Archive of Our Own ^beta

The Sakura Empire naval base was covered in a fresh coat of snow this time of year. The surrounding waters, which were usually bustling with the coming and going of Kansen, was still and quiet, disturbed only by regular security patrols. The Port itself, a traditional cement and steel affair, was manned by a single Secretary, a white-haired cat girl with yellow eyes and a boisterous personality. She sighed and drummed her fingers boredly against the metal office desk, her eyes trained on the clock. The dock was lined with sundry shops and pop-up stands that weren't operational during the more inclement weather.

Adjacent to it was a courtyard that was usually covered in flowers and the anchor-shaped fountain in the centre had frozen over completely. At the opposite side of the courtyard, the Dormitories—squat, wooden buildings with black and red, gabled roofs—emerged from the white powder, their windows illuminated with a cheery glow. Many had been decorated with strings of multicoloured lights and boughs and wreaths of pine. And midway between the Port and Dormitories, a pagoda-style building towered over all the rest. It had an air of importance and for good reason: it was the headquarters for all of the Sakura Empire's official councils.

Currently, there were ten Kansen seated around a massive circular, wooden table in the main hall, locked in spirited conversation.

The nine-tailed Aircraft Carrier, Akagi, sat at the head of the table, red eyes narrowed and rich brown tails twitching agitatedly. "This is getting us nowhere."

The rabbit-eared Aircraft Carrier to Akagi's left adjusted round glasses. "You agreed to the budget before planning began. You can't change it now."

Akashi rounded on the white-haired fox woman to her right, beseeching, "Back me up, Sister."

Kaga shrugged. "Souryuu is right. You did agree to her terms."

"Traitor." To Souryuu, Akagi grumbled, "Your cheapskate ways are the reason the Eagle Union will always host better events than the Sakura Empire."

"My frugality is what keeps us out of the red despite all the damage you regularly wreak."

Akagi bristled, her mouth opening to retort—

"Ladies, ladies," a wolf-eared redhead drawled. She sat directly across from them, her sandaled feet propped up on the table and her arms crossed behind her head. At a searing look from Akagi, she lowered her legs and sat up properly. "Can't we all just agree on a night of drinking ourselves silly?"

"I second that," a lilac-haired Aircraft Carrier said. Two feathers stuck out from the sides of her head like ears and were a darker purple at the tips. She wore an eye patch, though it was just for show, and her single yellow eye glinted with amusement—likely at the proceedings.

"You drunkards aren't allowed more than two drinks this year," Souryuu retorted. She pointed sharply at the redhead. "At dinner last week, Ise got drunk and took out a wall in the Cafeteria with a cannon blast." And then she pointed at the lilac-haired woman. "And Hiyou here wandered off into unfamiliar waters and got lost. After an extensive search by our Submarine squad she was located and required an emergency tow back to Base by a Repair Ship."

"I remember that, nyaa," the green-haired Repair Ship in question lamented, cat ears drooping against the crown of her head. "It was so cold…"

"Hush, Akashi," Hiyou chided.

"Can we get back on track?" Akagi snapped.

Their assembly was called the Harmonious Kansen Holiday Celebration Collaborative and this was one of several such talks. It was just a week before the big event and there was still so much to do. The Sakura Empire had a reputation to uphold, after all; the Eagle Union had thrown such a raucous party the previous year that some Kansen were still talking about it and Akagi wouldn't abide by that. She had somehow convinced their leader, the Battleship, Nagato, that hosting a bigger and better soiree this year was a matter of utmost importance—hence the war council style approach to their planning.

Shoukaku had no idea who had chosen that ridiculous name, but if she had to hazard a guess… it had most likely been Kaga. The kitsune woman's white ears twitched and she looked around warily from the other side of the round table, as though she sensed someone was thinking about her. Shoukaku stifled a giggle. The First and Fifth Carrier Divisions had managed to overcome their differences, somehow, and Shoukaku felt more at ease around the volatile fox sisters. Kaga was the reason Shoukaku was even here in the first place—though, honestly, she wasn't sure what she could offer to the conversation at hand.

"The most important thing is the food," a diminutive, cat-eared Destroyer by the name of Shigure insisted. "A five-course meal for all the guests! And a 12-tier chocolate cake and a make-your-own crepe station and—"

"For several hundred Kansen!?" Souryuu interrupted, shaking her head. "We definitely can't afford that."

"Hey, Sis?"

The whisper drew Shoukaku's attention to her right where her sister, Zuikaku, sat. "Mm?"

The brown-haired Aircraft Carrier had an excited expression on her face. "We're going to the party, right?"

"Assuming they get the details sorted out in time."

Zuikaku wrinkled her nose. "But aren't we supposed to be helping with that?"

… Right.

"We haven't even picked a decoration theme yet," the blue-haired, wolf-eared Heavy Cruiser, Aoba, complained. "It needs to be something that will look fabulous in photos."

That began a whole new wave of arguing and Shoukaku sighed. In the interest of ending what had already been an hour-long meeting sooner, she raised her hand.

Kaga's sharp blue eyes zeroed in on the gesture, almost as if she had been waiting for it. "Something to add, Shoukaku?"

All eyes went to Shoukaku and she blanched, unaccustomed to being the centre of attention. She pressed on despite her discomfort. "Why don't we have each faction contribute to the party? It's that sort of collaborative effort that enables us Kansen to thrive."

"That's a great idea, Sis," Zuikaku enthused.

Akagi looked somewhat irritated as the others began to murmur amongst themselves, though that may have just been because she couldn't have her way. No one was shooting it down immediately, in any case—that was a good sign, right? Just then, there was a sharp knock and a brunette Kansen with a somewhat gloomy disposition and a single horn jutting from her forehead slid open the shoji screen door. "Excuse me… Miss Fusou asked me to bring this tray?"

"Come in, Mogami," Akagi commanded, rubbing her temples.

The hubbub died down upon the well-timed arrival of refreshments and Mogami entered the room holding the aforementioned tray, ladened with goodies. Unfortunately, it had been overloaded and after just a few steps, Mogami had to commit a juggling act to prevent the flatware and utensils from taking a tumble. Despite her best effort, a stack of ceramic tea cups teetered then gave in to gravity.

Zuikaku moved quickly, managing to actually catch the stack before anything broke, and setting them on the table. Then she turned back to Mogami, took the tray from her, and did the same with it. "There. Are you alright?"

"Y-yes." Mogami bowed at the waist and her cheeks were flushed when she straightened. "Thank you."

Zuikaku grinned, an expression that was not at all out of place on her pretty face. "Don't mention it."

Shoukaku watched the exchange intently, a small frown on her face.

The meeting dragged on for another hour before the gathered Kansen finally reached an agreement. Akagi had finally come around to Shoukaku's suggestion, after pressure from Souryuu, who argued it would be a fiscally sound plan, and later Kaga, who insisted her sister "stop being a pest." Akashi had been chosen to deliver the invitations, though they all knew she'd find some other Kansen to unload the task onto. Shigure had gotten her way regarding the crepe station, though it would be manned by one of the Sakura Empire Kansen. After pitching nearly a dozen ideas, Aoba had finally settled on a theme she was happy with that also met Akagi's standards (and Souryuu's budget). Ise had sulked for the remainder of the meeting, citing that no alcohol meant no party. And sometime during that all, Hiyou had received a short-range radio call from her sister and left abruptly.

The remaining Kansen donned their coats and filed out of the room to brave the elements. Shoukaku and Zuikaku were the last to leave, bound for their Dormitory.

"Glad that's over," Zuikaku said, offering her arm. 

Shoukaku hummed an agreement as she looped her arm through her sister's. 

"What do you think the other Nations will bring to the party?"

"I imagine the Eagle Union will provide the entertainment."

"Oh, yeah. Didn't they form an idol group?"

"Something like that. They're good, from what I've heard," Shoukaku remarked. "Anyway, I'm sure Belfast and the rest of the Royal Maids will bake until they drop."

"Ah, yeah, I love Royal Navy sweets.

"And Iron Blood will probably bring booze. The good stuff. Souryuu is going to have her work cut out for her if she thinks Ise and Hiyou won't get their hands on some."

"Just mind yourself," Shoukaku said. "You know how you get when you drink too much."

"Heh."

The duo picked their way across the snow, arm-in-arm, and soon the Dormitories came into view. The Shoji screen door slid open to allow a wave of warmth to leak out and they quickly ushered inside and shut it behind them. Once inside, Shoukaku went into the kitchenette and began preparing tea to warm them.

"I think Mogami has a crush on you."

Zuikaku had already slipped under the kotatsu and turned on the heater. "What are you talking about?"

"You didn't see the way she looked at you earlier?"

"Nope."

Shoukaku made a doubtful sound as she carried the steaming mugs over to the table. The Heavy Cruiser had been recently Retrofitted and her new look was garnering a lot of attention.

Zuikaku arched an eyebrow. "You're not jealous, are you?"

"Of course not." Shoukaku set down the mugs and joined her sister under the kotatsu. "Why would I be?"

Zuikaku grinned, charmed. "You're adorable, Sis."

Shoukaku sniffed and sipped her tea. "Am not." 

"Are too." The brunette moved closer, the length of her leg pressing against Shoukaku's as they sat side by side. "The cutest."

"Tch." Shoukaku rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth twitched upwards. "Drink your tea."

"Yes, ma'am."

The siblings sat in companionable silence until they'd drained their mugs. Then, Shoukaku cleared away their dishes and washed them. She could feel Zuikaku's gaze on her as she placed the mugs on the drying rack; their gazes met when Shoukaku stole a glance at her sister.

"Let's take a bath together~" Zuikaku chirped.

…

A 'smack !' rang out and Shoukaku paused mid-step. "Did you hear that?"

Zuikaku tilted her head to the side. "Hear what?"

Shoukaku focused, listening hard, but she didn't hear it again. Actually, now she could hear a faint, mellifluous sound she couldn't quite put her finger on. It was coming from the Dormitory adjacent to them, if she wasn't mistaken.

Zuikaku seemed oblivious and was already wandering off in the direction of the onsen. "Come on, Sis," she urged.

"I'll be right there," Shoukaku said absentmindedly.

She waited until Zuikaku walked out of sight before creeping closer to the Dormitory. The shoji screen door was ajar and Shoukaku could make out movement from within. Though she felt a pang of guilt for doing so, Shoukaku leaned in close to peer through the gap.

Immediately, pale skin flushed scarlet.

Hiyou was on all-fours in the middle of the living room, naked as a jaybird. Her back was to the door, her buttocks cherry red. The reason for the shade and the sound Shoukaku had heard earlier soon became clear: Hiyou's younger sister, Junyou, swung a wooden paddle and struck her soundly on the ass. The lavender-haired woman arched her back and cried out hoarsely every time the paddle met her bottom.

'I shouldn't be here…' And yet Shoukaku couldn't tear her gaze away.

Hiyou and Junyou had been at this for a while, if the collection of sex toys strewn across the tatami was anything to go by. There were dildos of all sizes, a leather harness, vibrators—egg, wand, you name it—a silk blindfold, and a few pieces that Shoukaku didn't know the function of. She made a mental note to find out later before her gaze returned to the siblings.

"Sister…" Hiyou whimpered.

Junyou grabbed a handful of lavender hair, yanking Hiyou's head back and kissing her passionately. When they parted, the younger Kansen pushed Hiyou back down and unceremoniously thrust three fingers into her sex. 

"Ah…!"

Shoukaku bit her lip. 'Goodness…'

Junyou's rapid tempo had Hiyou moaning and bucking, riding lewdly on long digits as she clawed futilely at the tatami. Hiyou shivered bodily when her younger sister struck her again, lifting her hips to offer her backside for more punishment.

Junyou chuckled, more than happy to heed that silent request. 'Smack!'  

"Such a good girl…"

'Smack! Smacksmack!'

"I'm gonna—!"

Shoukaku's hand went to her mouth when red orbs flicked purposely in her direction. Their gazes locked; a large, wicked smile spread across Junyou's face as she redoubled her efforts, prompting a sound akin to a howl from her older sister. 

Shoukaku whirled, fleeing the scene with her heart hammering against the inside of her chest and a growing heat between her thighs. 

…

Zuikaku was already in the water by the time Shoukaku caught up to her. The white-haired Kansen quickly shed her customary white hooded kimono and black skirt in the changing area before moving to the showers and washing herself thoroughly. Then, she headed out into the open-air bath.

The evening sky was a canvas of pink, yellow, and orange, but their beauty was nothing compared to Zuikaku's as she declined in the bath, her skin flushed from the heat. That same heat caused any errant snowflakes to melt before they could touch down. 

"What took you so long?" Zuikaku called, sitting up in the bath. Her breasts bobbed above the water level as a result, and dusky nipples pebbled around the areola. "Is everything o— Mm… ?"

Shoukaku pushed Zuikaku up against the edge of the bath, their tongues entwining as their warm, naked bodies slid against each other.

"What's gotten into you?" Zuikaku gasped when her older sister pulled away to lavish kisses on her neck and shoulders. "N-not that I mind…"

By way of response, Shoukaku slipped her hand between Zuikaku's thighs and cupped her sex. Soon, the bath was filled with the quiet sound of splashing water and ecstatic moans.

Shoukaku stirred when the sun rose, colouring the sky outside with a swathe of orange and pink. She carefully detangled herself from her soundly sleeping sibling, got dressed, and had breakfast. Before she left the Dormitory, Shoukaku returned to their bedroom and kissed Zuikaku's forehead. The slumbering Kansen stirred and murmured something that may have been "I love you," but ultimately didn't wake up.

'So cute.'

The first stop on Shoukaku's to-do list was the general store to do some shopping. A dark-haired, bunny-eared Destroyer with a gloomy disposition looked up upon hearing the bell over the entryway, her impassive red gaze settling on her patron.

"Good morning, Shiranui."

"Good morning. Where is your shadow?"

She meant Zuikaku, of course. "Fast asleep."

"Mm." Shiranui directed her gaze back to what she had been working on before Shoukaku came in: a shipping manifest, by the looks of it. "Let me know if you need help finding anything."

She didn't utter another sound while Shoukaku did her shopping, absorbed in her task as she was. The Airplane Carrier made her selections quickly, visiting the counter every so often to add to a growing pile. There was just one thing she couldn't find, even after looking for it top to bottom—twice over.

"Shiranui?"

"Mm?" Her pen traveled rapidly across the document.

"Where are the daifuku that are usually by the cooler?"

Shiranui's pen didn't falter. "Apologies. Akagi snatched up all of my remaining stock for her party planning committee."

Shoukaku frowned. They were Zuikaku's favourite snack. "When will you be getting more?"

"I'm not sure." Shiranui glanced up from her task. "The supply routes are all messed up because of the storm."

"Storm?"

"A cold front is approaching from the west and causing a maelstrom that's been disturbing our waters and making it impossible for non-Kansen vessels to navigate." Irritation flashed across the girl's face. "The worst part is it's cutting into my profit margins."

Shoukaku smiled sheepishly, knowing full well not to get the profit-minded Destroyer started. "That's fine… I'll pay for these and Zuikaku will be by later to pick them up."

Shoukaku hustled across the courtyard. Her next stop was the dockyard, where she'd be outfitted before embarking on a commission. Each step was a rhythmic crunch of sleet and the long, wing-like sleeves of her kimono fluttering in the icy wind. Voices echoed across the snow and Shoukaku was surprised to find the pristine white landscape was dotted with Kansen engaged in decorating.

"A little higher."

"Come on, help me out with this!"

"Do we have any more string lights?"

"Hey, watch it!"

The Airplane Carrier slowed, her curiosity getting the better of her. The decorators were bundled up against the elements, their figures and features obscured by heavy coats and tightly wound scarves, but Shoukaku thought she recognized a few of their voices. The one she suspected to be Kawakaze, Nagato's stalwart protector, was leading the effort—something she certainly wouldn't be taking part in unless her mistress demanded it.

That must have been Akagi's doing.

"I didn't think I'd run into you here," a familiar voice said. "Don't you have something better to do with your time?"

Shoukaku whipped around and came face-to-face with none other than Kaga. She hadn't even heard the fox woman approach despite the crunchy layer of powder underfoot.

"I-I wasn't…"

"Relax." Kaga showed her teeth and it was likely meant to be a smile, but Shoukaku's anxiousness spiked nonetheless. "It was a joke."

"I'm still not used to you joking with me," she said, immediately regretting the response.

Kaga didn't seem offended. "That's fair."

Shoukaku fidgeted. "What are you doing here?"

"I needed to get away." Kaga jerked her thumb in the direction from which she had presumably come. "My sister will have a meltdown if this party doesn't go off without a hitch."

Shoukaku shivered despite herself. She had witnessed the results of Akagi's anger firsthand—and would prefer to avoid doing so ever again if she could help it.

…

Shoukaku strafed across the water, her centre of gravity low to combat the way the waves swelled beneath her feet. These waters were unfamiliar—doubly so while beset by the tide and winds—and her guard was raised. Sirens were the only beings that dared frequent this area and lately there had been reports of attacks on trade ships that delivered supplies to the Sakura Empire port.

Naturally, such an affront couldn't stand.

"Hey, Boss, how long until we can head back home?" 

"Please stop calling me that, Fubuki," Shoukaku sighed.

The twin-tailed, blue-haired Destroyer grinned. "But you're the boss, Boss~"

"Quiet, you two." Kinu, an austere white-haired Light Cruiser with a katana, approached, her sharp yellow eyes focused on the horizon. "The enemy approaches."

She was flanked by a buxom purple-haired Battleship by the name of Izumo. Twin horns jutting sharply from her forehead and flames danced around the wide openings of her sleeves and at her heels as she primed her Main Guns. "All ships, form up! Target: enemies in front!"

The final member of their fleet, Ayanami, a stoic Destroyer dressed in a midriff-baring sailor fuku uniform, shot past them at full speed. She drew a massive sword, hefting it easily in one hand, and swung—just in time to slice a live round in half. 

The resulting explosion spurred her allies into action: Shoukaku deployed fighter planes that took quickly to the air in a roar of engines; Fubuki barrelled after Ayanami to take point, dropping torpedoes into the water as she did so; Kinu primed her anti-air artillery to protect their Aircraft Carrier and Battleship from enemy bombers; Izumo fired her massive Main Guns, their deafening percussion echoing across the waves.

And on the horizon, the dark silhouette of several mass-produced Siren ships loomed. The Kansens' attacks hit their targets all at once and plumes of smoke poured into the stormy sky, dyeing it darker still. Metal groaned, vast forms shuddering and then capsizing into the depths. The hulls of the remaining ships' lit up with an eerie red glow as they prepared to launch their counterattack—and in doing so, revealed their numbers to be greater than the Kansen had thought.

Much greater.

"Stay behind me," Kinu ordered, brandishing her katana. "I will protect you."

"Behind you?" Izumo repeated, incredulous. "We're practically surrounded."

Shoukaku summoned more planes to her flight deck, linking her consciousness to one as it took off so that she could get a birds-eye view. The plane flew in range in time to see Ayanami slicing a mass-produced Pawn clean in half with a single blow. Shoukaku's eyebrows raised as her consciousness returned to her own body and she started off in the direction of the Destroyer duo. If anyone could clear a path through the enemy, it was them.

"Where are you going?" Kinu demanded, her commanding tone faltering.

When Shoukaku gestured vaguely ahead of her without changing her speed, Kinu and Izumo had no choice but to follow suit.

…

"Takao, could you help me file these commission reports?" Shoukaku asked.

"Of course," the taciturn, raven-haired Heavy Cruiser answered. Takao opened a drawer and carefully filed the document she had been working on before straightening and regarding her visitor. "How can I be of assistance?"

Shoukaku brought a chair over and the two put their heads together to fill out the report. It wasn't difficult, per se, but there were many lines that required absolute accuracy. Another set of eyes was always welcome.

"How did the Commission go?" Takao asked.

"We engaged the Sirens and sunk the majority of their forces. Ayanami is still out there, locating the stragglers."

They didn't call her a demon for nothing.

Takao nodded. "Good work."

A few minutes had passed before the door to the Port Office opened a second time.

"Takao~" a playful voice sing-songed.

Takao's older sibling, the fox-eared Heavy Cruiser, Atago, was her polar opposite. She came sweeping into the Port Office and pounced on Takao, who looked none too pleased at the invasion of personal space.

"Good afternoon, Atago," Shoukaku greeted.

"Hello, Shoukaku. Can I borrow my little sister from you?"

Takao shot Shoukaku a dark look and the white-haired Airplane Carrier cleared her throat. "Ah, that wouldn't work. These reports are already late and I wouldn't want to keep the commander waiting."

It was a complete and utter fib from a Kansen who diligently submitted all of her paperwork on time, but Atago didn't have to know that.

Atago pouted, though she didn't protest verbally as she turned and went back into the lobby where she flipped idly through a magazine. The only person she loved as much as Takao was their commander, after all.

"Thank you," Takao said quietly. "Sometimes, she's too much."

"I understand," Shoukaku whispered back. 

For the next half hour the duo worked on the paperwork without interruption, though Shoukaku could feel the weight of Atago's watchful gaze. They finished their task and Shoukaku had scarcely stood from her chair when Atago attached herself to her sister again.

"Takaaaoo~"

Shoukaku met the Heavy Cruiser's gaze and smiled apologetically. 'Sorry, Takao.'

With nowhere to escape, Takao sighed and resigned to her fate. "What is it?"

"We're going to the party this weekend, right?" Shoukaku heard Atago ask as she exited the room.

At last, it was the evening of the party. 

Shoukaku was sitting at the vanity in her bedroom and coiled long white hair into a bun with practiced ease. She had already done her makeup and all that was left was to slip on the qipao dress hanging on the door handle of her wardrobe.

The door to her bedroom opened and she saw that her younger sister was already dressed. Long chestnut-coloured hair was in its usual high ponytail and her own qipao dress was a dark green with white floral accents and long, wide-mouth sleeves.

"Here." Zuikaku came over and freed a few strands so that they fell fetchingly around her sister's face. Then, she pinned the bun gently in place with an ornate hairpin featuring a milky crescent moon surrounded by crimson cherry blossoms with silver leaves. "You look lovely."

"Thank you." Shoukaku didn't bat an eyelash as she swatted Zuikaku's hand away before it could make contact with her brassiere-clad breast. "Behave."

Usually, that was enough to shoo her away. As it was, Zuikaku grabbed hold of Shoukaku's wrist and brushed her lips along the length of long fingers. They were an erogenous zone, something her younger sibling knew all too well, and Shoukaku shivered.

"Zuikaku." The warning tone she had intended was replaced by huskiness.

Zuikaku smirked, parting her lips and taking the tip of Shoukaku's index finger between them. She twirled her tongue, slipping the digit deeper into wet warmth, and Shoukaku released an audible gasp.

Surely just a little fooling around wouldn't hurt? the horny part of her brain argued.

Bright blue eyes flicked to the clock to check the time and rationality fired back, Absolutely not.

"Cut it out," Shoukaku chided, pulling her hand free. She placed some distance between them, more than a little hot and bothered by the exchange. "If we're late, Akagi will throw a fit."

"Yeah, yeah." 

Despite her nonchalant response, Zuikaku sobered. It seemed she, too, was uneasy about the alliance between the First and Fifth Carrier Divisions. That wasn't to say they didn't trust their seniors—just that there would need to be some serious mental adjustment after years of abuse both verbal and emotional from the fox-tailed sisters.

Shoukaku went into the bathroom to wash her hands and dab cool water on her neck. Doing so helped cool her raging hormones just a bit and she returned to her bedroom to slip her qipao dress on. Originally she had planned on wearing a style that matched Zuikaku's, but this one —with its thigh-revealing slit and teardrop-shaped cutout—was a bit more daring. Besides, she didn't often wear dark blue though she quite liked the colour. The design of a traditional Eastern dragon stood out against the dark shade in silver and Shoukaku had dug some silver sequined flats out of her closet to match.

Zuikaku was waiting for Shoukaku in the foyer. She offered her arm and her usual charming grin. "Shall we?"

...

A mere 24 hours ago this room had been, for all intents and purposes, a storage area. Now, it was a fairytale ballroom lined with heavy velvet curtains against which spherical lights glistened like stars. A crystal chandelier hung above a number of round banquet tables, connected to the ground by strings of lights like the metal supports for a circus tent. At the head of the room, a long rectangular table threatened to buckle beneath the sheer volume of food that had been laid out. Guests were filing in and the entertainment—which, true to Shoukaku's prediction, were in fact Eagle Union musicians—played festive music that filled the space with warm cheer.

Akagi looked incredibly smug as Nagato greeted Enterprise. The diminutive leader of the Sakura Empire looked like an adorable little doll in a black and red kimono with a white obi, her hair decorated by white and pink cherry blossom-shaped kanzashi. Akagi and Kaga wore matching floor-length kimonos with floral designs, though the former's was crimson and the latter's was sky blue. 

Enterprise was flanked by her older sister, Yorktown, and her younger sister, Hornet. All three Kansen wore simple black cocktail dresses, their shoulders and long legs left bare. The Eagle Union trio exchanged pleasantries and then they moved on, coming towards the table at which Shoukaku and Zuikaku were seated.

Zuikaku tensed, just as she always did whenever she was in the Grey Ghost's proximity, and Shoukaku rested a hand on her forearm.

"Zuikaku, if you cause trouble for our Eagle Union colleagues, you’ll only get tempura for dinner tonight~"

It was enough to divert the brunette's attention. She scoffed, dragging her gaze reluctantly away from Enterprise. "Let's eat."

There was a line to get food, but it moved quickly and the siblings loaded up their plates. On their way back to their table, the duo passed the round table at the centre of the room where Nagato, Kaga, and Akagi sat. The latter was scanning the room with sharp red eyes and when they alighted on Shoukaku, she gave a curt nod.

Everything was delicious. Shoukaku was working on her second plate, quelling her guilt by promising herself she'd run extra practice drills, by the time Zuikaku sat back in her chair.

"You're full?" Shoukaku asked, somewhat surprised. Her sister was a black hole and she had no idea where the younger Kansen put it all.

"Just taking a break." Zuikaku drained her drink and set the empty glass down with a satisfied sound. There were at least three other glasses stacked in front of her that hadn't yet been removed by the wait staff. She was a little ruddy and she flinched away when Shoukaku tried, not for the first time, to put a palm against her forehead to check her temperature. " Quit . I told you I'm fine."

Shoukaku frowned, but she didn't push the issue. "I think I'm ready for dessert."

The brunette wasn't such a fan of sweets, oddly enough. She had already turned her attention back to her plate, but she looked up to point at her empty glass. "Bring me another?"

"Sure."

After she had gotten her crepe—chocolate with fresh strawberries and custard cream; her favourite—Shoukaku located the large green punch bowl Zuikaku had described to her . She took a glass from the pyramid of glasses and began filling it up—only to pause. Zuikaku had been drinking them so quickly, Shoukaku hadn't even thought to ask what it was. She took a cautious sip from the glass in her hand: it burned a bit going down, but the taste itself was rich and creamy.

"What is this?" Shoukaku murmured, more to herself than anything. "It's delicious."

"Eggnog," a kind voice answered. "Though not quite the traditional formula; we added a splash of liquor provided by our Iron Blood allies."

Shoukaku looked up from the punch bowl to see a light brown-haired Royal Navy Battleship. Her name was Hood, if Shoukaku recalled correctly, and she looked absolutely elegant in a dark blue evening gown and her medium-length hair fell around her face in ringlets.

Then, the other Kansen's words caught up to her. "You said there was alcohol in this?"

"That is correct. It's a bit strong if you aren't accustomed to this sort of thing," Hood explained with a smile.

And her lightweight little sister had already downed several glasses. Shoukaku's expression must have betrayed her alarm because Hood reached out and touched her shoulder. "Is everything alright?"

"Everything's fine," Shoukaku responded, her eyes scanning the sea of faces. Hadn't she left Zuikaku at their table?

There. Shoukaku could see the brunette making a beeline across the empty stretch of floor that was to be used as a dance floor. She was moving slowly, but her destination quickly became clear: a table where Enterprise and her siblings plus the idol sisters Lexington and Saratoga sat. This could only end badly.

With one last regretful glance at her crepe, Shoukaku chased after her sister. When she caught up, Shoukaku placed herself bodily in Zuikaku's path. 

"Where do you think you're going?"

There was a glint in Zuikaku's otherwise unfocused eyes. "That Grey Ghost... I’d like to duel her just once," she said, speaking with the deliberate slowness of one trying not to stumble over their own tongue.

The fact that she already had bomber planes, their payloads designed to shred through Kansen hulls, idling on her runway was alarming. Shoukaku slipped her arm around her sister's waist and tried to gently lead Zuikaku in another direction, but the brunette wasn't having any of it.

Shoukaku glanced around, acutely aware that she was being watched: Akagi. The look in her eyes when she met Shoukaku's gaze was nothing short of murderous and her lip twitched, as though she was resisting the urge to bare her teeth. A shiver ran down Shoukaku's spine and she tried once again to lead Zuikaku, who stubbornly pulled in the opposite direction, back to their table.

'Ugh…' Of all the times for Zuikaku to be pigheaded. 

Zuikaku began struggling in earnest. "Let… Me… Go!"

People were starting to look over at them. Shoukaku wracked her brain for a quick, subtle way to remove her sister and came up blank. Zuikaku had always been the stronger of the two, at least physically, and it was only a matter of time before she pulled free and resumed her path towards Enterprise and company.

Just then, the band returned to the stage. Admiral Hipper had swapped her electric guitar for an acoustic and the other girls had similarly prepared to play what would likely be a ballad. A throng of Kansen migrated towards the dance floor, unintentionally providing a buffer between Zuikaku and her target.

Shoukaku's racing mind settled on a plan just then and she ran with it. "S-Sister, would you like to dance?"

A blink. Shoukaku took that as a 'yes' and stepped on close, taking Zuikaku's hand in her own and placing it on her hip.

She clasped the other and took the lead, sweeping them across the dancefloor. The music swelled to crescendo and Zuikaku rested her head on Shoukaku's shoulder, some of the tension leaving her body. The song reached its conclusion without incident and the siblings came to a stop. Zuikaku straightened, her face still a ruddy hue.

Her gaze sharpened—as if she was noticing Shoukaku for the first time. "Sis?"

Shoukaku breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe she was sobering—

Shoukaku released a startled squeak when a hand groped her bottom. At the same time, Zuikaku buried her face in the pale column of Shoukaku's throat and nipped a path toward her collar. Heat rose in her body in response and Shoukaku stifled a whimper.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Shoukaku was half-dressed by the time she made it back to their Dormitory. She was pretty sure they had mowed down some partygoers in her rush to escape, but that was better than having Zuikaku pick a fight. Zuikaku was trying to make that fully naked with clumsy doggedness, which hadn't helped them get to their destination any faster.

"Take a cold shower," Shoukaku commanded, shoving her sibling towards the bathroom.

Zuikaku went without protest, staggering just a bit as she shed her clothing with each step. Shoukaku shook her head as she gathered up the discarded articles. She was used to cleaning up after her sister, who could be a bit of the messy side. 

The water was running in the bathroom and Shoukaku entered with the intention of adding the dirty clothes to the appropriate hamper. She stopped dead when she saw that Zuikaku was bent over to access the cabinet under the sink, the rounded curve of her bottom on full display. And between thick thighs peeked a pouty set of pussy lips—the sight of which made Shoukaku's throat dry.

Zuikaku straightened, a bottle for shampoo in hand. She grinned when she noticed her sister. "Join me?"

As tempting as the offer was, Zuikaku needed to sober up and get some rest. With that in mind, Shoukaku gently rebuffed the invitation and left the room.

After slipping into something more casual, Shoukaku began tidying the Dormitory while she waited for Zuikaku to finish. This little hiccup aside, the night had been fun. It had been too long since they had been able to unwind like this and with the Siren threat firmly at bay thanks to their combined efforts, she hoped there would be more nights like this.

Shoukaku's mind wandered, recalling the breathtaking view of Zuikaku bent over in the bathroom, and her body grew hot. The older Shoukaku-Class sibling had always been the more reserved of the duo, but she went weak in the knees when it came to Zuikaku.

Speaking of, what was taking that girl so long?

Shoukaku knocked on the bathroom door and waited. When there was no response, she let herself inside, her concern mounting. As it turned out, it was misplaced: Zuikaku had somehow managed to fall asleep on her feet, her head chin resting on her chest as the water cascaded down on her.

Shoukaku sighed and shut off the water, exasperated at her sister and also glad she hadn't managed to drown. That was an embarrassing way for anyone to die, but especially a Kansen. She grabbed a big, fluffy towel and toweled Zuikaku dry, then she half-carried the inebriated brunette to their bedroom.

Zuikaku fell onto the king-sized bed with all the grace of a bag of potatoes. She lay there spread eagle, her eyes half-shut—the very image of temptation. Shoukaku couldn't tear her eyes away from those perfect curves and under her lustful gaze, dusky nipples pebbled around the areolas then stood erect, begging to be touched. Slender thighs clenched together then relaxed, the triangle of curls at their apex glistening, and a shiver ran down Shoukaku's spine.

Zuikaku, the vixen, knew exactly what she was doing—drunk or not. It took everything in Shoukaku not to jump into bed with her.

Then, Zuikaku rolled onto her stomach and crawled to the foot of the bed on all-fours. Once there, she sat back on her heels and beckoned for Shoukaku to come closer. 

"You should rest," Shoukaku croaked.

Zuikaku shook her head. That wicked look in hazel orbs was one with which Shoukaku was intimately familiar. "I want you."

That throaty admission was all it took for Shoukaku's willpower to cave entirely. The white-haired Kansen went almost mechanically to the bedside, unable to resist, and her obedience was rewarded with a searing kiss. As their tongues wrestled for dominance, Zuikaku made short work of her sister's clothes—

"A-at least let me take a shower first," Shoukaku protested, squirming out of the brunette's grasp.

It was the quickest shower she had ever taken. When Shoukaku returned to the bedroom, still slightly damp due to her haste, Zuikaku pulled her into the bed and buried her face between large, soft breasts. The brunette made a pleased sound, latching onto a pert pink nipple, and Shoukaku's breath hitched as a nimble tongue drew slow circles around it. Zuikaku alternated between breasts with hands and mouth; pinching, kneading, and tugging with the former and licking and sucking with the latter. 

Her attentions made wet heat flood the apex of Shoukaku's thighs and she moaned, arching her spine and offering herself to her sister. Zuikaku obliged, upping the ante with sharp nips and bites during which she applied suction and marked fair skin. The possessiveness of the action only served to fan the flames of Shoukaku's arousal.

"Sister…" she husked.

Zuikaku returned to her lips and they exchanged a series of passionate kisses with mounting urgency. They moved against each other, enjoying the silken slide of soft flesh and relishing in each others' warmth. Shoukaku bucked, her thigh coming into firm contact with Zuikaku's sex and the brunette tensed as though she'd been electrified, a husky moan leaving her.

" Ahn… "

Apparently, drunk Zuikaku was incredibly sensitive…

Shoukaku extended her hand, tracing her fingertip lightly across Zuikaku's lips. She could go on kissing her younger sister all night, but there were more pressing matters to attend to. "Suck."

The brunette did so eagerly, getting the digits slick with saliva and moaning as she alternated between sucking and licking. It was with great reluctance that she pulled her fingers free, but Zuikaku had two more very willing orifices to fill.

"Turn around."

Zuikaku did as she was told, turning her back to her sister and wiggling her bottom eagerly as she rested her head on crossed arms. She didn't have to wait long: Shoukaku pressed the tip of her index finger against the puckered entrance of her anus and it slipped inside, up to the first knuckle. While Zuikaku was still shivering and relishing the sensation, Shoukaku thrust her middle and index fingers into the brunette's pussy. She began moving her fingers, easing them in until they were buried up to the third knuckle; alternating between long, slow strokes and short, quick thrusts. The dual stimulation made Zuikaku bury her face in the bedspread, her pleasurable sounds muffled as she shivered and bucked.

That wouldn't do.

Zuikaku was incredibly wet; the slick, lewd sounds of combined saliva and female excitement filled the room as Shoukaku increased her speed. And with it, a litany of moans as Zuikaku rode her fingers, her inner muscles squeezing tighter as she drew closer to orgasm. Just a few more hard thrusts, angled towards a spot deep within, and the brunette released a shout.

" Sho—! "

Zuikaku's haunches flexed, causing a delightful bounce as her inner muscles clenched spasmodically. She was tense for a moment, but then she sagged against the bed with a deep exhale. Shoukaku rubbed her hips and lower back, waiting until Zuikaku's inner muscles relented in their vice grip before removing her fingers. They glistened, completely and utterly drenched and Shoukaku paused, entranced by the sight.

It didn't take long for Zuikaku to catch her second wind. She pounced on her older sister, taking Shoukaku by the wrist and eagerly cleaning her own juices from slender fingers. Shoukaku bit her lip as she looked on, her libido increasing by the moment, and found herself on her back as soon as the task was complete. Then Zuikaku buried her face between pale thighs, making a slick mess of her mouth and chin as she assaulted Shoukaku's clit and slit with her tongue.

It was Shoukaku's turn to cry out in ecstasy—a throaty refrain that lasted well into the night.

…

In the post-coital afterglow the siblings cuddled together, exhausted and satisfied. Zuikaku wrapped her arms around Shoukaku's waist, pulling the white-haired Kansen's back flush against her front. The interaction was meant to be affectionate, not arousing, but the feel of her buxom frame made Shoukaku's heart rate spike. Soon, Zuikaku's breathing slowed.

Shoukaku began dozing off, but her consciousness snapped into focus once she realized she needed to pee. She ignored it for as long as she could, but eventually, the pressure in her lower abdomen was too much to bear.

Shoukaku tried to detangle herself without waking her bedmate, painstakingly contorting her body and rearranging Zuikaku's before sliding to the floor into a crouch. Shoukaku glanced at the slumbering Kansen to make sure she was still sleeping before tiptoeing toward the door.

She made it about halfway there before a husky voice drawled, "Hurry back."

Shoukaku glanced over her shoulder again: Zuikaku was pawing at herself lazily, one hand dipping between her legs and the other kneading one of her breasts.

The. Absolute. Tease.

Her face hot, Shoukaku practically ran from the room. The sooner she went to the bathroom, the sooner she could be back—and on top of Zuikaku.