Author's Note: All the updates to this fic is in snippet format. Don't ask for more.
-DRAGON AND FAMILIAR-
*CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!*
Gensokyo, a mystical land of legend. Land of miracles, a sanctuary of legends! And a place where trouble always seems to manifest ever since it's new protector, a Shrine Maiden of the Hakurei line named Reimu took up the responsibility for it.
Admittedly most of the incidents were easily solved and were somewhat harmless... Well some of there were somewhat harmless. Yuyuko's plan to revive the... deadly youkai tree where... she's buried was kinda dangerous. And Okuu's ambition could well be catastrophic since she's a rampaging bird brain by then. Oh and Mima's dream of conquest was also dangerous... Miko was also shady. Sukuna's ambition was also kinda dangerous since she was manipulated onto... okay maybe many of the incidents were... uhh... nevermind.
The thing is after all of these incidents said Shrine Maiden would solve it and befriend... well whoever was causing trouble. Though she's not Gensokyo's only protector there are others too. Like the Witch of the Magic Forest, who overpowers everything in her path and...
And anyways I'm just drifting off the most important thing here.
What is that? Well... thanks to my... ummm carelessness I guess. I'm a... well indirect cause of one now.
"Well congratulations ze!" Marisa began patting my back while I sulked.
"Congratulations on what Marisa?" Alice asked, shaking her head at her neighbor's antics. "That Hyoudou had caused trouble due to the danger surrounding him?" She scolded. Marisa chuckled sheepishly and scratched her head.
"Well I know it's kinda a bad joke. But it now proves that Issei is that now one of us!" The witch declared proudly.
"What do you mean by that?" The puppeteer asked feeling rather irritated. "That he caused trouble for Reimu and such?"
"Yeah!" Alice actually faceplamed at this and Byakuren bonked Marisa's head.
"This is no laughing matter Marisa!" Byakuren began and started scolding the black-and-white while Reimu shook her head and beckoned... ummm the three mischievous faeries?
"Go get some snacks and tea ready. We have a lot of guests." She ordered and the three... are they really following her. Now that I think about it, Byakuren before she began scolding Marisa, Remilia and Miko ordered something similar to their underlings. While Gremory-sempai talked to the rest of the Occult Research Club while Koakuma went back to her master's side.
"Well one thing is for is that we have a lot to talk about." Byakuren stated as she went back to us after she finished lecturing Marisa who was now whimpering in fetal position... Whoa! What kind of scolding did Byakuren do! Scary!
Still I could only help but gulp considering it looks like I'm next on the chopping block.
On the other hand I end up ogling her since... well either she doesn't mind or doesn't notice. Well that's fine I guess... though... Looking back at it I remember getting beat up by Ichirin and Unzan because of it... Ugh... Can't I do perverse things without becoming a punching bag!
Ummm... Now that I think about it, this is Gensokyo. It's dangerous when I get caught and... well. Looking at the Occult Research Club and seeing Himejima-sempai waving at me with a smile... her boobs... Wooohhh! Thank you Himejima-sempai!
*smack!*
Ouch! That hurt! Who slap- Shanghai?
"Eyes, Issei." She scolded me before sighing and shaking her head. "I must admit, she's something to look at."
Wait did Alice just admitted to...
"I'm still a girl after all Issei." She said rather annoyed. Ooops, I broadcasted that unintentionally. Well honestly I actually don't see much of the girls here having breast envy. That or they're not being obvious. Well, I'm a guy so I can't probably can't see the signs. And besides if there's any...
Uh... Seeing someone here give me an evil smile and brandishing knives I forgot that I informed Sakuya of that particular meme. I got proof that it's not true with a show and an actual touch. I was in heaven at that until she told me the price. That being that she would join Flandre in playing with me... and worse I was actually a target at that! I think I lost several years of my life because of it.
"I got Kanako and Suwako-sama!" Sanae cheerfully announced... wait... when did she leave? And how didn't I notice? I mean she was right there beside me when Byakuren was still scolding Marisa!
"And preparations are done. We can start now." Reimu announced... Preparati- wait?! How fast could they turn the... oh screw this! They can do that because so and that's final. In any case the Hakurei Shrine grounds is now hosting a small feast. And it looks like some of the people are digging in. Like Suika and... huh Yuugi? And now that I think about it, the rest of the Old Hell Crew is here... when did that? I need to pay attention more.
"Issei. Come here, your center to this whole incident." Reimua said as she called for me. She was sitting in a center table where what looks like the heads of the various groups there. Kanako-sama, Satori, Byakuren, Miko, Remilia, Reimu, Rias, a gap... most likely Yukari and finally, a seat for me it seems.
Well they're staring at me expectantly so I guess I have to get to it.
*CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!*
Well the first business of the... well the night was me telling me the events that led to the Occult Research Club to charge into Gensokyo. While my caution was praised, letting my 'familiar' version of Mima do... well what Mima does best was heavily criticized considering I can control them regardless of who their original is. Also moving with haste and using a shortcut that would definitely lead to an ambush was also lauded.
"Honestly that was stupid of you Issei. Actually you're not that bright but that was very idiotic of you." Ugh. Reimu's harsh words at that cut through me deeply. It was true though, and my eagerness to have dinner with Reimu have clouded my already bad judgement.
"If we only knew." Gremory-sempai sighed as she said it. "We already knew about the fallen angels in our territory but they're as slippery as fish and intentionally kept their heads down. " She shook her head. "Issei's little run in with them honestly was the only time we caught wind of them having activity in our territory."
"That is quite something to say miss devil." Kanako-sama said rather abruptly and with authority. Not like she doesn't have authority. In fact I think Gremory-sempai knows that too considering how she cowered over her words.
"Indeed. But it has merit." Ah! Satori-san must have read Gremory-sempai's mind! How devio- uhhh... I mean smart of her! Ahahahahaha! "But I digress. It is best that you speak of your circumstances along with the current state of the supernatural side of the outside world before you even begin." Wow. As expected of Satori-san, she knows what to say as always.
Uhhh... Nevermind.
Gremory-sempai followed Satori-san's suggestion and began to regale the tale of the truth back at home. A truth I myself could not even to remotely comprehend with my tiny brain. Hey, I can't help it. I can get the gist of it but not all of it.
"I see. The state of the outside world is rather complicated." Remilia muttered as she drank her tea. The rest of the people there nodded.
"Still, it only tells us only a fraction of the current situation." Byakuren stated and all agreed to that too.
"Still. A great war with three great factions of the Christian Mythological Faction." Kanako-sama shook her head. "How stupid."
"I'm afraid we're not like you Kanako-sama." Gremory-sempai admitted. "Our... well it's not like our mythology has anything to defend our current state honestly."
"True. Still you are currently in a state of silent war... Cold War I believe as the modern world would term it with your other three sides of the Christian Mythological Faction. And with the commotion cause by Hyoudou here..." I'm sorry! It's not like I intended that to happen! "Oh stop bowing in apology Hyoudou-kun! While it is arguably stupid to let your familiars do their own thing especially with the one that protected you today..." Ummmm... that's right, I gotta be more responsible about them. "It's hard to persecute you when your life is on the line."
"Still it's not like Issei could defend himself without his familiars." Remilia shook her head. "We know it's somewhat possible with the discovery of his... 'Sacred Gear' was it." Rias nodded, in fact she's rather surprised. "But that red glove would do squat as Issei here is no master of any martial art. Nor is he a magician of any sort."
I'm sorry that I'm just... well a normal human with extra ordinary circumstances! I can't help it!
"We could-" Rias probably was suggesting they could help but...
"Sorry Gremory-san." Miko interrupted. "While Hyoudou-kun is of the outside world, and you are the most reliable people to protect him. You just admitted that you might just let him die."
"No! While we devils would resurrect people with the Evil Pieces as to add to our peerages it does not mean we would let Hyoudou-kun die!" Gremory-sempai defended herself. Miko shook her head and turned to Satori... er san to confirm and got a nod.
"Hmph. So you are sincere. Still it would end up as Gensokyo's problem and you Gremory-san is nor your... peerage was it? Are not residents of Gensokyo." Miko finished. To my surprised everyone there nodded at that.
"Why is- oh!" Gremory-sempai began but stopped. And she did so when she looked at me.
"Ummm? What?" I asked.
"Well, Issei we only got here because we followed you and... well that's very easy to do." I'm just human! I can't help it! "You even forgot to lock you apartment's door..."
Ahhh... Ummmm...
"I'm an idiot!" I slumped.
"There, there Hyoudou-kun." Uuuuuhhhh! Byakuren-san! You're so always nice!
"In any case, while we can rely on our devil friends cooperation we need to take measures because the last thing we need are powerhungry fools or any of the sort getting in Gensokyo... Yukari..." Kanako-sama turned to the gap and instantly a beautiful blonde and very hot woman... who is arguably much more older and several dozen times as dangerous as anyone there appeared.
"Yessssss~?" Yukari as always sounds so playful.
"Can you make measures so to limit other people from entering that gap at Issei's place?" The Moriya goddess asked. To which the woman shook her head.
"That's not possible I'm afraid. In fact another thing about it is that it's always open as well." Yukari frowned. "I do not know if it's because of Hyoudou-kun's connection to Gensokyo or because of the Meteor but I myself could not close that gap... Actually I could but it will just open up somewhere else. It's why I just moved that one to Issei's apartment in the first place."
"How about inside Issei's home?" Reimu asked, for the first time contributing to this discussion.
"That can be done." Yukari nodded.
"Still we have problems with Issei's life in danger." Miko again pointed it out, and was answered by Gremory-sempai.
"Well we could at least protect him in school. And we could always escort him." She said.
"But you won't be there always." Kanako-sama said shaking her head. "We need someone permanent there."
"That would be hard." Remilia countered. "As many of us lacks knowledge... well most nuances of the modern period."
"Oh but we have candidates for that." Yukari said mischievously. Kanako-sama was about to retort but Remilia beat her to the punch.
"I'm afraid we need Koa. You all know how hopeless Patche can be without her." So true. Patchouli can be quite absent minded and honestly needs to be tended by Koa at many points or else. It's true that anyone can do that, but Koa is the one most familiar with Patche because... well she's her familiar.
"I would have loved to have my cousin back..." Gremory-sempai murmured...
"Okay... so I'll ask Sanae." Kanako-sama said in defeat. Something that raised Reimu's brows.
"Is that fine?" She asked and Kanako-sama nodded.
"As long as she returns to her duties at times. It's not like the Shrine is always packed or anything." The Moriya Goddess admitted and Reimu, Byakuren and Miko all chuckled. "Well this ends our planning for now. So let's eat while we're here."
And with that. The festivities lasted through the night.
*CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!*
*GAP*
The red headed Gremory could not help but sigh. Admitted she could be excused considering how big of a bullet they had dodged there. Ever since she saw and recognized the woman... who apparently was a 'fake' a familiar of Hyoudou's she knew they were way over their head. The gap inside Hyoudou's apartment that was nearly invisible to the eyes of both the normals and the supernatural sealed the whole deal.
In fact the fact that they had stumbled upon on accident was amusing either.
Nor was Akeno's joking enough to attract and annoy the Shrine Maiden of Paradise... which ended up in a fight. While she was sure that for the protector of Gensokyo, that was normal. For them it was not. Heck the whole fight, no... it was not a fight, it was the Shrine Maiden steamrolling them with such ease that it wasn't funny.
Fortunately that was normal. If they were able to overpower the Shrine Maiden then the situation could get worse.
Another thing was how the heads of the various groups of Gensokyo was rushing the whole talks. She didn't know why but it seemed that they didn't like her or them... Whatever was the case is that the-
"Rias!" Was the loud voice of her friend nearly echoing in the empty streets as they, the Occult Research club threaded back to Kuoh and back to their dorms. "What's wrong? Are you worrying about our little adventure?" She asked, her smile was noticeably missing.
"I can't help it Akeno. We just got lucky there." She said with a frown.
"True, but we can't say that. If the fight continued, we could have won." Her friend assured but failed as Rias shook her head.
"No we won't. I know full well how powerful Reimu is and how much she was holding back." She with much conviction.
"Truly? How do you know? It's not like you know her-... wait you do?" Rias nodded.
"Yes I do. In fact I'm even surprised we got to the Hakurei Shrine in the first place... Then again the gap inside Hyoudou's apartment and in fact him... 'controlling' Mima was enough to tell me that all of this are way over our heads." She shook her head again.
"How do you know all of this Buchou? Because I know that realm is new... well new to me." Kiba interjected and was supported by the small silver haired girl and her best friend.
"Because that place... those people... They're supposed to be fictional." She told them in a seriousness. The statement however caused them to get really surprised.
"What? Are you serious Buchou?" "Rias, is this a joke." "Unbelievable."
"But what I said is true. Gensokyo is a realm... a setting inside a game. A Danmaku Shooter called Touhou." She told them causing her best friend to blanch.
"Wait? Isn't that your favorite game? The one where a look... alike... of... No..." Akeno paused and shuddered.
"Yes. In fact now I know why Koakuma looked so much like my cousin, because it is her. I can't believe it." Rias shook her head. "But this leads us to loads of problems in fact, I suggest we follow their advice and let them handle the situation for now... also... Do not talk about Gensokyo to anyone other than ourselves and Hyoudou."
"Not even to Sona?" Akeno asked and Rias nodded.
"Yes. We need to gain their trust, not because they can aid us... But because no one and absolutely no one we know or would know or even meet would match anyone there."
"It's that bad?" Kiba asked and Rias nodded.
"Those people I talk to apart from Reimu the Shrine Maiden we fought and Hyoudou, are also beyond our limits." Shook her head. "A master Monk, a poweful Taoist, an all knowing mind reader and a powerful vampire. Not mention those that follow them. In fact Satori has a Hell Raven with her with the power of Nuclear Fission. Tell me you three... can you fight someone who can throw nuclear blasts as if it was the most normal thing in the world?"
"No... but... No... we can't." Kiba shook his head.
"Woman?" Koneko inquired and Rias thought for a moment before nodded.
"Ah... Kanako... sama..." Akeno blinked at this.
"Kanako-sama? Really Rias?" She asked.
"Of course. After all, she's a goddess." Again all three of them widened their eyes at the surprise.
"She's... a goddess... Oh my..." Akeno covered her mouth and shivered.
"Indeed... as you can see, that place is full of beings that could utterly crush us. There is no point in aggravating them unless you want a quick end." All three nodded. "So until then, we can do nothing but wait and see..."
*CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!*
"So distrustful~... But I can see why." The ancient Youkai of boundaries muttered as she drank sake without a care. The people with her did not mind.
"It's hard to trust them. Because unlike them, despite our differences we know each other enough." The Moriya goddess said. "Not to mention they're not from here."
"Is that all?" The Youkai of boundaries asked. Byakuren answered this time.
"Their story and how their society works is also the reason. Not mention despite being earnest in helping..." She sighed. "Truly for me to doubt them as I am. But it's hard to do when they have a system that would circumvent death to their advantage."
"While death is not required..." Miko continued for her rival. "It's hard to trust someone who has the means to make anyone their slaves. As someone who used leadership and charisma to gather my followers it is hard not to see them in a negative light."
"It helps that we have only heard from a third of three parts of the picture we're forming." Remilia muttered as she had Sakuya serve her tea, not partaking in drinking of any sake. "While the Fallen Angels are trying to kill Issei, we do not know why. We also haven't heard the side of the angels, as that could also prove important."
"Hyoudou-kun is also a factor to consider." Satori put her input in. "While he has only with us for a short while and he has... unfortunate habits." Everyone there chuckled. "He has become part of this land. This refuge we call home. And I myself do not want to see ill of anyone of us here."
"So true." "Yeah." "Why yes." "Of course."
"Ah~ Thinking about him, what should we do?" Yukari asked, earning a raised brow from Kanako.
"It's kinda odd seeing you worried for him." The goddess noted and was agreed by the others.
"Oh? Why shouldn't I? He's such an entertaining boy~ In fact maybe I should turn him into one of my Shikigamis!" She said mischievously.
"Hey! I offered him first!" Remilia shouted rather angrily. At this point a stare off happened with a devil may care Yukari and a fuming Remilia.
"Now now... let's focus on the topic first. I believe we have talked in making defenses for Hyoudou's home." Byakuren said diffusing the situation.
"Well Patche could make some." Remilia said very assuringly. "Considering her knowledge, it would be easy."
"Some protection charms would be nice too. I think Hyoudou would appreciate that." Miko noted, and Byakuren nodded.
"Also about someone that would be with him..." Kanako sighed. "Well Sanae said she'll do it. In fact I'm will go with Issei tomorrow to his school so we can enroll her and Reisen."
"Wait? The Moon Rabbit? When did that happen?" Remilia asked, curious to how this was leaked to Eientei as nobody from there was in the meeting... until she remembered... "So you were there." She said as she turned to the ever mischievous Yukari.
"Why yes~ Yes I was. Why do you think no one from there is here?" Yukari exclaimed, and Remilia just frowned. "In any case the next few days would be interesting~!"
"So you will be watching?" The goddess asked and the ancient Youkai nodded.
"Of course... after all... Gensokyo is at stake..."
*GAP*
*CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!*