Chapter 6
Homecoming
14 July 2015
Philippine Sea
Texas leaned anxiously on her bridge railing, watching their battered rescuees limp into formation with the rest of the convoy.
Where on earth, she wondered,
did they come from?
The Amagi they'd been expecting had been the late-war
carrier, not what looked like Akagi's sister, the
battlecruiser that had died before she'd even been born
. And with odd, stumpy little guns, too. It didn't make
sense. Even stranger(somehow), she flew the Stars and Stripes over her flag, as if she'd been captured.
And the little four stacker was in some ways stranger. She'd steamed with a
lot of four-stackers, and the little thousand ton destroyer looked very different. Everything was in the right places, more or less… but the four-inch-fifty mounts were too
tall, the three-inch AA gun on the fantail was missing, it looked like she mounted K-guns instead of the centerline Y-gun the ones she knew mounted, and to top it all off, instead of a quartet of triple torpedo tubes, she had a pair of quads where the first two triples should have been and a pair of what looked like twenty-five millimeter gun tubs where the aftermost torpedo mounts should have been. It was hard to be certain, given that what had once been gun mounts were now scrap heaps.
And weirdest of all, she was a
steel-hull, like herself and North Carolina.
None of the four-stackers had been preserved. Yet, there she was. And standing in her pilothouse was a pair of older men, one clearly a civilian, and the other one had to be her Captain, judging by the injured little girl leaning against him. And, if she had to guess, the man who she'd spoken with over the radio.
Remembering her responsibilities, she turned her head back to the others. Tenryu was fussing over Inazuma and Hibiki, in the way that she would
never admit she did. Neither was more than scratched. She figured a night in the docks would have both of them back to a hundred percent once they got to Yokosuka. She… wasn't sure about Walker. The little four-stacker had been
hammered, with smoke only curling from two of her four stacks, her after deckhouse turned to a jagged heap of scrap with what looked like a
floatplane, of all things, lashed carefully down on top of it, and one of her four-inch fifties clearly out of commission. The poor dear was going to be in the docks for quite a while. Judging by how Tenryū kept sneaking looks at the little four-stacker, the hot-blooded light cruiser was thinking much the same. She laid even odds that Tenryū would sneak into the docks to dote on the little girl, and do her best to pretend she hadn't.
North Carolina had pulled herself alongside Amagi, and her boats were ferrying a streamer of damage control parties and supplies over to the mauled battlecruiser.
She shook her head as Walker pulled alongside for UNREP. Answers could wait until they were safely in port. For now, they had a convoy to bring home.
-----
21 July, 2015
Fleet Activities Yokosuka
Admiral Goto stepped out on the balcony overlooking the harbor, Nagato and Ooyodo at his side. His secretary ship and supply manager had both looked oddly amused for the past two days. When he'd tried to get anything out of them, they'd just shared a smile, and told him it would keep. He figured it was a joke, but given just how much the two old ships had done for him, he was willing to let them have their jokes.
Especially after the not-so-minor miracles they'd pulled off during the evacuations of Australia and the Philippines and the continuing one Ooyodo and her staff were pulling off, keeping nearly sixty million refugees fed, housed, and with access to medicine, all on top of keeping Japan's one hundred twenty seven million person population fed.
He turned as the door opened behind him, and raised an eyebrow as the American liasion, Rear Admiral Stevens, stepped out. The American shook his head minutely.
So, he didn't know either. Odd.
"Good weather we're having today, Admiral Stevens."
Stevens snorted. It was a typical morning in Tokyo. Foggy and overcast, before the sun had yet banished night's chill.
"Suppose it is, if we've got to be out in it. Don't suppose you two are willing to tell us why we're out here, instead of in our offices, dealing with today's mountain of paperwork?"
A giggle came from behind him. "Oh, I think the reason will reveal itself soon enough~"
Goto turned fractionally. Just enough to confirm the teasing giggle came from the usual suspect. Nagato's younger sister, as usual.
Moments later, a warm pair of arms wrapped around him, and the giggling voice of a certain English-born fast battleship rolled into his ear.
"Good mor~ning Teitokuuu."
Goto blinked. The ancient fast battleship couldn't be mellowing out, could she? Continuing to surprise him, she slipped off of him and wandered over to lean on the railing, looking out to sea. Something interesting had to be happening. But what? It couldn't be the convoy, Ooyodo would have told him the instant anything happened.
Stevens leaned over by Goto, and murmured in his ear. "I wonder if it's something to do with Akagi? I just noticed this morning, but Shokaku deployed yesterday instead of Akagi."
Goto frowned fractionally, eyes on the harbor entrance. "Maybe. It's worth keeping in mind."
Suddenly, all the kanmusu turned as one, tracking a single spot at the harbor entrance. Both Admirals stepped up to the railing, peering at the fog, willing it to part and show them what their girls had been waiting for.
Moments later, Texas' massive, dark blue hull seemingly materialized out of the fog, and one by one, the lumbering bulk haulers of the convoy slipped out of the gloom. And alongside them came North Carolina, Houston, Independence, then Tenryuu and Desdiv6. But just as Goto was about to step back,
another pair of ships came out of the fog. On the left, a
massive ship with the enormous pagoda masts that had been in style among her designers that had clearly been badly thrashed in battle. Steaming proudly to her port, almost comically tiny by comparison, was a four-stack destroyer that had been battered almost as badly, tongues of flame spitting from only three of her guns as she fired a parade-ground salute.
Yet Old Glory streamed proudly from her mast, and above the Rising Sun of the capital ship.
"Who," Goto breathed, "is
she?"
Nagato smiled. "Her name, Admiral, is Amagi."
Goto whirled, looking at Kongou.
Impossible. All of the girls who were old enough had been certain Amagi had died on the building ways, when the earthquake broke her back. And that
definitely wasn't a carrier.
Kongou giggled. "I know, Teitoku! But there's something about that little destroyer, Dess!"
Stevens frowned, looking back at the destroyer. What could be so special about a four-stacker? Sure, any reinforcements were welcome. America had only had her museum ships until Houston and Independence had shown up a couple months ago, but she was still just a four-stacker. Her guns were popguns, even by destroyer standards, and her AA was lacking, at best. He frowned, watching her come in… to… dock…
"She's a
steel-hull!?", he thundered. "None of those were preserved! Anywhere!"
Ooyodo nodded. "Yes. She is. And her Captain is aboard. Texas tells me he's going to be wanting to report to you."
Both Admirals blinked twice, then shook their heads.
"This war gets weirder every day."
"DESS!"
----
Amagi groaned with relief as she saw the ramp ahead.
Finally. Tokyo. And, if she was lucky, her sisters would be there.
Dismissing her rigging, she stumbled up the ramp, nearly falling before a familiar fast battleship caught her.
"Hello Amagi!" Kongou giggled. "Tei-tooo-kuuu says to take you to the docks! He'll take your report when you don't look like you'll sink if you bump into something too hard, dess!"
Leaning on Kongou's shoulder, Amagi groaned with relief. "I thank you, Kongou."
Kongou giggled, and swept Amagi through a series of hallways, before pushing the door open, nearly colliding with a little Special-type with brown eyes and her hair in a almost comically short ponytail.
"Fubuki! Help me get Amagi into the docks, dess!"
"H-Hai, Kongou-sempai!" The little destroyer blushed furiously as she helped Amagi out of her shredded uniform, carefully peeling cloth out of the massive open wounds a mauling by battleship guns had caused, and setting aside the dented and rent cuirass, her eyes lingering on the shredded wreckage of Amagi's left arm. Her half-sisters the Akatsukis had already told her, but to see it with her own eyes!
Kongou wrapped her arm around Amagi, and gently guided her into one of the capital ship docks. Amagi gasped as the healing waters entered the rents in her abused hull, groaning happily as she slipped fully into the water. Kongou giggled.
"Akashi will be by as soon as she can! I'll go get you something to eat, dess!"
"Thank you, Kongou. I will not forget this."
But the overactive fast battleship had already vanished, the door swaying in her wake, leaving only Fubuki and Amagi.
Fubuki shifted nervously from one foot to the other. Amagi looked at her with her remaining eye. "You have a question, little one?"
Fubuki flushed. "Uhm. Akagi-sempai is your sister, right?" Amagi nodded. "Do you… want me to get her for you?"
Akagi hacked, bending nearly in half under an uncontrollable coughing fit as black smoke poured from her lungs. Eventually, it subsided, and she smiled at the little Special-type. "That would be good. But first, I think you should go find Walker. She's the little destroyer that just showed up. Her Captain will want to see to her himself, I think. And I doubt he knows the way to the destroyer docks."
"Hai!"
----
Matt stepped off the gangway onto the pier by Walker's battered hull. A rating was standing there, and saluted crisply. Matt returned the salute.
"Sir. Admiral Stevens' compliments, and he'd like you to report to him by 1600, after seeing to your ship's damage and getting a meal."
"Thank you. My compliments to the Admiral, and I understand and will comply."
The rating saluted and vanished. Matt sighed. Being a junior destroyer skipper again was going to take some getting used to. He turned around, inspecting Walker's hull critically as she limped down the gangplank to give him a hug.
"I've been in worse shape, Skipper." She said, then giggled devilishly, "Didn't even sink this time!"
Matt winced, then tousled her hair as Courtney made his energetic way down the gangplank, gawking about before bustling off to continue his discussions with Texas. "No. I suppose you didn't, Walker."
They stood like that for a time, destroyerman and destroyer, before a quiet voice interrupted from behind them.
"E-excuse me?"
Matt turned around and looked down at the girl behind him in an ill-fitting uniform.
"Yes?"
"Are you Walker's Captain?"
Matt laughed gently. Something about her demeanor was just endearing.
"I am. And you are?"
She perked up. "Oh! My name is Fubuki! Amagi asked me to show you to the destroyer docks! She said you'd want to see to Walker yourself! Come on!"
Fubuki led them through the base, stopping in front of a door with indecipherable Japanese lettering over the top.
"These are the destroyer docks! Um… Americans don't dock naked, do they? We'll have to find a swimsui-"
Walker giggled. "I don't mind."
Matt
looked down at her.
"On second thought, I do mind."
"I can find one! It's only ladylike to look after your guests," a new voice interrupted.
Matt turned around to see another girl about Fubuki's height with long, purple hair carrying a tray laden down with bowls of rice and meat.
Fubuki sighed in relief. "Thank you, Akatsuki. Is that for Hibiki and Inazuma?"
"Mmm hmm!"
"Those are the two that got damaged rescuing us, right?", Matt interrupted.
Akatsuki nodded, and Matt gently lifted the tray from her hands. "You go find Walker that swimsuit. I'll bring this to them and convey my thanks."
With that Matt stepped through the door, leaving the two destroyers standing alone.
"Hm. You don't have a locker here… but you can use mine until you get assigned one."
"Thank you." Walker sighed, limping over to the locker that said "Fubuki".
"You can read Japanese?"
"Huh? Some. Learned a little from Shinya, a little from Courtney."
"But… I didn't think there were any Japanese aboard your ships during the War."
Walker grunted as she collapsed onto the bench. "Shinya's not Navy. Well, not US Navy."
Fubuki blinked owlishly. "But…"
"Long story." Walker grumbled, setting her cover in the locker before tugging at her shirt. "Uh, little help?"
Fubuki scurried over, helping Walker ease her bandaged arm through the sleeve. She gasped as the massive scars criss-crossing Walker's torso revealed themselves.
"What? Never seen a scar before?"
Fubuki shook her head. "Not like
that."
Walker shrugged, folding her pants neatly before dropping them into the locker. "Got into a lot of fights. Got beat up a lot. Got sunk by Amagi in the same fight I sunk her. My crew raised me, fixed me with her steel." She fingered the scar that ran down her face. "Not all of them went well."
A fairy popped up on her neck,clumsily hugged her neck, and vanished into her hair. "Yeah. Thanks, Frankie."
Fubuki shuddered, suddenly feeling like an intruder into an all too private moment. She stepped over, gently picking up the battered sword that Walker kept slung over her back and laying it respectfully in her locker.
Just then, Akatsuki came around the corner, a black two-piece in her hands and started at the sight of Walker's scars. Fubuki shook her head frantically at Akatsuki.
Don't ask.
Thankfully, Akatsuki understood, and refrained from asking the question she clearly longed to. Instead, she handed Walker the swimsuit and propped her hands on her hips.
"Here! It's my size, so I don't think it'll fit you quite right, but it should be good enough until we can get you something!"
Walker smiled, quickly slipping into it and reverting to the giggling happiness from earlier. "Thank you! Let's go see what the Skipper thinks!"
Walker whirled and barged through the door into the docks. Fubuki blinked, before following her in, Akatsuki on her heels.
"Hey, Skipper! Whaddya think?!" Walker shouted, limping as quickly as her legs would carry her over to Matt
Matt looked down, and nodded approvingly. It would do.
"It fits well enough. Thank you, Akatsuki." He looked back to Walker, his eyes growing just a little sad as he took in all her scars. "This still seems crazy. But apparently these baths will help repair your hull?"
Walker nodded and pointed to the repair work she could see happening on Inazuma's hull. "Yep!"
Matt looked, and grumbled as he wrapped an arm around her. "This gets crazier every day. All right, Walker. I'll leave you here. Send for me if you need
anything, understand?"
Walker giggled and hugged him, and then dropped into the water the next dock over from Hibiki and Inazuma. "I will, Skipper! Don't forget, you left your report in your quarters!"
Matt leaned down and ruffled her hair. "I didn't. Fubuki, if you could show me the way?"
"Hai!"
----
Amagi sighed contentedly as she slid deeper into the waters, letting the water slip over everything below her neck. Akashi had taken one look at her, then torn a long, painful strip off her hide for letting herself get beaten up so badly while cleaning the rents in her hull and vanishing back to her office.
She didn't mind. She'd probably deserved every word for forgetting her training. She might hate Kurokawa all the way down to her keel, but she had to admit. Whatever his innumerable flaws, he had known how to fight a battlecruiser, and when it came to fighting, he'd taught her well. It was unfortunate that he'd used that knowledge for such evil.
She was deeply grateful when the door opened with a loud creak, admitting another familiar face and tearing her out of her memories. She turned, flipping her hair to at least mask the empty socket that marred her face as she quickly scanned the newcomer's hull.
"Greetings, Yuudachi. It has been some time."
Yuudachi poked her head out from behind the mountainous pile of food on the tray she bore, emerald eyes wide. She didn't remember ever meeting any battlecruisers. Certainly not one with such odd, stumpy-looking guns. Still, she was sure if anything important had happened, Fubuki would have told her.
"I… guess it has, poi! Kongou thought you would be hungry, and asked me to bring this to you, poi!"
Yuudachi set the tray down, and gravely accepted the headpat Amagi gave her in return for the tray before skipping out of the docks and back to the mess hall. Amagi turned to the mountainous tray and frowned at the chopsticks. Breaking them apart with one hand was going to prove… difficult. Still, some ingenuity and a little brute force saw them separate, if not cleanly, well enough to be usable, and she dug happily into the familiar foods of her homeland. For a time, the capital ship docks rolled with poorly stifled giggles as Amagi lost herself in the new and wondrous pleasures of the human form.
---
Matt stopped in front of the yeoman's desk, report in hand. He looked down at the… destroyer… that had been his guide. And by God, that sentence still sounded strange in his head.
"Thank you, Fubuki. I believe I can find my way from here."
She bowed at the waist, before vanishing around the corner. He shook his head. It would have been comical if it wasn't so
sincere.
Returning his attention to the patiently waiting yeoman, he took careful stock of his uniform, and spoke. "Captain Matthew Reddy, reporting as ordered."
The yeoman took a look at the massive folder under Matt's arm and raised an eyebrow, but gave no other indication that he'd seen anything even slightly unusual, instead picking up the phone on his desk, and after a short conversation with the individual on the other end, gave Matt a respectful nod.
"Admiral Stevens will see you now. Third door on the left."
Matt thanked him, and made his way to the indicated door, knocking politely on it.
"Come in!" The pleasant tenor that rolled through the door was warm, yet carried the edge of someone who was used to the responsibilities of command.
Matt stepped through, then braced to attention. "Captain Matthew Reddy, commanding USS Walker reporting as ordered."
Admiral Stevens took his time to scrutinize the new arrival. He was old, yes. Probably as old as he himself was. But his eyes were sharp, and his muscles had only began to lose the hardness of youth. The grey in his hair, while significant, didn't make him look old, simply… experienced. And wise. His uniform, too, was immaculate, if obviously well-worn. As it should be. It looked to be the same pattern the Navy had used back in the
forties.
"Please, Captain. Have a seat. I can see from your report that you have quite a story to tell, and I look forward to examining your report in detail. For now, I would appreciate a brief summary."
Matt nodded. He had hardly expected to tell his story in detail just yet in any case.
"Of course. Briefly, Walker was involved in the flight from Java, escorting HMS Exeter. During the battle, she engaged the Japanese battlecruiser
Amagi, and in the course of that engagement stumbled upon a strange Squall that transported her to another Earth. There, we found a strange and terrible world, allied with the Lemurians in their war against the Grik. Amagi, too, was transported, and her Captain sided with the Grik out of his hatred towards us. We skirmished with her numerous times, ultimately sinking her with an improvised magnetic mine at the Battle of Baalkpan. The war continued, and we eventually won. That would be the end of things, but ten days ago Amagi, in her current form, showed up aboard Walker to beg her forgiveness. I decided to accompany her in order to turn in my report to the Navy, and make sure her crew's families knew what they did. Upon our arrival, we encountered a superior enemy force, and were rescued by a convoy escort under command of USS Texas."
Stevens leaned back, mentally reeling. He wasn't sure what he'd expected, but this wasn't it! Still, he was commanding girls who were ships. Why not jump all the way aboard the crazy train?
"You realize, Captain, that this is quite a story."
Matt nodded. "Yes, sir. I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't been there. But here we are."
Stevens nodded. "Here you are. And I think I believe you, especially given the… circumstances. I'd like to examine your report and ship's logs more closely, of course. But there's one little thing. I checked Walker's service record before you came."
Matt frowned, leaning back. "Yes? She was assigned to the Asiatic Fleet long before I took command in '41. If I recall correctly, in the thirties."
Stevens shook his head. "Captain, according to our records, Walker was being towed to Pearl as a damage control hulk. She was cut loose and scuttled the day after Pearl."
Matt slumped. "Oh, damnit."
Stevens reached out a hand and rested it on Matt's shoulder. "I'm afraid so, Captain. I won't ask you to fight for a country not your own."
Matt shook his head. "Absolutely not! Walker answered
your call. She gave her word, and when a
Walker gives their word, it means something. We will fight for you, Admiral. Besides, my oath isn't to defend the Constitution and the United States when it is convenient."
Admiral Stevens rose. "Well, I can't argue with that, I suppose." He extended a hand, and Matt took it. "Welcome aboard, Captain. We'll try to get you inprocessed as fast as possible. But in the meantime, would you do me the honor of joining me for a meal?"
Matt nodded at the order - and however politely phrased, it was an order -, and rose. "Of course, sir. It would be my pleasure."
----
Matt wasn't sure what he'd expected from the mess hall. Rice paper walls and fancy lamps, maybe. But this mess was almost boring in its normality. Which, he reflected as he sat by Stevens, he probably should have expected.
"So tell me, Captain. Have you met North Carolina yet?"
Matt shook his head. "I cannot say I have. I spoke to her over the radio, but I have yet to meet her."
Stevens checked his watch, and grinned. "Well, you're in for a treat."
Matt opened his mouth to ask just what he meant by that when the door opened, admitting a
stunning blonde. Matt blinked. "I assume that's her?"
"Yup. Look behind her."
A few steps behind her, imitating her elegant, gliding steps (poorly) was the little purple-haired destroyer that had found Walker a swimsuit. Akatsuki, he thought her name was. As he watched, she slid up to the serving line, stumbling a few times. Every few seconds, her eyes would shoot over to North Carolina, and she would attempt to copy her movement, mannerisms, and poise.
"How adorable."
"It gets better," Stevens chuckled.
As he watched, North Carolina settled at a table, folded her napkin in her lap with perfect poise, and began taking measured, elegant bites of her comically enormous meal.
Several tables away, Akatsuki copied North Carolina's every motion with… decidedly mixed results, Matt decided. She was going through the motions, without understanding
why the battleship did what she did. As he watched, she mopped at her mouth, accidentally landing her elbow in her plate. Cheeks burning, she continued eating, desperately pretending it hadn't happened.
Matt chuckled. "I remember when my girls were in that phase."
Stevens nodded. "So do I. Why don't you tell me a little about them?"
And with that, Admiral and Captain dug into their meals, the conversation staying far away from anything even tangentially work related. Both knew all too well that the moment they finished their meal, the pressing requirements of duty would weigh heavily once more.
----
Fubuki scurried towards the carrier dorms as quickly as her legs would take her. Finally, she could tell Akagi-senpai! She had no idea how it happened, but by the time she'd finally taken care of Amagi's requests, it had been nearly dinner, and she knew all too well the voracity of Amagi's appetite. So she had waited, until even Akagi and Kaga's bottomless appetites had been sated.
After what seemed another eternity, she found herself in front of the room CarDiv1 shared. Knocking hesitantly, she found herself face-to-face with the stern visage of Kaga.
"Yes, Fubuki? Do you have a message from the Admiral?"
Fubuki shook her head. "No! I need to talk to Akagi-senpai! It's important!"
Kaga frowned, and opened her mouth to send her away, before another voice came from the room.
"Come in, Fubuki. I trust it is urgent?"
Fubuki slipped in past Kaga's disapproving glare. She knew both of them hated interruptions to the rare times both were on base together, but she thought they'd like this one. Fubuki bowed hastily, fluttering anxiously in front of Akagi.
"Go ahead, Fubuki. What is it?"
"Amagi is back!"
Akagi tilted her head. "Ah, the Unryuu class, yes? Another carrier is wonderful news, but surely it could wait."
Fubuki shook her head. "No! Your sister!"
Akagi froze, her porcelain skin somehow paling in shock. "No… impossible! Why was I not told?"
"She's here! She came in with the morning convoy! You didn't get back in until the evening, and she asked me to take care of some things before getting you. She was really insistent…."
Akagi's eyes narrowed. " I see. And where is she?"
"She's in the docks!"
Akagi smiled. "Well. Perhaps miracles do happen. Thank you, Fubuki. I will go greet this girl who claims to be my sister." Fubuki bowed again, and vanished.
"Kaga?"
"With you, sister. Always."
"Thank you."
Akahi rose and moved towards the docks perhaps more quickly than strictly proper, Kaga by her side.
A few minutes later, Akagi pushed the door to the docks open, and froze. Even knowing that Fubuki would never deliberately deceive her, she'd been certain it had been some mistake. But the girl in front of her was unmistakable. The distinctive five-turret layout was instantly recognizable. And if that hadn't been clue enough, if not for the horrific wounds the girl in the dock had suffered, she could have sworn she was looking into a mirror. Oh, her hair was a little different, and there were other minor differences here and there, but there could be no doubt. Tears welled in her eyes. Akagi swallowed. An impossible dream, yet one that had been by all appearances come true.
Amagi stirred, opening her eye. "Akagi? Oh, it is good to see you again."
Akagi sobbed, and launched herself into Amagi, holding her tight, as if desperate to confirm that her eyes weren't lying. Amagi smiled, leaning into her shoulder and wrapping her arm around her little sister, ignoring the stabs of pain from Akagi's crushing embrace.
"It has been far too long, little sister."
Kaga slipped in, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth, watching contentedly. Her sister was happy. All was right with the world.
Akagi leaned back, tears flowing freely. Her sister, stolen from her by a ill-timed earthquake, returned to her! Truly, this was a time of miracles. She nestled back into Amagi's shoulder, ignoring the water soaking her clothing. That was a problem for later.
"I thought you were lost to us forever." she whispered, almost unable to believe her words.
"What do you mean, little sister?" Amagi asked, turning her head.
Akagi pulled back, confusion dancing across her beautiful features. "I remember it as if it was yesterday. Hoshou telling me you had died on the ways, after the earthquake snapped your keel."
Amagi frowned. "The earthquake damaged me badly, yes. I was told that my completion was delayed by nearly a year. But it certainly did not break my keel." Amagi groaned suddenly, then laughed. "Oh dear," she shook her head, "another world. I understand many things now."
"What do you mean, sister?"
"I mean, Akagi, that I am not from this Earth. It seems on this Earth, I was meant to be a carrier conversion, like you?" Akagi nodded, comprehension slowly dawning. "Well, on my world, a loophole in the Treaty allowed me to be completed as a battlecruiser, though with 254mm guns instead of the 410mm guns I was originally designed to carry. I apologize, Akagi. It seems I am not the sister we thought I was."
Akagi shook her head, and leaned back into Amagi. "Don't be silly. However strange the road that brought you here, you are still my sister. By blood, if nothing else."
Amagi smiled as the unexpected relief hit her. "I thank you for that, Akagi." She wrapped her arm around the carrier. "It would be a terrible road to travel alone."
Kaga settled onto her knees by the dock, and coughed politely.
"I apologize for interrupting, Amagi, but I must ask. What of my sister?"
Amagi's smile turned melancholic. "I am sorry, Kaga. Tosa's construction was halted and she was sunk as a target. I am told she never lived, and I must admit I cannot be unhappy about that. It would have been a short, terrible life, and I would not wish that on anyone."
Kaga rose abruptly, unsteadily. "I… see. Thank you," she said, her voice under iron control. Yet to two who knew her as well as Akagi and Amagi, the quavering uncertainty was obvious. Both sat there as she swept out of the docks. Akagi rose to follow her, only to be stopped by the iron grip of Amagi's hand.
"Let her be, little sister. She has just lost her sister all over again, I think." Amagi coughed, black smoke roiling from her mouth. She groaned, settling back into the waters. "So, Akagi. Tell me how the war went here."
Akagi nodded, peeled her sopping uniform off, set it beside the dock, and began to tell the story of the Pacific War. The tale of her life, her death, and what she had learned after her return. The incredible tales of valor, and sheer, jaw-dropping refusal to sink that had made the American Navy legend, and the tales of shame that even today, hurt her to think of. Through it all, she reveled in the comfort of being wrapped in her new older sister's embrace.
----
Kaga swept through the carrier dorms.
Alone. She needed to be alone. Away from Amagi. Away from the happy reunion that she had just been denied even the possibility of
again.
Lost in thought, she wandered the halls of the dorms, until a familiar, grating annoyance interrupted her.
"Oi! The hell are you doing here? Did you get lost on the way to your room or something?" Zuikaku's incredibly irritating, harsh voice cut through her stupor like a razor through silk.
Kaga blinked, examining her surroundings. Somehow, she'd wound up by the room CarDiv5 shared. How irritating.
"I apologize for inconveniencing you with my presence, Zuikaku. I was thinking. You couldn't understand."
Zuikaku snorted harshly. "Why? Because my sister's alive?"
Kaga's eyes widened. Had it been that obvious? That even the brash, arrogant, and overconfident Zuikaku had seen through her mask?
Zuikaku sighed, pulled Kaga into her room and pushed her into a chair. Then, pulling a small teakettle out of the closet, she began to speak. "I'm not stupid, Kaga. Amagi's been the talk of the base since she came in this morning. I'm sure Akagi is over the moon to have her sister back. And I'd expect you to be damn happy to have a big, modern battlecruiser like her join us. But you've been moping about the carrier dorms for almost an hour now. Which means she had bad news for you. And the only thing that'd have you all but sobbing like that is if Akagi sunk again, or something with Tosa. How close am I?"
Kaga numbly accepted the cup of tea Zuikaku pressed into her hands. "Fairly. Amagi isn't from our world, it seems. In her world, a loophole in the Treaty saved her as a battlecruiser, though with much smaller guns than intended. Which explains why her turrets look so odd, now that I think on it. But that is unimportant. When she realized this was not her world, I hoped that perhaps…"
"Tosa might have been saved by the same loophole, and you might have a chance to meet her." Zuikaku finished.
Kaga nodded. "Yes. Of course, it was not to be. Tosa's fate was the same in her world as in ours."
Zuikaku tilted her head to the side, playing with one of her pigtails. Then, shrugging, she got up, latched the door, and pulled Kaga into a hug. "It feels like a piece of you has been torn away, doesn't it? Like there's this great, ragged hole inside of you that nothing can possibly fill."Kaga nodded convulsively, even her legendary self-control cracking," And it hurts all the more because Akagi was separated from her sister, as you were, but she has been reunited, and the reunion seemed to promise the possibility of one for you, only to cruelly snatch it away." Zuikaku ran her hand up and down Kaga's back as tears began to well in her eyes."I remember all too well, that pain. But that pain hides an important secret."
Zuikaku lifted Kaga gently, then kissed her forehead. "You are never alone. All of us, in this, are your family. And we are here for you, and heaven help anything foolish enough to stand between us."
Leaning into the shoulder of her greatest rival, Aircraft Carrier Kaga finally let herself mourn a sister twice stolen from her by cruel fate.
-----
Eventually, Kaga got up, slipped out the door, and made her way back to her room. Akagi was sitting in the center of the room, smiling just a little brighter than usual. Kaga smiled a little.
"It is good to see you feeling better, Kaga." Akagi murmured, rising gracefully to hug her slightly shorter sister.
"Thank you, Akagi." Kaga gently pushed her back a little, and looked the carrier that had become her sister in every way that mattered in the eye. Fate might have denied her one sister, but it had given her another. And now, perhaps it had done so once more, though only time would tell.
"I suppose we should add a third bed in the morning, Akagi. It wouldn't do to make Amagi sleep by herself, once she's out of the docks."
Akagi squeezed her forearms. "Thank you, sister. But you are right, that is for the morning. For now, it is time for sleep."
