Chapter 2: Memories of Danmaku

Do you know those old-school danmaku or as most non-Japanese would call them, Bullet Hell games? Those games that have you dodge that have you dodge insane amounts of bullets while looking from the top like Batsugun, Battle Garrega and Ketsui?

I love those games… and still do. These Bullet Hell games were actually the first video games I ever played, starting when I was 5 years old. I was pretty bratty back then, and would often fling the controller away and cry every time I game over. It takes a lot of concentration to dodge the seemingly endless walls of bullets all the while trying to concentrate on taking down your enemies. The fact that the bullets can be unleashed into different shapes and patterns made it even more distracting, a nice idea on the developers' part. As expected from a kid, I got hooked up the moment I started playing them and gotten pretty good over time. Couldn't say the same for my grades though.

Unfortunately, over the years I neglected these games when newer games started showing up; Rockman, Castlevania, Megami Tensei and so on. And by the age 13, I had forgotten all about danmaku.

It wasn't until the age of 16 that the danmaku games made a surprise return into my life. My younger brother, Ryuuga who was 6 years old at the time, asked me what was the meaning of danmaku. At that moment, I immediately remembered the games I loved during my childhood. While the danmaku games I had were no longer working for obvious reasons, I was able to download them on my computer thanks to the internet. And that day, I treated my brother to all the ice-cream he could eat.

I was very rusty by then. But playing the danmaku games again made me happy, it was like relieving my own childhood. And I promised myself to NEVER forget about them ever again.

Sometimes, I wondered, "What would it be like if we were watching this in first person view rather than from the top?"

Well, today I just found my answer. Sort of.

…

I watched as Reimu and Marisa fly up into the air, shooting waves after waves of danmaku bullets at each other. Honestly, if I was told of a game where a miko and a witch were fighting using danmaku, I would wonder if the creator was drunk while making it.

Watching the fight with my own eyes is another thing.

Every so often, it would look as if one side had the other at the palm of her hand, only to break free and continue the fight.

I really wish I have some popcorn right now.

Reimu then took out some sort of card, "Spirit Sign: Fantasy Orb!"

She then spread her arms as she discharged 5 balls of prism light.

"This ought to be interesting. I wonder what that is?"

"That would be a Spell Card. *hic*"

It took me a moment or so to realize that there was someone beside me.

It was another girl (This is getting a little repetitive) who has two long straight horns on her head, decorated with ribbons. She is wearing wear a tattered pale pink blouse, a long purple and pink skirt, and 3 chain accessories tied to her belt as well as a gourd. She has long ginger hair, brown eyes… and practically reeks of alcohol.

"You must be an outsider." The horned girl said before drinking from her gourd.

I nodded, wondering how she could tell considering how hammered she is. I soon noticed that Marisa managed to dodge all but one ball, which hit her squarely on the head.

"That hurt ze! Magic Sign: Stardust Reverie!" She held out her hands in front of her and shot out several prism coloured stars.

Reimu managed to dodge most of the stars, but two of them hit her left arm and abdomen.

"Huh? Usually Reimu could dodge those without any problems. She must be really tired… or she could be slacking off too much."

I'm not gonna ask about that last part.

"I don't think so. Reimu did say she just came back after exterminating some yokai… Isn't it a little early to be drinking sake? Wouldn't you rather save that for later?" I asked.

"There's always time to drink sake! And don't worry, my gourd is an endless supply." I glanced as the horned girl patted her gourd to prove her point before offering some to me, "Want some?"

…. Meh, why not? I'm of age anyway. However, no sooner than the liquid entered my mouth, I started spitting it all out. The taste is WAY too strong!

"Hey! That's a waste of good sake!"

"The taste needs some getting used to." I wiped my mouth while giving back the gourd. "I'm Seido. Are you an oni by any chance?"

"Yup! The name's Suika Ibuki. How did you know I am an oni?"

I gestured at the two horns on her head, "Because it's the only yokai I can think of that has horns on its head."

"Spirit Sign: Fantasy Seal!" I turned back towards the battle to see Reimu discharging more balls of light. Must be a variation to the attack she did earlier.

"You're quite knowledgeable! Most of the outsiders who were here don't even know about yokai! By the way, how did you get here, Seido?"

"I'm not sure. I found myself lying in that bamboo jungle."

"Oh! So you were in the Bamboo Forest of the Lost? How did you leave?"

"Let's just say… I got lucky." I really want to concentrate on watching the battle.

"Funny, it isn't like Yukari to gap people to places like that."

Yukari? That name sounds familiar… No way, it can't be the same person… Could it?

"Who is this Yukari you're talking about?"

"That would be the yokai of boundaries, Yukari Yakumo."

That hit the bullseye. "YUKARI YAKUMO!" The friend of my grandpa, a yokai!

"Oh, did you meet her already?"

"Yeah… But, I didn't meet her here."

"Huh? What do you-"Suika paused as she looked up, "Hey Seido, I think you should move."

"Move? Move where?"

"From this spot." She then pointed at the sky. I followed her finger and see Reimu with her back towards us and Marisa pointing a… small box?

"Love Sign…"

From the angle Marisa is at… she's practically aiming at us! Getting bad feeling from Suika's warning, I decided to heed the oni's warning and I immediately ran out of the way.

"… Master Spark!" A giant laser decimated where I was sitting a few seconds ago, along with a part of the shrine's roof and veranda.

DID SHE JUST PULL OFF A KAMEHAMEHA! Wait… where's Suika!

I looked at the place where the giant laser had decimated… and see Suika drinking from her gourd as though nothing happened.

… Yup, she's an oni alright.

"HEY! Watch where you fire that thing, you almost hit me!" I shouted.

Marisa stuck out her tongue and scratched the back of her head. "Sorry ze!" However, her carefree expression soon turned into one of fear.

At first I was puzzled, then I noticed that something else in the vicinity. A VERY large amount of bloodlust was in the air… and it was coming from Reimu.

… That's right, the shrine was also caught in the line of fire.

"Marisa…" Reimu glared at the witch with the eyes of psycho. "Any last requests?"

"Umm… have mercy?

"Request denied. Fantasy Heaven!"

… I can't watch.

Goodbye Marisa. It was nice knowing you.

…..

A few minutes later…

"I can't believe you're still alive after taking that monster of an attack, Marisa! Even that… what did you call it? Master Spark of yours didn't come close!"

I am now sitting in the shrine with Reimu, Suika and a VERY bruised and battered, but otherwise alive Marisa. After Reimu had dealt her punishment, I introduced myself and explained my predicament. She then invited all of us for tea… and you can imagine my surprise when I saw Marisa alive and… not quite well.

"That's because *hic* danmaku isn't suppose to be lethal and Fantasy Heaven is *hic* Reimu's Last Word. Of course it would be that powerful." Suika explained before drinking more sake.

"Last Word? It doesn't look like something you would activate on the brink of death."

"No silly. It's just a title for the strongest spell card you have. You could say it is an absolute spell card that represents your will and conviction ze."

I nodded my head, "I see."

Reimu eyed me indecorously, "I'm surprised you haven't ask us about Spell Cards yet."

"Why should I? After all, you gave me a live demonstration about what Spell Cards are, and that's better than a full-course lecture." Suika and Marisa nodded their heads.

"You're surprisingly accepting to all this. I thought you'd go nuts with what you've seen here."

It was then another voice spoke, "That's because he's not like the other outsiders."

Who… Wait, I recognize that voice!

A hole of some sort suddenly opened and a familiar blond woman walks out of it.

I react immediately and stand on my feet, "Yukari!"

….

Flashback – 10 years ago

My parents and I always went on weekly visits to my grandparents' home. I had always looked forward to these visits, since my grandfather would tell me stories about the various yokai that once roamed the land.

The funny thing is, whenever I asked whether they are real, he would say, "If you believe they are real, then they are. If you don't believe they real, then they are not."

At the time, I was too young to understand what he meant.

One day while we were visiting, I overheard grandpa talking to someone in private. Even though I knew it was rude to go barging in, my curiosity got the better of me.

And that was when I met her.

"Kamino! Come here, I want you to meet someone." I obeyed and was face to face with a pretty woman with yellow hair and purple dress. For some reason, I felt great unease towards her.

"Oh! So this is your grandchild?"

"That's right. Don't be shy, greet her." My grandpa gently pushed my back as encouragement.

"U-Um, hello! I am Kamino Yukimoto, nice to meet you!" I said while bowing my head.

"My my~ aren't you polite, Kami-chan? My name is Yukari Yakumo, hope we get along~"

….

End of Flashback

"So it's true. You really are a yokai." I crossed my arms while looking at Yukari.

"Oh, did they tell you about me already?" She gestured at the trio present besides us.

"Suika did actually, but only a little. Plus, the fact you haven't change in appearance since we first met proves the point."

"First met?" Reimu interjected, "You mean you met Yukari in the Outside World!"

I nodded my head, "I first met Yukari while visiting my grandparents. She's an old acquaintance of my grandfather, Genma. By the way, what kind of yokai are you, Yukari?"

"Oh? And here I thought I would not need a re-introduction~ Fufufu~" Yukari's dauting attitude Very well, since you ask so nicely ~ I am the Yokai of Boundaries, Yukari Yakumo, please to make your acquaintance once again."

… I see that haughty personality of hers hasn't changed and is it rule for everyone in Gensokyo to have some fancy title? But what she does mean?

"As I've said, Seido-kun, I am a yokai who can manipulate boundaries. Be they physical, mental or personal, they all bend to my will." She continued as though she read my mind.

… I'm having a tough time digesting this.

Reimu then cleared her throat, "Anyway, I'm guessing you're here to take him back?"

"Quite the opposite actually, I'm here to make sure he doesn't return."

…

….

…..

What?

"Excuse me, Yukari… But what did you say?"

"I am here to make sure you do not return to the Outside World."

…

WHAT. THE. HELL.