Sakura Wars: Steel Soldiers from the West meet The Flowers of the East.
Chapter 5: Koubu please take the stage
A few weeks had past sense the day at the fair. There has been a few small demon attacks here and there but they where all solved easily There currently is a thunder storm right now over the Imperial Theatre. The girls are on their last day of rehearsals as the production starts its staging to night. Ryo, Ohgami and Kyoko are currently watching the girls as they rehearse.
"So do they always work this hard?" Asked Kyoko as he watched the girls performing on stage, they are working very hard.
"Yes they always work very hard on all their performances; they make everyone in the floral division really proud." Smiled Ohgami as he turns away from the stage and looks at Kyoko and Ryo who are still watching the girls perform.
"Yes I can se way I am honoured to be able to serve in this team with these lovely people." Smiled Ryo as he turned to face Ohgami with a small smile on his face.
Kyoko remains silent as he watches Kanna on stage, Ohgami and Ryo notice that he is staring into thin air and they ask him to find out what's wrong.
"Hey Kyoko are you feeling ok? You have hardly spoken a word since we arrived in here to watch the girls rehearse." Ryo turns around again and continues to watch the girls rehearse while Kyoko replies.
"I am ok just thinking about something that's all." Kyoko turns and smiles at him just as Maria gets off the stage and approaches them after finishing one of her scenes.
"Excuse me Ryo and Ohgami you are needed back stage to fix the lighting, it is too dark on stage some how and no one can figure it out." Maria shrugs and smiles and Ryo and Ohgami giggle a bit.
"Yeah we will go have a look at it now, we shouldn't be too long." Ohgami and Ryo walk off and Maria sits down beside Kyoko, he turns to her and smiles.
"Hey Maria what can I do for you?" Asked Kyoko as he looked at her with a warm smile on his face.
"I was just wondering have you told Sumire about your feelings for Kanna yet. It would be a good idea to tell her as soon as possible her fighting strength might decrease due to the pain she might feel when you tell her your heart belongs to another." Maria smiles at him as the lights flash and flicker as Ryo and Ohgami try to sort out the lighting. Kyoko looks up at the lights and he then turns to Maria and replies.
"No I know I have to and I will tell Sumire I just don't want to break her heart I don't think I can do it." Kyoko looks at Kanna and Sumire on the stage as they try to get along as Ohgami and Ryo continue their work on the lights.
"I see I am sorry to keep pestering you about it." Maria looks at Kyoko and Kyoko looks back and replies.
"I will tell her don't worry about it Maria I'll sort it out myself." Kyoko gets up and rests a hand on his hand on her shoulder. "I'll see you later Maria good luck with the show tonight." Kyoko walks out of the door and Maria gets back up and walks back over to the others, Ryo and Ohgami have finally got the lighting fixed. The girls continue with their rehearsals as Ohgami and Ryo continue to watch them. Sumire watches Kyoko leave and she decides to go to see where he is going as she is not needed for the next few scenes.
"Hey Kyoko dear wait up would you." Sumire runs up behind him and jumps up onto his back putting her arms across his chest. "Where are you off to my dear sweet Kyoko?" Sumire kisses him on the cheek and smiles as she drops off Kyoko's back and lands on the floor standing on her two feet. Kyoko turns round looks at her trying to smile but he clearly can't he does like Sumire but he doesn't love her.
"I was going to find you to be honest; I have to talk to you about something and it is very important that I tell you this." Kyoko takes her by the hand and takes her to a room which is never used, he closes the door behind him and he sits her down on the chair. Kyoko takes her hands in his own and he looks at her he has fought many things in his life but this terrifies him more than anything he has done before.
"Well Sumire I know that you have feelings for me and I have feelings for you." Kyoko takes a small pause he can't go through with it but he has to.
"That's exactly it my dear Kyoko what's wrong with having feelings for each other, especially if you really love them like my love for you." Sumire looks up at Kyoko and smiles, Kyoko on the other hand knows for a fact now that Sumire loves him making it even harder for him to tell her.
"There's nothing wrong with having feelings for some one. But… Sumire, my heart belongs to someone else I am sorry…" Kyoko continues to look at her as the shock hits her and the tears begin to drip down the side of her face. Kyoko cringes and he feels really bad but she had to be told.
"I…I… love you Kyoko." Sumire breaks down in tears and begins to cry; she lifts her hand off Kyoko's and covers her face and she continues to cry Kyoko stays in the room and sits down on the chair beside Sumire.
"I realise now that you truly do. I love you too but not in the way you love me. I am so sorry I hope you can forgive me." Kyoko gives her a hug to try and make her feel better.
"Kyoko…" Sumire bursts in to tears again and Kyoko breaks the hug and rests the palm of his hands against her face wiping the tears away with his thumbs.
"I know its going to be really hard… but I am not going to abandon you I'll be here if you need me." Kyoko smiles at her and kisses her on the head. "I'll be here if you need me just because I don't return your feelings; doesn't mean I don't care for you." Kyoko glances down at her with a smile on his face.
"You really mean it?" Asked Sumire as she glanced up at him his smile making her feel better she now seems calmer and more relaxed.
"Yeah I am not going to go away and never talk to you again. I'll always be there when you need me." Kyoko gives her a little kiss on the cheek and smiles.
"Thank you… though I should tell you that my love for you will never change even when I am with someone else. I will always love you even if I can't have you." Sumire is still kind of upset but she is feeling a lot better now.
"Thank you, but we should get going your scenes should be coming up very soon." Kyoko gives her a hug and smiles. "I will always be here when you need me no matter what the problem is." Kyoko gets up and makes his way to the door letting Sumire out first. She exits the door and Kyoko follows her closing the door behind him she turns to look at him as they walk down the corridor.
"The girl that you're going with is Kanna isn't it?" Sumire looks at him and Kyoko decides it would be best to come clean and tell her.
"Yes Sumire Kanna is the girl I am with but can we change the subject." Kyoko opens a door leading into the main hall both Kyoko and Sumire step through it this time Sumire closes it and they both continue to walk forward towards the stage.
"Yeah ok sorry Kyoko." Sumire gives Kyoko a small smile and they both walk into the theatre part of the building and Sumire runs and gets back up on stage joining in with Kanna and the others as they continue to rehearse. Maria notices him and walks over to him she isn't needed for a few scenes yet anyway.
"Hey Maria." Kyoko smiles at her as she comes closer to him and she smiles back she is dressed in a golden armour style outfit she is the hero in this production.
"Hello Kyoko. I see that you told Sumire about you and Kanna. But she seems to be taking it quite well I am actually quite surprised." Maria glances behind her at Sumire and Kanna performing on stage as they rehearse their scenes.
"She took it real bad but she has perked up since then I told her I cared about her but I don't love her like she does me, from what I can tell we are good nothing bad has happened." Kyoko turns to look at Maria she can tell he is feeling a lot better now that Sumire knows about him and Kanna.
"That's good to hear Kyoko I am glad you told her but I am being called we will talk more later." Maria and Kyoko both glance towards the stage again and Reni waves Maria over. Maria gets up and leaves; walking over to Reni as Kyoko continues to watch them.
"I take it that I am needed for the next scene?" Asked Maria as she stopped in front of Reni and looked down at her slightly smiling.
"Yes Maria it is. This is the scene where you save Sakura from the evil demon knight played by Kanna." Replied Reni looking up at Maria with Kanna standing behind Reni in the cool black armour.
"Ah yes I see ok lets get on with the scene then." Maria climbs up onto the stage with Kanna standing at the other side and they both begin rehearse the scene.
"Stay back you demon knight I am here to save the princess and her aides from your evil master's clutches." Maria draws the sword prop and swings it a few times before sticking the blade into the stage. She then rests her hands on the handle and stares at Kanna.
"She will come with me and you will perish." Kanna draws her demonic sword prop also swinging it and sticking the sword blade into the ground and she also rests her hands on the handle and stares back at Maria while Sakura Iris and Reni are tied to a post in the middle of the stage.
"I didn't know Kanna could wield a sword like that." Smiled Kohran as she sat down beside Kyoko, Ohgami, and Ryo dressed in her wizard outfit.
"Yeah all martial artists train in a weapon style but we all prefer to use our hands and feet as weapons." Smiled Kyoko as he turned to face Kohran.
"Yes that is right also us swordsmen and women also train in fighting with our hands and feet but we tend to use our swords instead. Do you get what Kyoko meant?" Asked Ohgami as he watched Sumire walk into the scene as the head villain in the production. The fans of Sumire will be in for a treat her outfit well lets just say it doesn't cover her up much.
"Yes I do now thank you very much. I never could understand you warrior types." Smiled Kohran stroking her big white beard prop which is apart of her costume.
Ohgami laughs as he continues to watch them still rehearsing the final two scenes.
"So just exactly what time does the production start at tonight then?" Asked Kyoko as he looked over at Kohran. He hadn't actually seen the posters for the production yet.
"Its at 8pm you are coming to watch us right?" Asked Kohran looking in Kyoko's direction.
"Of course he is the idiot better be. I am sure he would want to be here to witness his new team mate's first production." Smiled Ryo as he quickly glared over at his friend who stared back at him.
"Hey I'll be there; why would I not want to be here to see the first production with of new team mates and friends." Kyoko turns and looks at Ryo and Ohgami he then turns around again to see the girls off the stage and that they are walking over to them. Ohgami walks over to them with Ryo and Kyoko following him.
"Nice work girls the production will be a big hit tonight." Smiled Ohgami as he applauded the girls as they stopped in front of him.
"Oh yeah you girls did great today. Tonight will be a night to remember." Smiled Ryo looking at them with a smile on his face.
"Yeah and I can't wait for the show tonight either I'll get to watch you all perform. And I am sure I am going to enjoy it." Smiled Kyoko as he looked at them giving them a reassuring smile.
"Shucks you guys thanks." Kanna smiles rubbing her head slightly embarrassed at the comments the others just smile.
"Thank you very much. I am sure we will do just fine this evening." Smiled Maria still in her golden Armour. The girls haven't had a chance to change yet.
"Yes they know talent when they see it but that is because I am in it." Sumire does one of her typical laughs and others just look at her and shake their heads.
"It seems to be that she is the same old Sumire." Smiled Kyoko thinking to himself. He doesn't see General Yoneda entering the room.
"I see that you girls have finished rehearsing glad to see you are dedicated to your work." Smiled General Yoneda as he applauded them.
"Yes sir they have just finished. They have this performance down to the wire." Replies Kyoko getting rather excited.
"The girls always did Kyoko." Smiled Yoneda looking over at Kyoko who kind drifted off into his own dream world.
"Its good to see that he is happy about it." Laughed Kaede out loud looking over at her dear younger brother.
"He is still a big kid you got to love him for it." Smiled Reni looking over at him.
"Yes well girls you all go get some rest for tonight's performance I will see you all later." General Yoneda bows and leaves the girls with Kyoko Ohgami and Ryo.
"Yeah you guys I think I'll go and take a shower I'll see you all later." Kanna waves at Kyoko and the others and heads off to the shower leaving the others in the theatre.
"Hey guys how about we all get a bite to eat I am starving." Smiled Kyoko as he walked towards the doorway and out in to hall.
"Sounds good to me lets go and get a bite to eat I am getting hungry as well." Laughed Sakura as she followed Kyoko out into the hall way.
"I think I will head to my room and freshen up a bit before I join you all at the table." Smiled Orihime as she left the theatre and off to her room.
"Umm ok are you guys coming?" Asked Sakura as she looked over at the others.
"Yeah sure we are coming Sakura." Smiled Maria as she joined Sakura and Kyoko in the hallway.
"Wait for Iris and the others." Iris runs out into the hallway and the others follow her. They all begin to make their way to the dining area.
"So Kyoko how come your Koubu hasn't been delivered yet?" Asked Kohran looking up at Kyoko with a curious glint in her eye.
"I am not sure but I here my Koubu and Ryo's Koubu are being heavily upgraded it's all I know about it right now." Kyoko keeps walking towards the dining area with the others tailing him.
"It's not as if you need a Koubu. You could take those things out with that attack of yours. You know the one that saved Sumire." Smiled Kohran looking up at Kyoko.
"I am grateful you think I am strong, but like you Kohran I am human, I can be killed so having a Koubu around is very handy." Smiled Kyoko looking down at Kohran.
"Yes I can agree with that. If it wasn't for the Koubu that I helped make and Kyoko coming when he did I would be dead." Added Sumire walking a short distance behind them.
"Yeah that's Kyoko alright, being the hero without even thinking about what would happen to him." Smiled Ryo as everyone continued to walk along. They all stop outside the dining area as Ohgami opens the door to let them all through. They all go into the dining area to find Orihime and Kanna already sitting down at the table and dinner already left out on the table for everyone.
"Well I didn't expect dinner to be put out so soon." Laughed Ryo a bit surprised to see their dinner sitting there ready for them.
"Yeah this happens on the days the production is being staged. It's so the girls can go and freshen up have a bite to eat then head back and get ready for the production. It takes a few hours to get everything right." Laughed Ohgami as he sat down at the table and pulled his chair in.
"Ah ok I get it now." Ryo pulls his chair in and smiles as he begins to tuck into his dinner.
Meanwhile further down the table. Kyoko and Kanna are chatting as they eat.
"So Kyoko what is your task at the production tonight?" Asked Kanna as she continued to eat her dinner while sitting next to Kyoko.
"I have to show the audience to their seats but I'll be watching you when you perform later don't worry about that." Kyoko smiles as he lifts his chop sticks and begins eating his food.
"Of course he will be there Kanna he gets to watch you and me perform on stage." Smiled Sumire picking up a piece of meat in her chop sticks and putting it in her mouth.
"Yes but I am more interested in your new Koubu. I wonder what it is going to be like." Asked Kohran who is sitting beside Maria and Sumire.
"I am sure you will get to look at it when they arrive I am sure it will be any day now." Smiled Kyoko as he continued to eat his dinner.
"I am sure I will." Smiled Kohran still eating her dinner.
"Yes the new Koubu designs I am sure will be a sight to behold." Added Maria as she slowly ate her dinner.
"They will be here after the production is over for tonight so you can view the new Koubu then." Smiled Kaede as she ate her dinner.
"There sister Kohran now you can look at them when we finish tonight's performance." Smiled Iris who never seems to stop smiling.
"Yeah that she can but she better not make any modifications to them all she does is make things blow up." Giggled Orihime as she looked over at Kohran.
"Laugh all you want Orihime but I won't be touching these knew Koubu's because I don't have the permission of their owners." Smiled Kohran as she finished up her dinner.
"Come now you two stop the fighting." Stuttered Sakura as she watched Kohran and Orihime looking at each other.
"Yeah you guys come on stop fighting you better all get going and get ready for the performance." Smiled Ryo looking at everyone as they looked back at him.
"Yeah you go and knock them dead. Especially you Kanna." Kyoko kisses her on the cheek and gives her a hug.
"Thanks Kyoko you know I will." Kanna rubs her hand along his arm and looks up at him.
"Ok I think we should get going now and get ready for tonight." Maria gets up and begins to make her way to the door.
"Alright Kyoko I am going now to but I'll see you later please come to the show and watch us will you?" Kanna kisses him on the cheek and gets out of her seat.
"Yeah don't worry I'll see you there and knock them dead." Kyoko smiles as Kanna and Maria leave to go and get ready.
The other girls get up and all began to make their way towards the door. They open the door and are about to go through the door when they hear Ohgami talking to them.
"Good luck tonight girls we will see you all later." Ohgami waves and they all wave back the girls then close the door behind them and go off to get ready. Kyoko yawns and he puts his head on the table.
"We won't be needed for a few hours now, so what should we do." Asked Kyoko who was beginning to get impatient a little too quickly.
"Come on will you get a grip Kyoko. I am sure there is something you can do until then." Laughed Ohgami as he looked at Kyoko.
"No not really I don't think there is anything I can do to pass the time." Sighed Kyoko under his breath.
"Don't worry about him Ohgami, he's just excited and he gets impatient when he is excited. Just give him time and he will be fine." Ryo smiles and looks at Ohgami and they both look at Kyoko still with his head resting on the table.
"Well come on lets go talk to Kasumi and the others why we wait on the girls and the audience to arrive." Ryo and Ohgami get up and Ohgami pats Kyoko on the head.
"Hey what's up?" Kyoko looks up at them both not knowing what they are up to.
"We are going to talk to Kasumi and the others while Sakura and the girls get ready for the production and we wondered if you are coming." Smiles Ohgami trying not to laugh as Kyoko begins to come around.
"Yeah ok I'll come too it seems that there isn't much to do so why not." Kyoko gets up and follows Ryo and Ohgami out in to the hall where funnily enough Kasumi Tsubaki and Yuri are all standing talking.
"Hey you guys how are you?" Asked Yuri as Kyoko, Ohgami and Ryo stopped just in front of her.
"We are fine though I think Kyoko made himself tired but getting himself too excited over the production tonight.
"That is him alright he always does it so don't worry about it." Smiled Ryo as he caught the girls looking at Kyoko a bit worried.
"Yeah I am sorry I seem to tire myself out when I get excited about something." Kyoko rubs his head and laughs and Kasumi and the girls let out a slight chuckle as they join in.
"So are you girls already for the production tonight?" Asked Ohgami as he stands beside Kasumi crossing his arms.
"Of course we are excited this is gonna be one of the best productions ever." Laughed Yuri as she scratched her head.
"I want it to start now I am bored waiting." Sighed Kyoko looking toward the ceiling and then back to the others again.
"Oh well your just going to have to wait I don't think we have to wait all that longer." Smiled Ryo patting his friend on the shoulder.
"Yes we should go and get the front desk ready for the audience's arrival they should start arriving soon." Smiled Kasumi as she looked at the others.
"Yeah ok now that's something to do." Kyoko perks up and grins.
"Ok good to see he is perked up a bit sometimes even Iris is more mature than he is." Ryo rubs his head as he watches Kyoko skipping about.
They all watch Kyoko skipping about and they continue to chat amongst themselves waiting on the first set of theatre goers to arrive. A few minutes later people start to arrive at the theatre doors. The doors are opened and everyone begins to flood in. Kyoko, Ohgami, Ryo and the girls begin to do their part for the production and that's to get the customers tickets and show them to their seats. Kyoko has just shown ah young couple to their seat when a long black haired man hands him his ticket.
"Excuse me could you please show me to my seat, it's the biggest theatre I have seen and I am not sure about where to go could you please help me." The man looks at Kyoko and gives him a small smile.
"Yes sir I can help you to your seat please follow me." Kyoko begins to walk and the man follows behind him taking a look around him.
"I see you have never been in a theatre before sir. Though please excuse my rudeness if I am being too nosy." Smiled Kyoko as he opened the door and walked through it Kyoko begins to walk down by rows and rows of chairs taking this young man to his seat.
"It's ok I like people who can just start talking about things. I hear this theatre is the best and that the girls that star in these shows are very beautiful." The young man flicks his hair back and smiles again with Kyoko grinning back.
"Yes that they are very pretty girls indeed." Kyoko looks at the ticket again and looks at the seat in front of him again he then turns to the young man and hands him his ticket. "This is your seat sir please enjoy the show and come again." Kyoko begins to walk and the young man nods his head.
"Thank you my good man but before you go I have something I want to ask you." Kyoko turns around and looks at the young man in front of him and replies.
"Yes go ahead fire away." Replied Kyoko waiting on the man's question.
"I was wondering does a woman by the name of Maria Tachibana work hear?" The man looks at Kyoko with a glint in his eye. Kyoko sees no deception in the man's eyes but to be careful Kyoko asks the young man.
"Now that would really depend on who is asking. What's your name?" Kyoko looks at him looking very serious with the war that's going on he's taking no chances.
"I am sorry my name is Benji Himura. I am an old friend of Maria's I heard she was an actress here so I came in the hope of seeing her." The man looks at Kyoko again and Kyoko replies.
"Ok tell me this where you at an amusement park not too long ago?? And did you notice a blonde woman following you?" Kyoko looks at the man again as people begin to walk past him and into their seats.
"Yes I was at one and their was a blonde girl following me I couldn't recognise her so I kept walking away but she was persistent." The man looks back at Kyoko again and Kyoko grins and thinks to himself.
"It's the guy Maria told me about." Kyoko then pauses for a few seconds and replies.
"Yeah Maria is in the play, once the show is over go to the main hall and I'll bring her out to you. But until then please enjoy the show." Kyoko begins to walk away and Benji sits down in his seat waiting to see his long lost friend again. Kyoko walks up to back of the theatre to find Ohgami and Ryo resting up against the wall. The Theatre goes all dark and quiet as the stage lights up and the curtain goes up the production has begun. Ohgami, Ryo and Kyoko slip out and go round the back into the small room where the girls wait to go up for their scenes.
"Well the show is on the road now and man do we have a full house." Smiled Kyoko as he sat down in a chair looking up at the ceiling.
"Of course the girls are very popular you know Kyoko it's going to be hard work while we are both here." Smiled Ryo looking at his friend sitting their in the corner.
"Yeah you know me I always work hard." Smiled Kyoko as he sat their in his chair his big arms resting against his head.
"Yeah I know you work hard the wall out the front of our base was wrecked in an attack and you did all the hard labour carrying the really heavy bricks and things and you do a whole a lot of other hard work I know but I am just saying that we have to work hard here as well." Replied Ryo as he looked over at his friend.
"Umm well you guys you both work quite hard so stop the fighting will you?" Ohgami lets out a deep sigh and scratches his head.
They continue to chat for a bit when Kohran and Iris enter the room after finishing a scene of theirs.
"Hey you guys are you enjoying the show so far?" Asked Kohran as she sat down in the chair beside Kyoko.
"You bet I am enjoying the show Kohran I haven't seen anything so beautiful before." Smiled Kyoko as he took a quick look out the door and watched Kanna performing the stage. Iris begins to giggle and Kyoko quickly closes the door and coughs.
"Big brother what did you think of Iris's performance it was very good no?" Iris giggled again and she looked up at Ohgami and Ryo.
"Yes Iris you where brilliant tonight as always." Ohgami pats Iris on the head and Iris giggles.
"Yeah Iris you where amazing tonight I think you will be a very big star one day." Smiled Ryo kneeling down on one knee and giving Iris a hug.
"Thank you brother Ryo and brother Ohgami me and Jean-Paul are glad you are proud of Iris." Iris giggles and smiles at them both before running and sitting down.
A few minutes later Reni and Orihime also come into the room they have also finished their roles in the play.
"You guys done now too?" Asked Kyoko as he looked up at Orihime and Reni.
"Yeah the final few scenes are being done now." Added Orihime as she sat down beside Ryo.
"Yeah they really will need their rest once the production is over tonight; you have all been on stage for hours." Smiled Kyoko looking at Kohran, Iris, Orihime and Reni.
"Yeah we are pretty tired now I hate to see the others when they get off stage." Added Orihime as she took a quick look at them on stage and she closes the door again.
"Yeah they will be pretty darn tired when they come off the stage. But the last scene is almost done so you better get ready to go out and take your bow." Ohgami pushes them back out side. Just as the curtain is about to go up; all the girls link hands as the curtain goes up and the crowd claps and all the girls take a bow. They then walk off the stage as Kyoko, Ohgami and Ryo help the customers out of the building.
The girls are all sitting in the dining area. When Kyoko comes in and whispers into Maria's ear.
"Hey Maria I think that the man that you where telling me about at the fair, he is waiting out in the main hall for you I suggest you go now." Kyoko then stands up straight again and Maria smiles and she gets up and she leaves the room.
"Hey where is Maria going?" Asked Kanna a few minutes after Maria had left.
"Well Kanna she is off to meet an old friend of hers that is waiting for her in the main hall." Replies Kyoko sitting down be side her holding her hand.
"An old friend I have to go see this." Sumire gets up to leave to spy on Maria, but Ohgami stands in the doorway.
"Hey that's not right Sumire leave the two of them be will ya." Asked Ohgami as he stood there in front of the door.
Meanwhile back in the main hall Maria has just arrived at the main hall. She looks around to see a young man around the age of 23 with long black hair he is wearing pretty average clothes he looks up and smiles.
"Maria is it really you? I can't believe it is you it's been a long time and I have missed you a lot." Benji walks closer to Maria so that she can get a better look at him.
"Yes it is me, Benji you came looking for me? I don't know what to say except that it has been a while since we last spoke." Maria walks up and raises her hand for a hand shake. Benji also raises his own hand and he shakes Maria's hand but he also pulls Maria in closer and gives her a hug. Maria is taken back by the hug but she smiles and lifts her own arms wrapping them around him.
"We were friends since we where kids and one day you where gone…. And you didn't tell me." A tear begins to form and it drips down the side of Benji's face.
"I am sorry Benji. I didn't tell you because I knew you would worry about me, and I thought it would be easier if you didn't know, but I can see it was the wrong decision to make." Maria wipes his tears away and gives him another hug this time tears where beginning to flow down her cheeks.
Little did everyone know that they where being watched as on the roof one of the buildings opposite the Theatre. Three dark figures focus there dark eyes on the Imperial Theatre.
"Why don't we go and crush them now Blackheart. I can't watch this." One of the Dark figures lifts her hand and a ball of dark energy begins to gather.
"No Naga and Nagi. I know your not liking it that your friend Kyoko is in the arms of another woman but don't you at least want to meet them again before we kill them all." Grinned Blackheart as the three of them continued to sit on top of the roof looking down on the Theatre.
"Yes just you watch you two Malick will beat them about a bit and you can take your precious Kyoko and Ryo from them, they will not be allowed to keep from you two for long Malick will see to that. Now let's go Malick will commence his attack in the morning." Blackheart, Nagi and Naga then disappear.
Meanwhile back in the Theatre again. Kohran has just finished looking at the Omega Koubus blue prints and has decided to go to bed she will look at them in more detail soon. Everyone else has decided to go to bed also except Maria and Benji who are still sitting up and are chatting in the recreational room.
"Yeah and that's why I came to the Imperial Capital to find you." Smiled Benji as he took a sip of tea out of a cup that Maria had made for him.
"Well I am glad that you decided to come and pay me a visit, but I am afraid you have come at a bad time Benji. This city isn't safe." Replied Maria taking a sip out of her cup.
"Yes I know it isn't a safe place with the demon attacks and all but I have a safe place to stay don't worry about me." Smiled Benji looking back over at Maria again.
"That is good to know Benji, but it is getting very late and I need to get some rest." Maria lets out a small yawn and she relaxes in her chair.
"Yes you preformed very well in the production my sweet Maria. I will come and visit you again in a few days. So until then it's good bye." Benji gets up out of the seat and takes Maria by the hand he gives her a passionate kiss.
"Umm… ok Benji I'll see you soon." Maria escorts him to the main hall and she opens the doors letting Benji out she watches as he strolls of down the street. Once Benji reaches the bottom of the street he turns around and waves back to Maria he then continues on to his own little apartment down the street. Maria smiles and goes back into the Theatre she goes directly to her room and falls asleep.
Early the next morning the demon alarm goes off before everyone can get their breakfast everyone has just arrived at the battle field and their Koubus are being deployed.
"Ok you guys there is a lot of enemies present so be on your guard. Kanna and Kyoko charge forward and scatter the enemy Sumire and Reni you follow close behind them and destroy any that are left, Maria Kohran and Orihime will cover for you while Ryo, Sakura and myself will flank them Iris you repair if repairs are necessary." Ohgami takes a quick glance around him. "Now Imperial Floral Assault Unit. MOVE OUT!!"
"You got it chief come on Kyoko let's break them!" Kanna turns to her Koubu to face Kyoko's Koubu.
"You got it Kanna let's break them to pieces!" Kyoko's and Kanna's Koubu charge forward taking out few Wakiji's with Sumire and Reni destroying any that Kyoko and Kanna missed. Maria, Kohran and Orihime give the group covering fire but due to their accuracy it is as if they are snipping instead of cover firing. Sakura, Ryo and Ohgami continue to proceed to the main target which is currently remaining stationary behind the main Wakiji force.
Sakura's Koubu slashes through a few enemy Wakiji as her Koubu stops in front of the unidentified enemy as Ohgami and Ryo's Koubu stop beside her.
"There is the enemy up there Ohgami we should get it now before it destroys anything." Yelled Sakura as it dropped down in front of them.
"Right we got to take it out now." Yelled Ohgami looking at the enemy trying to determine how powerful the enemy is.
"So your going to try and take me out are you?" The demon let out a loud evil laugh but he was soon interrupted by Sakura.
"Yes we are here to destroy you demon!" Yell Sakura as she charged forward with her sword drawn.
The demon grins as he watches Sakura charge at him the killer instinct clearly shown on her face.
"Ok little girl since you have in a way introduced yourself. I think I should do the same." The demon draws his own demonic blade and charges towards Sakura.
"Sakura hold on we are coming." Ryo and Ohgami also charge forward to try and reach Sakura in time, though they suddenly stop when they see Sakura's and the demon's swords clash and look shocked when Sakura's Koubu begins to bounce along the ground and it crashes into a wall.
"Sakura are you ok?!" Asked Ohgami as he looked towards Sakura's Koubu as it lay buried in a wall.
"Yeah I am fine thank you, but please be careful he is a power enemy
"You monster you will pay for that with your life!" Growled Ryo as he stared over at the demon the hatred in his eyes is terribly clear.
"Now that little girl is out of the way, I will take you two out also. And before I forget to tell you, my name is Kenjiro." Kenjiro laughs out loudly and Ryo and Ohgami attack him.
"Now die you monster!" Ryo lashes out at Kenjiro in a split second after he blocked a sword attack from Ohgami. Ryo's blow struck Kenjiro causing Kenjiro to growl as the blood dripped from his wound.
"You actually damaged me. That was a swift attack but can you do it again." Kenjiro charges forward attacking Ryo and Ohgami slashing violently with his sword. Ryo and Ohgami begin to back off trying to defend each attack Ohgami's Koubu has few gashes in the armour while Ryo's Koubu has only a few scratches due to the enhancements made to his Koubu.
"Hang on we are coming to support you!" Yelled Maria as she led the others in to battle with the Kenjiro. Everyone else except Sakura surrounds him. Kenjiro had a quick look around him before he returns his attention to Ohgami.
"Ok Iris repair Sakura's Koubu the rest of us will attack him. Ok now attack!" Yells Ohgami as he charges forward with Kanna, Sumire, Kyoko and Reni While Maria, Kohran and Orihime open fire on him.
"You think you will able to beat me like that!" Kenjiro points his blade towards the now attacking Koubus and he spins round firing a blast of dark energy at Ohgami and the others.
"Hey you guys incoming." Yelled Ohgami as the dark energy blasts continue to hurtle towards them at breath taking speed. Ohgami and the others dodged the attack but Kohran and Orihime where hit, badly damaging their Koubus legs. Their Koubus hit the ground hard and they slide across the ground, sparks fly from the grinding metal as the Koubus come to a grinding halt.
"Orihime, Kohran are you guys doing ok?" Asked Maria as she watched their Koubus trying to stand up.
"Yeah we are ok but the legs on our Koubu's are badly damaged we can no longer fight." Replied Kohran as her Koubu lay there flat on its back.
"That is ok we can handle it." Maria's Koubu then swings its cannon arm and it points at Kenjiro. "Now eat this you monster" Maria fires 3 times at Kenjiro and each round hits its mark causing Kenjiro to halt his advance of Sumire. Maria continues to fire causing Kenjiro to backup against the wall. Kanna and Kyoko slam the Koubus forearms into Kenjiro's stomach. Kenjiro's stomach begins to bleed and he slashes at Kyoko and Kanna's Koubu knocking them to the floor.
"No you don't!" Just as Kenjiro was about to bring his sword down on them Sumire leaps in and deflects it with her naginata. Sumire had caught him off guard and it left his stomach wound. She deflects a sword strike from Kenjiro and lowers her Koubu and strikes at the wound again.
"Thanks Sumire I owe you one." Smiled Kyoko as his Koubu got up off the ground shortly followed by Kanna's.
"Yeah thanks cactus woman." Smiled Kanna as the three of them turned to see Kenjiro getting slashed again by Ohgami and Ryo.
"Just shut up and let's kill him!" Sumire charges at Kenjiro just as Ohgami and Ryo step away she goes to strike his with her naginata but he grabs it and tosses Sumire's Koubu over his shoulder she crashes through a few closed market stalls but quickly gets her Koubu to its feet.
Kohran climbs out of her Koubu and she watches as Kyoko's Koubu kicks Kenjiro into a wall sending Kenjiro flying and laying him flat on his back.
"That Koubu has some awesome power. It's very humanoid and its mobility is a lot better than our Koubus I will study it later." Iris teleports in front of Kohran uses her powers to being repairing Kohran and Orihime's Koubus
Kenjiro climbs to his feet again and charges at Ohgami and the others.
"Now you will pay!" Kenjiro suddenly disappears and reappears again in front of Maria he slashes at her cutting of her Koubu's gun arm off. He then grabs Maria's Koubu's other arm and throws Maria to the ground. "Now for you!" He attacks Sumire taking her naginata off her and he rams it into the Koubus head piece just missing Sumire's face.
"Sumire!" Reni charges at Kenjiro with her lance already spinning as she moves to stab him with it Kenjiro moves and shoots a dark energy blast point blank into Reni's back. Reni's Koubu shorts out and falls to the ground.
"Now that for you little brat!" Kenjiro charges towards Iris his sword at the ready.
"Help! Some one help!" Iris is scared out of her wits as Kenjiro continues to get closer.
"No one will help you little one!" Kenjiro continues to charge towards Iris, but Orihime and Kohran throw their Koubu in the way and they get slashed and sent back to the ground.
"Orihime! Kohran!" Are you two ok?!" Yelled Iris as she looked at their Koubu then back towards Kenjiro.
"Yeah we are ok the Koubu legs where repaired just in time." Replied Orihime as Iris watched Kenjiro attack again.
"Now you will die." He charges again but this time Ohgami, Kyoko, Kanna and Ryo stand in his way.
"You will not touch her you spawn of darkness!" Ryo and Kyoko charge at him, Kyoko punches Kenjiro just as Ryo stabs him through the stomach wound.
"Get lost!" Kenjiro emits a dark energy field sending Kyoko and Ryo crashing backwards there Koubu systems are beginning to short.
"I'll get you for this you demon!" Ohgami and Kanna attack him next. They grab him and restrain Kenjiro from moving.
"Now Sakura!" Yelled Kanna as they held onto Kenjiro not letting go.
"Right!" Sakura's Koubu gets up again after being fixed and she stands in front of the restrained Kenjiro. "Haja Kensai Ouka Hoshin!" Sakura unleashes her most powerful attack on Kenjiro. The blast hurtles along the ground and it hits Kenjiro.
"No I can't lose nooooooo!!" Kenjiro vanishes Ohgami quickly looks around.
"Hey is everyone ok!" Asked Ohgami franticly looking around at everyone.
"Yes Ohgami I am fine a few cuts that are bleeding but I am." Replied Sumire.
"I am fine also; I am bleeding but only just a little." Replied Maria as she looked at her cut.
"I am fine just got a few bad bruises." Replied Sakura looking towards Ohgami.
"I am ok I was just a little scared." Replied Iris as she began to commence repairs on everyone's Koubu.
"It's ok Iris don't worry. Kanna, Kyoko how about you two?" Asked Ohgami looking towards them.
"Yeah I am fine but I have been better." Replied Kyoko looking over Ohgami's Koubu.
"Yeah bro I am so don't worry about me." Replied Kanna as she looked around looking at everyone.
"I am ok my Koubu is beginning to respond normally now." Replied Ryo as he looked over towards Kohran and Orihime.
"I am also ok but I am a bit taken back by all of this." Replied Reni looking over towards Ohgami.
"Yeah I am fine, nothing broken." Replied Orihime as she rubbed her head.
"Yeah I am fine don't worry." Replied Kohran looking up at everyone.
"That's good glad to hear it everyone. General Yoneda we are ready to be picked up." Ohgami looks at everyone and then turns round when he hears Yoneda's voice.
"Good job all of you we will get those wounds of yours treated when your Koubu get aboard." Replied Yoneda as the Shogei-Maru landed close by.
"Ok everyone let's get aboard and go home." Replied Ohgami as he began to walk towards the Shogei-Maru. Everyone agrees and they begin to walk to the Shogei-Maru.
Meanwhile on the Shogei-Maru Tsubaki, Yuri and Kasumi along with Kaede and Ayame have just gone over the battle when Yoneda enters the room.
"So what do you have to report?" Asked General Yoneda as the door closed behind him.
"Well General Yoneda our scans showed that the enemy called Kenjiro could off been beaten at they very start of the confrontation, but as soon as Ohgami and the others got close his dark powers shot through the roof as if someone or something was feeding his dark powers." Kaede looks up from the data screen to see if the General understood.
"So Kaede you are this saying this Kenjiro is the weakest of these new demon generals." Yoneda looks over towards Kaede and she nods.
"Yes sir and there was something else, while the battle was going on we detected the presence of someone else." Add Kaede as she looked over at Yoneda from where she was standing.
"I see please get a medical kit ready to treat the wounds that some of the girls have suffered when they return." General Yoneda looks out the window and smiles. "Speaking of which here they come." General Yoneda smiles as he sees the Koubu units getting closer to the Shogei-Maru.
"We are lowering the ramp so that the Koubu's can get aboard. We will go and await their arrival." Kasumi Tusbaki and Yuri get out of the seats and they make their way to the Koubu storing area on the Shogei-Maru. Kasumi grabs a first aid kit on the way down. The three of them smile when they see the Koubu entering the Shogei-Maru. The Koubu stand in their designated storage spots and everyone gets out off their Koubu and they stand in front of Kasumi, Tsubaki and Yuri.
Kasumi opens the First aid kit and she begins to clean Maria's and Sumire's wounds.
"I am glad to see everyone has returned safely." Smiled Yuri as she stood in front of everyone.
"Yeah we are safe but our Koubu will need repairs." Smiled Ohgami as he stood their rubbing his head.
"Well when you fight demons on a daily basis your Koubu will get damaged." Laughed Kasumi as he began to clean another one of Maria's wounds.
"Yes that will happen Ohgami but I am here to fix the Koubu so I will fix it don't worry." Kohran Laughed as she looked over at Ohgami with a grin on her face.
"Yes that will be grateful Kohran thank you very much." Ohgami looks over at her and smiles.
A few seconds later the Shogei-Maru lifts off and it begins to make its way back to the Imperial Theatre.
"You guys I think we should go and see General Yoneda instead of sitting here and chatting." Commented Maria as she began to walk towards the door leading to the control centre of the Shogei-Maru.
"Yes Maria I think your right well come on everyone." Ohgami follows Maria into the control centre.
"I guess we should join him." Sakura smiles and follows Ohgami into the control centre. The others just look at each other and they follow Sakura into the control centre. They all stand beside each other and they salute General Yoneda who then salutes them in return.
"I am glad to see that you all made it out without serious injury." The general smiles and Ohgami steps forward to speak.
"Sir some of the Koubu have received very heavy damage in this battle. I am afraid they got the better if us in that fight." Ohgami lowers his head and he looks towards the floor.
"It is ok Ohgami everyone got out safely and we didn't cause too much damage to the surrounding area and you also killed the enemy leader so everything turned out well." Replied Yoneda nodding in Ohgami's direction.
"But I am sure he isn't the only one. He died way too easy." Added Kyoko looking towards General Yoneda.
"Yes Kyoko you are right from what data we gathered during your battle with Kenjiro it seems you where being watched by some unknown enemy." General Yoneda walks over to the window and looks out the Shogei-Maru should be arriving soon.
"I see so that means he could only be a part of something bigger." Added Sumire as she turned to the others.
"Well cactus woman I think you're on to something but just exactly who or what was watching us the cowards." Replied Kanna looking at Sumire while Kasumi cleaned Sumire's cuts.
"We can't say for sure but for now let's leave it be they might show up next time." General Yoneda then looks back out of the window again while everyone else sits in their seats as the Shogei-Maru continued on it's trip back to the Theatre.
Sorry for the long wait my job was getting the better of me - hope to see you all again. And I thank Benji Himura for letting me use his character Benji in this chapter I am sure he will also make some future appearances if I have permission. See you all soon