A New Understanding…
When she thought about it, this was what she was born to do. Apart from having been born into a long line of sailors, Mashiro had a love of the sea - the vastness of which was something she shared with Rin. The girl sat in her quarters, alone for the moment, with her new cat on her bunk sleeping. She supposed that sharing a life or death struggle got you over your fears, but she'd rather have left the cat aboard the ocean trader. Then again, Mashiro thought, Captain Akeno would have said all lives were worth saving when in peril.
"Deputy Captain?" Akeno called through the door, "May I come in?"
"Of course, Captain" Mashiro stood. Despite what she sometimes thought about her, Mashiro still respected both the Captain and her rank. Akeno came in and closed the door behind her - cap held loosely at her side. "How can I help you?"
"I came to see how you were doing"
"In need of a good rest, Captain, and starving, but I'll be alright after a while"
"I meant mentally" Akeno said pointedly.
"A little shaken at how close I was to death" Mashiro bit her lip in shame as she admitted it.
"The Blumers told me everything and how you went back for this one" Akeno scratched Tamonmaru behind his head. "You were brave to go back and have a look with Mina"
"I was just doing my duty as a Blue Mermaid in training. At the time we heard there was one still aboard, I didn't know it was a cat"
"I've put you up for a bravery award in my report of the situation"
"Thank you"
"Did you speak to the crew of the boat we sent over?"
"No - should I, Captain?"
"When we're alone, you can call me Misaki. Anyway, I've had to tell off the crew of the boat for disobeying orders"
"Why? Whatever for?"
"They were ordered to return to the Harekaze, but they stayed and waited until they knew you were safe" Akeno leant back against the door and sighed. "I was about ten seconds from getting a Skipper and going over there myself. The only thing that stopped me was leaving Kouko in charge"
"A grave danger… Have we got new orders yet?"
"Well we are to meet up with the Akashi to resupply and refuel before our next plan to find the Spee and Musashi. The Blue Mermaids are very thin at the moment, so we might go after the Spee because of Mina"
"That would make sense"
"The kitchen has put on a feast in your honour" Akeno told her with a smile.
"They should not have gone to the trouble…" Mashiro was cut off by a hand raised by Akeno.
"It is also an offering of thanks for your safe return to us" the slightly younger girl said. "We have faced more than what some people face in a lifetime, so I wonder what is to come ahead"
"A life of great adventure" Mashiro said. "Capt - Misaki, will we be split up when we return to Yokosuka?"
"I don't see why… We've done nothing to deserve that. Anyway, after the bad news I have to give you, we can go to the mess hall"
"Bad news?" Mashiro started in surprise.
"We don't have another skirt in stores in your size - I'm afraid that there was an error when we were fully supplied" Akeno said.
"I have other skirts to wear" Mashiro said with a shrug. "I could have lost a lot more - I just hope I do not get into trouble"
"I think there must be a rule somewhere about reporting to the Captain in your panties" Akeno laughed, "But we'll skip the Court Martial for now" she added as she stood upright and walked to the cabin door.
"Misaki?" Mashiro called.
"Yes, Shiro?" Akeno looked back.
"I want to apologize for ever doubting you... I think I know why I was put here"
"Why?"
"So that I could learn humility and respect, that people might know what to do outside a book, to try and loosen up... I was rude and argued with you during battle for which I should be in the Brig"
"So you will accept any punishment I give you?"
"Yes"
"Then, as Captain of the Harekaze, I sentence you to taking all of my watches until we get to our resupply point and to work in the kitchen for a week during meal times" and Akeno nodded once and then left her cabin. Mashiro stared at the door before signing and sitting down and smiling to herself – she'd found the crew completely disorganised and a shambles, but she'd never have it any other way…