All rights go to their owners, as I own nothing!


"Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of out joy and the dividing of our grief." Cicero: Rome statesmen 106-43 B.C.


Alex was slowly making his way towards the medical wing of the base; all the while going over the news that he had gotten earlier that day.

As he had gotten the confirmation that Port Jade had fallen, and with it fell the last remaining members of his family were now gone. A fact that had only served to remind him just how much of a disaster the loss of the port was for himself and Azur Lane as a whole.

This was because Miles had ensured that this remaining family member had been relocated to Port Jade for the simple fact that they were citizens of Iron Blood. This was because the original plan of having them settled in the Union had been overturned once hostilities with the Crimson Axis had opened. For though his contacts throughout the Union Miles had gotten his hand on reports of certain nationalities being moved into camps where they could be monitored to ensure that they were not spies.

At first, Miles did not want to believe that this report was real. But as more evidence had piled up, Mile had to accept that this was indeed taking place within the Eagle Union. Miles knew that he could not risk allowing his remaining family to end up in those camps.

As from the reports he had been getting the Union had been exploiting the labour of those in the camps, all the while giving them the bare minimum in terms of food. A fact that was not all surprising to him, as most nations were still recovering from the war with the Sirens and as such food was still below prewar levels.

A fact made worse by the bad harvest across the world, which had led to this conflict. As Miles knew that this war was not one for the future of humanity, as it was for resources. The question as to whether the remains of humanity should embrace Siren technology was merely a cover for those wishing to settle old scores while acquiring what they needed.

All the while Miles knew that no one that had started this conflict would face punishment, as they already had an easy scapegoat should they find themselves on the losing end of the conflict.

"What a joke," Miles muttered to himself.

As this whole situation seemed like one hell of a bad joke. But a bad joke that Miles wasn't in on, as he seemed to be doomed to watch those, he cared about suffering and for what?

This Alexander did not have an answer to, as his mind then went back to when he had first gotten the news of the fall of Port Jade. As it had started as a usual morning with him and Belfast doing their usual routine for the day; but that had all changed once the daily reports had come in, at which point they had learned the fate of Port city.

Miles had never thought in his wildest dreams that the city that had been attacked yesterday would be Port Jade! As it had its fleet to protect it and was fortified to ensure that it could hold up against an attack until a relief force arrived. But the fact was despite all those defences, the fortified port city had fallen, and the fact that it had done so with a little warning was nothing short of a complete and utter disaster.

The defensive perimeter that had been built in the Pacific after the Great War had been completely breached because of this!

Port Jade had been one of the major anchor points in the chain of islands that had been protecting the South American continent, with its loss the whole south Pacific was open to future raids by the Sirens and other groups that would undoubtedly take advantage of this opportunity as well.

Knowing this, Miles was more than aware that Azur Lane would have to pick up the burden of patrolling the area and run escort for any shipments that sailed through that area of the Pacific. But by commenting on this, Miles would be stretching his already minimum resources to the absolute breaking point.

'If I haven't already…' The dark thought entered his mind.

Because deep down Miles knew that he could not strip any more resources away from Port Azura's main area of operation. Not if he wanted to ensure that he could keep the Panama Canal open, for it was the only lifeline not only for Azur Lane itself but for most trade in the region of the world. And with this major artery of world trade now threatened by the fall of Port Jade, Miles knew he had to act.

But Miles knew that he could not, for he knew that he did not have the resources to do so. As he was barely scraping by with those he did have, and they were already over-extended as it was.

"How the hell I'm I even going to scrape up the forces to even begin to!" Miles muttered to himself as he then felt a headache coming on.

For he did not see a way for him to do this alone, and that meant there was only one option left open to him.

Alex would have to approach the League of Nations for help in reclaiming Port Jade. The fact that Miles even needed to do this only justified the need for Azur Lane to become a nonpartisan alliance in his mind. For in Miles' mind, he should not have to go and bag the League of Nations for the resources he needed for Azur Lane to do its job!

Just thinking about what he might have to do to get the League on the side only made Miles's already bad headache worse.

So, Alex then decided that he could sort out the details of that appeal to the League later, as he had more pressing matters to deal with closer to home. As he and his trusted Maid, Belfast had what Miles he could only describe as a… disagreement on how he should handle the news of his family's passing.

For upon hearing the news, Miles immediately went to the bottle and wanted to drink to their memories. But in a move that had surprised him; Belfast had taken away the drink and had instead suggested that he honour his promise and visit Amagi before he drank his sorrows away.

But at that moment Miles had his mind numbing the pain he was feeling, and as such, it had led to him having something of a standoff between him and his closest friend. In hindsight, Miles could have easily avoided this if he had simply asked Belfast to book the rest of the day off, but there would have been conflict between them. As Miles knew that Belfast would've still made a point for him to visit Amagi before he went off to do what he needed to feel better.

Still, this was not what bothered Miles the most about this whole confrontation between them. Because as he had been leaving his office, Alex had been able to look over his shoulder and catch a quick glimpse of a maid's face. And colouring Belfast's face had been the rare mix of sadness and most surprisingly disappointment.

As this was indeed a rare sight, Belfast usually had a calm, cheerful, and professional demeanour in the way she handled her around himself and other people. So, to see the mask slip slightly from her was a rare chance for Miles to see just what she thought about his actions. And reflecting on his actions now, Alex felt stupid over getting into that situation over something he could have easily avoided.

"If only I could get a vacation." The Grand Admiral then muttered to himself.

Because maybe then he could figure out a way to make it up to Belfast while allowing himself to clear his head while he gets over the loss of his last family members. But sadly, given the currently unfolding situation; this was not an option that was available to him. Nor would for a long time.

For Alex knew it would be most like a year or even two before he could even think about having a ceremony to pay his final respects to his family members. As Commander of Azur Lane knew that he would not have the free time to spare to host such an event, for Miles knew that he would need to focus all his energy on dealing with this unfolding crisis, and that which came after it as well.

This was not a prospect that Miles envied at all; as thoughts then turned to those still under his command. For he knew that he would be asking a lot of them in the coming days; still, Miles could not help but think about the brief interaction he had with Admiral Graf Spee while he had been making his way over to visit Amagi.

This runs in with the Graf Spee had happened completely by chance. As she had been on her way to going to take a walk with Leipzig. And knowing that he might not get another chance to speak with Spee for the next little while, Miles had made it a point of speaking with her for a couple of minutes. All the while secretly hoping that this conversation would take his mind off what had just transpired earlier in his office.

But as Alex quickly found out, the conversation had the opposite effect that he had been hoping for. Because during their conversation Spee seemed to sense that something was wrong with him and offer to open up to him if he needed someone to talk to. But her gesture of goodwill only served to sour Miles' already foul mood.

For this had been an unknowing reminder on Spee's part that Miles could not be as open to her, and frankly most others on base. Despite everything she might have believed that her Commander stood for; in truth, however, Miles had already made compromises to ensure their safety and that Azur Lane would still be able to function as an organization. And should Spee or frankly, anyone else learn of what he had done; Miles knew what their reactions would be to this revelation.

But it was something that he saw as unavoidable in his eye.

This was also part of the reason why Alex had allowed Amagi to stay here. As he saw this as a favour to her and her caretaker Suruga, as he knew they had nowhere else they could safely go. And the second and most important reason why Miles had taken them in was that he did not trust anyone not to attempt to use Amagi against her sister; for in all honesty if that were to happen. As Miles knew that if anyone attempted to use Akagi's sister against her, it would only make things… worse.

As Miles knew how far Akagi had fallen from the time he had spent with her during their tenure at Azur Lane.

'If only we could work together Amagi. Then maybe we could do something about all of this.' Miles thought sadly to himself as he reached the second floor where Amagi now resided.

But Miles knew that such a possibility was impossible; as the older woman was bedridden by her illness and thus unable to aid Miles in any capacity. It had not always been this way for Amagi though, as she had been dealing with this illness for quite some time. As she had told him as much; still her health had changed for the worse when she had gone to rescue her two younger sisters from their 'fate' as Amagi had explained it. And when Miles had asked for her to explain more; Amagi was uncharacteristically quiet on this subject.

As Miles assumed that it had to do with the rumours regarding Amagi, as she was supposed to have been decommissioned and scrapped as per a treaty, the Sakura Empire had signed; yet she was currently very much alive within the base.

But Alex knew that this was not the time for him to speculate on rumours that may or may not be true; as he was rapidly approaching Amagi's room.

So, pushing those thoughts to the side, Miles tried to figure out just what he was going to say to Amagi, assuming that she had not heard the news about what had taken place at Port Jade. But as he tried to do so, Alex found that he could not help but get distracted by the memory of Belfast's disappointed face. As if it was trying to tell him something, but whatever it might be hinting at was lost on the Admiral, as he merely thought of his head maid because of this.

'Guess I'll have to make it up to her somehow." Miles thought to himself.

But such concerns were quickly forgotten by the Commander, as he finally started to make out the unhappy voices that were currently coming out of Amagi's residence.

"-is too much! Do you know what she had done!?" An angry and frustrated female voice came from inside the room.

"Please! Promise just me this, if only for what our friendship had meant to you!" The pleading voice of Amagi then reached Miles's ears.

Upon hearing her voice Alex came to a complete stop. As Alex knew who the other speaker was but could not remember who it was now, he was surprised that Amagi would even have a guest here in the first place.

As her presents here was a closely guarded secret, much like her so-called 'Retirement'.

So, whoever was here was someone that Amagi trusted, especially given the fact that she had referred to them as a friend. But still, Miles could not help but think how this situation might be all too familiar to the old Kitsune, for she had spirited away to a secluded location within what would become Sakura Empire and watched over.

But despite his best-efforts Alex still had not been able to get the files that were related to Amagi from the Sakura Empire that were related to this so-called 'Retirement'. So, the only person that could give him more details about this was Amagi herself; for she was at the center of this whole conspiracy to keep her alive despite having been listed as scrapped.

Still, as he continued to think more on this, Miles then realized just who it was that Amagi was talking to, and honestly, he felt like an idiot for not realizing it sooner, as her voice then spoke up.

"I will think over what you have asked me Sensei. But not for her sake, but your own." The respect in Yamato's voice was evident as she said this.

Despite not knowing much about their relationship, Miles knew that Amagi had been respected throughout the fleet during her time. Praised for her ability to create inspired strategies during the most despite of circumstances, earning her the respect of many of her fellow Ship-girls at the time. And Miles was certain that this was part of the reason as to why she had been spirited away; in case the Sakura Empire ever needed her talent once again.

But such speculation would not do Miles any good now, as he was trying to listen in on the conversation that was taking place. More so that he could find a moment in which he could make an appearance without interrupting the moment between the two women.

"Thank you. That's all I ask." The sheer relief in Amagi's voice was almost palatable as she said this.

For Amagi had been trying to talk Yamato into doing this for her for quite some time now, and the fact that she was came as a great relief to the sickly woman.

"Sensei, do you require anything else of me? If not, then I shall take my leave." Yamato almost sounded bored, as if this were not a big deal or anything.

The Battleship did have other things she wished to accomplish while she was here.

"Just one thing," There was the sound of movement in the room as Amagi grabbed something, "If you could?" Amagi then asked Yamato.

A moment of silence followed as Miles knew that Yamato was quietly examining what Amagi had given her.

"I will ensure that she receives it." Yamato then promised. "May the Gods continue to watch over you until we meet again." There was a twitch of pain as Yamato said that.

As she, unlike most others, would know the full extent of Amagi's ills that plagued her; and knowing this Yamato was not entirely sure as to how Amagi took such words these days. But it did not seem to bother her, as she smiled at her old friend.

"And may the Gods continue to smile on you, Yamato," Amagi replied in kind.

As both knew what the other meant. And with that Yamato departed. Still standing just a couple of paces outside of the room: Miles watched as the familiar figure of Yamato exited the room.

"Yamato," Alex stated in greeting the self per-claimed: Empresses of the Sea.

She looked at the part with those intelligent ruby-red eyes that were complemented by her aura that exuded authority and confidence alongside the kimono dress with the imperial seal of the royal Sakura family that bound it together.

She looked at every part of the proud empresses she claimed. And every time he had met her, it had always struck him as to how much further he had to climb to meet her.

"Shikikan," She replied in kind, all the while she studied his face.

As the Empresses of the Sea were undoubtedly trying to figure out just how much of the conversation, he had overheard between her and Amagi. As silence hung between them for a couple of seconds before Yamato spoke up.

"I expect that you'll be able to see me off since it's obvious you have the time to do so." Yamato made her request sound like it was a foregone conclusion.

But Alex knew what she was saying; as Yamato wished to speak with him in private.

As to what she wanted to talk to him about Miles could only guess, still, he did have an idea as to what it might be considering where she had found him.

"I'll see if I can slip you into my schedule," Miles promised her.

As it was not often that Yamato asked for such things, nor was it done without a good reason on her part.

"I pray that you can. For it wouldn't be wise to keep an empress waiting." Yamato replied as she then wandered off.

And for a moment Miles simply watched as the ivory-haired warrior walk down the hallway until she turned the corner and disappeared from his sight.

After which he let out a sigh of relief. As in all his time knowing her, Miles found that Yamato was never the easiest person for him to deal with. But that did not mean that she was not someone worthy of his respect. Far from it, Yamato, having been left idol for six months under Akagi's orders had broken off contact with her and the Empire and was currently perusing her agenda.

Thankfully for the two of them, their agendas tended to a line with one another.

Well, most of the time, Yamato was not afraid to take potshots at any Union ship that strayed too close to her operating area. An action that tended to make Miles's life complicated for him to say the very least.

But Miles also understood why she was doing this as well. For She like himself was treading on a thin line; for Yamato simply could not side openly with Miles less she drew the Iron Axis considerable wrath upon them. And with their revised strategic situation, Miles knew that any Union reinforcements would now be more than a week's sails away.

As this would be more than enough time for the Sakura Navy to put together a task force to crush his remaining forces and take anything that was not nailed to the ground, and some of the things that were before burning the place to the ground down behind them.

An outcome that Miles would like to avoid for obvious reasons; as such this had led to this unspoken agreement between the two parties. For his part Miles would do some creative accounting to ensure that Yamato would be fueled and armed; while for her part, Yamato herself would that the Sirens did not get too bored with the major navies busy. And so far, this arrangement has worked out well for them.

Miles got the firepower that he needed, while Yamato herself got the supplies and repairs she needed to be able to operate independently.

Still, Miles knew that this arrangement with Yamato would not last forever, as eventually, something would happen that would force the two of them to part ways. But until then he intended to make the most of their arrangement.

But it was around now that Miles finally realized that he had been standing there for a couple of minutes and knew that he could not put off this meeting any longer. As he then took a deep breath, clearing his mind of other thoughts, and then entered infamy.

The infamy was like any other one that you would find on any other large base. With its white beds, curtain dividers, and medical devices, it would have passed for any other ward had it not been for its main occupant.

As she was currently sitting up in the bed close to the doorway; looking as if like she was pulled from old Sakura mythology. Amagi sat up in her customary bed, an old photo currently clutching in her hands. All the while she looked as if she was fighting back tears.

This was the case, as Miles knew the photo she was looking at. As Amagi had always had that photo on her, as it was the only one that she had of her two sisters Akagi, and Kaga; before she had been taken away from them. And before… Akagi had become the person she become today.

Miles guessed that is what she and Yamato had been talking about her, hence the intense argument between the two. For he knew that Amagi was at the end of her rope regarding Akagi, as she had tried multiple times to reach out to her. But each time she had turned her away each time.

But Amagi had kept trying anyway; now she did not even get a response from her anyway.

This fact had to weigh heavily on Amagi. To know that she could have done some and yet to be turned away, and by her very own sister no less. A fact that did nothing in helping Amagi's guilt or pain as what she saw was a personal failing.

Amagi knew that she should have been there for her sister; but at the same time, she knew the truth as to why she could not. And this fact killed her on the inside, as Amagi knew that despite her situation she could have still had something to prevent this all from happening.

But no, fate it seemed had played a cruel joke upon her. As Amagi was now forced to watch from the sidelines, as her only sister Akagi, now slowly slid into madness and insanity as she continued in her quest for power. All the while, knowing full well that she was the reason why this was all happening.

Still, her line of thought was shattered the moment her violet eyes caught sight of Miles as she walked inside the infamy. Knowing why he had come to see her, Amagi slipped the photo into a hidden pocket inside her red, black kimono-style dress and she prepared herself for the conversation that she knew would be coming.

"Amagi," Miles greeted her once he was at her bedside.

It was the only way that Miles could have greeted her, given everything that what happening.

"Shikikan; I've heard the news about your family. I'm sorry for costing you that too." Amagi did not even bother going around it, as she immediately took full responsibility for what had befallen him personally.

This was a gut punch to Alexander's heart. As Amagi meant well, but the blame for their deaths was squarely on him. As he was the one who ensured they lived there, not her.

"Amagi," Miles started, as he knew that he had to coach this carefully to her. "I was the one who made them live there." Which was true, and Amagi knew this.

Miles had spoken to Amagi as to whether he should have his family move to the mainland with everything that was happening in the world.

But still, this reminder did little to change Amagi's mood, as Miles then watched as the two foxlike ears on her head flatted themselves and her head tipped downward: an obvious sign of sadness as Amagi spoke up.

"But I was the one who stopped you, so I'm personally responsible for your lost." Amagi's face fell as she said this.

Honestly, Alex could not bring himself to be frustrated with her, though she might have wanted it. As he had spent too much time talking with her to know that Amagi was more worthy of pity than rage. Especially considering she knew what was being done in her and Kaga's name.

"It wasn't your choice as to whether they stayed there, we both know that," Miles said he tried to comfort her, but Amagi was not having any of it.

"But it's not your failings that lead up to this!" Amagi pointed out.

But Alex could see that she was once again taking more than her share of the blame.

A fact that had made Miles suspect that Amagi was mostly doing this to punish herself, as she had never forgiven herself for what she had allowed Akagi to become. Because he knew that she blamed herself for everything Akagi had done. And honestly, it chewed Alex up on the inside to watch her do this to herself.

As Amagi was a good person. More so than he could claim to be, considering what he had done to protect those still under his command.

But Amagi did not see it that way. Nor would she, as Amagi knew what had been in her name.

"Amagi, please," Miles was starting to bag. "What happened wasn't in your control. You can't blame yourself for what happened because of that." This was the wrong thing for Miles to say.

As Amagi's ears then twitched, as those emotions she had been holding back finally bubbled up to the surface, as she shot back.

"BUT SHE'S DOING IT IN MY NAME! HOW C-*COUGH!?*!" Amagi's reply was then cut off by a coughing fit, brought on by the amount of stress she had put herself under.

For Amagi had worked herself up too much, and her body was now responding to the built-up stress. Knowing this, Alex did everything he could to help Amagi calm down and bring her stress and cough back under control. This process took a couple of minutes, during which a slightly uncomfortable silence fell between them. All the while Alex held Amagi's hand; occasionally getting squeezed on his hand was slightly painful.

But thankfully Amagi was finally calming down, as the coughing from earlier had tapered off and had instead been replaced with tears from Amagi. With a small glimpse at the pain she was hiding within herself Miles knew, all the while he did everything, he could to comfort the sickly woman.

"Shikikan," Amagi spoke softly, breaking the silence that had fallen between them, "Can I, ask you something…?" Amagi then inquired, as she then turned to look at him.

Tears still stained her face, but Amagi did not care how she looked at that moment. For she wanted an answer to a question that had been on her mind for some time, and she saw no other time than now to have it answered.

"What might that be Amagi?" Miles then asked her, uncertain as to what she might be asking for.

There was a momentary pause, as Amagi tried to read Alex's face. But not being able to read it she continued with her question.

"Alex; if you were to…" Amagi then trailed off as she said this.

As Amagi was nervous about asking this question; even though she was certain of the response she would get. Still, this did little to comfort her, as Amagi finally found her voice and asked the question.

"If you lost Azur Lane. Would you… still, look after me?" Amagi finally managed to give voice to her question.

As this had been a question that had been on her mind for some time now; but also, this was a double-sided question. As Amagi knew the answer she got from him would also show her the future of her fellow Ship-girls. Because like it or not, Amagi knew that his fate was now forever intertwined with theirs.

But there was also the major fact that Amagi also happened to be the sister of the most hated person on the Planet. As it had been Akagi who had started this in the first place, and with her attached to hers… Amagi did not expect to be treated well by any new commander that might take control of Azur Lane. She knew it was selfish to ask this of Miles, but Amagi at this moment in time was simply a sickly woman who was worried about her future and safety.

As Amagi could not go back to the Empire, nor true her safety to the Union and their allies. Also, no one wanted to have Akagi drop in unexpectedly on their doorstep.

Which left her with only him, as Amagi could not see any future for herself or her homeland without Miles in it.

With all this in mind, Amagi waited in anticipation for Miles's reply. And she was not disappointed in the slits.

"Even if that comes to pass, I won't leave you, Amagi." Miles assured her, "As I owe you that much." To which Amagi responded with a sweet yet sad smile.

"You're a foolish man Miles-son." She then drew him into a hug. "Still, I couldn't of a better person to watch over me." Amagi meant every word of this.

Because despite his attempts to keep this a secret from them, Amagi had learnt just what Miles had done to keep Azur Lane running as an independent organization. She was proud that he had been able to keep things together for this long, while at the same time, she knew it was only a matter of time until Miles would be forced into a corner and would have to face reality.

Knowing this, Amagi just hoped that someone would be by his side to help him put the pieces back together when that day finally came to pass. As she knew that Miles was not someone who could do that… at least not on his own.

Amagi's heart sank as she thought about that. As Amagi knew that she would not be around to see this, despite the treatments she was getting. Amagi knew that she was slowly losing this battle with her body, with pain throughout it became more pronounced throughout it as each month went by. Amagi could only guess how much time she had left.

It was days, months, even years if she was lucky.

Still, Amagi could only guess at this point. Even so, she was trying her best to make the most of the time she had left, though there was a major impediment to that.

But that thought died quickly as the noise of a lot of people came from the direction of the doorway. As both Miles and Amagi turned their attention to the doorway and found a very tired-looking Suruga in it. Following behind her were the small kids that made up Destroyer group 13 of the Sakura Empire. And following behind to ensure that none of the destroyers got left behind was a familiar figure.

"BBBBuuuutttt, TTTTaaaiiihhhhooouuu," The child voice from Mutsuki came through the door.

"No Buts," Taihou sounded like she was at the end of her patience with the Destroyer, "Unless you want me to tell Shikikan that you've been skipping classes." Taihou tried and failed to keep the annoyance out of her voice.

But Mutsuki did not notice this, as she had just realized that Miles had overheard them!

"SHIKIKAN! Mutsuki hasn't been skipping classes; Mutsuki had been studying hard under Sensei Suruga." The pint-size destroyer said in a panic, as she tried to assure her Commander that she was doing what she had been told.

Miles then turned to Suruga, playing along with what was happening.

"Is this true Suruga?" He then asked their teacher.

At which point Suruga shot him a tired look.

"Yes, Miles, Mutsuki is attending all her classes." Suruga almost sounded sarcastic as she spoke.

A testament to how tired she was that she would let such tones slip into her voice. Then again it was not a surprise, as Miles knew that she did not think herself up to the whole teaching business. But he was the best person he had for the job, and they both knew that.

"That's good to hear Suruga; I would be disappointed if this was the case," Miles said as he waited for Taihou to enter the room.

As he was not expecting this conversation with each other to be a pleasant one, but considering that it was now unavoidable, he at the very least wanted to set the tone of their meeting.

"Taihou," Miles said simply, as he nodded in acknowledgment of her presents.

"Oh… Ah, hello; Shikikan…" Taihou's voice trailed off with a mixture of longing, embarrassment, and pain.

Miles was not sure what to make of Taihou's reaction. As the relationship between them had been in a strange spot ever since they had that… altercation, in which he had to strike her after she had tried to force herself on him.

But because she had finally stopped trying to 'get back together with him', Miles was hoping that now they could have something of a normal relationship. Though he knew that this would require a lot of awkward moments in the meantime, considering that the two of them had rarely spoken since the incident.

"It's, um… Good to see you helping Suruga with her duties." Miles said the only thing that came to mind.

As he felt like he was tiptoeing around a minefield. Not sure what to say; less he accidentally set her off in some way.

"Well…" Taihou look away as a hint of embarrassment and uncertainly snuck into her voice as she spoke. "Suruga didn't ask me to." She informed him, as she started playing with her hair.

This was a sign Taihou was nervous about something; at least Miles thought that was the case. As he never really got to know Taihou too well, as their relationship up to this point had been most professional. So, he could not read her as easily as the other, still, he did not understand why Taihou would be nervous about telling him this.

Still, Miles did not push the issue; as Taihou was starting to grow frustrated but was doing her best to keep it under control. So, he would give her a moment as he then turned to check on Suruga. Who still looked as tired as ever, as most of the day the Battleship was usually busy acting as group thirteen's teacher, playmate, and guardian.

These were responsibilities that Suruga did not relish having, but she knew that Miles would not have had her do them if he did not think she was more capable of the job. Besides, she knew the situation on the basis as well he did, as there was not anyone else who could be brought in to relieve her. As everyone who was not on missions now was being pressed ganged into helping with maintenance around the base.

So, it came as something of a relief when he heard that Taihou was helping Suruga with her duties. As she had been something of a shut-in for a while, like Leipzig, so to hear that she was finally doing something only made him thankful that efforts to 'help her' had not been wasted.

Because despite their problematic relationship, Miles still wanted the best for Sakura carrier.

Still, it was around this time that Miles realized the uncomfortable silence that had fallen between them. And seeing this, he then attempted to fill the void left between them.

"I'm, glad you, decided to help…" Miles made this sound as awkward as it was.

As it was, mostly because Miles was not sure what he could say to her. This did not help their conversation in any respect; as Taihou also struggled to respond to this.

"O-Oh, ah, it's no problem; Shikikan…" Taihou seemed to struggle as she said this as if she was as trying to keep a lid on something else, she wanted to say.

Seeming to sense Taihou's mood Amagi came in to defuse the situation.

"Taihou, would you mind getting my wheelchair? I wish to go on a walk." She then asked the raven-haired woman.

Thankful for this excuse; Taihou responded immediately to Amagi's request.

"Of course, Sensei! Suruga are you okay if I…?" Taihou started to ask.

As she was working on checking in with others to make sure things were okay. This was hard for her, considering before she had only seen them as rivals for Shikikan's affection. So, such things did not come naturally to her.

"It's okay Taihou; just make sure that you can help me get them back to class once you're done, okay?" Suruga asked.

As they both knew that getting the kids back to class with two people would be a chore but doable; but to try and do this alone? That would have been impossible.

Because the Destroyers of group 13 tended to run off the moment something caught their eye; this fact alone made it difficult to keep them all in one place for any length of time. So, it was understandable why Suruga would ask Taihou to help her get them back to the classroom. As at least there they would be contained.

"Of course, Suruga, as long as Amagi allows me…" Taihou said with an air of uncertainty, not knowing what Amagi had in mind.

"I'm sure we can take a walk while your help Suruga with the children." Amagi once again came in with the save.

As Amagi wanted to ensure that she had a chance to speak with Taihou; while at the same time, she wanted to do something to help, who she knew had a tough time handling group 13.

Because it was an open secret at this point that they were not the most disciplined of forces at any rate. And why would they be?

As they were kids and were still growing up as far as they knew.

Still, that did not mean they could not behave when it was called for. Besides when wouldn't it be better for them to behave when their primary mother figure was with them?

Knowing this fact, Amagi once again was killing two birds with one stone. As she would be at once lifting the burden on Suruga and Taihou, and at the same time was giving Taihou the obvious escape she needed from this situation.

Overall, a good plan in her mind, as it covered all the bases she needed at that moment. And a plan that Taihou seemed to recognize as well, as she quickly nodded her head in agreement.

"Then I'll go and get the wheelchair right way then!" And with that Taihou quickly left the room.

As Amagi then let out a quiet sigh of relief, as she was more than aware of the burden Taihou was carrying and the struggles she had with it each day. And knowing this Amagi could not be prouder of Taihou for what she had done.

For she knew that any interaction she had with Miles was a challenge for her, more so since she had known about the fate of Miles's family. So, for her to manage to restrain herself from bringing it up, as Amagi knew on some deep primeval level Taihou wanted to comfort Miles in his loss.

But Amagi had advised her earlier to not bring up such things with him; as she had convinced Taihou that it would only serve to damage their already stranded relationship even further. But after a lot of talking between the two women, Taihou had not been completely convinced as to whether she should follow her advice. But Amagi was glad that she had taken it.

'Now, all that's left is to go over what happened here once we're alone.' Amagi thought to herself.

As Amagi knew that the carrier would want to talk over what had taken place here. But that was something for later, as Amagi could now see that one of the Destroyers wanted to say something.

"Hmmm?" She hummed, as her eyes landed on Kisaragi.

Then much to Amagi's surprise, Kisaragi spoke up.

"Umm… Amagi-sensei?" The little Destroyer started with an air of uncertainty.

"Yes, what is it little one?" Amagi asked as if a mom was talking to her child.

"We, we wanted to give you this," Kisaragi said as she handed Amagi the card.

Amagi then put on her best smile that quitted did not reach her eyes.

"It's lovely," Amagi said, all the while trying to hide the lingering pain from her earlier conversation. "Did you make this?"

"Yes! And we have more!" Mutsuki then said as the other Destroyers of group 13 crowded in, all of them trying to give Amagi their cards.

It was at this point that Miles decided to leave. As he knew that presents would only bring Amagi pain and only remind her of what had taken place. But Miles started to slip away when Amagi caught his eye.

For a moment, he just stood there like a boy that had tried to sneak out on a school day. But to his surprise, Amagi merely nodded at him, as she then turned to face one of the other Destroyers who were still trying to give her their card.

Alex then watched this for a couple of moments, and he wonders how things might have been if events had turned out differently. But he knew that was simply wishful thinking, as the dream he had originally had for Azur Lane had died the same day that Akagi betrayed the treaty and announced her alliance with the Sirens.

Knowing there was nothing else to be ganged by simply standing here any longer. Miles started walking away, all the while hunted by his ideas of what Azur Lane could have been.


That's all she wrote, hoped that you all enjoyed it, and until next time have a good one.