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.

24. The Moon is Beautiful, Isn't it? Part 2

The afternoon sun was setting on the port city of Shichigahama in Miyagi District, casting a deep orange over the city as the day ended. Though the streets were still abuzz with its citizens going about their final tasks of the day, adults getting off work, and school kids walking home or going out with friends. The same could be said of Saunders school carrier, the USS George Washington, but unlike the port city, the small city aboard were preparing themselves for getting back out on the sea, as the school carrier was efficiently resupplied by MEXT for their journey back on the open seas around Japan. Back to the open starry skies and bliss mornings.

This meant for Miho, it was a dismal moment, as she stood on the pier before the catwalk leading to the carrier. Dress in her school's Sensha-do uniform with the 1938 US Tanker helmet under her arm, though dirty from the all-day practice with her new tank the M4A3E8, which match her crew helmets included, besides Moteki who was sitting in a wheelchair in her school uniform. All four of the crew, plus their new teammate Ellie Cunningham, stood close as they look at their allies who were about to cast off, but not without a goodbye.

"Well, let's not wait on ceremony!" Kay started, coming up to give Miho a large hug, making her balk at the aggressive blonde to whom she still wasn't accustomed to her bone-crushing hug.

"Gah!...Mi…miss Kay…t… too tight," Miho could barely say.

"Ah! My bad, my bad," Kay chuckled, leaning back to give her friend some pats on the shoulder. "Have to say, it was a blast watching you and your crew really take that Easy Eight for a real spin. Got me all fired to get in my own tank."

Finding her breath after the bone-crushing hug, Miho spoke in a jovial tone. "As my crew and I are grateful for your help learning the ins and outs of the tank."

"It's the least we can do, we were very happy to have you aboard Miss Nishizumi," Rosie added, bowing her head.

Miho returns the bow. "As was I to have to be allowed. I look forward to seeing you again, Miss Rosie."

"I just hope," Rosie began with a wink. "It's on a match field, we got a score to settle."

"Hmph," Nomi spoke with her arms crossed. "Just don't be mad if we get another bounce shot under that Jumbo of yours."

"Well, now, you're asking for it," Rosie shot back playfully, then came over to put Nomi in a headlock while ruffling her hair, making the twin complain and laugh heartily at the same time.

Miho smiled at them, then turned to see Fukushu, Linda, and Konomi coming up, with Kay backing off to give the 4 of them some space.

Fukushu was the first to stand before Miho, fiddling with her hands. She knew she would be separated from her half-sister once more since she was returning to Oarai. Having only gotten to spend a few days with Miho, pushing away all the hate and remorse Fukushu once had. Getting to know the very girl she had hated for so long for a past grudge that Miho had no part in. While most importantly, having finally had her first dream realized, as Miho had accepted her into the Nishizumi family.

"Sister," Fukushu said at first before she choked on her words.

Making Miho smile, while reaching out with both hands to take Fukushu's in hers. "This goodbye is only temporary."

"I know, but after everything…I just wanted some more time…to be with you and get to know more about you," Fukushu said with a downcast face.

"As did I, but I'm grateful," Miho started.

"For what?" Fukushu asks, looking up to meet those matching brown eyes.

With Miho smiling warmly, as the orange glow of the afternoon light seem to enhance Miho's radiance as she spoke. "That I can finally have you as a sister, that we are no longer separated by the past, but brought together for the future."

"The future…," Fukushu whispered, captivated by every word.

"Yes…a future where every Nishizumi will fight for each other, as I will fight for you," Miho finished, stepping forward to press her forehead to Fukushu's, touching them together.

Making Fukushu nuzzle back, just able to keep her emotions. "As I will fight for you, to be worthy of the name Nishizumi and to the day we can fight together."

"Now that," Miho said, leaning back some. "Is a future I can't wait for."

"Me either," Fukushu said, backing off as well, wiping her eyes before anyone saw that she had tear up.

Then Fukushu pointed at Miho in a dramatic fashion. "As your little sister officially now! I look up to you, so I expect you to show Pravda it's a mistake to think they even have a chance at beating my big sister!"

The sudden flurry of words caught everyone off guard, Miho most of all, as her heart began to pound in her chest. Since she still was getting used to being the big sister, a role that she had wanted when she was younger. Miho always and will always admire Maho, wanting to be as strong and brave as she was, to which Miho had hoped that if their parents had another daughter, that they would look to Miho for inspiration. With Miho being their guide into Sensha-do like Maho had been for her for so long.

Now that moment was here, though only did Miho share half-blood with Fukushu, there was no doubt just by their features they were sisters. With Miho now being the older sister, for the younger one to look up to for inspiration. Meaning Miho had another duty to add to being an heiress of the Nishizumi name, but unlike the other daunting tasks that awaited her and fill her with trepidation, this task of being an older sister to be looked up, this was not so intimidating. In fact, it was the one task Miho was looking forward to.

"Very well!" Miho cried out, with her hand curled into a fist and placed over her heart. "I won't let you down as your older sister! So watch me, Fukushu. I'll show how great Sensha-do can be!"

"YEA!" Nomi, Nene, Watabe, Moteki, and Ellie shouted out, invigorated by their tank commander's boast.

Though Fukushu met this statement with a smug look. "Good, I expect no less, so don't let me do-."

Before Fukushu could finish her little triumphant sentence, Linda came from behind to give her student a light tap on the head as she spoke. "Duuummmmmmyyyyyy!"

Rubbing the abused spot on her head, Fukushu whined. "Lindaaaa!"

"What? You don't need to be reverting to your cocky side just yet. You got work to do to earn the right," Linda lectured, making Fukushu want to respond, but remain quiet as she pouted at the truthful words.

Turning to Miho, Linda spoke again. "Well, I'm sorry our time got cut short. Yet again, know that you have my loyalty to your family for all you've done for me. If your girls ever accept me…I…I like to be your fitness and Sensha-do assistant instructor."

That made Miho gasp in surprise. "You…you want to help train us?"

"Your team doesn't have an instructor from what I hear…It also is another way for me to help make up for what happened the year before….I know it's water under the bridge as of now, but I'm not satisfied," Linda determinedly said.

"Well…right now, I don't want to subject you to what's going on with my team. However, after the Semi-Final, we would welcome you as an instructor. It will help lighten the load for me to have someone manage that part," Miho agrees.

"Oh no, we're going to get run into the ground, I bet," Nene grimaced.

"Could help you shed some of that weight you pack on, just saying," Nomi added.

Which caused the twin to growl at the other, then was about to pounce before Rosie interjected, now playing her part as a mediator between the two, as the rest of the crew looked on with embarrassed smiles at the usual back and forth between the twins.

Linda spoke up to get things back on track. "That's good. I humbly thank you for accepting my request," then Linda bowed.

With Linda's part done, she steps aside to allow Konomi to the front to say the final goodbye. As Miho took in the sight of her cousin, having also only been afforded a little time to get to know her, but definitely wasn't enough. Knowing the tragic events of Konomi's life, Miho wanted nothing more than to do all she could to erase them, as the heiress of the family, she had an obligation to look after her family, even if she was very young and it was an adult she wanted to do this for.

"Konomi…I…I…," Miho began trying to find her words.

Watching the struggling of her niece, only made Konomi smile, as she knew what Miho wanted to say.

"Miho," Konomi said calmly, making the younger girl look up at her. "All the terrible things in my past…you can't fix them or heal them completely."

"But I wa-," Miho try to argue.

"However, you have done a lot already to heal my broken soul," Konomi interjected.

Miho was too shocked to respond.

"You also allow me to fulfill my dream of being a part of the Nishizumi name. I can hopefully one day, walk side by side with Shiho like I wanted to in my youth. With this time, we both will be helping you, Maho, and Fukushu grow in Sensha-do. My loyalty you have, Miho, I will help you whenever you call, as a family should," Konomi passionately said, bowing deeply to her nephew.

Miho took a breath to calm her emotions and bowed back. "I look forward to working together as a whole family."

Rising up, they looked at one another, then came together in an affectionate hug. Their bond truly realizes, there will solidify to help the Nishizumi name, not for power or control, but for each other. The darkness surrounding their family seeming to be pushed back by this moment, as Tigresses never knew the word quit.

As Miho and Konomi broke apart, one last member came up to bid farewell. It was Naomi, who stepped up to Miho, making the young Nishizumi heiress blush as she thought about their moment together in the M4A3E8 tank. Though it was a bit dangerous in terms of closeness, it was a moment that Miho needed. With Naomi of all people, someone she had never connected with prior, suddenly be her saving grace from the depression of the situation with Tamada.

If not for Naomi getting Miho to open up, she might not have found the will to fight. To fight for the relationship Miho had built with Tamada. Knowing that something bigger was happening in the background, Miho needed to address and get her lover back into her arms. All this was done by Naomi out of just pure care to help Miho get back on her feet, making her eternally grateful to the ace gunner.

"Well, guess this is goodbye for now," Naomi started, with a small smile on her face.

"Yea…I…I'm truly thankful for what you said to me earlier. You reminded me that I must fight for Tamada, find the reason, and get her back. All the while, you did it of your own volition to help someone…you truly are a wonderful person," Miho said gratefully.

There she goes again, saying things like that to me…Kami, if she wasn't in a relationship…no…calm down…

Naomi thought, clearing her throat. "As I said before, I don't like seeing a good couple be separated over something that can be fixed. Just make sure not to back down, since I heard your girl is a bit of a fighter herself."

A nod follows the statement from Miho. "She has always been that way, but she is hurting and needs me. I can't let her run, as you said."

"Good, you'll do fine, do as you have always done. When the fight gets tough, keep getting up till they can't keep you down," Naomi lectured with a smirk.

"You have a way with words, Mis…Naomi. I look forward to meeting you again," Miho said, then held out her hand, as she didn't think a bow convey how grateful she was.

Which Naomi nodded in appreciation while holding out her own hand to take Miho's. The two of them stare deeply at one another, but as they did, Kay watch the interaction with deep scrutiny but remain silent. Then Miho and Naomi unlock their hands while waving goodbye to one another as Miho and her crew left to climb aboard their M4A3E8 that they would ride back to the Akagi and back to the school to put in the garage.

Moteki was lifted onto the tank by Ellie herself till she was on top of the turret, where Miho would hold her on the way back, with the rest of the crew taking their positions. With one last wave from Miho and her crew, Ellie started the Sherman tank up and drove away smoothly for home.

With that done, everyone began to make their way back to the USS George Washington, except for Naomi. Staying behind, she watch the American tank roll away behind the huge warehouses along the pier till they were out of sight, with her arms crossed.

"Hey, Naomi," Kay call out, as she came to her friend's side.

Looking over, Naomi spoke. "What you need, Top."

Kay was silent for a moment, then turn her face to Naomi. "Can you tell how I'm feeling right now?"

The question made Naomi tilt her head. "I don't get what you mean."

"Look at my face, what does it tell you," Kay pressed, wanting to get her point across. For a long moment, Naomi just stared, then it hit her as she flinch a little. "That you're…upset."

Kay nodded instantly. "Your damn right I'm upset, want to know why?"

Silence was the only answer Naomi could give, as she fear being on Kay's very rare bad side.

"I saw how you look at Miho," Kay said.

"Wah…it's nothing!" Naomi quickly replies.

Though it did little to convince Kay, who sigh deeply at her ace gunner who she knew well. Ever since that first year, where Naomi had gotten mixed up with then 3rd year Nikki, who Kay knew was nothing but a philander who got her way with girls and boys, try to warn Naomi about it. Yet that fell on deaf ears, to which Kay couldn't complain about, since it was Naomi's first time experiencing being with someone, it was only too bad it was with someone who didn't reciprocate the same feelings.

Getting her mind on track, Kay spoke again. "It's more than nothing, I know you, even if you are my junior, you are one of my best friends."

Naomi look to respond, but Kay's large light blue eyes shut her down, as they saw all through her.

"Look, I can tell you help Miho out with whatever is going on, which has to be about her lover isn't it?" Kay ask.

"Yea," Naomi quietly answer.

"Thought so," Kay said with a sigh. "I thank you for once more proving what a great gal you are, but I also know that look in your eye, it's that look that says you like someone."

Naomi didn't answer, casting her head to the ground in distress.

Making Kay shake her head slightly. "If she were single, I put you together myself if I had to, but she's got a special someone."

"I know, Top…just been some time since I've actually felt this way…kind of lost myself letting an old crush come back to the surface, didn't mean to cause trouble. Even though I kind of totted the line with my…well you know," Naomi admitted.

"Jeez, I was a little worried when you took her into the tank and close the hatch," Kay said, rubbing her temple knowing that her ace gunner was flirting with a hazardous situation if Naomi acted on her wants, causing trouble for Chi-Ha-Tan knowing how fiercely loyal they were within the team.

Meaning if Naomi had done anything that might have caused distribution in Miho's relationship, Chi-Ha-Tan and Saunders might be at each other's throats again, which was not a situation Kay was ever going to let happen again under her watch.

"I held back, don't worry. While I think Miho and her girl will be alright, so I won't be able to act on my impulses, not that I ever was going to in the first place," Naomi commented, looking to Kay with a small smile.

Leaving Kay with a need to let go of the lecture mood, as she trusted Naomi. "Alright, that's all I'll say on the matter. Now, let's get back on board and find Alisa, I'm starving."

"Right behind you, Top," Naomi agree, as the two girls began their journey onto the catwalk to get aboard their carrier.

Though Naomi took one last look back in the direction Miho had gone, letting her heart relax, as she came to terms that there be nothing going on between them, but would still be Miho's friend through it all.

Good luck, Miho. Fight for your lover, fight for what you built, and you'll find your happiness I guarantee it

Naomi thought, with a warm smile spreading across her face, as she resume her walk back home and to her friends who would be having a feast tonight.

---

The Akagi community was settling down for the late afternoon, as they were readying as well like their sister carrier the USS George Washington, for the journey out to sea as they would leave port tomorrow morning after fueling up for their long journey to the next match field for their Sensha-do team. This was why they were stuck in port so much longer than usual, since they needed extra reserves to make it back to Japan when the match was over.

The peacefulness of the Akagi streets were slightly unsettled when a not-so-odd sight was driving between the houses and stores. The sight was of a lumbering piece of metal on tracks, moving slowly to make sure not to damage anything. People along the streets stop to stare in awe, storeowners left their spots at the register to come out to look, and even families open windows from two-story houses to watch the proud American tank lumber through the streets.

"I hope we're not making a disturbance," Ellie said nervously over the crew intercom, as she had her hatch over the driver area open, so she could drive with her head out.

"Do…do…don't wo…wo…worry, the re…re…residents are us..use…this," Watabe answered, her head poking out as well from the bow gunner area, letting her take in all the sights.

Miho added her voice as she touch her throat microphone. "The people here are really friendly and just as passionate about tanks as we are. You'll get to know many of them personally once you start going to school."

"Ri…right," Ellie said still nervous, as she turn the M4A3E8 around a corner smoothly.

"Ugh, can't wait to get back to the dorm for a shower," Nene added, leaning against the brim of the hatch that was open over the loader area, with Nomi standing with her, since there was enough room for both of them.

"I can't wait to get this walking boot off," Moteki reply in an annoyed tone, as she sat on top of the tank turret next to Miho's commander cupola.

"Don't take it off, even at night. The doctor let me know you been fiddling with it, please don't do that," Miho spoke up, looking at Moteki with a motherly scorning look, conveying there be no objection from the daughter.

As Moteki squirmed a little, then nodded. "I will, don't worry."

"Good, because Watabe will be staying in your dorm room, so there be no getting out of it," Miho added in a joyful tone.

"Wah!" Moteki wailed, causing the crew to chuckle as she grew red in embarrassment.

The light moment relieved Miho, as it felt that she could relax a little for the first time since she got home. After a week of traveling across Japan to see her family, that at this point felt like a long month, then came back to see her Sensha-do team in distress once more, only adding to her frustrations. She still hadn't even gotten to sit down and talk with the girls, beside Nishi, after she sent them away from the room upon her return.

We need to have a full team meeting…I need to let them know I still care about them…I will always care about them; they are my Sensha-do family, and they are why I'm passionate about Sensha-do once more. I can't delay any longer, especially with the match day so close at hand.

Miho thought, rubbing her hand against the flap of her US tanker helmet, before something caught her attention.

"Good luck, commander!" A young woman yell from the sidewalk, waving her hand, while the other held some groceries.

Instantly Miho turn to her as her tank drove by. "Thank you so much!"

"Pravda doesn't have a chance! Show em' why our Tigress Corps is to be fear!" A young boy cheered with his hands cup around his mouth, as his parents added their same sentiments to his.

Suddenly, all the Akagi residents who saw their Tigress commander driving through the streets added their voices to the choir of cheers. Many of them were families that had lived on the Akagi for generations, making them deeply loyal to their Sensha-do team. Having seen them be pummeled time and time again, mocked and laugh at, but still continue the fight. All through it, the Akagi residents had supported them through thick and thin, always believing one-day Chi-Ha-Tan would show Japan what they are really made of.

Their belief finally paying off, with the very girl driving through the streets, who took their woes on her shoulders and lifted their team to go places they had only ever dreamed about. They wanted to show appreciation for all the hard work the young Nishizumi had put in for their team.

"Will be cheering you on all the way, Miss Nishizumi!"

"You inspire my youngest to want to join Sensha-do!"

"Mom! Your embarrassing me!"

"Take it all the way to the finals! No one can beat the Tigress Corps!"

"Is that a new girl? Welcome to the team, young miss!"

"Can't wait to see this new tank in action!"

"Miss Nene and Miss Nomi, keep being the best duo in the league!"

"Miss Watabe, keep hammering away with that bow gun, no one's better in the league than you!"

"Get well soon, Moteki!"

The praises and cheers kept going, making Miho and her crew blush in embarrassment at the resident's kindness. Though eventually, they got over it, beginning to wave to the passing people, offering thanks and boasting about their prowess. Even Ellie did her best to add her voice, thanking these strangers who were treating her like she was an old friend. Even if she was American and a long way from home, Ellie felt like she was home just by these actions of the Akagi's residents.

Eventually, Miho and her crew finally reach the street to her school, with Ellie again making a smooth turn with Sherman tank. They clattered down the road, where they make another turn to head for a back gate so they could take their tank to the garage area and lock it away for the night. Though Miho, with her extremely good vision, pick out something like a group of people standing in front of the main gate to Chi-Ha-Tan academy.

"Is that…our team?" Nomi call out, leaning forward on the brim of the loaders hatch, with Nene leaning against her twin and looking over her shoulder to see what was happening.

"It is…what are they hol…," Miho began, then touch her throat microphone. "Miss Cunningham, continue down this street to the front of the gate please."

"Roger that!" Ellie replied, shifting the tank into a lower gear so they would crawl down the street at a slower speed.

As Miho was getting closer, it became evident of the scene in front of her. All the Chi-Ha-Tan's Sensha-do team was standing in front of the gate, including the junior mechanics, with Chief Mechanic Himi herself standing proudly with the girls. However, something even bigger caught Miho's attention, as along the entire front row of the girls, they were holding up a large banner with a simple set of words.

It was words Miho had wanted to hear when she came back to the Akagi, to her Sensha-do family, to the place she knew she belong to.

Across the banner in large words said something that anyone would want to hear coming back after some time away from those they treasured.

WELCOME HOME MIHO.

The words made Miho's heart flutter, as this was how things should have been, not the divide her team was in. Now they were together again, doing something as simple as inviting her home after once more being separated.

Miho waited till the Sherman was close as they could get, as she call for a dismount, with her and the twins helping Moteki down. Then Miho and her crew came forward, each step having to be constrained from turning into a run, as the happy faces of Tigress Corps couldn't be any wider if the girls wanted to.

Finally, Miho stood in front of the pack group, with Nishi being the first face she picked out standing in front of the group. Seeing Nishi at her lowest when she came home made Miho grateful that Nishi was returning to her usual self. A rich glow to her smooth skin, her hair back to its pristine state, and her eyes no longer had deep circles caused by sleepiness nights. The Nishi standing now was proud and strong again, readying to serve as Miho's second through every trial like before.

"Alright!" Nishi said, holding an arm up in the air. "At attention!"

In one smooth motion, the banner was dropped from the hands of the girls, fluttering onto the ground. The Sensha-do team and mechanics snap their feet together, their backs were rod straight, and their eyes focus to the front. The parade ground drill left Miho and her crew perplexed, wondering what was going on, then Nishi started again.

"All bow!" Nishi order.

As one, the group bowed their heads and spoke in one loud voice. "We're sorry, commander!"

"Eh!" Miho cried out at the apology.

Speaking first as she rose up, Nishi let out a lovely smile. "We're sorry we didn't hold together as you taught us."

"We're sorry we didn't remember how much you believe in us, through everything," Ikeda added.

Hosomi with her hands on her hip smirked at her friend. "We're sorry we didn't have all the cakes you could want as a homecoming present."

Which causes some chuckles among the group.

"We're sorry for not keeping with your Sensha-do style even when you were gone," Hamada continue the apologies.

"We're sorry for not being the leaders you always entrusted for us second years," Nagura added.

"We're sorry we didn't do more to help you, when you needed us most," Kubota agreed.

"We're sorry, that we couldn't see the path forward to make your welcome home easy," Nishihara said with regret in her tone.

"But," Fukuda began, her hands clasped together and her eyes sparkling as she spoke. "We are happy you are home. We're going to train harder than ever to show we are worthy to follow the Nishizumi style…no…to show we are worthy to follow Miho's style."

"YEAAAA!" the group cheered as their littlest tanker was firing them up.

"Ev…everyone! Thank you, there's no need to say sorry!" Miho started, her voice reaching everyone's ears, then came forward with her hand over her heart. "I promise I will never leave you behind again, that going forward, I know I have all of you to help me. As you know I will do all I can for you, my tankery family!"

"You hear that, girls!" Hosomi instantly spoke up. "That's a promise from the commander herself, which means there needs to be punishment if she ever breaks it, right?!"

"RIGHT!" the group replied as one.

"Ehhh!" Miho whined, seeing her heartfelt words turn into her demise later.

"Sorry, commander, but we aren't going to let you get off easy. Matter of fact, I think we will start with your punishment now, what do you say Nishi?" Hosomi said in a smug tone, looking at her friend.

Nishi nodded her head. "I think Hosomi is right, so at the ready!" Nishi said, raising her arm again.

"Uh oh, I have a bad feeling about this," Nomi began, quickly hiding behind her sister.

"What! Don't hide behind me you coward," Nene complain, trying her best to hide behind her sister, with the two divulging into their usual roughhousing.

"Um, am I missing something?" Ellie ask with nervousness, turning to Watabe and Moteki.

"Just hope you make it through," Moteki replied with a defeated smirk.

Watabe nodded at the statement. "W…w…we w..will pray for y…yo…you."

Which did no favors for Ellie's sake.

Nishi look up and down the line of girls making sure that they were not jumping the gun, then when she felt satisfied, she lowered her arm, letting out the word that Chi-Ha-Tan knew well, but for this purpose, it was not for meeting the foe on the battlefield, but welcoming a sister back into their arms. Which Nishi would order this a million times if she could, because there was no better order to give to her troops.

"Charge!" Nishi shouted, dropping her arm and letting loose the Tigers of Chi-Ha-Tan.

As one, the group surge forward, as Nishi and Himi stay behind since they had spent time with Miho and wanted the others to enjoy. Miho for her part watch the line surge towards her, there was nowhere to run to escape them. Then again, why would she?

When this was how things were supposed to be with these girls who had helped her find the love of Sensha-do once more. Allow her to remake their identity as a team, who had taken on the monumental task of learning a whole new system of Sensha-do that had helped them pull off multiple upsets. Yet, their bond was more than about wins, it was the care and camaraderie that came with it that made their team what it was, from orphans, to bully girls, and others looking for a place to belong.

Here in this team, they all had found it together, which would be why they stayed together even when their Sensha-do days were done.

"Guess there is no stopping them," Miho said with a defeated smile.

To which she was right, as the first to come roaring in was Hosomi, who wrapped her arms around Miho's waist and lifted her up, much to the embarrassment of the Chi-Ha-Tan commander, but Hosomi care little as she swung her around in chuckles echoing in the air, that was sound fill with others.

Soon Hosomi put Miho down, but only to be swarmed by hugs in bunches from every girl who could get their arms on their commander. While Miho did her best to accept every one of them, talking to every girl she could, because she knew every one of them thanks to her photographic memory. Easily calling out their names, which always endeared the Chi-Ha-Tan girls to Miho, because she cared about you even if you were a bow gunner or a mechanic, everyone mattered.

Though while Miho was in a state of constant greetings, Ellie was subjected to the same treatment, as everyone was dying to meet their new addition to the family.

"Oh wow, your super tall!"

"And super cute!"

"I bet you have boyfriends lining up for you!"

"What's it like in America?! I want to visit one day!"

"Welcome to Chi-Ha-Tan. Thanks for looking out for our commander!"

"You have to come to have dinner with us tonight!"

"Does she have a dorm room already!? If not she should stay with one of us!"

"Yay! Sleepover!"

The voices of the Chi-Ha-Tan girls came in one after another, leaving Ellie with no chance to respond to all of them. While blushing all the while, from the amount of praise and friendliness with a group of girls she had just met. However, it left a warmness in her heart, with a sense of belonging, a feeling that had been left behind when her old team turn their back on Fukushu.

I think…I think I made the right decision, mom and dad…I'll make good on my promise to give it my all to honor my nation here…

Ellie thought, as she began to reply to all the girls surrounding her as best she could, who were already fussing over getting her a proper Chi-Ha-Tan school and Sensha-do uniform.

"I'll think she will fit right in," Nomi said, watching the tall blonde have to bend down to properly shake hands and hug some of her new teammates that she towered over.

"We better keep an eye on her, though, she is still new, and knowing our girls, they're going to want to drag her all over the carrier," Nene added.

"That's our job," Moteki added in.

"Hmmm," Nene said in a teasing tone. "Not jealous she is taking your position?"

Making Moteki snort at her tankery sister. "Don't make me out to be a possessive type!...I'm glad she is taking care of my mom and sisters for the next match, in fact, I have it no other way."

"S…sh…she is rea…rea…really kind to…too," Watabe added.

"While she is part of our crew, even if she is older than us, it's our job to look after her," Nene boasted with her hands on her hip.

Though Nomi roll her eyes. "We leave her in your care and the only thing you'll look after is the snacks she buys for you."

"Want to repeat that sister, I didn't quite hear that drivel you were saying," Nene reply with an angry smirk.

Moteki and Watabe let out a sigh, as the twins went back to their usual back and forth. Knowing there was nothing to do but watch and hope it ended soon enough.

While that was happening, Miho had finally gotten through the swarm of greetings, as the team was calming down from the excitement of finally welcoming their commander home. Though unfortunately, due to the curfew in effect for school nights, the girls had to be ushered back to the academy and their dorms, with many complaining about wanting more time with Miho.

Though Nishi, Ikeda, and Hosomi all stay behind to have a chat.

"I'll be having Miss Cunningham stay with Nene and Nomi for the time being," Miho started.

Making Ikeda shake her head in amusement. "I'll pray she can make it through the night with those two."

"Hey!" the twins complained together as they were passing by, with Ellie between them and practically dragging her along.

"I look forward to it, since I think I'm used to the antics," Ellie said with a cheerful tone.

"Good, and welcome again to the team. We're glad to have you. Also, you got to let me style your hair!" Hosomi added.

"Most definitely, Miss Hosomi," Ellie agreed, then disappeared as she was led through the gates to her new school and, more importantly, home.

With the team gone, Miho was left with her close friends to talk.

"I…I didn't see Tamada…is she…is she alright?" Miho asked timidly. Even with the confidence, Naomi had placed in her, it was failing her now.

Her friends all looked at one another with concerned expressions, and then Nishi spoke up. "Tamada didn't come to school today."

"We went to her dorm room, but she wasn't there," Ikeda added.

"We also check over all the school, ask students and residents alike," Hosomi said sadly, as her hands at her side clenched in anger. "She's just gone."

"No," Miho let out, feeling her heart strain for her missing lover.

Nishi quickly tries to alleviate her commander's worry. "There is no way she got off the ship, of that I'm certain. Meaning she has to be around here, just hiding away."

"You two…you two didn't break up? Please tell me that isn't the case," Ikeda ask, coming up to place her hands gently on Miho's arms for comfort.

"N…," Miho started, choking on her words for a moment.

Confront her, don't let her run because that is the easy path. That's what she wants to do, but at the same time not what she wants to do. You need to be the reason Tamada realizes she is acting on impulse. Protect her as she has protected you. That's what she needs from you

The advice from Naomi came to Miho's mind, which reminded her to fight for her lover, shedding any doubt or hesitation.

"Miho, you know you got us. Whatever you need us to do to help, we will do it," Nishi offered.

Hosomi placed a hand on Miho's shoulder. "If we got to bonk my stubborn tankery sister over the head and drag her back home, just give the order because I'm the one who play cupid for you two, and I am not about to let my hard work go to waste."

"Ugh," Ikeda sigh, as Hosomi was all play sometimes, even in a serious situation. "Ignore her."

"Hey!" Hosomi whined.

Though Ikeda took her own advice and ignored the twin bun scout commander as she spoke to Miho. "I concur with Nishi. Whatever you need from us, say the word, and we will get it done."

Reaching up, Miho grace her hand over Ikeda's on her arm. "I'm grateful," Miho then look to her other friends. "I'm grateful for all of you. However, I need to confront Tamada on my own."

"Why on your own?" Hosomi question.

"She's…she's running from something. It's not about the punch, theirs's something more to it," Miho replied.

The trio of girls all look at one another, speaking with their eyes in their wonderment at Miho's statement.

Miho could easily tell their thoughts, making her want to speak up again. "Was there anything tragic that happened before I met Tamada?"

Again the trio of girls pondered on this, but could not come up with anything.

"Maybe…I…I don't know if this has anything to do with it," Hosomi began, though struggling with the words wanting to come out.

"What is it?" Miho pressed, wanting anything that might help her.

Hosomi looked at Ikeda, the two speaking with their eyes, till eventually, Ikeda gave a nod of approval. Hosomi then began to retell Miho what happened on the train after the match against Oarai, where Tamada had told Hosomi and Ikeda about a dream about her former lover Tohaku, which turned into a nightmare as he found out about Miho. Leading to him tearing Miho and Tamada apart, which sent Tamada into a fearful state.

When the retelling was done, Miho felt some understanding come to the surface. "She fears me being taken away? By her former lover?"

"I guess, but I think it's just part of the reason," Ikeda answered.

"To think Tamada has been struggling with this, but never told anyone," Nishi added, touching her hand to her chin, worry etched all over her face.

"Tamada…also told me that there was a sin she had committed…that made her the biggest hypocrite in the world or so she said after our last conversation. Does that mean anything to you?" Miho ask.

"Not a clue," Hosomi answered.

"Beats me. I never heard this from her before," Ikeda sighed, dejected she had no way to help.

Nishi, though, kept pondering, then spoke. "I also don't have anything to add that might help."

"That's ok. I think I'll have to get my answers when I confront her," Miho said confidently.

"Speaking of which, how are you going to find her?" Hosomi couldn't help but ask.

"Tamada would want to be in a place that gives her peace…somewhere only she would know, but probably forget that it's a place she shared with me," Miho added.

"You sure you want to confront her alone?" Nishi question.

"Yes, I left her behind like all of you. It's up to me to make this right. I won't lose what we have gained, I'll fight for it," Miho determinedly said, looking at her tankery sisters with pure fortitude in her eyes.

"Now theirs our Tigress," Hosomi happily said, wrapping an arm around Miho. "Yet, before that, you're going to have dinner with the team, you owe us that."

"Don't bother with trying to talk your way out of it. We got a full week's worth of Miho does what we want cards to play," Ikeda added to the fun.

"I'll do my best to keep it at a…less than wild level," Nishi added, making the girls chuckle together, knowing there was no way that was happening.

"Very well, I owe you all that much. Let's go," Miho agree.

Which was met by a chorus of cheers from Ikeda, Hosomi, and Nishi, who promptly dragged Miho off into the school. To enjoy an evening together as a tankery family once more, even if there were still dark clouds hanging over them, with their Tigress home, there was a ray of light burning the darkness away, but to be completely whole, Miho had to bring Tamada home, no matter how tough the fight would turn into.

---

"That fuc...," Mizuko growled, her anger unable to be held in check anymore, as she grabbed a nearby chair and tossed it across the room, crashing onto a desk violently and clattering onto the ground. That wasn't the end of her tirade as she lifted her hand curl into a fist, to bring down with all the power she could muster to smash on a nearby desk.

It was loud as flesh and wood connected together viciously, but the wooden desk lost the fight, as a crack was formed from the amount of strength behind it from Mizuko, almost able to punch through the wood.

The action causes some gasp from the third-year tank commanders and some crew members in the room who witness their leader take her anger out on things, as they were using the Art room to meet up like before. They had just informed Mizuko that Miho had returned to the carrier with an M4A3E8, which was obviously another gift from Saunders and a new teammate as well in the form of an American girl. Upon hearing of this, Mizuko lost her self-control, leading to the chair toss and desk punch.

"How much more does she want to spit on our club!?" Mizuko roared, pacing around the room with her arms folded. "Accepting handouts from the very team that humiliated us! Now she brings in some girl who hasn't earned the right to be on our team!"

Tsuga, one of the tank commanders and Mizuko's stanch ally, spoke up. "Not to mention, our juniors are all under her thumb. We had them remembering our way till Miss Nishizumi came back. Now it seems like we're losing our grip."

Sueoka, the other tank commander and ally of the old way, also spoke. "If we don't do something, we might truly lose our chance here."

"We aren't losing anything," Mizuko snapped, her anger still boiling. "This is nothing but a misstep. Our commander can keep batting her eyelashes, want everyone to be friends, but will shall see how that confidence holds up when she realizes that there are those willing to honor our old way who aren't third years."

"Mizuko," Tsuga spoke up, fiddling with her hands in nervousness. "You know I follow, you know I'm loyal to what you want to do, and you are my sister regardless of being in Sensha-do or not."

"I know…do you have something you want to get off your chest?" Mizuko asks, finally calming down and looking at her comrade.

"Can you live with what you are about to do?" Tsuga ask.

The question made Mizuko go quiet, pondering the question she was already asking herself repeatedly during school and in bed alone at night. She had decided to give her one last chance to bring the warriors code back into the light, even if it was for the last time. Yet even if that was the case, even if one last burning image was all Mizuko could hope for now, then she do all she could to light it regardless of how that fire might burn everything to the ground.

For herself, for the many members of the last year's team who left, for past alumni, for all the women who serve in Chi-Ha-Tan's Sensha-do team, they would not be forgotten. They would not be discarded aside as society had already done to them, for Mizuko would burn an image into the Sensha-do world to remember who Chi-Ha-Tan really was. Give those past members a moment to realize how proud they should be to have worn the uniform as Mizuko had.

Feeling her resolve to do what must be done, even as dishonorable as it was, Mizuko spoke. "I can live with it, while at the same time, this is on my orders. I will shoulder all the blame when this is over."

"You don't have to do that for our sake. We all should share in this. I didn't answer the call to be pushed away from responsibility," Sueoka replied passionately, which others in the room echoed their loyalty to the cause.

Which made Mizuko feel her heart lighten to see the resolve of her girls. "Thank you, and I'll keep that in mind going forward since the match is so close at hand."

"Will make sure our juniors know that they can't brush us aside," Tsuga said with a smirk.

Mizuko nodded at that, then spoke. "Have any of you been able to find Tamada?"

All the girls in the room shook their heads, as Sueoka spoke. "All of us and our crews search high and low, but she isn't on the campus grounds, that much I can be sure of."

"Damn," Mizuko started, touching her chin with her hand in thought. "Ever since that day Commander Nishizumi came back, she's been absent."

"Think she ran away?" Tsuga ask.

"No, she wouldn't do that. I was hoping to get her on my side fully now since she is at odds with her commander, but can't waste time on her if she is still going to be unsure of where her loyalties lie," Mizuko replied, sighing after she was done.

Sueoka let out a low whistle. "Must be serious if you're letting her go. She was practically your shadow last year and a true believer."

"Like everyone else, she's been tainted by that Nishizumi girl and the illusion of winning. They all think they won with her style, but what we instill into the second years has got them to this point," Mizuko pointed out.

Tsuga smirked at the passionate response. "That's a truth they won't hide from anymore because of us."

"Especially now, when they realize not everyone has abandoned us," Mizuko replied with a wicked smile spreading across her face.

As this proclamation was just said, a knock on the door outside the Art Room got the trio's attention. Then the sliding door was open, to reveal Mizuko's gunner Nori coming in, but she was not alone, as 2 other girls came in behind her. Each was not part of the 3rd year group. Instead, they were part of the 2nd and 1st year group, respectively, tank commanders as well.

"Well, girls, good to see you," Mizuko started.

Both of them said nothing at first.

"I didn't hear you," Mizuko spoke again, her tone rising an octane.

"Good to see you, Miss Nonaka," both girls reply.

"That's better," Mizuko said, then motioned for her girls to come close, then they stood face to face with the loyalist of the old way.

Nori spoke up now. "Mizuko, they have sworn their loyalty to us to do what must be done. Miho and the rest have no idea."

"Good work always can rely on you, Nori," Mizuko praised, then turned her attention to her conspirators. "Do you both realize what I'm asking, right?"

The 2nd year nodded. "I do. We both do."

"And I can expect that you won't be back out at the last second?" Mizuko press, wanting to know their resolve.

"We won't…even…even if I have to…have to go against my commander, for the old way," the 2nd year replied.

"And you?" Mizuko turn her gaze to the 1st year.

The poor girl was absolutely petrified being underneath Mizuko's glare, but found her courage when her upperclassmen took her hand and gave it a squeeze for courage.

"I…" the 1st year began, struggling with her words, then spoke. "I will not back out, I will follow my upperclassmen."

"Good…gooood," Mizuko purred, her face tilting upwards with her wicked smile never fading. "Don't worry. When this is over, I'll take the blame for it all. This is for my final moment in Sensha-do, to which I owe you…my tankery sisters, a lot for giving me a nice send-off."

Both girls said nothing but nodded.

Feeling like she was getting control of the situation again, Mizuko turned around to stare at the window. Outside, the sun was making its final last appearance this day, kissing the sea and giving way for the moon to take over. As tonight would be a full moon, but the diminishing sun had a more pull for Mizuko now, because it seemed to represent something to her, something she would enjoy with unbridled pleasure.

It represents the fall of Miho Nishizumi's taint that she had spread to Chi-Ha-Tan.

Mizuko was ready to make it happen. All she had to do was bide her time for the match day.

You won't get away with pushing us warriors to the side, just so Sensha-do can be fun for you…this is the lifeblood of Chi-Ha-Tan, the warrior code…I'll burn it into your head even if I have to be hated by everyone to do it…

---

Night had fallen over the Akagi, its residents mostly heading to bed at this late hour, though it proved a bit difficult after all the excitement of the day of having Miho return home while they were going to be heading back out to sea soon. Yet for one particular girl, she could care less about anything since Miho was no longer close to her heart, and the home she had been given was going to be lost to her. For she was leaving and going to find her own way.

"I'm sorry…I have to leave you behind," Tamada spoke solemnly as she was kneeling in front of a tree, with her hand touching the soft ground at the base, gripping affectionately at a dirt spot.

She wore light grey shorts that hugged her lower frame and casual black shoes. For upper wear, she wore a loose open green hoodie with a plain black shirt underneath, since it was cold out, with her unbraided and brushed back, with the ribbon she usually uses to make tie her braid, which was tied around her right wrist.

"It must be ironic, I brought Miho to this place, to finally confess, to finally drop my past for my present, and for what I wanted for the future…now my past is making me leave the future I want, " Tamada said to herself, then brought her eyes up to glimpse at her surroundings.

She was currently on a forested hill that dominated the back half of the Akagi, a popular hiking trail for families and school girls alike. Though Tamada had found this spot away from the trail that only she knew about, a clearing in the woods where she had brought Miho too.

There was nothing but soft grass and a single tree here. Yet from the elevated position of the hill, one could look down on the entire Akagi community that was lit up by lampposts and various lights from other buildings. The control tower's lights were evident in the distance, while the full moon was hanging high in the night sky, illuminating the carrier in all its beauty.

Looking at the scenery for only a moment, Tamada averted her eyes away, as she couldn't enjoy it like she once did, turning her eyes back to the spot on the ground she was touching as she spoke. "Yet, not all of it will be bad, you will have this view… every day on the sea…it might get a little lonely…yet I can't do any more for you…I….I…., I'm such a fucking terrible person!"

Tamada suddenly felt hot tears begin to slide down her cheeks, leaving her face to fall upon the dirt spot where her hand was touching. This wasn't the first time she had broken down on this very spot as she had done it many of times. This place had a significance that went beyond the place she had confessed to Miho, it had also been the place she had buried her past away, to forget the nightmare moment where she had done something that was unspeakable in her mind.

"Why…why couldn't I have been stronger…for you…Tohaku why did you….now it's this guilt that is making me leave Miho…because I've been enjoying what it feels like to have that warmth again…I'm so sorry, and please forgive me," Tamada stutter out, tears falling more and her voice finally losing its composure.

Yet there was no reply from this mysterious entity that Tamada wanted an answer from, for the obvious reason that it wasn't there or, more to the point, it wasn't alive anymore.

Yet Tamada, who knew this, would still speak to them, especially as this was the last time. She continues to rub her hand on the dirt with an affectionate touch as if she were soothing something to sleep. Giving Tamada some respite from the regret and self-hate, enjoying the thought that she was comforting someone.

"I wonder…if you were alive…would you have…would Miho…could Tohaku…," Tamada trailed off, as her list of questions were all what-if scenarios at this point, that even after a year almost remove from doing her horrid act, she still contemplated.

"At this point, it doesn't really matter. Your gone, and I'm still here. You are resting in the dirt when you should have been…you should have at least been able to enjoy life, but I took that from you…because I'm selfish and scared because I didn't value you above…what I'm doing?" Tamada rambles on, feeling her depression hitting her harder.

Before Tamada could say anymore, a sound in the distance caught her attention. A snap of a twig, followed by a soft mutter of a curse, then another twig snapping, then the sound of branches being moved out of the way. If there was a reward for the worst person to try to sneak up on someone, Tamada would have nominated whoever was bumbling around in the woods.

Then it hit Tamada.

It sounds like they're close…but I never told anyone…Oh no….

Tamada thought as she rose to her feet, with her heart beating in her chest, for she didn't have to guess who was coming, and it was the last person she wanted to confront.

It was then that Miho emerged from the woods and into the clearing. The moonlight revealed she was dressed in a light blue and white stripe jacket, with blue denim jeans and running shoes. Though the poor girl was a mess as twigs and leaves littered her jacket, a result of hiking through the woods with only the moon's glow to guide her, working on only memory to get her here.

"Mi…Miho," Tamada choke out.

After catching her breath and removing some more forest gifts from her clothes, Miho spoke. "I…figure I find you here."

Tamada said nothing, turning her face away, as she worked her hands to clean the tear streaks from her cheeks, knowing she didn't want Miho to see her like this. This wasn't lost on Miho, who noticed the actions, prompting her to come closer. Even if she knew things were tense, she wanted to help Tamada in any way she could.

"Don't come near me," Tamada snapped, drying the rest of her tears finally, feeling her heart tear having to speak in such a manner, but press on. "Why are you here? Just go home, alright?"

Miho flinched at the tone but did not back down. "I can't do that."

"It's over. I told you we should stop seeing each other, so leave," Tamada snapped again, while again her chest ached at having to say such words.

Yet instead of getting what she wanted, Tamada was only met with Miho's determined look.

"I'm…I'm not leaving…I'm here to fight," Miho spoke, her eyes never breaking from Tamada.

For a moment, Tamada blinked a couple of times as if she hadn't heard that correctly. "Excuse me?"

"I'm here to fight," Miho repeated casually.

"Fight?...Fight for what?" Tamada questioned.

Placing a hand on her over her heart, Miho spoke a little louder, making sure that this was heard clearly and left no mistake of what she was here to do. "I'm here to fight for us."

Again Tamada was baffled by the response, then felt frustration boil up. "There is no us anymore…I told you it's over. Now leave."

"I will not," Miho said bluntly.

This caused Tamada to growl as she stepped closer to Miho. "Why are you being so stubborn?"

"Because you won't talk to me. Let me help you," Miho pleaded.

Tamada turn her back to Miho as her hands at her side form into fists, as she trembles. "There is no helping me!"

The response made Miho clasp her hands together in a fearful state, but she knew she had to endure this for Tamada and fight through whatever was causing her pain. There was no turning back if she wanted Tamada to return to her arms to protect her as Miho wanted.

"I will help you," Miho said, inching closer.

"You can't help me!" Tamada screamed in agony.

"Your right. I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong. Let me protect you as you protected me," Miho implored.

A bitter laugh left Tamada's lips. "Protect me…you can't protect someone who already sin. Their soul is damned, my soul is damned."

"Then tell me what this sin is and let me judge if I can't protect you, please Ha-," Miho try to say.

"I said don't call me by my first name! I have no right to hear you say that!" Tamada shouted, shivering in her agitated state, her red eyes seeming to glow, speaking to her rage.

That look alone would have caused many to run in fear, but Miho stood her ground. She would not back down because, behind this intense look, she could see that it wasn't fear that Tamada was trying to make her feel. It was Tamada's own fear that she was trying to hide behind her anger, trying to mask the pain that coursed through every fiber in her body.

"Haru," Miho said without fearing the threat, coming close to Tamada, standing toe to toe. "I won't leave, I won't hide, and I'm going to fight for us even if you don't want to."

"Damn you," Tamada said through clenched teeth, her arms trembling at her side, her heart giving way even as she fought to keep it closed.

"Is your sin so bad…that you don't see me worthy to know, after all we been through?" Miho questioned.

"It's my sin to bear, now leave…please just leave," Tamada fought back. Her voice, however, was losing its edge.

"This sin will be the most destructive thing in your life if you remain this defensive about it unless you tell me what it is," Miho said in a gentle tone, looking at those dark red eyes that were losing their fiery edge the longer this fight was dragged out.

Yet Tamada growl, then snap. "What makes you think you have the right!? Someone who's never done anything as vile as what I have! You don't get to prod it out of me!"

Never wavering Miho stare deeply into those red eyes that she treasured so much. "I have the right because I'm your lover. I'm the one you reveal your pain, scars, and sadness too. I've had the right the night you kiss me under these very stars, in this very place."

"No…that isn't h…how it works," Tamada said, trying to resist the sweet words that were breaking down her defenses.

"Do you remember the vows I gave you that very night?" Miho spoke gently, her soothing voice dancing across the night air.

"I…," Tamada try to say.

Yet Miho interjected, in a light tone and her heartwarming smile on her face. "I want to be held in your arms, I want you to be by my side when things are tough, I want to hold you whenever you're feeling down, and I want you to s…."

"To…to spoil you," Tamada finish, remembering their vows to one another that night of the confession.

"So let me be by your side, let me hold you, and this time, let me spoil you," Miho added, reaching ever so gently to touch Tamada's arm, hoping this was all she needed to finally break through to her lover.

It was only when Miho's hand was brushing against Tamada's forearm, even though the jacket, the feather touch made Tamada almost sigh in relief to feel once more, yet her mind would not let go that she did not deserve this. This warmth was not for her, not to enjoy and not cherish as she did before. It needed to be brushed aside, never to grace itself on her body ever again, never make her forget how terrible of a person she was…it needed to be pushed away.

"Don't touch me," Tamada whispered in a shaky voice.

To which Miho ignore the retort, her finger gliding down the jacket sleeve till they reached Tamada's shaking fist, wanting to unravel and intertwine her fingers in them.

Yet Miho never reached that point, as suddenly Tamada shouted. "Don't touch me!"

Faster than Miho could react, she was shoved by Tamada to the ground, falling onto her back with a gasp of surprise. As she got her senses back, Miho looked up, fearing that Tamada would be again in her state of rage. Yet instead, she was greeted by a sight of a broken girl whose tears were coming down again, her face washed with regret and sadness.

"M..Miho…I di…I didn't mean to," Tamada choked out, bringing her arms up to grip her head as she was losing control.

Fight…she needs me…fight…come on

Miho thought, building the fire of her spirit up again, ignoring the shove, as she rose to her feet slowly as she spoke. "Haru…listen to me."

Seeing Miho was returning to her feet, Tamada stopped gripping her head in sorrow, in awe that Miho wasn't running away, wasn't leaving her behind like she should. The Tigress of Chi-Ha-Tan was coming back to the fight, not letting go, not admitting defeat, and showing the courage to break the walls of her stubborn lover.

Finally, on her feet, Miho slowly walked towards Tamada as she spoke. "I'll give you the same choice you gave me."

"Huh?" Tamada questioned, hanging onto every word as tears fell from her face.

"That day I was thrown from the saddle of Little Gozen, you picked me up and said I don't like to boast, but I like to think I'm good at reading people. I can see you want to try again, you got a Chi-Ha-Tan spirit in here, but yet again, the choice is yours," Miho repeated.

Tamada remembered those words well, the words she had said to get Miho to ride the horse again. To show the courage that Tamada knew she could see in Miho even after only being together for a week into the semester, but just needed to be realized by Miho herself with some help.

"I can see," Miho started again. "That you have the want try, but as you told me, the choice is yours. I'll be by your side whatever you want to do."

Already on the edge of a collapse, Tamada began to take deep breaths as her will to fight was done. All that was left was the emptiness, the void that had been so far pushed aside, never to surface again, she hope. Yet here it was now, ready to be open and for Tamada to stare into its depths, seeing nothing but that horror, but this time would be different.

She wouldn't be alone.

Suddenly a warm sensation could be felt on both sides of her face, as Tamada's eyes focused to find Miho had close the distance again. That lovely smile was there again, shining like a burning sun, pushing back the dark clouds that ruled Tamada's heart. No longer could she deny herself this want of Miho, though the truth was she never truly wanted to be away from it from the start, as Tamada had done what she thought was best on a selfish whim. Ran from resolution because she was scared of the truth being told and what it might take from her.

With her defenses truly destroyed and her soul laid bare, Tamada's tired red eyes found Miho's brown ones. Drinking in the gorgeous color, their captivating aura told her it was alright. Which made Tamada begin to cry, losing her willpower in her legs as she began to slide down to her knees, with Miho going down with her.

"I'm sor…I'm sorry, forgive me…please for…please forgive me," Tamada said between her sobs, as her hands snaked up to grip Miho's jacket as she buried her head into her lover's chest.

The motion shocked Miho, but she quickly brought her arms around Tamada, letting her sob into her chest while running her hands through Tamada's hair. Then gently, Miho began to rock her body to help calm her lover down, letting her get all of her cries out. There the two stay, having been separated for only a week, but felt significantly longer, finally being together the way they both had wanted.

Finally, Tamada calm down, pulling back some to look at Miho. "I'm sorry…for everything, punching that Linda girl, then almost your sister. Going against everything you wanted of me, letting my anger get out of control again."

"It's ok. I forgive you for all of that because I know you never wanted to do that," Miho began, using her hand to wipe tears from her lover's face, then spoke on the real issue at hand. "Yet something else was driving you to that, right?"

Lowering her head in shame for a moment, Tamada gathered her strength to speak but peeked a glance at the lone tree in the clearing where she had originally been before Miho arrived.

"Did this have something to do with your fo…," Miho started but choked on her words for a moment. "Something to do with your former lover Tohaku?"

Hearing that made Tamada turn her head back to Miho. "Why…why do you think that?"

"Hosomi told me about your dream you had on the train after the match with Oaria about him taking me away from you," Miho pressed.

Tamada remembered that dream vividly. It was the memory of the night that Tohaku had come back into her life. Leading them have a night of pleasure, but unlike what happened in reality, in the dream, that was stopped when Miho found them. Completely heartbroken by her actions, Tamada try to comfort Miho, but Tohaku grew angry because she had abandoned him, leading to him taking Miho away in vengeance. A nightmare Tamada never wanted to think about again.

Though that wasn't the major part that was giving Tamada sleepiness nights now.

"That is part of the reason but not the whole thing," Tamada said, her tone strained.

"Then tell me," Miho said, using one hand to touch Tamada's cheek to make her look at her. "Let me protect you. Let me share in this burden that is tearing you apart."

For a moment, Tamada pondered over if she should speak, knowing that she was going to open up about things she wished not to speak of but could no longer hide or run away as she did before. She had to do it, there wasn't just her involved anymore, and Miho had the right to know since she wanted to protect Tamada too. They both had promised to look after one another, but Tamada hadn't made good on that, which meant now was the time to rely on that promise between them.

Ironing her heart to bring up her terrible past, Tamada spoke. "You know that Tohaku and I had sex that night after we returned to our home port, after the humiliating loss to Saunders."

A hint of jealousy rose up in Miho, though she pushed it down quickly as she spoke. "Yes, I remember."

"We were both…drunk and caught up in our passion that doing certain things correctly didn't take priority," Tamada stated, working her way slowly to the point.

Though Miho didn't understand any of what Tamada was trying to tell her at first.

Leaving Tamada no choice but just bluntly to state what she was getting at. "And because we didn't take the correct steps to be safe, I became pregnant with Tohaku's child."

Silence ensued as Miho tried to begin to know how to process what she had been told. Never did she expect that to be what had happened, but it also left a torrent of questions raging in her mind. While also a deep sense of dread gripped Miho's heart because she knew this was not the end of this tale. Something still lurked that had torn Tamada apart and was why she was in such a distressed state.

I have to keep her talking. I can't clamp up when she trusts me, keep fighting…

Miho thought, even if she didn't want to prod her lover over this, she knew that this was what it would take to bring Tamada home. "Y…you became pregnant?"

Tamada nodded her head sadly. "Yea, I found out after about two weeks…I had days where I felt heavy fatigue…then I was eating a lot more than I used too, that even Hosomi and Ikeda made comments."

"What happen after you realize it?" Miho ask.

For a moment, Tamada brought her hand up to touch her stomach area, as if she were still pregnant, but that wasn't the case anymore, so she focused herself and spoke. "After having a hunch that was the case and feeling scared beyond belief, I went to Mizuko to ask her to help me."

Miho frown to think that Mizuko knew of this but remains silent to let Tamada keep talking.

"She took care of things, got me a pregnancy test in secret, and was there when I found out I was carrying a child," Tamada continued, though her lip began to tremble, as her eyes began to well up with tears.

In an instant, Miho touched Tamada's face gently. "It's ok. I'm here. You're not alone, Haru."

Bringing a hand up to touch Miho's hand on her face, Tamada calm down some, with a grateful smile on her face. "Thank you, Miho."

Then taking a moment to collect herself, Tamada spoke again. "At first, I was scared to know if I was pregnant or not, but when I found out I was, I was beyond happy. It was Tohaku's child, and we were going to make good on the promise to build a family together, of course, I knew that meant I had to quit Sensha-do, but part me was ok with that since I knew the team would understand and we all still be friends…or so I thought."

Tamada's last words sent a chill down Miho's spine, as she watched Tamada tremble even harder, her breathing becoming erratic.

"Tamada…tell me what happen," Miho gently push, her hand never leaving Tamada's cheek.

Those dark red eyes look straight at Miho, filled with horror and unease.

Tamada then spoke. "It was Mizuko who told me the hard truth," she said between her small sobs. "That if I was going to have this child, I had to be prepared to sacrifice something."

"Sacrifice…you already knew you would have to give up Sensha-do…what else could there be?" Miho ask, her chest tightening as the puzzle became more complete.

Licking her lips first, Tamada then spoke. "Mizuko told me…that a rule was in place for the Carrier Schools under MEXT, which isn't discussed since it rarely happens. As you know, all carrier schools are girls' academies with a lot of prestige that accompanies them. No matter the school, they are seen as the place to produce the next generation of Japan's future female leaders, workers, and wives."

That much Miho knew, but remained quiet, hanging on to every word.

"Article 106, Section 58, Rule 9. If a Carrier Student becomes pregnant, she will be subjected to dismissal from the school carrier. Under MEXT Student Protection Rights, she will have her education finished in a private homeschool, given financial benefits for college and daycare for the child until they turn ten. Under no circumstances will she be allowed reentry into the School carrier, and any action against this will result in possible legal actions from MEXT and loss of benefits."

Once Tamada was done with her explanation, did Miho truly begin to see the picture forming of what had happen. Though she was still shocked that such a rule existed, that wasn't something Miho ever thought to look into. Since she had never known about any girls at Kuromorimine getting pregnant, some did have boyfriends back on the mainland, but never got to that point.

"So you would have had to leave the Akagi…leave everyone, but that doesn't make sense. Why go so far to push things like that on something that can happen unexpectedly," Miho questioned frantically.

Tamada let out a defeated chuckle. "I thought the same…nothing made sense about it, till Mizuko explained it to me. It all comes down to what being part of the carrier schools, which isn't easy by any means to join. Chi-Ha-Tan is included in this. As you know, most of the girls are orphans, which largely outnumber applicants."

"I know that the entrance exam isn't easy, while you have to achieve a certain high-level grade point to meet base requirements, but still...," Miho trails off.

"Miho, the simple way to put this is that MEXT has always had a high standard for its carrier girls, which was only raised to higher levels a decade ago under the new director," Tamada explains.

Rubbing her chin in thought, Miho remembered the name. "Director Renta Tsuji."

Tamada nodded. "Mizuko studied his policies and found out that certain rule was put in place under his direction, since there were reports of many girls becoming pregnant before he took over. Seems like carrier school girls were envied by a lot of boys on the mainland, I don't know why, but that was the case back in the day."

Miho couldn't even make a comment about what she was being told, so she remained quiet for now.

"After that rule was put in place, a lot of girls were a lot safer about things since they didn't want to lose out on being on the carrier school, then a decade passed, and many girls just forgot about the rule since it rarely happens now, but then again that was what happen to me," Tamada sadly said.

"I can't even begin to understand how you dealt with all this," Miho spoke in a tone of disbelief, then looked at her lover. "So, what happen after all that?"

Taking a deep breath, Tamada began to talk about the final part of her recollection, as painful as it was. "I already made up my mind, so when we made port in Narashino, I rushed off to go find Tohaku and tell him he was going to be a father, but he was nowhere to be found. Eventually, the time came for us to leave, but I was confident that I could find him…two weeks later we came back, but again I couldn't find him and even asked if anyone had seen him, for the next month that continued."

"Yet, you could never find him?" Miho ask.

Tears well up in her eyes again as Tamada spoke in a shaky voice. "No, and since he didn't have any means for me to contact him after he left, I was left in a bind, as it was going to get hard to hide the fact from anyone I was pregnant. Then, fear began to rattle in my mind, making me overthink."

"Overthink?" Miho question.

"I…I…I…I discovered from studying the policy, that MEXT would send me to a private care home in the north of Japan when I revealed my pregancy, in the city Kitami. Where I would have to stay until I finished my education, meaning I never come back to Narashino for two years, not to mention I had no idea where Tohaku was at, and add on top of that, being separated from the only place I felt like I was part of a family…it began to wane on my mind that I never find him and leaving maybe wasn't going to be as easy as I thought it be," Tamada explains.

Taking a moment to collect herself, Tamada spoke on the final part. "As more time passed, my mind began to stress, fracturing with thoughts of what was the best option. Then it happen…then I saw it…"

Tamada became to choke up to continue speaking, as she sobbed a little, prompting Miho to pull her close again, allowing Tamada to bury her head into Miho's chest. Once more, the two stay enveloped in each other, holding on as if they were afraid they might disappear from each other if they let go. Miho placed small kisses on the top of Tamada's head, whispering comforting words to keep her lover stable as best she could, which seemed to work as Tamada calmed down.

Though Tamada didn't back away this time, choosing to remain pressed into the warmth of Miho, then she spoke. "I saw it," she repeated.

"Tell me what you saw," Miho gently ordered.

"I had come back to Narashino, a little over a month into my pregnancy, desperate to find Tohaku, so I decided to search for the park that he took me to when we…well, you know," Tamada trail off, then sigh as she spoke again. "It was nighttime, so I strolled through the park till I found the small woodland that was dominating one half of the park, looking for the hidden campsite Tohaku had taken me to, thinking maybe he might be staying there."

Tamada stopped for a moment, then spoke again.

"Then I heard it…moans that weren't trying to hide what they were doing. At first, I wanted to turn around thinking it was some random teenagers since Tohaku said some of them snuck into this part of the park to drink and get together…but something made me wonder…that it might be….," Tamada struggled to finish.

Now Miho spoke as gently as she could. "That it might be Tohaku?"

Nodding into Miho's chest, Tamada spoke again. "Maybe it was the doubt creeping in after not being able to find him for so long, but I had to know, so I ventured through the woods to the campsite…that's when I saw it."

"It's ok, take your time," Miho comforted with more strokes of her hand through Tamada's hair.

Finding her voice, Tamada spoke. "A small campfire was lit, enough for me to make out things…my eye caught sight of the person I longed to see…Tohaku, was just as handsome as I always remember, but he wasn't sitting there waiting for me. No, he was with another girl. Her dark brown was long but mostly hidden as she lay underneath Tohaku. Their bodies were naked and meshed together, and their moans were filling the air….they were…they were calling each other's names…oh kami…."

"He was with another girl. That's…that's terrible," Miho said with a shocked tone.

"It's unforgivable!" Tamada screams into Miho's chest. "I waited! I had his child growing inside my body! Our child! Yet he didn't care! I…I…was…expendable to him….ahhhhh! I had to cover my mouth when I saw it, or I would have screamed! Then I ran all the way back to the carrier. My mind filled with rage, sadness, and confusion! I didn't know what I was going to do without him. After all, we talk about building a family together! What was I supposed to do now!?"

The frantic words grip Miho's heart tightly, knowing the truth now. "You never told me he cheated on you before."

"I didn't want to say it…I guess part of me still can't come to terms with it, so I just wanted to lock it away and never be brought up again," Tamada explain.

"Alright, I understand and respect that…what happen afterward," Miho ask.

Tamada began to rock her body in Miho's arms, till she found the courage to speak. "I don't remember much, probably because I was in such a distraught state, but I went to Mizuko immediately and told her what happened. She helped me calm down, but I told her…I didn't want to leave the carrier…I didn't want to leave."

That dreading feeling Miho had earlier returned to gnaw at her mind as Tamada spoke again.

"It wasn't a decision I thought hard about at that moment, so I just made it with Mizuko helping me find a clinic that would not make a fuss about things…," Tamada trail off.

"A clinic to do what?" Miho ask, even if every fiber told her not to ask.

"To have an abortion," Tamada said bluntly, pulling back to look at Miho with a defeated smile. "Disgusting, right? I killed my child…because I was angry, because I was afraid because I felt I had no other choice."

Miho felt like she would collapse for a moment from finally hearing Tamada say what she did. The entire conversation felt like that was where this was going, but Miho had tried to remain optimistic. That optimism was gone now as the truth lay bare, making it hard for Miho even to comprehend how she was supposed to respond. She had never known someone that had to go through this. In fact just the mere thought of it made her stomach turn.

"You hate me, don't you?" Tamada said with a tone overwhelmed with grief, not for her lost child, but for the revulsion, she found in Miho's eyes.

It was hearing the question, that pain in her lover's voice, which snapped Miho out of her daze, looked at Tamada, and spoke. "No…I'm not."

"You have to be…I took away a child's life…I killed them...all I ever talked about was wanting to build a family, and I took that chance away from them…I'm a hypocrite," Tamada reply with a broken voice.

Fight Miho…she needs to know you're here!

Miho thought to herself, steeling her heart, because all that mattered now was Tamada, as she spoke. "Haru, I can't even begin to know how to make you feel better, or tell you that you made the right choice. That was your child that you made with Tohaku. Even if he chose to be unfaithful, it was something special."

Tamada said nothing back, looking into Miho's eyes as if searching for salvation from her sin.

Now Miho brought both hands up to gently touch Tamada's face, as she leaned close, speaking in a low tone. "Allow me then to do what little I can. Even knowing this, I won't look at you with disgust or shame you. Though I wish you had thought your choice out, but having no experience in that regard, I have no right to judge you."

"You…your right…I made a ter-," Tamada began to frantically say.

Yet was stopped when Miho pulled Tamada's face towards hers, as suddenly those warm lips that Tamada had missed were connected with hers. In an instant, the pain, the regret, and the sadness was pushed aside, only those warm lips were all Tamada could focus on. She began to work her lips in synch with Miho's own, each letting out small moans when they broke apart, then came together with a feverish need to make up for a week of separation.

It was Miho who pulled back gently from her lover's hungry lips, as she pressed her forehead to Tamada's, nuzzling affectionately as she spoke in a whisper. "I can't bring your child back, I can't give you a child, I can't turn back time, and I can't say anything to make it feel better, but…I can share this pain with you."

Nuzzling back into Miho, Tamada replies with closed eyes in a whisper. "You will share this pain?"

"Yes, you won't suffer alone anymore while I'm here for you. Anytime this pain comes to the surface, find me…hold me tight till it subsides…ask me to help you stand up…ask me to protect you. That is the vow between us, Haru, the one we made the day you asked me to be with you," Miho explain gently, tracing her fingertips across Tamada's cheek.

The remainder of this vow made Tamada nod, while now, the tears that came down her cheeks were happy as she spoke while lowering her head. "Yes, I understand. I won't let myself become rash with action as I did…I will seek you out, find your warmth, and ask you to protect me. Please, Miho, don't leave me. You're all I have I have left."

"Haru," Miho said gently, pulling Tamada's face up to look at her. "I'm not all you have left…you have family, a sisterhood waiting for you. I will share your pain so that you can move forward, but you aren't alone."

Suddenly deep shame gripped Tamada, knowing Miho was right. When Mizuko had reminded her of the terrible deed, Tamada had pushed everyone away. All the girls she consider her family, her sisters who were forged together by the misfortunes of life and the battlefields of Sensha-do. Who always preach about having each other's back no matter the situation, and they stick together to see it through. Something Tamada had forgotten in her grief, push that all aside to wallow in the dark pit alone.

Nodding into Miho, Tamada reply. "I know…I made a mistake on that front too, but please keep this between us for now. I'm not ready to talk about it with the others."

"Alright, whenever you're ready," Miho said in a happy tone, leaning forward for a quick kiss, then pulled back with a charming look. "Know Haru. I won't abandon you, and I won't ever leave you behind. I'll be here whenever you need me."

The statement made Tamada chuckle and nod, but after so long in this serious state, something returned to the surface as Tamada couldn't help herself want to enjoy herself in the one thing that never failed to make her laugh or give her pleasure, though it came at Miho's expense.

Looking a Miho with a tearful mischievous look, Tamada spoke. "That sounds like a proposal. Did you bring the ring?"

For a moment, Miho was too shocked to respond before getting completely red in the face as she stuttered. "Ha…Ha…Haru! Don't joke about that! That's something you shouldn't tease about!"

The cute little whine made Tamada laugh heartily into the night sky, leaning back, as she couldn't calm down. While Miho pouted as now, after going through so much, she was back to square one, being teased by her lover. Though, this was just part of their relationship, with Miho finding her own familiarity with it and now seeing it was back and thriving again, made her feel that everything was going to be alright.

"Oh, how I miss your reactions. No one can beat you in being teased department," Tamada said, as she finally calmed down.

"That doesn't sound like a department I want to be in," Miho said, still pouting a little.

Seeing her lover trying to pass off as being upset, Tamada did the one thing to put herself back in Miho's good graces as she leaned forward for another kiss, this time she gave Miho's lips a gentle bite, earning a surprised moan from her. Tamada grinned as she pulled back, seeing how fluster the aggression had made Miho, trying to keep her blushing down.

"You always do things like that to embarrass me," Miho shyly said, turning her face away that was still flush from the gentle bite.

"Only because you're too cute when your embarrass, have to enjoy this side of my Tigress before we step on the battlefield," Tamada said, leaning forward this time to place a gentle kiss on Miho's cheek as if asking for forgiveness.

Miho sighed in pleasure, then turned her face when Tamada was done, to speak. "So, will you come home?"

"To your apartment, sure, why not?" Tamada said casually.

"No, Haru!" Miho whined, as she was being teased again. "Back to the dorms."

"Jeez, I know, I know, just wanted to enjoy some more time with you is all, speaking of…Miho, come with me. There is something I want to show you," Tamada said, rising to her feet, then offering her hand to Miho to which she took.

Then Tamada, with her hand intertwined with Miho's, walked over to the lone tree that stood in the clearing of the woods. They were both soon standing at the base of the tree, but Tamada's eyes were drawn to the ground, to a soft patch of dirt. Slowly Tamada kneeled down, with Miho following, in complete wonderment at what Tamada wanted to show her.

"You remember I brought you here to confess, but there was another reason," Tamada said, her eyes never leaving that particular dirt spot.

"What other reason?" Miho ask, her eyes focusing on Tamada only.

"To move on," Tamada replied, then rubbed the patch of dirt with her free hand as she spoke, but not to Miho, but to that spot. "Hey, guess your Mama is a bit wishy-washy. Sorry for the dramatics earlier, but I'm going to be staying here with you."

"Tamada, who are you…," Miho began to say, but then it hit her. "Is your child…buried here?"

Tamada now turns to Miho with a sad smile. "Yes, after the operation, I was asked what I wanted to do with the remains. At that point, the regret was beginning to form for what I had done, but I quickly decided to have them cremated. I brought the vase that held their remains here, to bury it myself. It was the only good I could do for them after taking their chance at life, give them the best spot on the carrier to see the shining sun and the gorgeous sea every day."

Miho now turned her eyes to the spot, where Tamada's hand still remained, then Miho spoke. "That's…very kind of you, Haru, you gave them something to enjoy."

"Though I don't see what good it does now, they're gone, never to laugh or smile, to grow and love," Tamada said sadly, pulling her hand back.

"It does a lot of good," Miho spoke up, surprising Tamada of how passionate the tone was.

Miho look at Tamada, while giving her hand a squeeze. "You are keeping your child's memory alive by giving them a place to enjoy. Your motherly care here is apparent to me. I may not have a right to speak of it…but I know they can feel your care for them and are very thankful that you will not forget them."

"Miho," Tamada said in a low tone, her heart swelling with affection for this girl who she thought couldn't capture her heart all over again, but Miho was always about surprises that never cease.

"Can I…can I talk to them?" Miho asks gently, motioning with her free hand to the patch of dirt.

"Oh," Tamada replied, coming to her senses. "Yea, I think they would like that."

With a nod of appreciation, Miho move her hand to touch the spot. She caresses the dirt in a soothing manner, as if comforting the child.

"Hello there…," Miho started, but stopped as she now turned to Tamada. "What would you have named them?"

"Oh…well…I thought it best for me to pick a girl's name, and Tohaku would have chosen a boy's name, so we be prepared when the gender was revealed. Though that never came to fruition, but I chose the name Sakura since she would have been born in the spring, and I know she would have loved the Sakura cherry blossoms, especially the one we have on the carrier," Tamada explained, her face warming at the thought of the dreams she had of holding her child as cherry blossoms fell down around them.

At the same time, the dream struck her heart with sadness.

Which Miho could understand from the pain twitches in her lover's face, prompting her to give Tamada's hand a squeeze for comfort, then turn back to the dirt spot to speak. "Hello, Sakura. My name is Miho Nishizumi. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"I wish I could have met you," Miho began, affectionately rubbing the dirt spot with her hand. "I know you would have been strong, courageous, compassionate, and playful, just like your mama."

"You could leave that last part out," Tamada reprimanded in a joking tone.

Earning a chuckle from Miho, but kept her focus on talking to Sakura. "You would have been a great tanker in Sensha-do, like your mama as well, always going forward to meet your enemy, never backing down, and always looking after your teammates."

Tamada remain quiet, hanging on every word as Miho talk to the unborn child.

"I'm going to make a promise to you here and now," Miho said with deep determination. "I'm going to promise I will look after your mama, keep her safe for you and make sure she is happy. I promise that you will never be forgotten, that we will always come to visit you and keep you company in spring, summer, or winter. You will never be lonely whether it rains or shines, warm or cold."

"Miho…," Tamada said quietly, surprised by the promise from Miho, while at the same time couldn't believe she could treasure Miho any more than she already did, but here she was again, making Tamada find it hard to imagine life without her, filling her heart with devotion to do anything to remain by Miho's side.

"So rest now, little one, theirs is nothing to worry about, we're going to be here for you, and your mama will be happy. Then one day, you'll get to meet your other family member's of our team. Try not to get overwhelmed by them. Sometimes it's hard to get them to be calm when meeting a new family member," Miho affectionately said, rubbing the dirt once more.

Suddenly Tamada placed her own hand over Miho's over the dirt spot, then spoke. "Sakura…After doing what I did to you, I hated myself for a long time. Taking your chance at life, wanting to run away from it all. Yet now…I won't keep running. You were my child, and I still cherish you even now, still dream about holding you, helping you grow, and showing how beautiful this world can be," though as Tamada said the last sentence, she turned her eyes to Miho, who blushed knowing her lover was talking about her.

Chuckling at her flustered lover for a moment, Tamada return to talk to her unborn child. "I'm going to live life to the fullest now, I promise you. That is my goal now, so please watch your mama and let me show you how strong I can be, and if I need it, be my strength when it fails me."

Miho nodded happily to hear Tamada's words, then looked up at the moon in the sky for a moment, then back to Tamada. "It's getting late. How about we go back home for tonight."

For a moment, Tamada didn't reply, looking at the spot of dirt, then turned to Miho. "Can we stay for a bit? I'm not ready to go back."

"Sure, let's stay," Miho agree, shifting so she can be press against Tamada's side, letting her warmth be extended to her lover.

Which Tamada appreciated as she wrapped an arm around Miho to hold her close. Then a comfortable silence took root, as the two young girls just relished finally being together again. After a long week of being separated, the terrible things they both had dealt with, and now after so much darkness, they had found the light. That light being each other, though Tamada could see that Miho's light burning brightest had brought her out of those dark depths that threatened to keep Tamada there forever.

Leaning down a little, Tamada stole a quick peck on Miho's cheek, causing the Chi-Ha-Tan commander to giggle but not respond as she snuggled more into Tamada as if to try to hide her face from being assaulted anymore. Making Tamada chuckle that their playfulness was still there to be enjoyed, but then Tamada notice that Miho had one hand still touching the dirt spot where her unborn child rested, never leaving as if Miho was trying to keep Sakura company even still.

She's so…herself, my Miho…she's a light burning gently, guiding me…like the pale moon's light…gentle and kind…the moon…the moon…

Tamada thought, then felt after what had happened, after what had been said, and after what Miho had just done for her, to give her some closure to a terrible event that had been torn her soul apart for so long, now proven to Tamada something very important. That Miho was not just her lover that she cherished, there was more to Miho, more that she meant to Tamada that needed to be said, because there was no doubt that Miho meant everything to Tamada now and their could never be anything else.

I…have to say it…but in a way that only we can understand…alright, its time to be bold…

Tamada thought, her cheeks growing red, but her heart growing strong as she spoke. "Miho, look at me."

Pulling back to look at Tamada, Miho tilted her head a little in wonderment, adding to her cuteness that Tamada couldn't get enough of.

"The moon is beautiful, isn't it?" Tamada said in a straightforward tone, but her red eyes burn into Miho fiercely, since she had announce something very big for the next step in their relationship.

For a moment, Miho squinted her eyes, wondering what Tamada was getting at, but it only took her a moment longer to understand what had been said. For Miho was not a romantic, but she did have her studies at Kuromorimine dive into history of literature of not just the present but of the past. With one certain study on a Japanese novelist by the name of Natsume Sōseki, who was to believe coined the phrase Tamada had just said, meaning something deep and scared for lovers.

"Ta…Ta…Tamada, you…you just…," Miho began to say, flustered beyond belief, now turning to grip Tamada's jacket tightly, her face awash with a deep blush.

"Guess you know what it means. It's a bit old fashion by our culture today, but saying what I really want is to…shameless, I feel…but I think this is better for us, because we know what it means," Tamada said, her face matching her lover's blush, but her warm smile told that she wasn't backing down.

This was how Tamada expressed how much she cherished Miho.

"You mean it?" Miho ask, desperate to hear the confirmation.

"Yes, after what you have just done for me, closing this wound for me, after going through everything with your family, that selflessness you've shown and care for me only makes it apparent there is no one for me but you," Tamada softly explains, leaning down to capture Miho's lips, as if to make sure her feelings were made even more apparent by doing this.

Which Miho met eagerly, conveying her own feelings as she pushed her lips against her lovers. It wasn't a long kiss and didn't need to be. As they broke apart, they both smirked warmly at each other. No longer needing words to convey that their bond was now once again strengthened by the hardships they both had to deal with, and both had helped the other overcome.

Though as Miho looked more deeply into Tamada's eyes, she saw that there were deep circles under them. "Haru, have you not been sleeping well?"

"Oh," Tamada said in surprise, bringing a hand up to touch the spot under her eyes, then smilied sheepishly. "Yea, I been not sleeping well since Mizuko came back and stressing over…well, my past."

In an instant, the need to care for her lover took over for Miho, who pulled away a little. "Rest on my lap."

"Huh?" Tamada asked in an amused tone.

To emphasize what she had said, Miho patted her lap now. "Rest your head on my lap."

"You serious?" Tamada once again question amusingly.

Though Miho gave her a cute pout to get the point across, making Tamada chuckle and nod that she would follow the advice. She shifted away a little, then lay gently down to enjoy the lap pillow being offered to her, though Tamada didn't do it without finding a way to fluster her lover, as she lay with her body towards Miho, grinning like a fool, knowing exactly what she was doing.

"Haru! You're supposed to face away!" Miho complain, as she tried to stay calm with these red eyes boring into her from below.

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear there was a rule in place for that sort of thing," Tamada replied with a sly grin, relishing that she was giving Miho a hard time.

"You're too playful sometimes," Miho sigh, knowing there was no point in fighting back, as she brought her hand down to run her fingers through Tamada's hair.

Instantly Tamada felt a sensation of calm take over, as those soft fingers glided through her hair. Closing her eyes, she sigh in pleasure as Miho slowly move her fingers over every inch of her hair and scalp, not missing any spot. The massage giving Tamada immense relief after so long being trapped in a state of stress, anger, and sadness.

"Haru…would you…like me to sing to you? To help you sleep?" Miho suddenly ask.

The surprising question made Tamada open her eyes to look up. "You can sing?"

"Um, heh," Miho said with an embarrassed expression. "Sort of. Maita taught me a little."

"Maita, Hosomi's tank commander?" Tamada question.

Miho nodded. "Yea, at a dinner party at my apartment before our match with Saunders, she told me it was her dream to be a singer, but so far hadn't had the confidence to do, so I asked her to sing for me in private to help her, and turns out she is really good."

"Wow, never would have guessed, girl has been holding out on me," Tamada joked, knowing she had to give Maita some grief for not telling the team about this.

"Yea, so I asked her to give me some lessons since I wanted to do something special for you when we got together, and now seems a perfect time," Miho explain, her blush turning up full tilt.

"Well, you once told me that the vow in our relationship was I had to spoil you. Guess I get first dibs," Tamada teased.

Making Miho chuckle. "Yes, your right, but tonight is special, so forgive me for going first."

"Very well, sing me a lullaby, but don't tell the others about this. I have a reputation to uphold, can't have them still think I'm a child that needs to be coddled," Tamada ordered while pointing the finger at Miho.

"Of all the things to worry about," Miho said with a shake of the head, but consented. "Alright, close your eyes and relax."

Tamada did as she was told, as Miho took a breath for courage, then began to hum a light tune into the night air, while continuing to glide her fingers through Tamada's hair.

Miho kept humming her tune, a song about what Miho look forward to the most when she left that fateful night for her journey to see her family.

A song about home.

Finally, Miho began to sing. Her voice was angelic, soothing, melodious, and smooth.

No one could ask for a more pleasant voice to fall asleep too.

But Tamada did her best to stay awake, not wanting to miss out on this very special moment.

Leaving in the morning, without a word to say

From my house into the world, in the light of day

I might seem courageous, but once the sun goes down

You'll find that I'm the biggest crybaby around...

Skies above the city, painted a lovely red

Crows and pigeons call as they soar over my head

I can see my shadow growing against the trees

Right now more than anything, I just wanna leave.

Are you grilling fish? Somehow I can tell...

Is that for dinner? What a lovely smell...

Hear my tummy rumble... It's crying out for food

I should just apologize. I know I was rude...

Why am I so stubborn? Why do I cry and moan?

Aah, there's one thing I want right now:

I wanna go home!

Miho gave a pause to her words, as she began to hum her tune again, its melody pleasing on the ear, making it hard for Tamada to stay awake, then Miho voice the last of her song to her lover.

On the other side of the road, I see a child,

Parents nowhere to be found, sobbing, running wild

I just keep on walking. Familiar, she seemed...

Crying, far away from home... oh wait that's me

And as my shadow fades into the dark

I hear a voice calling deep within my heart

So I start to run and I wipe my tears dry

Chasing after Mr. Moon, waving me goodbye

If I say I'm sorry before they go to bed

Aah, when I get home, there might still

Be some dinner left!

Fish being grilled, scents linger in the air

A homecooked meal! Ahh, I wanna be there!

I can feel my tummy, it's crying out for food

I've gotta apologize! I know I was rude...

Done with being stubborn, I run back down the road!

Aah, to the place where I belong!

I wanna go home!

Once Miho finished her song, she let out a breath of relief that she had finished. Then look down at Tamada and smiled widely as she saw her lover was fast asleep on her lap now. Miho had done her job, and given Tamada some release from her pain, and nothing felt better for Miho as she had made good on her promise to protect her lover from her agony. Now there would be no more divide, no leaving, and no running. They both would truly face whatever obstacles in their path together as best they could.

Now Miho looked to her left, to see her hand had never left the spot on the dirt spot where Sakura was buried, for Miho didn't sing this song for just Tamada. It was also for the little one who would never know the world's beauty. Yet, she would have her home and the place she belonged to here on the Akagi, just like Miho, Tamada, Nishi, Hosomi, Ikeda, Hamada, Nagura, Kubota, Nishihara, Fukuda, and all the girls of Chi-Ha-Tan.

This was their home and this was the place to find their family they all had seek.

"Don't worry, I'll make good on my promise that you will never be forgotten, Sakura," Miho spoke quietly, patting both Tamada and the place Sakura rested at the same time.

Then Miho brought her eyes up to look at the bright pale moon hanging in the sky. Its beauty was breathtaking and soul-soothing.

The moon is beautiful, isn't it?...

Tamada's voice played through Miho's head, remembering the phrase that made her blush even now.

It had been coined by Natsume Sōseki in the late 19th century as one of his students translated something into Japanese from English, to which the Novelist/ Teacher strongly was against, as Japan was not a nation that said this directly to one another. Instead, they found expressions and actions to be their way to show they cherished their significant other over this set of words.

So, he invented the expression, The moon is beautiful, isn't it?

Which is another way of saying…I love you.

With that knowledge in mind, Miho knew Tamada had just taken a large step in their relationship that now was deeper, for Miho, too felt that strong emotion towards the fiery girl. There was no hesitation in whether this was the right time or too soon. For they had gone through all the struggles and hardships to solidify that bond between them.

Bringing her eyes down, Miho used her hand gently to brush some loose strands of hair from Tamada's face. Tamada didn't shift under Miho's feathery touch, but simply continued to sleep serenely, with a small smile adorning her lips, speaking to how at peace she was being near her lover and her unborn child. The sight of it made Miho take it all in with deep delight, as she brushed the last of the loose strands from Tamada's face.

"You're right, Haru," Miho spoke softly, her eyes never leaving Tamada. "The moon is beautiful."

Then she lean down to place a gentle kiss on her lover's cheek to cement her expression of love to Tamada.

For now, these two souls, who seemed so close to losing each other's warmth, had now only found their passion burning ever brighter, pushing the dark clouds back, and would continue to do so as long as they had each other. Fighting and clawing to keep what they had built, no matter their past troubles, current ones, or even future ones. They would protect each other as a Tigress always would for their mate, roaring their defiance to any who try to take their happiness.

Though there was a fight coming, that would require all of Chi-Ha-Tan to win, to achieve the impossible that would only seem that way stay impossible, as the warriors of the past now prove to want to give their forgotten code one last send-off.

No matter the cost.

---

Authors Thought:

Hello, will keep this short after such a long read, as you can see why I split this into 2 parts.

First and foremost, the song Miho sang is Ouchi ni Kaeritai (I wanna go home) By the talented Japanese Artist Sora Amamiya, probably know for the ending song of the anime KonoSuba, which by GUP Timeline would not have been release yet, but still fit really perfect into this last scene.

Credit and full rights to the song goes to Amamiya-san.

Alright, that's its for me, thanks for your patience with this chapter and we finally got our love birds back together, hope to have the next chapter out next week, so check my profile for a chapter release date, while also, were about to reach a milestone with this series, that I think you might guess what it is.

So if we hit it next chapter, I'm going to make a thank you chapter for all of you post next chapter, to show my appreciation.

Till then, be well and be safe dear readers, till the next Authors Thought.