6561. After what happened to Shigure yesterday, let it be known that the Fletcher class now consider her one of their number. At the same time, we'd like to extend our deepest apologies to Shigure and inform Harusame, Samidare, Yamakaze, Kawakaze, and Suzukaze that Yamashiro's coming for you. And she's pissed.

Yokosuka.

"You'll just steal all of our luck, just like you did in the War."

"We don't need a luck vampire hanging around us."

"From this point onwards, you are no longer considered a member of the Shiratsuyu class."

Shigure trembled, unable to reply. She tried to leave, but her feet refused to move, leaving her at the mercy of her tormentors. Tears came rushing down as Shigure collapsed on the ground, their words each stabbing at her heart.

"Hey! Leave her alone!" a new, unfamiliar voice shouted, halting the knives.

"You have no place here, gaijin. This is between us and her."

"Samidare, she's had enough."

"Very well, we'll leave. Goodbye Shigure."

"Oh, and good luck."

Shigure didn't respond. How could she? The damage had been done. All she could do was weep for what she had just lost, sobbing even as she felt a pair of hands gently take her into a hug.

"Shh, shh. It's okay, let it out." that unfamiliar voice soothed. "They're gone now."

She wept for several long minutes, the stranger's hands refusing to let her go. As her tears slowed, she felt those hands gently lift her head, brushing away stray hair, revealing herself to be an American destroyer. A Fletcher, by the look of her.

"What's your name, sweetie?"

"Shi-Shigure."

"Hello, Shigure. My name's William D. Porter." said the American, smiling. "Shigure, is there anyone I could take you to that can help you?"

"There's Yamashiro-san."

"Where is she?"

"The battleship dorms." Shigure stuttered. "Third door on the left."

"Thank you, Shigure. Let's get you to her."

Porter gently led her to the battleship dorms, where a stunned Yamashiro quickly took Shigure into her arms and carried her to her bedroom. Ten minutes later, the battleship slowly closed the bedroom door and gestured for Willie to sit down.

"What happened?" she asked quietly.

"A bunch of other girls were taunting her and calling her a luck vampire."

"Do you know who they were?"

Willie paused, trying to remember. "I don't know any of them, but one called one of the others Samidare."

Yamashiro recoiled in shock. "Samidare?! Are you sure?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Yamashiro abruptly stood up and walked back to the bedroom. Sitting on the nightstand next to her daughter was her prized possession, a picture of her with her sisters that they had taken last week. Grabbing it, she went back and thrust it into Willie's hands. "Do you recognize any of the girls here?"

Willie looked at the photograph. She recognized Shigure, and disturbingly, all five of the girls that had been tormenting her. "All the ones not in a blue uniform. That's them."

"Thank you," Yamashiro sighed. "could you do me a favor? Will you stay with Shigure for a few minutes? I need to make a phone call."

"Of course."

The next few hours went by in blur. Shigure, Willie, and Yamashiro were soon joined by four girls who looked just as stricken as Shigure. The six destroyers held a protective embrace over her while Yamashiro and Fuso bracketed them.

The next day..

"I wonder why the Admiral wanted to see us." said Samidare.

"He probably wants to thank us for something." said Yamakaze.

Goto, meanwhile, was staring at the door to the room in disgust. "How is Shigure doing?"

Yamashiro sighed. "Better. But not by much, and I'm not sure if she'll ever be the same again."

'When you are finished, give her my best." he said, opening the door. "In the meantime, however, they're all yours."