Quick disclaimer: This world features traditions and terminologies based on real-world mythology and religions. They are not meant to be fully accurate representations of reality.
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The shrine looked abandoned.
Or maybe it just needed a lot of repairs? Hard to tell, especially when she'd just arrived. All that was certain was that at first glance, the small temple should have been declared condemned.
The young woman stood holding her bag as the taxi drove away, leaving her to her fate. At only 153 cm tall, with black hair that glittered red in the morning light, Sakura stared at the building with her bright silver eyes and wondered what she'd gotten herself into.
"Good morning, Sakura-chan," came a gravelly voice from within. "Come on inside, I've got some tea ready."
Sakura blinked as she made her way to the sliding paper doors. "Obaa-san? You're here already?"
"No, it's a bakeneko. Just get in here child, we've got things to discuss!"
Leaving her bag next to the door and remembering to take off her shoes at the step, Sakura quietly entered the temple only to discover the inside was far and away more clean than the outside - a full kitchen sat at the far end of the space while a tiny stove and kettle inhabited one corner of the 12-tatami living area.
Seated with her legs crossed was the woman Sakura always called Granny, but who was in no way her grandmother: the priestess of the Nijiirogami Shrine, old lady Maria. She carefully poured two steaming mugs of green tea with a practiced ease Sakura could only dream of one day obtaining.
"You have all your things?" the old woman croaked.
"Yes," said Sakura. "It took awhile to sort out what I was okay with leaving behind, but I'm ready!"
Miko Maria nodded, "Good to hear, child. I was afraid there would be no one left in this day and age who respected the old ways. Your spirit gives this old woman comfort."
Sakura chuckled nervously, scratching the back of her head.
"Oh, and don't mind the outside. I've got some big, strong guys coming over this week to fix up the roof and make the place presentable again."
"O-okay…"
The two women sat and discussed the duties of a Miko while sipping their tea. It was all stuff the younger girl had heard many times before - much of her last year had been spent preparing for this very day - but she still paid attention when the older woman spoke. If there was one lesson Sakura Rose had learned during the 16 years of her life, it was to respect her elders.
As the only child of her now-deceased mother, Sakura had no one to turn to and nowhere to go until the day the records department uncovered her bloodline connection with this old shrine outside the city. By all legal rights it now belonged to her, and much to the delight of the local historical society, she elected not to tear it down. In fact, after meeting the resident priestess here, Sakura was moved enough to take up the job herself. The shrine was part of her family history. It only made sense.
"Alrighty then," Maria put down her mug and sighed. "Go on in and get settled. Your room is at the end of the hall. We'll get started on your proper training after lunch."
"Okay."
Moving with careful steps that minded the age of the floorboards, Sakura collected her bag and made her way to the room where she was set to spend the rest of her youth. It was a little depressing, but it wasn't like this was all she'd ever have. She was a Miko now, not a monk - starting Monday she'd be attending a new school, meeting new friends, and generally living like a normal teenager. Without Mom, though… Tokyo would feel very lonely.
Sakura slid open the door to her room with a sigh.
A trio of beautiful women reclined within, a hookah pipe shared between them.
"..."
They stared at each other for several moments. It was hard not to stare when one of the women had her kimono lazily thrown open, putting a truly scandalous amount of skin on display.
Finally Sakura said, "...My apologies, wrong room," and backed away, sliding the door shut again.
She stood stock still for a few minutes, letting the image sink in. This was supposed to be her room, in a backwater shrine with only an old woman living here and just one, count 'em one, bar of phone service. Who the blazes were those women?!
No noise came from inside, so Sakura gathered her courage to confront the strangers, took a breath and opened the door once again…
The room was empty.
"..."
A careful search revealed no sign that anyone had been here - not even a whiff of the smoke from the pipe - so she concluded that it was just a daydream. Nothing serious. Without another thought she pulled her bag inside and knelt down to start unpacking.
[Why are we hiding? Mortals can't see us-]
[Are you dense? The child looked right at us! She is clearly powerful in spirit.]
[Not another exorcist… I was just getting cozy…]
Sakura blinked at the sound of voices that were not quite voices. Almost like they were in her head.
[She brought her belongings? Does she intend to live here?]
[I knew it, that old bat means to drive us out after all!]
"Who's there?" Sakura finally lost her patience. "I'm not afraid to call the police, you know."
[...Does she not know what we are?]
"I can hear you just fine," she growled and stood to her feet. "If you're squatting, I'll have you know I'm the legal owner of this land now. I can have you arrested."
No one came out of hiding, but the air seemed to grow cold out of nowhere. Her ears tried to pop from a sudden increase in pressure.
[What is your name, child?]
"S-S-Sakura… Sakura Rose."
The air before her shimmered and bent, revealing the trio from before (fully dressed this time). Once again Sakura was struck by their beauty; one woman was elegant and noble with hair of pure white, one was luscious and dark with hair of deepest ebony, and one was brilliant and glowing with hair of a fiery blonde.
"Rose…" the white-haired one said, "You are the child of Osiria?"
Sakura blinked. "I… do not know that name. My mother was called Summer."
The women turned and began muttering to each other, only glancing her way once or twice.
Sakura cleared her throat, "How did you all appear out of thin air like that? Are you spirits?" It wouldn't be unheard of for wayward ghosts to find a home in a rundown place like this, but she certainly didn't expect to be holding a conversation with them. Upon further study the women did appear somewhat out of place, their garb having a medieval flair normally found in cosplay.
The trio turned back to Sakura and gestured with their hands. Behind them came a flash of otherworldly light… and there appeared a thick shimenawa, a sacred rope, around each of their heads.
"Not… exactly," said the white goddess.
Sakura promptly passed out.
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She only woke up again at lunchtime, alone, but Sakura didn't dare report what she'd seen to the older priestess. One didn't just tell people they'd seen literal goddesses lounging in their room while smoking a pipe unless one wanted a one-way trip to a mental hospital.
Instead she quietly sat through lunch, dutifully followed Miko Maria's instructions on ceremonies and traditional duties, and generally got the lay of the temple and shrine layout memorized. It wasn't anything outside of her skillset - this kind of work usually came pretty easy for her, hence her normally high grades in her first year of high school.
Then came the evening. Maria had to make a trip across the prefecture, leaving Sakura alone on the temple grounds.
With 3 goddesses who were most definitely still around.
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Crickets chirped loudly from the bushes beyond the paper-thin walls (literally in this case). A cool breeze drifted lazily through the open windows, not even strong enough to stir the dust in the corners. Sakura Rose knelt reverently before the golden monument in the deepest part of the complex, the shrine itself, as she vigilantly tried to clear her mind. It wouldn't be long now…
[Ah, there you are. Perhaps we should give you a moment…?]
At the sound of the voice, Sakura pressed her head against the mat and muttered, "I beg your forgiveness, Lords of Nijiirogami… I faced you without knowing what you were, blasphemed, and smeared my soul with dishonor."
[...]
No reply came straight away, but the newest priestess dared not lift her face to look around.
[Raise your head, child of Osiria.]
Sakura did as instructed (even if that name still meant nothing to her) but found the room unchanged. The presence of the trio could still be felt, however.
"Back here."
She turned to find the three goddesses kneeling on the mat behind her, their divine auras toned down so they looked much as they had upon her first viewing. All three looked at her with gentle expressions filled with kindness.
The white goddess was the first to address Sakura. "We hold nothing against you, child. We bid thee welcome, priestess of Nijiirogami."
All three quietly spoke words that seemed familiar to Sakura, though she couldn't put her finger on why. Still, this at least felt like something important so she remained quiet.
In unison, the trio of goddesses made a gesture, their fingers gently engulfed by a flash of light that lasted a mere instant. The white goddess smiled and said, "With that, our bond is established. We are at your service."
"WOO!" The blonde goddess broke the mood with a single shout as she lifted a bottle high into the air. "Time to par- tay! What better excuse is there to imbibe on the best sake this side of Kyoto?"
"Impatient as ever," The ebony-haired goddess chided her companion. "Would it not be prudent to introduce ourselves first?"
Sakura giggled at the exchange but otherwise kept quiet.
"My name is Shiro," said the white goddess. A gesture to her blonde companion, "That is Kiiro," then the ravenette, "and that is Kuro."
Sakura blinked. "Colors?"
"Is that not what Nijiiro means? Colors of the rainbow?" Shiro-o stated in a way that could only be considered elegant. "There were many more of us in days long past, but… only we three remain. The rest have returned to the heavens or wandered into the wider world, seeking new homes."
"Buncha pansies," growled Kiiro-o.
"We remain," Shiro-o cut off her sister with a glare, "...to keep a promise. An oath made to, and by, your ancestor."
"Osiria?" Sakura guessed.
"Indeed. There is trouble coming, child of the rose. Your arrival heralds a great change, and we are here to assist your endeavors."
Sakura's heart started beating harder. "Trouble? I am no fighter, I'll have you know-"
"With our power at your side, you need not be," said Kuro-o.
"We'll look out for ya, Sakura-chan!" Kiiro-o cheered.
"There is still time to acclimate," said Shiro-o, her soft voice calming Sakura's nerves even now. "Time to train, to understand your duties… and to know the demons that approach."
So much for soothing her nerves.
"Before the old woman has left you to watch the shrine alone, we will begin your training in the ways of exorcism," Shiro-o continued. "As well as revealing the sacred blade forged by Osiria, the Crescent Rose. With it, vanquishing Yokai will be as child's play."
Sakura gulped loudly. She steeled herself and bowed again, face against the floor, "I humbly accept the task you have appointed me, Lords of-"
"Oi, cut that out," said Kiiro-o all of a sudden. "No formal crap. We're practically roommates now, that's too weird."
"But you're goddesses…"
"And your ' goddesses' are telling you to can it. You gonna talk back or lighten up?"
Sakura smiled in spite of herself, sat up and looked them all in the eyes once again, each as clear and bright as the purest gemstones.
"Okay."
"Oh, I almost forgot." Shiro-o smiled brightly, "I think I can safely speak for us all when I say… welcome home, Sakura-dono."
Something about her words was enough to get the young Miko weeping. "I-I'm home."
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The next morning found the young girl tearing down the country roads at breakneck speeds. On foot.
"A little LESS power would be nice, Kiiro-sama!" wailed Sakura as her feet propelled her almost without her consent, handbag trailing behind.
[I told you to call me Kiiro-chan! And didn't you say you were going to be late?] came the disembodied voice of the blonde deity.
Kuro-o chimed in, [Just focus on where to go, Sakura-dono. Your feet will do the rest.]
The fact that she had a massive cloud of dust behind her was a bit distracting (though it was awesome), but she heeded their words and kept running. She hadn't slept in for years, but no one could blame her; she and her goddesses had stayed up most of the night chatting and celebrating their new friendship. They had a lot to talk about.
Not the least of which was the news that Sakura could channel their power into herself. Hence why she was currently giving a fine impersonation of a certain blue hedgehog.
[Left at the next intersection, then an immediate right] said Shiro-o from somewhere above. She had studied the map given to her by Sakura in order for them all to find her new school in a timely manner, and so far she hasn't steered them wrong. Having a bird's-eye view of the city certainly helped.
Sakura continued running while trying to keep out of sight of the main road if possible. She didn't need that kind of attention. Keeping her focus on the road ahead, she turned according to Shiro-o's directions and soon enough reached the front gate.
And immediately collapsed.
"-Methinks you went a touch overboard, sister," said Shiro-o as the trio manifested next to her.
Kiiro-o chuckled, "Nah, she's just out of shape."
"When you… *gasp* …when you said you were… *gasp* …bonded to me, you didn't… *gasp* …say anything about following me around everywhere!" Sakura choked out a protest from ground level.
The trio glanced at each other and smirked. Kuro-o said, "We assumed such a detail would have been inferred, Miko-san.~"
After several minutes of catching her breath, Sakura stood up and dusted off her uniform. "Urusai," she grumbled. "I missed breakfast AND the bus, and that makes me grumpy."
Shiro-o glanced around them and said, "You might wish to bear in mind, Sakura-dono… only you can see or hear us."
Sakura followed her gaze and discovered, to her horror, that other students were watching her. And staring.
If they couldn't see Shiro-o, Kuro-o or Kiiro-o, then it must've looked like Sakura was talking to herself. Out loud. Like a lunatic.
Face growing hot enough to spontaneously combust, Sakura quietly growled, "Tell me these things SOONER!" She turned on her heels and marched into the school before the trio could respond, making a beeline for the shoe lockers and hoping no one from her class had seen that.
First day in school and she already looked crazy? Somebody kill her now…
The trio continued muttering to each other in her head as Sakura navigated the halls, transfer paperwork in hand. As a result of this distraction the young priestess failed to watch where she was going, turned a blind corner too fast and walked headlong into another student, taking them both to the floor. Papers flew everywhere, both her own and the stack once held by the collision victim.
"Oh jeez, are you oka-"
Words could not form in Sakura's mouth any more. Her brain had shut down.
The girl beneath her was gorgeous.
Long red hair splayed out behind her in an aura like some kind of Renaissance painting, eyes the color of fresh-cut grass after a rain, and lightly tanned skin that didn't display a single blemish… holy hell.
"Um…" said the prone girl, "You gonna stay there all day?"
"Twidyeojf," said Sakura. A firm shake of the head later, "I mean, no… goddammit, I'm so sorry." She scrambled back to her feet and helped the girl up. "I was… distracted."
The girl chuckled as she collected herself, pushing a strand of red hair that also held a tinge of pink behind her ear, "No worries. You're new here, right? It's easy to get lost for newbies."
HOW DID SHE KNOW?! "Uhh, y-yeah I'm new. Just l-looking for my homeroom." Sakura quickly bent down and started helping collect the scattered papers before she planted her foot in her mouth.
The girl seemed grateful. "Why thank you. My name's Octavia. I'm the Class Rep for 2-C."
"I'm Psjuehsdndh."
"...Pardon?"
"SAKURA! Sakura Rose."
Octavia giggled, and it almost looked like the lights in the hallway were dropping flower petals.
"It's nice to meet you, Sakura-chan. I look forward to seeing you again."
Sakura said nothing more as the angel in a school uniform walked away, leaving her utterly speechless.
[Oh my… that was quite a reaction.]
Only her, it seemed.
[I was under the impression that girls normally swoon over boys…]
[Well it has been a few hundred years since we've been away from that shrine. I'm sure there's plenty of new things to learn in this world of ours.]
[Good luck, Sakura-chan! We're rooting for you~!]
While their words did little to instill her with confidence, Sakura still felt better for them. She'd been on her own for some time after mom died, but now… now she had a family. Divine or otherwise, she finally had a place to belong.
And that was enough.
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"Um… excuse me…"
"Yes?"
"Can you tell me… no, where is… how many…"
"You okay?"
"I… Coco! Aide-moi!"
"...?"
"Relax Velvet, I'm right here." The pair of girls eventually sat next to Sakura in the cafeteria, one with brown hair just over her eyes and the other with a fancy beret and sunglasses. Indoors. For some reason. "Hey there. I'm Coco, and that's Velvet."
"He… hello."
"Don't mind her, we're exchange students from France. And only one of us actually finished our Japanese lessons before we arrived."
"You are quite good at it. I can barely tell you're not a native. My name is Sakura Rose."
"Why thank you, Saku-chan. Please get along well with us."
"Likewise."
"Hmm~... you have a look in your eyes I've seen before. You've seen someone… hot, haven't you~?"
"...!"
"Ooh, I like that blush! Tell me all about him, Saku-chan. Or her, I don't care which."
"On y va encore une fois…"
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Designation: Remnant-0155 (Earth #14)
Type 1B Common Alternate World
Class 4 Population – 100/0 HF (Human/Faunus) Ratio
Grimm Threat NOT DETECTED
Environment: GREEN
Integrity: GREEN
Culture: GREEN
Dust/Aura: RED
Deviation from Standard: 62.8 %
Special Note: Yet another "Earth" world, though this one has readings I can't quite identify. They're not the same as other worlds that have what Rain calls magic, but they're pretty close. What worries me are the signals that look an awful lot like Grimm readings…
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Author's Note: I know my update schedule is nothing less than erratic, so kudos to everyone still hanging around. Your patience is greatly appreciated.
This Ruby was loosely inspired by Hakurei Reimu of Tohou Project fame, though she quickly found a life of her own from there. The 'goddesses' were supposed to be Weiss, Blake and Yang in case I wasn't clear enough. There's a good chance I'll return to this Remnant sometime in the future, but I make no promises.
Next Chapter: I think it's high time we visited a world where Ruby and Co are plain old Huntresses again. Of course, in a fic like this, things are never that easy…
=^..^=
