Suruga clung tightly to me. This Sunday would be the last day we would be able to go out on a proper 'date.' She had sent a request to the Sakura Empire, but the reply was an absolute no, and she was despondent.
I felt awful as well, but I knew we would be able to keep in touch. I would dearly miss her touch, and her scent as she woke me up with her gentle kisses in the morning. It was amazing how quickly you could fall for someone…
This antisocial shipgirl would hardly spend time with anyone else, but always wanted to be by my side… perhaps we were both alike enough but different enough to have that perfect chemistry, that balance so few could attain.
Her downcast expression was too much as we sat on the bench overlooking the port. The sun had nearly set, but she made no indication that she wanted to move. I didn't want this moment to end either, but if she didn't go back…
"Kohiko… this isn't fair…" her voice trembled as she spoke in her soft voice.
"I know, Suru… I want you to stay here too…" I told her, but she shook her head.
"You should be able to come with me!" She said, squeezing my hand tightly. I winced, she was very strong and not always aware of her strength. We had tried something in bed and… let's just say she needed to not sit down quite so hard. I still needed to breathe, after all!
"I need to be here, Suru… I have a duty to attend to," I explained. She mumbled something in response, but I didn't quite pick it up, "What was that?"
She shook her head, "Something I shouldn't even have vocalized." She sighed and looked at the last rays of the setting sun, her mood still morose. "Ah… screw it. I don't want to go back and hear what they say about you."
A knot formed in my chest when she spoke, and I knew I was about to hear something I rather would prefer not to. But… I knew I needed to.
She looked at me, her brow furrowed with worry as I swallowed nervously. I nodded, and she continued, voice wavering as she fought back tears.
"Command… well, Sakura Command… they say that your position is pointless, and that you're sent kansen who perform at the lowest levels by the other nations… In fact, my country only sends some high-performing kansen because Command can throw it in the face of the other nations," Suruga rested her head on his shoulder.
"Why tell me all this, though?" I asked her, feeling miserable at the futility of my existence. What was my point here?
She sobbed, burying her face in my chest, "I used to… I used to think the same… and then I met you and I realized you weren't some puppet, and you treated me… like an equal. You showed me respect and then worked so hard to learn! I mean… they always treated me like an outcast because I never cared for interaction with the others or even going out… I just wanted to accomplish my duties and go home!"
I held her tightly; I had no intention of blaming her for the actions of the others, but it was still heartbreaking to know that I was ultimately pointless.
"Suruga… how were you supposed to know? It's not like you started any of that… when you hear something so many times you can't help but believe a piece of it is true."
"They sent me here as punishment… I turned down the advances of one admiral and he said I would regret it. A week later I was assigned to come 'put the worthless Shikikan through his paces…'" she bared her teeth, "yet not sleeping with that fat fucking piece of rat shit was the best decision I ever made!" her voice rose in volume, but she went red as she realized and tried to hide in my chest again.
"I'll never fault you for that," I told her, "we should never tolerate the abuse of authority. Perhaps we should use that to our advantage? I mean, you could file a formal complaint…"
She looked up at me, but shook her head, "So much attention… I don't think I could ever speak like that without screwing it up… I know what I'm competent at, and nothing involving interacting with anyone is in there."
"Yet you seem to do fine with me," I teased her, trying to lighten the mood.
"Well… I love you," she blushed.
"I love you too, Suru… I want the time we have together to be happy, and then we will do what we can, ok?" I comforted her to the best of my ability, and we meandered back to the port long after the moon was the only light to navigate by.
Suruga's lovemaking was ardent, yet she still showed some hesitation when I wanted to try to put it in, so I held her, stroking her hair and reassuring her.
"I want to give it to you, Kohiko…" she said, but her tears showed her fear. I wondered what would make her so unsure, but at the same time I wanted her to feel comfortable. If I pushed her away… I hated to think of the consequences.
There was more than a little tension in the air as the week crawled by, morose shipgirls sad to see their new friends go so quickly, and even Akagi was acting far less unreasonable than normal. Suruga and I spent as much time in each other's arms as we could, and as Thursday drew to a close, we realized just how much we would miss one another. Tomorrow would be the day they set sail, so I had a big party for all the kansen, but Suruga and I enjoyed the quiet beach where we first confirmed our love for one another.
"Kohiko, I…" Suruga handed me a slip of paper, folded. I took it, but she put her hand over mine before I could open it, "I can't tell you what to do, but… when I leave, open it."
She relaxed after she spoke, and I nodded, pocketing the paper and taking her into my arms. This was what we wanted.
Just the two of us, alone…
After all, we had finally found the one person we couldn't spend enough time with.
I lay Suruga on the bed, sensing a quiet determination emanating from her. She crossed her arms above her head and allowed me to explore her body, kissing her exposed cleavage, nuzzling her armpit, experiencing her musk to its fullest extent. She had been busy today, and I was already pushing against the fabric of my trousers as I experimentally licked the sweat from her armpit, her soft gasp of surprise not followed by anything that would suggest unwillingness.
I kissed every exposed inch, slowly letting her clothing fall to her side as I exposed her lovely breasts, then stomach… each piece falling away and revealing more and more of her lovely figure.
"Kohiko…" she breathed when I took the last article away, her longer thigh high. She lay before me, stretching her hands upward and wanting my embrace. I quickly stripped, tossing my clothing haphazardly aside before I knelt into it, her arms wrapping around my back and holding me tightly as our lips met.
Her tender kisses soon gave way to more passionate ones, and when we broke the kiss, she whispered, "I want you to have it, Kohiko… I can give you this, at least." She favored me with a smile that conveyed her implicit trust, and her pure affection…
"I love you, Suruga… I love you so much," I told her, my heart pounding in my chest. Her ample, soft breasts pushed against my chest, and as I made to get up, I couldn't help but fondle them, teasing her nipples as Suruga looked up at me with desire.
"I love you too, Kohiko!" Suruga cried out, a single tear of joy escaping her eye and making its way down her face. I knelt back down to kiss it as she giggled, sniffing a little. She spread her legs, exposing her tight, wet slit. I lied down in front of her, getting myself comfortable as I kissed her pussy, inhaling her musk.
Her labia were so soft, and as I ran my tongue over them, teasing her clit often, she leaked her juices, and I licked those too, drinking them with pleasure. She tasted as good as she smelled, and I couldn't help but enjoy myself, taking my time as I slowly inserted my tongue into her, feeling her unbroken hymen with it.
"Kohiko… this is so much teasing!" She moaned.
"I'm going to make sure you feel good, Suru…" I told her.
"It'll feel good because it's you… ahn~!"
I thrust my tongue deep into her as muscles clamped down on me, her entrance unused to being disturbed.
I massaged her walls with my tongue as she slowly relaxed, soft moans and sighs of pleasure escaping her and she placed her hand on my head, curling it in my hair. I could feel her tense and relax as she fought to keep her legs open, her thighs squeezing my head in a way that I have to say I quite enjoyed…
She let loose with a particularly loud cry of pleasure as I discovered a sensitive spot, thighs suddenly clamping me as a little fluid leaked out into my mouth.
"K-Kohiko… y-you musn't drink it…" Suruga moaned softly as I continued teasing her, twitching as I brought her closer to her climax. She was so close, I just needed to…
Her hands gripped my hair as she cried out, her climax hitting her full force as her juices poured into my mouth. I felt her hands reach for and grip my own as I continued to keep my mouth sealed to her slit.
When I came up for air, kissing her crotch and inhaling her scent, she had a deep crimson blush, her chest still heaving.
"Suru… that was wonderful…" I told her, positioning myself over her and letting my cock tease her slit. She shifted her arms above her head, showing herself off as her eyes met mine. I placed my hand gently on one of her breasts, its ample softness pleasing to the touch. She bit her lip and smiled as her blush faded.
"Kohiko, I've never had one like that… I think I'm ready for you, and you certainly seem ready…" she giggles as she shifted her hips up, my cock sliding between her wet thighs as I thrust slowly. I sat up as she spread her legs, her pussy wet and very, very ready.
"Suru… I love you," I said to her as I tease her entrance with my cock, pressing against her hymen as she whimpers softly. "Relax… I promise I'll be gentle."
She nods, but her voice has a worried tone to it, "Y-yeah… okay…" she grips the sheets preemptively as I press a little harder. "I love you too… Kohiko…"
Suruga's gaze as she relaxed herself was one of absolute trust, her eyes locked to mine as I pressed little by little into her, my hands reach for hers as I leaned over her, intent on kissing her deeply as soon as I broke through.
She whimpered as her hymen stretched nearly to its breaking point, and a strangled cry broke from her as I pushed through it, my cock suddenly pushing an inch inside her as tears sprang to her eyes.
I leaned over her, careful not to penetrate her any further, and wrapped my arms around her as my mouth met hers. She cried out softly, closing her eyes as her lips met mine. I stroked her hair as she calmed down, her tears wet against my cheeks.
"Suru…" I couldn't stop my cock from twitching inside of her, but she was regaining control of her breathing and seemed to be calming down. Her insides were tight against me, and she looked up at me, swallowing.
"Kohiko is… inside of me…" she said, a small smiling breaking through her tears as the pain left her. "I knew it would be painful, but… I can manage it, for you…"
I slowly pressed into her, reading her face for any sign of discomfort as I returned her smile, "Suru, it feels wonderful inside of you… I'm so happy!" I told her, and a brief giggle escaped her.
"S-saying such things…" she hugged me tightly to her as my tip reached deep into her, pressing against her cervix as she gasped, her moans different from before. I pushed my hands behind her back and shifted my weight, bringing both of us into a lotus.
The sudden change resulted in a gasp from her, but she quickly settled into it, shifting her hips to a more comfortable position. I looked down to see a thin trail of blood leaking from our union, and she blushed, taking my face into her hands and kissing me deeply.
"Kohiko…" her voice, husky with lust, whispered into my ear as she broke the kiss, "I gave this to you… because I always want you to remember me…"
I worked my hips slowly, but I shook my head in response, "We'll find a way…" I promised her, and she just smiled and hugged me tightly as she lifted her hips, bringing them down again and matching my own movements. I reached up to caress her horns, and she didn't move my hand, her pleasure at having them stroked obvious.
She leaned back and pulled my face into her chest; her breasts pressing against my face, their softness and her scent enveloping me as I reached up to tease the nipple of one of them, my other hand reaching around her to grip her ass.
"Ahh… s-so much touching… your cock… so big inside me!" She gasped as a sudden tightness enveloped my cock. I could feel her juices leak out between us as she came. She was so tight… but I was determined to hold out for as long as I could.
"Suru… did you cum again?" I brought my lips to hers again as I removed my face from her lovely breasts, rosebud nipples still so inviting…
She blushed, "I'm gonna die of embarrassment if you keep pointing it out…" she said, but I just kissed her again before planting my lips onto her breast, my tongue teasing and sucking on her delightfully soft nipple.
She rested her arms on my shoulders, her head on mine, and we stayed like this for a time until she pulled my head back up for further kisses.
"You really like kissing, don't you?" I said as our lips finally parted.
"Mhmm…" she nodded, "I like your kisses…"
"I only want your kisses," I told her, and her blush was my first reward, her lips my second.
I was making love to Suruga… and doing everything in my power to focus on the now, and not on the inevitable. She may be gone tomorrow, but for now… for now she was in my arms. Her kisses became more insistent as my cock throbbed inside of her, and I could sense that she knew what was about to happen.
She worked her hips, paying no mind to her lingering discomfort as a thin line of drool ran down her cheek. Her eyes were filled with love and affection… likely a mirror of my own…
"Kohiko… you can cum, Kohiko… I need it inside of me! I want to remember this forever!" She cried out, pulling me against her as I shuddered, moaning into her kiss as my seed poured from me, filling her womb as she broke the kiss to cry out with pleasure, her body shaking as her own climax chased mine. I pulled her back against me and clutched her tightly as the spasms continued.
I was panting heavily as aftershocks swept through me, unable and unwilling to move. Suruga seemed content to stay as we were, murmuring soft nonsense as we held one another.
When we separated, I saw the sheets stained with a cocktail of our fluids, and her blood. She looked at it, and then turned to me, hugging me again, "I couldn't have made a better decision, Kohiko…"
"I love you Suruga… thank you," I couldn't think of anything else to say.
"I love you too…" she replied, and we pulled the sheets away and tossed them aside, retiring to the bathroom to wash one another as we basked in the glow of our lovemaking. Later, when we had wrapped the comforter around ourselves to stave off the chill, we spoke of nothing important, content to lay facing the other as I stroked her horns gently, our lips never apart for more than a minute.
When we woke up, it was with bittersweet kisses and many tears, the two of us unable to control our emotions even as our fleets met one last time to bid our goodbyes.
Many of the shipgirls were also emotional, but the time had come… one last, long kiss was to be had, and then she turned, setting off on the waves, turning around only once to give me one last smile, tears streaming down her cheeks.
I was distraught. I couldn't sleep, I didn't want to eat… even Ayanami had come to sit by my side, patting my head and telling me I would get to see her again.
Three weeks…
Three perfect weeks had passed in a flash. Some may say that three weeks isn't enough time to find a love so deep, but… when you know, you know. I felt that spark when we met, and I knew she did too. My lovely, brilliant, awkward, introverted Suruga…
Surrounded by girls, but she was the only one I cared for, and I knew that she was the one. I couldn't stop thinking about her, and that's when I remembered the paper. I stood up as Ayanami watched me, finding the slip in my coat pocket and unfolding it. On it was a MilNet mail address and a SatCom auth code. The MilNet address seemed like gibberish… but they all were.
Simple and effective encryption combined with strictly regulated access prevented civilians and much of the world from accessing the global satellite network, large and well-guarded relay stations containing terminals that were the sole method of access. I pulled out my phone and saw that Suruga's was no longer in range. The shortwave devices could only bounce off a local relay and displaying basic text as well as voice functionality.
I looked closer at the SatCom code and grabbed my leather folio off my desk, sliding my command pass into it as Ayanami fell into step beside me. I set off for the relay building, showing my command pass to the guards and waiting for them to step aside. They looked at me and nodded, opening the gate to the uplink site. The massive dish loomed above the building, and I checked my watch. I still had a half hour window to send the message.
I set my folio on the table and opened it, pulling out my access codes. The amber terminal had a single line of text on the screen and a blinking cursor.
I entered my command authorization and pressed enter. A few seconds later, I was given access to the wider system. I typed the provided mail address in and received a prompt for the SatCom code. I knew it. This was a high priority address, something reserved for only the most crucial of communications. The recipient was obfuscated, but… Suruga…
What I must do… if this ended up in the wrong hands, it would be the end for both of us, yet…
No. I refuse. I would not allow Suruga to end up in the hands of some lecherous, no good Sakura Empire Admiral! I punched in the code and was taken to a new screen.
I typed out a message explaining what had happened and included a plea for help, to assist her in any way possible and, if at all possible, to get her away from the people who intended to punish her. I spent about fifteen minutes typing it out, a small countdown clock ticking away as the satellite passed overhead.
When I was finished, I read through it quickly, satisfied it was sufficiently detailed to warrant a closer look. I authorized its transmission and sent it, a confirmation of its storage aboard the satellite relaying back down to me. It would be another hour before it came within range of Tokyo's massive array, and I didn't bother with expecting a response.
If one was sent, it would be relayed.
"Hm… Shikikan…" Ayanami put her hand on my shoulder, "Whatever happens next… please don't forget about us."
I turned around and gave the shipgirl a friendly hug, "Never, Aya… you know you're like a daughter to me." I ruffled her hair, and she shook her head, but her small smile as she looked up at me made my heart melt a little.
I set something into motion that I would soon find out had far-reaching consequences, however…
I steeled myself in front of the mirror, desperately splashing cool water on my face, desperate to reduce the redness of my eyes. I couldn't help but think of the man that had so thoroughly captured my heart! I wanted to be by his side, to know his love is more than just a memory…
I hated this… I didn't want to face that Admiral again, the way he looked at me, like I was some piece of meat!
"I am a Kii-class battleship!" I said to myself in the mirror, my quarters having the luxury of my own bathroom. Dread filled me as I thought of going out into the busy hallways of the dorms, everyone filled with questions about my time at the joint fleet…
I hated having to talk to everyone… I know it is unwise for a Commander to feel this way, but I had told them I was much more suited to tactical command and not fleet command… A sigh escaped my lips as I adjusted my bra, making sure it was comfortable as I donned my uniform.
I was finishing up when a knock at my door set off my nerves. It was still quite early, I thought with annoyance. When I opened the door, I took a few steps back, my heart racing as I looked on at the Admiral who had put me in this position with disgust.
I hated this man, and I had let down my guard just a little after a week of not seeing him. His beady, ugly eyes stared from his pig-like face, sweeping over her room as I seethed in the middle of it.
"I see you are settling back in well. Would you like to reconsider my proposition?" The Admiral's mouth split in a wide grin, his intentions clear.
I shook my head, glowering at the man, "I am a Kii-class battleship! I will not…" I darted back as he sprung forward. A sense of hopelessness swam through me as I realized his true intentions.
No.
Everything was screaming at me to run, or to just somehow remove myself from this… situation… I didn't know how to deal with this!
Suddenly, fear filled his eyes as I felt tears stream down my face alongside my scream of frustration. I could feel the weight of my rigging as it materialized and socketed into my lower back.
It was a comforting weight, none that any mere human could ever hope to bear. Ten sixteen-inch guns were pointed directly at the Admiral, and he fell on his ass as he scrambled to back away.
"You kansen bitch!" He yelled at me as I advanced on him, a smile coming across my face as I showed him who was really in charge. "I'll make you regret this!" He regained his footing and left the room. It took some time, but I was able to relax and let my rigging dematerialize.
I sat in a chair, waiting for the inevitable consequences. No one but Kohiko would lay a hand on my body… No matter what.
Heroes of the modern age!
Defenders of the people!
Beautiful Saviors!
Many words and phrases were used to describe the kansen, or shipgirls, as the populace at large called them. In the newspaper and on the television, stories and glimpses of kansen in action were the favorite of the people. Defending the nations of the world against the interstellar threat…
The kansen of each nation were revered, with legendary figures such as Enterprise of the Eagle Union, Bismarck of the Iron Blood, Queen Elizabeth of the Royal Navy, and Nagato of the Sakura Empire seen not only ruling their nations alongside the highest echelons of government, but leading their fleets into battle, bringing utter devastation to the enemies of the world.
Rumors of a joint fleet were also prevalent among the citizenry, with many wondering who could lead such a force, ignorant of the feelings of the high command of each nation. In the Sakura Empire, gender discrimination was longstanding and largely considered as part of the culture as a whole, but the women looked at the kansen with pride, knowing that they would never be subject to the injustices as they were.
Unbeknownst to them, many kansen were taken advantage of by corrupt and greedy Admirals, their position sufficient to protect them should the kansen they molested ever feel like letting their dirty little secret out.
A single spark can light the fires of change, and that's exactly what happened when a lone message, sent via special courier, made its way past military censors and ended up directly on the desk of the largest news agency in Tokyo. It laid bare the shame of the entire military complex, and the owner of this media zaibatsu was one of the few progressive types left.
The story blew up and became a global phenomenon almost overnight, with tapes being sent by plane to be aired all over the world. It was an absolute disaster for the Sakura Empire high command, but it would prove to be what a certain shipgirl, held in a dark, dank cell deep underground, needed for her chance at salvation.
The last few days have been some of the most harrowing I have ever experienced. The pit in my stomach hadn't left since I received the request to stand as witness for Suruga at a military Tribunal. Ayanami sat in the stands of the packed courtroom, and I wiped my hands on my pants as sweat coated my palms.
Suruga kept stealing glances at me, but they forbid us from speaking, though Kii had visited me as the days passed slowly. I was desperate for information, but even her sister refused to divulge anything, but assured me that things would work out just fine.
I… didn't have much faith. The ugly little Admiral's team was tearing Suruga apart in front of the five judges of the tribunal. Three admirals sat in the center, stern faces watching the proceedings intently. At each end sat kansen I never would have expected to see…
Yamato and Musashi held a force of presence I had never witnessed before, and I felt awestruck even as their silence stretched into the third day.
"Calling Commander Kohiko to stand witness on behalf of Suruga," the Admiral at the head of the judges spoke. I stood and centered myself in front of him, bowing respectfully as Kii had taught me to do. I rose to see his expression soften ever so slightly, "It seems the Commander of the Joint Naval Operations Fleet has taken the time to learn our customs."
"I am honored to have this opportunity to defend a kansen whom I respect highly. I have learned much from her in the limited time I spent with Suruga. Standing as her witness is the least I can do," I said, my words careful and enunciated.
They whispered amongst themselves and then requested I provide my full defense, promising there would be no interruptions during it. I spoke my carefully rehearsed defense for nearly half an hour before I finished, unable to keep the emotion from my voice as I said my concluding statement.
Even Yamato and Musashi saw fit to regard me, and even though I glanced at her for only a moment, I could swear I saw the barest of hint of a smile on Musashi's face. I did my best to keep my face perfectly neutral as I stood there for five minutes, my hands held at my side as I stood at attention.
Finally, I was dismissed, "Thank you, Commander. You may be seated."
I bowed once more, holding it a little longer than absolutely necessary, then rose and did an about-face, returning to my chair beside Kii.
The Admiral stood and spoke, "There will be a brief recess while we make our final deliberations. The audience will please exit the room while the accused will retire with her advocate…" Musashi hissed something at the Admiral, "and her command witness."
They led us into a room near Musashi, and as I followed behind the two, I thought I saw the battleship slip something to Kii. When we were in the room, the door closed and locked, Suruga burst into tears and threw her arms around me.
"Kohiko… Kohiko… oh, thank you, Kohiko!" She planted kisses all over my face as I clung to her. It took her a few minutes, but after she had calmed down, she took the seat next to me, leaning against me for support in the small room.
Kii sat across from us, a small smile on her face, "My little Tanuki sure seems to love you, Shikikan… but I'll make sure you treat my little sister well."
"Here I thought you would have already known I'd never dream of anything else," I teased her. Suruga squeezed my hand as Kii passed her a letter.
Suruga opened it, and while I was fluent in speaking the language of the Sakura Empire, I never quite learned how to read more than one of the languages. Nonetheless, I averted my eyes politely.
However, I could feel the rage emanating from her as she slammed it against the desk, staring daggers at Kii. I put an arm around her, but she shrugged it off as she stood, sending her chair crashing back.
"A pawn? I am nothing more than a pawn in all this? I am a Kii-class! I… no, we… pride ourselves on our ability! I may not be good with people, but… I more than make up for that. I mean… I must…" An angry sob escaped from her, and she grabbed me again, looking for comfort.
I held her, stroking her horns gently as she buried her face into my shoulder, frustrated. Kii sat quietly, watching us and shaking her head.
"Suruga… you will get what you want, I assure you. However, it will be… a little messy…" she sighed and took the letter, folding it up and putting it into her folio. Suruga refused to answer, and Kii's downcast look made me realize just how miserable she was about this as well.
"Kohiko… they used me. Musashi and Yamato… they used me and Kii nee-san…" Suruga said, though her words merely deepened the mystery. A knock at the door told me that our time was up, and that they had reached a decision.
It took a fair few minutes to get everyone seated, but when they were Suruga was called to stand in front of the judges. Before her attitude had been conciliatory and demure, but that had changed. Her aggressive posture had not gone unnoticed, and I could see the Admiral that had accused her salivating at his assured victory.
"Kii-class Battleship Suruga, do you have any final statements?" The Admiral leading the proceedings asked.
"I do." She replied simply.
"Very well, you may speak."
Suruga turned to Yamato and bowed deeply, Yamato arching an eyebrow as her expression changed to one of interest.
"I address the Great Battleship Yamato, first among us and the protector of us all. Yamato, you are as spineless and shameful as the men you sit beside, allowing your sisters to be subject to the abuses of those meant to lead them to glory," Suruga's voice rang as she spoke clearly, her voice powerful without the need to yell.
The rest of the courtroom was in shock, and my eyes were glued to Suruga, but I could see Kii fidgeting, sweating bullets. I briefly looked to Musashi, who appeared to be stifling her laughter.
"You sit here idly while I see the damage wrought, not by our enemy, but by our own as our sisters stand powerless to do anything about it. Now I stand here before you because I would rather commit seppuku than be touched by this disgusting little waste of a man…" she turned to glare at the shocked Admiral that had accused her. "The shame those you lead beside has been laid bare, Yamato… now is the time for you to do what is right, and prove your words don't merely ring hollow. Remove yourself from your gilded throne and do us the honor of acknowledging our presence!"
Not a sound could be heard as Suruga finished speaking, and I was surprised to see the terror writ upon the faces of the judges. Suruga bowed deeply, before straightening herself again, still meeting Yamato's unflinching gaze.
Yamato wore a small smile and stood…
I knew she was big but… I had heard rumors, but…
When Yamato stood, she reached nearly nine feet high, dwarfing even Musashi. This was the Kansen that could wipe out fleets without thinking, and as she descended to stand face to face with Suruga, I felt my heart pound in my chest.
They stood nearly four feet apart, yet Suruga had to crane her neck to look at Yamato. I had never suspected she was capable of such defiance… I largely suspect that Suruga was also unaware of this.
Yamato's voice was powerful, yet gentle, and I felt compelled to hang onto her every word, "Suruga… I believe this is the first time I have ever been addressed in this way. Why, I am sure that I am Yamato-san to you, yet you speak to me as one does to a friend, or…" she looked at me, "a lover…"
A suppressed snort. Musashi was enjoying this. She continued, "Yet… I cannot find it in myself to be angry, or even disappointed. In fact, I feel a sense of pride despite the preordained nature of this farce… If you think you were not noticed, my little one… then you were very, very wrong…"
"Change is affected not by brash decision, nor by paralyzing indecision… it is through careful planning and execution. Do you understand what I am trying to say?"
Yamato's tails flared behind her, each of them larger than a man. Suruga held her gaze as she nodded slowly, struck silent as well by the imposing kitsune.
"Now, if the Admirals do not object, I will relay the sentencing. Suruga, you are hereby reassigned to serve as Tactical Commander under Commander Kohiko, effective immediately. You will relocate to the Joint Naval Operations Fleet and support them to the fullest extent," she smiled at Suruga, who was both smiling and looking a little deflated.
She lowered her face to hide her blush and responded shyly. Her bravado had evaporated, but to my surprise, Yamato placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled, getting on one knee to whisper something into her ear. Suruga shot a furtive glance at me but then smiled at whatever Yamato told her.
Yamato stood and approached the Admiral, who was now coming to terms with the fact that he was in for a bad time, "Admiral Hamamatsu… you are hereby stripped of your rank and reassigned as supply officer reporting to Admiral Amamiya. I'm sure he'll find you a nice, remote supply base on some miserable island…" she smirked as he groveled before her.
Various other decrees were handed out, and I could only imagine the internal restructuring about to take place, the genuine source of power now revealed. Two attendant kansen ushered us from the courtroom. When Yamato said immediate, she meant immediate, and Suruga's belongings were already being packed for her when we returned to her room, Kii hugging her sister tightly as they said their goodbyes.
"Kii… I can't thank you enough," I told her, but she just shook her head.
"You're a good man, Shikikan, and hopefully all of this won't be for naught… but Suruga is the news at the moment and I doubt she wants to be in that spotlight."
Suruga shivered, "I'd rather not…"
Suruga hugged me tightly, and we found ourselves escorted by a curious gaggle of Suruga's former fleet as they moved us to the airstrip outside, a cargo plane awaiting us. It was a whirlwind of activity and goodbyes and questions unanswered, but before we knew it I was sitting with Suruga to my right and Ayanami to my left, the rest of the plane containing supplies and her belongings.
She held her hand in mine as she watched her homeland become ever smaller in the window.
I didn't have any words for her, so I just held her hand in mine. She turned and favored me with a small smile despite her tear-streaked face, a tender kiss following it before she rested her head on my shoulder and closed her eyes. Ayanami followed suit, but I found myself with too many questions to sleep.
First among them, why did Kii refer to Suruga as her little Tanuki?