2. Beginning Stages

"Well, then", Katagiri had already set up a tray the following day when the two agents showed up. "I left off with Yama's and Gokotai's introductions..."

"And you saw where you'd be stationed", Yamano took a cookie. "This is really good..."

"My late husband liked to make them. He was trying to impress me, but he could never get the flavoring down quite right."

"So, you didn't hear about Yui's whereabouts?" Matsumoto shuffled her papers.

"Keep in mind that I thought she was likely dead, which...in a way, she was. Konosuke knew, but I suspected later on that he wanted to spare me. I was already unsure of whether I could handle things..." She stared thoughtfully into her cup, "Yama-chan was still a bit shy, but we eventually got along. I adored Gokotai and the Tantous from the start though." She chuckled, "they truly were a delight. You wouldn't even have known they were actually child soldiers."

"So, who did you get next?" Yamano took another cookie as his partner side eyed him.

"Oi..." Matsumoto was about to chide him until the saniwa brushed her off.

"It's fine", Sakura laughed. "Yamano-kun, right? You can have the rest of them, if you like." Putting that aside, she continued. "A few days passed and somehow, I started to figure out where I wanted to put things. I made up a triage area, with help from the blacksmith. In the meantime, Imanotsurgi, Horikawa-kun, Donatsu-kun and Kasen joined me..."

####

In the days since she arrived in an alternate world, Sakura had managed to set up something resembling a household and with Yamabagiri's and one of her newer men, Kasen's help, she even set up a garden. Or the beginnings of one...

"Yama-chan", she looked at some seeds, "what do you think you'd like to eat?"

"I really don't know. Is it okay to be asking my opinion..." He felt her grabbing his right cheek. "Owowow".

"Stop that!" The fake thing was annoying her, but she wanted him to be more confident.

"I'm sorry, Master"!

"How about you, Kasen-san?" She liked Kasen enough, though he was a bit...she didn't want to say narcissistic, but he was dramatic. {At least he can cook somewhat, though it'd be nice to have a permanent cook}

"Strawberries will be a nice addition",he looked at the seeds, "perhaps carrots and lettuce as well..."

She nodded in agreement.

"Do you think we'll go fight soon?" Kasen asked, curiously. Sakura had been putting it off until she had more. However, the group was growing day by day. For now, she had her men spar with each other(so she can assess their strengths and weaknesses. That was the first thing she had thought of once she gained more men).

"I haven't received any orders yet". She took the shovel to dig. "We have you, Yama, Horikawa-kun, Ima and Go-chan, along with Donatsu-kun. I was hoping to get a few more, before we begin." She stopped and decided to ask, " Hey, are there any colleagues that are strong that you worked with?"

The sword mulled it over. "Sayo-kun. He was the colleague I was most close with, I suppose."

"How about you, Yama-chan?"

"There is my...brother."

Kasen shuddered at the word 'brother'. "Please don't bring that word up..."

"You guys have brothers", was what Sakura wanted to ask until she was greeted by the sight of the kitsune running away from a little boy who was dressed in Heian era clothing as well. This was Imanotsurgi ...or as Sakura affectionately called him, "Ima-chan."

"Help me, Sakura-sama!" Konosuke begged.

"I just wanted to give Konosuke a bath then play with him!" The tengu-looking boy smirked. He gave a huge smile to his mistress, who was somewhat amused and annoyed. "Oh, there's another guy in the refinery!"

"Your spiritual prescience is growing", Konosuke stated as Sakura took him with her. Iwa tagged along, as Horikawa joined them. "What's going on? He asked. His partner, Watanuki, joined as well. He was a favorite of Sakura's, (though she'd never admit it) because he was strong from the start.

{I might make him captain}.

"New guy."

"Maybe it'll be Kane-san!" Ah...the mythical Kane-san...

####

In the refinery, the blacksmith was holding a rather beautiful sword. "Here you go", he gave it to Sakura.

She touched it and a tall, beautiful man with long, Raven hair appeared. He eyed Sakura and for a minute, Sakura thought he blushed. Horikawa's reaction was enough to tell Sakura whom this probably was.

"So you're Kane-san?"

Izuminokami Kanesada regained his composure and gave a smile that would melt teenage hearts all over. He was also the first to stare at her breasts.

"I'm cool and strong!"

"My eyes are up here, Izumi-kun".

"I'm a popular sword, you know", his face turned Crimson when he faced Sakura again. "Have you fallen for me already?"

"Huh..." She just stared awkwardly. Kasen was glaring-but at him while she thought she caught a dirty look from Horikawa{Is he giving me a jealous look?}. However, she snapped back to normal soon enough. "Well, I think we should get to know each other first. Besides, someone's been waiting for you to come..."

And Horikawa went from well-mannered young man that Sakura relied on to blubbering fanboy in record time. At first, she found it endearing and a little cute, until Horikawa started looking at Izumi for advice.

####

"So he was checking you out?" Yamano was amused at the thought of a samurai face to face with Katagiri's...bosom.

"To be honest, it really didn't annoy me at first. I mean, most of them lived in an era where women were more behind the scenes", Katagiri seemed to be enjoying herself. "Honestly, it wasn't any different from getting hit on at a bar."

"Is this when you got the Shisengumi?"

"You'd have to excuse my partner, Katagiri-san. She really likes the Shisengumi".

"Well everyone knows their story, along with Date Masamune and Oda Nobunga", the old lady smiled. "I really did like Izumi, even if Horikawa would ignore me like a jealous lover..."

The researchers looked at each other. "Oh", Sakura looked at her watch, "forgive me for going on and on..."

"Were they lovers?" Matsumoto blurted out, "Izuminokami and Horikawa-san that is..."

The old lady smirked. "Ah...everyone wants to know the juicy parts..."

"I'm sorry, Katagiri-san..." Matsumoto apologized. "That was uncalled for..."

"Some of them were bound to be gay..."

Meanwhile, Yamano found himself both fascinated and a little annoyed at the topic. (We are actually talking about gay swords...)

"They like a married couple", their subject left it at that. "I know there was at least one romantic coupling among the men...but Yamano-kun is anxious to continue so I won't bore him with the details. And please...call me Sakura."

Putting an end to that subject, she then began to talk, "Yammy and Kashuu were a lot of fun though. They were probably more like normal teenagers than anything."

####

"How disgraceful", Sakura had been planting more and she was dirty..and in need of a shower when her newest member of her expanding army ran into her, "Can't you at least look decent? Your nails are a mess!"

"I'll make sure I'll wear my courtesan clothes next time", she sarcastically replied. He sighed and quickly apologized.

"Master!", Izumi came in, along with Yamada, her other new aquisition. "I think this is for you!"

She looked at the paper as the trio peeped over her shoulder.

"Looks like it's showtime". {oh boy...}

"Are we going to sortie?", Yammy asked.

"Yes." She took a deep breath and wondered where Konosuke was. "You guys need to get some experience. We need resources...{and I hope you don't die}"