Hakurei Shrine
"Haah, these stairs are so annoying. Wait till I can land perfectly." Rain huffed as she finally reached the top and rested at the torii gate.
The calm winds blow her hair and clothes as she went into the shrine.
"Hey, Reimu. I'm back! Got a big fish that you'll surely enjoy!" She said as she entered but there was no response.
"Huh? Did she go out?" She looks for her in other rooms but there's no sign of Reimu.
So Rain puts the basket at the kitchen and went outside again. This time to ask the guardian who is always here. Aunn Komano.
Aunn can be seen sitting just near the porch when Rain saw her.
"Hello Aunn, have you seen Reimu?" Rain asked her.
Aunn greeted her with a smile. "Ah, miss Rain. Miss Reimu is currently out in the moment." She said.
Rain did remember Reimu saying something that she'll be busy today.
"Did she said anything about where she is going?" Rain followed up a question.
"Well, she asked me to take care of the shrine while she is gone and that she'll be going to Sanzu River."
Rain have heard about that location. She knows that it is where the dead souls go and must cross to reach Higan.
"Eh? Why would she go there? If I recall correctly, the dead goes there but Reimu does not belong to that category." She puts a finger in her chin.
"I don't know but I think it is something related to her work." Aunn said.
Remembering the fish she brought back. Rain asked the guardian.
"You haven't eaten yet, right? Well, since we don't know when she'll be back. I guess, I could make a sashimi. I'll give you some after I made it. See you, Aunn. I'll call you in when the it is done." She cheerfully said and unintentionally pats Aunn's head.
Aunn didn't dislike that but also thanks her for the offer and continued her lookout.
Rain hums as she's preparing the fish to be made. She already removed the parts that needs to be removed the only thing she must do now is to cut it up into fine pieces. Currently she is wearing an apron to which the back of it has a ribbon style of tying.
"La~La~La~ Gonna make some sashimi for me and my buddies." She then unsheathes her sword and then placed a plate on the table. She then grabs the big fish and tosses it in the air and in a flash she displayed her sword skills and the fish is now finely cut into pieces as it landed gracefully on the plate. Who said that sword techniques are only for defending and attacking? Clearly not.
She then heard claps and looks forward. The four fairies that technically is their neighbor showed up. She didn't noticed them as she is occupied.
"Oooh! That was cool!" Sunny said as she tries to mimic the way Rain moved.
"Yahahah! What would you expect from a human that's strong?" Clownpiece laughs with a smug on her face.
"Um, hello miss Rain. You looked occupied when we came in. We heard Reimu is out so we decided to sneak in and do a pwrk-" Her words became muffled as Star's hands covered her mouth.
"Hehe, don't mind her miss Rain." Star said as she pulled Luna away.
Rain raised an eyebrow and knew already what are they up to. So she quickly said.
"You guys better not do that. Otherwise I won't give you a taste on this tasty sashimi." She gave a grin to them to let them know what she meant.
"S-Sashimi! You guys! Changed of plans! We'll eat today!" Sunny declared and the other three fairies quickly agreed to her and all raised their fist in the air while chanting. "Sa-shi-mi!" over and over again.
Rain smiled at seeing how this innocent children like beings act. She feels amused at interacting with them. This somehow reminds her of something but she can't put her thought in it though she can be sure that it is a positive one.
"Alright, simmer down. Mind helping me? It will be ready to eat if you guys get the things I need." She coaxes the fairies and they happily accepted by nodding their head in unison with their smiling faces.
'Aaauh! Soooo cute...'
"So! Here's what I need. Sunny get the wasabi paste and Luna the cucumbers. They should be just near the kitchen. Star, hand me the chopsticks and Piece take care of the tea cups." She gave them parts and then added. "Don't bump into each other. We can't have an accident in the kitchen."
To view this scene it would be very lovely as fairies flew around Rain as they handed her the things she need. Indeed this is like one of those who dream of being in a fairy tale like situation.
Rain gives them praises and even pats their heads for doing a great job.
"Good, you did well." Rain said while giving a headpat to Star.
"Ehehe~."
"Hey, we want some too!" The other fairies except from Clownpiece lines up to get their very own headpat. Each fairy seems to enjoyed it and felt very happy from being praised.
Rain saw Clownpiece standing still not budging to get her own headpat. So Rain approached her and said.
"What's the matter? Don't you want some too?"
"Er...um..." Clownpiece fidgeted as she tries to come up with a word but Rain reached in for head and gave her what she is hesitating to get.
"You did well, thank you for helping me." She pats her head and Clownpiece felt her gentle hand on her head. It was very warm and comforting. She couldn't help but blush to Rain's praise and remembers her superior's praise and even her headpats. In this scene she showed that even a hell fairy is almost the same as a regular fairy after all.
Rain then grabs the cucumbers and puffed her chest out in determination. "Now, let me show you guys how to cut up a cucumber in style!" Rain declared and the others cheered.
It was very lively. There are giggles and laughs. The atmosphere is very engaging and happy. Their smiles are captivating and anyone would feel the happiness.
The sashimi was successfully made and Rain even throws in some rice to eat with it. She then invited Aunn to eat with them and they all started to eat happily. Of course she saves some for her other friends.
"Hey! tut-tut. Sunny! No overeating!" Rain said as Sunny tried to go for another serving.
"Buuut it's soooo good!" She reasoned to her and that she even has some rice left overs around her mouth.
However, Rain cannot give her that as she is saving it for the others. So she gently explained. "I know but let's not get greedy. The others like Reimu haven't eaten yet. You're not going to be mean and take it for yourself now, would you?" Rain lends a hand in cleaning up Sunny's face. Wiping the left over rice away from her face.
Though she still wants to eat. Sunny slowly nods and goes back to her seat after that. Seeing that the fairy is seemed down about this. Rain added.
"Mmh, good. Being greedy is bad and will make you lose your friends. So, Sunny you just showed that you care for your friends. I and them are proud of you. Give her a clap everyone!" Rain started the clap and the other fairies followed.
Sunny chirped back up when she realized that she made the right decision. This shows that Rain is really great with kids.
As they eat, a visitor arrived and it was none other than Alice.
"Hey, Rain. Marisa said we'll be having Sashimi so I came." As she entered she saw the fairies eating with her and was surprised at how well behave they are.
"Oh? Alice! Right on time! Ahem...everyone. What do we do when someone comes in?" She said to the fairies and Aunn and they know what to say and do.
They stood up and said in unison. "Good Afternoon! Miss Alice!" they politely said with bow.
"Very good and lovely." She praised them again.
Alice was astonished by how Rain managed to handle such mischievous fairies, she knows Aunn is already as polite as she is but the these fairies and the hell fairy? If she's caught unguarded then she probably has her mouth hanging from this.
"Here, Alice. I already reserved some sashimi for you guys. Oh, and have some rice too!" Rain readies a serving bowl of rice and places the reserved sashimi beside it. "Try some wasabi. It taste more good." She suggested.
Alice thanks her and sitted beside her. Thanks her again for the food and begins eating. The first bite makes her quiver with satisfaction and then she dips it in the wasabi and took another bite. It was so good that she unwittingly said "Ma...rry...me." while stuttering after that she quickly covers her mouth with her hands.
"Huh? Did you say something. Alice?" Rain asked her who was busy at that time tending to clean the faces of the other fairies.
"N-nothing! I'd just wanted to say how your cooking is better than mine." Alice praised her while being red in the process.
"Ahaha, is that so? I can see that the wasabi is doing its job due to how red your face is." She laughs as if she knew that was the reason but unfortunately no.
It didn't take long for Alice to finish her delicious meal as she scarfed it down.
"That was delicious..." She trailed as she saw Rain cleaning up the after meal including hers.
"Oh? Done already? Well, don't ask for seconds. I reserved some for Reimu and Marisa. I just hope they'll arrive back before the food goes bad." She said as she scoops up the bowls and cups that were used. She then went to the kitchen to place it there to be cleaned later.
While Rain went to the kitchen. Alice seems to remember the reason she came here.
'Rain quickly adapted to living in here. She seems happy. I came here to tell her about the doll that I made which is modelled after her. That was the project that I'm working on and the reason I didn't get to come with them last time.' Alice thought as she seemingly smile at what would be Rain's reaction after she shows her the doll.
"Hey, miss Alice." Sunny called out to her and she looks at the fairy.
"Do you like miss Rain?" The innocent fairy asked without thinking. The others were in it to and anticipated her answer.
Alice was surprised by this sudden question and slowly lowered her head and uttered. "Like..." She doesn't need to think about it after all what flashed through her mind was the memories they spent together and this warms her heart by just thinking about it. So she confidently answered with a genuine smile.
"Yes, I do like her. How about you guys?" She bounced back the question to them.
Aunn is the first to answer. "Very much! She's kind and always greets me. Gives me the food she cooks and even pats my head for doing my job!" She cheerfully said.
The fairies answers are all the same. "Yay! I like her too!"
"She's strong and a good cook so I like her."
"She gives me things to read. I still have that book she lent me. It was soooo good! Though she said it came from you, miss Alice. She also leaves some spare coffee beans for me."
"Well, she is not that bad. I can't say I don't dislike her."
The room was lively again as Rain returned and asked them. "Looks like you guys are enjoying yourselves."
They all beamed a smile to her and Rain noticed Alice still has a single leftover of rice near her mouth and she casually removes it on her face and then eats it. The way Alice saw her was she's very alluring at that moment as if it was just like back then when Rain was drunk but this time she is not but it happened yet again. Her smiling face as she eats that single grain of rice and the way she savored it. Pretty much hit that spot hence the end result was she being flustered when Rain did that and to add more, Rain still close to her face said. "A single grain of rice left near your lips. I assume you really enjoyed my cooking?"
This would have been inappropriate to the fairies as this seems like a flirting scene not like Rain nor the fairies know about it. Hence, they could only think of this a friendly gesture.
"A-Ah!" This is only what Alice could say. After all Rain herself doesn't know that she act seductively. Well this was not really intended but perhaps a like can turn into something else if Rain keeps doing that. If it were a boy or a man then perhaps they would have taken the bait and even fall for her. Well who wouldn't if such a beautiful person that is a great cook and an excellent fighter. Probably the very dream of a select few.
Alice regained her composture and said. "T-thanks, I just remembered that I need to show you something. Remember that project I told you about? Well, it is completed." She slowly stood up as she said this.
"Oh? Well, I can clean later after that." Rain then turns her attention to the others and said. "Alright, you girls. All good now? Because I want you guys to behave and don't cause any trouble. After I clean. I'll be leaving to get my clothes fixed. Aunn, please continue guard the shrine and you guys too. Don't eat the ones that are for Reimu and Marisa, okay?" She reminded them and as soon as they nodded and saluted which was cute, she then went outside with Alice.
They went to sit on the shrine's porch and continued their talk. The calm wind blows as usual and the trees are dancing along with it. Rain seems very excited to see what Alice has in stored for her that she already asks.
"I wonder what is that surprise you're saying?" Rain cupped her chin in excitement.
Alice smiled, her doll like face light up as she replies. "You'll see, but I need you to close your eyes. No peeking!"
"Eh? Okay." So Rain closes her eyes. When she did she can hear Alice moving and doing something. Such noise included a string like noise being used. It didn't take a while for Alice to finish.
"You can open your eyes now." Alice said and Rain did slowly. As she opened her eyes she saw Alice looking very happy. Up in both of her shoulders are Shanghai and Hourai but on top off her head is a new doll.
This doll has the same hair style and color just like Rain. Her clothes matches hers too and to top it off it is quite bigger than Shanghai and Hourai probably to signify Rain's height as tall. Even her weapons are replicated as Alice instructed it to draw the weapons and make a stance –the one Rain did back then in Suzunaan–. It looks cute instead of cool though when the doll-like Rain did it.
Words cannot express how Rain is very surprised at this and all she do is make an o-shaped mouth. Imagine having a doll version of you and it looks cute as heck. Who wouldn't be happy? She also saw the effort put into it from top to bottom.
As Alice saw her reaction she added a tease to her. "This would be your child. Say hi to mommy. I'm still thinking of a name to give her but maybe you can help me?" The doll- like Rain waved its hands to the said mother.
When Alice said that Rain dropped her surprised mouth as she analyzed what Alice meant. Then she said. "Oh...that time? I can't believe it..." She trailed off and stays silent for a bit.
Alice is getting worried that her joke was seen as a real one. So she tried to say it was a joke. "Haha, Rain don't worry-" her words were cut off by Rain saying.
"I'll take responsibility!" Rain then looks at her in the eye with a serious look.
"Eh?!" Alice seems taken aback by this and didn't get to say that it was a joke.
Rain then clasped her hands into hers and continued. "I don't know how yokai reproduce but it is my fault for being intoxicated at that time. I would request a 'Seppuku' for such a crime but it would invalidate my resolve and I think that it is only a cowards way out. In other words. I shall raise this child with all my support." She announced with a straightface.
(A/N: Seppuku is a formal ritual for a dishonored samurai to atone for their wrong doings. By slicing one's own stomach and getting their heads chop off by another person. This is formally done in court with witnesses, hence why this is requested not done by oneself. Though is there such a thing in Gensokyo?)
"Ehhhh?! S-Seppuku?! No! Don't do that!..." While Alice is touched by her words. Such a joke might lead to bad things if left misunderstood. "It was a JOKE! This is not even how..." She omitted that last word. "I thought you won't believe it but I guess I'm bad at making jokes."
Rain then felt relieved at learning that it was just a joke. Honestly, Alice told her such a bad joke because it aligned to many things such as Rain not knowing what happened when she was drunk and then suddenly a new doll that looks like her pops in as a surprise.
"O-Oh... well... this is awkward." She scratches the behind of her head as she gave an awkward smile.
"Honestly, Rain. I was the one who's supposed to surprise you but instead I was the one that got surprised." Alice said as she gave a chuckle.
"Well, you did give a joke that is very surprising so I'm more surprised than you." Rain laughs it off.
"This project came to my mind when you said you wanted a doll back then. So I made you one." Alice said with a controlled smile.
"Oh, I see. But I'd like you to keep it for me. That way you'll remember and think that I'm always there. I can tell that you've put a lot of effort in making this." Rain takes the doll to her arms and raises it in the air like a child. "About her name though. I've thought of four suitable names..." She paused for a bit before continuing. "One, is to name her from my own. Two, would be about the color and that would be 'Midori'. Third, is just about how you created her with love and passion, 'Aiko'. Lastly, a combination of love and the color of green. 'Aina'. If you have any other names then do tell me."
Rain thought about this is just a short time. Which shows that she appreciates the work done by her friend. Her eyes did not let go of the doll, looking at it with a gentle look. She awaits the answer of her friend who seems to have made up her mind.
"Well I do have one..." Alice looks at Rain holding the doll high up. "Alicia... it means lovely, truthful and honorable. There are many other meanings but I based this name on you, Rain. You gave me that nickname but I think it's best suited to this doll."
"I see, well then. From now on. You're now Alicia." Rain happily said to the now named doll. She hands Alicia back to Alice and thanks her.
"Thank you for making her. It means a lot to me." Without thinking Rain gave her a hug as a genuine thanks.
"...I-Your welcome. You can count on me that I won't use her in bullet battles." Alice seems flustered but she gave a smile as she can feel Rain's warmth as she embraced her. A friend that appreciated her work and effort. Reciprocated with thanks and hug. After a moment Rain pulled away from her and said.
"I'd very much to see her in action. It would be cool to see her working with you as you battle."
"Well, if you like then I can adjustments." Alice chuckled at her words as this is very much like her.
"Thank you again for this gift and surprise. Are you going back home now?" Rain questioned her.
"Yes, I still have things to do. Well, I'll be going now. Thanks for the delicious food. Wave goodbye to her now, little ones." She commanded the three dolls. To which they all did in a synchronize way. Before turning back to fly home, Alice added "Take care, Rain. I know you plan to visit the Human Village yourself. All I can say is that you should stay out of trouble and be careful of the others especially yokai." Alice then turned around and started to fly with her dolls back to the forest.
Rain saw Alice's face seemed serious but there is something else. She can't tell what it is so she didn't dwell more about it.
In truth, Alice herself might have read the newspaper about Rain and is keeping it from her. There maybe reason to why she did or perhaps she wanted Rain herself to find the truth. Whichever it is, she is doing it for her sake.
Rain went back into the kitchen and cleaned what needs to be cleaned and then checks the room where the supposed fairies are. To her surprise they are still there albeit fast asleep. With a smile on her face, she lets them be.
She talked to Aunn again to let her know where she is going and asks her to remind Reimu or Marisa that they have food reserved for them and know where she went.
Kourindou
"...and that's what happened. I'm pretty happy today!" Rain said after she narrated what happened earlier to Rinnosuke who was manning the counter and fixing her clothes.
What she is wearing one right now is his spare clothes which actually almost fits her.
"I see, good for you. It's good to have such nice friends."
"Well, that's about it." She looks around and commented. "There's a lot of stuff here as usual. Hmm?" Her eyes caught on interest on something.
She approached a small box and opened it. What she saw was two circular like metal rings which are joined together. But she didn't touch it. Instead she closes it and turned back. She'll just ask about it some other time.
"So, you said Marisa came by earlier. What did she do?" She asks him.
Rinnosuke replied without looking at her as he's stitching. "The usual. She comes and go as she pleases. At least, you aren't like her and Reimu, you know how to knock."
Indeed, those two are like that. No matter how he tried to reprimand them, they won't listen to a single thing. So he eventually gave up.
"Geez, those two really have you going, huh?" She kinds of understand him as she's been with them long enough to know that they'll do this.
"You said it. They are such a handful children. Perhaps you're different as you're more mature than them?"
"Not really. I don't even remember my age...but I'd like to think that I'm at least seventeen or eighteen years old. Well, what do you think?" She shoots a sudden glare at him, she seems to be expecting a good answer.
This question made Rinnosuke stop his work and look at her. He blinks a few times as he looks at her. The silence was killing Rain off as she said. "Come on... just answer...I won't be angry." She said with a seemingly fake smile. Of course this is an obvious lie. She'll snap if she gets called old.
So technically this question is a trap question. This is when a woman asks a man that puts him into a tight situation. Where every answer could end in a bad end or there is really no correct answer. The man gets the slap no matter what he answers less he do something to avoid answering.
Though for Rinnosuke this warning won't reach him, so he answered with a straightface. "Physically speaking you are right. Take me as an example I'm older than you think. So when you do get your memory back. You'll answer that question... but for me you do look young and beautiful." He then finishes up his stitching after saying that.
Not much of a reaction from Rain as he did nailed that sweet answer. To even remove her mind off of it. He handed her clothes back, not that he knows about it. "There we go, good as new." He said with a smile.
"Huh...that was fast. Anyway, I'll get changed. Thanks for helping me, again." She grabs her clothes and her armor pieces, and went to the back.
It didn't take long enough for her to get changed. Rain now back to her clothes then excitedly said. "Alright! Time for my second visit!" She said with confidence.
She returned back to where Rinnosuke is. The time she spent here is almost just an hour.
"Thanks for fixing my clothes. You're fast and reliable. I'm impressed." She politely bows her head.
"Think nothing of it. I have the same dealings with Reimu and Marisa. I'd just put this on their tab since they are responsible for you." He said seemingly joking but with his casual tone, one may interpret that it isn't a joke.
"H-hey... I thought this was free?" She said with her eyes shrinking as she can't afford to pay let alone have her friends pay for her.
"It is. I'm just joking." He slightly smiled and chuckled.
Rain shakes her head and commented. "Eesh, you're bad at joking. Anyway, I'll be off now. Thanks again." She then turned to the door and left.
Rinnosuke could hear her dashing out and said to himself. "Am I really bad at joking?"
Then he recalled what Marisa asked about earlier.
"What do ya know about Rain being the Legendary Yokai Exterminator? Is this true? Ya lived long enough to know her right?"
He adjusted his glasses and muttered "Sorry Marisa, you and Reimu need to be in the dark for much longer. Gensokyo...no the whole world will be in danger should a mistep be made or so Yukari says. I wish I know more to understand the situation but I know more nothing than that. I could only trust her, the girl whom Gensokyo once loved."
Yokai Trail
Rain is walking here as she doesn't want to startle the villagers because she'll instantly arrives there in no time with a loud entrance.
"Hmm, I haven't visited some parts of the Human Village yet. Just act like a normal human and I'll be fine. Ergh... I am one... what am I saying?" She seems to be nervous meeting a lot of people alone since last time she's with Alice.
Her ponderings on what to do came into a halt when she heard a cry just few steps away from her.
"Mama...where are you?" A little girl cried out. She seems to be lost or separated from her parents. She's crouching just beneath a tree and not moving.
Rain quickly approached the little girl. She seems to be about six to eight years old. Hopefully this one is not a yokai pretending to be a victim. She called out to her with a gentle voice so as not to scare the lost little girl.
"Hey, kiddo. Are you alright? Don't worry. I'm just passing by to the village. That's where you live right?" Rain crouched down to her.
The little girl nodded and seems relieved that someone found her. "Mama says that there are monsters out here. I didn't mean to go out. I was chasing this cute butterfly and then all I know is that I'm in the woods." She seems smart for a little girl. Which saves Rain the time to explain.
"Ah, it is dangerous out here. Good thing you know how to stay put. Your mother must've been worried sick. Come, I'll take you back to her. I promise I won't let the monsters get you. I can kick their butts if they try it." She smiled as she motioned a few punches in the air.
The little girl cheered up and stood up. "Thank you, miss!" She holds on to Rain's hand and they walked together.
It would seem like this child is too far away from the village as she's almost at the edge of the Yokai Trail, any further and she'll end up in the Forest of Magic.
"Gee, kid. Next time, don't let such a cute butterfly distract you. I know it's cute but the next time you end up lost again. I don't think I'll be there to help you out again. You don't want to make your mother worried and sad now don't you?" Rain offered her an advice in a way that also served as a warning.
"Mhm...I won't. This is the first time that this happened to me! I heard from my mom that a great person has returned and that it will beat up any monster that will harm us! She even said that good children will encounter that person especially when they are in trouble! Could that person be you? Miss? You said you can kick monster butts!" Her eyes shimmered with excitement when she asked this. She'll probably spread the word about it when she returns home safely.
Rain could not say no to her. After all this kid trust her already. She's a little afraid that she'll make the kid sulk if she says no. So with a defeated sigh she answered.
"Yeah, that would be me. Tell the other kids to be good or they'll get eaten by the monsters, they like bad kids." Rain said as she figured out that people are using that saying to make kids behave.
What she didn't know was that she is actually the one being talked about in the Human Village.
The little girl beamed with happiness and replied. "Whooaaa...awesome! I met the legendary person! I'm sooo gonna tell my friends about this!"
'Legendary? What's that? Meh, probably not important.' She thought as she returned a smile to the little girl.
As they walked through the road they saw a stand that is being pulled by a person. This person has grey eyes and a pink hair. She has pointed ears like an owl and light pink bird-like wings with purple highlights. She is dressed in a white and brown clothing, where her hat and dress contain numerous bird-shaped ornaments.She also has long fingernails and these characteristics mean one thing. She is a yokai.
"Miss... look a yokai like bird... she looks cute." The little girl said as she tugs Rain's clothes.
Rain herself is wary not for herself but for the little girl's safety. They'll crosspaths eventually so she took the initiative.
"Hello, what kind of food do you serve?" Rain asks as the bird-like yokai stops and looks at them.
"Ah, a customer? Hello! I sell, grilled lampreys! Though I mainly operate at night. You are my first customer at such a time in the middle of the day! I'm actually prepping my stand but if you guys want to buy then I'll gladly sell you these delicious delicacy!" She chirped as she prepares a plate and a cup of sake. Though Rain herself haven't said yet that she is buying and even if she does, she has no money with her.
"Um...excuse me but..." Rain's words was interrupted when she saw the little girl drooling and hears her tummy growl in hunger.
"Yes? Oh! I haven't introduced myself yet! I'm Mystia Lorelei! A night sparrow. Please don't be alarmed! I'm here to sell not scare!" She introduced herself in cheerful and business like manner.
"Alright, so this little kid is having one grilled lamprey. No need for sake for me." Rain said as she gestured to the little girl and she thought about how she'll figure it out later on how to pay for it.
"Coming right up!" Mystia said as she do her cooking.
"So, Mystia... care to tell me about if there are others like you? I mean, others selling in stands." Rain inquired, this is actually a part of her plan to fish out some information. It may look like she's just curious but in truth she's already cooking up a plan to bail on her payment.
"Oh, don't get me started, miss. There's this stand that I hate..." She trailed off for moment as she turns over what she is cooking.
"That would be?"
"The yakitori stand. Urgh, just thinking about it makes me sick!" Mystia seems to be fuming about it.
"I see, well the same stand offered me a free sample as I passed by that time. I think the vendor says that yakitori is better than lamprey." Rain cupped her chin as she said that and in straight forward way.
Hearing this Mystia got even more mad. "What?! Does she think that giving free samples would do the trick?! Damn that, conniving little..." She stops and looks at Rain. "You, I'll give this one on the house, no...I'll cook another one for you. The little girl will be just a plus. Heh, if that's what she wants then I'll give her a food war!" She declared as she fires up her cooking and have this serious smile on her face.
Rain sitting with the little girl beside her. Gave a hidden smirk as she thought to herself.
'Operation: Pay No Evil, Success. Though I don't think she's evil but I need to have a cool name of the plan... To that yakitori stand vendor. Sorry, but thank you for helping out a poor girl like me.' She folded her hands together in prayer-like gesture as she mentally said that.
What came next is that they get to eat for free and Rain of course enjoyed the food more so since it is free. She even gave a good review to it but didn't gave a verdict on which of the two food is better. It is after all for the best. Mystia said she seems to recognize her as she saw her on a newspaper, while Rain is interested in this, sadly the newspaper has been used for different purpose so she can't see it. Also too bad Mystia can't read if she can then perhaps a different interaction would have happened between them. They then bid goodbye to Mystia, and went on their way. So not only she gets to eat free food, she also leaves a good impression to her, unless of course her lie is uncovered.
Human Village
"You have to let me go! My child is out there! Alone and lost!" cried a woman as two male humans tried to stop her from going out of the gate.
"If your daughter really did got out. We would have saw her or at least the other's before our shift. Other than that then we really can't do nothing...it pains me to say this but if she's really been that gone for a long time then maybe-" His words were stopped by his fellow guard.
"Don't be like that... be positive. The yokai are not really active near the village." He said to regain the mother's confidence.
"But! The longer we waste our time here. The less chance she have! So please!" Her plea was even causing a commotion as people gave a stare to her but none dared to volunteer to go out.
The mother is starting to lose hope as she weakly fell into her knees and started to sob. The two guards can only look at her with pity.
"Hey...look..." One of the guards saw a figure approaching from beyond the road. They saw two people. A little girl and silver-white haired woman walking towards them.
"Is that?" There is no mistaking it. That person is the one in the newspaper. The talk of the whole village.
The mother's face light up as she saw her daughter. She knelt and opens her arms as she called out her daughter's name.
"Etsuko!"
"Mama!" The little girl joyfully yelled back as she begins to sprint to her mother. Soon they embraced each other. It was a moment that was touching to the point where the guards felt relieved and sighed.
Rain approached them and said. "Ah, glad she's back with her mother."
The two guards looks at her and was stunned by her beauty and enigmatic presence.
"So this is the Legendary Yokai Exterminator? Thank you for saving the girl. Truly you are what the rumors say!" The guard expressed his gratitude to her.
Rain was confused by what she's been called but before she could ask, the mother of the little girl approached her.
"Thank you! Miss Rain! We'll be forever indebted to you! Come on, Etsuko. Say thank you to her." Both the mother and daughter both give a bow to her and thanks her again.
How did the people know her name? What's this legendary she's being called? She'll have to ask about this but first she have to return their thanks.
"I'm just doing what I can. Anyone will do the same. Please raise your heads." Rain said as she gives a pat to the little girl's head.
The others thinks of her as a humble person and even strengthens their positive view of her.
But unexpected things could happen at anytime. Out of nowhere, Rain felt an ominous presence behind her and quickly warned the others.
"Get down! Gaaah!" She yelped as she felt the huge fist of a person making contact in her face which launched her to the far right of the gate. She quickly got up and saw this huge woman with a horn holding a dish in her hands while smiling. Behind her is another horned girl albeit smaller, chugging on a gourd.
"Ptuh!" Rain spits out some blood and gave a daggered look at them.
The humans just beside them were taken aback by their sudden arrival. One of the guards yelled. "An oni! Everyone get back!" The people nearby were alarmed and did what he said. Except for the mother and daughter who's still there because of the little girl trying to reach Rain.
The two onis are staring at Rain. The little one is the first to speak.
"Ah, Yuugi... greeting with a punch as always..." She shakes her head but she's also smiling as she did it.
The one called Yuugi gave a smirk and takes a sip from her dish. "This is how we do things back then. You're getting forgetful, Suika."
Suika gave a shrug and drinks again from her gourd. While Yuugi grins and then shouted at Rain.
"Heheh! Long time no see, Human! I finally found you! Time to settle our one thousand years of unsettled match!" She gestured with her fist outwards to Rain.
An inevitable fight is about to happen.
To be continued...
A/N: Ah heck, here we go again. Remember what I said about last chapter? Well, it will come later probably with the next chapter. Anyways, thanks for sticking in with this story. 100k words already? We're not even at the half of the story yet. I'm still gathering and researching on how to do a good fight scene. So maybe the next chapter may take a while? Also if you're asking about the canon timeline, well. The time would be Hazuki(August), 9(day), (Season 134) 2019.