Chapter One: A Not so Fresh Start
There's a lot of things one might find wrong about the current situation I seemed to have found myself in. It might be the fact that I'm currently having tea across from someone who shouldn't really exist in a world that could hardly be called earth. It could also be the fact that I've just been told some truly ridiculous things that would make anyone think twice about their current sanity. It may be the fact that despite these things, I was still here seriously considering the things said. More than anything though I think the most surprising thing was that all this was happening to me.
Let's forget the fantastical parts for a moment and focus on me as a person. Average college student with slightly above average grades. Average in looks, with somewhat typical shaggy black hair and a slight penchant for being well dressed. Normal hobbies, a few close friends, doesn't go out much and generally prefers a rather quiet life. The only atypical thing I could use to describe myself would be the fact that I'm more well read than most people but that hardly means much in the grand scheme of things.
So it's a seriously odd predicament for me, someone who most people would find completely mundane including myself, to be where I currently was.
"Have you finished considering what I've said?" The person across from me questioned, leveling a serious gaze at me that did nothing to help my current consternation.
It had perhaps been quite a few minutes since she had asked me that question and yet I found myself no closer to answering it. In fact my current thought process could be deemed escapism more than anything else. I had thought of every possible thing except the question, tried every possible thing to convince myself that no, I was obviously not here and this was all just a dream. I'm normal therefore there's no way something so abnormal could possibly be happening to me.
Yet here I was sitting across from someone so lodged in pure fantasy that I could hardly disbelieve the truth in her words. It was about time I gave up trying to reason my way out of something that could not be escaped and confront what was before me.
That was the reason I gathered my wits, definitely not because the frown that adorned her face and the twitch of her cap suggesting growing irritation. It was also definitely not because her knuckles that held her cup of tea were a pure white, the handle of the cup in its grip slowly cracking. The one thing it was definitely was not, was her eyes.
How would I even begin to describe them. Have you ever had someone stare into your eyes and really mean it and I mean really mean it. They captivate you in their gaze and make it impossible to look away, they pin you in place and force you to look back. Those golden orbs tearing apart all of my person, every move I made, every thought I had seemed to be dissected before me with no escape. They were however beautiful, the way they shone a faint amber in the setting sun positively glowing. The way she used them, like a sharp sword piercing, was no less beautiful.
And said increase in her glare brought me back from my daydreams and into reality. For my own health I should probably focus a bit more.
I coughed once into my hand.
"Let's say I believe everything you said and let's pretend for the sake of argument that I was capable of everything you ask," I pause here to let a bit of the tension bleed out of my shoulders and refocus my gaze in a show of confidence, "What do I stand to gain from all these machinations and plots that you seemed to have prepared for me?"
A palpable silence once again filled the air, the plain we dined upon bereft of wind or life to lend their music to the landscape. The silence a physical entity here seemed to drag every second into ten. It lay like a weight over us and smothered in a way that made even taking a breath a heavy task. And after an eternity but no longer than handful of moments she replied.
"Can you not do it for the simple sake of helping us?" She asked her voice quiet, the silence almost drowning out her words into nothingness.
I shook my head. I wish I was the kind of person who could simply do for the sake of others but alas I could not. The world would be a much kinder place if everyone could be moved for someone else but it was not. I would not.
She lowered her head biting her lower lip, her beautiful golden eyes downcast in contemplation.
"Then what would?" She choked out voice cracking under the pressure of the emotions behind them, whether it was anger or sadness I could only guess. Before I could respond to her question she quickly continued.
"If you can't do it just to help us then what! I've already nothing left to give you, if there was something I could do I would do it, if there was anything I could give I would give it! Please just tell me what you want. I can't keep this up any longer it's just too much!" She screamed out, raw unfiltered pain, hatred, sadness and a torrent of other less identifiable emotions tainting her words.
That was truly the crux of the matter I needed a reason, a purely selfish reason that meant something to me. I couldn't give everything up for people that I didn't know, I just couldn't imagine it. I had a life, a home, even a few people who cared about me. I needed something that was tangible, something that I could convince myself that this was an even trade and I think I found it. I might not be able to gather the motivation for some random people I didn't know. Couldn't trade my my whole life that I had cultivated for something so completely uncertain.
But now, I could do it for her. More accurately I could do it for me.
I may not be the nicest person in the world and even I couldn't be turned to action just because someone asked for help but there was something else. Something much darker I found there that drove me. It was the sheer intensity of the the need she had for my help. After all everyone in the world just wants to feel needed for some reason and this may be the first and last time in my life that it would be directed towards me, at least in such a large quantity.
That and admittedly it was hard not to find my old life quite boring compared to what was being proffered to me.
"I'll do it. I still can't fathom how you think I'm capable of this but I'll do it." I spoke softly putting my tea down with a soft click.
Her response was subtle but visible in the relaxation in her shoulders, her shallow breaths slowly fell into a slower rhythm and the slight hint of a smile tugging on her lips.
"Don't thank me yet though. I still haven't done anything, honestly I'm still not convinced I can. I mean have you seen me." I joked lightly, trying to lighten the mood.
"You can, trust me," she reached over and pulled a stack of papers out of a whole that seemed to construct itself from thin air beside her. "Yukari, the former caretaker, left a very specific set of instructions if anything was to happen to her."
She rummaged through the papers before sliding one across to me.
"That paper contains everything about you, your likes, your dislikes, hobbies, knowledge, even your relationships. Yukari left nothing to chance when it comes to things she cared about and she chose you out of millions of people. She trusted you to take her place and since I believe in her, I believe in you." She said seriously, her piercing eyes softening for just a moment.
"As kinda creepy as this all is," I wave the paper around in show after verifying its contents, "Why me? I don't think I have any particularly desirable skills or any form of leadership ability."
"That I can explain," the whole where the paper came from once again appeared in view, "you see Yukari had the ability to manipulate boundaries and before you ask yes it is as bullshit as it sounds. Out of everyone she found with capabilities to learn how to use her powers you were the most suitable."
"I guess that makes sense and just so we're clear it doesn't but for the sake of moving forward I'll pretend it does." I paused to think for a few moments, "but that still leaves the rest of what you want from me. Putting aside the whole super powers thing for a second how am I supposed to brink gensokyo back under control. I'm not exactly shy but I know nothing about the people who live here and even less about how to deal with them?"
"Of course I'm not just going to send you off to do it all on your own, I'll be with you every step in the way. In fact…" she trailed off before standing up. "Allow me to formally introduce myself."
She slid out from her chair before crossing the table to stand in front of me, proffering her hand.
Accepting her hand we walked away towards the edge of the plain arriving at the crest of a small hill. What awaited was an absolutely breathtaking sight.
The forests long and vast almost glowing in the setting sun. The mountains which stood tall among the landscape like a hand outstretched towards the sky. A garden of sunflowers so bright and dazzling it was hard to tear your eyes away. The gently rolling hills and lazy winding rivers interwoven among small villages painted a picture of serenity that seemed to be at odds with what was apparently boiling below its surface.
I felt a tug at my hand and turned to face my solemn looking partner. She took one last look at the land before speaking up.
"My name is Ran Yakumo, former shikigami of the gap youkai, the unusual animal, The scheming nine-tailed fox, and now," She gives me a determined look, "if you'll have me, I shall be your shikigami and together we'll bring peace back to Gensokyo."
I felt a weight unfamiliar but comfortable settle over me as I pondered all of what had been said.
"Sure, why not. In for a penny, in for a pound they say after all. I guess I'll reintroduce myself as well then. Lawrence Ferithen," I smiled and extended my hand, "You better make sure though, I don't like to brag but I'm pretty sure there's no one more useless than me in the whole world."
Ran smiled as she took my outstretched hand into both of hers. I felt a strange feeling, almost like a tugging on my core when my hand met hers but it faded as quickly as it came. The sensation left me feeling vaguely depleted but not unpleasantly so.
"You think you're useless, my former master used to sleep at least eighteen hours a day. I'd like to see you try to match her." She laughs, her voice light and of mirth a lovely contrast to the her previous mood. Perhaps this would be worth it after all if I get to experience things like this.
"So what's the first step to this whole boundary thing, do I go through a training montage, sit underneath a waterfall and contemplate the universe, maybe I need to go through some sort of life and death wilderness survival test?" I joked, though definitely hoping that was not the case.
Ran's smile only grew wider as she shook her head, "Nope in Yukari's own words she told me and I quote. Don't worry about I'm sure after he screws everything up at least a dozen times he'll figure it out."
"Greeeeat," I drawled sarcastically before chuckling myself, "So If we're not increasing my supposed super powers what are we going to be doing?"
"Allow me to explain a bit more about what's happening in gensokyo," she said returning us to our seats before pulling a map out of her story stack of papers, "After Yukari disappeared some of the more powerful youkai realized this and began to move. We have Tenma on youkai mountain, Sanae and her gods on the mountain of faith, former hell which is occupied by quite a few powerful people, Shinki who resides in makai, the celestial up above and these are just too name a few."
"Quite a tall task we have ahead of us then," I frowned looking to all the places on the map she had pointed out. "So how are we supposed to reign them in, can I just go in wave a stick at them and tell them I'm the new boss around here?"
Ran laughed again, a sound I am very much starting to enjoy. "You could try but I doubt it would work, honestly we have a few options. We could have them join us willingly as unlikely as it may be, we can try to offer them something in exchange, or we could just fight them. Not to the death mind you but here we have a system called spell-card battles which are used to settle our problems."
"Well I doubt I'll be winning fights anytime soon and we don't really have anything to offer anyone at the moment so we'll have to have them join us on their own free will I guess. So…" I think to myself as a lightbulb goes off in my head, "We go talk to her Yukari's former supporters right, please tell me she has some."
"She does, in fact that's what I was going to suggest we do first. There are a few people who will probably join us no questions asked but before that." She walks over to me and embraces me in a big hug before I can even respond.
"Thank you," she says her voice tickling my ear, that and the softness of her body pushed on mine combined to prove very … distracting to my train of thoughts as I tentatively hugged her back.
Ran released me from the hug before taking a step back and giving me another smile. She turned around and I could see another portal, boundary?, open up in front of her.
"Lucky for us Yukari left up some permanent gaps around the area to get around with so are you ready?" She asked extending out her hands toward me.
"Ready as I'll ever be I guess,"I replied before taking her hand as we stepped through the portal.
Upon arrival the world was spinning so badly I'm sure that if Ran hadn't been holding onto my hand I'd be on the floor by now. As it was I was barely standing with her support as I tried to straighten out my vision.
"Don't worry it always feels like that the first time I'm sure you'll get used to it." She grinned mischievously.
"Thanks, though maybe next time a warning would be nice before we jump in the cosmic washing machine." I groaned out before taking a look around to gather my bearings.
The first thing to catch my attention is the shrine directly in front of us. Calling it dilapidated would be going too far but obviously it's seen better days. The roof seems to be missing a few planks and you can tell the walls are pretty worn. Surprisingly though it still manages to be quite the sight, the cherry trees in the background subtly dancing in the wind behind it give it a sense of natural beauty you'd be hard pressed to find in my world these days.
I wonder if I'll ever go back, I accepted this job without really putting a lot of thoughts into my action. Did I want to go back, I never amounted too much over there and I wonder if I ever would have. Sure my friends and family would be sad I'd have to find a way to tell them I'm okay but I doubt anyone over there would need me like the way Ran did over here.
"You're doing it again." Ran put a hand on my shoulder.
"Sorry?" I asked.
"It happened a couple times when we were talking earlier, you just. You get this blank look in your eyes and just kind of stand there?" She said though it sounded more like a statement than a question with her inflection.
"Oh, sorry. I tend to daydream a lot and my thoughts will just kinda wander forever if I let them, sorry." I shook my head free of the errant thoughts. "Let's go. I take it the person we're here to see is inside?"
"Yup one of Yukari's best friends though neither would ever admit to it. She can be a bit of a grump sometimes so watch yourself. I'd say just be yourself but." She gave another mischievous laugh into her palm.
Before I had time to make up a comeback she was already speaking "Reimu I need to speak to you."
I heard a couple of couple of crashing sounds and what sounded like a muffled scream before a voice responded. "Give me a moment."
I could only sweat drop as several more crashes occurred before the figure stepped out.
Her brown hair sleek with sweat clung her to neck, the ribbon that adorned it barely clung too as it was close to coming undone. Her red and white garb hung close to her body leaving very little in the way of imagination on subtle curves of her body. Only after a few moments did I realize I was staring and quickly shifted my view and coughed into my hand.
"What did you need Ran you don't exactly drop by here often even with all that's going down," she turned to take a look in my direction, "And who is the weirdly dressed dude you got with ya."
"I'll have you know I'm not dressed 'weird' this is called style," I suddenly felt the urge to defend myself and my fashion sense for reasons unbeknownst to even myself.
"Right my bad, I'll make sure to remember what not to look like when I wake up in the morning, thanks." She laughed a short crisp thing that was not entirely mocking but certainly not kind.
"I'm not quite sure I can take anyone seriously who dresses like that," I shoot back giving her rather provocative outfit another once over, I mean detached sleeves is that even a thing?
This seemed to get a reaction from her as she gave a slight blush as she looked down at herself. "It's not like I get to choose this is the shrine maiden uniform it's, uhh, important for religious matters."
"Right I'm sure the gods love a bit of eye candy as much as the next guy." I retorted.
"Now, now children." Ran smirked, "If your little petty squabble is over we have some important things to discuss. Reimu may we come in?"
Reimu glared at me one last time before huffing and opening up the door, "Fine come in, mind the mess I was trying to do some repairs before you two came."
Stepping inside it was clear that it suffered the same problems the outside did. The room we stepped into was sparsely furnished, a small table with a few cushions occupied the middle while there was a few small cabinets and such that lined the rest of the room with various items placed upon them. The floors themselves creaked lightly as we stepped over to table. We watched as Reimu stepped into another room busying herself in what I assume is the kitchen.
"So what's up Ran?" She called out completely ignoring my existence, "It must be pretty important if you made your way all the way over here. Tea?"
"Thank you, please." Ran accepted the offer tea and once again no offer was extended to me. "And to your question, a matter of great importance has in fact come up."
"Oh," Reimu walked back in carrying a tray of exactly two cups of tea much to my dismay, "It about Mr. Obnoxious over there?"
"His name is Lawrence, Reimu and I would be pleased if you if you showed a bit more respect to my master from now on." Ran delivered in a deadpan voice that would have got me if I didn't notice the small tugging on the corner of her lips.
Reimu however did not seem to notice and mouth was hanging agape looking back between the two of us repeatedly before settling on me. Her stare turned from taken back to inquisitive as she examined me.
"He sure doesn't look like much, exactly how is he supposed to take over for Yukari?" her tone this time was less accusatory and more concerned.
"He may not look like much be has the talent for it, though I'll admit he's definitely got his fair share of problems we need to sort out." Ran replied.
Being tired of left out of the conversation I decided this was my time to jump in. "So Reimu I heard you're quite the supporter of Yukari."
She gave a slight shrug in response. "Hard not to be, it's a Hakurei's job to oversee the barrier that acts as the entrance to Gensokyo. Honestly that old hag was a pain and seriously incompetent at the best of times and a down right terror at worse. Hell I didn't even know she existed for half my life."
"I see." I gave Ran a questioning glance to which we just shrugged.
"Well I'm hoping to be somewhat more competent and for that I really need your help. Would you mind explaining the barrier to me?" I reached over to steal Ran's cup to take a drink, receiving a snort and playful glare in response.
"Not much too it, keeps the outside world where your from and Gensokyo cut off from each other. Makes sure it's not too easy to get in or out though that's no to say it's impossible plenty of people arrive or move here. Stupid youkai kicking a fuss up every time they arrive I swear to god." The last part of her sentence fading to a mumble I had to strain myself to here.
"Okay," I looked at Ran for confirmation to which she nodded, "It seems like we'll be needing to work together so."
I got up from the floor and kneeled in front of her which seemed to have her quite flustered.
"I apologize for my earlier actions and hope that I can make it up to you in some way." I said with my head lowered completely to the floor.
I waited for a whole minute before I started to wonder if something was up. Peeking up I saw Reimu and Ran whispering conspiratorially to one another. I shivered slightly as I patiently I awaited my oncoming doom at the hands of my own partner and the snippy Shrine maiden.
You know maybe I could run, screw the job just go find a small place to settle down in. I could build a house maybe have some neighbors, see all the cool fantasy stuff that this world contains. Maybe I meet a nice girl, live to old age with cute grandchildren that sounds a lot better than having to put up with this.
Before I could put my genius plan into action Ran started speeding again.
"I think we have come to an agreement, Reimu if you would." Ran gestured for her to speak to which she grinned in an absolutely malevolent way.
"I'm going to teach you about spell card duels," I felt like my death sentence had just been announced even though I wasn't sure why, "I hope you're ready."
Dear Gensokyo what did I do to deserve this.
AN: So I've always wanted to write a touhou fanfic and here is the start. My first foray into film started here and since then I've read many a great stories here one of my favorites being keys to the heart which was a pretty big inspiration for this. I'm not exactly confident in my writing skills as I'm sure there's plenty of mistakes in there but I'll try to work on it and I hope you guys enjoyed it.