Ramshackle Dorm
(Yumi's POV)
*Mr. Crowley & I went back to the library & looked through maps, location lists, & even tour guides. But we couldn't find anything about Tokyo, or Japan*
Dire Crowley: Just as I'd suspected. Nothing. Not only is your homeland not listed on any map from any point in history. Now, are you QUITE sure that you come from such a place? That wasn't some sort of lie, or jape?
*My eyes went wide at that accusation & a childhood memory came into my mind*
(Flashback)
Child #1: Stop lying, Yumi! There's nothing there.
Child #2: Yeah. Ghosts don't exist.
Child #3: My Mom says you're making up stories to get attention.
Child #4: We aren't playing with a liar!
*Children singing*
Yumi's a liar!
Yumi's a liar!
Yumi's a liar!
Yumi's a liar!
*I was on my knees, crying & covered with dirt*
Yumi: I not lying . . . I really see them . . . I do.
(Present Time)
*I blinked back the tears forming in my eyes & looked at Mr. Crowley with a glare*
Yumi: I'll have you know, sir, that I have never told a lie once in my life!
Dire Crowley: All right, all right, no need to get upset. I was merely asking. In that case, the only explanation you've come from another planet. Or perhaps you were summoned here from another dimension?
Yumi: Another dimension!?
Dire Crowley: Show me everything that you brought here with you. Do you have some form of identification, a driver's license perhaps? Or even a . . . Shoe? You do seem a tad bit . . . Empty-handed.
*I searched my pockets, but all I could find were my ofudas & manikins (thank goodness)*
Yumi: I must've left my phone in my bedroom and I always keep my wallet in my purse, which is hanging in my bedroom closet.
Dire Crowley: Well, this is quite the predicament. As an educator, I can't let a girl stay in a dorm full of boys. That'll be like throwing a lamb into a den of wolves. You will need your privacy. Truly, my grace is boundless.
Yumi: Thank for that, sir.
Dire Crowley: Of course. *he thought for a few minutes* Hmmmmm . . . *then his eyes lit up* Ah! There is a vacant building on this campus. It was, in fact, used as a dorm a long time ago. With a proper cleaning, it should be habitable enough.
Yumi: Right now, I'll take anything. Even a tent.
Dire Crowley: Excellent! In the meantime, we will investigate other ways to send you home. Dear me, but I am a gracious man indeed! A model educator, one might say.
Yumi:*in her mind* Somehow I doubt that.
Dire Crowley: Well then, I shall take you to your dorm straight away. It is an older building, but it has plenty of . . . Character, one might say.
Yumi:*in her mind* Why do I feel nervous all of a sudden?
*He left the library & I quickly went after him*
*I felt even more nervous as I stared at the building we were standing in front of. Behind a rusty old gate & a rusty old fence that was falling off it's hinges, was an old building that looked ready for the wrecking ball. Windows were boarded up & the yard was full of dead trees full of spiderwebs & overgrown weeds*
Yumi: Uh . . . Isn't this a bit, too much character?
Dire Crowley: Isn't it delightful? Right, scoot inside now. There you go.
*We went inside & it was just as bad as the outside. There were cobwebs everywhere, some of the furniture had been turned upside down, the curtains looked shredded, & everything was covered in dust*
Dire Crowley: This should keep the elements at bay for the time being.
Now, I should return to my research. Do try to find some way to busy yourself. But don't let me catch you wandering the campus! Ta!
*He slammed the door behind him as he left & dust fell from the ceiling like snow. I sighed*
Yumi: Looks like I'm going to need some help to clean this place. *I smiled a bit* And I know just the people for the job. *I took out four neatly-folded manikins, two in each hand* I called upon the four elements! *I threw the manikins to the sides & they floated in the air in a circle around me* Machi! Amaterasu! Daichi! Fujin! I summon thee!
*Four shoji doors appeared around me. Each with a Japanese a symbol for a certain element above it. A male humanoid yōkai with a large white plate over his head that looks like a hat, slit-like eyes, a green ninja outfit, hands with webbing in-between the fingers, & tabi boots (look up "Kappa" on "Nurarihyon no Mago Wiki") came about of the doors with the "water" symbol above it, a female humanoid yōkai with long white hair, white fox ears, ivory skin, yellow eyes, red marks on her face, nine white fox tails, & wearing traditional miko clothes (look up "Amaterasu - Yumi's Fire Shikigami (Human Form)" by "SwanGirl24" on "DeviantArt") came out of the doors with the "fire" symbol above it, a small blue male yōkai with light blue hair, horns, red eyes, fangs, & wearing black pants held up by a rope (look up "Oni" by "TurkCheeps" on "DeviantArt") came out of the doors with the "earth" symbol above, & a male humanoid yōkai with messy black hair, peach skin, red eyes, large black wings on his back & wearing a dark tan tokin on his forehead, samurai-like warrior armor, & holding a staff (look up "Kuroumaru" on "Nurarihyon no Mago Wiki") came out of the doors with the "wind" symbol above it. The doors then disappeared*
Amaterasu: Lady Yumi! *she ran up to me & hugged me* Thank goodness you're alright!
Daichi: We saw everything that happened in the Elder's reflecting pool.
Mihiro: I can't believe all happened to you!
Fujin: I suppose we should thank that crow faced man for giving you a private dorm instead of putting you in a dorm full of boys.
Yumi: Thank you everyone for your concern. But as you can see, I am fine. Amaterasu, is there any way for you to go back to Tokyo & get my things?
Amaterasu: Yes, My Lady. I shall travel through the Yokai Realm. *she then disappeared back through her shoji doors when they reapered. a few seconds later, she came back with my casual clothes, pajamas, & the clothes I wear whenever I'm helping Ms. Saori in the garden. she also brought my phone* I have brought what you asked for, My Lady.
Yumi: Thank you. Now, let's get started!
*After I changed in my overalls (look up "Yumi - Work Clothes" by "SwanGirl24" on "DeviantArt"), & put my robes in a bedroom closet, we all started cleaning. I turned over furniture, took down the ripped curtains to be sewn back together, & swept & mopped the floor with a broom & a mop I found in the kitchen, Mihiro used his water powers to wet the floor (he held back so he wouldn't flood the house) & then wipe it clean with a cloth, Amaterasu cleaned one of the bedrooms upstairs so I could use it, Daichi took all the boards off the windows & left them in a pile in the yard for firewood, he even brought some inside for us to use in the fireplace, & Fujin used his wind powers to blow all the dust in the room out of the windows. While we worked, I started singing a song my Mom used to sing when she was cleaning*
*Yumi singing*
Just whistle while you work
*I whistled*
And cheerfully together we can tidy up the place
So hum a merry tune
*I hummed*
It won't take long when there's a song
To help you set the pace
And as you sweep the room
Imagine that the broom is someone that you love
And soon you'll find you're dancing to the tune
When hearts are high the time will fly
So whistle while you work
*During our cleaning spree, we discovered that the plumbing & electricity still worked (thank goodness).
So whistle while you work
*Just then, we all heard the sound of heavy rain falling. We looked out the window & saw that it was indeed pouring outside*
Yumi: Oh, it's raining.
?:*off-screen* GWAH! It's pouring out there!
*Wait. I remember that voice. I went into the main hallway & saw Grim standing in front of closed doors, completely soaked*
Yumi: You!
Grim: You!
Yumi: What are you doing here!? I thought the Headmaster had you thrown out!
Grim: HA! As if I wouldn't just sneak back onto campus the second I escaped pryin' eyes. You all got no idea what I'm capable of! I ain't givin' up on goin' here just 'cause I got kicked out one measly ol' time. And if you think otherwise, you don't know Grim!
Amaterasu:*off-screen* Lady Yumi? Is everything all right?
*Mihiro, Daichi, & Fujin poked their heads out of the living room & Amaterasu came down the stairs.
Amaterasu, Mihiro, Daichi, & Fujin: You!
Mihiro: You're that naughty little Nekomata that almost burned Lady Yumi!
Daichi: And ruined the opening ceremony!
*Fujin pointed his staff at Grim*
Fujin: What are you doing here, troublemaker!
Grim: Whoa, whoa. Take it easy! You are you guys!?
Yumi: These are my familiars. Machi, Amaterasu, Daichi, and Fujin. *Grim looked perplexed. I turned to my Shikigamis* It's all right, guys. I'll handle this. You guys are dismissed for now. *all four of them bowed & then they went back to the Yokai World* Now then, why are you so determined to attend this school anyway?
Grim: Isn't it obvious? I was born to do this! I'm a magical prodigy who's got the makin's to become one of the greatest mages who ever lived! So I've been waitin' and waitin' for that black carriage to come for me. And yet . . .
Yumi: You were never chosen?
Grim: Exactly! That Dark Mirror's got no eye for talent! That's why I took the initiative and came here myself. You humans don't understand what a mistake you're makin'! Not lettin' me in is a great loss to the world! *just then, a drop of water came out of the ceiling & hit him on the head* Mrrao! I'm getting dripped on here! *another drop hit his head* Bwah! Another hole in the roof! These flamin' ears are like my trademark, y'know? I can't let 'em get doused!
Yumi: Looks like we have to fix the roof as well. We'd better look for some bucket for now.
Grim: Why can't you just fix it now! You've got magic, use it!
Yumi: If I could, I would. But magic isn't all powerful.
Grim: Tch!
Yumi: If you really want the leaks to stop, you could help us a little. Since you're already here.
Grim: Heh? You want ME to help YOU? Ha! You got the wrong idea. I'm just a stranger takin' shelter from the rain. You ain't the boss of me. If ya had some cans of tuna to trade, well, that'd be another story. But I don't work for free.
*I started to get mad*
Yumi: Listen Grim, the way I see it, we're both in the same boat. Besides, if the Headmaster finds out that you're here, there's no doubt that he'll throw you out again. So, if you do help, I'll talk to him about not only getting you tuna, but also letting you stay here.
*Grim was quiet for a minute*
Grim: Well . . . When you put it that way. I'll help. As long as I don't get wet and I get my tuna.
Yumi: Good. Now, let's look for those buckets.
*I then went down a hallway to look for buckets, which need as much work as the living room. Just then, I heard a noise*
Yumi: What was that?
*Suddenly, three ghosts appeared in front of me. One was fat, the second was shinny, & the third one was short. Each of them was wearing a black top hat & a cloak*
Fat Ghost: Yee hee hee... Bwa ha ha ha ha ha. We haven't had visitors in ages! Oh, I'm just itchin' for new friends! Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha!
*Any normal person would have screamed seeing ghosts. But not me. I was used to this sort of thing from helping my Grandfather with exorcisms. I was about to ask them a few questions, when Grim came into the hallway*
Grim: Hey. Have you found the buckets yet? *he then saw ghosts* AAAAAH! GHOSTS! GHOOOOOOSTS!
*He jumped into my arms. I was calm on the outside, but inside, I was gushing over over how warm he was & the softness of his fur*
Short Ghost: All the people who used ta live here got scared of us and ran away.
Fat Ghost: We just want a new ghost to play with! What do you say, buddy?
*I ignored that question & turned to Grim*
Yumi: There's nothing to be afraid of, Grim. They're not going to hurt us. They were just joking.
Grim: I'm a master sorcerer! I ain't afraid of any dumb ghosts! *he then realized something* Hey. How come you're so calm?
Yumi: I used to help my Grandfather exorcise bad ghosts all the time.
*The ghosts got scared hearing that*
Ghosts: Exorsie!?
*All three of them scattered & hid in the walls. The short ghost slowly poked his head out*
Short Ghost: Y - You're not going to exorcise us, are you?
Yumi: No. *the three ghosts came out of hiding, looking surprised. even Grim look surprised* Like I said, we only exorcized evil ghosts. And you three seem like nice ghosts. So, I'll leave you be. If you promise to be good.
Skinny Ghost: We will. Ghost's honor. Right guys?
Fat & Short Ghost: Right.
Yumi: Excellent.
*An hour later, the Headmaster came into the Dorm, holding a silver dome on a tray in one hand & two boxes in the other*
Dire Crowley: Good evening. In another gesture of my immense kindness, I have brought you dinner. I've also brought your uniform & school supp . . . lies *he stopped the minute he saw me sitting in the, now clean, living room, talking with the three ghosts. but what really surprised was Grim sitting on my lap* Wait. That's the creature we ejected for causing trouble at orientation! What is it doing here?!
Grim: Takin' care of yer ghost problem, that's what. You're welcome, by the way!
Dire Crowley: What is the meaning of this, Miss Kaguya?
*I stood up. Still holding Grim in my arms*
Yumi: Well . . . *I explained everything that happened ever since he left* And that's how it happened.
Dire Crowley: I do seem to recall that this dorm had a mischievous ghost problem. Ah, yes . . . That's why it was abandoned, in fact. The ghosts scared away all the students. *I gave him a confused look* And you've managed to make friends with them?
Yumi: Yes. I had a lot of friends back home who were ghosts.
Dire Crowley: Amazing.
*Just then, Grim realized something*
Grim: Hey . . . Wait a minute! I never got those cans of tuna ya promised!
Yumi: Relax, Grim. We'll go shopping for some tomorrow.
Dire Crowley: Incredible . . . It appears there's more to your mysterious power that I realized.
Yumi: Thank you. And is there any way Grim can stay here with me in Ramshackle? He really does want to attend this school.
Dire Crowley: WHAT? A monster, stay HERE?
Grim: Whoa, did you just . . .?
Yumi: Please, sir. I promise he won't be any trouble.
*Mr. Crowley thought for a minute*
Dire Crowley: Hmmm . . . I suppose I cannot deny your plea. Very well.
Grim: Myah?! Really?
Dire Crowley: Let me be clear! Under no circumstances would I admit anyone to Night Raven College who has not been selected by the Dark Mirror - especially not a monster!
Grim: Hrmph. Never shoulda got my hopes up . . .
Dire Crowley: And since his is staying in your Dorm, Miss Kaguya, it will be your responsibility to watch him and keep him out of trouble
Yumi: Yes, sir.
Dire Crowley: As for you, Grim. You are to be confined to the Dorm while Miss Kaguya is in class, understood?
Grim: Whaaat? What kinda deal is that?! I wanna put on one of those sweet uniforms and be a student!
Dire Crowley: If you're not satisfied with my offer, I can arrange to have you thrown out again.
Grim: Myah?! . . . All right, fine! Let's do it.
*The Headmaster turned to me with a smile*
Dire Crowley: And Miss Kaguya. I have brought your school uniform. There is also your P.E. uniform and lab coat.
*He set the boxes on the couch & my dinner on the coffee table*
Yumi: Thank you again, sir.
Dire Crowley: Wonderful. And I shall take my leave. Have a good night, you two.
Yumi: Good night, sir. *he waved goodbye & left. I looked down at Grim* Well, Grim. Shall we eat dinner, now?
*Grim just pouted*
Grim: I wanna go to school with you. Not stay here with these ghosts.
Yumi: I know this isn't what you expected. But think of it this way. When I come back from class, I can teach you what I learned. That way, you'll be ready for when you do get excepted. How does that sound?
*Grim was quiet for a minute & then gave me a small smile*
Grim: Guess that makes sense. Hey, it's Yumi, right?
Yumi: Yes. Yumi Kaguya.
*I split my dinner with Grim & we ate together*
*After dinner, we cleaned up a little more. I then took a bath, put on my light blue nightgown (look up "Saaya in Pajama [HUGtto PreCure Render]" by "FFPreCureSpain" on "DeviantArt")), & went to bed with Grim snuggled up next to me*
Whistle While You Work - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs