The International Summer Schools

Letter #9: Kaede

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Spoiler Warnings: Reveals what happens to Ayame Fujieda in the first Sakura Taisen Game. If you haven't played the last two or three episodes of the first game then don't read this.

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Kaede alternately looked at the spirit energy readings of each member and wrote down her findings on a sheet of paper.

Every month, she prepared a report detailing the progress of every member of the Hanagumi and sent it to Ogami. Before he left for Paris, he had requested to be kept abreast of things at the Teigeki.

Kaede was jotting down her personal observations at the bottom of the page when she heard a familiar rapping at her window.

She went over to the window and opened the latch. "How did the meeting with General Yoneda go?"

Kayama landed on the floor with a dull thump. "Pretty well."

Kaede knew that was all Kayama would tell her. As the Tsukigumi commander, the surveillance division of the Teikokukagekidan, he was required to keep important state secrets.

"You are being careful, aren't you?"

Kayama grinned. "Of course I am. I still have the scar to remind me of that time when I got careless." He rubbed his left shoulder instinctively.

Kaede knelt down in front of Kayama. "It was a good thing Oneesan and General Yoneda were there when you got injured."

Kayama liked it that Kaede was protective of him. Kaeda was protective of everyone. Losing her sister had been a terrible experience for her and she never wanted to go through it again.

"What were you doing before I came in?"

Kaede waved her hand towards the desk. "I was completing my report for Ogami-kun."

Kayama raised an eyebrow at the mention of Ogami's name. "Ogami-kun, is it? It better just be a report and not a love letter."

Kaede cast Kayama an exasperated look. "Don't tell me you're still jealous about that. He liked my sister Ayame and vice versa. I happen to like someone else."

Kayama smiled. "I just wished I could work as closely with you as he did."

Kaede patted him affectionately on the cheek. "We still work together, you know. We are all working together to protect our city."

Kayama stood up and pulled Kaede up with him. He walked over to the desk and looked at the report neatly written out in Kaede's handwriting. "Hmm… interesting. It seems that some of the Hanagumi have increased their spirit energy level."

"It's because they have more time to pursue their own interests. They develop their skills in those interests and that translates to a higher energy level."

He scanned the personal note that Kaede had written. "Mind if I write my personal note to him?"

Kaede shook her head. "Go ahead."

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Progress Report:

Teito Hanagumi Division

Average Spirit Level

Iris -- 90% (up by 5%) Able to teleport to farther locations; can maintain levitation of objects for a longer period of time

Kanna -- 68% (up by 3%) Is constantly in training; has developed a new variation of the Kirishima Ryuu

Kohran -- 55% (no change) Is at the Hanayashiki to develop new Koubu armor and weapons

Maria -- 70% (up by 4%) Continues to develop battle strategies and combat tactics for future use

Reni -- 71% (up by 4%) Works with Iris to improve her psychic abilities; Able to break through a stronger psychic barrier now

Sakura -- 82% (up by 7%) Able to control the manifestation of the Haja energy

Sumire -- 78% (up by 3%) Can now channel a stronger spirit energy to her naginata; has regular sparring sessions with Sakura

Personal Notes:

The visit to Paris has done wonders to improve everyone's morale.

General Yoneda allowed Maria to change the training schedule and the Hanagumi has more time now for personal practice: skills have improved considerably.

As was your request, I monitor everyone's progress and observe their behavior. Above is a detailed report of their progress. As for their morale, they still miss you -- a lot.

Fujieda Kaede

Yo, Ogami.

Don't you just love Teito in the Autumn? (Don't you wish you were back here?)

Kayama

~ next -- Letter #10: Sakura

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Author's Notes:

  1. Kayama was seriously wounded in the TV Series.
  2. Kaede is Ayame Fujieda's (General Yoneda's 2nd in command in the first Sakura Taisen game) younger sister.
  3. Reni is able to break through psychic barriers. She does so in the 2nd OAV.