A/N: Way shorter than the recent chapters, I know. But I'm really feeling this. And besides, who can hate a new chapter?

—/—\—/—\—

The room was quiet, only the sounds of three people breathing softly filling the air.

She glanced down at the destroyer fully asleep, her face pressed against the Admiral's stomach, her pajama clad arms practically wrapped around the woman's middle. But for all she was, Anya couldn't bring herself to he mad at the destroyer. Not at all, she decided as she gently stroked the girl's hair, simply looking down upon her as she laid quietly. She wasn't quite tired yet after all.

But not nearly as miffed as the battleship glaring holes into the destroyer's head laying next to them.

"At least try to hide your disappointment." She said with a light chuckle. Maryland's gaze shifted from the sleeping Bristol to Anya, her gaze only changing somewhat.

"Two days. Two. Days. In a row. She's never done that!" The woman said in a heated whisper. Anya simply smiled at that as she nodded.

"True." She offered in support. "But then again, she hasn't done this in a while. So I'm gonna cut her some slack." Anya said. Maryland groaned as she firmly planted her hands on her face.

"Why can't you be a no nonsense Admiral and send her back to her bed with a pat on the head and a stern warning?" The battleship asked through her hands, slowly dragging them down her face. Anya arched a brow as she glanced at the battleship.

"You realize that would include you too, yeah? Because if you want to get technical, Bristol had claim to my bed long before you did." She said with a playful smirk. Maryland grumbled to herself as she turned to lay on her side, facing away from the woman. Anya shrugged at that, going back to focusing her attention on the black clad destroyer laying on her person. Still stroking her hair softly, she eventually leaned over and turned off the bedside lamp, cascading the room in darkness.

Turning on her side, Bristol still clinging to her, her head hit the pillow.

At that, Maryland turned onto her other side, now looking at the woman. Anya offered only a soft smile as she leaned over, pecking the battleship on the lips before settling down, closing her eyes.

"Love You Mary." Anya said as she laid there a moment all before sleep took her within it's embrace, the last thing she knew was Maryland moving herself closer to the two.

Bristol didn't even stir.

—/—\—

The next morning found a group of Shipgirls making their way towards the nearest Pet store, being escorted by Sofia and Saradia.

"Sendai, you do know where we're going, right?" Sofia asked, glancing at the light cruiser. The leadship offered a thumbs up in reply to the question, much to the quiet amusement of Jintsuu and Naka, who were trailing after their oldest sister.

The three light Cruisers had been selected as their guides that morning, the three of them actually knowing the surrounding area. But given that the three of them also made up most of the social center of the Ship girl fleet at the moment, their outfits were too easily recognizable. Which is why everyone out and about for the day were dressed in civilian attire.

They still were bound to garner attention, considering in tow, they had:

Sendai.

Naka.

Jintsuu.

Yorktown CV 5.

Saratoga.

Bismarck Sea.

Bismarck.

Tirpitz.

Prinz Eugen.

Ark Royal.

Argus.

Cossack.

Violent.

Vanessa.

And Royalist.

"You worry to much, Captain." Sendai said with a dismissive wave of the hand.

"Those are some famous last words if I've ever heard them." Saradia commented dryly. Their first stop that morning had been to drop Emma off at school for the day.

The school staff had seemed a little overwhelmed when such a large group had come to see the child off.

"Don't worry, I've got this. I'm gonna be the best guide you've ever seen." Sendai said proudly, planting a hand to her chest.

"Says the girl who almost ate a torpedo during her last Sortie." Naka said with a smug grin, watching her eldest sister lazily. "On what was it.... oh that's right. It was during a Nigh-" She tried, only for Sendai to slap her hand over her mouth. But Naka still watched her sister with a lazed, amused expression, her hands still firmly in the pockets of her jacket as the hood sat on her head. Sendai pointed a finger at the woman in a heated stare for a moment before wheeling back around, once again taking up the lead.

Sofia shook her head in an amused fashion before turning back to the still trailing groups of ship girls, one completely British, And one a mix of German and American. "Come on you slowpokes. I don't even have screws and I'm outpacing all of you." She called back with a wide wave of her arms before turning and going back to Saradia's side, the two every so casually walking along with the three Japanese cruisers.

Watching the Captain a moment, Saratoga lazily turned her gaze onto Yorktown, her hands in the pockets of her black jacket. She watched all the way up until the point to where Yorktown noticed her older companion watching her, somewhat flinching under the gaze of the elder carrier.

"Yes Sara?" Yorktown asked after a moment, still somewhat cautiously watching the older carrier. Saratoga however didn't respond, simply watching her younger cousin. Yorktown began to grow somewhat agitated at simply being stared at. "What is it? Do I have something on my face!?" Yorktown asked, turning fully to the Carrier with her fists planted at her hips.

Sara's only response was to give a smug smile at the woman. A motion that served to infuriate Yorktown further.

The younger carrier huffed, once again facing forwards. And that's when Saratoga spoke.

"So. Can I ask why you decided to come?" Saratoga asked, arching a brow at the woman, her smug demeanor still dominating her presence. Yorktown curled her lip as she looked to the Carrier in return.

"Yeah? What about you?" She asked. Saratoga shrugged.

"Pringles And Biscuit. And Teacup too if you wanna be real technical about it." Saratoga said, widely gesturing to the three German ship girls.

"I never agreed to that name." Tirpitz said in defiance, glancing back at the Carrier. Saratoga shrugged at that as she looked back to Yorktown.

"As I said, Pringles, Biscuit, And Teacup." She said, prompting Yorktown to arch a brow at the names somewhat. "Why? What's it to you, Yorkie?" She asked.

"Y-yorkie..?" She asked in some surprise. "I am not some sort of canine for you to name, Sara!"  She cried, once again turning on the woman. Saratoga shrugged at that.

"I don't know. Watching you walk here with you tail between your legs like a lost dog following her master kind of supports that idea." Saratoga said in response.

At that, Yorktown went to land a hit at the woman, only for Sara to catch her wrist and pulled the younger woman close. "So, you're pining after Teacup, huh?" She asked quietly, her eyes wandering over the battleship in question a moment before glancing back to Yorktown.

Yorktown narrowed her eyes at the woman a moment before sighing.

"You already knew this." Yorktown said. "The Admiral teased you because of it. So why are you so invested?" She asked. Saratoga shrugged.

"Invested? I'm not. But, I don't see the idea as soooo silly anymore." She said. Yorktown blinked.

"Because of Pring-" She began, only for Saratoga to flick her in the forehead.

"It's Prinz to you." Saratoga warned, her eyes narrowing dangerously at the woman, her yellow eyes seeming to glow almost. Yorktown's eyes briefly widened a moment before she slowly nodded in agreement.

"Because of Prinz?" She corrected. Saratoga nodded in reply to the question as she released the carrier, letting her straighten herself out.

"Mhm." She offered. "Though, I'm gonna be honest." Saratoga said as she walked next to Yorktown. "Do you know if your feelings for Teacup are a two way street or is this all a one way avenue leading to a dead end and a crash?" She asked. When Yorktown offered the carrier a dirty look, Saratoga shook her head. "I'm serious, York. Just because all of the relationships so far have blossomed into something does not mean every single one will.  It's good that people are happy, but it can also set people up to be hurt. All I'm saying that before you go falling head over heels for a girl you've known less than a month, make sure there's something to latch onto there before you go throwing yourself at her." She said.

"But the others all-"

"Akagi Banzai'd E. Haruna is good with Arizona because she's gentle and as a person, wants nothing more than to make sure Ari is alright. Houshou And Langley because they're both too motherly for their own good. Tenryuu And Atlanta are both really Tom-boy-ish. Kirishima has a really odd fascination with being murdered in the middle of the night that she finds romantic and Washington for whatever reason went along with it. But tell me this. What do you and Teacup share?" She asked. Yorktown opened her mouth to reply a moment before slowly letting it close, her eyes finding the ground first.

"Nothing?" The Carrier replied.

"Exactly. I'm not saying you don't deserve or can't be happy. But I am saying make sure you're not setting yourself up for a fall. I would be more than happy to watch you find someone, but make sure that they've got the same ideas in mind." She offered in advice.

Yorktown sighed.

"Of course, when E goes after someone, it's all happy endings and rainbows." She huffed. Saratoga offered a brief chuckle.

"Like I said, it was Akagi who Banzai'd E." She reminded the younger Carrier. Yorktown shrugged her shoulders as she walked alongside her older cousin. Saratoga for her part, simply put a hand on the carrier's head, ruffling her hair. "Just talk to her when you get the chance." Saratoga said. "There's no harm in taking a leap of faith. But make sure you can walk away when you land." She offered. Yorktown grumbled something for a moment before glancing at the Carrier.

"Since when have you been so helpful with the advice?" She asked.

"Since I was summoned." Saratoga offered in retort as her hands once more found their way to their pockets. "But since no one asked, I haven't bothered givin it." She said.

"I should count myself so lucky." Yorktown murmured. Saratoga, the normally standoffish, grinned as she took in the woman's words.

"You honestly should. I don't just give out free advice to just anyone. And as one of the oldest carriers on base, I hold my title with pride." Saratoga offered. Yorktown rolled her eyes at that, glancing at the woman with an arched brow.

"Even now, Sister Sara is still a pain, Hmm?" She asked, the slightest of grins tugging at her lips. Saratoga scowled.

"Alright you nugget, come here you..." Saratoga muttered, immediately wrapping an arm around the woman's neck. She began to grind her knuckles into the woman's head, prompting both laughter and cries of pain from the younger of the two.

Bismarck Sea and the German trio simply glanced back at the two to make sure all involved would be able to walk away.

She casted a glance at the Germans a moment before looking away, back to the ahead without hesitation. Almost too panicked for her own good.

"You do not hide things very well." Argus said. "Perhaps it's the fact that you've not been human for more than twenty days. But even back then, you were all so easy to fluster, Ark." the older carrier said.

"Hmph." Was all Ark replied with. But despite that, Argus simply smiled as she ruffled Violent's hair.

"You know, I had a conversation yesterday with Bismarck." Argus said offhandedly, smiling as she watched Violent practically melt under her touch. "It was at length, too. And eventually, of course, the conversation ended up on the subject of Hood." She explained. When she noticed Ark ever so slightly turn her head in her direction at the mention, but not say anything to follow the statement, Argus simply chuckled. "She talked in depth about that day, about the day that turned out to be Hood's last breath." She said.

"And?" Ark asked, almost despite herself, too eagerly for her own good. Argus smiled at the reaction.

"She spoke it like it was her duty, which it was." She said, prompting the younger carrier to scowl. "But, She never once hinted that she viewed of it as a Victory." The Carrier said. Ark stared blankly.

"I.. What? It was her victory though." She said, her brow furrowing after a moment. Argus shrugged.

"She called it luck. And considering what happened, that'd be a more than accurate description." She said. Ark held a moment at that before looking at the Carrier with a pointed glare.

"Is that why you asked me out here? To try and tell me that she doesn't feel like she won when she killed Hood?" She asked. Argus sighed.

"I asked you out here because Bismarck is legitimately trying to settle the peace between our fleet's before we get someone on base. And she's decided that going to you is going to be the best way to do that." She said.

"Me? Why not you or Dreadnought? The two of you carry more weight on base together than just about anyone else." She said. "Besides maybe Moni and Merri." She corrected herself.

"Because Dreadnought did not face the Germans like the rest of you did. And my own service against them is hardly to be considered a shining achievement of my past. Largely ferrying Aircraft from one place to another does not rank high on the list in the grand scheme of things." Argus Answered.

"You realize I went down in forty one, yes?" Ark asked, casting a gaze to the woman. Argus simply nodded at that.

"I do. But even then, you helped to sink Bismarck. You were there when the monster we thought she was went down. But I can tell you right now that the monster we knew back when did not come back with the buxom blonde of the same name." She said as they walked on. Ark rolled her eyes at that.

"Why did you drag me out here? They're simply going to get a cat. I'm sure I would've eventually run into the thing on base and we could've avoided this entire situation." She said. Argus closed her eyes a moment at that, offering a quiet sigh in response before looking back to the Carrier.

"That isn't the point, Ark, and you know it. I know how you felt about Hood going down. But you can't allow those feelings to control you eighty three years down the line. We've all been given second chances at this life. You would do well for yourself if you didn't hold onto grudges and bad blood." Argus said.

"Bismarck killed my friend. And you expect me to simply... let it go?" She asked, narrowing her eyes at Argus. The older carrier sighed at that, waving a hand of dismissal.

"Very well Ark. I can not force you to change your tune. But I suggest you give it some thought before someone else comes around and changes it for you regardless of what you want." She said. Ark simply huffed as they walked on for a moment before someone jabbed Ark Royal in the side with a finger, hard.

Immediately wheeling around to face the culprit, she found the sickly yellow eyes of Saratoga looking at her in a lazed expression. "Argus, would you And the other ship girls here go walk by the Admiral and Captain for a while? I want to have a chat with Ark." The bigger carrier asked, lazily glancing at the woman. But as Ark looked to Argus for support, Argus simply offered a kind smile as she made motions for Violent, Vanessa, Cossack, And Royalist to make pace with her. Before Ark could even say a thing in disagreement, her fellow four ship girls were already a few dozen steps away from her. Scowling, Ark looked to Saratoga. "First clue about talking about someone behind their back?" Saratoga offered lazily, glancing at the smaller carrier. "You're gonna wanna make sure that the person you're talking about can't hear you." She said.

Ark only looked at the Carrier a moment before glancing to Bismarck. The battleship wasn't looking at her, but both Tirpitz and Prinz were glaring at her. "So?" Ark asked. Saratoga shrugged.

"Figured I'd step in before Pringles and Teacup over there decide to flatten your ass against the concrete, as enjoyable that would be to watch." She offered in reply, her hands in her jacket's pockets.

Ark simply huffed.

"So." Saratoga offered. "You don't like Bismarck because of what happened to Hood."

"No." Came the British Carrier's Reply. Saratoga nodded.

"I can relate." She offered. "Shokaku And Zuikaku murdered my sister." She explained.

"So you understand where I'm-"

"No." Saratoga cut her off.

"But you just said that you-"

"You know what the difference between you and Bismarck and me and the Cranes are? The big difference?" She asked, her yellow eyes now focusing in on the British Carrier.

Ark didn't know or not if the Carrier next to her was becoming angry, but she could swear she could feel the air around her starting to sizzle as the American carrier's eyes began to almost glow in an eerie way.

"N-no." Ark admitted.

"You got to watch the one responsible meet their fate. Do you know how many of us on base would've given anything for that? Do you know at the time how much Pennsylvania, Maryland, Oklahoma, Nevada, California, Tennessee, And West Virginia would've given if it meant that they could've watched the six responsible for killing Arizona sink at the fury of their own guns? Do you know how much I would've killed for a chance to snuff out Shoukaku and Zuikaku with my own planes?" She asked, her voice still level and even. But the air around them did not cool or calm down. And Ark swore she could feel sweat building on her brow.

"N-no." Ark once again replied.

"You were granted a gift that so few of us ever got to even think about. I realize that maybe I am not the person to address this, but I suggest you realize what you were given as such before you began to attract attention you wish you hadn't." She offered, her eyes still watching the Carrier with indifference. But the eerie glow they seemed to be giving off, watching Ark, unnerved the British Carrier more than anything else. "But, do not take what I say as a warning or a threat. I speak from experience." She said.

Almost immediately, the effect that Ark was sure was going to boil her alive, wilted away entirely.

"Experience?" Ark asked, glancing at the bigger carrier. Saratoga nodded at that.

"When I came through, I was nothing more than a pain in the neck. I wanted nothing to do with my new allies, and it carried on. Now, you will not find a single Japanese carrier that will openly approach me. We interact within proximity when we are within the carrier range, but that is the extent of it. Shokaku. Zuikaku. Kaga. Akagi. Hiryuu. Souryuu. Taihou. Ryuujou. None of them approach me as a friend and none have the intent to." She said. "Do not alienate yourself from your allies in this life because of a grudge, Ark Royal. I am telling you this here and now, you will regret it. Because eventually, there will be someone that you care about who will do the same." She said.

"You presume to know-"

"What if it's Hood?" Saratoga Asked, glancing back to the Carrier. "What if Hood comes through in this life and she deems that you are not worth approaching because of your approach to those around you?" She asked.

"You can't be serious. Hood would never-"

"If she even shows up." Saratoga replied. "Sometimes I think my attitude is the reason why Lexington has yet to make her way from the Gateway. Sometimes I think that the Gateway is purposely keeping her from me because of how I treated my new allies. And given just how supernatural it is, just how unknown it is to us, I don't see it as being totally unreasonable." She said. At that, Ark had nothing to say. "But all that aside, Ark. You have one of the most prolific German battleships practically bending over backwards to try and accommodate you. She's offering an olive branch to you and I really hope you take it. Because after watching enough Bond movies, I've about had it with British villains." She said. Ark frowned.

"Why do you care so much?" Ark Royal asked as she looked to the Carrier. Saratoga shrugged.

"Like I said, I don't. But Pringles and Teacup do."

"And if I don't? If I don't give Bismarck a chance?" Ark Royal asked. Saratoga shrugged.

"I am already seen as a devil to the Japanese. Making sure the British see the same is not something that will keep me from sleeping." Saratoga offered, giving the woman one last look, those eyes seeming to glow one last time before making her way back to the group of Germans and two Americans, sliding step in step with Prinz, who was hanging back somewhat.

"Mmmm, you play too much of a bad guy." Prinz offered as she glanced up to the Carrier, not bothering to hide her smile. Saratoga rolled her eyes at that as she leaned down and pecked the heavy cruiser on the cheek, prompting a giggle from the woman. "Too bad we Germans will never see you as a monster." The Heavy cruiser offered. "Though I do look forwards to eventually meeting the mysterious Lexington." She said.

"So do I, Pringles." Saratoga offered with a smile. "So do I."