The Tigers of Chi-Ha-Tan ReRise Volume 4: The Scars of a Warriors Past

by Nazz11

With Miho leading the charge, the Tigress Corps have shown how deadly their fangs and claws are, as their roars of defiance echo across the land. Yet, while they rise, the Nishizumi family falls into disgrace, leaving Miho with a difficult choice. While a group of forgotten warriors returns to exact their revenge, and their target is the Tigress herself no matter what the cost.

8. The Spark and Sharpening Of Our Fangs

Authors Thought:

Hello dear reader, back again with a chapter fill with lots of twist and turns, with a nice surprise at the end for ya. Thanks again for coming by and reading, enjoy the rest of your day and Ill see you soon.

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As the young girl turn to look over her shoulder at Maho, making her knees become weak, as her heart clenched knowing all she wanted to see from this girl was a heartwarming smile that would shed any dark clouds…

Instead, Maho was given a sight she never wanted to see…

Her little sister, her eyes were filled with small tears…

Tears that Maho had caused she knew…

As Miho spoke in a soft tone, with a question that was simple, yet so devastating.

"Why big sister? Why did you almost die?...Why did you leave me behind?" Miho ask, her tears flowing down her face and nothing could avert them, as Maho was face to face with the reality that she needed to take on.

That's if her darker thoughts didn't break through to the surface as the Nishizumi cubs turn Tigresses face one another down, knowing nothing would be left out on this spring night that would make or break them both.

For a moment, nothing but the wind was heard whistling low between the two sisters, who simply stare at one another. Each displaying their feelings on their face, Maho's shock and fear, Miho's sadness and pain. Yet that was all they could do now but show these emotions as they could not find words for one another, as for the first time these two whose fates had bonded them at the hip when they were brought into this world could not fathom the words needed to be said, because they fear what might happen if they do.

Maho felt her legs begin to lose their strength, as she watch her sister now stand from her seat and turn to face her fully. The pale moon resting against the sky behind Miho, that's light only enhances her sister's presence to Maho more making her slightly back away. Every detail of her sister Maho took in, as it had felt like an eternity since she had seen her, though what caught her eye the most was the slight blemish a cut she got from the punch Fukushu had thrown at Miho. A blemish caused because of the Nishizumi's dark past coming to the light in the form of a bastard daughter wanting to be accepted.

I had thought Miho could have been saved from that past…yet out of all of us…she paid the heaviest price…her blood was spilled because I couldn't do my job as the older sister…and now she is here…to seek out this pathetic and incompetent older sister who couldn't protect her…

The dark thought flow through Maho's mind, in turn making her heart squeeze. Where she should feel joy at being reunited with her little sister, she felt nothing but disgust within herself. Disgust with those earlier thoughts before she had come to this spot. Thoughts that were coming through because everything was falling apart and the natural human emotions of wondering what could have been done better had taken root.

Things that should never leave Maho's lips if she were to still be the proud older sister she thought she was or maybe the reality was she was never the proud older sister in the end.

For Maho had taken a path of shouldering the Nishizumi name alone, thinking she protect her failing sister who could not keep pace with their mother's new iron-clad direction. In the end, nothing had been protected, just a once-close relationship between the sisters being put aside for that damn thought of being a protector as they grew up, yet Maho could see now that all that had been done to comfort her own mind that she was still doing her duty, was a disillusion as she had become the very thing hurting her sister by trying to conform her to the Nishizumi style their mother demand in a lighter approach, but was really no better than her mother.

"Maho say something," Miho said, her plead had a tone of accusation behind it, dragging Maho from her thoughts and wants.

Though again Maho could not find the words to say, her mouth open a little, then it close. Then again the older sister try to find words, but found her mouth dry, her throat constricted by regret. For what could she say to make Miho understand why she did what she did? There was no easy explanation, no simple twist of words to make Maho seem like she was trying to do the right thing. All Maho had done in the end was dirty herself with the path of thinking she was going to save her family, thinking no matter what happen to her, as long as her family could stay afloat by her actions, even if she had sold her very soul, that would be enough.

Now that path had reached its end and nothing remain but dishonor. Nothing remain but hurt. Most importantly, nothing remain to rebuild. All that there was left was dust of a once-great clan that Maho had always admired for its strength and tradition, even after learning of its darker elements, the fact remain that it was who they were as Nishizumi's. Women who were made of iron, who took their steel beast into battle with no fear. Even if it was a sport, the pride you gain from such danger, the bonds that are forged in that inferno of combat was something that could not be replicated in any other sport. A sport the Nishizumi's had pioneered at its start.

A long treasure tradition.

A tradition ruined by a young girl wanting to protect.

Was it irony that her iron will would be what had brought this upon her family?

"Maho speak to me," Miho said once more, holding her hands together and drawn to her chest. Her face contorting into fear of her sister's none replies.

Again, Maho could not find her words. Again she was cowering away, as she could face down a horde of tanks in a match by herself if necessary, harden her resolve against a shower of shells and machine-gun fire that wouldn't even make her flinch, keep calm when the situation might seem dire.

Yet nothing in this world cause her more fear than seeing her little sister look at her the way she was right now, with hints of anger behind Miho's eyes. Something Maho had never seen in from Miho in her entire life, an emotion that seem to have never manifested itself in Miho, yet there it was.

Anger behind that sweet face.

Anger at Maho.

I was right, she hates me…she finds me disgusting…I can't blame her…

Maho thought, as she found what little courage remain in her to try to speak, while trying to avoid the obvious. "Miho…why are you here?"

The question baffle Miho, who open her mouth to speak, but like her sister earlier, she couldn't find the words as she was simply confounded that her sister ask such a thing.

"To see you," was all Miho said, like it should be apparent.

"Why?" Maho said, her voice finding its strength from finally speaking.

"To see you?" Miho said in a questioning manner as if her sister wasn't hearing her properly.

"To see the disgrace I am…to see your big sister who results to corruption to compete? Is that what you wanted to see?" Maho said, her arms slowly coming up to wrap them around herself, her fingers digging into the cloth of her patient shirt's fabric almost as if she was trying to rip into it, her head lowering unable to meet those large brownish eyes of Miho.

Now Miho was left without a way to answer, seeing her sister, someone who so long had always shown to be so stalwart. Now look like a broken frightened girl, something Miho never expected to see of someone who she idolize for her strength, someone who recently had begun to smile more and even laugh like they did when they were kids.

All that seems to have been erased, leaving this behind.

A damaged and shattered girl.

Yet Miho wouldn't be deterred, her journey though short had seen its trials and she wouldn't back down now. As she made her way around the bench, taking tentative steps to Maho whose eyes still found the ground more appealing than her sister, but Miho persisted still to get to within arm's reach to show Maho that things would be alright, even if Miho could offer little in words to make it seem like that be so.

It was when Miho was so close, that Maho realize how near she was, making her back away with arms still wrapped around herself. "Don't Miho, don't touch me. Don't…I…I'm not the big sister you idolize anymore…I'm not her….I…."

Maho couldn't finish her words as tears began to leak out, her emotions that had been held in check ever since she was admitted, were flowing freely. Years of keeping them locked away, years of suppressing the need for comfort, or praise. Years of shouldering the weight of the Nishizumi name that ask only for results, not your wants. Asking for your obedience, not freedom. Chains upon chains had sunk their way into Maho, pulling her in all directions, but she had remained calm and balanced through it all.

No longer.

For the chains had torn her mind.

Freeing her and breaking her at the same time.

"Maho," Miho began once more. "Just talk to me, please."

"Talk…talk…what good is talk now, little sister? Look at me, look at your idol. I've been thrown from my pedestal, I no longer have the strength in me. That mask I put on to hold it all together… it's gone…this is who your big sister is…take a good look," Maho said, as if each word she spoke caused her pain.

Making Miho go wide eye, as Maho brought her head up to let her have a good look. As there was a smile on Maho's face, but there was no joy in it, just a smile that told Miho everything. It told her Maho's anguish and suffering, of her tired state, and of the great Maho Nishizumi, a name once fear by all in Sensha-do, was now nothing. All achievements were washed away, leaving nothing, nothing but a girl whose path had been shrouded by her own damning actions.

"Take a good look little sister, take a look at Maho Nishizumi. Take a look at this pathetic girl before you, whose shame our family beyond fixing thinking I was protecting you. It's a bad joke really," Maho said, her smile never leaving, a small chuckle escaping her lips.

Maho…what's happen to you?...

Miho thought, as her stomach began to squeeze, her lungs seem to refuse to let her breathe. As she look on at Maho, someone who had done so much for her, protected her, and in turn, save her very soul when she sent Miho to Chi-Ha-Tan. That bright star that had always been couple with Maho, had dim, leaving behind someone that Miho fearfully didn't recognize, and that scared her beyond words.

"Maho…don't talk about yourself like that…I know things are bad…but I'm here, like always," Miho said, taking a few steps, hoping to reach out for her sister.

Yet Miho's words that were supposed to comfort, only fuel the brooding thoughts Maho had.

"You're here, huh?" Maho said, making Miho stop in place.

"Yes, I'm here," Miho repeated.

Another chuckle escape Maho's lips. "Where were you before? All those years we train under the Nishizumi style…All that time to for us to shoulder the tradition together. Yet in the end, you ran…ran from our family…you ran from me."

Stop….I need to stop…I need stop before I do more damage…just stop…stop these thoughts that should be kept locked away, never spoken…please stop…stop!...

Maho mentally berated herself, but it was as if she could no longer control herself. Everything was being laid bare, the wants she had, the dreams that had made her smile, and the future she had envisioned time and time again, all those had been taken from her leaving a need to rage and vent.

"Maho…what are you saying?" Miho said quietly, thinking she hadn't heard her sister correctly.

"Why?!" Maho scream, making Miho wince.

"Why?! Why did you leave my side?! Because you fail in the final!?" Maho berated, no longer able to hold back as her pent-up anger had finally broken the dam that once held them back.

"Maho…you were the one to send me to Chi-Ha-Tan…I couldn't stay at Kuromorimine, not after what happened. Even if the team felt bad about it now…that was only afterward," Miho said timidly, wondering why her sister was bringing this up.

"Yet I stood up those who meant to bully you! I protected you…why couldn't you stay?" Maho said, her voice going quiet.

Even as shocked and confuse as Miho was, she press on. "Why…why are bringing this up now? What's happening now is what is important."

"Because, that's where all this started. All my life…I've bowed to the Nishizumi style. Taken hold of its iron creed that mother followed. In turn, I shut myself off, turn away from who I was growing up…all for you," Maho said, staring deeply into Miho's eyes.

Those eyes that once held so much life to Miho, had a hint of something else in them now. The stoicism was gone, replaced by something she thought Maho would never feel towards her little sister. Anger, a simple word, but not one that could convey all the deep things running through Maho. Things Maho couldn't and didn't want to come to terms with.

Yet this is my path…things I've always taken for granted…things I never thought were my problems to deal with…I'm responsible for this as well…

Miho thought, then spoke.

"Do you hate me?" Miho ask, her voice soft voice.

Leaving Maho stunned, as that question held so much volume behind it. Reasons for this hatred that had been building for years. Maho always suppressed it down like her emotions, but she was not a machine in the end, just a human with her own scars and dark thoughts that clouded her mind. With the world, she had lived in filled with fame, accolade, and respect, had crumbled and felt she had nothing left to lose as spoke her dark thoughts.

Even if it was at someone who didn't deserve any of it.

"I…no…maybe I…," Maho struggle with her words.

"Maho, be honest with me," Miho said, steeling herself to hear the things that had been left unsaid so long.

To which Maho once more squeeze her arms around herself, shaky with trepidation because of what she wanted to say. Words that might break the person she loves, maybe because she herself didn't want to be the only one broken anymore. Maho wanted someone to share in it, to feel the pain she was going through, not hide it anymore.

"Yes…I hated you…I hated who you became when mother changed," Maho said, letting loose the torrent of her hidden woes.

A small gasp escape Miho's lips, unable to hold back her tears.

"I hated that you shy away from what we had to become…leaving me to shoulder it alone. All your life, you've never understood! Never understood the responsibility that came with upholding our name!" Maho voice out, staring hard at Miho and never breaking eye contact.

"But…it was wrong…how mom change…she was never like that before," Miho try to argue.

Which only made Maho huff in annoyance. "Mom…she was like that since she was a child. That smile she gave us on those warm days…was manifested when we were brought into this world. Yet the women you've known for the last decade, that's who Shiho Nishizumi is. Cold, unrelenting, and above all duty-bound to the Nishizumi style like her predecessors, like me."

"No…that can't be true," Miho said, shaking all the while.

"Don't act surprised. Mom never could truly change from who she was, but you were naïve. Even when those days were warm, our mom work herself to death because of our family's prestigious legacy, but always came home with a smile for us. You never thought about, the sacrifices she's made, but I always knew and why she was the greatest role model for me," Maho explain hotly.

"I…I…," Miho try to speak.

"Yet, you never understood this. You wanted none of those responsibilities laid upon you even as a kid, all you saw was the fun that Sensha-do could be, not what it asks of us Nishizumi's," Maho said.

Now Miho, who couldn't believe how this conversation had turned in such a direction, now found her resolve. "Maybe your right…I never knew what was required of our family. Yet I never wanted to be like that, to only be worthy with victory couple with you."

"It's who we are, it's all we are," Maho said quietly.

Though Miho shook her head at the causal reply as she spoke. "We both know it isn't right. Do you remember Emi Nakasuga? My driver back in elementary."

That name struck at Maho hard, as it was the name of the girl who she fought against in the first round of the tournament. The first time Maho had employed her new tactics in the form of her own Sensha-do style, beating Emi's Bellwall team soundly because of the flexibility that Maho's new style allowed, compared to the rigid one of last year's team.

"What of her?" Maho said.

"You remember what you did to her sister in that Junior High National Tournament?" Miho ask.

"I…," Maho reply, but her voice became hard to find once more, as she did remember, but didn't wish to voice it.

While Miho had no qualms about making sure her sister understood her point. "You shot her tank when she was trying to help one of your teammates from falling off a cliff."

"I know…but…I wa-," Maho said, now on the defensive.

"Where it made Emi sick and hated our style. I defended you when she talk ill of you, when even I was disgusted by your actions. Yet all you said was this is the way, like there was no other choice, like we are meant to hurt those who try to do right because of the simple want of victory at all cost," Miho argue, her trembling voice earlier, finding its fighting spirit.

"I did what I had to do! If not I would have disappointed Mom! In turn, she would have taken it out on you thinking you were making me soft!" Maho fought back.

Yet Miho was not going to back down, not for the want to be right, but to help the one she love. "Yes, I understand. Yet in the end, you did all this to protect me, though you disagree as well with how things were. Even if I ran from our style, I love Sensha-do. Emi, Hitomi, Chihiro, my crew back then, help manifest that love that you and I had when we were kids that I had lost up to that point."

Maho said nothing, feeling she couldn't fight back now as her sister's fierce eyes were breaking her down.

"All I wanted from Sensha-do was to be by your side, but even when that came to be you remain chain to tradition, but I did nothing to help with this," Miho said.

"What choice did I have! All I've done was try to keep the family name at its height! Holding it up on my shoulders! My shoulders, Miho! It hurt…it hurt so much, not because I couldn't handle it, but because I had to keep you so far from me, hoping one day you come around," Maho said, feeling like she had run a marathon, a marathon of emotions that had beaten her down to the breaking point.

Yet, as Maho waited for her little sister to light into her more, knowing she more than deserve it. She heard nothing but Miho's footsteps coming towards her. Looking up, Miho was no longer looking at Maho like she was sickened by her sight or sadden by Maho's choices. Instead, nothing but that heartwarming smile remain on Miho's face, its radiance in that moment erasing all of Maho's worries in an instance.

Soon Miho was standing toe to toe with Maho, then the little sister raise her hands up to touch either side of Maho's tear-stricken face. The soft hands cupping her face spoke to Miho's want to help her tired sister, to take away her pain and replace it with nothing but her love. A love that had been tested by the needs of the Nishizumi clan's demands, but never broken. For these two were each other's only comfort during those dark days.

With these dark days also testing and finding this sibling bond to be unbreakable, no matter how hard it tries to separate them.

"I came here, not to fight with you Maho. I came here for two reasons," Miho said in a gentle tone, looking up at her slightly taller sister.

With tears still leaking down her face and onto those warm soft hands encompassing her face, Maho spoke quietly. "What are those reasons?"

"One to get answers…," Miho said trailing off.

"The other?" Maho said yearning to hear whatever Miho was to say.

With Miho's smile somehow growing wider as she spoke. "To tell you I'm sorry."

"Huh?" Maho said perplexed, as Miho once more let tears gently roll down her soft cheeks.

"I'm sorry big sister. I never realized the gravity of the weight placed on you…all those years you struggle against our mother, against our family's style. You never ask for praise, you never made me feel unworthy, you just struggled against it no matter the cost to yourself," Miho said, her voice breaking with each word.

"Miho," Maho said quietly.

"You were right to say I was naive, just a child even now. Wanting to not face reality till it took something like our half-sister coming for revenge to realize how much you've endured all these years," Miho said, looking up at Maho.

Maho couldn't form words, her mouth trembling as her sister was now laying her own fears to her. Her own regret that had been hidden as well, but now would be lay bare.

"When I put in that request for the transfer for Oarai, it wasn't just to get away from mom. It was to get away from you…because I hated you too for not defending me when mom berated me after the final. Instead of finding my own voice as I should have, I cower and ran caring little for what happened to you in the end," Miho said, revealing her own deep secret.

A nod follow this from Maho as she spoke. "I have never been more sickened with myself than that day. I watch you be chastised for doing what was right, all the while letting mom talk as if death was alright for the sake of keeping the status quo. If Koume…if Koume had died…I would have never been able to touch a tank ever again…after the match, I couldn't applaud you because I…I actually was more concerned with how mom would react than your courageous action."

"Really? I thought you were angry with me," Miho said surprised by the revelation.

Maho brought her hands up to touch her sisters still holding her face, as she spoke. "I actually walk off to a hanger and stare at the wall for a while. My mind realized how far I had fallen off the edge of my humanity because of that earlier thought. That was the starting point for my change, knowing what should be important in my life other than Sensha-do and results."

"That's the Maho I know all my life. Who wouldn't let me out of sight when we were kids. You care for people, not just me, you've always tried to right by others, even if it was construed as merciless, I always knew you wanted to do the right thing in the end," Miho said happily, her tears dropping.

"Miho," Maho started, then pull Miho's hands from her face, so she could envelop her sister in a hug, needing to feel that warmth against her. "Miho, I'm sorry I had these dark thoughts. I never hated you...it was just this…this damn cycle were in, our family never knowing how to find the light has just torn my mind apart and I took it out on you."

Burying the side of her face in Maho's chest, Miho equally engulf herself in the warmth of her sister. "I know…I never truly saw this cycle till that match against Fukushu. The hate and pain she carried, was not just hers, but of all of us were holding onto. We have to fix it."

After hearing that, Maho pull back to look down into her sisters eyes that met hers. "I want to fix it Miho, I truly do, but that path is blocked for me."

"Huh? What are talking about?" Miho ask.

Not answering, Maho took one of Miho's hands to guide her over to the bench so they could sit. They kept close together as Miho waited to hear this revelation Maho was to tell her. As they intertwine their hands together, for Maho needed the strength to reveal to her sister what was to happen that was going to change everything.

"Miho, my condition is fixable. Though will take time to heal my lung properly so I never cough up blood again," Maho explain.

With Miho nodding, but understanding there was more to this.

"Yet," Maho said, stopping to take a moment to collect herself. "I've been banned for life from the Japanese Sensha-do Federation and upper levels of competion for my bribing scandal, the Federation director is going to make an announcement about it after the tournament."

Miho felt the blood drain from her face. "What?"

"Not only that, the college level Sensha-do Academy in Germany that was being built up and I was to help spread the Nishizumi style too…has dropped my application," Maho said somberly.

Another gut punch was delivered to Miho. As in one instant, everything her big sister had been training to do, her life's work, had been snuffed out. Leaving her with nothing to fight for now, just a tarnish dream to remember.

"They…they can't do that," Miho said, looking to her sister hoping to find resolve the Maho would fight this.

Instead, all she got back was a tired smile. "They can. I shame myself by trying to press forward by any means necessary. With this being my reward, losing everything that I work so hard for. I don't even know what I'm supposed to do with my life."

Miho grip her sister's hand harder, knowing that do little comfort, but part of Miho needed to do this to keep herself calm. As she couldn't process all this, as this meant there was no heiress to the Nishizumi name now. More importantly, was that her sister was struggling to now find her place in this world, as her set path had been taken from her.

"I think I understand your outburst earlier," Miho said in a somber tone.

"It doesn't make it right. You came all this way and snuck in just to see me," Maho said with a small chuckle.

Miho turn to look her sister in the eye. "Only because I know you do the same."

"Maybe…though I don't have your reckless and bold plans at my disposal," Maho joke.

"Heh, maybe your right. Though it was more luck that got me here, the nurse was the biggest help," Miho said.

"The nurse?" Maho ask.

A nod follow from Miho. "Yea, my friend that help me here was admitted for an injury, while under the guise I was their friend's daughter so I could get in. I decided to be bold and ask a nurse directly where you were while revealing who I was, to which by some miracle she agree to send you out here late at night to meet me."

"The nurse that was taking care of me…now it makes sense why she was so willing to help me. I'll have to thank her later," Maho said, counting her blessings that there were good people in this world.

"Please do, she was very kind to me and my friend," Miho said.

"Who's your friend?" Maho ask with suspicion, as older sister mode was on.

Which made Miho chuckle nervously, as she knew that tone well enough. "Don't worry, it's our Sensha-do's team Air force captain, Aozora Suzume. She's the reason I got here, even if it gets her in trouble, she's willing to go that far for me."

"She sounds…nice. I hope I can meet her and thank her for looking out for you," Maho said.

Taking a taser shot to the chest is more than just looking out for me

Miho thought, but believed it best to leave that part of the story out or she might cause her sister to go ballistic for the journalist who had threatened Miho. Something that Miho was still having trouble processing herself that media was that desperate to put their mother in a bad light.

While thinking of her mother, Miho remember she needed to get back on topic.

"Maho, I came here tonight to see you. While I also came for answers," Miho said, her tone speaking to needing to get serious.

Maho nodded, knowing exactly what Miho wanted to talk about. "You want to know about mom?"

"Did she…was she really like that before we were born?" Miho ask timidly.

Maho took a breath, then began to relay to Miho things Maho never wish for her to learn. "She was. Mom was born into a harden Nishizumi style, more merciless than even we could imagine. Though that wasn't what turn her so cold, it was something more menacing and sickening than I could ever imagine."

Breathing became a little difficult for Miho, as the ominous words play on her nerves, but she persevered. "Tell me more, please. I don't want any more secrets being kept from me."

"Our clan is old and ancient Miho, beyond the simple realm of being the pioneers of the Sensha-do. We date back to the Sengoku era, though you won't find our names in the history book as we were a very small clan. Yet, because of this long history through a bloody age, we had a way we chose leaders though only very few times was it used, till Sensha-do came to be and became a hallmark for our clan to use," Maho said, staring her small story.

With Miho listening on intently.

Then Maho began again. "Our family is actually not part of the original members. We were a branch family that marry into the Nishizumi clan. Yet to gain the right to rule then, our family and other Sensha-do families participated the ancient art of Panzer Kettō."

"What's that?" Miho ask.

"A duel between women for the right to rule their families," Maho said.

The revelation shocked Miho, as she had never heard of this ever. "How can that be? Thiers no records of this ever being done."

"Because it was banned by the Federation sometime around our mom's final year at Kuromorimine. Yet before that, one could only rule a clan through the strength of their skills with a panzer. These matches were brutal and without any mercy…while the losers of these matches, would more than often be disowned for their failures that only added to the stakes of the match," Maho explain.

A deep feeling of being sick made Miho lurch over a little, but Maho let her absorb the information.

"This can't be real…why would we do such things? To each other no less?" Miho said, as tears were threatening to come out.

"This was the way of the Nishizumi's. With mom being one of these participants, destroying all those who challenge her to rule the clan, with no hesitation, no mercy, no compassion, just a steely resolve to make sure she remain the head of the family," Maho explain, feeling her own heart squeeze remembering Shiho explaining all of this to her years ago, as she wanted Maho to understand the weight of being an heiress and all that Shiho had to do to get their family to this point.

"No…Fukushu was telling me the truth…I didn't want to believe mom would hurt others for the sake of our family," Miho said, squeezing her sister's hand tightly to show her discomfort.

"I'm so sorry Miho. Mom…she had more weight on her shoulders than we could even imagine back then. For even she might have been disowned and toss aside in the end. She was a victim of this tradition, just as that woman Fukushu is calling mother. Another Nishizumi who actually had to face the reality of being thrown out like trash," Maho said, feeling every word she spoke was sticking to the back of her throat making her feel sicker and sicker.

Through it all, Miho kept her emotions in check as best she could, knowing that her mom had done terrible things. anguish that could not be put into words that the great Shiho Nishizumi had caused to so many of their family members. Making Miho wonder how her mom could have smiled at her and Maho back then, while keeping that dark past in the back of her Shiho's mind, never letting it out and bottling it up.

Maybe…me and Maho help keep those demons away…even if it didn't last

Miho thought, then turn to Maho once more. "I want to hear this from mom herself. I want to know why she did this and why she never told me."

"I don't think that's wise. She's under house arrest right now, no one can see her or contact her. I think its best we wait till this all blows over and we can go home together," Maho said in a quiet plea.

Yet instead of a nod, Miho just shook her head. "I can't, something is telling me mom is suffering without us. If we don't see her soon, I fear she might never want to see us again."

Maho felt perplexed by her sister's words. "How can you know that?"

"I can't explain it, I just do. Maho, have you ever heard of a great warrior from our clan by the name of Nakano Nishizumi," Miho ask.

Yet Maho shook her head. "No, I've never heard of her. Mother only gave me the gist of the history, not the names of our ancestors. Who is she?"

"A great warrior, who seems to be somehow the centerpiece of our family. Though to what extent, I don't know. Maybe mom knows, which is the other reason I must see her…along with something else I must do knowing what I know now," Miho said.

Before Maho could ask what her sister meant by that, Miho let go of her hand as she stood up. Walking over the edge of the balcony and placing her hands on the rail, Miho look up to the pale moon hanging in the sky for what seem like hours, then she turn around to Maho with a determined look. Gone for a moment was the girl whose soul had been so carefree these past couple of months, replacing it was something Maho had always thought was there in Miho, only needing to find her own resolve in the end.

A fire that had finally been sparked into an inferno.

"I must take my role, to honor all you've done Maho. To save our family from falling into dust and see it rebuilt with my style at the forefront," Miho said, her voice even and sturdy.

"You don't mean to?" Maho ask, though she felt pride and awe beating in her heart.

Miho nodded, then spoke. "I Miho Nishizumi, will take my place as heiress to the Nishizumi clan. No longer will I run from responsibility, I'll face it and see our family back to its glory."

"Heh," Maho let out, then look at her sister with pride. "Where's my sweet little sister gone?"

"Maho! I'm being serious!" Miho whine cutely, blushing to see her passion being mocked.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Maho said, keeping her chuckles down, then got up to walk over to Miho placing a hand on her shoulder. "I never thought the day would come. I wanted you to be free from all this and that be enough for me. Yet here you are, subverting everything, showing me how wrong I was about my little sister in the end. For you are stronger than I could ever imagine."

Then Maho move a hand to touch Miho's face, making her little sister smile happily, as Maho spoke again. "I am so proud of you. I support this with all my heart and will be by your side, as we Iron Tiger sisters rebuild our family."

Miho giggle, as her sister use the nickname their mother came up for them when they were kids, to use it when they became stars together at Kuromorimine.

"Yet, Miho theirs a couple of things that might make things difficult for you to claim this title," Maho said, taking a serious tone, needing to make sure Miho understood things.

"Being an heiress means responsibilities of handling many people who wish to support our Sensha-do style. Well, your style that is, but the other part that is most difficult is the need to produce an heiress to the family," Maho explain.

Which Miho thought over and then blush at the subtle way her sister explain things.

With Maho continuing. "Which I don't need to tell you that you and Tamada can't do that."

"Well I kn…wait how do you know we're lovers?" Miho ask, knowing she never told her sister that part.

"It's easy to know just by the way you two look at each other when met before the National Drawing for the tournament. To be honest, I never thought you have a taste for girls, though I guess you're always full of surprises little sister," Maho said while shrugging.

"No way! Are we that obvious?!" Miho ask, to which she receive a sly smirk from her sister as the answer, making Miho groan, but composed herself. "Ok…do you approve of us?"

"No," was all Maho said.

"Eh!" Miho said.

"I won't approve of her till I talk to her. Make sure she understands the price if she breaks your heart, which will incur my wrath like no other," Maho said, her stoic nature returning and her harden eyes telling how serious she was.

Making Miho wave her hands in panic. "Please don't, you might scare her away!"

"If she wants to be with my little sister, she's gotta show me her resolve to be with you, but we shall see. In the end though I support you, though the child part is the most difficult hurdle," Maho said.

A frustrated sigh came from Miho. "I know, but…but I'll work things out in the end."

"I believe you. Another part is that if you wish to become the heiress, you need mom's approval. She all but destroy any notion that you have the right to the title when you left, meaning you need to convince her to allow you to be back in that role as even now she is the Headmistress and her words in the family are law," Maho explain as gingerly as she could, knowing that was the most difficult part.

Though Miho knew that part already, as it was the other reason she had to see her mom. Having made this decision to take over being the heiress when her father explain the position their family was in after the disgrace following it. Leaving only Miho unbesmirched, leading to her making this choice of her own free will, not to appease anyone or because Maho could no longer head the family. This was Miho's responsibility to her family, something she had run from, but no more.

Chi-Ha-Tan and the tankery family built there had shown Miho she could be knockdown but can rise to her feet once more. To stand strong even when it's tough, to be a struggler against any obstacle. For if the very girls Miho held close, could go through the dramatic things of being bullied, left on the streets, and never finding their place to belong, yet rise above these problems, then she as sure could do it too. They had inspired her, in turn, Miho would follow their example and find her feet even with her family name in the mud.

"I will face mom, I will make her see that I wish to take my place," Miho said with nothing but a resolute look across her face.

"Good…good," Maho said, then brought up something she wish not to say. "Yet, know that this won't be an easy task. Mom…I can only assume how all of this is affecting her in the end as you said earlier, knowing you're a demon in people's eyes. A horrid parent who force us into this life, no matter our pains or suffering."

"Mom never do that!" Miho argue. "Even if she change, even if she scolded me about not keeping in line with the Nishizumi style. She never raise her voice, never hit me, never…never anything those people said!"

As Miho's outburst was because of what that journalist who had threatened Aozora and her, trying to make Miho say that their mom did such horrible things to her and Maho. Beating them or yelling at them, but those were just people's theories, sick theories in Miho's mind. For they knew nothing of who Shiho was, even knowing her mom hurt others, Miho knew in heart her mom never took any enjoyment.

"I know Miho, I know," Maho said, rubbing Miho's face with her hand to calm her down. "Mom has her own demons she is dealing with that we never knew about. Things she probably dosen't want to face, but if you truly want to be the heiress…then you need to know these demons and help banish them from our mom before they consume her."

"She's hurting…isn't she?" Miho said quietly.

Maho nodded. "Most likely, and seeing how my outburst was, she might be going through something worse and you might be right that she might not want to see us again."

"I don't want that. All I want is for us to all go home together like on those warm summer days," Miho said, her hands squeezing together tightly.

"Me too, yet if we want this, you must not break under mom's gaze. Face her like the tigress you become on the battlefield, but remember your gentle side that can break any icy hearts," Maho said, hoping her encouragement helped.

"Yea, I'll do that. I want Fukushu to be added to our family as well, she is facing scrutiny as well, but I know she is good at heart," Miho said.

A soft sigh came from Maho, then spoke. "Though I have my reservations about her, due to her punching you. I too want to bring her into the family as well and with a little discipline, I think she might turn out to be a great tanker."

A nervous chuckle escape Miho's lips, seeing how serious her sister was. "I think we should be a little gentle with her, I don't want her running off because you scared her."

"Oh my, you think so little of me Miho. Have I become a demonic older sister in your eyes? It breaks my heart," Maho said in a mocking tone of sadness while covering her face.

Making Miho, who didn't take a hint, wave her hands frantically. "I'm sorry, I didn't me-."

Then Maho drop her hands with a large smile plaster on her face. "Got ya."

For a moment, nothing was said between the two, till Miho pouted. "That's so mean!"

Before Maho could reply, Miho began to rain down weak punches on her sister who again tease her, which only cause Maho to raise her hands to protect herself from the revenge and chuckle all the while as Miho was never cuter than when she was flustered. Soon enough Miho stop and began to chuckle as well, their laughter infectious making it fill the night air more and more.

For at this moment they were no longer Nishizumi's, just simple sisters who were enjoying a moment.

After their chuckles had died down, Maho motioned for the two of them to take a seat on the bench. Once more keeping close to one another, as Miho lay her head against her sister's shoulder relishing in the warmth. While their hands with once more clasp together, speaking to their bond that had been tested this night, never breaking as these two would be forever stronger for one another.

"It's been a long time since we just stare at the night sky together," Maho said, watching the moon and stars.

"It has, the last time we were just kids. We took the Panzer 2 out that night," Miho said, letting smirk cross her face.

"Without supervision as well," Maho added.

Making Miho chuckle. "We were trouble for sure."

"Gave poor Kikuyo a heart attack till she found us," Maho said, letting the pleasant thought of her family's maid cross her mind.

"I miss her. She always look out for us, when mom and dad fought, and even when mom changed. We need to thank her for all she's done," Miho said, also letting the memories of the maid who was always at their side.

"We will, well you will since your going home. How do you plan to sneak in? Though I should be talking you out of this since the police will be having the place under watch," Maho said, turning to look down at her sister.

Yet nothing but a confident look was across Miho's face. "I have a plan for that, don't worry."

"Reckless?" Maho ask.

"Reckless," Miho reply with a giggle.

Making Maho shake her head in amusement, but relented. "Just be careful alright?"

"I will," Miho said, then her face turned to sadness. "I need to go Maho. Aozora wanted to only stay the night and be out of Tokyo by dawn. We have a long journey to our estate still and even a longer journey to get back to the Akagi."

"I was afraid you were going to say that," Maho said with a sigh, then turn to Miho who face her now. Then Maho lean down to place a gentle kiss on Miho's forehead, then touch her forehead to Miho's. "I know you can do this. You've grown so strong in these past couple of months, the fire I always saw in you as a kid is burning brighter than ever, so take off little sister and be the heiress I've always known you were."

Miho close her eyes, letting her heart flutter at the proud words of her sister, then spoke. "I will, I'll make sure we can all go home and be a family once more. Then you have to come meet my team, they love to meet you Maho."

"I'm sure they would, those Chi-Ha-Tan girls are something else," Maho said with a wide smile.

"They are, there the tankery family I can't do without," Miho said with pride in her voice thinking of her teammates.

"I bet, now go on Miho. Don't keep mom waiting, she needs you more than me right now," Maho said, leaning back.

"Your right," Miho said, regretfully pulling away from her sister, then stood up to leave, with each movement strain as she didn't want to leave her sister's side, even if she had to.

"Maho, this isn't the end for you in Sensha-do," Miho said, wanting to bring her sister up one last time.

"Huh?" Maho said, cocking her head to side.

"I'm sure you will fight again and find that love for Sensha-do once more with me at your side," Miho said.

Though Maho at first felt this was just her sister trying to cheer her up from being never able to compete again. Something in Miho's eyes told her that she was serious, that Maho would have another chance to fight in Sensha-do, and this time fight with that same love that had been found only now, to burn bright again.

Maho nodded. "I'll hold onto that promise."

"Good…goodnight Maho…I love you," Miho said, her goodbye hard to say.

With Maho return a lovey smile. "Goodnight Miho, I love you too. Now go shocked the world for me and beat Pravda."

Miho nodded to this, then left for good heading back into the hospital and back to Aozora so they could make their way out of the hospital. Leaving Maho alone, with no one but the moon and stars for company. Yet for probably the first time in days, she felt like her mind was clear, no dark clouds forming around her. Just warmth that flow through her whole body, the warmth of someone who love her and was going to protect her now.

"Miho…you've outgrown me…yet, that's not such a bad thing. One day, I will fight again in a tank and for some reason, I know you will be at my side…as the Iron Tiger Sisters are going to take the world by storm," Maho said quietly to herself, then turn her head back to the night sky, dreaming of the day their home would once again be filled with smiles and laughter as it always should have been.

XxxxX

The Following Day

The halls of Chi-Ha-Tan's Sensha-do club building were at the moment quiet, as the late afternoon was coming on, with the red orangish glare from the setting sun was dancing through the windows and casting its hue over the rooms. As another beautiful day out on the sea was coming to an end aboard the Akagi Carrier, as well as practice for the tankery girls of this club. Though at present one more task was needed to complete day, but wasn't as enjoyable for a certain group of girls, who so far were playing hide and seek from their big tankery sisters.

Once such big sister, was Tamada herself, dress in her Chi-Ha-Tan tankery uniform, with her trademark long braid over her left shoulder. As she stomp through the halls with a fury akin to the wrath of a higher power, ready to bring it down on the rebels. Something she did with regularity in Sensha-do matches, boxing training, and kendo practice the Chi-Ha-Tan girls went through.

"Now where are those scrappy cubs of ours?" Tamada ask herself, as her irritation was at an all-time high stopping to check each room.

Tamada felt like she had checked every room twice over, but still could not find her little sisters who seem to be finding every nook and cranny to hide in. The reason for their hiding was beyond ridiculous, as it was something all the girls of the academy had to do, but for some reason, they were too scared to go through with it, even though it was something that could be done and over in seconds.

"I don't understand why they ran, not like I'm being unreasonable," Tamada said once more to herself with a shake of the head, then finally came to the changing room for the Chi-Ha-Tan team.

Opening it up, there were rows of lockers for the girls to store their school uniforms and bags, while changing into their tankery uniforms for practice. Which made for a perfect place for the little ones to hide, as Tamada made sure to close the door behind as quietly as possible, hoping to give the escapees a false sense that they were safe as began her sweep again.

"Maybe my maternal skills weren't good enough to soothe their anxiety over the whole thing, heh, maybe I don't have the powerful motherly skills like Miho, Nishi, and the others," Tamada said with a sad chuckle.

Then, without thinking, she began to rub her stomach area, as she had done on the train ride home.

"No…stop Tamada, forget that and get focused," she said to herself, shaking her head and slowly crept down the rows, checking left to right for any locker out of place that might give them away.

Yet her patience was thin at the moment, as her own stress had been building for the last couple of days. Most it down to Miho leaving the Akagi without a word to the team, though Tamada understood why. Though going to see her sister and mother with all the scrutiny around them was beyond dangerous, by Tamada's standard. Miho's sister was being held in Tokyo University hospital with mostly likely police keeping anyone from seeing her, while her mother was under house arrest.

Damn it, why does Miho need to be so reckless. She could have come to me and said something at least, she knows I go with her, who else is going to protect her…Or maybe it's because I can't stand to be away from her…to think I'm becoming the clingy one…while maybe she's becoming more independent than before…

A sobering thought for Tamada, who didn't want to accept she was losing her mental fortitude now that Miho was gone, because that was when she needed to be strongest, especially for her other tankery sisters who were just as downtrodden without their leader. Luckily and expected at the same time, Nishi had been keeping them all focus on practice and strategy meetings since their next opponent's in Pravda Girls High School, the current champions who were going to give them all the trouble Chi-Ha-Tan could handle and more.

Yet for Tamada and her sisters, there was nothing like taking on impossible odds to which they meet these ice queens with the fury of a tiger.

Though that for the moment would have to wait till Tamada could find the cubs who had been evading everyone since school ended.

Losing her patience completely now, Tamada yell aloud to echo through the locker room in the hope to scare them out. "If I find you! I won't go easy on you! You know that!"

The challenge reverberated through the room, with a sudden but faint sound of a panic yelp, which made Tamada grin like a mad woman. "Found ya."

Quickly, but with quiet precise steps, she found the row she believe she heard the yelp come from. Slowly she step down the lane, looking to each locker intently hoping to find the one that give her the reward. She began to tap on each one as she passed, hoping to cause another yelp that give her the moment to pounce.

Tamada had only gotten to the middle of the row, when she tap on the locker hard, but instead heard a muffled cry come from the locker behind her. Tamada smirked, as she turn slowly towards it, like the villain in a slasher movie who finally found their victim. She made sure to enjoy each and every step to the locker now to be the subject of her fury, then with a slow hand, she reach out and grab the door handle to open the locker.

As the door creaked open, inside was a pair of first year girls. The first was pint-size Fukuda, who was still in her uniform, save the usual tankery helmet she wore, while the other girl was Miho's crew member, Nene, the twin who was the loader and irritant at times, especially to her sister Nomi. The two were jammed together in the small locker, while their faces were etched with complete fear as they had been found by their big sister.

"Well now, looks like I caught you rebels," Tamada said with a wicked smile crossing her face.

"Hey Tamada," Nene said with an embarrassed smile.

"Don't hey Tamada me, you two are making this difficult for no reason," Tamada groan out.

Fukuda spoke up. "No way! You ask too much of us!"

"Yea, this is an abuse of power I say!" Nene added in with her fellow rebel.

Making Tamada rub her head in frustration as the two weren't backing down, but she herself wasn't either. "Alright, you can make a fuss all you want, but you're coming with me willing or not, the choice is yours."

"Oooo, that sounds like a quote from a movie I saw," Nene said excitedly.

"Don't change the subject," Tamada growl at her.

"Please Tamada, it's too scary what you and Nishi are asking of us," Fukuda said, trembling all the while in the tight locker.

"It's not even that bad, you're just blowing it out of proportion," Tamada shot back with a look of annoyance.

"Then you do it!" Nene argue.

"Oh I will and you two will be joining. Now I'm going to count to three and if you two don't come quietly, I'll drag you there personally," Tamada threaten, taking a stance to tell them how serious she was.

"Oh god, she's serious Fukuda," Nene said fearfully.

"What we do?" Fukuda ask in a terrified tone knowing they had to get out of this predicament or suffer the wrath of Tamada.

"You could just stop being so difficult for starters….aright….one," Tamada began.

"Fukuda, Miho always has a saying for us when things are tough," Nene said, looking to her fellow rebel.

Making Fukuda's eyes shine, as she felt her fellow rebel had a way out for them. "What is it?"

"Were still in this fight," Nene said with a bright smile.

Yet that just caused confusion for Fukuda. "How does that help us?"

"Well more in the sense, the I'm staying in this fight, your sacrifice will be noted in the annals of history of our rebellion," Nene said as she offer an awkward salute in the cramped space.

Before Fukuda could question her tankery sister's words, Nene went into action. Squeezing out of the locker, she made a break for it down the rows of lockers before Tamada could grab her, but Tamada didn't chase as she didn't want Fukuda to get away too.

"Nene, how could you!?" Fukuda whined, as she was pulled from the locker by Tamada.

"Sorry! I'll buy you all the snacks you want when this is over!" Nene call back, her voice fading as she was making her way for the exit and to freedom.

Tamada just sigh, as she held Fukuda in her arms like a child due to her small body, though Fukuda didn't make her job easier as she flail about doing all she could to escape, but to no avail against the stronger girl.

"Please Tamada! I don't want to go!" Fukuda pleaded, throwing on the biggest puppy dog eyes she could.

Yet had no effect on Tamada who just look down at her with a deadpan look. "You two had me chase you around for the last hour, your cuteness isn't going to get you out of this."

"Miho wouldn't have forced this on me! When she gets back from the hospital you're going to pay!" Fukuda gripe to her.

Though that made Tamada's demeanor turn sour, not because of the threat, but for the fact that she was reminded that she, Nishi, Ikeda, and Hosomi knew Miho had left the carrier. Having Aozora, their ace pilot, take her to the mainland to see her sister and mother. The only reason they hadn't told the team was they didn't want a panic and also to keep it silent as word would spread quickly if people knew. Worse if the media outlets found out, would cause a stir that cause a manhunt in trying to find Miho and question her.

All the while I'm just here trying to hold myself together, while she's in the line of fire…damn….

"Tamada?" Fukuda call out seeing her big sister's face contort into sadness.

"Oh," Tamada said, regaining herself. "Sorry, didn't mean to space out."

Though that did little to alleviate Fukuda's worries, as she let a look of remorse cross her face. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make a fuss. I'm just scared."

"You know, it's hard to hear that when you literally don't flinch at an incoming shell," Tamada said with an amused look, glad to have changed in subject.

"But compare to this, I rather face enemy shells!" Fukuda cried out.

Tamada just chuckle with a smile on her, then put Fukuda down as she lean down to her junior's height. "I know, I don't like doing it either. Yet it's important to keep you safe, which is the main priority for us, especially your big sisters."

Fukuda said nothing, fidgeting in place as Tamada's words work to build her courage.

"Alright, come on I'll walk you to the nurses office," Tamada said holding her hand out, which Fukuda took with a happy smile, then the two walk their way to the exit.

"What about Nene?" Fukuda had to ask.

"Oh, she won't get far. I've taken after our bold Tigress Commander and always have a backup plan," Tamada said, grinning like a madwoman.

"Heh, that sounds scary," Fukuda said with a nervous chuckle.

As if to make her earlier statement true, the sound of a struggle could be heard near the exit, as voices rang across the locker room. Tamada and Fukuda rounded the last of the lockers to see what was causing the noise, as Nene had gotten the door open to make her grand escape, but only found Hosomi and Maita waiting for her, as Tamada had sent a text earlier for backup to watch the door in case the rebel try to escape.

Currently, the two were holding Nene up as she struggle to break free, but to no avail against her stronger foes. Making her woes even worse seeing Tamada come up now with Fukuda.

"Nice work you two," Tamada said as she close the gap.

"Heh, piece of cake. Nene here must have thought she outsmarted us," Maita said with grin.

"Should have seen her smug look when she open the door, oh man, it was priceless when it drop at the sight of us," Hosomi added with a chuckle.

"You're talking like I'm not here!" Nene complain.

Making the girls chuckle at the captive, then Tamada spoke up. "Look, it will be over and done with if you just come along quietly."

"Never!" Nene said as she would struggle to the end.

"Alright, I'll just tell Miho how bad you been when she returns," Hosomi threaten with a smirk.

"She probably get really angry," Maita added, making Nene go almost blue in the face in fear of ever seeing an angry Miho.

"Even God couldn't save you at that point," Tamada added, hoping this ploy would work.

"I think it's best to give it up, Nene," Fukuda added in with an embarrassed smile.

Seeing there was no use in the struggle anymore, Nene just nodded in defeat as she went limp in her captive's arms, but not without a final word. "I may have lost this fight, but Nomi will see this through to the end."

"Ugh, don't remind me. Was hard enough catching one twin, I can't imagine the fuss the other is making," Tamada said with a shake of the head.

"Just like mom, we're fighters," Nene said with a satisfied smile.

"And just like your mom, you give me a hard time dealing with your recklessness," Tamada said with a roll of the eyes, then took a gentle approach again. "I know you don't like this, but I need you to be brave alright. I'll be with you every step of the way, just like Miho would have been if she were here. Just imagine how proud she be to know her girls face this head on instead of running."

Nene felt the words lift her heart a little, even if she was being her usual bubbly self, there was fear in her heart of what she had to do. Yet Tamada was only trying to help, not punish them. If there was someone who Nene could trust with her fears besides Miho and the crew, it was Tamada, as she always had a soft spot for the loader as they bonded over boxing training that had helped Nene build her strength up to be a loader.

Feeling the fight leave her, Nene nodded. "Ok…sorry I made such a fuss about this. Sorry Fukuda, for leaving you behind."

"It's ok, I might have done the same thing," Fukuda said nonchalantly with a bright smile.

"Oh dear, Nene's influence is spreading, we're in trouble," Hosomi joke causing the girls to chuckle.

Once they calm down, Tamada spoke up again. "Alright, come on Nene I'll take you down to the nurses office, you too Fukuda. I got this Hosomi, you and Maita head back to the dorms and get things set up for dinner with the team."

"You got it, don't be late, Maita might eat all the pudding," Hosomi teased.

"Will not! Don't make things up!" Maita argue.

The two bicker more as they let go of Nene to go complete their task. As Tamada took Nene's hand, with Fukuda as well, then the trio made their way out of the locker room heading for the nurses office. Yet as they walk on, Hosomi turn to watch them go with a warm smile spreading across her face at the sight of her tankery family.

Guess Tamada is getting her practice in to be a good mommy one day...guess Miho is influencing Tamada more than she realizes…

Then Hosomi turn back as she left the building to get dinner started.

XxxxX

"Alright, the ankle is looking good and the healing is doing well. Doctor Kaneshiro is coming down tomorrow for a second opinion," The Chi-Ha-Tan Academies Nurse said, as she was sitting in a chair aside a bed where her patient was resting inside her office.

"Thank you, Miss Kiku," Moteki said, as she was seated upright on the bed dress in her school uniform with her injured ankle prop on a pillow for the nurse to look over.

"Than…tha…tha..thank you, Mi…Miss Kiku," Watabe stutter out, as she was seated on a bed across from Moteki, though she was in no way injured but simply here to support her.

"Thank you as well Miss Kiku," Hamada said, who was seated on the same bed as Watabe, having seated the first year in her lap so she could brush her hair.

Kiku simply bow in her head in acceptance of their thanks. The nurse was mature, in her late 30's, sporting a brown hair pixie cut, while wearing a large white lab jacket over her casual clothes. Though she was a nurse for regular students, she also work double duty for all the sports teams, meaning her office was a constant buzz of activity as she look after all the girls. Though luckily today was quiet with only Moteki, one of their Sensha-do teams driver who been injured in the last match, with her fellow teammates in Hamada and Watabe.

"Miss Kiku?" Moteki call out.

The nurse look up from her clipboard as she made the final notes on the report sheet and look to the first year with a warm smile. "Yes?"

"I heard you were a student here? Is that true?" Moteki ask, with Watabe looking on just as curious.

"Oh yes, dear. I was a student just like you are now. Takes me back really, every day out on the sea never was dull, I really miss it when I went to college," Kiku said, her face growing soft as her memories of her youth came to her of the place that had saved her from the streets and the very man who made it possible for her to have a future and career.

"Is th…th…that…why you cam…came back?" Watabe ask now.

"Hmm, is that the reason?" Kiku said, touching her finger to her chin, then drop it with a warm smile taking its place. "Part of it, but also for a more simple reason, something that my friends even question me till this day when I could afford a nice home on the mainland."

Making Hamada tilt her head in a questioning manner as she kept brushing Watabe's hair. "What's that?"

"It's home," was all Kiku replied with.

The words stuck in the air, as the trio of young girls let the simple answer resonate with them. Simply because it was how they all felt about the Akagi and the academy. It was a home that would be in their hearts even when they graduated from this place, especially for those who never had a home, with only the cold streets and orphanages to be their substitute.

"Were you an orphan?" Moteki now question.

"Yep, which is the reason this place is my home no matter where I go. While our headmaster Hidemichi has my heart forever as my father figure, I'll repay all the kindness he has provided me when he took me off the streets and into his care. Education and a warm place to break dark clouds that had shrouded my future," Kiku explain.

"He really looks after the unfortunate. Yet he even still takes in applications like mine, coming from a normal family in all," Hamada said, feeling a little out of place, since she was the only not orphan in the room.

"Yo…your…sti…sti…still fa…family too," Watabe stutter, looking over her shoulder at Hamada to make sure she knew meant it.

"Yea Miss Hamada, doesn't matter the background, we're all part of the Chi-Ha-Tan family, goes double for our tankery family," Moteki added with a determined nod in her upperclassmen's direction.

With Kiku smiling at the display of the bond the Sensha-do members had, making her certain that above all else was the reason for their club's resurgence this year and the underdog journey that was seeing them to new heights.

"Well, looks like the jury has spoken, Miss Hamada. You are just as appreciated as the rest of the girls, so take heart in your junior's encouragements," Kiku added in now.

Hamada chuckle a little, then began to rub Watabe's head making her giggle, as Hamada spoke in a warm tone. "Yes…though encouragement should be a upperclassmen's jurisdiction. Guess I'm failing in that regard."

"Not at all, because of your attention on Moteki's ankle during your train ride back to port after the match, ensure that the swelling was kept down, while keeping it stable till we got her to a hospital. You got all the makings of being a medic or nurse if that's your career choice," Kiku praised.

"Oh, well that is my choice. My mom is a police officer and dad is first response medic, so I want to help people too when I get into the career field," Hamada said bashfully.

Making Kiku nod. "Good, I'll help you if need any advice to get ready for the field."

"Thank you very much, Miss Kiku. I look forward to working with you," Hamada said with a bow.

"Me as well," Kiku said, bowing her head again.

Before anything else could be said, the sound of yelling and struggling could be heard down the halls leading to the nurse's office. Making the four all turn their attention to the door, as the sound of the struggle was only getting closer and closer by the second.

Kiku lean in her chair, as she cross her supple legs over while leaning her head against her closed hand, with a wicked smile crossing her face. "Well, looks like the rebels have been caught and their pitiful rebellion is at an end."

The ominous way the nurse put it, while completely losing her warm aura Hamada, Moteki, and Watabe had been enjoying, replace by this villainous sent a shiver down their back. The trio turn their heads back to the door as a knock came, with an 'excuse me' from the knocker who open the door next.

Entering the nurse's office was a small group of the Chi-Ha-Tan Sensha-do team. First being Nishi, whose beauty seem to light up the room, but her demeanor seem to be beyond annoyed. Behind her was Tamada, their fiery Vice Commander who walk in with Nene and Fukuda holding her hands, though the first years were shaking with fear of something. With the last being Nishihara who was for some reason dressed in a school-regulated swimsuit that seem damp, dragging a dejected Nomi in who was wearing a fresh gym uniform, with a towel over her damp long brown hair.

Nishi made her way over to Kiku, then bow to the nurse, while speaking as she rose up. "Miss Kiku, we caught the last of our team that has been skirting their responsibilities, excuse the trouble they cause."

The sinister grin on Kiku's face only got larger now. "Good, good. Was it difficult?"

Nishi didn't answer, turning to look at Tamada first, nodding for her to speak.

"Was a bit of a chase, found these two hiding in the locker room at our Sensha-do building. Yet talk them down to get this done. Well, Nene ran, but she ain't as slick as she likes to think she is," Tamada said with a proud face having fulfilled our duty.

"Honestly Nene, what would Miho think of your rebellious side," Moteki said with a shake of her head at her crew member and tankery sister.

Making Nene growl at the injured driver. "Some of us don't have a death wish."

"Tha…tha…that's an over… over-exaggeration," Watabe said with a chuckle.

"I concur with her," Hamada added to the torment as she finish brushing Watabe's hair.

"I'm sorry, I'm just scared about this. Sorry to make such a fuss," Fukuda apologize, her eyes glued to the floor feeling shame that they had made things difficult.

Though she wasn't allowed long to wallow in self-pity, as Nishi came over to rub the first-years head, making Fukuda look up to her sub commander. Being greeted to the smile Nishi display that was like a warm sun, its radiance melting away any worries of her comrades, with this very radiance shining down on Fukuda who all but lost her fear.

"It's ok Fukuda. Fear is only natural, but knowing others got your back makes that fear nothing but a passing emotion as will give you the courage to see this through," Nishi said, her words akin to a mother who always knew how to calm their child down.

"Yes," Fukuda said, with a blush crossing her face, but also her courage returning to her. "Thank you Nishi, I'll see this through no matter what now!"

"Ah!" Nene cried out, then turn to look at her twin. "Nomi, they're using honeyed words to break our resolve, stay strong my fellow rebel."

Making Tamada sigh, as her speech earlier hadn't had the desire effect to quell this rebel twin.

"Right!" Nomi answer, as she try to pull away from Nishihara who had a good grip on her.

"Oh no, you don't! I'm not chasing you around the school and pool area again," Nishihara said hotly having a good grip on the rebellious twin.

Hamada let out an amused chuckle. "You chase her around the pool area?"

Nishihara let out a huff of annoyance. "Yea, then just when I had her, she jump into the pool thinking she swim to her freedom."

"Bad move on your part Nomi. Nishihara ain't a lady of the sea for nothing, should have ow, ow ow, ow ow, ow ow, ow," Tamada began to complain as Nishi had taken ahold of her ear.

"Don't give them ideas," Nishi lightly scolded.

"Ok! Ok! Ok!" Tamada complain as nothing was worse than Nishi's ear holds, causing chuckles to break out at her expense.

"Back on topic, yea it prove to be Nomi's demise as I took off my uniform and dove in. She had no choice but to comply when I close the distance," Nishihara said proudly, puffy her chest out, as her pride in her swimming skills was beyond question.

Making Nomi grimace at the recent memory. "She was really like a Kraken, she dive under the water and the next she had me before I knew where she was. It's not fair!"

"You making me chase you around the school with my platoon wasn't fair, now just do what you need to do and we can go back to the dorms for dinner," Nishihara order, now dragging Nomi to the front.

"Yes," Kiku said now standing to her feet as went over to her medicine cabinet to get the supplies they need. "Let's get this over with."

"Please no!" the twins said together.

Making Moteki shake her head at the two's overreaction. "I can't believe you're getting this workup over an Influenza shot. It's mandatory for us to have so we don't get sick, especially since we're on a carrier and away from the mainland."

"We don't care! Needles should have no place poking me!" Nene complain.

"Neither should I have to take it! I'm healthy as a horse! I never get sick!" Nomi added to the complaints.

Making Nishi rub her hand over her head in frustration over the twin's resistance still holding strong, then spoke. "Look, Moteki and Watabe took the shot no problem."

"You trick them!" Nene fought back.

"No, more like I don't have a fear of needles," Moteki said with a shrug.

"Scar…scarde….scardy cats," Watabe tease, while sticking her tongue out at the twins.

"Traitors!" Nomi growl at her crew members.

"Alright enough," Nishi said, taking control of the situation. "Girls just take the shot and that's final, or do you want to incur Miho's disappointment when she gets out of the hospital."

That made the twins shut down, as they never wanted to disappoint their surrogate mother. While Tamada wince a little, knowing that was the lie they were telling the team under Hidemichi's order since Miho had left the carrier and was going to see her family. The lie never got easier to say to the team, especially her crew who wanted nothing more than to be with Miho, which went double for Tamada but would have to stay strong till her lover came home.

"Alright, will get the shot," Nomi agree quietly.

"Fine, but if I get sick anyway, I'm never taking it again," Nene agree as well.

"Oh, will see about that," Kiku said with a victorious smile, then motion for the twins and Fukuda to a free bed where she could administer the shot.

"Good job you two, thanks for bringing them in," Nishi said, turning to Tamada and Nishihara.

"No task the Tigress Corp can't handle," Tamada boasted.

"They should have known were just as tenacious off the battlefield as we are on it," Nishihara added in.

Making Nishi smile proudly, as she saluted them, earning return salutes. Then another knock came to the nurse's door, which open slowly revealing one of the Sensha-do team's junior mechanics coming in. Still wearing her working brown coverall with the Chi-Ha-Tan symbol stitch into the shoulders. Quickly the mechanics' eyes found Nishi and walk over to her.

"Hey Ichiho," Nishi call out to the mechanic.

"Hey Nishi, sorry to intrude since I know you and the girls are getting ready for dinner soon," Ichiho said.

Nishi wave her hand. "Don't mind, what you need?"

"Well, it's Chief Mechanic Himi who needs you. She's down in the tank hangers and wants to talk with you," Ichiho announce.

Making Nishi raise an eyebrow wondering what their Chief Mechanic would want so late after practice. With already Nishi hoping it wasn't any mechanical issues arising with any of the other tanks in their arsenal, as they couldn't afford to have any issues with them with Pravda on the horizon.

"Alright, I'll go see her," Nishi complied, then turn to Tamada. "Can you see things out here?"

"You got it Nishi, will make sure the cubs do their part and will have dinner ready when you get back to the dorms," Tamada said with a bright smile.

With a nod of thanks, Nishi patted her friend on the shoulder as a sigh that she was grateful for Tamada being strong through all this with Miho gone. While being a great help to Nishi as well keep the team focused for the next match, as Nishi was acting commander, which wasn't an easy role to take again after relying on Miho so long.

Then the two left the room to go see their Chief Mechanic.

XxxxX

"I'm sorry I can't do more for you," Chief Mechanic Himi said to herself, as she press her hand against cold steel of the batter Tiger 1.

Currently, she was in the private hanger they had reserved for the Tiger 1, where it rested. Himi couldn't get over seeing it flip in the match, though her first concern was for Miho and her crew, with luckily the worst of the injuries being a high ankle sprain to Moteki. Yet when Himi finally got her hands on the batter tank, her mechanic's heart sunk as just by eyeing it over precisely she could tell things were beyond dismal.

Yet like any proud mechanic, she didn't take impossible into her mind when it came to fixing something, as she relentlessly work the Tiger 1 over to try to get whatever could be fix done. Staying late into the night if Himi had too, because she knew the team was going to need it for the upcoming match with Pravda who were going to unleash a horde of powerful tanks at the Tigress Corps, making it only seem right to have the Tiger 1 in the thick of it leading the charge.

Yet for all the strain she had put on her mind and body, there was only so much that could be done. Leaving the Chief Mechanic a bit depressed, as it felt like she was letting the team down, as silly as that was, but then again Miho, Nishi, Tamada, Hosomi, Ikeda, and the rest of the girls always reminded her time and time again how much they appreciate Himi and the junior mechanics working tirelessly to get their tanks up and running. That they were just as much of the reason for the success of the Tigress Corps, that would go unseen by the public eye, but the tankery girls would always give credit to them for their rise. Even promising them that when they won the Victory Flag the mechanics would share the stage with them no matter what.

Those girls…never want anyone left behind, even the mechanics. Most days I can't even not smile when I'm around them…their just…their just the family I need, since I never had one….

Himi thought with a smile tugging on her face, as she turn her eyes to the Tiger 1, her hand still resting on its side armor. "Don't worry, I don't care if I have to work till I can't even move a single part of my body. I will get you working again, it's a promise."

Though this was said aloud, Himi was just talking to herself. As she knew that this was just tank, an inanimate object, with no feelings or emotions. Just a legendary tank that was sitting in a hanger looking like a beaten kitty.

Suddenly a voice call into the hanger. "Miss Himi!"

Making the women turn over her shoulder to find her eyes settling on Nishi coming in, then Himi spoke. "Well hey there. Sorry to pull you away from the team, especially after practice."

"No worries," Nishi said with a wave of the hand as she came up to Himi's side. "How's the Tiger 1?"

Himi gave the tank one last look, then turn back to Nishi with a sad sigh. "Well, not good be putting it lightly. As you know the Maybach HL230 engine is…kaput. The whole thing was already overstressed in the match and the tumble completely shattering cylinder heads, a tunnel crankshaft, and the carburettors."

Nishi shook her head. "What about the other parts?"

A wave of the hand to follow from Himi, made Nishi walk over with her to the side the track had snap in last phase of the match. Himi squatted down and began to point things out.

"A big problem we have as well, is when the track snap on this side and the wheels got caught in the ground it broke some of them. As you know, the Tiger 1 uses a complex system of interleave wheels, which is great for keeping the tank stable, but is a problem if even one gets damage which could disrupt the whole thing, the torsion bar's also suffered some damage, but repairable," Himi explain.

Nishi kneel down to get a good look, taking in the sight of several such wheels that were chip or cracked. Making Nishi shake her head in frustration, as they didn't have the spare parts to fix them. When she found the Tiger 1, it had been in pristine condition and even through Miho's battles with it had come back with only dents in the armor or needing tracks to be replaced. While the majority of the budget for the Sensha-do team had gone to the building the Type 1 Chi-He's, along with getting the Type 4 Chi-To up to running order, leaving not enough for the Tiger 1 that had been a late find for the team.

"What about the 88mm gun?" Nishi ask, as she stood up.

Himi stood up as well crossing her arms. "The barrel is useless. The Tiger needs a whole new one, as I'm not messing around with trying to weld the thing back together, especially because the muzzle break also suffer some damage. Without that, the recoil will be too much when the tank fires."

"Something else we can't afford to get. Alright, is there any good news?" Nishi ask in a silent plea for something to not be broken.

With Himi nodding to the young girl. "The gearbox wasn't as badly damaged as I thought and have rebuilt it to working order. The vision blocks on the tank and the commanders cupola have been replaced with no problem. The gunners Turmzielfernrohr TZF 9c optic didn't suffer any damage by some miracle. Both bow and coaxial machine guns were shaken a little loose from their positions, but that's it. Radio system I only need to get the wiring back in place, but no problem. Drivers area is intact, with oil gauge, steering wheel, transmission, and start-up in good order."

With the explanation done, Nishi just shook her head. "Well…will take what we can get."

"Can we get spare parts from Kuromorimine?" Himi ask.

Yet receive a shake of the head from Nishi. "Unfourtenly no, I've contacted Miss Itsumi about it since she is the new commander for their team. Yet their new headmaster has completely cut ties with the Nishizumi family, so he won't authorize parts to be sent to us in a loan deal, though Miss Itsumi wanted to find a way, I told her though will find a way so she won't get into trouble ."

"Heh, what a petty man. Give me five minutes with him and I'll get the parts," Himi said with a growl, as she was someone who respected Shiho Nishizumi having fought against her back in the day when she was part of the Chi-Ha-Tan Sensha-do team, in turn having great respect for the daughters, even with the controversy surrounding them.

"I believe you," Nishi agree. "Yet, let's not make more problems for our dear commander."

"Agreed. I still can't believe she left the carrier, but I do the same thing in her shoes if my family was in trouble," Himi said, as she had been let in on what had happened with Miho by Nishi.

"Miho has a lot on her shoulders. I know she couldn't function in school or the team while this was going on, if anything I agree with her choice. Though I miss her, as everything doesn't feel right without her around…I don't feel right being in command," Nishi said, letting her internal fear out.

Which made Himi reach a hand out and touch Nishi's shoulder. "How can you say that? You kept the team together in that match with Saunders when everything look bleak, you've more than proven to have great command skills."

"Heh, your right. Yet I was holding onto hope then, keeping my emotions in check because I somehow hope Miho would return. If she had been taken out, I don't know how I would have proceeded in the end. All I did was put on a brave face to keep the team together," Nishi said, letting out her secret that had sometimes haunted her about that match afterwards.

"Nishi," Himi said with strength in her voice, making the young girl look at her. "You were the commander who kept this thing together before Miho arrive, don't forget that. Your courage and hard work is just as much of the reason the team is now in the semi-finals, so keep pressing on and it will only show you how right I am."

The encouragement made Nishi, who had been repressing her fears so far, feel lighter than she had in days.

"Thank you, Miss Himi," Nishi said, as she reach her hand out to place over Himi's on her shoulder.

"No need for that Miss Nishi. That's what a tankery family is for, helping each other out, meaning don't hide your fear, let it be known to others and they'll get you up again on your feet," Himi encourage once more.

Making Nishi nod gratefully, then spoke. "So is this all you needed from me? Just report on the Tiger 1?"

"Oh, sorry, got sidetrack. Had something else I needed to show you that is sure to brighten your day," Himi said, her excitement spreading over her face, making Nishi tilt her head in question.

Before Nishi could ask what was going to brighten her day, Himi turn her head to the open door to the hanger and call out. "Come in girls!"

Nishi turn her head in time to see two girls walk into the hanger. They wore the Chi-Ha-Tan Naval girl's uniform of a tan blouse with long sleeves and a sailor-style collar, a red neckerchief, a red pleated skirt, black socks, and black loafers.

The naval girls were a sub-school aboard the carrier, to which all other school carriers had as well. First established in the 1980's as a way to educate girls who were interested in the operations and maintenance of the carriers, as the Sensha-do Federation was trying to enlist future members for the carriers operation team that needed well train members to keep their carries running smoothly and what better workforce to add then the very girls who live onboard.

It gain popularity as the years went on because of the benefits of paid college once they graduated, low-cost living provided on the carriers if they wanted to stay. Not to mention a lot of promotion opportunities in the ranks, with even some girls going on to be captains of said carriers.

The two Naval girls walk in a bow to Nishi and Himi, then rose their heads. The first to speak was a girl with a long jet-black hair tied into a bun held by a red ribbon. Her eyes were deep green, while also sporting freckles across her tan face, a product of working outside on the ship for repairs.

"Hello Miss Nishi, my name Yuri Nagai, third-year in the naval school program. This is my junior, first-year Wako Ouji."

Nishi bow back. "It's very nice to meet you upperclassmen Nagai."

"Well with that out of the way, let me also congratulate you on making the semi-final. Know we Naval girls were cheering like crazy from the stands in that match against Oarai," Nagai praised.

"Yea! It was so cool, you really put your hearts into it. Especially Miss Nishizumi!" Ouji added in, practically bouncing in place.

"Also know your hearts go out to Miss Nishizumi, we hope she returns to school soon from the hospital, know I'm praying night and day," Nagai said.

The sentence made Himi and Nishi grimace a little, as once more the lie they were spinning still was working, but gave them no pleasure.

"I know she is grateful for it," Nishi said, forcing a smile out.

"Just as we are grateful to help the Tigress Corps out," Nagai said with a wide smile.

"Help?" Nishi ask, with Himi grinning ear to ear since she already knew about the surprise.

"Yep," Nagai said, then heard what sounded like a heavy tow truck rumbling to a stop just outside the garage, making Nagai motion for Nishi to follow her outside.

As the two exited into the open, with two heavy tow trucks greeting them. Each had their flattops carrying something that made Nishi's eyes go wild, as the last rays of sun cast itself over them as dusk was approaching.

"This can't be possible," Nishi ask, walking over to the heavy tow trucks.

"It is," Nagai said coming up to her side. "Please accept this gift from the Naval girls who support your team."

"Wa…ho…w….I…," Nishi was at a loss for words, then found them. "I can't believe you did this for us."

Ouji walk up now with an amused shrug. "Of course, we do this for you. We aren't like the Imperial forces of old, whose navy and army were at each other's throats. Us Naval girls are going to support our land base sisters as best we can in their fight to the top."

That made Nishi chuckle, then follow with a deep exhale as she couldn't believe what she was seeing. Making her turn to Nagai. "You didn't buy these right?"

"Nope. I heard you found the Tiger 1 in the lower hangers of the ship last year, so after the Oarai match and see said Tiger take a bad fall, I order my girls to scour the ship to help find any tanks that might have been stashed away. Unfortunately, this was all we could come up with, though I don't know what tanks these are since I'm not to say about tanks," Nagai said.

Guess the Imperial Japanese army got these overseas as well, have to be grateful for the legends of them making it here were true

Nishi thought, then nodded as she turn back to the two new tanks that had a plain base grey color, thanks in part to Miho's knowledge she had passed down to her as Nishi who was eager to expand her tankery knowledge. "Well, I guess I should do my part and let you know. This one on the right, is a Panther tank. Specifically, it's a D version, the first model the Germans design for a main battle tank for their forces. It's a real beast of a tank, with its slope 80mm of frontal armor making it tougher than the Tiger 1's, with its rounded mantlet that is vulnerable, but it's tough as well at 100mm of frontal armor, while it has the 6 smoke discharges to help get out of a bad situation. The main gun is no joke in the 75mm Kw.K.42 L/70 that's high-velocity gun can penetrate up to 180mm of armor at 100 meters, with it only dropping off somewhat at further ranges."

A low whistle follow from Nagai after the explanation was done. "Sounds powerful, any flaws?"

Nishi touch her chin in thought. "I think the worse of it would be the turret power traverse, it has only one speed that is only slightly better than manual traverse, so it takes very long to get on target if it's moving, while also making close combat its bane. While again, the 100mm on the mantlet is the spot to hit for decent gun tanks, as the onboard systems will mark that for a kill shot, but at mostly close ranges."

Himi now step in as well. "Were fortunate though, that this Panther D has an upgraded from it's original engine to the Maybach HL 230 and can really get up to speed in no time."

"What about this other one?" Ouji ask.

Making Nishi go into another round of explanation. "This one is a Panzer 3, again the specific version of it is the Panzer 3 Ausf.J. It was one of the most effective early war tanks due to its speed and gun that help the blitzkrieg earn its fame in France and in the early war with the Soviets. It has decent hull armor of 50mm, same with the mantlet. Arm with a 50 mm KwK L/42 that is good, but its damage is best done from 10 to 100mm, yet its best attribute is its fire rate at maybe 20 rounds a minute, due to the semi-automatic breech opening before the end the guns recoil from firing, emptying the spent shell, and allowing the loader to get a fresh shell home quickly."

"Oh, so cool! Any drawbacks?" Ouji ask.

"Well," Nishi started, feeling like she was going to take back what she just said. "The armor is decent, but a lot tanks past the early war could penetrate it no problem, while its gun was good, but was outdated by 1942 and would bounce off most tanks armor, especially its nemesis in the Soviet T-34, while also doesn't have a power traverse meaning abysmal turret rotation. Yet it's got great mobility, good gun depression, and high velocity of the gun makes it easy to aim."

"Well good to know what these tanks are, hope we help the team," Nagai said, turning to Nishi now.

Yet was surprised when the very girl grab both her hands, shaking them profusely as Nishi's eyes shine as she spoke. "This is more than good, we are eternally grateful for your help! I'll make sure the team writes a letter of thanks to you!"

"Oh no, you don't have to do that," Nagai try to calm down the excited Nishi.

"Sorry Miss Nagai, when our team gets going, ain't nothing stopping us," Himi said with her hands on her hip.

"I guess not, yet were glad to have help. Will be rooting for you all the way, so bring home the Victory Flag and will treat you girls to a barbeque," Nagai said with a bright smile.

"We look forward to it!" Nishi said, as her heart swelled with excitement as their team had been given a little more hope and when Miho return there be no stopping them.

"Oh," Nishi said, thinking of something while turning to Himi. "Does our budget cover the cost of ammunition?"

"Yep, thank the Federation's rulebook. Article 19, Section 32 states that any newly constructed tanks will be eligible for ammunition supply provided by the Federation for the first year of use, once documentation is provided," Himi stated.

"Yet these aren't newly constructed tanks," Nishi said perplexed.

"They don't know that if I work my magic on the paperwork. How do you think we got ammo for the Tiger 1 without paying?" Himi said with a devilish smirk.

"Heh, you're full of surprises Miss Himi," Nishi said, earning a wink from the older women.

Then Nishi focus her eyes back on her team's new tanks, knowing this was going to help with Pravda. As once more the Akagi had provided their team with hope first with the Tiger 1 and now more German tanks. With the Tigress Corps whose fangs were only becoming sharper and ready to bare at the foe who try to take their dream away and all they needed now was their Tigress commander to return to them, so they could unleash this fire and fury for all to see.