The next day, the theater's noise level was raised by the return of Kirishima Kanna.
The towering Japanese woman returned from the southern islands without much visible change, her tanned skin, rippling muscles, tomboyish looks and cheerful smile were all in place.
"Kanna! Kanna!" Iris called excitedly and jumped into her arms.
"Whoa, Iris! It's been a while, huh?" Kanna grinned as she caught the French girl.
"Kanna-san, welcome home," Sakura greeted happily.
"Everyone, I'm home," Kanna replied. She slapped Ogami heartily on the back. "Yo Taicho! It's good to see ya!"
Ogami staggered from the heavy greeting, but he managed to smile.
"Kanna, welcome back. How was your training?"
Kanna set Iris down and flexed a bicep. "I'm stronger now, Taicho. You'll see when we spar later!"
Everyone laughed as Ogami cringed in mock fear.
"Say, where's Jason?" Kanna asked as she glanced around.
"Oh, he's at the hospital to pick up Kohran and her luggage, she's returning today as well," Ogami explained.
"Eh? The hospital?"
Ogami explained what had happened to Yoneda.
"What!? That's despicable, those Kokkikai!" Kanna yelled.
"Calm down, Kanna. Right now we got bigger problems," Ogami said.
Then Sakura told her about their lack of funding.
"So much bad news in one day. Taicho, what do you plan to do about it?" Kanna asked.
"I'm not too sure... but we do have 'King Lear' to perform. If we get a good enough return on that we can at least survive for some time..."
"Yosh!" Kanna exclaimed loudly. The dispirited Hanagumi looked up at her. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get started!"
Her energetic behavior was infectious and soon got everyone cheerful again.
"You're really our Kanna-san," Sakura marveled.
"Heh heh, cheerfulness is one of my strengths!" Kanna replied with a grin. "Ah, I see we have new faces!" she said, eyeing at Orihime and Reni who had been hanging back during the entire time.
"Let me introduce to you the new members of the Hanagumi," Ogami said. "This is Soletta Orihime and Reni Milchstrasse, both formerly of the Hoshigumi."
"Ciao~!" Orihime greeted. Reni merely gave a curt nod.
"I'm Kirishima Kanna! Good to see ya! New faces, new strength! Everything will turn out fine!" Kanna said enthusiastically.
"Kanna-han! You're back as well!"
She turned to see Kohran entering the theater. Behind her was a visibly tired Jason, lugging two large suitcases and a heavy backpack causing him to hunch over.
"Hey, welcome home!" Kanna hugged the Chinese girl. Then she noticed Jason's heavy burden.
"Haha, you need some working out, partner!" she laughed.
"Huh, this... –stuff-! This is heavy!" he complained.
Kohran put on a hurt face. "I'm so sorry Jason-han!" she pouted teasingly, "You can drop the bags now."
Jason did so with relief. But Kanna easily lifted the backpack away from Jason.
"Why, this ain't heavy at all!" Kanna exclaimed loudly.
"That's amazing~" Orihime said, eyes wide open. "That proves Jason is just another weak man~," she added.
"Show off," Jason muttered, ignoring Orihime's barb. He stood up straight and stretched. "Man, I'm tired!"
"No resting for you yet!" Kanna said and latched a muscular arm over his shoulder.
"Hah? What now?" Jason asked, dreading the answer.
"Time for some light sparring, partner!" she answered. Jason groaned. Then she reached out with her other hand and grabbed Ogami by the collar, who was trying to sneak away.
"Taicho! No running away now!"
Jason and Ogami shared a look of dismay.
"We're doomed," they chorused, causing everyone to laugh.
---
A few days later...
Ogami slumped tiredly onto the green grass. It was as if every inch of his body was screaming in pain from the punches, kicks and throws that he had suffered.
Beside him, Jason wasn't feeling much better.
"Man, the two of you can't even beat me at the same time," Kanna mocked as she stretched idly. They were out in the courtyard, doing some 'light sparring'.
"Huh... one of these days..." Jason panted, giving her the evil eye.
"Yeah yeah. Ya know, I've heard stories where Exodusians go berserk and destroy whole buildings by themselves," Kanna joked.
"You watched... too many movies," Jason scoffed, gasping for breath in mid-sentence.
"Haha... but Kanna, you're really stronger than before," Ogami said.
"How can you spar with us and then rehearse with the others without any side-effects?" Jason complained.
Kanna grinned. "Kirishima Training never fails! But Taicho, you're better as well. You managed to dodge my attacks."
"Not all of them," Ogami laughed, "but at least more than Jason here."
The Exodusian glared as they laughed.
"That's it, I'm done. I'm going to the infirmary," he grumbled and stood up slowly, grimacing from his bruises.
"Maria would be jealous if you get too close to Saki!" Kanna yelled teasingly. Kanna had just returned but she had already gotten knowledge of Saki's flirtatious nature on Ogami and Jason. The black haired woman doubled as a nurse of sorts because of her relatively free time due to Yoneda's hospitalization.
Jason would have thrown a rock or something at Kanna but he was too tired to do so, therefore he could only manage a "You shut up!" as he left, leaving Kanna and Ogami laughing at his retreat.
"Well, Maria would be back soon enough," Ogami said once Jason had disappeared.
"Mm. And where is our so-called 'top star'? She's been away too long, that slacker!" Kanna complained.
"Haha, maybe you're not used to not having Sumire around," Ogami said, causing her to blush angrily.
"W-what!? That cactus woman!? Of course not!" she denied vigorously.
"Still... it –is- quite worrying. She has been away too long, as you said."
"Huh. Anyways, I hope she returns in time for 'King Lear', we're still short one person. I mean, two of us could do a triple role[i], but it's already troublesome ya know," Kanna said, trying to be indifferent.
Ogami gave her a tight-lipped smile. He knew and she knew that he knew that they were both worried about Sumire.
---
It was about lunchtime, which meant everyone was taking a break at the salon before having lunch itself. Kanna was chatting with Orihime and Reni (who was just listening with no visible interest), Kohran tinkering with yet another (dangerous looking) invention and Jason playing a card game with Ogami, Sakura and Iris (and losing miserably to all three).
"Everyone! Big news! Big news!" Yuri yelled as she rushed into the salon.
That got everyone's attention for a while. Then Jason nonchalantly went back to his cards.
"Oh, it's just Yuri," he said unconcernedly as he dealt another card. The others, picking up his cue, decided to play along with his joke and ignored Yuri and went back to their business.
Yuri stared at them in disbelief. Before she could do anything, Tsubaki came in and yelled, "Everyone! I have incredible news!"
This time, Ogami looked up from his cards and did the same thing as Jason did.
"Oh, it's just Tsubaki-chan," he said, trying his best not to grin. Iris covered her mouth with Jean-Paul, while Sakura was visibly screwing her face up to stop giggling.
Then Kasumi entered the room running breathlessly, a departure from her usual graceful and calm exterior.
"Everyone, I have terrible news!"
Immediately, the Hanagumi perked up, giving her every attention.
"I feel as if I had just been insulted," Yuri muttered to Tsubaki, who nodded in agreement, "Me too!"
They sighed and let the eldest of the Kazegumi to break the big, incredible and terrible news to the Hanagumi.
"Kasumi-san, what's wrong?" Ogami asked.
"It's... it's about Sumire-san! She's getting married!"
"What?!" the Hanagumi gasped except for Orihime who was puzzled since she didn't know who Sumire was and Reni as usual, was unaffected.
"My sources tell me that she's in a marriage interview right now!" Yuri broke in.
"Marriage!? That cactus?!" Kanna exclaimed disbelievingly.
"Well, that actually isn't so bad, but-" Jason began with a frown.
"No, you don't understand! They say she's not willing to get married! It's a forced marriage!" Tsubaki explained.
"...that is bad," Jason finished his sentence lamely.
Kanna shot to her feet. "But why!? How could this happen!?"
"I heard that it is to ensure money... if she goes through with the marriage then Kanzaki Industries would fund the Teikoku Kagekidan..." Kasumi answered.
"Damn that girl!" Jason swore angrily. He explained briefly to them about the strange conversation he had with Sumire a few nights ago.
"...and when she asked me if I had, uh, any money left from my, uh, previous occupation, I said no. I didn't realize she was talking about the theater..." he finished.
"Ogami-san, what should we do?" Sakura asked worriedly.
"That cactus-woman! Making us owe her something this big! Taicho, I can't sit by for this to happen!" Kanna yelled.
"It's not right!" Jason said with the same anger.
"Ogami-han, we must rescue her!" Kohran voiced out their thoughts.
Ogami nodded. "Let's go rescue Sumire-kun! Everyone, are you with me?"
Kanna cracked her knuckles. "Count me in, Taicho!"
"She's not getting married without my permission," Jason added with a grin.
"Well, this is interesting, I will go too~" Orihime said.
"We will save Sumire-oneechan, won't we?" Iris asked worriedly.
"Of course we will," Sakura smiled encouragingly.
Kohran's glasses glinted dangerously. "That's right! Nothing's going to stop us!"
"Alternate sources of funds can be found, a skilled and experienced member is not. Therefore, recovery of team member is important," Reni said in a monotone.
"Alright Hanagumi, let's do this!" Ogami shouted.
"Yes sir!"
---
"My my, that is truly the daughter of the renowned Kanzaki family," the woman gushed. Beside her was her son, the one to be wed to Sumire, a certain Makibishi Yuichiro.
The younger Makibishi was a dull looking man, eyes darkened as if they had not slept in days and childish freckles on his cheeks.
Sumire had the impression that this Makibishi had the disturbing hobby of collecting and playing with dolls. He certainly had the looks for it.
"Yes, yes of course, such beauty," Yuichiro spoke haltingly, as if he was uncertain of the words he was saying. His black eyes stared at Sumire, who kept quiet and looked down to avoid his smarmy gaze.
On Sumire's side of the table were her parents, who tried to ignore her sad face. At the head of the table was Sumire's grandfather, who laughed and made small talk.
Sumire sighed despairing of her impending fate.
Then her faithful family butler Miyata Kyousei entered the room. Her grandfather grunted when he saw him.
Bowing low, the butler approached him and whispered something into his ear.
Whatever it was, it wasn't good news, for her grandfather narrowed his eyes and glanced at her. He then whispered some instructions.
After another bow, the butler left and her grandfather continued the conversation as before.
'Could it be...' Sumire hoped against hope.
---
"This place is huge," Kanna quipped as the Hanagumi approached the huge steel gates of the Kanzaki residence.
They couldn't even see the house yet, for after the gate was a large garden, so large that it could be qualified as a forest preservation area.
"So, how do we get in, o fearless leader?" Jason asked.
"Well, we could break the gate down..." Ogami suggested lightly. Jason was about scold him when Kanna interrupted.
"Yosh! Leave it to me then!" she said enthusiastically, rolling up her sleeves.
"Stop! You can't be serious!" Ogami and Jason yelled, both trying to restrain her.
"But how else are we going to save Sumire!?" Kanna demanded.
"Those walls are too high for us to climb over," Sakura noted.
"Japanese men are so inept~! Truly, haven't you planned for anything like this~?" Orihime asked.
"Can't we just ask politely to see Sumire-oneechan?" Iris asked innocently. When no one agreed with her, she turned to their newest member. "Reni, don't you have a plan?"
Reni, as usual, kept quiet.
Suddenly, the huge steel gates opened on their own.
The Hanagumi stared at the door, then at Reni in shock.
"It wasn't me," the German deadpanned.
"Yo Ogami! Looks like you're in a fix there!"
They turned to see a man dressed in a white suit and a spotted tie. He was carrying an acoustic guitar, which he strummed lazily.
"Kayama!"
"Kayama-san!"
"What are –you- doing here?" Ogami asked incredulously.
"Let's just say, it's in the best interest of Teito if the Hanagumi is back to its full strength. The Tsukigumi is your support after all[ii]," Ogami's former classmate smiled.
"I don't know how you did it but... thank you, Kayama!" Ogami said in gratitude.
He waved the thanks dismissively. "Trade secrets, my friend[iii]. Better get a move on, Ogami, I just hope you're not too late."
Ogami nodded and motioned for the Hanagumi to follow. "Let's go, everyone!"
Kayama watched as they rushed into the Kanzaki residence. He strummed his guitar once more.
"The Hanagumi sure is lively," he sighed, almost enviously.
---
Once again, Miyata Kyousei entered the room. Bowing repeatedly, he again whispered urgently into her grandfather's ear.
Sumire watched anxiously. She did not know what to expect, but she would welcome anything, -anything- at all that would interrupt and hopefully postpone this marriage interview.
Sumire's grandfather was visibly angry as he gave more secret instructions to the butler.
"Is something the matter?" Makibishi's mother asked airily.
"No, of course not," her grandfather replied, almost testily.
Sumire's heart began to beat faster. Maybe it wasn't too much to hope for a rescue...
---
They finally saw the Kanzaki home. It was a large, sprawling mansion. It had two stories of marble and golden-colored entrustments, beautiful gardens around it and a fountain before it.
"There it is! Now let's find her!" Ogami urged.
"Stop right there!"
A group of guards dressed like Men In Black complete with sunglasses stood in their way. At their head was the butler.
"I am Miyata Kyousei, family butler of the Kanzaki. Who are you? How dare you trespass my master's home!"
"We are looking for Kanzaki Sumire, our friend and comrade," Ogami explained.
"We heard that she is here, so we have decided to, uh, 'visit' her," Jason said further.
"Ridiculous! The lady is currently in a marriage interview. You will have plenty of time to visit her –after- the official marriage!" the butler replied derisively.
"What! We want to see Sumire –now-!" Kanna roared.
"Don't you realize that Sumire won't be happy in a marriage like this?" Ogami pleaded.
The butler bowed his head. "I'm doing this only for her sake. Risking her life again and again in the Teikoku Kagekidan, it's unacceptable! Even if she will hate me forever, I will do whatever it takes to ensure her safety!"
"Then I guess the time for words is over," Jason said simply. He cracked his knuckles, neck and elbows and dropped into a fighting stance. Kanna and the others followed suit.
The butler nodded grimly. He snapped his fingers and the household guards rushed forward. He himself went back inside the house, presumably confident of his success.
"These generic MiB wannabes can't compare to the real thing," Jason grinned as he easily avoided some attacks and dealt some of his own.
"It's all thanks to Kirishima Training," Ogami said with a smile of his own as he ducked a kick and delivered an effective counter.
"Hey, good move there Taicho!" Kanna said as she easily manhandled the guards with her karate.
Elsewhere, Reni utilized a variety of counter-throws that sent the attackers sprawling. Sakura kept her Arataka katana sheathed and protected Orihime, who mischievously snuck in a blow or two with the heel of her shoe; while Kohran and Iris created mayhem with smoke bombs.
After a while though, the Hanagumi realized that the guard contingent of the Kanzaki family were actually too numerous.
"Gah! There's no end to this!" Jason complained.
"Ogami-san, please go on ahead! We will try to hold them back here!" Sakura suggested.
"Japanese men are so weak~," Orihime laughed as she sidestepped a clumsy attack. She lobbed one of Kohran's bombs into the man's suit, resulting in him jumping around comically as smoke began to fill his clothes.
"I'll stay and help," Jason offered. But Orihime took offense.
"We women can take care of ourselves~!" she said.
"Ogami-han, Jason-han, please get Sumire back! This is no problem for us," Kohran added as she produced more bombs. Where she hid them in her Chinese dress was a source of wonder to everyone.
"Come on Taicho, they can handle it themselves!" Kanna urged.
"Go easy on them," Ogami said wryly as he ran after Kanna and Jason.
Sakura and the others barred the way as the guards tried to follow. Sakura slowly unsheathed her sword; it glistened in the sunlight as she pointed it towards them.
"I am Shinguiji Sakura of the Northern Long Blade Style! Who dares to challenge me?" she called out defiantly.
The guards paused in their tracks.
Apparently, no one dared.
---
"What is that commotion outside?" Makibishi's mother asked disapprovingly.
At that moment, Miyata once again entered and reported directly to the oldest man in the room.
Sumire's grandfather grunted uneasily. Then he stood up, having made up his mind.
"I'm sorry, Madam, but it seems we have a disturbance on the grounds. It is a minor problem, but it has upset the harmony of today's meeting. My butler will show you the way out. We will discuss this soon, I promise you that."
Sumire and the Makibishis couldn't believe their ears. Sumire's heart leapt for joy.
"Well, I never...," Makibishi's mother began, scandalized.
"Please, we are very sorry but circumstances have caused it so," Sumire's grandfather apologized, throwing Sumire a look.
"Come on Yuichiro, let us leave now," Madam Makibishi said and left in a huff, her dull son in tow.
As soon as the door was closed, Sumire's parents erupted.
"Father, what happened?" Sumire's mother asked.
"Your daughter has some very persistent friends," he gruffly replied.
Just then, the doors crashed open and Ogami, Kanna and Jason burst into the scene.
"Speak of the devils," Sumire's grandfather grumbled loudly.
"What is the meaning of this!? Who are you people!?" Sumire's father demanded.
"I am Ensign Ogami Ichiro. These two are my colleagues, Kirishima Kanna and Jason Borne," Ogami introduced, gesturing to his companions.
"Oho, so this is the famous Hanagumi that I have spent my millions on?" the old patriarch asked, scrutinizing the trio.
"Yes sir, we are part of the Teikoku Kagekidan - Hanagumi," Ogami said, "and so is Kanzaki Sumire." He looked over at Sumire, who could barely contain her joy at seeing her friends.
The old man leveled his steely eyes at Ogami. "I am Kanzaki Tadayoshi. This is a private family affair, of which you have no right to interfere."
Ogami shook his head. "On the contrary, if you force Sumire into an arranged wedding, she would have to pull out of the Hanagumi. Being the captain of the squad, I cannot afford to have such a valuable ally such as herself being taken away against her will."
Tadayoshi's gaze narrowed even more. "She is my granddaughter. More importantly, she is a Kanzaki! She has a duty to fulfill as a woman of this family!"
Ogami did not back down from Tadayoshi's righteous fury. "She had sworn an oath when she joined the Hanagumi. Her first and foremost duty is to protect and serve the Imperial City!"
Everyone in the room witnessed the scene in aghast. Even Jason and Kanna, who had so boisterously and vehemently agreed to rescue Sumire, did not expect Ogami's forcefulness.
Then Tadayoshi shocked everyone by erupting into a spirited, belly-shaking laughter.
"A fine young man, don't you think so, Shigeki?" the old man asked Sumire's father. Sumire's father had the smallest hints of a smile.
"He is so like Shigeki when he was younger, isn't he, Hinako?" Tadayoshi asked Sumire's mother, who smiled more readily. They glanced at Sumire, who blushed.
'Uh-oh, this could be awkward,' Jason thought to himself. 'They must be getting the wrong idea about Ogami and Sumire...' He glanced at Ogami, who was trying to maintain a stern face despite his own blush.
'That doesn't help any either,' Jason sighed inwardly.
"Does this mean you're canceling the marriage?" Kanna demanded.
"Absolutely not," Tadayoshi answered curtly.
"What?!"
"Are you refusing to return your granddaughter to active duty?" Ogami asked.
"She deserves a peaceful life as a loving wife and a dutiful granddaughter. She has no more time for stage-plays and fighting in the battlefield! Even if I was the one who introduced her to piloting a Koubu, her contributions up this point would be more than enough!" Tadayoshi countered.
The head of the Kanzaki family resolutely stood his ground and pounded the floor with a stab of his walking stick.
"Let me make you a deal, Ensign. Currently, the Teikoku Kagekidan is facing a financial crisis."
Ogami grimaced when reminded of that fact. Tadayoshi seemed to gain cruel pleasure from Ogami's look.
"If you and your colleagues would immediately leave, I will ensure that you will receive all the financial resources that you will need. On the other hand, if you persist in this foolish endeavor, you know what will happen..."
"Grandfather!" Sumire protested.
"That's unfair, old man!" Kanna yelled indignantly.
"Silence!" Tadayoshi thundered, instantly cowing the two women. He stared at Ogami intently, waiting for his answer.
To Sumire, it seemed that an eternity passed before Ogami replied.
"I'm sorry sir, but I can't do that. I understand the implications, but Kanzaki Sumire is coming back with us," Ogami said resolutely.
"Ensign!" Sumire exclaimed emotionally.
Jason smirked at the disbelieving look on Tadayoshi's face.
"You seem surprised. To us, Sumire is a person who outweighs any sum of money you, or anyone for that matter, can offer. She is part of the Hanagumi, and she is very precious to us," Jason said as he smiled at Sumire.
Sumire's hands flew to her face. "Elder brother..."
That whisper drew the attention of her parents, but before Shigeki or Hinako could ask further, Tadayoshi pounded the ground with his walking stick once more.
"Are you sure!? Do you really have the authority to turn down an offer to save the entire Teikoku Kagekidan!? Your General Yoneda would have your head!" Tadayoshi demanded.
"On the contrary," a familiar female voice answered, "I think he would be extremely proud right now."
They looked at the doorway to see a woman dressed smartly in the Land Army's green uniform at the door. She had shoulder-length brown hair, her eyes sharp and intelligent. She had the features that reminded the Hanagumi of another person...
"And who might you be?" Tadayoshi asked.
"I am Fujieda Kaede, Vice-Commander of the Teikoku Kagekidan," she replied confidently.
"Fujieda... are you related to Ayame-san?" Shigeki inquired.
"Yes, I am her younger sister."
She smiled at the surprised faces.
"Ogami-kun, everyone, I'm sorry it took me so long to report for my duties. From today onwards, we will all work together to protect Teito," she said calmly.
"Vice-Commander? But what about Ayame-san?" Ogami asked, puzzled.
"My sister is at Neo-Paris for a mission. I am not at liberty to tell you more, but suffice to say she will return once she has completed her mission," Kaede explained.
"Man, they even –sound- the same," Jason muttered.
"Enough! Vice-Commander Fujieda, are you saying that you endorse this Ensign's choice? Despite knowing the consequences?" Tadayoshi asked.
The new vice-commander faced her charges. "Ogami-kun, I'm sure you will bear the responsibilities?" she asked, more like a statement.
Ogami nodded once. It conveyed all that he needed to say.
Defeated, Tadayoshi slumped into his seat. "Fine, do whatever you like!" he growled angrily.
"But, Vice-Commander, why exactly are you here?" Kanna wondered aloud.
"Yes, your presence here is extraordinary," Shigeki added.
Kaede's face turned grim.
"Unfortunately, this is not just a social call. We have received information that the enemy might strike here soon. This is because Kanzaki Industries is a very influential company on Luthien."
"What? They dare to attack my home?" Tadayoshi demanded.
A sudden explosion that rocked the building gave answer to that.
Moments later the other Hanagumi members entered the room. They did a double-take at Kaede but Sakura quickly turned to report to Ogami.
"Ogami-san! It's terrible! The Kokkikai is attacking here!"
"That's bad," Ogami said, "we can probably hold them off for a while on foot, but..."
Just then, a roar of machinery rumbled above them.
"Don't worry; I've already instructed the Kazegumi to bring the Shogei-Maru here. That must be them now," Kaede said.
"You think of everything," Jason marveled. Kaede gave them a charming smile. Then she leveled a serious look at them.
"Teikoku Kagekidan - Hanagumi!" she called out. The Hanagumi, including Sumire, snapped into attention.
"Move out!" Kaede ordered.
"Yes sir!"
As they turned to leave for battle, Sumire's parents rose from their seats. Hinako held onto Sumire.
"Sumire... must you go?" she asked.
Sumire smiled and clasped her hands with her own. "Mother... Father... I will be your daughter forever, but this is what I want to do in life. Please, give me your blessings," she said gently.
"My daughter, you have indeed grown up..." Hinako said emotionally.
Shigeki added his own hands on theirs. "Go now, to the place and people you belong with," he said softly.
"Sumire!" her grandfather called out sternly. Then his look softened.
"Make us proud."
She nodded, unbelievably happy inside, and ran together with the Hanagumi.
---
By the time the Hanagumi had prepared themselves in their mecha, the steam-beasts were already within the gates of the Kanzaki mansion.
"Teikoku Kagekidan – Sanjou!"
"Hahaha, so you people really are here after all!" a throaty female voice laughed disparagingly.
Sumire twirled her Koubu's naginata and pointed it at the steam-beasts.
"Who dares to enter my home uninvited!?" she challenged.
The figure leapt from the shadows and stood on a large steam-beast. It was different than the other personalized steam-beasts that they had faced, this one was slender and taller, almost like a dangerous wasp that walked on two legs and had six arms for battle.
With the figure fully revealed, the Hanagumi gasped.
"What the hell is that..." Jason wondered aloud.
She was a muscular woman; tattoos decorated her tanned flesh and she was dressed scantily like some Hindu goddess. The fact that she had six powerful arms only adds to the Hindu goddess image.
"Hmph! My name is Tsuchi-Gumo! I go wherever I please!" the figure replied in her deep voice. Two of her arms were folded across her chest; the other four were clenching and unclenching their fists threateningly.
"Tsuchi-Gumo is it? Why don't you just crawl back to the cave where you came from? My home is not a place for brutes like you!" Sumire scornfully said.
"Yeah! Ya don't have the standards to come in here!" Kanna added.
"My, that's not something –you- can say," Sumire said, she couldn't resist taking a jab at her rival.
"Huh? Oh, you be quiet!" Kanna snapped back.
"Such liveliness... Once I'm through with you, you won't even be able to talk!" Tsuchi-Gumo screamed. Her steam-beast minions began marching towards the mansion while she disappeared into her own machine.
The Hanagumi prepared themselves for battle. Very quickly they realize the weight of numbers was against them.
And yet, everyone fought ferociously, bolstered by Sumire and Kanna's return. Of course, things were made livelier by their verbal sparring as well.
"Hey Sumire! Are you sure you didn't lose your skills?" Kanna joked.
"Ridiculous! Even on my worst day, I am still better than you!" Sumire replied quickly.
"Heh heh, so it begins," Kohran said mischievously.
"Hey, you two..." Ogami began to admonish.
"Oh is that so! Why don't we have a contest then?" Kanna asked, ignoring the Ensign.
"Fine by me! Whoever destroys more of the enemy wins!" Sumire suggested, also ignoring their squad leader.
"You're on!"
"Ah, we're still in the middle of battle," Ogami said. To his disappointment, both ladies rushed forward without orders, they were totally wrapped up in their impromptu duel.
"It's too late, Ogami-san. All we can do now is to back them up," Sakura said cheerfully.
"Hehehe, it's been so long since Iris heard them arguing!" Iris giggled happily.
Ogami sighed. "Well, I'll let it slide this once."
"Heh. But honestly, wouldn't you like to be in such a challenge ourselves?" Jason laughed.
"No, after all, we are still fighting a battle. Accidents can happen," Ogami said in all seriousness.
"Spoken like a true leader," Jason agreed. "But then, you would know who would win," he added without much thought.
"And what do you mean by that?" Ogami asked sharply. His Koubu sidestepped a steam-beast's attack and slashed it as it passed him.
"Hmm? Oh, it's just a slip of the tongue. Forget it," Jason replied truthfully as he shot a steam-beast to pieces with his Koubu's Gatling.
"My, Japanese men are so dense~!" Orihime interrupted. "Ensign-san, don't you understand~? Jason says he's better than you~!"
"Hey, I didn't say –that-!" Jason said defensively.
"Yes. In other mecha perhaps, but not a Koubu," Ogami said.
"Eh? Care to run that by me again?" Jason asked.
"Hey Kohran, Sakura... don't both brothers sound like Sumire and Kanna now?" Iris asked worriedly.
"Hahaha! Don't mind, don't mind!" Kohran laughed it off. "A friendly competition once in a while makes for a nice atmosphere!"
"True, however, a disorganized team is inefficient," Reni interjected. The blue Eisenkleid stabbed with its lance and destroyed an enemy easily.
From her own Eisenkleid, Orihime tsked. "Now now, isn't it interesting like this~? This proves that –all- men are stupid~. So why spoil the fun~?"
"But, it might get dangerous! Shouldn't we stop them?" Sakura asked even as Jason and Ogami's words became more confrontational.
"...oh is that right? Care for a friendly challenge?" Jason said, his forehead uncharacteristically throbbing.
Ogami grin was a little strained as well. "Why not? Let's see who's the better man."
"Bring it on, punk! Highest kills wins!" Jason yelled.
"Hah! You're too old for this!" Ogami retorted.
"Ah ah! You see, it's too late now, Cherry-san~!" Orihime exclaimed triumphantly.
Sakura sighed as the two men rushed into the battle, throwing caution to the winds. Like Sumire and Kanna, Jason and Ogami fought like lions, decimating the enemy units.
Meanwhile, the preceding challenge concluded in a stalemate for Kanna and Sumire. They both eliminated the same number of opponents.
"Heh, a draw," Kanna smirked.
"So it seems. Hmph, perhaps today isn't my day after all," Sumire conceded.
"Oh, is it that time for you?" Kanna asked teasingly.
"Kanna-san! That's incredibly rude!" Sumire yelled, blushing with anger.
"What, you want another round?" Kanna challenged.
"Kanna-san, Sumire-san, can you please stop?" Sakura pleaded. "More importantly, can you two stop Ogami-san and Jason?"
"What?" they chorused. Then they focused their attention onto the white Koubu of the Ensign, which was surrounded by enemies. Even so, it plunged recklessly into the enemy ranks, slashing with its twin swords.
On the other side, the black and red-trimmed Koubu of Jason Bourne swept his field of fire with the gatling arm, pushing it to dangerous heat limits. When the first wave fell, he rushed forward, slashing madly with the sword arm.
"Man, those two are nuts!" Kanna commented.
"It's frightening when men lose their senses," Sumire added.
"Like mindless animals~" Orihime chipped in.
The six-armed woman watched her minions getting destroyed angrily. Her steam-beasts were being swept left and right by the Teikoku Kagekidan.
"Fools! Can't you do anything right?!" she shrieked as the last of her troops were destroyed. Her towering machine stomped forward, its pincer-like appendages snapping dangerously.
"YOU ARE TOO NOISY!!" Ogami and Jason chorused at the same time. Their Koubus lunged and attacked her tall steam-beast in unison. They were so ferocious that Tsuchi-Gumo (and the rest of the Hanagumi) was taken by surprise.
Ogami's dual swords and Jason's own blade struck simultaneously as they carved grievous wounds all over Tsuchi-Gumo's machine. As Ogami delivered a final, fatal stab, Jason's Gatling punched into an open wound and opened fire.
"I-Impossible!!" Tsuchi-Gumo screamed in fear. As her machine disintegrated, two of her hands came together and made a complex pattern of movement. Just as the explosion engulfed her cockpit, Tsuchi-Gumo disappeared.
"I'll remember this! I'll have my revenge!!" she yelled as a parting shot.
"Ah. That was that," Ogami said in satisfaction.
"Mm. Pity, that was rather enjoyable," Jason replied.
"Are you two done with your macho contest?" Sakura demanded.
"Honestly, Ensign, you should have been more careful. Aren't you the leader?" Sumire chided.
"And Jason, what the heck was that all about? Rushing forward all by yourself!" Kanna scolded.
"But you two were doing the same thing," Jason pointed out.
"You keep quiet!" Sumire and Kanna yelled at the same time.
"Still, everything ended well," Ogami quickly said before they could focus their combined ire on –him-.
Kanna snickered. "Yeah, we kicked the enemy's behind and rescued you from your engagement... Say, don't you mind missing your last chance?"
"What last chance?" Sumire asked in puzzlement.
"Your last chance for a marriage, of course! How many would willingly marry a snaky cactus woman like you?"
Sumire kept her anger in check. "A person who can't even get a chance of getting married doesn't have the right to say that to me," she replied.
"What!?"
"Ohohoho, did I strike a nerve?"
Orihime couldn't help but wonder at their verbal exchange. "This is too funny~. They are like comedians... are they comedians?"
"Eh? No, they are not..." Sakura answered hesitantly.
"Well, sometimes," Jason added.
"Can't you two just admit to be friends?" Ogami asked wistfully.
"Maybe in the distant future. But for now, should we wrap this up?" Sumire asked.
Kanna laughed. "Hahaha, of course! All together now!"
"Shouri no pose...kime Victory pose... decided!!"
---
"Allow me introduce myself again. I am Fujieda Kaede, your newly appointed Vice-Commander of the Teikoku Kagekidan. Everyone, I hope for your co-operation."
The Hanagumi gawked at her for a while.
"Y-you really look like Ayame-san," Ogami said.
Kaede laughed. "Really? I guess my sister was right about you."
"Why is the Ensign getting red~?" Orihime asked. Sakura tried to look unaffected.
"Ogami-san really enjoys the attention from beautiful women," she said, inwardly jealous.
"There should be a rule on how much people could resemble each other," Jason muttered.
Kaede heard it and turned to face him. "And you must be Jason. My sister talked about you often as well."
"Ah? About what?"
"Secret," she smiled and winked.
"Argh. Well, at least there's only one of you here. I can't handle it, both of you act and talk the same way," Jason complained.
"Ah, I'll take that as a compliment," Kaede reassured him.
"It is," Jason smiled.
[i] Triple role – according to a list in the Sakura Archives, everyone had a dual role in 'King Lear'.
[ii] Kayama – as revealed in 'Starting Over', the Hanagumi knew about Kayama's true identity.
[iii] "Trade secrets, my friend," – a modified quote from the movie 'The Rock', spoken by Sean Connery to Nicholas Cage. Exact quote was 'Trade secrets, my son'. ^^