Disclaimer: I own nothing of touhou and familiar of zero, all character belongs to their respected creator.
"There is always a way, perhaps hard and perhaps hidden, but a way to achieve something exist none the less. The only question is, could you find it before you ran out of time?" – Tiandao
Louise POV
The information exchange was slow, Professor Colbert wanted to know everything they been through during the forest, and it seems he is not really amused to how Master Marisa had taught them; especially the part, where she told him about them being put into actual dangerous situation to force them to learn on the fly, she could hear Professor Colbert muttering about "irresponsible…" or "it was a mistake to trust…" and things like that. Good thing that Siesta moved the topic quickly to avoid more discussion on this, frankly Louise felt that it was a good thing that Professor Colbert never met Master Marisa, they would probably never get along.
"So that was the whole story, Master Marisa told us to ask about the fastest tengu, she says that the tengu should have the information we need." Siesta finished explaining. Professor Colbert was in deep thought, after processing this new lead for a while, he seemed very intrigued by the information.
"I should probably tell you two what we had found as well," Colbert began to speak, Louise listened closely she really wanted to know what happened while she and Siesta was gone. "As you can see, we spread our group to look for information; we haven't found any new leads so I'm really happy we have this one. But we found something else as well, and it doesn't seem good."
"What is it Professor Colbert?" Louise worried about this new information, since it might affect their chance of going home.
"We heard from village gossips and the travelers that go out of the village, there seem to be a lot of movement around this place recently. I couldn't understand the entire rumor, but there seem to be some kind of show being put up by the scientists and they are some people are invited to go see."
"A show by scientist? What's that got to do with us?" Siesta asked.
"That woman introduced herself as a scientist, if this show thing is set up by her; I worry about the content of this show." Colbert said worriedly, and then Louise and Siesta suddenly understood, Yumemi had expressed an unhealthy obsession on studying them, if she is behind this then everyone else still imprisoned is in grave danger.
"If this is her work, than we need to act fast, we should go see the shrine maiden right now!" Louise could see that Siesta agrees with her opinion, Professor Colbert pondered for a moment, and then answered.
"You're right , now that we have a new lead we should act instantly, the faster we get back home the better. I'll tell to wait for the others here, while you and would join me, perhaps what your master had taught you would be useful in negotiating with the shrine maiden."
"I don't think those skills should be used in negotiation." Louise smiled awkwardly; diplomacy was not the language that her master taught her. Wait for me mother and everyone, I'll be home soon, she thought to herself.
Henrietta POV
She couldn't go to sleep. Nightmares would probably hunt her anyway; sleep offered no escape from reality, no other chances. Henrietta looked beside her, Wales had closed his eyes, but his breathing had not slowed, anxiety had been plaguing him.
This castle could not feel more foreign to her, when she was young and met Wales, his castle had always made her felt safe, it was a second home to her. But now it offers nothing but pressure, the air itself felt stiffer than anywhere else.
This is not a home, it is a glorified tomb, that would make this their death bed wouldn't it. Henrietta shook her head, these thoughts shouldn't be in her head, and it was stupid and depressing. She can't let herself add to the atmosphere anymore, there was enough pressure already.
"Can't sleep?" Henrietta heard that Wales spoke; he had opened his eyes and staring into the ceiling.
"Can't say, I blame you, I've been having nightmares these couple of days. Everyone has." Wales said slowly, he sounded tired; perhaps sleeping itself had become a burden to him. Henrietta could understand, she had only been here for a little while, but she could feel the pressure, the possibility of death is like a blade hanging on one's head that could fall at any time. Knowing that tomorrow could be your next day is not a pleasant feeling.
"Wales, there is no need to expose yourself to this, we could regroup and fight back another time, there is no chance once you're dead."
"…I can't." Wales said shortly.
"Why, is it honor?"
"It's more than that; if I don't face this right now then I could never find the guts to face it again." Wales said, he smiled weakly and sat up, like a man waiting for his death.
"I'm afraid, Henrietta, I'm a terrified coward. The only reason I could still stand here is because that I believe in the honor of my blood. It's the only thing keeping me standing here. I know there are better ways to face the enemy and that as long as I'm alive I could still stand a chance. But I can't leave, if I abandon my pride right now, it's all over, Prince Wales of Albion would be dead."
"…" Henrietta said nothing, like her, Wales had to abandon something to protect the other. She abandoned her duty, her identity as a princess, to save her identity as a woman, Wales did the opposite, even if it means his life is forfeited in the process. The man in front of her is a terrified brave fool, it kind of makes it hard to look at him.
"I'm here." She said and hugged him from behind. She could feel his body temperature, his rapid heartbeat. It wasn't much, but it was the least she could do right now, so she held on to him. The two sat on the bed for a while in silence, until Wales finally spoke again.
"Get some sleep, tomorrow is going to be a long day." Wales said that, and they once again lied down holding hands together. Uncertainty and danger clouding their future, but Henrietta could feel that for now she could have peace for her mind, even if it is just for a while.
The lovers held each other, and entered dream's domain.
Louise POV
"…Just let me come…"
"Yukari said no…understand, Aya."
Even from a distance, Louise's group could hear the sound of arguing coming from the shrine in front of them, as the shrine have appeared in sight, Louise could see that in the front Tori Reimu was arguing with a black haired girl with black bird wings.
"A tengu." Seista said in awe, Louise nodded, Master Marisa had told them what a tengu looks like, but this is the first time they saw one for real. On the other hand, Professor Colbert does not seem surprised at all; perhaps staying in the village had already prepared him for anything.
"Please Reimu, just ask Yukari once more, Yumemi didn't give out invitation to us reporters, and Yukari is the only one who is still looking for companions to bring."
"No, as I told you, the report you did last month rubbed her the wrong way, so she told me she isn't taking any reporters this time. Hold on a sec anyway Aya, I got customer." Reimu said to the girl called Aya, it seems that she had noticed that Louise and the group had come.
"Hello, , we meet again." Professor Colbert responded, Louise could hear his tone was less than friendly.
"Yeah, I thought you said you never want to see me again, what brings the change. Oh actually, never mind, from the look of it, those two behind you had completed Marisa's teaching. " Reimu said these casually, but Professor Colbert does not seem to be amused, it appears that their journey into the forest of magic had caused the Professor to hold a grudge against the miko.
"Yes, Ms. Reimu, we did complete master's teaching, and before we left she told us to ask you about the fastest tengu, she said the tengu might have information on how to get us home." Siesta said quickly, Reimu just looked at the girl called Aya, while Aya looked excited.
"Heh, looking for me? Now this is interesting, I don't usually have news show up in front of my own door step. Shameimaru Aya, Gensokyo fastest reporter at your service." Aya introduced herself to the group; Louise couldn't believe that things were actually going their way once. To tell the truth she had totally expected them to get send on a dangerous mission to go to another place. But before she could let out a sigh of relief, Aya started bombing them with questions.
"Could you tell me more about yourself? What's this about Marisa having disciples? How many did she have? Why did she send you to me? I am very interested in your story, my reporter instinct tells me that you guys reek of big news, and I don't get a lot of big news delivered to my door step very often! So anyway, next question…" One after another, Aya excitement was overbearing, Louise might not know this but this is what they would call a paparazzi. Louise felt like she was a juicy steak placed in front of a drooling hungry dog, and the thirst for big news in Aya's eyes doesn't dismiss it.
"Ahem, perhaps we should sit down and tell our story, it is a bit long." Professor Colbert interrupted; it seems he was a bit nervous and overwhelmed as well. Aya seemed to have realized that she had been too rushed and calmed down a bit.
"Yes, I'm sorry; got a little carried away there for a second. Could we use your shrine for a moment Reimu?"
"Sure, but don't touch my stuff." Reimu said half-heartedly. Seeing that the owner agreed, the group entered the shrine's living room and sat down. Louise and Siesta sat on one side of the square table, while Professor Colbert and Aya sat opposite of each other on the other two sides. The explanation had taken quite a while, and was mostly Professor Colbert telling the story while Aya jotted down the information in her notebook. Louise and Siesta explained a bit about how they got trained by Marisa and how she told them to find Aya, but the reporter seemed more interested in the story of their background. Finally the explanation is done.
"So, let me get this straight, you guys were kidnapped here by Professor Okazaki for her experiment and successfully escaped. Now you guys want to find a way back, so Marisa told you guys to find me."
"Yes!" Professor Colbert said with a bit of excitement after finally finished explaining, "It appears you are someone with a lot of information, so we were hoping that you would know of some way of getting us home." Hearing this made Aya a bit proud, at the same time the reporter seemed to have thought of something.
"Yeah I do know a way for you to get home very soon, probably in a week." Aya said, Louise suddenly could not hold her excitement anymore, they finally found it! A way to go back!
"Did you hear that Siesta! We can go home!"
"I know!"Louise hugged Siesta who were right next to her, the two girls were really happy, after going through a lot they had finally found a way to go home. But Professor Colbert did not cheer yet, sure his facial muscle had relaxed a bit after hearing the good news, but he didn't seem to trust this info yet.
"May I ask what this way you speak of is?"
"Okazaki invited a lot of people to her big 'show', the main thing is, the 'show' isn't in Gensokyo, so considering what you just said it probably is in your world. If you could talk to one of the guest invited, maybe they could bring you back." Aya said, this new info instantly changed the atmosphere of the discussion. Professor Colbert tensed up even more, Louise couldn't feel cheerful anymore, and it seemed that Siesta couldn't either. A "show" in their world! This sounded very bad, we're talking about the woman who watched Louise's fellow students gets torn to pieces by youkai with mild amusement. A "show" hosted by an individual like this! There is no telling how twisted and evil it could be! Louise thought to herself, she is certain that this isn't good, just imagining the possibility of her family falling into the hand of such a person made her feel sick.
"Wh-what is this 'show' about?" Siesta asked in a shaking voice, she too seem to fear what this could do to her home.
"Don't know, the red head didn't release any info except to the guests. Quite a shame, seemed like something big and I can't report it before hand." Aya said with a slight tone of disappointment.
" this is urgent! Could you tell us who is on the guest list and where to find them! There are lives at stake." Professor Colbert shouted, it seemed to have caught the reporter by surprise that the civilized looking man would react this much.
"The youkai sage Yukari is on the list, she lives at Mayohiga you could speak to her there." Aya answered, but Louise is not happy about this, from the sound of it, it seems like they would have to journey through a dangerous path again. But before she was let down by this outcome, Aya continued to speak.
"Hey, I'll show you guys the way, maybe going in a group would increase the chances of me being taken along as well." What wonderful news! Louise thought to her, it isn't that she doesn't have faith in her new ability, but having a Tengu with them would guarantee them getting there safely.
"Of course you could come." Louise said out loud, as Siesta nodded as well.
"Thanks, I'll go home and make some preparation; we'll head for Mayohiga tomorrow morning." Aya said, and with that she left the table and went out. Louise could hear a gust of wind outside, and with that Aya disappeared.
"It seems like we are in another troublesome journey." Professor Colbert said, Louise agrees, but this time they had hope.
Tabitha POV
Tabitha walked on the path back to the inn, it was the same today, nothing, as always she found no source on how to get home. It was hard on her, but she did not show any facial change. She had decided long ago to not show any signs of weakness, it was a promise to herself that she would take care of herself. But even then, she couldn't help but feel a bit down.
Just then in the streets cheerful music began playing, it was very soothing and helped her feel a bit better. As she looked around for the source of the sound, she saw that a large amount of people were gathering over there. Small children ride on the shoulder of their parents and the people were all very excited, it seems that some kind of show was performing on the streets.
Tabitha felt a bit curious, as well as she felt the need to relax a bit, the stress that bottled within her these couple of days had left her in a less than perfect state. So following the crowd of people Tabitha approached the show, the music became louder as well, she could recognize the sound of beating drums but couldn't identify the other two instruments.
Using her small body, Tabitha squeezed through the crowd; it was very difficult since everyone is trying to get a better look. But finally she reached the very front of the crowd and saw the performance.
It was four girls, three performing instruments while one is doing a dance. It was very obvious that they weren't human; the dancing pink haired girl had masks floating all around her, while the red haired drummer and the two naked footed string instrument players radiate a feeling of power in their music that was magical. Tabitha couldn't move her eyes from the performance, it was beautiful, that was the only way to describe it, the dance that the pink haired girl performed was magnificent, it followed the beat of the music, sometimes fast sometimes slow. The dance somehow made Tabitha feels more upbeat, it was like all the frustration within her had washed away, before she realized it, she was humming to the beat of the music, which surprised her.
Soon the performance was over, the crowd clapped as the performers bowed and left. Tabitha was feeling a lot better thanks to the performance, and once again headed for the inn. But as Tabitha walked a bit of distance she saw a weird person on the street.
"Excuse me, have you seen a girl with mask floating around her?" The weird person who had purple to brown hair caught Tabitha and asked her. Tabitha remembered the one of the performer girls; it seems that this person is looking for her.
"There." Tabitha said and pointed towards the direction that the girls went.
"Sorry about this but could you lead me to the place, I'm bad at following a rough direction." Tabitha was about to say no, but when she looked at the woman's face she couldn't say it. She had a motherly look on her; it made it very hard for Tabitha to refuse the woman's request. On the other hand, she didn't have any useful information anyway, so it is not a bad idea to help the locals. After a bit of thinking, Tabitha nodded, the woman looked really grateful and let out a soft smile.
"Thank you so much, I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Byakuren Hijiri. What's your name?"
"Tabitha."
Author's word: long break on this fanfic, so I'm planning different people to teach some of the characters. Journey to Yukari is probably going to be rough, poor Louise have no idea what Yukari is like. Anyway, Henrietta is going to spin the stone mill very soon and there is going to be a nasty surprise waiting for her when she does. Again thanks for reading this fic, thanks for sticking around this long.