Yet another ST fic

Yet another ST fic. Yeah.

(alternate titles: "Sequel to: ''Just another ST fic. Yeah."' or 'The Return of Kouran's Time Machine.' or 'A New Enemy from the Past.')

~All Sakura Taisen characters belong to Red, Sega and Bandai. Anybody I've left out?

Author's note: Oh darn... My editor, Yui, encouraged me to do this CRAZY and embarrassing chapter. Erm...it'll focus a little on Iris' 'growing up', it's not very specific cuz I WON'T tell you what Iris got, and the 2nd part is about how Kanna, Sumire and Sakura manage to 'poison' Maria with the 'flu bug, courtesy of Matsuko. And the third is going to focus on how Shinta manages to manage Maria's...Erm...Haha, you'll see. Saa, dozo~! (I'm warning you, there's a lot of GIRL STUFF in this chapter. You have been warned. You CAN skip this chapter, but you won't know what's going on in the next. Well...)

Translation: Dame - cannot/no

Chapter 7 - Embarrassing Situations

Late morning. VERY late morning...

"Kanna."

"Yes, Kaede-san?"

"What's wrong with Maria?"

"She's...Depressed. I don't really know why, but the one who's actually supposed to be depressed is Shinta."

"He is. I just visited the Shingumi HQ today. Anyway, Hanae told me about what happened...I guess Maria's affected in some way or the other."

"Yeah. How's the Shingumi's business?"

"That's what the meeting that I'm going to today is going to focus on... The Shingumi's business is not doing very well. Their only customers this month are those people who live in the basement. So we're going to discuss what's going to happen to them, this is the first time the Hanagumi is being involved in this, I wonder why they asked us to attend today's meeting. Hanae should be there, along with the Shikigumi's captain."

"I see. Hang on...People who live in the basement...Oh! The Baragumi, you mean."

"Yes. Anyway, I have to get ready for the meeting right now. Could you please inform Shihainin for me?"

"Okay, I'll do that right now."

*A scream was heard, Iris' voice*

Kanna and Kaede ran to her room, which was just around the corner. One look at Iris and the two knew what happened...

* * *

"Oh," Sumire said, "She got it?" "Guess so," Kanna replied. Kaede laughed, "First experiences are always so sweet. I remember when I had it the first time, I actually-" "Kaede-han!" Kouran protested.

"Iris is an adult now, ne?" Sakura smiled. Then she blushed as she realised what she had said. Orihime giggled. "Sa~kura-sa~n, really..."

"Why am I like this? And Iris has always been an adult, so why did Sakura say I have become an adult?" Iris asked those who were present.

Maria, who had come out of her solitude to see what had happened, bent down and said, "It happens to every girl sooner or later, Iris. And... Sakura said that for a reason, okay?"

"Why?"

Silence reigned. (Not to mention a lot of sweatdrops too...)

* * *

"I've been trying to get it but I just can't, Iris! Can you teach me?" Kikunojou asked the French girl. Rose just dropped by on her way home and scolded Kikunojou. "Go away, you freak! Of course you can't have it, you're a man." "I'm not!" "You are, and shut up. What are you looking at my chest for?! You won't have real attributes anyway, so just get out of my face..."

The two kept bickering and Iris had two choices: To blast or to go. She chose to escape from the situation and went off to find Leni. Iris is too tired to scold those children, she thought.

* * *

"Leni...You know about...?"

"Yes. Are you tired?"

"Yes, how did you know? Leni, you're so clever!"

"Iris. I just happen to be a girl too you know... Whenever you have it, you're tired most of the time."

"Sorry Leni! I don't know why I'm so confused about you at times. *giggle*"

"It's okay, but just remember, you have to put something to absorb the...Erm...The..."

"Hai! I get what you mean. I'll go write to tell Onii-chan, ne?"

"DAME! Dame desu..."

"Why? I told Papa and Momma already...Why can't I tell Onii-chan?"

"Dame yo...It's...Not appropriate...To tell a man about these things."

"Papa is a man."

"Your papa is different... He's your father, he can know."

"Onii-chan is my onii-chan!"

"Oh, Iris..."

* * *

That night, about 9 p.m. or so...

"Sumire-san, is the virus with you?" Sakura asked. "Yes." "Let's do it, then!" "Wait!" "What? Sumire-san, we can't wait any longer!" "Where's that Muscle Woman?" "She said she'll be with Maria-san." "She's there already?! LET'S GO!" "SUMIRE-SAAAAAAAAAN~! *being dragged violently*"

"Oi, Hebi Onna (Snake Woman), why are you so late?" Kanna complained. Maria was asleep. Kanna was sitting in a chair just by the door. "How are we going to put the virus into Maria-san's drink?" "Easy. Put it in that glass of water, Maria just HAS to drink some water in the middle of her sleep." "Why is that?" Sumire asked. "Why must I tell you, Hebi Onna?" "Why, you brute!" "Shh!" "YOU SHUT UP! *Kanna and Sumire*" Sakura cowered.

"Sorry, Sakura..." Kanna apologised and Sumire flicked her hair again. Maria stirred and woke up. In a sleepy voice she asked, "Why are all of you here?" Sakura took hold of her sleepy state to go over to the glass of water and put the virus, which was in some sort of liquid form, into the unfortunate body of molecules. The three grinned to each other and replied with one voice, "Nothing~!" Then they tip toed out of the room while Maria DRANK THE WATER, and went to sleep.

The three plotters slapped a high five, and then Sumire made a face. "I actually touched your hand!!!!! Oh no, where's the disinfectant..." "You...spiky haired ignorant...FOOL!" "Ohohohoho! Is that all you can think of? I have changed back my hairstyle, thank you very much." Sakura sighed, "I guess some things never change..." then she added in a softer voice, "Ne, Oogami-san?"

* * *

Maria woke up in a feverish state at about 3 a.m. in the morning. She tried to get up, but was too weak to do so. She cursed a little in Russian, then started to call out, hoping that somebody was nearby. Unfortunately, nobody was. However, Hanae, at that moment, arrived at the doorstep of the Daiteikoku Gekijou... And snuck into Sumire's room.

"Sumire-san! It's me! PUT THAT DOWN!" Hanae said in a fierce whisper. "Oh. It's you." She put down her naginata.

"How is the plan moving?"

"Smooth."

"Wait...When did you give it to her?"

"Just now, about 9 p.m."

"Uh-oh."

"What? Is there something wrong?"

"She needs a doctor immediately! Matsuko...Almost died that night because her fever was too high! Sumire, you find Kanna and Sakura and go to Maria's room immediately! Take care of Maria, try to give her a lot of water. I'll go get Shinta."

"Hmph! Why me? Oh, all right!"

* * *

Shinta was being dragged out of bed by Hanae. "Who...Oh, Hana-chan! What..?" "Maria is going to DIE if you don't give her an injection immediately. I've got your medicine bag, come on..." "Huh? Hey!"

They were in the Teigeki in the next second.

* * *

Maria was extremely hot and she was subconscious as well. However, she knew what was going on. Shinta and Hanae appeared and Sakura and Co. were told to leave the room. Hanae tried to roll up Maria's long sleeve as Shinta prepared the needle, but Maria's sleeve was simply too tight. "What do I do, cut it?" Hanae asked in frustration. Shinta nodded but as Hanae was about to cut the blouse Maria put her hand on Hanae's. Hanae stopped and waited for Maria's instructions. Maria's hand moved to her shirt button, and Hanae asked, "You're sure?" Maria nodded. "But...Shinta's here!" "It's...okay..." she moaned. "As you wish."

* * *

"Is she okay?" Kanna asked anxiously as Shinta emerged from Maria's room. "Yes, but she needs a lot of care for the next two weeks or so." Sakura asked, "Who's going to take care of her? We have to rehearse! And Maria-san's part..." "The Shingumi can take care of her," Hanae replied. Shinta said, "Hanae..." "No...We can't. Shinta can do it," Hanae quickly corrected herself. Shinta looked alarmed. "WHAT?!"

* * *

"Minna-san, I have a number of things to announce." Kaede had called for a meeting in the canteen just before breakfast the next morning. Everybody was there, and strange enough, the Shingumi was there too. Not to mention the Baragumi and the San-nin Musume. Shinta and Maria were missing, of course.

"First, you all should know that Maria suddenly caught the flu bug yesterday, a very serious one at that. So, her part in the play 'Sleeping Beauty' shall be replaced by her understudy, which is Kanna."

"But the Sleeping Beauty is SUMIRE!!!" Kanna wailed. She had to play the Prince instead of the King.

"Therefore, the King shall be played by Ryuue." Murmurs arose from all around the table.

"The second thing that I'm going to tell you all about is the Shingumi's title of secret group has been transferred over to the Hanagumi with effect from today. And, the Shikigumi will be transferred to us. The Shingumi will be transferred over under the name of 'Hana-Shingumi'. The Shikigumi stays the same. And the Teigeki will be extended, construction is to be started next month." "So we'll have an extended family as well!" Kouran stated happily. Sumire was curious, and asked, "Why the sudden transfer?" Kaede was hesitant, so Hanae spoke up.

"Our textile shop...Went bust. The one nearer to the train station stole all our customers away, except for our regular customers, the Baragumi." Everybody was shocked. "So, the People Up There asked us to give our funds to the Hanagumi, which was quite a lot, by the way, and we were transferred. The Shikigumi, which was under us, is going to be under the Hanagumi too, but the San-nin Musume will take care of them. Ne?" Hanae looked at Tsubaki, Yuri and Kasumi. "That's a large responsilbility..." Tsubaki started. "Indeed..." Yuri trailed off. "I'm sure we can do it!" Kasumi replied confidently. The other two face faulted.

* * *

At about the same time in Maria's room...

"Shinta?" Maria opened her eyes. Shinta turned around. "Oh, you're awake."

"What are you doing here?"

"I gave you the injection, remember?"

"Oh. Yeah. Ouch..."

"What's wrong?"

"Um... Premenstrual cramps," Maria said, blushing.

"Oh..." Shinta blushed as well.

Then Maria's eyes began to widen. "Oh no... Um...I think...I've stained the bed..."

"Oh. My. God. *in English*" Shinta said, shocked.

"Okay... You're my doctor, I don't have to feel so embarrassed, do I?" Maria tried to lighten up the tense situation. "Yes. What do I do?" Shinta asked her rather stolidly.

"Help me get up, will you? *helped her up* Thanks."

"Now what?"

"Get a bed sheet from that cupboard over there *pointed* and then change the stained one. Will you do that for me please?" Maria said weakly. Shinta nodded and helped Maria into a chair, then proceeded to work on the bed. Maria slowly walked to her wardrobe and took out...um...whatever she needed, and puzzled about where to change.

Shinta saw this and said, "I can go out if you want me to."

"No...Get me to the bathroom, if you don't mind..."

"Where is it?"

"Downstairs."

"Hang on, I'll get Hanae to teleport you there."

"Fine..."

* * *

"Good morning everyone..." Shinta greeted as he entered the dining hall. There were assorted 'ohaiyou-s' from the Hanagumi, Baragumi, Shingumi and the San-Nin Musume. "Um, Hana-chan will you please read my mind and then come with me?" Shinta asked her, blushing a little. Hanae did that and smiled. "Let's go..."

* * *

"Thanks Hanae," Maria said, sighing. "It's okay, just take care of yourself," and I'm so sorry I got you into this...Hanae thought. Maria was still feverish and she was getting into bed. She had just taken her medicine and had to rest. Shinta was snoozing in the chair. He really cares a lot for her, Hanae smiled in satisfaction. Then she decided to take a peek into Maria's mind. I see...That's good! Hanae smiled again. Then she left the room quietly.

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Sakura: Oh no! Maria-san is so sick...

Sumire: It was all your stupid idea, Kanna-san!

Kanna: Well, it worked!

Hanae: It sure worked... Let's just hope Maria will realise her feelings before Shinta...

Sakura: What will happen to Shinta-san?

Hanae: Well, we'll just have to pray that Maria will find herself fast...JIKAI! Changes! What will happen to Shinta and Maria?

Sakura: *thinking* It's not the end yet...Oogami-san...