A cold dark void was the setting, leaving nothing to be seen.
"Where am I?"
A voice call out to this void, but only found her echoes as a reply.
Slowly this figure began to walk in this endless void, each step touching a solid plane, but they could not see the floor. Even with a fear that they might be sallow up by void or suddenly fall through it, the figure march forward with each step continuing to find solid ground underneath, which gave them the confidence to keep pushing forward as their want to figure out where they were was at the front of their mind.
Yet the walk became endless it seem, as the figure traverse the void that was proving to be its namesake as infinite with no end, making the figure grow desperate as they felt the need to escape starting to grow hotter and hotter as they walk on, that turn into a small jog as they whip their head left and right looking for the possible exit, then it became a full sprint with the hope maybe they will run into something.
The figure eventually did run into something, but turned out to be a most unexpected sight. As a sudden image began to form, starting with a flash of light that cause the figure to bring their arms up to shield their face and stop running. Then as the light died down, the figure look to what lay before them now.
It was a mother and her child walking slowly hand and hand with their backs to the figure. The woman wore a white T-shirt that, with light blue jeans hugging her supple lower frame, her long dark brown hair flow down her back, waving with each step.
The little girl holding their mother's hand was only 6 years old, but bustling with energy as she was skipping with each step. Her short light brown hair bobbing up and down as she was giddy to be out with her mother. The little one was wearing a light pink tank top and blue jean shorts.
The figure walk closer trying to catch up with them hoping they could help them out while speaking to get their attention. "Excuse me."
The pair seem not to hear the figure's voice, making them try again. "Excuse me."
Again no reply, as the mother and daughter continue to walk on seeming to not acknowledge the existence of the figure at all. Making the figure become agitated and was about to leave, but something about the pair before them felt familiar like they should know them. Yet their mind was drawing blanks on this, which was only making them more frustrated, till that pair began to speak.
"Mom, can we ride the Tiger 1?" the little one ask.
"Miho, you know I can't do that, it's too dangerous since I don't have your sister here or Kikuyo to look out for you," the women said back.
"Ah, come on, you can drive and I can command, pleeeeeasseee," little Miho said, giving the biggest puppy dog eyes she could.
The woman let out a light chuckle, its melody making the figure tense as she knew that laughter well. It was the laughter of their mother, Shiho Nishizumi, something she hadn't done since they were a kid. Making the figure understand who she was.
"I'm Miho," she said to herself, looking down to see she was dressed in black kimono, with white flowers dancing across it. She was a teenage Miho, from what she can tell, then turn her eyes back to her younger self and her mother, or more accurately the mother before the change.
Shiho look to little Miho, seeming to fight every fiber to not fall under the spell of those puppy dog eyes. "Miho, we're here at Kuromorimine because I need to finish some quick paperwork, then you and I are going to get lunch, we aren't going to be here long."
"I know, I know, but this is the first time I get to be at my future school! I want to see the Tiger 1 that use back when you fought here!" Miho said excitedly, jumping up and down still holding her mother's hand.
That made Shiho just smile warmly, then kneel down to Miho's height. "In time it will be your tank as well you know."
"Then I can be best commander in Japan like you," little Miho said.
While rubbing her daughter's head affectionately, making her giggle, Shiho spoke warmly. "No, you will be better than me, you're going to soar so high that I might just lose sight of you."
"Eh! I don't want to do that! I want to be just like you!" Little Miho yelp in distress.
"Heh, don't worry, that's part of growing up Miho. As your mother I want you to grow, I want you to be better than me," Shiho soothe.
"But…but…," Little Miho said, trying to find the words to argue.
"I know you want to emulate all that I have achieved, but the best part of Sensha-do is that it helps you find yourself," Shiho said.
Little Miho cock her head to the side confused. "Find yourself."
"You discover who you really are, be your own person. With the best part of it being that it's done with a team around you," Shiho said.
A long drawn out squeal escapes little Miho's mouth, feeling unbridle excitement at her mother's words. "Mom, I want to lead a team to the victory flag."
"You do, do you?" Shiho said in a happy tone.
"With Maho too, we're going to have so much fun, smile, laugh all the time too, and make lots of friends with the other teams," Little Miho said excitedly.
I wish I could have been happy…not see this sport as a duty…to hold so many teammates at arm's length….I feel like a hypocrite telling her this…
"Who said that?" Miho said to herself, feeling like the words were playing in her mind, with the voice sounding like her mother. Yet when she focus on her mother staring at Little Miho, her lips were only forming a smile and not speaking.
"Am I hearing my mother's thoughts?" Miho ask herself.
I don't want my little cub to grow up worrying about expectations…about traditions…I want her to be happy, to keep that glowing smile that wipes all my fears away…oh my little cub…there is so much that you can not know about me...about our past…about who I really am under this façade you see…
Again Shiho's voice play in Miho's mind.
"What are you keeping from me, mother? What was your past like? Before me and Maho, before…before dad…," Miho spoke quietly as she watch the scene continue to play out in front of her.
With Shiho's thoughts from earlier having had to have affected her, as she lost her smile, with a small look of sadness taking over. To which Little Miho who saw this, lost her smile now too, with great concern for her mother taking over, as she reach her small hand out to touch her mother's face.
"Mom, are you sad?" Little Miho ask.
Seeing she was upsetting her daughter, Shiho quickly shook away her internal pain. "Oh, I'm sorry Miho. I was lost in thought."
"Are you sure?" Little Miho persisted.
"I'm quite alright, though I guess you can do something for me," Shiho said letting a mischievous look cross her face.
"What's that?" Little Miho ask.
"Just fill your mommy's heart with joy," Shiho said, as she was about to pounce.
Little Miho gave her mother a questioning look. "How do I do that?"
"With your laughter," Shiho said, then scoop her little one up.
A holler of delight escape Little Miho's mouth, as she held her hands out as her mother swung her around, with Shiho joining in on the fun, smiling widely to see her cub happy once more. It seem the void itself wanted to join in on the fun as it began to materialize cherry blossom trees around them and began to sway them with a soft strong wind, causing the flowers to fall down around the happy two, adding beauty to the scene that grips Miho's heart watching on as this forgotten memory made her tear up.
For she remembers this moment in her childhood where she and her mother went to Kuromorimine together for a day, with Shiho who was a happy playful mother, and Miho a carefree soul who only ever wanted to see her mother smile in any way she could. How things would change, for when Miho returned to this very school to attend, it was not for the happy thought of winning to find herself, as her mother then wanted. It was for the very reason to uphold tradition, even if Miho had to become someone else to possibly achieve it.
Miho continues to watch the scene play out before her.
Shiho finally stop twirling around, holding Little Miho close in her arms, their laughter dying down a bit. Then Shiho place a gentle kiss on Little Miho's forehead, with next touching her forehead to hers.
"You're going to be a great commander one day, Miho. Just make sure to have fun doing it, win or lose, that's what's most important, for I will always be proud of you," Shiho said with great affection.
Little Miho grin widely. "I will mom….so can we take the Tiger 1 out?"
"Miho," Shiho said in a playful warning tone.
Yet once more Little Miho gave her the puppy dog eyes. "Pleeeeaaasssseeeee."
Feeling all her resistance go out of her, Shiho just sigh, but smile all the same. "Alright, I'll drive while you hand out orders. Luckily no one's on the practice ground, so we can take our time, but only after I finish my paperwork first."
"Yay!" Little Miho said, then threw her arms around her mother's neck.
Shiho just lightly chuckle, then began to walk away with Little Miho bouncing her arms ready to be in the Tiger 1. Wanting secretly to take her first steps to becoming a commander, even if it would seem like she was just playing, Little Miho was already thinking of all the good she could do when she officially joined. To make her mother proud, to fight side by side with her beloved sister Maho, to make the best of friends with her crew, and raise the Victory Flag for all of Japan to see.
Mother and daughter cotinine to walk off, leaving Miho herself to watch them, then prompted herself to say something, as she reach a hand out to the retreating two. "Wait! Don't leave me!"
Suddenly Shiho stop, turning around with Little Miho in her arm, holding her close. Turning to the source of the voice, Shiho's eyes look at Miho, but not with scorn or disappointment. Instead, she look at her with a radiating smile that was once a constant on those warm summer days. With Miho feeling her legs turn to jello as she was mesmerized by the sight, causing her to fall to her knees as she felt shell shock to see the mother she love so much finally smile at her.
"Mom, what are looking at?" Little Miho ask in her mother's arm, looking in the direction as well, but didn't see her older self.
"Oh, nothing, I'm just looking at the future and it's quite beautiful, just as I imagine," Shiho said, still smiling and looking at Miho.
Little Miho continue to scan, but frown when she saw nothing. "I don't see anything still."
"One day, one day my little cub, now let's get going. The Tiger 1 is probably antsy to meet its future commander," Shiho said, then turn around to walk away.
"Yes! I'm going to be like Michael Wittmann when I command it," Little Miho said excitedly.
A nervous chuckle escape Shiho's lips. "I prefer Otto Carius, but we shall see."
"No, wait!" Miho said. "Please, don't leave…mom…please…I can still…I can make you proud…"
Yet Shiho seem not to hear Miho's cries, as she walked off with Little Miho in her arms, smiling like the shining sun for not just the first time she would come into contact with her Tiger 1, but to be with her mom who she love dearly.
"Mom…please...don't abandon me, don't leave me…," Miho said between sniffles, watching the two walk-off still.
Then Shiho look over her shoulder one last time while she kept walking. "Don't worry Miho, you will find a way, you always do. I will be waiting for you, for I need you to save me before it's too late."
"Save you from what?" Miho ask, still on her knees, unable to rise to follow.
"Save me…" Shiho said once more, her voice now echoing in the void, as the scene before Miho began to collapse, like sand falling through the air.
"How can I save you?" Miho ask.
"Save me…save me….save me," Shiho said like a mantra, as she and Little Miho began to disintegrate like sand flowing in the wind.
"No!" Miho said, trying with all her might to rise up, but her legs wouldn't respond to her commands.
"So you are the one," a new voice spoke, its tone icy and clip.
Miho turn around to see a teen standing closely behind her, she was only pushing 18 at most, her smooth skin was graceful pale that shine in the void, only enhancing her beauty. Long black hair, that seems to have a blue shade to it, and large greenish eyes. She wore a blue kimono with white snowflakes sewn into the fabric, with a black hakama for lower pants wear, lastly cloth socks and woven sandals, with a katana at her hip.
"Who…who…who…are you?" Miho ask in a frightened tone.
"I am you and you are me," the women spoke.
"I don't understand," Miho said.
"We both were once vibrant young girls, wishing for nothing but happy days, but reality is cruel, as it took both of our smiles and our families happiness," the woman said, her greenish eyes boring into Miho.
Miho said nothing, still not understanding what was happening to her at this very moment.
"War is in our blood, but it seems you enjoy it as a sport, like hunting game, how interesting," the young teen said.
"Please tell me who you are," Miho ask.
"Have you not been listening? I said I am you, our souls one and the same, intertwined by destiny, and now the holder of the Kage no hon'nō," the women said.
For a few moments, Miho ponder on what the older girl said, then it hit her. "Nakano?"
The girl nodded back, then spoke. "Yes, I am her. Founder of the true Nishizumi style."
"Wh…why are you here now?" Miho ask timidly.
"Because like me, our family will soon be in its darkest hour, to which you must decide if you wish for us to fade to dust or rise to take your role," Nakano said.
"I don't know how," Miho said timidly.
Nakano shook her head. "Neither did I, but when my time came I had to make a choice."
"What choice was that?" Miho ask.
Saying nothing at first Nakano grabbed at the hilt of her katana, then draw it from her saya. The katana seem to glow in the void, making Miho have to cover her eyes a bit at its bright light, while Nakano held it in front of her for a moment, then drop the blade in front of Miho that clatter on the solid floor till it was just by her knees.
"To pick up the sword and fight. For you are a Nishizumi, for you are a warrior. There is only one path for you that leads to the end. With your victory or your death. There is no other way. Now make the choice to fight or die," Nakano said coldly, her eyes focus on Miho like a predator.
Death.
The word hung in the air for Miho, for this seem unreal, as she was just in a sport, not a war. Till she began to think it over, maybe this death was not the loss of life, maybe it was the death of her family name, of all it had been built up too. All the past Nishizumi's who had only added to the legacy, even if their style had been brutal at times, it was what made them. All were part of this, with now Miho who needed to accept that she was a Nishizumi, but with her own style.
A style that she wanted to use to uphold her family's name that was different from the old.
Yet, the hesitation that her mother wouldn't accept this still grip Miho's heart.
Yet finally after pulling herself together, Miho slowly reach for the blade, letting her fingers gloss over the hilt, feeling the fabric. Yet something like dread took over as she try to grip the blade fully, like she could feel the pain of others flowing through her.
"What is this?" Miho said, pulling back her hand to her chest, visibly shaking from the feel of the sword.
"It is the suffering our family has endured, the anguish of many, most of it done to each other in recent times I'm afraid," Nakano said with a hint of sadness.
"Why would our family do that?" Miho ask.
"That is something you must discover for yourself, but to be ready for it, you must take up the sword, take up the weight of all those who have fallen, use that to drive you to the ultimate goal," Nakano said.
"What goal is that?" Miho question.
Leaning down, Nakano took a knee in front of Miho, then reach out a hand to touch her face. Miho felt the soft touch that seem to wash away all her fear at the moment, while she was also greeted to Nakano smiling at her, leaving behind her icy look from earlier, for something akin to a warm sun that brought Miho's spirit up.
"The goal that our family finally drops the past, for a future that no one fights for power or glory, but simply for each other, for your own happiness that you determine, not a creed or code that demands you follow with blind obedience. For you will follow your own path, that is my hope with you, Miho," Nakano said warmly.
Seeing the genuine plea from her ancestor, Miho look down at the sword and reach out with confidence. Gripping its hilts with great vigor that made Nakano smile as she stood back up. To which Miho follow, her legs finding their strength once more, with the sword in hand.
"Good," Nakano said, then spoke her final words to Miho. "Remember, never stray from who you are. For it is what makes you fight for what you wish to hold close."
"I…I will remember those words, Nakano," Miho said, gripping the katana with both hands.
"Good, now forgive me, but you must endure this next part," Nakano said.
Miho turn her head to her. "What do you me…Ah!"
A yelp of distress escape Miho's lips, as that pain from holding the sword earlier came to her tenfold, feeling like someone was puncturing her with needles all over her body. Every fiber of her being made Miho want to drop the katana, but something compel her to hold on.
"Good Miho, know your family's pain, embrace it, for you will be the one to release us all from it," Nakano encourage.
Endure….endure…endure…
Those words play through Miho's mind, as the torment seem to amp up more making her hear voices.
She is my little sister, I have an obligation to look out for her well-being
You have an obligation to your family! You are the sole heiress now of our family because of your stunt! You may think that is what I wanted! Yet both of you were supposed to share that together!
Not anymore, it is me and me alone who will head the family. Miho is free to choose her own path in life, one without the Nishizumi style making her suffer
You grew up loving Sensha-do! While I hated it!
You damn daughter of mine! You fail our family! You're a good for nothing brat, all that time training you, all that time molding you, and this is my thanks! You were supposed to be the true Nishizumi! Yet you're nothing but a failure! Get out! Get out!
Hi, my name is Konomi, I've always looked up to you cousin, I hope we become closer, win or lose this match
You show mercy!
You show compassion!
Do away with these ignorant child of mine!
Or must I show you the punishment for having these thoughts for an opponent!
We are Nishzumi's! Victory is all that matters! You must understand this! Nothing else matters!
I'm sorry Miho, our time together is at an end, I must go someplace you cannot follow, but know no matter how hard things become, how many enemies wish to take you down, or how hopeless things might look. I will always be with you, for you are my hope to pull us from the dark and into the light
The voices play on and on, each coursing through Miho, whose face held grief, but she endure for the sake of her family…as a light began to close in on…where it lead she did not know...
XxxxX
A soft beep fill the darken room, which was only lit up by a single lamp on a desk near the hospital bed. The beeping from the patient monitor was steady, telling of the patient's steady beating heart, as they slept peacefully in the bed aboard the Akagi School carrier at its onboard hospital that was small, since its community was as well, with very few sick patients, though was still a necessity in case any major injuries took place, especially while sometimes being thousands of meters from the mainland.
"Nakano….how…do…," the patient softly said in her bed.
"Nakano…Mom…Maho…Fukushu…Konomi…grandmother…," the patient said again, her voice starting to rise.
Which in turn caused someone who was sleeping in a chair near the bed, begin to flutter her violet eyes open, as she began to wake up. The woman was in her mid-twenties, wearing simple blue jeans and a light grey hoodie, with her brown hair flowing down.
A groan escape the women's lips, feeling her back had become stiff from resting awkwardly in the chair since she had taken her shift of staying with the patient. The woman finally shook her sleep away, then turn to the sound of the voice that was rising.
"No…I have to save them….plea…please," the patient said once more.
Seeing the young girl begin to shift under the sheets left to right in seeming discomfort, made the women jump out of the chair so fast, she practically toss it on the ground behind her, as she lean over the bed in complete disbelief.
"Miho…Miho talk to me," the women said, now reaching down to touch both of Miho's arms in the bed.
"I'm sorry, I…I…I…want to fight," Miho said, her eyes still closed, but her face starting to sweat some and her face contorting as if she were in agony from something.
The woman, while pushing reason aside to go get the doctor, was compelled with the need to look after her little tankery sister, now moving up to touch both sides of Miho's face as she spoke in a soft tone. "It's ok Miho, I'm here. Your big tankery sister is here, I've got you."
With the soft hands touching her face, Miho's babbling began to calm down, then slowly her eyes began to flutter open. The large light brown eyes strain against even the small bit of light in the room, having been close for a couple of days and needed to get adjusted to the light. Once that was done, they began to scan, finding the woman who was holding her face gently. Her violet eyes bore into her, to which Miho knew these eyes well, as the guardian in the sky for Chi-Ha-Tan's Sensha-do team.
"Aozora?" Miho said in a whisper.
"Oh, yes honey, it's me, oh thank goodness your awake," Aozora said, now sitting on the edge of the bed, while wrapping Miho in a hug now.
Though it prove to be Aozora's trademark bone-crushing one, as Miho began to tap the eccentric pilot lightly while being smothered. "Ca…can't bre…breathe."
"Ah, sorry," Aozora said, while easing up a bit, with small tears of joy in her eyes. "I'm just so overjoyed."
Miho let out a light chuckle. "Me too…where am I?"
"At the hospital aboard the Akagi, been cope up her for several days sleeping beauty," Aozora explain.
That made Miho blink in surprise. "Wait…wasn't me and the team on a train, after the match with Oarai? Where is everyone else? Is everyon-."
Miho was stopped when Aozora put her finger to the young girl's lip to stop her frantic questioning, then the pilot spoke. "Geez, Tamada was right, the minute you woke up your first concern would be everyone but yourself. Your heart is too pure sometimes, heh, yet that's our beloved commander at her finest."
As Aozora pull her finger away, Miho spoke. "Tamada…heh, she's right. But still…"
A sigh escape Aozora's mouth, then spoke. "Yes, everyone is fine, the usual small bruises and stuff nothing serious, yet they're already chafing at the bit to get back into the fight, crazy girls, but that's what I love about them."
Taking a deep breath of relief, Miho felt a smile spread across her face, knowing her team was alright. Knowing how long the fight with Oarai had gone on, with seemingly no stoppage in the fighting till Miho herself had to go rescue her drowning sister, but besides that, the two sides were in constant contact with one another. With once more, Miho was surprised by Chi-Ha-Tan's endurance, especially of the first-years who had to stand tall for their team to win against tough odds.
Then something hit Miho, while thinking of injuries, turning to Aozora once more. "What about my crew?"
"Your daughters you mean?" Aozora tease.
"Eh! Well…ye…yea…my daughters," Miho said with a little blush forming.
"Come on, you can't be embarrassed to say it out loud to others," Aozora said with a chuckle, glad to see Miho still get flustered as usual when she was teased.
"Sorry, we mostly say it in private. Not sure its good thing to say it publically," Miho said with a nervous chuckle.
Aozora just wave her hand in a dismissing fashion. "Ah, don't mind it, especially when they're orphans who've never had a mother figure in their life. If they see you that way, cherish it, though it does make me upset that you have children already and I'm the adult here."
"I'm sure one day you will have a bunch," Miho said with encouragement.
"Ugh, I'm a failure as an adult if I'm having a teenager encourage me to have kids," Aozora said with a mocking tone of sadness while rubbing her face.
"Sorry…I didn't me to be disrespectful or anything," Miho said, waving her hands to try and apologize not taking a hint she was being messed with.
"Too late," Aozora said, pretending to be hurt now.
"Eh!" Miho said, as she frantically try to find the words to make up for what she thought she had said wrong, with her arms failing about.
Then Aozora peek through her hands to look at Miho. "Got ya."
Seeing once more she was being teased made Miho chuckle in defeat. "Miss Aozora."
"Sorry, sorry," the older woman said while patting Miho on the shoulder. "Well back on topic, your daughters are fine…well not Moteki unfortunately."
Full protective mom mode came into effect, as Miho hone in. "What's wrong? Her ankle injury isn't that bad, right?" Miho ask, remembering that was a concern when the Tiger 1 flip over and a shell landed on her driver's ankle when it was done.
"Well, we can count our blessings, the shell only roll onto the ankle. Moteki actually damage it badly when she went to protect Watabe, twisting it harshly in her panic state I guess," Aozora said.
"What's the extent of it?" Miho ask with concern.
"Like I said, not bad. Not a stress fracture or any ligament damage, but a high ankle sprain that should heal nicely…well if she gives it time," Aozora explain.
Thinking things over for a moment, Miho then spoke. "That takes three weeks to heal, doesn't it?"
Aozora just nodded at that.
"Meaning she's out of the next match," Miho said with a sad tone, but was internally grateful that her driver was ok for the most part, that was most the important part.
"Yea, you can imagine she is making a fuss over how she is a fast healer and such, if it wasn't for Nishi talking sense into her, Moteki might have made her injury worst," Aozora said with an amused shake of the head at the memory of the fierce struggle to calm Moteki down when she properly diagnosed.
Miho chuckle a little. "I'll make sure to calm her down, I want her to heal properly so it won't effect her later in life."
"Yep, alright with the important stuff out of the way, I need to go get the doctor before they kill me for not telling them your awake," Aozora said, as she got off the bed and began to walk to the door.
"Um," Miho said before she left.
"Hm, what is it, honey?" Aozora said turning back to the bed.
"Can I borrow a phone and call my sister Maho, I'm sure she has been worried sick," Miho ask.
A flash of anguish passes over the face of Aozora for a moment but regained her composure. "Let's just get the doctors to look you over first ok, then will see about that phone call."
"But-," Miho try to argue.
Yet Aozora left the room quickly before she could get an answer. Making Miho feel like there was something the pilot wasn't telling her, which only added to the small anxiety she felt, mostly due to the dream from earlier. With Miho's mother asking her to save her, but from who or what was the question that Miho had no answers to and with now Aozora's weird reaction earlier to simply ask to call her sister only added to her worries for the moment.
Turning her head to the side towards the window, Miho could see the blinds were slightly ajar, revealing that it was dark out on the sea, most likely close to midnight from Miho's guess. Thoughts of her tankery family came to her mind, who would be sleeping in their dorms at the moment, making Miho wish to leave this room and go see them, to be surrounded by their warmth that had made her time at Chi-Ha-Tan unforgettable, but that would have to wait for now.
"I wonder if mom knows I've been asleep…would she even care?...no I can't waver now, I have to se-," Miho started to say, but was interrupted by the door opening without a knock.
Turning her head back to the doorway, Miho spoke. "That was fast Aozo-."
Yet instead of the eccentric pilot returning to the room, there was a burly man, with grey eyes, wearing a white polo shirt with green dress pants, his hair was short, but stuck up at odd angles. The sight of him made Miho fearful since she did not recognize him at all, making her grip the sheets in apprehension wondering what he was doing in her room, and was about to scream for help.
"Miho, it's me," the man said in a gentle tone, as he came into the room while closing the door behind him.
"If you come any closer…I'll...I'll scream," Miho said in a terrified tone, curly up a bit on the bed.
Hearing that seem to have some effect on the man coming in, but not in the way Miho thought it would. For a look of pure sadness cross his face, as his shoulders slump down. He look completely dejected for a moment, but raise himself up to look at Miho fully, making her eye him over with a meticulous look. With soon a small bit of familiarity starting to come to her, like she knew this man.
"I'm sorry I barged in, but my time is short here. I saw that women come out of here saying to herself you were awake, I've been waiting with worry over you for the past couple of days," the man said.
"Who…who are you?" Miho ask.
A sad sigh escape the man's lips, but pull himself together to answer. "It has been a long time since we've seen each other, so I shouldn't be surprised you don't recognize your old man."
For a moment, Miho was silent, then she spoke softly. "Dad?"
"In the flesh," Tsuneo said with a small smile.
Miho didn't respond, as her mouth hung open in disbelief, for she hadn't seen her father since she was maybe four or five. While at the same time he was somehow here on the Akagi, making her wonder why now of all times was he coming to her. Not to mention the fact that Miho now knew he had been living in America raising Fukushu, but whatever happened between them caused them to break apart and Fukushu became a tanker set out for revenge against Miho and her family.
"I know, kind of a lot to take in me being here. Especially after all that has happened, but I wanted to come talk to you, was worried you weren't going to wake up before I had to leave," Tsuneo said.
"I…why…how…," Miho try to form words, but couldn't.
"Would it be alright if I take a seat?" Tsuneo ask.
That made Miho go quiet, still looking at her dad with awe, but also a hint of suspicion since she was still in the unknown of his reasons for being here. Yet there was a small little happiness that was bubbling on the surface to see him, even if there was still some small part of her that was angry at him because when he left, Shiho had become cold and distant to her daughters, only asking that they produce results to uphold their families honor, leaving Miho with a part of herself blaming her dad for that.
"Al…alright," Miho said timidly because she was upset at herself that she was hesitating because there was still anger in her heart towards her father, as she didn't like to feel that way, even if it was justified.
Tsuneo nodded gratefully, then walk over to the bed while pulling a chair up to sit in it and face Miho. After he was settled, the two just remain silent, unable to find the words now to proceed with the reunion, as their time apart had created a large chasm between them. Feeling more like strangers than anything, even if the same blood flows through both of them.
Finding his courage, Tsuneo spoke. "I'm sure you have questions about how I got here and why I am here."
Miho simply nodded, wanting him to speak more.
A small chuckle escape Tsuneo's lips, then spoke. "Would you believe this is the second time I'm stumped on how to talk to my family? I had run this conversation over and over in my head, but I'm drawing blanks now, pathetic right. Probably don't even want to talk with me"
"Oh, no, its just I thought you I never see you again…after what happened between you and mom, I thought you forgot about us till Fukushu show me otherwise during the match, so even I'm a little stump on what to say," Miho said, looking down at the blanket covering her lower body.
"Well you could say you hate me, for what I did," Tsuneo said, thinking that was a good way to open things up.
Yet prove to be the wrong approach as Miho's face saddened at the comment.
"I'm sorry, that was….that…I guess I haven't learned how to say the right things to my family," Tsuneo said with a sigh.
Seeing her dad was trying his hardest, and this was a chance to get answers Miho proceeded. "How did you get on the Akagi?"
"Can thank your Headmaster Hidemichi, after I talk with your mother, his secretary came to find me so that I can come aboard to talk with you. I was originally going to wait till you made port, but this way works too," Tsuneo explains.
"Hidemichi's helping our family once more," Miho said with a small smile tugging on her face, thinking of the old man who always tried to help their family in any way possible, his large heart was another reason Miho love being at this academy.
"He sure does, even me, when I don't deserve it. He brought me here so I can have a chance to talk with you," Tsuneo said.
Then something about the previously said hit Miho. "Wait, you talk with mom?"
Tsuneo nodded at that. "Yep, went to the estate to do it. Was an interesting conversation, to say the least, but I think we clear the air about some things."
"How…was mom alright seeing you?" Miho ask.
"Well…it definitely had some fireworks," Tsuneo said with amused huff, while rubbing his jaw still remembering the punch Shiho threw at him, though luckily she hadn't broken his jaw in the end.
Miho though didn't like the way he worded it, as she spoke. "You didn't fight, right? Not…not like back then…when…you were home."
Seeing his daughter struggling to speak of the past was heartbreaking for Tsuneo. Because he was the one who had always started the fight with Shiho, with it being always and only about Sensha-do, about his daughters doing it. The hatred stemming from the fighting before with Nayoko who had abused Shiho into becoming a cold-hearted woman, which made Tsuneo fear that's what Miho and Maho would become even when Nayoko died.
Thinking back on it, Tsueno now saw how trivial it all was, because he was seeing the ghost of the past that he thought would still work their way into his family's life, taking away the most important aspect for a parent's child, that being the freedom to choose who they wanted to be. All he saw were chains being shot out and working themselves into his daughters to do as their family had done for 50 years and be slaves to its tradition, making him in turn hate every aspect of Sensha-do for all the wrong reasons.
Getting himself focus, Tsuneo look to Miho. "We did fight, but for the last time I promise you. I let your mom know why I sin, though I couldn't apologize because there is no forgiving me. The most important thing, was I ask for permission to see you at least one more time."
"Me? What about Maho?" Miho ask, turning to her father.
"Well, your mom didn't want me going near her since she was the sole heiress, but didn't care if I talk to you," Tsuneo said.
Hearing her mother didn't care about her, made Miho sadden. "I guess I haven't lived up her expectations even now."
"No Miho, don't think of it that way. During that talk I could see she wasn't just hurting because of me, but more so because she had pushed you away…she loves you despite what she has become…or more less what she's always been, till we found each other," Tsueno said.
"Was…was mom cold like that before? I always figure she was happy but turn that way after you left," Miho ask.
"Yes, from what she told me about her past, she was made to be that way to uphold the family's prestige and among other things. When she had Maho, she wanted to leave all that behind, but even then she was chained to tradition, in turn, those chains were going to work their way into you and your sister as well," Tsuneo said, shaking his head thinking about that part, but didn't want to give more details to Miho that might upset her more, as he felt it wasn't his place to talk about Shiho's past, that seem like a conversation those two would need to have.
Maybe those chains already have work into me…
Miho thought, thinking of the dream earlier, then change the subject hoping to keep things light. "Maho I'm sure would want to see you, even if mom doesn't."
That made Tsuneo sadden a bit. "Even if I wanted to, I can't do that now, especially with everything going on."
"What's going on?" Miho ask.
"That woman earlier hasn't told you anything has she?" Tsuneo said with a questioning look.
"Told me wh-," Miho began to say.
Yet stop, when the door to the room was open once more without a knock. Coming in was Aozora with a happy face, with a hospital doctor and a nurse coming in as well. Yet the trio all stop when they saw Tsuneo sitting beside the bed with Miho, with Aozora herself losing her happy face, as a defensive nature took hold of her as she didn't know this man talking to Miho.
"Who the hell are you?" Aozora growl.
Tsuneo raise an eyebrow at how hostile the woman was. "You sure have a way with words miss."
"I have a way with fist too, so better get out of here you creep before I use them," Aozora reply, her fist clenching at her side to emphasize how serious she was.
Miho try to cool the fighting down, but Tsueno spoke over her. "I don't fight women, but you will not stand between me seeing my daughter, so you better make good on your promise to use those fists because I ain't moving."
"Wait, daughter?" Aozora question in shock.
A nervous chuckle escapes Miho's lips. "Ah, yea, this is my dad."
For a moment Aozora let the information process but shortly became even madder. "You son of bitch, you're the one who left her mother because you cheated on her. The one who was fighting all the time, scaring the poor girl."
"You don't know anything, don't act like you know my family," Tsuneo said, standing up from his seat, feeling his anger rising as well.
"Wait, please don't fight," Miho said earnestly but was drowned out.
"Maybe I don't know, but I've been around Miho long enough to get an idea. You were the one that fought with her mother a bunch, practically scar the poor girl. Which only holds true after seeing how that Fukushu girl was airing out her abandonment issues to all of us during the match, so you get why I don't want you anywhere near her," Aozora said coming closer now.
"Ah, Miss Aozora please let us calm down," the doctor said, not wanting the situation to escalate, especially in front of his patient that just woke up.
"The hell you say. Her name is Kiko, Fukushu is only her name cause that damn women Konomi twisted her somehow into using it," Tsueno said, now standing toe to toe with the hostile women.
"Kiko, Fukushu, or whatever you want to call her, you're the one that made the girl feel unworthy, and probably made Miho feel the same when she was young. Because even after all was said and done, Miho here still couldn't come to fully hate you, that's the kind of heart she has, and why I don't you around her, you don't deserve to call her your daughter," Aozora said angrily.
Even with Tsueno's imposing frame towering over Aozora, she didn't back down at all, as she was going to stand up for Miho here and now no matter what.
"You don't understand a damn thing! You don't know what I had to go through, what I had to fear for my daughters! Your just some outsider shooting her mouth off cause you've been around for the good times with Miho!" Tsuneo argue, looking straight into Aozora's eyes.
"Please no more fighting, Aozora, dad, please," Miho said desperately, feeling tears threatening to come out, feeling like she was watching her mom and dad fight all over again.
"Both of you please, this sort of confrontation isn't going to solve anything right now, think of the girl here," the doctor said with more earnest, seeing the state of his upset patient.
Yet both were ignored, as Tsuneo and Aozora were only seeing red at the moment looking at each other with a deep hatred for one another in such a short time.
"Good times, yea you're right, I've only been around for that with Miho. Yet I can proudly say I've seen her at her happiest, can you say the same?" Aozora challenge.
"You damn woman that is my daughter. I've held her and seen that smile that I created, that I love to see, and the one that I would have protected against anything meaning her harm! You've just had it good, but had you had to fight as I had to do with her family's tradition, then you wouldn't be so damn fucking smart with me now!" Tsuneo sharply said back, the veins in his head starting to pop from the rage in his heart.
"And that is my damn little tankery sister, she's part of our family too, and I'll protect her as much or more than you did, so choke on that big guy, because the truth is I've done more for her than you ever did…you're a failure as a father," Aozora said, her words cut deep.
Tsuneo was at the breaking point, and only needed one more push to make him do something he was going to regret, as he spoke with silent fury. "Want to repeat that miss?"
"I said you a horr-," Aozora began to say.
"Enough!" Miho shouted, surprising everyone, as she had escaped notice in the fighting that she had jumped off the bed.
Dress only in a hospital gown and her bare feet on the cold tile, Miho place herself between her father and Aozora, holding her arms out wide to make them stop, while facing the pilot. Everyone one in the room just stare at her in complete surprise, after being bedridden for days but standing at full height with no problem it seem.
"Ah Miss Nishizumi, you shouldn't be standing up after just waking up," the doctor said, moving to make his patient get back to bed with his nurse in tow.
Yet Miho didn't care for the warning, as she look to Aozora now with pleading eyes as she spoke. "Aozora I know you mean well, but I don't want any more fighting. My father came here today to talk and I want to hear him out."
"Miho, he's the one that hurt your mother, cheated on her that made her lose her smile, not to mention he raise another daughter while leaving you behind," Aozora argue, again baffle by Miho's ability to stop a fight and her kindness shining through again.
"You think I wanted to leave them behind, you keep spouting that mouth off because you don't know a damn thing!" Tsuneo said in outrage coming forward a bit.
Turning around quickly Miho grab at her father's shirt to stop him from advancing. "Papa please, no more, please no more."
In instant, all the anger was flushed out of Tsuneo hearing those words, looking down at Miho. "You haven't called me by that since you were little."
"Oh, sorry, it's weird to use that now, I just said it on impulse," Miho said fluster, but had at least calm her dad down.
Seeing the fight had all but been broken up, the doctor press forward now. "Alright, we need to get Miss Nishizumi back into bed. She shouldn't be standing this early after waking up, were lucky she didn't collapse."
As if putting it out in the universe made it true, Miho suddenly felt woozy, her legs beginning to shake after not being used for a while. Slowly she began to fall, but suddenly a hand shot out to grab her arm, then pull her up. Then another arm scoop her off her feet carrying her bridal style, as Miho focus in to see her father carrying her like he had done when she was a child.
"Get your hands off her," Aozora growl.
"You still want to fight after all this," Tsueno said with an annoyed tone.
"I jus-," Aozora try to say.
"Miss Aozora, can you please wait in the hall?" the doctor said, coming up to her.
That made the pilot turn to the doctor with a disbelieving look. "Why me? He's the one that should leave."
"Well, as her parent, he has a right to be here. Besides, I need people to be calm here or you're going to upset my patient, and when it comes to that I have jurisdiction over both of you, so if you want to test me I can call security to have you both removed," the doctor said, putting some force behind his subtle threat.
"Papa please, Aozora is a good person, she's my family too," Miho said weakly.
Looking down at his daughter and having his heart lighten by her soft voice, made Tsuneo nod to his daughter's request. Turning to look at Aozora, he spoke. "Miss Aozora?"
With a piercing gaze, the women turn to him. "What?"
"I apologize for my outburst earlier, though you still tick me off, I can see you truly care for my daughter's wellbeing like an older sister, so let's leave the fighting off, for Miho's sake, I think that's something we both can agree on," Tsuneo said, then bow his head to show his regret.
With the will to fight leaving her, Aozora was down to just irritation level, but relented as she threw her arms up in frustration. "Whatever, I'll be outside, you better be gone when you're done."
"Thanks, Aozora," Miho said, while conjuring up a warm smile for her team's ace pilot.
To which Aozora copy that smile and return it to Miho, as she spoke. "Anything for you commander." Then she left the room, while closing the door behind her.
"Good, now please Mister Nishizumi, place her on the bed so I can look her over," the doctor ordered.
With a nod of confirmation, Tsuneo brought Miho over to the bed. Then the doctor began his routine check over Miho. Making sure her vitals were good, responses to light were on point, that her body movements were functioning and reacting properly, and last asking questions to make sure she wasn't suffering any concussion symptoms.
After his final testing was done, the doctor made a couple of notes down on the paper on his clipboard as he spoke. "Well Miss Nishizumi, you appear to be in fine health. No motor movement issues and no memory issues at all. Thankfully we were right that it was just heavy fatigue, which after the fight you gave for our Sensha-do team, makes it even more extraordinarily unbelievable that you were able to even rise out of bed as you did earlier."
"Oh, yes, I was more moving without thinking, sorry to cause you trouble," Miho said with a bow from her bed.
"I'm sorry for causing trouble as well," Tsuneo said with a bow from his seat next to the bed.
"No worries, now Miss Nishizumi, we're going to keep you here for a couple of days for observation, then let you go back to school. Will inform Mister Hidemichi in the morning and I'm sure your team is going to be swarming in here soon enough to fuss over you," the doctor said with a smile.
Miho chuckle a little. "You might be right, sometimes they're hard to control when they're worried about each other."
"That's how a team should be…or more to the point a tankery family should be," the doctor joke.
"Doc, is alright if we tell her?" Tsuneo said suddenly.
Now the mood became serious, as the doctor took a deep breath. "I don't think that is a good idea, it might be too much stress on her mind right now."
"If someone says it later on, it might be worse than now, especially if it's by accident," Tsuneo press.
"Alright, go ahead since you're her parent its your right, I'll stay in case it might send her over," the doctor said, then move away from the bed to give the two some space.
"What's he talking about?" Miho ask.
"Miho, please listen to me, it's important. It's about your mother and sister…" Tsuneo said, pausing to gather himself.
Then he told Miho.
She cried harder than she ever cried in her life, with luckily the warmth of her long-lost father able to keep her from collapsing completely.
When she calm down, they talk about Fukushu, they talk some happy memories, and most importantly close a open wound both had carry for a long time.
XxxxX
Aozora had her back to the wall, looking at the door to Miho's room in the hospital. Her foot was tapping continuously on the ground in frustration, as earlier she had heard Miho begin to wail, which prompted her to run back and in, but the nurse came out and stop her. Telling her they had just told Miho of what had happened to her mother and sister while she was out, which made Aozora baffled to think they were ok with that, knowing how much stress that was going to cause Miho.
Yet the nurse calm her down, saying it was better now than having it said accidentally to her or she watches the news on her own and finds out that way. While Tsuneo was comforting her now, which irk Aozora because she hated that man with a passion, before it had been mild annoyance when Miho talk about him to her when they were out flying togather before the tournament. Yet, seeing how Fukushu in the match had a mental breakdown because her father never truly love her made Aozora hate him with unbridle rage.
Now she was just waiting to go back in to look after Miho while she continue to talk with her father. Several times Aozora wonder if she should call the Chi-Ha-Tan team and let them know. Yet with it being midnight now, she knew they all sneak out of the dorms to come to see her and cause a lot of trouble for Hidemichi, so she decided to keep things quiet for now, as surely there be time in the afternoon for them to all come rushing the hospital once school was over.
"They're going pounce on her like no other," Aozora said to herself with a light chuckle.
Suddenly the door open up, with the doctor coming out first, with Tsueno following him. Aozora push herself off the wall to come over, as she watch the two talk quietly for a moment, then separated once Aozora came up with Tsueno now looking at her.
"You feel proud of yourself," Aozora challenge.
"Seriously, would you lay off," Tsueno said in annoyance.
"Not when you went ahead and broke that news to her. Can you imagine what kind of damage that's going to do to her," Aozora said angrily.
Tsuneo sigh sadly. "Of course, but I didn't want to keep that from her. She loves her sister dearly, that much I know as they were practically inseparable when they were kids. While Miho still loves her mother even after everything. It's better she knows now, while I think it's better that I told her myself, as her father I needed to be here for her in that sort of dark moment."
"You think that redeems you," Aozora said hotly.
"No, nothing I do will redeem me at this point. I've lost three daughters…two because I saw the ghost of the past trying to take them from me, and lost my other because I never truly gave her my full love because I miss the family I lost," Tsuneo said sadly.
Seeing how broken he was, made Aozora cut back on her hostility. "Fine, I'm done fighting you…by the way, what are you going to do about Fukushu?"
"That's none of your business," Tsuneo said sharply.
"Fine, your right, but if it were me I want to do everything in my power to see her again," Aozora said.
"Well I'm not you, plus I don't even know where she is. She might be in America or here in Japan, reports say she's so far being push to back on the Federations investigation, as they're focusing on my ex-wife and Maho. That damn woman Konomi is also being left off from the investigation for now," Tsuneo said with a low growl of frustration following.
"What are you going to do now?" Aozora ask.
"You're a nosy one," Tsueno said annoy.
That made Aozora shrug. "Sorry just in my nature sometimes."
"Well, I have to go back to America. My job call me and they want me back immediately for some new offer we got, while…while my girlfriend just told me she's pregnant the other day," Tsuneo said with a shake of the head.
"What?!" Aozora said in a low whisper.
"Yep, guess the only thing I do right is produce children," Tsuneo said in a sad tone.
Still shocked, Aozora spoke. "So you're just going to head back and forget about your family in danger here."
"I don't want to, but I have no power here. Maho is being guarded by the Federation and won't let anybody see her beside doctors, while Shiho is under house arrest, and Fukushu is god knows where. I'm powerless here, and as a man theirs nothing fucking worse than being unable to protect my loved ones," Tsuneo said with his fist clenching at his side.
Seeing how truly angry he was, made Aozora realize that she was only adding the stress this man was enduring, while he was right that he had no power to change anything here, which had to be killing him. At least he had come to see Miho, instead of cowering away, and seem to take responsibility for what happened, for little good that did now, but he took it as man and was trying to do right by his kin.
"Alright I get it, I'm done trying to make you feel bad. Did you make up with Miho at least?" Aozora ask.
Tsuneo nodded at that. "Yea, she forgave me for scaring her when she was little when I fought with her mom, for abandoning her, and for Fu...I mean Kiko punching her. Though I can tell she's got some resentment against me, she told me she loves me still."
"That's Miho, girls kind soul is just too much for this world sometimes, if it were me I would have slug you across the face," Aozora said, though with a joking tone, with some seriousness behind it.
"Well you'll have to hit harder than my ex-wife for me to feel it, and let me tell you that's a hard bet to beat," Tsuneo joke, causing even Aozora to ease up.
"Well," Tsuneo started again. "I'm off, can you do me a favor. Look after Miho, I know she's a tough cookie, but most time she is quite vulnerable and even more so than now because of what is happening. Try to keep her grounded, as her big sister."
"Don't have to tell me twice," Aozora said annoyed.
Tsuneo nodded to her in appreciation. "Thank you, well I best be off. Go see Miho, she wants to talk with you."
Then the burly man walk off in the lightly dim hallways of the hospital with his hands in his pocket. Aozora watch him go with an annoyed look still, but in some way was glad Miho got to talk with her father, probably get some weight off her chest, but the fact remain that Tsuneo had not made full amends with his family and probably never will. Yet he got a little redemption at least, with Aozora now moving back to the room to look after Miho who she knew was hurting.
XxxxX
Aozora open the door the room and then quickly closed it behind her. Then turn to see Miho illuminated by the lamp near the bed looking dejected while she sat on the bed, making Aozora's heart go out to her. She then approach the bed carefully, but rather than sit down in a chair, she sat on the edge of the bed while reaching a hand out to touch Miho's shoulder.
"Miho?" Aozora ask.
The young girl turn to her now, her eyes red and puffy, looking more tired than sad. Prompting Aozora to pull herself more on the bed, so she could wrap her arms around Miho, who in turn wrapped hers around the pilot. No tears or wailing came out, but just the need to hold each other close, with Aozora hoping this convey to the young girl that she was here for her and would all she can to help Miho up.
Aozora didn't know how long they stay like this, but it felt like hours, till eventually Miho pull back a little now, but still kept her arms around Aozora now looking up at the older woman with her large brown eyes.
"I'm sure that was pretty shocking to hear about your mother and sister, I'm so sorry Miho. It's the last thing I wanted you to find out about when you woke up, a little selfish on my part," Aozora said in a tender tone.
Miho sniff a little, then spoke. "It's ok, I know you wanted to protect me, but I think I needed to hear it. I just don't know why Maho would do that, bribe someone just keep her illness secret. She…sh…she could have died if she kept fighting in Sensha-do, it doesn't make any sense, none of this does."
"I know, but the Federation isn't letting any information they found out to the public, the worse part is news outlets are saying your mother force her to fight through her condition," Aozora said.
"My mother would never do that!" Miho exclaim.
That made Aozora lean back a little to see how defensive Miho had become, but felt a smile tug on her face, because it show how much Miho love her mom. "I know honey, but the fact remains that is what the public is assuming and when it gets hounded harder and harder, most just believe a rumor even if it's a lie."
"I know people have always just seen my mother as some cold heartless woman, but they don't know her, the real her. She would always have us watch when we were kids, not because we were heiresses, but because she knew me and Maho would always go play in some rough parts of the woods behind the estate," Miho said, remembering those fond times her mother came running if they got too far from the estate, then scold them for being reckless, and then hold them close because she was glad her cubs were safe.
"I bet, you are kind of a trouble maker when you want to be, I mean you did ride a horse through the school remember?" Aozora said, trying to lighten the mood.
"Well…well I had a good reason because Yukari was going to get away," Miho said a little flustered at the change of subject.
Calling another girl by her first name, Tamada will be pretty jealous when she hears of that…
Aozora thought with a warm smile and continue to try and keep things light. "Let's not forget you did it in a skirt no less."
"Eh! Please Aozora don't remind me," Miho whine cutely making Aozora chuckle, while pulling Miho into another warming embrace. "Now that's the Miho I've been missing."
Miho let a muffled cry, making Aozora ease off to let the poor girl get some breathing room.
"Well, you best get some sleep, you've been put through a lot tonight after just waking up. I'll sleep on chair in here if you need anything," Aozora said, while letting Miho go to climb off the bed.
Yet was stopped when Miho shot a hand out to grab her arm, making Aozora turn back to her. "Need something?"
"Aozora, where are we currently on the sea?" Miho ask, her eyes serious.
The question made Aozora cock her head to the side in a questioning manner, but answer. "Well we actually just left our affiliate port of Narashino for a quick resupply this morning, should have seen the banners of our school they put upl across whole buildings celebrating the Sensha-do's team's success."
"How far out to sea are we now?" Miho ask now.
"Mmm, I say just at just over two thousand kilometres, were at slow cruise speed now," Aozora answered.
Miho became quiet now, thinking things over with a hand on her chin. Making Aozora a little apprehensive wondering what was going through the young girl's mind at the moment, because she knew when Miho's face contorted like that, she was trying to come up with a plan.
"Aozora, you take the Zero's out every morning to check their flight capabilities to make sure they're up to standard correct?" Miho ask.
"Yea, we do, part of the Federations rules for us to keep high maintenance on them. Ok, where are you going with this Miho? Your questions are making me nervous," Aozora ask.
"I need you to take me to the mainland, the Zeroes effective flight range should be one two thousand six hundred kilometres, so we can make it to Narashino and land safely," Miho said bluntly.
For a moment Aozora blink a couple of times like she hadn't heard Miho right, then frantically got up from the bed. "No, no, no, no, no, you are not seriously asking me to one, break you out of this hospital and two take a million dollar plane specifically use for Sensha-do matches and fly it all the way to the city like it's nothing. Not to mention all the rules I will be breaking just to fly you there that could cost me wings."
"Maybe we can find an excuse to fly there…I need to see Maho and….and my mother. I can't rightly go to school or do anything until I know what is going on," Miho said in a timid voice, knowing she was asking for a lot.
"Miho I understand you want to be with your family. Yet you're talking about adding a lot more problems on your family if we get caught, and let's not forget that if reporters find out where you are, then they'll come hound for information about your family. Already some of them today try to sneak aboard to try and find you for questioning, luckily Hidemichi kept security tight and sent them away," Aozora explain.
Miho was quiet for a moment while looking down but then look to Aozora again. "I know, but I don't have much time before the next match. I say a little over a week before we face our next opponent in the Semi-final, that's why I need to do this now so I can be back for the team before then."
"Ah, yea, that's if Hidemichi doesn't suspend you for leaving the carrier without permission, with me helping no less. You be lucky just be allowed in the building let alone fight in the next match," Aozora argue.
Miho just smile nervously. "Maybe your right, but I'll take that risk for Maho and my mother any day. I've had it easy being away, not having the Nishizumi expectation place on my shoulders anymore, but in my absence, they had to carry what I left behind."
"You can't blame yourself about that Miho," Aozora said trying to bring the girl back up.
"I know, but I can't rest easy, because it was Maho doing everything she could to protect me and sending me here. My big sister didn't just send me here to be away from the Nishizumi style, she sent me here because some part of her knew I take up Sensha-do again, but this time I could be free to do it as I wanted to do it," Miho explain, with a small smile of her face, as she over the months had figure this was what Maho always wanted for Miho in the end, to find her tankery spirit once more, to see it ReRise in a place that would cherish her for Miho, not a famous daughter.
Rubbing the back of her head, because part of herself was losing this will to fight against this sweet girl and her words of conviction, Aozora spoke. "Ok, I get it. Yet I just can't do this Miho, even if we reach your sister, the Federation won't let you near her, not to mention your mother is being held under house arrest with police."
"The latter I have a plan for, while Maho I'll just have to think of something on the fly," Miho said with confidence.
"Ugh," Aozora said, while rubbing her face. "I actually believe you can do it, since that's how you operate on the battlefield."
"So can we?" Miho ask, feeling like she won.
"No, and that's final. Your dad, as much as I still loathe him, just ask me to look after you. I am not about to spit on that by proceeding with this reckless plan of yours, I know it's upsetting but I have to stand my ground, even to a cutie like you," Aozora said, while crossing her arms and closing her eyes to make sure Miho understood she wasn't budging.
Miho grimace a bit seeing Aozora not budge, but then something came to her. "Well this would be a perfect opportunity for us to go flying together."
Aozora open one eye to Miho. "I can do that anytime."
"We can do as many loops and dives as you want on way to port," Miho added on.
Now both eyes were open. "Well, now your tal…no you aren't getting me with that."
"You could even show me that stall dive you been begging to show me personally," Miho said, knowing this was her last card.
Which seem to touch the right spot, as Aozora leaped over to the bed. "Are serious!? You've been denying me for so long, ah! This is going to be awesome."
A moment passed between, with Aozora realizing what she just said.
"Did I literally let a sixteen year old girl trick me into being bad?" Aozora ask herself, then look to Miho who had the sweetest face.
"Pleeeeeaaassseeee," Miho said cutely.
"I'm a failure as an adult once more," Aozora said as she touch her forehead in frustration, then sigh in resignation. "Alright, fine, I can see how earnest you are and honestly I want to reunite you with your family, even if this going to get me so much flak. I will have take off earlier before my other girls take their Zeroes out so they can't stop us, then will make some BS call about mechanical failures that we need to land in the city and will get some transportation to travel to go see your sister. Have to be quick before someone notices I have copilot sitting in my lap, but I'll make it work."
"Thank you so much, Aozora!" Miho exclaim.
Aozora though held a finger out to Miho now. "That being said, when we get in serious trouble, which is going to happen no matter what, we're both going down together alright?"
"Understood, I won't leave my big tankery sister out to dry," Miho said with a bright smile.
"Ugh, you're too cute for your own good. Alright, I'll go to your house to pack some clothes and go get some for me. I'll bring your phone too, so can contact the team later and let them know you're ok," Aozora.
"No," Miho said quickly.
"Huh?"
Miho look to Aozora determinedly. "After what you said about the reporters, I rather them not know what I'm doing so they won't be harassed. If they can't get in contact with me, means the reporters will leave them alone."
"Well…that is actually smart, but they still need to know you're ok at least because we're leaving before dawn, there will be no time to talk to them once we get on the strip," Aozora warn.
A nod from Miho follow this. "I'll leave a note, it's the best I can do. Then we need to leave."
"Roger that commander, alright sit tight here, I'll be back soon. Make sure to act causal if the nurse comes see you ok?" Aozora said.
"Yes, ma'am, thank you again Aozora, for taking this risk for me, I know it's asking the world of you," Miho said.
A smirk from Aozora follow the response. "It's what family does, goes to the extreme for one another, even if we don't share a drop of blood."
Then she left the room, as Miho let out a deep sigh, glad to have convinced Aozora to go along with her on this. Knowing her mother and sister were in trouble, while she was just laying here didn't sit right with Miho. In a realistic situation, she rest and go see them later, but her heart just couldn't do that, with her dream from earlier telling her that her mother was in just as much danger as Maho. What might be threatening her mother Miho didn't know, but she would do something she thought never do since she came to Chi-Ha-Tan.
Head home, back to the estate, back to a place that had happy memories and bad ones. She face her mother head on, even if Miho would feel so scared she might simply collapse under the weight of her mother's imposing figure, she had to press on. For she was a Tigress, who had grown thanks to this tankery family here, that now she needed to take that warmness they had provided and give to her own family and help them up like they did, no matter the trials.
Forgive me Haru, I'm leaving you behind, but I'll be home soon enough, so wait for me, because I want your arms around me the minute I see you again…
Miho thought somberly for her lover, but steel herself that this was the path she had to take now, a journey to find out who the Nishizumi clan really were.
And to make a choice that might affect the very life she had built here and nothing was scarier for her.