"Well, I guess we don't have to worry about them too much," Thorson remarked thankfully. He was seated next to Arizona and Indianapolis as dinner took shape around them at a long makeshift table they'd pieced together in the galley of the Pennsylvania. When Yukikaze and Yuudachi had come aboard, the white haired and very scantily clad dog morph had dropped to her knees begging for food after the long battle. Thorson had barely removed her shard and replaced Yukikaze's when Yuudachi began hugging his leg, and so he'd given her her rigging back if only to sate her long enough for the chefs to finish dinner. Shiratsuyu had apologized profusely for her younger sister's behavior.
"As long as you keep her fed, it would seem she's quite agreeable," Indianapolis concurred, looking down the table to where the rambunctious dog and cat sat with Fusou and the kittens of DESDIV8. They were briefly interrupted as Portland gave Indy a hug and Shiratsuyu arrived with their plates.
"Sorry Shikikan, I had to do yours last because of the machine," she apologized, having 'thrown on' her maid-like serving outfit. He nodded in understanding.
"It's fine. This smells wonderful. What is it?"
"Braised short ribs in a mirin and soy sauce reduction with carrots, onions, and some root vegetables I found in Java, served with rice. I figured after all that's happened we could use something a bit special," she finished proudly as Indy rubbed her hands together and Arizona took up her silverware.
"Enjoy your meal with your sister and friends. You've earned it. When you're finished could you bring a couple plates up for Tennessee, Houston, and Jintsuu?" Thorson requested.
"I've got them keeping warm in the oven, Shikikan."
"Then let's get started," the Commander declared, standing as Shiratsuyu scampered off to find her seat. "Thank you everyone for making it over here," he began as silence fell around the table. "The last twenty four hours have been...difficult, and we should all be thankful that we managed to save as many as we did. Revenge will come. But tonight let's focus on each other and the fact that we survived to fight another day. Many did not…" Thorson paused, allowing for a moment of silence. "And please welcome Jupiter from the Royal Navy as well as Yukikaze, Yuudachi, and Naka from the Sakura. I won't bother making threats since you already know the score. Dig in."
Many of the girls along the table looked over at the Sakura corner, where Yuudachi had already shoveled about half of her plate into her mouth and was attempting to swallow it all in one go. The sudden attention caused her to choke, necessitating the help of Yukikaze and Shiratsuyu to slap her back and provide her with water. When she finally managed to clear her throat she heaved a massive breath and pounded the table.
"Haaaaah~ that's good, nee-san! Hi everyone! I'm Yuudachi and I like meat and fighting!"
"And I am Yukikaze the Great! You Union ships should consider yourself blessed to be graced by my presence!"
"You see, Commander? This is why I'm a dog person," Pennsylvania called, holding up a rib from her plate and aiming to test the canine destroyer's assertion. "Here, Yuudachi! C'mon girl!"
"Wan~!" She barked.
"Ooh, Laffey likes this dog. She's fun. Not like the cat that is too smug, no no."
"Yuudachi! What are you doing, nanoda?" Yukikaze cried in embarrassment as the girl with a short skirt and shorter shirt grabbed her plate and ran to the other side of the table, her tail wagging furiously as Penny deposited the meat on it and used her clean hand to rub Yuudachi's ears.
"Wan waaaaan~" she moaned, eager for the attention as her fellows from the Sakura Empire looked on in horror; Fusou, Ooshio, and Michishio exempted. Even Shiratsuyu looked a bit uncomfortable.
"We're doomed," Asashio declared, holding her tail tight to her body as she watched Yuudachi basically eat from the palm of an enemy battleship.
"I think it's wonderful how we're all getting along," Fusou replied, nodding down the table to Warspite who returned it with a curt gesture. "Now come, let's eat before Shiratsuyu's fine cooking goes cold."
"I'm in agreement with Fusou-sama," Ooshio added. "This is some fine country cookin' ya got goin Shiratsuyu. You too nee-chan."
"Thank you!" The chefs replied. And so dinner proceeded apace with Thorson watching over his fleet closely. There seemed to be a bit more inter-factional conversation than in days past. While Ark and Vampire were deep in private talks, Javelin was with Laffey, Zed and Ooshio, while Cleveland and Leander were happy to allow Michishio to join them. Naka was clearly suffering from culture shock and Downes being Downes, but even she had Fusou to ease her nerves, the elder shrine cat telling her about life on the base they were headed to. One by one ships finished their meals and departed, heading back to their hulls to ensure a consistent cycle of watch and sleep. One sticking point, however, was Yuudachi.
"Yuudachi, it's time to go back to my ship. Fun time is over, nanoda!" Yukikaze called, not quite ready to let her guard down around so many, admittedly friendly, enemy ships. Her companion had no such compunctions, however, and had sat herself in Pennsylvania's lap right after finishing her food. The oft serious Union battleship had taken to that development wholeheartedly, rubbing her tummy and petting her ears as Yuudachi's tail whipped back and forth excitedly.
"Nuuuuu~, Pennsylvania-saaaaan," she slurred, clearly taking heavily to her canine half.
"You can stay with me for a bit until Penny is done with her," Arizona suggested, waving to Yukikaze as Thorson looked on with barely concealed humor.
"The Great Yukikaze is not a pet, nanoda!"
"Of course not. I just think your ears and stockings are so cute! I like white myself," Arizona added, turning slightly so that Yukikaze could see the battleship's pure white leggings and the beginnings of her garter straps.
"W-well, you're clearly a woman of good taste if you recognize the magnificence of Yukikaze the Great!" The small cat girl replied with a blush on her cheeks. "Where did you get that hairpin? It's...n-nice?"
"From Yamashiro! She's a good friend of mine and gave me this to keep my hair under control. Would you like to see it?" Arizona offered, tempting the 'kitten' in a fashion much different from how her sister had won herself a puppy companion for the night.
"Is that true, Fusou-sama?" Yukikaze asked of the Sakura battleship. "She and Yamashiro are friends, nanoda?"
"Of course," Fusou agreed, throwing a wide smile at Arizona. "Yamashiro and Arizona are both younger sisters and took a liking to each other almost immediately."
"I'll see it then. Give it here, nanoda!" Yukikaze ordered, approaching Arizona and accepting the hairpin as though she were owed it. It was her final mistake. Arizona's hands shot out in a flash and after a brief period of squeals and nanodas, Yukikaze was curled up on her lap, awkwardly purring while Arizona re-affixed her hairpiece, tended to the catgirl's ears, and smiled happily at her sister. Pennsylvania just rolled her eyes and scratched Yuudachi under the chin, causing the young dog morph's leg to twitch.
"Thanks for letting us keep them, Commander!" Ari whispered, earning herself a brief kiss on the head from Thorson.
"I'm just glad you're all ok. Here, I'll take your plate back to the kitchens. If everyone else is working on recon I figure I should help out," he reasoned, looking around the now mostly empty dining space. Only the Pennsylvania class battleships, the two Sakura 'pets', and Zed remained following Fusou's departure. The Ironblood destroyer volunteered to help her Kommandant, feeling quite well thanks to spending a meal together with friends and Thorson.
"Pennsylvania, is there anything else that needs to be done?" Zed asked as she and Thorson gathered up plates and silverware.
"No, I don't think so. I'll put this little one to bed soon enough and get back on the bridge. Andrew, can you take the twilight shift?"
Zed snapped her head quickly to Thorson as Penny addressed him most informally. Arizona took note as well, but with a shy smile. The Commander nodded. "Fine by me. Don't press yourself, Penny."
"Wouldn't dream of it, sir. You have no idea how awesome it is having a pet. Good girl, Yuu. You want to come up to the bridge with me?" Penny asked gleefully, rubbing Yuudachi's cheeks and scratching the shell of her jaw.
"Waaaaaaan~ Akagi and Kaga never gave me pets like this. Union is great..." The Sakura declared sleepily as Penny hefted her up and over her shoulder like an oversized infant.
"You never cease to amaze me," Thorson murmured, nodding to Arizona as she made to leave too, cradling the bundle of Yukikaze in her arms.
"They'll fit in just fine with the fleet, sir. I'll take her back to my ship and when she's awake, make sure she gets back alright. We'll be in touch via radio. Later Penny, enjoy your new puppy!"
"Hey sis?" Pennsylvania stopped Arizona just before she departed for the corridors of the battleship.
"Hmm?" She tilted her head slightly, sending a subtle wave along the strands of her hair that remained free.
"Whatever you did during the battle, that attack that healed us...healed me," Pennsylvania began, trying to put into words exactly what she'd felt as Arizona's light had washed over her.
"It was nothing, Penny. I just did what I felt I could do; what I had to do."
"You saved us all, and I'm sorry."
"For what?" Arizona requested kindly.
"Back in Hawaii I thought the only way to survive was to be strong like Tennessee. Without people like you and the Commander I'd be at the bottom of the ocean. Try not to let this war change you. The cubes made you a gentle soul same way they made these two into adorable little girls with ears just looking for some attention. I think I'm starting to understand why."
Arizona smiled lovingly at her sister and left a quick kiss on her cheek. "Take care of yourself and Andrew, please."
"You know he'll want you too, right?" Pennsylvania asked with a hint of guilt in her quiet voice. They didn't know how long they had until the Commander and Zed returned.
"Yes. And you'll be the first to know if he makes a move on me," Arizona tittered. "Don't overthink this, sister. This isn't a competition."
"Otherwise Cleveland would have us both beat," Pennsylvania acknowledged. "Yeah alright, get going then. I need to get back to the bridge."
"See you soon, sis. Say goodbye, Yukikaze!"
"The Great Yukikaze does not have to obey your commands, nanoda!"
"Oh that's too bad," Arizona replied in a carefree voice. "I guess Yukikaze the Great doesn't need any ear scratches then either."
"Wait, we can come to an arrangement on this! Goodbye, Pennsylvania-sama!"
"Good girl!" Arizona beamed, snuggling Yukikaze and walking off to the steps that would take her above deck.
"What do you make of all that, Yuudachi?" Penny asked her 'dog'.
"I like meat, fighting, and Union battleships that pet me the right way," Yuudachi replied sleepily.
"Keeping it simple? I like it. Let's go, kiddo. We're on duty tonight."
It was about half an hour into Thorson's shift, after he'd bade Penny, Zed, and Yuudachi goodnight, when a swift and proper rapping on the bridge door stirred him from his monotonous dozing. She did not wait for his permission to enter.
"Knight Commander, let us have tea," Warspite declared, holding a silver platter in one hand with two cups, an ornate teapot decorated with the Union Jack and other accents, sugar, cream, and teaspoons. Thorson stared at her.
"How did you...where did all that come from?"
"The leaves are from Surabaya, Knight Commander. This should be quite the delectable pot," Warspite informed him with a thin smile.
"And you know darn well that's not what I meant. Thank you," the Commander replied, taking a cup she poured for him and setting it next to the radar display after a small sip. He tasted notes of smoke and malt. "That is good. Now where did you get the setup?"
"A royal lady must keep some secrets," Warspite replied sweetly, sweeping her coattails to the side so that she could sit down. Her lack of pants gave Thorson quite the view.
"So the tea is a secret but I get to see every inch of your legs?" He inquired appreciatively.
"You mock me, Knight Commander, what with so many thick waisted and buxom chested ships gracing your fleet," Warspite retorted defensively. He shrugged.
"And yet the first ship I ever had sex with was Cleveland," Thorson considered with a pointed look in her direction.
"You are a knave."
"I'm a Yank."
"So you are, Knight Commander."
"Why are you here, Warspite? I don't mind the tea, but at this hour? Unless you're telling me the kettles are on back home."
Warspite's deep amethyst eyes seemed to lock onto him on the dark bridge. "I wanted to commend you on how you conducted yourself at dinner. Though I would not have spoken of revenge with Naka and the others in the room, that is a minor point. If a Commander falls to despair in front of his troops, they will soon follow. I am here so that you might despair in private, if you like."
"Hmm, yeah I guess that makes sense," Thorson agreed, taking another sip of his tea. He tried to keep his voice level. "Maybe later, when it really sinks in that the Sakura are winning this Pacific war."
"I do not think this battle was so one sided, but I cannot disagree regarding territory control. We are a navy, not an army. The Sakura always wanted that territory more than Britannia and her allies could spend to defend it. Maybe one day your Union soldiers will reclaim them, maybe not. But for now we must adjust to the fact that our supply lines will not include the Far East."
"Akashi will be devastated," Thorson chuckled, wondering how things were holding together back at the island. "We'll figure things out. Thanks, Warspite." Thorson finished his by leaning forward and placing a kiss on her forehead. He could feel her body tense under his touch but her only response was to glance away and blush.
"You should not play around with someone like me, Knight Commander," she whispered.
"It's only playing if you want it to be," Thorson replied softly, feeling the tea and darkness warm and shield him from anything else out there that was ready to hurt him or his ships. He held her gaze. "You came here to help me deal with defeat. Maybe you need the same? I'm sorry about what happened to Exeter."
"You are…such a rogue Yank," Warspite gasped, seating herself in his lap. "Why?"
"Gets easier the more it happens. Sorry."
"I meant why am I desiring this, not you?! Actually you should answer that as well, Knight Commander!" Warspite declared, suddenly ablaze with passion. "What could you want from this body of mine?"
"Same thing anyone wants, I suppose. Just…come here," Thorson offered, embracing her slim form as she sighed against his neck.
"She was a fine warrior. Her sister will be devastated."
"And you?" Thorson asked simply.
"It never gets easier, Knight Commander."
"I didn't think so," he lamented, cradling her and finding that despair and grief was lighter when shared. "Warspite, what should I do?"
"We need airpower, Commander. Until you secure it we cannot hope to win against the Sakura. Ark told me about your conversation with her. It is a fine start."
"Yeah, sounds good. So what about now?" Thorson grunted as the light, powerful bundle of foxy battleship shifted atop him.
"You shall continue to hug me until I decide on my opinion regarding human Commanders serving with shipgirls. And then we will have more tea while we keep watch. The little things, Knight Commander."
"The little things," Thorson agreed, venturing to brush against the 'ears' of her hair with his nose. It was force of habit by that point, a reaction borne from days and weeks of interacting with and comforting young women of the Sakura Empire who found themselves fighting on the 'wrong side'. Warspite smelled of bergamot and panted at the touch. Hers were real too.
A while later, following a most embarrassing session of ear rubs; Warspite decided it was time for another cup. This one was enjoyed from the relative warmth and comfort of Thorson's lap, effectively signaling an acquiescence to the tactile attention despite her insistences to the contrary. He didn't mind, finding her body was light and pleasant to the touch. They spoke fondly of the dead, Warspite recalling a memory of Exeter.
"Now Belfast did not believe her of course, this talk of the Force and whatnot. That was until Exeter used it to drop the teacup from her platter and pull her skirt over her head when she bent over to clean the shattered pieces!" The slim royal burst into laughter while Thorson chuckled as well.
"She sounds like an interesting ship. I would have liked to meet her."
"She was, Knight Commander. A warrior of duty and the highest caliber."
"To Exeter, then."
"To Exeter," Warspite agreed, bringing her cup to her lips as a new contact appeared on radar. "How fortuitous; now we're both wide awake."
"Huh, that's a pretty small signature," Thorson mused, turning his head calmly to the display. With a fleet his size it was difficult to worry about a single contact. "Anything from your comrades?"
"Give me a moment," Warspite requested, standing so she had enough space to activate her rigging. After a brief moment of silent contact she opened her eyes. "Vampire reports nothing on sonar. Is it still coming closer?"
"Yeah, seems to be," Thorson murmured, watching with mounting curiosity as the blip slowly drew nearer from the north. "Makassar is back that way…"
"Why would one Sakura approach us in such a fashion?" Warspite wondered.
"We don't even know it's one of them. Let's see," Thorson said, grabbing his binoculars and searching the dark, northern horizon for lights or other indications of whatever was on radar. "Still too far away. If it continues on its course I'll alert the fleet."
"Very good, Knight Commander. I shall return to my post in preparation. Should you need an ear, you know where to find me," she offered.
"They are rather cute ears," Thorson agreed, laughing as she shot him a furious glance while gathering up the tea set. "In all seriousness Warspite, thank you for the tea and the offer. I hope our next session can follow a great victory."
"As do I, Knight Commander. Goodnight." Warspite softly closed the door to the bridge, leaving him to watch the singular object on approach.
"Now then, who or what are you?"
"Well I guess that's it then," Thorson muttered to himself. The unknown vessel had remained on approach, but even at a distance of five miles was not responding to radio hails. Thorson could see a faint light on the ocean, but not much else. He tried one more option. "Fusou, are you there?"
"I am, Tono-sama. You wish me to attempt to hail the ship approaching us?" She guessed.
"I suppose that was pretty obvious, wasn't it? I didn't want to wake Ooshio or Michishio to ask for the proper frequencies."
"That is very kind of you, tono-sama. Let me reach out. One moment, please."
Thorson waited on the silent, slightly eerie bridge. He realized he much preferred it when it was full of company, Penny's especially. Fortunately he did not have to wait long for Fusou's reply.
"Tono-sama, you may wish to rouse Ooshio and her sisters anyway," Fusou told him, her voice full of surprise.
"Why? What is it?" He demanded.
"It is the Kasumi, an Asashio class destroyer. She is...I suppose you could call her the adorable black sheep of the sisters. You will see. She has requested to meet you and be reunited with the rest."
"This is either so outrageous it's not possibly a trap, or it's the perfect trap. Who would know that we captured those four?" Thorson wondered. "Some sailors from Makassar maybe?"
"That is a possibility, Tono-sama, but I'm not sure. She was assigned to the same destroyer division as Shiranui."
"Now that...that is an interesting tidbit," Thorson muttered, running a hand through his hair. "I'll go wake them. Perhaps they'll know more. In the meantime watch her approach and make sure she doesn't try anything. The fleet is on alert."
"I will do as you command, tono-sama. I hope that she is not here to cause trouble. She was never a mischief-maker like Yuudachi or Shigure, but one never knows in times of war."
"I hope so too. I'm in no mood for games," Thorson promised, replacing the radio receiver and heading down to the crew quarters.
"Hmm naaah? What is hmm? Shikikan?!" Ooshio momentarily struggled as Thorson placed a hand over her mouth, motioning for silence. There were plenty of wounded he didn't want to wake.
"Ooshio it's fine, it's just me," Thorson whispered, moving his hand to her cheek. She took it in her own, feeling her heart try to leap from her chest. For a brief moment she thought he had visited for a very different reason.
"Shikikan, what are ya doin' here?" She squeaked, feeling herself heat up under the rough sheet as he loomed over her.
"Kasumi is out there."
Ooshio shot upright and scurried out of bed, waking her sisters as quietly as possible. With yawns and the rubbing of sleepy eyes the four kittens of DESDIV8 made their way topside with Thorson. The ship on approach was making no attempt to hide itself, sailing serenely at them as a soft orb of light that reminded him of Shiranui danced around the hull. "Well, this certainly doesn't appear to be an attack," Thorson stated as the guns of the Pennsylvania turned to target the Kasumi.
"Will you shoot her?" Asashio demanded.
"Only if she makes me," he replied. "I'm surprised there's another one of you who commands spirit fire like Shiranui."
"What do you mean, Shikikan?" Michishio asked.
"None of you can see that? The pale light bobbing around the ship?"
"Uh...are ya feelin' well, Shikikan? Do ya wanna lay down on ma lap for a minute?"
"Ooshio! You would do such a thing?!" Arashio gasped.
"Don't ya think it would be fun?"
"Can we stay focused, please?" Thorson demanded, watching as the ship drew closer and closer. Not a single shell was fired. The five of them watched as a young girl walked to the bow of the ship as it held position near the Yukikaze. Thorson, binoculars in hand, immediately understood Fusou's description of her as the black sheep. Her rigging was covered in seals, talismans, braided ropes, and bells. Ethereal kanji characters occasionally swirled about her, and a pair of bright lights playfully kept her company. As she got closer, gliding over the ocean to the Pennsylvania, Thorson noticed that she was a fox. Her tail and large ears were both white with dark grey tips. When the girl finally floated onto the deck he saw her right eye was covered by a large, blue, woven talisman. They all stared a moment.
"Sisters, I told you Foo was real. Shikikan can see him too," she spoke in a voice soft as a comfortable futon back at base.
"Kasumi!" Michishio and Asashio shouted together, running forward to embrace her. Ooshio and Arashio were not far behind, and soon the reserved looking girl with bandages on her upper thigh was laughing quietly, happily surrounded by her sisters. Thorson waited patiently, knowing that they had a journey of many days ahead of them to ask questions. Anything other than immediate threats to the fleet could wait. Eventually the Asashio class sisters welcomed their fox-like sibling adequately, and the group returned to him.
"Hello Shikikan Thorson. Foo said that you had taken my sisters with you to a place across the sea. I did not believe him so I came to find you. I'm happy they are well and that you were not harmed. Oh? What's that, Foo? Oh yes, my name is Kasumi. Can I be a part of your fleet? I would like to be with my sisters. I was all alone after what happened to Shiranui. Then I found Foo, but my sisters were still elsewhere. And now we are together. I'm very happy."
"I'm sorry, Shikikan," Michishio cut in. "Kasumi has always claimed these sorts of things."
"You mean those two lights floating around you?" The Commander sought clarity. Kasumi nodded, her hands held together just under her chin. "Yeah I can see them just fine. You lot can't?"
Confused looks flew between the members of DESDIV8.
"If Shikikan can see them…" Arashio murmured.
"This whole war makes less and less sense by the day. I'm just happy you're alright, Kasumi," Asashio said. "But what about your rigging? Shi...Shikikan," the eldest turned to Thorson with distaste written all over her expression. "When you took us captive you had to remove our shards. Will that happen to Kasumi? How will she control her ship?"
"I don't think that will be a problem," Kasumi replied sleepily. "Foo said many bad spirits were at the Sanctuary, so I never went there. That's why I was always so lonely. But now you are all free and Foo said it was safe! Oh...Shikikan?"
"Yes?" Thorson asked, not having the faintest idea what words might come next from the enigmatic fox-girl before him.
"Catch please?" Her request made, Kasumi's eyes fluttered and her legs gave out, forcing Thorson to lunge forward and arrest her fall before she cracked her head on the deck of the Pennsylvania. A brief glance out to sea assured him that the IJN Kasumi was still following along just fine, and furthermore none of Kasumi's sisters seemed to be surprised.
"That'll be just like her, Shikikan," Ooshio told him. "Always a bit weak an' tired, Kasumi is. But we love her all the same, ya know? Will she be stayin' with us?"
Thorson looked over the four sisters and back at the girl in his arms. She seemed to be quite at peace, and he couldn't help but wonder what was under the talisman on her right eye. "Ooshio, Michishio, the two of you should take her to an open bed and watch over her. It will be dawn soon. I can ask Shiratsuyu to bring you tea if you're tired.
"What about us?!" Asashio demanded. The Commander replied with an arch look.
"You will go back to sleep. You don't trust me yet. Ooshio, Michishio, if you please? I need to get back to the bridge and relieve Pennsylvania."
"Course, Shikikan. We'll be takin' her off yer hands for now."
"Oh I'll be so nice to have everyone back together at breakfast!" Michishio agreed, giving her blue and purple sisters a sympathetic look before helping Ooshio with Kasumi. Arashio and Asashio were left on deck, feeling very much like stray cats stuck outside a warm, festive home.