ACT 8

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At the stage.

Maria held Sakura away from her. The Russian studied her face for a while. She felt guilt stab her heart as she looked at the Japanese girl.

Sakura sobbed.

Maria opened her mouth to speak but she couldn't find the right words to say.

Maria gently wiped away the younger girl's tears and stood up. The Russian turned to face Sumire, who was pretending to be unaware of what was happening.

The blonde woman looked down pondering of what just happened. 'After Ohgami, now Sakura. . . Oh, hell! What kind of situation is this!'

After a while she heard Iris yell. Maria turned her face at the entrance.

"Nyaa!"

Ohgami followed close by. "What is it, Iris?" Then, he fell silent, shocked by what was in front of them: Robin's costume.

It was a hairy costume with an ugly mask. It looked heavy on the lower part because of the goat-like hips and tail. The outfit had just arrived that morning. The staff were unable to put it in the costume room because it won't fit the door, so they placed it backstage for the time being instead.

Maria's eyes were locked on Ohgami when he entered after Iris.

The Flower Division Captain looked away from the costume and caught Maria's gaze. He also noticed that Sakura was crying again. 'Sakura-kun... Maria... Is there something wrong?' he thought.

"That costume looks very ugly!" Iris whined. "Don't you think so, Oniichan?"

Ohgami was momentarily distracted by the French girl's complaint. "Ah. . . yes," he mumbled.

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Sakura stood up from her place. "I LOVE YOU! Let the whole world know that!" she proclaimed loudly to Maria, oblivious to Ohgami's presence.

Maria's eyes widened at Sakura. She started to panic, afraid that someone might have heard her.

Ohgami's attention was caught by that. 'Wow, that was impressive of Sakura.'

Maria swiftly moved her head to see Ohgami's reaction. 'What will he think of this?'

Sumire had a better interpretation of his expression than Maria, though. 'Hmphf! Ensign is still thinking that they're practicing. Anyway, this is still fun to watch.' Sumire covered her mouth with her fan and smiled to herself.

Ohgami applauded Sakura for that line. "That was remarkable, Sakura-kun. Keep it up."

Sakura threw her attention to Ohgami. She was looking angrily at him.

'Okay, there's that face again. What did I say wrong this time?' Ohgami wondered, quite confused.

'He thought we were just rehearsing. Taichou, what would you say if you knew we weren't?' Maria said to herself.

'What a scene! AM I not lucky to witness this unusual event?' Sumire thought as her gaze swiveled from Ohgami to Maria and finally to Sakura.

Iris was still staring at the Robin costume. "This costume is very ugly. Iris HATES this!" her voice rang loudly over the stage.

All of their gazes were now set on Iris.

"Why are you looking at Iris like that?" the French girl asked defensively. "Don't you agree with me?"

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Maria immediately stalked away from there without a word. 'This madness has to stop!' she vowed as she hurriedly left.

"Ah, Maria-san!" Sakura called out, but the Russian was already gone.

Sakura felt despair at Maria's sudden departure. She clenched her fist and faced Ohgami. "I hate you Ohgami Ichirou! I hate YOU!" she shouted furiously.

"Wh-what? What did I do?" Ohgami asked in a bewildered tone.

Sakura didn't say anymore as she raced after Maria.

Ohgami was still confused over what was happening. He looked to Sumire for some answers, but the brown-haired girl did an about face to avoid him. Ohgami felt that she was obviously hiding something. 'Oh, man. Why are they like this?'

He could only imagine Ayame saying, "Hang in there Ohgami."

"Yeah, but I don't know for how long," Ohgami said followed by a sigh.

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Hallway.

Maria stopped when she heard a familiar sound.

It was the alarm! The enemies were attacking!

"Damn! What great timing..."

The Russian quickly ran to the Underground Command Room. . . cursing.

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All of them except Sakura quickly changed in their uniform and raced towards the command room.

Maria was already there in her uniform checking the radar.

"What is their position?" Ohgami asked immediately when he came in.

"According to the radar two giant Wakijis are wreaking havoc in a rural area," Maria responded. She looked at Ohgami and to the others. The Russian noticed that Sakura was not present. "Where is Sakura?"

Sumire shrugged. "I thought she followed you."

Maria was a bit furious. 'Dammit! Not now, Sakura!'

"You say two giant Wakijis? How big are they?" Ohgami asked again.

Maria composed herself and checked the radar. "I don't know, Taichou. But it indicates here that they can destroy a single house in one blow."

"Is that all we have?" At Maria's nod, he said, "Okay. Sumire, Iris and I will engage the enemy. Tell Sakura to catch up with us."

' 'Sumire, Iris and I?' Hell, why am I being left behind?' Maria glared at him.

Ohgami knew what she meant by that deathly stare. "Maria," he started. "Remember that Ayame-san is not here to coordinate our attacks. I'm counting on you for that."

Maria looked him for a while before she nodded. "I understand, Taichou."

Ohgami turned to Iris and Sumire. "Okay, Imperial Floral Assault Group, MOVING OUT!"

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The white, purple and gold Kohbu were now at the site of the attack. Several houses were damaged and there were people who were injured. They were obviously terrified.

"What a mess!" Sumire exclaimed. "Those Wakijis will pay for this."

"Okay, Maria, what's their location?" Ohgami asked.

Maria looked again at the radar. "Taichou, the signals indicate that they are still there."

"What! But-"

"YAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" Iris screamed.

"Iris!" Ohgami turned to the gold Kohbu in time to see it swiped away by an unseen force. "What is it! Iris, are you alright?"

"AAAAAAIIIIIEEEEEEEEEE!" Sumire shrieked as her Kohbu was also bashed away. It crashed violently into a house nearby.

"What the heck was that!" Ohgami asked himself loudly. "Maria, we are being attacked by invisible enemies. Iris and Sumire are down!"

"What!"

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'Dammit! What the hell are we supposed to do?' Maria balled her fists in frustration. She heard footsteps approaching and when the Russian turned, she saw Sakura.

Sakura was looking at the floor, clearly avoiding Maria's gaze.

"What have you been doing all this time!" Maria yelled. "Don't you know that Teito is under attack this very moment? Get to your Kohbu and move out!"

Sakura morosely entered her kohbu and moved out without saying a word.

Maria turned back to the monitor. "Taichou, Sakura is on the way."

"Good," Ohgami replied.

"But I doubt she'll be very cooperative," Maria said in a low voice.

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The pink Kohbu now stood in the devastated area. Ohgami quickly turned to her. "Sakura-kun, be careful! The enemy might attack from nowhere. You must stay alert."

Sakura didn't seem to hear him and it almost seemed as if she was actually strolling. She was startled when a strong force suddenly knocked her back. Her Kohbu tumbled and hit the ground.

"Damn! I'll get you for that!" Sakura said angrily. Her Kohbu quickly regained its position and drew her sword. "Come face me, you coward!"

Again, a strong force whacked Sakura's side making her lose the sword. "AAAAAHHHH!" Then another strike followed and completely damaged the right arm of Sakura's Kohbu.

"SAKURA!" Maria and Ohgami said in unison.

Ohgami ran towards Sakura, hoping to help her against the invisible enemy. However, he was at a disadvantage and was smashed down.

"TAICHOU!" Maria yelled from the monitor.

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"Ugghhh. . . "Ohgami felt something crawling down his head. He touched it and stared at the red liquid on his hand. "Oh, hell. I'm truly a mess!" He turned to the monitor. "Maria, are you still there?"

There was no response.

"Maria!" he called out again.

'Oh, damn! Even the communication lines are busted!' Ohgami moved his Kohbu to make it stand when Sakura's voice caught his attention.

"MARIA!" Sakura exclaimed.

Ohgami was surprised when a black Kohbu stood in front of them.

"I'll handle this, Taichou," Maria said coldly.