Author's note: I don't own any of the Sakura Taisen characters—they all belong to Sega/Red, Fujishima Kosuke, Hiroi Ouji, etcetera, etcetera. However, the historical characters like Nagakura Shinpachi and Fujita Gorou are real, though in real life they were both dead a couple years before the Hanagumi was formed in the early 1920's. Alright, so let's get on with it.

Makoto no Hata (The Flag of Truth)

One: Opening Movements

May, Taisho 16 (1927 AD)

Imperial Theater

Tokyo

The arrow hissed through the air and struck the target with a loud thwack. Then, just as quickly, the vastness of the Imperial Theater was silent. Shinguuji Sakura slowly lowered the huge asymmetrical Japanese bow, approaching the target with steady, calm steps.

"Damn. Missed again."

She'd always liked the size of the stage, and how it could be a perfect training spot— wide, open, and with a beautifully smooth hardwood floor, perfect for training barefoot. Archery training was a different story, though…she had to be sure to land every arrow on the target, for fear of damaging any surrounding equipment. It was a highly risky activity, which only attracted Sakura to it even more.

Sakura eyed the arrow quietly.

Why am I doing this again?

That's right…because I haven't touched a bow since…since I watched my father…

Sakura bit her lip. She knew it would do her no good to dwell on thoughts of her father. After all, hadn't his spirit spoken to her when she mastered the ultimate sword technique of her tradition, and told her that he would always be with her?

But still…

Father…

Trying her best to dispel the phantoms of the past, she shook her head and started for her shooting position, promptly bumping headfirst into a familiar shirt. She blinked confusedly before straightening up with a somewhat forced smile. Ohgami Ichirou, the Hanagumi commander and owner of the shirt in question, cocked an eyebrow.

"Sakura…"

"Oh! Ich—er, Ohgami-san, good morning. Come to watch me practice?"

"I suppose. I was…er…just wondering where you were."

"Oh." Sakura sighed as she absent-mindedly withdrew the arrow from the target. "I see." Ohgami fell in step with her as she collected her arrows and kept up her pace to the stage exit. Finally in the corridor, Sakura was disoriented by the unusual quiet.

"Where are the others?"

"They went out to the bazaar at Asakusa. Apparently there's another big sale today, and besides, Kanna said that there was this new kind of American pastry she wanted to try…donuts, I think…"

Sakura shook her head in amusement. Ever the gourmet, eh, Kanna?

"Well, I gotta get going, Sakura. General Yoneda wanted a report in by this afternoon, and I'm…still writing it, as you can probably imagine."

"Mm. Good luck with that…" she gave him a smile and a little nod as he dashed off to the offices.

For a long time she stood there, quietly staring after the path he'd taken…

Somehow, Sakura found herself back in her room. Carefully stowing her archery equipment, she finally plopped onto her bed, unusually exhausted for such an early hour. A rustling in her sleeve interrupted her thoughts, before she realized that she'd gotten a letter from home and had never read it. Quickly, she removed the envelope and tore it open, smiling as her eyes caught sight of her mother's graceful calligraphy.

Sakura:

I pray that you are well. We heard of the incident with the American corporation, and were concerned for you. Your grandmother is well, and says to remind you never to be remiss in your training. Gonji is also as lively as ever, and swears he'll live to be a hundred as long as he keeps gardening.

But my real reason for writing, Sakura, is that Nagakura-sensei is considering a trip to the capital soon. You know his connection with our family is very old—after all, he instructed you, your father, and your grandfather in the secrets of the sword, continuing the bond we of the Shinguuji forged with him in the last bloody days of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Nagakura-sensei will probably arrive within a few days of your reading this letter, and will stay at the Genbukan Dojo. Be sure to visit him, as this might be his last major trip.

Remember, do take care of yourself, and never disgrace the family name.

With love,

Mother

Sakura read and reread the letter. She couldn't believe her eyes…Nagakura Shinpachi-sensei was coming…and he was coming to the Genbukan! But there was something…something amiss about this...

Something was coming…