Chapter One: Teito is in Chaos#1
It's been almost a week ago since they heard for Ogami Ichiro. Everybody in Tei-Geiki was worried, especially the Hanagumi. Every member of the Hanagumi tried their best to find their Taicho (Captain or Squad Leader). Even Kayama's Tsuki-Gumi joined the search, but with not much luck. All they know is that Ogami was last spotted in a café and rented a small apartment in Teito, after that it seem he can't be found anywhere in Japan.
At the General Manager office, a man in a white suit enters the room.
Kaede "Kayama-kun, any progress on finding Ogami-kun?"
Kayama "I'm sorry, but none. It seems that he can't be found in Teito or even in Japan! Even with all the resources that the Tsuki-Gumi has, we still can't find him!! Kaede-san, I know it's a long shot can you contact Chattes Noires?"
Kaede "I've already tried contacting them via long distance Kinematron, it seem a that an unusual atmospheric condition is jamming our transmissions and I don't think that Ogami-kun is type to just leave and not tell everyone."
Kayama "I suppose, I hope that Ogami is alright, I'm very disturbed in what I've seen happen to Tei-Geki. It seems that everybody's moral is very low, no very low is an understatement."
Kaede "I've tried asking Sakura-kun and the others, but they don't want speak about it. Form what I've heard they fear that something really bad happened to Ogami-kun."
Kayama ".. ... .. For as long that I've known him he not the type to sit there and do nothing."
Kaede " That's what I'm worried about, I know he the type that will do his utmost to protect his friends or die trying."
Kayama "... Yes, but I also believe that he's the type that will give his best and come back alive to everybody. I wish this was the case."
Kaede " I also hope so."
Kayama " By the way, about the Kinematorn. When was the last time we were able to use it."
Kaede "A little less than two weeks ago, in fact it was Ogami-kun was the last one to have used it. I've asked Hana-yaski branch to investigate this matter, they couldn't pinpoint the problem, but it's clear it's is caused by spiritual energy."
Kayama " I'm suspecting this is connected. I have a bad notion that something will happen. Big."
Kaede " ... With the state that the Hanagumi are in. We are in deep trouble if any threat comes."
In the dining hall, The Sanniin Misume (Tsubaki, Kasumi, Yuri) went to check Sakura and others, but as expected, everyone in the Hanagumi is still in a bad mood. The trio tried asking what the matter is, but everyone was dodging the question. Then Tsubaki unintentionally talked about if Ogami is alright. She heard somebody crying, It was Iris. Yuri notices that everybody's expression became even sadder. A loud noise of the alarm rang every where in the theater.
Maria "An enemy assault?!! At a time like this!!
At the planning room.
Sakura "Teito Hanagumi, Is all present. Vice-commander where did the enemy struck ?"
Kayama " North of area 4. There's unidentified number of enemy units is terrorizing the citizens in the area."
Maria " Our orders!!"
Kaede "To stand down."
Maria "Eh?"
Kaede " Kayama and I discussed this matter. We think it's best if we let the military handle this."
Maria "But with due respect, I do believe we're more capable of dealing with the situation."
Kaede " I disagree, with everyone spiritual energy down to a minimum. It too risky to send you guys out there."
Kayama "It's not only that, but my instinct tells me this is a trap."
Tsubaki "Commander!! The army can't hold their ground much more. Their asking us to send the Hanagumi."
Kayama "Damn It!! Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place."
Maria "Commander!!"
Kaede "I've got no choice. This an order. If the situation becomes dire, withdraw as fast as possible."
Sumire "What?!! I will never accept that!!"
Kanna " I also second on that!"
Orihime " So do I"
Sakura "Withdraw? But isn't it like giving up? Ogami-san would never say such a thing!"
Kayama ".. ..."
Kaede "Those are your orders."
Maria "I understand. Teito Kagegidan move-out!!"
Kayama "Everybody your main goal is to stay alive. If anyone of you dies we lose. That why.Come back alive." As the Hanagumi went out he silent speaks "Ogami, Where are you? You are the ties that bind the Hanagumi."
At Ueno park near Tei-Geki. A blinding flash of light appeared. Person wearing a ticket clipper suit appeared. A much tried man slowly stood up and looked that surrounding and saw blooming trees of Sakura.
Ogami "This park..This the same park that I've met Sakura-kun for the first time." Then he saw an Airship moving at top speed, moving away form Tei- Geki."
Ogami "Damn it!! I've no time to lose!!" With all his speed that his legs could muster, he quickly dash his way to the theater and storm opened the main door.
A very shocked Kasumi saw him "Ogami-san!!!"
Ogami still catching his breath "Tell me!! Where are they going?!!"
At the city plaza, mechanical steam soldiers marched their way in to the main square, causing havoc and panic to the people. The army tried their best to hold their ground, but they didn't stand a chance. On top of a building two figures is watching the chaos that is happening below."
The man with red hair and wearing a gangster suit began to laugh
Zanma "Hahahah.. Look at those rats fleeing for their lives."
Behind this figure was a blue haired man wearing a samurai garb was annoyed and spoke.
Atoki "Zanma!! Remember what Lady Leiko told you. Don't harm any of the civilians. Remember your mission!!"
Zanma "Come on, Atoki. You're spoiling my fun. Aren't these people ancestors used you as pawns? Not only that, didn't they also backstab your precious Leiko."
Atoki "Fun?!! You dare say such things!! I see neither honor nor "fun" in harming defenseless people!! Especially Women and children!! If you kill any of these civilians, I will personally see to it that I will dispose of you!"
Zanma "Tch!! Alright I'll stick to the plan. All that our ladyship needs is the power of the Haja."
Atoki " Remember!! It's more favored to let the one with the blood of the Haja openly sacrifice her life."
Zanma "What ever, she needs to be dead . Sacrifice or be killed. All that we need is the blood of the Haja."
Atoki "A moron like you will never understand!! But remember never let your guard down! Stick to the plan!!" He vanishes in to thin air.
Zanma " I hate that self-righteous bastard, with the Teito-Kagegidan spirit level down. Mere peons can be fatal to those colored dolls."
As the Hanagumi arrive to the scene, they quickly engaged the steam soldiers.
Orihime "What's with these guys? It seems that they've gotten a lot stronger than they use to be."
Reni "... It can't be help will our spiritual levels down, even ordinary peons are a lot tougher than they use too." Her unit destroyed an enemy "What this??" A dark matter flowed into the ground. It seems that every time they destroyed a steam soldier it releases ebony liquid like matter on the ground.
Maria " I have a bad feeling about this, everyone let's withdraw form this area!! What???"
As the dark matter on the ground moves and form a cage around them, most of them were trap inside, except Sakura's Koubu. Inside cage, it unleashed a large surge of electricity.
Sakura " Everyone!! Please hold on!!"
Maria "Don't.. come near..Ugh...Flee at .. Once!!"
Sakura "I can't do that!! I can't just abandon everyone!!"
Sumire ".. What are you standing...For.. You stupid country girl.. just go!!"
Sakura heard a voice and looked where in came for and saw a man in mid-air with red hair wears a gangster suit.
Zanma " What beautiful display of friendship.. It's so disgusting."
Sakura's unit unsheathed it katana " Who are you? Why do such thing?!!"
Zanma "You mean the chaos and destruction ? It's for my fun. This city's peace will be my plaything!!"
Sakura " I won't let you do as you please!!"
Zanma "Such courage.... Try if you can, but are you forgetting something? Aren't you wasting your friend's life and wish. Will you let them die in vain? I forgot you plan to save them ."
Sakura "Kuh..."
Zanma " But there's way to beat me and save your precious friends. Throw away your life. Invoke the power of the Haja." Throws a dagger on the ground.
Sakura her thoughts " A dagger ? It has the same presence just as the scared tools which Ogami-san destroyed a few years ago."
Sakura " I will never do that!! As everyone in Tei-Geki taught me to live !! Especially him, I will never throw away my life !!"
Zanma "Him? You mean Ogami Ichiro?"
Sakura "You how did you ?..... .. You didn't.. You killed him!!"
Zanma " Me? I'm not the one that did it, but I've heard form my ladyship that she was the one that dispose of Ogami Ichiro. I also heard that he sacrifice his life I hopes of protecting his friends, especially you Shinguji, Sakura!"
Sakura and the rest of the Hanagumi felt mortified in what they heard. Sakura steps out of her Koubu. She turned a deaf ear to her friend's voices. Telling her not to do it. Telling her to stop. As each of her friends passed out because of the situation that were in. She slowly approached the dagger, she hesitantly reaches out to it. Zanma was growing impatient, it was going just as plan but he feels it was too slow. He summoned his own steam ogre which wields a huge sword.
Zanma "Too slow!!, If your that slow to kill yourself, I'll the one that will do it for you!!"
Sakura just stood there. She closed her eyes and slowly tears followed. In her mind she thought that she will see her beloved Ichiro soon. The steam ogre's huge sword was ready to strike it's target. Suddenly Zanma heard a sound. A sound of booster engines roaring.
At a instant the cage which trapped the seven members of the Hanagumi was destroyed. Zanma's unit was kicked in the face by a all to familiar white Koubu.
Sakura "Ogami-san..."
Zanma "Kisama!! I thought your already dead!!"
Ogami "Then you have guessed wrong!! As I've told before I'll live and come back alive to everybody!!" His Koubu steps in front of Sakura. "Sakura- kun!! I will not let you die!!" Then his unit unsheathed it's two katana and made a Ni-Tor-Ryu stance and reddish electricity flowed on the blades. "I, Ogami, Ichiro will fight you!!"
Ogami's Koubu mark two charged Zanma steam ogre. Both unit swords exchange slashes, then finding an opening The white Koubu leave an "X" mark slash on the chest of the steam ogre.
Zanma "Bastard!! I'll make you pay!!" Then he heard Atoki's commanding voice.
Atoki "Zanma, mission failed, return at once!"
Zanma "Tch!! Ogami, Ichiro!! Our fight isn't over yet!!" As he withdraws a number of steam soldiers appeared.
Atoki "So that's Ogami, Ichiro... Interesting."
The other members of the Hanagumi slowly regained consciousness and saw both Ogami's and Sakura's units engaging the enemy. As the white Koubu used its booster units to quickly charge the enemy, but at that same moment a couple of blasts of gunfire hit the Koubu's booster and sending it crashing to the ground. The enemy surrounded his unit.
Sakura "Ogami-san!! Hang on!!" As she was staring to concentrate her spiritual energy.
Ogami "Sakura-kun, don't worry. I can still handle this! Rokkou Mekkyaku!!! Ku-rai-e!! Kou To Mu Toh!!!" Reddish lighting bolts rains down on the steam soldiers that surrounded him, then followed by a large wolf ascending into the air. Two enemy units were completely destroyed while other three was severely damaged, but the three enemy units caught him off guard. The two units hits him with their swords the other one fired it gun hitting the white Koubu, sending it to a corner.
Ogami felt like he got hit by a car "How reckless of me, I've should have known better." Saw four units charging at him. " If I defend I'll lose! I got to attack first!!" But before he could move, Sakura's Koubu steps in .
Sakura "Haja No Ken Sei Oga Ten Syo!!!" A pinkish stream of light hits all four enemy units were vaporized. Iris's Koubu help him get up and behind him was the rest of the Hanagumi.
Kanna " Taicho!! Looks like you're even more of a hot blooded guy than I've expected. But that was too reckless."
Reni "Taicho! Don't push yourself too hard. We're here as a team."
Sakura "Reni's right. Ogami-san are you badly hurt?"
Ogami "Just a little bit, but I can still fight!"
Sumire " That our lieutenant for sure. Rest assured that the Tei-Geki top star at your side. It is already sure victory."
Kohran "Ogami-han just be carefully."
Maria " Taicho more enemies approaching! Your orders!!"
Ogami "We will take back the peace which rightfully belongs to the people!! Let's show them our true strength!!!"
Orihime "The lieutenant is in high spirits today!!"
Iris "Onii-chan, Ryokai!!"
All " Teito-Kagegidan Sanjo!!!"
After the battle, as the of the Hanagumi steps out of their Koubu.
Sumire " Thank goodness! That was all over."
Maria " Right, looks like we've defend the capital. Right? Taicho?"
Ogami's face and showed a regretful and ashamed expression. "Aah..."
Sumire "Lieutenant? What the matter? Why make such a face?"
Ogami "Everybody.Forgive me...I think I'm not fit to be your captain anymore.."
Sakura "Ogami-san. Why say such thing? You are our captain because we all trust you."
Ogami "Sakura-kun..It's because of that.I feel that. I've betrayed the trust that you guys given me....I'll take the responsibility.. Because of me, everybody life was put in danger..."
Reni "Taicho. I know for a fact that you also saved our lives. "
Kohran "Taicho-han, please listen to Reni-han."
Ogami "Thanks, everybody, but I've decided I'll ask commander Kaede to let me resign my commission."
Maria "Taicho?!! Do you mean that you're leaving us?"
Ogami "No, that not the case Maria-san. I will be still with the Hanagumi but not as it captain. And maybe form time to time I'll leave, it's for personal reasons."
Sakura "Ogami-san, could you please reconsider. We all feel it was not your fault."
Ogami "Sakura-kun, everyone.. Thanks but I've made up my mind. Hey!! Wait a minute are we forgetting something?"
Iris " You mean?"
Maria "Haha...You never change."
Ogami "Alright!!! Everybody!!!
All "Victory pose!!!!"
Later that evening. Tei-Geki held a party. Everybody's is in a festive mood. At the hall way .
Kayama "Yo!! Ogami !! To have parties are really good!!"
Ogami "Kayama!! What are you doing here?"
Kayama "Ogami!! Have you forgotten!! I've became the second in command in Tei-Geki."
Ogami "I'm still not quite use to it. What can I say.Congratulations.?"
Kayama "By the way, where in the world have you been? A week ago everyone was looking for you!! The Hanagumi was especially worried about you."
Ogami "... .. I'm sorry. My memory is still quite fuzzy, there's a lot of images that in flashing before my mind. I'm still sorting it out."
Kayama "I see, don't worry about it to much, I glad that you're fine. That's all that matters."
Ogami "Kayama, since you're the Vice commander I think I should give you this." Hands out a piece of paper.
Kayama reads it "Ogami, are serious about this? Resigning?"
Ogami "Very, later Kayama." Out in the terrace to watch the open night sky and held out the palm of his right hand a strange mark appears. ".... It seems this time it's started to ache a bit..I must a way to protect Sakura and the others.But I don't know how long I can last."
At the General Manager's office
Kayama "Kaede-san? It about Ogami.."
Kaede "I know, It about his resignation."
Kayama "But how?"
Kaede "Well, see these letters." In her table there were eight opened envelops." Everyone insisted that we that we deny Ogami-kun resignation."
Kayama smiles "Then what now ? Commander Fijieda?"
Kaede "Well majority rules."
Morning, at the G.M.'s office. Ogami went inside unknown to him the rest of the Hanagumi is at the other room was eavesdropping.
Kaede " Ogami-kun about your resignation, sorry that I can't grant it."
Ogami "What ?!! Please Kaede-san please reconsider, I got my reasons."
Kaede "And those reasons are?"
Ogami "It's....Sorry but.It's .Because."
Kayama "Ogami, I know you feel it was your fault that you let down your team. For such petty reason these are not enough grounds for resigning"
Ogami in his mind "This not going as planned" and spoke of another reason "I do believe that my decision making is being clouded by an emotional attraction to a team member...."in his thought "What in the world am I saying!!!"
Kayama "Oho. So that's the reason.." Laughs a bit "It's good to be in love Ogami!! Who the lucky girl?"
Ogami feels that he got a hammer and hit's himself on the head "It's..."
Kayama "No need to be shy about it, No word shall ever leave in this room. Right? Kaede-san" She signals tell its ok. " Well now Ogami, who is it?"
At the other room the girls lean closer on to the wall. All wanted to hear it.
Ogami "I.I..."
Kayama "Form the look of your face I know who it is."
Ogami "It's none of your damn business!!!"
Kayama "Soo.Do you want I'll be the one to tell you.. Well action speaks louder than words. It must be..."
Ogami "May I be excused!! I must take my leave!!" Quickly went out of office.
Kaede "Kayama-kun, you're having your kicks by messing Ogami-kun head."
Kayama "Well, he's the one that brought it up. Well that's Ogami for you. It will be quite interesting what will happen next."
Kaede "Meaning?"
Kayama "Well, walls have ears. Right?"
Kaede "You're a cunning man. Kayama-kun."
Kayama " It can't be helped. I'm the captain of the Tsuki-gumi after all."
Outside of the office. Ogami was panting heavily.
Ogami " I feel that as if my life span has shorten a bit"
He see the girls leaving the room beside the G.M. room. Sumire "Lieutenant, What happen with your meeting?"
Ogami "It's nothing special about it. Looks like I'll be still be the captain of the Hanagumi."
Orihime " Well it was quite long for just that. Right? Lieutenant is there anything more that you've discuss with the General Manager?"
Ogami sweating " It was just a long talk...That right!!! It was just a long talk .. "
Sakura " Ogami-san, I think it's best if you're just be honest with yourself."
Ogami sweats even more "Ye.Yeah. To be honest...Right. Well, I think I should go now for there's quite a few chores I've got to do."
Maria "Taicho, are you sure you don't want to say something?"
Ogami really sweating "N..No ..Nothing at all... Aren't you going to practice some play or something?"
Reni "We will, later. As for now we're going to the dining hall."
Ogami " Well..Well see you guys later." He quickly leaves the area.
Unknown to Ogami, Ichiro this will be the start of his problems...
End of Chapter one
It's been almost a week ago since they heard for Ogami Ichiro. Everybody in Tei-Geiki was worried, especially the Hanagumi. Every member of the Hanagumi tried their best to find their Taicho (Captain or Squad Leader). Even Kayama's Tsuki-Gumi joined the search, but with not much luck. All they know is that Ogami was last spotted in a café and rented a small apartment in Teito, after that it seem he can't be found anywhere in Japan.
At the General Manager office, a man in a white suit enters the room.
Kaede "Kayama-kun, any progress on finding Ogami-kun?"
Kayama "I'm sorry, but none. It seems that he can't be found in Teito or even in Japan! Even with all the resources that the Tsuki-Gumi has, we still can't find him!! Kaede-san, I know it's a long shot can you contact Chattes Noires?"
Kaede "I've already tried contacting them via long distance Kinematron, it seem a that an unusual atmospheric condition is jamming our transmissions and I don't think that Ogami-kun is type to just leave and not tell everyone."
Kayama "I suppose, I hope that Ogami is alright, I'm very disturbed in what I've seen happen to Tei-Geki. It seems that everybody's moral is very low, no very low is an understatement."
Kaede "I've tried asking Sakura-kun and the others, but they don't want speak about it. Form what I've heard they fear that something really bad happened to Ogami-kun."
Kayama ".. ... .. For as long that I've known him he not the type to sit there and do nothing."
Kaede " That's what I'm worried about, I know he the type that will do his utmost to protect his friends or die trying."
Kayama "... Yes, but I also believe that he's the type that will give his best and come back alive to everybody. I wish this was the case."
Kaede " I also hope so."
Kayama " By the way, about the Kinematorn. When was the last time we were able to use it."
Kaede "A little less than two weeks ago, in fact it was Ogami-kun was the last one to have used it. I've asked Hana-yaski branch to investigate this matter, they couldn't pinpoint the problem, but it's clear it's is caused by spiritual energy."
Kayama " I'm suspecting this is connected. I have a bad notion that something will happen. Big."
Kaede " ... With the state that the Hanagumi are in. We are in deep trouble if any threat comes."
In the dining hall, The Sanniin Misume (Tsubaki, Kasumi, Yuri) went to check Sakura and others, but as expected, everyone in the Hanagumi is still in a bad mood. The trio tried asking what the matter is, but everyone was dodging the question. Then Tsubaki unintentionally talked about if Ogami is alright. She heard somebody crying, It was Iris. Yuri notices that everybody's expression became even sadder. A loud noise of the alarm rang every where in the theater.
Maria "An enemy assault?!! At a time like this!!
At the planning room.
Sakura "Teito Hanagumi, Is all present. Vice-commander where did the enemy struck ?"
Kayama " North of area 4. There's unidentified number of enemy units is terrorizing the citizens in the area."
Maria " Our orders!!"
Kaede "To stand down."
Maria "Eh?"
Kaede " Kayama and I discussed this matter. We think it's best if we let the military handle this."
Maria "But with due respect, I do believe we're more capable of dealing with the situation."
Kaede " I disagree, with everyone spiritual energy down to a minimum. It too risky to send you guys out there."
Kayama "It's not only that, but my instinct tells me this is a trap."
Tsubaki "Commander!! The army can't hold their ground much more. Their asking us to send the Hanagumi."
Kayama "Damn It!! Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place."
Maria "Commander!!"
Kaede "I've got no choice. This an order. If the situation becomes dire, withdraw as fast as possible."
Sumire "What?!! I will never accept that!!"
Kanna " I also second on that!"
Orihime " So do I"
Sakura "Withdraw? But isn't it like giving up? Ogami-san would never say such a thing!"
Kayama ".. ..."
Kaede "Those are your orders."
Maria "I understand. Teito Kagegidan move-out!!"
Kayama "Everybody your main goal is to stay alive. If anyone of you dies we lose. That why.Come back alive." As the Hanagumi went out he silent speaks "Ogami, Where are you? You are the ties that bind the Hanagumi."
At Ueno park near Tei-Geki. A blinding flash of light appeared. Person wearing a ticket clipper suit appeared. A much tried man slowly stood up and looked that surrounding and saw blooming trees of Sakura.
Ogami "This park..This the same park that I've met Sakura-kun for the first time." Then he saw an Airship moving at top speed, moving away form Tei- Geki."
Ogami "Damn it!! I've no time to lose!!" With all his speed that his legs could muster, he quickly dash his way to the theater and storm opened the main door.
A very shocked Kasumi saw him "Ogami-san!!!"
Ogami still catching his breath "Tell me!! Where are they going?!!"
At the city plaza, mechanical steam soldiers marched their way in to the main square, causing havoc and panic to the people. The army tried their best to hold their ground, but they didn't stand a chance. On top of a building two figures is watching the chaos that is happening below."
The man with red hair and wearing a gangster suit began to laugh
Zanma "Hahahah.. Look at those rats fleeing for their lives."
Behind this figure was a blue haired man wearing a samurai garb was annoyed and spoke.
Atoki "Zanma!! Remember what Lady Leiko told you. Don't harm any of the civilians. Remember your mission!!"
Zanma "Come on, Atoki. You're spoiling my fun. Aren't these people ancestors used you as pawns? Not only that, didn't they also backstab your precious Leiko."
Atoki "Fun?!! You dare say such things!! I see neither honor nor "fun" in harming defenseless people!! Especially Women and children!! If you kill any of these civilians, I will personally see to it that I will dispose of you!"
Zanma "Tch!! Alright I'll stick to the plan. All that our ladyship needs is the power of the Haja."
Atoki " Remember!! It's more favored to let the one with the blood of the Haja openly sacrifice her life."
Zanma "What ever, she needs to be dead . Sacrifice or be killed. All that we need is the blood of the Haja."
Atoki "A moron like you will never understand!! But remember never let your guard down! Stick to the plan!!" He vanishes in to thin air.
Zanma " I hate that self-righteous bastard, with the Teito-Kagegidan spirit level down. Mere peons can be fatal to those colored dolls."
As the Hanagumi arrive to the scene, they quickly engaged the steam soldiers.
Orihime "What's with these guys? It seems that they've gotten a lot stronger than they use to be."
Reni "... It can't be help will our spiritual levels down, even ordinary peons are a lot tougher than they use too." Her unit destroyed an enemy "What this??" A dark matter flowed into the ground. It seems that every time they destroyed a steam soldier it releases ebony liquid like matter on the ground.
Maria " I have a bad feeling about this, everyone let's withdraw form this area!! What???"
As the dark matter on the ground moves and form a cage around them, most of them were trap inside, except Sakura's Koubu. Inside cage, it unleashed a large surge of electricity.
Sakura " Everyone!! Please hold on!!"
Maria "Don't.. come near..Ugh...Flee at .. Once!!"
Sakura "I can't do that!! I can't just abandon everyone!!"
Sumire ".. What are you standing...For.. You stupid country girl.. just go!!"
Sakura heard a voice and looked where in came for and saw a man in mid-air with red hair wears a gangster suit.
Zanma " What beautiful display of friendship.. It's so disgusting."
Sakura's unit unsheathed it katana " Who are you? Why do such thing?!!"
Zanma "You mean the chaos and destruction ? It's for my fun. This city's peace will be my plaything!!"
Sakura " I won't let you do as you please!!"
Zanma "Such courage.... Try if you can, but are you forgetting something? Aren't you wasting your friend's life and wish. Will you let them die in vain? I forgot you plan to save them ."
Sakura "Kuh..."
Zanma " But there's way to beat me and save your precious friends. Throw away your life. Invoke the power of the Haja." Throws a dagger on the ground.
Sakura her thoughts " A dagger ? It has the same presence just as the scared tools which Ogami-san destroyed a few years ago."
Sakura " I will never do that!! As everyone in Tei-Geki taught me to live !! Especially him, I will never throw away my life !!"
Zanma "Him? You mean Ogami Ichiro?"
Sakura "You how did you ?..... .. You didn't.. You killed him!!"
Zanma " Me? I'm not the one that did it, but I've heard form my ladyship that she was the one that dispose of Ogami Ichiro. I also heard that he sacrifice his life I hopes of protecting his friends, especially you Shinguji, Sakura!"
Sakura and the rest of the Hanagumi felt mortified in what they heard. Sakura steps out of her Koubu. She turned a deaf ear to her friend's voices. Telling her not to do it. Telling her to stop. As each of her friends passed out because of the situation that were in. She slowly approached the dagger, she hesitantly reaches out to it. Zanma was growing impatient, it was going just as plan but he feels it was too slow. He summoned his own steam ogre which wields a huge sword.
Zanma "Too slow!!, If your that slow to kill yourself, I'll the one that will do it for you!!"
Sakura just stood there. She closed her eyes and slowly tears followed. In her mind she thought that she will see her beloved Ichiro soon. The steam ogre's huge sword was ready to strike it's target. Suddenly Zanma heard a sound. A sound of booster engines roaring.
At a instant the cage which trapped the seven members of the Hanagumi was destroyed. Zanma's unit was kicked in the face by a all to familiar white Koubu.
Sakura "Ogami-san..."
Zanma "Kisama!! I thought your already dead!!"
Ogami "Then you have guessed wrong!! As I've told before I'll live and come back alive to everybody!!" His Koubu steps in front of Sakura. "Sakura- kun!! I will not let you die!!" Then his unit unsheathed it's two katana and made a Ni-Tor-Ryu stance and reddish electricity flowed on the blades. "I, Ogami, Ichiro will fight you!!"
Ogami's Koubu mark two charged Zanma steam ogre. Both unit swords exchange slashes, then finding an opening The white Koubu leave an "X" mark slash on the chest of the steam ogre.
Zanma "Bastard!! I'll make you pay!!" Then he heard Atoki's commanding voice.
Atoki "Zanma, mission failed, return at once!"
Zanma "Tch!! Ogami, Ichiro!! Our fight isn't over yet!!" As he withdraws a number of steam soldiers appeared.
Atoki "So that's Ogami, Ichiro... Interesting."
The other members of the Hanagumi slowly regained consciousness and saw both Ogami's and Sakura's units engaging the enemy. As the white Koubu used its booster units to quickly charge the enemy, but at that same moment a couple of blasts of gunfire hit the Koubu's booster and sending it crashing to the ground. The enemy surrounded his unit.
Sakura "Ogami-san!! Hang on!!" As she was staring to concentrate her spiritual energy.
Ogami "Sakura-kun, don't worry. I can still handle this! Rokkou Mekkyaku!!! Ku-rai-e!! Kou To Mu Toh!!!" Reddish lighting bolts rains down on the steam soldiers that surrounded him, then followed by a large wolf ascending into the air. Two enemy units were completely destroyed while other three was severely damaged, but the three enemy units caught him off guard. The two units hits him with their swords the other one fired it gun hitting the white Koubu, sending it to a corner.
Ogami felt like he got hit by a car "How reckless of me, I've should have known better." Saw four units charging at him. " If I defend I'll lose! I got to attack first!!" But before he could move, Sakura's Koubu steps in .
Sakura "Haja No Ken Sei Oga Ten Syo!!!" A pinkish stream of light hits all four enemy units were vaporized. Iris's Koubu help him get up and behind him was the rest of the Hanagumi.
Kanna " Taicho!! Looks like you're even more of a hot blooded guy than I've expected. But that was too reckless."
Reni "Taicho! Don't push yourself too hard. We're here as a team."
Sakura "Reni's right. Ogami-san are you badly hurt?"
Ogami "Just a little bit, but I can still fight!"
Sumire " That our lieutenant for sure. Rest assured that the Tei-Geki top star at your side. It is already sure victory."
Kohran "Ogami-han just be carefully."
Maria " Taicho more enemies approaching! Your orders!!"
Ogami "We will take back the peace which rightfully belongs to the people!! Let's show them our true strength!!!"
Orihime "The lieutenant is in high spirits today!!"
Iris "Onii-chan, Ryokai!!"
All " Teito-Kagegidan Sanjo!!!"
After the battle, as the of the Hanagumi steps out of their Koubu.
Sumire " Thank goodness! That was all over."
Maria " Right, looks like we've defend the capital. Right? Taicho?"
Ogami's face and showed a regretful and ashamed expression. "Aah..."
Sumire "Lieutenant? What the matter? Why make such a face?"
Ogami "Everybody.Forgive me...I think I'm not fit to be your captain anymore.."
Sakura "Ogami-san. Why say such thing? You are our captain because we all trust you."
Ogami "Sakura-kun..It's because of that.I feel that. I've betrayed the trust that you guys given me....I'll take the responsibility.. Because of me, everybody life was put in danger..."
Reni "Taicho. I know for a fact that you also saved our lives. "
Kohran "Taicho-han, please listen to Reni-han."
Ogami "Thanks, everybody, but I've decided I'll ask commander Kaede to let me resign my commission."
Maria "Taicho?!! Do you mean that you're leaving us?"
Ogami "No, that not the case Maria-san. I will be still with the Hanagumi but not as it captain. And maybe form time to time I'll leave, it's for personal reasons."
Sakura "Ogami-san, could you please reconsider. We all feel it was not your fault."
Ogami "Sakura-kun, everyone.. Thanks but I've made up my mind. Hey!! Wait a minute are we forgetting something?"
Iris " You mean?"
Maria "Haha...You never change."
Ogami "Alright!!! Everybody!!!
All "Victory pose!!!!"
Later that evening. Tei-Geki held a party. Everybody's is in a festive mood. At the hall way .
Kayama "Yo!! Ogami !! To have parties are really good!!"
Ogami "Kayama!! What are you doing here?"
Kayama "Ogami!! Have you forgotten!! I've became the second in command in Tei-Geki."
Ogami "I'm still not quite use to it. What can I say.Congratulations.?"
Kayama "By the way, where in the world have you been? A week ago everyone was looking for you!! The Hanagumi was especially worried about you."
Ogami "... .. I'm sorry. My memory is still quite fuzzy, there's a lot of images that in flashing before my mind. I'm still sorting it out."
Kayama "I see, don't worry about it to much, I glad that you're fine. That's all that matters."
Ogami "Kayama, since you're the Vice commander I think I should give you this." Hands out a piece of paper.
Kayama reads it "Ogami, are serious about this? Resigning?"
Ogami "Very, later Kayama." Out in the terrace to watch the open night sky and held out the palm of his right hand a strange mark appears. ".... It seems this time it's started to ache a bit..I must a way to protect Sakura and the others.But I don't know how long I can last."
At the General Manager's office
Kayama "Kaede-san? It about Ogami.."
Kaede "I know, It about his resignation."
Kayama "But how?"
Kaede "Well, see these letters." In her table there were eight opened envelops." Everyone insisted that we that we deny Ogami-kun resignation."
Kayama smiles "Then what now ? Commander Fijieda?"
Kaede "Well majority rules."
Morning, at the G.M.'s office. Ogami went inside unknown to him the rest of the Hanagumi is at the other room was eavesdropping.
Kaede " Ogami-kun about your resignation, sorry that I can't grant it."
Ogami "What ?!! Please Kaede-san please reconsider, I got my reasons."
Kaede "And those reasons are?"
Ogami "It's....Sorry but.It's .Because."
Kayama "Ogami, I know you feel it was your fault that you let down your team. For such petty reason these are not enough grounds for resigning"
Ogami in his mind "This not going as planned" and spoke of another reason "I do believe that my decision making is being clouded by an emotional attraction to a team member...."in his thought "What in the world am I saying!!!"
Kayama "Oho. So that's the reason.." Laughs a bit "It's good to be in love Ogami!! Who the lucky girl?"
Ogami feels that he got a hammer and hit's himself on the head "It's..."
Kayama "No need to be shy about it, No word shall ever leave in this room. Right? Kaede-san" She signals tell its ok. " Well now Ogami, who is it?"
At the other room the girls lean closer on to the wall. All wanted to hear it.
Ogami "I.I..."
Kayama "Form the look of your face I know who it is."
Ogami "It's none of your damn business!!!"
Kayama "Soo.Do you want I'll be the one to tell you.. Well action speaks louder than words. It must be..."
Ogami "May I be excused!! I must take my leave!!" Quickly went out of office.
Kaede "Kayama-kun, you're having your kicks by messing Ogami-kun head."
Kayama "Well, he's the one that brought it up. Well that's Ogami for you. It will be quite interesting what will happen next."
Kaede "Meaning?"
Kayama "Well, walls have ears. Right?"
Kaede "You're a cunning man. Kayama-kun."
Kayama " It can't be helped. I'm the captain of the Tsuki-gumi after all."
Outside of the office. Ogami was panting heavily.
Ogami " I feel that as if my life span has shorten a bit"
He see the girls leaving the room beside the G.M. room. Sumire "Lieutenant, What happen with your meeting?"
Ogami "It's nothing special about it. Looks like I'll be still be the captain of the Hanagumi."
Orihime " Well it was quite long for just that. Right? Lieutenant is there anything more that you've discuss with the General Manager?"
Ogami sweating " It was just a long talk...That right!!! It was just a long talk .. "
Sakura " Ogami-san, I think it's best if you're just be honest with yourself."
Ogami sweats even more "Ye.Yeah. To be honest...Right. Well, I think I should go now for there's quite a few chores I've got to do."
Maria "Taicho, are you sure you don't want to say something?"
Ogami really sweating "N..No ..Nothing at all... Aren't you going to practice some play or something?"
Reni "We will, later. As for now we're going to the dining hall."
Ogami " Well..Well see you guys later." He quickly leaves the area.
Unknown to Ogami, Ichiro this will be the start of his problems...
End of Chapter one