Disclaimer:

All of the preceding story is MY OWN perception of how the characters would react. I do not own ANY non-original characters in this work and I AM NOT claiming I own the Touhou Project or any of its characters. I do not mind if my are used elsewhere, but give them proper credit please. By reading these words you have agreed to remain positive~

Thank you Zun for giving such an amazing game~
I hope you enjoy this story~

Words/pages of this chapter: 8444/31
Words/pages total: 8444/31

Tenshi: "Welcome to my story! Of course this entire thing is about me! Ahahaha!"
Syndfell: "No its not…"
Remi: "Obviously is about me and my mansion!"
Syndfell: "No it's not about that either."
Sakuya: "Then the Youkai …"
Sendfell: "SHUT UP! That's a complete spoiler!"
Cress: "What is going on here?"
Tenshi: "We are arguing about what this fan fiction is about."
Cress: "That is so dumb. We all know obviously I am the main character."
Sendfell: "You guys…"
Sakuya: "It's about maids!"
Youmu: "it's about gate keepers and phantoms!"
Cress: "Looks like there is only one way to solve this!"
All: "Danmaku!"
A: "Let's just move on!"

Incident 1: Intros Intros and more Intros! Oh and actual plot!

Chapter 1: Please wait warmly while the girls prepare ^^
Groggily I opened my eyes and stretched, looking out my window I noticed the morning sun and was upset. God I woke up too early. Mentally sighing while getting out of my bed, I snapped my fingers to change my clothing. Floating down off the small second story to the main room I landed with a soft thump. I turned to face my mirror. My midnight purple hair, topped with two vestigial fox ears of the same color, flowed down past my shoulders. Two amber eyes stared at me in the reflection. I looked at my black blazer and shirt, checking for any holes that needed fixing. Checking my crimson skirt for the same conditions came up with nothing. I picked up the hair clip off the table. The hairpin was a crimson and black butterfly over a white crescent moon. Satisfied with my appearance, I turned to leave when something caught my eye to the left. At closer investigation the figure turned out to be the drunkard Oni; Suika, passed out in the corner of my room. Just because she can enter my house freely doesn't mean she should… I sighed and grabbed umbrella, one never know when one needs an umbrella. I entered the outside world. I lived in a part of the Great Youkai Forest, near the edge of both the forest and the Youkai Mountain. Well more accurate is that I live inside the Great Hakurei Barrier itself, but when leaving the distortion I created around my house; one would end up in the Great Youkai Forest. From this 'portal exit' it was only a short walk to the natural spring I owned that flowed from inside the Youkai Mountain. It was remote, and hard to access for most, but I liked it here; as it was very quiet and peaceful.

Flying the ten minute or so to the Human Village, I landed outside the north gate and entered. The village consisted of mostly humans, as the name suggested, with the occasional Youkai here and there but mostly at night though. Opening my umbrella to block out the sun; I started my walk slowly through the heart of the town. The heart of the town is where most of the stores and vendors were located. The school was also on the main strip through town.

Way too early for me to be awake. I thought as I yawned.

"Oh isn't if it isn't Cress." A calm and wizened sounding voice rang out to my left. Turning to face the origins I was greeted to Keine.

"Oh hey Keine."
Keine, the self-proclaimed defender of the human village as well as largely the only teacher in the village. She has brown eyes and long silver hair with blue highlights. She was wearing a weird hat that looks like some kind of building with a red ribbon on top and glyphs inscribed along its side. Her dress is dark blue with white short sleeves, and a red ribbon is tied to the bottom of the collar. She was half human half Hatataku. In her human form she could 'eat' history, or conceal it, which she used to hide the human village when it was in danger. In her beast form, she can modify history.

"How are you this morning?"

"I felt like a simple stroll to Misty Lake."

"I hear fairies are causing trouble near there."

"Yeah yeah." I responded sarcastically. Keine shook her head and turned to take her leave when I noticed a figure lurking nearby. I looked over at Mokou sitting in the darkness of the alleyway, then back at Keine.
"Do you know she is there?"

"Yes, leave her."

I nodded and took my leave, deciding it was best to keep out of their squall. I strolled out of the south gate and headed towards the fork in the road. I walked a rarely used dirt road, I mean really why anyone would use it that lived this way. Everyone this way can fly, and since humans rarely visit, grass and weeds grew over it due to its lack of use. None the less, I knew the way well and continued trekking. Normally, well at least in the daytime, Youkai don't stop passing travelers; so fortunately the trip didn't take as long as it might have and I reached the forest with ease. From here there were several ways to reach the lake itself, I found the easiest way being just to take the path the fairies frequented. Carefully I made my way through the brush and branches till I came across a clear path. If you didn't know this was here, you could never find it; for the fairies kept the entrance cluttered intentionally so that Humans could get lost in the forest.

"Hey! What are you doing on our path?" A red headed fairy asked me.
"Me? I'm walking, isn't that clear?"
"Get off or face the fairy squad four! Err… Three!" A blonde one shouted at me as it realized one of its members was missing.
"I'm shaking." I retorted, trying not to laugh.
"Hear that, she is…" That's all the green one had time to get out as I materialized my Karabela in my fee hand and struck a pose.

"[Particle sign: Step amongst the light]!" Activating a spell card, I took a single step and moved seemingly as fast as light, slicing the three fairies. The three unconscious bodies hit the ground simultaneously, and I regained my calm form. Feeling slightly satisfied. I continued my journey to the lake. The next part of the journey wasn't as exciting and I was there in just under a few minutes. Standing at the shore of the lake, I took in the very simple scenery around the lake. It wasn't like it was stunning like some of the lakes outside of Gensokyo, but it was better than nothing. I am sure some humans would love to see it, since most who did either got lost or attacked. I looked up in time to see an incoming projectile. I avoided all of the ice missiles by opening my umbrella and then looked back up at the attacker.

"This is the territory of the strongest! Leave now or prepare to meet your end!"
"I see, so Cirno how have you been?"
"Ahahahahahah! I do not know this Cirno you are talking about!"
"Okay, then if you are not Cirno then I have no obligation to not turn you into shaved ice. I wonder what flavors taste the best. Maybe strawberry."
"Eh…Um… The strongest has declared that you may visit the lake whenever you want!"
At this, Cirno flew off and I couldn't help but give a smirk. Maybe that was too far, but it didn't matter much to me really. Naturally my eyes were drawn to my left, to the giant Victorian mansion clock tower standing above the tree line. Pulling up my sleeve, I checked the approximate time. This watch was something the Kappa; Nitori, had created as a rudimentary time telling device as a favor for me. Still I found it to be accurate within at least ten to twenty minutes. Determined to head over to the mansion, I took one last glance at the lake then flew casually into the air.

Meiling was sleeping peacefully, she had found a spot where she could get at least ten minutes of sleep in before Sakuya made her rounds near this area. Meiling had timed it so that she would wake up at the sound of a spoon falling out of her hand, signaling that she should be back at her post before Sakuya noticed. Today however…

I landed with a loud thud, shaking the nearby earth and creating a tiny dust plum around me. The force was so great, that it shook the lazy gatekeeper awake. She jumped at least five feet into the air, startled by my sudden landing and landed ready to fight.

"Calm Meiling, it's just me."
"Oh, Cressy-sama. I wish you wouldn't do that, it scared the hell out of me."
"And that's why I do it you know."
"Could you stop at least once every three times you come over?"
"Perhaps I should show Sakuya the new spot." I smirked at this thought.
"Gah! N...no no no no! It's okay, scare me as much as you want!"
"Can I go in?"
"She isn't awake yet, unless you have matters with someone else today?"
"Just answer the question."
"You are always permitted to enter, you know that."
"It is still polite to ask you know."
"Polite speech coming from the girl who just woke me up by landing hard…"
"What was that?"
"Nothing!"

I ignored the poor gatekeeper and waited for her to open the large black gates. Walking across the short pathway to the steps, I took a second to admire the fresh cut grass.

Who the hell cuts the grass here anyways…?

With my wonderment at the grass over; I reached the main doors. I pushed on the large, wooden, scarlet doors; which opened effortlessly. It took me a moment to adjust to the lower amount of light in the mansion. Shutting the door behind me, fully adjusted to the dark, I continued my way through the mansion. As she was still asleep, I decided that I would just visit Patchouli. I stayed on the ground level and walked through the main hallway; which dumped into a large rotunda with a strange scarlet magic circle in the middle. I took one of the many hallways that lead out of the rotunda and weaved through the hallways, walking past no shortage of fairy maids.

I swear when Sakuya re-enlarged this, she turned the mansion into a freaking labyrinth!

Eventually, I found two ten foot tall oak doors with some sort of note on them.

'Do not enter, that means the thief, maids, or vampires. Library is under organization.'

"Damn it, I could get a fairy maid to open it for me or..." I thought out loud when I heard a familiar whining sound through the air. I took a few steps back to see ten knives land where I was, turning to face their owner I came to face Sakuya, the perfect elegant maid.

"Hey Sakuya."

"Oh Cressunaire-sama, I wasn't aware you entered the mansion. I thought you were Marisa or that annoying miko."

"No, if I had been them I would be a kitsune pincushion right now."

This put a small smirk on the maid's face, but it vanished as quickly as the knives did. "Patchouli-sama is reorganizing the mansion library after she got the large supply of books back from Marisa."

I nodded, "I figured as much."

"Say, are you going to take the young mistress to the summer feast at the Shrine in a few days?"

Crap…

I had forgotten that the summer feast was coming up here shortly.

"Well, I guess I will pay a certain Miko a visit before Flan wakes up."

"Take care Cress-sama then"

I didn't feel like navigating my way out then flying over to the shrine, so I created a spatial rift to the shrine. I exited the rift right outside the stairs to the shrine. As I walked up the many stairs to the shrine, I came across something in the path. Stopping to look at it resulted in it actually being Mononobe no Futo.

"Um Futo…why are you laying on the Hakurei Shrine steps?"
"Oh, good day to ye Lady Cressunaire" The Taoist replied back to me. "Lady Hakurei kicked me out of shrine grounds and this is where I landed."

"I see… Why did she do that exactly?"

"Something about not spreading faith of my religion around her shrine visitors."

What visitors… "Well, come with me and we can go see her together."

"Can't allow it Lady Cressunaire, I don't want to upset Lady Reimu."

"If you come with me, she will understand I am sure of it."

"If you say so Lady Cressunaire."

Together with the Taoist, I climbed the seemingly endless amount of stairs till finally we reached the top, feeling a bit parched; I created a rift and from it produced two small cups and a bottle.

"Futo, do you drink at all? Or is that against Taoist belief? I can't remember."

The Taoist looked unsure at me, but took a cup "There is nothing that says I can't partake in a glass."

Nodding, I poured a single glass for her and then one for me. We continued walking as I drank a few more cups of sake before coming to a stop at the shrine veranda. Not surprisingly, Reimu was sitting on the veranda drinking tea. When she saw me, annoyance flashed on her face but when she noticed Futo it became completely apparent.

"What is she doing back here!?" Reimu yelled at me.

"Calm down, I'm just here to treat some of the wounds you inflicted and trying to sort this out."

"No, she has to leave."

I narrowed my eyes at her, I truly didn't feel like arguing today.

"How about I just kill two birds with one stone. I challenge you to a spell card battle."

"Oh yeah? What are the terms then?"

"If I win, I can bring Flandre to the feast in a few days as well as allow Futo to stay for dinner you will be making."

"If I win?"

"I will do one thing you ask of me."

Reimu pondered this for a moment, then nodded her head in agreement.

"Three spell card captures to win then Cress?"

I nodded, "Six cards total, sound fair?"

Reimu agreed and prepared her six cards she wanted to use then placed her cup down.

Instantly Reimu appeared above me in total preparation for a fight, but I simply watched her do this while holding my cup of Sake in one hand.

"I wasn't aware you were just going to watch!" Reimu sneered at me.

"I'm not, I was just being polite and giving you the first move!"

This seemed fine by Reimu, as she released a large curtain of talisman Danmaku. I easily weaved and ducked between the small gaps in the bullets, and placed a few rune circles periodically in my dodging.

"That all you have Miss Shrine Maiden?"

This seemed to irk Reimu for she pulled out a spell card, "Fantasy Sign: [Exorcism]". I knew this card well, it based itself off of three talismans she threw out which then they multiplied to be large curtains of talisman Danmaku. As they covered a nice circular area, this particular attack was hard to dodge; however it had one weak point. I dodged the first set of talismans easily, and waited for the second set of initial talismans to be tossed out. Reimu backed up and threw three more talismans, which then I took advantage of and flew directly past the three. This opened up an opportunity to counterattack.

"Hell Sign: [Chains of Cerberus]" I invoked the spell card, causing the many runes I placed around the shrine grounds to light up. At my command, chains flew towards Reimu in hopes to capture her in a bind. They missed their target and stopped, but before Reimu could recover fully from the evasion; the chains broke into Danmaku and flew straight at her. With no ability to dodge, Reimu took a direct blow from the spell card.

"I think that makes one spell card capture for me."

Reimu flew right at me, and I instinctively avoided her.

"Looks like you are not the only one who can trap people Cress."

I realized it too late, she had activated a spell card on her way here.

"Fantasy Sign: [Fantasy Seal]" With the command, a dozen or so of homing rainbow orbs flew from Reimu directly at me. With my own spell card not up for use seeing how it uses the runes; I had no way to counter spell the Fantasy Seal. With left only one choice, I flew downwards in hopes to dodge the attack. Some of the bullets hit the ground, but most were still on my tail. Flying upwards, I did a spiral releasing Danmaku behind me. I heard more of the dangerous bullets connect with mine, erasing another chunk of the spell card. I turned around, ready to use more bullets to block the spell card. However, I heard another being launched my way. With nowhere to run, I simply braced for the hit. The exploding orbs hit me, and all my energy was sapped away at once. My body became heavy for a moment, and my breathing taxed.

Her damn Fantasy Seal hits like a freaking Oni.

"One for me." Reimu practically sang. I smiled, and materialized my sword fully ready for battle now. I slashed, releasing daggers and wave like Danmaku at the girl. We did a ballet of dodging and returning fire at each other till her spell card was back up again. Releasing another set of Fantasy Seal orbs, I prepared myself and charged my blade full of energy. Upon swinging the blade, I released a large burst of energy and cleared the orbs in front of me. I smirked and pulled out my next spell card, "Balance Sign: [Frost Nova]". A small orb of ice with fire in the middle appeared in my hand.

This was perfect, not only did it grant a huge area of effect spell and added frozen and flaming variants of my Danmaku, but I could freeze any of hers as well. I did quick spirals around Reimu, releasing fire balls, ice shards, daggers, large orbs, and general small orbs. With a command, I froze all of these and tossed the orb above of me. Releasing the spell card's true power, a large ice blast emitted from it. During this time, Reimu released orbs and talisman Danmaku as she weaved in and out the mine field of Danmaku. I could tell she was switching cards, so I decided to make it fast. By injecting it with power, I exploded the orb causing a huge fire outburst which she narrowly avoided. The remaining result was a large number of ice shard Danmaku flying everywhere. Right as one hit Reimu, she activated a spell card: "[Great Duplex Barrier]".

Damn it, this is my least favorite card.

Three blue cubes surrounded Reimu, each one smaller than the previous. Periodically would she released a cubed blast that was a solid wall of Danamku, only way to get around it was to graze it at the right time. This was a top tier spell card for not only did it protect the user, but it attacked with great force. I canceled [Frost Nova] and flew backwards from Reimu, preparing for what came next. Reimu released two sets of cubed bursts. I flew as fast as I could, in and out of the patterns; doing my absolute best to graze the walls of certain demise.

If I had more room, I could capture the damn card..

While thinking on how I could capture this spell card, a cubed burst struck me. It felt like I flew right into a wall, I lost a few feet in altitude before I recovered my senses.

"Oh, is the little fox going to lose to me? Maybe I'll have you wear some sort of clothing to attract worshippers." Reimu taunted me as she remained safely in her barrier.

Damn it, looks like I'll have to use it anyways.

I pulled out two spell cards, and infused power into them both. "Boundary Sign: [Boundary Between Reality and Fantasy] and Particle Sign: [Step Amongst the Light.]" I activated both spell cards, and on the activation of the first; a large burst emitted from me. Now that I had nullified damage and abilities aimed at me for a short time, I aimed my shot and took a single step. In the one step I had taken, I had cslashed about thirty feet. I heard Reimu gasp from behind me, signaling my successful capture of her spell card. I was down to, two spell cards while she had 3.

"Looks like we are both at our last capture Reimu! Just give up and I'll let this slide!"

"Ha! I wouldn't be a Shrine Maiden if I gave up like this! Also, using two spell cards at once is a bit cheap isn't it!?"

"Maybe, but it wasn't specified I couldn't!" I laughed at Reimu's misfortune.

Panting from using both those cards at once, I was trying to calculate what kind of spell card she would use next. Reimu had at least two hard hitting cards left, while I had a large energy consumption and hard hitting. Reimu threw down amulets everywhere across the courtyard. This new attack puzzled me for a moment.

If she intentionally missed, they must be for another reason… Before I could finish the thought, I felt an immense release of power from above me. Looking up revealed Reimu activating a spell card.

"Exorcism Sign: [Heavenly Exorcism]!" At this command, the amulets she tossed down light up and fired uncountable amounts of exorcism amulets into the air. They became so thick it turned the entire shrine dark. As they rained down, I not only lost sight of Reimu but was forced to use my last bomb spell card.

"Fox Sign: [Fox Fire Blade]!" At this, my blade became coated in a blue flame. Flying straight up, I slashed away the Danmaku in front of me.

This spell card, while a powerful defensive, but it only lasts about 20 seconds. After that, if I don't find Reimu this spell card will end and it's her win.

I mentally started to count as I swept through the endless amulets. I couldn't reach the top, but I also couldn't find Reimu in the storm of amulets. That's when it hit me, I was looking in the wrong direction. Quickly reversing, I let gravity drag me away from the main mass of the amulets. Turning around I flew downwards to the ground, dodging the rain of death above of me, then around to the back of the shrine. There she was, channeling the power for the spell card. Reimu noticed me and instantly started to cancel the spell card, at the same time I swung the rapier down and released a gigantic huge wave of blue fire.

I sat down next to Reimu, tired from our fight. My fire had managed to strike her before she could counter my attack.

"You know, you didn't have to fight me to bring her."

"I know. I was just bored." I truthfully told her, and took a sip of tea. She sighed next to me, causing my curiosity to spike.

"Something the matter?"

"A deal is a deal, so I'm not upset about that. It's the inevitability of not being able to hold this festival."

"What do you mean?"

"The special sake I brewed for this festival vanished the other day. Without it, I fear I won't be able to put on a feast at the shrine."

I doubt she needs that sake…She just wants to attract the Youkai who drink for a shot at donations.

"I see… Have you any leads?"

She shook her head and sighed again. Though I won't call her on it, I assume that she hasn't looked at all…

"Reimu, what if I found the sake for the festival before the day?"

"You realize that's only three days off right?"

I nodded, "I can do it."

"Well, if it happened to return in one piece…then I suppose the feast is still on. Why do you want to have it held so badly anyways?"

I shrugged and glanced down at my watch and realized I only had an hour or so before my usual dinner time, so I excused myself from Reimu with reassuring the promise I would find that missing sake. I flew off from the shrine and started for the mansion, but decided I would take a slight detour today and headed to the Bamboo Forest. I landed nearby a small stand which had its 3 of four seats full. I took a seat and looked at Mystia, the stand keeper.

"Oh hey Cressy~" She almost sang. I took a quick glance to see the Oni; Yuugi, the Ghost Princess; Yuyuko and the Immortal Phoenix; Mokou. Mokou was a usual face around the stall, while the other two seats changed constantly. My chair was saved nightly just in case I showed up.

"Are you drinking anything tonight?" Mystia asked me in her very cheerful and kind attitude.

"Nah, not tonight Mystia."

"Eh! What does Cressunaire have going that is so important she can't enjoy a drink?!" Yuugi said as she downed another glass of sake.

"I don't have to drink every night you know."

"Ha! I always knew you were a light weight!" At this, Yuugi hit my shoulder which firmly shook my foundation but, luckily I managed to create a shield with magic to block the hit so I wasn't blasted off the seat.

"That's not reall… Gah Yuyuko what are you doing?!" I shouted as I looked at the Ghost Princess. Yuyuko was trying to eat one of the sparrow Youkai that had stopped by, somehow she already had the poor thing wrapped up on a spit with a fire going.

How had she managed to do that so fast?! "Yuyuko! Stop you can't eat Youkai!" I quickly interjected, saving the poor thing from certain demise.

"Ah…You are no fun Cressy." Yuyuko glared at me.

"You cannot just eat Youkai out of whim… there is something really wrong with that!"

Yuyuko went back to her chair in defeat, while I picked up my umbrella and bid my goodbyes to Mystia and everyone. I floated back into the air and continued on my way to the mansion. From Mystia's stand, it was a simple few minutes of flight before I landed softly outside the gate. Like clockwork, Meiling had appeared in front of the gate to stop whoever was here.

Her spiritual detection has gotten better. I am kind of impressed. Well, as long as she's awake that is.

"Oh… Cressy-sama, it's just you."

"Yeah, boring old me." I joked to her as I walked through the large gates and once again into the mansion. The mansion had a different feel than earlier today, almost livelier. That probably was because both Scarlet Sisters were awake, and thus nightly chaos had begun. I sensed a presence nearby, but was too slow to react as usual. A body flung into my abdomen, effectively knocking the air out of me.

"Cressy!" A cheerful voice rang out. I looked down to see a girl with red eyes and short blonde hair.

"Hey Flan." I said calmly. Flandre Scarlet, the girl I was still tutoring on the control of her powers. While she had grown significantly since I started, she still had a bit more to go. I thought back to the newspaper I saw recently, The mighty Cress has a soft spot? Read more on the inside about the relationship between Cress and the vampire Flandre. I couldn't help but scowl at this thought and decided I would punish Aya again for writing such preposterous news.

"Cressy!" Flandre yelled bringing me out of my thoughts.

"What is it?"

"You going to eat dinner with us?" She said as she stepped back. I noticed Flan had a white apron on, a sense of dread filled me.

Crap… I hope she isn't trying cooking again… I thought about the last time Flan cooked dinner,

We had to send five fairy maids to Eirin the last time. However, like every other resident in the mansion, except maybe the shut-in in the library; I couldn't keep my will once I her grin. Regretfully, I nodded and hoped Erin could work on immortal foxes too. Flandre, now happy, shuffled off back to the kitchen.

"What are you worried about? You are immortal you know." A voice rang out behind me.

I turned around to see Sakuya standing there.

"I'm worried about the pain I'll have to go through…"

"So you would rather make her sad, than deal with a little pain?" Sakuya seemed to smile at this comment. I knew this was straight up blackmail now.

"I think I found the true Scarlet Devil of the mansion…"

The maid chuckled at my speculation and shrugged. We sat silent for a moment when I finally had to ask, "Is Patchy done with her library?"

"She is still remodeling the library."

"Well, I guess I will go bug her for a bit."

"She still isn't allowing people in you know."

"Well… are you going to stop me if I try?"

Sakuya thought about it and shrugged. Before I could say anything more, she vanished presumably back to the kitchen or somewhere. I thought about the scolding I would get by breaking into the library, and still went through with it. I warped into the center of the library…or at least the area everyone frequented.

"Koakuma! Those books go into the 'Bestiary'!" Patchouli Knowledge, ordered Koakuma. Patche sighed and turned towards me, and looked a bit surprised.

"Now...I know you can read. So why are you bothering me?"

"Cause I'm bored?"

Patche sighed again and sat down obviously winded. I looked at the pile of books Koakuma was desperately trying to organize and felt a slight pity for her.

"Marisa returned books?"

"More like I placed a spell on a recent one she took that sent all the ones with trace amount of my magic on them back here. While that one will simply self-destruct when she picks it up."

"Will she be alright?"

"Who knows?" Patche shrugged at this comment and seemingly was thinking about something. "I know why you are here."

"Why?" I amused her.

"Flandre is cooking something that isn't eggs right?"

"Yeah. But I really came to see you."

Patche stared at me with a blank expression, "Don't fool with me or ill kick you out."

"Fiiiiinnnneee. I came here to stall for time. There happy?"

"Not really. I have all these books to sort through."

I shrugged and walked over to a particular section and grabbed a random book. I looked down at the cover, and realized it was a chapter of a Manga series that depicted a band of high school students trying to make their own music club.

"You finish this one yet?"

"Of course."

"Any clue when the next one is out so I can plan my next trip?"

Patche shook her head and went back to cataloging the books. I sighed and sat back down in a chair looking up. As far as one could see, the library shelves reached to the ceiling. I leaned forward again and reaching inside a small distortion I created. Procuring a bottle and cup, I went to pour myself something to drink but stopped at the cork. Ceiling… Could it be…?

I glanced at Patche, who was lost in her book. I decided to investigate my hunch and took my leave of the vast library. I created a rift in a more empty space of the library to the grand veranda of the mansion. Turning around: I gazed out at the entrance to the mansion, the black gate, the forest surrounding the mansion and the Misty Lake. Far off in the distance and to the left a bit was the majestic Youkai Mountain with the Moriya shrine located on its summit. I turned around and faced two large doors. Made of crimson wood and black stained glass. Behind these doors resided the first target of my investigation; the elder sister to Flandre, Remilia Scarlet. Opening the large door caused Remi to turn and look at me. Upon seeing me, a mischievous smile spread across her face.

"Oh, what do I owe the pleasure of Cress personally seeing me? No less through my veranda doors."

"I just had to ask you something, and the easiest way to do that in private was through there."

"I see… I could sit here all day guessing, and I doubt it's for the reason I think…" Remi leaned forward and smiled in such a fashion so that her fangs stuck out in the smile, "What do you want to ask me."

I dragged a chair over and sat in front of her and smirked. "Now, did you steal the festival sake from the Hakurei Shrine?"

Remi seemed amused by this question, or maybe that's just her curiosity being aroused. "Why would I do such a thing exactly?"

"If you had the sake, you could invite Youkai from around Gensokyo and host a party with it. This would make the Mansion more popular than the shrine. Allowing you to host more parties here, which is ultimately what you want."

Remi leaned back in her chair again, and sipped the tea she had. She seemed amused by this assumption. "Sorry to disappoint you, but I don't have the sake. As much as I would love to have had that idea, I never knew it was missing. Besides, I enjoy the festivals at the shrine."

"Ah... Well then I have no idea who to investigate next…"

"Why did you choose me anyways?" The vampire amused herself.

"You were close and it was a good idea at the time… Well I guess I'll be on my way then."

Remi used her superior speed to block my way out.

"Hehehe… Did you think I would just let you leave after accusing me of such thing?"

"Mmm... Yeah?"

"Heh, I'm going to beat you and make you work as a new maid!"

"If I win, I'm taking your snacks for a week."

Dark scarlet energy surrounded the vampire as she prepared for a battle, "That's fine by me, cause I won't lose this time!"

"Sakuya! Sakuya! It's boiling!" The little vampire called out to the head maid, who put down the knife she was using to attend to the boiling water. Sakuya grabbed the noodles they were going to boil and added them to the water.

"Now Flan, just stir them occasionally to make sure none of them stick to the pan. And then we will drain the water when they are done."

"Hey… Sakuya?"

The maid turned to look at Flandre's sudden pondering, "What is it Little Mistress?"

"Thanks for teaching me this recipe!" The little vampire beamed in appreciation.

Now… I was wondering why she asked me, now it makes sense. "Ah, yo…" The rest of the thought never left her mouth for a large explosion echoed through the mansion.

"What was that Sakuya? That stupid hikimori blowing herself up again?"

"I don't know, but I aim to find out. Just watch the food while I'm gone."

Before Flandre could respond to her, Sakuya had vanished instantly.

Sakuya appeared in front of Remilia's door knives prepped to combat anything that may await her.

Those maids are completely useless… Took me forever to find where the source was at…

She barged through the door and looked around. All she saw was the ever troublesome fox sitting on her lady's bed, eating rice crackers and said vampire unconscious on the ground.

"Wha…."

"Oh Sakuya, about time you showed up."

"What happened?"

"Oh, we had a little fight and I won. Did you come up here to say dinner was ready?"

"No… I came up here to find out what that explosion was…"

"Oh, that was her blowing up. No big deal."

At this point, the perfect maid was getting wanting to scold her at how she was acting, but she also knew if she attacked Cress that she would lose as well; and there was a very inexperienced vampire cooking at the moment. The maid looked around the room, nothing seemed to have sustained damage which was a good thing. Turning back to where the fox was sitting, Sakuya was greeted by nothing but empty space. A note fluttered at her feet, picking it up Sakuya looked it over.

Forgive my absence, I will aim to be back in time for meal. I have a few other suspects to question before the festival starts. –Cress

The maid sighed and headed back towards the kitchen.

End of mid stage~ Please wait, the girls are resting~

Cress. "Eh?! That's how the mid stage ends?! No fancy meal? No fan service?!"

Syndfell: "What do you think I'm writing here?..."
Meiling: "I had no screen time… Here I spent the week practicing my new fancy move!"

Syndfell: "You two… Look now you ate up the extra time! Stop coming into my intrologues! I need these to think about what is coming next! Well take care of me in the next stage! Ja Ne!"

Please Wait, the girls are preparing

I landed outside my portal with a soundless thud. I was outside the staircase to the Moriya Shrine, and planned to investigate them before Sakuya finished the touches on the food. Flying up the staircase, I arrived at the gate to the shrine.

"Oh, have you come to pray? Or maybe, offer an offering?"

I looked up to see Nature God; Suwako sitting on the gate above of me.

"You know the answer to that question already."

"Ah…Well I can always hope you know." She said as she laid back down staring at the night sky.

"Is it really okay for a god to be lazy like that?"
"Ah, yeah. Kanako handles everything anyways."

I shook my head and left the god to her own devices. I walked to the main part of the shrine, and was greeted by the green haired wind priestess, Sanae Kochiya.

"Yo Sanae."

"Hey Cress."

"Mind if I ask you a question before Kanako comes out?"

"I don't mind."

"Well, have you seen the special sake for the Hakurei festival in a few days?"

Sanae shook her head, and it was enough for me. After all, if I stayed too long that stupid wind god would come out and I really didn't want to deal with her today. I bid my farewells and walked back to the stairs.

"Leaving so soon?"

"Yeah, I have to be elsewhere."

"If you are looking for the sake from the Shrine Maiden in the valley, it hasn't appeared around here at all."

Ah, so it would be pointless to investigate the Tengu as well…

"You could check with that Buddhist, she might have taken it."

"I doubt it, but it's imperative I find it."

Suwako sat up again and stared at me, "Are you finding it for you, or for someone else I wonder?"

She seemed to taunt me with that last part, but I ignored the potential jab and flew off.

"Little does she know, it's closer than she thinks." The god said to no one at all.

"Ah Little Mistress! Stop you will scorch it!"

The head maid tried to coach the vampire. The pair was currently trying to start the desert for the meal tonight. But Flandre had the heat way too high for the chocolate and as a result it was going to scorch. Sakuya took the pan and removed it from the magical flame.

It's away from the flame, but the residual heat still scorched some of the chocolate. And our supplies are too low to make another batch…

"Sakuya… I-I'm sorry…" The vampire sounded on the verge of crying.

"Ah, Lit.." She was cut off yet again today while cooking by another voice.

"Ah it's alright Flan."

A calm voice filled the kitchen, causing both to turn to see the fox standing in the doorway.

"Cressy!" Flandre said full of energy again.

"Cress-sama."

The fox smirked at the two, and walked over to the chocolate in the pan.

"Ah, scorched the chocolate eh? Well, I condone magic use in cooking, but I really want to eat chocolate today."
Cress laughed with that final comment and created a magic rune. The pan started to glow and the once scorched chocolate became the perfect consistency they needed for the recipe.

"Thanks Cress-sama."

"Ah, don't mention it. It was a completely selfish reason after all."

With this the fox exited the kitchen and off to… well not even the Perfect Elegant Maid knew where she could possibly be going.

I walked out of the kitchen and down some random hallways.

If I guessed right, it should be here somewhere.

After a few minutes of walking, she came to a dead end hall with a window at the end. Satisfied she entered a room randomly and looked around. The room was completely bare, not even a bed to be seen. This was one of the many unused rooms in the mansion. After waiting for a bit, she heard a window open outside. Exiting the room, she came face to face with a black and white dressed thief.

"Oh, Marisa. This is how you are getting in it seems."

"Ah…Cress! How are you…what are you doing here?"

"I was given a tip that a certain black and white was breaking into the mansion around here."

"Tch… you can't trust Tengu for anything."

"Now then, who would you rather deal with, me or Sakuya?"

"Um…"

"Of course, if you fail to answer I will make ashes out of you."

Marisa pondered it for a bit, then answered "Can I choose you?"

"Sure."

Before Marisa could react, I pinned her against the wall with knives.

"Hey! That's cheating! I thought I could get a chance to run for my life!"

"You did, just were to slow."

Making sure Marisa couldn't escape, I walked over to a pot sitting on a pedestal and knocked it off. It feel and shattered, I turned to Marisa and winked as I vanished into a rift.

I exited the rift just outside of the kitchen and promptly entered. I didn't see sign of Sakuya, which meant she already found Marisa and the not broken vase.

When the illusion wears off, it'll be back to normal.

"Cressy!"

I turned to the apron wearing Flan who appeared to be done cooking. I looked over to the meal they made, it looked to be Lasagna; with Sakuya helping it shouldn't kill anyone.

"I'm happy you made it back." Flan said while smiling.

"I'm a person of my word, I said I'd be here so I am."

This put a smile on her face, and I was about to turn and exit the kitchen yet again; when I felt cold steel against my neck.

"So, you are the one who broke that vase."

I could sense serious blood lust from the maid behind me. So…the illusion didn't wear off in time I see…

"Ah Sakuya… I have to te…"

"Sakuya knock it off!" Flan yelled at her. "Don't threaten Cressy like that!"

"Little Mistress…"

"Sakuya you misunderstand, I didn't break anything."

"Then explain the broken vase in the west wing."

"It's a simple illusion! I swear, go look now!" I told her as I dispelled the illusion.

I felt the maid vanish from behind me and appearing in front of me, I rubbed where she held the knife. "Geeze… you could have killed me."

"If it was only that easy right?"

I sighed and turned to leave, when I got hugged for the second time that day.

"Cressy! I was so worried you might hurt Sakuya!"

"F-Flan! You are crushing me!" I yelped at the vampire as she squeezed a bit too tight. She let go, and I caught my breathe and turned back around to her.

"Miss Sakuya! Miss Cress! Come quick!" A voice rang out behind us. Turning to face the person revealed it to be Koakuma.

"Koa, what's up?"

"It's the front gate! Someone is trying to breach it!"

"It's that stupid gate keeper's job to stop them."

"She was beaten!"

"Someone beat Meiling? The only two who have done that is… But Reimu wouldn't be here."

Just then I felt an enormous amount of power. I closed my eyes and focused in on it, three sources disguised as one. Opening my eyes I smiled, and turned to Sakuya; "I have this, don't worry."

I exited a rift and stood at the gate. In front of me stood a young looking girl wearing shin high black boots, with thigh highs. Her crimson gothic Lolita dress flows down to her knees, and she has crimson pinstriped, transparent like gloves up to the middle of her forearm. She has a matching crimson shawl over her shoulders. On her head she has a miniature matching top hat to the left of her head. Her icy blue eyes seeming pierced anyone who looked at her and she had her stormy gray hair drawn back. This girl was none other than Ainyalia Sterliviniel; my dragon Shikigami.

"Ainyalia what are you doing?"

"Playing shrine maiden!" She said with a smile.

"Oh? And you are reenacting Embodiment of the Idiot Scarlet Devil?"

"I feel like you added a word to that sis."

"So what, you want to fight through the 6 stages then fight Flan as the extra boss?"

"Yup!"

"Okay. Then… How about we skip right to the Phantasm Stage!" Jumping with tremendous force, I created a curtain of bullets. This caused Nue, Ainyalia and Koishi to separate. Heh, I knew it would be these three.

"[Dragon Sign: Thunder Dragon's Roar]"

Creating a loud burst of lightning like lasers that arced everywhere, Ainyalia started her first spell card. This one was particularly tough to beat, since it utilized non-pattern like lasers and fragments. Grazing the lightning fragments, I heard the next burst happen. This time, it was a direct assault on my area. Given little room to dodge, I put forth full effort upwards. I realized something, the moment I stopped. The third clap came, and it attack just like last time. Materializing my weapon, I created a large wall of fox fire with a swing effectively stopping the spell card. When both attacks cleared, the real attacker was revealed. It was Nue, impersonating Ainyalia's spell card. If it was her attacking, that means… Piecing it together just in time, I flipped around and swung my sword, the force of my blow was multiplied by my spatial power. It collided with Ainyalia's giant rainbow aura dragon claw. I felt the stress in my body as I traded blows with her. Vanishing in a rift, I reappeared behind her. I delivered a spatial enhanced kicked to her back, sending her to the ground with great force. Another clap of lightning came at me, and I strafed sideways to dodge it. I sense another presence behind me, and flew downwards to avoid another burst of flower and heart shaped Danmaku.

Koishi… so that's where she went.
"Got you!" Ainyalia cried out as I recovered from the dodge.

At that cry, I was completely surrounded by red kunai like Danmaku. Searching for a way out, I failed. This sphere is Koishi's doing… I looked at Nue who was above of me, then at Ainyalia who was below me. Nue released a hell storm of arrows while Ainyalia released swords, daggers, balls and anything else she could throw.

"[Void Sign: Scarlet Void]!" I commanded. Scarlet Void is my best bomb card. It creates a void which sucks in Danmaku, then fires it back at the attacker. I can only use it once a battle though. Creating the scarlet colored void, I drew in all the bullets fired at me. When there was none left, I cut the void with my blade causing it to erupt. Bullets flew everywhere, and struck the three girls simultaneously. The trio plummeted to the ground with a large impact. Descending, I landed in the middle of the defeated trio.

"Looks like the single spell card capture is mine girls. Sorry, you have no continue credits left."

I got no response from Koishi or Nue, but Ainyalia sat up holding her head.

"Damn. Big Sis couldn't let me win for once."

"If I let you win, I wouldn't be the elder anymore right?"

"More importantly, who will clean this up?"

I sensed the murderous aura coming from behind me again. I turned to face Sakuya and Remilia.

"Well, they lost so their responsibility." I said in a mocking tone as I dipped into a rift, and joined Flan, Patchy and Koa for dinner while punishment was dealt to the attackers. Flan, of course was curious about my battle, and I recounted it to her.

End of day 1. 48 hours remain.

Syndfell: End of day 1~
Flandre: Nothing to recount about our dinner?
Syndfell: Nope
Sakuya: At least show punishment!
Syndfell: No.
Ainyalia: Thank goodness…
Syndfell: I'm leaving… Ja Ne~

End of Chapter 1~

Well that's it. I hope you all enjoyed chapter 1. Make sure to favorite/follow the story if you enjoyed it so you get the updates! ^^ Reviews are welcomed as always!