Chapter 4

Early morning at the Hakurei Shrine, Reimu and Marisa prepared a few snacks ahead of time and set the grounds up nearby the cherry blossom trees. Large blankets to be laid on the floor, brazers for when the party eventually goes late with a makeshift grill in the center of the many laid blankets and even pillows set for the guests.

"Marisa. What do you think? Too much?" Reimu asked towards the black and white witch who was busy setting up an umbrella spot for certain guests angled at the right spot so the sun would not invade as it passes overhead.

"Nah! We got a lot of people coming and bringing their own tray. I got the perfect mushrooms to grill for later too."

The two of them have done this every year. A routine that never got old. Their work continued until the presence of a short oni with long and profound horns strolled on up with a carefree stride.
"You two work so fast. Already got the grounds prepared for a big party." which then she placed down a cask she had brought with her from her shoulder, twice her size even and setting it before them.

"I got the good stuff-" but she was halted by Reimu.

"Hold onto that cask, Suika." the priestess looked over at the short Oni. "We managed to snag some Ambrosia."

Suika scoffed. "Right. 'Ambrosia'. Probably some cheap wine." but Marisa backed Reimu up. "No way! This is going to be the real deal this time. Nahumar's bringing two barrels of the stuff."

this left Suika in disbelief.

"Real Ambrosia?" A smirked in a devilish way. "More reason to stick around then! I'll be the judge if it's real or not." walking over and inspecting the grounds along with the grill to aid Reimu and Marisa for anything else. Leaving the Sake cask near the shrine.

In the meantime at The Mare, Nahumar had finished moving the second barrel of his ambrosia from the storage to the front yard. With a thick rope he planned to carry it with one trip. The Nighthares watching with interest and curiosity at what their master was doing. Swaying their heads left and right to the pace of his hands and motions. Tying the barrels tight enough to not let any slip. Crossing above the top and around the sides, double looping and finally making the tie to the rope he will carry. Two of them to ensure it won't swing during flight.

"Alright! What do you think guys?" Nahumar asked the Nighthares. All of them just hopped randomly around and looked at him. Not a word was shared. He took their silence with a smile. "And can't forget the chicken skewers." Nahumar ran back inside to bring forth a container he had purchased from Rinnosuke the other day to help contain the raw marinated skewers of chicken. Placing it on one of the barrels.

Before he could take off, he was soon visited by Alice who was stopping by. She must of noticed his attempt to bring the casks in one go. She gave him one look before commanding her dolls to pick up the chicken container for him. "Let me help out a bit. It's risky to try and fly with that much weight." but Nahumar just smiled.

"Nonsense! I've carried giant spheres of marble before. This is-" Nahumar demonstrated some amount of strength as he tried taking off, struggling in the process. "NOTHING. TO. ME." straining his words with each shout. Alice couldn't help but chuckle politely at his attempt at strength.
"Clearly your time sealed has also weakened you physically." With her words, Alice would allow a few more dolls to support his casks from below while the two took off to the shrine. The trip would be much slower than normal on account of all that weight...

"REIMU!? Where's that Ambrosia you promised!?" By now with a couple of guests arriving it was Suika who started flailing in anticipation for the promised drink of the gods.

"Be patient. I'm sure they're heavy for him..." Reimu looked to the sky as the grounds were littered with the guests already enjoying the gathering. She could barely make out two figures in the distance flying towards the shrine along with two large barrels hanging from strong ropes. Alice would descend first following with Nahumar gently trying to fix the barrels to let them sit on one of the ends upon his decent.

"Sorry for the wait!" Nahumar said out loud. This caught the attention of Suika who upon seeing Nahumar...swore she saw him before. Yet his eyes were a different coloration. It wasn't important for now and Suika put that in the back of her head for later.

His appearance had turned certain heads, mainly of Byakuren who could easily see the aura of Fear he exhumed by his presence alone. Nahumar gave a very awkward wave. The pressuring gaze of individuals descending upon him especially ones of great power and importance. It all went away when Marisa grabbed his arm to sit him down right beside her.

"Hey Mar! Glad you came. Those barrels are the ambrosia right?" getting him to relax as Suika was about ready to bust it open and chug it. Reimu on the other hand halted her.

"We're going to let people have a cup each right?" Reimu looked to Nahumar who nodded.

Suika then made a rowdy announcement. "Alright everyone! Who's ready for a cup of Ambrosia!?" having the group all seem eager to try something new. The reaction was quite positive. Suika did the honor of smashing the barrel top open with her fist, pulling off the wooden ends and with a scoop of a cup, offered it to the next person to pass around. Reimu doing the same. Giving Nahumar his cup as she sat down next to him opposite of Marisa.

With everyone getting a cup in hand and even Yukari sneaking one for herself it was Nahumar who raised his glass and told everyone. "On the count of three. One. Two...THREE!"

They gave a cheer then in near unison all taking their brave sip. Not a second entering their mouths did the party have their judgements.

"N-no way..."
"Woah! That's some potent booze."

"AHH! Now that's the good shit right there!"
"My my! Creamy and that hint of citrus with a bit of spice. Heavenly."

"Blek...Sorry Lady Yuyuko, mind finishing it for me?"

"Oh Shou. This is indeed a drink of the gods. I can feel another couple years added onto me."
"L-lady Hijiri! I agree!"
"Hmm...Think we can ask Nahumar for a barrel or two Sakuya?"
"I can try, Milady. It must of tickled your taste-buds just right then."

To Nahumar he felt a bit of his old memory being unlocked as he watched the people around him enjoyed themselves not just on the Ambrosia but their gathering. He could see it now...

Men and women relaxed and merry. Finding company with one another. By now he could feel the warm breeze of the shoreline being nearby and the sound of gulls above. For a moment, Nahumar thought he was back in his old ways. Among his people. Yet in his starry eyed distraction it was Marisa who walked up and tapped his shoulder.

"You alright there, Mar?" He snapped from his daydreaming past and smiled. "Yeah. Just felt a hint of nostalgia." and turned to the crowd all just having a good time. He would converse with many of the party goers. Getting to know them better and reassuring others he was not going to harm them at all

As the day turned to night, the parties that came soon left one after another with thanks for a wonderful evening. Eventually only four people remained at the shrine. Reimu, Marisa, Suika and Nahumar. All of them huddled around the grill to finish off the last of the chicken skewers. After having another cup of the Ambrosia, Suika gave her biggest grin and satisfied gasp.

"I could drink this all day but then i can't savor it." she commented eagerly while laying on her back upon the shrine front porch.

"You really do like it that much? Well I could spare one of my barrels but it takes many months to make even one cask." Nahumar started talking shop with Suika a bit while rubbing his chin.
Suika then had an idea while she sat back up "Tell me the ingredients and i'll let you make it for me!"

"Looks like Nahumar had a great time tonight." Marisa pointed out while flipping the last skewers on the grill over. Reimu, having another sip of sake agreed "Yeah. It's like he was always here with us." though deep down she wanted to talk to him personally after seeing him space out.

Eventually Marisa and Suika would fall asleep all sprawled out on the floor of the shrine interior. Nahumar gently placed covers over them to keep them warm before joining Reimu outside sitting on the steps. He took a seat beside her with a cup of his ambrosia. Reimu looked to her side, noticing the god of fear.

"Not heading home immediately i take it?"

"Not yet. I wanted to thank you for inviting me today."

"Eh think nothing of it. You're new so might as well get people accustomed to your existence. I hope by now you see what Gensokyo is like now?" she raised a brow, noticing his attention the whole time was still at the night sky. Enamored by it.

"It's quite a colorful group. Reminds me of the old days." He mentioned, kicking back the rest of the Ambrosia in one shot from his glass. The words did bring Reimu to ask...

"Nahumar. Mind telling me about yourself a bit?" Part of Reimu wanted to know more in the event he had to be resealed again and knowledge is power...on the other she was also curious how much he remembered of his old life. Nahumar took the question and thought on it.

"Well...I am the child of the God of War and the Goddess of love. My role was to assist my father in times of war and conquest against others, but it wasn't for me. I usually resided in a small shrine with a priestess whom I-" his memories started to feel fragmented and torn. He couldn't recall much, neither the name of the priestess or his parents.

Reimu reached her hand and placed it on his shoulder. "Relax...That might be the side effect of being in Gensokyo. Overtime you forget certain things in the outside world...It happened to Sanae. I don't think she even remembers much of her personal life before coming here." reassuring the god it was a normal thing.

"If that is true then why can I remember my aunt's name? She was the one who gave me the recipe for the Ambrosia."

Reimu asked "Who is your aunt then?"

"Hecatia." he replied.

Reimu soon widen her eyes and nearly fell on her back in complete shock at that notion. "N-no way! You and that hell goddess are related!? HOW!?" pointing at him while trying to comprehend how a small, cute looking sphere god was familiar with Hecatia. Nahumar was confused at her reaction. "Aunt Hecatia is my father's sister. She's real nice when you know her. I often get spoiled...so you know her?" he finally asked. "What has my aunt been doing?"

"W-well..." Reimu would then go on the explain the incident involving Junko, the moon and more. The night from there led to explanations, stories and more laughing. Reimu and Nahumar felt a small bond of friendship building and before it could get better, it was quite late. Nahumar sealed the last bits of the Ambrosia and left it with Reimu to keep as he started to walk out onto the stone path of the shrine. Stretching and preparing for a flight back.

"I'll see you sometime, Reimu."

"Likewise."

With a soft takeoff into the night, Reimu was left to two snoring freeloaders. She looked around her place and noticed on the table was a note. The hand wiring made her eyes roll. "Yukari..." she silently mocked, picking it up and having a read...

`Reimu,
An incident might happen in the near future involving that Fear God. Do what you must
For the balance of Gensokyo.`

"Like I need a letter to tell me that." She rolled her eyes at the note. But as she was about to continue walking she noticed one of Nahumar's Nighthares hanging around. Though she wanted to kick it out...instead Reimu picked the rabbit up to pet it gently.

In former hell, Yuugi walked alongside Yakyosho who was half her height when compared together. The two were on a patrol of sorts in making sure things were in order tonight in the Ancient City. Though this was more of an excuse to have fun of her own eating, drinking and causing some disruption herself. Being one of the four devas it had perks.

"Smile, ya lump!" Yuugi's energetic and cheerful tone followed with a hard slap on the back, sending Yakyosho almost on his face with a trip. He fixed his attire and simply looked up at the Oni.

"I am smiling. It's just not as bright." his face, though static showed a hint of joy.

"Well how about we put some food in your stomach?" the Oni grinned. Whisking the odd being with her to a stall and immediately ordering for him. The smell was exotic to Yakyosho but also familiar...Herbs and spices unique to something nostalgic. Booze being offered to both him and Yuugi as they waited. It was time Yuugi could talk to him.

"You know...you do kind of remind me a bit of Parsee." Yuugi started off while pouring sake for Yakyosho then herself.

"How so?"

"Well she's able to do some special things with people's Jealousy. You're able to manipulate emotions too, right?"

Then the odd being of White eyes and Black Sclera was reminded about earlier. "Oh. That." A small scuffle happened when Yakyosho tried to break up a fight. With one shove it was an innate ability that took the dread of the one who struck him to see some visions and provoking the poor individual to cry and whimper from his deepest phobia before him.

"It just seemed natural. I saw an aura and amplified it." The description was basic as hell and Yuugi raised a brow.
"So you amplified it...and made the guy piss his pants? AHAHAHAHA!" The roaring laughter could easily be heard by anyone within a mile. "I can't believe that happened. So you can see people's fears huh? What about mine?" The way she eased her elbow on the counter and stared at Yakyosho while taking one long poll of her sake was like a flirt.

However Yakyosho found only one tiny bit on her shoulder. It was barely noticable unless focused in and it's potency was not strong at all. Yet he said to Yuugi-

"Your fear...is to run out of strong people to fight with." but saying that to an Oni is more a truth than a personal fear. Regardless she smiled with a big grin and replied.

"Bingo! But all Oni have that fear honestly."

By the time the Beef Udon came, the two were ready to devour and enjoy. Yuugi being more dexterous with chopsticks went to town while Nahumar fumbled with the concept. Trying to mirror what Yuugi did despite her speed until a pair of hands from behind helped him with the way it should rest.
"There you go! Now enjoy!" Hanging upside down was a strange Tsuchigumo. Yamame, the Earth Spider.

"Oh hey Yamame! Want a bowl too?" Yuugi offered with the sudden appearance but she shook her head before landing on her feet.
"Nope! I'm just here to check on Yakyosho. I gotta say, You were much cuter as a sphere than a human shape."

"Eh..." he waved his hand off, returning to the Udon to have a taste. While the two talked it was the spices within the broth and beef that triggered something within him to shift. His memories forming up. A hand clenching his head like a migraine.

"De_os. Hecatia sent you a gift of your favorite meal. Kreatopita!"

"W-who told her that was my favorite? Was that you, Ph_os!?"
"Yes. I figured because you worked so hard, you deserve tribute! Father is always speaking highly of you!"

"...Ph_os...You should really come with us more. Together, we're a mighty force!"

"But...I don't like war and conflict."

"Hey. You alright?" Yuugi managed to snap him back as Yamame looked worried to his reaction. Yakyosho put on a smile and replied. "Yes. I am fine. The soup is real good and the spices are top notch." and continued to eat the soup before them. What he thought wasn't a big deal to him was different to people looking from the outside...

They saw him struggling with his mind physically. Yamame prior was trying desperately to wake him from the trance. This would have to be looked into later as he would walk home with Yamame escorting him.