2. Morning Glory

            "Sir, nothing to report, sir!  Peaceful as always, sir!" Ohgami recounted, as if there was something to recount.  Aside from the fact that Ohgami had won his best deal ever, a date with Sakura, it was something that he wasn't exactly going to report that the commander, who had just come back from his Wise Man meeting.

            Ikki Yoneda, a drunkard to say the least, took a swig of sake before replying, "Oh, is that so?  Must be pretty boring for a headstrong kid like yourself, eh, Ohgami-kun?"

            "H-hai," Ohgami replied sheepishly.  The commander can probably read his face.  Ohgami looked rather disappointed, like he was aching to say something like, "Sir, The Wakiji have obliterated half of the Imperial Capital," or something like that.

            "Well, we soldiers need rest sometimes, eh, Ohgami-kun?  You should be thankful that we have peaceful times like this," Yoneda said, taking another swig.

            "Yes, sir."

            "Well, you're dismiss—wait a minute, Ohgami-kun," Yoneda quickly said, looking at him sternly.

            "Sir?  Something wrong?" Ohgami replied.  He was feeling a bit worried.  Did the commander think that he was leaving something out?

            "Have you decided?" Yoneda replied, taking another swig.  He was looking at Ohgami at the corner of his eye.

            "Sir?" Ohgami had no idea what he was talking about.

            Yoneda chuckled a bit.  He said, "No need to be shy here. Ohgami, we're both capable men here."

            "Huh?" Ohgami still had no idea what Yoneda was talking about.

            "You don't know what I'm talking about?"

            "Sir, no, sir!"

            Yoneda looked infuriated, but seemed to have controlled himself.  He took a giant gulp, then said, "What, is it Kohran?  Maria? Kanna?  Sumire?  Sakura?  WHAT?!"

            "…"

            "So you do know what I'm talking about!" Yoneda looked triumphant.

            "Er…"

            "C'mon, tell me."

            "Sir," Ohgami started, feeling a bit awkward, "For your information…I've asked Sakura-kun to go out with me."

            "Ah, Sakura Shinguji.  She's beautiful, a bit naïve, but a kind and caring person nonetheless.  You've made a good choice, Ohgami-kun."

            "Yes, sir!" Ohgami felt relieved that they were on the same level.

            "BUT, Ohgami-kun…" He looked at him with stern, piercing eyes.

            "Sir?"  He was feeling nervous all of a sudden.

            "If you make Sakura-kun feel bad IN ANY WAY, Ohgami-kun, rest assured that I would make your life miserable.  Do you hear me?"  Yoneda warned, his voice serious and threatening.

            Ohgami had nothing to say, except show an expression of shock on his face.

            "I've promised her late father, Kazuma Shinguji, that I will take care of his daughter.  I intend to keep that promise."

            Feeling his nerves come back to life, he replied, "Sir!  I will die rather than make Sakura-kun feel bad, Sir!"

            "GOOD BOY!" Yoneda suddenly exclaimed, chortling like a maniac, "NOW GET OUT OF HERE!"

            Ohgami turned and bolted out of the room, hearing Yoneda's fading voice sing something about the energy of youth or something like that.  It didn't matter to Ohgami, though.  One thing was settled, and that was tonight would be a memorable evening.  No fights, no Wakiji, nothing. 

            Despite his determination to do well later in the evening, work had been surprisingly hard.  A new play had been announced, and work had to be done, like making posters and flyers and advertisements.  Cleanup, of course, wasn't forgiving.  The stage and the theater had to be sparkling clean.  Props, costumes and other things had to be done. 

            Though work was hard, his determination remained stable.  He was still resolute that he could make Sakura happy later in the evening in their date.  No, he wouldn't let her be disappointed just because Ohgami was too tired or something.  No, he'll fight all the odds and survive.

            "Ohgami-kun?"

            The captain almost burst through the ceiling when the major suddenly called out.  He was looking at himself on a mirror, psyching himself up.

            "M-m-m-major!"

            Ayame looked at him with a puzzled expression on her face.  "What's wrong with you?"

            Ohgami scratched his spiky-haired head, saying, "No, no, nothing's wrong!"

            She smiled slyly.  "Nervous about your evening with Sakura?"

            "Er…how did you know?"  Ohgami asked nervously.  He hadn't told anybody about it except the commander.

            "Yoneda-shihainin told me.  So, are you?"

            "No, ma'am!"  He lied.

            "Well, if you're so confident, I suppose you could run a little errand?  The Hanagumi are still busy practicing, and Yuri and the others are still making the posters."

            "Of course!"

            She handed him a small slip of paper, written on it was a list of what seemed to be parts for Kobu.  "The Hanayashiki branch needs these parts to complete repairs of the Kobu.  Delivery was supposed to go this morning but something seemed to hold them up.  Go to the docks and see what's up."

            "Ma'am, yes, ma'am!  I'll be back before you know it," Ohgami replied, bowed and then dashed out.

            He was on his way out when Iris called to him.  She found him almost at the door.

            "What is it, Iris?"

            "Where are you going?" she asked.

            "Got an errand to run.  A delivery of Kobu parts got held up and I'm sent to check out what's wrong," Ohgami replied, walking over to her.

            "May Iris come with you?"  She was smiling sweetly at him.

            "Huh?" Ohgami was a bit startled.  "Don't you have to practice for the play?"

            Iris shook her head, her blond hair swaying.  "No need!  Iris memorized all her lines already and Iris was given an early break."

            Ohgami couldn't help smiling as well.  "Good girl!  But you don't have to come.  It's probably very boring."

            "Iris doesn't mind!  If Iris can be with onii-chan, then Iris is okay!" she replied, smiling even more.

            At this point, Ohgami realized that reasoning with Iris, to convince her not to come with him, would probably be futile.  So, he just nodded and held out his hand, which Iris grasped gingerly.

            "All right, let's go then."

Iris wasn't the only one who did her part in the upcoming play excellently.  Sakura also tried to do her best today, giving out her lines with the proper emotions and tone.  She danced to the music fluidly, with seemingly no flaws whatsoever.  She also helped out in the costume and the poster making.  With all this, she was rewarded with an early break.

"All right!" she exclaimed, while climbing up the stairs, "So far, so good!  If this keeps up, and if I don't have any more interruptions, then everything will be all right!"

As she reached the second floor, she looked around.  No one seemed to be around, except for the commander, who was probably at his office, draining bottles of sake.  Then, content with her lookout, she bolted into her room and locked the door.

Inside, she closed the curtains, leaving a small gap to let some light through.  Then, going back to the door, she listened if anybody had followed her.  She heard no footsteps or any kind of sound outside.  Smiling, she left the door and went to her cabinet.

Inside the cabinet were her usual kimonos, her Hanagumi uniforms, and her various leotards used for dance practice.  Paying them no heed, she pushed them aside, their hangers clinking noisily.

And then, hidden behind her clothes, there it was.  Sakura could only gasp in joy.

It was a beautiful pink summer dress, whose length reached beyond Sakura's knees, and just above her feet.  It had four straps by the shoulders, two for each side.  It had a soft silky feel to it.  All in all, it made Sakura's heart jump happily as she clutched it tenderly, feeling its soft fabric against her skin.

"Ah…so beautiful…" She murmured.

Sighing in contentment, she hid her dress again behind the other clothes and shut the cabinet.

"Ohgami-san…" she murmured, and then jumped happily.

"I need to prepare!  So much to do!  Gotta take a bath first!"  She said happily.  She then opened the curtains, unlocked the door, and then bolted for the bathroom.

Unknown to her, Sumire Kanzaki, who had just come back from her vacation at home, was watching her intently, hidden in the next corridor.  She informed them that her top acting skills was needed for the play.  The production, of course, was eager to have Sumire back on stage, filling her in about everything she needed to know, but they didn't tell her about this.

"What is she up to?" she muttered.

At last, Ohgami and Iris reached the harbor.  Kasumi, who drove them in the Hanagumi's car, said, "I'll just wait here.  Take your time, ok?"

Ohgami nodded, "Thank you, Kasumi-kun.  Let's go, Iris!"

The French girl eagerly nodded, and stepped out.  Hand in hand, they casually walked over to the gates.

"Remember, Iris.  Stay close to me.  You won't like getting lost here," Ohgami sternly reminded her.  Iris nodded, and gripped his hand tighter.  Jean-Paul, her teddy bear, was also held closer.

They went over to the guardhouse, where a security guard stopped them from going further.

"Hey, restricted access.  Only authorized personnel around here," the guard monotonously droned.  It sounded like a recording, and Iris had to stifle a giggle.

Ohgami, however, kept his usual military stature, and saluted, saying, "I'm Ohgami Ichiro, of the Teikoku Kagekidan, Captain of the Hanagumi.  I was sent by Major Ayame Fujieda to see what's holding up the delivery of the Kobu parts."

"Ah, we've been expecting you," he said, then looked at Iris, "But the kid will have to stay here."

Ohgami replied, "No, it's ok.  Iris here is a member of the Hanagumi as well."

He was skeptical.  "No, really, the kid will have to stay here."  It was like he chose to ignore what Ohgami had just said.

The captain thought that this guy had been probably living under a rock for almost all his life.  Iris was particularly famous in the Imperial capital, known for her impeccable acting.  But this guy had probably never heard of her.

Ohgami knelt down and faced Iris at eye level.  She blushed a bit.

"Iris, show the guard what you can do."

Iris, understanding what Ohgami just said, happily nodded.  Ohgami stood up and watched as Iris tossed her teddy bear into the air.

The guard looked at her suspiciously.  Obviously, tossing dolls into the air was a skill not required by the Teikoku Kagekidan, which protected the Imperial capital.

Then, suddenly, Jean-Paul broke into a series of intense dance moves.  First, it was a tango, then a slow waltz, then a wild boogie, then finally, the teddy bear did some gymnastics.  Jean-Paul was instantly a dance expert, and teddy bears don't dance.

The bear slowly floated back into Iris' waiting hand, and she squeezed her beloved Jean-Paul affectionately.  "Very good, Jean-Paul!"

            Smiling, Ohgami faced the guard again.  "Now, can we get in?"

            The guard, awestruck, had to have a few moments before regaining composure.  "Huh?  Oh!  Please come in!"

            They passed the guard and made their way inside the harbor.  Warehouses flocked the concrete part of the docks, while ships, battle cruisers and cargo liners alike, were docked in the pier.  Crates of all sizes were stacked almost everywhere.  The ocean waves crashed into the piers.

            "Ah, the ocean!  How I miss those days where I would sail on a boat and just listen to the ocean's waves…" Ohgami mused, as he led Iris around.

            "Onii-chan was with the navy," Iris said.

            "Right!  But right after I graduated, I was transferred to the Hanagumi, promoted to Captain almost instantly!  Probably because I was able to control the fire with the on-board Kobu," Ohgami answered.

            "That's how Onii-chan got to be our Taichou," Iris replied.

            "Right…oh, here we are," Ohgami said, looking at the manager's office. 

            He briskly entered with Iris, bells chiming as they went in.  They met the manager.  A fat, burly man with a thick stick of tobacco stuck in his mouth, he smoked so hard the room was almost covered with smoke.

            "Iris, you better wait outside.  This smoke is unhealthy for you," Ohgami requested, kneeling down so that he was at eye level with Iris.

            "No, Iris better stay here with Onii-chan.  It's safer," Iris replied.

            "Ok, but if you feel sick, just go outside and get a breath of fresh air, ok?" Ohgami said, and Iris nodded.  Then, Ohgami faced the manager, who was looking rather impatient.

            "Whaddaya want?"

            "I'm Ohgami Ichiro of the Teikoku Kagekidan.  I was sent here to find out why the delivery of the Kobu parts was delayed," Ohgami replied.

            "Is that it?  Then, yer late.  The problem's already handled.  The shipment's on its way," the manager replied, inhaling more smoke.

            "Is that so?  What was the problem, then?" Ohgami asked.  He was already squinting since the smoke irritated his eyes.

            "Why doncha ask the pretty girl with glasses just outside?  She came from Hanayashiki.  She can tell you more than I can," the manager said, blowing smoke rings.

            "All right, then, thanks," Ohgami replied, bowing.  Then he left the office.

            Iris coughed a bit.  "Oh, Iris feels a bit sick."

            "I told you should have waited outside.  Breath deeply, now," Ohgami said, and Iris obliged, taking in deep breaths.

            "Ah!  Ohgami-han!  Iris!"

            Ohgami turned to see Ri Kohran, resident Kobu expert and mechanic, running towards them.  Her purple braided hair, along with her face and the rest of her overalls, was covered with soot.  Her glasses were gray with dust.

            "Kohran!  What are you doing here?" Ohgami asked, gently patting Iris' back.

            "I was sent here to check up what's holding up the shipment, ya!  Problem's solved already, though!" She replied, in her usual Kansai accent.

            "What's the problem, then?"

            "You won't believe me, but it was a Wakiji!"

            Ohgami gasped.  "WAKIJI?!  I thought all Wakiji were destroyed when Yamazaki was defeated!" 

            Kohran winced when Ohgami said "Yamazaki."  Then suddenly, Ohgami remembered.  Yamazaki was Kohran's "mentor," and she deeply admired him for his work on the Kobu.  She kept all his work and studied it until she replicated it into the Kobus the Hanagumi currently use.   Kohran thought him to be a kind and caring person to develop such armor, and she was deeply shocked when she found out that he was their enemy.

            "Kohran, sorry.  I…ah."  Ohgami was at a loss for words.  He was tactless at best.

            "No, no, it's ok!  Well, anyway, there was this lone Wakiji on its way to the fifth sealing rock!  It just so happened that it was right smack in the way of the usual delivery route!  But it's okay now.  We were able to handle it," Kohran replied.

            "Oh, so you fought it, too?"

            "Yeah!  I brought my Kobu along, just in case.  But one of us accidentally fired a rocket at it when it was already defeated.  KABOOM!" Kohran threw up her arms, portraying the explosion, "Wakiji guts and blood everywhere, ya!

            "But it was defeated?  No more Wakiji?" Ohgami blurted out.

            "Yeah!  Don't worry, don't worry!"

            Ohgami heaved a sigh of relief.  "Well, that's good.  I thought we had another crisis on our hands."

            "Well, I have to go back now.  I've got to finish repairs!  I'll come back tomorrow with the Kobus!  Please tell everybody that I'm still joining the play.  See ya soon, Ohgami-han, Iris!"

            Waving with a big smile on her face, she ran off to one of the warehouses, where most of the crates around were being shipped.

            Ohgami faced Iris again, who had regained her usual breathing.  "Well, that's a relief.  Let's go home, Iris."

            She nodded eagerly.  "Hai!  Onii-chan has a big date with Sakura tonight!"

            "EH?!"  Ohgami was beyond shock.  "How-how did you know?"

            "Onii-chan, everybody in the Teigeki knows about it."

            "Eh, is that so?  Hehehe, let's go…"

            Then, suddenly, Iris stumbled to the ground.  Her breathing was suddenly heavy and fast, and she was sweating.  Extremely concerned, Ohgami knelt down and asked, "Iris?!  Iris?!  Are you okay!?"

            She looked at him with tired eyes and said, "Onii-chan, onii-chan…something's wrong…"

            "Huh?  What's wrong?"

            Then, she somehow regained her regular breathing.  Her sweating had slowed down.  "Huh?  Onii-chan…Iris wants to go home…" she said, tired.

            "Yes, yes, right away.  You better get some rest.  That smoke probably made you sick."

            She quickly nodded.  Then, in a quick motion, Ohgami carried Iris, in such a way a person would carry a baby.  Iris was startled, but Ohgami said, "Relax, Iris.  Get some rest.  You can rest better this way rather than a piggy-back."

            She nodded, and then rested her head on his shoulder.  Ohgami, checking first if she wouldn't fall, carefully walked her back to the car, where Kasumi was waiting.

            Iris, though, as she was slowly lulled to sleep, thought, No…onii-chan should be happy tonight.  Iris didn't feel anything…it was just the smoke…

            The fifth Sealing Rock.

            Its towering presence had an air of strangeness.  The monolith stood dominantly, almost piercing the sky with its sharp peak.  Magical letters carved on the rock secured whatever the rock was sealing.  Even though activity around it was already gone, it still gave off a strange feeling of hostility.

            Its surface was already cracked, most were cuts, which seemed to be made by swords.  Some of its parts were burned or blow off, most likely by explosives. 

            Some parts of it were already covered with fresh Wakiji blood, even guts.  A hand there, a foot by the side, and dark blood cascading down it like waterfalls made it even more disturbing.

            Due to the climactic battle which happened only weeks ago, the rock was sealed off.  Police barricades shut off all entrances to it and barbed wire coiled around the wooden fences.

            The stone had an eerie presence on it, and only a few dare enter it.

            But no one expected anybody to come out from it.

            The Wakiji blood parted, and revealed a crack on its craggy surface.  A brief light shot out of it, barely a second, and then the crack silently widened.  The blood bubbled, and the hands and feet and guts exploded, blood spraying everywhere, splattering on the rock.  The crack grew wider, now large enough to permit passage.

            Then, the blood stopped.  It went back to cascading.  Everything went quiet again.

            Then, a figure wrapped in a dark cloak stepped out of the stone.  A hood covered his face, and the cloak covered most of his body, except for a hand, which stuck out of the side.  It was deathly white, and had red, razor-sharp nails.

            Then, it murmured, in a quiet, hoarse voice, "…ritual was incomplete…yet, I am alive once again…yet, as the ritual, I, too, am incomplete."

            Its head seemed to look around, surveying its desolate environment.

            "It changed so drastically.  That is so with humans.  They forget their sins all too quickly…"

            It looked around more, now on its immediate surrounding.  It seemed to look for something.

            "Where is the man who initiated the ritual…no matter…as long as I am alive…I have no need for help…

            "Now, I have returned…I have a purpose…now, I need a soul…"

            Then the wind picked up, swirling around the figure.  The cloak was lifted up into the winds, carrying it along its breezes.

            When the cloak was lifted, there was nobody under it.

            And the wind seemed to laugh an evil, ragged, sickening laugh.