First off, Touhou is not an anime. It is a vertical scrolling bullet-hell game. There IS a fan-made anime out there, but there is nothing official in that vein, as far as I know as I write this. And from what I know, ZUN, the creator, does not want it to be an anime. The amazing thing about touhou is the fan base. As Naka-Teleeli said, the Touhou story is about 20% canon, 80% fan-made. That's the great thing about this series. ZUN, has given the fans a lot of creative freedoms. I'm going to take some liberties with the characters here, and also take some of the fan's takes on the characters with their stories. Again, I'll say it. I'm writing this as an introductory to the Touhou series, so those who do know the series may just be reading what they already know.
For the people who don't know, Touhou is way bigger than they can imagine. So many fans have made so much media about the series. If you do see "openings" on Youtube, they're fan made.
But if you don't know what Touhou is, or actually, don't care, the very least I ask of you is to enjoy the music. At least take that with you. You won't regret it.
Now, my A/N went on further than this, and my Beta Reader Sky Rider got on my case about it. I'll cut it short...well, shorter.
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is owned by Nagaru Tanigawa. Touhou Project is owned by ZUN and Team Shanghai Alice. I own neither. This is a fan fiction of those works.
[This Chapter has been Remastered]
Beta Readers for this Episode(Alphabetical Order):
liquidity
Serendipital
Sky Rider
Smooglii [Remaster]
superstarultra
My eyes opened, the memories of the little girl who was chasing me still swirling in my head. It was a bit dark in my room, the only light a crack of weak sunlight slipping in between the curtains of the room – one of the few things that I could make out in the darkness. I let out a sigh as I laid there for a while, as the sunlight got stronger and stronger, letting in more light. It must have been dawn. I allowed my thoughts to go to what I had just experienced, as it was fresh in my mind. Another weird dream? But it was so real. If that was a dream, then I really know how to simulate the sensation of cold…. However, I didn't think I should discount it as just another weird dream. Last time I did so, I learned that I was involved in preserving the world the way it was.
I got up in the low light of the dawn, dreading it. The light afforded by the crack in the curtains led me to the truth - I knew I wasn't in Tsuruya's vacation house. This wasn't my room, though it was quite spacious, very fancy. Plush red carpeting, soft red wallpaper, and the furniture all had detailed woodwork - this was real classy-type stuff here. It was very western, and from what I could tell, wealthy. I looked around for a light, but to no avail. No light switch, no nothing; not even an outlet. Part of me didn't want to leave the warmth of my soft bed, but I did as such; the lingering cold that accompanies winter rolled over my body as I left the bed. The fireplace's embers and blackened remains were radiating a little warmth, and a little light. I was in some plain cotton clothes that appeared to be handmade, expertly handmade, but still handmade. My winter clothes that I had were gone, as well as my lighter and flashlight. Opening the wardrobe revealed a few more clothes that appeared to be in my size, and my winter school uniform, all clean, the flashlight and lighter missing. A pitcher of water and a glass were next to my bed, alongside a wind-up clock. It was a little before six in the morning. After taking a drink, I ended up trying the door to find it locked, and I sat back down on my bed in the dark as the sun had to have risen over the horizon.
Okay, this is different, no doubt about that. No electricity, a handmade feel about everything around me, and a crisp, clean feeling. Even the water tastes unnaturally pure. Did I get sent back in time or something? At least there was plumbing in the small bathroom my room was connected to. Back in time... That shouldn't be possible, if Asahina's and Koizumi's explanations ring true. Either it's impossible to go back in time before that point over three years ago, or the world wasn't created until over three years ago, respectively. So where or when is here?
I got up again, and went to the window, throwing open the curtains. I was greeted by the view of the wall I remembered, but this time I was on the other side of it. The forest beyond was covered in snow, the blinding white of the winter making me squint. I noticed movement, three stories below me, there was a lone figure, a woman in green.
The woman in green, standing over me. The girl with the fangs, chasing me, wanting to eat me. Did that person outside save me? How? There was a flurry of colorful energy flying around, knocking away the little girl. Did that lady outside do that? So wait, that wasn't a dream? Or am I still dreaming?
I watched as the woman practiced Tai Chi in the snow-covered yard. The snow was coming down pretty good, but I was able to watch her. However, I couldn't see her face, but she had a green beret and long red hair, along with two braids that rested on her chest, moving with her.
And what a yard! If I had to guess, I really was in that mansion I ran to. Which meant...which meant what it meant.
I'm here. But where is here?
Where am I?
[Imperfect Cherry Blossom]
[Episode 2]
["Scarlet"]
"This is an isolated place in an eastern country, far from any villages.
In ancient times, this was a place of terror. Those who wandered too close would be eaten by youkai.
People called this place Gensokyo and never dared to approach."
-Perfect Cherry Blossom: Prologue
I continued to watch her movements - they were mesmerizing. She was obviously an expert at it, her motions fluid as water, non-excessive, beautiful. The way she moved her body had captured my full attention. Although I was someone who had minimum knowledge of Tai Chi, I understood enough to know that it was Tai Chi. She had finished her exercise and was doing several different forms of martial arts, sticking with one for a while before moving on to the next. What disciplines, I didn't know, but again, I'm not one to really know, other than from what I had seen in the movies. She performed her actions with her back to me, so I couldn't get a look at her face.
I was so entranced by her that I almost didn't hear the lock of the door turning and its subsequent opening. The sudden realization that I wasn't alone made me quickly turn to see a girl with red hair peeking into the room. She appeared shocked to see me, and let out a gasp. She quickly closed the door and re-locked it. I stood there, stunned for a while, before running to the door.
"Hey! Hey! Who are you? Where am I? Let me out!" I knocked on the door, kept trying the lock, but to no avail. Am I a prisoner here?! Why'd she lock me in?! Why am I locked in in the first place, dammit?! It angered me, but then my mind caught up. There was something about the girl that my mind hadn't registered until then.
In that brief moment I saw her, she had bat wings on the back of her head, and on her back.
I backed away from the door until I ended up right next to the bed, unsure of what to think. What the hell is she? Though, she looked more scared to see me than I'm of her.
It wasn't long until I heard the door unlock again, and the girl with the bat wings came back in. She looked to be a young adult, had long red hair, and was wearing a black dress, long tan boots that ran up to her knees, a white dress shirt, a black vest, and a red necktie. This girl was actually cute, staring at me with her inhuman eyes. She looked unsure of what to say.
That being said, her unnatural appearance was putting me on alert. My mind was going in different directions of what to think there, yet I couldn't afford to give it too much thought, in case something happened. We stared at each other - this creature before me reminded me of Asahina, with the way she stood and all. Even the way she was fidgeting a bit. I wasn't sure what she was, but after a while, I didn't feel threatened by her.
Her lips moved, letting out a small gasp of a greeting. "Ah...good morning."
Man, she even sounds somewhat like Asahina. "...Uhm...good morning to you, too."
She blushed as she looked down, obviously shy as she avoided eye contact. The tension in my body that built up was ebbing away, as I felt no need to really be afraid of her. I sort of felt bad staring at the wings on her, so I didn't really know where to look. The silence continued for a bit, until there was a knock on the door.
The girl then opened it as she spoke, smiling as she did so. She appeared to have gotten confidence. "Lady Patchouli will see you now."
In walked a girl with long purple hair and purple eyes, wearing what appeared to be light purple pajamas and a nightcap with a crescent moon on it. Very loose-fitting clothes. She had various red and blue ribbons tied to her hair and clothing – even on her shoes, which looked to be made of the same soft material as to everything else she wore. Everything about her just said "soft". This girl, or, woman, Patchouli, appeared to be...I wanted to say European. It was difficult to say what nationality she was, and it would only be conjecture on my part. She looked at me with tired eyes, before turning to the other girl.
"Koakuma, please get me a chair." Her voice was as soft and tired as she looked.
The red haired girl gave a slight bow before following the order. "Yes, Lady Patchouli."
"And you, boy. Please sit on the bed."
"Boy"? She can't be much older than me. She looks young. I still wasn't sure of my situation, but I obliged the woman.
Patchouli was looking me over as I sat, examining me as the other girl, Koakuma, started up the fireplace again. I don't know why I went along with it. It was just so weird, this ordeal, though it felt like a checkup. She confirmed this after I stared at her for a moment, I guess reading my raised eyebrow.
"You had a nasty fall out there, bumped your head. Been onl-" Patchouli paused, appearing to regret saying even that. She took a few seconds before she gave me a small smile. "- Well, you're fine. That's the important thing."
So that did happen. I knew I remembered seeing stars when I made contact with the concrete. I guess I should be grateful I didn't crack my head open. That being said, she wasn't explaining to me where I was. In fact, she was ignoring my own questions while expecting me to answer hers.
She went with the usual 'how many fingers am I holding up' and other various things for a while, before I couldn't take it any more. I stood up from her examining me.
"Just who are you?"
"Patchouli Knowledge."
She responded quickly, matter-of-factly. There was a hint of unemotion in her voice that seemed...familiar. Also, what kind of surname is "Knowledge?" At least she didn't say that with any sarcasm.
"But, that's not what I mean!" I gazed around the room to emphasize my predicament. "Who are you? Where am I?"
"We'll get to that soon enough. But you look fine. Perfectly healthy, in fact." Patchouli stood up, a small smile forming on her face. "Amazing. Amazing indeed. That little youkai gave you quite the scare, didn't she?"
My eyes narrowed. Did she just say 'youkai'?
Youkai. Paranormal beings. Creatures from folklore and legend, ghosts, demons, spirits, that kind of deal. That little girl was a youkai?
She noticed my reaction, and smiled. "Well, I thought so. You aren't from Gensokyo."
"Gensokyo?"
"Yes." She said that as if it answered my question, which, I guess did, but without context, it didn't work. But apparently it would have to do - she turned to the door, motioning for me to follow her. "Now, let's hurry up. Maybe we can get an explanation for you before she goes to bed."
"Who? And going to bed in the morning?"
"You'll see."
Someone tell me what the hell is going on! I did not want to be dragged along and ignored by more people. I got enough of that in my normal life.
After she escorted me out of my room, (and still not answering my questions) we went through quite a bit of the mansion, and it was as grand as my room led me to believe. It was very red. Carpeting, the designs on the ceiling, the wallpaper, even the lights along the hallway. It all just gave off such a reddish hue to everything. The wood floor was polished to such a shine that it reflected a lot of this red back, intensifying it.
And then there were the maids. Fairy maids. Are you kidding me? Fairy maids; they weren't as small as you'd think, fairies - more like the size of children. They were cleaning, walking around, carrying various things from room to room. They were even using the wings on their backs to flutter about. Some of them stopped to gawk at me, matching my gawking at them. I call them fairies because that's what Patchouli told me what they are when I stopped to see them. Fairies… fairies are real. I… what…?
I had to regain control of myself. Patchouli then led me through a massive ornate domed lobby, before we arrived at a set of ornate double doors that atop of a staircase. Patchouli motioned to them.
"The throne room."
There were three people up there. Two fairies in green, who had sheathed daggers. Guard fairies, I assumed.
I really had to stop there to think about that for a bit Okay...fairies. What the hell. Where am I?! I'm in a mansion where there are fairies. Fairies. Actual fairies.
The other person was a pretty maid (who didn't have wings), who had to be in her very late teens or very early twenties, dressed in the French maid style. She had a maid cap, which she adjusted as we approached. She had short silver hair that had two braids, one each hanging down on either of her face, both ending with a green bow. The pocket-watch she had hanging from her apron pocket gleamed in the candlelight, perfectly polished. The maid was of obvious Japanese descent. Patchouli called out to the maid.
"Ah, Izayoi. Is Remi aware of the guest waking up?"
The maid nodded.
"Good, good. Can you please tell her that he's here?"
Izayoi again nodded and quickly entered the doors. After a brief few seconds, she came back out. I had the feeling this was going to be a grand entrance type of thing. The maid bowed at the top of the stairs, for my benefit I suppose, yet she stared at me with suspicious blue eyes. That was the only way I could describe them.
"May I present to you, the mistress of the Scarlet Devil Mansion. The Scarlet Devil herself, Lady Remilia Scarlet." Izayoi bowed and moved away from the doors.
That's a lot of Scarlets...and...'Scarlet Devil'? Scarlet Devil? What have I gotten myself into?
The two guards opened the doors, and out stepped a child, no bigger than my sister; though, no, my sister was taller than this child. Again, like Patchouli, Remilia here appeared to be European, and looked possibly French or English. Again, conjecture. She was wearing a pink dress with red trim and a mob cap. Her dress was rather simple yet at the same time really elegant. A child with wings. Bat wings. She flicked her short-cut light blue hair as she stepped to the top of the staircase, smiling with obvious arrogance, revealing her fangs. She looked down on me with inhuman red eyes.
The two of us stared at each other, her amused attitude telling me she was in control here. I stared at her fangs, and the wings, and I could only come up with one thought. She's a vampire. I'm looking at an actual vampire! I'm in the home of a vampire! At least, those were the thoughts my mind was shouting at me. I know I normally shouldn't jump to conclusions, but already it wasn't a normal day, even in comparison to the rest of my abnormal life.
"Welcome, my boy, to the Scarlet Devil Mansion!" The way she moved, the way she expressed herself, even the way she stood was eerily familiar. She continued, her voice having a western accent, despite her fluent Japanese. "And also, welcome to Gensokyo. You, you are from the outside world, aren't you?"
Her smile widened when I failed to respond. I was still in a little shock over how...familiar...
"What's the matter, boy? Cat got your tongue? Or is it that you're intimidated by me? Tell you what - why don't you tell me who you are? After all, you're a guest in my home, and I don't even know your name."
I swallowed hard before I told her. Her eyebrows rose.
"...That's...that's an interesting name. Very extravagant, if my Japanese is correct. You certainly seem interesting, which is good."
"...But...but my friends call me 'Kyon'." I didn't know why I told her that. Still hated that nickname.
"Oh, you want to consider me a friend, then?" I balked in response before she laughed. "Ah, smart move, boy! You'd do well to make me your friend. So, Kyon, you are from the outside world, correct?"
Outside world? "I-I don't know what that means." This girl was definitely smaller than me, yet she commanded such a presence that, yes, I did fell more than a little intimidated by her, as she said.
The vampire tilted her head, smiling. "Hmmm. Poor boy doesn't know his situation. You didn't tell him, Patchi?"
Knowledge stepped forward. "I thought you would like to have the pleasure, Remi."
Remilia mulled this over for a bit. "You know, you know I suppose I would, now that I think about it. I'd like to see the look on his face after all. Might be amusing. Even though it's your idea for me to meet him like this."
"But he does know of the youkai."
"Ah, of course, after his incident with the one...I think her name is Rumia. Or is it? Hmmm." The vampire yawned.
"Remi, what have you been doing?" Patchouli spoke, sounding annoyed. "I bring him all the way to you, and you're falling asleep on me?"
"Ah, just trying out the handheld electronic game Sakuya got me from Rinnosuske's." The little girl stretched. "Actually lost track of the time."
Electronic game? Well, there goes the time traveling theory, I suppose. I asked a question. "What year is it?"
Remilia tilted her head. "Excuse me?"
"Have I been taken back in time, or...what is going on?" I'm totally lost here.
Remilia smiled again, her eyes shining with amusement over my utter confusion. "Ah, you're right Patchi. His confusion is amusing! I shall fully enjoy his reactions later!"
Glad you're taking my situation this lightly. I'd like to see you in my shoes.
Patchouli sighed. "Later, Remi?"
"Yes, it'll have to be later. Now if you'll excuse me, I do need my rest. I've been up all night, so perhaps we can resume this conversation at dinner?"
And with that, the vampire went on her way, having the final say. Though why I spoke up, I don't know. Maybe it was because she… "You remind me of someone I know." The way she carries herself, the way she has the final say, hell, even the exact same way she turned after having said final say! This child is just like her!
She turned, raising an eyebrow. "Really? I hope that's a compliment. See you later, Patchi."
If you knew what I thought of her at times, you'd know that it wouldn't be a very flattering compliment.
"Have a good rest, Remi."
"Oh, yeah. Sakuya!"
The maid turned to her vampire master.
"Sakuya…" Remilia's eyes narrowed at her maid, who bowed.
"There won't be any problems, milady."
Problems? Is there something I should worry about?
"Good. Now, does anyone else have any news to interrupt me with before I-"
Patchouli did interrupt. "Actually, Remi, yes I do. Your sister is awake."
The amused look on the vampire's face disappeared, becoming a serious one. "Ahhh...Yeah, thanks for telling me. Just… make sure she doesn't… you know."
"Of course, Remi."
"Because it would be bad for the boy. But anyway, see you all at dinner!"
So I'm guessing her sister is something to worry about then? Can someone please tell me what the hell is going on? Remilia turned and went down a hall. I was unsure of what really transpired there. Although I was more than a little peeved. We made our way through that huge maze of a mansion only to not get the explanation I was promised. What a waste of time. Patchouli just sighed, sharing in my frustration on that matter.
"I'm sorry about that...Kyon, right? I'm sorry about that. I had hoped Remi would have been able to tell you what is going on."
So why can't you? "But...she's a vampire. She is a vampire, right?"
"Yes she is, but she tries to avoid a traditional vampire's waking hours. For her to stay up all night like that is actually unusual, at least in the time I've known her. But I'm sorry for all of this. Now we'll have to wait all day. If she was anyone else I'd get her to explain, but...Remi will be Remi."
You're saying that like it's supposed to have some meaning for me. It doesn't. The maid, Izayoi, walked down to m, before bowing. She still had those suspicious eyes.
"Sakuya Izayoi. Head maid of the Scarlet Devil Mansion. Milady has seen fit that you are allowed breakfast."
"'Seen fit'? What's that supposed to mean?" Seriously. Someone tell me what is really going on. I'm lost.
As we walked through the mansion to the library after a decent breakfast of eggs and bacon, I had this weird feeling that I was being watched. Not by the people I was with, but by someone, or something else. I turned, and a door closed. I thought I saw a little girl, a tad smaller than Remilia.
The huge double doors to the library were opened by Izayoi and-
I had thought the ornate entryway that we passed through on the way there was impressive. This library was beyond massive. Rows upon rows of tall shelves, and I do mean that - I daresay that at the center, the library may have run up into the clock tower of the mansion. At the peak of it, above what had to be the central area, all I could see was darkness – the tallest shelves went up into that darkness. There easily had to be hundreds of thousands of books. Nagato would have loved this place. Patchouli and Koakuma entered, and I slowly followed them in, taking in the sight.
Izayoi spoke up from behind me. "There is a simple rule we have at the Scarlet Devil Mansion. If you don't work, you don't eat."
What? Did she just say that? I turned around, giving her a confused look.
"For now, Lady Remilia thought that you assisting Lady Patchouli in the library will be enough."
My face could not have looked more dumbfounded, I supposed. "I thought I was a guest here."
"A guest that's been staying a while. Besides, it's for your own good, and you'll need something to do while Lady Remilia sleeps."
Before I could even ask her what she meant when she said I was here 'a while', she bowed and closed the door, leaving me with Koakuma and Patchouli. Huh. Izayoi's a little rude, it seems. I mean, really? I'm told I'm a guest but I have to work to eat now? This kind of logic was fitting for...ah, why are my thoughts turning back to her? And why am I going along with all of this? Why am I putting up with this? Has my time with the Brigade sapped me of my free will to the point that I'm now just cheap labor? Then again, me just going with the flow of an absurd situation is kind of what I'm used to dealing with. I turned to join Patchouli, but something against the wall caught my eye.
There were two portraits, one of Remilia her sitting in a throne, a wine glass on the arm of said throne, looking all regal. There was some sort of red spear propped up against the throne's left armrest. Right next to that picture was another portrait painted a bit darker, essentially a mirror image with the positioning. It was of another girl, sitting in the same throne, or at least it looked like it, but it looked like it was in a different room. She was slightly smaller than Remilia, and instead of pink, wore a red dress and a light pink mob cap. She had slightly longer hair, blonde, which went in a ponytail on her left side. She, too, had those inhuman red eyes Remilia had.
Is this her sister? She's...different. She had some sort of curvy, bent spear thing propped up against this throne's armrest as well, and the wings, well, they were the most prominent and different thing about her. They weren't bat wings, and looked like metal rods with different colored prism shards attached to them. I read the titles: Mistress Remilia Scarlet (with Gungnir) and Mistress Flandre Scarlet (with Laevateinn).
Gungnir? Laevateinn? No way, right? I quickly let the thought that these two had such terrifying Norse mythical weapons in their possessions go as I forced myself into the next thought. This has to be the sister, right? Though why was there what looked like a blood splash on the corner of the portrait? I hope that's just painted on there for effect.
Patchouli walked up to me as I studied the paintings. "Ah, I see you've noticed Flan."
"Flandre...Scarlet."
"Yes. Remi's little sister."
"Remilia said it would be bad for me that her sister is awake. What does she mean by that?"
"You shouldn't have anything to worry about."
I just gave her a dumbstruck look. "'Shouldn't have anything to worry about'. Well, that explains nothing." None of you are explaining that much at all in fact! Why am I putting up with all of this again? Someone please tell me!
"I'm sure that one of the maids will gossip to you about Flan if you ask them. But please don't ask Remi about her. She does love her sister, it's just that I'm reluctant to explain it all to you, or too much of anything for the time being, Kyon. Trust me when I say it's for the best." Patchouli sighed again, looking off to the side and showing annoyance. "And I did say I'd let her explain things. She'd give me hell if I broke my promise…."
She still wouldn't answer any questions I had, and I pretty much spent the next several hours not getting anywhere by asking. I spent those hours shelving books Patchouli was reading through, and assisting Koakuma. The red haired girl was quite helpful, still shy to talk to me, yet she cheerfully went about her tasks. Again, reminding me of Asahina.
Patchouli was stationed at a large table in the middle of the library, actually casting magic. Not bogus magic, but actual magic. I didn't know what to think when she cast a levitation spell on a candle, but it didn't faze me for long, as she went onto other spells that were even more impressive. Conjuration of water, fire, and such, all to various degrees of power. I apparently didn't have time to be in awe with the work that I had been assigned. At least Koakuma made it easy as she was very silent at her duties. During lunch (still in the library), I decided to ask different questions.
"...What..." I set down the books she had me and Koakuma get for her. "If, you don't mind me asking, what exactly are you?"
Patchouli never skipped a beat from her work; reading, applying actual magic over the table, making potions - all while giving me the answers she was willing to give me. "Well if you're asking what Koakuma is, she's a summoned lesser devil who happens to be my assistant and familiar. As for me, I'm a magician."
I shot a glance at the assistant, who averted her gaze. Wow, she is shy. Lesser Devil, huh? Well, she's not at all what I thought a demon would be. But as for Patchouli here… "I can see that you're a...a magician, but what exactly are you?"
"That's my species, actually. Magician. I'm more than human. Somewhat similar to a youkai."
How is 'magician' a species? I decided not to press that though, as she seemed a bit annoyed she had to clarify that for me. "How old are you?"
"I don't want to give out my actual age, but I'm over a hundred years old, my dear boy."
Okay, this is starting to get interesting.
"A hundred? You don't look-"
She smiled at me, before interrupting. "Yes, I know. I look not much older than you. But that's an advantage we non-humans have. We age much slower than you do."
Non...human... "So, uh, if you're a youkai, then..." I paused, uncertainty taking over me. Are there even any normal humans in this house? Am I the lone human? But they look like normal people.
Patchouli went back to her books shaking her head. "Do I eat people? That's what you're asking, right? I've tried it, but it doesn't suit my tastes."
She said that so calmly that I just sat there, staring at her, unable to really react. Okay then. Sorry I asked. And I didn't ask if you ate people. Uhm… is eating people normal in this Gensokyo or wherever I am?
"Yes, that made you uncomfortable. It's true, though. After all, my best friend is a vampire, and she did want me to try it-"
She paused. Whatever she was reading had grabbed her entire attention. She stood up, still looking at the book. "Koakuma, this author. Get me more books by this author. This is what I've been looking for."
Patchouli glanced up at me, and then back at the book, a little excitement shining in her eyes. I was still a little weirded out by what she said about eating people, but I couldn't help but notice something about her.
"You remind me of a friend."
Patchouli frowned for a second. "Not like Remi, I hope."
Smiling, I decided right there that I liked Patchouli. Her snark beneath her soft and tired exterior told me she had a sense of humor. "No, not her. A girl named Nagato. She's a big bookworm, too. You even sound somewhat like her, and your hair color is the same."
Patchouli just nodded as Koakuma returned with a stack of books, but I don't know if she heard me. Her attention seemed to be on whatever she was reading. A thought crossed my mind, however, distracting me from where I was for a bit. Am I dreaming here? Because these people remind me of people I know. Patchouli as some form of Nagato, the assistant Koakuma as an Asahina, and Remilia as Haruhi. Though, where would that leave Koizumi? Not the maid, right? Ah, I hope she doesn't come up to me and start spouting theories and equations and this and that...
The hours passed, and Izayoi retrieved me, carrying a thermos. A thermos? I asked her about it.
"Some things find their way from the outside world into Gensokyo; there is a shop in the human village that specializes in such things." Izayoi handed it to me, saying it was full of fresh coffee. "Can you take this to Hong Meiling, the chief guard? She's the one at the gate, wearing green."
The woman in green.
I stared at the object in my hands, remembering what I went through. "So, she's the one who saved me then."
"Hmm?"
"Before I blacked out, I saw a woman in green standing over me. She was the one who saved me from that youkai, right?"
Izayoi simply nodded, and then ushered me to the front yard. The door closed behind me, I wanted to just leave. Izayoi's attitude around me was just unbearable, though I wondered why she was acting that way. Not to mention how everyone was hiding information from me. I hoped the guard was a lot better. Because, truth be told, I didn't know if I could stand that treatment much longer. Looking up, I saw that the snow kept coming down somewhat heavy - it had been snowing all day, apparently. There was far more snow on the ground now than there was when I looked outside that morning.
I approached the woman in green, the chief guard. Hong Meiling. She still had her back to me, keeping watch outside the gate. I moved next to her, trying to see her face, but her red braids and bangs were obscuring it from where I stood, not letting me see her.
"Yes?" She asked before I got close to her.
"Oh, uhm." I stopped, before holding up the thermos, even though she had her back to me and couldn't see it. "I have coffee for you. The maid, uh, Miss Izayoi wanted me to bring it to you. Thought you might be cold." I made my way to her side.
"Yeah, it is cold." She didn't say anything else, or make any movements, so I offered her the thermos. She took it, still looking out. I still couldn't get a look at her face!
Although I did kind of stare at her bust - she matched adult Asahina, but I shouldn't get into that.
She drank a cup. Since she still hadn't said anything, I turned to leave, unable to believe this treatment from everyone.
"Stay."
Okay...
I went back to standing with her, as she drank another cup. She kept looking out at the frozen lake in front of the mansion. It wasn't until then that I truly looked out there as well. She spoke. "Amazing view, isn't it?"
"Yeah. Yeah it is."
She wasn't kidding. Before us was a bit of land, a trail, and the massive lake. It was frozen solid, but wow, the view. White everywhere, all over the trees. I could see a few fairies flying over the lake, I think playing tag. Fairies flying around, playing tag. Wow. For a while, I felt like I did when I was a kid, whenever I saw something that put me in awe. I mean, fairies flying around.
This was the definition of a fantasy land. It was like I was transported into some fairy tale area. Besides the grounds of this mansion, everything I could see from the gate looked like untouched nature. It was absolutely beautiful. I was finally able to appreciate where I was. This...Gensokyo.
"This place is fantastic. It would have been prime real estate for people from the human village if they didn't fear what was out here."
Human village? She didn't continue, so I stood there for a while before asking. "You mean your mistress, right?"
"Hmm? Oh, yeah, her too. No, I'm talking about the Scarlet Devil."
"...Your mistress, right?"
The guard chuckled before she finished her coffee. "Would you like to hear a story?"
"I suppose. You did ask me to stay here with you."
"Heh, yeah. Yeah, I did. Sometimes people come here, sometimes the curious, and I do talk to them. Most of the time, they talk with me. Only the truly stupid ones try to get by me, though. Or the powerful. But that's not important to what I was gonna say." She let out a breath, blowing a stream of white condensation into the cold air. It looked like smoke. "Well, anyway, kid, I haven't had anyone to talk to in a while. To truly talk to. But this story is worth telling. Since you appear to be favored by Lady Remilia, you do deserve to know it...though why I feel like telling you this is actually beyond me."
"You're going off on a tangent here."
"Yeah, yeah I am. Like I said, haven't really talked to anyone new in a while. But let me tell you why people are afraid of this place."
"The Scarlet Devil."
"Mmm-hmm. Lady Remilia took that title, actually, well here anyway. In the outside world, she was known as the Scarlet Devil as well, but in here was a different story. Turns out there was the legend of another Scarlet Devil before she even arrived here. That lake was already called the Scarlet Devil Lake, although people do also call it 'Misty Lake'. Do you want to know about the legend?"
I shrugged. And I didn't know why I didn't react when she said 'outside world'. Maybe I didn't really grasp what she said. Still didn't know what to make of that term. "I don't see why not. I've got some time to kill until your mistress wakes up anyways." And maybe it'll keep me out of the way of Izayoi in there.
"'Never go near the forests on the north shore. Those who trespass on the forest will be torn asunder by a Scarlet Devil, the ground stained crimson from their blood.' At least, that's the tale from the human village. A youkai who thought the humans weak actually had the balls to tell the whole of the village that they were as such, and would spend the night on the north shore." I could tell Meiling was smiling. "Next day, the lake was covered in blood. Not just a part of the lake, but the entire lake. Red from shore to shore."
"Oh. You're telling me a horror story."
"No, kid, it's a true story. Now please, let me continue. And help yourself to some coffee."
I did so as she went on. It wasn't bad.
"Almost nobody went to the north shore after that. Only the stupid or foolhardy, or idiots who thought they were brave did such a thing. And each of them who did never came back out of these woods." She adjusted her beret. I noticed it had what looked like a star on the front. "Now, kid, you may notice that the mansion behind us is indeed European in fashion, correct?"
"Well, yeah, I suppose. I'm not an expert on such things as...mansion identification." What is she getting at here?
"Well, Lady Remilia had it in Europe. She brought it here to Gensokyo."
"How in the world is it possible for someone to transport an entire mansion?" Especially a mansion that big.
"How is it possible to transport a human from wherever it is they came from to Gensokyo? It's possible, kid. This is a world of making the impossible possible."
She actually had me there. After all, my world was about making the impossible possible. And trying to fix such things.
"Anyway, Lady Remilia and her friend Lady Patch in the library there were discussing where to go. They had an...well, let's say they had an invitation to come to Gensokyo, and were discussing where to place the mansion. The spot behind us was the ideal one, so they decided upon it. However, there was a problem."
"Again, the Scarlet Devil, right?"
She nodded. "Lady Remilia got a bit upset that something out there was called 'Scarlet Devil' which wasn't her. She also needed this location, so she decided to do a little hunting. Imagine her surprise when she met the youkai that was the Scarlet Devil just standing there." Meiling pointed at a spot on the lake.
"On the lake?"
"Yeah. Well, floating over the lake, with blood-colored hair and green eyes. It was just there in a daze, watching Lady Remilia as she approached. Now, Milady could have chosen to get the creature to leave, but instead attacked it. It took a chunk out of her instead. But since she's a vampire, she healed pretty quickly. What followed was an epic battle between the two, tearing at each other's flesh, getting each other's blood all over the place. It was a fight for the ages."
"But since the mansion is here, and Remilia is still alive, I'm assuming she won, right?"
"Right."
"So she killed the Scarlet Devil and took the title for herself?"
"Nope."
"No?"
"Well, she did take the title."
"But-"
Meiling turned to me, an obvious Chinese woman that looked to be in her twenties. She was beautiful, allowing me to stare into her emerald eyes as she brushed her blood-colored bangs to the side.
"She let me live."
The seriousness of her tone, the way her eyes looked at me, it took me off guard. I fell on my back in surprise.
"You...you're..."
She's a youkai? I had thought she was… normal. She didn't have any weird things on her, wings, or… what. This beautiful woman wasn't human? I was so absorbed in the story that her sudden revelation made me lose my footing. I didn't expect her to tell me she was something so terrifying.
She looked down at me, raising an eyebrow. "I didn't mind her taking the title. Silly little name given to me, anyway."
"...You're joking, right? You're pulling my leg here?" I was trying to save face, mostly out of my embarrassment of my reaction. I could feel my face burning for looking like such a dork and getting flustered so easily.
She adjusted her clothing, allowing me to see her left shoulder. A bright red scar was there, covering the entire area. "A little tap the mistress gave me that night."
If that's a little tap, then I'd hate to see what you consider actual damage.
Satisfied with my lack of composure, the guard smiled as she readjusted her clothing and turned back to looking out to the lake. I got up to my feet, dusting myself off, and berating myself for acting like such a tool.
"Milady was impressed with my abilities. She told me so as she had me pinned to the ground. You see, I was 'born', not knowing who or what I was in this body that I have. She gave me an identity. A name. A family. An education. A home. She gave me a purpose. I owe her everything. That, and it was the most kickass fight I've ever been in, unless you count the one with her sister."
"I've yet to meet her sister."
Meiling let out a laugh. "That's for the best. Trust me. I have worse scars from that fight." She noticed I wasn't standing as close to her as I did before. Her grin widened, as she bared her teeth. "Don't worry. I won't bite."
"You're...still a youkai, right?" You don't even have fangs. The only thing that is really unnatural about you is your eyes.
"That's beside the point, you tasty-looking morsel." She gave me a sly smile when she saw her words shook me up. "Now that was just joking. Relax, kid. I'm more refined than that youkai you ran into. Oh, and I think you spilled the coffee thermos all over the walkway."
Please don't joke about things like eating me though. I'd appreciate it. Maybe that was why I overreacted. I still remembered how terrified I was of… what was her name again? Rumia? I was really in a life or death situation there, and now it's like a joke to these people. As I picked up the thermos, Meiling sighed.
"I just love looking out there. Out at the lake. The point where I was born, the place where I was fighting with Lady Remilia, it's all in front of me." She let out another sigh. "This damn winter. Can't see the water shimmering in the sunlight. It's just bland ice. I mean, it looks okay at times, but it's just not the same. Somebody needs to do something about this." Meiling saw the confusion on my face over that statement, and looked as if she was going to tell me something, but instead thought better of it. She shook her head. "Ah, never mind. And kid...I...I don't know why I told you all this. About me. There's just...something about you that made me want to." Her eyes narrowed. "Does that make any sense?"
"Actually, it kind of does." Oh, sadly, it does. I mean, it's true that people took me aside to tell me things all the time.
"Well, please don't go repeating it. The only ones who really know about me are Lady Patch, the mistress, and her sister. Nobody else knows. Not even Sakuya. Lady Remilia thinks I forgot about it, but it replays in my head daily. Mostly because I felt alive during that fight."
"Don't worry. I can be pretty good at keeping secrets." And even when I tell them, Haruhi wouldn't believe them.
Meiling turned back to the lake. "For some reason, I can't bring myself to tell anyone. Except for you."
"...I almost forgot. You were the one who saved me, right? From that youkai?"
"Ah yeah, her. She should have known better than to enter the yard. My yard. And yes, I was the one who pulled your butt out of the fire there."
"Well, th-"
"No need to thank me, kid."
"Well, thanks anyway."
She didn't speak after that, and I stood with her in silence for a few minutes before I went back in. As I reached the door, I looked back at the guard. She still stood there, looking out. As if in perfect dramatic timing, a gust of wind blew through her hair, making it flutter. She did not react to it at all, just kept her gaze and stance steady.
I had no idea what that was all about. She had given me a good scare, though. I hoped she hadn't done that just to mess with me, but if it was true, then that meant... Well, either she was a liar, or a fearsome creature.
Not a bad looking fearsome creature, though.
My mind made a realization. No, not with Meiling there, but when I turned to leave her. Out of the corner of my eye, through one of the windows, the maid Izayoi was staring at me.
Why is she so creepy around me? I feel so uneasy being around her it blows my mind. I need to ask her what her problem is. Before I even turned around, the door opened, and Sakuya Izayoi stood there. Instinctively I took a step back as she took the thermos.
"Dinner will be ready in an hour. I will escort you to your room and retrieve you when the time comes."
I swallowed hard before I complied. As we walked through the mansion, I got the same funny feeling that I was being watched. And I know I heard footsteps around us. Izayoi either didn't hear them, or paid no mind. She just kept herself composed during the walk though the mansion.
When I got into my room, she locked me in. With nothing but a small bookcase there for entertainment, I decided to read. Shaking my head as I knelt down to choose, I couldn't help but wonder what the hell was going on in this mansion. I was getting tired of this. If I don't get back to the Brigade soon, there could be problems. That being said, if things like Rumia were out there beyond the walls, I wouldn't stand a chance on my own in the wilderness. I knew this. That little girl flew, and would have easily caught me if I didn't do some fancy dodging.
I had to weigh my options, but it was a no-brainer. Despite the treatment of that day, and ignoring my queries, they did shelter me. I was in danger, and this house took me in, fed me, clothed me, and put a roof over my head. I couldn't ignore that. That would be ruder than they were to me. I sighed, settling on a book to take out as I resigned myself to staying there. Well, dinner would afford me answers, hopefully. Remilia appeared to be the head of he whole house, and if I had to wait for her in order to get answers, then I could deal with it for a little more, even if my patience was wearing thin.
The books in my room were in English. All of them. My musings on the western feel of the mansion appeared spot on. I was able to read a bit, though I struggled. Interestingly enough, each of the books in my room was by Agatha Christie. I made my way through chapter two of 'And Then There Were None' before the maid retrieved me as she promised. Going down a series of hallways, we came to a large dining room, with a large table to match. Again it was as lavish as the rest of the mansion. Remilia was sitting down in a very ornate chair, and had me sit opposite her. Patchouli was seated to her right, reading again.
"Ah, Kyon. Good to see that you haven't...well, good to see Flan hasn't found you."
Scars, fear, fights - just who is her sister? And what is with everyone?
We were served boar meat, green beans, a salad, a simple vegetable soup, and a small loaf of bread each, along with red-colored tea. It was a very western meal. I did dread the tea, because it was the color of blood, but it had a flowery taste to it. Not bad. The meat was a little tough, however.
"Enjoying the meal, Mr. Kyon?"
Hate that name hate that name hate that name. "Uh, yeah. You know, I appreciate you taking me in and all, but I would like some answers."
"You'll get them."
There was a minute of silence as I stared at Remilia and Patchouli. They were the only two at the table aside from myself, and they kept quiet, eating. Izayoi and Koakuma stood behind their respective masters. No. No. I gripped my knife and fork, allowing my frustration to come out. I had enough of holding back. No, you told me that it'd be now. No. I'm not waiting any more. Why isn't anybody talking? What is going on? I slammed down my utensils, unable to take it anymore.
You know, I'm sorry, but this whole experience had been too much for me to bear. No answers. People avoiding my questions. Some little girl youkai tried to eat me. And I was thrust into working just to eat? Who are these people?! "Okay, I definitely get the feeling that there is something nobody is telling me here! I've tried to be polite about it, but I have to put my foot down! What is everyone not telling me? What the hell is going on?"
Remilia scoffed as she put down her tea cup. "Do you really want to know?"
"Yes! That's why I'm demanding that someone tells me!" I realized then that I shouldn't have said 'demand'.
She blinked, her face going blank, as I saw a spark of rage enter her eyes. "'Demanding'?" Her eyebrows rose and she bared her fangs. Her wings stretched out as if they doubled in size as she leaned forward in her chair. Her inhuman eyes actually became even more inhuman, if that was possible. "...You...'demanding'...me?"
Chills went up my spine as I stared at the vampire across from me. The way she was looking at me was horrifying. I sank back into my chair. It looked like I couldn't get angry with them the same way I got angry with Koizumi. "Any-anybody. Someone. I just need to know. Please." I put my hands in my head. "I'm just… I'm in a bad spot, okay? I don't know where I am. Last thing I remembered before dealing with that little flying girl was me falling asleep in my bed. All of a sudden I'm here." I looked to them, hoping they'd take the hint that this was really concerning for me.
Remilia smiled, satisfied with the way I lost my courage. Her features returned to normal. Normal for a little vampire with bat wings, I guess. "Hmph. Well, I don't see why not. Patchi? It's okay, right? I don't have to worry about any of that trauma stuff you were worried about should he find out?"
"His physical condition is fine. I'm unsure of his psychological condition. Then again, to fight against a youkai the way he did has shown he has remarkable toughness and a will to survive. It should be just fine, Remi. However, that's just an assumption on my part. He could go into shock, which is what I'm afraid of - what I've been afraid of."
Shock? What the hell are they saying? What are they so reluctant to tell me? I had to control myself a bit, not wanting to insult the vampire again. But what Patchouli said stuck with me. Physical condition? Shock? So… it wasn't last night then. That… I felt the back of my head, and there weren't any bumps, even though I know I hit it pretty hard on the floor. What happened dawned on me. I've been out for a while. That brought up a new worry for me, that realization. Chills ran up and down my body as I understood that I was away from the Brigade for a while."Please. I just want to know. How long was I out? More than a day? A week? I need to get back home as soon as possible! You don't know what's at stake here!" That, and my family has to be worried sick about me!
Remilia sighed and brought both her hands under her chin as she leaned forward. "Kyon. Little boy. You arrived here on- Patchi? What do they call-Ah, forget it. I don't care what the people from Gensokyo call their months. I still use the normal ones." She cleared her throat before she continued. "You arrived here on January 1st. You banged your head in a fight with the little youkai of shadows, and you've been in a coma. It's now April 1st. And no. This isn't some April Fool's joke."
I turned to the window, numbed, as the vampire amusingly said, "Yes, it is still snowing outside, boy. But trust me - it's April. You've been my guest for over three months."
-begin-
Unable to find Subject [NAME REDACTED] "KYON".
Still searching.
-end-
First off, "youkai" is a generic term for anything paranormal. Ghosts, vampires, fairies, etc, count. Also, it's a Japanese belief that if something lives long enough, it can attain youkai status, becoming something more than it normally is. But yeah, youkai is a generic term in the series for the creatures in Gensokyo. And the more powerful ones can attain a human form, as is the case in Touhou. The major characters are in human form.
Yes, I took a "badass" Meiling for this one. For those who don't know, Meiling is generally viewed by the fan base to be a very lazy gate guard, and is depicted as usually sleeping on the job, so much so that in one of the fan-made games, she sleeps throughout the ENTIRE game. Though in Canon, she is a very able guard. It's just that this is first and foremost a Japanese game, and since she's Chinese...well, they do see the Chinese as lower quality. Just gonna leave it at that. It saddens me that she is essentially a low-level punching bag joke character in most fan works.
I however sort of took the Meiling from Asatsuki Dou's Doujin "Scarlet Devil", which I actually made a youtube video out of with Dou's consent. Just simply e-mailed him asking to do it, and he responded.
And I'm gonna come out straight and say it. The Scarlet Devil Mansion...I will be rather partial to them here. Just putting that out right now. I love everything about the SDM. The only thing about Touhou that I love more than the SDM is Team 9-Ball, but that's another story.
One other thing. Yes, pretty much every character in Touhou is female. Just putting that out there for those who don't know. There ARE male characters, but they generally aren't in the official games. And because there are nothing but females, there are...fan pairings. Not going to get into that for this story. But yeah, the fandom really runs away with that kind of stuff. REALLY runs with it. You have NO idea, that is, if you don't know. Which means you wouldn't have the idea in the first place. Yep, just ran in a circle there.