Legends

Chapter 44~ Arrival in Norfolk

New Jersey was at the head of the column, Musashi just off her starboard flank as Enterprise and Yorktown sailed right behind the American battleship. Naka was escorting Enterprise as that carrier wouldn't try and smother her in hugs. And wasn't that hilarious!

Naka had remained at the waterfront, guarding the way back for the two battleships as they went inland. When they returned, thankfully Enterprise didn't pull out her bow this time. Yorktown however, had other ideas. With a squeal to rival Nagato, the American charged past her sister and scooped up Naka in a tight hug. "EEEE! YOU ARE SO CUTE!!"

Enterprise and New Jersey simultaneously smacked their palms to their foreheads. "Dammit Yorkie!" Enterprise muttered.

Cassin Young looked slightly jealous. "I'm a destroyer too. Why don't I get that kind of attention?" She wondered.

"Because you don't do cute like we do." Musashi replied, adjusting her wraps as she did so. New Jersey shot her a glare but she couldn't really argue.

It had been a full day's sail from Boston and despite the ocean liner's rations, Enterprise was as hungry as she'd ever been. Her boilers were running on fumes basically. Yorktown was in a similar state and Enterprise knew her sister was hungry because Big U and Liberte could sail right next to her and not worry about getting glomped. Naka was still wary however. She'd only gotten free from the carrier when New Jersey offered, smartly, for her to carry the much slower Bluenose and Thebaud. The schooners for their part, enjoyed the ride immensely although their "king of the world" impression (and New Jersey had to explain that one to both carriers), left much to be desired.

Enterprise's gaze fell on Constitution once more. The frigate hadn't woken up once the whole journey, staying motionless in New Jersey's arms. As they entered the harbor, a hand rested on Enterprise's shoulder and she looked to see Titanic had taken Naka's place alongside. "In all my years, I have never met a kanmusu as tough as her. She'll be fine, dear." Enterprise wished she could have that confidence and if it was someone else, anybody else (well almost anyone else), she might be able to conjure that. But Constitution was more than just a frigate. She was more than even SecNav himself! For if God had a mother, it would be Constitution.

Stepping onto land and putting her rigging away was such a huge relief for both carriers and Enterprise rolled her left shoulder a bit before looking around. "Which way to the mess hall?" She asked as Bainbridge all but scooped up Constitution from New Jersey.

New Jersey and Musashi exchanged amused looks as if Enterprise had just offered them some kind of joke. The Japanese battleship actually had a hand over her mouth to stifle her giggles. Beside them, Naka came up, hand outstretched. New Jersey slapped some bills into it with a growl and the happy traffic cone skipped away singing. "Hey, hey, idol of the fleet desu!"

"Dammit Naka, I told you never to say that again!!" New Jersey yelled after her.

Naka ignored her, grabbing Cassin by the hand and bringing the confused Fletcher along before she could pine for Constitution.

"Food would be good right about now." Olympia sighed as she came up with the liners. The old cruiser looked exhausted which was to be expected given that she had sailed at 21 knots, nearly flank speed, the entire time. Big U offered her customary hug in comfort.

With another few hours before they were joined by the other fleet, New Jersey's small group took the opportunity to fill their bunkers in the mess hall. Big U lingered long enough to fuel up before getting her orders to sail across the Atlantic to England with a fresh batch of supplies. Which is where she found a grieving Curacoa. New Jersey also reported to the Admiral, giving him more than just the brief report she had for him in Boston.

Enterprise, Yorktown, and Cassin were called in before the combined American-Japanese fleet returned. Both got the expected history briefing which didn't surprise Cassin all that much (no doubt given the fact that she had Constitution as a berthmate). "Cassin Young," Admiral Briggs said once the briefing had concluded. The destroyer straightened. "You are hereby assigned the rank of Lieutenant. Enterprise and Yorktown, you will both be assigned the rank of Commander. I trust you to hold true to that rank."

"Sir, yes sir!" Both carriers snapped to.

"Dismissed."

It was as they were heading to the barracks that it happened. The combined fleet had returned and while Missouri and New Jersey grumbled anew at Wisconsin's weeb tendencies (nice to see some things hadn't changed.) Yorktown had spotted Naka again and with full bunkers, wasted no time pursing the traffic cone across the base. Still shaking her head in slight annoyance, Enterprise saw her. Both of them. Kaga locked eyes with Enterprise and Akagi did the same. All three had fought and two had died at Midway. They had been responsible for the deaths of Enterprise's closest friends. The American summoned her rigging simultaneously to the Japanese.

Enterprise wasn't seeing red as the saying went, but all her instincts were screaming at her to kill the pair. It was fortunate that she was a natural born. For it was that little bit of humanity that saved Kaga and Akagi in that moment, and likely saved the alliance as well. It resisted the kanmusu side, calling for peace. "The war is over. These are friends. The war is over!" It sang. Enterprise's bow locked with Kaga's while Akagi had hers raised, ready to fire if need be. Enterprise glared at her, still fighting for control. At last, she growled "I'll back off if you will."

If Kaga was surprised, she didn't show it. Instead, she simply nodded, stifling the fear in her eyes. She backed off a step and Enterprise did the same. Both ships kept their rigging deployed for several more seconds before Enterprise dismissed hers. The Japanese carriers immediately relaxed and allowed theirs to fade as well.

"Apologies, I do not know what came over me." Enterprise said.

"We understand." Kaga replied as Akagi came alongside her. And why were both ships looking at her like that? A mix of awe and admiration along with eagerness. As one, the two dropped to one knee, a hand coming over their chests. "We stand ready to learn, sensei." They said.

Enterprise, although she despised the language, knew enough Japanese for that one. She had no help on how to answer either seeing as her entire bridge crew were as stunned as she was. All she could manage was a stunned "What?"