Hello everyone, I'm still alive. I'm sorry for not updating for sometime, I've been very busy working two jobs and having personal issues. I was surprised to see that people still have an interest in this story, despite not updating for awhile. I'm very grateful for people to take the time to ready and favorite it and even messaging if I was going to update it. I hope to be updating regularly from now on. This chapter is short as I'm getting the gears turning again, I hope to have the next chapter out soon. Without further ado on with the story.

I don't own Haifuri or any of the characters from the show, I only own my OC's

Beta read by Sabrina06

Emily awoke slowly and rose to her knees, before drawing the makeshift curtain over the porthole. The early morning sunrise lit up the room. Sara, who was sleeping heavily on a makeshift bed on the floor, stirred from the light. She pulled the blanket over her head, "Five more minutes, mom."

Emily chuckled at her, "Sara, it's time to wake up, you're on duty in an hour."

"Emily? What are you doing in my room?" She replied, as she stirred a little. After a slight pause she threw off her covers and shielded her eyes from the light as they adjusted. As everything became clear she took notice of her surroundings.

"Oh no, don't tell me." She began as she looked around. A horrified look came to her face as the events of yesterday came back to her.

"Oh yes, yesterday wasn't a dream or a nightmare, but very real. Time to start earning your freedom... cadet." Emily replied with a smile.

"Freedom?" Sara began, "You call working for free, freedom?"

"Would you rather work, or would you rather paddle? It should only take about two days to reach California from here, that's if you paddle without any breaks, otherwise-"

"Okay," Sara interrupted, "I get it." She got out of bed, and began to change.

Sara examined herself in the mirror, holding her cap in front of her. She gave her image a disappointed look as she eyed the stowaway patch on her right arm. She looked down at her cap, running her hands over the cadet patch on the front.

Emily noticed her friend's disappointment, "What's wrong?"

Sara was surprised at her question, and gave a nervous laugh, "I was just thinking how mom would be scolding me right now if she saw me. Probably would say I didn't deserve to wear this uniform."

"Well", Emily started, "You know, besides that stowaway patch, that uniform looks good on you."

Sara looked at her reflection again, "I think we have a difference of opinion there."

"Well, I think it does. Now wear it with pride, even though your\'re an unofficial cadet doesn't mean you can slack off." Emily warned as she opened the door and exited with Sara in tow.

As the two friends walked towards the kitchen, Sara began to speak, "Emily?"

Emily turned towards her friend as they continued to walk, "Hmm."

"I was just wondering, why did you chose to become a cadet?"

Emily pondered the question for a little bit before answering, "I guess you could say it's because I've always wanted to sail the ocean: you remember that my mother was a liaison between the Navy and Blue Mermaids. Also, being a member of the Cadet fleet is like gaining a second family, you laugh, fight, cry, but you always try to overcome any obstacle that gets in your way."

She stopped and looked towards Sara, "Why do you ask?"

Sara stopped and scratched her head, "It's just well, Mom had always been in love with the Navy. I guess I just wanted to ask someone else's perspective on the subject."

Emily smiled at her, "Everyone has a reason for joining the cadet fleet, people join to continue a family legacy, to be provided the training they need for a commercial job on the ocean or a head start in the military. Some join because they want to a chance for a better life."

"A better life?" Sara questioned.

Emily nodded, "Some cadets have had a rough upbringing, coming from poor income families, trouble with law-enforcement, some cadets are even orphans. Even though students come from many backgrounds, the academies provide them with an opportunity to have a fresh start and second chance to improve their lives."

"What about you then Emily?" Sara began, "What are you looking for?"

Emily smiled and turned away from Sara as she began to walk again, "That's a secret."

Harekaze II, Midday

"Rin-chan, hard left rudder." Akeno announced.

"Hard left rudder, Aye." Rin replied, as she quickly turned the wheel. Everyone steadied themselves as the Harekaze tilted from the aggressive turn.

"Stationary target spotted 30 degrees starboard, distance twenty thousand meters." Mrs. Noma announced from the crow's nest.

"Mei-chan, tama-chan, prepare for surface engagement." Akeno announced.

The two quickly got to work, relaying firing solutions to their crews. The torpedo tubes and turrets rotated towards their target, the turret barrels rose to firing positions as the torpedo launchers stopped.

"Fire!" Akeno announced.

The ship unleashed a full barrage and all six cannons fired, and five torpedoes were jettisoned. Everyone on the bridge watched, in anticipation, as the projectiles made their way to their target. Soon, columns of water rose from the sea as the torpedos and five inch shells struck or missed their target.

Principal Munetani and Instructor Furushou watched from the bridge of the Sarushima. As the Harukaze steamed steadily towards the next target.

"I've never seen a class master a ship so quickly, it's like they've been sailing the Harukaze II for months." Furushou commented.

Principal Munetani couldn't help but smile, "In all my years of teaching, I've never seen a crew demonstrate so much ingenuity, teamwork, and courage. Even during the incident, they never backed down from a challenge and overcame every obstacle."

Furushou smiled, "When I was hospitalized, I heard about everything they had done during those months. They are truly strong students and will make excellent Blue Mermaids when they graduate."

"You're right, and I look forward to the day when I salute them as full Blue Mermaids."

"Captain, we're receiving a priority message from Director Munetani." One of the bridge officers announced.

The two shared a worried look between themselves before heading over to the monitor.

Director Munetani appeared on the screen, with a very noticeable look of concern."

"What's wrong Director?" Furushou asked.

"Instrutor, Principal, I'm sorry to call but the situation deemed it necessary."

"What situation?" Munetani asked.

"Someone has stolen a sample of the RATt virus."

Let me know your thoughts.