CHAPTER 25 - LOVE, HATRED AND EMOTIONS (1)

There are obvious feelings from the both factions as the fleets return to Azur Lane after the major battle against Sakura Empire. Either just a simple concerns in their heart, waiting for them to return safely. Or, just a pure victory from them when they returned.

The Royal Navy, painful waiting for them to return safely. Hoping Kay and the others don't get injured as they heard from Helena that the others had gone missing at that night. Although Kay managed to safe them from the mirror sea, words said that they heard another problems arise.

The Eagle Union waiting for the victory from them. There are some still believes the others safety are main priorities, but most of them are quite ignorant about that part. Blind with only victory in their eyes.

"They have returned!!", shouted Glasgow to Illustrious. "The fleets have returned and currently at the port, Illustrious-sama."

Illustrious has been ordered to stay by Kay. She is currently has the highest authority and responsible at Azur Lane.

After hears that report from Glasgow, Illustrious sit from the chair and starting to go to the port without wasting any time. Unicorn also decides to follow her.

......

......

A few minutes later, she arrived at the port and she saw plenty of Royal Navy and Eagle Union girls already there. They are obediently waiting for the others to return.

"Queen Elizabeth has arrived!!", shouted Warspite. "We, Royal Navy and Eagle Union fleets have returned to Azur Lane with Commander Kay 's permission!."

Queen Elizabeth and the others shipgirls are returned without any injuries or casualties. There are sound of relieves for some girls especially Vestal and Illustrious.

"Sorry for leaving you alone, Illustrious", said Queen Elizabeth. "I hope there is no bad happens here".

"Don't worry, my majesty", said Illustrious. "Commander already ordered me to protect this place and I will do anything to reply his trust."

"So, may I ask what's the result of the battle, my majesty?".

Illustrious saw Queen Elizabeth 's expressions suddenly changes.

"About that...I think we better talk inside, Illustrious", said Queen Elizabeth.

Personally, Illustrious doesn't thought too much about the result. However, she can see the gloomy feeling from Eagle Union. She knew the result is not what they hoping for.

"Where are the other shipgirls, my majesty?", asked Illustrious as she still looking for the others who are still missing. "I also don't see commander with you. Is there something bad happens to them?."

"Wales, Belfast, Javelin and Laffey are being ordered by commander to stay with him", answered Queen Elizabeth. "Don't worry too much. That commander can lives by himself without us helping him."

"In fact, we are very lucky as he managed to save us before its too late".

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After several days passed, Kay and the others shipgirls have arrived at Azur Lane and currently at the port.

The others already waiting for them, but they really don't expected that Kay, Belfast and Wales are giving a very nerve wrecking vibes. They can compromise Belfast and Wales. As they are looking at Kay, his eyes gave a bad feeling. No one even dares to look at his eyes more than a second.

"Why...why they looked so angry?", whispered Queen Elizabeth at Warpsite. "I never see Belfast and Wales that mad."

"I don't know, my majesty", responded Warpsite. "But what we know are, don't ever ask them what's happens right now."

The other Royal Navy girls agreed with them and will definitely holding themselves from asking.

"Welcome home, commander", said Vestal after she saw Kay. "I already heard from Helena that Enterprise is still unconscious and needs a treatment. May I help her?"

"Go on, Vestal", said Kay. "And make sure to tell her that she needs to meet me immediately after she wakes up."

"As you wish, commander", said Vestal. "By the way, commander also can comes with me".

"Wait...why?", asked Kay. "I have no reason to come with...you."

Vestal pointed her finger at her neck, telling Kay that she definitely saw the hickey mark on his neck.

The bad vibes from Kay suddenly increases and the others can feel it.

Vestal smiled at Kay and keep quiet about the mark. Just a pure smile from her definitely triggered Kay at some point.

The reason why Kay in very bad mood isn't because of that hickey, it just he is too tired and want to lay on his bed immediately. Although Wales and Belfast are definitely feeling very angry about the hickey.

As Kay tries to walk away and going to his room, he heard a commotion at his back. Someone shouting about the uninvited guests that coming together with Kay.

"What are you doing here?", shouted Washington. "This place is not for you to step your feet here, Crimson Axis!!"

She is talking about Shoukaku and Zuikaku. Most of the Eagle Union are feeling very unhappy about these two and kept shouting at them.

Cleveland is trying to calm down them but her effort is not working very well.

"Please calm down, everyone!!", shouted Cleveland.

The Eagle Union girls are getting a little bit aggressive and start grabbing Zuikaku and Shoukaku.

"Wait! Please calm yourself!", shouted Cleveland.

They didn't even bother to listen to her. They are showing their hostile and realizing someone already making a move.

ZAPP....

A lightning strike comes toward them and prevent them from any fight. They saw Kay, which didn't even bother to look at the Eagle Union. However, they can feel the hostile vibes from him which gave them shiver.

"Don't even bother to pick a fight with them", said Kay. "They are my guest."

"Shoukaku, Zuikaku and Ayanami from Sakura Empire".

"And, a little girl from Ironblood, Z23."

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Few days before, Kay is currently being interrogated by Belfast and Wales while Shoukaku and Zuikaku are forcing to join them.

"So, you slept with her", said Wales and Belfast bluntly.

"Alright...alright...please listen to me first", said Kay, trying to calm Belfast and Wales. "I'm not coincidence just let Eugen does as she pleased. It just she suddenly barged into my room that night."

"I have no place to rest so I have no choice but to accept her proposal.

"But, you slept with her", said Wales and Belfast.

"I got the crucial information from her", said Kay. "I thought that's the most important matter right now."

"But, you still slept with her", said Wales and Belfast. "And she managed to get lovey-dovey with you, commander/master."

"That's the important thing to you?", asked Kay. "Well, I can denied that either."

Kay probably can guess that Prinz Eugen gave the hickey mark when he is in the throne, meeting with Wiseman. He doesn't realized Prinz Eugen already done something to his body.

"Did she said something to you, commander?", asked Wales.

"...No", said Kay.

"What with that paused, master?", Belfast. "Did she said something, Master-sama?".

"I don't think both of you should pressure shikikan that much", said Shoukaku. "I mean, we knew shikikan is very popular and some girls can't helped themselves to get close with him."

"For example, this girl."

Shoukaku is pointed her finger at Zuikaku while smiling at her. Shoukaku tried to denied it but everyone except that man don't believe her.

"Wait...what?", asked Kay in confusing.

"Ignore this dumb commander for a moment, I think me and Belfast are going overboard a little bit", said Wales. "We are very thankful for the information, commander."

"And thank you for saving us."

All of them are very grateful for his effort to save them. Immediately, after he knew the leaked information from Prinz Eugen.

"Yeah...you should very thankful to me", said Kay. "I have to activate my element and went straight to you girls. It's very tired and my body already felt the pain from continuous using that ability."

"But, you still slept with her, commander", said Wales.

"For god sake...she is not the only one who did that, Wales", said Kay.

"......."

"What?...Who is that girl?", asked most of them.

Kay is pointed his finger at the certain maid. It's Belfast. To be fair, she basically just came into his room since she afraid that Kay will gone during the first operation. Then, she suddenly made it as her habit. Although, not very frequently as Kay always not in his room for some reason.

"Belfast...may I ask you some question?", asked Wales.

"It's a maid duty to always be with her master", said Belfast. "I don't think there is nothing wrong for me to that."

"So, you admitted it", said Wales. "Well, at least you not as brave as Eugen".

"Please stop making me remember that", said Kay. "The mark is really show off when I taking off this hood. What should I do?"

While Belfast, Wales and Kay are trying to figure out the solution, Shoukaku and Zuikaku are talking to each other.

"Looks liked you should make your first move as soon as possible, Zuikaku", said Shoukaku. "Although I pretty sure you need to find a perfect moment since I guaranteed something must happens between shikikan and Prinz Eugen."

"I know, Shoukaku-nee. It just, I'm not brave enough to tell him", said Zuikaku.

"Your time will eventually come, Zuikaku. "As your big sister, I will do anything I can to help you. However, don't wait too long."

"Time is quite jealous, after all."

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That night after a few day passed, Kay is standing outside as he wants to take a little break. He decides to call off the rescue mission to find the missing Akagi. It's took too much time and not to mention that he can't senses her using his element any longer.

"Either she sunk...or someone already took her", said Kay.

Enterprise also still unconscious, which make him felt to just call off the rescue mission and went back to Azur Lane. Enterprise safety is his more priority compared just wasting his time here.

"I don't think my element makes her unconscious for too long", said Kay. "Usually, someone will woke up just a few hours...or longer."

"But it's definitely don't took more than a day."

As he tries to get a grip, suddenly he saw Zuikaku and Shoukaku walking together.

"I think I just become a third wheel here so...I leave shikikan and Zuikaku to talk", said Shoukaku while running away. "Goodbye!!"

"Wait, Shoukaku-nee!", shouted Zuikaku as she watches her sister ran off, Then, she stares at Kay.

"You want to tell me something, Zuikaku?", asked Kay.

"Well...my sister, Ayanami and I are decide to go back to Sakura Empire tomorrow", said Zuikaku. "It's shame that we didn't found Akagi although Shoukaku-nee pretty happy about that."

"Do you still want to go back, Zuikaku?", asked Kay. "So far I know, their treatment to you are pretty horrible especially Kaga and Akagi. Is there any reason, Zuikaku?"

"Isn't because they trust me? They knew I can answer their expectations", answered Zuikaku.

However, Kay thinks otherwise and he isn't accepting that nonsense from her.

"That just impulsive move, Zuikaku", said Kay. "The way I saw, they only want to left you. And your ignorant, don't help you too much."

Zuikaku remains quiet as she knew the truth. Someone already told her but in her heart, she still refuses to accept it. She still acting liked she knew nothing but Kay already notices it.

"What do you mean, Kay?", asked Zuikaku as her tears fall of from her eyes. "Is it wrong for me to prove myself? Is it wrong for to show me abilities to them?"

"It is wrong for me to be recognizes?".

Kay raised his hands and petted Zuikaku 's head. Then, he looks directly at her eyes.

"You did nothing wrong, Zuikaku", said Kay. "It's alright for you to do that."

"However, there are no need for you to prove yourself anymore."

Zuikaku can't hold her emotion anymore. With her angry voices, she tries to argue back with him.

"Then, what should I do!!", shouted Zuikaku. "What my sister and I need to do? We already done everything we can but they just ignored it!!!"

"No matter how hard we do, they always thought us a hindrance."

"We are the proud crane sister!!"

"Now you ask me to just...do nothing, accept the truth. It is too cruel for you to say that, Kay".

Kay can see Zuikaku is crying deeply as her heart is completely broken. He is waiting for her to say anything she wants. He wants her to completely tells all her feelings and insecurities about her problems. Then, after she finished told him, Kay immediately hugs her.

"There is no need for you to prove yourself anymore, Zuikaku", said Kay as he is hugging her and rubbing her hairs. "After all, you're already proving yourself to me."

"Only fools don't see you greatness, Zuikaku"

"I...I...thank you, Kay", said Zuikaku while crying.

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...............

A few minuets later, Zuikaku already calming down. But for some reason, she still asking Kay to hug her. Kay is currently lean back, feeling very tired to comfort Zuikaku while embracing her.

"You know what, Zuikaku. How about coming with us, to Azur Lane?", asked Kay. "It's good idea to change some pace."

"Can I ask Shoukaku-nee first?", asked Kay.

"You should decide that by yourself, Zuikaku", said Kay. "But, I guess there is nothing wrong for you to ask her."

"Thank you, Kay", said Zuikaku. "So, what are you going to do next?".

"That's a good question", said Kay. "I already sent a message to Nagato, the queen of Sakura Empire."

"Now, I just have to wait her responds."

As Kay and Zuikaku busy talking to each others. He doesn't realize that Shoukaku is watching them. Although somewhat more scarier is also watching them.

"Commander/Master, what are you doing?", asked Wales and Belfast angrily. Kay can see their frustration gestures.

"...Nothing in particular", said Kay.

He survived.

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Sakura Empire, Nagato, Mutsu and Kawakaze are waiting the reports at the sacred tree. Nagato is very frustrated and angry, although she tries to hide it from showing it to the others.

"I'm very sorry, Nagato-sama", said Souryuu. "We failed to meet your expectations."

"So, we failed to defeat Azur Lane", said Nagato. "I guess this is what I get from believing Kaga and Akagi. What's happens to others that still missing?"

"Akagi condition is unknown while Shoukaku, Zuikaku and Ayanami might with Azur Lane", said Takao.

"We lost Akagi, the fifth carrier division and Ayanami. Orochi also lost their caused and betrayed us", said Nagato. "May I ask what's happens?"

Souryuu explains to Nagato really carefully with a complete details and perfections.

"You're saying that human helped Sakura Empire to flee. Are you serious?", asked Nagato.

"It's true, Nagato-sama", answered Takao. "That human letting us go by destroying all the sirens that attacking us. We are safe thanks to him."

"Why he does that?", asked Nagato. "He has no reason to help us. He can just let us suffer or defeat the Sakura Empire in the spot."

"He said he has another priorities", answered Atago. "That human even said that he didn't even bother to defeat us. However, he seems pretty unhappy about Shoukaku and Zuikaku."

"We probably don't much what happens", said Nagato. "Alright, I need all of you to tell me about that human. Everything you know, right now!!"

........

........

One hour later, Nagato eventually knew a little more about Kay. His origins, strength and everything that important abut him. Yet, that's probably just a top of iceberg. There are plenty of things that still unknown for them.

"Nothing much for us to use it as a plan", said Nagato. "However, we knew he is more dangerous than we thought. Now I wonder why Kaga and Akagi kept hiding about him."

"What should we do next, Nagato-sama?", asked Souryuu.

"Halt all the Orochi 's operation", ordered Nagato. "We didn't need an unknown power that betray us anymore."

"And for the missing girls, they need to be rescued immediately."

Chirp...chirp...chirp...

Suddenly, a bird laid on Takao 's head.

"............"

"Why this bird keeps sitting on my head?", said Takao.

Chirp...chirp...chirp...

The bird suddenly took a letter and gave it to Takao. Then, its obediently siting on her head. Takao decides to give the letter to Nagato.

"It's from that human", said Nagato while opening the letter. A few minutes later, she put the letter somewhere else.

"Shoukaku, Zuikaku and Ayanami are safe and currently at Azur Lane", said Nagato. "He guaranteed their safety."

"Can we believe him?", asked Kawakaze, suddenly opens her mouth.

"There is no reason for us to not believe him. After all, he already saved our girls", said Nagato. "Akagi is still missing and he already told us that don't even bother to find her. He said someone already took her."

"But, the most important thing is...he wants a ceasefire against us for two weeks".

"I must said, he really brave enough to pull that stunt. How he managed to make Azur Lane agreed with him?"