"It's Spring!" Ugh my head. I've gotten used to waking up at certain times and then promptly hit with a sleeping spell that Eirin created for the last few days. However, today I wasn't immediately hit with drowsiness. The light of the sun peaking through the bamboo curtains waited for me finally.
"Morning Venus, Meiling. Care to finally eat something from your 3 days nap?" Kaguya had a big plate filled with food. Getting up slightly I noticed they moved Meiling to the opposite of me. She looked alot better than the last time I saw her.
"You two are looking much better this morning. Now, eat this stuff it's filled with Eirin's life enhancement pills. It helps youkai and humans from being too groggy from long rests." Wordlessly we obeyed and ate. After a few minutes I began to fill way more awake and less tired.
"Here's some pure fresh water." Drinking from the cup...god! That is the best water I've had recently.
"One more thing." Kaguya fished out something golden and I realize immediately what it was.
"Ah ha! There's the reaction we was hoping for."...
*CLAP*
What? Kaguya look between us. Before writing down something.
"Dragon scales cause immediate eye dilation in both patients. Dragon genes recognize scales of brethren even after death. Possible hypnosis effects or long forgotten instincts causes long glazed stares and confusion upon regaining self. This might be a form of ritual or just a way to honor past..." Kaguya seem to nerd out before trailing off muttering away as she was engrossed in her findings.
"Are you just gonna test us or can we just go back to being asleep?" Meiling looked annoyed at the moon princess. Granted, I don't like this anymore than she does. Its kinda cruel to keep us in a catatonic state for so long that the first day of spring has came.
"It's for your own good, we've never treated you officially Meiling. Eirin had her doubts but now. We're mearly looking over old data and seeing if things need to be updated. Dragons are rare. So atleast enjoy being gods for a moment." I don't "feel like a god". I feel like a very irrate patient whose being treated as a labrat because of what I am. I didn't want this.
"This is godhood? Pretty shitty to think this is how you worship a god." Kaguya seemed offended at the remark.
"D-!?"
"Princess!" Kaguya was interrupted by Eirin.
"They're our patients, not gods. Just two very hurt youkai. We do not treat them anymore different than friends." Eirin walks over and shines a light in Meiling's eyes and does the same to me.
"Normal dilation, scelera is fully white and healthy. As for that mishap. Kaguya is well..." Eirin grimace as Kaguya was busy scribbling away.
"I wanna see those teeth are they all sharp or extremely pointy on the incisors?" Eirin huffs in disappointment.
"I would like to offer apologies to you both. I couldn't get here in time cause someone lock my office! Tewi!"
"I swear it wasn't me this time!" She hangs her head down before breathing in and exhaling harshly. Eirin goes back to her small smile.
"Kaguya is a dragon girl fanatic. Even as a child she would dream of the day she meets a real dragon." She's a horse girl fangirling about meeting her dream stallion?
"With all that said, you two are fully healed and rested. However, I want you two to stay because I think." Eirin just put her index finger to her lips.
"Meiling!"
"Lady Flandre. No yelling in an hospital."
"Kid is probably wondering what day it is."
"Yeah, though Iku almost caught on our plans. Hopefully, soon." Walking down to our side of the ward. The visitors come pouring in with Flandre crashing into Meiling. Only I notice the slight wince in her face from the impact. Meiling seem to glow slightly as she return the embrace. Patting Flandre's head like an...
"Yo, earth to Venus." I blink a few times and look at Medicine. I think my expression at the time was a somber smile. Realizing I was far more unlike anyone else here. That didn't stopped the clear happiness on her face.
"Yeah, I take it you're still shocked to be something more than you wished huh?" I mean. I'm still me. I haven't sprouted wings, became elongated and breathe fire. Well that last one is more likely. However, looking at my hands. Ever since I came here they remained new. No callouses from the work I've done, the scraps, the dirt. Spilt blood is one thing I don't want them to be covered in though. But, I can't run from the reality that is happening. A dragon? Me? Everything else is so much more normal before this.
"I think you two should stay for two more days, catch your bearings, reassess priorities, and make the most of this quiet opportunity of normalcy. Momoyo is coming."...Momoyo. Dragon eater, yeah I know of her. A giant centipede youkai that prefers to stay in her true form.
"Momoyo? What is Momoyo?" Flandre's question hanged in the air.
"Steel yourselves dragons, an eater will approach thy being, and be snuff out in an instant, as darkness drags your soul through the earth." Eirin seem to be reciting a tale I haven't heard before.
"Momoyo will hunt all dragon kind to extinction."
"Then I'll just kyu her before then!" Eirin's face darken as she gaze at the hopeful vampire child.
"Right Meiling?"
"No point moping guys. You've survive this long. I'm certain she can't be that hard to beat."
"Momoyo is...special. Dragons can only kill other dragons. They're almost immune to all things physical and they're spiritually gifted. They're the true gods of earth,space,time,water,air. Dragons are of life and death." Clenching my fist harder at the mentioned of life. I only notice the word life gave me a involuntary action.
"Hold on...life."Eirin stopped looking at me like that.
"Light, life." I saw Meiling flinched on the word light. Eirin's eyes widen.
"Eyes changed, focus on corresponding apspects gave physical responses as well as immediate dilation and filled scelera."
"Hey! I though you wasn't gonna do tests on them."Flandre has a point, can we go back to being normal? Is this how I'm now gonna be perceive by people?
"It's out of my hands when and if their instincts kick in. With that said, they're perfectly healthy youkai. Well, not withstanding chronic insomnia and a nearly broken body." I was always restless. There are just too many things to do with little time for rest.
"Alrighty, I supposed we can't keep you here forever. You both have family to looked after and be with." Eirin plop down a clipboard with a sign out form on it.
"I can read many languages, so just write in your prefer language and you'll be good to go home. Oh and it's free this time around given the circumstances." Eirin left us to sign out.
"Lady Flan, Sakuya."
"Yes Meiling."
"I loved you two as a family and if my time is coming. I will not run from it. Not like this summer." I see where this is going. Kaguya sigh.
"Really Miss Hong? You should know that if Momoyo is coming, you two would be dead right now. Dragon eating giant sized centipedes aren't too keen on much else."...Great. My life expententancy went down to just 24 hours of living.
"Isn't she like us though?"Kaguya shook her head.
"Rumors dictate the facts, she's a rogue sentient youkai who prefers her real form with one thing on her mind. "Dragons are my prey and all of them are mine"."
"The sages issue a report on site for Momoyo. Specifics is that she must be truly exterminated or completely kill. She's the main reason dragons don't stay in Gensokyo for long." Stay?
"There were dragon refugees?" Meiling's question hung in the air. Kaguya left wordlessly as Eirin showed up again carrying something.
"Your clothes were all dirty and cover in dust and dirt." Right, I was about to get up until I felt the shift from below the waist. I only now realize... we're both naked.
"I suppose I should've said something, but we had to be thorough for you both. Can't exactly sweat it out in your clothes out here in a hospital. We'll give you two privacy." Eirin didn't hesitate to guide the rest outta of the room. This place has different rules and getting up at the same time and eyeing eachother.
"Not really embarrassed are you Venus?" My bored expression belayed abit until I was chuckling.
"I should've known they'll do this. Can't really spare clothes given the resources needed. Start growing hemp out here so maybe you'll have...something for comatose patients." Other then her being well endowed, muscle tone curvy figure, Meiling was scarred to hell and back.
"Do you think they're ugly?"...
"Your scars? No, not really. You fought alot and survived. I think that's a sign of to keep of living for today and tomorrow." Meiling look down before turning away.
"You're alot more bold in private."...Right, that happened. Getting dressed went without any hassles. Thank god I still had my knives in the holsters. Flicking one of my knives to look it over. They need to be sharpen and clean again. One thing I've been using them for has been cutting meat and vegetables. Let me tell ya, they're really good at the meat cuttin.
"You seem really attached to those knives of yours." Putting them away again. I exhale shaking off some of the tiredness in my body.
"Don't know where all this prossessive nature is coming from really. So, what's the real story about Flandre?" Even with Meiling adjusting her hair and placing her hat on her head. She tsks at me.
"Don't know what you're implying. However, I'll keep it short. I used to be her personal play pal before Sakuya joined. Sooner or later she uttered the word mom to me in her sleep. Mistress then promptly forbid me from seeing her without her permission. Sometimes...sometimes I wish to hear her say it to me." I mulled over everything I do know at this point. Certain, groups at this point have clearly established more familial roles within the factions. Not actually surprising, given the closeness. I'm not much different either in that regard. The Garden is officially recognized as it's own thing.
"Venus."
"What is Flandre to you?"
"My mistresses' little sister."Really? She realized that I wasn't gonna respond to that.
"I shouldn't have to say that you Venus. You're a smart man." It's not for my sake.
"Flandre is like a...like a part of me I could never have again. I would die to protect her, I would kill her enemies if the need arises, I will be her shiny rainbow of light. I loved my lady...no. I love my daughter more than anyone else at the Mansion." I heard enough of what I needed for as I open the door to see the younguns and the vampires huddle in front of it.
"Ah!"
"Mi'lady!?"
"Uhhh...Meiling I'm so glad you're ok." Walking past the surprise group and imto the courtyard that was built into the middle of this place. Looking up to see the blue sky again.
1,2,3,4.
"Right when he gets up, he's back to training. You just don't know when to rest."
*Swiff*
"I feel the same way, I haven't seen the sun in 3 days. Venus! Let's spar again." I nodded as Meiling took her stance in the combed sand. I would apologize for ruining it but I haven't felt more alive than here.
"Hah!"
"They've been going at it for an hour. Do they ever stop?" Medicine watch the two dragons going blow for blow with smiles on their faces.
"I just healed them too." Eirin looks on worryingly. After seeing them break eachother at the party with smiles on their faces. They were equals in this way. Danmaku wasn't something Meiling like, but it was the rules. Her proficiencies where purely physical not magical.
"Like long lost siblings. The dragons sees only brethren in it's eyes." Kaguya wax poetics as she watch them dance. Completely loss in their match. No amount of bruising or hissing in pain could stop the jubilation they held.
"Meiling!" Of course, things must come to an end as the split second call out cause her to turn her head slightly.
"La-!?"
*THAWK*
"Shit!" My fist collected into her jaw by pure instinct. Knocking Meiling into the sand dazed.
"That's...why you...wait until we're done." Rubbing her right cheek as she got up. Thank god I didn't use my full strength. I offered her a hand to get up and takes it.
"Sorry, but we can't stay here forever. It's time to go home."
"Until next time Venus."Yeah. Nodding and waving as they left. The flowers blooming above were Sakura petals.
"Soon or rather this week Yuyuko will hold her annual cherry blossom viewing." I nodded as I put on my jacket and left with Medicine and Tenshi in tow.
"Oh! Take these." Shion ran up to hand me a bottle.
"They're sleeping pills, a little less powerful than the ones given to Yuuka. Ms.Yagakoro wanted you to have these to fix your bad sleeping habits." Bad sleeping habits? I can't help that because of my constant restlessness.
"She also mentioned you should relaxed more. You're too high-strung. She suggested you find Satori and go on a date." That's my business and my business alone, I am fine Shion. She waggle the bottle and I reluctantly grabbed them. She goes back inside.
"You don't seem to like people talking about your health that much." I just don't like people worrying about me is all. However, I can't really say that's a bad thing.
"I should've apologize about Dad's attitude but I must admit. I haven't seen him smile like that in awhile."No, you shouldn't apologize for what he did as his own volition. Besides, at this point I can't help but feel this two sided coin is alot more different than originally.
Maidens and the stray dogs of Gensokyo. Yeah, that's how Vector and I act. Like stray dogs with no real direction.
"He's smiling again. Come on, lets head home." Yeah.
"Been awhile since I've been to the surface. Vector I should thank you for carrying me up here." Urumi looks at the Revenant inspecting the trees and flowers nearby.
"They don't seem as alive as they used to be. Without the four season youkai. The plants will feel less alive. Can't do much about that though, lasts I heard she went into a deep sleep according to winter reports."
"You should stop overthinking things while on vacation."
"So this...is the surface?" Vector and Urumi turn slightly to meet a little girl with a light pink dress and strands that look like jellyfish hanging off the helm, her odd colored skin match reddish earth tones.
"The stillborn, follow us here?" Vector had few reasons to worry other than he would be fully held accountable for the girl's wellbeing. She wonders barefooted and looks at the sky in wonder. Her mouth agape at the new colors and sights.
"SO WARM! Why didn't you tell me this was what the surface was like!?" Running ahead of the two, Urumi mearly chuckles as Vector's demeanor stayed stoic.
"Sometimes, we forget the little things. Now then, Vector?" He looks at her in disinterest.
"She had to know eventually beanpole. When are you gonna fatten up skinny man?" Vector breathes out in annoyance.
"I can't take in nourishment the same way anyone else does. My body just makes me more dense without losing my flexibility. However you're right, Ebisu needed this more than we did. Children shouldn't be in the dark stacking rocks together to atoned for just existing. Such a sickening thing to bestowed sin on innocence." Walking towards the village they knew of one youkai inn that was still active.
"To think a dullahan took up an inn after the increase size of the barrier. The place is expanding at an alarming rate. Miss gap hag is expanding our world." Vector was muttering away as he stare into the points that connected Gensokyo's borders.
They don't see the vectors of dimensions like I do. Every place has a borderline shape.
"COME ON YOU TWO! I HEARD OF A GIANT FIELD OF FLOWERS EXIST!" Ebisu ran even further ahead.
"Wait up child!" Vector watch the two run ahead of him as he smile a little.
"Don't know how the kid will feel meeting them so early. But, no one likes missing the Saigyouji Flower Viewing. Everyone will be there. Which means..." Vector recognize this feeling as a man walk past him. Locking eyes with the wizened swordsman of Konpaku.
"You!"
"Yes, I already broken out of my cage. This time, we'll have a proper fight. Deadwalker." Vector reacted by pulling out a tachi from his sleeve only to slash at the open air a moment later. The sign of Youki long gone, as well as that magic signature.
"Shit!"
With him being alive this makes it harder to contain him. He was just biding his time until he could get ahold of his true sword. The youkai killing blade that resides with his granddaughter.
Vector grimace at the thought of pulling out his true weapons on the swordsman. He was far behind in one area.
"Dammit."
The kid better be ready to fight in a moment notice.
Hmmmm?...I swear I felt...no, impossible. Too soon.
"Hey! What's taking you so long!?" I looked ahead to see Medicine and Tenshi waiting for me at the entrance. I gave them a wait here gesture as I took off in the direction I was certain was that feeling.
"Wha!? Venus!?" Tenshi stopped Medicine from going after him.
"He'll be fine doll."
"You don't know that!"
"No, but I have a weird feeling that he'll be back soon enough." Letting go of her arm Tenshi went back to the garden as Medicine tag along.
Brushing past the trees has become second nature. That feeling came back but it wa-!?
*Ka-clink*
A gun!
"Well then, we meet again. Only now I can talk. So that's what became of mother? Just a shallow husk of rage?" Not much bigger than I am and with the same look of distained at the situation.
"I supposed I'll tell you my name." I already know it.
"Bofeng:Son of the fox. I died to the arrow of my father years ago. However, I came to an unknown land and a man brought me back to sanity and life there. When I returned; I lost control when I went through the barrier to what you've called Gensokyo. Something wanted to change me into what I didn't want and for that. I became deaden inside for 10 years along with 2 other undead men. The only thing I want...is to see mother again."
"You bamboo cutters are something else but here, let me help you." With a swift motion of the man's hand, bundle of bamboo was cut without much effort. As if his body was a knife.
"Thank you sir. Can I ask your name?" He didn't bother facing the cutter, and kept his face hidden with his straw hat lace with charms. A bronze staff with a bell in his other hand with prayer beads counting silently.
"Hijiri Myouren."
"That's impossible."
"Oh? I assure you kind sir that I'm no liar. I mearly wish to see to what ends my sister has decided to foolishly followed to it's bitter conclusion." Myouren points in the exact location through the bamboo to his temple. The one that holds Byakuran.
"My temple, The Myouren Temple is that way correct?" The cutter nodded nervously. Myouren smile before laughing.
"Wonderful, just you wait dear sister. Your true god will finally hold you accountable for your actions against buddha." In a flash he was gone before the human contracters of Eientei.
"This job just doesn't seem so worth it at times."
As much as I would like to test guns against my body. I'm not bulletproof to magical attacks fully, and if he has Junko's ability, he can just make a pure holy bullet to peirce me.
"Relax, I'm not gonna shoot you. Most people can't read advance signatures like the 3 of us. Technically that was thanks to the barrier trapping us." Bofeng soften alittle to rest on a rock.
"You got keen senses for a shrimp. But you're probably asking something." Yeah, now I remember.
"We weren't sealed per se. We were prevented from actually entering Gensokyo by something. So I don't get how it works. It prevents magical beings from leaving, but also allows humans to come and go as they please?" Yeah.
"The thing that was racking my head was that it wanted me to surrendered most of my power. "Screw you, I ain't given away my power for no reason." That's when it sealed me away for ten years." Surrendered? Theres an exchange? Why most?
"Anyways, we'll meet again on the battlefield. That's the only way to fully be realize by the old rules. If we don't fight, we could die again. I ain't looking to die right when she's here in this place."...
"Not very talkative are you?" Just taking in the scenery as I mulled over this discovery.
"Don't blink." Wha-
*Ka-clink*
*CLACK*
"Ohhh! Nice instincts, you place your thumb inside of the hammer pin of the revolver preventing a shot to go off and knock the crane out of alignment." Real funny, I don't wanna get shot. It was the only option to keep this place quiet.
"Oh I see, you did it because you don't want us found out. Too bad for you the old man will be at the Flower Viewing party." The sooner you guys show yourselves to the whole world, then worst things will happen.
"Stop."
"Finally talking."
"You'll make them cry and go into despair. You think they'll be happy with ya'll being alive?" He smile viciously.
"Happy!? I DIED BECAUSE OF MY OWN FATHER COULDN'T KEEP IT IN HIS PANTS! YOU'RE ASKING IF I CARE IF I MAKE MOTHER HAPPY!?" I heard enough.
"Whats the point of ruining their perception of life for your gains? You're not who they remember or what they envision. What are you three really?"
"A mere shadow of hatred and rage born from the remains of regret. I couldn't stop her tears when I was so weak and young. All I knew was the bitter cold and her wailing over my body. Calling out to an already dead corpse." At this point I reacted by matching his free hand with my knife only to clash with his other gun.
"Then I'll beat life back into you to see the truth. I'll set your soul ablaze with color. I take your pain, your hatred, your regret. There's no point in making the things we care about cry because we couldn't protect them." At this point, we were the same type of person. We both have those feelings inside.
"VENUS!"
"Playtimes over!" Pushing me off with a kick he vanish the same way from before.
"Dammit." I breathe in sharply at this predicament. They're real piece of work. They'll give them a sickening feeling that will taint them if they showed up with that type of response.
"There is no telling what they'll do." Strangely, I get it. I smile at the thought of fighting him. That feeling I felt.
"Excitement." That's the only way to describe this. I wanted to finally be let off my chains.
"Venus?" I whipped around to see Medicine's was worry face. Hiding herself behind the tree.
"Is that really you? Or the dragon inside?" What?
"Silly doll."...
"You're not Venus."
"No, I'm the dragon that resides within his soul. The boy is not ready for his battles. If he wants to protect you and that brat of an angel. He'll need more than instincts and brains."...What the hell am I saying to her? Medicine held out a lethal glob of poison.
"LET...HIM...GO!"Medicine wait!
"Certainly doll." AAAAAAH it burns!
"Oh crap! Venus! I'm so sorry!" I felt like me again, that's the dragon inside? Still the external burns from the poison healed. I'm still sprawl out on the floor paralyze and dazed.
"KID!?" Just great. Hey Tenshi, care to pick me up?
"Ok. Heave...Hoooo!" I'm not a tree stump as I got back on my feet and leaning against Tenshi.
"What made you wanna hit him with that stuff doll?"
"I-I...Venus isn't just one soul." That was obvious. I'm multiple souls with multiple bodies.
"How is that possible?"...
To survive, dragons pick wandering souls around the world and watch them grow. However, I'm not long for this world child. You'll have your soul and life back soon. You'll still be a dragon. Just not control by one.
I sneered at this new development, can my life get anymore complicated?...Don't answer that.
In your language you would say :"Fuck me? Practically with a crowbar", yes?
Yeah, you're a fucking crowbar alright. You're the same voice back at Eientei. Why me?
You?
Yes. Why couldn't you pick any of the girls to piggyback off of? Or any other wandering soul?
An obligation arise.
For?
A woman name Kazami wanted a piece of life to hold onto that would be more than just a wilting flower. In passing by, I found your soul residing there.
Just my luck. Any reason you can tell me why I pick the garden after death?
You subconsciously answer her pleas as I did. Don't you remember your time dead?
Hell no. You need a name by the way. Can't just call you dragon.
Don't call me Kiryu. I'm a western borned dragon child.
Vita...You're vita and I'm venus.
Vita? You know what that word means?
I study many things. Latin was one of them.
Vita it is. You must of realized by now.
Yeah, I'm a dragon of life itself.
Then you should be able to shake off this poison quite easily just burn the affliction out of your bloodstream.
"Hey!" Oh?
Oh?
"Are you done being silent we're finally back at the Garden." Tenshi let go and I stumble unto the ground harshly.
"You need to be more careful Tenshi."
"He's a big boy, he'll be fine." Granted, I would prefer burning this witch at the stake. Heartless harpy is called an angel?
Yeah, don't get your hopes up. The girls will find a way to tear you down unintentionally. Also, witch burnings? She barely has any good knowledge of magic that isn't danmaku, and second of all she ain't got wings so she isn't a harpy either.
Is this what's it like for you mortals? Just an empty field filled with flowers all day?
Hey. This is my empty field of flowers and my home. Besides, you said you knew Mom's wish. Her wish was to have a child wasn't it?
Women are strange, why pray to these flowers instead of just doing it the normal way? Did she not noticed me or you? I'd noticed, but could only wait. The only thing I remembered from fusing was just a few days ago when you unlock your draconic blood fully. Even then, I probably only have a month to give guidance.
Why only a month? As I felt the poison finally leave my system.
Dragons can't have two souls. The old soul dies so that the new soul can live. It's like having offsprings or leaving the nest. In that time you'll become the best dragon.
Is Meiling really a dragon?
Yes. She's a chinese rainbow dragon, borned from a black steel and a light dragon before her parents were killed.
A dragon eater?
There is few dragon eaters as there are few dragons. So the only one that could've done it within this region.
Momoyo.
Perfect revenge would be to killed Momoyo before she catches wind of you two. That's just heaven wishes at this point.
You said you were a western dragon. How much more powerful can you be if dragons are all powerful?
There was different kinds of dragonkin mind you. Child you could've met them anywhere. We was so abundant when the earth was created. Anyways, I'm tired. Maybe we'll discuss this at a later date. All that matters now is to stop those three from revealing themselves.
"Welcome to the Garden of the Sun Ebisu...Oh? I haven't met you two before." Finally outta that conversation. I turn to meet...The only thing bigger than her breasts was the hoari jacket trying to covered her. I look down to see a child in a white pink dress looking like a jellyfish with platinum blonde short hair in a bun. Wait she's Eika Ebisu.
The stillborn? Why here?
"Yo! It's been awhile...Red Star." No fucking way. This day couldn't get worse.
Author Notes: I think I got too deep into trying meta narrative speak in this one. Vita is latin for life. Given that I basically overexplained at this point we'll probably go back to normalcy in the next chapter as there was alot of things that had to be explained between dragons, Momoyo's involvement and the like. Also at this point my theming of keeping V's in names of relevance to each character that has them have come full circle. Take care now. As I was abit more inspired and passionate this week.