Chapter 16: Of the Flight of the Bamboo Cutter
Presented by: wrathie
Author Note's: I thought Darwise replied me, i think he was busy.. in Anycase, i might really need another beta-reader!
I'm sorry for the delay!
So i'll post two chapters, maybe...! Keep the reviews coming!
..
..
[REIMU!]
[uh…]
It was getting to be a familiar feeling of fainting and waking and of course, recollections in my subconscious that it was getting dangerously close to being a habit.
[… ah… Lady Kaguya…]
Blinking slowly, I regained sensations on my hands and legs and I sighed to myself.
[My apologies… Lady Kaguya…]
[It's nothing much… sacrificing my lap for such a small cause. What do you remember?]
..
..
Smiling down at me, Lady Kaguya pat my head softly and I became aware that my two companions, the two small fairies were patting on my chest and I softly whispered to them with all the strength that I could muster.
[Hey hey… any more of that and I'll be flat…]
Weakly raising a hand, I pinched their cheeks and I laughed softly at their silent protests.
[Hey now, ignoring me and focusing on those little dears… how could you…]
Laughing gently, Lady Kaguya giggled again before calling out to Miss Yagokoro with her voice.
[Eirin!! She's awake!! Get Mokou and Keine over too. They must be worried.]
[Yes I will…]
..
..
Appearing beside her in an instant, Miss Yagokoro placed a hand on Lady Kaguya's shoulder and I could see that her eyes were stern subsequently, Lady Kaguya's eyes dropped in disappointment.
[Subsequently… you should be heading back to your quarters now… your bath awaits.]
Bowing, Miss Yagokoro eased my head off Lady Kaguya's lap and laid my head down on a pillow.
[Stay there.]
It was more of an order than a statement and she slowly led Lady Kaguya, who was biting her lip in disappointment, out of the room.
[BUT I WANTED TO-]
[NO BUTS!]
..
..
..
The quarrel they had outside the room could not be in a worse place as I could hear the both of them arguing with one another very plainly and clearly.
[…]
Entering the room again, Miss Yagokoro sighed once and I could sense the weariness in her voice for a split second before it turned harsh and all of that harshness was directed to me in an instant.
[… So.]
Her malice was so obvious that it created a sort of surreal barrier around her that vibrated with hate.
[What did you remember?]
..
..
Her eyes a dark grey, glared at me and when I could not stand those eyes anymore, I winced and look away. Without myself willing it, I had crept slowly away from her and my companions were already hiding away in my sleeves.
Her eyes, it is hypnotic and as I plant that belief inside me, I struggled against her eyes as they mesmerized me and scared me all at the same time.
Someone please release me from those horrible and beautiful eyes, please!
[… tsk.]
..
..
Scoffing, Miss Yagokoro backed off suddenly and with breathing room between me and her, I scrambled away and drew amulets from my sleeves in a bid to protect myself.
[Spirits, please bless me and lend me your strength!]
Crossing my arms in front of my chest in an X-fashion, I cried out to her in hope of attracting attention and help from anyone, anyone at all.
[BARRIER!]
[HAH!]
Breaking out into a cackle, Miss Yagokoro laughed and pointed a shivering finger at me. It took me a moment to realize that it was due to laughter that her fingers are shivering and not due to anger.
[WHAT KIND OF BARRIER IS THAT!]
Throwing a pillow on the floor, Miss Yagokoro stopped and the same malicious smile appeared on her features.
[Well now, what did you remember.]
[… it was you…. Was it not?]
..
..
I was unsure of what my face was betraying but I know that it was not pretty as the grin on her face just widened. If there ever is a devil or demon, that might be the smile of the devil for all I am concerned.
In my powerless and weak state, I, Hakurei Reimu, witnessed the smile of the devil in all her glory, basking in the moonlight behind her.
[You… were the one, that made the medicine… that removed my memories…]
My body was shaking, my hands were shaking and the words just spilled out of my mouth as I shook with uncontrollable emotions, rage and sorrow all mixed in together.
My companions, the two fairies flew away from me and kept their distance and I do not blame them. I was that mad and uncontrollable, blinded by my sadness and anger towards Miss Yagokoro.
..
..
[You were the one… you were the one… I… I!]
In a burst of speed that I would not have imagined I could muster, my fingers found themselves around her neck and I pinned her to the floor in a single heartbeat.
Her warm body pinned under me, I for the first time wanted to take the life of someone else and it would be so…
Easy…
…
…….
………..
[you were the one…]
….
Easy… it would be…
[you are the one…]
…
NO, STOP!
[No… I… I…]
..
..
Clutching my own arm, I stopped myself and pushed her away from me, not believing that I would have such thoughts.
[… I… I …]
[I am a shrine maiden… I have sinned…]
Pulling my own hair, I fell to my knees in guilt and I was sorely tempted to pull my hair out in redemption.
There is the saying that a woman's hair is her life and by pulling out my hair it is as if giving my life to her… but…but…
[… Sinned, you indeed have.]
Tilting my head up just slightly, I found myself face to face with once more staring at Miss Yagokoro's hypnotic eyes. Raising a hand, she cupped her freezing hands around my face and pulled me closer to her.
..
..
[you are a killer… a killer of hundreds… hundreds of youkai…]
[N-No…]
If words and looks could kill, Miss Yagokoro is slowly but surely dragging me into the depths of hell with her accusing words and eyes.
[Maybe thousands… perhaps Millions… you killed all of them… look at your hands, Hakurei Reimu. Do you see how stained your hands are? Overflowing with the blood of the youkai of Gensokyo…]
..
..
Grabbing my hands, Miss Yagokoro shook it roughly as she whispered slowly and softy in my eyes like the snake that tempted Adam and Eve, evil in her intent and equally malicious.
[Stained with blood, your hands are not pure… but tainted with bloodshed, innocent lives lost in your hands… does it surprise you? DOES IT?]
Shouting suddenly, Miss Yagokoro roughly pushed me to the floor and there I stayed, fixated in horror at what she was saying.
My rational mind told me not to listen, my Shrine Maiden Teachings told me not to be led by her… my intuition told me NOT TO LISTEN TO HER.
[N-No… s-stop!]
..
..
Weakly, I curled myself into a ball and pleaded with her to stop. My body just could not stop shaking and it felt horrible, my heart was shattering as if something precious was being taken from me.
[IT SHOULDN'T! YOUR MUDERER!! You felt your blood run fast didn't you? You wanted to rip my throat open, to feel the warmth of my blood spilling on your skin, to drink it all up… DON'T YOU!]
[N-No… NO!!]
[Just like how you first did to that Immortal Bird, Mokou.]
[Eh…]
[You killed her, left her corpse rotting in the bamboo forest… how wonderful that sight was… ripping her throat wide open, hearing her blood curdling scream as her windpipe was crushed in your hands… and that emotionless look on your blood-splattered face… it was magnificent…]
..
..
Standing up, Miss Yagokoro covered half her face with her fingers over them as she continued.
[You wanted to kill me, don't you? Feeling your murderous instincts awaken excites you don't you??? Bordering on your ecstasy… … and forcing yourself to stop…. HOW FOOLISH!]
Striking out and slapping me, Miss Yagokoro rained blows after blows one me even as I winced and cried out in pain as my hands were all bruised in trying to defend myself. Such was her velocity of her blows that even her own arms were hurt.
[What of the forgiveness you speak off?? What is the well-being that is chaining your other self… FORGET IT!]
[!!!!]
..
..
In one violent action, Miss Yagokoro ripped a sleeve off and threw it to the side of the room like it was an offending object. With those same hypnotic eyes, she glared at me and ever so slowly, smiled.
[N-No…]
Stuck in my position, fear stopped me from moving an inch and I just tried desperately to deny all of her words and all of her accusations.
[YOU FELT IT DIDN'T YOU!!!]
[YOU TAINTED MAIDEN!!]
[!!!]
..
..
..
..
[? R-Reimu??]
Running out of my room, I, Houraisen Kaguya was not expecting a weeping Reimu to barge pass me and straight into the Bamboo forest.
[REIMU!!]
I was going to go after her when another voice echoed my call.
[Reimu!! Hey! Reimu!!]
Running after her was the Half-Beast teacher, Kamishirasawa Keine and behind her, my eternal Rival Fujiwara No Mokou.
[H-Hey, what's going on!]
Calling out to them as the half-beast took to the air after Reimu, I pulled on Mokou's sleeves and was rewarded with a tight slap on the face from her.
[HOW DARE YOU ASK ME!!]
..
..
Her eyes a flaming red, Mokou lashed out angrily at me as wings, fiery red as their nature erupted from her back in reply.
[YOU WERE BEHIND THIS, WEREN'T YOU!]
[M-Me… I.. No, of course not!!]
Hesitating as I shook my head, I reached for her hand but I was rudely shoved away by that Half-beast.
[We have no time to argue with her, Mokou! Let's go!]
[No, you go ahead, Keine. I'll burn this bitch to a crisp before I join you… the schemer... who knows what she said to Reimu!!]
..
..
Flinging the half beast back, Mokou showed more ferocity then I ever imagined and I backed away in fear of her power. I could never totally overwhelm her as her manipulation over fire is something that could not be overwhelmed without a lot of strain on my part.
..
..
Never could I totally defeat her without dying myself and never without my allies' help could I achieve this feat. Behind her I could see the form of the Phoenix rise and I shuddered in fear at the prospect of meeting it face to face.
[E-Eirin…]
Calling on my guardian, I paused when it struck me.
[Wait Mokou!]
[HMM? LAST WORDS?]
..
..
Growling, Mokou amazingly stopped and she, with a fireball dancing about in the air in front of me, asked.
[What is it!]
[I-It's not my fault… I didn't plan anything… b-but… Eirin…]
Looking away, I felt guilty that I was pointing fingers at my most trusted companion but when I was sent away from the room, Eirin did sound very odd and out of character that immediate suspicion falls on her.
[You mean the nurse? HMPH! You must have ordered it, KAGUYA!]
[No… it's not me… I.. .I swear on my life…]
[On an eternal LIFE? HAH! JUST DIE ALREADY!]
..
..
Spitting on the ground, Mokou dived at me and chased after my fleeing form as I ran for Eirin's Room.
[EIRIN! HELP ME!!]
Panting, I broke into the room and almost immediately, I felt my attitude change. Even Mokou, who was hot on my tail, stopped and stared at her.
With her back facing me, Eirin was laughing to herself in the darkened room while beside her like a trophy from her kill, lay a piece of Reimu's Shrine Maiden Outfit
Even in the darkness, the telltale color of red and white was unmistakable and my eyes just saw red for a moment.
[ERIN! What did you do!!!]
..
..
Shouting at her, I stomped into the room, all my princess upbringing thrown to the winds and marched straight towards Eirin.
Behind me, equally if not madder than I am, Mokou screamed.
[IT WAS YOU, LUNARIAN!!]
[… fufu… Princess… why are you here…]
Noticing us, Eirin stood up and her whole form seemed a bit taller and more menacing than I remember. Behind her was the Lunarian symbol and with the moonlight reflecting off it, it made her appear much more beautiful and menacing.
[You should be in your room… the bath is almost ready…]
..
..
Calmly telling me all this, Eirin ignored Mokou altogether and I felt my anger dissipate and I felt fear instead. Her calmness in this situation was unnerving. If she was on my side, I would be very thankful for a cool head but now, with the sides unclear and my nerves a wreck, it just made me nervous to see her still smiling and coolly minding her business.
..
..
[Eirin, you have-]
[Princess, go back to your room… this is not a matter you should contend with.]
Still smiling, Eirin tilted her head and said to me.
[Eirin, you-]
[Princess. Go back. To your room.]
[Eiri-]
[Go. Back. To. Your. Room. Princess.]
..
..
..
It was just short of an order and I recoiled in fear at the expression Eirin was showing me. Her face was half covered with her hands and she looked as if she was smiling.
Another image flashed through my mind as suddenly, the clouds covered the moon and in the darkness, I could see the glimmer of her eyes and teeth and I just fell on my knees.
[This. Is. None. Of. Your. Business.]
[SHUT THE CRAP UP!!]
The other presence, a flaming one broke the silence and I turned to see Mokou more flared up than ever.
[Well… looks like the Immortal Bird is here.]
[I WAS HERE FROM THE BEGINNING, YOU STUPID NURSE!!]
..
..
Hurling abuse at her, Mokou grinned confidently as the floorboards below her started to crack and groan under the heat she was producing. Even from a few steps away, my clothes were in danger of getting burnt as she really cranked up the heat.
[Hmm… it is not in my nature to care about pests… I must inform Udonge that the guards are surprisingly inefficient.]
[HMPH. If there are guards, I'll have had rabbit meat for dinner. How bout'cha some fried nurse for supper.]
[Insolent girl, do you think you can match my power.]
[Hell ya, for what you did to Reimu… I'll burn you come hell or high water till every single molecule of you get spread about in the wind.]
[FUFUFU~ I'll make this quick then.]
[…]
..
..
Squaring off, the both of them totally ignored me but I still had something to say as I slowly got up.
[Eirin.]
[… Princess… didn't I-]
Raising a hand to cut her off, I slowly looked up and into her eyes, rage overboiling inside me.
..
..
[Eirin. Answer me.]
[didn't I say go to your room Princess? Now hurry and-]
[Answer me.]
[Princess-]
[ANSWER ME.]
..
..
The shout surprised even me and for a moment, everyone fell silent. Even Mokou, with a shocked expression on her face just looked at my trembling form and the only sound that could be heard was the crackling of her fiery wings and the wind that blew into the room.
Slowly, ever so slowly, the clouds that was covering the moon was blown away and basked in the moonlight, Eirin replied me.
[That. Is… NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.]
[!!]
..
..
..
Feeling a hand touch my shoulder, I narrowed my eyes and growled at her.
[You stopping me? Don't bet on it. Get out of my way.]
Balling a fist, I shrugged off her hand but Kaguya did not let go, instead she pushed me back and stood between me and that Lunarian bitch.
[I'm helping you, Mokou.]
[Hah?]
..
..
It was something that would never be heard from Kaguya's mouth but I heard it nonetheless. The princess of the moon, my sworn enemy wanted to help me?
..
..
[Are you kidding?]
[No… Mokou… go and find Reimu… I'm begging you… and bring her back on my behalf… with my apologies…]
[Hah?? You, begging me?]
Scratching my head, I was about to speak again when Kaguya a burst of air erupted around Kaguya, lifting her long hair a few inches up from the ground.
..
..
[Eh?]
[Yes, I'm begging you… bring Reimu back… I… I am not a good hostess… but… I wish to invite her back…]
[…]
Turning, Kaguya smiled warmly at me and it felt so wrong that I took a step back in disgust.
..
..
[I am your sworn enemy, Mokou. But this time… I agree with you…]
Then Kaguya, her eyes narrowing in contempt at that nurse, screamed at Eirin at the top of her lungs.
[AS The Princess of Eientei, I COMMAND YOU TO TELL ME!]
[WHAT DID YOU SAY TO REIMU, EIRIN!]
[… nothing, but the truth.]
..
..
Finally, the lunarian replied and it was excruciating slow how she mouthed those words. Raising her bow, she cocked it at me but it was blocked by Kaguya. With a trembling hand, I could see that princess was scared stiff but she still told me to go.
[Go, Mokou!]
[… feh… inner-struggles of power. Whatever…]
Shrugging, I narrowed my eyes at the Lunarian before remarking to Kaguya.
..
..
[Kaguya.]
[?]
[Crush that bitch.]
[…]
Wordlessly, she nodded and as I flew out of the room, a grin formed on my lips.
[Feh, one less reason to hate Kaguya, I suppose.]
..
..
[… Eirin.]
[…?]
[What did Reimu do to you.]
[…]
With the both of us alone in this room, I relaxed somewhat and I somehow felt hopeful that by driving Mokou away with that ruse, I can talk it out with Eirin and avoid a head-on conflict.
[nothing…]
[Eirin… tell me… Am I not worthy of you telling me that? What did Reimu to do you? What did you say to her…]
[…]
[I just said she was a cold-blooded murderer… heh.]
..
..
Laughing again, Eirin had a hand over her stomach as she laughed and laughed like a maniac while I just stood there, horrified at her words. What is she saying? Reimu is no murderer! Why a sweeter girl than I ever could be!
..
..
[What did Reimu do-]
[That, is none of your business.]
Again with that phrase…
"It's none of your business Princess…
Something this trifle need not bother your Princess…
Me? No this is really nothing to concern you about, Princess!
Leave those intruders alone, Princess. I cannot waste your time!"
All those fake lies! All those fake pretenses! Why.. WHY?!
..
..
[… Why.. .Eirin… why…]
[Princess?]
[Why do you keep telling me that, Eirin? WHY IS NOTHING EVER MY BUSINESS!]
Shouting at her, I stamped on the floor and I swore my entire body was burning up in rage at the amount of heat that I felt coming from myself.
..
..
[WHY IS EVERYTHING THAT WAY, EIRIN! IS MY LIFE… is my eternal life… forever…. Forever be shielded from pain… from suffering?]
Pointing a finger at her, I demanded an answer but silence was all I was getting from Eirin.
[I followed everything you said… from creating the Eternal Full-Moon… to hating Mokou… to ruining her life… All of that… were your sayings… I know, what you did is for my own good… so… I did it all… even though I hated myself doing it… Ruining the life of others so I can live in Eientei…]
[…]
[But for what purpose, Eirin!! Or is it… none of my business… like so many other things… Am I… really so undependable that everything must be decided by you?! Am I SO POWERLESS? ANSWER, ME, EIRIN!!]
[…]
[and now… with Reimu… coming back to Gensokyo and coming to see me… I was happy, happy that someone would actually visit me for the sake of visiting me… but…]
[…]
..
..
[You had to ruin it again… WHAT DID SHE DO!!... WHAT DID REIMU DO TO YOU…and… why would… you never tell me anything…]
Clenching my fist, I poured my heart out to my most loyal companion… perhaps that was all she is, loyal and nothing else. Perhaps all she wanted was really what she meant, the best for me.. but I don't know.. I didn't know.. ANYTHING! ANYTHING AT ALL!
[… that.]
[Eirin?]
[IS. None. Of. Your. Business. Princess. Looks like this time I'll have to force you to see how powerless you are…]
Flexing her hands, Eirin shot an arrow at me that I grabbed and threw it away in mid-air. This isn't the truth, I didn't want to fight Eirin, but I'm the princess, I'm the royalty here.. she should obey me sometimes!
..
..
[… Eirin. As the Princess of Eientei, I will know the truth. Even if it means digging it out from your corpse.]
Readying my spell cards, I narrowed my eyes and called her bluff, calling her to take me straight on.
[Interesting, Princess. Perhaps you're in the age where you will likely rebel against my kind advice. Very well. I shall make this quick.]
..
..
[Reimu!!!]
Even hearing the sound of Miss Keine's voice calling behind me and the sensation of my two fellow companions clinging on to my top for dear life did not stop me as I dodged and dived through the bamboo forest. Miss Yagokoro's words haunted me still and I could still hear her breath breathing down my neck at every corner.
..
..
I was afraid, afraid of turning back as I was afraid I'll see her eyes, all accusing and stern still staring at me.
Running away from those eyes was all I could do and I clutched my own body in fear and comfort.
Feeling my own warmth was comforting but at the same time, it brought back horrible memories of I pinning Miss Yagokoro to the ground and I breathed deeply in reflex.
[I… I…]
For a moment, I had indeed lost my rationality and… I…
[Am I really… a murderer?]
Diving low, I accidentally collided with a tree branch and I spiraled out of control.
..
..
..
[Ahh!!]
[Got you, Reimu!!]
Tackling me in mid-air, Miss Keine's arms enveloped me in a bear hug that took all of my breath away and she skidded to a stop on the ground by planting her feet firmly in the earth.
Skid marks showed how fast she was going when she caught me and she breathed a sigh of relief as she stroked my hair.
[that was close, Reimu… are you alright..]
[Y-yes I am, Miss Kei-]
..
..
Stopping halfway, I noticed her red eyes and I immediately pushed her away and took off.
[W-Wait, Reimu!!]
[LET ME GO, MISS KEINE! LET ME GO!!]
Pulling on my sleeve, Miss Keine desperately tried to stop me from running away from her but I just could not bear to see her face. Her kind and beautiful face should never have set their sights on a sinner like me.
I am tainted, I kill youkai… by the hundreds and thousands… I am a mass murderer… and… I killed Mokou… I killed her once… even if she is immortal… I… I…
..
..
[Get a hold of yourself, Reimu! What did she say to you! Reimu!!]
[STOP IT!! LET ME GO!! I… I AM A MURDERER!! I AM I AM!! SO LET ME GO!!! I… I can't ever… ever be a Shrine Maiden… someone like me… can never…]
[Reimu, what are you saying?]
Pausing for a moment to come up with a reply, Miss Keine grabbed me in a full hug and lifted me up, showing her height superiority over me and she never once let go even as I struggled and even lashed out at her.
[You are the Shrine Maiden… no matter what they told you… you are the Hakurei Shrine Maiden…]
[I've sinned… I'VE SINNED!! In my hands… with my hands I've killed thousands of youkai… thousands of lives taken away by me…]
[And… so?]
[I do not deserve to be called the hope of the village… not the shrine maiden… someone who is as blood thirsty as I am… one who feels ecstasy through killing should never…]
[Nonsense… you're speaking nonsense… you are the Shrine Maiden… it is a fact in history and it will stay that way…]
[I..]
..
..
[Don't be silly, Reimu… are Shrine Maiden isn't one that is holy… or pure… you've gotten it mixed up…]
Laughing, Miss Keine ran a hand through my hair as she explained to me.
[Yes, it is true that it is better if you are a virgin… but aren't Shrine Maidens supposed to be a mediator between people and spirits? Between people and youkai? Reimu… you are the Shrine Maiden… you should know this better than me… so why are you… so confused?]
[I… but I killed… I killed so many youkai! I… I just couldn't risk it…]
[Risk what, yea?]
..
..
Flying in from the shadows, Mokou swooped down and grabbed the two of us in huge hug that ended with us landing on the floor again.
Rolling in the dirt, Mokou never released me and Miss Keine and it took a while before she could get the breath to speak again.
[Youkai don't EVER die. Got that, you stupid maiden!!]
[Eh?]
[Youkai don't EVER die, you're not a murderer, Reimu.]
[B-But I killed you… I…]
[Tsk, hey, I am IMMOTAL ya?! I can't die. Besides, you never killed me, Yukari accidentally blasted a hole through me, but that's it. She apologized and we're okay now.]
..
..
Grinning, Mokou slapped me on my back but just as easily had she done it did she turn serious.
[That lunarian was lying to you, messing with your mind. Don't listen to her, Reimu. You are not as bloodthirsty as she said you were, Reimu.]
[That's right, Reimu! You never killed when you could help it…]
[B-But I…]
[It's just like her, to mess with someone as pure and very confused like you. If I would put it, she is leading you by the nose in her rules.]
Scoffing, Mokou released me and slapped me hard on the face.
..
..
[Listen Reimu, don't ever lose sight of your goal. You are a Shrine Maiden. No one in Gensokyo will deny that, those that do, are just people that see you as a threat. Remember the guy from the village?]
Jolting my memory, Mokou referred to the man that was now an outcast and I nodded.
[He said you are a liar too, Reimu. Just like that lunarian. Both of them, just view you as enemies…]
[Reimu… it's just like Mokou said… don't ever forget your goal…]
..
..
Gently pulling Mokou from me, Miss Keine reached into my clothes and coaxed my two companions from their hiding places. Slowly easing them to sit on her shoulders, Miss Keine stood up and with the full moon behind her, held out her two hands to me, beckoning me to follow her.
[It's just like the full moon, who goes through phases… you have phases too, Reimu…
You're a handful… much more than when 14 years ago… but, you're still Reimu, the Hakurei Shrine Maiden… The first phase of your life is as a youkai exterminator… now is the second, more important role…]
..
..
Slowly rising in the air, Miss Keine smiled down at me and invited Mokou to be with her, threading the air gracefully looking down at me.
[The role of the Shrine Maiden, is to show the people of Gensokyo how to coexist with Youkai, to show them the way… just like how you and the Fairies form the same bond with each other.]
On cue, the two of them flew down and circled around me, I could sense that they are worrying about me in my heart and then, my mind slowly cleared of my doubts, like the waking of a dream.
[Even if it means… walking down the days ahead, branded as a murderer?]
..
..
Looking up at the two of them, I found them closer to celestial beings of great wisdom and insight then the normal Miss Keine and Mokou while I, just the same old me squatting in their shadows.
[if there is someone that brand you as a murderer, that is you yourself.]
Pointing a finger at me, Mokou grinned as she glided down and took my hand. Her hands felt warm and I felt the warm spread through my body as I rose in the air with her.
[This is seriously silly, Reimu! I mean, how often do we have to knock sense to you, ya!!]
Slapping my back repeatedly, Mokou winked as she waited for a reply from me.
[…]
..
..
..
[I… guess you're right…]
Allowing my shoulders to drop in defeat and resignation, I smiled slightly as I nodded to the both of them.
[I… I just…]
[…]
The both of them never replied but I wish they would clear the remaining doubts in my mind about who I am, Hakurei Reimu or the Hakurei Shrine Maiden.
The title of Shrine Maiden means a lot to me as it was all I ever knew… The identity of the Shrine Maiden is something I wanted to cling to desperately as it was what I know that identified me.
..
..
At the other end… what does being Hakurei Reimu mean to me? What... differentiates me from being different than the others? Does being Hakurei Reimu any different than being the Hakurei Shrine Maiden?
Do I… want attention? Or do I just want to live my life out peacefully and without worry…
Do I want to be Hakurei Reimu more or do I want to be the Shrine Maiden more?
..
..
Being accused of not being the Hakurei Shrine Maiden was enough to totally make me lose my rationality and logical thinking more than being labeled a murderer. Clinging on to the term of being a murderer and not being a Shrine Maiden was just an excuse to bolster my claim…
[… I am human… aren't I?]
Weakly, I asked while hugging my two companions tightly. They felt so small and fragile and it reflected what I thought of myself right now too.
[I… am just afraid…]
[… yes you are. It is natural for humans to be afraid…]
..
..
Putting a hand on my shoulder, Miss Keine pushed me slightly and she pulled Mokou beside me before urging the both of us to go back.
[Eh… Miss Keine… aren't you…]
[I… I have something I must do.]
[hey hey, Keine, don't go back alone…]
[I am just having a talk with Miss Eirin, that's all.]
[Keine!]
[Go, I tell you. This is between me and her, something private.]
Crossing her arms, Miss Keine pushed the both of us away and she did not once looked at us till Mokou finally, reluctantly pulled me with her.
..
..
[… Mokou!]
[Tsk, she's gotten stubborn… just like me.]
Shaking her head, Mokou exasperatedly sighed as she led me back to the human village.
[Reimu.]
[Yes?]
[You're the most emotionally unstable idiot I've ever seen. Crying her and there… you're more paranoid then… like everyone! Will cha just chill?]
Groaning as she led me back, I could not stifle my laughter as I laughed at Mokou's expense.
..
..
[You're right… I guess… I am easy to fool…]
[Tsk… like stealing candy from a baby…]