagle companion.

"I want to change. I want to be more than just a tool for war. All the others have found their reasons—their human reasons—to fight and keep fighting. I want to protect those I hold dear, that is where my strength comes from." Her mind showed her sister Hornet, her friends in the Eagle Union and Royal Navy, then it went to Belfast… the one that helped her make sense of her internal struggles in her heart. She even lingered to Zuikaku and the Sakura Empire who had become allies with her. Knowing that the Sirens were the only threat made her hopeful that her war would one day end.

"I won't be needing these provisions anymore. After getting used to regular food—I just can't go back to these. Even if they were convenient and quick to eat." She opened a trash can and discarded the tasteless items that were a representation of her past. She took a relaxed intake of air as she let the gravity of her action wash over her. The path she now walked on had more meaning and color that enchanted her to the things to come. She no longer wanted to fall back on easy answers like fighting because that was what she was made to do. No, she wanted to find her own human answers. Just like she was admiring the moon, she wanted to enjoy what beauty lay outside of battle and ultimately a new reason for her life.

I'm going to be juggling this story along with my Neptunia story as they will both be my main focus. As of now, the other stories that I planned are on the back burner as I don't feel that I'm satisfied with the way they are turning out. I aim to probably have a small story related to the fate series sometime next month.