"Do you think the rumors are true, nee-chan?" Hiei turned to her older sister. Calling this operation strange would be accurate, to say the least. First, an SOS message was sent from Cruiser without any identification had been received, only that the cruiser was an American one, right off the coast of the Philippines. Then, after contact had been reestablished, it turned out the Cruiser did have a name. And she was accompanied by another shipgirl that could be anything to a repair vessel to a torpedo boat.

Just one that was never used by a vessel of the United States Navy. Maybe strange wasn't correct. Suspicious, on the other hand, was feeling at least a bit accurate. And while the US admiral had stated they had a hypothesis about the identity of this unknown Cruiser, beyond that he had been tight-lipped on the matter.

However, she hadn't been the only one to notice that he was even more strangely tight-lipped on the matter whenever Seattle was within earshot. In fact, she was pretty sure everyone noticed it, including many of the human personal and support crew.

This was why not even seconds after setting sail, rumors began flying around like leaves in a storm. Most were fairly simple. Some type of paper ship, or even an uncompleted and unnamed vessel, had somehow been summoned within enemy territory. Given the number of ships the United States had left unfinished by the war's end, this wasn't outrageous, or unthinkable.

However, among the more stranger theories, while being much more out there, made more and more sense. If this was simply just another unfinished ship or even a known class, then there would be very little reason to remain so tight-lipped around Seattle. Maybe unless this new ship was a Cleaveland, but even then that could be a stretch.

No, this theory stated that not only was this vessel a paper ship but was somehow, second in class to Seattle herself. Which, given how Seattle was a paper ship that never got past being a blueprint, didn't make sense. But, it did go farther than anything else to explain why Seattle was being left out of the loop.

Seattle didn't have a malicious bone in her body. There was little doubt in Hiei's mind, however, that Seattle, if she thought a sister of hers was under threat, would likely react like Hiei herself. Single-handedly storm the Philippines until every threat to her sister was dead and buried. Re lurking around be damned.

"I do think Seattle might just have an imouto-san," Kongou nodded her head. There was a slight grin on her face, though Hiei could tell there was a twitch of smugness to it.

"Please don't tell me that this has anything to do with the agreement between you and Seattle, nee-chan," Hiei frowned slightly.

"Nonsense," Kongou gasped, faking injury. "I just think Seattle having an imouto would do her good is all." Hiei simply rolled her eyes. She knew her sister well enough, that wasn't the only thing Kongou was thinking.

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I growled, slowly making my way through the jungle. Despite removing the darkened piece of Abyssal metal that had impaled itself in my leg, the wound still was causing me trouble. Even with another makeshift bandage to stimmy the bleeding, pain lanced its way through my nerves whenever I took a step forward.

Light was already filtering through the canopy, a harbinger that day had already arrived. I was going to be later than I expected. Later than I probably needed, too. Hopefully, by the time I'd got there, Luzon would still be asleep. She had a tendency to sleep like a rock, though I doubt explaining why my leg got lacerated was within my capacities.

Given my limp, she was bound to notice, one way or another. But for that gigantic shore battery?

I'd make that trade and make it gladly. Even if the cost was higher than I'd like. Of course, I just hoped that I hadn't made a choice that would end up crippling me in the long run.

The only plus is that my crew was returning that nothing important had been damaged, just a gash in the hull that was already being patched over. I wasn't going to question the somewhat good fortune, but it certainly left me perplexed. The last time I'd taken a hit to the leg, it'd knocked a boiler out of commission. This time, I'd just got a fancy cut.

Maybe it was because I was more human at the time? I shook my head, chasing out the recent thoughts. There would be time for that later. Getting back to Luzon was far more important than chasing butterflies.

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It took longer than it should have. Quite frankly, insultingly longer. Ship me may have been pretty much fine, but my human side? I'd used laceration as a joke, but now I was convinced something important got cut. Probably be best if I had my medical specialist, if I had one, to give it a look. If it somehow interacted more with my human self, then having an infection or similar run wild was not an event I'd wish to experience.

After a few more moments, I finally pulled myself over the ledge, and into relative safety, panting slightly in both exhaustion and pain. I wanted nothing more than to just lay down, and sleep. Even my eyes began to droop as my body rested against the cool stone. Even as every aching muscle in my body screamed in exhaustion, I forced myself up, looking around.

My eyes narrowed as I looked into the cave. It was still shaded, even with the sun rising ever higher in the sky. However, that didn't stop me from seeing what lay within, if only to my panicked alarm.

Nothing. There was absolutely nothing here. Now, I was standing completely, staggering to my feet, barely managing to balance myself. Had I gotten the coordinates wrong? No, there was still a small pile of burnt-out sticks. Which meant this was it.

My teeth began to grind into one another, as I could barely keep my balance. Luzon was missing, gone, not a trace left behind. Where was she? Normally, she didn't wander far and likely to hear my approach. By now, Luzon would have announced her presence, as she had before.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

But I could hear nothing that indicated she was nearby. Nor see anything, for that matter. Surely, she'd know better to wander too far, but I couldn't help but feel the sinking rock beginning to form in my gut.

Worst-case scenarios already began to flicker through my mind, an uninterrupted train of thought. What if she had been kidnapped? What if she'd run off, only to get injured and lost? What if she thought I had abandoned her?

The last one? That one hurt the most. I had no intention of leaving her behind. Not now, not ever. I'd even told her this.

But she was traumatized. The thought stopped me cold, chills reverberating through my spine. Damn it, I should have thought about that! Of course, Luzon would think I abandoned her, leaving in the middle of the night completely unannounced! I'm such an idiot!

I wanted to scream, to yell, venting my frustration at my stupidity. Lash out at something, anything, to get my mind away from the thoughts bouncing around. Reverberating through my skull like a cacophony of dark whispers, feeding off one another in a frenzy.

However, I breathed. Yes, I was angry, no, furious at myself. But all that anger, all gathering darkness in my mind? It wasn't going to help me. No amount of anger was going to make her come back. No amount of self-pity and doubt would help me find her.

And that's what I intended to do. Damn my sleep deprivation, and even more certainly, damn my leg! I wasn't going to let either stop me!

First thing's first. Where could she have gone? Despite her appearance, Luzon was both a heavy sleeper and a late riser. Which meant she could have gotten up anywhere from a few minutes ago, to quite possibly hours ago. Which without a trail, left me with far too much area to reasonably cover, in realistic terms. Finding one wouldn't be impossible, but I wasn't seeing anything that could even hint at such.

But there were quite a few good hiding spots in the area I'd seen. Some of which I couldn't use myself, but someone of Luzon's size certainly could. Plus, the outcrop was quite considerable in the expanse. There were other places she could have gone, without abandoning safety up here. Even if I didn't find her, I might just find a clue of some kind that could help me.

It was a plan, I guess. Certainly a sounder one than just taking off into the jungle, and any rate. Heck, I should probably give the cave a thorough inspection, just to be on the safe side.

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I scowled, slowly making my way towards the small pond I'd taught Luzon at just two days prior. I'd been leaving it for last. I wasn't sure why. It was close to the cave, so there was really no excuse.

A rock tinked away, skipping across the ground as my foot bumped into it. I suppose there wasn't an excuse. Not really. I just didn't want to. Even if it should have been one of, if not the first places I looked.

Slowly, I began my descent into the bowl, keeping a gingerly pace down the pebbly ramp, doing what I could to avoid aggravating my leg. Even now, the place felt dreary, compared to its original beauty.

Was that? My ears twitched, an unnatural sound carried through the air. A sniffle? Yes, it was! I heard it again! It was Luzon! It had to be! She hadn't gone far after all!

I began to sprint towards the source, ignoring my leg screaming in agonizing protest.

"Luzon!" I shouted, finally reaching the smaller torpedo boat, curled up in a small ball, legs pressed against her chest.

"Luzon," I kneeled down towards her, reaching out with my hand. Words could not describe how much it hurt to watch her recoil away from my touch like she was about to be struck.

"You left me. You told me you wouldn't, yet you did," Luzon's words drove a dagger straight into my heart, one coated in shame.

The worst part was, she wasn't wrong. I had left her. My intention may have been to return. But intentions didn't always matter.

"I'm sorry, Luzon. I really am," I did my best to look Luzon in the eye, though she avoided my gaze, making me feel even more filthy. "I shouldn't have left you like that. I should have told you what I planned on doing, rather than sneaking away into the night."

Shakely, Luzon's gaze met mine, eyes slowly blinking away tears.

"I didn't want you to worry. But," a brief pause hung in the air. "I only hurt you more. Only caused you more grief and suffering."

The last bit of strength in my leg gave out as I slumped onto my knees. I ended up hurting the one I was supposed to protect. Talk about failure.

"What were you doing?" if Luzon had spoken any softer, I wouldn't have heard her at all.

"There was a coastal battery. A large one. Given our imminent rescue, I thought it should be removed, before it can do any damage," I frowned slightly. That thing needed to go, regardless. "I'm sorry if it sounds like an excuse, but."

The change in Luzon's expression made me pause. At first, it was the look of impression, but it swiftly morphed into a mask of fear.

"We need to go," Luzon grabbed hold of my arm, pulling me back to my feet with surprising strength, before pulling me along. "We need to go now."

The fear in her voice partially filled the air, an oppressive miasma radiating around her. Like a vortex, or even a title wave.

She'd run into the Re before as well. Luzon hadn't spoken about it, but it was clear. That monstrosity of an aviation battleship left an impression. How could she not? Worse yet, she was something I couldn't straight-up fight. I mean, I couldn't fight battleships either, but that was beside the point. Still, I had ideas.

Even if she wasn't coming, certainly every inch of the jungle was being combed for our presence.

And getting caught?

Wasn't an option.