Minna…chapter 4 is up!

Here, everything will be clearer and clearer…Oh, and I want to apologize for my mistake. Oogami's rank should be 'Admiral', since he's from Japanese Navy and not from Japanese Army…Well, I can't tell more of this story…Please R&r…I don't mind if you give me critiques, but, please say them in a polite way...

Disclaimers : I don't own Sakura Taisen and all its characters, but I own Edelweiss, Suiren, Momoko, Himawari, Meigui, Kikyou, Delphine, Cattleya, Bill, Satsuki, Tanpopo, Sayaka, Taro, Shohan, Rin, Shiruku, Micheru, Haruna, Fie, and also Kurogumo. Benji Himura belongs to my friend, Benji Himura. I've got his permission to use his character here.

Endless Wings

Chapter four : Rain and Storm

Hanayashiki Headquarter, April 8, 1950

"What!" Oogami asked, almost shouting.

"I'm sorry, Sir. But that was true. All those four girls beat Kurogumo's beast soldiers."

Oogami stood up. He sighed. "Alright," he replied, "we'll be back soon." He put the telephone.

"What's up?" Sakura asked, worrying.

"Our new members moved too fast," Oogami answered, "please gather the others. We need to be back soon."

Daitekoku Gekijou, April 9, 1950

Emergency Meeting Room

Although it was one o clock in the morning, unusually, Rin didn't feel any drowsiness. Instead, she walked back and forth, looking at the closed door, still in her black and white pilot suite.

The door opened, and Oogami entered in rush, followed by Maria, Sakura, and the other Hanagumi women.

As they entered, Rin kneeled down and bowed. "I'm so sorry," she said, "I've failed in taking control of everything."

"Stand up," Oogami said, "tell us everything."

Tanpopo's room

"…the last beasts disappeared, and the fight ended."

Tanpopo sighed and hit the button of the voice-tapper placed on her table. "It's getting so dangerous. They seem so skillful."

Bill smirked. "Those miserable girls," he muttered, "they'll soon be thrown into battles."

"We should run Plan B faster," Tanpopo whispered, "tell our colleagues."

Bill stood up and kissed the brunette's forehead. "Alright, Sis," he whispered back, "I'll slip out and prepare everything now."

Tanpopo smiled and waved as she watched the blonde guy moving to the window, opened it, and climbed down.

"Good luck, Bro."

Edelweiss' Room

Sitting on her bed, leaning against the headboard, Edelweiss watched the three other girls.

Suiren, her best friend, lay beside her on the king-sized bed. Although the raven-haired girl closed her eyes, Edelweiss knew, she didn't sleep. She had never been so quiet on her sleeps before.

Momoko, the brunette Yokohama girl, was sitting on the big armchair in the corner of the rather large room. Her eyes were closed, and her breaths were well-regulated. The lamplight fell upon her left cheek, and, Edelweiss could see, there was a slight, very slight, purple-blue mark. She had, or someone had, bruised her cheek.

Himawari, the cheerful redhead, was curling in the corner of the big sofa. Like Momoko, she was certainly sleeping. Sometimes, her body trembled, and, Edelweiss could hear her sobbing. She cried in her sleep.

The blonde young lady stood up and walked to her window. From her current place, she could see the sun rising. A new day had come. Her second day at the Capital.

Someone circled her arms around Edelweiss. The quarter-Russian turned, and saw Suiren there. She smiled, and placed her hands over the younger girl's. Rubbing those cold, shivering hand, to ease their owner's confusion and fright, the young markswoman secretly prayed.

Dining Room

As the four young ladies entered the dining room for breakfast, a sarcastic laughter welcomed them.

"Well-done, snobs," a woman said, "you've shown the world your mighty power."

Simultaneously, all four of them turned to the voice. "O..oneesan?" Suiren muttered.

Tanpopo made a snorting voice. "Showing her ability to gain respect. What an embarrassing sister," she mumbled.

Suiren felt her tears welling up on her eyes. "Why you say that to me, Oneesan?" she asked, offended by her sisters' words.

"Because you really are," Tanpopo answered, ignoring Suiren's tears. "And, you three, don't forget, you also really are."

Himawari felt her blood boiling. She stepped forward, ready to send an attack to Tanpopo, but, Edelweiss restrained her. "Calm down," she whispered to the redhead.

She turned to Tanpopo. "I think you've misjudged us," she said politely, "we didn't mean to show off. We were there to help."

Tanpopo threw another sarcastic laughter. "Oh," she said, looking at Edelweiss, "you've grown into a liar, my childhood friend."

Edelweiss embraced the crying Suiren and caressed her black, silky, waist-length hair. "I think you're quite exaggerating, Tanpopo," she warned, "you've hurt all four of us."

Tanpopo shrugged. She stood up and walked towards the door. As she passed them, she stopped. "It's up to you," she said, grinning, "hypocrites."

Momoko, couldn't keep her emotion down anymore, raised her hand to slap the taller brunette. But, before she could land her hand on Tanpopo's cheeks, the target had caught it.

"You're quite resembling your mother, Miss Kanzaki," she told Momoko, "but, you're nothing compared to her."

She released Momoko's hand and walked out casually, as if nothing had happened.

Suiren's cry got worse, and Edelweiss must embrace the younger girl tightly to calm her. She kissed Suiren's hair silently, feeling something stabbing into her soul. Momoko and Himawari watched them, and, soon, the new friends got into an embrace.

"What are you doing here!" someone scolded.

The girls stopped embracing, and they saw Sumire walking towards them.

"What are you doing here?" she repeated her question, this time in a low, threatening tone.

None of the girls answered.

"Why don't you answer!" Sumire scolded them again.

"Nothing. Just nothing," Edelweiss quickly answered.

"Nonsense," Sumire distinctly said. She looked at them, one by one. "You're such hopeless girls," she claimed, before walked out and left.

Silence filled the dining room for a while.

"Well," Edelweiss finally said, "why don't we just sit down?"

Executive Meeting Room

"So, what must we do then?" Reni asked Oogami.

"We have no more choices besides telling them all the facts about Teikoku Kagekidan," the commander answered, "and then, we can start training them."

"Who will tell them?" Kouran asked.

"I will do it," Oogami answered, "after all, I haven't met them yet."

"How about the training?" Orihime asked.

"I think each of us should give it," Oogami answered, looking at all his comrades.

"But, we can't leave all those jobs to give training," Iris reminded, "we will ruin the theatre and also the troupe if we do that."

Oogami smiled and clung at the sleepless Maria and Sakura. "I think Maria and Sakura have arranged the training schedule, and also the subject each of us is responsible to," he said.

Manager's Office

After sharing some warm hugs with his daughter Suiren and his 'niece' Edelweiss, and also some handshakes with Momoko and Himawari, Oogami walked back to his chair and invited the girls to come nearer to his desk.

"I guess all of you are pretty confused now," he began.

"Actually I am," Momoko replied.

"Me too."

"I think so."

"So do I."

Oogami smiled. "Let me explain about Teikoku Kagekidan," he said. "The words "Teikoku Kagekidan" actually have two meanings. The first is Imperial Assault Team. And, the second one, probably it's more well-known than the first, is Imperial Opera Troupe. Can you understand this so far?"

The girls took a while thinking about it. Then, they all nodded.

"I understand."

"I can understand your words."

"That's it! Now, I get it!"

"Me too."

Oogami looked at them, one by one. "So, all of Teikoku Kagekidan members must know how to fight, and how to manage an entertainment business. As you've seen on those Secretarial Staffs."

The girls nodded, signaling that they'd caught the meaning.

"And, as new members of Teikoku Kagekidan, all of you must learn about entertainment and also battle," he continued.

Just like before, the girls just nodded.

"Your trainings will start soon after your team is completed. Here's the schedule," the manager finished, taking four bundles of paper out of his drawer and put them on his desk. "You may take it and study it now."

Each girl took a bundle, and, soon, they started reading.

"Maybe you haven't ever seen most of your mentors," Oogami added. "But, I think, sooner or later, you'll meet all of them. The official introduction will be held after the team is completed. All of your mentors are busy, very busy, people."

Someone knocked the door.

"Come in," Oogami shouted.

The door opened and Satsuki came in. She walked directly towards Oogami's desk, and smiled warmly when the new girls turned to see her.

"Ah," she said, pausing in the middle of the room, "Oneechan and Suiren. And also Miss Kanzaki and Miss Kirishima. Glad to see all of you."

She moved closer to Edelweiss and hugged her elder sister, then turned to Suiren and did the same thing. Still smiling, she moved again to shake Momoko and Himawari's hands.

Then, she turned to face Oogami. "Uncle Manager," she said, "sorry for disturbing you. I just want to remind you about the movie shoot we'll have today."

Oogami stood up. "Thanks, Satsuki," he thanked the dark-haired girl. He turned to the four girls. "Want to see the shoot?" he offered.

Hanayashiki Theme Park, April 9, 1950

Standing next to the Ferris Wheel's feet, Edelweiss, Suiren, Momoko, and Himawari couldn't do anything but freeze.

"Camera?"

"Rolling."

"Action!"

Satsuki jumped from the top of the Ferris Wheel. She landed perfectly on the ground, next to the merry-go-round. Without wasting even a single second, she stood up. Running towards the mirror house, she gave some shoots to the 'monsters' which were running after her, finishing them. She disappeared into the mirror house.

"Cut!"

The camera turned off, and everybody who watched the scene clapped their hands and cheered. Satsuki came out from the mirror house, and the cheers got louder. The young actress waved to the crowds, as blitz showered her.

"Nice work, Miss!" the director claimed, patting the teen softly, "I'm sure we will finish earlier today."

"Really?" Satsuki said, seemed so excited. "This is the first time I finish a take earlier!" she yelled cheerfully.

"You once did," Oogami, who was standing next to the director, reminded her. "Remember the last scene of 'Star Dreamers'?"

"Yes, but it was already six years ago," Satsuki replied, "it can't be counted."

Oogami and the director laughed. "Okay," the director said, "we'll continue with the next scene."

They moved closer to the mirror house. Satsuki came in, and the camera was turned on again. Soon, the next scene began.

The mirror house's door was opened, and Satsuki ran out, hugging a rather big thing wrapped up in a piece of cloth. She headed towards the emergency gate of the park, where a truck had been waiting, and jumped into the truck.

"Cut!"

The crowds clapped again, and, Satsuki jumped down from the truck. Smiling, she ran to Oogami and the director.

"I finish it!" she yelled.

"Yes, you did," the director said, smiling and shaking her hand. "Congratulations. This is the only remaining scene for you to finish. Now, everything is over."

Satsuki nodded. "Thanks," she said sweetly.

"I'm sorry, but I must go now," the director apologized, looking at the big clock near them, "once editing is finished, I'll invite you to see the result." He turned to Oogami and was ready to greet the Manager goodbye, when, something caught his attraction.

"Are those four your new girls?" he asked.

"Yes," Oogami answered, "they've just arrived yesterday."

"Well, congratulations. I'm sure, they'll soon shine," the director said, smiling.

In all of sudden, he fell unconsciously and hit the ground.

One by one, his crews and also the people who were watching the filming followed him.

And, in the end, nobody remained awake.

Nobody, except Oogami Ichirou and his girls.

Startled, the Manager, no, Commander, looked at his surroundings. Knowing what had really happened, he pulled his revolver out of its sheath.

Looking at those unconscious people around her, Satsuki did the same thing. She threw her glance to the sky, watching how the evening sky got darker and the stars disappeared. "Damn! It's him!" she cried.

Oogami turned to the wondering young ladies behind him. "You four," he ordered, "hide yourselves behind that bench. Whatever you hear, don't show yourselves, until I give you further instructions."

Knowing nothing else to do, Edelweiss, Suiren, Momoko, and Himawari nodded and ran to the bench, hid behind it.

Something flew above Satsuki. Gazing upward, she saw a big, bat-like creature over her. It dived, its claws opened, ready to pounce her.

Screaming, the young actress pointed her revolver on the beast's head and shot it. It cried in pain and disappeared.

"Very interesting," a sarcastic voice said.

Oogami, Satsuki, and the four girls turned to the voice.

There, on the peak of the mirror house's roof, stood a man. Wearing all-black clothes and a white mask, he looked just as dark and mysterious as the night.

Satsuki's eyes widened when she recognized him. "You!" she cried, full of hatred and disbelief.

The mysterious man laughed. "How are you, sweetie?" he asked Satsuki.

"Don't even call me like that!" Satsuki screamed in anger. She stepped her left foot backward, preparing herself to leap. But, before she could do it, Oogami had held her right arm.

"Calm down, Satsuki," the commander reminded.

"But, Commander, he's…"

Oogami gave a scolding glance to Satsuki, signaling her to stop the sentence.

Clinging to the bench, Satsuki nodded slightly.

Nodding back, Oogami released Satsuki. Both of them turned their faces to the mysterious man.

"Don't chain her, Admiral," the mysterious man said.

"You're wrong," Oogami replied, "I'm not chaining her, and she must know that for sure."

The mysterious man snorted. "Do you think he's right, First Lieutenant?"

"Yes," Satsuki answered, narrowing her green eyes.

Laughing, the mysterious man threw some dark-energy balls to Oogami and Satsuki.

The targets leaped and rolled to avoid the attack. Before they could even stand, the mysterious man had sent each of them a shoot. Moaning, they lose their grips to their revolvers.

"See?" the attacker asked. "You can't even guard your weapons. I guess I can just leave you to my youngest one."

As he finished his sentence, a girl in black leggings and crimson halterneck appeared. The mysterious man patted her, and grabbed her shoulder, as he proudly announced her identity to the Teikoku Kagekidan members.

"She's Fie, my little one."

Controlling their breaths, Oogami and Satsuki slowly stood up. Blood dripping from their wounded right hands.

"Well," the mysterious man said to Fie, "do your best. Don't upset me."

"Yes, Daddy," Fie answered.

Her face was, strangely, expressionless.

The mysterious man disappeared, leaving Fie with Oogami and Satsuki.

"First," Fie began, "I think I'd like to show you something."

She spread her arms and released some dark waves. The dark waves threw both Oogami and Satsuki aside, and made them hit the wooden walls of the ticket boxes. Again, moans were heard.

Without any expression of guilt or satisfaction, Fie walked towards Oogami. She pulled a dagger, and lifted it up high, ready to stab the wounded Commander.

With all the power remaining on her weakened body, Satsuki crawled across the passage and circled one of her arms on Fie's left leg.

Her attempt was successful. Fie turned to Satsuki, forgetting Oogami for a while.

"You want to die first?" she asked.

Instead of answering, Satsuki spitted.

Fie's expressionless face turned fierce. She threw her dagger aside, and pulled her machete. Lifting it high up into the air, aiming Satsuki's neck, she didn't even realize that two bullets were heading towards her.

One hit her hand and threw the machete far away. Leaping due to surprise, she was rather lucky. If she didn't do that, the second bullet must have pierced her heart, more than just hit her shoulder and nested there.

Throwing a wild, angry glance to her shooters, the demon girl walked away and disappeared.

Hanayashiki Headquarter, April 9, 1950

Guest Room

Sitting together around the coffee table, Edelweiss, Suiren, Momoko, and Himawari couldn't do anything but think.

Someone entered the meeting room, bringing two revolvers, each in a transparent plastic bag.

"Good evening," she greeted them. "I'm Reni Milchstrasse Hoshikane. A member of Hanagumi. As you've known, I'm one of your mentors."

All the girls stood.

"Good evening, Ma'am,"

"Good evening."

"Good evening."

"Good evening, Ma'am."

"Aunt. Just call me Aunt Reni," the silver-haired corrected.

She looked at them, one by one. "Well," she began, "according to the Commander and Satsuki, two of you had shot their attacker. These two, please follow me. The rest may wait here."

Kurogumo Castle, April 9, 1950

Looking at his wounded daughter, Kurogumo sighed.

"Fie," he said, sitting beside the girl on her bed, "why did you move so fast?"

"I thought you'll be very pleased if I can kill them," Fie answered, still with no expression.

"You even didn't realize that other members were there," Kurogumo added, not even listening to Fie's last answer.

"They're not members," Fie said.

"What did you mean by that, my little one?"

"They're new," Fie shortly answered.

Kurogumo wrinkled his forehead behind his white mask. "Are you sure?" he asked.

"I have never told you a lie, Daddy. Check the crystal on my machete."

"Let me check," Kurogumo said, taking Fie's machete. He pulled out the crystal from the handle, placed it in a hole on the wall, and turned to the mirror.

The mirror showed him all things happened after he left Fie there with Oogami and Satsuki. Fie's attack, her movement to kill Oogami, Satsuki's act to prevent her, her preparation to kill Satsuki, and also the shoots that had ruined everything.

Looking at the faces of the shooters, Kurogumo froze for a while.

Then, the mysterious man stood up and laughed loudly.

"My Ixora," he said passionately, "and my Enfys. Finally, I can find both of you."

To be continued…

Which ones of the girl that had shot the demon girl Fie? And who are Ixora and Enfys? Well, you may guess, and wait patiently for the next chapters…Once you've guessed, please tell me who do you think they are…

Thanks to SilverBlue Dragon and Kanna's Man for their reviews, and a special thanks to Benji Himura for his review and permission. I also want to thank all my readers for their attention. Wish you all the best...

HaruNatsu

#Bonus : Diary of Secretarial Staffs#

Tokyo, March 2,1950

Five years has passed since our dear Manager recruited us. That time, he was a Rear Admiral, and, now, he is an Admiral.

This is the first time I write in this book, since we've just bought it this evening, while doing a final shopping for Ma'am Kouran's birthday party. I must say, we've spent quite much money on this book…But it's alright. However, today is also our fifth anniversary as a team.

Right now, I'm sitting on my bed, drinking some hot chocolate…Ahahaha…Shohan, you must envy me. Stop that self-torturing diet, I tell you. You also, Haruna. Yours is going extreme now.

Oh, yeah. Micheru, have you fill office car #002's tank? Just want to remind you, in case you stall again. Ma'am Maria and Ma'am Sakura can't arrive late on any occasions. They're both so busy recently, just as our dear Manager…

Shiruku, have you found a good name for our battle team? I'm sure none of us want to introduce herself as "Member of Secretary Assault Team". That's quite…yeah…you know what it makes. I guess we must find a better name.

I'm rather happy we'll have a party tomorrow. I'm concerned about our superiors' mental health. I think they've got much pressure these days.

I think this is enough…I'm so sleepy now…Micheru, don't forget, your turn to write comes after mine…

Peace,

Asakawa Rin.

Tbc…