Above the Forest of Magic

The ethereal being that had escaped the Hakurei Shrine hovered in the night sky, observing the battle between Marisa, Alice, Sakura and Syaoran from a long distance. All around her were several unconscious fairies and some large black crows, held in place by magic bonds of electricity. They were all so high that the humans could not hope to see them in the night darkness. And if the doll youkai had managed to spot them up there from the ground with her superior vision, she had shown no signs of it. Then a thin rift opened behind the ethereal being, and from inside it several purple eyes stared at her back.

Hm, I wonder who's over-said the spirit, summoning her wand and pointing it at the rift without looking back-THERE!

The crescent-moon-shaped tip of the wand glowed and shot a dark blue laser, barely distinguishable from the night background, aimed at the rift. The eyes inside didn't even blink as the blast approached. At the last moment a pink umbrella emerged from the gap and opened wide, deflecting the laser off its surface! The umbrella then closed again and out of the rift came the hand holding it, followed by the rest of Yukari's body as the rift grew wider to let her pass, then returned to its previous size, filled again with dozens of moving eyes that kept observing the ethereal being.

How rude, why did you shoot at me right away? Just because you're dead doesn't mean you should skip your manners.-said the gap youkai with a calm, confident smile.

I'm not dead! I'm just a perfectly ordinary soul!-replied the ethereal being in an annoyed tone.

Please, it's clear you're having trouble just to keeping an humanoid shape. You're an evil spirit... Although I can sense most of your evil has faded away. So just a spirit. Or soul. Or ghost.-chuckled Yukari.

Fancy words from the youkai that lurks in the boundary disguising herself as a human. I'm still recovering from my long slumber. Besides you're the rude one for spying on other people behind their backs like that!-something like a mocking smile formed on the ethereal being's face.

Says the one who has been peeping on those humans up here while hiding and attacking anything else that comes near.

One of those humans was once my dear disciple. I'm just making sure that nobody else interferes in this duel she's involved with! Also this way I get to gauge her current magic level. Seems like she hasn't been slacking off while I was asleep all this years.

Rest assured, she hasn't been idling. The human magician's name is known as far and wide across Gensokyo, almost as the very Hakurei's shrine maiden own name nowadays.

Only almost? She still has a long way to go then.

They both do.

Hmmm, what about that other human, the red-haired one? My memory's not the same as it used to be, but I'm pretty sure I've never met her before. Yet her magic somehow feels familiar. Would you happen to know anything about her?

Oh, she's just another human magician. You should know they're not that rare in Gensokyo.

She has potential, maybe I should offer her some lessons... Speaking of which, everybody seems to be using some kind of magic cards, even several of the fairies I beat up. Is this the latest fad or something like that?

Oh, so you're interested in spell card battles? I can help you with that.- Yukari's smile became a little bigger as she pulled a stack of blank cards from inside her robes and extended them towards the ethereal being.- Here's a blank deck. Just hold into it and it'll imprint your abilities into card form, allowing you to channel your magic much easier. That's why they're so popular. Spell cards are even a mark of status in the current Gensokyo. The stronger you are, the more cards you'll manage to imprint and control. Winning card duels is the best way to increase your prestige nowadays. Your disciple in particular has racked up quite a collection while you were sleeping.

My, isn't it convenient for me that you were carrying a fresh set to give away then?

I'm just an humble promoter of this system. I wouldn't want anyone with enough potential to miss the opportunity of trying their hand at spell cards.

Sounds fishy...But I'm not gonna say no to free stuff!

The ethereal being flew through Yukari, snatching the deck along the way, and the blank cards transformed to dark purple and started pulsating with magic.

Ooohhhh, this feels like an awesome toy to play with!

The ethereal spirit looked closer at the lower card of her deck and read aloud the words written on it:

[Love Sign]"Twilight Spark"

A massive dark blast shot from the card towards the ground below. Yukari pulled a card of her own.

[Barrier] "Objective Barrier"

A series of glowing golden walls formed in the path of the desceding blast, only to be shattered almost instantly. Yukari was already pulling another card.

[Border Sign] "Quadruple Barrier"

A giant pink barrier formed further below, holding a bit longer before also being broken through by the twilight spark. Yukari sighed a bit as she pulled a third card.

[Yukari's Arcanum] "Danmaku Barrier"

Countless blue and violet bullets of energy surrounded the twilight spark, wrapping around it in multiple layers. After a few moments, the exterior layer dispersed and disappeared, nothing left inside.

Those cards are not toys. You should be more careful how you use them.-nagged Yukari to the ethereal being.

What's the point of having power if I don't get to use it to my heart's content?-grinned the spirit.

And that's why the Hakurei shrine maiden had to always be sealing you up.

Now that you mention it, that barrier magic of yours it's the same kind as the red-white used. But even more advanced. More refined. More elegant.

A simple coincidence, the hakurei bloodline just happens to have a quite similar power to mine.

No, it was you. It was you all along. You're the one who's taught the red-white how to use her magic.

...So you can see that much after meeting me for so little time. That's why I remained in hiding while you were rampaging around back in the day. You've always given me plenty of trouble even if you didn't knew I existed.

Then why did you give me this cards?

Many reasons. One of them being that they are a test. To gauge your current power and intentions.

My desire is simply to conquer Gensokyo.

I hoped that your personality would've cooled down by now and we could set a mutual benefit relationship this time, just as I've done with other dangerous youkai. But here are your results. You're still too selfish and dangerous. I'm afraid I can't let you rampage free for the time being. Since the shrine maiden of this paradise is sleeping at the moment, I'll have to put you back to a peaceful rest by my own hands now.

Dozens of violet-glowing cards flew out from inside Yukari's clothes and formed a circle around her, emanating overwhelming power. The ethereal spirit didn't seem intimidated in the slightest.

Hm-hm, a challenge! And from the mastermind behind the red-white herself... But I'm afraid I just don't have the time for dealing with you right now. It's just a little longer until I am completely restored! So, until then... please play with this one.

An hovering set of five large independently-moving eyes, connected by electricity and surrounded by strange markings appeared around the ethereal spirit, that then flew away. Yukari tried to pursue, only for the floating eyes to unleash a barrage of golden bullets at her, forcing the border youkai to stop and take cover behind her umbrella.

The other legendary angel...Yuugen Magan. Well played, I'll have to deal with this one first.-said Yukari to no one in particular, grabbing the floating card closest to her.

In the forest of magic.

Sakura assumed a nervous pose as she tried to resume her previous adventures:

...And then me and Syaoran-kun competed to collect the escaped cards after they were released from the Clow Book, but then they all ended under my care when I became the card Mistress because...

Blah blah blah save the big story for after the battle is over.-interrupted Marisa, moving her hand holding the strings and her dolls pointed their wands at them-Now hurry up and link your spells, it should be not that hard, even if it's your first time at this. If you truly have a strong emotional bond between you two that is. I want to see even more fantastic magic from you both!

You're right, Marisa-chan, how can I claim to love Syaoran-kun if can't even let him use my magic?-declared Sakura, her eyes suddenly flaring with passion as she picked up her pink deck and started pulling some of the cards out.

Wait, Sakura-chan, I lost the right to use those cards, they're yours now...-tried to say Syaoran, but the red-haired girl seemed to ignore him while she scratched her head, as if trying to remember something.

And it's because they're mine that I can choose what to do with them, and I want you to use this cards now!-smiled Sakura, having finished to separate her deck in two uneven parts and extending the smaller portion towards Syaoran.

The boy hesitated at the offer. He felt his heart starting to beat faster. He slowly dropped one of his hands from his sword's handle and extended it towards the piled up cards presented to him and picked them up. Syaoran spread them out to see their names. The Cloud. The Sand. The Freeze, The Twins, among others...All the cards he had claimed for himself for some time in the past. He could feel their magic essence, a mixture of their old Clow nature combined with Sakura's star magic that had converted them.

...I can't use them, Sakura-chan, I can't even sense anything from them anymore. Take them back, I'll just support you with my sword...-started to lie Syaoran, trying to give the cards back to Sakura, before they flew out of his hand and formed a floating circle around him.

See, Syaoran-kun?-Sakura made a victorious smile-Those cards still recognize you as the one who captured them. There's still a bond between you.

...Fine, just for this battle.-sighed Syaoran, extending his hand upwards and the cards surrounding him gathered together on his open palm.

Hugh, Alice please just kill, cook and eat me if I ever become like this towards you da ze...-frowned Marisa, throwing her tongue out in disgust.

Your flesh stinks of mushrooms, my dear Marisa, I would probably get some serious poisoning if I tried that... Now, enough waiting! Show me what you can truly do together, Sakura and Syaoran!-Alice pushed her hand forward and her knight dolls advanced, their swords pointing forward.

Alice-sama, I won't back out!-shouted Sakura, pulling a card and flinging it into the air.

Let's see you find cover from this da ze!-Marisa grinned and pointed her right index finger forward, and her dolls followed her movement with their wands and shot a laser barrage in the gaps between Alice's knights charging towards Sakura, who was bringing down her staff over another of her cards:

MOVE! RELEASE!

Small pink wings materialized in the closest knight dolls, and they were suddenly teleported in front of the incoming lasers, ending used up destroyed while serving as shields for Sakura! Syaoran wasn't idle either, as he pulled a card of his own and stabbed it with his sword:

SWEET! RELEASE!

A small yellow fairy with afro-like hair resembling cotton candy and a yellow dress with a similarly shaped skirt resembling cream puffs materialized from the card, swiftly flying above Marisa's dolls, letting down a rain of thin white powder in her wake.

What kind of lame attack is that? It's not flashy at all!-frowned the black-white magician. Then she noticed her puppets lasers had stopped.

Hey, keep shooting! Wait a moment...-Marisa pulled her hand with the control strings, and the nearby dolls pulled closer to her. She noticed their skin was now brown, like chocolate, and their hair was white, like cream, and their wands now looked like red and green sugar canes. Marisa picked up the closest doll and chomped its head off with her mouth, quickly munching and swallowing the candy, before continuing to talk:- I take that back, that's some pretty good taste magic! Also an awesome trick to use at parties! Do you have a version of that spell to make alcoholic beverages? I'll seriously become your disciple if you do da ze!

No, I don't know how we would've managed if Clow had made "The Alcohol" card-sweatdroped Sakura, then she seemed to realize something and stepped forward swinging her wand at the dolls remains-Return to the form you were meant to be in, Alice cards!

The dolls remants formed into a pair of cards that flew each to Sakura and Syaoran.

Good work, but can you now handle my ultimate finisher move ke?-shouted Marisa while pulling a flask filled with a swirling potion from inside her clothes and then throwing it in the air, where it exploded violently:

STAGE CLEAR!-VICTORY BONUS 100000 POINTS!

In massive glowing golden floating letters! Sakura and her friends were left stunned by the display, and Syaoran was the first to talk with a look of disbelief.

Don't tell me you're just surrendering like that?

I'm starting to get a bit sore. Best to stop now or I won't be able to get out of bed tommorrow da ze.-replied Marisa, stretching her arms and yawning.

What're you making excuses for losing for?-glared Alice at Marisa.

We... Won?-asked Sakura dumbfounded by the sudden fireworks.

Yes, you won.-confirmed Alice, looking at the card mistress with a faint smile- And with some proper city-sect magic to boot, using lesser non-violent spells to win a battle. I expected nothing less from you.

We won Syaoran-kun!-squealed Sakura, jumping to hug the boy, who was caught by surprise and almost fell to the side.

Sakura-chan's so cute when she's victorious!-squealed Tomoyo.

Yes, we picked the winning side for a change!-smiled Luna.

Nobody will stop us!-grinned Star.

Can we go to sleep now?-yawned Sunny.

Wait a minute, what was that talk about points and stage clear?-asked Meiling.

Showing your graduation score after the battle is over is the most basic of basics for a dueling game.-replied Marisa with an air of authority.

B-but that kind of stuff is for video games! Isn't this place supposed to be hidden ancient fantasy land, away from all modern stuff?

Well, all kinds of items from the outside world gets in through the barrier cracks all the time, not only magic. Things that people just stopped using and forgot they had or thought lost. We know a guy who has the talent to understand any item's purpose, and then we enjoy getting them to work da ze!-replied Marisa.

… I don't care if you think this is a game, give back the card you stole from Sakura-chan since we've won. -interrupted Syaoran with a serious tone and cold glare at Marisa.

I didn't steal it, I'm just borrowing it until I die. Not every day I get a chance to directly analyze modern magic from the outside world. Weren't you saying how you're all gonna outlive me? You can have it back after I kick the bucket da ze.-grinned Marisa, pulling out and twirling The Shadow between her fingers.

Hand it over Kirisame.-insisted Syaoran, starting to raise his sword.

No, Syaoran-kun, it's alright.-interrupted Sakura, letting go of the boy to hold his blade down-The cards I captured from Marisa-chan, I can feel how they're filled with lots of love. Even more than those of Byakuren-sama and Reimu-chan. Marisa-chan really likes magic. I'm sure she's gonna take good care of the Shadow.

Damn Sakura, you're supposed to trash-talk your opponent when you win, or act all high and mighty, you're not supposed to be all nice and compliment them da ze!-pouted Marisa.

...Fine, do as you will.-sighed Syaoran, unsummoning his sword.

So, time for the children to go to bed now that you've beat the evil witch.-said Alice, having summoned some fresh dolls with sewing needles to patch up her dress who had got a bit torn during the battle.

Me, Evil? You're the one who helped set up an invasion of demons in Gensokyo, Alice da ze!-frowned Marisa.

Wwhhhaaaat?-asked Sakura, Syaoran, Meiling and the nearby fairies simultaneously while Alice simply stood silenced in shock, although her dolls continued to work.

Don't worry, she's no longer into that after I beat her up good da ze.-smiled Marisa again.

...I-It was all just a big misunderstanding! You and the others just made things worse with all your violence!-managed to say Alice.

It helped you mature, Alice. You may still be playing with dolls all day long, but at least you're no longer living under your mommy's skirt anymore da ze.

Alice shot a cold glare at Marisa, who simply grinned back maliciously.

Hmmm, I still live with my father...-commented Sakura.

He's not helping set up a demonic invasion , release some ancient sealed evil entity, or seriously mess up the weather, is he?-asked Marisa, suddenly staring seriously at the card mistress.

Hoooeeee... No, he isn't. He doesn't even knows I have magic.-Sakura couldn't help but recoil a bit from Marisa's glare.

Then no need to continue battling for tonight. Although I guess I should've asked that kind of thing before. But the night's still young, and after a danmaku exchange, there's nothing like a refreshing beverage! Tonight's tab is on me! I'm sure you'll love this mushroom liquor of mine da ze!-smiled Marisa, taking off her hat and pulling a large green glass bottle from inside it along some small ceramic cups.

Ah, thank you for the offer, we aren't old enough to drink alcohol yet.-politely replied Sakura.

If you can handle magic like that surely you can handle a strong drink or two. C'mon Sakura, you're backing away from a challenge now ke?

That bottle's contents looks suspicious. It could be some kind of dangerous drug you would try to pull on us for being s sore loser.-pointed out Meiling.

Drinking a dangerous drugs may be safer than risking Marisa's homebrew drinks.-added Alice.

It's all the alcohol I got here with me right now, and I know you're out of booze Alice, I checked while the kids were dressing up for battle da ze.-Marisa raised her arms.

But I had at least a couple bottles left... You drank them while they were preparing, didn't you?

No.-lied Marisa- So, none of you have the guts to properly celebrate your own victory ke?-asked the witch, expertly filling the cups held between her fingers with a dark bubbling liquid coming from inside the bottle.

Free booze!-squealed Luna, flying out of nowhere to snatch one of the cups from Marisa's hands and drinking it in one go.

The moon fairy's cheeks instantly turned red and a dumb smile formed on her face:

Oohhh, goodish, pour me some more miss Marisa!

Me next!-demanded Sunny, running towards Marisa.

Drink! Drink! Drink!-Star got in line as well.

If they like it, I guess there's no harm on experimenting some myself then. -Sakura took one of Marisa's filled cups after the fairies had their cups were al and stared a moment at the liquid inside , instantly feeling an intense smell rising from it.

No, let me try first just in case.-Syaoran insisted, picking another cup.

Don't think you're leaving me out of this one!-Meiling grabbed one of the last cups.

Since this will be our first drink, we should take our initial sip simultaneously!-suggested Tomoyo, mounting her camera over a nearby tree so it would continue to record the whole scene before taking the final cup.

The four youngsters looked at each other awkwardly for a moment, then took a taste of the liquid at the same time. They all coughed a bit and ended up with reddened cheeks as well.

Such an exotic taste, you're quite a brewer miss Marisa!-complimented Tomoyo.

Burns a bit, but I don't dislike it.-added Meiling

Well, it's better than I expected.-admitted Syaoran.

Tee hee hee, tastes funnyyy...-giggled Sakura.

Good that you're enjoying it! Now, Sakura-chan, mind telling me how exactly you got all those magic cards ke?-grinned Marisa.

You have no shame whatsoever, do you Marisa?-asked Alice with a frown.

Shut up and join the drinking, Alice da ze.

Tongues were loosened as Sakura told her adventures of the previous three years, with Syaoran, Tomoyo and Meiling filling in details or correcting the red-haired girl when she got wrong. Marisa kept refilling the cups as they were empty, while she replied with with several tall tales about herself:

...I entered the dark ruins and found the remains of a civilization of another time, filled with their mysterious relics...

That's awesome! I always dreamed of becoming an archeologist!-Syaoran's eyes flared with excitement at the mention of ruins.

...The hungry ghosts clouded up the sun, but I managed to channel the last bits of springs to blast them all away at once da ze!

You can face ghosts head on? You're so brave, Marisa-chan!-Sakura's eyes sparkled.

...And that's when Reimu got on her knees and begged to become my disciple da ze!

Ha, serves her right!-grinned Meiling.

...I shot down the moon once, but then I collected seven sacred treasures to put it back on place da ze.

You certainly have a lot of great stories, Marisa-chan.-said Tomoyo with her diplomatic smile.

For their part, Sakura, Meiling and Syaoran seemed to be believing every single of Marisa's words, hearing her with awe, while Tomoyo and Alice politely smiled but didn't ask any questions nor pointed out the internal flaws on the witch's stories, just following along for the sake of the others fun. Sakura was the one ending taking more sips from the bottle's content, until she was wobbling her head around, eyes half-closed.

Sakura-chan's so cute when she's completely drunk!-squealed Tomoyo, who had held back on drinking the most.

Night's so pretty here... -smiled Sakura, looking upwards.

There's no human pollution, so the sky is a lot more clear.-commented Meiling.

What's pollution?-asked Luna.

Didn't you read about it? Seems like in the human cities of the outside world they perform dark rituals that fill the skies with so much smoke you can rarely see the sky at night.-said Star.

Sakura, maybe you drank too much already.-Syaoran's own head was wobbling almost as badly as Sakura's.

I feel like flying to the moon and then dance among the stars...-giggled the card mistress, taking another sip of her glass.

Lots of interesting things to collect on the moon, I recommend checking it if you get the chance da ze.-smirked Marisa.

Then to the moon it is!-Sakura summoned back her wand and started checking her cards.

FLY, RELEASE!

Sakura took off from the ground, carried upwards by her magic wings and laughing all the way. Soon however her trajectory changed to something quite erratic.

Sakura-chan!-screamed Syaoran in sudden panic as Sakura made wild loops through the air, laughing.

Relax, just let the girl enjoy herself da ze.-said Marisa

Wait, what are those thingies flying around her?-asked Meiling, pointing upwards.

Strange forms appeared in the night sky. Floating Ying-Yangs with two outer layer rings that spinned on opposite directions with five spherical lights on each ring. Instead of black and white each was different shades of a color, blue, red, purple or green. And then they started firing lasers and energy bullets at the winged Sakura, who managed to dodge them in time!

They look dangerous!-Syaoran stood up while summoning his sword and taking out some cards, but when he tried to focus on the flying orbs the boy's vision started to get blurry, including seeing two card mistresses on the air instead of one.

Oh, they're a strange kind of lesser youkai that Reimu and Marisa accidentally released when exploring the subterranean world. They have a strange preference for attacking lone flying humans. -explained Alice, calmly drinking from her cup.

The only thing better than drinking or danmaku battles is drinking while watching danmaku battles. KICK THEIR ASSES SAKURA DA ZE! -smiled Marisa, drinking more in a relaxed pose.

Nooooo, I don't want to fight for no reason! I don't like it!-cried Sakura, making wilder and wilder aerial moves in order to evade the attacks aimed at her.

Sakura-chan's so cute when she's dodging!-squealed Tomoyo, completely delighted for all the footage she was getting that night.

Well, I like fighting and I'm tired of just watching for tonight.-Meiling backflipped from sitting in the ground to a crouching position, then reaching inside her sleeves, pulling eight needles held between the fingers. She threw them in the air and a second later eight of the flying orbs vanished in colourful explosions!

Oh, nice shots kid! Wait, aren't those Reimu's needles? You stole them from her along her technique? I may have seriously underestimated you, Meiling da ze!-Marisa raised her glass in compliment of the chinese girl.

Hmm, actually, I paid her for the needles and teaching me...-Meiling kept launching the projectiles one by one, taking out the remaining flying orbs.

Well, I could see Reimu selling out her secret techniques for enough money. But even then that's some pretty good aim you got, Meiling. Reimu usually just sprays and prays with her needles and amulets da ze.

Then Sakura's wings started to disappear and she started to quickly losing altitude.

Oh dear, seems like Sakura-chan's magic reserves are running out.-dully commented Alice, sipping some more alcohol.

HHHOOOOEEE!-was all the card mistress could say before diving into the trees below and disappearing from view.

SAKURA-CHAN!-screamed Syaoran louder as he broke into running in the direction Sakura had fallen, almost tripping several times

Sakura only remembered crashing against the tree canopy and then waking up, laying down on the grass. She tried to stand up but her body protested.

Don't try to make any sudden moves, that was a rough landing. You hurt anywhere? I've already checked and you don't seem to have anything broken at least da ze.

Sakura saw Marisa was sitting at her side, with a worried look on her face.

Hoe... I think I'm fine. You managed to catch me when I was falling, Marisa-chan?

Yes, you were lucky I managed to get to you in time. But since we're here in private now, let me ask you a question. You enjoyed our battle right now, didn't you ke?

Hmmm... A little bit, yes...

Using magic feels good, doesn't it? Flying, pretty lights, solving problems da ze.

...Yes. But I always have to take care how and when I use my magic or things mayonly get worst...

Don't you think it would be fair to offer others the possibility of gaining magic as well ke? Wouldn't you like to share the gift of magic with all your friends?

Hoe...? But how could I do that?

Contracts, servant connections, grimoires, there's many ways to spread magic around. I could teach you about that da ze.

Hhoooeee... I don't get what you're trying to tell me, Marisa-chan...

How can I put it...

SAKURA-CHAN! There are you are!-Syaoran emerged from the nearby trees, quickly followed by the three fairies, Meiling, Tomoyo, flying dolls, and Alice.-We heard your voice, I'm so relieved you're ok. Who were you talking to?

I was talking with Marisa-chan! She's right here, see...-Sakura looked around to notice that Marisa was no longer near her.

Hmm, I was following behind the others, watching the rear.-said Marisa, emerging last behind Alice.

Hoooeee...-Sakura's eyes spinned in confusion-Was I dreaming?

Probably you just got too drunk and hallucinated a bit after that fall.-said Meiling.

No, I sensed there was another living being near Sakura-chan, but they ran away too fast for me to follow when we arrived.-commented Star.

More probably you were too drunk to properly focus.-sighed Luna.

Maybe it was my evil twin da ze.-smirked Marisa.

I had a strange feeling something was observing us...-added Tomoyo.

S-she wasn't a g-ghost, was she?-trembled a bit Sakura, her face turning pale.

You can never really trust what you see or hear in Gensokyo, Sakura-chan. Illusion and deception are common powers among youkai. But you're fine and that's what matters. Let's go back to my home, no flying this time.-said Alice, spreading out her dolls around the children and helping the card mistress stand up.

The other Marisa was hiding behind a distant tree. She took out her hat, revealing a pair of big pointy ears covered in yellow fur that allowed her to listen to the conversation between humans and youkai away, while furry yellow and white tails poked out from under this Marisa's skirt. Then a large crow flew into a nearby branch and spoke to her:

Ayayayaya I almost missed you. That was a pretty good disguise, fooled even me for a moment. Could you tell me what you're doing here?

I don't mind you spying on the humans, but tell anyone you saw me here, I'll make sure to include you in the next banquet for my mistress.-arrogantly smiled this Marisa.

Ayayaya no need to threaten me like that! My job here is done anyway, have a pleasant night.

The crow flew away, moving faster than any normal bird should be able to. The Marisa smiled in satisfaction. When she heard the human and youkai group move away, she got in all four and turned into a nine-tailed fox.

In a large ghostly shrine at the center of the Netherworld, surrounded by vast gardens filled with cherry blossom trees.

The Hakugyokurou, the Tower of White Jade, was a large manor with just two regular residents, Yuyuko Saigyouji the ghost princess and Youmu Konpaku her faithful half-ghost servant. They sometimes had guests, often ghosts or youkai, in particular during the flower viewing season. Tonight there was one such guest.

Don't be shy, Nadeshiko-chan-smiled Yuyuko-Eat to your heart's contents!

Ah, Yuyuko-sama...-smiled Nadeshiko, sweatdroping at the large table filled with numerous juicy dishes between the two sitting ghost women-I'm not hungry. I haven't really felt any need for food ever since I died.

Geez, no wonder you died so young. Barely any meat in your bones-frowned Yuyuko as she elegantly stuffed herself with food, quickly emptying the dishes closer to her- Don't you know a good nutrition is essential for a long happy life? Well the same applies to the afterlife. That's why I'm in such great shape despite having been dead for so many centuries, hohoho!

Please don't jest, Yuyuko-sama. I feel greatly honored for being a guest at your home, but...-Nadeshiko lowered her smile-Why have you summoned me here? If I can no longer watch over my daughter, then I would rather follow with my reincarnation. That way I may yet meet her again...

Hohoho, we can't let you have doing that, my pretty Nadeshiko-chan. You already prevented Kinomoto-chan from joining my servants a couple times. Not nearly as much as that other boy, but still annoying... The great card mistress slain by a common disease because she refused to rest from her duty, now that would've been poetic.

...Just tell me what do you want from me, Yuyuko-sama. I'll do whatever you order as long as you don't go after my daughter.

Geez, who do you think I am, Nadeshiko-chan? Yes, I could've just went out there and snuffed Kinomoto-chan's little life out with a snap of my fingers. But where would be the fun on that? Where would be the elegance? No, I just want to have you under my eye to make sure you don't try to do anything silly that would mess with Yukari's plans. Whatever they may be. Hell if I understand what's going on that head sometimes, and I'm her closest acquaintance. Now eat your share, Nadeshiko-chan. You wouldn't want Youmu's hard work preparing this feast to go to waste, would you?

In the near kitchen, the young half-ghost sweated while using her youkai-forged blades to skilfully slice and dice piles of vegetables, meat, fish and watching over several boiling pots and frying pans. She took a deep breath and shouted:

Yuyuko-sama, if you'll allow me the impertinence, I believe my swords would be much better employed searching for that Kinomoto human instead of cooking even more for you! Just because it's impossible to stuff yourself to death doesn't mean you should eat like this!

Don't worry, my dear Youmu.-shouted back Yuyuko-We're well ahead of schedule anyway since you arrived ahead of time.

Only because I got really lucky and it was a mostly uneventful travel, meeting only one magician out for my blood to fuel some unholy ritual, two animal youkai wanting to eat me and one mad human drive-testing a war magictech engine, plus sixty hundred fairies on the way back here! I humbly suggest we use the extra time gained for something more important than you throwing a party with an old friend!

Just relax, Youmu. What's the worst that could happen? We're already dead! Oh, wait, you're still only half-dead, hohoho!

Nadeshiko couldn't help but chuckle at the conversation between ghost and half-ghost, and ended up trying some of the food. It was quite good.

The lake on top of the tallest mountain on Gensokyo.

Kanako was floating in mid-air with her eyes closed, seemingly in meditation, while at her side a teenager girl with long green hair and dressed in a white and light blue school sailor uniform floated at her side, arranging her clothes. with a bored look on her face. Suddenly a crow landed on Kanako's shoulder and whispered something at her ear. The goddess grinned, eyes opening, and spoke:

The Tengu top agent has spoken to me through the winds... She has found Kinomoto. Now it's your time to move, my dear Sanae.

Ah, Kanako-sama, why do I must wear my old clothes to do that?-asked the green haired teenager.

Kinomoto's a human girl with magic powers who recently arrived from the outside world, not that different from you. It'll be easier to get her trust if you're dressed like that. It wouldn't do us any favors if we just had the Tengu kidnap her. But if she still resists, give us a call. Now go, Sanae, follow the Tengu's winds!

Hmmm, aren't I supposed to challenge her to a duel if she refuses? Actually I may challenge her to a duel even if she agrees. It's how we are supposed to greet ourselves in Gensokyo, isn't it?-satisfied with her clothes, Sanae placed an hair ornament shaped like snake in the left side of her head, then an hairpin shaped like a frog above it, then she took flight- Duelling is a great way of getting to know people after all!

...You've been spending too much time with the natives-sweatdroped the goddess.

Near the main lake of Gensokyo

A large scarlet mansion was surrounded by luxurious gardens that in turn were separated from the outside wilderness by a long brick wall with a single gate. There didn't seem to be anyone guarding this entrance, besides a young-looking, tall woman with long red hair in a green chinese dress laying against the wall with her arms crossed and eyes closed, her head wobbling up and down a bit a bit as she snored, seemingly asleep. A silvery knife, reflecting the light of the almost full moon above, flew through the air aimed at the forehead of the sleeping figure. At the last moment however she opened her eyes and raised her hand to catch the blade between her fingers.

Going out at this time of the night, chief maid? -asked the now awake woman in an heavy chinese accent, twirling the blade between her fingers.

Out of thin air appeared a slightly shorter woman with red eyes and silver hair, elegantly dressed in a blue and white maid outfit, who replied:

Orders from the mistress. I need to find something. Make sure you keep watching over the mansion's gate while I'm out, guard. And do try to look more dignified in your job.

But I have to take care of the gardens and watch this entrance all day long and I don't get any free time, when am I supposed to sleep? Besides it's fine as long as I wake up in time to properly greet visitors, right?-the chinese woman returned the knife to the maid, who elegantly made it disappear inside her clothes.

Related to that, if a red-haired human magician appears, you are to let her pass through unharmed.

Should I start preparing the chinese tea then?

...That actually sounds like a good idea. It will provide entertainment while I prepare a more filling meal, as I'm sure the mistress will request once her guest is here. That will be all.-As she finished speaking the elegant maid took flight.

I wish you a pleasant travel then, chief maid. -the gate guard waved goodbye to the human flying away.

Somewhere else in Gensokyo

Byakuren flew through the night. She had finally found some fairies that had run into a red-haired female human with a strong magic presence in a nearby area. There were plenty of magicians in Gensokyo, but none with such hair coloration as far as Byakuren knew, so the youkai priestess felt like this was a pretty good lead she was following. Soon she spotted an human stading on top of a small hill, with bright red hair, and a strong magic presence.

Sakura Kinomoto, thanks dharma I found you! It's dangerous for a young magical girl to wander alone at this hour in Gensokyo!-shouted Byakuren as she descended.

Then as she got closer, the youkai magician noticed this human was too tall and had long hair and she was dressed in miko robes. In addition she had a calm, patient and effortlessly elegant presence, in further contrast with the young card mistress.

I'm afraid I am not the one you're looking for. But thank you for the compliment, being called a magical girl does make me feel younger.- serenely smiled the red-haired woman as she turned her head towards Byakuren.

A shrine maiden? My apologies for the confusion. I believed to already being well acquainted with the priestesses of this land. Allow to introduce myself, I'm Byakuren Hijiri, Chief Priestess of theYoukai Temple.-The Youkai magician unfurled her sutra scroll around herself, illuminating the night around, something telling her that she should be wary of this human.

Oh, no need to apologize, I'm Kaho, Mizuki, teacher and only a shrine maiden as a part-time job, a simple tourist in this land. And as a coincidence, I'm also looking for Sakura Kinomoto. But since you're also looking for her, so I suppose you don't know where she is either, am I correct?-Kaho made a smal, polite bow towards the youkai magician.

Author's notes:

Still alive and writing! The last half year was very busy for me, only some breaks to write this chapter bit by bit. hopefully I'll get some proper free time now that summer is here and be able to churn out chapters faster. I really want to complete this story. And thanks to all the people reviewing and favoriting/following this crazy idea of mine!