Yuuka made red rice and beans upon finding out about me and Satori. She had a surprise and worry look but accepted it saying. "He's an honest boy, he'll do right by her."
That was the type of response I get from Yuuka. While Medicine has constantly said.
"Man, you two are destined to ruin eachother for no reason. I mean you both like eachother, but she is a yokai, you'll die before her." I'm pretty certain being reincarnated here means I won't die that easily. Besides, I'm now a yokai too you know. So I can wait. We have a long time to figure out where we wanna go.
"So the mind reader is dating this...this quiet...how...what...how can anyone want your dick!?" Tenshi...go suck a vine that will go all the way through you and never come back. Though, this is the first time I've seen both Medicine and Tenshi laugh in unison, but it's me whose getting laugh at.
Damn language barrier.
"Girls. That's not nice. Venus is a wonderful adult. If Satori wants this relationship she'll have to work just as hard as he does here." Good on ya mom I...fuck it. Mom is right, I'm wonderful and I work hard. I can be the person for Satori. It's the distance though.
"Yeah, yeah. Lover boy still needs a nice Yukata atleast or more men clothes if he's gonna have that date at the Festival." Medicine...Well I guess it is a date and I can't go around with Mom's outfit like I can here. The skirt is more like a kilt now that I think about it.
"Seriously? I thought you was joking. He's actually that mindreader's boyfriend? What has our world come to that this silent freak is considered women's material?" You know what, I'll take back that she's cute from before. You're not special for living in heaven, in fact you got kick out for this exact behavior and...uh oh neither of my family was happy about that comment.
"Venus, head to Kourindou for a little bit. Momma is in need of stress relief on a petty cockroach." Not happy at all.
"Go buy some extra bandages too. No one bad mouths my brother like that except me." Its cute...but that's not...she still had that 10k of yen. Welp going shopping for myself and Tenshi. Bye ya'll.
"Venus wait! Girls! Wait! Ah Iku you're here as well!? Wait what's that look?AHHHHHHHHHH!!."
Oh Jesus my eyes, what the hell? Welp that was Tenshi getting lit the fuck up. Don't know how, don't know who.
"Ayaya, Wait Mr.Rose." Mister was my father's name.
I laugh at my in joke as she's watching on confused at my action.
"Is it true? The underground leader of the palace has taken in a lover?" It's been only a day...HOW? I gave her a look of amazement of the speed of her finding out. I can think of one person.
Koishi...Damn you girl. You put ya boy in a tough spot. Is this payback for being able to see you?
I sigh in annoyance of that possibility. I didn't give Aya an answer. Instead I began taking a slow glide away from her.
"HEY!? You can write it out yes or no here I'll help you."...Nah, I want our relationship to remain a secret until the festival. See you later loser get bent on your own pencil.
Back to rocketing away from her. She'll catch up in no time she is the fastes- WHOA!!
I dodge her arm as she appeared in front of me. At the last second though so I'm a little off balance.
"Ayaya, You should know better than to think you can outfly me." Sadly this allows me to test an after effect trailing magic so see you in the paralyzer in 3...2...1.
"I GAGAHFAGAGADFAVADASGGGGBGBG!?
Store electricity like sprites goes upwards, but stationary style spells like this can pack a serious punch. Well gotta blast. See you later crow tengu. I should feel bad, but I don't as I just want my privacy man.
Landing in the forest to avoid air recon from the fried up bird. I haven't found out where Kourindou was or how you find it but maybe this random path will take me there?
The scenery is really nice greens,oranges, neon sign...what the hell?
Sure enough it was a working stripper neon sign with only the arrows flashing down a path. I wanna question it, but at this point. I'm just a regular dude getting his swag on with a mindreader with great thighs.
Still it's a neon sign powered on in the middle of the woods. How did the girls not mention this?
Though, I don't think he gets many customers as I walk down the path to see a obvious curios shop. I'm wondering why I didn't see this from above, but as I gaze upwards and see that you basically can't. Sunlight gets through, but the trees are blocking the building. Well I always need more guy friends in this womanly arena.
*Ding*
Oh, theres a bell ringer for when you open the door, and there's the man himself. Blue Yukata, the freaking fanny pack, the white hair and bored expression, until he saw me and gave me a gentle wave.
"Well, we hardly get customers around this time of the year. Looking for something in particular?" I don't know yet but looking around I almost didn't recognize what he assumed was odd silverware. They weren't, as they were curve balisongs.
What are these doing here? And the coat beside it.
A long thin cotton coat a shade of grey with red sleeve stripping. I could really use these things. It even has a hoodie attach.
"Always, the silent types. Those are only 5k yen together with those odd knives." That's really cheap for a pair of curve balisongs.
"Still a knife enthusiasts kid?" That voice. Astergo!
I look over and yep that's him, and now I that I can see him more clearly. He look like he just came outta of Wolf of Wallstreet. Just your average Caucasian man. He really sticks out just as much as I do. He drops 6k yen on the table...what are you doing?
"On the house kid, save your money for that little date of yours. Besides, god loves a little romance before tragedies." Astergo laughs as I took the knives and put on the jacket. I'll tell ya it fits well enough on me. I now have something to defend myself with. That also means I can channel my own energy into these blades. We both left at the same time.
"Thank you come again. Why do I always get the strangest people? Rinnosuke didn't mind his payment, but he didn't see the real value of the jacket and the knives where too inefficient for any use other than cutting to him. Especially with the fact they are hard to control. Flimsy he would call them.
I want some answers Astergo. Now!
"Relax kid ya look good. With more time here you'll be one of the best yokai hunters around." I waggle the 7 inch blade, and eyed the slightly warming coat. This is my knive and it's for defense, this my new coat and its for keeping warm. I'm not interested in being a hunter. Astergo sigh getting the picture somehow.
"Think about it kid, ya can prevent bad things befalling the people ya love, your gifts are gonna be wasted on just farming, tending, and selling products. It's a suggestion as there are many things here that need cleaning up. I'm not interested in the women here. But, they're mostly good people with baggage. Wouldn't ya want to keep them away from the darkness as much as possible by embracing your own form of justice?"
This spiel is the equivalent of a movie villian trying to sympathize with the hero. Feral yokai can be a problem, but it's not like they're an issue. On one hand, I do have sporadic anger issues, on the other... If this about the original me. Then, I understand why he's saying this. Leaving it to the girls might be too dangerous. I'll think about it, but only as a last resort.
"That's all I ask for. So do ya know how to use balisongs? In a sense. I flick one open and it snaps into place, just doesn't have the same flare without the tricks.
"Well you can practice until ya get back to your family." With that he left in a shadowy mist. He is odd, but honest with himself. Yeah, I'll walk back figuring this out as I go. I really have most of the day...free?
You know, I don't have to wait until a few days to see Satori again.
A smile was adorn on my face.
"So, have you've learned your lesson Eldest Daughter?"Iku looks down at the spazzing celestial.
"I'm sorry, but I just don't get it. What is so special about him?" Getting up from being paralyze from another plasmatic lightning bolt. The others had moved away before they got caught in the deadly heartstopper.
"I wouldn't say special, more like unique. Minoriko is right. Male yokai are rare even rarer than we are. If you took up spell training you would've sense that there is only three non transform male yokai in all of Gensokyo. Venus is one of them." Tenshi scratches her head in annoyance at this.
"That's special because?"Tenshi's eyebrow raise trying to understand the point of this information.
"It's an opportunity to rebuild the yokai of old. While I'm not saying they should get busy with it. They're basically full yokai, or yokai enough to give our people a chance at a new beginning." Yuuka and Medicine eye the scorch pathway as Iku and Tenshi had this back and forth.
"Eh, Yuukarin, you don't think that the third one could be that weird guy in weird clothes you saw from a few days ago could he?" Medicine got a nod from Yuuka. Medicine sighs.
"Having to deal with you two like this gets tiring. I'm just happy that you're happy Yuukarin. Speaking of happy. I just think he might just be a little over his head with Satori. But, it's their decision...well a decision made by two teenagers basically." At that they both laugh. Yuuka eyed a specific part of the sky seeing Aya from above.
Well, someone is very good at getting the information. However.
She points her parasol.
"Pinpoint Spark." It came out a whisper and an instantaneous nano spark shot out and was hard to see and dodge. She watch as the crow tengu came falling down into a nearby unused patch of the garden.
"What just happened? Yuukarin?" She smile at Medicine as she slowly made her way to the empty garden patch. Making a beckoning hand to follow.
"Sometimes, I forget how scary you can be Yuukarin." A small chuckle escapes Yuuka at that.
My second trip to the underground was uneventful, I'm almost disappointed that Parsee basically just let me pass without saying a word. I would even say crestfallen almost. I'm certain she likes her job, just not when people ignore her. I did get the jealous lines for my knives and coat. But, she was more fascinated about how they function cause she got lost watching me fiddle with them. I guess it's the mechanism of it's design, it's simple but complicated. Still the constant tricking mistakes I made would be hell on my hand right now. If I wasn't so sturdy at this point. Still I look around the place and it's a constant stream of noises.
"Brother." I sigh and look to my right and saw Koishi curiously gazing at my constant hand movement, every few moments of walking I could feel the steel blade rack my knuckles from a mistake in the tricks I'm performing. I stop my fiddling with it so that I can give her my full attention. Koishi ran ahead of me and began walking backwards with her hands behind her back. She'll say what she wants without thought, however I notice her third eye is slightly open.
That's a relief, she's getting better.
"Brother will help Sister? Sister is a great hostess." Ignoring that part. I can't wait until you don't fear what people think of you. I hope you two get the closure you deserve.
"Brother cares about Koishi?" Don't get the wrong idea you can read the subconscious of anybody. I care about the people around me even if I can't say it. Also, I'm dating your sister. So you can just call me by my name.
"Friend of sister that likes sister more than he likes Koishi?" In a confusing sense, I see you as a little girl with bad baggage who doesn't mean to do harm. I see Satori as a mature woman with qualities I enjoy. She nods at that and sticks out a pinky promise.
"Promise to give lots of love to Big Sis?" I silently chuckle as I reciprocated the gesture. Yeah, I promise to love Satori a whole lot and then some. She smiles brightly.
"Breaking a promise is bad. But friend might be different from the bad people from before. I don't like bad people." Yeah, I don't think any of you do. But, your rules keep you from killing. I don't think that rule applies to me unfortunately. Don't feel to bad if I start racking in feral yokai numbers. She shook her head violently.
"Death is bad, death is scary, we fear death the most. The spellcard duelers biggest fear is death. Why don't you join us in peace and harmony?" That's the question of the century, ask Reimu next time Koishi. I won't lie the more I think about it. I can do my own form of protection for the people I care about. No, only as last resort will I kill. Punches and kicks will suffice if not, I got lightning as a back up. I can't promise that the people I'll be fighting, if that becomes the case will not be as peace loving as any of you can be. Finally, we're back at the palace.
This has been the most enlightening thing I've thought about. Koishi is right, I can't become a killer just for this. It's selfish but, If he's out there somewhere he won't stop from nonlethal attacks. Total annihilation is the only answer. But if it's for Mom,Medicine,Satori, hell I'll throw in Tenshi. I probably would kill to protect them if the time comes.
Yeah, just as a last resort.
"Friendly Brother, your thoughts are really dark but noble. That is not what Sister should see of you." Yeah, I know sorry about that, it's a tough topic and a "friend of mine" got to talking of alternatives ways that could benefit Gensokyo at large. I should be happy with what I got now. However, I can't just rely on you guys. I'm my own man. Tell you what Koishi, if it's a danmaku duel and you're there you can come in and fight for the honor of your friend. Does that sound fair?
She smiles brightly as she opens the gate and headed to the front door.
"I get to be brother's noble knight!?" Yeah, but only in a spellcard duel, and only when you're there. Capiche?
"Yes! I GET TO BE BROTHER'S RIGHT HAND!"...Phrasing koishi. Of course it was loud enough that a nearby window open.
"Koishi, quiet down there! I got...things...to...do." Yo Satori let's talk a spell.
"Venus! I-I-I...I thought you be waiting until the festival what about that and the clothes?" Yeah got some new duds. Ya know you should come down. Ya got time don't ya?
Satori pauses...gazes at a nearby clock and chucks it out the window.
I'll take that as a yes.
She's also climbing out the window? What!Why?
"Catch." DAMMIT GIRL!
*Paf*
I caught Satori and well she's pretty light for me. So want me to carry you somewhere princess?
"You can put me down, I know a place we can talk in private, and away from all the prying eyes." Sweet. Setting her down gently she looks at Koishi who seem ready to burst with all sorts of emotions.
"Koishi go tell Orin she's in charge. I'm taking the day off. That old codger can wait for his reports." Oof, sounds like a bad work day shall we get going?
"Well, I already know you're a good listener so I'll just talk about it as we go." Cool beans. She looks at me funny.
"Why would you want cold beans?" It's a expression it just means I understand. She nods.
"Fascinating." Very much so.
"Oh right, bye Koishi. See you at dinner. Come on let's go." Koishi watch as Satori tug at Venus's arm to the gate.
"Bye sister and friend. I hope you have cute babies together." Orin just came outside and had a horrified expression at what she has heard.
"I don't want more little yous running around. Two is enough at this point." Her done expression at the prospect of more Satori yokai gave her conniptions of the future.
"I don't wanna run a pet daycare center and a regular daycare." She felt the chills of such a notions.
"What hit me just then?" Finally up and about Aya notice she was just right outside the Garden.
Owwwww!My wings?
Aya checks her right wing to find a hole in it. She looks at the damage in horror.
"I apologize for that sneaky attack.So let us talk for a moment Tengu." Aya stares at Yuuka with a stupefied expression.
"We can heal that quickly, in exchange for silence and information."
"But my deadline, my work, what is worth doing this to me?" Yuuka just smiles in the way she's use to.
"It's best to take a break, you tengu work too hard when you're at the bottom rungs of such a terrible system. Look at the positives. Medical leave and we'll tell you about my son's relationship, but if you can't keep it secret until after festival. How about two wings out of commission?" Aya is bewildered and amazed that Yuuka goes so far for her...son?
"So the boy was your's? Very well, I'll give you my secrecy until after the festival. You're a sadistic woman when you want to be." Aya didn't get an answer to this comment as they walk back the house to meet the others.
"So? You're basically "adopted" as you put it as Yuuka's child?" Well yeah, I see her as a mother, she's sweet and kind. Has a history of being stigmatized , and maybe some of it is true. But she means well.
We found an underground waterway with a fountain on top of it that doesn't see alot of visitors. The pure marble and jade fountain depicts what I can assume is the Carp going up the river to become a dragon. It's a very common tale of becoming the true you through struggles.
"You know about that tale? Any other folk tales you can give?" Satori if I reveal anymore than that we might get folk lores that aren't suppose to be here or worse create a monster from fiction. It's cool that you're interested, but Gensokyo has a habit of creating things outta thin air. She gives me an oh face at this info.
"I see so that's how our precious Gensokyo works. Now, I wanna know something."That is?
"Astergo." Can't hide it huh? Well I barely know the guy, but if what he says is the truth there might be something more than an incident that's occurring. He suggested I become a Yokai Hunter. There was a time where I was in a really dark place. Sometimes,I go back to that thought but it isn't how I want to do things. I love just hanging out,planting,gardening and selling. I'm not about to just put killing next to those things but...
It's in men's nature to protect what he loves.
"I think it's noble but stupid. I'm fine with you as you are now. If you don't want to be like that then don't. After everything I've learn from this... I think I love your heart for caring so much about people you barely know." I... love your soul the most. It's nice to just come clean. No hiding behind secrets. I don't get why the Oni don't like you. She sighs loudly at that while swinging her legs as she can't touch the floor just barely from our sitting position, it feels weird to be the taller one.
"The oni have their own secrets to hide and so do I. There are things I'm not comfortable with telling the others. I want to tell Orin so many things. Okuu deserves so much more than what I can provide. I'm not a good pet owner or a friend." I scoff at this. Satori, the fact you think that they deserve better is evidence of how much you can improved to better your family. Trust me, I feel the same way about Medicine. She isn't just a substitute for me not being there for my own family before. She is my sister at this point. Yuuka isn't just a caring woman to me that took me in at my most lowest and confused. Yuuka is my mother and I will never change that feeling of familiar bond that we have. You can't pick your blood relations, but you can pick your true family.
Satori, looked at me for second before a giant blush caked her pale face. Whatever, just went into her mind she quickly return to her soft smile.
"I feel, that our decision was the right choice. I can wait until you say it properly to me. We have a long time to figure it out. Yes, for right now we're perfectly fine the way that we're now. I prefer you stay the Carp then the dragon. There is no need to go up the stream just yet for us both." She leans into me, apparently tired as she yawns.
"I gotta...stop..pulling...all...nighters." I catch her from falling into the ground. Jeez, it must be tiring to read a mind for so long. Although, better get her back home quickly. This has been all sorts of eye opening to me. I'll stayed as the Carp for them until it's time for the dragon to take over. There is no rush.
"Man you mess up my wing pretty good. Also, it's getting late. Where is he?" Aya stared at the red sky as it was nearing sunset snacking on the leftover salted seeds that Yuuka had. Her stinted wing was affixed in placed, and with trying a less potent medicinal tea. She'll admit it was nice to stop and think.
"I can think of the reason why. He's getting nasty with the mindreader." Everyone looked at Tenshi in disgust as she still has no shame.
"Eldest daughter, that is not polite to say in public."
"Oh come on Iku! If he likes her and they both do judging by the doll's words they're totally just getting hot and steamy right now. What two freaking virgins wouldn't want to get it on as soon as possible?"
*SMACK*
"Ow."
"I don't think they would, maybe yesterday but today, maybe they had time to just let it all sink in you know." After smacking Tenshi, Medicine puts her own thoughts to words. Yuuka didn't respond to this exchange as she just enjoys her sunflowers and sweet tea.
"So, how come she likes him so much?" Aya wanted all the juicy details as she is grounded here until tomorrow. They shrugged.
"I can't read minds, and his is an enigma for the ages."
"Pfffft. Who cares they're teenage yokai there is no way they just talk for this long."
"While either way is fine, I hope they didn't get into this with just physicality in mind. A relationship is a two way street." Yuuka, Iku, and Aya nodded at this sentiment. The younger ones just looked at eachother in incredulity.
I don't get this old romance stuff at all. It's not a fairy tale you old ladies.
There you go back in bed, and at home safe and sound. I really gotta head back. She really turn her workroom as her bedroom as well? Anyways sweet dreams Satori.
Out the window I go, and into a flying just past the yokai village. It's gonna be so late when I get back.
I finally got back before sundown and the congregation of people never ends here at the garden. Landing down at the front house path I can see them waiting for me. Tenshi doesn't look worse for wear. Well, I did forget to get extra bandages. Not that it matters.
"So, you two done it yet or what? Man, I was having a good day until Tenshi...You know what I can summarize the issue I have with Tenshi in one word. BRAT. After having a laugh session to the confusion of everyone else. I shook my head and gave her the you're serious about that look.
"There's no way that you two can stay virgins after all this time gone." Tenshi you don't get it do you? Love is more than just a physical attraction. A relationship built on sand will fall eventually. A sturdy foundation will last a lifetime. We both are gonna try to complete that foundation before the house can be built. I do know this. We're at the blueprint stage of our trust and honesty.
"I give up, I don't know what she sees or what anyone of you see in him." As smug as I can be. Tenshi doesn't need words to figure out that she still just trying to understand what it means to have things to care about. Cause quite frankly; you can take the garden, take the sky, take every bit of beauty the world can see, but without its people Gensokyo will never be the same without any of us here. I know the dangers out there, but being afraid won't help us. Courage does. I used to be so afraid of meaningless things. But now it's not all meaningless, it has now become a meaningful experience since I got here. I honestly look forward to the future for once.
"Well I'm starving. What's to eat?" I'll go look in the pantry for some bird seed Aya.
Author Notes: Probably the most personal one you'll get. I'm sorry if it's a bit preachy. I'm so glad about your comments and happy that people find it refreshing in a way or endearing.Thank you so much for reading this.Although, I sometimes get a kick out of how the text to speech reads these fanfictions. Try it sometimes if you just want a laugh. It helps me fix some wording issues too.
