Black Steel Remembrance

Black Sakura Spring (pt 2)

(Atago's questioning grin turned into a gentle smile, she could tell that you were lying to her. )

Atago: Ara Ara, you know you shouldn't lie to those who want to care for you.

Whittman: Care for me? You just met me, and you are already treating me like i'm your long lost brother or something.

Atago: All of my friends and even my sister are treated the same by me. Why won't you accept my tenderness?

Whittman: I don't need another person to be worried about me that's why. I have enough people on my case as it is, and I do not need another one to add to it.

(sighs) A hunter has to have his own space, do you understand?

Atago: Your'e a hunter? A hunter of what? (her ears perk up out of curiosity)

Whittman: I am a ship hunter, which means I actively seek out, cargo, battleships, cruisers, etc. like I said before, hunters need their space to work and relax.

Atago: But I see you neither working nor relaxing, you seem quite stressed. Is there something your big sister can do to help you relax?

Whittman: (letting out a sigh) I'm afraid my stress is caused by something that I have to face, and i'm not too keen on letting another person share the same burden. It wasn't anyone's business to begin with, and it certainly won't be anyone else's on the future either, I won' allow it to go any further than this.

Atago: (showing concern in her eyes and tone)

It's not wise to face the things that you don't understand alone. You should relieve your stress by talking to others. You should visit our Sakura shrines on the mountain, it has always helped my sister when she pushes herself too far.

Whittman:(hostile and staring Atago in the eyes) My "predicament" does not require a shrine to pray, it requires the death of those who have wronged me, humiliated me, and near sank me. That is the only way to get rid of this "problem", it is the one and only way!

(you remember that she is one of your hosts who has just shown you kindness, you begin to calm down regretting your decisions of the past few minutes.)

Es tut mir Leid, I let my desires get the better me. My judgement is usually better than this, and I can not excuse my rudeness. (pulling your hat over your eyes out of shame)

(Atago hugs you tenderly understanding where your rage and hatred came from)

Atago: Now I see why you tried to close yourself off, you wanted to remain strong to hide your fear behind your strength. You do not need to hide it anymore, just let us help you get rid of all of your demons. (Atago releases her embrace and takes one of your hands and begins to gently pull you to the shrines)

(Still not understanding why she is so determined to help you, you follow her towards the winding steps up to the shrines.)

(You look around you as both you and Atago ascend the steps, looking and admiring the peace that was around you at the very moment.)

Whittman: This is nothing like Ironbloods at all, its tranquil, much like when it snows in my home land. Why is it like this here?

Atago: We believe that the great creators put us here for a reason, and so we make it peaceful at home to honor their great creations. Even you are part of their creations, you were brought here for a purpose.

(Her smile, for whatever reason, seemed to be the most genuine out of hundreds of forced smiles you've witnessed out of the Ironblood fleet. It was calming, you finally felt like someone actually cared for you.)

Whittman: (sighs) How do you do it? How is it, that you can remain so relaxed about this war? Isn't it one of the most dreadful things that you could be apart of?

Atago: I'm not much of a fighter, I find that taking care of those who do fight to be a noble and needed cause. When I do need to fight however, I am a force to be reckoned with.

Whittman: Ok, a new question. (you look Atago in the eyes)

How do you not fear me? I am certain the rumors about me have circulated here.

Atago: (tilting her head) Do I need to fear my ally?

Whittman: Smart choice of words, normally other ships try to give me a wide area. (you tilt your hat over your eyes again)

To be honest, that is something I despise about myself. I have no true friends, just allies that only care for the victory at the end of this war.

I never wanted this war, I never wished to be feared as I am now.

(you bring your prosthetic arm to the front of your face staring intently at its construction, it was a painful memory you wished never happened.)

Atago: Your'e in pain aren't you? (Her eyes showing concern)

(you bring you arm back down and nod in acknowledgement)

Whittman: (sighs) My pain is not of any concern, It was a mere sacrifice that needed to be made. I am but a soldier, and being a soldier requires many sacrifices.

(Atago sensing the immense mental stress emanating from you begins to hug you showing a caring motherly side)

Atago: Your pain is a concern, it is my concern and I will not forget about it. Your sacrifice made you into what your rumor said you were, but you do not have to follow it as if your fate was decided.

(You remove your mask to reveal a genuine smile, you were content to be in her presence but you did not want her to become attached to you)(looking Atago in her eyes once again while she looked into yours)

Whittman: Ich bin nur ein eisernes Phantom unter den Lebenden. Meine Existenz ist nur vorübergehend.

(Atago began to shed some tears, she realized that when you said those words you had already decided what path you chose.)

(you put the mask on your face and all emotion seemed to disappear under the shadow of your grey cap) (after all, you were hunter, a ghost, phantom even, you were not supposed to exist except for the purpose of vengeance and causing suffering.)