"" Dialogue
'' Thoughts

Disclaimer: I do not own "Strike Witches", so this is just a fan made.

Interlude II: Bonds

(or about strengthen them)

A few days later, by the afternoon

Through the cloudy windy skies, a Witch was flying south-southeast, carrying a small bag, though she was shifting it from one hand to another in order to avoid getting them frost.

"I hope this is enough," Lynette said to herself. "Thanks goodness, Major Sakamoto was able to find them. I just need to prepare the bath for Yoshika, hopefully it will help her."

Not long after, she made it to the fortress, and three people were there, and two of them were carrying rather big bags.

After leaving her Strikers in the launching unit, Lynette headed towards the group, "Are you going to depart today?"

"Yeah, we postponed as much as we could," Charlotte said with positiveness, yet Lynette did not share the same feeling, "Hey, don't give us that look."

"Venezia it's pretty close from here," Francesca added somewhat happily.

"Yeah, we can come back pretty much wherever we can," Charlotte said.

"Maria said is not a big deal," Francesca reassuringly added.

"I understand," Lynette softly said.

Charlotte then left her bag and headed towards Lynette, "Just- just let us if something changes," then she put her hand on Lynette's chin, raising her a little, tenderly, "and cheer up, and everything is gonna be just fine, it's Yoshika we're talking about."

"You bet!"

"I know and I will keep you informed," Lynette tried to smile a little, "and thank you for everything."

Still, both hesitantly nodded in agreement, then, two more people made their way to the hangar.

"There you are, Eila, Sanya," Charlotte said as both went beside Minna and Lynette.

"Why don't you stay for dinner?" Eila asked them.

"It should not take too long," Sanya added.

"Maria said she'd have something special to welcome us," Francesca stated with a bit less of enthusiasm.

"Yeah, we're sorry."

"It's okay," Sanya said.

"Group Captain," Charlotte stood in attention, "As we said, Venezia is not far from here, so we'll be seeing each other very soon," she smiled a little, "in any case, thanks for putting up with me all these me years."

Francesca also stood in attention, "And with me too."

"There's nothing to thank me for," Minna stared at both Witches, "You both have grown to be fine Witches, and I am proud I could be part of that process."

"Grown…" Charlotte sighed, still in attention, "better get going, Francesca and say thanks to the Major for me."

"Understood, Lieutenant." Minna posed, "I will send you what you requested me, Lieutenant."

Both Witches also posed, "I'll be waiting for it," then they headed towards to their Strikers, picked their bags and jumped into them, and two magic circles appeared, "And Eila, also let me know if something changes about you know what."

Eila shifted her glance towards Sanya as her cheeks reddened, but thankfully to her, no one else noticed it, "Y-yeah, I will."

"Goodbye everybody," both waved them.

As soon as they disappeared into the sky, Lynette started to head inside, "I better prepare the bath for Yoshika."

"Lynne," Minna called her, making her stop, "please come to the office."

"But I need to…"

"Shizuka and Michiko are looking after Yoshika," Minna interrupted her as she headed towards her subordinate, "please,"

Lynette just lowered her gaze, but nothing else was added.

"We'll check if they need help," Eila chimed in, yet Lynette just sighed and headed towards the office, reluctantly, Minna beside her.

Seconds later, Minna took a seat behind a desk, while Lynette was in front, still standing.

"Please take a seat," Minna politely said as Lynette did so, "it's been more than a week and there are no changes."

"Yoshika is healing, her scars are almost gone," Lynette exclaimed worriedly, both hands of the table, "I just checked her yesterday when I bathed her."

"She hasn't woken up even after the visit of Captain Malvezzi," Minna said as firmly as she could, yet her voice trembled, "Yoshika needs specialized caring."

"She will wake up."

"I am sure of it as well, nevertheless," Minna took a deep breath, "for the mean time, we need to transfer Yoshika to a new Witches hospital in Munich."

"What?"

"It's what the medic recommended and it's for Yoshika's well-being." Minna added, "We're going move her tomorrow."

Lynette just lowered her gaze, "I- I see."

Minna opened the first drawer of her desk and got out a letter and put it in front of herself, "As I prepared her medical history, I found a letter Yoshika asked me to send to her family." Then she shoved it towards Lynette, "as protocol I reviewed it in case there was…"

"Confidential information leaked," Lynette completed it for her.

"Indeed, and there was none, nevertheless this letter explains her family how she feels about you, and I cannot send it now, not in the state Yoshika currently is." Minna said now with even a more guilty demeanor, "I thought it would be adequate if you had it even if it was not addressed for you, regardless of that, it's up to you to decide whether you want to have it or not."

Nothing else was said for a bit and so Minna slowly extended her hand to take it back.

Lynette did the same to take it, so Minna stopped, "I'd… like to have it, please."

"Understood," Minna stood up from her seat, while Lynette put the letter inside her blouse, "you need to rest, after having dinner of course. Tomorrow, we will bath Yoshika with the special herbs that Mio, Major Sakamoto sent us then we will transfer her."

Lynette stood up from her seat, "Understood, ma'am."

That evening, in Munich

After dealing with even more paperwork, Erica put on her black coat, left Bendlerblock and headed towards a jeep that was stationed not too far from the imposing building. Then, she got behind the steering wheel and slowly drove towards the outskirts of the capital.

"It's too breezy," Erica put her right hand on her thighs, "and I'm so cold, maybe I should wear tights more often."

After passing through several snowy dirt roads, she made it to a mostly-typical Karslandian house, with a tiled roof, half-timbered brick walls with two smaller houses made of wood and glass next to it and another one behind as well.

After leaving the jeep on an empty space, Erica jumped out of it and Gertrud was already there, watching her with an interested look in her face.

"it's borrowed," Erica carefreely claimed.

"You already told me that," Gertrud said, dusting off her hands, while Erica continued watching the smallish buildings.

"You know, these greenhouses of yours, they still surprise me," Erica then actually set her eyes in the person next to her, noticing that she was wearing a white blouse with matching pants and a green apron on top, "I didn't expect you to have those likings."*

"I came to enjoy the peacefulness."

"You're acting kind of weird."

Gertrud just took a deep breath to pretend not hear the comment, "h-have you eaten yet?"

"Nope," Erica grabbed her stomach, "I'm starving actually."

"I- I made something special for you," Gertrud said, going inside home, while Erica followed her not far behind.

Erica hung her somewhat wet coat then took a seat at the dining table, while Gertrude put the food to heat up. Then, she brought, two sets of cutleries, then she headed back to the kitchen.

"Huh?" Erica rubbed her chin in puzzlement, "where's Chris?"

"She's having a sleep over." Gertrud loudly said from the kitchen, "We have the house to ourselves."

"Ok-ay," Erica said now with even more confused though she now had an idea of what was going on. Moments later, Gertrud came back with two plates of kassler, then with two glasses of what seemed to be wine.

And though, Erica was expecting Gertrud to sit in front of her, she instead, went into the corridors, and entered one of the rooms, "I'll be right back".

Erica just shrugged and began eating, first with the potatoes, then with the rest.

A few minutes later, Gertrud came back, now wearing a black and grey dress, loose sleeves, high collar and it was barely long enough to cover her white panties. It had a low neckline and was also tight fitting.* Yet Gertrud did not say anything, and just took a seat and began eating as well.

Though Erica was enjoying the food she could not help but stare at the person in front of her, who was doing the same, yet she did not say anything either.

Not long after, both finished dining, without saying much, both took care of the dishes, Gertrud washing them, Erica drying them,

This time though, Erica could have a better look at Gertrud, "It sure you make you boobs look nicer, and the rest suits you well..." Erica said as Gertrud stood in front of her, blushing a little hearing the remark, "but you're going to catch a cold."

Gertrud gulped, as the redness of her cheeks became even more noticeable, "We- we could warm each other."

"Who are you and what did you do to Trude?"

Gertrud let out a muffled sound, "You haven't changed, Hartmann."

"Maybe so," Erica grinned a little, thus Gertrud grabbed her hand and took her to her room, and it was as tidy as it could ever be, not that it surprised Erica.

After closing the door, Gertrud's trembling hands began unbuttoning Erica's blouse, and though she was expecting Erica to return the gesture, or at least show some reaction, but she was as emotionless as she could ever be. Thus, she stopped just below her chest, "I promise you I'd recompensate you, didn't I…" Gertrud caressed her cheek but Erica was still unfazed, "is something wrong?"

Erica yawned, "I-I'm just tired, okay."

Gertrud lowered ger gaze, "I understand."

"I guess I still haven't recovered from Nuremberg."

"I'm- I'm sorry." Gertrud gazed Erica, "Minna told me you've been working hard to liberate Nuremberg and I've been thoughtless with you," Gertrud added yet nothing was uttered back, "At least, we could- we could sleep together."

"Why not?" Erica finishing unbuttoning her blouse, leaving her now just wearing her usual underwear. Gertrud, on the other hand, took off her dress, and boots leaving her topless, and though she was about to open a drawer to pick a sports bra, Erica grabbed her hand, "I know it's uncomfortable for you."

"It- it is," Gertrud muttered a bit embarrassed, then she moved the blankets away to make space for both of them, then she took a seat on the bed, legs extended and spread, then she put a pillow on her lap, "Let me massage you."

Erica sighed, "I guess it wouldn't hurt," she reluctantly lay on her lap. Gertrud then began massaging her between the shoulders and neck.

Some minutes went by and Erica had begun to hum, eyes closed, both hands on her stomach.

"I am sorry I wasn't there," Gertrud muttered but Erica just continued humming, as if nothing had been said, "but to be honest with you, I didn't want to." Gertrud heaved a sigh, "because the moment I've heard something was wrong I would sortie, and without a shield, I'd have just got in your way," she stopped with the massage and began caressing her soft hair, "but I'm glad you're okay, everyone's okay."

Yet the humming turned into snoring, Gertrud could not help but have a soft yet satisfied smile as she began caressing her face.

The next day in the morning, in Romagna

Both Francesca and Charlotte were walking around their new base, checking the different rooms and facilities. After checking the Fuso Style bath, they stopped by the hangar. Both headed to their launch units, where their Strikers currently were but there was something else in the middle of them that caught Charlotte's attention.

"What's the deal with that big box?" Charlotte said as she bent towards it, "it has your name written on it."

Francesca shrugged, "Maybe you should check it out."

"But it's yours."

"I don't care, actually."

Charlotte was left baffled hearing the answer, "What? How could you not care?! It could be a new Striker," Charlotte exclaimed, "I should check it out then."

Charlotte rushed to her toolbox and got out a hammer and a screwdriver, then she began to open it.

Francesca was trying to keep a serious and stern look, but she could not, as she was smiling unintentionally.

Seconds later, the box fell apart revealing something covered in a blanket, yet Charlotte could easily recognize what it was covering. "A rapid!" Charlotte exclaimed as surprised as she could ever be, "where did you got it from?"

"I asked for it," Francesca exclaimed, still trying to keep her serious demeanor, "It's to say thanks for protecting Venezia and for coming here."

Charlotte's eyes were sparkling with happiness, "thank you!" she exclaimed as excitedly as she could ever be. Charlotte then lifted Francesca and kissed her on the forehead, "we gotta start working on it right away, and I should order new parts."

"Sure!" Francesca exclaimed, "But first put me down!"

Two days later, somewhere in the sky, between Munich and Nuremberg

Among snowy skies, Lynette was soaring through clouds, now wearing a longer green coat with gloves to bear the cold yet little mattered to her as she had more important things in her mind. After passing their old base, Lynette could now see the hospital in the distance. In its rooftop, there was a new small wooden building, so she descended next to it.

After leaving her strikers in it, she went down one floor and headed into one of the rooms next to the stairs.

Now inside, Lynette could see that a nurse was there, cleaning Yoshika's mouth with a towel. Lynette felt her chest tighten in sorrow of the scene. "I'm sorry," she muttered, trying to contain

her tears, "I thought no one was here."

"She is stable," the nurse said as she put everything on the nurse cart, "and she has been nourished."

"Thank you" and the nurse left the room afterwards, leaving both of them alone.

Now Lynette could have a better look at Yoshika, who was wearing a clean grey hospital gown, one of her legs was covered with a blanket while the other was bare down from her thighs, and there was a bag tied to it with a tube going up into her.

"Yoshika," Lynette called her with warmness in her tone. "Nuremberg doesn't look as bad as I expected, it's obviously, thanks to you as always." Lynette then took a seat next to her, "I don't even know what I am telling you this, but we are all here, here in Karlsland, in Europe, thanks to you." Lynette said as she kept staring at the sleeping girl next to her, "After Nuremberg is in better shape, we could go to a café, we could- we could have a date again, as a couple this time, would you like that?" Lynette added keeping her kind tone, yet some tears started to fall, "I take that as a yes."

Lynette began caressing her cheek as tenderly as she could, though unknown to her, the door slowly opened again, "I've never really told you how much I- I cherish you, for everything, for what you've done for me, for all of us, and for everything you've sacrificed but it's better late than never, thank you," then she slowly buried her face between Yoshika's arm and chest, "thank you, thank you, thank… you, please wake up, please…"

Shizuka grabbed Michiko's hand, and both slowly backed away, closing the door, softly, "better not to interrupt them, not today."

Michiko stopped and so did Shizuka, "Is there something going on between them?"

"Th-there is," Shizuka took a deep breath, "I better tell you…"

Meanwhile, in Ingolstadt

The sun had almost completely set by the time Sanya made it back to the fortress. After leaving her Striker Unit in the hangar, Sanya headed to the kitchen, more specifically. Though she was used to having dinner alone, it had become something pretty rare to happen as Eila had accompanied her since she was injured when they first began operations. Still, it was also a bit surprising that no one else was there.

"Where's everyone?"

"Minna and Mio said they needed to do something in Nuremberg," Eila said as she put boiled water into two cups, "Lynne is in the hospital and Shizuka said that she and Michiko are going to stop by."

Sanya continued staring at the kitchen and Eila as well, "So, we are alone."

"For a bit more, yeah," Eila said taking one food tray to the dining table, then the second one, "take a seat, I made us some sandwiches and chamomile tea for the cold."

Sanya did so, "thank you," and now both were in front of each the other.

Both girls began dining talking about their day, even though they spent most of it together. Though Sanya could not help but notice several letters on the desk, and also the fact that one of them was open.

"Did something important arrive?"

Eila took a sip of her tea, "Um, nothing really."

Sanya picked one letter, and it had Erica's name on it, then another with Francesca's, and another with Perrine's, "there are letters for each of us."

"Well yeah." Eila then bit her sandwich, "Remember that," she swallowed, after Berlin was liberated, there was an event with that strange Join Fighter Wing of singing Witches."

"I do," Sanya picked another one and this time it had her name written on it, "I sometimes even hear them practicing when I am in night patrol."

Eila took another bit, "They're going to hold a concert to celebrate the liberation of Nuremberg, and they invited us."

"I see," Sanya now was reading the letter, "it's to honor us, as a farewell since it was our last battle as Witches from the 501st."

Eila took a sip, "Yeah, I read that, and I've already called the rest," then she put the cup down, "but they told me they're not in the mood for celebrations," Eila added with a more serious tone, "And I am not either, but I still left Lynne and Shizuka's invitations in their rooms just in case."

"I don't think they like to go either, but I should, in representation of the squad." Sanya put down the letter, "it would be not polite for all of us to miss such event."

Eila rubbed her chin, "I didn't think of it that way," then she blushed a little, "I-I could go with you if you want me to."

"I like that idea," Sanya stared at her, "I enjoy your company."

"Same," Eila looked away, even more red-faced, "but wouldn't it be weird if only the two of us went?" Eila gulped loudly, "yeah, while it's just a concert but it's also a formal event."

"What do you mean?"

"Just the two of us in an event, people might think that we are, you know…"

Sanya continued staring Eila, "A couple?"

Eila hastily turned her face at Sanya, but she was still unfazed, "Y-yes."

Sanya tilted her head, "Would that be a bad thing?"

"Of course not!" Eila fisted the table, then she took a deep breath to soothe herself, "But we're still in the military and it is not permitted, we will be in front of our superiors, and we are both girls."

"We should behave accordingly, then"

"Yeah, sounds like a plan to me," Eila choked on her saliva, "W-wait, you mean we are a…" Eila was about to say when Sanya abruptly stood up.

"Shizuka, Michiko," Sanya headed towards them, "how is Yoshika?"

"She's still sleeping," Michiko muttered hugging herself, "But we couldn't stay that much time."

"They asked us to leave," Shizuka said as convincingly as she could, "They were about to bathe her and change her clothes."

Eila also stood up from her seat, "And what about Lynne?"

Michiko looked at Shizuka, who took away her gaze from both girls, "She said she would wait and spend the night there."

"Not too surprising," Eila said regretfully, though she could notice Michiko was shivering a little, thus she put her hand on Michiko's cheek, "you're freezing, let me serve you both some chamomile tea to warm you up and some sandwiches as well."

Eila headed towards the kitchen but as she was about to do so, Sanya grabbed her hand, making her shudder too.

"Let me help you," Sanya happily said, taking Eila to the kitchen.

Michiko and Shizuka exchanged glances, then shrugged, "Thank you," both said in unison, taking a seat.

Two days later, in Romagna

In the base's hangar, Charlotte was taking apart her rapid and modifying it as well with leftovers from her old rapid. Though she tried to keep her mind focused on that, she could not help as five Witches were having a mock a battle, just outside.

"She's taking her teacher's role seriously," Charlotte proudly said, though she then had to deploy a shield to protect herself from paintballs, "maybe too seriously."

Then four Witches dived rapidly into the hangar, as it they were fleeing from something or someone, then Francesca also flew into the hangar, blowing everything away with her Strikers, "C'mon, let's do it again."

"But flying officer," one of the Witches said, cleaned her face a little with the sleeve of her uniform, "We're already soaked in paint."

"Yeah," the four other Witches added in unison.

"It's not that bad," Francesca excitedly said, "we can take bath together afterwards."

Another Witch blushed hearing the suggestion, "Together!?"

Francesca revved up her Farotto, "Yeah, let's go!"

Charlotte headed towards the group, "That's more than enough for today, Francesca."

"But we just started!"

"Better head to the showers," Charlotte ordered them with a somewhat serious tone.

"U-understood Lieutenant," the four Witches said in unison.

Moments later, they left the hangar and Charlotte headed to the smaller Witch who had just jumped out from her Striker, "Francesca, you're pushing them far too hard."

"We're just practicing and having fun," Francesca argued back.

"They're rookies Francesca," Charlotte stated, "Not even Sakamoto pushed you that hard when you first joined the 501st."

"I'm not doing that!"

"You are, they barely could keep flying," Charlotte said, "Don't forget that in the 501st, we were aces. These Witches are fresh from the academy."

Francesca tilted her head, "Huh?"

"They barely learned to control their magic properly" Charlotte commented while Francesca kept staring at her in confusion, "I am surprised they can keep up with you though, they're really trying to impress you."

"What should I do then?"

"Not sure, I'm not a teacher either," Charlotte stroked her hair, "but for starters, you should go easy on them." Then she rubbed her chin, "I guess, it wouldn't hurt too practice with you too but tomorrow, I need your help here…"

Meanwhile, in Berlin

Once again, in the Heereswaffenamt facilities, a Witch was standing just outside the hangar trying to aim and even to hold correctly the rather long, weird gun as there was no stock.

"How does this work again?

"Aim first," Ursula said as Erica slowed her breath and took an aim to the plate that was at the end of the runway, "concentrate the magic in your right hand as if you were about to raise a shield," Erica's hand began glowing a little and its radiance surround the trigger, "then, release it at once."

The whole barrel began radiating then a rather short beam of light was flared into the plate, shattering in the process, "It worked!" Erica continued examining the gun and its barrel, "and there's almost no recoil, which makes me wonder how powerful that shot actually is."

"It depends solely on your magic," Ursula stated, "but on average, it's more powerful than 20mm rounds."

"So as powerful as Lynne's weapon, sounds good," Erica positively added, "what about the fire rate? Or the magic consumption?"

"Both depend on you as well," Ursula added, checking her notes, "but since you're in control of your magic pressure, there's no risk of overextending."

"Overextending?" Erica put the gun down, "You mean?""

"Indeed," Ursula looked at Erica, "it's using the same principle of magic transfer of the Shinden."

"Huh? So that's why it felt kind of similar," Erica rubbed her chin, "it could be useful, but I'm left vulnerable, I mean it's either shooting or shielding myself. Eila could use it though; she doesn't really use shields."

"It is one of its drawbacks yes," Ursula stated, "but there are Witches that are able to raise more than one shield at once or as you say dodge."

"Like Yoshika or Francesca."

"Indeed, it was intended for Flight Lieutenant Miyafuji." Ursula stated, "Her shields are in a class of their own, which means these beams could be as well."

"Now that you mention it," Erica raised it again and continued checking it, "yeah, this weapon could be something to be reckon with her shields, if."

"Most Neuroi nowadays are far too strong for conventional weapons so that's why I started developing this weapon with parts from Liberion."

"I guess it wouldn't hurt to practice with it," Erica took an aim again, "it could come useful someday, I mean, even my sturm struggles nowadays."

"You shouldn't use your head to destroy things," Ursula said sternly, "it is not efficient."

Erica gave her a quizzical look, putting down the weapon, again, "Minna told you, didn't she?"

"Indeed, and though she told me it was reckless," Ursula stated positively, "she is actually proud to see that you've been behaving more maturely, for the most part."

Erica kept staring at Ursula speechlessly.

"Has something changed, sister?" Ursula asked her with a soft smile, "Does it have something to do with Commander Barkhorn?"

"You know, you're more perceptive too," Erica heaved a sigh, "I guess, it wouldn't hurt to tell you, you're my sister after all…"

Author notes:

Humikane published art of Trude wearing both those outfits.

And about the next chapter, it will come at the usual time next week and some plot points will begin to wrap up.