Blazepanzer here and welcome to Chapter 5 of the Six Rejects of Ooarai! Now I know that I've unfortantly made some mistakes in previous chapters and they should be corrected by now or in the next few hours so to speak. And I do apoligize! But anyways, we've got a new chapter to enjoy! Feel free to fav, follow, and or reveiw if you'd like!

Please note that Blazepanzer does not own Girls und panzer!:

Hanoashi gazed at Umi as she stormed into the room, eyebrows furled clearly. Instantly she could tell that her fellow commander friend was incredibly pissed. If this had been an anime then she'd have had some aura around her, perhaps a black aura with red lighting bolts emanating from it, she mused, half amused and half in dread.

I already know what she's going to say, and quite frankly, while I understood why Darjeeling did that, it's not going to go too well with the other team teams. And we're already pissed enough as it is... The Irish-dutch girl couldn't help but let out a shudder.

"I...cannot...believe this!" Umi shouted as she turn around in the class.

"Just spit it out ocean girl!"Aacob called out gleefully, earning a wack from both Mitsu and Kana.

Umi glared at the overaggressive Shino clone for a good half minute before shaking her head. "Listen up! Apparently St. Gloriana has given Ooarai a tea basket!"

For a few brief moments there was complete silence in the room, even the loaders had stooped prepping their tanks upon hearing that. The gentle clattering of shells being placed in resumed briefly before complaints began to interrupt form outside the room, quickly making their way into the meeting room.

Oh no they didn't!" Delia growled. "They did not just honor a team commander who broke the rules during their match!"

"Let's kick their tail Ocean girl!" Aacob screeched, this time causing Umi to smile at her gently in comradeship dispute Aacob's jab at her name.

"Nobody is kicking no one," Haruto pointed out. "But by all means, feel free to rant bout this to your heart's content," he added, giving his blessing to the rather obnoxious shouting that erupted.

I don't get it sis, why is everyone getting up in a tussle over this? Amelia asked. What's so wrong bout giving Ooarai a tea basket?

St, Gloriana only gives tea baskets out to schools who impress them, or in this case, to pander to the Nishisumi most likely. Aside from her, Ooarai's performance was rather abysmal during that match, Hanoashi noted.

Ah...I think I get it now, Amelia sighed. Yeah, now that's starting to make me pissed.

"That witch!" Misami hissed.

"Down with the tea tottlers!"

"Bloody Brits!"

"Yanks were always more honorable!"

"I think they must be getting mushy brains from all those delectable sweets they eat," Asuga tried to add to the insults, but given her soft voice and regal nature it failed to sound all that insulting.

"That, or gaseous toxicity from the beans they eat in private to offset their fanciful tea time!" Fusae added.

"Sendai that's gross," Asuga glared at her cousin.

"Naw, it makes perfect scene," Rikona challenged. "I mean every time I eat beans I get the runs," she added.

"You haven't ate beans since you were six!" Asuga challenged. "And that's even more gross!"

"All it is is the rich folk like us showing off anyways," Fusae laughed.

"Did you just double is me?" Asuga gaped, her eyebow's furling in anger.

Yukaro's looking at you with worry, Amelia pointed out.

Yeah, but that's something I really like about him. That, and he sometimes trips over himself so to speak, Hanoashi smiled, before rising to speak. "Alright everyone settle down." she ordered, but the insults kept coming.

"What kind of stupid name is Darjeeling anyways," someone growled.

"More like dumb-joking!"

"Platoon, attention!" Hanoashi shouted authoritatively, which caused the room to grow quiet.

"Take an hour or so to cool off and reconvene, we're not holding this briefing until you get this out of your system. Go out, take a walk or something, but get it out of your system. Dismissed!"

With that she walked out of the room, not really caring if her order was followed or not. She wasn't their commander. She wasn't even on any of the teams except the co-ed teams and she was only the vice commander at that!

After a bit Misami joined her. "Thanks, we needed that," she whispered.

"Sorry if I overstepped my boundaries there," Hanoashi apologized.

"No, you did fine, we were just about to erupt into a riot back there," Misami placed her hand on the ginger haired girl's shoulder. "We all respect you, so if you ever feel a need to stop or hold off on something, let us know, ok?"

Hanaoshi let out a small sigh. "I will. Still, here's hoping we don't have to go through something like this again."

"What are you're thoughts on this?" Misami asked.

"I can understand why Darjeeling was impressed with Miho's performance at the end, knocking out three Matilda three's like that with a sub-par tank is pretty impressive. Still...it's not a good look considering it happened out of bounds," Hanoashi explained gently.

"I feel the same. Speaking of which, I've been having a funny feeling that we're gonna have to deal with this all over again," Misami sighed.

"Don't tell me," Hanoashi groaned. "But yeah, as far as I know we haven't received any form of apology from either school, so we're most likely not going to be finished with this yet."

"Yeah, unfortunately I'm afraid you're right," Misami agreed.

Walking into the room, Hanoashi gazed up as the screen as she and the other girls flooded in, taking their places.

"Now that everyone is calmed down, we can begin the briefing in earnest," Haruto began. "The Co-ed middle and girl's land school team will be split into two teams each." Teams A and B will consist of the commander and vice commander of the teams, as well as one tank from each crew. The other two teams, labeled team C and D, will consist of the remainder of the teams, where as male and co-ed high school teams will be combined into a solo team referred to as E team."

"C and D team's job is to simulate a match between an unknown academy. A and B are to be held in reserve until ordered. A signal will be given to E team to intercept A and B teams, which afterword A and B teams will be unleashed at an undisclosed time and place. Their job is to try and intercept E team as a solid unified force." Cal added.

"For the record, C and D teams may opt to fight together or against each other as soon as contact is made with the team E, however, you must fight against each other until that time. Additionally, you will begin with the practice ammo before switching to the full ammo," Hime finished.

"Anything else we need to know?" Misami asked.

"Not much else, just be careful and have some fun with it," Hime shrugged. "We're just trying to get in some practice so to speak."

"And bare in mind, from now on all high school students must remain on standby when Ooarai's girl ship academy is having a local match," Haruto."

"We can help too!" A girl with long black hair and light blue-gray eyes protested.

"I do believe you could young Skyla, but this is a serious manor," Haruto explained. "Besides, there's a good likelihood that you'll be partaking in the summer or winter nationals at that point," he added.

"And with any luck the ship academy will be closed down before it even comes to that," Hime noted.

"They might go on a rampage in the city if they loose their ship as well," Umi muttered.

"Surely not!" Yukaro protested.

"You saw how dangerous they were last week," Hanoashi pointed out. "While I hate to think badly of people, Ooarai ship academy is vastly under-trained at the moment. We must be prepared for every possibility."

"Agreed," Delia noted, her eyes glittering with worry.

"Alright folks, time to mount the tanks and head on out!"

Mitsu climbed up on her T-34, sighing as she realized that she'd have to juggle commanding and loading. Granted, normally the commander gunned on the earlier T-34 tanks, but Mitsu was a bit of a poor gunner so to speak, so she had to work with what she had. Plus she wasn't going to just give up an opportunity to command one of her favorite tanks.

"Alright all units, let's head on out to our starting position," Mitsu ordered.

Glancing behind her, she watched briefly as her units followed her, before turning her gaze forward. "Amelia, I know you can't help it, but try your best not to hone in on your sister's thoughts, okay?"

The ginger hair girl let out a quiet sigh. "If only it were that easy commander."

"Just do your best, that goes for all of you," Mitsu nodded.

"Just the idea of firing this gun is getting me all excited," another ginger haired girl smirked, her body quivering with excitement.

"All we need to do is give a good training exercise," Mitsu warned.

"It's still fun! I wonder if we should take a photo to upload on the net!" The girl clambered.

"Cho..." Mitsu paused. "Actually that might not be such a bad idea come to think of it."

"Can you do that?" Amelia asked.

Cho let out a nod. "Yep!"

"Speaking of, how are Hina and Luka doing?" Mitsu asked.

"They're doing fine, can't wait to get home to see them. But first...Sensado!" Cho laughed.

"Who are Hina and Luka?" Amelia asked.

"My twin daughters!" Cho laughed.

"Oh..." Amelia mused for a moment, then gasped as the gravity of the situation hit her. "Wait, you have twin daughters!?" She stared at the Chinese-Irish girl in shock.

"Yep!" Cho smiled. "Wasn't my choice so to speak, but honestly I couldn't be happier," she added.

Mitsu shook her head. "You're like a tank that bounces every shell thrown at you," she deadpanned. "I mean you spent three months locked up in a cage, get pregnant, and you just laugh like nothing happened."

"You know it!" Cho gave a thumbs up. "He did get me into gaming and anime, plus he gave me two beautiful daughters, so it's all good in the end. Not that I'd want to experience that all over again mind you, but still, I'd much rather take what I gained then loose it in exchange for not having to go through that."

"You are...very optimistic aren't you?" Asuga asked quietly from the driver's seat.

"You know it!" Cho smiled. "You know me, the queen of optimism! Though the fact that he actually kidnapped me is surprising, you'd think he'd go after someone who didn't have freckles covering her arms like me, but ah well some people like that I hear."

"To me it sounds like he'd go after anyone who we could get his grubby hands on!" Amelia hissed.

"That's true enough," Cho smirked.

Mitsu poked her head on out. "We're at the starting point," she noted.

Asuga pulled the tank to a halt. "So, we're just fighting the team with the practice rounds until we're given the signal?"

She let out a small nod. "So it would seem," she noted.

Hanoashi let out a quiet hum as she surveyed the battlefield. Given that their location was a secret to everyone but themselves, there was the distinct possibility that they might find themselves in the middle of the action sooner than later. She wanted to make sure that they weren't jumped in the middle of the action.

Misami had her eyes closed as she took in the deep forest scenery. "It's too beautiful of a day for a Sensado match," she mused jokingly.

Hanoashi just stared at her for a brief moment, not too sure if she was seeing the same Misami she had come to love as a sister so to speak.

"Maybe the wind will carry us to some grub or something," Misami continued, before spewing out a burst of laughter.

"What's so funny?" Hanoashi asked.

"Meh, just remembering my old friend Mika," Misami sighed. "She and I had some great times together, or at least we did until she turned into a kleptomania," she added wistfully.

"Oh, I'm sorry bout that," Hanoashi sighed.

"You and Miho?" Misami asked.

"We were friends, helped her out of a bad spot once, gave up command of my T-50 light tank to her, not much else. She and I lost contact shortly after my third middle school year," Hanoashi shrugged.

"Not much to talk bout huh?" Misami noted.

Hanoashi shrugged. "I was more focused on my team and Yukaro at the time to be honest. Granted, Miho and I had some fun times together, but nothing too exciting."

"You mentioned that you helped her out of a bad spot?" Misami prompted, her brown eyes glittering with curiosity.

"Helped her get out of a barbed wire fence she got herself tangled up in," Hanoashi shrugged. "Also went through a blood transfusion to save her life, too." She let out a quiet sigh. "Until last week I'd have loved to tank with her again, but now...I'd much rather keep my distance."

"Ah, the teams has made contact, prepare to depart towards them in three minutes!" Hime called over the radio.

Meanwhile...

"So, what are the line ups this year?" Katsusha asked.

"Well both Ooarai land girls and boys schools have started up their Sensado teams, as has Ooarai's sea girl's academy."

"Huh, you don't say..." Katusha mused. "Leader's," she prompted.

"The ship academy hasn't firmly announced their leadership, however it would seem as though Miho Nishisumi is leading it." Nonna reported.

"And how many tanks?" Katusha shrugged.

"Five so far, a Lee, Panzer IV D, Type 89, Stug III, and a 38T," Nona reported.

"Lame," Kaytusha yawned. "Why even bother, with that line up they'd fail even in the tournament of fives, much less the finals."

"The boy's academy has twelve tanks, line-up unknown," Nonna mused. "The girl's land academy has nine tanks, make up unknown."

"So, leader's?" Kaytusa shrugged.

"The Nishmari's co-ed team's academy is currently registering with Delia as team commander and Yukaro as vice commander. Deputy commander to be determined."

"Delia was an excellent commander," Kaytusha mused. "Always good at coming up with strategies. It's not surprised that she opted to jump at the opportunity to lead another school's team, even if it is a co-ed team."

"Yes, she will be missed, but she's one of them who want's to cut it off at their high school graduation so to speak, and her career hear at Pravda had unfortunately hit a dead end," Nonna sighed.

"And the land school?" Kayusha mused.

"Misami Kuwahara, Hanoashi Katoni, and Mitsu Akiyama are the team commander, vice commander, and deputy commander respectively," Nonna revealed.

"Hanoashi's there!" Kaytusha gasped.

"So it would seem," Nonna smiled. "You really need to call her more often," she added.

Kaytusha sighed. "Guess you're right. Maybe we should offer a practice match with them, nine verses nine?"

"Could be a good challenge for our newest commanders," Nonna shrugged. "If it's alright I'll see if I can give them a call later on."

"Please do," Kaysuha smiled.

Back at the Nishmari-Ooarai training grounds:

Mitsu felt her tank swerve as she dodged a bullet. "Careful Asuga, this beast is a bit finicky!"

"So I've heard commander," Asuga shouted, though given her soft voice it almost came off as a whisper.

"Aiming at this speed is hard, which makes it both fun and very frustrating!" Cho growled. "But I'll have a good story to write in my diary."

"You keep a diary as well?" Amelia asked.

"Yep! I call it Dear Diligent Diary!" Cho smirked as she let out another shot.

"Funny, I thought Hanoashi was the only one who did that, and she's never even hear of the show Dear Dumb Diary," Asuga muttered.

"She has some cute entries," Amelia shrugged.

"Have you been spying on her?" Mitsu asked.

Amelia shook her head. "No, but we have begun keeping diaries together, and it's funny the way we laugh at each other's entries."

"Fire!" Hanoashi shouted as she dodged a blast from a co-ed's Panzer III. The shell hit, but only smoke came out.

"Um Blaze, these shells are unmarked," Shiori muttered.

"Yeah yeah, that's to add drama to the match, common stunt pulled in the co-ed leagues. Teaches us to keep calm during an unexpected situation."

"Bis!" Saukra hissed before sighing. "So even if I get a good shot it might not do anything?" She asked softly.

"That's kind of the idea. And bare in mind none of the other commanders knew for sure they were going to do this, however some of us in the co-ed league probably expected it," Hanoashi noted, winching as their rear was hit, but to her credit Tomo kept on driving like it was nothing. Which it was given it was an indirect hit by a high explosive shell and not designed for taking out an armored tank.

"Something tells me that would have knocked us out," Shiroi muttered as she loaded another shell, and at her order Tomo slid the brakes, letting the enemy slide past them, before Sakura fired her shot, expertly taking out the enemy Stug, a recent addition to the co-ed team that had been loaned to them the next three years. Something about a local collector wanting a tank which fought in a few tournaments.

A brunet girl walked along the halls, unsure of herself, but she walked into the shed. Three adults turned around, as well as several other students.

"Um...my name is Taeko Kondou...I...uh...I recently transferred from the Ooarai school ship to the girl's land academy, and I was wondering if I could join the Sensado team," She bowed gently in respect.

"Hm...Unfortunately we don't have an open slot in our tank roster at the moment, but if you'd like we could allow you to train with one of the co-ed crews until we do," The woman noted. "You'll be practicing against them a lot so it's not going to be that much different."

"She can do more then that, why not make her an instructor's assistant?" The man noted. "You could use the help, given that your's is retiring at the middle of the year," he added.

"Perhaps you are right, Haruto," The woman nodded. "Well how about it miss Kondou, would you like to become my assistant?"

"Are you sure that's alright?" Taeko asked. "I mean I'd love to, but I don't have any experience in Sensado other than briefly operating the Radio on that type 89."

"You were on that team?" Hina asked. "Maybe I ought to wait and ask the other commander's then first, just to be safe. We're not exactly appreciative of what you did in the city," she then suggested, shaking her head.

"Th...that's part of why I transferred. I love Sensado, but I cannot be a part of any team that acts so recklessly. That, and I have some things I can speak out about if you need me to."

"Like what?" Hina asked, before realizing that Taeko was doing something weird with her foot. Gazing where her angle was pointing, she walked over and spotted a somewhat familiar looking girl with brown hair spying on her.

"Like the fact that I just spotted Yukari spying on us when I walked in," Taeko shrugged.

"I trust you," The man, Haruto noted. "But you'll have to convince Hime and she's not easy to convince on these manners. Plus, the other's on the team, but I have faith in you," he added.

Meanwhile Yukari had walked over, shamefaced, hurt, and betrayal on her face. "Why'd you have to rat me out like that!" She hissed, glaring at Taeko.

"You shouldn't be spying! Besides, I'm not staying at an academy which is breaking rules left and right!" Taeko shouted, crossing her arms.

"I know that things are rough, but Miho's going to sort things out!" Yukari hissed.

"And we can't wait and risk someone getting hurt while we wait!" Taeko hissed.

"All units' pause the practice match, code hush." The third man spoke over the radio, before turning to the two girls. "It's too Maus draining hard to concentrate on a practice match with all of these distractions," he muttered, glaring at the two girls.

Great...Hime's an unknown and this third man probably hates my guts! Taeko sighed.

"You've got a room?" a girl with long blond hair asked.

Taeko nodded. "G Hall, second left," Taeko nodded.

"Great, you're my roommate! Name's Leopon by the way," Leopon extended her hand in greeting.

"Taeko," she smiled, accepting the handshake.

"Hime, Haruto, I can take Taeko to her room if you like," Leopon asked.

"Actually no, I have a different idea," Hime smirked.

"Oh boy," Leopon sighed, giving Taeko a glance of sympathy.

What's going on here? Taeko shudder, before another girl presented her and Yukari with a pair of handcuffs.

"They're toys but you two are going to wear them as a symbolic gesture until the girls can vote on what to do with you, whether to let Taeko join the team and what to demand out of Ooarai," Hime noted.

"Demand?" Taeko gasped.

"Yukari spied without alerting the school district, as such we have no idea whither or not she is simply spying or was planing something nefarious." Hime pointed out sternly.

Sighing, Taeko allowed her wrist to be cuffed, trying to ignore the glaring Yukari who was also cuffed, hands in front. Though before long Yukari figured that you could just cross your hands and it wasn't too bad if you didn't pay attention.

As for her, she kept switching from staring half in horror and fascination at her cuffed wrist and ignoring the situation as she was escorted by Leopon into a spare room. As the door shut, she let out a humph. "Can't believe that I have to sit here cuffed," she muttered.

"You shouldn't have betrayed Ooarai like that!" Yukari hissed.

"Well someone should have been teaching the students properly!" Taeko growled.

Hanoashi sighed as she exited the jeep, bone tired from the exercise. "I'd forgotten how exhausting this is," she gasped, leaning on Yukaro as he exited the tank.

She let out a quiet smile as he patted her head, before gently guiding her into the building.

"Alright girls, gather around for a meeting!" Their instructor's growled.

Lining up alongside her crew, Hanoashi's eyes opened wide as she spotted Taeko being let out of a room, her wrist in handcuffs. "Taeko?" she gasped, running over.

"Hanoashi?" Taeko gasped as the ginger haired girl hugged her and began to massage her back. "You go to school here?"

"Yes, but why are you in handcuffs?" Hanoashi asked.

"Well...you see..." Taeko began, but Hime stepped in, separating the two gently. "Taeko came over claiming to be a student here, but her friend Yukari Akiyama was also here, spying on us. So until we can determent her true intent, she is to be held here as a spy.

"But I have a room and transfer papers and everything!" Taeko protested softly.

"She's not the kind to spy on people," Hanoashi interjected.

"Blaze...let them deal with it, we both know that we have a conflict of interest with her," Rikona whispered.

"Alright, but if she goes," Hanoashi began, but Taeko interrupted her with a don't you dare.

"I'll be keeping out of this as will, giving it's my sister," Yukaro decided.

"Same, since she's my cousin," Mitsu nodded, though she glared daggers at Taeko.

I will too, giving that Hanoashi trust Taeko and she's my twin sister," Amelia walked up.

"Twin sister?" Taeko gasped, whispering to Hanoashi.

She simply smiled in return, "We both were surprised when and especially how we found out," she shrugged in return.

"We'll step out too, Hanoashi clearly cares about Taeko and..."

"No one is stepping out," Haruto noted. "Conflict of interest or not, those who care for Taeko will have a chance to vote on her fate, same as Yukari's."

Hanoashi nodded. "Very well then, but if in the case that Taeko does betray us, then I'll keep to cleaning the tanks myself for the rest of my school year."

"Hm...very admirable of you," Hime noted.

"But we have no empty positions she can entertain," Misami brought up.

"We can find a work around," Hime shrugged. "Taeko?"

Stifling her nervousness, Taeko walked in front of the co-ed group, closing her amber eyes for a brief moment as she took a deep breath. Opening them again, she steeled herself. "Ladies of the Ooarai girl's land academy, as well as the boys of the Ooarai boy's academy, and Nishmari co-ed academies, when I was at Ooarai, me and my friends had wanted to join the Volleyball club, but it was canceled. So, we decided to join the Sensado team instead, they wanted to try and use their achievements as leverage to get the volleyball team reopened where as I wanted to try out the sport that my future sister-in-law loved so much."

She paused briefly, sighing, before continuing. "But, when our Sensado club activities began, it went south. First of all, we had to find our tanks by ourselves, scattered around the ship. Me and my friends found ours in a cave for example, I...I'm guessing the previous team must have hid some of their tanks around the schools in case they took up Sensado in the future."

"Actually, our tanks came from the academy, at the time the ship academy said that they weren't going to use them last year, so the male and girl's land schools split the tanks between them," Hime admitted.

"I...see..." Taeko nodded in response. "At any rate, that was my first sign that something was wrong. The second was that the Automotive club was working on the tanks, with no supervision or training on tank work. And the third was that our Sensado instructor, Ami Chono, sent us into battle without any training." Taeko let out a shudder. "I almost quit after that match, but I decided to give the team one last chance, and well...after what happened in the city..."

She paused again, gazing down. "I get that you won't trust me easily, between that and my fellow classmate Yukari Akiyama coming to spy on you, but if you'd be willing to trust me enough with a chance, I'll do whatever you want, even if that's just cleaning the tanks after the match."

"I...I'm not sure," Misami sighed, glancing at her warily. "I mean...I can appreciate you transferring out of Ooarai, but the fact that you participated in the breach of our city's perimeter on top of Yukari spying on us right as you asked to join, that's kinda sus."

"To be fair she did silently warn me that Yukari was there, which technically would have been against the rules of spying if Taeko was still a student of the ship academy. However, given that Yukari clearly did not have permission, this turns into a legal issue on Yukari's part.

"And Taeko?" Hanoashi shuddered.

"We did confirm that she is indeed a transfer student here, yes," Haruto noted. "So she won't be persecuted, but she will be rooming with Yukari until we decide what to do with her."

"It's not my place to say, but perhaps it would be more beneficial to force Yukari to begin as a first year rather than spend six months in prison, as she'd be more likely to view prision as an adventure than a punishment," Yukaro shrugged.

"True, while Yukari does deserve strict punishment for violating spying rules as well as trespassing, perhaps repeating her first year is better than prison," Mitsu admired.

"Is she as bad as your sister?" Hime asked.

Mitsu shook her head. "No, you won't find Yukari tying herself up or anything like that, but even so..." she trailed off, unsure of how to explain her cousin.

"From what I've heard Yukari, while a good kid, has some eccentricities about her," Hanoashi put in. "And sometimes she has a tendency of jumping into things headfirst without thinking," she added.

"Yeah like the time she ran and jumped into the ocean only to come crying about jellyfish stings even though the guard had posted a jellyfish outbreak sign," Yukaro muttered. "Did teach her some caution about the outdoors at least but it weren't her first or last time she's ran into trouble." He turned to glare at her. "Obviously."

"Going back to Taeko though," Hanoashi noted. "I trust her well enough, she's a good friend of mine and I'm willing to vouch for her."

"Same," Rikona noted.

"How long has you been friends?" Misami asked.

"We've hung out last year and were classmates during our brief time together at Ooarai," Hanoashi admitted. "However she dated my older brother back when she attended school in America a few years back and they've stayed in close if not cautious contact, given he's a year older than us."

"Ah...I see then," Misami nodded. "Thank you for your honesty, and I think we can give her a chance, provided you're willing to share command of the T-50 with her for the time being."

"That'll give me an opportunity to take notes on our performance and Mitsu an opportunity to act as vice commander, so I'm fine with that," Hanoashi smiled.

"Very well then, are we okay with this arrangement?" Mitsu asked, the various girls nodding in agreement.

"Okay then," Misami noted.

Leopon steped forward to release Taeko from her cuffs, but Hanoashi stepped forward. "Wait, I'll do it," she glared at the blond, before walking up to Taeko and releasing her wrist from the cuffs, before embracing her in a hug. "I'm so sorry you had to go through all that," she whispered.

"It's alright Blaze, I understand their reservations, between what we did in the city and Yukari spying on us like that," Taeko noted. "Besides, the handcuffs weren't all that bad," she added.

"I'd be freaking out if I was ever handcuffed," Hanoashi shuddered.

"I was conflicted about it, both embarrassed and maybe a little fascinated by it," Taeko admitted. "But yeah, it's all done and over with."

"I have to clean the tanks, but we should hang out soon," Hanoashi smiled.

"Actually, I'd like to help you clean the tanks," Taeko offered. "I meant what I said earlier," she added.

"Great!" Hanoashi smiled, guiding Taeko over to the change room which had an assortment of stained tee-shirts and runner's shorts. "We have to change while cleaning the tanks and such, and we're getting our BDU's in a few weeks."

"You're practicing early in case you have to intercept Ooarai again, aren't you?" Taeko guessed.

"Wait...how'd?" Hanoashi paused, gazing at Taeko weirdly.

"You forget that my father is an Ooarai dispatcher," Taeko smirked. "That, and Nova warned me. He's also moving back to Japan and apparently our families are allowing us to get married in a few months."

"Really, That's great! I mean I've been wanting to call you sis for a long time," Hanoashi smiled.

"Thanks for accepting me into your family," Taeko smiled. "But yeah, I know it's a bit early, but you know how Japan currently allows these things from time to time."

"Guessing the Matsumino stepped in?" Hanoashi guessed, a knowing look across her face.

"Yep! They helped us a lot with the paperwork and the whole advocacy thing," Taeko smiled. "And I'll be swapping my last name to Katoni, so that's a change, but an exciting one."

"Taeko Katoni," Hanoashi hummed as she and Taeko each took a fitting shirt and shorts, quickly swapping out before placing their uniforms in the supplied bag.

"Right, let's get to cleaning!" Taeko smiled.

"Love the enthusiasm," Sayuri smiled, petting her on the head. "Name's Sayuri," she smirked. "It's nice to meet another one of Blaze's friends, and such a cutie at that one," she added.

"Sayuri, don't overwhelm poor Taeko," Hanoashi pouted.

"It's nice to meet you Sayuri, I'm Taeko Kondou...and what's with the headpat? Not that I mind but..."

"It's just the way she is," Hanoashi soothed. "You'll learn to like it." She glanced around. "Did Ayumi elect to join us as well?"

Taeko shook her head. "No, she's too much of a Miho fangirl, unfortunately," she sighed.

"Shame, I just home she doesn't get herself into any more trouble," Hanoashi sighed in return.

"Yeah, we had two close calls already, I can't help but feel as though we might now luck out the next time," Takeo muttered darkly.

"Yukari definitely didn't luck out," Hanoashi mused.

At that moment Misami came up. "I'm going to escort Yukari to J Hall and keep the first watch, so you're in charge of things while I'm gone." The then paused and turned to Taeko. "Hanoashi trust you, and that's the only reason why I'm willing to give you a chance. I pray for her sake that you are sincere in your reasons for wanting to join us."

"I will prove myself," Taeko bowed gently.

"I certainly hope so, I wouldn't want to have to kick her from a leadership position for harboring a traitor after all," Misami growled, before whipping around and taking off.

"I'm sorry for causing you trou..." Taeko began but paused when Hanoashi shook her head.

"It's not your fault Yukari decided to spy right when you asked to join the team," Hanoashi reassured her. "Besides, you're my friend and soon to be beloved sister-in-law so I'm not worried about it in the slightest."

"So our brother is dating her? He has good taste," Amelia walked up, nodding in approval.

"Oh, right, Taeko, this is my twin sister Amelia," Hanoashi smiled, nodding to her twin. "We just found out about this a few weeks ago, so..."

"Ah, this must be the girl you said I needed to meet?" Taeko mused, before bowing. "It's very nice to meet you Amelia, I'm Taeko Kondou, and hopefully Katoni in the near future," she added.

"But isn't Yukaro a bit more than a year older?" Amelia asked.

"Their bond's a tad to strong to just walk away from each other, but they keep their contact fairly sparse," Hanoashis shrugged. "Not to mention that both families want this, so as long as they don't do something too stupid it's generally fine with everyone."

"Nova only visits with both my parents and Hanoashi around, so there's no opportunity for any funny business," Taeko added.

"I guess it's okay, it's just that with Japan's age of consent laws being debated..." Amelia shrugged.

"I get it, but Nova and I aren't going to be doing anything that's a cause for concern besides general discussion. We don't share photos, text, calls, or anything like that. At most we write a letter every month and see each other about every other season."

"Though with Nova moving back to Japan things might be a bit easier on the two," Hanoashi chuckled.

"Still not doing much more, just more letters and a few family visits," Taeko waved her hand. "At least until we do get married."

"I guess that's still viable," Amelia shrugged.

Misami climbed off of the Helicopter, Yukari in hand as Hime stared blankly at the Ooarai Girl's ship academy's Headmaster and Sensado Instructor.

"Where's Taeko?" Ami demanded.

"She has transferred to the land academy of her own accord, she will be welcomed there," Ami remarked simply.

"I'd like to know why?" Ami crossed her arms.

"Ami, I think you've done enough damage for one weekend," the Headmaster noted, before nodding to Hime. "So what's her punishment?" He asked, his gray beard flowing slightly in a strong ocean breeze.

"We'd like to request that she begin repeating her first year, starting immediately," Hime noted.

"Fair is fair, she trespassed on your school, not receiving permission to spy," The headmaster mused.

"That's bull, making the poor girl repeat her first year just because she wanted to do a bit of recon," Ami muttered.

"If it weren't for her brother, cousins and future in-law interceding on her behalf, she'd be sitting in an Ooarai land jail cell waiting her court date for trespassing charges. Perhaps you want her to suffer?" Hime challenged, glaring at Ami coldly.

Ami glared back at her, but eventually gazed downward. "I don't like it, but repeating a grade is better than prison...I guess..." She relented. "And will Taeko really be alright on the land school? I need to know how she's doing..."

"She's made quite the good impression with our Sensado team," Misami admitted.

"Taeko and our vice commander are sharing command of our T-50 light tank," Hime admitted. "We'll see how things go, but so far everyone's been welcoming and supportive toward her, even though she asked to join right when we caught Yukari spying on us."

"She ratted me out," Yukari muttered.

"Well you can just keep her then!" Ami shouted, before whipping around and steaming off.

"Can't say I blame the poor girl, she was just wanting to transfer to the land school and join the Sensado team. Perhaps you can tell me why?" The headmaster mused.

"She, just like us, are not happy with the way the Ooarai ship academy's Sensado team violated the bounds of their training grounds and entered the city limits during the St. Gloriana exhibition match." Hime remarked flatly. "In addition to other...concerning safety issues she's reported to have happened."

"And here I thought we could trust a Nishisumi," the headmaster muttered.

"Miho's going to sort things out!" Yukari hollered.

"Miss...I think you have more things to worry about then fangirling over your friend," The headmaster remarked coolly, before turning to Hime. "I will speak to them about safety protocols and following the rules."

"I greatly appreciate it, our messages of protest were blocked from both Gloriana and to you, so we're glad that we had to come in person." Hime sighed.

"I'll personally discuss it with Gloria's headmaster. Perhaps you'd like to stretch your legs on the ship a while?"

"No thanks, we're good," Hime nodded. "We need to get back to the academy anyways," she added.

She knows that I don't want to be here... Misami noted. Good, cause I really really hate this ship!

As the two girls claimed into the helicopter, Misami let out a small sigh.

"So, your thoughts on things?" Hime asked.

"I'm still unsure of Taeko's intentions, and she's only been off the ship for a day, but if Blaze trust her then I'm willing to continue giving her the benefit of the doubt. Ooarai's headmaster seems sincere at least, though placing his trust blindly in Miho is...concerning," She began slowly.

"Yukari and Ami?" Hime pressed.

"Yukari doesn't seem to appreciate the trouble she caused. Sure, it's fine, great even to do a bit of recon like that, but the academy you're spying on has to know why you are there just in case something goes wrong. If it does and they don't know that you were just there to look around, how are they supposed to know that you didn't come to perform nefarious actions?"

Pausing, Misami continued. "As for Ami, she's...hard to describe. However between what I've seen and Taeko's testimony, I suspect that she only joined to promote Miho, not seriously teach."

"That's the feelings I've got as well," Hime nodded.