Chapter 20: Going Places Pt. 1

Dark and early was the game Shikikan was best for, although drowsy his head drooped slightly before standing straight back up to resume his morning rituals. His body felt a bit relieved from the exercise, having to give himself two days to recover combined with a therapeutic massage and a bit of acupuncture to help balance his body. Upon his finish, he made a quick skim of his wares before settling on wearing a black and gray jacket over a solid black T-shirt with blue jeans and to finish off his style with his favorite rose cap. Moving past he prepared himself a simple breakfast of a single slice of toast, hanging loosely in his mouth and two thermostats filled with coffee. Just as he was about to leave, a nicely wrapped bouquet of fresh crimson roses rested in a glass vase which without hesitation took as he locked the door for the hotel.

Upon making his way in the nearly empty road, his phone went off, vibrating upon the cup holder. At first, Shikikan paid no mind to it, believing that it was just the doctor just checking in on the progress between himself and the two. Pondering on that thought, it seemed more and more unreasonable for her to call this early. His eyes shot at the screen momentarily to see that it was none other than his friend Monroe.

"What is it?" Shikikan retorted. "You caught me in a bad time so make it quick."

"You still haven't changed a bit, Mr. Grumps," Monroe sighed. "I was just checking in if you were doing alright."

"Well, I'm fine. Thank you. You know that I'm still on vacation, right?" Shikikan reminded him lightly.

Shikikan didn't need a hint, his silent answer was clear that he wasn't up to date. "Really? I thought you were back today. I mapped out a whole day for us."

"I still have today before I come back." Shikikan shook his head. "Until then, what you had planned can wait."

"Or you can come here sooner. There is a place that just opened up, a coffee shop that just became popular and maybe we can hit up the club. See if you have improved your mating dance."

"What the... " Shikikan's face was both disgusted and slightly amused by his joke. "I… never danced. At least not out of free will anyways."

"Yeah yeah, you think everything either fun or romantic is too good for you," Monroe said mockingly. "You will only die faster if you don't find some way to turn that frown upside down."

"If it's enough time for me to rack up enough funds or hear my sister talk again. I'll die without regrets," He didn't miss a beat.

"Yeesh, listen to this edge lord. Why can't you just enjoy life? You got to let loose," Monroe argued, pausing briefly between the last few words.

Although his words were genuine and caring, they somehow broke a nerve but he didn't have the energy to yell at his former colleague. "Just… just leave me alone- I am having a good time back home. Okay? There is no need to worry." Shikikan reassured. "Just me and my friends having a hell of a kick. Now if you will excuse me, I have a special day in front of me."

"Sure, sure. I'll see you in two days," he was the first to hang up.

There was only a short distance left, parking himself nearby he promptly made his way towards the entrance where Takao – dressed in the same workout attire was already training alone practicing her strikes.

He was the first to greet her. "Morning, Takao Sensei."

Takao didn't stray from focus and instead kept swinging, roaring out her cries every swing.

"I brought coffee if you would like some… It's quite cold out today," Shikikan breathed, seating himself at a nearby bench observing her practice.

"Aku! Soku! Zen!" Takao shouted, upon finishing her cry her arms slowly dropped to her sides with her shinai firmly within her right hand, she lifted the bamboo sword steadily at him until the tip pointed at his chest. "Show me your progress, Shikikan."

Shikikan was briefly stunned by her request. "Huh?"

"Your training– I want to see where you are at," Takao clarified, swaying the sword slightly. "There is a shinai waiting for your command right beside you."

His attention turned quickly to his sides looking for the sword, spotting it leaning to the right of the bench he sat on. He scooted himself enough to grab the sword and standing himself up and looked at the cruiser in the eye.

"You care that much about my training as a swordsman?"

"Of course," Takao confirmed. "I wouldn't be able to call myself a teacher if I can't see if my student is learning."

"Alright, fair enough, Sensei," Shikikan finally stood up. "Face me."

Takao chuckled to herself a little. "It's been a while since we did this. Give me your all!"

The two distanced from each other at around five meters away from each other, both taking their stances. Shikikan took an offensive stance – his sword pointed directly at her, his piercing eyes studied her closely as she took a position, and instead of taking a defensive stance, she just stood there motionless. His mind was pumped with several thoughts, thinking that this was some sort of test of his thoughts, surely this was a trap wait. He planned his next move carefully, taking the first steps to circle her slowly. Her eyes shut momentarily as he did so, making it the perfect time to strike.

His legs thrust him forward, propelling him towards her. She didn't move an inch at his advances, thinking that her intuition wasn't with her Shikikan telling himself this battle was over thrusting his sword at her. In a heartbeat, Takao managed to block his incoming attack flawlessly.

"Hmm… it seems you have grown a bit; yet still lack to master the technique," Takao commented.

Takao swiftly coiled her leg for a kick Shikikan only had just managed to block most of her retaliation with his shinai pushing him back a bit.

Takao saw this, complimenting his efforts. Shikikan recovering from the blow took in a short breath before rushing recklessly but soon cleaned up his form as he came in for a feint strike. Takao easily saw through his fake, using the brief opportunity to strike him. With a quick loud 'whap' sound, she hit him right between the eyes, stopping him dead in his tracks.

"Good effort, but you were too obvious," Takao criticized. "Again!"

"I think I've had enough for today," Shikikan had a scowled face, lightly rubbing his now redden forehead with his palm.

"Hm… perhaps," Takao began. "After this, we can enjoy some downtime with Enterprise. Maybe get some fluffy pancakes and go walk around the forest."

"Really…? Fluffy pancakes?" Shikikan teased. "Takao– one of our greatest, focused, and upfront warriors like to eat… fluffy pancakes? I must be dreaming."

"Your wrong," Takao quickly corrected. "It's just… Enterprise seemed to really enjoy them while you were gone yesterday."

"Well, we will see about that once I have visited a special someone," Shikikan mused.

"Shikikan?" Takao's head tilted a bit curious about his daydreaming.

"It's nothing," Shikikan shook off. "Let's get this day started, alright."

"So…" Shikikan awkwardly started, hoping to start a conversation with the duo who are wearing the attire that O Bachan had procured for them, with Enterprise gleefully digging into her fluffy pancakes while Takao drank her green tea before taking a bite out of her pancakes. "What happened while I was gone?"

"Not much," Enterprise muttered, her mouth stuffed with pancakes before swallowing. "We went around, tried playing at an arcade to win a stuffed animal which is completely rigged, by the way, ate at a few restaurants, and got leered at by a bunch of people like some sort of exotic animal."

"Now that you mentioned it. That arcade had some nice prizes to get people into spending money," Takao added.

"Hehe, reminds me of when I was commissioned in Japan. Their arcades are so much better and much better prizes," Shkikan commented, "Sometimes staff come along and just give you the prize if you were struggling a lot."

Enterprise giggled lightly at his remark. "Did you struggle a lot, Shikikan?"

Shikikan shifted himself closer, looking at both of them with a smug smile. "Well… it was unique compared to the ones I played when I was a kid. To answer your question, yes I did. Was it worth more than twenty dollars? Probably not."

"What did you manage to win?"

"Oh, I didn't keep the prize, my friend Monroe did. What he got was a pretty cool mini figurine that he can marvel at. It was only fitted him as he enjoys making art and adoring it," Shikikan chuckled to himself softly. "His hobby once saved his life for his rashness. "

"So his hobby is making art?" Takao asked.

"Eh… more like it's his chosen career now. I told him that he could have chosen to work under me. But, I couldn't discourage him from accomplishing his dream of being an artist," sipping his brought-in coffee. "You two have hobbies right?"

"Hobbies…? I guess I like to train–"

Shikikan immediately interjected. "I get that training is your hobby, Takao. Perhaps you have other hobbies?"

"I actually don't know if–" Takao's voice studdered on the last words, her face flustered all while Shikikan stared at her intently waiting patiently, while Enterprise was busy digging into her food. "I guess I also like to admire the Sakura Empire's scenery during my downtime… and sometimes help Atago whenever she requests to cut vegetables for dinner…"

He nodded being somewhat satisfied with her answer. "What about you Enterprise?"

By the time he asked she was already finished with her plate. "Me? I like to play with Eagle-chan whenever he comes around."

"R-Right, I kinda forgot that you have that raptor flying around," he chuckled nervously. "What did you call him again?"

"We call him Eagle-chan mostly. His given name is Grim." Putting down her mug gently. "What about you, Shikikan? Outside the office, I rarely see you enjoy yourself, let alone go anywhere in the base that isn't either your house or the office."

"Me huh…?" Shikikan leaned back slightly all whilst crossing his arms trying to remember what he does. "I read military tactics mostly for financial benefits and get into shape, sometimes I practice the piano or play video games on my computer but I rarely have any time left for that since now I have to focus on work."

"You dedicate a lot of your time towards your sister. What is she to you, Shikikan?" Enterprise asked.

"She means everything to me," Shikikan replied without skipping a beat. "She supports me and my uncle, the one who understands me the most, and the one who protects me from school bullies. The perfect sibling that is always there for me."

His words were genuine, without a hick-up. It was one of the rare instances where Shikikan seemed truly happy about something that isn't related to money, it was– shocking. So shocking that Takao had to look over to Enterprise to confirm what she was seeing.

"Ever since my mom has died, we were in financial ruin. She had to take up two jobs just to put food on the table. I felt bad for her so I had to find a way to get money even though I wasn't of age to legally get one so–" Shikikan paused for a brief moment, looking away from them, and instead stared intently down at his two opened palms. His face began to freeze up, palms shuddering. His head had declared a war of spilling the truth but he just couldn't, gritting his teeth he took a quick breath. Settling on an answer at that moment as he exhaled he murmured. "... so I… joined the mafia…"

"What? Speak up, Shikikan. I can't understand what you are muttering about?" Takao spoke out.

"I said I joined the mafia," Shikikan muttered slightly louder. "I didn't want to. It was an open option that I had."

"Why did you join the mafia," questioned Enterprise, she was quite absorbed in this conversation.

"I– I wanted to help my sister. She does so much for the family, all I could do was cook for her when she got back home or clean up for her. She was exhausted every day, having to skip out on most of her classes for work, even then she overextends with the school work she has to do," His face dropped thinking more about it. "She comes home late every night and all I could do for her is wait until she comes home to eat and recover. I felt useless having to watch her take all of the pain for the family when my mother died. So I took up their offer as their loyal lapdog and did whatever they asked as long as they paid."

His expression turned glum, looking down at the table trying to avoid their judgemental eyes of his foolish past decision. Nothing was exchanged between the three of them for moments but the bustling sounds of people chattering and clacking of dishes from the customer's silverware. Although the silence between them was rather peaceful for Shikikan to think to himself, it was also a bit irritating that they have stayed silent for some time. Lifting his head, he was slightly surprised at the outcome. They didn't look at him with disgust or bitter resentment, but they seemed indifferent about the truth.

"You aren't disappointed– are you?" Shikikan said.

"I don't exactly get what is there to be disappointed about?" Takao put into question.

"Don't you get it?" Shikikan tried to be understandable. "I had no regard for morality, I killed people, helped out a bunch of burglars for their greedy benefits! I–"

Enterprise promptly cut off his ranting. "So what, Shikikan? The past is the past. Sure you regret what you have done, but that doesn't dictate who you are now. Not from us at least."

"How can you be so calm about this? The person you called a commander, was a murderer, a person who didn't care about innocent lives," Shikikan grumbled on, waving his arms wildly as to make a point.

"Calm down, Shikikan. You are creating a scene," demanded Enterprise, in which Shikikan cooled down. "Answer this, are you still the same person you were before?"

"No… I don't think so…"

"No of course you aren't. You found who you call yourself now, our commander," Enterprise flashed him a coy smile, in doing so made him smile as well ever so slightly. "You carry a burden that almost no one can get over. You might think you are a bad person but you aren't. You did it to help your sister because you didn't want her to take all the pain."

"My actions were unforgivable, Enterprise. Yet I was given a title that I didn't deserve and a base that I helped founded on accident and called their commander."

"Why do you argue against yourself, Shikikan?" Takao declared. "If they truly were unforgivable, you would have turned yourself to the police for your actions."

Shikikan's mouth opened again for a rebuttal, but he stopped himself before it got too heated. Retracting his arm, his hand touched his face for composure. Leaning back in his seat, he asked. "Does someone like me deserve happiness after all I have done to people?"

"Of course, Shikikan," Enterprise quickly answered. "Everyone deserves happiness. You just have to forgive yourself."

Her words got the best of him. His eyes began to water up as his lips curved up into a joyful smile.

"Where did you learn this?" Takao inquired the carrier.

"My sister Yorktown and a renowned maid gave me this knowledge," Enterprise answered, drinking out of her mug.

While the two conversed, Shikikan sloppily cleaned himself up. Wet tear stains were visible under his eyes when he looked over at them. "Sorry, I lost myself for a bit. Where were we?"

"You were talking about if you deserve happiness? Or were you referring to your past again?" said Enterprise.

"My past… There is just so much to cover and so little time… How about we continue this another time? I have to go visit my sister and see how she is doing, you two tell me where you two are going, okay?"

"Alright, Shikikan. We will see you there," Takao bid him farewell.

By the time Shikikan had left, half an hour flew by while the two kansens finished up their breakfast. The duo was aimlessly walking, thinking of a place for the day.

"I never knew your older sister was that knowledgable," Takao remarked.

"She is the sister that I look up to from time to time," Enterprise said, a clear sense of pride filled with her words. "Your sister Atago… I don't really talk to other factions that often but… she is someone you look up to correct?"

"If only that were true every time," Takao smiled. "Though she can be annoying and frustrating to talk to without her teasing me, she is a loving older sister despite her always winning every argument that we ever have."

"Seems like you two are very close," remarked Enterprise.

"Somewhat close."

"It's quite strange that you are part of the Sakura Empire," Enterprise commented without sounding disrespectful.

Takao's expression turned bewildered. "What do you mean by that?"

"I've noticed that the Sakura Empire's members either have animal ears like Akagi and Yukikaze or horns like Kirishima and Hiei. You seem to not have any despite your sisters having them."

"What do you mean? I have these ears," said Takao, her droopy ears hidden away in her silken hair revealed themselves, twitching enough to be seen.

Enterprise was at a loss for words, only able to watch Takao twitch them until she ceased in which she spoke. "I've never noticed how cute your ears were."

"Many people never notice them until I point it out. Atago keeps telling me to ease up and smile so they can perk up even the slightest. Personally, it just lets me have one less thing to worry about in battle."

"Speaking of battle, I had a strange dream last night," Enterprise said, a distinguishable worrisome tone in her voice. "There was a battlefield with the ocean engulfed in flames of burning ships. I believe that you were there too– sorry I don't remember much but…"

"But…?"

"I thought I saw another version of me except– her face was pale, her hair reached her shoulders and I believe I saw Shikikan was standing at the shore calling out to me…? I don't know… the dream was a bit fuzzy."

"Perhaps you were worried about your looks ever since you tried out those outfits. I still didn't like putting on that race queen outfit," assured Takao, shuddering at the thought.

"It's a possibility but the flames and another version of me and you being there I think. That probably means something."

"Dreams do often represent a hidden thought. Maybe you were afraid war would break out?"

"Maybe… I'd say it would be unlikely. Sirens haven't shown themselves all this time and a war between men had broken out and ended a couple of months back."

"Well whatever it was, I'm sure it was nothing to–" Takao paused promptly while her phone rang, picking it up she greeted the caller. "Hello, Shikikan?"

"I'm calling in because you still haven't made a decision," Shikikan's distinguishable voice emulated on the phone.

"Oh right, we were supposed to make a decision," Takao said under her breath. "Yeah, we don't have a place in mind just yet."

"It's a good thing I had a place in mind. I'll meet you two at the hotel," Shikikan instructed. "I'll be there in a couple of minutes."

"So where are you taking us?" Asked Enterprise.

"I'm not telling you just yet. What I told you to bring should be a dead giveaway," said Shikikan.

"All you told us is to wear something comfortable and bring something to eat and drink on the way," claimed Takao. "That doesn't give much away Shikikan."

"You will get it when we arrive, which is right about…" He pulled over at a nearby sidewalk; he looked out the window having to be greeted with an enormous mountainside with the greenest of mountain foliage. "Alright, we get out here and walk the rest."

"E-Eh? What do you mean, Shikikan? I don't see a place to go from here," Enterprise seemed to not get the message all while Takao smiled at her confusion knowing exactly what Shikikan meant by those words.

"Of course there is. It's just going to take an hour or more to get there. We're going to hike up this mountain until we reach around I would say… maybe three-fourths of the mountain," Shikikan pointed; his finger just below the apex of the mountain in front of them. "Don't worry about the path. There is already a premade road for this hike; just… try not to trip over any roots the way up."

"This will be a great workout for the three of us," Takao added.

Shikikan pulled out a backpack from his trunk, double-checking everything was prepared for the hike. When he confirmed everything, the two of them left Enterprise as she kept kicking the ground; breathing a sigh of disappointment muttering to herself. "Now I wish I had chosen a place to go to… and I had to wear heels for this?"

"Are you just going to be standing there Enty or are you going to join us?" Shikikan called out.

"Yes, yes. I'll catch up shortly," walking after them, it took short notice for the carrier to realize what he had just said. "What did you just call me?"

Shikikan having known what he just called her disregarded her question. "Hmm? Did I say something?"

"I swear you called me Enty for a second or are you trying to mess with me?" the carrier pouted.

Her face made it hard not to tease her, instead of telling her, he played ignorantly. "Mmm… If I did then I would have been flustered most likely."

His answer did suffice, turning her gaze at Takao as they all continue up the made path. "Takao, you heard him call me something else right?"

"What are you getting so worked up about?" Takao turned to face her. "I wouldn't worry too much about something so small when we have a long path ahead of us."

"Yeah," Shikikan agreed. "Why are you so worked up about something like that?"

"I-I…" Enterprise's face grew red and soon she became flustered, having to cover her face to hide it.

At first, he thought it was a bit amusing to tease the carrier like that, but later he felt quite bad for it. For a bit, looking up at the open-air that the road provided, the sound of rustling leaves followed by small finches and other wild birds flying overhead. Some were even on the road picking at a leftover pastry wrapper left at the side of the road. Shikikan being the first to notice this made a 'tcsh' sound, having to pick it up and digging it in one of the backpack's water bottle holders for later disposal. They continued, soon awing at the presence of a few small forest critters native to the mountains. Continuing, Enterprise seemed to have felt much better after the teasing, the two kansens smiling at the sight of a pair of small sparrows ahead of them chirping happily and bouncing around a bit and soon flying away as they notice them approaching. Moving on from there, Shikikan lagged behind slightly while the two pushed forward silently looking around. Thinking to himself that this was the perfect time to apologize for his actions, Shikikan went for it.

"Um… Enterprise…" Shikikan started calmly.

"Yes? What is it Shikikan–" Before she could finish she seemingly fell backward what only be assumed was her heel might have slipped on a leaf, in that moment it seemed as if her life were flashing before her eye unable to react fast enough to catch herself. Right before she braced herself for impact, Shikikan just had managed to catch her before she could hurt herself.

"I've got you!" Shikikan cried, holding her in his arms.

Enterprise paused at that moment, a bit delirious before realizing she has been saved by her commander. "Thank you… Shikikan."

"You are surprisingly soft, Enterprise," Shikikan remarked.

"Hmm…? That's something strange to say…" Enterprise was swift to fix her gaze downwards as she had realized why he had said, once more her face turned a deep red.

"What's wrong?" Shikikan was confused, his gaze soon looked down and immediately realized what his hands have gotten a grasp of. "I'm so sorry!"

He pushed himself away from her, promptly smashing his head against the road repeatedly apologizing for the accident.

"It's okay Shikikan," Enterprise reassured him, laughing nervously. "I should be the one apologizing for having you act on my carelessness."

Takao soon joins up a bit confused at the scene. "What happened?"

"I think I slipped on a leaf or a loose pebble," Enterprise responded calmly. "We should take a break for now."

There were no arguments between Shikikan and Takao, moving to the side of the road under the cool shade of a tree. Takao drank out of a bottle of water that Shikikan provided for her while Shikikan was on one leg observed Enterprise make sure she didn't get any unnoticed scrapes.

"I see what happened," Shikikan said, pointing at Enterprise's heels. "The heel has broken off. You won't be able to walk very far, let along the rest of the way in your condition."

"So what do you suggest?" Enterprise asked as she waited patiently.

"I'd say we go to where we intended to go. It's not too far from here and we might be able to get help for this," Shikikan concluded.

"Then how do we get there before night falls?" Takao interrupted.

Shikikan weighed out his options for a minute, pondering profusely until a lightbulb went off atop his head. "Takao and I can both lend you an arm and try pulling you all the way up or one of us can carry you to there."

"It would be burdensome if both of you pulled me all the way there but the other option seems even worse for one person," Enterprise seemed conflicted with the options.

Seeing that, Shikikan comforted her. "Don't worry about it. It's really nothing to be bothered about. After all, I am your friend that looks out for everyone when they are in need."

"Shikikan…" Enterprise murmured.

"So what will it be?" Shikikan proposed

"Eh?"

"I said what will it be? Pulling you all the way or one of us takes turns with you on our back?"

"I think it would be painful for all of us to pull me upwards… So…" Enterprise paused at the thought of being carried all the way up.

"Alright, Takao. Would you like to do it first or should I?" Shikikan asked of the cruiser.

"How about I do it first. I have some stamina to spare," Takao said.

"Then it's settled," Shikikan rosed on both legs. "We will continue while you carry her and I'll lead ahead."

"Sounds like a plan," Takao agreed, pulling up by Enterprise signaling her to climb on.

From that point forward, they kept pushing forward. Takao had no issues (being a kansen after all) or complaints on the road, occasionally swapping off who would be carrying around the Eagle Union carrier and the backpack, Takao even got a little grossed out that the backpack was a bit wet from the sweat that accumulated on their journey. It was a bit embarrassing for Shikikan at first when Takao requested it, having her bosom press against his back; Shikikan eventually overcame that hurdle and distracted himself by looking ahead as Takao lead the way. Several minutes passed and eventually, they made out a figure in the distance.

"What is that?" Takao pointed out to the two.

"I think that is what I think it is," Shikikan smiled to himself, still carrying Enterprise on his back.

Enterprise tried sitting up straight despite being limited on her movements, just spotting out what was ahead. "Is that…"

I know this is a little late but happy new year everyone! I didn't intend for this to be a two parter but there was too much to fit in one chapter so I will cut it short before I am gone since my break has practically ended. Hope you enjoyed it, I was quite disappointed that I couldn't do a Christmas or New Year special. Anyways, I hope to release the next chapter in a week or two.