Behold! The continuation, as usual. Enjoy.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Touhou / Project Shrine Maiden; it belongs to Team Shanghai Alice / ZUN. Except, my OC's.
Chapter Twenty One: Explanatory
Remilia: Oh, Twinpeaks! You're back already?
"Twinpeaks" was a nickname Remi came up for my sister. Not too hard to figure out why."
Kasen: Remilia, you're here too? And you know I don't like it when-
"The face she made at that moment was just pure gold"
Ehhh?! When did you get so popular?! Ahhh! And you're bleeding! Just what happened to you while I was gone?!
Zane: It's a… long story. I'll explain everything later. Momiji, get the bandages please.
Momiji: On it.
"While Momiji was changing my bandages, both me and Remi were coming up with a fake story to tell"
Kasen: Wait, hold the phone here… So what you're telling me is that you, my dear brother, got stabbed in the arm by some punks that were trying to mug you AND Remi appeared out of nowhere, after what she and Sakuya helped you?
Zane: Ummm… Yes?
Remilia: That's exactly what happened.
"Despite telling the bootleg story, Remi still looked Kasen in the eyes while having a straight face"
Kasen: …. That's horrible! You should be more careful next time.
"Thankfully, my sister trusted me and wouldn't even think that I would lie to her. I wasn't feeling too good lying to her but that story that we made up was still more plausible than what actually happened."
But you still haven't told me who these girls are.
Zane: Oh yeah… These ladies are Hinomaru, Momiji and Satori. I uh… met them… on a convention.
Kasen: Since when do you go to the conventions?
Remilia: I asked him to accompany me because I get bored easily.
Kasen: Last time I checked, you don't appear in those kind of places as well.
Remilia: I can do what I want. As I said before, I got bored of the same routine so I decided to try something new.
Kasen: So it's cosplay? I was wondering why… But it looks so real.
Hinomaru: Are you trying to offend me? This right here, is a handmade Katana, made by a professional from the purest tamahagane!
Zane: As you can see, she takes it very seriously.
Kasen: I'm sorry, Hinomaru. I didn't mean to offend you.
Hinomaru: Hmph!
Kasen: Oh, I just remembered that I have to take something.
Zane: Kasen, wait!
"She was heading straight to the bedroom, where Sakuya was still "resting""
Hinomaru: So you live with your sister? You sly devil you~
Zane: What's that supposed to mean?
Kasen: Zaney, I have to leave now but I will be back soon. Oh and Remilia, you really shouldn't make Sakuya work so hard.
Zane: Not this nickname again…
Remilia: I will try to go easy on her next time. No promises. Oh, and we will be going to my place shortly.
Zane: We are? I mean, we are. I'm gonna be late.
Kasen: Alright, have fun. And try not to get in anymore trouble.
Zane: Don't worry about me.
"Kasen left"
Were you serious?
Remilia. Sure. It could be fun.
Chapter Twenty Two: Little Devil
Hinomaru: So we're going to the moneybags' house now?
Remilia: Excuse me?
Zane: Hinomaru is… pretty straightforward with what she says.
Remilia: I can see that. Could you go wake up Sakuya?
Zane: Why don't you do it? You know she listens to you only.
Remilia: It's easier to show you than explaining. Follow me.
Zane: Alright. Satori, we might need your help.
"Satori nodded and all of three of us went to the bedroom. Sakuya was, indeed, still sleeping. I wonder if it's because of Satori or Remi really doesn't give her much rest"
Remilia: Okay, here's what we'll do. Satori will stand near the bed and I am going to call out to Sakuya. Keep your distance by the way.
Zane: Why does it sound like we're trying to wake up a hungry lion?
Remilia: You'll see. Satori has body properties close to mine so it is ideal. Are you ready?
Satori: Yes.
Zane: Are you sure this-
Remilia: Sakuya! WAKE UP!
"As Remi yells that, Sakuya ,immediately, gets up, hugs Satori and starts throwing apologies left and right"
Sakuya: My lady, I am so sorry! I couldn't protect you! Please forgive me!
"Satori shows no sign of reaction"
Satori: You're intruding in my personal space.
Sakuya: Huh? Wait a second… You are NOT lady Remilia!
"Remi bursts out laughing"
Remilia: Bwahahaha! You should have seen your face!
Sakuya: Lady Remilia…
Zane: …. You are a devil, you know that?
Chapter Twenty Three: On the move
Sakuya: "Finally fully wakes up" Lady Remilia! Did any of them hurt you?
Remilia: Relax Sakuya, nothing happened to me. Zane was with me.
"She, cheerfully, runs to me and takes me by the arm"
He is my knight in shining armor~
Sakuya: THAT is the main reason why I am worried.
Zane: Yeah, thanks…
Remilia: Anyway, we are going back and they are going with us.
Sakuya: But lady Remilia!-
Remilia: And that's final!
Sakuya: As you wish. I will wait for you outside.
"Sakuya left the apartment."
Zane: Alright, we're going to Remi's place!
"We gathered everyone but before we could go, we needed to make final preparation"
Hmm…
Satori: Is something wrong?
Zane: We can't go outside like this…
Hinomaru: Why not?
Zane: Usually, people don't have extra eyes and animal parts… That's not necessarily a bad thing but it might get a lot of unnecessary attention.
Satori: I could create a optical illusion.
Zane: That won't last long, will it?
Satori: Doesn't require much effort on a small radius. It can last up until 6 hours a day.
"Satori looks at me"
It's not enough?
Zane: Oh no, that'll do just nicely. I was just thinking that usually you can see this kind of stuff only in the movies. It it's not too troublesome for you then please do.
"Satori closes her eyes for a second. A small but bright light glows in her third eye. It quickly fades away and she opens her eyes again."
Satori: We are now ordinary girls and Remilia doesn't exist to anyone around us.
Remilia: Wha- But- Why do I no more exist?!
"Remi starts panicking"
Satori: I'm kidding.
Zane: Emotions sealed but sense of humor remains?
Remilia: Ah? Huh?! Uuuugh!
"Satori shrugs and Remi seems a bit angry"
Let's go before I change my mind…
"We ventured outside, but we didn't get far. We stopped outside the apartment building and…"
Hinomaru: Whoa!
Satori: Haven't seen those before.
Momiji: What is that?
Zane: That, my dears, is a limo. Rich people use it for transportation.
Hinomaru: Are we gonna use that?
Remilia: Of course.
Zane: Last time I visited you, you had a different one.
Remilia: I asked Sakuya to give some driving lessons.
Satori: That ended up poorly.
Remilia: I like this one better anyway.
Sakuya: Lady Remilia. We are going to be late!
Remilia: Hmm? Ah yes, I almost forgot about something. Please do get inside.
"While we were getting in, girls were looking around like they ended up in a different world. Can't say I blame them. They haven't seen sunlight for at least 8 years now."
?: Good day ladies and gentleman. Where to?
Zane: I recognize that voice… Marisa, is that you?
?: You guessed right Ze!
"Kirisame Marisa, one of my friends. Or acquaintances, rather. She is a very straightforward person. She and Hinomaru would get along, I think. She's always wearing a big hat. It doesn't matter for her if it matches with everything else she's wearing. Loves mushrooms. Also loves stealing other people's possessions"
Zane: You're working for Remi now?
Marisa: Sure do! It's a fun job to do and Remi treats me well too. Her "bodyguard" could go easier on me though.
Remilia: You can talk as we go. Take us to the bookstore.
Marisa: Right away Ze!
"As soon as we started moving, the girls became even more excited, even Satori."
Satori: This is a exciting experience.
Hinomaru: This is amazing! Must be good being rich.
Remilia: It has its benefits.
Zane: Won't be long until they will ditch me for you.
"It was obviously a joke but everyone kept a straight face"
Marisa: Ba dum tss.
Sakuya: That was terrible.
Momiji: We would never-
Zane: Relax, Momiji. That was a joke.
Remilia: "Chuckles" - You were always bad at comedy.
Marisa: He just needs the right audience. I remember one time we went to the club and the crowd was rolling on the floor laughing! He was kinda drunk then though…
Zane: You made me drink!
Marisa: So? You still had a fun time, didn't you?
Zane: Yes, it was very funny when I got thrown out.
Hinomaru: Blondie, you got my interest. I demand details.
Zane: Don't you dare…
Hinomaru: Oh, come on. It couldn't be THAT bad.
Marisa: It was pretty bad actually.
Sakuya: He is a walking menace. I still don't understand why my lady even likes him.
Marisa: And you never will Ze!
Sakuya: Pardon me?
Remilia: Alright, that's enough. Marisa, eyes on the road.
Marisa: Affirmative Ze!
Zane: What did you do to make her so… obedient.
Remilia: I have my methods. Anyway, I would like to know your plans for the future.
Zane: For the future?
Remilia: I heard some of them call you "master". Are you going to take advantage of that?
Zane: Let me put it simply.
First, I hate making someone do something against their own will.
Second, I am no fool, I know what power does to people. I was never… let's say "in command" of someone like them. Sooner or later the sense of power gets to you. You're going to use them like a weapon. You need it only when you need it and if it gets old or broken, you throw it away.
I don't want to be like that. They're free to stay with me as long as they like BUT if any of them will want to leave, I won't hold them.
Remilia: You're missing on some great opportunities.
Zane: I am who I am. You can't change that.
"The car stopped and Sakuya exited at once"
Sakuya: Pardon me.
Zane: Why are we stopping?
Remilia: I promised to get something for my friend from this store.
Satori: That "something" sure is expensive.
Remilia: Not as expensive as you might think but- How did you?- Oh, I see. That is a very useful ability you got there. I could use that.
Satori: Not interested.
Remilia: It was worth a shot.
Zane: Don't remind me…
"Shortly after, Sakuya returns"
Sakuya: Sorry for keeping you waiting.
Remilia: Did you get it?
Sakuya: Yes. Had to "convince" the shopkeeper to sell it but I managed to get it without any major problems.
Remilia: Excellent!
"We went straight to Remi's place after that. While we were going, girls had a chance to take a look on the city. It was quite entertaining, I must say. They were savoring every minute. Their excitement soon came to an end when someone ran right in front of the car"
Zane: Slam the brakes!
Marisa: Waaaaah!
"We managed to avoid hitting whoever ran in front of us but crashed right into the lamp pole."
Chapter Twenty Four: Misfortune Chain
Zane: Ugh… What a brilliant start for the weekend… Is everyone alright?
Hinomaru: I'm good.
Satori: Yes.
Marisa: Just a few cuts.
Momiji: I'm alright.
Sakuya: Lady Remilia?
Remilia: I'm fine; you can stop holding me now. Uuf… It would be nice if you had a few "airbags",Sakuya…
Sakuya: Wha- It's not my fault that I don't have those!
"They both looked at me"
Zane: What?
Remilia: You're luckier in that sense.
Zane: Huh?
"I looked around and noticed that my head was right on the Momiji's chest"
Oh… It is pretty soft, I can tell you that much.
Sakuya: I hate you…
Zane: I know.
Remilia: Can I?...
Zane: Sure, why not.
"Remi took my place on the "airbags" She looked happy. Can't say the same for Sakuya though. I got up and exited the vehicle. Marisa was evaluating the damage"
Marisa: Hmmm… She sure is busted…
Zane: Well, I guess we'll walk…
Hinomaru: Hey, moneybags' maid, how much far away is your home?
Sakuya: Not very far. 15 minutes from here by car.
Zane: Hey Remi, do you- Aa-ah… Mind giving me a hand?
Sakuya: With pleasure.
"Sakuya seemed pleased to be given the chance to get her mistress back. Everyone was doing something but no one expected what happened next… We heard multiple bangs"
Momiji: Aaaah!
Satori: I can't see!
Remilia: What's going on?!
?1: Capture the kid!
?2: What about the rest of them.
?1: Leave them! The orders were to get the kid only. Now move it before they recover!
?2: Y-Yes sir!
"Before I knew it, I got pushed in, what seemed like a van. I couldn't see nor hear very well. They used flash grenades, or so I assumed.
When I could see again, I found myself in a van full of armed to teeth people"
Soldier: Sir.
?: Welcome to hell, kid. No one's gonna save your ass this time.
Zane: Wha- Who are you?
?: Gerald Walker, captain of the-
Zane: Special capture division of doom?
Gerald: Well now…
"He punched me in the face"
Let's see how funny you will be after I punch all your teeth out.
Zane: What do you want from me?
Gerald: Me? Oh no. I don't want anything from you. We are the "invitation group", if you will. My superiors are anxious to see you.
Zane: How did you find me?
Gerald: That is none of your concern. Pack him up.
" After he gave the order, I got my hands cuffed and they put blind-fold on my eyes. I wasn't going to do anything anyway. Not only I was still dizzy but I also couldn't do anything against a squad of armed soldiers.
After some time, the car finally stopped. They pushed me out of the van and, pointing a gun in my back, were leading me somewhere. The good part was that they needed me alive or they wouldn't bother capturing me. The bad part was that it could turn from bad to worse in seconds. We were in the building. I could tell because I heard the echo of my footsteps. They lead me inside the elevator, which wasn't too hard to figure out as well. We took the elevator up. Finally, we stopped. They sat me on the chair and unfolded my eyes. I was in a room so dark, it didn't make much of a difference. The only thing that was well lit was the place I was sitting , a table in front of me and another chair on the other side of the table"
?: Leave us.
Gerald: Are you sure? You know he-
?: Don't make me repeat myself.
Gerald: Very well.
"Gerald and his men left the room. I was left alone with the mysterious figure."
Who can this mysterious figure be? Is it a he or a she?
What will this person do to Zane? Find out next time. Reviews are much appreciated.