Back at Eientei
Kaguya is staring at the night sky. To be exact she's looking at the moon. A gentle breeze washes over her as she continued to stare at the serene night sky.
"Reminiscing about the past, princess?" Eirin said.
Kaguya turns her attention to her and replied. "Yes, I do wonder what will be the outcome if she's not there..."
Eirin went silent for moment before answering. "Then the original plan would have happened. Either way, the result would be the same." She paused as she too took a quick look at the night sky. "Though, the experiences she gave you won't be the same without her. That is according to my calculations. Am I right?"
Kaguya smiled at her and nods. "I already miss those times. I'm glad that I continued believing that we'll meet again."
Eirin seems to want to say more but she seems to be hesitating. Kaguya notices this and as if she read her mind.
"There's more you want to tell, right? And it is about her."
Eirin just nods to her and Kaguya asks her to spill it, to which she oblige.
"This was mentioned to me a while back by the Watatsuki sisters. They are quite eager to share all of their experiences to me. One of them is an encounter they very much explained to me in detail. Especially, the younger one. I could sense her irritation and agitation as she recounted that event and I'm sure that the person she is talking about is none other than our friend who helped us."
Hearing this Kaguya calmly replied. "So you mean to say that she's on the moon at that time?"
"Yes, and is seen working with that gap yokai. If I were to connect it back then. She must have done something to enlist her help. Let alone from what we saw today, made sure to indebted her. That yokai is very cunning indeed. She was there, I'm sure of it." Eirin said as she made a deduction.
"That's not all what you want to say, right?" Kaguya said with a worried tone as she's starting to get the picture.
"Mmh, I can see Toyohime just shrugging it off but for Yorihime who was humiliated when they fought. Once, she heard of the news then I can assure that she'll be the first one to arrive here just to get even." Her expression changed to a serious one as a strong wind blows through them.
"...ah, it is her after all. She must have exploited a weakness or something. Knowing her, she does not try to reveal everything on her hands right away." Kaguya said seemingly taking a side.
"And that is exactly what happened. I doubt the same trick would work. Remember those people who went to the moon that Yorihime easily defeated? See how she does not waste a single time to take care of them. She's not the same one that Rain once fought. Certainly that duel opened up her eyes to become more stronger. If they were to crosspaths now, I doubt it would end well." Eirin's words are like that of a warning and a foreshadowing of a possible event that could cause a great trouble for both sides.
"Just like us who keeps a secret. I know for sure that she's a good person. I believe that she'll get through this. She's a stubborn person that can almost survive anything. I'm sure she'll think of it as just another day of annoyance especially if it is a Lunarian with that attitude. Kaguya smiled, this time taking her first friend's side with confidence.
"Speaking like a true Earth dweller, princess." Eirin too gave a soft smile. If it weren't for Rain then her hands would have been the one that was stained. She'll do anything to atone for the things that have happened to Kaguya. Hence, why she is here with the former princess of the moon. That is why she is thankful that person was there at that time. She could only hope that her predictions are wrong.
Hakurei Shrine
"Where the heck is she?! It is dark already!" Reimu exclaimed as she stares at the front door.
She's been waiting for too long already. At first she is quite convinced that Rain will be back after a few hours but as time passed after that she became more and more worried. To the point that she frequently looks outside.
"Ahhhh, I swear she'll gets an earful when she gets home..." She said to herself and then she remembers what Yukari had shown her.
"My choice..." She looks at the direction to where she hid the sealing crystal. It is in the offering room. Safely hidden and no one would touch it for they would think it is a sacred item if they did find it. Unless, the mischievous fairies gets their hands on it.
"Destroy it or give it to her?" The voice of Yukari echoes through her brain.
Returning her memories is sure to have a consequences as hinted by Yukari. Destroying it, however will prevent that but at the price of all the memories stored in it. Why did Yukari want her to be the one to do it? Only a Hakurei can destroy it as she said but why haven't she instructed the others before her? Perhaps there is a reason. But thinking about it would only make her head spin in confusion.
"Let me check one last time and get some fresh air." She said as she stood up and went to the door.
Grumbling, she opened up the door and what came next is that a person is right there. Perhaps she was occupied by her own thought that she didn't quickly recognized who it was.
"Gaaah!" Reimu exclaimed.
"Aahhh! What the? Reimu! You scared the crap out of me by screaming!" Rain said after she too also screamed.
"Huh?! Rain! You're finally back! What kind of trouble did you get into this...-" Her words stopped as her eyes squinted from seeing the eyepatch that Rain is wearing. "Time? What's with that?" She points at it.
Rain lets out a sigh as she mumbled. "...Knew it."
She then waves it off and replied. "At least, let me in before the questions, it is freezing out here." With that, she comes in before Reimu could say anything.
Reimu notices this and answered. "Oh, so now you're acting like nothing happened. I could still kick you out with that kind of attitude." She said that but she won't actually do it.
Rain stops and replied. "Sorry, a lot happened and I just kind of want to sit or even lie down to think." She turns around to Reimu whose arms are crossed. "For starters, I... I just got a bit of my memory back. Can you make me some tea? Yours would really help me soothe this aching pain I've been enduring for a while."
Rain then puts a hand in her eye where the eye patch is located. Indicating that, she's been in pain back then but is is just trying to act like she's not. Such action may have been done to prevent worries of the others. Though it seems she already have hit the limit.
She groans for a bit as she shakes the pain off. "I'll explain and tell you what happened after I get that tea, hehe." She still even managed to give a small chuckle despite that.
Reimu's foul mood dropped as she heard those words. She quickly goes to the kitchen to prepare.
"..."
"Ah, damn it now..." Rain said as she waits and sits on the floor. "Today, sure is something..." She lets out a heavy sigh. "...Still almost nothing had changed apart from me remembering a sliver of the past and the people that I was with. Though, that only extends to that time. The rest and what happens next is all but a blank to me."
It didn't take that long for Reimu to return and they both continued their conversation while having tea. Rain felt a relief as she quickly takes a sip and sighed with relief.
"Rain... what exactly happened? That eyepatch and that part of your hair is turning pink." Reimu said as she looks at her.
The part that is turning to the color pink is Rain's ahoge or the antenna hair. There's no exact explanation for this yet as Rain answered.
"I have no idea about that part but for the eyepatch..."
She then recounted the events that happened excluding the dream scenario. Reimu who frowns upon hearing it. She had dealt with these people in the past and is not quite eager to deal with them again.
"Ugh... I can't believe this. Marisa is right, you are a trouble magnet. First the vampires, now the aliens... what's next? Ghost and gods?" She pinches the bridge of her nose and she doesn't sound quite pleased about Rain's stroll which of course turned into something else.
She also got the next part half-right as Rain will be dealing with Youmu or even presumably her master. She also got invited to visit the Moriya shrine which is where the supposed gods lives. Of course, Rain has no idea of that yet.
Rain then gets to the part about her knowing the aliens or so Reimu calls them. To be precise, she is talking about Kaguya and the others. On the otherhand, she talked about Mokou and their past interactions.
"...Mokou is...erm... hard to say but sort of my student? I'm still not sure how I ended up in that place. But you better stop calling Kaguya and Eirin, maybe even that rabbit Reisen an alien..." Rain takes a sip from the tea. "...They may have been one of them but they left that so called Lunar place and decided to live here in peace." Her voice seems to indicate a slight annoyance but that just shows that she cares about them.
Reimu was left speechless for a second but understands her. "Fine, I never would have imagined you are involved with them. The only thing that bothers me is that eyepatch. You look more intimidating with that on."
Rain raises an eyebrow and replied. "What do you mean more?"
"Er...forget that part." Reimu glances away for a moment before turning back again with yet another question. "Why do you have to wear that? Your face looks normal to me even if you said it got burned."
Which is true, without Eirin's help then perhaps Rain might have to wear a paper bag to hide the severe damage it originally showed.
"Would you believe me if I say to recuperate? Oh, wrong word...hmm... what's the word?" Rain thinks for a moment. "Ah, got it. Regeneration... I can heal unlike a normal human do but Eirin still gave me some sort of boost. Don't ask me why and how. It is what she said and I still don't remember having this kind of thing." She touched the black eyepatch and then asked her. "Do you want to see it? But don't make a fuss about it if you did."
Reimu does not need further explanation on what Rain just said as she is pretty much convinced that a person like her is beyond what a normal human should be. As for her reply.
"...Okay." This is all she could say. Though she pretty much knew what would be behind the eyepatch, based from what Rain has said to her about what happened. She still wants to see it just to kill her curiosity.
"Very well, hopefully this won't affect your sleep." Rain said as she prepares to remove the eyepatch. "You really sure about this?" She stopped to tease her a bit.
"Ah, come on! Just get on with it already!"
Rain chuckled a bit and proceeded. "Alright, here goes..." She took off the black eye patch.
Reimu gasped with what she saw. Not because of what she predicted what it would be but because of how wrong she is.
"As you can see, pun intended. I no longer can see with my left eye, well at least for now. It's literally gone or melted. But no worries it will grow back... yeech... saying that myself is kind of gross." Rain expressed her thoughts about it.
What Reimu saw was only the gaping darkness in that left eye. It was as if the more she looks at it the more she is getting uncomfortable. She feels like either it would swallow her or something else would pop out.
Rain then puts back the eyepatch on and said. "If you don't have anymore questions then I'd like to rest early. Don't worry about me, I'm still me even when I regained a fragment of my memory."
Reimu nods to her and then Rain stands up thanks her and bids her goodnight. Leaving Reimu to ponder things herself.
"..."
"... To survive something like that. I'm now convinced on why she earned such a name and title. But... there many things left unknown and unanswered. She mentioned about meeting the Child of Miare..."
Rain already met Akyuu but she has no idea that she is what she would be looking for next.
"...That would be Akyuu... looks like I'm going to visit her tomorrow." Reimu spoke to herself and then she gets up and tidies up. Before going to bed herself as she too is quite exhausted today.
It seems like she has plans to get to the bottom of this herself as she feels that something is going on without her knowing what yet.
Side Effect
Torch Bearer – Hakurei –
"Wake up child, this is not the time to rest." A voice said.
'Ugh? Who's waking me up in such a time?!' Reimu thought to herself as she shrugs the voice away.
But the voice continued to talk and eventually she recognized the voice.
'Wait, this voice... is it that fox?' She then opens her eyes and what greeted her is indeed a fox yokai with several tails behind her back.
'Ran?!' Reimu exclaimed mentally as for some reason she can't talk out of her mouth as usual and the way Ran appears to her is that she is very big or perhaps Reimu herself has shrunk?
'One, two, eight tails? Where's the last one?' Reimu thought and it seems like she being being carried by her.
"Ran, this is the place. She said the rift will open anytime soon here." Another voice said just near them. Her ragged way of speaking seems to indicate that they are exhausted.
'!? That voice? Kasen?' She turns her head to the direction it came from.
Indeed it was Kasen. Both of them seemed to be waiting for something. Reimu also notices a sword sheathed on her waist.
Reimu looks at her surroundings and noticed that they are in an open field. Just ahead of them is a small village but from the looks of it. There seems to be no one else living there as it is abandoned. Not only that but the whole sky is dim and the area feels chilly. There's no sun to be seen as the dark clouds seemed to have devoured it. The land itself is devoid of life as everything is withering, the plants and trees. Even the water have turned into a black color. Just where exactly they are?
From the looks of it, Ran and Kasen looks tired either they are fleeing or fighting. Either way it doesn't look good.
"It was supposed to be just a normal visit but it turns out to be like this... they must have planned this out... it is my fault for letting my guard down." Kasen said with a hint of guilt in her words.
Ran looks at the supposed Reimu. "This must be their last attempt. After all, They've been utterly defeated. If they will go down then they will take us down with them. To even involve the child in this just shows how despicable and desperate they are." Ran's words without a doubt is filled with anger and disgust. This is the first time Reimu saw her like that.
"When will mother be back?" This words came out from Reimu's mouth or rather the one is she used to be viewing in.
"Soon, but for now you can't sleep. Miss Kasen..." She turned her attention to the oni.
In turn the oni nods and said. "We won't be able to rely on the secret god as all connections seemed to have been severed the moment we got here. Where's Yukari when you need her?"
Ran slowly shakes her head and answered. "...Lady Yukari is unfortunately hibernating... unless we wake her up directly but we are here stuck in this place. Lady Hakurei on the other hand... she's as skilled as Lady Yukari in Onmyoudou and is the only one here with us which of course is obvious because the Hakurei family is the one they are after." She sighed with annoyance as she recalled how they got trapped here. "She said she'll be looking for the weakest point of the boundary in this place and this is where it led us. We just need to wait for her to loosen up this rift."
Reimu who is listening to them makes her own conclusion to what is happening.
'Is this a memory of the past? But what does this mean? Rain is nowhere to be found... perhaps she is the child?' She found this hard to believe but she is still not sure about it.
"...She may act tough but she's the one that is the most exhausted of us all. This place is sapping our energy bit by bit. Even magic does not thrive here. She said that she can't regenerate her own energy to use it. Aside from that, further use of it will result in ragged state and exhaustion." Ran continued to speak as Reimu is in deep thoughts.
"And it is like this place is denying our existence as well. I can feel myself like floating away from nothingness if I were to will it." Kasen said as she coughs a few times.
"M-mother!" The child said as she looks up in the air.
The two who heard her also looked at the direction where they saw a person up in the sky, hovering to their direction. Reimu who snapped out of her deep ponderings saw that person and mentally thought.
'A flying masked red and white... huh? There's an additional color... black and she's wearing a mask? So tri-colored flying masked shrine maiden...'
She thought of that as the attire it is wearing is almost the same color scheme as her. The shrine maiden in question was wearing a red and white clothing. A modified shrine maiden outfit. She has a long brown-black hair tied to a pony tail style and a single ahoge.
Her clothing consist of what Reimu usually wears but it was modified as the one this shrine maiden wearing is very different even though she wears a sleeveless red top with a black collar tied with a white ribbon and her pair of detached sleeves are made in the same way as it looks sturdy and not just a piece of cloth, one could also see her sarashi because of it. Her front is like a tabard and hakama mixed into one with the symbol of the yin and yang orb at the lowest of it and there is a large red ribbon that ties the tabard to it in her waist, the tabard might have been concealed on top of the hakama which is why almost only the end of it is seen. The hakama itself is cut short to the length of her knee and the edges of it has black patterns that distiguishes its unique design. Revealing also her black combat boots and her face is concealed with a fox like mask.
The shrine maiden eventually lands at the ground and greeted them with a smile especially at the child.
"How's your rest?" She asked the child while caressing hear head. Her voice is gentle and soft.
"Mmm... good..."
"Is that so? Well, I have to let Ran put you down, so don't go anywhere, okay? Once this is over. We'll eat lots of tasty snacks!" She said while gesturing with a huge smile on her face.
The child's face brightens up with the mention of snacks. "Yay! I will!" She excited replied.
Speaking of which, this child's figure is small like in her 8-10 year old phase. She's wearing what a little girl would normally wear. She has a short black-brown hair and brown eyes.
"Good..." The shrine maiden then turns her attention to Ran and they both go to where Kasen is. Reimu managed to see her back. There is a single word written there and it says "Hakurei".
Reimu cannot hear what they are talking about as they move away from her. She can't move or to be precise, she is just a spectator.
'She looks young, maybe around 16 to 18 years of age? I can't see her face because of that fox mask... there's no doubt about it that she is a Hakurei... then this is her child?'
Her musing is cut short as she saw Ran wobbled.
"Urgh!" Ran staggers a bit possibly from exhaustion.
Her breathing is ragged as the two helped her up. Reimu or rather the child moves a bit closer to them as she is worried and finally hears their conversation more clearly.
"Sorry, at this point I'll just become a burden..."
"No, no one is a burden. We will go home safe and sound. Besides, that Yukari would cry to my newly cleaned dress if anything happens to you." The Hakurei shrine maiden looks at her and is possibly smiling at her behind that mask.
"Here, stand still." She added as she puts a hand on the yokai fox's head. A glowing blue light then eminated and Ran could feel herself getting better.
"Did you just transferred your energy to me? I feel revitalized again..."
"Yes, don't worry about it...oh, and here a letter to give to your master. It contains various details that she must read." She hands in the letter to her as she coughs.
"I'll make sure to get it delivered..."
Kasen then spoke to her and said. "Anything you want me to do?"
"...Yes, actually but it will have to wait as they are coming..." The shrine maiden said as they all look ahead. There seems to be something approaching them from far away. Though she said they it must have mean there are many of them. It won't reach them at the moment but it will come.
"There's more than the last time... these abominations knows nothing but to destroy. Like that certain yokai... everyone, get ready! The rift would be opening soon." She added.
Just as she said that the area around them begins to shake though it was not violent as it seemed to be as it is coming from the same direction. It was then followed by a loud and deafening roar. What emerged from far away was a gigantic dragon like serpent with a several heads but only one remains. Its eyes are red like blood and what's worse is that it is calling out the shrine maiden.
"HAKUREEEEEEIIIII!!!"
The woman it is calling out to stood there with a stoic face. As it spoke her name there came the strong wind next.
"Looks like it too has succumbed to the darkness..." She remarked as the rift then slowly opens behind them. It appears as a bright dark like portal spread out to a certain length.
"Go! It opened and we don't know how much longer it will stay open!" She shouted as they all quickly moved out and she picks up the little girl.
Reimu saw the gigantic being and was left stunned to how big it is and the injuries it sustained. Perhaps this is what they have fought? But from the bottom of that monster is like there are more things charging at them. She can't describe it very well but they are at least colored black all over around.
Then it started to rain and to her shock it was colored black too.
In a flash, they are now at a different place. Well for Reimu it was familiar as this is where she lives after all. The Hakurei Shrine, it was not old and is well taken care off, which surprises her. The only difference is that the surrounding area. It seems like this Hakurei Shrine is located at a different location or is it just her imagination?
"Are we back?" The shrine maiden takes a quick look around and sighed a breath of relief.
"Seems like it, I can feel myself getting better already, unlike back there which is suffocating." Kasen said as she slowly inhales the air around her.
"How about you, Ran?"
"I...feel the same as miss Kasen said."
"Then..." She turns to the little girl and said. "How about you miss little shrine maiden?" She turns her attention to her daughter and smiled.
"I'm fine... no more monsters?"
"No more, now let's go back in..."
Reimu seems to have remembered that she read in Aya's newspaper about Rain and that incident. Where it is tied to their disappearances.
"Lady Hakurei... it seems that our problem is not yet solved..." Ran said as behind them is the huge rift that they used to get back here.
"It seems so..." The shrine maiden remained silent for many moments and then finally spoke. "Ran and Kasen... this rift needs to be closed or else they will be able to cross. I can't close it easily as the boundary is already damaged too much. Opening and finding it took a while so closing it is much harder. Besides If a single one of them gets through then what we saw back there could happen in here too. You know what I mean..." She looks at the two with blank stare in that mask but inside lies a serious face and her words are delivered with seriousness.
What she means is that the rift is too big to be closed easily. Which explains why the tear is so big even though only four people needs to go through. No one here knows how to repair and close it better than her. The only problem is that, aside from closing it takes time. She has to deal with the beings on the other side. This is without a doubt a suicide mission or what they call a "Sacrifice".
"Then I'll come with you." Kasen said and Ran also added. "The three of us would do..."
However the shrine maiden shakes her head and replied. "No, I'll do it alone... just promise me one thing. Please take care of her... If I don't make it back..." She looks at her daughter with a sad face.
"Mommy, are you going to fight the monsters?" The child walks up to her and somehow doesn't want her to go.
"Yes, to protect you and this land... promise me you'll be a good girl and be the best shrine maiden, kay?" She said this as she kneels to her level.
"B-But I don't want you to go..." The child sniffles.
"My little shrine maiden, there's no need to cry and fear for I'll always be with you." She said as she takes out a yin and yang orb.
Placing it to the child's little hands, she chanted. "Let this child be the next successor of the Hakurei. Bless her with what you've blessed me. Make her happy, like how I was. That is my remained prayer." After that a white light burst forth out of her body and into the orb as well as to the child. It is as if the two are connected for a brief moment.
The light fades and the Hakurei Shrine maiden stood up and slowly removes her mask. Revealing Her face as the night's light shines through. She has brown eyes and a face that could be described as beautiful. She then kisses the forehead of her daughter. "I'll always be with you..."
She then walks to talk to the two who were silent staring at them.
"Kasen..." She gestured to her, seemingly waiting for something.
Kasen nods and takes out the sheathed sword on her waist and tosses it to her.
"Once the remaining power is used up. I can rely on this. I won't be bringing my gohei this time, heh. This would do." She examines the sword and then turns to Ran. "Make sure to tell that master of yours to not spoil my daughter too much or she may lean to the yokai's side which is I don't like to happen. Also, I left a gift for my daughter. She'll like it for sure. I spent countless nights on it and... this..." She hands her the mask. "Keep this safe for me, no... rather give it to that boy. He's rather fond of it. It got damaged during those battles but it can be repaired. I heard that he started a collection hobby. This way, it will be preserved... jeez... I'm starting to sound unreasonable." She chuckled a bit before finallt turning her back on them.
Ran could only nod and cast down her eyes as there is nothing she could do anymore. She understands what she meant but this is the only way she too can come up with.
"She's not coming back..." Kasen softly said to Ran.
"No... she has to lure them away from the rift. I saw how many they are, about hundreds...no, thousands. If I were to fight them in my state earlier. No doubt I would fail to hold them back. We would just be a burden to her. She can withstand it longer than us. That's precisely why this is the outcome." Ran's words are heavy and she is without a doubt frustrated from her own shortcomings.
'So this is the reason? I feel sad that it has to end this way...' Just as she is having this thoughts her body or rather the child started to run to her mother.
"Mother! Nooooooo! Come baaaaack!"
She was stopped by the two yokai as she calls out to her mother. Who only turns her head back with a sad smile. She saw her set up a huge barrier around the rift with the giant symbol of a ying and yang orb. All the others could see is her back turned to them with ofudas in hand and a sword. The word "Hakurei" in her clothes somehow glows red in color brightly before she enters the rift slowly with her right hand waving goodbye to them.
Even without the power of Hakurei. She's still able to cast such a strong barrier, it may be the residual left but to do so shows such mastery to an extent. With that, the former Hakurei shrine maiden disappears into the rift. Walking into her own funeral.
Minutes have passed and the rift is still there and the barrier is holding up. Perhaps it may just be their imagination but they could hear her voice and the sound of her fighting while tearing through the bodies of their enemies. There's a roaring sound in the background with the faint calling of her name and muttering things. "...Rei...Ha...ku... pay...you'll pay...you...an...Su...sa...noo..."
Before long they could clearly hear her final words and see that the ying and yang barrier is starting to crack while the rift is getting smaller.
"You're too late. They're safe... and that's just how it is." She appears to be coughing heavily after she said this. "You may have taken everything in here but you aren't taking them... Have at me, you bastards!" It was soon then followed by a laugh before being cut off abruptly as the rift itself finally closes. The barrier collapses and disperses along with it.
The night became silent as she disappeared into the night along with the rift. There will be no drinks tonight to be held. Just right after the rift has been sealed. Snow finally starts to fall as it is winter at this time. It may mean something like how snow is compared to a rain as tears or it may symbolize the fall of the Fierce Shrine Maiden of the Hakurei Shrine.
Ran and Kasen escorted the child who cried herself to sleep inside the now empty shrine. Usually at this time. Everything is still lit up but not tonight. Ran puts the child in bed and looks around for the gift that the mother had left behind. She quickly finds it near the table. Ran herself could only look at it for a moment before taking it near the little girl.
"Your mother loves you and this is the proof of that... sleep my child. For tomorrow you are the new Hakurei shrine maiden." She whispered as she prepares to leave.
She met eyes with Kasen before departing as she needs to wake her master up for this terrible happening. As for Kasen, she wants to stay here for a while for many reasons.
There lies a little girl, sleeping and weeping as she calls out for her mother while tightly holding to the ying and yang orb. Beside her is the gift made by her mother. A clothing that is made for her. A shrine maiden outfit just for her folded neatly and on top of it is a red ribbon with a letter with words that says "To my little shrine maiden... ".
And so "The Passing" happens. The passing of the torch and the one who formerly holds it to the girl who will carry on her will and duty. But no one really knows what could have happened at the other side. So to say, she is only believed to be dead but someone like her is not that easy to go down. Perhaps, the present happenings may have the clue or even the answer to it.
Slowly everything starts to fade in black as if this the end of this certain memory.
Torch Bearer – A New Generation Begins, The Successor "Gentle Shrine Maiden of Paradise" – End
"...Hgngh... no not yet... I want to see more... don't leave...me..."
Reimu then can hear a faint voice. "...I'm here... no one's leaving you." It's a warm and comforting voice.
"...but you have to wake up...Reimu. Wake up...Wake up!" This voice then suddenly turns from gentle to demanding.
"?!" She opens her eyes and what she quickly saw was Rain trying to wake her up.
"Phew! I was getting worried back there." Rain said as she sighed with relief. "You seemed to be having a bad dream?" She asked.
"...I...huh?" Reimu could feel her hand is warm and quickly looks to it only to see that Rain is holding it. "H-Hey! What are you doing?!" She quickly said though she didn't moved away her hands.
Rain chuckled for a bit as she replies. "I cannot simply ignore you when you were calling in your sleep now could I?"
That was the reason was Rain was holding her hand. If it were the others like Marisa, Reimu might wake up from the smack of a broom or from a cold water.
"So that voice... it was you?"
"Hmm? Well of course! That way you'll know that someone would answer your call and you are not alone. That someone is me. You know I got your back, Reimu." She looks at her with a simple look and then smiled brightly to her.
Reimu remembers what happened. So it was all a dream? She can't help but feel a little drowsy as it felt like she was awake the whole time.
The way Rain said that and the look on her face as she brightly smiles at her puts Reimu at ease. She returns a smile to her as she squeezes Rain's hand. As they stayed silent for a little while. It feels nice that someone is there for her. As she was alone, in this shrine for quite some time now.
'Maybe having someone live with you does such wonders...' Reimu thought to herself.
"Feeling alright, now? I myself feel rejuvenized after that rest!" Rain energetically said.
"You sure are perked up. Considering after all what happened..." Reimu shakes her head as she finally starts to get up.
"Ah, come on. Tis but a scratch!" She sounded different today as she is full of energy though this is probably her way of coping or celebrating that she managed to move an inch in her goal.
"Hate to break it to you though but for today you're on shrine duty all day." Reimu said as she fully stands up. "In other words, you're grounded for getting in trouble...again." Reimu folded her arms as she gave a look at Rain whose smile dropped.
"W-What? Come on! I'm not a kid! Seriously?! Grounded? What the heck!" Rain tried to reason with her but Reimu has no plans in going back in her word.
"You have to stay put. I don't know what would happen next if I don't make you stay here." Reimu sighed as she walks out of the room to prepare for shrine duties.
"Ugh... I thought acting a bit chirpy would make her forget about that... oh well, it was worth the shot." Rain said to herself as it turns out she was only acting like that to avoid being scolded which obviously failed.
"Can't blame her... she must have been really worried." She added. Even though she doesn't have to listen to her and follow such punishment. She will still accept it because she respects Reimu as her friend who cares about her even though it still hasn't been that long since she met her and started living here.
The day started and they go on about their usual duties and chores. It was all but a normal day for them. Reimu on the otherhand has different plans for today and after seeing that dream like memory. She might seek out Yukari for answers but she doubt that yokai would spill everything so easily and that she is indeed hiding something. She will need to talk to the remaining people that can give her an answer.
There's another reason for making Rain stay in the shrine and that would be-
'First is Akyuu, I need to know why Rain needs to see her. Perhaps, about her being the Child of Miare? Hmm... I'll know when I get there.' She mentally thought to herself and then another thought came to her. 'I'll likely run into her if I hang out near that Tofu Shop.'
With that Reimu has made her plans today and will leave Rain in charge of the shrine. She then finishes her own chores and talks to Rain who is sweeping as her chore.
"Hey, Rain. Sorry about earlier. You still need to rest so you have to stay put. Though that doesn't mean you are excused from doing light chores."
Rain nods to her and replied. "I understand, are you going somewhere?"
"Yep, just going to the village to gather infor- I mean, remind people to come and stop by the shrine." Reimu makes up an excuse so as to not let the swordsman follow her. "I'll be going now, so I can return early." She added as she turned around and prepares to leave by flying.
"Sure, if you ever bump into the Child of Miare. Kindly tell her that I'll meet her someday and talk to her." Rain said to Reimu whose already up in the air and just gave her a thumb up before going forward to the village.
"And she's gone... while I'm stuck here doing her supposed job. Eh, what am I saying? I'll just think as part of a training." She shakes her head and continued back in sweeping the area around the shrine. Not knowing that today will be quite the hectic day for her even if she stays at the shrine.
Almost an hour has passed and she just finished sweeping. She lets out a satisfied sigh and nods on how clean the place has become. She was in a good mood until a familiar guest has arrived and she could only scoff and shake her head when she saw this guest.
"Ey! Rain! I'm here to piss ye off!" This voice belonged to none other than the human magician, Marisa Kirisame. This has been her routine, to visit her and of course either make her angry or demand some food to be cooked. Shenanigans aside, she is quite used to it as this is just how Marisa is.
Rain pretended to not hear her and instead walks away. Turning her back against Marisa. She mumbled. "Ah, here she comes and she even admitted that she is coming here just to piss me off which pisses me off by just hearing it! Again!" In her light fuming she almost broke the sweeping broom by gripping to it too tightly. Luckily, she notices it and quickly puts it back safely to where it belongs.
Marisa walks to her casually and greeted her. "Yo! You didn't did that on purpose now, did ya?"
Rain then slowly turns around and looks at Marisa with a frowned face. To Marisa's shock at seeing the eyepatch she is wearing and that look on her face makes her quite menacing to look at.
"...Who are you?!" Marisa shockingly asked as she pointed her mini-hakkero at her. Which was enough to tick Rain off.
"Gaah! Marisa! It's me! Stop acting like you don't know or I'll beat the shit out of you for real!" She angrily spouted while pointing at her own face. "Look at my face! Do I LOOK like I'm shitting ya?!" She added as tries to calm down as this is not how she usually behaves.
"Woah! Sorry didn't noticed it was really you. I thought you were some tanuki that disguised itself as you." She scratches the back of her head as she laughs it off.
"No, I'm sorry. I don't know what's gotten into me. Feels like I'm on a short fuse today..." Rain takes a deep breath after that. Maybe she was still tired? She needs to look into this as it is unusual.
"You're not angry anymore?" Marisa asked just in case. Though, this is just adding more fire to a burning wood. She ought to stop and go straight to the point on why she is here but Marisa being Marisa, decides to play with her a bit more.
"No."
"You sure?"
"Yeah." Rain then moves to the nearest tree and stood there as Marisa just watched her curiously and then suddenly she punches it with sheer force that her fist left a mark in it. She turns her head to Marisa and smiled to her as her fist emits a puff of smoke from that impact. "I'm fine, really...don't ask me one.more.time." This might be her final warning or she'll get kick out of the shrine, literally.
Marisa gulped and mentally said. 'I guess If I don't want end up like that tree then I better cut it out.'
"S-Sorry... I'll stop." She said.
Rain makes a slight nod and then asks her. "So why are you here, really? Get to the point if you may."
"Ah, well you see... there's this wolf spirit that I met after I just left Kourin's place..." Marisa then begins to explain on what happened to her yesterday.
"...Then I met this leader of theirs that is up to no good and well, beat her up. She is kind of an airhead, actually..." She ended her retelling of events. This actually explains, why she is not seen at all after her talk with Reimu.
"So an incident happened and both you and Reimu resolved it?"
"Heck yeah, I did- wait, Reimu?" Marisa squinted her eyes.
"Yes, I thought you two worked together to solve it? Nevermind. What I want to know now is why are you here besides that?" She folded her arms as she said this.
However, Marisa grinned and replied. "Right after you tell what happened to ya."
"Krr..." Rain could only scowl at her for this. But she agrees anyway. "Fine, we'll continue this inside. That way, we can eat and drink." She leads the way in as Marisa chuckles at her and smiled.
Human Village
Reimu casually walks around the village and her destination seems to be the Hieda residence. She's been there before, so there's nothing stopping her from going there.
As she walks by the villagers she can't help but hear their conversations.
"Man, have you seen miss Rain? Absolutely, stunning!" A man in a traditional kimono said.
"You mean how she fights or you're talking about how she's stunning herself?" The other guy said as if teasing him.
"H-hey, not too loud! My wife would get angry if she hears that." He nervously looks around as his sweat drops.
"Guess, we all know whose in the lead of your relationship then... anyway she's been seen touring the food stalls and shops yesterday. People are quite grateful to her that she didn't even spend anything and left with her stomach full."
"Ooh! Don't forget that she also received souvenirs to take home. Also I heard about the yokai near here have decreased! Just her presence alone is enough to scare them off."
"Yeah, which is ironic if you ask me. Oh? Break time's over. Let's get back to work." The man said as the other man nodded with him and they both leave.
Reimu then continues walking and while doing so she mused. 'She's getting more popular in the village. Wait a minute... I've been doing the same and all I get is a mere thank you.'
Then she passed by a group of children who were playing and hears them say.
"Bad children will be taken away by the yokai! Raaargh!" A boy said while imitating a somehow monster which is supposed to be a yokai.
"Oh no! Someone please help!" Fakingly cried of another boy.
Then a girl with a wooden sword jumps in and loudly yelled. "Have no fear! For I am here! Picking on the innocent children? Your time has come!"
The boy playing the supposed yokai trembled in fear as it says. "The yokai exterminator?!"
As he said this the girl used her wooden sword to mimic a slashing attack. Which causes the evil yokai to be defeated.
"Whoo! That was fun! Etsuko, where did you get that wooden sword? It looks cool!"
The girl proudly puffs out her chest and said. "Mother gave this to me as a surprise gift! But I think I saw many of this displayed at a stall."
"Let's go find that stall!" The boys insisted and written on their faces that they too want a wooden sword of their own.
The little kids then ran off to find the said stall. Reimu then continues her walk again while thinking.
'...In such a short time too. Not that I want to be also famous or some sort. I'm just doing my job that's all but... nevermind.' She shrugs off that thought.
Eventually she keeps running into people that talks about Rain and even how the village feels much safer with her around. Forgetting the fact that Reimu herself is the one responsible for keeping such yokai in check. This of course made Reimu slightly annoyed that she wants to butt in and say her thoughts about this matter.
Though her annoyance melted away instantly when she heard that people are also thankful for her in helping the swordsman.
It then didn't take long for her to arrive at her destination. As in front of her is a big residence that is somehow different from the other houses before. Of course this residence is none other than the Hieda's clan residence.
She is then greeted by presumably one of the servants and lets her in. It was a warm welcome, after all she's been here before. So nothing out of the ordinary.
"Miss Hakurei, she's waiting for you in her room."
She was then guided to the said room and the servant then slightly bows before leaving her.
Reimu then knocks at the door and a voice said. "Come in."
She opens the door and what she immediately saw was neatly stacked books around the room and at the table sits none other than Akyuu the current Child of Miare. With a cup of tea in hand and the other is a book. She seems to be quite busy reading a ton of them.
"Ah, Miss Reimu. I heard you were looking for me? Please excuse the mess and take a seat." Akyuu smiled as she puts down the cup and as well as closing the book she is reading before putting it down too. She even made sure to put aside the book and the tea so as to avoid any damage should the tea spills.
"Didn't I told you, Reimu would do? Eh, whatever... I'm here actually..." She glances at the books and finds that some of them are particularly old and somehow worn out. Maybe Akyuu likes reading old books? Or perhaps she is looking for something?
She takes a seat and continued. "I'm here to talk about her." Her eyes didn't move nor blinked as she said that.
"You mean her? I'm afraid I have little to no recollection about the past. I may inherit their memories but mostly it is about the Gensokyo Chronicles." Akyuu said with a straight face as she gets who Reimu is talking about.
She seems to be telling the truth and Reimu just slightly gave a nod.
"That's fine it is better than nothing... also can you tell me about the first Hakurei?" Reimu seemingly doesn't want to leave empty handed.
"...I'm not sure about what I know but if you insist."
"Please do."
"Very well..." Akyuu stood up and goes behind Reimu to show her something.
Reimu's eyes follows her and saw her looking for something.
"I've been looking into it myself and it turns out some of them are preserved and other things that are written in the old books are by my past incarnations." Akyuu said as she finally finds it and returns to Reimu to hand her a silk painting.
"?! This is?" Reimu's eyes focused on the painting and saw two people in it. One is a small person, possibly a girl in her early teens dressed in a traditional kimono and the other person wearing a clad samurai armor. Only her face and little of her silver-white hair is seen. Reimu quickly recognized who is this and utters her name.
"...Rain..." Reimu said.
"Yes, that is her and... me... or rather..." Akyuu said with a soft smile. "Hieda no Ami, if I'm not mistaken. The third Child of Miare."
"So it is indeed way back." Reimu said.
"...I don't quite remember on why and how we met. Sorry if that's all I know for now."
Reimu still looking at the silk painting replied. "No, like I said it was better than nothing. Then how about the First Hakurei?"
Akyuu then goes back to her table and takes out a very old long piece of paper. Which surprisingly is still preserved. She then begins to read on what is on the paper. The first part of it is smudge with a black ink hence the opening words are unreadable so she skipped that part. But from the looks of it the opening statement is about a person's occupation title and name.
"-Hakurei said to be very proficient in Onmyoudou and Esoterica (Secret Arts). Capable of invoking the Eight Million. No yokai is said to be a match for her except one. But she does not abuse her power over the yokai either. A fair shrine maiden that the people could look up into. But no one has ever saw her face behind the mask. Her friendship level to humans is high and to yokai is low. As a shrine maiden she can give blessings to those who go to the shrine to give offerings and praises. She's always seen in the village with a female child holding her hand. People respect her and calls her 'Lady Hakurei'. The Hakurei Shrine is not that far from here and can be reached on foot in just almost half an hour. In terms of her combat capability, she is extremely dangerous both for human and yokai alike. Please don't try to remove her mask as a prank or some sort. Last time some drunk guy tried it and didn't end well for him. Poor guy got punched into the ground. But no worries, he lived to tell the tale."
Akyuu ends her reading here.
"Supposedly I'm the one who wrote this but strange it is not in the Gensokyo Chronicles? Perhaps there is a reason for it? Her name is rid off by a smudge of ink so there's no telling what her actual name is." She then notices that there is still some text below and proceeds to read it.
"All except me and certain others have seen her face. That exception would be miss Yukari herself, I've never seen the two fight each other seriously. However, when they do meet in public they are always at each other's throat. In truth, the yokai and her have an agreement that only a few knows and that the Hakurei shrine maiden herself is actively thinking of ideas on how to resolve the fighting of both sides without shedding blood. This paper is just part of my own diary and as well a part of my practice to write about people. I do hope that she won't get mad at me for writing her like this as I wrote this with what the people see her in mind. Even though I could remember the things that I've seen. She told me that it is best to write things down. As what I'm currently doing now. I feel happy as write this, maybe in the near future everything would be much different. I'm quite hopeful for that day. To have them around even if I keep reincarnating is certainly comforting." Some of the text have gone blurry and unreadable and Akyuu could only read some part of it. "Currently there seems to be an unrest among the yokai about..." The text abruptly ends here as the writing has stopped either the writer has run out of space to write or the ink itself.
"That's all I can read..." Akyuu said to Reimu who was listening with such focus that she could have memorized all of it.
"I see... so in other words... the most capable of all Hakurei shrine maidens. Hearing that makes me feel awkward because I lack the training that is needed to actually do all those feats. Not that it would change my mind about training though!" Reimu laughs it off as she stood up implying that she had her fill in the information she wanted.
"If you find anything else, please do tell me." Reimu said before taking her leave. Which Akyuu nods to as she stares at the paper she just read.
"I've read my diary but none tells more me about the past, most of them is recent. Did I hide it? I've only managed to find a silk painting and this paper..." She said to herself as she is determined to find the other parts of the said diary by resuming her search as she is sure that there's more to it. She's been doing this since yesterday. Though she did not noticed a gap in the ceiling with several eyes looking at her.
Back at the Human Village – Tofu Shop –
'Now I kind of what to meet her myself... maybe get her to train me. Eh, who am I kidding? I already have that old woman nagging me to train... hmm... she should be here any moment now.' She mentally thought as she sits at a corner like a person going undercover as she pretends to read a newspaper while looking for her supposed target. No one was suspicious of her of course, to them all they see is a shrine maiden enjoying her free time. Though she's been doing this on impulse and did not think of this at all.
So after a few minutes of waiting. Reimu finally sees the one she needs to talk to. Just ahead of her is Ran, who is talking to the supposed owner of the shop and received a handful of tofu. She hears her kind words of gratitude to the one she is talking to. The exchange was quite fast as Ran is already set to go. Just a normal day for her as she comes and goes.
"Talk about being humble just for fried tofu..." Reimu said to herself as she stood up and follows her.
Eventually she managed to catch to her and called out.
"Hey fox!" It's a good thing that this area has less people walking by.
"Hmm?" Ran turns around with the fried tofu in her mouth already.
"Sheesh, can't you even wait to get back at your place before eating?" Reimu greets her with somehow a scolding.
Ran munches on the fried tofu quite quickly and her face that was happily eating the fried tofu distorted to a frown upon seeing Reimu.
"It's you. What do you want?" Ran coldly said. Seems like interrupting her happy eating is the cause of this. Normally she is but a gentle yokai but provoke her and you'll get what you ask for.
"I think I prefer that Ran who calls the first Hakurei with such honorifics." Reimu said making the fox more aware of what she is implying.
"When did you hear and learn that?"
"Will you believe if I said in a dream?" Reimu said as she tries to be honest with her as lying will get her nowhere.
"Yes." Ran quickly said as she walks towards her.
"I knew you won't- Huh?" Reimu squinted in disbelief as it was that easy.
However, Ran's face expression quickly changed as she tells Reimu. "But I can't tell you all the details because I'm told not to. Even if you try to force it out of me. Nothing will come out. The only one who can make me tell you is miss Yukari herself. Rather, if you want you can directly ask her instead of me. Now, if you excuse me..." Ran then turns around and quickly disappeared from Reimu's eyes.
"Tch... I knew it wouldn't be that easy." Reimu commented as she was greeted by the breeze that was left behind by the fox yokai.
This leaves her only Kasen and Yukari herself. Though another person comes into her mind and not just any person. "That secret god..." She is talking about Okina but dealing with her is troublesome. So she is considering her other options first. For now, this trip to the village is already over but since she's here. She might as well shop for what to eat at lunch and dinner.
"I'll give that old hag a piece of my mind for putting me into such a trouble..." Reimu grumbled as she walks away.
Back at the Hakurei Shrine
"...and that's how I got this eyepatch. Though like I said. It will be back." Rain ends her retelling of events.
"Hmm, ya sure yer still human? Haven't heard of someone's just slowly regenerating back." Marisa said which made Rain frown a little bit from that statement.
"I know and don't know. I don't quite remember but pretty sure I'm as good as dead after that battle though." Rain nonchalantly said which startled Marisa.
"Eeek! So yer a ghost this whole time?! Oh no!"
"No, I don't think so. I still bleed remember?"
"Undead?"
"No. Seriously?"
"A human yokai hybrid then?"
Rain then pinches the bridge of her nose and replied. "I swear Marisa, you think of the impossible sometimes. What I meant is that I'm still a human in and out. I want to believe that."
"Er, you do got a point. Thinking about it is just bound to give us a headache. Though no matter what you are, I'm still your friend!" Marisa cheerfully said.
"Hmph, softening me with such words are you now?"
"Hehe!" Marisa winks at her with devilishly grin.
"Alright, so about time you tell me to why you are actually here?" Rain asked her.
Marisa twirls her hair with her finger and said. "Just wanted to invite ya to my house. Ya know? You've been to Alice and Reimu's house but not mine yet. So uhm... I'm formally inviting ya to my place!" She seemingly awaits Rain's response as she said this with great expectations.
"Hmm, looks like someone is envious." Rain smiles as she gets what Marisa is doing.
"W-What? No I'm not!" Marisa folded her arms and appeared to look like that was not the case which was obviously it.
"Oh? Well, then can I refuse?" Rain said with a hidden smirk on her face.
"Eh?! Why?!" Seems like Marisa did not take that answer lightly.
"Who knows what could happen if I were to go to your house? Maybe you suddenly left an exploding mushroom in your house and blew both of us?" This reason was far fetched but it was amusing to see Marisa's face about that.
"W-What? Exploding mushrooms? O-Oh..." She then suddenly remembers that dream. She cast her eyes down and seemingly gave up on that idea.
"H-hey! Don't tell me that it's true!?" Rain said as blinks in surprise.
"No, it's just that you do have a point about my house being unsafe..."
Hearing Marisa being down like that seems to have hit Rain in the spot that she changed her mind. Though she was actually going to say yes in the end. She thought it might be a good idea to play with her a bit.
"Ah, I'm just joking! I'll come! Come on! When do you want me to come? Now? Tomorrow? Oh, wait I have plans tomorrow and I'm grounded by Reimu today."
Hearing that Marisa's face lit up. "Really? Anytime you could come though, keep me informed as I'm always out of the house. Wait a minute... you said you're grounded by Reimu?"
"Eh... sort of?" Rain gave her a look.
"Pfft! Oh man, look at you the so called 'Legendary Yokai Exterminator' is grounded!" She keeps laughing so much that she coughs from it.
"Yeah, and just a minute ago you are blue as heck." Rain just grumbles from Marisa's teasing.
Though it was fun when she is here. It is better than being alone. The fairies would just be causing a ruckus if she invites them to make things lively and Reimu won't be so happy about that.
"Ah, I got to go, Rain. Still have some stuff to do. Oh, if you see me snooping around here. Don't mind me, just finding some of my stuff that I've hidden here." Marisa gave a grin to her.
Somehow that didn't sound right. Knowing Marisa, she might as well be eyeing something that is worth 'borrowing'.
"Don't even try to Marisa. As you know, Reimu left me in charge. Try to do that 'borrowing' stuff to me and you'll be returning it with interest already.
"Ahaha! That is if you see me doing it!" Marisa said as she puts her witch hat on and readies herself to leave.
"See ya, Rain!"
"Take care not to crash into someone's face."
With that Marisa takes her leave and she's back to being alone again and this time she decided to wash her face.
"It's almost time for lunch...time sure is fast today. I hope Reimu brings home something as there is literally nothing to eat here!" She said to herself as she begins to remove her eyepatch and looks at the mirror. As usual there is still nothing there but a seemingly dark and deep hole in her affected eye.
Marisa's words then echoed through her head about the possibility of her not being a human. What if it is true? Is she just a monster in disguise? A wolf in a sheep's clothing? No that can't be it... is it?
She somehow got irritated thinking about it and just splash her own face with water. She continues to do so but what she doesn't notice is that her reflection in the mirror is no longer mimicking on what she is doing. Rather it was standing there with nothing but a malicious smile and the color of her hair in the reflection is all but now pink like a cherry blossom. All while seemingly trying to cover her in a dark aura.
"Huh?" She somehow notices it for a brief moment and looked into it but it was gone.
"Must be my imagination..." She finishes and uses a towel to dry her face clean. She puts back her eyepatch and left.
As most of the choir is done. She decided to take a break and read the book that she didn't have time to read back then. Just as when she is getting into it. She then heard a call from the outside.
"Hello? Anyone home?" A female voice called out.
"Hmm? Someone is outside? Could it be a worshipper? I better check it out..." Rain uttered to herself as she gets up and places the book at the table. She quickly heads out to greet the potential visitors. After all, she is left in charge of it.
As she went outside she is then greeted by two unfamiliar faces. Both of which are dressed in a unique way. One of them is somehow dressed in a modern clothing aside from that her overall looks is modern looking. Like how Rain saw the clothing of the people in the said outside world. The said person is wearing a black t-shirt with a written text at the front that says "Welcome Hell" There's a heart shape before the word "Hell". Her three-colored short plaid skirt complements well with her shirt. Though the only thing that is odd is her collar at her neck with chains attached to it that leads to three different orbs. Two are located at her each side while the last one rest at the top of her head.
"Well, well. Looks like the rumors are true after all! Though I don't quite remember you wearing an eyepatch. Is it a trend?" She said as she looks at Rain.
"Hmm... she looks normal to me." Said by the other woman who is dressed in chinese outfit. She seems to be rather disappointed and added. "Tell me, is this the human who managed to escape your Hell? Just what is she capable of? Ah, perhaps I should just test her myself?" Her voice is rather passive but straightforward. Her overall impression is intimadating.
Rain has a bad feeling about these two as she keeps her guard up.
"Now, now my friend. No need to do such a thing. I can tell you that she won't back down from a fight. Remember, we're just here for a visit."
The woman with her pauses for a minute as if contemplating before replying. "You do have a point." She then takes her gaze back to Rain and said. "Well aren't you going to invite us in for tea?"
These two are dangerous. Rain could see that but she has no other choice but to entertain them rather than send them away which would be a bad move or Reimu might come back with everything in shambles. She doesn't know why they are here and who are they but she will find out if she play along.
So she forces out a smile and said. "My apologies, please kindly come in and I'll prepare some tea."
A/N: It seems like trouble has come to her even if she is staying put. What would be Reimu's reaction if she manages to come home with them still there? Will she be able to piece together on what is really happening?
This one took long to write as I'm pretty much busy at the start of the year even until now. Anyway, here is the next chapter! Thank you for reading and waiting!
