Azur Lane: Tribunal's Orders

Chapter 27: Banquet of Rivalry

Sakura Empire Dorm, Azur Lane
Tribunal POV

We're going to have a banquet for the celebration of Resolute coming to this world and of course we invite her Majesty and her group to join in the celebration which Nagato assign Shoukaku and Zuikaku as her Majesty escorts while me, Gettysburg, and Resolute are the big stars of the banquet, but I'm start to worry about something which was notice by Gettysburg.

Gettysburg: "Something wrong?"

Tribunal: "I have a bad feeling that something is going to happen."

All the Sakura Empire bring out gifts for Resolute, but we decide to keep them in the closet until she is old enough to open them up or at least she can see them. Mother is with Akagi who is wearing beautiful yukata just like everyone else which is where my worrying is coming from because I know Akagi and Shoukaku are hostile rival toward each other, but respect to each other with their rivalry. I'm sitting along with Nagato who wants to congratulate me of having a child.

Nagato: "Congratulation with your family Tribunal and she make a fine Sakura Empire member."

Tribunal: "Thank you, but I should thank you and the other girls in the Sakura Empire to taken care of me ever since you found me. Everyone here is like family to me and I want to return the favor along with my new family. I want to thank Mother Kaga, Akagi, and Amagi for taking care of me like family, I want to thank Taihou for helping me against Roon during the Joint Operation and I see her as my older sister including her older sister Toshikaze."

I continue thanking other girls for making me feel like a member of the Sakura Empire and I also thank the Royal Navy for helping me to become a better person that isn't involve war like Belfast, Queen Elizabeth, and other Royal Navy girls. Everyone like my speech and we're about to have the banquet until a card came flying out of the room and went into the wall which almost cut my ear off. I was shock that just happen and notice Akagi and Shoukaku staring at us through the window before hiding away, but got dragged by Amagi before punish them for almost ripping my ear off. Akagi apologize to me for causing harm, but I'm glad she is having fun and forgive her. After the banquet has ended; Shoukaku invite me and Resolute to the balcony because she wants to play a flute for her.

Shoukaku: "Let's head to the balcony."

We head to the balcony and see the beautiful night sky with a full moon bathing the balcony. Shoukaku grab her flute from her outfit and about to play the music while the wind is blowing her hair as if the wind is company her for this beautiful moment. Shoukaku is playing the flute that sounds so calm and peaceful which makes me almost fallen asleep while at the same time Resolute listen to the music while sleeping. It was a beautiful melody that remains me with my other sisters  before heading towards war. I miss those girls.
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Time Skip
Hot Spring, Azur Lane
Tribunal POV

I have Gettysburg to take Resolute back home after the banquet and Shoukaku invite me over to the hot spring since it's been a while that we have our time together.

Tribunal: "Thank you for playing that lovely music. I think Resolute likes it."

Shoukaku: "I'm glad that my music is useful for something that isn't battle."

We both giggle, but things change when we notice Akagi on the other side the room before the hot spring; I can sense sparks clashing into each other and I'm start to worry that they resume their fighting, but they stop.

Akagi: "Normally; I start bickering against you, but since this is Tribunal's special banquet than I let it go for a day."

Shoukaku: "Same here; I don't want to ruin her special day."

They decide to have some truce and head to the Hot Spring where they continue to throw verbal sparks, but not extreme level. I notice Mother is already in the hot spring before us so I decide to join her while everyone is enjoying the hot water.

Kaga: "I hope the party was memorable."

Tribunal: "It is and I want to say something to you Mother."

Mother stare at me while drinking sake that is flowing around the water.

Tribunal: "Ever since I was alone on that moon after that tragic event that I still remember day by day and I fear that I continue to have that nightmare, but that change because I met you and the Sakura Empire. If you haven't rescue me than I end up become a pawn of the Sirens or worst that I'll be trap in the moon forever without everyone notice that I'm gone. It makes me happy that I escape from a cruel fate."

I was about to cry, but Mother hug me and wrap me around with her tails while I'm laying down in the steam of the hot spring.

Kaga: "I may haven't been good of rising a child, but I try my best to make sure that you have a good life with everyone. Everyone thinks me as cold eyeless neutral kitsune, but when I thought I lost sister Akagi during the Orochi Incident; I broke into pieces and I even betray my own family so I can unite with my sister. I feel like I don't care anymore as long I'm with Akagi and Amagi,  but Zuikaku open my eyes and begging her to save Akagi from the Sirens. Now I have you in my life. I start to think the gods don't want me to go through that trauma ever again."

This makes me smile and we both decide to relax at the hot spring for the rest of the event.

To be Continued....