Disclaimer: I don't own Sakura wars. I'm just a big fan. I do however own my own characters and story line. The story might contain violence, abusive language and sexual scenes. If you are underage you'd better stop here. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the story, have fun :)

The parts in italic are the characters thoughts.

This is my first ever fanfic, so be gentle on me :) Enjoy!

Chapter 1 Into The Heart Of The Hanagumi

Teito, 1928

It's a beautiful day in the imperial capital. It's September already and the trees are beginning to change color. The soft rays of the late afternoon sun gently caress the garden of the TeiGeki. Under the shade of the tall trees all the girls from the Imperial Flower Troupe relax after a wonderful performance. It's been four years since they've been together and they haven't changed much. That's not physically speaking, of course. Iris has become a beautiful teenager and naturally has started to develop curves; Sakura's hair has grown even longer; Sumire and Kohran look more and more like women whit each day that has passed; and if you look closely in Maria's and Kanna's eyes you can see the weight of years.

On a small table Kanna and Sumire are playing cards. All of a sudden Kanna jumps out of her chair:

"You're cheating again cactus woman!" she yells throwing the cards in Sumire's face.

"I most certainly am not!", quickly replies Sumire red with anger, "How dare you call me like that you… you… you ape woman!"

"Who you're calling ape woman, you pathetic excuse for a living creature!"

At this point Sumire gets really mad and tries to hit Kanna, not knowing what else to do. The red head just smiles grabbing the fragile girl by the wrist and holding her in the air.

"Haven't you learnt that attacking me like that won't do anything!" the tall woman giggled complacently .

"Stop it you two, you're scaring Iris!" cried Sakura, holding firmly the young blond teenager to her bosom.

"Stay out of it stupid little country girl!" screamed Sumire with all her might. Iris clucked even tighter into the pink kimono of the young black-haired woman.

"I'm really, really sorry Sumire-san. Gomen nasai!" said Sakura quickly trying as hard as she can to hold her tears, but in vain. Not a second after, she started to cry as if the world was crashing around her. She dropped on the ground still holding Iris tight.

"Please don't cry Sakura-neechan, please. Iris is very sad when you cry!" sobbed the blond girl and tears started falling quietly from her blue eyes.

"Now looked at what you've did you bloodless reptile! Why did you have to speak to Sakura like that?" asked Kanna with a frown on her face.

"It's not my problem that she is a stupid, good-for-nothing country girl!" replied Sumire glad that Kanna loosened her grip and she could feel her hand again.

"That's enough, all of you!" shouted Maria and Ohgami and the same time, who up till now were busy joking around Cesar's and Hannibal's tactics. Ohgami went to Sakura gently putting his hand on her shoulder and wiping her tears with his thumb.

"There, there Sakura… She really didn't mean that, no need to cry." The young man smiled and looked into the big brown eyes of the shaken girl. Still sobbing, she forced a smile, not even trying to hide the faint blush on her cheeks.

At the same time Maria was dealing with Sumire and Kanna.

"What's up with you two. Can't we have at least one day without you arguing over something! Think of what you're doing to the team!" Maria's tone was so strict and angered that both the girls looked down ashamed, replying at the same time:

"Sorry, Maria."

"You better be." said the blond with a slight treat in her voice.

For a few quiet moments everybody was calm and relaxed. Then all of a sudden a loud explosion was heard and the garden was filled with ashes and tick smoke.

"KOHRAN!" everybody screamed with a mixture of panic and anger in their voices.

"Ha, ha… Sorry everybody." said the purple haired girl (well her hair looked blacker at that moment, as did everybody else's for that matter). "Must have put the wrong stuff… again."

"You idiot!" cried Sumire. "You ruined my best kimono and I've just washed my hair this morning!"

"I'm really sorry Sumire-san, I didn't do it on purpose."

"I'll fix you, you nerd!" threatened Sumire.

"Calm down, Sumire." Said Ohgami.

" But she… "

"I said CALM DOWN" said the captain more firmly. "Now Kohran you must be more careful. You could have hurt yourself or the others."

"I promise I will, taicho. I'm really sorry everyone. I'll prepare you all a nice warm bath and clean up this mess I made."

From one of the windows a middle-aged brunet was watching the scene.

I can't believe it's been four years already. They haven't changed a bit. They fight well in battles, their performances have improved significantly, but concerning team spirit they're still far from the team they should be. If that doesn't change, and fast, I fear that we might lose the war…

Major Ayame Fudjieda sat behind her desk and a small tear fell down on her last report. No, I mustn't let myself even think of such a possibility. We will win this war. I just wished I knew what to do…

Author's note:

Here's some update on the age of the main characters for you guys:

Sakura 23

Sumire 21

Maria 25

Iris 15

Kanna 25

Kohran 21

Ohgami 25

Yoneda 67

Ayame 41

Kaede 29

Kayama 26

Top of Form

Bottom of Form