Despite her nude body pressed against mine, I couldn't help but notice that Suruga was acting reserved towards me. I mean, she usually acted this way towards others, but it was a rare instance indeed to have her act this way towards me.

Especially in bed!

"Kohiko… why do you love me?" She asked.

The suddenness of her question flustered me. I mean… I was sure she knew by now!

"Suru… how is there even a question?" I felt hurt, and she seemed to realize it, shaking her head.

"I know that you love me… but why me? Your taste in women is strange… I have been a burden yet you always back me up, you always look out for me."

"You do the same for me, Suruga," I said, "Plus, I love you for who you are, everything about you." I kissed her, brushing her hair behind her ear and lightly caressing her horn.

"My horns…" she began, her blush deepening.

"What about them?"

"I… um…" she quivered slightly, as though she was terrified of what she was about to say. I kissed her forehead, her hair tickling my nose.

One moment, my hand was on the smooth bone of her horn. The next, it rested on a soft ear. I unconsciously stroked it, my finger scratching behind the ear as Suruga made a pleased noise. She nestled closer to me, and I felt something soft rest on my leg.

"Is that a tail?" I teased her a little. It brushed against my leg excitedly as I continued to massage Suruga's soft ears.

She said nothing at first, but her voice was so timid and quiet when she spoke it surprised me I heard her at all, "This is… me…" she said, her head buried in my chest. She continued, "I'm a… tanuki…"

As if that somehow changed things. I chuckled softly, "Thank you, for showing me." I meant it. This obviously took a lot more for her to show than I could realize. This level of trust felt… special. "I love you, Suruga, now and always."

She looked up at me, her expression a mixture of shock and relief and love. I held her tightly, stroking those cute, soft ears. She pulled herself from my arms and sat up, spreading her legs wide and revealing her crotch in its full glory. I admired it, but when she saw me try to get up she leaned down and gave my tip a kiss.

"Kohiko… I love you too! Yet, you see me for who I am, a timid little animal who has to constantly hide her true self…" She rested her head on my thigh, looking at me.

I shook my head, "You don't give yourself enough credit. I want to be like that, to be locked away in here with no one but you around me all day… we all 'hide' who we really are, but you are both what you are and what you think you are."

She smiled, "You really mean that, don't you? Well… I was thinking… we could do it like this. I know you want to try something, and I suppose… I can give it to you like this…" she blushed and kissed my cock, letting it rest just below her nose as she inhaled my scent.

"You mean it?" My excitement jumped a fair amount, and her giggle confirmed it.

"Ahh! I knew that would get you going! I always feel more confident around you, you know? Hehe… it felt so good when you stroked my ears. Can you… do it again?" I reached out and rubbed her tanuki ears again at her request as she gently licked the base of my shaft, teasing my balls with one hand.

I fondled one of them, admiring how velvety it felt, moaning as she took me into her mouth, her tongue working wonders as she took my cock into her mouth in one smooth motion, her throat tightening around me as we locked eyes.

My cock disappeared between her lips, her hand still fondling my scrotum as she pulled her head back to slowly reveal my member glistening with her saliva. I swallowed, her lewd antics exciting me.

Suruga teased me whenever I tried anything when we were alone in the office together. She had grown fond of receiving headpats, always giggling and smiling. One time I had walked up behind her and cupped her ample breasts in my hands, and she just covered my hands with her own and told me she knew how much I enjoyed lewd things like this, encouraging me to squeeze them.

I felt like I would cum already, but as I felt myself twitching, Suruga pulled her head completely back and let my cock rest against my stomach. She blushed as she got up, turning around and spreading her ass, her anus flexing a little as she lowered her hips.

"Oh fuck, just like that… amazing!" I said, salivating at the thought of teasing her anus. "Suru, you have such a pretty butthole!"

"Don't say such things, Kohiko! Haa… I'll just… h-hey!" She yelped as I wrapped my hands around her thighs and pulled her down, making sure her ass landed squarely against my nose.

Scent… scent is such a powerful thing. Suruga's anus exuded something mellow yet animalistic, a slight tang that made me twitch with excitement. It was so lovely, so… her! She braced herself against my chest as I dug my nose into her ass, her cunt dripping its sweet juices against my lips.

An incredulous tone lent itself to her voice, "Kohiko… you're sniffing my butt… you're sniffing too much!" Her tail thumped against my head, though its softness negated any sort of impact it might have had otherwise.

She let me enjoy myself… after all; she was right; I had wanted this for a while now, but she had been hesitant. I would not force her, but I had to make sure she was good and ready! I used my hands to get her to shift down a bit, the scent of her ass still firmly in my nose as my tongue prodded at her anus.

"Haah… K-Kohiko… this is so indecent, but… I feel so excited… y-you're so lewd…" she moaned as I pressed my tongue into her ever so slightly, my focus still on her anus itself.

Suruga's rectum squeezed against my tongue, resisting me. I could feel her weight settle against my face a little more, so I smacked her ass.

She lifted herself up a bit and apologized, "Ahh… Kohiko… I'm so sorry, I'm still new at this sort of thing…"

I could only imagine her expression right now, probably red in the face, her mouth slightly open as her sweet moans escaped it. I could feel her juices dribbling down my chin… she was excited from her ass!

Suruga relaxed, and I could push my tongue further into her. I felt her hand grab my cock, stroking it slowly as her hips twitched, her scent overcoming me as her sweat dripped onto my tongue, joining the taste of the soft skin of her rectum.

After a few minutes of this, and without warning, she leaned over, forcing me to sit up to keep my tongue buried deep in her as she took my cock into her throat. I reached up and spread her ass, squeezing her cheeks as she pushed back against me, her excitement matching my own.

I felt, rather than heard, her moan of ecstasy as she climaxed, squirting me while my face was still buried deep in her ass. I was so close myself, just a moment more and…

Suruga pulled her head away again, panting and rolling off of me, getting up on all fours and wiggling her ass.

"Suru… you're so fucking hot! I love you, everything about you… your body is incredible!" A lust, a hunger, a need, built up inside of me, and got behind her, pushing my cock into her wet cunt, her insides squeezing me as I began to thrust.

"Fuck me, Kohiko! Fuck me like I'm an animal… I'm yours, always yours… my heart, and my body, it all belongs to you! So love me, love me in every way you can!" She cried out, turning her head to look at me as I pushed two fingers deep into her ass, stretching it out.

"You want it in your ass, don't you?" My tone was low and full of lust, hers already husky as she responded.

"Y-yes! Fuck my ass, Kohiko… fill it with your hot, sticky seed!" She begged, and I pulled out of her, pressing my tip against her anus, pressing slowly into her. I bit my tongue as my loins ached for release. I was resolved not to cum until I was deep inside her.

"Suru, I'm gonna put it in, ok?" I told her. She nodded.

"Fuck me, Kohiko, I'm ready!" She cried out, and I pressed into her. Suruga's cry of pleasure as her rectum both accepted and tightly squeezed my cock was something else, and she pushed back against me until her anus wrapped around the base of my cock.

We rested there for a moment, Suru emitting sweet, lewd noises as I leaned over her. She pulled a few pillows beneath her to rest on, letting her weight down on them as I gently held her wrists, pressing them against the bed as my nose brushed her ear.

I thrust methodically, letting her adjust to having me in her ass. The scent of her hair was so nice, traces of her floral shampoo remaining. I opened my mouth and took part of her tanuki ear into it, biting down gently as she yelped in surprise.

"Kohiko is… asserting dominance… ahh… haah… w-well, it's ok, as long as it's you! I love you… n-not too hard though, ok?" Suruga let out a small laugh that quickly turned into a moan as I thrust harder, using my entire length as a tingling sensation began to sweep through me.

I continued to hold her like that, her scent speaking to a much more primitive part of me, one that was marking his territory, staking his claim. Yet I remained in control, making love with a passion I had never known before.

"Cum, Kohiko! I can feel it in me… you're so big! Your dick is swelling, fill me with it! I'm gonna cum too!" Suruga moaned, and I released her ear, pushing my lips to hers as I thrust one final time, pressing my cock deep into her as my seed poured into her bowels, our cries of pleasure filling the room as we climaxed together.

I panted as we lay there, my body pinning her down as we looked at one another, our lust still vibrant. I sat up and pulled out of her, turning her over and pushing back into her ass.

"A-again? Hehe, ok~," Suruga grinned and rested her legs to the side, though her face soon became a mask of pleasure again as she gave in to her lust. This position, however, didn't last long, as she quickly lifted one leg and wrapped both of them around me as I leaned over her, one hand fondling her perfect breast as we made eye contact, this time choosing a more measured pace.

"Perfect… so perfect…" I said, running my hand along her body. She bit her lip and blushed.

"It's nothing… special…" she said, but I shook my head.

"There is only one Suruga, and she… well, she's everything to me. Of course she's perfect~," I reassured her, and she took my hand in hers, interlacing our fingers as I continued to thrust, the animalistic pleasure now turning into a much more human one.

"Is my ass to your liking?" She smiled coyly, and I nodded.

It was everything I had dreamed it would be and then some. I held my tip at her entrance and teased her a little before thrusting it deep into her, eliciting a loud moan.

"Incredible, Suru!" I said, and pulled her up as I leaned back, bringing us together swiftly. I wrapped my hands around her as we kissed, moving my hips in time with hers. I felt her nails dig lightly into my back, and I could feel it myself, her rectum tightening against me as she approached another climax.

Her lovemaking became more insistent, her kisses intensifying as well, as her ass squeezed tight against me, my body exploding with the sensation of pleasure once again as I filled her up with even more seed.

This time we stayed as we were for some time, just kissing and looking at each other, enjoying the moment as I softened inside of her, my seed dripping out between our join.

"Kohiko… I've never felt anything like that," Suruga admitted.

A tender kiss.

"Neither have I, Suru. I love you, now and forever," I promised her.

"Now and forever," she replied, and with a giggle we broke apart, intending to bathe before we turn in for the night.

I hefted Suruga's coat, surprised at how big it was. She was barely tall enough for her eyes to be level with my mouth, yet even this coat is too big for me. Suruga snatched it from my hands, casting it over herself.

"You should put your arms in the sleeves," I chuckled.

"Shut," she said, lifting her nose.

"Why do you have such a big coat?" I asked her, genuinely curious.

"Cause it makes me look bigger, and powerful," she admitted, but her horns were back and she wanted to reestablish her public image.

"You don't regret showing me, do you?" I asked, worried she may feel resentment.

Her expression softened, and as I rested my hand on her head, I felt her ears again. I scratched behind one as she held me close, "Kohiko… why would I ever regret that? I love you even more, knowing that you embrace both sides of me. I can't even tell you how much that meant to me, and… I enjoy being able to relax and let my guard down like that, with you. I hope we get to do it more often."

"I'm glad, Suruga… I truly am. I love you, too."

She backed away and adopted her stern expression again, turning to the mirror and drawing her sword.

"Why does a Sakura battleship have a saber? Wouldn't you rather a Katana?"

"Damn it, Kohiko…"

"Honest question," I teased.

"Maybe I'll tell you someday, for now, though… we're going to be late if you keep this up!" Suruga made a noise of annoyance, but I was ready to go, and once we were on our way, her mood lightened again. She… didn't like to be late.

This day wasn't much different from any other. We would ultimately do what we always did, inspecting rigging and munitions, running a few fleets through exercises, and checking the commission reports before assigning new ones, among other things. She always insisted on being early, and she always insisted on making me coffee or tea in the morning.

She didn't like me having coffee all the time. Too much caffeine or something else, I honestly can't remember, but I have to say that whenever I need coffee, it really does the trick. Today…

"Here you are, Kohiko," Suruga passed me a cup of tea.

Today was a tea day, but she was well-versed in the art of the tea ceremony, and her tea was always top-notch. I dreaded the day she found out I enjoyed the tea of the Dragon Empery nearly as much.

Ning Hai had made it as a sort of gesture when she and her sister first arrived. It was delicious! Suruga was leading a sortie, so she didn't have the chance to try it, but then she would've started asking uncomfortable questions…

In any event, they were also up for inspection today, and a knock at my door informed me of their timeliness.

Ning Hai and Ping Hai stood with a measured grace, and I recalled how they came here. The Dragon Empery sent a letter informing us they would like to formally enter the JNOF agreement, and the council accepted at my urging. The rapid industrialization of their country was largely unnoticed by the other major players, but when they offered to send two ships as a token gesture of cooperation…

Well, I have to say that they have been very effective. Actually, they were disturbingly effective against Sakura Empire ships and punched far above their weight class when fighting them. I knew the two nations had a history, but…

They soon became a hit with everyone, though, and any animosity was quickly extinguished when they introduced their cuisine. They were also making a killing off it, all things considered. They JNOF shipgirls received a stipend every Friday, and I'll be damned if Ning Hai and Ping Hai weren't out there every Friday morning, hawking their pork buns and red bean sesame balls.

"Zhǐhuī guān, we're ready for our inspection," Ning Hai spoke up, and I stood. Suruga performed the physical inspections while I would go over the rigging.

They both extended their rigging, and we got to work with Ping Hai first. Suruga checked the socket and the skin around it for any signs of damage or improper care while I inspected her guns and torpedo launchers.

"Hmm, guns look good, but these torpedo tubes…" I inspected them closely, running a finger along the inside edge.

"I just cleaned them this morning, Zhǐhuī guān!" Ning Hai said, the worry in her voice more than apparent.

"Kohiko… don't tease her like that!" Suruga admonished me. I laughed and gave Ning Hai a pat on the head.

"She's right, you're good. Sorry for my little joke," I said, but Ning Hai got her blush under control and we moved on to Ping Hai, who was in similar condition. When we finished, we invited them for tea.

Seemingly from nowhere, they pulled bamboo steaming trays and set them on the table between the sofa and chairs in the office, Ping Hai sitting down on the floor and preparing everyone's place while Ning Hai made tea.

"Suruga, we understand you are quite talented in the art of preparing tea," Ning Hai said, conjuring a pot and cups from nowhere. "We would like to share with you the tea of our homeland, if you would be so kind as to join us."

"I'd be honored, Ning Hai, Ping Hai," Suruga accepted gracefully, taking a seat as Ning Hai finished her preparation and poured everyone a measure of tea.

When she sat, we took a drink, and I was as impressed as always. Suruga's eyes widened, and she looked at me when she took a drink.

"It's good, isn't it," I said, and she nodded.

"Incredible! I insist you join me for tea sometime so I can repay the favor," she replied, and the two cruisers had looks of absolute joy on their faces. It was then I realized just how much every single kansen here looked up to Suruga, regardless of where she was from.

Two pork buns and two sesame balls sat on each plate, and we tucked in with gusto, enjoying the midmorning meal and chatting with the Empery cruisers. They were always eager to tell us about their home, and we were almost loathe to bid them farewell when they left.

Suruga smiled and turned to me, "I never thought Empery kansen would be so kind, Kohiko. It's so nice to see everyone putting aside their differences and working together."

I nodded, "Your tea is better."

"What?" She looked as though she was at a loss.

"Your tea, it's better," I reiterated.

She laughed, "Oh, come now… you honestly don't think that matters?"

"It's better because you make it for me, Suru," I pulled her close, giving her a kiss.

She let me indulge for a moment before breaking it, "Alright, alright… we have work to do!"

She wasn't wrong.

Damn right my tea's better.

Not that it's a competition! Haha…

"You're thinking about the tea," Kohiko said. I felt my face flush.

"N-not at all!" I exclaimed.

"You're a terrible liar, love."

"Hmph, well… you said mine's better."

"I meant it."

"Because I make it?"

"Yes, and you have a knack for choosing it as well."

"Flatterer."

"Guilty as charged!"

We shared a smile as we approached the assembled exercise participants. I waved to Kohiko as he walked up to the overseer platform. I would join the exercises today, and waved to Shinano and Izumo, waiting for me. I looked up to see Mikasa standing next to Kohiko, the venerable battleship looking no older than I did, but having far more experience.

She laughed at whatever Kohiko said, and I saw him show her something. She looked from it and then down to me. We locked eyes for a moment, and then a smile of satisfaction crossed her face.

I had a lot of respect for Mikasa, and we initially bonded over the fact that we were both oni… (despite the fact that, well, I'm not an oni…) but she had taught me tactics and strategy from her era I had thought obsolete.

Time and again she proved me wrong, and even beat me in a head-on duel, to everyone's surprise. I mean, it was just Shogi, but still… She chalked it up to experience, but then taught me everything, and I applied it to supplement my battle plans.

She refuses to take credit for anything, however. She's so old school, and another shipgirl I was surprised to learn that was merely a friend of Kohiko's! I still thought the biggest secret was however in the hell he fended off those damn kitsune carriers…

"Hey, Suruga, you coming or what?" Izumo chided me. I looked up and scratched my head in embarrassment.

"Ahh, yeah, sorry," I said, jogging to join her and Shinano along with Yukikaze, Shigure, and Yuudachi.

"Don't worry, Mikasa isn't going to try anything, we all know he belongs to you," Izumo teased me, showing a rare smile.

"Ahh… I'm not worried about that…" I said.

"Sure, sure…" Izumo yawned facetiously, "Now, can we do this before I pull a Shinano and pass out while walking?"

"That is… quite rude, Izumo," Shinano looked at the battleship.

"You gotta look a bit more excited! Going into battle feels great!" Izumo did look pumped.

"Suruga… she is exhausting…" Shinano looked at me, looking for help.

I shrugged, "Eh, you're always exhausted. You ready, though? We're going up against a coalition."

Shinano nodded, and we joined the destroyers, who were busy picking on each other, trying to bite the other's ear. I went a little pink at last night's sudden memory, Kohiko and his…

"Hey, Suruga! You're all red!" Shigure did what she did best, and danced around me, teasing me relentlessly.

"T-this is no way to treat your superior!" I said, trying to reestablish control.

"Kohiko sure takes care of you~," Yukikaze had a sly grin on her face.

"F-focus! We have a job to do! Now, we're going up against a coalition of the other factions. Avrora, Drake, and Graf Spee will head up their frontline, so you'll have some heavy fire to contend with. Prioritize hit-and-run tactics, rely more on your torps, ok?"

"Yeah, yeah, we're destroyers, we know how this works," Shigure sighed, but nodded in acceptance of the plan.

"Now, Independence and Centaur will be the primary threats of their back-line, especially Centaur. Shinano…" I began.

"I can handle them, please don't be so concerned," the carrier said with a yawn.

"Wait… did they really choose a third carrier? Looks like Eagle replaced Colorado. Well… hmm, that'll make things interesting. We'll need to close in quick," I advised the back-line. Izumo and Shinano nodded, but I could see Shinano's worry. Three carriers, and especially Centaur…

Why couldn't Azuma be here? She was a much better match-up against Drake! Oh well, the destroyers would have to do the work.

The others followed me as I made my way to our side of the exercise area, and not long after the whistle blew. The destroyers raced out immediately, intending to draw fire and aggro from the frontline as Izumo and I covered Shinano while advancing to get the enemy fleet within range.

When my guns were ready, I noticed I was barely in their effective range, yet I could see planes taking off.

"Shinano! CAP up, now!" I ordered. Shinano re-tasked all her aircraft to combat the incoming threat, and we got in close to her, focusing our AA on the enemy bombers approaching the CAP.

The three destroyers, unmolested by aircraft, continued to evade and score minor hits against the cruisers. Drake looked furious, her considerable firepower still zeroing in on the smaller, more agile ships.

Avrora seemed to be in high spirits, and I watched her carefully take shots while Spee readied her torpedoes.

"Break, now!" I ordered them, and they spun off just in time to miss a well-times volley that would have gotten at least one of them. Unfortunately, they didn't escape unscathed, as Drake's guns finally found their marks.

I looked up to see that Shinano's CAP was in ruins, but the skies were empty. We survived the first round.

"Now's our chance!" I cried out, and Izumo and I closed to within range, firing at the enemy carriers. My 16-inch guns made contact with Independence's rigging, and Izumo put Centaur out of action as well. Eagle fell to Shinano's bombers and then we turned our attentions to the much more problematic vanguard.

The three Sakura destroyers ganged up on Spee and took her down, and I focused my guns on Drake, the heavy cruiser not quick enough to evade them.

All in all, a good exercise, and one that nearly ended in our defeat. Shinano's impressive CAP was what saved us from the concentrated airstrikes from three carriers. Fortunately, all we used was dummy rounds, and everyone left in high spirits.

"I'm gonna get you one day, Suruga!" Drake called out playfully.

"I look forward to that day," I said, a smile on my face as we got in formation in front of Kohiko. When I took part, I always stood with my teammates.

"Excellent work. Centaur and Independence, I've never seen you get airstrikes off that fast! Eagle, you seemed a bit tense, are you ok?" Kohiko asked the carrier as he stopped in front of her.

"I'm f-fine, Commander… going up against Suruga is bad enough, but Izumo as well? Terrifying…" she smiled apologetically, but Izumo had a big grin on her face.

"If it helps, I can take her to dinner, she's pretty cute," Izumo teased.

"Alright, alright…" Kohiko put his hands up, "I understand. Spend some time with them, ok? They're no different from you."

Eagle nodded, smiling.

Kohiko complimented Spee and Avrora on their performance and stopped in front of Drake. Her face flushed as he sighed, "Drake, you and Azuma represent two incredibly powerful vanguard ships here. I understand it's easy to get frustrated, but you'll go up against enemies that you won't know how to handle immediately."

"They're so bloody god damn quick, Commander! How am I supposed to land a hit when they never stay still?" Drake huffed.

"Adjust your aim, fire where they'll be, not where they are," Kohiko explained, and Drake looked down at her feet. I knew that feeling. She just got caught up in her emotions. "Anyway, you still did good, so, chin up, yeah?" Kohiko patted her shoulder and petted the three doggos. Yukikaze and Yuudachi let him rub their heads vigorously, but Shigure only lent him a single ear to scratch, giving him a look of annoyance.

Why was she annoyed with him? Sometimes those three could be… strange.

Shinano and Izumo both received words of praise, and then it was me. He nodded, "Excellent tactics as always, it seems a little unfair to have you go out there, but they need to understand that fair fights rarely exist in a real-world scenario."

I nodded, understanding his perspective. They needed to train, to practice, to learn how to handle themselves when everything was on the table and it looked bleak.

Everyone was dismissed, and I spoke with Mikasa a bit before joining Kohiko on a bench overlooking the exercise area.

"Whew… it's nice, getting all worked up like that," I said, laughing.

"You seem to enjoy getting out there with them. I know you've seen a fair few large-scale sorties against the Sirens, but have you considered joining them for less critical engagements?" He asked.

"I haven't but it may be a good idea. You sure you'll be fine?" I teased him.

"I can manage for a few hours, heh," Kohiko laughed and leaned back, stretching his arms over his head and popping his back.

"I'm starved, let's have lunch," I said, before he got too comfortable. He echoed the sentiment, and we headed off to the canteen for a bite to eat.

It was a bit of a late lunch, but the canteen was packed nonetheless. Support staff ate with the Kansen, at my insistence. I thought it would improve morale and form a powerful bond because we relied on each other.

I was right! Watching the technicians joke with Portland and Indianapolis at the other table brought a smile to my face. Even Indy seemed to enjoy the company!

Suruga was watching me, so I turned my head to meet her gaze, "It's nice, to see this. I only wish it would last forever."

"Why couldn't it last?" She asked, a certain note to her voice. She was watching us earlier, but there was no way she could've seen what I had been holding.

"I just… I don't have the best feeling about Bismarck, or Enterprise. She yelled at Vestal over the phone the other day. Poor thing… she came in and told me all about it. There's a nationalistic fervor rising in the Eagle Union as well. Iron Blood still hasn't made a peep in some time, and I worry it'll all boil over sooner rather than later," I shook my head.

"It is worrisome, but… you can't let that fear overwhelm you!" Suruga said, and I chuckled, smiling at her.

"Says the tanuki masquerading as an oni."

I whispered, but she went red in the face. "Kohiko!" She hissed, "Please…" Her look of genuine worry made me get up and sit beside her, taking her hand.

"I'm sorry, Suru, it'll remain our secret, ok?" I reassured her. She nodded and sighed. One day I hope she'll be willing to reveal her secret to everyone, or to anyone but myself or…

Oh, my god. Kii. Kii knew. Of course Kii knew, Kii is her sister. My little tanuki… It made sense now! I held her a little tighter.

"K-Kohiko… they're staring… staring at us…" she murmured, and I looked around. Sure enough, many surreptitious glances were directed at us, though a few were, in fact, outright staring.

This was the first time we had publicly shown affection for each other. Something no one had ever seen their Commander, or a shipgirl, do before. Suruga's head was tilted up to mine, so I went ahead and kissed her.

She kissed me back. Then the realization hit her. She blushed heavily, breaking the kiss and staring at her bento. I pulled mine across the table so we could eat side by side. I heard the collective gasp at my boldness, though I was sure I would hear about it later from Suruga!

Well, I didn't have to wait long. As soon as we got back to the office, she grabbed my arm, and I turned to face her. She looked like she was having difficulty, so I waited.

"Everyone's eyes were glued to me! Kohiko… you can express your love without embarrassing me, you know! I don't want to deal with that again…" She trailed off, looking away, her mild irritation clear in her expression.

"A kiss?" I asked her. She shook her head.

"No, you made a production out of the kiss…" She said.

"I'm sorry, Suru, but I love you! Plus, I like your kisses. If you don't want me to kiss you in public, I won't," I said, feeling a little deflated. I understood, however. She was an intensely private person.

"You can kiss me whenever… just don't do it with an audience, Kohiko…"

I pulled her against me, "I understand," I reassured her, and kissed her again. Something long, and now that we had complete privacy, I couldn't resist slipping a hand behind her and squeeze her butt.

She let me enjoy my fun, and I remembered what we did last night fondly. She must have felt my memory as well, because we took a brief break as she got up on my desk, exposing her lacy panties and accepting me inside of her as she pulled them aside.

She moaned into our kiss as she wrapped her legs around me, the sudden desire that clung to both of us cause for quick lovemaking. When we finished, her smile and continued kisses were so honest, so pure…

"I love you, Suruga," I told her.

"Love you too, Kohiko… hehe… we've never done this before, have we~," she observed correctly.

So concerned about how others saw her… but willing to be herself with me. I could respect that, and I appreciated it. I could trust her with everything, and the same was true for her as well.

Kohiko washed my hair as we sat in the bath together. I loved it. He was so thorough, and the scalp massage was divine. We talked little, just enjoying the other's company after a long day. Quite a lot happened after our little lunch 'break' but it was nothing out of the ordinary, it just required an extra couple of hours in the office.

Sometimes that was just part of the job! We spent the time together anyway, so it wasn't like we had plans or anything… though I was impressed with what he called 'pizza.' It was amazing! When he ordered it, it surprised us to see Colorado show up with it. She apparently moonlighted as a pizza chef, who knew? Also, Kohiko said there were many varieties and ways, and that the Eagle Union method was only one.

Anyway, it was amazing!

I had a burning question, however…

"Kohiko?"

"Yeah, Suru?"

"What's a colonial?" I asked, and he stopped for a moment, but continued to wash my hair.

"It's a term used to classify someone as being from one of the Queen's colonies," he said simply.

"Oh, I heard Yamato call you that and…"

"Yes, it's often used as a derogatory term."

"Where… where are you from, originally?"

"South Africa."

"I'm sorry, Kohiko, I didn't mean to…"

"It's not your fault, Suru, and I'm sorry, I should just explain everything to you. Now though… Now's not a good time for it. Suffice it to say I'm the illegitimate son of an American Diplomat and an English lady of the night," his voice sounded strained.

"English? American?" I had never heard of such names applying to countries before!

"This was before the Siren War. The Eagle Union was a country known as the United States of America and the Royals, or Royal Navy, were known as England. I don't know why the names changed when the Siren's showed up, but I was still a young man at the time at an American boarding school."

"Hence your accent…"

"Lack thereof, actually. I'd say I sound like I'm from California. Apparently that was my father's home."

"Cali… fornia…" The word felt strange, unfamiliar.

"Mhmm, but I accepted English citizenship instead and was, weirdly, mocked for not being a 'true' Englishman when I received my commission and first served onboard a ship. I suppose I was lucky, being an outcast left me plenty of time to rise in the ranks until they approached me for this position."

He finished his transcendent scalp massage and put his arms around me, hugging me tightly. I felt so… helpless… I wanted to make him feel better, but I didn't know how. I put my hands over his and we just stayed like that.

"Kohiko… I wish…" I began, but he interrupted me.

"I'm here, with you now, Suru… everything I've suffered for or succeeded in has ensured I found my way to you," his voice cracked a little, and I sniffed as I felt his emotion as well.

"It's not that tragic of a backstory, you know…" he laughed softly, and I echoed it a little. He treated everyone like his family, despite never really having one. I hope… I hope that one day we can have a family too.

I smiled at my little thought, my wish… I didn't want to tempt fate but… I could have just this one thing, surely…

He rubbed his nose against mine as we lay in bed later, "Your brow is furrowed again." He always liked to tease me when I was deep in thought.

"Just… thinking," I said, and kissed him, "Goodnight, Kohiko."

"Goodnight, Suru. I love you."

"Love you too," I wrapped an arm around him and pulled him against me. I don't know why, but I knew he needed this right now. I relaxed and let my tanuki side out too, wrapping my tail around us.

"Suruga… your tanuki scent is really nice…"

"Heh… you say weird stuff…"

To be fair, I liked the way he smelled too.

I wish things could just stay like this, forever… but the world we live in needed to sort itself out first. I knew one thing for certain, however, and that was the fact that we would have each other, if nothing else.

I wonder how Kii is doing…