Author's Note: It has been a while, hasn't it? A lot of things have happened in my life, and to be fair, it's still happening. Because of that, I wasn't really able to frequently update my stories, and most likely still won't be able for a while. But there's no need to worry, because as I have mentioned before, I won't cancel this story or any other, it might take me a while to finish this one, but it will be complete eventually. I appreciate all of you that are still following my stories, I'm glad that you're still patient after all this time. I apologize if this chapter has worse quality than previous ones, I haven't really written anything in a while, so my writing skills most likely could have suffered after that long of time. Without further ado, please enjoy the chapter and don't forget to leave a review after you're done.
Reimu's slumber was broken by sunlight shining through the curtains.
She once again expected that she would wake up back at her shrine, where everything was in perfect order.
No such luck, unfortunately.
Someone suddenly knocked at her door.
She glanced at it.
-It's open.
It was Sakuya, she peeked through the door.
-You're awake.
The shrine maiden nodded.
-My mistress have requested that you present yourself in the dining room, as soon as possible.
Reimu nodded once again.
The maid then closed the door.
So, it's the time for the meeting now? She was hoping that she could rest for a bit more, but it seems, that there's no rest for the wicked...
The shrine maiden took a quick bath, put up her clothes, and left the room to head towards the dining room.
She knocked on the door and entered the room.
Everyone was already present inside, Patchouli, Yukari, Flandre, Sakuya, Reisen. The atmosphere was tense, most likely everyone still remembered the event from yesterday.
They were all seated at the table, Reimu quickly took a seat.
The blonde vampire, noticing that everyone has arrived, clasped her hands together.
-Now that everyone is present here, I would like for us to properly start the meeting now. Unless, there are any objections to that?
The magician piped in.
-I don't mind, as long as it doesn't turn out to be a repeat of yesterday.
Flandre sighed.
-I'll admit that things got a bit out of hand yesterday, but today I want to get to the issue at hand because we don't have the privilege of time on our hands.
The gap youkai chuckled.
-A bit? You have nearly killed me there.
Sakuya then loudly cleared her throat.
-Please everyone, I'm aware that the atmosphere is tense because of the unfortunate situation from yesterday, but my mistress only wishes to address the issue at hand, so we don't waste any more time than necessary.
Flandre smiled.
-Thank you, Sakuya. Now, as I mentioned before, I wish to start this meeting to explain to everyone, the information that I have acquired from Yakumo and our "mysterious benefactor" yesterday.
The vampire relayed to everyone present everything that she learned yesterday.
Reimu zoned out during the explanation, she already knew most of it, and she couldn't really find herself to focus.
After Flandre was done, she again addressed everyone.
-Now that everyone is up to speed, I would wish to propose to you all, a plan that I have thought of, with help of Sakuya.
No one said anything, the vampire took the group's silence, as the cue to continue.
-As you all know well, the yin-yang orb is being held in a deposit box within the vault of the National Bank. The frontal assault is out of question, we don't want to attract too much attention to us, that's why we will attempt to steal the orb using the cover of the night. We will do it tonight, with the help of bank layout and pass codes, we should be able to gain access to the vault quickly and without raising any alarms. The only problem would be opening the deposit box, considering the importance of the item, it could have some kind of alarm if we would brute force opening it.
Reisen raised her hand.
-I can help with that, I have some experience with opening various locks.
Flandre raised her eyebrow.
-Now that's a surprise, I didn't expect you to have some kind of thieving skills.
-I learned that back in the army, it was useful to gain entrance to various buildings quietly.
The vampire nodded.
-That does solve the only problem we had with this plan, now if somebody has any questions, then it is good time to ask them.
Reimu had one. She could understand having the layout of the bank to have better understanding how the building looks like inside, but she didn't really see why they would need the pass codes to get past certain doors, Yukari should be able to get us inside straight away with her gap ability.
She raised her hand and asked this.
The gap youkai chuckled.
-A valid observation, Reimu. However, these pass codes are more for disabling sensors inside the bank that would trigger a silent alarm if they would detect any living thing moving. They always turn these sensors on after closing times, so it would be next to impossible to steal anything without attracting police attention.
Flandre nodded.
-It is as Yakumo says, however her ability can still be useful to quickly escape from the bank.
Reimu nodded, she felt a bit stupid for asking that question now, but it couldn't be helped, she wasn't really knowledgeable about technology.
-If that's all questions, then for the conclusion of this meeting, I will say who will participate on this mission. It will be Reimu, Sakuya, Yakumo and Reisen.
Reimu was surprised, that it was just four of them in a mission to recover a very important item.
-What about you, Flandre? You're not going with us?
The vampire smiled and tapped her wings.
-These things don't make it easy for me to sneak around. You don't really want walking christmas lights along for a quiet operation, do you? I'm more suited for a head-on approach, as you should know well by now. Don't worry, though, me and Patchy will stay here at the ready. If something goes wrong, then Sakuya only has to send a message or call me, and we will both head out to support you.
The shrine maiden nodded, she felt relieved that she could still count on both of them if the mission won't work out as planned.
Flandre clasped her hands together.
-Since everyone knows their role, then you're all dismissed for now. Remember to save your strength for tonight operation, you don't really want to go out being tired for such important task.
Everyone nodded their heads and got up from their seats and left the room.
Only Reimu didn't move from her seat.
She guessed that she likewise should go rest up before it was time to go, but she didn't feel like sleeping now.
Perhaps she should check up on others? To hear what they thought of this whole mission. It would also help her, collect her thoughts about all of this.
She figured that she should start with Yukari, after all she was closest to her of all people present here.
The shrine maiden got up and left the room as well, she started looking around for the gap youkai.
On her way, she stumbled across Rumia cleaning one of the windows in the corridor.
She smiled and patted the head of the youkai.
-Hey, Rumia. How is working for Flandre treating you?
The youkai smiled back.
-It's good! I don't really have to do a lot, and I get food, can clean myself up in hot water and sleep in a comfortable bed.
Reimu nodded.
-Glad to hear that. I won't bother you then, but before I go, do you know where Maribel might be? I'm looking for her.
Rumia pointed towards the end of the corridor, where stairs were.
-Oh, I believe she went up on the roof.
-Thanks, that's a big help.
Reimu patted the youkai's head once more and then headed towards the stairs up to the roof.
Yukari was standing on the edge of the roof, leaning on the railing, just like Rumia mentioned.
The gap youkai heard the shrine maiden approach her, but she didn't turn around to face her.
-You're not resting, Reimu? Seems bizarre that you wouldn't take advantage of the situation to stay lazy until the night.
She chuckled as she said this.
-I'm not really tired, besides I wanted to ask you a question.
Yukari raised her eyebrow.
-Really? Ask it then.
-What do you think of this whole mission?
-There's not much to think about here, Reimu. We got everything we need to succeed. We have layout, we have pass codes, and we have mostly reliable team taking part in it.
-Mostly?
The gap youkai nodded.
-Yes, I don't really trust that rabbit, I would say that she would easily flee and leave us in the face of a life-threatening situation. Fortunately, this mission shouldn't put us in any form of danger, if it goes smoothly. Still, it doesn't hurt to keep an eye on her.
The shrine maiden nodded.
-And what do YOU think of it, Reimu?
Reimu was surprised at the sudden question.
-Me? I'm not sure, I'm just not really used to dealing with this kind of situation like this, I always preferred the Gensokyo's more direct way of solving problems. You know, find the one behind the incident, beat them up and then everything returns back to normal.
Yukari chuckled at the description.
-Unfortunately, this isn't Gensokyo, Reimu. We have to adapt to this world's rules, just as we followed the rules of our world. Anyway, don't worry too much about it, the chance of us failing this mission is extremely slim, and we will be able to restore Gensokyo and Hakurei Barrier after we retrieve yin-yang orb. Go rest up, you will need it.
The shrine maiden nodded.
-I'll think about it, for now, I still want to talk to others.
-Suit yourself, just remember to conserve your energy today.
-I will.
Reimu then headed downstairs, she was thinking of checking on Sakuya now. It could be a bit hard to find her, considering her duties.
On her way, she stumbled across a certain devil.
She had long red hair and her eyes were the same color. She was wearing a black dress with white sleeves and a red tie. She also had two pairs of bat-like wings, one on the sides of her head, and one on her back.
This was Koakuma, personal assistant to Patchouli. Reimu met her during the Scarlet Mist incident, and also a few times during her visits to the mansion, though, she didn't really talk much with her.
She smiled upon spotting the shrine maiden and lightly flapped her wings in a friendly manner.
-Oh! Miss Reimu! It's good to see you well.
-I wouldn't really call myself doing well, but I'm alive nevertheless. I haven't seen you when I arrived here two days ago.
Koakuma laughed.
-We must have missed each other. I'm often outside doing errands for Lady Patchouli. You know that she's not really an outdoors person.
The shrine maiden nodded.
-I'm really sorry, I would really want to stay and talk more, but unfortunately, I'm on one of these errands now.
-I understand, but before you go, do you have an idea where Sakuya might be?
The devil clutched her chin in thought.
-Hmm, I'm not sure, but she might be in the kitchen right now, she's usually preparing tea for mistress at this time.
-Thanks a lot.
Koakuma bowed respectfully.
-Don't worry about it, I'll be seeing you then, Miss Reimu.
The shrine maiden nodded.
The devil then went ahead.
Kitchen it is. Reimu thankfully remembered where it was exactly from all the visits to the mansion.
The shrine maiden soon arrived there, she didn't stumble across anybody else on the way.
And sure enough, there was Sakuya there, preparing the tea, just like Koakuma said.
The maid noticed Reimu enter the kitchen, but didn't say anything.
The shrine maiden approached her.
-Sakuya.
The maid nodded her head.
-Reimu.
The shrine maiden awkwardly scratched her head. Sakuya didn't really feel approachable today.
-Sorry to bother you when you're busy, but do you mind if I ask you a question?
She nodded her head once more.
-Go ahead.
-What do you think of this mission?
The maid stopped what she was doing and sighed, she then looked directly at Reimu.
-It's something that I have been waiting for a while now, Reimu. A chance to return everything back to its previous state. I'll admit that I miss Gensokyo, before it, I was just a husk of a human, barely showing any emotion, just plainly living and doing everything that my mistress requested. Having no thoughts of my own. I believe that even my lady noticed that, she of course, had her own reasons for relocating to Gensokyo, but I think that helping my state was one of them as well. Gensokyo reignited my interest in being myself again. I felt alive again. I met you and others who showed me that not all humans are scums like I was surrounded with back then.
The shrine maiden nodded, she was listening intently to the maid, not saying anything to let her continue.
-But then the barrier shattered and Gensokyo disappeared. Lady Remilia left us to pursue something, and the peace that we were enjoying was destroyed in an instant. I respect Lady Flandre trying to restore that peace in some manner, but I don't think that she's fit to be leader. She's way too impulsive and prone to violence, you saw the situation from yesterday yourself. I believe that she knows that as well, that's why she wants her older sister to return just as much as we, the residents of the mansion, want to. That's why we HAVE to succeed today, Reimu. We all want that peace to be back.
Reimu nodded.
-After we get my powers back, I will try my best to bring everything back to normal, I promise you that, Sakuya. Thank you for confiding in me.
-It should be me thanking you, Reimu. This talk has made me feel a bit better. You should get some rest, there's not much time before nighttime, so you should be well-rested before the mission starts.
-You're not the first one to tell me that.
The maid chuckled.
-I assume that I won't be the last one, either.
The shrine maiden smiled sheepishly.
-Most likely.
The only one left to visit was Reisen, then she really should follow the advice of both Yukari and Sakuya.
Reimu was about to leave the kitchen, but then she realized that she didn't really know where Reisen's room was.
-Uh, Sakuya? Could you show me where Reisen's room is? I want to talk to her.
The maid raised her eyebrow.
-As luck would have it, I will be going to deliver tea to my mistress now, and Reisen's room is not far from Lady Flandre's room, so I can take you there.
-Thanks, that's really helpful.
Sakuya picked up a tray that had tea and some desserts on it.
-Don't mention it, let us go then.
They both left the kitchen, the walk was uneventful, they didn't meet anybody on the way.
The maid shown Reimu where Reisen's room is, and then they separated from there.
The shrine maiden lightly knocked on the door.
-Who is it?
Reimu heard moon rabbit's voice from the room.
-It's me, Reimu.
After a moment of silence, she finally got an answer.
-Come in.
The shrine maiden opened the door and went inside.
The room looked just like hers, most likely every guest room in the mansion looks the same.
She saw Reisen sitting on the bed, she had a troubled look on her face.
-I probably didn't really give a good impression of myself back then. I think it would be for the best if I just went back to master and told her that you won't have any use of me. You don't really need me to open that deposit box anyway.
Reimu sighed, she came here to help her collect her own thoughts, and not really deal with situations like this, but she had to try somehow.
She put both of her hands on moon rabbit's shoulders.
-Look, Reisen. We aren't kicking you out nor even thinking badly of you because of that situation from yesterday. We need all the help we can get in order to restore Gensokyo, but we also need to be certain that you won't run away on us, just because something didn't go according to plan.
The moon rabbit looked on the ground, she was shivering.
-I-I don't know. T-That vampire just killed that fairy that didn't do anything to her in a cold b-blood. I-I don't really feel safe with her around...
-I'll admit that she went too far this time, but while it might not look like it, she's just lost like you.
She looked at the shrine maiden curiously.
-Lost?
Reimu nodded.
-Yes, she has a lot on her shoulders right now. She was told by her older sister to look after the mansion and the residents after she left, in other words, become their leader, and to be fair, she's not really good leader, but she's trying her best. She's been on the edge for a bit now, and she finally snapped after she got provoked by Yukari here. But you don't need to worry, she won't hurt you or anybody else anymore. I won't allow it.
So she said, but then again she knew well that if the vampire snapped again she wouldn't be able to do anything to stop her, but the moon rabbit didn't have to know that. Ignorance is bliss, as they say.
-You promise?
Reimu hesitated for a bit, but she nodded her head after a second.
-I promise.
Reisen then hugged Reimu.
-Okay, I believe you, Reimu. I'm sorry for being such deadweight. I'll try my best to keep up with you all tonight.
The shrine maiden patted the moon rabbit's shoulder in a friendly manner.
-Attagirl. Get some rest now, I will be doing the same. I'll see you later.
Reisen nodded.
-Yes, see you later, Reimu.
The shrine maiden then left the room and decided to return back to her own room.
She arrived there without meeting anybody on the way, she went inside, closed the door behind her and sighed loudly.
She didn't expect for her talk with Reisen to look like this, but at least she thought that she handled it in a somewhat acceptable manner.
She was exhausted both physically and mentally after talking with everyone, but the one good thing that came from that is that she at least got a bit of her confidence back. She actually talked more than a few sentences now.
But now she really should get some rest before the mission, after all, she did spend some time talking with everyone, so there wasn't a lot of time left before it.
Reimu laid down on the bed, and after staring at the ceiling for a bit, she finally closed her eyes, leading her into a deep sleep.
Author's Note 2: As a bit of Behind the Scenes, I originally planned for Reimu to talk with 8 people, but then I shortened it into talking with just the people that she would be going on a mission with and two extra cameos. The ones that didn't make it were Flandre, Patchouli and Meiling. However, I did incorporate some of the Flandre's talk stuff into Sakuya's talk. The rest two were completely cut.