super ktkm and ooi adventures 6

Everyone cleared off the yard after that. An air of uncertainty seemed to permeate the place.  Kitakami was fine with that, content to sit at the desk in our room and play games.  I was just trying to process everything that has happened today.

	“Say Kitakami, tensions have been running kinda high lately haven't they.”
	“It's to be expected.  Violence is usually the first option with the Americans.”
	“But, it was that Hyuuga earlier that started everything.”
	“.... Maybe.  But most of them don't take things lying down either. ”

It was something to think about.  You couldn't just put the blame all on one side. At that time  I remembered that I still had Shiranui's gift in a bag. I guess with everyone being in their rooms it was probably a good time to deliver it.

	“I'm going to go out for a little bit, Kitakami.”
	“Mmm.  Bye Ooichi.”

Our room was on the second floor, and all of our rooms opened up to an outside walkway around the building, as opposed to an inner one.  I notice a couple of people.. hobbling over to the first floor entryway. Looks like some officer and Mogami. So much for no more people getting hurt. I knock on Shiranui's door.

	“Ooi.  Can I be of service to you?”
	“I ah, got a present for you.”
	“Is that so?  Would you like to join me for a bit?”

I didn't expect to get invited in at all.  Maybe Shiranui is just a normal girl.  I accept the invitation and step through the threshold.  I immediately notice the walls, unlike our room Shiranui has all sorts of photos and paintings posted up on the walls. Well... actually there's a pervasive theme. They seem to be all mostly pictures of military vehicles, ships, planes, equipment. There's also what look like photos or painting of what must be famous military commanders.  As I scan the room my eyes lock onto one of the photos.  I... I... know this one. Right? It...

	“One of the most famous war photos.  The raising of the flag onto Iō-tō.  They had not actually secured the island at that point, but with no reinforcements in sight, the American victory was assured.”
Shiranui continues on.  “An impressive underground defense network was built throughout the island, but most entrances were discovered eventually and sealed off. Some reports have the Americans pumping in water and gasoline to flood the tunnels.  I can only assume it was a bad way to go.”

I feel a little sick,  a feeling of disconnect somewhere.  My trance is broken by the sound of falling water.  Oh, she's just pouring water for some tea.  As she turns around I take the book out of the bag and present it to her.

	“I wasn't sure exactly what to get for you to be honest, but I hope you'll like it.”

Shiranui moves up infront of me to take the book, but instead of grasping it she places her hands ontop of mine. They're warm.  She has only the faintest smile on her face, but for some reason it feels like it could mean everything.

	“Thank you Ooi.  If you ever need help in the fut- … Are you alright? You're all red.”
	“I-I'm alright, really.”

I'm reminded of when I gave my gifts to Kitakami, the sort of quiet amazement she had.  I wish she had touched me and thanked me too...

	“Here is the tea.”

I didn't even realize that I wasn't holding the book anymore.  I take the cup and sit across from Shiranui. Aside from all the photographs, she also has a small computer at her desk and a a large bookcase, as expected.  She has one of those electric powered pitchers, for boiling water. Kongou was amazed when she made such a discovery. Admiral Goto was less than pleased with her frequent 'Tea Time Teitoukuuu~'.

	“Would you be interested in hearing about some American history?”

I... really wasn't, and I did say I was only going to be gone for a bit, but I felt I shouldn't destroy the nice atmosphere going on.   I told her I would be up for an introduction. She brings over a map of the world.

	“America is fairly new, as far as most countries in the world go, so it's important to know just how it started....”

- - -

A half hour went by. Shiranui was actually a very good orator, she would use pictures, or small objects to help describe events or emphasize points.  It really was interesting, but after all this time we had just gotten up to where the colonists of America were rebelling against Britain.

	“I think that's enough for today, it's rather important not to overload someone with information.  I apologize if that was much more than you expected.”
	“Oh, it's no problem. Kitakami isn't much of a talker, so it's nice to listen to others for a change.”
	“Is that so?”
	“Tooooonnee!”

A third voice sneaks its way into the conversation from the window. Someone must be yelling outside.

	“That's probably Chikuma, we should investigate, No?”
	“Should we really get involved?”
	“One of our allies is in trouble, there's no shame in assisting them.”
	“...Alright.”

I follow Shiranui as we leave her room and head towards the common room at the center of the second floor.  The sun has set and a quiet twilight has enveloped the base. A light drizzle has started, it looks like there won't be movies later in the yard... The yard huh...

	“You never got involved in that fight earlier, Shiranui”
	“It's important not to commit yourself to a battle you can not win.”

The common room has a pool table, tables, couches, a large tv, and even a little bar area, although there's up to you to bring your own drinks.  Tone is already in the room leaning on the bar. I also notice Ryuujou and a couple of destroyers watching TV. Tone perks up a bit as she notices us enter.

	“Ah! Hello friends, have either of you seen Chikuma lately? I have no idea where she could be at such an hour.”

Before we can respond I hear the thumps of someone running up the stairs at a frightening pace. The stairwell dorm slams open and a battered Chikuma tumbles out.  Her uniform is torn, hair disheveled, and generally looks like she just came out of a trench after hours of bombardment.

	“TOOOOONE NEE-SAaaann!” Chikuma almost rams into Tone and collapses at her knees, arms held tightly around Tone.
	“My dear Chikuma! What has befouled you so?” The shorter sister gently pats Chikuma on her head, clearly not used to such a display.
	“Iiit was THE ONE, the crazy one,  no stopping … IT KEPT COMING” Chikuma is hysterical and only bursts of words can be heard over her sobbing.
	“C-chikuma, come on now, you're alright, what exactly happened?”

Nothing. Her eyes are shut and face is buried into Tone's midsection.  Tone bites her lip, unsure of what to.  The other girls by the tv all have their heads peaked out from behind the couch, looking at the abused Chikuma.

	“You should get her cleaned up. I'm sure after a rest she'll be able to properly explain her situation.”

Tone nods at Shiranui. I found myself too shocked to speak. Chikuma never seemed like someone with an easily broken will.  Whatever happened must have been... unimaginable.

	“Are you able to move about, Chikuma? You'll be safe inside our room, count on your big sister Tone, ok?”

Chikuma nods and silently rises, as Tone takes her hand and leads her out towards their room. I turn around as I feel a hand placed on my shoulder.

	“Ooi-san. It would be best to stay indoors right now, around others.”
	“A-are you going out?”  Shiranui pulls out white gloves from a shirt pocket and dons them.
	“Of course. This investigation is just starting. Be safe.”

An evil smile seems to appear on her face, but I only catch a glimpse as she enters the stairwell, and hear her descend to the ground floor.

	“I ain't neva seen Chikuma look like that before, nope.” Ryuujou speaks up from over by the couch.
	“It would be best if this was kept quiet. She does not deserve any bad rumors tainting her image.” A girl with supremely puffy lavender hair. I think that's Hatsuharu.
	“Why is everyone looking at Nenohi??”

Getting back to Kitakami would be a good idea. I don't want to worry her.  As I leave the common room, I've noticed the rain has picked up to a steady pour.  I notice a figure coming from the direction of my room, but it's only Shoukaku. Her long pure white hair and yellow eyes give her an almost unworldly beauty. I was a little jealous, to be sure.  Her head is down and her expression remorseful, hands full with take-out containers.  I think she would have bumped right into me if I hadn't said something.

	“Shoukaku-san, are you alright? Were you attacked?”
	“Ah! Ooi-san.  I'm fine.  I just...”
	“Your room is on the third floor, isn't it?”
	“Yes... I wasn't paying attention. I..”

She looks back down at her feet.  Is... Is she crying?

	“I had a chance today, to do something right for once, but I messed up again.  I didn't want to hurt him.  I let him go, and he could've gotten seriously hurt, or worse.  I didn't even follow him.  This is just my luck, isn't it?”

	“W-what are you talking about?”
	“I just let Admiral Settle face Kaga by himself.”

I'm not sure what to say.  I don't know anything about what happened. Shoukaku leans on the railings and looks outward into the rainy blackness.

	“I wasn't even thinking.  When he broke free, part of myself just thought 'He'll be fine'.  What was I thinking... he's not like.. us”

Her last few words are barely audible.  Shoukaku turns towards me after a few moments with a sad smile on her face.

	“I think Kitakami-san is very lucky to have you, Ooi. I'm nowhere near as strong willed as you are, I can't even get Zuikaku to listen sometimes. Thank you for hearing me out.”

I couldn't believe that I was being praised by her.  I felt myself blushing.  I'm not that good with words compared to someone like Tone or Kitakami, so I just give a deep bow to Shoukaku until she walks past. The walkway lights give a dim illumination to the dorm grounds below. I see a couple people below. One has an umbrella and is squatting, examining something on the ground.  I think that might be Shiranui.  There's another girl, with a black uniform, I think I know who that might be.  She is slowly walking in the rain as if it doesn't bother her at all. Her pace suddenly changes and changes direction toward the basketball court, where she runs over and picks something up before running to what must be her room somewhere below.

I give a knock on our door before entering.  Kitakami is bundled up in the blanket I bought her sitting on her bed playing her games.  I join her on the bed not too far away.

	“Did you have fun?” Kitakami suddenly asks me.
	“Eh? Ah. I suppose so. I just spent some time with a few of the other girls.”
	“Mmm Hmm”
	“Someone is attacking a bunch of the girls it seems. I saw Chikuma and Mogami hurt earlier.”
	“Eh? Well just stick close then, alright Ooichi?

I went and scooted up right next to Kitakami after hearing that.

	“Ah, c'mon Ooichiiii...”