Entry 6: Rei'sen and Yorihime

If the tension the shrouded the Bamboo Forest of the Lost could be cut with a knife, it would have to be a pretty damn sharp one to do so.

The stare-down between Watatsuki no Yorihime, Yagokoro Eirin, and Hakurei Reimu, was one that not even a mosquito could get between without the pressure killing it. On the end of Eirin and Reimu, there was cautious hostility, and for Yorihime, it was simply a case of being on the defensive.

Carefully, Yorihime sheathed her sword. "I assure you, Teacher, Hakurei-san, I come in peace."

"Sorry with we don't believe that," Reimu said darkly. "After what your sister did to Rei'sen? How am I suppose to believe you're not here to drag her back to that?"

"I'm afraid I'll have to side with Reimu-san on this one, Yorihime," Eirin agreed. "Unless you give us good reason to trust you right now, I'm going to have to assume you intend harm on either Rei'sen or Udonge."

Yorihime had a remarkably sad look in her eyes. "It seems... my sisters actions have left quite the scar, then," she muttered, before she threw her sword, scabbard and all, over to Eirin. "I give you my word, Teacher, I am not here to harm either of the two Reisens. I need to speak with them, on behalf of Tsukuyomi-sama, but that is all."

"Tsukuyomi?" Eirin repeated, surprised. "What does the Lunar Emperor want with them?"

"To put together a case file," Yorihime answered. "I know you might find it hard to believe, but please, I ask for this chance."

Eirin paused for a moment, before looking over at Reimu. "Hakurei, head inside and speak with them about this."

"You sure?" Reimu asked, mildly offput by Eirin calling her by her last name.

"It should be their choice, at the end of the day," Eirin explained. "If they decide not to trust her, then we drive her off, simple as that."

Nodding in response, Reimu quickly went inside the clinic.

"So, they are both here, then," Yorihime noted. "That's a relief, to know that Rei'sen is in good hands."

"Reimu-san's hands, more specifically," Eirin pointed out. "She's elected to stay at the Hakurei Shrine. But that's no business of yours."

Reimu quickly entered the main lobby, and quickly found Rei'sen hiding behind the nearest wall, peaking out at the scene outside.

"Rei'sen, you still with us?" Reimu asked, shaking the Rabbit slightly.

"Y... yeah, still got it together," Rei'sen stuttered out.

"What do you think, then? Trust her, or not?"

Rei'sen hesitated somewhat. "I... I don't know," she muttered. "I... I want to trust Yorihime-sama. She's... been a huge figure of support to us Lunar Rabbits, but..."

"Can't tell if she's actually here to help or not," Reimu surmised. She thought of what she could do at this point, but really, the option was out of her hands. "Well, whatever you choose, we're behind you. You know that, right?"

Rei'sen locked eyes with Reimu, and, feeling a swell of confidence, made a choice. "I... I'll go out there."

The stand-off remained, with neither Eirin nor Yorihime making a move. For Eirin, she considered that a good sign. If Yorihime wasn't going to rush things, that meant a certain level of respect for the autonomy of the Lunar Rabbits.

Eirin knew the Watatsuki sisters to be among the most compassionate when it came to the Lunar Rabbits, and both showed it in different ways; with Yorihime, it came as, from what Eirin knew of back then, an almost grudging respect for the work they put in, which has quickly shifted into a more general respect that treated them as equals, while for Toyohime... well, we've already seen the price that's paid from how Toyohime shows her affection.

The door slid open, and Reimu stepped out, followed closely behind by Rei'sen.

Yorihime looked mildly surprised, but did her best to suppress the relief she felt. Last thing she wanted was to give the wrong impression.

"It has... been a while, Rei'sen," Yorihime said hesitantly. "I... trust you have found a comfortable life here?"

"... Yes, Yorihime-sama," Rei'sen responded. "What is it you want?"

Yorihime failed to hide a slightly pained expression. She must have been unprepared for such a cold reception. "A testimony," she replied plainly and evenly. "Tsukuyomi-sama wishes to bring justice down on my sis... Watatsuki no Toyohime. He bade me to gather testimonies to present to the tribunal." Reaching into one of her pockets, Yorihime produced a scroll, which she tossed over to Eirin.

Eirin unfurled the scroll, and examined its contents. "... It has Tsukuyomi's seal," she noted. "She speaks the truth."

"A testimony," Rei'sen muttered, surprised. "You... actually plan to go through with it? To incriminate Toyohime-sama?"

"It's what needs to be done," Yorihime said. The tinge of sadness in her voice was impossible to ignore. "What she has become is... unacceptable. She needs to be stopped, no matter how one tries to slice it."

"And... you want me to testify about it?" Rei'sen asked.

"Just your account of events will do," Yorihime said. "I... I won't force you to return to the Capital, I give you my word."

Eirin, Reimu, and Rei'sen all contemplated Yorihime's words. "I highly doubt she's lying," Eirin stated. "I've known her for many centuries, and she was never one to fib as such."

Reimu took this opportunity to look over at Rei'sen. "What do you think?" she asked. "It's your call to make."

Rei'sen was, understandably, hesitant, but she steeled herself regardless. "Just... one question, before I agree to this," she said. "How many were there? How many did Toyohime-sama throw herself on, before you were sent here?"

Yorihime paused, looking shameful. "Seven," she said sadly. "We tried putting up a quarantine zone around the estate, but... she still manages to bring in more and more of them."

At that point, a new feeling began to simmer within Rei'sen's heart. One she had little experience with: Rage. A kind of rage directed more at her past inability to do anything to make a different.

Now, though, there was an olive branch being offered to her. She could actually make a difference, finally.

Rei'sen took a deep, steady breath. "...Alright. I'll do it," she said.

By the time it was all said and done, the sun was long on its way down in the sky.

During all this, they were able to not only get Rei'sen's testimony, but also that of Reisen, which doubled the time they were there, but in the end it would be worth it.

"Alright, I think that's everything," Yorihime said, rolling up the exceptionally long scroll she had written everything (and we do mean everything, down to the smallest detail) down in. "Thank you for your time, Rei'sen, Udongein, and... I'm sorry you both had to relive those things for us."

"It's... it's what needs to be done, Yorihime-sama," Reisen said hesitantly. "If I might ask, what will happen to Toyohime-sama afterwards?"

"It's hard to say, honestly," Yorihime admitted. "I would have imagined that the punishment would be banishment to Earth, but considering current circumstances..."

"Far from ideal to place her in arms reach of her targets," Eirin surmised. "Is there anything else you need from us?"

"This is all I can reasonably ask for," Yorihime answered. "Any more would be asking too much of you all."

"So what happens now?" Reimu asked. "You just head on back and report to your boss?"

"All I can do at this point," she said. "Once everything is as sorted as it can be, I'll stop by to deliver the news." She turned to face Reimu. "Hakurei Reimu, just so I don't forget in the future, let me say this now; thank you for looking after Rei'sen."

Reimu blushed intensely, looking away. "I just... did what any decent person would do," she said bashfully.

Eirin seemed to find this amusing, yet chose not to comment. "Udonge, could you show Reimu-san and Rei'sen-chan back to the village?"

"Of course, Master," Reisen said, as she began to lead Reimu and Rei'sen through the forest, leaving Eirin and Yorihime with only each others company.

At that point, Eirin let out a small sigh. "You know, I do wish she would stop calling me 'Master'," she commented. "Even just 'Yagokoro-sama' would do."

"Why not order her to?" Yorihime asked. "If not as her master, than as her employer."

"That is a blurry line, my old friend," Eirin said. "I want it to be, above all else, her choice. Otherwise, it'll be like neither of us have left the Moon."

"I suppose so," Yorihime muttered. "Well, I won't keep you any longer, Teacher. Work must be done."

"This will not be easy on you, Yorihime," Eirin pointed out. "If you need a shoulder to lean on after all this is done..."

Yorihime let out a soft, sad sigh. "Thank you, my Teacher. Knowing I can at least turn to you... I don't know how I would survive if I couldn't."

Having parted ways with Reisen at the edge of the Bamboo Forest, Reimu and Rei'sen walked through the village with mixed feelings.

Justice was going to be dealt. But somehow, something felt... missing. A piece unplaced. A fact unknown. Yet, no matter how they thought about it, they couldn't quite figure out what they were overlooking.

Then, as they passed the Myouren Temple, it occurred to Reimu. "We never found Aunn!" she shouted.

Rei'sen let out a startled yelp. "But where could we still look?" she asked. "It's getting so late, too. Isn't it possible she's already made it home?"

Before Reimu could speak a counter-argument, an all too familiar cry was heard coming from the Temple. "Auu! Reimu-san! Rei'sen-san!"

Down the stairs flew, surprising no one, Aunn, who quickly latched onto the two. "Aunn!" Reimu exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"Ah, Reimu-san. Good evening to you," spoke a new voice. Reimu looked up the stairs, as Aunn quickly moved behind her, to see the familiar monk with gradient hair known as Hijiri Byakuren. "I'm surprised to see you out this late."

"Had matters to take care of today," Reimu responded bluntly. "Mind telling me what the hell you did to Aunn?"

"Merely scolding her on proper alcohol consumption, I assure you," Byakuren answered. "You of all people should know better than to drink something as potent as that... brew Ibuki-san made."

Reimu shot the Buddhist monk a glare. "Still as 'holier than thou' as ever, I see," she muttered. "How many times do I have to say that Aunn's a resident of my shrine? Stop trying to convert her."

"After the state I found her in?" Byakuren pressed. "This is less a matter of religion, and more a matter of personal responsibility. Why would you think drinking something like that was a good idea?"

"Because this is Gensokyo, of course," Reimu answered. "Common sense is something that's more of a hindrance at times, and it's impolite to not at least try the stuff."

"There is such a thing as 'politely declining', Reimu-san," Byakuren pointed out. "No one was forcing you to drink it."

"Hijiri, I'm a grown woman, believe it or not," Reimu said. "If I'm gonna regret something, it'll be on my own terms, by my own mistakes. I really don't need you judging others."

Byakuren blinked in surprise. "You seem... on edge, Reimu-san."

"Who knows? Maybe I'm just tired of people forcing their views and assumptions on others," Reimu stated plainly. "I get that you mean well, Byakuren, but trust me, that sort of mindset hurts people more than you know."

Byakuren continued to look surprised. "You're... very adament about this today, Reimu-san," she noted. "Did something happen recently?"

Reimu glanced at Rei'sen, who was busy consoling Aunn. "Something to that effect," she answered, "but it's not my place to say."

Byakuren noticed the look in Reimu's eyes, and couldn't help but smile slightly. 'Well, I guess we all have our reasons," she surmised. "Still, there is no shame in restraint. If you're not careful, your hubris will be your downfall."

"Not my problem," Reimu waved off. "Rei'sen, Aunn, let's go."

As the trio left, with Rei'sen and Aunn bowing politely to Byakuren, the monk couldn't help but feel amused at the Shrine Maiden. "Sometimes, I wish I had a fraction of her flippancy."

For Reimu, she was just relieved to have finally solved that last mystery. "So this was where you've been, then?" she asked Aunn.

Aunn nodded in response. "Auu. Although, I don't recall how I got here, specifically."

"There's been a lot of that today," Rei'sen said. "You probably don't have anything to worry about."

"Au, I hope so," Aunn sighed. "I'll head back to the shrine ahead of you and put some food together, okay?"

"You sure?" Reimu asked. "I'd rather not force too much work on you."

"Au! It's fine!" Aunn exclaimed. "Besides, I can get back to the shrine much quicker! Watch!"

And just like that, Aunn popped out of existence in front of them, startling both Reimu and Rei'sen.

"Geez, I forget she can do that," Reimu muttered.

"You mean... that's normal?" Rei'sen asked.

"Aunn basically embodies all Komainu statues in Gensokyo," Reimu answered. "As such, she can basically 'fast travel' as Sumireko calls it, to places that have them. Hence, the Hakurei Shrine, Moriya Shrine, and Myouren Temple."

"So... just like that?" Rei'sen questioned. "That's how she's able to get from place to place?"

"Yup. Just like that," Reimu stated. "Now, what do you say?" she asked, holding out her hand. "Shall we head home?"

Rei'sen beamed a bright smile. "Right!"

The moment Yorihime touched down in the Lunar Capital, she knew immediately that something was wrong.

There was commotion. There was usually none of that to be found in the Lunar Capital. Worse still, it was coming from the direction of her home.

Yorihime broke into a sprint, rounding every corner she had to until the main gate of the Watatsuki estate came into view. There, standing outside it, was a familiar one-winged woman with silver hair.

"Kishin Sagume-san?" Yorihime asked. "What's going on?"

Sagume took in Yorihime's presence. "Watatsuki-sama," she greeted. "Might I ask where you've been?"

"Collecting information in Gensokyo, on Tsukuyomi-sama's orders," Yorihime answered. "You haven't answered my question."

Sagume seemed to ponder something, as if she couldn't fully trust Yorihime's words. Yet, she decided to do so, knowing her to not be the sort to lie like that. "Well, this was suppose to be us bringing Watatsuki no Toyohime-sama into custody, in preparation for the trial. However..." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "She's disappeared."

Yorihime's blood ran cold at that moment. "What?" she said.

Two Lunar Rabbits walked past, gently consoling a crying third who was draped in a blanket. "It seems word of our operation got out," Sagume continued. "That, or I had a slip of the tongue at some point without realising."

"Where is she?" Yorihime threatened. "Where has she gone?"

Sagume signalled for one of the Lunar Rabbits to continue the report. "We've already done a full scan of the city, Yorihime-sama," the Rabbit answered. "Alas, we have been unable to locate her at all."

"Unable to... then where..." Yorihime froze, as realisation dawned on her. "Oh no. No, no, no, this is not good."

"You have an idea?" Sagume asked.

"There's only one place she would go at this point in time," Yorihime muttered in fear. "She's..."

Out the front of the Hakurei Shrine, Aunn stood frozen in fear.

Before her stood a beautiful blonde haired woman dressed in white and purple, holding a fan in one hand. She wasn't someone she had met in person before, but that didn't mean she couldn't identify her.

"Good day to you, young lady," greeted Watatsuki no Toyohime kindly. "You wouldn't happen to know where I might be able to find my missing Rabbit, would you?"

A/N:

Does Aunn actually have the ability to fast-travel to Komainu statues? Probably not, in all honesty, but ever since I read through Wild and Horned Hermit, I've kinda had the idea that she could, so I figured I might as well run with it.

I mean, poor girl's already done dirty in the ability department. Might as well extend an olive branch.

Well, now we're coming up to the big battle. See ya there.