A/N: This one is quite long! The same one like the Scarlet Devil Mansion chapter. After all, it contains a lot of interactions, hints, references and many more! I'd like to make more interactions among the characters but I have to tone it down to avoid straying away from the main plot. Anyway, thanks for reading!

Extra: Mai and Satono's Theory Talks!

"Hello! This is Mai!", "And I'm Satono!" As the two introduced themselves they performed a short dance. They are currently at stage where they seemed to be performing. The exact location of this area is unknown but it could be at The Land of The Backdoors.

"Today. We're hear to talk about a theory!" They both said in unison.

"We didn't get to appear in the earlier chapters. Though master did. But! We're here now!" Mai said cheerfully.

"Hey, Mai... why are we doing this again? Shouldn't that tengu be the one doing this?" Satono said as she reads the script from her hands.

"Welp... master did ordered us to do it. So no can do!"

Their master was none other than Okina Matara, the ultimate and absolute Secret God.

"Well, let's get started!" Mai said cheerfully. Flipping a few notes from her hand and them continued. "So the topic for our theory is none other than..." Suddenly a seemingly giant picture of a silver-white haired girl appears in the stage!

"Ahem! This is Rain Nanase! The so called Ultimate and Undying Legendary Yokai Exterminator!" Mai gestured to the giant picture of Rain.

"Hey, Mai... why did you add those words? The crowd might get confuse about that." Satono questioned her with a worried look on her face.

With a smirk Mai replied. "Fufufu! Master did say to make it flashy! So I'm ad libbing!"

"Er...well you did connected it to the theory we will be tackling..." She then looks back to the front, to where the supposed crowd are located. "That theory is... If Rain is an immortal human! If so what kind? That is the question! So join us! As we unravel this mystery with the aid of speculations! After all, it won't be a theory if it was all straight facts! Which we don't have actually...Tehee~" Satono said as she gestured with both of her hands.

Mai claps her hands as she talks. "First of all! We've been told that Rain has been around for a thousand years or more! Master herself has at least confirmed it! She does say she always nags the exterminator to be her exclusive servant but she always gets turned down. What a big deal! To be offered by master herself is such a great honor! But perhaps Rain has her own reasons to not accept. Master, however still hasn't given up."

After that another picture came up from the right side. Floating in the air as it appeared out of nowhere. The person in this picture is none other than Yukari herself.

"Ahem!" Mai clears her throat before continuing. "And here we have Yukari Yakumo. She's mentioned as Rain and master have a history with her. Apparently, master also said that Rain is one of the sages. The Human Sage!" Mai exclaimed as Satono nods along.

The Sages of Gensokyo. They are the ones that protect it and keep it in balance. They are said to consist of different species. A yokai, a hermit, a god, and a human.

"It was said that the sages are personally handpicked and that their abilities relates to the manipulation of space. Master Okina can with her backdoors. Yukari with her boundaries. If I recall correctly, the Hermit Sage Kasen with her so called Senkai. What we don't know is what the Human Sage Rain can do regarding it. We asked master but she seems to be playing with us as she is keeping it as a secret, telling us spoonfeeding everything to us would spoil the fun. Though she hinted that all of them have at least one or more servants serving them." Mai pouted as she said this.

Satono cuts in by commenting. "Well, master is right. We won't be having this segment if we already know everything. I find it fun by thinking of different ideas for our theory!"

"You're right. Let me continue the topic. For now, let's set aside the sage talk. As we'll focus on Rain's secret in her still being alive despite a thousand years passing. Humans typically have a short life span but it could be extended in many ways! Either from magic or other source of said life extending practices. Like being a hermit!"

Satono raises a question at that statement. "Well, wouldn't that make Rain a hermit?"

Mai raises a finger and replied. "It could be but here's a reason why she isn't. Remember that extending one's life for too long could result in one being hunted down? But did we hear or saw any records of her being targeted by a Kishin?"

"Hmm... you're right but didn't she just reappeared recently? Maybe if they get a wind of her returning and still alive maybe they will make their move? Also, yokai exterminators are known to become a hermit due to the result of their work."

Satono does have a point. After all, if she is one. She's not the only one that needs to be hunted down. There are many others like a certain Wicked Hermit.

"I see... guess we'll put this as one of the candidates for the answer." Mai said as she listed it down in a paper.

"Alright! Now time for me to give my own insight about it!" Satono said excitedly as she takes the lead.

"Personally, I'd like to think that she became immortal during those one thousand years. But let's not leave the fact that she might have been one at the start. Though even I doubt this. So I think the people she's been with, played a part in that..." She trails off for a bit as she signaled to raise two pictures to rise from the left.

One of the pictures actually contains two people in it. These people are none other than Kaguya Houraisan and Fujiwara no Mokou. The last one is Eirin Yagokoro.

"Who are these people? Well, they all have something in common! Master said that Rain, first came to rise during the period that these three are from! The other is... that they are all immortals! Not just immortals but a Hourai Immortals!" Satono said as Mai is amazed from this.

"Whoa! Could that mean that the exterminator is a candidate for being a Hourai Immortal?!"

"Yep! But that's just my speculation. No further evidence suggest that she drank the Elixir of Immortality."

But Satono is not yet finished as many pictures continues to arise at the stage.

"Hey, Satono these people are?" Mai said as she looks at the pictures.

"Heh! Allow me to give you more of my evidence that Rain is an immortal person or at least has a long life span!" She said as she points one of the pictures.

"They all have many common traits! First is look at the pictures. What do you see, Mai?" She asked her a question.

Mai did what she said and studied the pictures. After looking at it for a while an idea then finally came to her.

"Oh my... they all have almost the same hair color!" Mai stated her thoughts.

"Exactly! But that's not all! Ever wondered why I picked them? All of them are either immortal or long lived! I'd give you an example! First we have the silver haired maid, Sakuya Izayoi! Notice the hair color and that she's a human too! Both of them are unconfirmed on how do they remain at such a young age."

"Oh! How about the one she usually gets mistaken with? And the shopkeeper!" Mai points at the two different picture of Youmu Konpaku and Rinnosuke Morichika.

"Those two are not really immortal but long lived ones. But you do get my point that most silver and white haired people in these pictures are all have long life-span or an immortal."

Yet another almost true fact as these people are indeed immortal or has a long life span.

"Wow, I can't believe how silver and white haired people are either immortals or long lived! Perhaps the color symbolizes their status?" Mai said as she yet listed it down on the same paper.

"Maybe... but at least this solidifies our theory that Rain is an immortal or has a long life span." She then turns her attention to the supposed crowd. "Well? What do you guys think? Well for us we cannot have an exact answer yet but! That's what this segment is all about! To know the unknown! That's it for now folks! This talk is sponsored by none other than our great master! Everyone please give her a big applause and remember! Give praise and you shall receive her blessing and protection!" Satono said as she and Mai gives a bow to the crowd.

Human Village

"Youmu..." Rain uttered the other swordsman's name. Still reaching out her hand to her.

"..." Youmu remained silent but eventually took Rain's hands and pulls her up.

After getting up, Youmu finally meets Rain eye to eye though she has to look up as Rain is very much taller than her. Meeting her personally didn't occur to her as she's only here due to an errand. Looking at Rain makes her feel the towering pressure of both excitement and awkwardness due to how they met. She studies her look and without a doubt that this is indeed the person that her mistress is talking about.

"Sorry for that. I didn't see you." Rain said as she apologizes.

"Um...no... it's alright. But may I ask how'd you know my name?" She slowly fidgets as she doesn't know that Rain would recognize her that easily.

Rain scratches her head for a moment before replying. "I think it's best that we talk this over there." She points to the ramen stall, just a few walks away.

Youmu nods as talking here around the corner would be rude to such a person like Rain. As she thinks highly of her even if this is just the first time they've met. There are various reasons for this.

At the ramen stall shop. Rain quickly gets the attention of the owner.

"Hello! I'm here for the free food!" She chirped as the stall owner sees her and he smiled.

"Haha! I knew you'd come! Sure! Come and take a seat! Oh?" his eyes glance to Youmu and he also recognized her as she is a frequent customer here.

"Well if it isn't miss Youmu...wait... now that I look at you two... are you sisters or something?" He asked as he sees the uncanny resemblance of the two.

Youmu flinched and even her other half did so too. Rain on the other hand, just laughs it off as she can't be angry at the man or her free food might go down the drain if she did.

"I know right? But we aren't related or anything."

"Hmm... well if you say so. You do look like the big sister of her. Hah! No offense but it looks like it. You know what? I'd give her a free bowl of ramen too! It would be a sight to see on how you two eat together." He said his intentions out aloud while leaving the two alone as he gets the food ready.

"Well looks like we both got the free food pass. I guess, that answers the question you asked earlier. As almost every people that I meet mistakes me for you. Which is odd as I'm way more taller than you." Rain said as she faces Youmu on their seat.

"Um...I'm sorry about that." Youmu said as she apologizes to her. But Rain said that it is fine and changes the topic.

"What brings you here?" she asked.

Youmu's eyes saw the basket that Rain placed just near her and it reminded her of her the reason she's here in the first place.

"Ah, I'm running errands for my lady. She's always making me buy different ingredients for making different dishes." she sighs after this. Eversince the boundary between the Netherworld and the Land of the Living have thinned. She's always been ordered by Yuyuko to run such errands for her.

"Sounds like you're tired or something. But I'm sure that you'll perk up after eating here. I too am is always the one cooking for Reimu and the others but I quite enjoy it. So no complains here." Rain said with a smile as she rememebers the compliments that she'd received from her friends.

Rain talking to her in casual way puts Youmu at ease. When she first heard of her, she felt that such a person is dangerous and hard to approach but her lady said that she is nice to begin with so her words are true as to what she is seeing now. Perhaps this is just the effect of the amnesia she is temporarily afflicted with.

Youmu wants to ask her a lot of questions such as her connection to her master in the way of the sword and regarding his disappearance. For now, for her, Rain is her only lead and close to the answer she is seeking.

Rain inner thoughts are speaking out on how this person is very different from her but somehow she feels that they aren't.

'So this is Youmu? She feels like a timid person. Looking at her, I don't feel like we are alike,' Rain however gives a look at the other girl's chest and just rolls her eyes a bit before taking her sight away from it. 'Okay maybe a little...crap... I just insulted myself didn't I? Anyway...how do I put it... she's still on the innocent side while I...huh? How did I came to that conclusion? There's this feeling of nostalgia, familiarity and a slight of bitterness? We are worlds apart to be the same...that's what I'm feeling but I can't answer this feeling nor I can recall anything.' She pondered.

She and Youmu talked for a bit. Starting from stating their full names and to Rain narrating the summarized events that she got herself into. Rain also gets to know that Youmu is a gardener, a half-phantom half-human, and confirmed her as a swordsman like her. She also said about how her mistress and mentor but she doesn't mention their names. Perhaps she is used to calling them like that, that is what Rain thought. So she didn't fry in to that matter. She also seems to know about the others like Reimu and Marisa. Though she just complains on how they are intruding the place she's working in.

Just after that, the stall owner arrives back with two bowls of newly and fresh servings ramen in his hands.

"On the house! Enjoy! You two!" He said as he looks at them, staying true to his intentions of seeing them eat.

'Yabe (oh no), this guy is really staring at us real hard. Come on, I appreciate the free food but staring at us with that huge grin on your face while we're eating makes you look like a gigantic pervert.' Rain thought as she slowly reaches for the chopsticks.

She takes a glance of Youmu who already grabbed her own chopsticks also. Her face seems nervous or rather excited? Well, she can't really tell. Rain clasped her hands together and said "Thank you for the food." Surprisingly, Youmu also does this but fumbles on her words on doing it.

With that, they've begun eating. From the way they eat, and chew at the same time shows that they are synchronized. The man himself watching this, smiles as he watches them. In his vision, what he sees is an elder sister eating with her younger sister.

Rain and Youmu are busy eating their hearts out as this ramen is really good. Perhaps this man has his own reasons for his actions.

"Heheh, I knew it. You two are like siblings. Ooh! Sorry for saying my thoughts out aloud. You see, I have a daughter...well I once have..." his bright smile turned upside down as he recalls such a memory. "I used to cook one for her. She always says that my ramen is the best and that when she grows up. She'll inherit my shop... but that won't happen... not anymore." He said with a sad voice trying to held back his tears.

Rain and Youmu upon hearing this, stops eating and consulted him.

"-So that's what it is..." Rain expels a sad sigh "...sorry for your loss. Your ramen does taste great and I'm sure she's proud to be your daughter."

"Do not worry, mister. I could tell that she's a good girl. I'm sure she's at peace." Youmu said.

"Mhm...thanks for the words, you two. That's why I'll continue to run this shop. I'm looking forward for your next visit!" He said finally returning back to his smiling face.

With that the two finished their meal and bid goodbye to him. They continued to walk together as they turn to a corner. Rain herself has asked her to accompany her for a moment but she actually has a plan. That's why they are here around the corner where almost nobody passes by.

"Otter spirit... what do you think?" Rain said as the beast spirit manifested to appear to them.

"She's strong... and if you say so then I have no doubt about your words. That is if she'll agree to it."

Youmu reacted to its words as it is pertaining to her. "A beast spirit? How'd you get here?"

"Forgive me, young miss but let me explain."

The Otter spirit unveils to her the situation of the animal realm and how it is threatening the safety of the surface world.

"I see, I'm more than willing to help but..." she looks at Rain and continued. "Isn't she the most suitable for this?"

Rain answers her question. "That's quite true, well from his words... but I do not know anything about the Animal Realm or how to get there. I cannot fly and for some reason this spirit cannot possess me. So I'd figured to find a person suitable for this in here. A person that is native in Gensokyo that knows his/her way around. I'd given that finding someone like that in here a low chance but I guess that I'm wrong which is actually good in this case." Rain explained seemingly making Youmu more in awe to her insight. This is what her lady, Yuyuko has said about her being a person with great insight and mind.

"But before that..." Rain makes a serious look on her face. "I need you to prove to me that you can handle yourself." She then places the basket she's carrying down to a safe place.

This surprises Youmu as she thought Rain already approves of her but she was wrong. Perhaps there is an ulterior meaning or motive but she cannot grasp what it is or even if Rain has one in the first place. Nevertheless, her determination to prove herself to her mentor's supposed rival is enough for her to answer back quickly.

"I'm willing to!" she said in high spirits.

Rain nods and said. "Good answer. Now, all I need for you is to draw your blade and strike me with it. Do not fret as I'll block but..." her eyes narrowed and continued. "Be sure to attack with the intent to make it pass my defenses." Rain then puts her hand on her sheathed sword and then pulls it out slowly as she makes a stance with her blade in her hands. Up to her head level, pointing it towards Youmu. "Come, Youmu. Show me how you use your blade!"

With that declaration. Youmu herself is motivated to prove herself to her. Even if she's still not yet fully trained, she carries the Konpaku's honor and swords. She will not let it be in shame. So she drew her swords, the Roukanken, the longer blade which has said to have been forged by the yokai and has the power to kill ten phantoms in a single slice. The shorter sword named Hakurouken which seems to be the heirloom of the Konpaku family has the ability to slice through people's confusion. With each sword in her hand, she readies herself to the challenge. "Here I come!" she declared.

Her sword stance has an impact on Rain as she hallucinates for a few moments. Somehow the girl in front of her is changing into someone else. Someone with the same hair color as her and it was a man with a grin on his face. As she saw this, some words echoed through her head.

"Back in the days... there are rumors of an impossible challenge to take your hand in marriage... and that would be to defeat you in a fair sword fight. Heh!...Well, I got news for you! I ain't planning on giving up! Even if takes a lot of time...not until you acknowledge that I'll become the one you love..."

Rain shakes her head... as she unknowingly uttered. "...Don't let me become the one you love... because I-" Her words were cut in half as she snaps out of it. When she did, Youmu's already on the move. Her attacks are straightforward as expected.

Her swords swung at Rain's face at immense speed but Rain easily dodged it without blocking it. Forgetting the fact that she's supposed to block it not dodge it.

Youmu takes this action as a sign of Rain not approving of her attack to be blocked. So she steps up her game. By moving in many direction as only an afterimage of her can only be seen. This is too fast for a normal human to follow but to Rain this is like a normal thing for her as her eyes tracks the half-phantom half-human with ease. Youmu again delivers a slash from above but Rain simply just side steps to avoid it. Again, not blocking it means that her attack is not impressive.

The way they've been moving around seems like they are just dancing. Perhaps that would be the interpretation of another spectator if such one is present.

If single slashes won't work then a consecutive slash is the answer. That's what is on Youmu's mind. Hence, before she lands she performed a multi-slash at the air, creating a forwarding slashes at Rain. All she needs to do is block it and the challenge would be over. However, Rain did not parry it but instead moves around quickly and even used her shoulder guard armor to take the hit. That won't count as a block as what Youmu needs is a block from Rain's sword.

She tries again but this time, she used a different approach a multi-successive slashes from the ground [Transmigration Slash] and once she's very close to her she cancels it to [Crescent Moon Slash] slashing forward and upward.

Rain herself was loss for words as she sees on how Youmu fights. She assessed that she is not yet fully trained as she does not show any effective strategies except of just slashing forward. There are many other ways for the sword to connect its attack. It would seem like she has to show her a bit on how to counter an attack that she's doing. With that, Rain quickly unsheathed her other short sword and finally blocks Youmu's attack.

As the two different swords collide, another feeling surged forward. It is as if the swords resonated with each other. Perhaps crossing blades erupted the long lost feeling of the blades that yearn to once again to face each other as they once did in the past.

However, that move does not end there. It was a parry and Rain made Youmu's sword lose its grip on her hands as she seemingly make it dance from the own movement of her sword.

Losing her sword, Youmu's face was that of a surprised one as her eyes widen and her gaze fixated on her own sword slipping away from her own hands. This is yet another mistake, as she took her eyes away from her opponent. She realized this but it was too late. What she saw next was Rain lunging her main sword at her just from below but the difference is that it was the hilt of the sword that is coming towards her. To pull off such a feat while entangled truly speaks out her mastery over swords.

What Rain is using to fight her was none other than "Kenjutsu" a samurai sword art technique. There are many other ways of the sword that she incorporated to her fighting style such as the "Iaijutsu".

The attack connects and Youmu was hit in the face. Dazing her for a bit as she didn't get to block it with her free short sword. What followed next was Rain quickly moving around to catch her sword back in mid-air in a flash and performing an onward slash with it. Without her other sword in hand. Her face would have been slashed as she blocks it. Maybe this was intentional as Rain herself won't do such as thing. Does she perhaps know that Youmu will manage to block it?

But this was not yet over as Rain delivers a light kick from her metal boots to Youmu. Which she couldn't block or dodge as she's pinned down by her blade. This sends her aback as it connects. She looks at Rain as she recovered. Her opponent sheathing her swords back and giving a precise three claps and saying.

"That's it for now... you are precise and full of concentration but what you lack is the ability to gauge your opponent and patience. Continuously attacking and repeating the same attack pattern would result in you getting countered. Just like what I did. You also panicked and took your eyes off of me. That caused you a lot, you could have countered back with your other sword but that didn't occured to your mind that quickly as you got distracted. Remember to think well before you strike, for a blade only goes to wherever you point it." Rain said with lecturing attitude.

"But nevertheless, you are very well capable. So you've passed."

This very experience made Youmu relived the time when her master was around. Strict but every lesson has a meaning. It reminded her of how she's still inexperience in the way of the sword and making what her mistress say about her being unable to best Rain in proper duel. In short words, this test was a lesson for her. To remind her that she still needs more training. She notes to herself the words of wisdom that Rain has bestowed upon her from their blades crossing. This even encourages her to do her best the next time they'll spar. Probably due to her excitement she accidently says.

"I'd like to challenge you to a formal duel!" She quickly covers her mouth as this was just her thought coming out from her mouth.

Rain seemingly laughs and quickly agreed. "Sure thing, but you should train more in order to counter my counter attacks..." She gives a smile to her.

Youmu was expecting to be turned down but since she proposed it then she can't go back to her own words. "Two days for now, I'll train and train. We'll meet at The Garden of The Sun, where no humans are present. Rest assured that you won't be dissapointed!"

The reason for such a short time before an actual duel is that she must have this somehow short lesson of a fight still fresh in her mind. Therefore, this is her decision, train in a short time while keeping the recent lesson still fresh.

Rain wants to question her about where this place is and why is the time is only two days to prepare? Normally a week or a month is needed to fully condition the body for the fight. But there is yet another important matter to ask.

"So now, I'll let the Otter beast spirit take you to your destination." Rain said as she looks around for the said spirit.

"Huh? Where'd it go?" Rain asks but the both of them didn't know the exact answer.

Then a spark hits Rain as she remembers that the spirit is attached to her shoulders. Watching the fight... could it be...

"Don't tell me..." Rain then realized what could have happened. Back then when she's trying to dodge the attack from Youmu. She guarded some of her attacks using her shoulder armor.

Things went silent for a while until Rain says with a straightface. "I think you killed it."

"Huh?" Youmu's eyes blinks for how many times.

"Huh?!" she expressed her disbelief.

Somehow Rain could only chuckle at this and casually says "Yeah... remember that time when you're doing that continuous attack? Well I think, you'd hit it... ehe~" she lightly hits her head with her hand.

"Come on! Don't give me that reaction! What's with you saying 'ehe' like it was nothing!" Youmu protest as she confirms it. She does felt earlier that she'd managed to hit something with one of her attacks.

"Sorry... I don't really know what to react? Do you want me to scold you? Though it is likely my fault from the start. You know what? Let's just forget the beast spirit being with us. Sounds good? Less you wanna be called a beast spirit killer? That would probably haunt you if word of it gets out." Rain coaxes her to be silent about it.

Thinking about it Youmu has no reason to say no. After all, this was just an accident and she got terrified from the 'haunt' word though it has nothing to do with ghost. So she quickly agrees to it by nodding excessively.

"Okay, so we'll go on about our day and meet again at the time and place you said." Rain reminded her as she's getting ready to walk away and picks up the basket she left earlier.

Youmu nods and with that agreement they went their separate ways. Youmu herself has learned a lot of lesson from this encounter. Looks like she won't be partaking in this incident. Rain on the other hand, feels a little guilty that happened but she completely forgets about it after a while.

As she walks around the village various people are now greeting her politely. As if she is somehow a celebrity showing up to her fans. She gives a smile and a wave to them as her return to their greeting.

This is basically a tour to the whole village that she didn't get to finish last time. As she walks to a certain house. This somehow village girl is not that fond of her as she says.

"Hey! What are you doing?" She said to Rain who is just passing by.

This girl is wearing a blue bow on her head and is dressed like a normal villager. She has red eyes and red hair.

"Oh? Me? I'm just passing by and looking for interesting places." Rain said honestly.

However this girl is not that easily convinced by her words and thinks that Rain as a suspicious person.

"Really? I haven't seen you around, are you a newcomer? If so then please leave me alone. I have to shoo off some kids that are very noisy playing just outside my house." She said with an irritated tone.

Rain looks at her with a confused look but she replied.

"Ah, well...there's no need to shoo me off as I'm on my way out of your hair..." Rain said as she turns away from her. "Though, I'll be mindful of my actions and attitude if I were you. You won't make any friends acting like that." She gave her an advice before leaving the said girl alone.

The girl scoffs at her words and quietly commented. "There's no need for me to befriend such humans." Just as she's about to head back inside. The group of kids that she just turned away earlier came back. They were very loud as they talk to each other.

"Bwahaha! You got lost because of a butterfly distracting you? Very typical of you! Etsu-chan!" One of them loudly said.

Etsuko seems annoyed by the teasings of her friends but she has an experience her other friends didn't get.

"Hey! It was just this one time! Besides!" She puffs out her chest and smiled. "I've met and was saved by the legendary person!"

Her friends heard the news and was quite shock to hear that she is involved, let alone to be the one to be saved.

"I heard that she just took on a scary oni earlier! You saw that right?!" one of the boys in her group said.

With a cheerful tone, she replied. "Yeah! The way she fights that oni was very cool! Heh! You guys would have your mouths wide open if you were there."

The girl with the blue bow was listening to their conversation as she didn't yelled at them for being loud. She is wondering who that person maybe as she didn't read the newspaper because she is not interested in it. But that changed when she heard today's news about that said person fighting an oni yokai.

Etsuko was happily sharing the events that happened to her friends when she saw Rain walking, she's not that far away as she keeps stopping in sightseeing the other areas in this part of the Human Village. Once she saw Rain, her eyes sparkled as she yells out her name.

"Miss Rain!" she called out to her as she waves her hands in the air.

Rain hearing this quickly turned around and saw Etsuko to which she recognizes her. "Hmm? Oh, it's the kid." Rain said to herself as she waves back to her.

Etsuko quickly gathers the attention of her friends and points at Rain while saying. "That's her! The one who saved me and protected us! The legendary person. Miss Rain!"

Her friends looks at Rain with a curious look and one of them said. "Woah... she looks cool and strong!"

Seeing what Etsuko is doing. Rain seemingly gets and remembers what Etsuko has said that time. So she also waves to her friends and gave smile. After a while. She then turns around and continued her walk as she thinks that's what the kid wanted and is satisfied enough for that.

As they look at her. One of Etsuko's friends then remembered where they are and quickly darted a look to where the blue bow wearing girl is. His eyes widened as he saw her and hastily said. "Y-you guys! Seki is glaring at us!" He named the girl who is looking at them.

"R-Run! She'll infect you with her bad attitude!" Then they all sprinted away from Seki before she could even do what she is planning to do.

"Tch... darn kids..." She clicks her tongue in annoyance. She then slowly looks to the direction where Rain is headed.

"Can't believe I almost got into a fight to the Yokai Exterminator. If she finds out and that she is truly what they call then I might get exterminated for real..." She just shivers at her own words as her whole head wobbled causing her to panic for a moment.

"-Close one..." she said as she quickly heads inside to her own house.

Rain continues her tour and this time she stops by a particular shop as it is very familiar to her. Standing outside the shop, she reads the store's name. "Kirisame-ya- second-hand shop". Marisa's face quickly flashed through her head as she reads it.

"Huh? This one is kind different compared to the one in the forest." She uttered to herself as she compares the two shop.

As she is busy contemplating, a stern and solid voice called out to her.

"Ahem...do you have business in here, miss?"

Rain turns around and saw this man which looks like a man around in his middle age.

"Oh...I'm interested in this shop. What kind of business does it do?" She asks the man.

The middle-aged man seems to have recognized her and said. "Ah, well if it isn't the talk of the village. Welcome, miss Rain. I'm the owner of this shop." He said with a smile.

He seems friendly despite him having such a voice. Rain herself wants to ask about his relationship to the other Kirisame she knows but she decided to not ask it for now.

"Why don't you come in? I'm honored to have such a person to be my customer." He said as he opens the door to his shop and gesturing to her to enter.

Rain has no reason to refuse after all she did say she is interested. So she entered the shop with him. What she saw when she entered was various tools and other items that are mostly used in the daily lives for the humans in this village. This is somewhat similar to Kourindou but that one deals on unique and antique items. Rain herself seems to have spotted this similarity and uttered her thoughts aloud.

"Hmm...kinda similar to the one with Rinnosuke's shop."

Hearing this, the shop owner chuckled a bit and replied. "Oh? So you've been to that shop? He's a good man so you won't need to worry about making deals and transactions to him." He said.

"You know him? I've been there as a frequent visitor. He is very kind and calm." Rain asks as she takes a look around the shop.

"Mmm..." The man nods and replied. "He is once my apprentice. But he left to start his own shop. Well, that was in the past. He did help me a lot during those times so I'm not even mad. Besides, they say getting angry over such matters will make you grow old quickly." He laughs as he said that.

"I see. But I don't really have some money with me or rather... erm... I'm broke. So I'm actually just doing some window shopping. Hope you don't mind, but hey. I can see that some of the tools here are worth buying! Like this one." She said as she points at a hammer tool.

"Thanks for the compliment. Having you visit here would surely attract some more potential customers. So I don't mind. Do come back when you need to buy something. Though, perhaps you want some refreshments?"

Rain seems to deduce that this man is a nice man and that she should ask that question that she's been meaning to ask before she leaves.

"Ah, thanks for the offer but I'm good. Though I'd like to ask just one more question before I go..." She waited to see the man's reaction before continuing. It would seem like he doesn't mind from the looks on his face. "Do you know Marisa Kirisame?" She finally asked.

Upon hearing that name. The shop owner slowly raised an eyebrow before replying. "So you met her too? Did she gave you any trouble?" Though he shoots back another question, he gave a sigh before continuing. "She's my one and only daughter..."

Rain already has that sneaking suspicion and turns out she was right. With a small laugh she said. "Not really, she's quite cheerful and fun to be with. She's been a good friend eversince we met."

Marisa's father seemingly smiled for a brief moment. "That girl...still the same as ever."

"May I ask why she's not living here with you anymore? If it is too personal then I'll understand." Her words are filled with an honest intent as she is Marisa's friend.

The father was silent for a moment and then he gave yet another sigh. "I'd like to tell you as one of her friends..." He laughs a little before continuing "...She must be doing well, that's good to hear."

He then proceeded to narrate the past to Rain. The reason for their family relationship to strain was because of magic. There was an accident from the past that involved it and the whole village has decided that they the humans shouldn't use magic as it is very dangerous and will only bring harm to the village. Hence, why he stopped selling any magic related to his shop. Marisa on the other hand was very interested in it when she was little as she reads about it. He was only protecting her to it but instead it is was drove them apart. Though he know that magic is not that really dangerous, he lets his own daughter to be free from the rules and live her own life to the fullest.

After hearing his story. Rain now understands why Marisa is obsessed with magic and is living by herself. Marisa herself does not know that her father still cares for her and misses her. The man may not show it but he is a parent and his voice from earlier while narrating hints that he yearns to see his daughter again and talk to her. He is just acting tough for he thinks this is for the best.

"Why not try to write her a letter?" Rain suggested.

However, he doesn't seem to fancy that idea and slowly shakes his head while replying.

"There is no need for that. What's done is done. Just knowing that she's fine is good enough for me. Now if you excuse me, I still have to do some counting for today's supply. " He said as he excuse himself and started to work.

Rain can guess that the man is avoiding any further talks about this topic and so she decides to best not further involve herself in that matter and says.

"Well, if you say so. I'd be taking my leave then. Thank you for sharing. I'll keep an eye out for her." Rain then heads out from the shop.

Marisa's father continued to work but this time with a slight smile on his face.

Leaving the shop, Rain ponders as she walks away on what just transpired.

'That man is a good father, I could tell but what about Marisa? Do I have to tell her that I met her father? Maybe...maybe not for her own sake of feelings...hmm...that guy might give me an insight about this. Perhaps I should ask him.'

As she walks on the busy street of the Human Village. This part has the most people walking and doing their own business. There are people carrying things mostly for the shops and the others are pulling carts full of merchandise. The other people are just seem to be strolling out for a walk as they enjoy each other's company.

This is mostly the everyday life of the humans in here.

Among the crowds there is one that called out to Rain as she walks among them.

"Psst! Yeah you! The one with the silver-white hair!" a voice said calling out to her.

"Huh?" Rain turns her head to the direction where it came from, she then saw this person in a different clothing. She has a slingbag full of what seems to be newspapers.

"Care to follow me? I'd just like to ask a few questions as you are in the newspaper. So don't be alarmed!" She said with a wink.

"I don't mind but hopefully this won't take long." Rain said and the girl nodded. She takes the lead as Rain followed her to a more secluded corner. 'Okay, what's up with that wink? And why do we have to go to here? Maybe it was too noisy? Nevertheless, my guard is up'.

With them finally at a quiet place and no onlookers. The girl said with a polite tone and smiling face. "Actually, I need to interview you. You see...I'm a journalist..." The girl slowly removes her disguise, her hat to be exact. "I'm a tengu you see..."

"A tengu?"

"Yep, I'm a reporter or so called a journalist that seeks the truth."

"A tengu reporter?"

As Rain said that, the girl claiming to be a journalist and a reporter finally puts on another headgear this is called a tokin, this one is red in color. One that the others would recognize as a tengu.

"Without further ado! Here I am! Aya Shameimaru! Your most reliable news reporter!" She beamed with energy as she introduced herself.

Hearing this Rain exclaimed as she points a finger at her. "Aya the tengu reporter!"

Rain has heard about this fellow from Reimu and Marisa. They say that she is relentless in pursuit of a potential scoop and it looks like she's been the target of this nosy crow tengu. But she doesn't know that she has been from quite some time now. Soon she'll realize that the newspaper that caused her to be known was made by this same crow tengu.

"So miss Rain, we finally get to talk. Last time I saw you, you were dead drunk and was dancing around. Perhaps, your amnesia is really affecting your entire being." She smiled again knowing how the swordsman would react as she notes things down with her notebook.

"Wha-? How'd you know about that?" Rain said as she seems flustered about it.

Aya grins and replied. "Nothing special! Just think of it as the will of the wind!"

That didn't make any sense to Rain as she just stared at her. The interview has already started, not that Rain knows that it did the moment Aya revealed herself.

"So! Miss Legendary Yokai Exterminator... I'd like to ask you about how are you feeling after finally returning? Oh! What I meant is that how is living here been for you?" she asked while readying to write on her notebook again.

Such a question puzzled Rain for moment as she didn't quite understood that but after hearing Aya correcting on what she meant. She now understood that she is asking on how is Gensokyo been treating her eversince her arrival in here.

"Just call me by my name please. No need for such a long title, it feels a bit odd especially since I don't remember." Rain folded her arms as she said this.

Aya just nods as she continues writing things down on her notebook. "Hm-hm.. noted, then please continue."

"Hmm... I guess it was alright? The people I met have been very nice to me. What else? Ah, currently I'm staying at the Hakurei Shrine. The shrine maiden there is taking care of me, well...sort of. If you're going to ask how she's treating me then, she's been a good host. Though I myself insisted that I'll do something for her like cooking and some chores. So I won't be considered as freeloading." Rain said while Aya writes it down.

"Uh-huh... being forced to work..." These words came out from her mouth as she writes it down. Though she did say it with a quiet voice so Rain didn't quite heard it right.

"Is there anymore questions you'd like to ask? I'd like to continue my stroll..." Rain asks her as Aya stops her writing.

"Well, If you ask me I have a ton! But I'm saving them for later as they won't fit in a single article. Though last question for you. As a yokai exterminator... will you exterminate a yokai on sight?" She asks her as this one is a very important question. What Rain's answer on this one might reflect how the yokai would view of her.

"Well let me answer this in a form of a question too. Do you see me drawing my sword and slashing you to ribbons with it? If I did maybe I'll be bringing home a bird stew." She said to her.

Rain is actually correct as Aya is a yokai herself but she's talking to Rain perfectly just fine and in one piece.

This answer seems to make Aya herself shiver a little bit especially the last part.

"Erm... you can't actually harm the press but I'm taking that answer as a no. So... you won't unless you need to or provoked, is that correct?"

Rain nods and said. "Exactly, I'm not the type to slash first ask questions later. At least I think I am." She herself is not that sure about it. "Does that answer your question?"

"Yes, that would be sufficient for now. Thank you for agreeing to have an interview with me. Miss Rain. You're free to go now. I'll stay here for a bit as I write things down. Oh, and if another crow tengu by the name of Hatate asks for an interview kindly tell her I beat her into it!" She said as she waves goodbye to Rain before going back to writing on her notebook.

Rain just nods and heads back to do her stroll. She's been meeting a lot of people lately, hopefully she meets someone that can help her in her memory problems or at least knows her, personally. The day is almost ending as she's been here for about two hours already and it's already afternoon.

This time she keeps on walking the busy streets and then noticed a crowd gathering just near her. She's not the subject of attention but rather from a speaker that seems to be advertising something.

"-summer is almost ending soon! Kindly don't forget to visit the Moriya Shrine for protection and blessings!" A young and energetic voice that came from a girl said.

Rain seems to be interested as she comes closer to hear more about this shrine. The girl continued to speak as she eyes the crowd. Her clothing is of that of a shrine maiden's uniform. Though the one she wears is a blue and white with blue polka dots and stripes. She has a long light green hair and green eyes. Along with that she also wears a hair clip shaped like a frog's head and carries a gohei with a straight paper decorations.

"Getting to the Moriya Shrine is now easy and safe with the aid of the Moriya Ropeway!" She said as she gestures towards the said ropeway. It is an aerial tram that connects the foot of the Yokai Mountain directly to Moriya Shrine, allowing humans to access it without trespassing on the yokai territory.

Rain looks at the said aerial tram. It looks as the girl says. It is connected to the far mountain where it says it will take the passengers. She seems to be interested on it but for now this is not the time to go far away to the place she still needs to explore. Before she manages to turn around, one of people in the crowd recognizes her quickly said.

"Oh? It's miss Rain! Are you here to try the said ropeway?" This garnered a lot or perhaps all of the crowd's attention to her, including the green haired shrine maiden girl.

"Huh?! The Legendary Yokai Exterminator is here?!" She said in an excited voice as she quickly darted to where Rain is. Her eyes seems to sparkle as their eyes met.

"Oooh! I've heard the rumors! To think that I'll finally meet you in person! You're quite tall! Oh! Where are my manners! I'm Sanae Kochiya! The wind priestess of Moriya Shrine!" the girl introduced herself with a pose.

Rain feels like this girl is surging forth with energy as she bounces up and down in glee from just introducing herself. Apparently, something else is bouncing along with her that made Rain a little bit annoyed as she saw it. She has this feeling of just grabbing it just to stop it from bouncing.

"O-okay, okay! Stop moving! I'm getting dizzy watching you move!" Rain said out loud and Sanae obliges though after she that, they both heard some of the men in the crowd go "Awww".

Rain's reaction to this was just a snicker before turning her attention to Sanae.

"So? What is it? I'm actually just curious on why is there such a crowd."

Sanae still beaming with energy replied. "O-Oh! I was just really excited to finally meet you! The one that is the talk of these people! I heard so much about you! Like they say you can exterminate yokai without the use of spiritual attack or like even your punches are said to exterminate them! Isn't that cool!" She spouted a lot which made it hard for Rain to keep on track.

"Slow down... geez! I don't even remember anything related to all of what you just said..." Rain replied..

The crowd hears this and murmurs. "Ah, I do remember reading that she doesn't remember.", "They said she has an amnesia.", "But heck, she managed to fight that oni even in that state!"

Sanae heard what the crowd has said and replied.

"I forgot that you don't have your memories yet. No worries! I can help you by including you in my prayers! I'm sure you'll get your memory back. Also I heard you're staying at Reimu's place? Have you seen our shrine's small branch there? If you do, you can do some offering and you'll be granted blessings and protections!"

Rain has not heard anything about Moriya shrine having a small branch at the Hakurei Shrine. Perhaps Reimu deliberately did not tell her about this one.

"Uh, I'll do if I passed by it." Rain said as she tries not to let this girl know that she does not know about it.

"That's good to hear! Oh! You can also visit our main shrine with the aerial tram! It's free and you don't have to worry about the yokai in the mountain." She said as she seems to be inviting Rain to her shrine.

"I'll come when I have the time. For now, I'm still taking a stroll to the village."

"Is that so? Well, you're welcome to come anytime! I'll inform lady Suwako and lady Kanako about it. Sorry for taking your time!" she bows for a second. "I'm just happy to meet a renowned yokai exterminator! You know, I'm something of a yokai exterminator myself too!" she giggled a bit as she seems to mimic someone as she makes a face from saying that.

"No, it's alright. I'll be on my way now." Rain said as she gestured before leaving.

"Mmh! We'll be waiting for your visit!" She said as she then turns her head back to the crowd. "You guys heard that? She's coming to Moriya Shrine! Other people also said that encountering her is very lucky as a human and even more when she visits a certain place or when she's about to visit! So come on down to Moriya Shrine, where miracles and blessings awaits!"

Though maybe that was just her using Rain as a boost to her own advertisement or to the rumors. Nevertheless, it seems like the Yokai Mountain has been added to Rain's to explore list.

"What an energetic girl..." Rain said to herself as she checks the basket she is carrying.

As she is busy checking it, she didn't notice that she walked pass by a smirking human with glasses. Who has been following her since the start.

This time she stops by near a stall that sells flowers. She too is quite fond of such things.

"Maybe if I have the money I'll buy a sunflower... hmm... what a about a rose?" She said to herself while eyeing the different types of flower.

"I'd suggest you take a sunflower. They'll grow and bloom in no time. If you want I can give you some for free." A voice from behind her said.

Rain turns around and saw a woman with a green wavy hair and red eyes, walking towards her while holding a white parasol. Her outfit reminds Rain of Reimu somehow. She is also wearing this somehow creepy but pleasant smile on her face.

When Rain saw her she felt the same feeling again when meeting people she somehow know or have met in the past but this one is kind of different. What she felt was that this person is not what she seems to be. Her advancement towards to her seems like she is in no rush and is confident from the way she is moving.

"Well, well. Long time no see, Rain. You're the same as ever, I see." The woman with the parasol greeted her.

This woman is someone most of the denizens of Gensokyo would rather avoid getting into conflict with. She is the said caretaker of the flowers in the Garden of The Sun. The Flower Master of The Four Seasons "Yuuka Kazami".

"Excuse me?" Rain said as she can't remember meeting this woman, maybe she did in the past but something tells her that it is not a pleasant one.

"Ah, I forgot. You don't have your memories, well at least not yet. Do you perhaps want me to help you remember them or at least me?" She said with her smile still on her face.

Whatever this woman is offering, Rain is not having it. She can tell that this woman is somehow messing with her.

"Something tells me that agreeing to that would be not wise. So I humbly refuse." Rain replied as she keeps her guard up to Yuuka.

"My, still stubborn as ever. Well, we can't really fight in here nor anywhere. Eversince our agreement... I do enjoy my life living peacefully this days. Hmm... maybe we could have a tea sometime? My treat." Yuuka seems to be inviting her over a cup of tea.

"And where's this place? I'd very much appreciate it if no fight will happen or something similar."

Yuuka chuckles at her reaction and replied. "Nothing like that would happen, just you and me enjoying the flowers. It's in the Garden of The Sun. Well, one thing about your memories that I can say for sure is that you like flowers and nature..." She trails off a bit but continued. "That's what I like about you. I thought at first that you already withered like the rest but turns out you are just like this parasol of mine. Never withering." She twirls her parasol as she said that.

"Garden of The Sun... I think I have heard of that." Rain said as she recalls that is the place where she and Youmu will face off in a duel after two days. "Maybe I can."

Hearing Rain's answer is enough for Yuuka. "Ah, so I'll see you then. Come to think of it. We never had the chance to sit down and have tea back then. So I guess, this is the first time? Time really does its wonders. I remember back then how fighting with you makes my dull day to be lively. Perhaps if we can even for just once...no, that would be boring as you don't even remember me. It will evoke a different feeling." She seems to have quickly changed her mind about that last part.

"So only a tea and flower viewing it is. Please don't bring any insects with you they'll only spoil my flowers with their presence." She said to her.

Rain is not sure what she meant by that but she just agreed to it.

"Oh, we've been talking like you know me, well you do but don't remember. So I'll introduce myself. I'm Yuuka Kazami. You and I are quite close back then almost like you could call me your best friend or is it the other way around?" She said seemingly teasing Rain again with her playful tone and her choice of words.

"Just what are you playing at? Either way, I only agreed because I think it would be rude not to. I still have things to do so I'll be going now." Rain said to her, she doesn't like being played by her and she just humored her to the point in even agreeing to have a tea with her at her own choice of place. For the sake of getting hints or even bits of her memories.

"Well, it looks like you're busy for today so I won't bother you any further." Yuuka said.

Rain just simply nods before going on her way. Leaving Yuuka behind as she can hear her talk to the shop owner in a polite manner. "Hello, I'm here to take a look on the usual."

"First a tengu and then now a troublesome person that just invited me to a tea and flower viewing. Agh, why did I agree to it again?" She muttered to herself as she walks.

She somehow walks past some houses and yet saw another crowd gathering. Though this time she doesn't need to go into the said crowd as she can see that there is a stage and a person is performing. She's wearing mask, and her face is unchanging even as she performs.

Rain could go and watch such a performance but it would cost her the time so she turns around and head to a different way. There she saw some food stalls and hears the calls of the vendors trying to get some customers.

"Come, get your freshly made dango! It is newly made and on sale too!"

"No! This Dango's a better choice! Dear customers, please try Ringo's Dango! New customers that is their first time buying out Ringo's Dango are granted a free taste!"

"Huh?! Ringo! You're trying to outsell me again?!" cried the other vendor whose selling the same type of food.

"What do you mean, Seiran? This is called a 'Marketing Strategy'!" The one called Ringo snickered while giving a short laugh.

The two bickered as Rain overhears them. She won't let it pass if there's free food of course. So she goes to their stall hoping that they'll give her that free sample. Though she wondered why would they set up a stall just next to each other when they are selling the same thing. Perhaps there is a business rivalry going on.

"Geh! Fine! I'd do the same thing!" Seiran said and hears that a customer is approaching. "Ahem! Customers that are new to Seiran's are granted a free serving of Dango!" She said to up her game.

As Rain approached, Seiran saw her come to her stall and quickly greeted her.

"Ah, hello! Welcome to Seiran's Dango!" she said with an energetic voice.

"I heard that this stall offers a free serving of dango? I'm actually new here so I'm eyeing out some good food stalls to buy in some foods in the future." Rain said as she looks at the dango.

"Oh! Then feel free to have a free serving! Please tell me your thoughts about it!" Seiran gaves a smile and handed in the free serving of dango to Rain.

Rain quickly eats it with her one free hand. Surprising Seiran. She chews it with ease and in just mere seconds, already gulped and finished the dango.

"Mhm, mmh... the special thing about dango is its texture. It has this chewy and soft tender feeling when I chewed it. I can tell that you made these with effort and even the color scheme is cute which matches the arrangement of it. I'd buy one when I come back next time." Rain said as she gives her feedback to the dango she'd just eaten.

"Yes! In your face, Ringo!" she said as she celebrated but it is still to early as Rain haven't sampled the other competition's dango yet.

Rain herself does not plan on declaring a winner, she just wanted her free food. So she heads to the other stall and was instantly served her free sample.

"Here you go! Please enjoy!"

This is dango is almost the same as Seiran's dango but the process of making and other ingredients may have been different which is why it is too early to judge it. There are actually many types of dango but theirs seemed to be on the normal type. No coverings on sauce or any seasoning.

So Rain sampled it and somehow it is the same as Seiran's but she can't say that as it would result in the two bickering again and she'll be dragged into it.

"Hmm... this one seems a bit different though I can't say or put my finger on it. But it's also great so I'll also buy from you when I come back some other time. A little advice for you two would be that you should try experimenting on what other flavor or a different mix would do the trick. I can't be specific but it is best that you guys do it on your own and explore. It would still be a dango but with a twist. Well, I'm looking forward to it." Rain said as she finishes her free food. These advices are her payment for the said food. She walks away without having to let the two speak about what she said. Leaving the two dango sellers in a puzzled state but nevertheless they understood her advice.

"...I wonder who is she..." said Ringo who just scratches her head.

"Wait...I think I recognize her... isn't she the one from the newspaper?" Seiran said as she remembers reading about it.

"Really?"

"That's not all..." Seiran added as she looks at Ringo with a grim look on her face. "I think... she's the same person from before..."

Ringo quickly catches up to what Seiran is saying. "You mean, that time? We're not even deployed there so we only heard bits of it."

"There's no doubt about it..." Seirain gulped and sweat started to form on her face. "...She's said to be the one responsible of the slaughter of the emissaries and that time..." She felt a cold chill down her spine as she remembers her fellow soldiers who were there that described how it went.

Both Seiran and Ringo are not actually from here. In fact, they came from the moon and are called Moon Rabbits. They have red eyes and long rabbit ears. They act as somehow the soldiers of the Lunarians. Tired of being treated poorly, they deserted their positions and fled to Earth. In this case, here in Gensokyo. Living here, was better than in the moon for them. Seeing the said person who were once their enemy is a shock to them but nevertheless they quite understood on why she is not on their side back then. Of course, Rain won't as the Lunarians doesn't need someone as impure as her, or so they say.

"Can't believe we crossed paths... and she's giving us good advice on making our dango better and tasty..." Ringo said.

"If this was from the past... I think I would have already fled just from seeing her. But, I think the rumors about her being ruthless and evil is just the say of the higher ups."

Ringo nods and replied. "It doesn't concern us now. Remember, we're free from those duties. So, how about we try what she just said?" She smiles at her supposed dango seller rival.

"You're right. Let's enjoy our lives here!" Seiran smiles back and the two continued their business rivalry.

As Rain walks with the basket still in her hands she can't help but notice just now the two people she just met have an unusual appearance.

'A bunny ears? Did I see that right? They both have the same red eyes...' As she remember their faces a slight feeling of pain hits her head for a moment. Making her stop on her tracks as she touches her head.

"Argh... what's this?"

Somehow a mental image of a full moon flashes in her mind. Along with a house and the surrounding area is dark but there are bamboo trees around. As this images projected into her mind, she hears her own voice in the background.

"I'll hold them off and distract them. There's no time for goodbyes or other crap. So give me that present and letter for the Emperor, I'll make sure to get it delivered. Now, go... there's an exit at the back. No buts! I'm going now and do my part, so be damn sure to escape..." The next thing she could hear was her own footsteps running.

"What was that?" Rain uttered to herself as she regains her composture. She slowly shakes her head. What could that be? She wonders as she can't make out to what it means. It may be a memory trying to come back to her but what could have triggered it?

As she's standing still when she is contemplating this the person with glasses is still following her and it has decided to confront her.

"Excuse me..." The woman with a glasses called out to Rain, making her turn around and make her ponderings disappear.

"Yes?" she saw this woman with a long hair, a checkered scarf and large robe, and wears a leaf-shaped hair clip. Somehow, she feels that she is familiar.

"I can see that you've met a lot of them, peculiar people. Miss Rain." She said as she squints and somehow something twitched on her head but Rain caught on that and it made her remember a certain person with that kind of ability.

"Oh, it's you." Rain said but did not disclose her name but it is without a doubt, the tanuki-disguiser, Mamizou Futatsuiwa.

Mamizou grins and replied. "Sharp as ever, so how's your stay?" She inquires about her experience so far, here in Gensokyo.

"Can't really say. I've been meeting people. None of them seems to have an answer about my memories, some of them knows me from the past but all they did was look for a fight or just knows me by my name and that's about it. Are you sure that you didn't know about this?" Rain raised the question.

Mamizou just shrugs and replied. "Not really, I am as surprised as you are when the news came in. That said, I did came right about you being interesting."

"Well, that's a sharp intuition... so, I'm guessing you didn't just show up to come and say hi now, do you?" Rain's eyes focused on her as she delivered her words.

"Ah, that would be the case. You see, I said you owe me a favor right? Well, I'm going to use that favor to have you go with me in Myouren temple. Think of it as a extended tour. The temple is not that far from here. So what do you say?"

Somehow people are now inviting her from places to places. Since she does owe her one from helping to get here, she can prioritize this one first. Who knows maybe the place she is going to might have more clues or people that could help her. So she agrees. While Mamizou is delighted to hear that.

"Oh? Do you want me to help you out in getting that basket back to the shrine? Since you agreed I might as well be kind enough to do that." She said as she gestures to take the basket.

"Uh...well if you insist, but how will you do it?" Rain asks as she hands in the basket to her.

Mamizou just chuckles and replied. "I have may own ways. For now, follow me."

So she did, apparently Mamizou just used her minions to send the basket back to Hakurei Shrine. Hopefully, it will arrive in one piece. When they are near the said temple, another tengu came in asking for an interview. This person is the one Aya has said that will come and interview her. So, Rain did and even told Hatate what Aya has said. Leaving the crow tengu to grumble in anger at her supposed rival.

Myouren Temple

Rain is eyeing the place and can see how many statues that are related to buddhism are lined-up in the road they are travelling. Eventually they reached the temple grounds and Rain could see various people, and even some yokai that are giving her an intense stare. She could feel their glare as if it is about to pierce her. Though Mamizou's intention is unclear, she has the feeling that she is somehow not welcomed here. But that didn't bothered her, in fact she even looks at them with a straightface which made them look away. Rain just gave a sneer to their reactions.

"We're here. Now just follow me up the stairs." Mamizou said to her, who reverted back to her undisguised form before they even reached here.

"Sure...Hmm?" She turns her head as she hears a sweeping noise nearby.

What she saw was a girl with teal colored hair sweeping the grounds using a bamboo broom. Apparently this one is not a human but rather a yokai. Rain herself is quite intrigued as to why such a temple has so many yokai.

The yokai girl is looking at her with a curious face but eventually looks away as their eyes met. So she returns her gaze to the stairs and they climb up.

Seeing some red flags that has a written word relating to buddhism, swaying along with the calm winds that passed them. When they reached the top they are greeted by an individual, she has a light purple wavy hair and dark purple eyes. She is carrying a medium-sized yellow ring in her right hand. On her head, she wears a headdress similar to a Hijab or a nun's headdress. She wears a white dress with a blue trim at the bottom and wears black shoes.

"Mamizou... you're back. Hmm?" her eyes shifted to Rain. "Who's this? Is she here to study the way of buddhism?" She asked, her voice is solid and her tone of asking is quite straightforward.

Before Mamizou could speak, Rain voices out her concern. "Hey, did you really brought me here for that? I'd let you know that I'm not that really quite interested."

"Not really, just want you to meet these people but it would be a huge bonus if you did though." She gave a grin to her and then turns her attention to the other girl.

"We're just here to speak with Byakuren. I understand that you value your given task as a guard but I can assure you that I can vouch for her. Ichirin." Mamizou named the supposed guard.

Ichirin Kumoi, the buddhist priest that is also a guard. There's a reason to why she is chosen to be it and she is not alone as a seemingly giant pink cloud begins to form around her back. Eventually, it formed to a cloud that resembles a giant face of an old man with a beard.

Rain was quite surprised to see it and looks at the supposedly cloud with interest.

"Unzan? What's the matter?" Ichirin asks and names the cloud with an old man's face. Unzan is actually Nyuudo, that Ichirin herself controls.

The moment Unzan has whispered something to her, she quickly took a fighting stance at Rain and said. "?!, so you're the one?! Mamizou, why did you bring such a person here?!"

Both of the two were taken by surprised when she said that. Mamizou tries to calm her down and explains.

"Now, now, I know what you're thinking but I brought her here to settle that matter and worry." she adjusts her glasses as Rain inquires a question to her too.

"What? What's she talking about? Please, I had enough fighting for the day, so why don't we settle this in a cup of tea?" Rain suggested but the buddhist priest adamantly refused.

"No, I won't sit down and have a friendly chat with you. Unzan said that you're a very dangerous person. If you're thinking that you can exterminate us yokai that easily then I'll show you how wrong you are!" She said as her body tensed and is ready to fight with all her might.

What Unzan has said to her was in fact a warning and that he recognizes Rain as the Yokai Exterminator who has been the talk from the past. He is there at that time when Rain is at her prime where news have reached him that many yokai have fallen to this Legendary Yokai Exterminator, hence the title. Back then, he was expecting her to be the one who'll he face but instead it was this girl, Ichirin Kumoi that defeated him. This girl was so courageous and the shock of his defeat left him in awe. This resulted in him to admire her and devoted his life to protecting her. With that, Ichirin who was formerly a human became a yokai due to how she didn't fear the yokai anymore and the journey of her life.

The situation became tense as both sides are now at the edge to who'll make the attack first. But Rain has no plans for that, if Ichirin does attack first then all she could do is to avoid and block her attacks.

Thankfully, a loud voice behind Ichirin said. "Halt! What are you doing? Picking up a fight to our guest?" She has orange-yellow hair with black stripes in it and golden yellow eyes. She wears a lotus-shaped ornament on her head, and carries a giant spear in her left hand, on her right hand is a jeweled pagoda. She wears a orange dress with a tiger pattern around the abdomen along with white, frilly pants under her dress and black shoes on her feet.

A group of people then appeared along with her.

"S-shou?" Ichirin looks back and saw the others. Her eyes fixated to another individual which is the head of the temple. "S-sister!"

The one she called sister spoke with a calm and pleasant voice. "Ichirin and Unzan, please stand down. It would be a bad image to us if we started a fight for no reason and it goes against the teaching."

Rain looks at the one who said that and saw

that she has a long, wavy, light brown hair that fades to purple at the top, with hazel or light brown eyes. She wears a black and white dress with long strips of black fabric going across the middle and white fabric across the arms. Along with this dress, she wears a long cape. Her name would be Byakuren Hijiri, the chief priest of the temple.

As Ichirin do what she says, Mamizou gaves a smile while greeting them. "Didn't I tell you that she'll come? Almost gave me a little fright there that I might get a bad impression from our guest here."

Rain cuts in by saying. "Of course you would. I'm about to get into a fight that I don't even know the reason. What's with you people anyway? I've been getting into a lot of fights lately just by showing up or the other way around, they show up looking for a fight."

This is quite true as eversince that newspaper about her came out. She's been getting into a lot of trouble lately.

Mamizou just laughs at her response while the Byakuren still with wearing her pleasant smile said. "Since you've arrived. I'd like to invite you inside to talk. Would that be alright with you?"

Rain nodded in response. "There's no point for turning it down. After all..." She took a quick glance at Mamizou. "...I'm more interested on what you have to say."

There's one thing for sure that would be happening after agreeing to Mamizou's request. She'll be having a talk to the supposed important person like her from the past. Which is to say they are both from the same time but never got the chance to meet. Even if they did, it is not that simple that they'll be able to sit down and talk like this.

They talked for many minutes and the contents of it are introducing themselves to the situation of Rain. What bothers Rain when they are talking is that many are listening to them as they are standing around the corner, and she is just sitting at the center with their leader. Apparently all of them are yokai. It seems to her that they are on guard or they are guarding Byakuren? Though they each introduced themselves, there are about six of them. They are Mamizou Futatsuiwa herself, Nue Houjuu, Shou Toramaru, Nazrin, Minamitsu Murasa, and Ichirin Kumoi with Unzan.

"I see, so you have no idea what you were in the past due to your memories being missing... what a dilemma." Byakuren said as she brushes her gradient hair.

"Yes, that would be the case... so I'm here to find someone that can help me with it but things are taking in a huge turn as apparently I'm quite known in here? Though none of the people I met are actually helpful." Rain gave a sigh

As she did that she quickly takes a glance to the other people present and mentally thought.

'If a fight suddenly happens, I'm sure as heck outnumbered. Hopefully this talk is just a talk...'

She shifted back her gaze to Byakuren who seems to be a natural talker as she felt at ease when she started this conversation with her. She's a former human turned magician. There's also this alluring feeling that makes her spit out all her worries and problems to this buddhist chief priest. But she resisted that feeling with a shake on her head.

"A shame that I wouldn't be able to help you out but the reason we requested to talk to you is for the future."

Rain's eyes blink for a moments as her posture changed due to the statement that Byakuren has given.

"Future?" She asks.

Byakuren nodded. "Yes, the future... should you get you're memories back and found out about the past, I'd like to say that the present has been more peaceful and to offer you the opportunity to realize that humans and yokai can live in peace. I'm not persuading you join me but rather I want you to experience and have that epiphany yourself." Her words contain honesty and with no ill intent.

Hearing that Rain contemplated as she taps a finger on her chin. What does it imply? Byakuren seems to seek peace for both the human and yokai as she worded it. However, Rain cannot answer that not now at least. So she can only answer honestly.

"That I'll do. But what if no such epiphany happens?" She raised a question that pretty much tense up the others.

However, Byakuren herself remains unfazed by her question and replied. "Then, we have no choice but to remain vigilant... I know how strong you are... even if it just the rumors I heard back then. Now, seeing you in person certainly solidifies such claims." Byakuren's voice raised a little bit and gave her a cold gaze as she said this next question. "Even though you don't have your memories I can't help but ask this... why do I sense that foul presence of the Asura Realm to you?"

Asura Realm, one of the said evil realms that houses the demon gods or demi-gods that rebels against the Devas (Gods). There are a total of six realms that the Samsara cycle happens. This is just one of them. Another one was mentioned and that is where Reimu is currently in, the Animal Realm.

This question was quite a shock to the others as they can be heard murmuring while Rain is left speechless as she doesn't quite understood it.

"I'm sorry but I don't quite get it?" She said to her with a confused look.

"To put it simply... you are either affiliated with that realm by going there or tapping in their power which would be nigh impossible by yourself...there are still many other ways but trying to explain them one by one would take a lot of time." Byakuren continues to explain but Rain herself is quite lost on what to react about it. Though something about it is bothering her.

Then something happened. Her ears are ringing with a sound as she feels a vibration that started to make her heart pound and pound, repeatedly. The sound she is hearing are actually voices, this time around there are many of them but no mental image occurs.

"Everyone! Watch out!" This is her own voice as she somehow warns the other people. Then she hears a gust of wind blowing, after that a loud booming voice resounded.

"Well done, brave and best warriors of each time. Now, you shall face the final test. Defeat me, Asura in this battle and you shall receive my power and blessings! Each one of you six great warriors will then be able to choose a power from the six realms. When you are ready, step forward to the glowing circle."

"So now we're fighting a god? What a twist!"

"Don't joke Ranger, we ain't home free yet."

"The Wizard is right, we're not leaving until we know the reason we're here. I shall lend thee my sword as the Knight."

"Hey, Rogue, you better not run around as we fight, be serious this time."

"Heh, I'm distracting them that's a strategy and you better give us a damn fine support, cleric."

"I'm guessing we're all ready? As the forced leader of this party, I the Swordsman shall lead the frontal assault along with sir knight."

"Do you really hate being the leader so much, Princess? You've been an effective one along the way! Haha! Anyway, let's go!"

Finally she hears the cheers of them as they all stepped in the circle.

The voices receded after that and Rain was able to return to her usual self. She then saw Byakuren was still explaining and she ponders to what she just experienced.

'The Asura Realm... just what kind of mess did I got involved in the past?'

"...so that would mean that you could be an enemy... I'm sorry to say that but we can't be sure. For now, please don't try to pick a fight with my people..." She then turns her attention to the other yokais. "The same applies to all of you too."

They just nodded in response. While Rain somehow missed some the explanation, she can't outright tell her that she's not listening. So she just agreed to it. Apparently the talks would soon come to an end. As Byakuren thanks her for coming and heading her request but it was quite not over yet as another group of people have come and they are not Buddhist but rather the Taoist. There are five of them that appeared and the one at the center that came from the door said.

"My, it appears you're right, Futo. She is indeed here. Great job on telling me about this." A feminine voice said as the others looks at them with surprise.

The one called Futo simply nods and replied. "I am humbled by such compliment, Lady Taishi (Crown Prince)."

A woman dressed in a chinese clothing with a blue hair and eyes, also began to speak.

"I'm not even surprised that they'll make the first move. After all, they are quite afraid of getting on the bad side of the yokai exterminator. Fufufu, how typical of you, Buddhist." she gave a scornful laugh after this.

"Seiga...you wicked hermit. What are you doing here in our sacred temple no less?" Byakuren seems to be quite hostile to this person named Seiga.

Seiga Kaku, she is called the "Evil Hermit" because of her wicked deeds and how she only cares about herself and her own goals.

"Don't we just live next to each other? I'm just saying hi. Isn't that right, my cute servant?" She asks the person besides her that has a paper with chinese words stuck to her face and also wears a chinese styled clothes.

"Yes! Can I bite that person? She looks yummy..." She asks her master and she is pertaining to Rain who tensed up from hearing that.

'The heck? Who are these people? Great... It looks like they are after me too... what a day this is...' She mentally thought.

Seiga gestured while saying. "No, my cute little Yoshika. She's a person you don't want to bite because she'll bite you back." She named her servant.

Yoshika Miyako, the undead servant of the wicked hermit. She's a Jiang Shi that can turn another victim into a another Jiang Shi with a single bite. They seek out lifeblood and are very dangerous for thr living. Though easy to outrun, fighting them would be hard as they are already dead to begin with. Hence, they feel no pain, no fatigue and no emotions.

"Awwww, a shame..." She said still with her arms ahead, like a zombie.

The other allies of the buddhist all lined up in defense. It seems like a fight may occur. After all, Taoist and Buddhist are both rival religions. To add more conflict, in the past Byakuren built this temple in order to stop the revival of Toyasatomimi no Miko. The person whose at the center of the said Taoism. Meaning they quite failed at this plan as she is eventually revived.

"Futo and Tojiko, don't start a fight. Especially you, Seiga. We're not here for that, we came for you, miss Rain. Like how the buddhist wants a talk, we thought we drop by too so as to not bother you. Isn't it convenient?" Miko said in a polite and casual matter, her eyes fixated on Rain.

Soga no Tojiko, is a ghost that is an ally of Miko and is very much loyal to her. She's supposed to be a Shikasen/Hermit too but an event made her a vengeful ghost instead.

Seeing the situation getting tense for both parties and she doesn't want to be in the crossfire. She rose up from sitting and faced them. In actuality, she's getting irritated by what's happening.

"I don't really like situations like this, so I'm getting straight to the point. What do you people want?" She gave a look at them as she said this.

"My, I told you Miko, that she's fierce." Seiga commented.

While one of Miko's followers reacted to the way Rain spoke as she found it displeasing.

"Thou art acting with such impolite attitude towards Lady Taishi! She has given thee her precious time just to talk. Such insolence is unacceptable! What does Lady Taishi see to such a petite and clueless woman? Thee should be humbled and joyous that Lady Taishi has grace thou her presence herself!" She exclaimed her reactions.

Though her manner of speaking is very old and archaic. Rain quite understood all of that and a vein pops out of her head. She's fed up from all of this. People are trying to tell her what she needs to do and be.

So without thinking and in a lightning flash speed. She moved to the position of Futo, whose eyes widened when she actually saw how tall she is, glaring down at her with an intense stare.

The others were surprised too as they didn't even saw her move. Such feats shouldn't be possible for a normal human. Miko who is beside Futo saw this and she mentally thought.

'Shukuchi?'

She is referring to the mystical techniques of rapid movement.

Futo's sweat drop as she became a mute when the one she is insulting is now in front of her. Waiting for her to continue. Maybe now she'll know why Rain is quite feared by the yokai.

"Ah... damn it, I acted without thinking again... maybe I'm a little tired and stressed from many things happening..." Rain said as she backs away from them while apologizing. "Sorry, I got a little angry over such a matter. So please, tell me what do you actually need. As, I want to go home and rest for the day."

Hearing this, Miko clears her throat to gather their attention before speaking. "Basically, we just want you to know that we are on your side and we want to build a friendly relationship with you." She stated her purpose but is this really what she aims for? Probably not, this is the Crown Prince after all, is a ruler with a high intellect.

If that's all they want then Rain can agree to that. Even if they have ulterior motives, it would just be an unwise move to make an enemy that is trying to be peaceful. With that they all dispersed as they left before Rain. Could it be that they just wanted to show off? There's not much to say to them but she just asked the other side of their opinions to which she quite foresaw would be negative.

The buddhist seems to have an antagonistic relationship with the Taoist possibly due to their religion differences but they did say that going into a conflict and a fight would be rather pointless so they try to live with each other in peace.

Without anymore inquries, Rain bid goodbye to them and left the temple. Though this encounter might have left an impression in her that her so called job is something the yokai didn't like. What kind of past did she have? Is it worth to try and retake it? She does know that along with those memories contains many things, even the dark and sad ones. Thinking too much about it would just stress her out much more so she just gave a quiet sigh as she walks out back to the road.

The buddhist wants her to be a peaceful person, not harming any yokai. Well, she is one. The yokai themselves are the ones who always starts a fight with her.

As she walks, she was stopped by another person.

"Excuse me..." This person is wearing a japanese peasant clothing and a hat. Strapped behind her is a somehow big inventory bag. So Rain thought this person is a travelling salesperson.

"Oh...um I don't actually have some money on me. So whatever you're selling. I can't afford it." She said and then she turns around to continue her walk but before she could do so. The other person stopped her by saying.

"No, I'm actually done for the day. I'm here because, you're miss Rain, right? Judging from the description given to me. It matches you." This time the travelling salesperson's voice became quite clear to Rain. She could tell that it is a woman. Though hearing that makes her furrow her brows as she said.

"Ugh...not again. What is it this time?" Rain was quite exhausted mentally so she cannot help but react this way.

The woman seems to be confused to what she just said but continued regardless. "So you are her. Very well, then. I'm Reisen Udongein Inaba, an earth rabbit. I'm here to fetch and escort you to Eientei." She introduced herself as well as stating her purpose.

"Eientei? Where's that?"

"It's in the Bamboo Forest of The Lost. You won't be able to get there without a guide." She quickly replied.

However Rain declined. Probably because of too much people bothering her.

"Really? Then it's a good thing I'm not going then."

"Of course with me- wait what?" Her face seems to look surprised from Rain's reply.

"You heard me, I'm quite tired for the day so maybe next time?" She said as she started to move but she felt Reisen's hands stopping her.

"No...no please! You have to come! I can't dissappoint them! Master will be very displeased with me if I don't bring you there!" She seems to be pleading now which kind of puts Rain in a spot.

"What? Just tell them you've met me and tell them what I told you."

"I um... ah.." Reisen seems to be struggling to answer back as she fumbles on her words. Then she finally came up with the right words. "My master knows you and can possibly help you return your memories! She's a great doctor and a genius!"

Rain stops on her tracks and slowly turns around. While Reisen seems to have smiled a little for what she said has piqued her interest.

"Tell me more about this, master of yours..." She said with a serious tone.

Animal Realm – Primate Spirit Garden, Tumulus Base Interior –

Two individuals can be seen talking but their conversation is quite not friendly.

"Can't you see? Human... you've been tricked by this beast spirit to do their own dirty work."

"What?" This voice was from Reimu, who is now confronting the supposed enemy of the beast spirits. She is quite pertubed by how things have turned out.

"I am the sculptor god who protects the human spirits from those foul beasts. Keiki Haniyasushin." She gestured to herself. "You know, there's no need for fellow humans to fight each other. Don't you agree?" Her carefree tone of voice seems suspicious to Reimu as she hears her introduction but what caught her off guard was the part about them being fellow humans.

"Huh? F-fellow humans?" Just as she said that the eagle spirit possessing her takes over as it said in her voice.

"Don't be fooled, shrine maiden! She's no ally of humans at all, but rather a wicked god that drove the human spirits that summoned her to their destruction!"

Shaking herself, she replied. "U-urgh! This is getting obnoxious! Why did I agree in the first place?!" She scoulded herself but then quickly turns her eye back to Keiki. "But... I can see an evil aura around you! I'll just beat you up and think things over!" She declared to her but the sculptor god seems disappointed at her reply.

"Ah. Your intuition certainly is not that sharp. Well, it can't be helped. I'm just saying, that I'll let you off the hook if you back off now, but even didn't notice it at all..." She shakes her head "...What a shame. Truly, what a crying shame..."

For Reimu she hasn't noticed anything but for the eagle spirit possessing her. It felt what Keiki is indicating. So it immediately warned her by talking to her in her thoughts.

'Human! This is bad! We've let her stall for too long! Now, she's going to unleash her sculpting arts! This is what has defeated every last one of us beast spirits!'

It was too late, Keiki is already ready for them. All they could do now was...

"Run! We must retreat for now! Go!" The possessed Reimu said as they fly away from Keiki.

Seeing this Keiki just looks at them before saying. "You built up this whole plan, and now you flee in the face of the enemy...!" She scoffs at them as slowly she raises both of her hands. "Truly the height of idiocy. Don't think for a second that I'll let you escape after you violated my sacred territory to this extent. I'll destroy your body of flesh, and build you anew from soil and water! You shall be an idol without a single flaw, told of for ages and ages to come!" She declared and then gave chase to them. The final battle has already begun.

Myouren Temple – The Buddhist Side –

Shortly after Rain left, Byakuren gathered her followers and talks to them.

"Now do you see why we need her to be on our side or at least heed our request?" She asked them.

"But, what would be the benefit of us for doing so?" Ichirin is first the first to raise her question. "Can't we just fight her?"

Byakuren shakes her head. "Ichirin, did you forget what our teaching is? No fighting, hence why we must at least pacify her. Imagine that, if we're able to then the peace that we all dream and yearn is not that impossible." What she said earned a nod from her followers.

"Mamizou," She asked for the tanuki yokai who stepped forward.

"I'd like you to continue gathering information and the rest to avoid a conflict. The Taoist are sure to make their own move. We do not know what they are really planning but a human ruler like Miko is dangerous enough for the yokai, what more if a powerful yokai exterminator joins her?" She stated her point making the others finally getting to what she is talking about.

Mamizou smirked and adjusted her glasses while replying. "My social network is the perfect job for that. Hopefully that tengu won't get in the way, well I won't even let her in the first place."

With that Byakuren nods and she dismissed them, returning to their usual routines.

Senkai – The Taoist Side –

Miko seems to be in deep thought when one of her followers interrupted her.

"Taishi-sama. What do we do now?" This question came from Tojiko.

"Hmm... no need to act in a hasty way. It is up to her if she'll take the offer of our friendship. We do not have sufficient information...though I need to have a word with you, Futo..." Her eyes gloss over to Futo, who knows that she acted a bit out of line. "While I'm grateful for that... we cannot have her have an ire against us. I suppose, you already learned that after staring eye to eye with her?"

Futo seems down about this but her expression changed as she remembers their face to face encounter.

"Aye, thyself is ashamed for acting without thinking. Though, I felt that she's not a normal human, is she not, Lady Taishi?"

"We do not know for sure, she claims to be a human and looks a human. I can hear her desires like a normal human. But something is amiss, I cannot figure it out yet. Hence, why she piqued my interest. I already have told Seiga to lay her hands off of her. So we shouldn't have any problems regarding that matter." She said as she cups her chin.

"But Taishi-sama, why do we need to have such a relationship to her?" Tojiko asked once again.

Miko replied swiftly. "Why, because I just want to. We also cannot let the buddhist have their own way, now would you? It would be a fun little competition."

Her followers agreed to what she said and they continued to talk about other things.

Somewhere along the edge of the barrier...

"Hmm... I've been searching as to who could have gone through the barrier with ease..." This voice belonged to Kasen. "...So it was just you? Didn't your master already said that you are free to do what you want?"

She's looking at a wolf, whose fur is a mix of white and blue. But this one is not an ordinary wolf as it is quite big. It then looks at her, and opened its mouth.

"Free? Yes... that would be the case. I've been free a long time ago. I'm here on my own volition. Acting out what I think is needed and what she'll order." It said with a polite tone as it stomps a paw to the ground.

"I could guess what she said, is it to keep watch on Gensokyo on her behalf?" She tried to guess but the wolf chuckled at this.

"Close enough... I'm here for I've felt her presence... and after checking, it would seem like she has indeed returned... I'm just about to leave when you interrupted."

"Perhaps you just miss her. Then again, you've been doing some work at the outside?" This question hints that the wolf came from the outside world recently.

"Indeed I have, and will continue to do so. That is the last thing I was ordered. As I am the storm that brings ruins to my enemies for that is the name given to me, Storm Weaver." The wolf gave his given name.

Storm Weaver, he is no ordinary wolf as he is a magical beast, a giant wolf to be exact. The size he is at right now is just him shrunk in size.

"Are you sure you don't want to meet her?" She asks him.

Storm Weaver shakes his head and replied. "The time has not come yet for me to reunite with my master. It would jeopardize everything. After all, she taught me to think for myself, to grow and be independent. In the past I was but a normal wolf, blindly following the pack, stuck in my fate. Until that day, where she gave me that idea... to become my own master. To break out from the chains of fate that bounds me. She showed me that the only way out of that vicious cycle was to strike out and pave my own way. I did... and this is where it led me, I'm following and serving her as my own decision. I'm still in control of my own life." He said making Kasen nod with a smile.

"Yes, that sounds a lot like her. So how's the situation outside? I've been there lately and it is quite peaceful." She asks.

The wind around them blows Kasen's hair and the wolf's fur gently. Storm Weaver gave a sigh and replied.

"Indeed it is peaceful for now... but the humans are still humans... you only see what is on the surface, that's all what I could say about that part. About the war they've been fighting... it has stopped for now but technically their war still rages from within. You know what I mean. Eventually this peace won't last. Master herself has said that. All we could for now was cull down the evil ones. That's my work...and along with the ones that could bring harm here. The supernatural, still exist outside. Especially the human ones with the desire for power and have their own sort of supernatural power. Like the recent girl with psyshic powers you have an eye on..." This statement means that Storm Weaver has been here at Gensokyo. Watching over, and protecting it from the shadows. Though the others that knows him are aware of this.

"She's not that sort of person as I see for now."

Storm Weaver however scoffs at her words. "For now... if she ever crosses that line... which she almost does... either you do it or I will..." He looks up for a moment before continuing. "...Though perhaps master will have a different approach to it but this is what I think. I've dirtied my fangs and claws a long time ago. As master had once said back then to me, 'It has to be this way. Storm Weaver. It's either we do nothing or we'll be nothing.' Such wise words that I didn't understood back then but now I've seen what those words mean and carry." He is getting ready to leave as he said this.

"I'm going back out there. There are still things that are needed to be done. As a saying goes 'Rest is for the dead.' "He laughs a little bit from saying that. "Master really shares some great wise sayings, see you around, Lady Kasen." He said before finally going through the barrier, leaving behind Kasen who replied after he is gone.

"That just shows how much you respect and believe in your own master... may the plan succeed so that we can finally vanquish the great evil that threatens all of us." The gentle winds blew her hair as she said that.

Bamboo Forest Of The Lost

A girl with a white hair is walking with her hands in her pocket. She seems irritated for a reason and grumbled. "That is why hate sleeping... whenever I do so. Memories from the past always comes to haunt me."

She has red eyes and ankle-length white hair. She wears a light brown shirt that appears as if it's been discolored from fire, and dark redsashinuki hakamathat are randomly decorated withpaper charms. Her hair's tied with these same red and white paper charms. She is none other than Fujiwara no Mokou.

The way she yawned appears to indicate that she had just woken up and her saying how she hated sleeping must mean that she had a nightmare.

"Maybe I should sell some yakitori to forget about this..." She said to herself as she walks to the thick bamboo forest.

Then again she thought about her supposed nightmare. As she stops for a moment as she sighs heavily.

"Iwakasa... a person that I won't forget. After all, due to my desire. I ended up killing him. I saw his reaction as I pushed him off to his death... and it just haunts me... then there is master... the person who taught me how to fight and who also saved me. I've said I'd become a person like her but I ended up to be the opposite. I should have taken that hand but instead I was consumed by my own raging fire that burned her beautiful face..." as she said that she clenched both of her fist and teeth.

"I hated myself for that... but maybe they'll still believed in me. If only I could see them again... but that wouldn't be possible..." She murmured to herself. A moment later she shakes her head to release herself from this situation. Silently, she walks again...alone as always.

As she knows her way around here. She has no problem in her direction and easily managed to get out of the Bamboo Forest. Right now she is at the entrance of it. Though what greeted her next is a fuming little yokai bird that angrily calls out to her.

"The yakitori stand vendor! What a coincidence! You've been trying to up your selling game, huh?! Didn't think I would find out about this?" This voice came from Mystia the lamprey stand vendor. She seems to be angry about the lie Rain had told her back then.

"What? Oh, the little yokai bird that hates what I'm selling." She rolls her eyes in annoyance. "Here again to cry about how I always outsell you?" Mokou gave a loud mocking laugh to annoy Mystia further.

"Grr... so that silver-white haired girl is saying the truth... just you wait! I'll have you on your knees when I come up with a plan!" She snarled at her and eventually flew away while grumbling.

Mokou just scratches the back of her and said. "A bird brain like her won't be able to. So I'm not even threatened, it's not even a competition... but who is she talking about?" She did not dwell on that matter and continued her walk.

A few minutes after her encounter with Mystia, she is walking casually with her two hands behind her head. "Maybe, I should visit Keine... I have nothing to do today... that damn Kaguya, skipping out on our fight." She cursed her rival as she turns around the corner of the road.

But as soon as she turned, she faced off with a familiar person. "Ah, it's you, Reisen. Done with the medicine peddling?" She asked her.

"Yes, I'm heading back-" Reisen was cut off by Rain who was following her from behind, Mokou didn't noticed her until now.

"You are walking too fast! You said you're an escort and yet you almost left me behind, seriously?" She complained as she catches up to her.

When Mokou saw her. Her face turned pale and was left speechless for a few moment. It was like she saw a ghost, for she recognizes her for how could she forget? This is the same face that once saved her from the past and the one whom she burned. She can't believe it, as she blinks her eyes in surprise before some words escaped from her mouth.

"...It can't be...no way... m-master?!"