Author's Note: I managed to find some time to write Chapter 2, so hurray! As before, I appreciate any review and criticism, so please let me know what do you think of my story so far. Chapter 3 might take a while for me to write, so as recompensation, I wrote a pretty long chapter, so without further ado, please enjoy!
-Sakuya? Is that you?
Reimu asked, not hiding surprise on her face.
-Correct.
Sakuya smiled then bowed slightly, however she grimaced right after, and looked right into the eyes of the miko.
-I'm sure you have a lot to ask, but this isn't place nor time to ask them. I'll answer any questions you have, when we get back to the mansion.
Sakuya then started walking towards a nearby alley.
Mansion? Scarlet Devil Mansion is here? Then where she was really? This didn't really look like Gensokyo, but then again, she didn't really explore much of the place before she got caught.
Reimu thought to herself and decided to follow after Sakuya.
The duo entered the alley and were slowly walking through it, but suddenly Sakuya grabbed Reimu's hand and dragged her into the shadows.
-Shhh. Don't move a muscle.
The shrine maiden was confused, why Sakuya did that, but then she heard a distorted voice from the end of the alley.
-Man down! I repeat we have a man down! Please advise!
A second male voice, this time sounding clear, replied to him.
-Block all roads and heighten patrols, we can't let intruder escape. Check every alley, intruder might be there too.
Once again a distorted voice answered to his orders.
-Understood, Captain!
Reimu then heard someone coming towards them, it seemed to be the person that was talking with someone a moment ago.
-I wonder if it's another of the "specimens".
Man said to himself.
Specimens? What was he talking about?
Reimu's train of thought was cut short by Sakuya throwing her knife at the exposed part of armor near the neck area of the man.
He looked bewildered at the sudden attack and clutched the knife in an attempt to get it out.
Sakuya then moved at such high speed, that no human possibly could move and snapped his neck in quick motion, killing him instantly. She then removed the knife from his neck and cleaned blood off the blade.
It was no surprise for Reimu that Sakuya could move that fast, after all she did fight her multiple times before during many of the incidents. She had the ability to control time, she could speed it up, slow it and stop it altogether. She was such a hard opponent that she wondered if Sakuya was even "serious" during their fights.
-Looks like they are already onto us.
Sakuya stated, then she holstered her knife and walked towards Reimu and put hands on her shoulders and looked right into shrine maiden's eyes.
-Listen, Reimu. I need you to stay close to me and listen to ABSOLUTELY everything that I say. If you fail to do so, then I can't promise your safety.
Reimu noted that she had a serious look and wasn't joking around. She nodded slowly, after all she didn't have reason, why she shouldn't trust one of her friends, and of course Sakuya was the only familiar person that she has met here, it would be wise for her to stick together with her.
-Good. Follow me and stick close.
Sakuya released the shrine maiden from her grip and started walking towards the end of the alley, ignoring the corpse of the man, Reimu following close.
Sakuya stopped at the end and looked around.
-There are no patrols here thankfully, and there's the next alley to the left where we need to go. It's best if we run there quickly before they decide to check this area. Are you ready?
The shrine maiden nodded.
-Alright, then GO!
Sakuya then quickly dashed in the direction of the alley, with Reimu sticking close.
However, miko didn't notice, a tin can lying on the pavement and by accident kicked it during her dash, which caused the can to fly towards the alley and crash into a dumpster with a loud bang.
They stopped at the alley and Sakuya signaled to Reimu to wait in the shadows, so that they can confirm that nothing heard the loud noise.
Sadly it wasn't their lucky day, since they heard small footsteps coming towards them.
Sakuya quickly unholstered her knife and waited near the dumpster for the person to come close to her.
Footsteps were drawing closer and when they were too close, Sakuya quickly swept their legs, and she jumped on the person and put knife near their throat.
That person looked like a small girl, she had short dirty blonde hair, red eyes and dirty tattered clothing, she looked like she didn't have anything to eat for a long time, and she didn't get clean for a while.
She looked absolutely horrified, her eyes were wandering everywhere in an attempt to find escape from this situation, she quickly gave up and looked straight into Sakuya's eyes.
-Please don't kill me! I heard a noise and thought it was just some rat, that I could eat. I didn't mean to startle you!
Sakuya looked carefully at the small girl, she actually had a hunch that she met this girl before, but she wasn't sure.
She looked at her hair and noticed a red ribbon attached to the side of her hair.
Then it hit her.
-Youkai of darkness? Why are you here?
Rumia, Reimu remembered her name.
She was that weak youkai during the start of the Scarlet Mist incident. She tried to stop her during her investigation, but she didn't prove to be much of a challenge for her.
-Maid of Scarlet Devil? Wait, is that the shrine maiden behind you? She got back? Isn't that great!? We can finally repair the barrier and return to where we were!
Well, that did give her, a few hints about her circumstances. But she has to confirm her theory with Sakuya later at the mansion.
The maid pushed her knife against the throat of the smaller girl.
-I asked you the question. I suggest you to don't test my patience, youkai.
Fear returned to the eyes of Rumia.
-I was starving, I couldn't find anything in the regular part of the city and nobody wanted to help me, so I thought that maybe here I can find something to eat.
That certainly did match up with her appearance. She really looked like she didn't eat anything for quite some time.
Sakuya then released her and stood up.
-Fair enough. Good luck in your search then. Let's go, Reimu, time is short.
Sakuya started walking towards the end of the alley.
-Wait, are we really going to leave her like that?
Reimu asked.
Sakuya stopped walking and turned towards the shrine maiden.
-Your point being?
Sakuya nonchalantly asked.
-What if it was you? How would you feel like, if you got abandoned when you needed help?
Normally these words wouldn't do anything to Sakuya, but the circumstances made her remember these words from very long ago.
"Your parents abandoned you? I see, that's a real shame that such bad people exist in this world. Then how about you become my maid? I'll give you food and a place to stay at, and of course, a cute vampire to attend to!"
Sakuya once again looked at Rumia.
She saw a pleading look in her eyes.
-Fine, you win. Listen well, youkai, because I'm not going to repeat myself. Stay close to us and obey everything that I say, otherwise we will leave you here.
Rumia's eyes then lightened up, and she lightly smiled.
She quickly ran towards Reimu and hugged her tightly.
-Thank you, Miss Reimu! And you too, Miss Sakuya!
Sakuya chuckled without emotion.
-Don't thank me yet, after all, it's by mistress decision whether you will stay at the mansion or not.
Reimu lightly stroked Rumia's hair.
-Don't worry, Remilia is a good person, I'm sure she will let you stay.
Reimu reassured the smaller girl.
-I'm afraid that won't be the case.
Sakuya replied with a cold tone.
-What do you mean?
Reimu asked while tilting her head to side in confusion.
-No time to chitchat, we still aren't in clear.
Sakuya avoided the question.
-Um, if you're looking to escape this place, then I know how to bypass the soldiers and return to the central side of the city.
Rumia meekly stated.
-Oh really? Indulge me.
Sakuya looked at the smaller girl.
Rumia pointed at the ground.
-Sewers. We can use sewers to escape, I know the layout of them, because I used them plenty of times before to avoid soldiers. There is one sewer grate in this alley. Follow me, I'll show you.
Rumia then released Reimu from her hug and started walking towards the end of the alley.
The maid and the shrine maiden decided to follow her.
Rumia then after walking a bit, stopped and turned towards them.
-It's here.
She pointed at the ground, showing the grate.
Sakuya walked towards the grate and lifted it.
She then climbed down the sewers, youkai and miko following after.
The only thing that really didn't change in this world, was sewers. Reimu wasn't really happy about this fact, since it meant that sewers pretty much stank all the same.
-So, how do we get to the central side of the city from here?
Sakuya asked.
-Follow me, it's not that far from here.
Rumia started walking towards the sewers tunnel, the duo following her.
Youkai of darkness wasn't really lying, she really did skillfully navigate through the sewers. Reimu actually felt terrible for the smaller girl that she had to live in such conditions for quite some time.
After walking for a while, Rumia stopped near one of the ladders.
-This sewer grate leads to an alley in the central side of the city.
Sakuya nodded then started climbing up the ladder. She opened the grate and climbed out, after a moment she signaled for them to do the same.
They both did so.
-It appears that you didn't lie, youkai. I must thank you for leading us out of there.
Sakuya lightly patted Rumia on her head.
-Ehehehe.
The smaller girl beamed.
-I'll take it from here, we should be able to reach the mansion without much incident now. We still have to take a scenic route though to avoid attention. Can't really help it with your outfit, Reimu.
Sakuya chuckled.
-Well, excuse me for being Hakurei Shrine Maiden, Sakuya.
Reimu pouted.
The maid waved off the shrine maiden's comment and started heading onto the pavement, Rumia and Reimu following after her.
The road to the mansion wasn't really eventful. Few people were staring at Reimu's weird fashion style, but they didn't really disturb the trio.
After walking quite a bit, the trio finally arrived at the mansion.
Reimu noted that the mansion was in a different location than normally. It was positioned in the outskirts of the city than near the Misty Lake. She also noticed that the mansion didn't really change, it looked same as ever, including a clock tower on the roof of the mansion.
Reimu noticed someone stationed near the mansion's gate.
She had blue eyes and long, scarlet hair and two braids on both sides of her hair that were tied with black bows at the ends. She was wearing a black suit, suit trousers and suit shoes of the same color.
Upon noticing the trio, she saluted.
-Welcome back, Miss Sakuya! It's also good to see you too, Miss Hakurei and I see Youkai of the Darkness among you. I report that nobody tried to break into the mansion during your absence.
Girl stated while still saluting.
-At ease, Meiling. Good job out there. Is the mistress inside the mansion? There are few things that I have to discuss with her.
Sakuya asked.
-I didn't see her leaving, so she most likely must be still inside.
Meiling hummed in thought.
-Thanks. Keep up the good work, Meiling.
Gatekeeper once again saluted.
Hong Meiling, Reimu recalls. She met her during the Scarlet Mist incident. She wasn't much of a threat during danmaku fight, but she wouldn't dare to fight her in hand-to-hand combat.
Rumia, Sakuya and Reimu then entered the mansion.
Inside of the mansion haven't really changed. It is as every bit of fancy as Reimu remembers. She does remember it quite vividly, since she was a frequent visitor, mostly because Remilia kept making these parties and invited most of the Gensokyo residents. She wasn't sure, if she just wanted to be friendly or did it for the bragging rights. Could be either way for all she knew.
The maid guided both of them to the dining room, where Sakuya guessed that her mistress should.
Upon entering, Reimu quickly noticed somebody sitting at one of the fancy tables. She had red eyes and short blond hair, she had it tied into a small back ponytail, she also had strange wings that looked like branches that had crystals of various colors attached to them.
She was wearing a black tank top, red unbuttoned cardigan, red skirt and black thigh-highs.
Flandre Scarlet, younger sister of The Scarlet Devil, Reimu recalled.
It was a huge fashion change compared to what she was wearing previously, but then again, pretty much everybody that she have met changed their appearance.
But she was mistress of the mansion? What happened to Remilia? Reimu noted that Sakuya acted cold when her previous mistress was mentioned. Did she perish? That seems unlikely considering that Remilia was an extremely powerful vampire. Hope that they will answer all of her questions here.
-I have returned, mistress. I brought with myself, Hakurei Shrine Maiden and Youkai of Darkness.
Sakuya bowed elegantly.
Upon hearing these words, Flandre turned towards us and smiled. It wasn't the smile of a young girl that Reimu used to remember her by. She smiled almost exactly like her older sister used to.
-Welcome back, Sakuya. Excellent work.
Flandre replied to her maid, then turned towards Reimu.
-I must say, that I'm surprised to see you back after all this time, Reimu. Almost expected you to turn up dead. But these are good news to see you back in one piece, we might actually finally get Gensokyo back to square one.
She then turned towards Rumia.
-As for you, I'm quite surprised that you survived as long as you did. Considering your current appearance, you probably wouldn't last long if Sakuya didn't find you. We will find some work for you to do, so you needn't worry.
Vampire reassured her.
-I'm quite sure, that's unnecessary, but since you're going to be living here for a while, might as well do with some formality.
Flandre then stood up and raised her hands in an inviting pose.
-I welcome you two, to the mansion of The Scarlet Devil.