The Shrine of Gensokyo

Chapter 29: The Alliance of Belief

Original Concept: ZUN & Shanghai Alice

Written by: wrathie

Author's Notes: This chapter contains spoilers on my other ongoing story: Finding History with your Flame, so just.. yeah~

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[… to think that I would be with you… Kaguya…]

Cussing to herself, Fujiwara no Mokou merely sneered at her companion, the Lunarian Princess, Houraisen Kaguya who simply timidly shrugged at her.

She was uneasy with her so-called immortal enemy but she was giving a feeling of fear rather than hatred to Mokou. Indeed, she did look like she was deathly afraid of her as she kept fiddling with her hands, talking with the shimmering orb in front of them.

[Miss Keine… I… I…]

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The orb was given to them by Suika, a portion of the orbs that she had used when she and Reimu had gone down to the world down under. The orbs were enchanted by Yukari to allow the users to communicate with one another over long distances and it was pretty convenient to be loaned to everyone.

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[To get reinforcements, we are gonna need it.]

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Suika's voice came out loud and clear and without thinking, Kaguya nodded to the voice, caught herself and blushed madly.

[… oops…]

Giggling to herself, she expectantly looked at Mokou for any reaction at all but she was sorely disappointed as Mokou just scoffed and remarked.

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[Listen, you take the north end of the village and I'll take the south. Keep it simple and let's get this over with.]

Standing up, Mokou grabbed the orb and pulled on it till it split into two.

Taking one half of it, Mokou prepared to leave when Kaguya ran forward to grab her shoulder, causing Mokou to spin around and glare at her in hatred.

[WHAT, IS IT?]

Raising her voice, Kaguya flinched as if she was being hit and she shrank away from Mokou, releasing her hold on her.

[Mokou…]

[DON'T CALL ME MOKOU! YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO CALL ME MOKOU!]

Screaming, Mokou advanced towards Kaguya, lighting a small flame in the middle of her palm, Mokou advanced menacingly till Keine called out to her to stop.

[Tsk…]

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Sounding disappointed, Mokou backed off from her as she cruelly spoke, not giving a thought to Kaguya.

[I wouldn't even be here, if it was not for Keine… Kaguya.]

Speaking her name with such disdain that it sounded like poison to her, Mokou sneered as she turned her back to her not even giving her any chance to reply her.

[I detest you, I hate you. I hate your guts.]

[B-But Mokou…]

[HMM?]

Ignoring the cries for her to stop by Keine, Mokou threw a single ball of fire that narrowly missed Kaguya and exploded into a gigantic fireball behind her.

[Ahh!...]

Falling to her knees in shock, Kaguya crawled away from the burning wreck till she meet Mokou's foot in which she grabbed it nervously, awed at Mokou's display of power.

[I cannot kill you…]

Leaning so close to her that Kaguya can smell her breath, Kaguya shivered when Mokou showed her teeth to her, obviously dying to rip Kaguya to shreds if not for Keine.

[But I'll make living a living hell, you can be sure of that!]

Pointing a finger at her, Mokou shook Kaguya's hands off her as she stomped away.

[Mokou!]

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Mustering her courage, Kaguya managed to call out to her but she was met with another setback when Mokou's shot daggers at her with the mention of her name.

[F-Fujiwara-san… We are suppose to.. .w-work together… right?]
Meekly, Kaguya clasped both her hands together like she was praying to her.

[WE, WORK TOGETHER?]

Laughing, Mokou crossed her arms and told Kaguya the truth in her face, something which she had repeated countless of times to her.

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[I can't stand the sight of you… you ruined my life, Kaguya.

DO YOU HAVE TO DO THAT?

I hate you for ruining my life… I hate you for who you are, who you were and who you will be. I'm glad that I am immortal for I can remind you HOW MUCH I HATE YOU! WHY MUST YOU RUIN MY LIFE! WHY?]

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Screaming, Mokou covered her ears as she shook her head repeatedly and in a crazed way. The distress and pain on her face was evident and even Kaguya herself lowered her eyes when facing with such expression of pain.

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[BUT, THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH, WAS IT?]

Grabbing Kaguya by her collar, Mokou shook Kaguya so hard that her vision swam while all the time hearing Mokou scream her pain at her.

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[YOU HAD TO RUIN THE LIFE OF EVERYONE WHO MET ME, HAVE YOU? KAGUYAAAAAAAAA!]

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Grabbing a fistful of dirt, it was a wonder that Mokou did not punch Kaguya but she restrained herself and punched the earth beside Kaguya instead.

With each resounding hit, the ground flattened even more till she finally stopped and howled out her rage at the heavens above her.

[DO YOU HAVE TO RUIN EVERYTHING NEAR ME?]

Spitting on the ground, Mokou stood up and once again growled at Kaguya, barely holding the rage and hatred she had for her.

[B-but…]

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Biting her lip, Kaguya swallowed her words and instead nodded to herself, wiping the tears she was shedding in front of Mokou. She was a sorrowful sight, crying and shaking her head in fear while Mokou screamed at her. Her beautiful face was tear-stricken and she was trembling so much that she could not sit up straight.

But, she was not afraid. Rather, she was in a state of disbelief at finally knowing why Mokou hated her.

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She never once knew why Mokou hated her, not truly as Mokou was always talking with Eirin, her representative and she in turn, related her story to her.

Never had she questioned Eirin, until today where she rebelled against her and even attacked and knocked her out.

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She was her savior, the one person who would protect her and understand her.

But, was she the same person who caused so much grief to the innocent girl in front of her?

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She knew she was ancient, perhaps more ancient than anything in the world and furthermore, she possessed the power over eternity. If she wishes, she would last forever… and be alone forever.

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I was excited when I knew someone else was immortal.. I thought she would understand the pain of knowing immortality… but I did not expect her to harbor such hatred to me.

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[I… I do not mean…]

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The resulting explosion that ripped apart half of the surroundings came from Mokou again and this time, she did not hold back her fire, making everything within a few feet of her melt and catch fire in an instant.

Kaguya barely survived that move and her eyes were wide open in shock at the raw power Mokou had unleashed.

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[YOU DO NOT MEAN IT? WAAHAAAAAAHAHAHAHA! ]

Laughing, Mokou slapped her own thighs as she squatted down to meet eye to eye with Kaguya, who has fallen on her back and was crawling desperately away from her.

Her face contorted with rage and disbelief as her hair rose in the air in the light of her fury. Her eyes, which before was dark brown, turned crimson and even her clothes started to catch fire in her immense anger.

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[FOR THE PAST THOUSAND YEARS, YOU DO NOT MEAN IT? KAGUYA! DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY LIFES HAVE YOU RUINED? HOW MANY FRIENDS I HAVE TO LOSE BECAUSE OF YOU! EVEN NOW… EVEN NOW, KEINE SHE…]

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Losing control when she mentioned her dearest friend's name, a pair of wings burst out of Mokou's back as she took one step closer, a step close enough to be fatal to the helpless Kaguya.

[HER LIFE WAS RUINED DUE TO YOU! YOU CAUSED THEIR DEATHS, YOU HEAR?]

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Lowering her head in shame, Kaguya acknowledged that last part as the truth. She was instructed to set the house on fire by Eirin as it was supposedly housing lunarians.

She should have doubted her.

But she trusted her then. She was her world then… she was right then…

Now… Kaguya did not know anymore.

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Should she still trust the person with her for so long?

Or should she try to seek amends from the one who hated her?

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[I don't want you anywhere near me, bitch.]

In a flash of brilliant red light, Mokou disappeared, leaving Kaguya still trembling on her spot in total silence. The world was silent with her; except for the crackling sounds of the dying fire around her.

No voice came from the orbs till the sound of someone taking in a deep breath was heard. Kaguya expected it was Eirin who would talk to her and she raised her head expectantly to hear her encouraging voice.

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[Miss Kaguya…I… I must apologize for Mokou's actions…]

It was Keine, the person that incidentally, was one of those affected by her actions. Her loved ones died as a result of her trust in Eirin and she rightly had the right to hate her.

[I… we… I… she is upset… and she has reason to.]

She was hesitant in saying what she really felt and to be honest with herself, she understood her dilemma. Miss Kamishirasawa Keine is a very remarkable person.

Kaguya knew she was kind and gentle, patient to everyone and is a protector to humans and even to some Youkai.

She befriends both of them if they mean no harm and she lies on the border between humans and youkai.

A were-hakutaku that can change history.

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She was not powerful nor was she weak but her influence in people can be felt even by me.

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By merely speaking with me, I felt a little calmer and I clasped the orb that floated in front of me in a futile attempt in getting closer to Miss Keine.

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[So… please forgive Mokou… she is a little hot-headed at times… Please Miss Kaguya…]

[… Do not plead with me… Miss Keine… if anyone should beg you… it is me… I should be the one asking for forgiveness from you…]

Lowering my head, I buried my head into my hands while speaking slowly, controlling my emotions so I do not break apart now… I have to maintain my dignity as a lady…

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[I… although it seems to be foolish and… rather unfair that I am pushing the responsibility to Eirin… but I did.. .I did not know why she hated me… not fully… It's.. .embarrassing to say the least…]

[I, as the Princess of The Moon… has tremendous power… but, all that power… All that power was worthless… To me and to everyone else…

If anything, I would trade all that power to undo all the things that I've done… to you, Miss Keine and to everyone I've hurt unwillingly or unknowingly.]

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[If you would forgive me… if you would forgive me…]

Kaguya crouched on the ground and groveled in front of the orb, begging for forgiveness from Miss Keine and to everyone else she has hurt in her long life.

How many did she hurt for no reason… how many lives has she turned upside down in her ignorance and in her faith in Eirin?

[I am unable to offer my life to you… but if there is anything… anything at all… please… tell me…]

Looking up, the Princess of the Moon… The person with the power over eternity, the one blessed with beauty, intellect, power and was sheltered her whole life, placed her life on a silver platter and offered it to Kamishirasawa Keine.

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[Princess!]

Eirin's understandably concern and shock came from the orb and from the sounds that she could hear, she had pushed Miss Keine back to Miss Knowledge.

[Do not be foolish! You are offering your life to these.. .these…]

Unable to finish her sentence, Eirin took a deep breath but Kaguya interrupted her.

[Stand down, Eirin…]

[P-Princess!]

Kaguya could imagine Eirin's rage but she wanted this, she wanted to repent and to make amends for her wrongdoings in the past.

[Stand down, if you still call me Princess.]

[…]

[I understand… princess]

The grinding of her teeth was audible and it showed how frustrated Eirin was at her predicament. She was still loyal to Kaguya and thus she can never disobey her, yet she could not allow her princess to be degraded to this…

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[Miss Keine… can I.. can I beg for your forgiveness? Even though I might never return him to you… would you… even think of forgetting me?

I… through my ignorance I ruined Mokou's life… ruined the life of a person I thought would understand me… I would like to make amends… somehow… someway… if you would give me the chance… I beg of you!]

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[It's selfish of me… very selfish… but… but…]

Trying to contain her emotions with not much success, Kaguya wiped away the tears from her eyes and bowed to the orb in front of her repeatedly, her sincerity was shown when her head struck the earth repeatedly, soiling both her and her dress.

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A sharp intake of breath could be heard and Kaguya paused and waited for an answer. She would be willing to wait forever if not for a sudden interruption by the third party.

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[… I do apologize for breaking the conversation… for the second time…]

Miss Knowledge coughed and after a small pause, her voice rang out clear as she struggled not to cough in mid-sentence.

[Miss Houraisen… I would advise you… to stick by… Miss Fujiwara…-ahem- Taking into consideration… her… distrust of you…]

Distrust was the least of words that can be used to describe how she detested her and Kaguya had to smile at the thinly veiled expression of politeness by Patchouli Knowledge.

[I would normally… not recommend… you being with her… but…I must… -cough- INSIST. That you keep sticking… to her, no matter her… distrust. That is detrimental… if… the human village falls… the balance will be disrupted… not to mention Miss Keine would…]

Her voice drifting off, Miss Knowledge gave her seat to Miss Keine who spoke only briefly with no trace of emotions in her voice.

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[Miss Kaguya…]

Hoarse and with no feeling whatsoever, Miss Keine told Kaguya those simple words that would begin her long and tireless journey to redemption.

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[I… I can never say… I will forgive you… but for now…]

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[Protect the Village… protect the people… and Protect gensokyo… will you… do that?]

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[Of course… if my actions can prevent tragedy… I will use my power…]

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[And… forgive Mokou for her rudeness… she has always been this way… I…]

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[No, Miss Keine…]

Brushing away the last of her tears, Houraisen Kaguya stood up, brushed away the dirt on her skirt, clenched her fist tightly.

[If enduring that can lessen her pain… lessen her hatred of me by a little… I willingly take the abuse… if anything can lessen her pain… I want to do it… I… I always wondered, Miss Keine…]

Closing her eyes, Houraisen Kaguya raised her hourai branch to the sky and after wrapping her fingers around it tightly, held it to her chest and pressed her face against it.

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[Mokou… she is always so strong… so hard-willed… that I, the weak, powerless and dependent princess can never match her… I've always wondered where that strength came from… Miss Keine… But now I know…]

Till the end, Kaguya was never successful at keeping her emotions in check and she cried again, this time for Mokou's strength.

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Such a terrible price to pay for such strength…

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[Losing so much… losing her loved ones… It… it must be unbearable for one who is immortal… but worst for one whose life is made unbearable by a force she can never stop…]

[… Please… let me start here… Gods of Gensokyo… Reimu… would you… lend me your strength too?]

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[Show me your strength, Reimu! SHOW ME!]

Laughing loudly, Yukari's spell card send lasers flying straight at me from all directions. It was an amazing display of power that I can never hope to match head on and so I did what came naturally to me.

I grazed.

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Closing my eyes, I prayed softly and slowly as I twitched my body to evade the lasers, knowing full well a direct hit would mean the end of me. It felt weird, to be able to do this naturally as I skipped in the air, avoiding all the lasers as they fired from all directions to home in on me…

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W-Wait… homing…?

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It was a challenge for me, to evade such a monstrous attack but very quickly I got the gist of how the lasers were coming from. Yukari's attack was not just shooting randomly but they were aiming whenever my body moved.

If I stayed still, the lasers will converge on me…

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[… Stay with me… please…]

Clutching the two bundles shivering in my chest, I focused my attention on the timing of Yukari's lasers and when the brief flash of light that signaled them coming, I slide to the side and successfully grazed it.

More and more lasers came at me but for me, it was too slow and I simply twitched and side-stepped my way through the variable maze of lasers. Yukari's lasers were faster than light, but in the delay before firing, I can evade it.

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[Fu~fu~fu~ As expected from Reimu, seeing through the spell card easily… this is nothing to you, isn't it?]

[Yukari… please, stop! I don't want to fight you…]

[Fight me? We are danmaku-ing… do not misunderstand. It is something that is fun!]

Giggling, Yukari increased the number of objects that were popping out of gaps all around me that was responsible for the lasers.

Shaped like giant, ghostly saws, they sliced through the air magically with Yukari's gap and while doing so, fired the lasers at me.

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[… ah…]

Doing somersault over one particular saw that did not want to be shaken off, my eyes widened when I saw that it was Yukari herself that was going after me in the middle of the saw.

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[Yukari! Ah no!]

Holding my hands up protectively as her reappearance was just beside me, attempting to mow me down with the blades.

My reflexes saved me once again as I performed quite a miraculous feat in pulling myself inches away, diving down from Yukari and not getting cut in half by her.

[Ultimate Buddhist]

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Calling the name of her spell, Yukari merely winked at me as she disappeared into yet another gap before I can react to her spell. Her previous spellcard still shone in front of me, not signaling the end of it but nonetheless, the lasers stopped firing at me and all was quiet.

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[… Y-yukari…]

Her last attack had finally scored a hit and I was bleeding on my left shoulder, which the ends of her saw had sliced a piece of flesh off. Clutching my arm, I fashioned a small sling by ripping part of my top off to stop the bleeding as I watch Yukari casually float in front of me, complimenting a spell-card in her hand.

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[… This move by Ran is quite easy to use, isn't it Reimu? Although it might be a little bad to dodge~…]

Appearing before me, Yukari smiled, closed her fan as she leaned closer to me, her face contorted as she spoke.

[Let's have fun, Reimu!]

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[Sakuya…]

[Yes. Mistress… your wish is my command…]

Smiling as she appeared in front of me, I took the opportunity to stroke her chin, something which made her look away in embarrassment. I remembered the fiasco which took place when I stuck stickers to her, proclaiming her as my property, my object; resulting in various objections around the mansion.

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Which, naturally resulted in me having to discipline the people who have strayed from my absolute rule.

[Take care… Sakuya.]

[I always do, Mistress. I shall return to your side in no time at all.]

Bowing elegantly, I smiled and adjusted her attire a little. It was something I designed myself; specially suited to my view of an elegant maid and thankfully, she agreed whole heartedly.

Instead of her usual maid outfit, I had her wear a dark blue blazer with a long white sleeveless top and the outfit completed with a cute blue mini-skirt to boot. It was the perfect size for her to show off her looks where it mattered and I grinned, showing my teeth as I complemented the looks Sakuya will receive if she dared showed it to the Humans at the human village.

She was uncomfortable at first but after my insistence and a few modifications by her, she took to it quite nicely, quoting that it was much cooler than her usual attire.

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[Well then, Mistress… we shall be off…]

Bowing to me again, Sakuya's form disappeared from on top of the roof where I was to the front gate of the Scarlet Devil Mansion where the whole Fairy Brigade was waiting for her.

Flandre was beside me too and she waved at Sakuya and the departing Maid brigade.

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[Onee-sama~ where is Sakuya going? There will be no one to play with if she is gone with all the fairies!]

Complaining and snuggling up to me, Flandre puckered up her lips and kissed me on the cheek even as I irritably slapped her away.

[Geez whiz… Flan…]

[Onee-sama is red~]

Giggling like she had won the war and even if I had won the fight, Flandre levitated up to the sky to peer around her world just a little better.

We had emerged from the mansion immediately after the sun was covered by the moon: the first part of the prophecy by Yakumo Yukari and I shook my head.

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[Fate… binds us… like so.]

Through my scarlet eyes, everything is scarlet… and with that, I can see the lines of fate linking all of us to a single entity

The earth, the forest… the sky… the border… everyone to a nameless entity that I suppose… we can call… God?

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[Such a joke. A devil submitting to God? But then again… I have long lost… control of my fate.]

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Clenching my fist, I looked up to the fake moon and with my other hand, made a cross mark on the moon in defiance of the gods.

[Gods or no… I, Remilia Scarlet… is the Scarlet Devil that will bring. You. Down.]

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I knew who was behind the curtain… I would rather not know it but I knew all the same. There can only be one person powerful enough to have this kind of impact on Gensokyo. The place that accepts all…

Reality that is not possible is possible as Gensokyo accepts all, loves all… and despises all…

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I lost my sanity that many moons before… which was impossible as I have control over my fate, I can never… ever be out of my mind.

The strength of the moon behind me, I am the Scarlet Devil… confident in my strength… My sister's strength. Why, how, what had caused me to go berserk with rage and sorrow…

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[Hakurei… Reimu.]

The one person who accepts all, loves all and the only person who is indifferent to all. Like talking to a brick wall, she is impassive and unmoving, loving and caring to all who she meets.

The only one who can change fate unconsciously, change the future and of course… Creates Miracles…

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[Well then… I should make her mine… right?]
Grinning, I pulled on my hat so it sat a wee bit tighter on my head as I stood up, bathing in the moonlight.

[NO! ONEE-SAMA IS MINE!]

The brat, Flandre tackled me and the both of us took a tumble to the ground with a loud 'poof', landing squarely on one of the hedges of the Mansion's ground.

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[I won't let you take Reimu! I am yours, onee-sama!]

[You little brat… and there you were… itching to kill me all those years ago.]

Patting her head, I took off her hat for her and kissed her on the cheek like she did with me.

[Because love and hate, it is very close!]

[Eh… who the hell taught you that?]

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[When Miss Keine and that flaming bird argue, the both of them are worried for one another! So I love you so so so much by wanting to kill you right, Onee-sama?]

The world stopped for a moment as I just blankly stared at her and her words which are totally nonsensical.

[… you really need to rethink your words, Flan… pft.]

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After all, Gensokyo accepts all… even rubbish like that.

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[Well then… shall we have fun, Flan?]

[Mm~~]

Tagging on to me as I summoned my spear and threw it at the first offending sight I saw, the beginning of the end in front of me.

[CRITICAL HEART BREAK!]

The Spear flew in the air, shooting for the moon and it exploded just before reaching it, courtesy of Flan.

[That's the signal… and here we go~ to the beginning and end of a story, Flan… Let me read it out to you, one word at a time…]

Looking at the woods that surrounded us, I braced myself for the worst and at the same time tried to think positive.

[WELL. Let's Play, Flan!]

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[-Yukari…]

Huffing and panting, I grimaced as Yukari conveniently popped out of another border, cutting through the air with Ran's spellcard.

I remembered it now, the Buddhist symbol on her back and her spinning like a top made it look and behave like a saw. It was extremely easy to use and is easy to lock-on on your foes.

I knew all this from seeing Ran being used like a homing missile by Yukari in the past.

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[What's this Reimu, if you are not going to attack, I won't hold back you know~~ Reimu is no fun~]

I was successfully dodging everything Yukari was throwing at me but not so much ease as I had before. It was unbelievable how my reflexes were fine tuned enough to hear and react to when Yukari would pop out of a border and spinning towards me like a spinning guillotine.

[Reimu~~]

Giggling all the way, Yukari upped the difficulty again when her previous spellcard came to effect at the same time.

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[Outer force: Infinite Superspeed Flying Object]

With lasers materializing from nowhere and cutting my escape path, it was beginning to look like a hopeless case.

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[No… I will never give in… not when…]

[Yes, yes! Reimu, that is right! I have forgotten! Thanks for Reminding me, Reimu!]

Appearing beside me in a small floating gap, Yukari pinched and pulled my face teasingly as she smiled at me, her parasol blocking out the moon.

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[Gensokyo hangs in the balance!]

With her sudden change in attitude, Yukari slapped her head in annoyance when she gestured to floating landmass below us.

[My memory is bad, bad! Want some gingko nuts, Reimu? They are good for your memory!]

Offering me a handful, Yukari did not wait for a response and just shoved them into my hands while chewing on a few.

[They taste good when roasted!]

Chewing happily, Yukari with a wave of her hand; made the big chunk of rock disappear into a gap to reveal a most ominous sign.

[Y-Yukari!]

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Whipping my head back to look at Yukari, I felt a shiver run down my spine again when the twisted face of Yakumo Yukari greeted me with a smile.

[If you don't start attacking… Gensokyo will be mine… MINE! Avoiding everything… is not… enough.]

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It was the same scene from my vision from the fairies while at the shrine. Death was creeping everywhere in the form of a red and disgustingly colored ribbon. With each passing moment, Gensokyo was being plagued by the red tide from the outside in.

Bit by bit, I smelt the unmistakable smell of death and I covered my mouth in a bid to stop myself from retching.

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[Y-Yukari…]

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[I exist in all… I am the one who you hate the most, the one who you love the most…

I am the one who is the strongest and the one who is the weakest…

The Strongest of the Strong, the Weakest of the Weak…

The Fastest of the Fast and the slowest of the Slow…

The Mastermind of all evil, the one who denounces all Sins…

I am ever present… as long as there is a gap, a border between us… as long as there is a difference between us, between our hearts. I will exist.

I am Yakumo Yukari, the gap youkai…]

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Waving her hands in front of her, she pulled up her sleeves and remarked chirpily to me.

[See Reimu, no tricks up my sleeves and… no hands~]

Laughing as her hands disappeared, leaving her with only arms as her hands tickled my abdomen; Yukari stated her ultimatum to me.

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[SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT, REIMU! Or… Gensokyo… won't make it~]

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[Bounded Field: Boundary of Life and Death!]

Author's Notes: R&R~