Chapter Text
A crowd had gathered at the wharf to watch the esteemed flagships of CarDiv 1 and 5 practice together.
There was a sight unrivalled to it, to watch Akagi and Shoukaku side by side as their planes flew elegantly through the sky.
Akagi held back and watched Shoukaku's planes seek out the target, the formation of the three easily taking it out, the gunfire and aim razor sharp.
She turned to her counterpart, "That was impressive, Shoukaku".
"Oh, thank you" the woman stated, bowing slightly at the acknowledgment, "It pales in comparison to what you can do though".
"I am not sure about that" Akagi smiled and motioned to Shoukaku's cheer squad at the side who were displaying their enthusiasm vividly, "I am inclined to agree with them".
Shoukaku chuckled at the sight and even she couldn't deny how the encouragement was contagious.
Still, she knew she had much work to do in order to catch up to the brunette so she was a little surprised by what Akagi said next.
"How about we make things more interesting?".
"In what way?".
Akagi's eyes glimmered with what could only be mischief and Shoukaku did not know where this could go.
Even her senior had a penchant for being troublesome.
She retrieved an arrow, "Well, you seem to be under the impression that there is a vast difference between our skills" she said and handed it to Shoukaku, "So, I propose a competition for this final round. We switch planes and use moving targets".
Shoukaku looked at the arrow before her brown eyes went up to Akagi, the woman watching her, almost like she was daring her.
Even their audience had quieted down when they saw the exchange, wondering what was going on. It would certainly by a climatic way to end the session and test her own skills with Akagi.
Besides, Akagi's comment regarding their skills was something worth testing out.
Shoukaku smirked, the action small but absolutely alluring, "Is that a challenge, Akagi?".
This intrepid side of her counterpart was one Akagi would never tire of.
"Consider it as additional training" she smiled.
Shoukaku couldn't decline as she took out one of her own arrows from her quiver and exchanged it with Akagi while she took hers.
"I accept".
The crowd cheered again as the two carriers went to their places and motioned to Tone that they were ready.
A buzzer went off and the moving targets commenced their horizontal journey.
Speed was of essence as both women quickly placed their arrows on the strings of the bows, the projectiles flying into the sky before bursting into planes.
It was a close competition since these planes were not their weaponry and whether they will be able to command them would be the challenge.
And a challenge it was as Akagi's planes had taken out 3 targets already while Shoukaku had managed one.
The whirring of the guns and wings permeated the blue sky as everyone observed with bated breath, following the motions of the planes.
After a few minutes, numerous targets had been destroyed, 6 for Akagi and 5 for Shoukaku.
There were 2 more targets left.
The race was on to hit them and the shouts from the audience rose as everyone cheered for their respective favourites.
Akagi and Shoukaku remained focused on their planes which zipped down side by side, so close that their wings were almost clashing but it wasn't a deterrent.
Not when gunfire escaped in a rush of gold and the two targets were destroyed.
There was no doubt about who had won, well, perhaps only from the winner herself who would have deemed it preposterous.
Akagi grinned and walked to Shoukaku who couldn't take her eyes away from the sight of the destroyed targets and her planes flying around in victory.
Cheers of her name rang out as she faced Akagi, a sheepish smile on her face as Akagi returned the gesture.
"Congratulations, Shoukaku" she commended, "I expected nothing less from you, even with my planes".
"Thank you, that was too close" Shoukaku chuckled, "You were right behind me".
"And yet, the command you was apparent".
Shoukaku's quota for handling praise from her counterpart was now full and she wasn't sure if she could remain so composed.
From the corner of her eyes, she could see Zuikaku smirking, and Kaga too.
Akagi's smile was as warm as ever whilst she lifted her hand up and patted Shoukaku's hair, ruffling the silver strands slightly.
"You did well, Shoukaku. I'm proud of you".
Shoukaku blushed to the tips of her ears.
She may have won the battle; but Akagi always won the war.