This has been a long time coming. It's hard to keep writing a story you only just started when the 'source' of inspiration, a wonderful little fox named Evelyn, passes to cancer. Still, life moves on, as must Akagi~
Enjoy
CB:R Chapter I
The Gods were fickle beings. For the Sakura Empire, the Land of Ten Thousand Gods, it was a well-known facet of daily life. One wishing for fertility would pray, and give thanks to Inari Ōkami with sake and shrine offerings. Likewise, Susanoo, the God of the Storms, guided and protected the ships of the Ancient Land through calm and furious waves alike.
Warships, like Akagi.
Akagi, or "Red Castle" in translation to gaijin tongue, was the epitome of Sakuran beauty. Tall, fair-skinned long brown hair, her slitted ruby eyes saw everything around her for thousands of miles. Such was a simple ability, for an aircraft carrier like her.
Her additional ears, triangular tufts of fluff atop her head, matched the flowing hair. As did the tails, of course. Nine of them, marking her status and pride as a Kitsune, and leader of the fleet.
Indeed, Akagi was the symbol of beauty, divinity and cunning. ...until now, that is.
The Pacific winds surged and the waves heaved, frothing like wild beasts in the golden light. A light, far too piercing, like the sun high in the sky. It would be impressive, Akagi thought, if it weren't for the arrow of such light, streaking, burning, and piercing through her ample chest. Her outfit, a modified shrine maiden uniform that revealed just the right amount of cleavage and beautiful thighs, provided no protection as Akagi's nemesis ended the fight.
Enterprise.
USS Enterprise. That name never failed to burn, to tumble around Akagi's exhausted mind even as her rage grew. Burning, like a fire that could never be quenched... and yet, cold now spread throughout the fox's body. The rain, and the wind, perhaps.
Is this... what death feels like? The sinking realization, the cold, glowing eyes of her murderer, the sudden splatter of too-warm liquid across her body?
So it must be, Akagi thought. She felt weightless, and a strange numbness settled across her body. The Gods must be laughing right now. But, was I really in the wrong?
Officially, Akagi had started the war, yes. To survive the coming storm she and her fellow Sakurans had struck first to level the odds. She herself had felt nothing as the corpse of USS Arizona settled into the water, a burning wreck alongside her torpedo and bomb ravaged allies. Not unlike her own flight deck, Akagi realized.
But no, she was not wrong. Everything she did, was for the Empire. To right the wrongs set by the false Treaties. For her comrades in arms, for the pride and retribution against the other nations who dared look down upon them!
Unworthy, their harsh eyes spoke to the young carrier. The lesser power. The Sakura Empire was deemed unworthy of joining the others as an empire, despite the fact that her people, her nation, had existed for thousands of years as warriors and poets, as artists and philosophers!
It mattered little now. Akagi had...
She fought the urge to vomit blood, even as her lungs filled with the precious life-substance. Deep in her spirit, her valiant airmen and sailors burned alive.
Truthfully...Akagi had miscalculated. Everything had gone so well, the meticulous years of planning, executed perfectly! Wasted opportunities, forever lost to a mere handful of Her dive bombers.
Yes, the Gods are truly laughing at me now.
Above the dying kitsune like a vengeful War God, the USS Enterprise dimmed. She had reached her limit, perhaps? No, more likely, Akagi was no longer a threat. Ohhh, how it hurt, to be looked down upon! She was not wrong, her goal had been worth the sacrifice, and how dare they stand in her-
Akagi hit the water. Deep inside, she broke. Her vision dimmed, no, blurred, as the waves overcame her.
Truly... I miss you so much, nee-sama... Amagi...
If only I had another chance to see you again...