Chapter 13:

Under Maho's order, Kuromorimine's squadron of ten tanks came to a smooth simultaneous halt alongside Kay's Shermans, forming an intimidating line of firepower in front of Ooarai's mixed collection of tanks.

While Maho climbed down from her Tiger I, Yukari breathed a sigh of relief. "At least they aren't using their Maus today. Just eight Tigers and two Panthers."

"With what they brought with them, they may not need it" Hana frowned.

Maho walked over to join her younger sister and Kay. "Guten morgen, Kay-san." She regarded Miho with a look that bordered on contempt. "And the same to you, Miho. I hope you're properly prepared for today's match."

"I am, Maho. Is mother well?"

"She is. Very well." The Kuromorimine commander stood watching the girls of Ooarai's Leopon team quickly unbolt their Tiger P's engine cover and set it aside. "Much better than the collection of misfit and dilapidated tanks you decided to bring with you today. Normally I would feel insulted, but we both know it's the best Ooarai is able to do."

Standing in front of her Tiger II, Erika laughed at Maho's cruel barb. Makoto's fingers instantly began to curl into fists, but she forced herself to remain calm. "I don't like her" the Luna commander growled under her breath, glaring at Maho with a look that could make even a youma cower in fear. "I don't like her at all."

Kuromoramine was presented with their school flag, which was quickly and efficiently raised beside that of Saunders' by two of the crewmembers from a Panther. The girls stood at attention, saluting the raised iron cross before returning smartly to their tank.

"Why couldn't you do that?" Rei muttered to Minako and Usagi. "Instead of embarrassing us and our school the shameful way you did."

"I said I was sorry!" Usagi grumbled. "Hush up, Rei-chan!"

At the center of the gathering, Maho spoke, "News travels fast in the Sensha-do community, Miho. I understand you have a boyfriend now."

"Hai!" Miho replied with a bright smile, her eyes shimmering with love at the mere thought of her young man. "He's such a sweet and wonderful boy, Maho! My Yusei and I couldn't be happier."

"Congratulations, Miho!" Kay exclaimed. "Is he attending today's match?"

"I believe he is, Kay-san" the Anglerfish commander said. "Though I haven't seen him here yet."

"I do hope he's from a refined and properly well-established school" Maho spoke. "Otherwise, our mother will most certainly disapprove of you dating him." Her lips formed an unpleasant sneer. "In which case, you would of course be required to terminate your relationship. Immediately... and permanently."

Miho gasped, taking a quick step back as the smile vanished from her pretty face. "I will do no such thing, Maho! Yusei and I are deeply in love, and we intend on being together as often as we possibly can, regardless of our mother's wishes! Now... and forever!"

"Love truly is blind" her sister murmured. "Nevertheless, consider my words as a friendly warning, Miho. You will undoubtedly pay dearly if you choose to disregard them."

Minako stared in disgust at the older Nishizumi sister, her anger quickly rising to a full boil. "That little... bitch! How dare she say something cruel like that to such a dear friend of ours, meddling with Miho and Yusei and the love they share!" She scowled, taking a step towards the girl, "I've got a good mind to tell her-"

Rei placed her hand on Minako's shoulder. "Settle down, Minako-chan. Yusei isn't going anywhere. I know what true love looks like too, and as you're so fond of saying, true love conquers all."

Even usually demure Ami was visibly upset. She urged her commander in a near-whisper, "Maho is trying to panic Miho and break her spirit before the match starts! We can't let that happen, Mako-chan!"

Makoto said nothing in reply, but the rage that flashed in the tall brunette's green eyes spoke volumes more than mere words ever could.

. . . . .

Unable to hear what the three commanders were talking about on the live feed from the alternate Nagasaki, Yuji instantly knew from the expression on his fiancee's face that things had suddenly taken an unpleasant turn. "My Mako looks really angry" he murmured. "And Miho looks unhappy too." The image on their television panned away to another shot of the still-disabled Tiger P.

"I noticed that too, Yuji-chan" Taro spoke. He chuckled, "Knowing your girl, all I can say is if Maho says or does anything to make Mako-chan any more upset, heaven help Kuromorimine! And Saunders too!"

"That's the truth!" Yuuichirou grinned. "Mako-chan doesn't need to henshin into Sailor Jupiter. There'll still be hell to pay!"

. . . . .

The Kuromorimine school anthem ended with a flourish, and after another minute of waiting, Maho impatiently gestured toward the vacant area beside Ooarai's parked tanks. "Was you school intending on competing alone today, Miho? Not that it would make much difference. I understand that the Akagi is offshore, not very far from Nagasaki as a matter of fact. If your supporting team is Chi-Ha-Tan..." she smiled, "this match will be decided very quickly."

"I... I still don't know who will be paired with us" Miho murmured, visibly distraught at what her sister had said about her beloved Yusei. "Or why they aren't here yet." She gathered her courage and looked her older sibling straight in the eyes. "But I do know one thing, Maho. In my Panzer there's a shell with your tank's name on it."

"Hontou ni? Such strong words from a girl whose needless abandonment of her post cost Kuromorimine an important battle, and spoiled our long championship winning streak. I suggest you say nothing more, Miho, lest you do the same to your current, obviously third-rate school. You were fortunate to somehow manage to win the last championship, but today is the day you will discover that your luck has finally run out."

Yukari stunned her friends when she yelled at the Kuromorimine commander, "Where's your Maus, Nishizumi-san? Is it still busted from the last time we fought?"

Erika answered for her school's Sensha-do leader with a cold-hearted laugh, "Our Maus is fully repaired and ready for action. We simply have no need of it today. Not against you and those feeble tanks Ooarai has." She sneered at the curly-haired girl, "You still haven't learned your place, have you? That's something I'm looking forward to correcting this very afternoon."

Makoto opened her mouth to tell Erika precisely what she could do with her fancy tank when Usagi abruptly tugged on her arm. "Mako-chan, look over there! Way past the field where the ground slopes down out of sight. Do you see it?"

The Luna team's commander turned to face where Usagi had pointed, spotting a thick cloud of dust on the horizon which grew ever larger by the second. "Hai, I see... something, Usagi-chan. But I'm not sure what."

Unnoticed by the members of the three waiting teams, two girls dressed in dark green jackets and black skirts had stepped up to the microphones on stage. The dust cloud widened further and a sudden distant, low rumble began to fill the air.

A moment later, Saunders' band burst into life, beginning their final school theme song of the morning while two other girls in green and black stood ready at the last empty flagpole, their school colors already in hand.

Yukari's face broke into a wide grin when she heard the music, which was accompanied by the two girls on stage launching into song, singing the melody to 'Katyusha' in its native Russian.

In a nearby grandstand, Yukari's boyfriend mirrored his girl's smile. As the red, white and yellow flag shot briskly up the last empty flagpole, Ryoto caught Yusei's eye and both sixteen-year-old boys spoke the same word together.

"Pravda!"

. . . . .