Meltdown
"Isn't it obvious, Lunarian? The most dangerous person in Gensokyo is you."
Reisen Udongein Inaba was not having a good day. Then again, who was?
It had started off badly, when she and Marisa had their personality clash that morning. And then it had gotten worse, when Mima had shown up, brought her along on a terrifying journey, and convinced the rabbit that she was unintentionally becoming as terrible a monster as Mima herself. Following this, she had spent several hours fretting and worrying while she waited for Reimu's return as the shrine maiden chased after Rin, fruitlessly poring over Rin's old diary but learning nothing of value except that Eirin Yagokoro had felt genuine remorse over what she had done, which in turn only added to Reisen's own guilt over having betrayed and attacked her.
And then, when she was certain that the tension would drive her mad, Reimu had finally returned. Only she had done so with a very disgruntled Yukari Yakumo in tow.
Reisen had truly believed that she was moments away from death then.
But to her complete and head-spinning surprise, Yukari not only seemed to have no interest in punishing her, but had apparently given Reimu permission to continue their campaign to rescue Rin, only this time with full, if provisional, state support. That in itself was almost unbelievable, and for a moment Reisen had dared to feel hope. She wasn't a fugitive anymore, and her allies were no longer in danger. Granted, returning to Eientei was still not an option, but a major step had been made toward success, one that she had considered impossible.
But then, when Yukari had headed to the back of the shrine to have an argument with Genji, Reimu had told her the rest, and Reisen's newly raised spirits had come crashing down. Rin, while not a lost cause just yet, was getting worse. She was now more powerful than ever, had access to abilities that rendered her undetectable, and was slipping downward into becoming a monster. And despite Reimu's assurances that all was not lost, Reisen's imagination had immediately began conjuring up images of the hideous creature that Rin had evolved into, the one that had devoured Princess Kaguya and Fujiwara no Mokou and nearly killed her and Tewi, laughing as she went on a murder spree throughout Gensokyo, killing everyone who crossed her path before finally being struck down by the very people currently trying to help her. Though Reisen knew that Rin's condition probably did not work as she imagined, the scenarios always ended with the girl she remembered before the incident, lying bleeding and dying, surrounded by the carnage she had caused. A horrific image to be sure, and made all the worse by the knowledge that the gist of it was now a very likely possibility.
Reisen was not a brave person, and she was very much inclined to believe the worst. As such, it did not take long for her to convince herself that what she was imagining was definitely going to come to pass. Her body started shaking as her ragged breathing became more and more violent, edging toward hyperventilation. Trying not to spill too much, she lifted the cup of warm tea she held to her lips and gulped it down, hoping it would help steady her nerves.
It wasn't until it was nearly gone that she emerged enough from her pessimistic daze to wonder where the tea had come from. This was followed by the realization that someone was sitting with her.
"WAH!" she cried, jolting up in surprise. The teacup fell from her hands, but fortunately there wasn't enough left to do much more then sprinkle her with a few stray drops, and her previously unnoticed companion caught it before it landed in the grass.
"I'm sorry," said a soft, warm voice. "I didn't mean to startle you."
Her heart pounding loudly, Reisen stared goggle-eyed at the voice's owner. "Lady Hijiri?" she said. Why was the leader of Myouren shrine here, and how long had she been sitting there without Reisen noticing. "I-I'm sorry, I, uh, didn't n-n-notice…I mean, I was-"
"It's okay," Byakuren Hijiri said with a comforting smile. "You've had a lot on your mind."
Now that was a gross understatement. Reisen hastily composed herself, tugging on her skirt and doing a quick check-over to make sure she was at least presentable. Byakuren Hijiri was both one of Gensokyo's foremost names and, according to Reimu, their most committed ally. It would not do to make a poor impression. "Is there, ah, something I can help you with?" she said in her politest tone.
Byakuren shook her head. "No, actually, I wanted to see if I could help you."
That just made Reisen blink in confusion. Wasn't Byakuren helping her already? Granted, she had only Reimu's word concerning Myouren Temple's support, but she never had reason to doubt it.
"I heard about what happened at the Youkai Mountain, so I can here to touch base with Reimu," Byakuren clarified for her. "She explained the situation to me, I got a surprisingly short lecture from Yukari, and I saw that you seemed to be very upset, so I thought I'd see if there was anything I could do to help."
Oh, so she meant that kind of help. Reisen felt a little embarrassed for not realizing it before. "Oh, it's n-nothing," she stammered. Realizing just how transparent her lies were, she said, "I mean, I just need, I'll b-be okay, I don't think there's nothing you can-"
Reisen shut up before something insulting came out.
Fortunately, Byakuren didn't look at all offended. "Perhaps, but we won't know until we try. If nothing else, I can provide a sympathetic ear. I have long learned to never underestimate the value of someone willing to listen." She patted the ground next to her invitingly, and after a second of hesitation, Reisen sat back down.
She wondered where she should begin. While she was not at all averse to a cheering pep talk, the fact of the matter was that she simply didn't know Byakuren, and as such she didn't really know how to talk to her, especially not about something this intimate. Reisen wanted her consolation, she really did, but she also didn't want to open up so much that she started looking like an even larger idiot than she did already.
But fortunately, Byakuren had that handled. "Reimu told you about her encounter with Rin, didn't she? About how they worked together against the bounty hunters and destroyed Yuuka Kazami's floral cage. And how Rin saved her life several times in the process."
Reisen hesitated, and then nodded.
"But you're more focused on the other half, aren't you? On Rin's violent episodes, on how she is still absorbing people, and that she fled the scene and has yet to reappear."
Reisen nodded again. She opened her mouth, perhaps to express gentle worry about Rin's current condition, something that was at least calm and reserved, but to her surprise she ended up blurting out, "We'll never find her now!"
…
Cirno had always considered herself to be a fast flyer. Given her competitive spirit, she was fond pitting her speed against both her friends and strangers, and as such she was used to exerting every bit of strength to overtake her opponents.
But as she panted and struggled to keep up with Elly, she noted that it was a good thing that she had never engaged the little Shinigami in a race before, because she would have ended up humiliated several times over. Granted, Elly did have quite the head-start, but even if they had both taken off for the mansion at the exact same time, Cirno would have quickly left been left behind anyway. Heck, not even a head-start of her own would have helped her.
As such, by the time Cirno finally reached the mansion, things were already winding down. Or at least, no one was actually hitting each other. But the spectacle she found waiting for her was so bizarre that she wasn't sure exactly what had taken place.
Elly was standing by herself, hands gripping tight to the pole of her scythe, with a frantic look of frustration on her face. Yuuka stood across from her, looking quite put out but otherwise unharmed. And crouching between them was the freakiest looking person Cirno had ever seen in her life of living in a country of freaks. However, there were certain elements that Cirno recognized immediately. There was that aura of writhing darkness, for example, though it was now more prominent and shot through with color. Also, there were those scary knives-for-fingers. And then there were those crimson eyes, so much like Rumia's, only they burned with a bloody fire that Rumia had lacked.
If there Cirno had been harboring any doubt that the Devouring Monster which she had posted a several million yen bounty on was now before her, it evaporated in that moment. She might have reacted then, going on the attack or screaming accusations, but there was something else of note, something that killed any aggression and brought her to a full, dumbstruck stop. And that was, for whatever reason, Yuuka was totally naked. Furthermore, she didn't seem at all concerned about her lack of clothing.
Now, nudity wasn't as big of a deal to a wild fairy as it would have to a civilized Human. Given that Cirno was, like all of her kind, asexual, to her it would be either funny or not even worth commenting on, depending on the situation. But even so, this was Yuuka. Even with the Devouring Monster finally within her grasp, there were some things that just demanded that you stop in your tracks and stare slack-jawed. Especially since now that Yuuka's eyepatch was gone, the eye it had covered was now an exposed hole in her face, letting Cirno see the inside of her head.
For her part, Yuuka seemed more annoyed than anything at Cirno's sudden arrival. "Ah, hello Cirno," she said, only giving the ice-fairy the briefest of glances before returning her attention to the Devouring Monster. "I suppose I should have anticipated your disregard for my warnings. But now that you're here, I really must advise against making any sudden moves. Our mutual acquaintance here seems to have a problem with spontaneity, and I'd prefer it if you didn't provoke her into-"
"Cirno!" the Devouring Monster blurted out. "You're okay!"
…
Deep Within
A storm of emotions was howling its way through Rumia. Even with the vestiges of the fear, panic, and pain acquired through the many battles they had gone through over the last two days still lingering; the acknowledgement that her companion and captor's mental and moral deterioration was turning her into the worst kind of monster; the lethargic resignation she was developing in response to their continuous bad luck; and the whiplash that came from starting the day as Yuuka Kazami's enemy and ending it as her dinner guest; having Cirno show up in the flesh was giving her the first bit of real joy she had had in weeks. She still fully expected this reunion to go horribly wrong somehow, but at this point, she was going to take whatever scraps of happiness she could find.
And then Rin had to drop that little bombshell and ruin the whole thing.
Rumia turned toward the little Kirin and said, "Excuse me? You, uh, wanna explain that little comment?"
Realizing her slip, Rin looked at her and winced. On the screen, everyone outside also looked confused by her comment. "Huh?" Cirno said. "Of course I'm okay! Why wouldn't I be?"
"Uh, hold on a second," Rin said to the screen. To Rumia, she said, "Well…You remember the day we met?"
Rumia glared.
"Right, of course you do," Rin said hastily. "And you probably remember how I kinda sent you away for a while so I could fight all those people?"
Rumia folded her arms and started tapping her right bicep with her left index finger.
"Er, okay then. Well, you see, when I was running away, Cirno kinda showed up. And, uh, Madam Mima and Marisa Kirisame blew her up. Big time." She looked down at her feet. "I mean, I know she's a fairy and all, but the spells they used looked really, really powerful, so I thought it mighta been permanent, you know?"
"Is that so," Rumia deadpanned. "You know, I don't believe you ever mentioned that."
Rin grimaced. "Sorry," she said. Given that her voice still carried that element of demonic evil, the sheepish apology made for some unusual dissonance. "I didn't want to upset you."
"You ate me just a little bit before that. I'd say it was too late to start worrying about my feelings, Rin."
"Sorry."
Rumia sighed. This was pointless. "Well, she's okay after all, so whatever." She nodded toward the screen. "You, uh, might want to tell her that though. I think they're getting impatient."
…
Cirno was getting impatient. "Hey!" she snapped, clapping her hands together. "You were talking to me! Why wouldn't I be okay?"
"I concur," Yuuka said, still completely unmindful of her nudity. "That was a very odd thing to say." She tilted her head to one side. "And I'm sure she doesn't appreciate you shutting down immediately after making it. You owe the fairy an explanation, girl."
The Devouring Monster, which had been standing stock-still, gave a sudden twitch. "Sorry," it said. "It's just the last time I saw you, you were getting blown up. I was a little worried, you know? I mean, I figured you were all right when I heard about the bounty, but even so…" It shrugged.
"Eh?" Cirno scratched her head. "Wha-" Then she remembered.
The last time she had seen the Devouring Monster, she had mistaken it for Rumia with her face painted black and her voice choked with smoke. But before she could learn the truth, Marisa Kirisame and that spooky ghost Mima had shown up out of nowhere and blasted the Devouring Monster with some major league spells. Cirno, still operating under the belief that they were attacking her friend, had pushed the monster out of the way and taken the hit herself.
Of course, she had been right as rain a few minutes later, but it was odd that the Devouring Monster would have any sort of concern for her, especially since she had forgotten all about it until now.
"You were worried?" Cirno said. She screwed up her face in confusion. "Why? You don't know me! Heck, the first thing you did when we let you out was eat one of my friends!"
"A valid point," Yuuka said. "I confess, given your history of violence, this concern you're showing for her is quite uncharacteristic."
"And oh yeah!" Cirno said, snapping her fingers. "That's right!" She stabbed an accusatory finger at the Devouring Monster. "You ate one of my friends, you jerk! Give her back!"
"No," Yuuka said flatly.
Cirno was taken back. "What?" she said. "But…but all this…"
"Was to rescue Rumia, I know. However, in light of certain events, I cannot allow her to be unleashed until her harmlessness has been ascertained."
"Huh?"
"Whoa, wait a minute!" the Devouring Monster said, holding up its hands. "Are you talking about her nasty evil side? Because I…Uh…"
Yuuka quirked an eyebrow. "Yes? You what?"
Further adding to Cirno's growing confusion, the Devouring Monster actually looked bashful. It glanced down and toed the ground. "Well, I thought I had killed that part of her, but-"
"Is that right?" Yuuka said in a clipped tone. "Because evidence supports that you didn't do a very good job."
The Devouring Monster said nothing.
"And speaking of which, I must insist that you turn off that abominable power you're using. Our encounter back at the Youkai Mountain suggests that you maintain some measure of control over it, so you will start using that control." Yuuka's eye flashed. "Now!"
The Devouring Monster shivered. It closed its eyes and concentrated.
Though it didn't change its shape or appearance, the monster still changed. Its aura became smaller and less dark. The lines of its face softened. Even its claws seemed to lose some of their sharpness. Then the monster opened its eyes. Cirno gasped out loud. They were no longer burning crimson, but a brilliant kaleidoscope of different colors.
"Th-there," said the Devouring Monster. Its voice, while still freaking scary, had also lost something: that spine-chilling undercurrent of bitter cold. "I got it…under control."
"Well, great then!" Cirno said. "Now give me back my friend!"
"Again, no." Yuuka said, turning her scowl toward Cirno. "Not until I know it's safe! I am not releasing the Shadow Youkai into the Garden!"
"But Rumia's not the Shadow Youkai!" the monster protested. "They're like, two different people! Heck, Rumia hates the Shadow Youkai!"
Cirno's mouth fell open. "Wait, you mean you talk to her?"
"Rumia? Yes, all the time!" The Devouring Monster pointed at its head. "She's fine! She's in here, in my head with me!"
"Oh, is she now?" Yuuka said. "That's quite a claim. Of course, it needs confirmation."
Elly, who had spent most of the conversation in silence, chose that moment to break in. "Master, what are you talking about?" she said, her eyes going wide. "Y-you're not suggesting what I think you're suggesting, are you?"
"I'm not absorbing you again," the Devouring Monster said flatly, its eyes narrowing. "That is so not happening."
"On that, we agree. But fortunately, there are other, less intrusive methods."
And then Yuuka did something that made Cirno wonder if Elly's assertion that she had gone mad was correct: she walked over to the Devouring Monster and stared at it in the eye. What was more, the Devouring Monster actually cringed back.
"Wh-what are you doing?" it stammered.
"Hold still, please," Yuuka said. "This won't take long."
"But…"
"I said hold still." Yuuka tapped the Devouring Monster on the cheek. It flinched back at the touch; Yuuka, however, merely examined her fingertip. Finding no trace of that weird frostbite, she nodded and smiled her satisfaction.
Then she gripped the Devouring Monster by the chin and forced it to lock its shimmering eyes with her solitary crimson one.
"Master!" Elly squeaked. "What's going on? What are you doing?"
Cirno found herself agreeing with the frightened Shinigami. She expected the Devouring Monster to break free and attack. But today was already a day of surprises, and the monster looked to continue the streak, as instead of fighting back it stared right back at Yuuka, it's face going blank and its body going limp, with only Yuuka's hand holding it up.
"Now then," Yuuka said. "Let's see who's really in there."
…
"…and she's only going to get worse and worse, and no one's going to be able to do a damned thing about it!"
Reisen had gone quite beyond simply sharing what was on her mind. Now she was wailing it.
Everything that had been bubbling so close to the surface was pouring out, and all concern for composure had been boiled away.
As she continued to spill, Byakuren simply sat and listened. She never contradicted anything Reisen had to say, she never added commentary, she never so much as interrupted. She just listened.
"That Shadow Youkai monster is probably whispering to her right now, and after how everyone's treated her, who can blame her for listening? And she's just going to keep getting angrier, so by the time she does finally come back, no one's going to be able to get through to her, so everything we've tried will be for nothing, and she'll just end up killing everyone before someone finally kills her! Nothing we do is going to matter, it's too late for anyone, and it's all my fault!"
"All you fault?" Byakuren repeated, breaking her silence. The elder magician sounded perplexed. "I'm afraid I don't follow. While I understand your…other concerns, even if I do not personally believe the scenario you've described is a certainty, I can't see how you would be at all to blame for the catastrophe you just described."
Caught up in the fervor of her own doomsaying, the words "Because I'm the most dangerous person in Gensokyo, that's why!" slipped out of Reisen's mouth before she could stop it.
When she realized what she had just said, Reisen's face turned beet-red. She clamped her mouth shut and focused on the grass.
There was a noticeable pause, and then Byakuren cleared her throat and said, "Ah, I'm afraid you've lost me there. Given the…competition, how would you qualify as the most dangerous person in Gensokyo?"
Reisen cursed herself for her slip. She was trapped. Mima had all but said that she would turn on her if Reisen spoke to anyone about the terrifying conversation they had had that morning. Just by bringing up Mima's assessment of Reisen's destructive activities, she risked making an enemy of the ghost, one that she could ill afford to have.
So she said nothing. It was safer that way.
Byakuren solemnly studied Reisen's face. The Lunar rabbit winced, but refused to meet the magician's gaze. Finally Byakuren sighed and withdrew.
"Hmmm, I see," she murmured. Shaking her head, she said, "Well then. Without…revealing any sensitive information, under what conditions would you be considered the most dangerous person in Gensokyo? Theoretically speaking, I mean."
Reisen swallowed. Well, so long as they didn't have to bring up Mima, she could act as if the idea were her own. "J-just think about it. All this, you, Reimu, th-the Moriya Shrine, joining together. It's all because of me, because I went to Reimu!"
Byakuren's brow knitted together. "And this…is a bad thing?"
"Yes! Because…My gods, don't you see how dangerous that was? If Yukari had…well…"
"What, found out?" The corner of Byakuren's lips lifted in amusement. "Reisen, I hate to point this out, but Yukari did find out. And the results were as good as we could have hoped for. Better, even."
"But they might not!" Reisen protested, finally looking Byakuren in the eye. "She could have…Well, I don't know, but if she had been angry, she could have done all sorts of awful things to you!"
"But she didn't."
"She could have!"
"But. She. Didn't," Byakuren repeated, her tone gentle but firm. She reached over and covered one of Reisen's shaking hands with her own. "Reisen, I'm not going to belittle your fears and say they weren't unrealistic, but please realize that they didn't come to pass. The worst we got was a stern talking to, and mine was scarcely two sentences long."
Reisen gritted her teeth and looked away. "It's more than that."
"How so?"
"You…you know what happened at Eientei, right? Between me and Eirin?"
"Most people do, I think," Byakuren said, a touch of irony in her voice. "Your Earth-born cousins aren't exactly renowned for their control over their tongues."
Reisen had to acknowledge the truth of this, and admit that the Lunarian stock wasn't any better. "Then you know the rabbit tribes are probably already mad at her for turning Rin into what she is, and what I did to her will just make things worse, so that they'll end up running her out?"
"Hmmm, well." Byakuren thoughtfully tapped her lower lip. "While I cannot claim to know the full details of what transpired between you two, I will not disagree that you may have acted…rashly, but considering the situation, I don't think anyone can fault you."
"That's not the point! If the rabbit tribes think Eirin's becoming weak, they might-"
"They haven't," Byakuren interrupted. "I may be a bit out of touch with how things have changed, but I do notice things. The tribal leaders respect her. In fact, I'd say they're a little afraid of her. And given she's been with them for well over a thousand years, I wouldn't worry about having those feelings eroded just because she's had a few bad weeks."
Well, that was true enough. In fact, while Kaguya had recently been appointed as the tribes' official representative to the rest of Gensokyo, and while Tewi was the undisputed master of the Bamboo Forest of the Lost, everyone knew that the true seat of legislative power was contained within Eientei's clinic. And while it was true that Tewi's methods of revenge were legendary and that Kaguya could kill a person a dozen different ways before they realized that she was even there, Reisen knew that any of the rabbit youkai would gladly court their wrath before they thought about risking having Eirin's stormcloud eyes narrowed at them in anger.
But even so, that still wasn't the point Reisen was trying to articulate. "You're not getting it! Sure, m-maybe you're not going to get in trouble, and maybe Eirin will be okay, but that was just luck! Who knows who I'll screw over next?"
"That's…a bit fatalistic of you."
"It's true!" Reisen insisted. "Every time I try to do the right thing, I just make things worse for everybody!" She brought her knees up against her chest, and tears prickled her eyes. "That's why I'm so dangerous! I just keep trying to help, trying to make things better, and because I'm not…not Rin, or the Shadow Youkai, or Yuuka Kazami, or some powerful leader, or anything like that, no one pays any attention to me! They're all focused on keeping the big monsters from destroying everything, and meanwhile I'm wrecking everything behind their backs!"
Her fingers curled around handfuls of grass and gripped them tightly, nearly pulling them up by the roots. "I'm worse than those monsters, because at least they're honest about what they are! I'm not some ancient evil that's been locked up, or super-powerful youkai that's got everyone terrified, or anything like that. I'm just a useless bunny, one who couldn't hack it in the Lunarian military, who was practically worthless as Eirin's assistant, who failed miserably as Rin's protector. I break everything I touch, ruin the lives of everyone I come in contact with, but people still keep helping me out because they feel sorry for me!"
Choking sobs blocked up her throat, leaving no more room for words. Her shoulders hunched over, weighed down by her own self-loathing, and she wept bitterly.
For a time, neither of them spoke. Night continued to fall over Hakurei Shrine, as the daylight retreated and the shadows grew ever longer. The air filled with the chittering of nocturnal insects, and in the distance, the laughing cries of wild fairies and youkai could be heard. Before too long the only light was that of Reimu's lamp inside the shrine's living quarters, and the luminescence of both the Hakurei Barrier behind them and Yukari's barrier over them.
Finally Reisen's tears began to slow, and as she regained control of herself, Byakuren spoke in a soft voice, "Well now. That's…one way of looking at things, I suppose. And I will not deny there is truth in what you are saying. But, with your permission of course, perhaps I can offer an…alternate interpretation?"
Sniffing, Reisen wiped her eyes with her sleeve and looked at Byakuren in confusion. She nodded.
"Tell me, Reisen: you are aware of everything that has just happened, at the foot of the Youkai Mountain?"
"What? O-of course I am!"
"Yes, but do you understand the significance of it?"
Still utterly bewildered, Reisen shook her head.
"Reimu convinced Yukari to abandon her seek-and-destroy mission and let continue to try to reach out to Rin." There was a noticeable pause, and then Byakuren repeated, "Reimu changed Yukari's mind. Yukari was committed to a course, in service to Gensokyo's protection no less, and Reimu changed her mind. Reisen, do you have any idea what a momentous event that is?"
"Uh, a big one?" Reisen said weakly.
"It's almost unthinkable! And she did so using information she gained by speaking to Rin, speaking to and working with. Information regarding Rin's current mental stability and the extent of the Shadow Youkai's influence over her. Information she would not have gained had she attacked Rin with everyone else." Byakuren turned to face Reisen. "Had you not gone to her, had you not pleaded for her help, Reimu would have been as committed to eliminating Rin through overwhelming force as Yukari was, and all would have been lost."
Reisen couldn't think of a thing to say.
"Because of the events you have set into motion, a plan of action that would have undoubtedly resulted in Rin becoming the monster we all fear has been abandoned, replaced by one that has a much greater chance of success. Had things continued without your intervention, the only outcome would have been, at best, an extremely bloody victory, one that would have left a permanent scar on Gensokyo. But now, we have the opportunity to save everyone, Rin included." Byakuren shrugged. "Which is exactly what I've been saying from the start, but nobody ever seems to listen to me until it's too late."
Reisen blinked. "B-but it could have turned out horribly! Yukari might have-"
"Reisen, she didn't," Byakuren interrupted. "She. Didn't. It is very important to remember this. The only thing that matters is what happened; everything else is a distraction." There was a short pause, and she added, "And I should probably point out that as risky as our actions have been, it has resulted in mutual cooperation between my temple and Gensokyo's two most prominent Shinto shrines, which will certainly serve to strengthen relations between our respective organizations, which in turn will certainly be beneficial to us all."
Reisen's mind immediately leapt to what Mima had told her earlier, about Gensokyo's three most important places of worship were being endangered by her actions. This was not a possibility that she had considered.
"Reisen," Byakuren said kindly as she laid a hand on the rabbit's shoulder. "I know it's a hard thing to accept, but please believe that you have actually had a positive effect on things." Then she hesitated, and said, "Though I should probably ask you to refrain from destabilizing any other ruling bodies. All justifications aside, it's a nasty habit to get into."
Reisen let out a hiccupping laugh. Then she wiped her eyes and said, "And…and Rin? Is there any hope for her?"
"Always," Byakuren said with complete confidence. "There is always hope. Remember this; it is essential if we are to succeed."
…
When Rin had felt her body literally melt into a homogenous substance, it had been bar-none the most frightening moment imaginable. When Kaguya Houraisan had sentenced her to what had seemed like solitary confinement for the rest her immortal life, the despair she had felt was indescribable. And when she had torn her mind apart and burned the pieces to destroy Rumia's Evil Twin, it had been a pain unlike any she had ever felt or felt since.
In comparison to the above traumas, what Yuuka did to her was far worse; not by subjecting her to a new horror that exceeded the old ones, but by returning her to the old ones, in full, vibrant detail.
It wasn't something she was going to forget it any time soon.
As soon as Yuuka's eye met her own, things had gotten…strange. Time seemed to slow down, though it didn't quite grind to a halt. It felt more like everything was moving through thick water. All sound faded away, to be replaced by a powerful rushing noise, like the crashing of a mighty waterfall, only from far away. Her whole body burst into tingles, and then slowly lost all feeling, as if it had gone asleep while her mind remained awake.
However, that wasn't to say she remained aware exactly. Her thoughts became jumbled up and twisted, much like they had when she had glimpsed Yuuka's true form. Only this time, instead of a sudden, horrific shock, it was more as if her mind was being slow-cooked. Yuuka's eye grew until it filled the entirety of her vision. Shapes started moving, tiny inhuman figures that crawled or flew out of the pupil to swirl up around the cornea. Rin watched as they chased each other in circles, moving closer and closer until…until they…
…went in…
…and then the fingers were everywhere; clingy, clammy things that moved all over her, touching her inside and out, digging deep into her most private places and laying them bare, reaching deep within her thoughts and memories and picking them apart until nothing was hidden, nothing was concealed, and she wanted to SCREAM, but her body was no longer her own, her mind belonged to someone/something/someWHAT else, and there was nothing (everything?) she could, could not, could ever do, except ride the wave and let it carry, bear her up higher and higher for all to see and touch and expose her to the world for all to for all to for everyone to…
FLASH
"A-are you sure this won't hurt her?" Reisen said nervously as Dr. Yagokoro dipped the syringe's tip into the clear, luminescent liquid and drew back on the injector. Though Reisen was holding tightly to my hand, I was starting to get the feeling she was needing the reassurance more than I did.
"Quite," Dr. Yagokoro said without looking at her. She sounded like she was getting annoyed. "At least, no more than any other injection. And in the grand scheme of things, I'd say Rin is more than capable of handling a needle prick."
Okay, I know it's a small thing and she was just being ironic, but I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. Dr. Yagokoro had just complimented me.
"But-" Reisen started to say, but I stopped when I patted the top of her hand.
"It's okay, Reisen," I said. "Dr. Yagokoro knows what she's doing. If she says it's safe, then there's nothing to worry about, you know?"
From there place at the other end of the room, the people that Dr. Yagokoro had brought in to help seemed to think what I said was funny. Rika Asakura, one of the Human scientists, covered her mouth and started making loud snorting sounds, while that magical youkai who's always got a book to read, Patchouli Knowledge, just rolled her eyes and shook her head. I don't really know what their problem was, but I do know that Patchouli Knowledge and Dr. Yagokoro get into fights a lot. I asked Reisen about it once, and she just said that they're both smart and strong-willed and don't like it when someone disagrees with them. Well, I guess I can kinda see that, but why would anyone disagree with Dr. Yagokoro? I mean, this was her project, right?
Anyway, as disrespectful as they were being, Dr. Yagokoro must've thought that it was beneath her or something, because she just said, "That's exactly right, Rin. Relax, Reisen. This is, after all, the primary area of my exhaustive expertise."
Reisen still looked really, really worried. I guess I didn't blame her, seeing what a big deal this experiment was, but I wished she wouldn't be so scared. I mean, Dr. Yagokoro only created the Elixir of Immortality, didn't she?
Okay, to tell the truth, I was kinda nervous too, but it was more from the excitement. Finally I was going to have my chance to be useful! And not just useful, I was going to become one of Dr. Yagokoro's masterpieces! Like, literally!
"Now, hold still Rin," Dr. Yagokoro said as she leaned toward me. She held my arm with one hand and pressed the tip of the needle against my skin. And then-
FLASH
"Frankly, I'm surprised you would even need to ask that question," Dr. Yagokoro said to that scary maid lady, Sakuya Izayoi. "Once we're able to fine-tune the formula, the possibilities are, quite simply, boundless." She lifted her glass toward the other Lunarian (the maid was a Lunarian, right? I'm pretty sure she is. She sure looks like one) in a salute. "Honestly, I really should have pursued this project a long, long time ago. It would have solved a great many problems."
Weird thing was, she was actually smiling. Whenever she's putting someone down for doubting her, she always has this really scary glare, like she's seen right into your thoughts and finding them wanting.
Of course, the fact that the experiment had been a major success was probably why she was in such a good mood. Heck, everyone was. The Humans were having some of a private party over in one corner of the infirmary. I don't know what they were drinking, but it was green and it made them laugh. Like, a lot. Plus, they kept trying to get Patchouli Knowledge to join them, and she kept refusing and called them a lot of nasty names.
And me? Well, I wasn't joining in the drinking (they wouldn't let me anyway), but I was still having a blast.
"Reisen, lookit this!" I said, excitedly sticking my arm out. I had stuck on seven Band-Aids in a straight row up to the elbow. I narrowed my eyes and started to concentrate.
My skin tingled, and the Band-Aids sunk into my arm and disappeared. The whole thing took like five seconds. I was thrilled. Usually it takes me the better part of a day to absorb even a tiny piece of paper. It was so cool! My new powers (excuse me, old powers pumped up beyond belief) were awesome!
Reisen, however, didn't look that happy. "I wish you wouldn't do that," she said. "Not until we're sure it won't do anything bad to you."
I grinned. "Oh, don't worry. Seriously, I'm fine!" I looked around for more, small items I could absorb, stuff that Dr. Yagokoro wouldn't miss.
Then I started coughing. I figured I just needed a drink of water or something, but it didn't stop.
"Rin?" Reisen's voice raised in alarm. "Are you okay?"
I tried to wave off her concerns. "Yeah, ye-" Then my upper body lurched over my knees as the coughing fit turned into gagging. My stomach felt sick, and my skin had exploded into pin-and-needles, like a cloud of tiny little fairies were sticking tiny swords into me all over.
Reisen grabbed hold of me, keeping me from falling over. "Eirin!" she screamed.
The celebrations stopped in an instant, and everyone rushed over to me. "What's going on?" Dr. Yagokoro demanded. "What's wrong with her?"
"I don't know, she just started…doing this! Help her!" Reisen begged.
By then I felt awful, like my insides were getting all squished together. I kept trying to throw up, but something was wrong with my throat. Nothing was coming up. I couldn't even gag anymore. I couldn't even breathe.
Then a half-dozen hands started touching me, poking me, sticking things into my skin. "Something's gone horribly wrong," I heard Rikako Asakura said as she stuck something into my ear, but her voice sounded strange, like she was underwater or something. "Her energy's gone all out of whack."
"That is your professional opinion, is it?" Patchouli Knowledge said scornfully. "A child could have deduced-"
"Holy hell!" Rikako yelped, and I felt someone leap away. "Her ear ate my mysticoreader!"
"Everyone get back!" Dr. Yagokoro ordered. "Don't touch her!"
"What? No!" Reisen said, but someone grabbed her and dragged her away. "You can't just…Rin!"
I tried to lift my head to look at her, but my body had stopped working right. My muscles felt so mushy, like they were turning into oatmeal. Plus, now my eyes were going all blurry, like they do whenever I start crying and blind them with tears. But that didn't make any sense. I felt horrible and scared, but I wasn't crying.
"Holy shitting bricks," Rika Asakura said, her voice almost a scream. "What in the bloody, motherloving hell is happening to her?"
I could still see my hands. They were shaking hard. I couldn't have stopped them if I had the strength to try. But I did manage to turn them over enough to get a good look at my fingers.
They were all stuck together, their sides joining into a singular whole. I tried to pull them apart, but the skin had already fused together. It was like I was melting or something.
And that was when it hit me. I was melting. The experiment had gone terribly wrong, and the serum was making my whole body melt.
No, no it wasn't supposed to go this way. This wasn't supposed to happen. I couldn't die, not like this, not from this. Somebody help me! Dr. Yagokoro, why wasn't she helping me? Why wasn't she making me better? Why wasn't she making it stop?
And then my eyes dimmed out completely and I was plunged into a world of darkness.
FLASH
"It's a miracle," Reisen breathed as she ran her fingers over my cheek. "I don't believe it. A miracle." She started laughing.
Then she grabbed me and held me close, laughing all the while. I returned the hug and joined on the laughter. I mean, who wouldn't? Everyone had been convinced that I was going to be stuck as a blob of…stuff for the rest of forever, and suddenly I was not only back, but I had made it happen by myself. Everything was going to be all right.
However, not everyone was as happy as Reisen and me. "I don't believe in miracles," Dr. Yagokoro snapped. She was pacing back and forth and looked angry. "And I for one am not convinced that Rin's return is such a cause for celebration."
"That is an incredibly foolish thing to say," Sakuya Izayoi said, her voice as unruffled as ever. "After all, you are in a country where mortals rub shoulders and exchange pleasantries with any number of gods on a daily basis."
Dr. Yagokoro looked annoyed. "I'm not talking about that," she said, waving a hand in a vague manner. "Those are just beings with specialized abilities exercising their power and influence. Real miracles, impossible events occurring with no explainable cause, do not exist, and anything perpetrating as a miraculous event is to be regarded with suspicion!"
"Well, this one does!" Reisen shouted at her. "You're just mad because you're not the one who made it happen!"
Everyone in the room stopped talking and stared at her, even me. I mean, even with everything that's been happening, that was just too weird. Reisen never talks to Dr. Yagokoro like that! It just doesn't happen!
And apparently Dr. Yagokoro didn't like, not one bit. Her eyes got all cold and scary, and her nostrils started flaring. But before she could fire her or something, some almost as surprising happened.
"Actually, the Lunarian is correct," Patchouli Knowledge said, turning everyone's stares toward her. Out of everyone, she was the only one who hadn't looked shocked at Reisen for being so disrespectful. Instead, she just kept going through the gigantic book she was reading.
However, sensing the reaction to her words, she looked up and scowled. "Oh, pick your jaws off the floor," she said as she slammed the book shut. "Every event, no matter how extraordinary, has some sort of root cause. And as tempting as it might be to declare the subject's sudden recovery a wondrous miracle, it would behoove us all to contain any outpouring of joy until we have discerned the exact cause."
"I'm open to suggestions," Dr. Yagokoro said icily.
"That's a first," Patchouli Knowledge snorted. "And here's a thought: perhaps a cross-examination of the subject herself? After all, she is the one claiming to have willed herself back to normal."
All eyes turned to me, and my face went red. "Uh, I don't really know how I did it," I admitted as I separated from Reisen. "It's just…well, I figured that since, back before the…" My tongue tripped over the word "experiment," so I just skipped over it. "Well, before I had to concentrate really hard to absorb anything, so I thought that maybe if I concentrated really hard, I could turn…turn back into me." I shrugged, and a big smile moved across my face. I couldn't help it. "And, well, it worked!"
"So it seems," Dr. Yagokoro said. "And there are no…side effects?"
"Well, it kinda feels like I have to keep concentrating to stay like this," I admitted. "Sort of like holding your stomach in, you know?"
"What?" Dr. Yagokoro said, her head snapping up. "This condition must be consciously maintained?" She sounded really worried, which in turn made me worried. "Rin, do you feel any sort of strain, any kind of aches or muscle spasms?"
That made me hesitate, because if I was going to be honest, I did have one heck of a headache, and my back, arms, and legs kept doing these little twitches. But I didn't want to tell her that. I know it's dumb, but it was like if admitted that something was wrong, it really would be wrong.
"N-no, everything's fine," I said, but my voice cracked.
"Don't lie to me," she snapped.
"I'm not!" I said. I sniffed and wiped my nose with my arm. "Seriously, there's nothing-"
"Rin," Reisen said, her face going white. She pointed at me. "Your…your face."
"Huh?" I said, not understanding. What was she talking about? "What about-"
Then I saw the red smear across my upper arm. Wait a minute, where had that come from?
There was a bit of wetness under my nose. I touched it with my fingers. When I drew them back, there were tiny crimson dots on the tips.
Reisen gasped and stumbled back. I was so confused. What was going on? "No," she whimpered. "No, not again."
"Change back!" Dr. Yagokoro barked, her eyes going wide with horror. "Rin, stop concentrating! Change back!"
Change back? But I had done that already? Couldn't she see that?
I started to ask her what she meant, but then I threw up. Blood splattered all over my knees and onto the clean, white floor of the infirmary. Crap, I was in trouble now. Dr. Yagokoro hates it when someone makes a mess on her floor.
"Rin, change back!" Dr. Yagokoro said again. "The strain, it's killing you!"
I threw up again, more this time. As I coughed, something stung my eyes. I blinked, and rubbed them with the back of my wrist. As I did so, I noticed that my fingernails were all red and wet. And my mouth tasted like sickly copper.
"Do it now!" Dr. Yagokoro said. She grabbed me by the shoulders and screamed into my face. "Now, Rin! Do you want to die?"
Die? That didn't make any sense. Why was she so upset?
"Do it now, Rin! Do it now!"
FLASH
Deep Within
Crying with relief, I threw her arms around Reisen's neck and buried my face in her hair. It didn't matter that we were both naked. It didn't matter that I was still stuck in this horrible, horrible world of nothing. I had Reisen back. That was all that mattered.
"Oh Rin," Reisen sobbed as she fell to her knees, clutching me to her chest. "Thank the gods. Thank you, thank you."
Neither of us said anything for a while. It just felt too good, being able to touch her again, to have her hug me. I hadn't realized how much I missed that comfort, the simple warmth of having contact with another person. Back when I was normal, whenever I had a bad day and was feeling lousy, Reisen would let me sleep in her bed and hold me as I slept. It always made me feel better, but I had never realized how much I was taking it for granted. I just always assumed that she would be there for me when I needed it, you know?
I guess that's what really made me do what I did. Reisen had been talking to me…Well, not really talking; she had been using that code-thing Dr. Yagokoro had set up, the one that was so frustratingly slow that it sometimes makes me want to start screaming. But still, we had been communicating like we've been doing every night now, the only thing I really had to look forward to. And just before she had been about to leave, she reached over and patted the hideous lump of goo my body had become.
I think I went a little crazy then. I'm not sure what happened next, my memory's kinda fuzzy, but things got sizzling, my insides tickled like mad, and the next thing I knew, Reisen was here, in the darkness with me. Deep within.
It had never occurred to me that I could do that: absorb a whole person. I mean, sure, it makes sense that I would be able to, but who would have thought that doing so when bring their…mind? Spirit? Soul? Whatever. Bring them in here with me, is what I meant.
But boy, am I glad that it did! Now Reisen's here, and we can be together again! I won't have to be alone anymore!
But then something bothersome occurred to me. Now that Reisen was in here, would I be able to push her back out again? As happy as I was to see her, I didn't want her to be a prisoner too! That would be-
Then I gasped. Something was different. Something was changing. My body, my real body, not this mental construct, was moving. I could feel it shifting, warping, morphing into something else.
"Rin?" Reisen said. I guess she felt me tense up. "What's wrong?
I didn't answer. Something wondrous was happening, something I hadn't thought possible. A miracle.
My senses were coming back! I could feel the cold steel of the table I had been sitting on. I could hear the sound of the janitor's mop swishing over the hallway floors, just outside the room. I could smell the familiar sterilized air of the infirmary, taste it too. And-
I gasped again. Sight! I could see! Okay, everything was all red-tinged, like someone had stuck some kind of transparent red paper over my eyes, but…but I had eyes! I could see the infirmary around me, actually see it, instead of just picking out vague shadows and shapes!
And I had a body. I had legs, I had arms, I had a head and a nose and really long ears and hair and fingernails and lips and, and everything!
"Rin, what's going on?" Reisen said, asking the question she should have been asking from the beginning. "What is this place? Where are we?"
I giggled and wiped away happy tears from my eyes. "I-in me. We're within me."
She stared at me with stunned eyes. "We're…within you?" she said.
I nodded. "Deep within." I giggled again, harder this time. I couldn't help it; I was just so happy. Everything was going to be okay. It all made sense. I had finally figured it out.
Reisen was still confused, and she looked scared. I didn't blame her. I had been frightened too, when I first ended up like this. But she needn't worry. It was all going to be all right.
FLASH
Deep Within
Where were they? Where? I knew they were around here somewhere, but I couldn't find them!
I gritted my teeth as my physical body flew through the Bamboo Forest of the Lost. Heh, appropriate name. There were plenty of lost little bunnies running around here, and I intended to find them.
"Rin, please," Reisen begged. She didn't touch me to try to stop me; she couldn't. But she could talk. As distracting as it was, I couldn't take that away from her. "See reason."
My left eyelid had started to twitch, but I ignored it and her. I couldn't afford to be distracted now. I needed to find them, the ones who had turned me into this…this monster.
"Rin, look at me," Reisen continued. She had been pleading with me pretty much nonstop for the last few hours. "Look at me please."
I didn't. I needed to concentrate. I had to find them. Besides, looking at her would mean seeing the others I had brought in with us, everyone I had managed to find at Eientei and afterward. Unlike Reisen, they couldn't move or talk, but can you blame me? All they did was say hateful things and call me names! No matter how many times I told them to shut up, they wouldn't stop being mean!
"Rin, if you won't look at me, then please listen." Reisen sounded like she was going to cry. That bothered me. I didn't want to upset her, but it was unavoidable at this point. "You…I don't think you're well, Rin. I think…I think you're sick, and you need help."
That made me snicker. I was sick and needed help. Yeah, no kidding.
"But you won't get help if you keep on like this. Please Rin, stop this. Let everyone else go. I'll stay in here and keep you company until…until you're better."
Better. Like that was going to happen. I squeezed my eyes shut as they prickled with tears. "Nobody's gonna help me," I muttered.
"Yes they will!" Reisen insisted. "This isn't your fault, and-"
She stopped talking, and it didn't take long to figure out why. I had found someone, or someone had found me. It wasn't anyone I recognized though. A girl, maybe about my age, was coming down out of the sky. Her hair was golden, her clothes really fancy, and her eyes were red, like Reisen's. There was a line of glowing things to either side of her, each one a different color. She was laughing like a crazy person.
My mouth parted in a grin. Okay, someone new. Perhaps she could "tell" me where Dr. Yagokoro and the others were hiding.
"Who is that?" I asked Reisen.
"I…I don't know," she said. She sounded troubled, like the new girl was scaring her but she wasn't sure why. "I've never seen her before."
"Huh." I shrugged. "Well, only one way to find out!"
"Rin, you're not going to absorb her too, are you?" Reisen sounded alarmed. "But she's just a child!"
Yeah, well, so was I, but did anyone care? Pushing the distraction from my mind, I flew higher, over the bamboo to meet the funny looking girl.
"Rin, don't," Reisen said. "Something's not right."
The new girl's eyes widened when she saw me, and so did her smile. "Hello!" she said, waving. "Are you the naughty girl?"
I frowned. "Excuse me?" I said.
Clapping her hands in glee, the new girl said, "Oh you are! Now I just have to punish you, and I can have cookies!"
Ah, so that's what was going on. Dr. Yagokoro had decided to hire some crazy youkai to take me down. I couldn't believe she had gotten so foolish. Hadn't she realized how unstoppable I was now?
"Punish me?" I said, my grin mirroring her own. Spreading the hands of my physical body, I said, "Well, you're welcome to try."
"Rin," Reisen said, her tone pleading.
"Okay," the new girl said happily. She held up her right hand. It started to glow red, charging up some sort of energy attack. I laughed. Oh, was she in for a surprise.
Then she closed her fingers and said, "Kyuu."
Kyuu? I was confused. What was that supposed to-
FLASH
Deep Within
"NO!" I screamed. Desperation filled me, and I kept screaming, as if volume would make my cries heard.
"No, PLEASE! Please don't leave me in here! I'm sorry! I won't do it again, I promise!
There was no one around to hear me. They were all gone: Reisen, Ryouko, Rika, Lurude, and the others. I had to let them go. Otherwise, the monster girl would keep hurting me.
But now I was alone again, alone and condemned. They had beaten me. They had captured me. And then they had sentenced me.
Imprisonment. So simple a word, and yet so final. To anyone else, that meant…what, a few years in jail? Stuck in a small room with nothing really to do? Lots of boredom, mostly.
To me, it was damnation. There was going to be no cure for my condition. They had stopped looking for one. Instead, everyone had been flushed out of me, and they had stuck me in a box. That was the last thing that they had told me, that I would be kept in a special container and given to Patchouli Knowledge and Sayaka Izayoi for safekeeping. No one told me how long I would be here; no one needed to. This was final. I could feel it.
I already tried to eat my way out, but I couldn't absorb something this big without wrapping myself around it. I had tried extending feelers over every centimeter, but all it did was confirm what I already knew: there was no way out. I was trapped.
"Dr. Yagokoro, please!" I begged, hoping that somehow somebody was listening. "I'll…I'll be good, I swear! I just got a little crazy, you know? I won't do it again. Please!"
But there was no answer. Nobody heard me. I was alone. Forever.
FLASH
Deep Within
Hello? Can anyone hear me? Can I come out now?
…
I guess not.
FLASH
Deep Within
I wonder what Reisen's doing right now. Does she still remember me? How long have I been here, anyway?
FLASH
Deep Within
All her fault! This is all Dr. Yagokoro's fault! She did this on purpose! She never liked me anyway, so she tricked me into melting and going crazy just so she could get rid of me!
Well, I'll show her. As soon as I figure out a way to get out, I'll show her!
FLASH
Deep Within
Hum dee dum dee dum. One little fairy, looking for the sun.
Two little fairies, playing in the snow.
Three little fairies, going for a run!
Four little fairies…wait, what was the rest? Something about bows?
How did it go? Darn it, how did it go? I used to remember the whole thing! Why can't I remember?
Hum dee dum dee dum…
FLASH
Deep Within
Damn.
Heh, I said a bad word. Damn. Damn, damn, damn. They would be so mad if they found out! Good thing they can't hear me, huh?
…damn…
FLASH
Deep Within
Happy birthday to me,
Happy birthday to me,
I don't know if it's my birthday
But it's passed by now, surely
FLASH
Deep Within
I want to go home.
FLASH
Deep Within
My new friend was starting to wake up. I watched her, barely able to contain my excitement.
Finally, someone had come for me! I was out. I was free! I had a new body and everything! And…
Oh, the Sun! Not just a hazy memory of it, but real, warm light! I had missed it so much! And the wind! And the sky, and the grass…okay, that keeps dying for some reason, but hey, there's grass!
And not only that, but I'll be back home soon! I'll be able to tell Eirin how sorry I was, and finally we'll be able to work things out! And oh, I can't wait to see Reisen again! And Shiina, can't forget Shiina. And Sayu and Hitomi! Won't they be so surprised to see me again?
My new friend shook her head and mumbled something. Her name was Rumia, and wasn't that just the coolest name ever? So exotic sounding. Anyway, she and her friends actually managed to open the box I was in, and now I had someone to talk to! Only this time I'd better be careful to explain everything to her, else she might get frightened. But I'm sure once she understands everything, we'll be wonderful friends.
Rumia opened her eyes. "Rumia, you're awake!" I cheered. Then I jumped forward to give her a big friendly hug.
"I'm so happy you're here!" I said. "See, I was worried you might not make it here okay, 'cause I've made mistakes in the past and well, it's been awhile. But hey, it's all okay, right?"
Then, for some strange reason, Rumia started screaming. That confused me. Why was she doing that? I was being super nice too! Well, maybe she was just startled. All I had to do was let her calm down, and then we'd talk, and everything was going to be…
FASLH
D(i)ep Whiitn
Nothing. Silence (quiet, all no longer speaking/thinking). Dead? Is it dead? Is I(t) dead? Dead and gone? Dead. Died. Dies. Die. Gone. Die. Gone. Diegone.
No (nothing), can't let. What? Nothing. Falling? May(be). R(a)ising? Don't wanna. Don't make m(h)e(r) get up Reisen, I want to sl(di)eep in!
Reisen? (R)e(i)se(n)? Reisen-ese=Rin, right? It must mean some(thing). Soemtihng. Must firuge it uot. Msut furige it…
...
Can I sleep now?
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
..
.
.
Well, damn. I can't use this mess. On to Plan E then.
Wait I don't (do or do not) re(dis)member that/those part(s). She/it/I was dead(burnt), right(wrong)? I felt(nothing left to feel) her/it/me die(gone), I/she know/knew I…
And then it was over. Yuuka broke eye contact and released her hold on Rin's chin, letting the Kirin slide limply to the floor.
…
Though Yukari's barrier did not obstruct the flow of air, the air on its outside still smelled and tasted fresher to Byakuren. It was possibly just her imagination at work, but still, once Reimu had helped her step through the barrier and onto the topmost of the stone steps leading up the hill, Byakuren breathed deeply, filling her lungs with its refreshing coolness.
The forest lay before her, thick and dark. Even so, tiny lights could be seen moving through the trees, as night-fairies danced and played. Above, the stars shined brightly, a tapestry of diamonds unobstructed by clouds. Nearby, an owl hooted, adding its voice to the symphony of chirping insects.
Byakuren stood for a moment, listening to the sounds of night. As savage as it could be in places, Gensokyo really was a beautiful country, one worth fighting for. Despite their many disagreements, this was one area that she and Yukari Yakumo were always in full agreement. Byakuren had always suspected that this was the main reason Yukari kept her around, even if Byakuren was always the first to stand up in opposition when the elder youkai's methods became too extreme.
Though she couldn't see her through the shimmering wall of energy, Byakuren knew that Reimu would be returning to the shrine now, where Reisen was preparing supper for them. The lunar rabbit had seemed significantly cheered once her talk with Byakuren had concluded. Byakuren was glad that she had given the girl some measure of hope. The gods knew that hope was sorely needed these days. And perhaps it was good that she had gone to Reimu for sanctuary. While the shrine maiden was a natural pessimist, she had a strong heart. Reisen needed someone like Reimu to help build her up, and perhaps Reimu needed someone like Reisen as well. Acting as someone's protector could be a mutually beneficial experience.
Then Byakuren took a step, and her ankle bumped against Reimu's donation box, which had been set outside of the barrier in hopes of attracting some means of support. She frowned down at it. Come to think of it, maybe there was more she could do to help Reimu. She owed the girl a great deal, and certainly had plenty to spare. Byakuren couldn't help but feel a little abashed that she had not thought of it before. Reaching out to the unfortunate had always been one of Temple's purposes, and Reimu had hardships in plenty.
Making a mental note to rectify that oversight, Byakuren descended the steps, down toward the rough dirt road. There would be time for charity once she got back to Myouren Temple. For now, she had other business to see to. Reisen was not without strong influences in her life, and there was at least one she could do without.
Once she was certain that she wouldn't be overhead by Reimu or Reisen, assuming they were within earshot, Byakuren turned back toward the shrine and said, "I know you're watching. You can come out now."
The only answer the sound of the gentle wind as it rustled the folds of her robe.
Byakuren's eyes narrowed. "I mean it, Mima. Show yourself."
This time she got the response she was looking for. A soft chuckle, rich and velvet, found its way to her ears. It was without a visible source and seemed to come from all around. Then its owner said, "Be careful, Buddhist. Those who conjure by that name often come to regret it."
Byakuren folded her arms over her chest. "I conjure nothing. I simply ask that an unwanted voyeur reveal herself."
"You always were too perceptive for your own good." A pair of glowing sapphire eyes opened in the naked air before her. They crinkled with amusement. "Though I feel compelled to correct you on one point: I was not, in fact, physically present on the shrine grounds until now. Rather, I was watching Kanako Yasaka try to clean up that spectacular mess over at the Youkai Mountain." The eyes were joined by a grinning mouth, filled with two rows of pearl-white teeth. "You'll be pleased to hear that Suika Ibuki and her big friend have volunteered to help any way they can, and in return, Kanako has pledged to support the Ancient City in recovering from their own little Satsuki encounter. Another victory for interspecies cooperation, I'd say. And another unintended but wholly positive side-effect from this beautiful catastrophe. You must be so proud!"
Byakuren response was decidedly chilly. "And yet this didn't keep you from spying on our conversation."
"Hmmm, well, I do like to keep up to speed on the comings and goings of my shrine." The rest of Mima's body came into being, allowing Byakuren to face her nemesis directly. "In accordance with my duties as Hakurei Shrine's official representative, you understand."
"Hakurei Shrine does not belong to you."
"Oh, is that right?" Mima examined her perfectly manicured fingernails. "Sweetie, I hate to burst the comforting web of delusions you've woven for yourself, but you'll find that there are many that would disagree with that assessment." She glanced up. "Like, say, Yukari Yakumo?"
Byakuren smiled. "So certain of your control of the situation. How do you know you're not exactly where Yukari wants you?"
"On the contrary, I am fully aware that I am where Yukari wants me to be. My appointment as Ringleader was something of a tip-off." Mima let her hand drop. She smirked. "And how do you know that what I want and what Yukari wants do not coincide?"
Byakuren was about to respond, but then she remembered the dangers of engaging Mima in any kind of foolish debate. It was a favorite tactic of the spirit, to distract from the matter at hand. "I had a few words with Reisen earlier," she said.
"Oh, no counter? No response? I'm disappointed." Mima shrugged. "And yes, I know. I was, as you say, peeking. And really must congratulate you on successfully lifting our Lunarian friend's spirits. You know, you might have missed your true calling as a motivational speaker."
"I have plenty of opportunities to motivate people with the work I do, thank you very much," Byakuren said. "And I couldn't help but notice that Reisen has been entertaining some very interesting ideas. One can help but wonder who planted them in her head to begin with."
Mima's smirk was wholly unrepentant. "Why blame me? She is a natural worrier, after all. She might have come to those conclusions all on her own."
"Call it a hunch," Byakuren said. "You are what you are, after all."
"Oh, so true." Mima tilted her head back to cast an over-the-shoulder glance in the shrine's direction. "Of course, this leads us to something of a problem. I did instruct her not to go blabbing about any talks we might have had, lest I become upset with her."
"She never so much as mentioned you," Byakuren said, a note of warning in her voice. "I pieced it together myself."
Mima shrugged, but said nothing. The smile never left her lips.
"Leave her alone, Mima," Byakuren said, taking a step forward. "I don't know what your game is, and I know you're not going to tell me, but leave Reisen be."
"My game is the same as it's always been, Byakuren," Mima responded. "And I am not accustomed to being told my business." She reached over to poke Byakuren in the chest. "You will do well to remember that."
Byakuren didn't flinch at the touch. "I mean it, Mima. Leave her alone."
"Oh, so gallant of you." Mima laughed. "My dear saint, how exactly do you propose to stop me?"
Without waiting for an answer, Mima turned and floated up the steps, toward the shrine. "But this bickering is pointless. I mean the girl no harm, and do not plan to break my word with her. She is an amusing diversion, nothing more. And I had other reasons to keep an eye on things this evening."
Byakuren frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Mima tsked. "Byakuren, come now. You know me better than that." Now at the top, Mima turned again and looked down at the elder magician. "Just know that your pep-talk with the rabbit was not the only conversation to take place tonight, and Reisen's lips were not the only ones to slip."
The way Mima said that sent ice water plunging into Byakuren's stomach. She was about to demand some form of clarification, but then she saw that the shrine steps were now empty. Mima had simply winked away her presence, leaving Byakuren alone.
Byakuren shivered. There was a saying that had been popular when she was a child, one still had merit: the snake in your garden was far more dangerous than the dragon outside your walls. And Byakuren for one did not plan to take her eyes off of the former warlord of the Serpentine Marauders.
Maybe her words had done much to lift Reisen's spirits, but now Byakuren felt that she could use a little reassurance herself. Mima's words were troubling, to say the least, and no good would come of them, of this she was certain. With a heavy heart, Byakuren lifted from the ground and began the long journey back to her home.
…
Mima's kind of a dick sometimes.
Anyway, next two updates will both be Rhapsody of Subconscious Desire, which will close up that story. After that, IM and RD will trade off every chapter, barring Christmas specials and any other possible omakes and one-shots. There will be at least one another spinoff story coming in the future, but that's not for a good while yet.
Until next time, everyone!