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Cuttlefish -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (10/15/2008 12:34:21 AM)
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September 1, 1944
Location: Osaka/Kobe
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 11
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Undergo refit at Kobe
---
Hibiki is an instrument of war, and war is the business of the men who crew her. For almost three years they have fought battles across the Pacific and they see no prospect that the fighting will end any time soon. They do not know if they will be alive when it does end.
And yet as big as the war is it does not completely define who and what they are. They are men, after all, and not pieces of equipment. As an example look at Riku Ariga, Seaman First Class. The war has not prevented him from falling in love or pursuing a difficult and sometimes even dangerous courtship for almost two and a half years. And thus, in the middle of a vast war that will decide the fate of Japan, a wedding takes place. Life goes on.
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The ceremony is most traditional. It is small and simple, full of significance. The gathering is also small; Chief Shun and his mother plus one aunt and uncle on the bride’s side; two parents, a sister, and a brother-in-law on the groom’s. The only other witness is Taiki, who is there in his role as nakodo, though it is likely that both Riku and Nanami would insist on him being there in any event.
Riku’s fears that his family will somehow spoil things prove groundless. Chief Shun is on his best behavior and even tries to smile reassuringly at his new in-laws. Every sailor aboard Hibiki, however, knows that as scary as Shun is when he glowers he is far more terrifying when he tries to smile. Riku’s family stays very quiet except when the ceremony requires them to speak.
The traditional ceremony is simple and quiet. It is followed afterwards by an equally traditional but far less quiet party.
---
Captain Ishii looks out over the gathering. Much of his crew is here and not a few of their wives and sweethearts. He was worried that his presence might put a damper on things but now sees that his fears were groundless. Everyone is having a good time and no one is inclined to make ribald comments anyway, not with Shun around. Even with a few drinks in them the crew has more sense than that. In any event the captain did not want to miss Nanami’s wedding; he has known her since she was a baby. He smiles to himself when he recalls the look on Ariga’s face when she called him “Uncle Ishii.”
He sees that Shun is sitting alone with his mother at the moment, so he goes over and sits with them. Shun, he is glad to see, is drinking only tea. Ishii greets the old woman and then looks at Shun.
“How are you doing, Chief?” he asks.
Shun sighs. “All right,” he says. “It was a nice ceremony. He will make a good husband.”
“He will,” says Ishii. “I am proud of you, old friend. I really thought your daughter might remain forever unwed.”
“I’m still wondering how it happened,” grumbles Shun. “Somehow I have been cleverly maneuvered, step by step, into allowing this to occur.”
“I am not sure the young couple exactly maneuvered you into it,” says Ishii. “I don’t think love is ever anything that gets planned.”
“Oh, I don’t mean maneuvered into it by them,” Shun says. Ishii follows his gaze to the table where Taiki sits with his wife and some members of the crew.
“Ah,” says Ishii. “Yes. Well, sometimes love needs a little help.”
Shun nods. “It is too bad that Takahashi and Nanami did not fall in love,” he says. Over at the other table Taiki’s wife is telling a story that has the crewmen laughing uproariously. “But things have worked out differently.”
“And perhaps as they were meant to,” says the captain. “You have done well by her, Chief.”
“I promised my wife I would,” says Shun. His voice is so low Ishii can barely hear him. It is the first time in the sixteen years since she died that Ishii has heard him refer directly to his wife.
“I think she would approve of this wedding,” Ishii says quietly.
“I am sure of it,” says the widow Rin Shun, speaking for the first time. “In fact I think she had as much to do with bringing it about as anyone.” She reaches out and pats Shun on the arm. “And don’t worry, son. If young Ariga turns out to be a cad after all and you are not around, well, you know I can still shoot straight.” The old woman looks across the room at the happy couple and smiles sweetly.
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