"Bristol, don't talk with food in your mouth. It's not a fun site for anyone next to you." Oklahoma scolded as she looked down to the destroyer. Bristol only gave the battleship a grin, her cheeks stuffed with bites of chicken fried steak. Oklahoma only rolled her eyes in response as she tiredly turned her attention back to her own food, her current meal being little over half of a steak left on her plate.

As she did so, Maryland looked across the table to Arizona, who had Mutsu on her left and Kongou on her right.

"So what's the plan, A? Do we finally get to relax after dinner?" Maryland asked. Arizona nodded, looking at the battleship.

"Yeah... From the sounds of things, me and Mutsu are going to go check in with Hayfield. The rest of the fleet is free to go back to the docks and get repairs underway. Whitney, that sound about right?" Arizona asked, looking at the woman. Sailor in question looked up from her conversation with Shigure and Atago as she nodded.

Whitney nodded at this, looking to the battleships. "Yes. All Hayfield asks is that one or two of you report to him." She replied. "Now, who those to be he didn't specify. But I imagine that you will be one of them Arizona." She replied. The battleship in question nodded as she looked back to Maryland.

"See?" She asked. Maryland nodded in response as she looked back at the battleship. As she did so, she took no time in stuffing another whole half of a burger into her mouth, sighing in content at the taste. As she did so, she took another look around the room, once again finding more sailors watching them quietly and curiously.

"So... Does anyone even know what our mission is yet...?" Atlanta asked as she looked to Tenryuu and Tatsuta. The two cruisers shrugged as they worked on their own food while also keeping an eye on the destroyers.

"Couldn't tell you. But it has to be mildly important for us to come all the way here and they won't even tell us a thing." Tenryuu reasoned. Tatsuta nodded as she looked to Atlanta.

"Quite possibly, we are here for some combat exercise with your navy. Since we are approximately the same size as Abyssals, it stands to reason that we could be assisting with a War Game of sorts..." She said. Atlanta thought about it a moment before Juneau responsively shot the idea down.

"Not that it isn't possible, but I doubt it. A fleet exercise like the one you're thinking of would be much good if we don't have the whole fleet here. Not only that, but their shells are much bigger than ours. Even if they were to switch to some sort of practice round, they'd still do damage just with the sheer size of the shell. So, I'm gonna have to disagree with Tatsuta." She said. Atlanta and Tenryuu only nodded at that, the logic easy to see. Tatsuta also nodded as she looked to the Cruiser.

"Well... If it is not a Fleet Excercise, then what is the explanation for our required presence here?" She asked, looking at the girl. Juneau only shrugged as she stuffed a fork load of Mashed potatoes into her mouth.

"Who knows... Maybe this is when we're being revealed to the public. Some big Navy announcement?" The light cruiser reasoned after swallowing her mouthful of potatoes. Tenryuu looked skeptical as she looked to the girl.

"But if it was a Navy Announcement, wouldn't it have made more sense to bring a full fleet of Americans rather than mixed? The public already knows that we of the Japanese exist. Wouldn't it be more effective to show the full fleet of Americans?" The light cruiser asked. Juneau shrugged as she took another bite of her food. As she did so, Atlanta only shrugged as well.

"Oh well... I'm just glad to have food in my stomach again. Hopefully, the trip back won't be nearly as bad..." She huffed. Tatsuta shrugged as she looked to the cruiser.

"That Princess is still out there..." She said in a warning like fashion. Atlanta only groaned in response as she rested her forehead on the table.

"Don't remind me." She sighed. Tenryuu only chuckled in response as the four continued to eat. As they did so, they casted their gaze towards the destroyers under their care. Said destroyers seemed to be wrapped up in their own discussion, not paying attention to their minders as they did so.

Back to the battleships, they were talking amongst themselves, enjoying their food before Arizona noticed two sailors in particular approaching their table.

Two women, looking to be in their early twenties. As they approached, Maryland chuckled.

"Certainly a lot of younger people in the Navy these days..." She mused. Arizona only laughed at this as she looked to the battleship, a brow arched.

"Don't you remember what our crews were back in the day? They were practically tons of young men, ready to serve their country." She told her. Maryland nodded as she took another bite of steak.

"Well, duh. I'm just saying, it's like that all over again. Just, this time has everyone included. You didn't see women back then. Well, you might've seen the occasional one or two. But not in force like they are today. It's a nice change..." She mused. Arizona nodded as the battleships turned their attention back to the two approaching sailors, the few brave ones it would seem.

Maryland gave a small wave as the two neared their table, an action that only seemed to reinforce their approach as they ever so slightly picked up their walking speed.

Eventually, the two sailors reached the table. Arizona was the first to look up at them, offering a nod as she spoke to them.

"Hello there... Can we help you?" She asked. One of the sailors, the shorter of the two, nodded as she looked back at Arizona.

"Yeah actually.... We wanted to know if you guys were the real deal..." She said after a moment. The girls looked confused a moment as Maryland looked down at herself, trying to figure out what they meant.

"Real deal....?" Maryland asked. The sailor that asked the question only laughed in response, her friend having to continue the conversation for her.

"What my friend means is that are you guys actually American Ship Girls." She said. Arizona only chuckled at that as Maryland looked up at the two again, nodding in turn as she did so.

"Well of course we are if that's the case. Well... Not all of us, but you get the point." She replied, looking up at the two. The two sailors nodded in response as they took a look at the table of ship girls a moment before nodding, looking back down at the battleships.

"So... Which ships are you?" The shorter asked after calming herself down after her laugh. The battleships nodded as Arizona gestured to herself.

"Battleship 39. Arizona. Along here are Battleship 37 and Battleship 46, Oklahoma and Maryland." Arizona introduced herself and the other two women to the two sailors. The two sailors however looked rather surprised.

"Arizona...? Wow..... That Memorial Renovation couldn't have come at a better time..." She said aloud. Arizona arched a brow as she looked at the two.

"Memorial...? What memorial...?" She asked as Oklahoma and Maryland looked at the two sailors expectantly. The sailors, for they as well looked just as surprised.

"...Yeah. The Arizona Memorial." One of the sailors said. "I just figured that you knew about it...." She said. "My bad..." She replied. Arizona only nodded slowly as her fellow battleships casted gazes her way.

"Arizona-San..... Are you alright...?" Kongou asked carefully. Arizona, after a moment, finally nodded in response to the question. It was about this time that the taller of the two sailors began to apologize.

"Our bad... We didn't think that the Memorial was unknown to you.... Whitney! Why didn't you tell us?!" She hissed, looking at the sailor. The Ship Girl Guide only shook her head, shrugging her head before turning her attention back to Shigure and Atago, who also had worried gazes on Arizona.

Before the sailors could say anything further however, Arizona simply put up a hand to quiet them. Looking up at the two sailors, she gave them a grateful smile.

"I assure you, there's been no damage done. And I am grateful for the info. But if you two don't mind, would you leave us? We'd like to finish our meals please. We've been on open water for the last week. Food is... Food is pretty important at the moment..." She said after a moment. The two sailors only nodded in understanding before turning and heading back over to their own table, once again sitting with their fellow sailors. The battleships watched them a moment before Maryland gave a small whistle.

"Those two were quite the lookers if I do say so myself..." She chuckled. Oklahoma only rolled her eyes as she looked at her fellow battleship.

"Oh? What happened to crushing on the Admiral? Don't tell me you've already forgotten little old her..." Oklahoma mused. Maryland only rolled her eyes as she looked back at the battleship.

"Don't get me wrong. I'm Admiral-sexual through and through. But that doesn't mean I'm not gonna shop around when I have the time..." She said in a nonchalant tone. Arizona remained quiet at the statement as Mutsu stifled a laugh. Kongou only smiled as she continued to eat.

"Pretty sure that isn't a thing Maryland..." Oklahoma said after a moment. Maryland only shook her head in response.

"Pretty sure it is." She replied, looking at the battleship. Oklahoma only gave a huff in response, tuning the Colorado Class girl out as she went back to focusing on Arizona, trying to see if she could get a word out of the girl.

Meanwhile with the carriers down the table, more silence was to be found. But silence from one of the least likely suspects to be found.

"Seriously? What's up, Z? You're never one to be quiet like this. Especially not after a sortie." Zuihou said, looking to Zuikaku expectantly. The light carrier was half expecting the easily agitated fleet carrier to snap at her. But the only response that came from the girl was in the form of pushing some food around on her plate with her fork. Not looking up at her fellow carriers, Zuikaku only shoveled a fork load of steak into her mouth.

Zuikaku would never openly admit it, but Americans knew how to cook. No, scratch that. Cook didn't describe it. Sure, her own country had their shining moments. Using the most basic ingredients to make the most delicious culinary creations was one of the things her homeland made strides in full at.

But the Americans style of cuisine.... Styles more like it, never ceased to amaze. First, it had all started off when Akagi had brought a plate of bacon over to their table back when there was only seven American Kanmusu summoned. Zuikaku had take a piece, simply to humor the carrier.

But for all her talk, Zuikaku hadn't actually expected to like the stuff. But she had found herself rather surprised. As had most of the carriers when they had tried the cooked meat. But something about it had stuck with Zuikaku. So, of course, from that day on, there was always a plate of bacon waiting on her table. But the thing was is that she hadn't told a soul.

She figured it had something to do with Liz. But she had never bothered to ask. That, or she had never wanted to. No need to look a gift horse in the mouth.

But as Zuikaku sat at the table in the mess hall at Pearl Harbor, she wasn't even focused on the food in front of her. She wasn't focused on the things she should be. Like if Shokaku was going to be alright. Or how good her food tasted. No, she wasn't thinking about that.

There was only one thing she was thinking about at the moment.

And that was the simple question of Why?
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Arizona stretched her arms in a wide motion as she stepped out of the mess hall. The Pennsylvania class battleship now had a stomach full of chow. Her fairies were no longer trying to mutiny because of it, and they could now see about preparing for docking. But while they did that, Arizona had to pay a visit to Hayfield. The battleship didn't know if the man became impatient and wasn't willing to take a chance with it.

Taking a moment to settle, she looked back to see Mutsu exiting the mess hall as well. Rubbing her stomach in a happy manner, the Japanese battleship looked up to face Arizona, giving the woman a small smile.

"Full?" Arizona asked, watching the woman. Mutsu nodded.

"Quite. Americans certainly know how to make filling food...." She replied. Arizona nodded as she looked at the woman, somewhat slowly.

"Yeah..." She said. Mutsu arched a brow.

"Is what those sailors said still bothering you...?" The battleship asked, looking at the American. Arizona nodded after a moment, looking back at Mutsu.

"I guess you could say that... I mean, I suppose there's a chance that I'm blowing this all out of proportion but I don't know... A memorial...? To me...?" She asked after a moment. Mutsu shrugged.

"You mean something to your people, Arizona-San. You meant something to them back then, and you still mean something now. A memorial in your name shouldn't be seen as something to be wary about." She said in confidence. Arizona shook her head.

"But I didn't do anything worthy of a memorial! I didn't fire a single shot in the first War and my performance in he second war.... Wasn't even existent.... All I did was lay down with out a fight and my sailors... My children paid the price for it...." She said, a slight sense of venom in her voice, something that didn't go by Mutsu unnoticed.

Mutsu however only shook her head.

"But that wasn't your fault, Arizona. You had no control over what went down that day and there's no reason to blame yourself for it." Mutsu said. Arizona seemed unconvinced though despite Mutsu's words. An action that prompted Mutsu to place a gentle hand upon the American's shoulder. "I think you worry too much Arizona-San." She further pushed. Arizona only looked at Mutsu in a questioning manner.

"You really think...?" She asked. Mutsu nodded as they stood outside the Mess Hall, waiting for the others of the fleet to finish up their meals.

In the end, the fleet had probably eaten more than everyone else on Pearl six times over. The simple statement that Arizona alone had put away 132 dinner rolls, 65 baked potatoes, and 56 whole steaks was a testament to this fact. But that amount paled in comparison to what Yamato and Musashi had consumed to have their fuel tanks at acceptable levels. The difference was clear as day.

But you couldn't tell just how much any of the girls had eaten. You had to have been there, and you had to have been watching closely. Not only did the girls eat tons by the load, they ate with no hesitation in pace either. But even then, their stomachs remained as flat as the day they had come through the gateway.

"I really do... The past may have gone not exactly as you would have preferred, but it rarely ever does. None of what happened back then is to be put on you for the blame. None of it is your fault, Arizona." She replied. Arizona shook her head.

"But..."

"But nothing Arizona-San. You had no control over past events. And that doesn't automatically mean you're to blame for what happened. Look, back then didn't go your way. Or mine. Or anyone's for sure. But forget what you couldn't stop in the past and focus on what you can do in the present. If you think you owe something to the men that lost their lives back then, here's what I would recommend. You were their ship. You were their home. This is not what they would have wanted for someone so important to them." She spoke. Arizona shook her head.

"But they didn't know me like this back then..." She replied. Mutsu only chuckled.

"But they knew YOU. They knew your flaws. They knew your strengths. They were behind you when you felt strong. They were below you when you felt weak. Sure, you didn't have the curves you have now, but you still had curves. And to them, those curves were the greatest in the world." She replied with a soft tone. Arizona couldn't help the small smile that graced her features at the statement. This only caused Mutsu to give the battleship a gentle smile in return.

"Plus... Dwelling on the past rarely ends well. You have a second chance now. Plus, you should focus on the present. The people that care about you would not want to see you looking so downtrodden. Myself included..." She said. "Most certainly though, that would include your Admiral, Captain, and Haruna to be sure..." She replied. Arizona nodded in response, thinking about the battleship's words a moment. But before she could respond further, the mess hall door opened again, admitting the rest of the fleet into the late Hawaiian Afternoon Sun.

Arizona only chuckled as looking between the various members, it was easy to tell that all of them were now well fed, intent on settling in for the night. Now doubt their fairies were scurrying about, preparing for dry dock.

"Did everyone enjoy the food?" Arizona asked, hands on her hips as she looked between the various members of the fleet. Most gave nods in return, even a few of the destroyers giving their own verbal agreement. But there was in fact one thing that was keeping Arizona in a curious set of mind.

And that was the silence that the Japanese carrier known as Zuikaku was exhibiting. It wasn't like the girl to be this quiet, Arizona should know. She always had an opinion or piece of mind to offer. It was for this reason that Arizona had been expecting something, even a coy remark or a simple yes. But the carrier was offering no such thing, instead electing to stand off to the side of the fleet as she looked at the distance. It was something Arizona would have to get to the bottom of. But for the moment, she couldn't worry about it. She had to get other things settled.

"So here's the plan for the rest of today. Mutsu and Myself will be heading to Hayfield's office for a report. We're gonna give him the rundown on how the trip down here went. The rest of the fleet is to retreat to the compound and settle into the docks. You all saw it. There should be enough space." She said. Mutsu nodded as she spoke next.

"After Arizona-San and Myself have more information on our mission and required presence here, we'll let you all know what the reasons are. Until then however, try to get some rest." She said. The rest of the fleet nodded in response as they did so, soon turning as they began to head back to the Kanmusu compound. Besides them, Whitney watched them go a moment before looking back to the two battleships.

"You two ready?" She asked, arms crossed over her chest as she looked at the two battleship. Arizona and Mutsu nodded in response, gesturing for the woman to lead the way to the Admiral's office. Whitney nodded as she began to do just that, walking past the two as she had them follow her.
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Arizona yawned as she and Mutsu followed Whitney up the stairs in the HQ building. The woman was leading the two to Admiral Heyfield's office. Both of the battleships were thoroughly stuffed, and beginning to wane in their energy because of it. Sure, they could keep up their image, but Whitney was sure the women were about to crash.

Now that the battleships were not on the water and in immediate danger, Whitney assumed their bodies were no longer running solely on adrenaline. And with the end of the chemical being pumped through them, Whitney was willing to bet the two had no energy left over. After what they had now ended, she assumed they would crash hard.

Or so she thought. She didn't know how it worked when a warship became a human. She really had no idea.

The American sailor shook her head as she lead the two down the hall, the door at the end being their destination.

As they walked on, Arizona had her fairies contact Mutsu over a private channel, the Japanese battleship soon looking to the woman. As she did so, Arizona had her fairies send a message.

"Should we report about the mystery abyssal fighters?" She asked in silence. Mutsu briefly met her companion's eyes before shifting back her own message.

"Unsure. Best course of action is not always the easy one. Personal opinion is keeping them off the books unless we have another encounter. This could've simply been a grudge match between two factions of Abyssals." She replied. Arizona only nodded in response as they neared the end of the hall, soon enough stopping there in front of the door as they watched Whitney knock n the door.

"Come in." Came the voice from within. Whitney nodded as she opened the door, admitting herself and the two Battleships inside. There, they found the man known as James Hayfield sitting behind his desk, decked out in his uniform as he watched the two. Giving the two a nod, he smiled at the two as they approached.

"I hope the trip down wasn't too rough on you ladies." He said. Arizona and Mutsu shook their heads as they looked at the American Admiral.

"It... It wasn't anything that we couldn't handle. We had a few hiccups, but we made it here in one piece..." Arizona replied. The Admiral nodded in return.

"Well... Most unlikely of what you were expecting, all I wanted was a check in. I'm not requiring a mission report right this instant, so you can relax a tad. Wouldn't be right of me to request something so trivial when you've been up for over 72 hours." He said. "I just wanted to make sure you ladies got here safely." He replied. Arizona only gave a slow nod at this, taking a moment to digest what had just been said.

"So... We're good to go back to the compound then....?" She asked. Hayfield nodded.

"Essentially. But I do wish to know how well Admiral Johnson performs her duties of you wouldn't mind..." He said, looking to Arizona. The American battleship blinked in response before answering.

"Excuse me, sir..? You want to know how well she does her job...?" She replied. The man nodded, looking at the battleship.

"Before you grow too concerned, you shouldn't worry yourself too much. I myself have all the confidence in the world about Johnson's abilities. If her parents are anything to go by, she makes for a good addition to the military leadership of this country's military. But there are some who are wary of her abilities. They're not sure that she can handle it since she was promoted in a time of war." He said, looking at the battleship. Arizona only nodded for a moment as Mutsu spoke.

"They want someone else in command..." She reasoned. The admiral nodded in response.

"Exactly. I know her and I know what's she capable of, but I need the word of someone whose there with her to prove I'm not hinging my word on a false promise." He replied, looking at the two battleships. Arizona nodded as did Mutsu, the Japanese battleship being the first to speak.

"I believe your Navy is in need of more trusting Admirals..." She said with a calm look upon her features. Arizona elbowed the battleship in the side at the comment, but Hayfield only chuckled in response.

"How there are times when I wholeheartedly agree with that opinion... But, that won't help in this situation..." He said, nodding to Mutsu before looking to Arizona. "So... What about you? Do you think highly of the one you call Admiral...?" He asked. Arizona didn't even hesitate a fraction of a second as she nodded at the question.

"Without a doubt, sir." She replied, standing straight and determined. Hayfield nodded at that, looking between the two a moment before accepting it.

"Very well." He said in response. Arizona only looked at the man in surprise, some what unsure.

"Is that all...? Are you not going to ask more...?" She asked. The Fleet Admiral shook her head in response to the question.

"I've got no need to do so. Here I have the Arizona and the Mutsu standing in her defense. If that's even a sign of the kind of reputation she has over in Yokosuka, that's enough for me to continue my praise and belief in her." He replied, leaning back in his chair. The two battleships traded a glance before Mutsu looked to the Admiral.

"Well... With that out of the way... There is a concern.... What is our mission here...?" She asked, looking at the man. Hayfield nodded at the question

"That... Is an excellent question to be sure. But, as well, it is a question that I feel is unimportant at current moment. You two, like the rest of your fleet, need rest. Tomorrow is a new day. Something that will serve well to your energy. As for now, go back and rest. You're both in need of it." He said. The two only nodded in response.

"Very well." Arizona replied. Admiral Hayfield stood as he nodded, watching as the two turned and left his office, Whitney not far behind as she nodded to the Admiral before following after the two battleships, closing the door behind her.

Admiral Hayfield only watched her a moment before chuckling, sitting once again as he went back to his work.
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Arizona only yawned as she stopped in front of the door to the Kanmusu compound, finding herself somehow managing to get the door opened.

In the walk from the Admiral's office to the Kanmusu building, the battleship's energy had rapidly depleted. Once, where she had been more than awake, now she found herself barely awake. And Mutsu was in such the same state as the two sauntered through the door.

"Are you two gonna be alright?" Whitney asked, looking between the two as they walked inside. Arizona nodded, briefly looking back at the woman before she let the door close. As that was done, the two battleships began to make their way to the docks.

Entering, they found silence waiting for them in hordes. Most of the fleet was fast asleep, finally having been able to settle down as their fairies began to work on their repairs. And those that were not yet asleep were amusing themselves with books or games on their waterproof tablets that had been produced by Dr. Rushman.

But, of those who were still awake was of course Haruna. The Kongou class battleship gave a warm smile to Arizona, who returned with what she could as she walked past to the changing room.

A few minutes later, Arizona had shed her outfit and uniform. Instead, she now only adorned a lone towel as she walked to the bath reserved for her by Haruna. A fact that put a small smile upon her lips. Haruna only returned the gesture as Arizona shed her towel, laying along the side as she slipped down into her bath. Haruna only watched Arizona as she laid back against the wall of her dock.

"Arizona." Rushman called. "Your Admiral requests that you check in with her as well..." She said aloud. Arizona only chuckled as she shook her head, slowly closing her eyes.

"Tell the Admiral I'll have to take a raincheck...." She murmured before fully closing her eyes, soon drifting off to sleep.