"It's been a while since we talked, huh?"
Rena stared at her twin sister in surprise, wondering how they were talking like this. This had never happened before. Rena became aware of their black surroundings, and wondered if this was all within her - no, Christina's - mind.
"...Is this real?" Rena asked.
"I dunno." Christina shrugged. "I wanna say it is."
Rena nodded. "Then I suppose it is."
There was a silence between the two for several moments. Christina, searching for something to say, decided to simply cut to the chase. "So, Rena... Looks like you've been keeping me in the dark for a long time."
Rena flinched at her words, and guilt crossed her face. "You... You remember?"
Christina nodded gravely. "Yeah. Guess your hold on my memory slipped when you were fighting."
Christina took a few steps towards her sister. Briefly, Rena wondered if there was an invisible floor underneath them, or if they were simply floating. Strangely enough, it felt like both.
"I remember everything. Kenta, the village... and everything you've done since then."
Rena's eyes widened in horror as she stepped away from her sister. "Y-you..."
"We share a mind, you know. Now that I'm aware of you, there's nothing I can't see." Christina stated with a shadow of a smile crossing her face.
Rena hung her head, too ashamed to look at her sister. "Then... you know what I've been up to."
"I do."
Another awkward silence. Rena couldn't take it. She wanted Christina to shout at her, scream her rage and hatred at Rena's actions for every human or youkai that got in her way. For what she tried to do to Gensokyo.
"I would, but I was never good at that kind of thing." Christina smiled slightly, and Rena flinched again, wondering how Christina could smile at a time like this.
"I can because I finally get a chance to talk to you, after so long," Christina answered Rena's thoughts, and stepped closer again. "And don't you dare move away. You'll hurt my feelings."
Rena stood her ground as Christina embraced her sister. As much as she felt she didn't deserve it, she was happy to hug her sister again, even if it was only some weird dream.
The embrace seem to last forever, which Rena was more than happy about. It meant she could put off having to talk about what a horrible bitch she had been all these years. Unfortunately, they had to part some time, and Christina moved half a pace back, holding Rena's hand.
"Well, first thing's first; I'm sorry I ran away all those years ago."
"W-what?" Rena was taken aback by her apology. What was she to apologise for? "Christina, I told you to run!"
"And I shouldn't have listened." Christina replied sadly. "I shouldn't have let you suffer alone."
Rena shook her head. "No, if you had died with me, I would have felt worse."
"Jeez, can't you find a single fault in me?" Christina aked teasingly, and Rena found herself smirking despite her guilt.
"Well, you always were the stupid one." Rena replied.
"Meanie."
The sisters giggled together, reminding each other of simpler times, when they could find joy in living in a forest, drawing comfort and happiness from the other.
Christina looked at their infinitely black surroundings with a frown. "Hey, why are we here, anyway? Can't we think up a far better place?"
"Like where?" Rena asked. "The mansion?"
Before they realised it, the background had transitioned to the mansion's grounds, with the building towering behind them.
"Much better." Christina nodded her approval, sitting down on the grass. Rena seated herself next to her sister, overlooking the large area that Christina called home.
She was happy here, and I was going to take that away... Rena realised, and could feel horrified tears beginning to form. An arm draped over her shoulders, and Christina pulled Rena into another hug.
"I forgive you." Christina said quietly, beginning to stroke her sister's overly long hair. "Everything you did, it was because of the human's fear. I won't condone your actions, but..."
"You know that isn't the case." Rena interrupted, tears flowing down her cheeks. "Yeah, I wanted to get them back for what they did to us - to you, but at some point... It became all about me."
Christina remained still and silent as Rena pushed herself away, unable to touch or look at her sister. "I kept telling myself it was all to save you... but you were saved already, and I wouldn't admit it. Because I'm a jealous bitch."
Christina was aware of all this already, having had the memories and feelings rush through her mind once Rena's control had faltered. However, Christina felt that the issues couldn't be properly resolved until Rena admitted her guilt, which was what the troubled youkai was currently doing.
"I was so angry that I died over nothing, I was so confused that I blamed Kenta for everything, I.. I..." Rena buried her face in her hands and began to sob uncontrollably. Even knowing that Rena felt undeserving of her affection, Christina placed a comforting hand on her sister's back.
"I nearly killed you, just to spite them." Rena whispered. Christina could recall that only too well, thanks to Rena's memories. The horrified looks on Lyra's, Tara's and Anya's faces as Rena pierced her own chest with her spell, barely missing her heart in the process. Even with her youkai strength, Christina nearly died.
"I forgive you for that too." Christina said quietly. "You were consumed in your emotions, you couldn't think clearly-"
"What kind of excuse is that!" Rena shouted, rising to her feet. "All that shows is that I'm a deranged psycho that you need to get rid of!"
Christina looked hurt as Rena avoided eye contact with her sister. As much as it pained her to say it, Rena had to get Christina to understand that she was dangerous. Now that she was calm, Rena had the presence of mind to warn her sister, but who was to say she wouldn't go on another murderous rampage?"
"Why would you?" Christina asked in response to that thought, getting to her feet. "Did you ever enjoy killing anyone?"
"I..." Rena thought back to every time she had murdered someone in cold blood, trying to satisfy her thirst for revenge. Every kill left her hollow, as if taking someone's life was completely meaningless. Then the guilt would creep up on her, and Rena simply wouldn't understand why she felt that way. Surely it was only fair?
Christina shook her head as she stepped closer to Rena. "You never believed it was fair, did you? After all, those people you killed were descendants of those villagers, told a biased version of that night. It wasn't their fault."
"I still killed them." Rena stated. "Dozens lie in graves because I..."
"Do you regret all those deaths?" Christina asked.
Rena faced her sister desperately. "Of course I do! I wish I'd never given in to my desires, but I can't do anything to fix my mistakes..."
Christina gently embraced her sister, making sure she couldn't pull away. "If you're truly sorry, the best you can do is repent, and beg forgiveness."
"What would that fix?" Rena asked as fresh tears started to fall.
"I don't know. Maybe your apologies won't be accepted. Maybe the dead will forever hate you... But wouldn't you feel a little better knowing that you tried to make amends?"
Rena was silent for several moments, contemplating her sister's words. Finally, she returned Christina's hug, sobbing quietly.
"You're right. I have to try." she whispered.
"Good. I think we know were to start." Christina answered happily.
Reimu, Marisa and Genji had found themselves staying at the damaged mansion for a couple of days.
Reimu had decided to wait until Christina or Rena had woken up again, to try and talk about this incident. Marisa stayed because, 'there's still a chance Rena'll come back', and Genji stayed because... well, Reimu would need a ride home eventually.
However, the young mistress hadn't awoken since that battle, and the mansion's residents were growing quite worried.
Reimu found herself walking the mansion's grounds, once again offering her thanks to Mima. The wound had sealed completely now, leaving no trace that there was ever a life threatening scratch.
Wearing a white yukata with a matching ribbon tied in her hair, the young shrine maiden wondered why exactly Mima decided to save her. For some reason, she couldn't quite accept the reason she told herself earlier, that it was for the sake of saving everyone else, or even just herself. Marisa probably had something to do with that, if Mima's request was any indication.
That was another thing... Ever since that night, Marisa had been slightly less loud and annoying. Most of the time, she just remained silent, rarely commenting and occasionally glancing at Reimu. She hoped Marisa didn't resent her for Mima's decision...
Up ahead, Reimu noticed Tara staring at the sky, her back to the shrine maiden. If Reimu remembered right, she was the woman who shielded the whole area with a barrier... and got her ass kicked by her rescuers.
"Something interesting up there?" Reimu asked conversationally as she approached. Tara simply shook her head.
"Just tried to restore the barrier." She muttered. "But my head's been a mess ever since I tried to block that giant laser."
"Ah... Yeah, you're gonna be recovering for a while..." Reimu said, wincing at the thought of having your very mind suffer a Master Spark.
Tara simply nodded again, looking somewhat down. Reimu figured it was because of Christina's condition, but her next words proved that wrong.
"Then again, there's no need for one right now, is there? The one's we were supposed to stop broke through and beat us all regardless." She sighed.
"Ehehe... Yeah, that's kinda our thing." Reimu said apologetically. "Especially Marisa and Mima. They specialise in blowing stuff up."
"And I specialise in protecting those dear to me." Tara sighed. "And I proved especially useless at that."
"Oh, hey... c'mon..." Reimu said lamely, unsure of what to say to comfort this woman. "I'm sure you do a good job... You just got unlucky."
Tara laughed, although there was no humour in her voice. "And now our former prisoner comforts me. How did I sink so low?"
Reimu blinked dumbly, wondering if she had deeply offended the woman. Tara exhaled silently.
"I apologise, Miss Hakurei. I'm just... I just feel like I let every one down, that I didn't do enough to stop Rena..."
Reimu shook her head at Tara's words. "From what Lyra told me, trying that didn't work out too well."
Lyra had filled Reimu and the others in on the blanks of the group's knowledge on the Daidouji's. Apparently, Rena once grieviously injured herself to show that they couldn't defy Rena, or Christina would die. For someone possessing her sister's body, that was pretty damn harsh, Reimu thought. It was no wonder that they hadn't tried opposing her again.
"Perhaps, but your friends proved that we should have done more." Tara replied.
"Assuming you could beat up your mistress' sister." Reimu pointed out.
Tara was silent, having no reply to offer. She gazed at the ruined mansion, noting that they would need to rebuild the damaged part at some point, and wondered if her mistress was okay. It was extremely worrying that she hadn't woken up yet, and the witch had swore that she hadn't used that much power...
"So... Why did you want to visit the library anyway?" Anya asked.
"Eh, might as well find something to read while I wait for that lazy ass shrine maiden to leave." Marisa shrugged.
Marisa had asked the young youkai if they had a library with any decent spell books to learn from. Even though the Daidouji's library was only filled with compiled stories from all around Gensokyo throughout the centuries, that hadn't stopped Marisa from wanting to visit. Anya, naturally, was the guide, as it was kind of her domain.
Anya kept her leather-bound book clasped tightly in her hand as she guided the blonde witch through the many shelves. She proudly bragged about how she alphabetically arranged the whole library single-handedly, and how quickly she learned to read and write just to read everything the library had to offer.
"Although, I'm kinda only halfway there..." Anya admitted with a laugh. "I spent a lot of time writing in this book, and some books are just so dull I put off finishing..."
"What's in that book anyway?" Marisa asked, nodding at the book in Anya's hands. "Can I see?"
"N-no, it's nothing interesting..." Anya hugged the book closer to herself, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"'Nothing interesting'? You stuck me and Miss Mima inside an illusion with that thing!" Marisa pointed out. "I just wanna see how you did it! Come on!"
Anya refused once again. "No! Only I can work the magic!"
Marisa simply huffed, and turned her attention to the book shelves. Picking one out at random, Marisa read, "'Kitty the Werewolf: Living in Human Skin'... What?"
"If I remember right... it's about a half-wolf, half-human youkai who tries to fit into human society, but has murderous impulses during the full moon and transforms!" Anya noted. "I heard it's based on a true story."
"Hm." Marisa grunted, opening the book at the first page.
Anya watched Marisa read the first page or two, wondering if she should at least guide her to an armchair or something. It looked like the witch was absorbed in the story already.
"Uh... Marisa?" Anya tried to get her attention. Instantly, Marisa snapped the book shut.
"Boring." Marisa grunted, sliding the book back upside down.
With a flicker of annoyance, Anya replaced the book in its proper position while Marisa browsed the rest of the shelves. Isn't there anything interesting enough to take my mind off things? She wondered.
These past few days had been... tough, to say the least. Marisa was still trying to deal with Mima's absence. Of course, Mima had promised her that she would return somehow, but it may take a long time. Until then, Marisa was masterless... motherless, again.
It hurt her to once again lose someone she considered a parent. Since Mima was already dead, Marisa never thought it possible to lose her. She wanted to be her apprentice forever, if that's what it meant to have Mima in her life. Now, she was gone...
Well, I still have Reimu... Marisa thought. Just the previous night, Reimu had tried to talk to Marisa about Mima, and told her that she was welcome to visit the shrine any time, and Reimu would see if she could afford some sort of memorial item to honour Mima. Marisa had told her it wasn't necessary, and Mima would've blown it up on sight anyway.
If Mima were around, she would no doubt notice that Marisa was troubled, and probably shake things up just to try and cheer her up. The young witch knew that trying to hide away for a while wouldn't make things any better, but it was probably the most comforting course of action right now.
"Excuse me, Marisa?" Anya's voice broke Marisa from her reverie. "You've been quiet for seven minutes now. Is something wrong?"
"Huh? Oh, no... Nothing's wrong!" Marisa said, grinning widely. "Just wondering where the good books are, is all."
Anya looked thoughtfully at the shelves, her visible eye scanning each book as if she could determine their contents through a mere glance.
"I'd say there's at least three hundred and twenty nine 'good' books on this row alone." Anya finally said.
"...Huh." Marisa wasn't sure what to say. "Say, I've been wondering... what's with the eyepatch? I'm quite sure your other eye's fine."
Anya looked embarrassed and began drumming her fingers over the book that never seemed to leave her grasp. "Er, well... it's like... Um..."
"What? It can't be that bad!" Marisa said in wonder.
"It's, uh... hetra- no, hetora- Ugh! Hetero...chromo? Irididium-blagh!" Anya couldn't seem to pronounce the words right. "It's... My right eye's miscoloured."
Marisa looked somewhat confused. "And? Don't tell me that's embarrassing."
"My vision in that eye is also atrocious," Anya added. "It's unheard of for a youkai to contract such a condition, and at such a severe level... Keeping that eye covered improves my overall vision."
"Ever tried glasses?"
"Don't like them."
A silence hung between the two for several moments. Finally, Marisa said, "So, what's in that book? I'd like to see."
"No! It's not that interesting, I swear!" Anya protested, backing away from Marisa.
Christina's room wasn't really all that grand, compared to the rest of the mansion. Sure, it was big enough to house a family, but it was barely different from every other room, except for excess amounts of blue adorning the walls, carpet and curtains. Even the furniture was varying shades of blue. Lyra felt the room was a bit cold, but Christina loved it, for whatever reason.
Right now, the mistress was still fast asleep in her four-poster bed, breathing quietly as Lyra sat by her side. She hadn't left the room at all since she brought her mistress inside to rest, except for the bathroom. She adamantly refused for anyone else to do the same, telling them to busy themselves with rest or restoration.
It worried Lyra that Christina hadn't awoken yet. as far as she could tell, the only real injuries she suffered were some bruising on her limbs and ribs, and a few burnt hair strands. Was she fighting Rena for control deep within her subconscious? Had she received a severe injury that wasn't detected?
It pained Lyra, not knowing the exact problem. It made her feel useless as a servant. As a big sister. For so long, she had served the Daidouji master's, with no such problem as this ever occuring. Now that Christina lay vulnerable, Lyra wondered is she was truly worthy as a servant.
And of course, there was Tara and Anya to worry about. She could tell that they felt somewhat down about failing in their task to stop the witch and the ghost, even if they had beaten Rena in the end.
Tara felt jealous over Anya's initial victory of the intruders, and felt useless since she was easily beaten. Anya felt sorry for herself, feeling that her weakness allowed the intruders to break free of her illusions. And Lyra herself... She had let this madness continue. The maid felt as if she were the true 'villain' in this scenario.
Lyra heard a soft moan and her attention immediately returned to her mistress. Christina was shuffling in her sleep, as one would do if they had awoken too early and needed 'five more minutes'.
"Christina!" Lyra felt intense relief at seeing some sign of life. Christina blinked her eyes open, gazing at Lyra with a small frown.
"What? Is something up?" she asked blearily.
She still doesn't remember... Lyra thought. Well, that would have to change. For too long, it had been hidden from Christina. She needed to know the truth, seeing as it was another persona inside her that was causing so much distress!
"...Mistress, I..." Lyra said, rising from the seat she had occupied for days now. As Christina raised herself to a seated position, Lyra suddenly embraced her, pulling the young youkai tight against her.
"Wah! L-Lyra! What's wrong!" Christina yelped in surprise.
"I'm so sorry." Lyra whispered, feeling tears threatening to escape. "I should of told you so long ago... I shouldn't have kept you oblivious to her..."
Christina was silent as she listened to Lyra, then returned her hug warmly. "It's okay, I know."
Lyra stiffened, then slowly pulled back to face her mistress, surprise and fear in her yes. "You... know of Rena?"
Christina nodded in affirmation, then pulled the blankets off to climb out of bed. She was wearing a pale violet nightgown, which Christina wasn't too fond of.
"From what I'm remembering..." Christina muttered with a small smile as she and Lyra sat on the edge of the bed. "Rena tried telling you who she really was, and you didn't believe her?"
Lyra nodded slowly, recalling the first time Rena had awoken. Spouting nonsense about revenge and the abundance of evil in Gensokyo, Lyra found it hard to believe Christina was related to Rena in any way. But now that Christina was aware of this other side of her mind, was it really true? Why hadn't Christina ever known?"
"If I'm guessing right, the answer to the question in your head is memory erasure." the young mistress smiled in amusement to her servant. "Rena was trying to protect me, by making sure I couldn't remember her, or our past."
"But... why?" Lyra asked.
"I think I should get everyone together to explain that," Christina replied. "It'll take a while to explain... and there's someone who needs to speak with you."
Lyra didn't take long to guess who it may be, and her gaze darkened slightly, which Christina noticed.
"I want you to at least hear her story before you talk." Christina said. "I know it's asking much, but I promise, Rena regrets everything she done."
The maid was finding it difficult to believe, after everything that had happened, but she couldn't very well refuse to meet this girl. She was a part of Christina, after all, she would have to face her eventually. Lyra didn't plan on backing down from their meeting. No, now was the time to stand up to her.
"Very well." Was Lyra's reply.
It was a rather joyous reunion, Reimu and Marisa noted, when Lyra had brought Christina to the foyer, where her twin-statue was located. Reimu and Tara had met up up with them when they returned to the mansion, and fairies were immediately alerted and spread the news all around the house. Anya and Marisa somehow arrived less than than a minute later.
As the Daidouji's and miscellaneous fairies engaged in what looked like a battle of the hugs, the shrine maiden and the witch hung back, letting the family have their moment.
"Man, you'd think Carrie'd disappeared or something..." Marisa muttered.
"Well, Christina did fall into a coma." Reimu pointed out sarcastically.
"Still around, wasn't she?" Marisa shrugged.
Reimu simply rolled her eyes and the two were silent again. This was probably the most interaction the two had for a while.
With a quick glance at the witch, Reimu said, "Marisa... do you resent me?"
"Huh? Where'd that come from?" Marisa asked, surprised.
"Well, you seem to be avoiding me." Reimu said as casually as she could. "Not that I'm bothered over whether or not you like me, but..."
Marisa gave the shrine maiden a questioning glance, finding her attitude eerily familiar.
Scratching the back of her head nervously, Marisa said, "Well... I don't resent you, but..."
Reimu gave Marisa a silent look, her face devoid of any expression. The recently-appointed 'master' witch found herself thinking about how cute Reimu looked with the new hair colour, but quickly shooed that thought away.
"... But, it's just kinda hard to talk right now." Marisa finished lamely.
Reimu made an 'Mm' sound, but said nothing, instead turning her gaze back to the Daidouji's who were busy blubbering their apologies over their lack of power, and promises to be far better sisters. Christina seemed overwhelmed by the attention.
"By the way, where's Genji?" Marisa asked, and Reimu simply shrugged.
In the Daidouji's garden, by one of the many ponds that littered the grounds, an old turtle was dozing. His grey beard had been secretly braided by a mischievous fairy, and his shell decorated with a pink substance that would be utter hell to wash off.
"No... I dun wanna be minor..." Genji muttered. "My role's import..."
"Wonder what he's dreaming about?" A blue fairy asked.
A green companion fairy shrugged. "I dunno. From what I'm picking up, he's scared of getting booted into obscurity while the younger generation run the shots. So, should we dye his beard now?"
"Oh, yes!" The first fairy squeaked in excitement. "Let's make it lavender! Or a really bright yellow!"
Half an hour later, Christina had gathered everyone in one room, which was apparently their designated meeting room. It was fairly large, with at least a dozen armchairs and a couple of coffee tables littered all around, and a kotatsu in the corner for... a cold meeting, maybe.
When someone had fetched Genji from the pond, the laughter simply wouldn't stop. Even now, Marisa, Christina and Anya were trying to suppress giggles every time they looked at the re-decorated turtle, whose newly pink shell was accompanied by a braided beard, split into two little ponytails and coloured magenta and a light orange for each braid.
When everyone had recovered from a possibly lethal dose of laughter (And Genji had finished cursing every fairy he saw), they had taken their seats, all of them facing Christina, who had began to recount everything she had learned from Rena's memories, as well as their past.
The young mistress talked for a while, looking perfectly in control of her emotions, although Reimu was sure she'd spotted grief or fond reminiscence once in a while.
Occasionally, Christina would pause, her eyes cloud over. After a few seconds, she would add in details to whatever was just said. Everyone present wondered if that was Rena's doing.
Once Christina had finished recounting her life, from what happened in the village up to the battle a few days ago, Christina seemed to converse with Rena mentally again.
With a sigh of annoyance, Christina added, "And it's apparently important to note that you shouldn't hold back whatever you want to say to her when she arrives."
"Well, why would we?" Marisa asked, sitting with a posture that indicated boredom. "She's got a lot to answer for, from the sounds of it."
Christina gripped the fabric of the dress she was wearing, a blue so pale it was almost white.
"Can I ask that you at least don't bombard her with insults? She doesn't deserve that." The young mistress said, and Marisa snorted.
The Daidouji's gave Marisa a threatening glare before Lyra spoke up. "If you wish it, we'll show a bit of restraint."
Christina nodded her thanks and closed her eyes. Her pale blue hair turned orange and grew, signifying Rena had taken over. The Daidouji's, plus Genji, tensed, although Reimu and Marisa were calm.
Rena opened her eyes, glancing at everyone present with an apprehensive expression. Until she saw Genji, and she noticeably battled to keep a smirk off her face.
With a frustrated growl, Genji hopped from the chair he occupied and made to leave the room. "Fine, I get it, we can't have a serious meeting when I'm around! I'll be back when I've paid back a few fairies..."
"W-wait!" Rena called after him, and everyone noticed that she no longer had a weird dual-voice. She sounded... well, they assumed Rena sounded like how she would normally sound.
"I'm sorry, I didn't... I didn't mean to offend you." Rena told the old turtle, who had paused to listen.
The old turtle could tell the girl was sincere in her apology, which was a bit surprising. What had happened to that mad girl that harboured such rage against Gensokyo?
"... Apology accepted." Genji sighed, turning to face the youkai again. She was much more successful at keeping a straight face, but her expression turned to extreme guilt and sorrow once she glanced at Lyra.
"... 'Sorry' won't be enough, will it?" Rena asked, a small hint of fear in her voice.
Lyra didn't answer immediately, she was too busy assessing Rena. She was acting very differently, completely opposite from the demanding, dangerous girl that held her sister's life in her hand.
And Lyra found that she couldn't hate this girl, but instead pitied her. Her reasons for destroying Gensokyo, while twisted, exaggerated, possibly deliberately warped, were certainly valid enough for a young life that was betrayed and crushed by the knowledge that she had let her sibling down. Even Lyra would no doubt harbour hatred after that.
"...Rena, what exactly do you plan to do now?" Tara asked, regarding Rena with an analytical gaze. Her sword was propped against her own chair, as if she was worried Rena might go berserk and attack them. Something that Rena noticed with a pang of worry. They clearly didn't trust her, and probably never would...
Still, Rena gazed determinedly back at Tara. "I... want to try and fix whatever I can. I have to try and make up for everything I did."
"W...Won't that be difficult?" Anya asked, her book strangely absent. The eye-patched girl was nervously twisting her fingers as she gazed at the floor. "Can you... can you really commit to making up for everything?"
A look of shame crossed Rena face. "I... don't know. I want to, but it feels hopeless, really. I've messed up far too much to expect anyone to forgive me."
"Christina did," Reimu pointed out. "And she was probably the worst affected in all of this."
Rena allowed herself a faint shadow of a smile. "Christina has problems not forgiving anybody, but... I suppose you do have a point."
"And I might be willing to overlook that back attack of yours," Marisa chimed in, a small grin on her face. "As long as you're willing to be the punching bag for my new spells."
"... This isn't my body, you know..." Rena said, somewhat nervously, then frowned as she seemed to lose focus of the world around her. A few seconds later, she muttered, "No, it's not fine!"
Seeing everyone stare at her, Rena shook her head. "Christina says she's okay with that arrangement, but..."
Lyra simply sighed, an amused little smile on her face. "Really, that girl... no concept of self-preservation."
Rena wasn't sure how to take the smiling Lyra. That the maid was more comfortable around her now? Rena didn't dare hope...
"Rena, you haven't properly apologised." Genji reminded her, sounding like a sage brimming with all the wisdom of the world. "I know it seems little, but you'd be surprised at how far a sincere apology can go."
Rena cast the turtle a doubtful look, but she had promised to apologise to everyone. Even if it was understandably rejected, Rena had to at least stay true to her word.
With a nervous glance to Lyra, then Tara and Anya on either side of the maid, Rena stepped in front of them, apparently struggling to decide what exactly she should say.
Finally, Rena dropped to her knees, then bowed low, pressing her forehead to the floor. It surprised the Daidouji's, seeing Rena bow like that. They had the image that Rena was incredibly proud and vain. Bowing to others wasn't really in her character... Then again, they couldn't decide just what her character was right now.
"Lyra, Tara, Anya..." Rena began, and her voice was noticeably constricted, as if she had a lump in her throat. "I... I'm truly sorry, for everything I've done. I want to fix everything, I - I'd do anything to make up for my mistakes! Please..."
Rena found she simply couldn't finish with a 'forgive me'. It was far too much to expect, and way beyond what she felt she deserved. Christina was urging her along in their shared mind, but Rena's lip simply quivered.
The Daidouji's all glanced at each other, saying nothing with words, but looks alone. It was clear that they all pitied the girl before them, and wanted to help in some way. But a tiny modicum of doubt held them back, whispering tales of betrayal.
However, Lyra wasn't one to pay heed to such thoughts. No one could act so genuinely, she decided as she moved from her chair to kneel in front of Rena, who didn't move.
"You're staining the carpet with those tears." Lyra said simply, gently lifting Rena's head by her chin. Rena stared back with watery eyes, looking disbelieving, yet hopeful.
Lyra noticed something different about Rena's gaze. Before, they held signs of madness, torment and sorrow. Now she saw a frightened little girl, who had lashed out violently in response to a violent world, and regretted the outcome.
How could that not be genuine?
With a warm, welcoming smile, Lyra embraced Rena, whose eyes widened in shock. "L-Lyra?"
Tara and Anya rose from their seats, then knelt on either side of Rena. They too, embraced the repentant youkai, who seemed frozen in shock.
Finally, tears spilled from her eyes, and began to sob, overwhelmed by their forgiveness. It was surely more than she deserved, but they gave it to her anyway...
Reimu and Marisa watched the scene with somewhat different reactions. Reimu felt a pang of longing, which surprised her. The young miko was not one for wistfully dreaming of a mother's, or a sibling's, embrace. She lived well enough on her own (Well, there was Genji, but she was mostly self-reliant), and never spared a thought for her deceased parents or ancestors.
Marisa had experienced jealousy at the scene, thinking of all the times she'd wanted to tell Miss Mima that she saw her more than a mentor. The soul who had taken a volatile witch-wannabe under her wing and cared for her, she was so much like a mother, and Marisa never told her that she loved Mima, as if she were the mother Marisa never had.
When the family finally parted, Rena wiped the tears from her face, looking infinitely more calm now. As if remembering there were others with them, Rena quickly moved to face Reimu, a look of guilt on her face.
"Um, Miss Hakurei..." Rena began.
"Reimu." The shrine maiden corrected.
With a nod, Rena continued. "Reimu... I... I'm truly sorry I tried to... you know, kill you." Rena said, who was now apparently bashful.
Reimu only grinned slightly, however. "Don't worry about it, you're not the first vengeful spirit I've encountered."
Rena smiled in relief at Reimu's words, and Marisa cleared her throat rather pointedly. Rena glanced at the witch, and remembered she deserved an apology too.
"Uh, sorry I shot you," Rena said. "How's your shoulder, anyway?"
"Perfect." Marisa grunted, satisfied with her apology.
Realising that she had another person to apologise too, Rena glanced around the room, noticing her absence. "Uh, where's the berserker lady?"
An uneasy silence filled the room, and Rena wished she had just kept quiet. Clearly, something happened to her when Rena was unconscious.
Finally, Marisa simply said, "Left already."
Reimu glanced at the witch, who had that usual confident smirk of hers. The shrine maiden wondered if that was just a front.
"Well, if that's all..." Lyra said in a voice that hadn't sounded so cheerful in a long time. "Perhaps we should sit down to dinner?"
The rest of that day was very upbeat. Rena had been welcomed into the family (although whether or not she counted as the 'mistress' or not was currently in debate), and everyone seemed content to move on.
Reimu, being no stranger to brushing off incidents at their conclusion, was just glad that nothing further had happened. Sure, Mima was gone, but Marisa seemed to be quickly returning to her old self, acting loud, somewhat rude, but still enjoying herself. Reimu wasn't sure why, but that sent relief flowing through her.
At some point during dinner, Marisa had excused herself, saying something about wanting to catch up on some book she found in the library. Rena was busy trying not to feel out of place, whilst Lyra asked about what was happening with her and Christina, now that they shared a mind. Apparently, they could now switch at will, and Rena wouldn't have to store energy in order to hijack her sister's body, seeing as she had her sister's consent.
"So I suppose we're essentially the same person." Rena muttered thoughtfully. "Except I'm clearly much more beautiful."
Unheard by everyone else, Christina muttered within her mind, "Excuse me? You're the one with the horrible orange hair that trails along the floor!"
With a sly smile beginning to cross Rena's face, the reformed youkai said quietly, "You're right, I suppose it's atrocious. I should get rid of it."
And with that, Rena's hair simply retracted into her head, leaving her comically bald. Reimu wished she hadn't seen that, since her food now threatened to escape her throat.
"Why do that? You're only embarrassing yourself!" Christina pointed out in confusion, while everyone looked at Rena as if she had just turned insane again.
"Bye." Rena cheerfully waved at the table's occupants, and after a brief loss of focus, Christina awakened.
Blinking in surprise, Christina realised her sister just forced a switch, and tried to cover her bald head. "Rena, you meanie! Huh? Why won't it grow?"
Everyone present tried not to laugh at her predicament. Even Genji was grinning, although his beard was restored to normal before dinner, he still had a ludicrously pink shell.
"Now, this is nostalgic." Rena sighed wistfully, obviously unheard by anyone who wasn't Christina.
"I want my hair!" Christina wailed, and Reimu had to grip the table tightly to try and exert any control over her laughter.
Clearing her throat, Lyra said in a carefully controlled voice, "That's enough, Rena."
Immediately, pale brown hair erupted from Christina's scalp, reaching the girl's waist. With a sigh of relief, Christina switched the colour scheme to a shade of blue that would blend perfectly with the sky, then shortened it to shoulder length.
"Thanks," Christina breathed in relief, a mischievous smile on her face. "Hey, Rena, I found my trump card..."
"Weirdest. Dinner. Ever." Reimu stated, controlling the fading giggles. Genji nodded in agreement to Reimu's assessment.
Roughly half an hour later, Anya left to retrieve her book, which she'd left sitting on a table in the library when she'd heard news of her mistress' awakening.
And about five minutes after that, Anya had returned, sobbing like a child. Tara immediately moved to soothe girl, trying to find out what happened.
"M-m-my book's gone!" She wailed into Tara's arms, and Reimu gave Lyra a questioning glance.
"It's her prized possession," Lyra explained quietly. Reimu had seen the girl with the book, but had no idea what is was for. "She can conjure illusions with stories she's written within."
"Did you misplace it, maybe?" Tara suggested gently, her sisterly side betraying none of that jealousy she sometimes exhibited for her younger companion.
Anya sniffled, staring at Tara as if she were crazy. "I never misplace it! Since when have I ever misplaced that book? What if someone's reading it right now!"
Christina looked thoughtful, trying to work out the mystery in her head. "Clearly, a thieving fairy is among us!"
Reimu simply sighed and got to her feet, the obvious answer having already been reached in her mind. "Follow me, I might know where it is."
Reimu led Anya,Tara and Genji to the rooms provided for them, while Lyra and Christina stayed behind to clean up.
"How w-would you know where it is?" Anya asked, curious.
"Well, you don't even have to know the culprit to find the answer," Reimu shrugged. "All the clues are painfully obvious."
"Honestly, that girl will take anything that tickles her fancy..." Genji growled in disapproval.
A minute later, they stopped outside the room designated for Marisa.
"Ladies and reptiles, I present to you," Reimu began, opening the door with a flourish, "Master thief, Marisa!"
Marisa, laying on her bed and reading the book in question, glanced at the door. "Hiya. We having a party in here?"
Anya immediately lunged forward, diving onto Marisa and wrestling the book from her surprised clutches.
"W-wow! Calm down, ya idiot!" Marisa yelled, pushing the girl off. "Jeez, you'd think I'd peeked at your diary or something."
"How much did you see?" Anya demanded, her blue eye flashing angrily. Tara stepped beside Anya, helping the girl to her feet, while also glaring at Marisa.
Marisa simply grinned in amusement. "Well, I finished 'A Boy's Love', 'Mystic Heart', and I nearly finished 'If only Tara were mi-'"
"TOO MUCH!" Anya screeched, fresh tears forming in her eyes as she suddenly bolted from the room, leaving a rather confused Marisa and Tara. Reimu had hastily stepped aside to let the fleeing girl pass.
Unsure of what to say or do, Tara glanced at Marisa with disapproval. "You really shouldn't have done that, she's pretty sensitive about her stories."
"She's sensitive about everything!" Marisa grumbled. "Not my fault her writing sucks."
Tara shot the young witch a cold glare. "I'd ask you to refrain from such comments while we're generous enough to provide you some hospitality. Besides, you're the one who decided to read her first stories."
Without another word, Tara left the room, passing Reimu and Genji without so much as a glance.
"Doesn't she know you're supposed to read a book from the start?" Marisa wondered aloud.
"I believe she was referring to the words Miss Anya was chanting during our encounter," Genji informed her. "From the sound of things, that book isn't top quality all the way through."
"Got that right, " Marisa snickered. "So many spelling mistakes and weird phrases. It was like she didn't think any of it through!"
Reimu moved to the foot of Marisa's bed, settling herself on it. "Well, just don't peek at it again. Sounds like that girl's written down secrets no one else should know."
Marisa simply responded with a non-commital 'meh', laying back down. Even with her full height, Marisa's toes still fell far short of Reimu's back. These beds seemed to be made for giants.
"Well, I'm just going to see if I can assist Miss Anya." Genji said, turning and gliding down the hallway, leaving the girls alone.
"...Well, you seem to be your normal self, at least." Reimu said at last, staring at the ceiling.
"Since when wasn't I?" Marisa asked with a small grin.
Reimu smirked slightly, and shrugged. "Normal-er, then."
"...We leaving tomorrow?" Marisa asked to avoid an awkward silence. "It's pretty boring 'round here."
"I guess so," Reimu replied. "Now that I know Christina's fine, and Rena won't murder me in the future..."
"Sweet! Until then..." Marisa sat up and clambered off the bed. "Let's see where the good books are..."
Reimu rolled her eyes and mental note to make sure Marisa didn't leave with anything other than her broom tomorrow.
"Can't you stay just one more day?" Christina whined.
"Hey, I have to go home sometime," Reimu said for the trillionth time. "Besides, I'd rather not intrude further."
Lyra bowed to Reimu, who was sitting atop Genji's (now normal coloured) shell and carrying her Gohei. The Hakurei Orb sat in her lap. "Have a pleasant journey back, Reimu."
"Feel free to visit any time." Tara added with her own bow. Anya, notably averting her gaze from Tara and clutching her book as if Marisa intended to grab it right now, simply gave a short wave. Nervously, however, she spoke up, "Goodbye."
Christina scowled, saying, "Well, can I come visit your shrine at least?"
"Duh. Just don't visit during Reimu's bath time," Marisa said with a smirk, already levitating a few feet with her broomstick. "Then you'll just be a bothersome idiot."
Christina took on a wistful look, staring at Reimu with a disturbingly dreamy expression. "Oh, I don't know, maybe I want to visit during bat-"
Before she could finish, her face seemd to go blank for a second, then she spoke again. Or rather, Rena spoke.
"Sorry, I'll need to remind Christina that only I make those comments." Rena said with a fake chuckle.
"That doesn't make it any less creepy."Reimu pointed out wearily. "And, given your apparent disdain for clothing, you being the source of the creepiness is so much worse."
Rena only laughed some more at that. She was already at ease with her family, obviously. Although, seeing as Lyra silenced her with a glance, it seemed Rena was loath to defy the maid.
"We'll make sure visiting hours work for everyone." Lyra said with a faint smile. "Take care, then."
With words of goodbye from everyone, Marisa and Genji (along with Reimu, obviously) took to the sky, and with a final wave, took off for the Hakurei Shrine.
Glad to know it's all over... Reimu thought with a smile. Nothing left to wrap up...
Author's Note:
So, nearly at the end of this story. Just one more loose end...
Anyways, this chapter seems... I dunno, incomplete. Mostly because Marisa feels very inconsistent here. Hopefully it's not too bad...