The Snowfall

Another portion of fluff for you, guys)) This time I wrote a story about the two of my favorite couples together - there are both Remi/Sakuya and Mari/Ali here)) As for Remilia and Sakuya, I planned this fanfiction as a continuation of my previous story about them that's called "The Price of Your Smile". And the development of Marisa and Alice's relationships is not tied to any of my previous creations this time.

Enjoy and critisize!

P.S.: I don't own Touhou Project

Chapter 1

Another strong blast of wind hit the old walls of the Scarlet Devil Mansion making window glasses rattle.

The weather was steadily getting worse that day. Just an hour later the sky became even grayer than it was supposed to be in such time of the year and the clouds got so low they seemed to press to the ground all Gensokyo which wasn't ready for winter yet.

Suddenly it began snowing. Big fluffy flakes were silently falling from above, piling soft snowdrifts. It made everything look nice and calming at first but soon the cold wind appeared and along with the sudden changing of the weather it caught off-guard everybody who was spending their time outside.

The sun shining quite brightly in the morning completely disappeared for the moment, making the Mansion seem even gloomier and darker than it was in reality. Against the crystal clear background behind the glass could be seen the figure of the young vampire who was looking worriedly through the window at the raging weather. "Damn it. She didn't take her coat with her..", Remilia murmured frowning.

~/~

Sakuya shivered when the wind threw another portion of snowflakes into her face. That was the beginning of the week and that's why she was now in the village buying meal for all of the Scarlet Devil Mansion inhabitants as she did every Monday. Her hands were frozen and she felt pain trying to move her fingers because of the heavy bags with everything she had bought. The maid paid the butcher for several meat chops which she decided to cook for that day's dinner than put the bags on the ground and held her cold hands to the mouth trying to warm them up a bit with her breath. Sakuya always planned to buy a lot of things, so that she didn't have to go shopping till next week. And thus the silver-haired maid had spent quite a long time outside. She was rather dissatisfied with her own lack of foresight that made her leave in her usual autumn garment that day.

And so she hurried to return home as fast as she could. The temptation to reach any warm place was so overwhelming that she even turned to the road that led to the Mansion but almost immediately suppressed her impulse and marched to the opposite side of the village instead. "I have to get the first-class tea for my Lady", she thought having a blow on her fingers for the last time with a sigh. A tender smile appeared on her lips when she thought about the charming vampire who was waiting now for her return.

Even though she flew this time, the tea-shop was nearly twenty minutes away from the place where Sakuya had made her purchase. She stopped time around her for a while but that didn't save her from coldness or the snow which now just froze still in the air so she had to give up the idea.

When the Head Maid reached the place, she already felt completely uncomfortable and frozen and even began to cough a bit. She bought several packs of luxurious black tea, which Remilia liked to drink, then added green tea for Patchouli and her familiar-devil and choose a Chinese one for Meiling – the latter was devoted to her traditions. Sakuya herself preferred milked coffee but there was still a supply of the beans in the Mansion. As for Flandre, she drank red tea – as Sakuya suspected that girl just liked everything that could remind her of blood.

When the maid turned to the exit, the door suddenly opened and let inside a familiar shape which belonged to the Seven-colored Puppeteer. The blue-eyed youkai shook the snow from her fair hair and gazed up noticing the girl. – Oh.. Hello. I thought I would be the only one spending time here in such weather.

– Good day, Alice. Well, I am on my duty and that means nothing could stop me from being here. – The negligent and a bit proud tone in which Sakuya said that made her sound really cool, but the effect was spoiled with loud "ACHOOO!" that followed. Alice chuckled, concerned a bit. – Well, it seems you are purposeful as always, aren't you? But it doesn't change the fact that you are not equipped well enough for today.

– You got me. – This time Sakuya's voice was quite sore. – Actually I was too careless to think about the possibility of snowstorm. But happily, tea was the last item I needed to buy today.. So that means I can go home finally. – With last words Sakuya's nice face distorted into a grimace and she started coughing. Alice watched that sight with a critical face and then said:

– It seems it would be wrong to leave you like this.. Let's go to my house. You definitely should warm up a bit or else you might get totally ill.

– Eh? Oh.. – Sakuya seemed a bit mixed-up. – Thanks. I'm really grateful for your invitation, b-but I have to hurry back to the Mansion..

– Well, the Forest of Magic is at some distance from the main road, but all the same my house is on your way to the Mansion, right? And hey, Sakuya. I totally don't want to be the last one who ever saw you alive, ok? Your eccentric vampire-lady will try to tear me apart, and that wasn't my plan. – Even joking like that the doll maker seemed to sound gloomy as always. But suddenly she smiled, and Sakuya to her own surprise caught herself on thinking that this simple smile made Alice look very attractive and friendly.

That discovery astonished the girl so much that she just couldn't resist. All the more so, the images of a burning fireplace and a steaming cup of tea were so tempting.. But she still perplexed before answering, knowing that her Lady might be worrying about her.

Seeing right through the maid, the blond-haired woman added:

– Well, aren't you supposed to be able to stop time? You can always do it at least for a little while, that will make you come home not too late.

That solved the problem. Sakuya waited till Alice bought some tea and they made their way to the latter's dwelling. The wind seemed to get even worse and the weather was not far from turning into a really tough storm. The doll maker herself was wearing wool gloves and a warm mantle above her usual dress tied with a wide scarf that protected from snow at least the scruff of her neck. Sakuya carried her begs which made impossible for her to keep her ruff raised. So she leaned forward a bit, trying to avoid at least a small amount of snow. Suddenly she felt something warm and soft embracing her throat. The silver-haired maid looked down seeing a tail of blue material and found out that was nothing else than Alice's scarf.

Surprised and grateful, she gazed up at the puppeteer's face and uttered:

– Alice.. That's - ..

– That's nothing. Seeing your fragile figure shivering from cold is not something that makes me feel comfy, you know. Just keep going! We are almost there. – Sudden roughness of the puppeteer's tone and her slightly reddened cheeks made it clear for Sakuya that it was the usual way for Alice to hide her embarrassment, and she chuckled quietly.

~/~

Being in Alice's house felt nice. The exhausted maid was finally able to warm up and dry her clothes sipping strong brewed tea from a delicate porcelain cup. Sakuya was not called an Elegant Maid for nothing sharing Alice's affection for neat things which surrounded the doll maker. Even though there were dozens of various dolls here and there, the youkai's place was spacious and clean. Sakuya watched with interest Western-style figurines, pictures, ancient books and other fine things Alice had in her guest-room, talking with hostess meanwhile.

After spending nearly an hour at the puppeteer's place, Sakuya stood up saying:

– Well.. I guess it's time to leave already. Thank you for everything, Alice! You really helped me out a lot, you know..

– That was my pleasure, – the fair-haired girl replied offering Sakuya a familiar scarf. – Hey, you forgot to put it on.

– Oh.. Thanks. I'll return it as soon I can!

– Never mind, – the blonde chuckled giving Sakuya a cute smile. – You can keep it. That way I'll be sure you are not freezing somewhere anymore.

Alice went outside to see her guest off. The weather got a bit better by then – it was still snowing heavily but at least the wind calmed down. That made the air not so cold. As the girls were staying at the doorstep looking at the sky, they suddenly noticed a female silhouette flying on the broom above them with a big black hat on her head. Sakuya narrowed her eyes trying to see better.

– Oh. It's that annoying witch again.. Coming here supposedly?

– ..No. Even though she flies by several times every day, she is a rare guest in my house..

The sudden pain in Alice's voice surprised the maid. She turned her face to the youkai only to see her desolate and sad gaze that followed Marisa, who showed them a V-sign and disappeared behind the horizon.

– Ah. I see. – The maid frowned, pondering: "Wait a second, but Alice's house is in the distance. The way to the Shrine and our Mansion and to all such places that Marisa often visits is much shorter from her own house than from here! What the hell does she do nearby regularly then? Could it be.."

Sakuya suddenly realized that she delved too deep into her thoughts and came back to reality: – Well, I'll be going now! Take care, Alice.

– Till later, Sakuya. Feel free to drop by – not too often, I mean. Although you are not an irritating person surprisingly. I'm glad to learn it.

– Same goes to you. – The girl smiled picking the bags and flew up so fast that her silver hair got fluttering in the wind.

~/~

When the Head Maid arrived to the Mansion, she was met by the gatekeeper's excited voice:

– Miss Sakuya! You're finally home! Are you well?

– As you see, Meiling, - the girl answered, handing the bags to the red-haired maiden. – Is everything ok here?

– Well, you know, everything is as always, except.. – The youkai brushed the snow from her cap, looked around conspiratorially and whispered:

– Lady Remilia got worried about you when it began snowing! She even wanted to bring you your coat, you know! That was miss Patchouli who stopped her, saying that she won't be able to find you in this snowfall.

– Really? – The maid couldn't hide the gladness in her voice feeling that her face became dark shade of red.

– Yeah! But Lady still intended to go. And then miss Patchouli convinced her to stay saying that you are a strong girl and even if you catch a cold nevertheless, Lady Remilia will be the one having pleasure to nurse you instead of getting ill herself too! And–.. Ohh!

– What's up?

The youkai's voice turned to somber one:

– Jeez.. I just realized mistress ordered to keep all of it a secret from you..

The maid smiled widely touching the girl's hand slightly:

– Thanks, Meiling. Discovering that made me really happy, you know.. Calm down, I won't tell her you spilled the beans. Well, let's come inside. I have to talk to Lady Remilia about something important.