We flown back to the village and the smoke has finally cleared. Akyuu suggested we land in her courtyard to avoid everyone. However, the ones that followed us wanted to atleast showed that Akyuu was safe. A compromise was made to land near the estate where Akyuu lives. It's northwest of the main building and from there the guards came rushing out of the gate and surrounded us. Akyuu hops off my back to wave away the guards. They relented and returned to their posts.
"I should thank you again, for what you've done. I now have mother back with me." Akyuu grips the spear tightly. Her face said everything about herself.
"I'm done playing by your rules Yukari. I want to be true to the people and myself. YA HEAR ME GAP HAG!"
"Loud and clear Ms.Miare no Akyuu." Akyuu swings the spear the wrong way and with its weight alone knock down our tag alongs. Yukari was actually to the right of me laughing at the sudden aggression.
"Yes, I suppose the time for lies and deceit are behind us all. We've conquered our mischief and became better people for it. I hope the new age of Gensokyo will be to our offsprings liking." She hides her face with her fan.
"Oh dragon, wouldn't you like a temporary body? Hiding inside a child is unbecoming of your kind."...!
"Second shiggurath of boundaries. I heard about you." The weird thing about not looking over your shoulders is that when I looked to my left a green small lizard was hanging on. You're-
"Vita the third dragon of life. The old soul of Venus Rose." I should say he looks alot like a bearded dragon with red accents and his eyes a deep red.
"I supposed this will suffice for you shiggura?" Shiggura? I looked at Yukari and a perturbed look was in her eyes.
"Not many people know who I really am."
"Shiggurath and the children of the deep are shigguras. You're power is meant to be incomprehensible to humans." I don't really get it. Is she basically a Lovecraftian monster?
"That name? Child you musn't speak of old writers. You know they tend to, embellished the truth." This contest of whose who is going nowhere.
"DAMMIT! JUST STOPPED!" We turned to see Jo'on was deeply confused and abit more dusty from getting knock down.
"Can we slowww down please?" Yukari huffs and raises a hand an-!
*SNAP*
"What would you like to know everyone?" Yukari sent us to a empty restaurant it was ornate the warm glow of lights from a night city that I used to know. The others were in awe of it.
"We're!"
"Yes, the outside world in an old business transactions I've been running. Waiter!" Sitting down at a corner booth a man wearing jackel mask came by. Kinda comfy and the sounds outside was from a street below us.
"The usual miss Yakumo?" She nodded. Until she double check that we was also here.
"Oh right, sweet tea for the boy, burgers for the four and extra fries. Purple hair will have pure green tea and rice with beef curry. The boy can share a few slices of pizza with his familiar."
"Is that's everything ma'am?"
"Go Jack, before I holler back for Yuel." Yukari makes a shoo motion and the waiter now named Jack sighs and shakes his head. Yukari relaxes on her side leaning into the red velvet upholstery.
"Lets talk about you Vita and Venus. I want all the juicy details." I opened my mouth to think of something to say but...I still wasn't that comfortable.
"All this time socializing and you're still the ever quiet man. Vita?"
"I woke up just this spring when the kid awakened his dragon blood. However, I was fascinated with Kazami's need for a child. Day in and day out alone tending to her dying fields and yet kept that same smile she had." Vita are you...in love with my mom?
"Kin? I wouldn't say that? But her mature beauty and stoicism mix with divine wrath to those that personally harm her. There's a certain, mystique to such a woman." I promply pick up Vita by his midsection and look at him.
"No. Bad Vita." I could handle it if it was the flourist in the village. Atleast he was someone I didn't know and wasn't reciding in my body. Vita mimics a shrug with his forelimbs.
"Can you blame me? I mean her stern stature, the respect she commands, and the control in any adversity that's thrown her way. Her personality is a strong one to be admire. Her integrity, her will. Child, any man worth his life would want that in a woman."...Great, so you can stop now. I hoisted him by his tail dangling over the white table helplessly clawing in the air.
"What would you're woman think if she saw this!?"
"Satori is not a part of this conversation. I can't believe you're this infatuated with my mom."
"Speaking of, when's the next date between you two?" A slight teasing tone came from Yukari leaning forward pressing her elbows on the table. I set my new pet lizard back on my shoulder.
"PET!?"
"No comment."
"Unto the other thing I guess...OH!"
"Your food and drinks. We've recieved the money you sent in advance and we'll gladly let you have dessert later Miss Yakumo." Jack set down an extra large three meats pizza with curled crisp pepperonis, Italian sausage, and buffalo chicken on thin cajun season sesame seeded crust. How did they figured out my preference? Anyways the girls were also given a large set meal so I move closer to Yukari's side so I was in the center of the group now near the window that would be there if we wasn't outside. The cool breeze, dark skies and orange lights made it seem all too familiar.
"Thanks Jack and give Yuel my apologies from last time." The man grunts and turns away. I look over and Yoshika's advance rigor mortis made it difficult to eat.
"Here let me help." Kogasa stuffed some fries into a burger and helps Yoshika eat the monstrosity.
"Now this is good eating."...Watching Jo'on scarf down fries and a burger like she's starving reminds me of back then. I should eat cause I really didn't eat anything today. Taking a bite and enjoying the cheese and spiciness from the sesame seeds that the oil was mixed in gave it zest. The crispy crunch of the crust...I missed this so much.
"Earth food like this would turn even the most vile maneaters into calm meateaters." Yukari's order looked plain in comparison or rather she had a small bowl of udon and silently pray before testing the soup and then slurping it up.
"Hmmmph."
"So this is a pizza? I thought it was just a piece of bread with red sauce and primitive goat cheese." It was, in the 1500s. Things change Vita. Watching a lizard nibble away at a spicy pizza only to watched him cough was weird.
"Ack! This stuff burns kin. You used to eat this stuff?" I hate ruining a pizza so I pluck the toppings and Vita ate from my hand. See, you're my pet.
"Quiet you and feed me more meat." This went on until we finished our meals.
"Now that we're fed. Let's get down to business." Yukari eyed the spear and held out her hand.
"May I hold her?" Akyuu relented slightly.
"I promise to be gentle child." Akyuu tenses up before relaxing. She hoisted the spear over to Yukari who was quick to examine it.
"She's beautiful, just like the day she had you Akyuu." Yukari was gentle to give it back to Akyuu.
"You'll won't make me lie about everyone again?" Yukari shakes her head.
"Nope, you're free to write how you want. You'll be a wonderful record keeper Miare Akyuu."
"Am I, like mother now?"
"You'll grow old and die, but you'll reincarnate without the hundred years thing going on.Which brings me to my little youkai." She turns her gaze to the four.
"I know we shouldn't have been up there. It's forbidden for youkai to be near the barrier." Kogasa apologizes looking away from Yukari's inquisitive eyes.
"We had no choice, no one else would go considering the opportunity to raise Youkai relations." Sekibanki looked bored. Again, her giant collar hides her face so I can only tell from her tired eyes.
"I was dragged into this, and then theres." Jo'on slowly turns to Yoshika who was now asleep. Yukari listened to their half hearted explanations.
"Fufufu...No, it's quite alright. Akyuu was basically kidnapped right under the noses of the elders. It would looked bad if it wasn't for the fact her kidnappers are actually her rescuers. Congrats, you found the keeper of our records." Yukari enjoys the attention to be on top. Which brings us back to me. Everyone looks at me for answers but I couldn't tell where to begin.
Kin? Why is it that you came to her pleas?
I don't know why. I was a phantom with only instincts on my mind apparently.
What does Yuuka mean to you now that you've met and experienced things with her?
Scary, things were scary for awhile. I don't want to be seen as someone important... atleast at first. Now though? I met there gazes.
"I came to Yuuka because she was hurt, lonely, and possibly scared. I was scared of everything because even with my knowledge I couldn't find the way to repay what she did for me. I've seen her cried, laugh, especially being angry at times. I've been attacked more than I like it to happened. Poisoned on several occasions. I just know that I'm home...I'm home in Gensokyo. I feel accepted and at peace with myself. I love my new family. It gave me reasons to finally fight for something real again. In the end...I." Unknowingly tears fell again. Smiling through it all, gritting your teeth. Saying that's how life is doesn't always work. Some people are more in touch with their humanity.
"Youkai are just another side of humanity. To cry means to finally come off hardships and pain. It doesn't make you less of a person. Well that's what I believe Venus." Yukari must of read my mind. Shaking away the tears. I was always more emotional than most, but I didn't see it as weakness or being less of a human or rather man specifically. Here in Gensokyo you can be alot more open about yourself as people here just don't care about superficial things.
"Maidens and Dogs alike lived in Gensokyo Yukari." That seemed to pique her interests.
"Dogs? ...Well what do you want for dessert?"
"Sugar cookies." The other's chuckle at that.
"Such a simple man. Honesty is best policy. But be serious, what type of high end dessert could you wish for right now?"
"Pecan funnel cake and vanilla caramel slowed churned ice cream. Glazed donuts and a family size bag of sea salt and vinegar chips." Yukari blinks wide eyed as she waves her hand and a gap appeared dropping the aforementioned items.
"What is this about Yukari?" I cut the funnel cake into equal pieces and gave each person a donut and dollop of ice cream on the cake.
"I think people should be rewarded is all. The times are changing and I fear these old youkai won't lived for long. So you kids best be able to handle things without us." Everyone looked worryingly at Yukari whose face was sincere in her words.
"Come on, that's not funny." Jo'on tries to smile and laugh it off...
"How long does Byakuran have before she disappears?"
*CLATTER*
"She isn't dying!"
"Or Miko,Seiga,Suwako,Eirin...Yuuka. Myself included. The clocks ticking. What will you all do when the people you hold dear are at an inevitable end?" There's a few theories on the table. I don't think they're ready to let go yet.
"The barrier is expanding isn't it?" Yukari nods.
"You're still very astute in that aspect Venus. Yes, the Hakurei Barrier is rapidly eating away at the outside world. The merging of the two worlds will require sacrifices to be made. If the time comes, the leaders of every faction will give up their lives so that the future of youkai and mankind can be forever sustained. Okina boasts that she can rebuild it but without the dragon god's blessing...it'll be pointless. The barrier would become it's most stable version if we merge our bodies to it. Certain groups will be spare. I have no need for the Satori's power and I'd rather avoid ever using children like the Vampires. I can just extract yatagarasu from Utsuho if need be while keeping her alive. If it's for the prosperity of our future. I will do anything to preserve it." Yukari didn't hide her face or make a offhanded chuckle when she was done. The coldness in her voice felt tired and diminutive of something only she could feel. I had my own questions.
"Is Momoyo going to try kill Meiling and Me?" Realization flash in her eyes but everyone was now absorbed in eating the junk food. It's best to finished this before the icecream melts. I place a hand unto the small tub of it and froze it a little to preserve it. Yukari nibbles away at a very familiar glazed donut that could only come from my hometown.
"It still exists? I'm happy people get to enjoy fresh donuts there and other pastries." In some ways I felt homesick. But, this new life is better for me. Finishing up Yukari also gapped in something I hadn't had in awhile.
"Red creme soda? Man, you must really want something Yukari." She goes back to her smile sharing the drink with the other's who never tasted a carbohydrated sugar liquid before. It's a strong taste but I love the crispness of it.
"Kogasa." Kogasa sip away on her drink. While finally facing Yukari's gaze.
"Hmmmhmm?"
"How's your business with blacksmithing been doing?" Swallowing harshly. She thought of what to respond with as she fumble with a spoon.
"Less work then usual. The Village hasn't been building much. But I got a job as a substitute teacher for mathematics and algebra at the school. I also babysit." Yukari nods in approval as she turns her attention to the Dullahan silently sipping her concoction of Ice cream and creme soda.
"Sekibanki correct?"
"That's my name don't wear it out." I forgot that Sekibanki is a chuuni like Youmu.
"Cute. So I heard about an old building that is now owned by you...how'd you pull that off?" Sekibanki relaxes and rest her head on the back of seat, her head floated detached from her body as she continued drinking that heart attack induced drink awkwardly.
"I did alot of odd jobs that payed my way into a settlement with a local store owner. So I turn that building into an Youkai inn. It's for the underground visiting up top mostly. Usually I get tired fishermen and guardsmen. Thanks to my heads It's easy to serve them efficiently, heh. Though I won't lie, the things those guardsmen requests are just plain weird. Is like they don't see a floating head is meant to be scary or something, but would gladly tried to use it for their enjoyment." I can't tell if she's grimacing while looking up at the rafters.
"Well, men just see a cute and responsible woman. Can you blame them that they would want relief from such a woman?" Sekibanki huffs but a tinge of red could be seen.
"I suppose. I thought you wouldn't like us making half youkai." Yukari's smile soften.
"I think you kids should take it slow. However, I won't stop the decisions of adults as we all make possible dumb decisions. Half youkai, humans, dragons. We're very much alike eachother when the cards are on the line.
"Just know if that unfortunate event happens. Know that you was all welcome with open arms my little youkai. My doors shall remain open for the forgotten. My goals are that we coexist without bloodshed. However, youkai must handle youkai problems just as humans must handle theres. Futo's actions today are horrible. However, It is not the fault of monsters but misguided man." Yukari huffs as she got up and took another doughnut.
"Your side of the pastries are quite good. I find myself going there every so often. I love the lemon cream filled ones." I grab the bag of chips as I definitely wanted those. Sekibanki wanted the icecream. Kogasa took the cake while waking up Yoshika. Jo'on wanted the rest of the three order of fries so she had a doggie bag of them and an a extra burger.
"Let's go home shall we?" Yes.
*SNAP*
We're back at Akyuu's estate. The air was much cleaner here making it easy to breathe. Yukari was no where to be seen so we collectively went out separate ways. I went back through the village square until I saw the familiar blonde hair doll tending to a survivor of this morning. The red sky showing it was close to ending today. Medicine pulled a black liquid vial and drank it. She shakes a bit blinking rapidly. Yo Medicine, you alright? She finally takes notice of me. She look exhausted.
"There you are." Medicine stumbles forward and falls into my arms.
"Hah. I've been mass producing cleansers all day. Some of them complimented me afterward can you carry me back to Yuukarin's home?" I turn around and Medicine climbs on my back lazily and holds on.
"Where you go anyways?" I think I forgot something. I stop walking to look frantically.
"I'm here." I felt something shift in my coat until Vita crawl out and went up to my shoulder. Medicine stare at Vita.
"You're the dragon?"
"Yes."
"My gods you"re adorable. What's your name." I could feel the gears turning in Vita's head as I think he expected to be fear not admire.
"I'm Vita. You must be the adopted daughter of Kazami? Medicine right?" She hums in confirmation.
"Atleast now you won't borrow my brother's body anymore." I'm pretty certain even though he is small he is still resilient like a dragon.
"It's the form that Shiggura gave me so I won't be combining with Venus as much anymore." You sound sadden by this Vita. I want us to work together is all. If you want to used my body, then I get to say no if something I think is too much. The hell was that thing you did? I felt hollowed inside because of it.
"The Divine rite of Dragon's calling. A summoning technique that uses the soul as fuel. Don't worry, it uses my soul as I haven't taught you how to summon spirits." Oh good. Tenshi and Iku saw us and began running uh, floating towards us in Iku's case.
"Hey you two!" Tenshi stops to see Vita is now on top of Medicine's head and she fell asleep while piggybacking. Iku finally caught up staring intently at Vita. She holds out her hand. Vita carefully crawls unto it.
"This a pet or something?" The gutteral groan that came from Vita was heard.
"I'M A DRAGON! I REFUSE TO BE ANYONE'S PET WENCH ANGEL OF A NARY WOMAN!" Tenshi stared in disbelief. As for Iku she was practically glowing.
"THIS IS WHAT VENUS WILL LOOK LIKE WHEN HE FULLY AWAKENS!? YOU'RE SO BEAUTIFUL AN-!.. ahem. Sorry, it's just been a long time since I saw another dragon in person. You're name if you have one?" Vita gaze up at Iku jerks his head sideways and blinks.
"You're the dragon messenger of the east? I suppose this would've been celebrated for your kind?" Iku energetically nodded. The most movement I've seen her do was slowly glide everywhere unless she teleports. Even her most deliberate fast pace was when she help us tend to the sunflowers and that took longer than normal.
"Name!?"
"It's Vita miss...Nagae is it?" The fluctuations in his voice made it seem he was wary of Iku. He looks back at me pleading with his forelimbs clawing at the air.
"I don't bite Vita."
"It's not that, you're too cold is all. The boy is quite warm and comfortable to the touch." Pouting at me Iku gives up carrying Vita as he climbs back on top of Medicine's head. The shifting sound before stillness reach my ears.
"So that's the life dragon within you? I expected it to be...rougher than that cute little thing." Tenshi saying it like "thwang" reminds me that most everyone here is basically a country bumpkin or southern bell type of speaking. That cadence is lost with some of them speaking more modern. Tenshi is right, Vita looks more like a cute lizard than a fearsome dragon. Doesn't mean he isn't powerful. Even near death he's still that strong.
"I would've loved to celebrate this occasion. However, My duties are to keep Kazami's wishes for now. I suppose we make ourselves a little party at home." I'm full right now Iku. However, Iku really was in her own world judging by her red strands on her hat jittering around, and she's glowing slightly.
"What kind of food should we prepare daughter?" She's lost in her head as we made our way to the Garden's entrance the sunflowers were facing us. They followed or rather bowed and raised their faces as we passed. A thanks for helping them I suppose.
"A warm welcome from her growing children. They're loyal as they're resilient to adversities. Yuuka's garden is in good hands." Things you can only feel out here and not the outside world. Nature here feels uniquely and clearly more alive than any person I've met from the outside world. It's nice to slow down and take in the moment. I exhale slowly as we made to the front door. Iku opens it and we clamor in and hearing Tenshi crashed into the couch in exhaustion.
"Finally, we're back home. I hope there is no more surprises tomorrow." Well, there is one thing we have to do. The flower viewing. Iku checks the pantries and dried food stuffs and pulls out the dried salmon and chicken jerky that was smoked during winter. You learned alot of tricks in a place where electricity is still scarce and mostly used for lights. I carefully lay down Medicine on the non Tenshi side who was spread out still looking up at the ceiling.
"Ah! I see that she had a box of snacks as well. Let's see...rice and onions with chives, cooked in a small bit of sunflower oil." I took up chair and sat backwards on it watching Iku get to work on whatever she was planning. She was busy chopping and cleaning the rice as I turned my attention to Tenshi who was now as well asleep on the otherside.
"Hhhhrrrrmmm." I sigh as I too couldn't stay awake. I got up and move tenshi gently to the right so I could just passed out in the middle. I hate the smell of celestial. It smells like ripe peaches if you get too close to her.
"What would yo-? Oh, well it's best to get this done. I'll wake them up after the rice is done." Iku could only describe the scene as cute. Tenshi on the right curled unto the leg of the couch her legs slowly pushing Venus to the left where Medicine and Vita are no longer paying attention to outside disturbances. Iku knew only one person that could do this type if sleep.
"Doremy, I suppose it was past due for a meeting. Have fun you kids." Iku continues her cooking unabated.
"Great, I've never thought I'll be here." Looking around the white void that slowly became a grassy hill with a flower meadow I knew only one place I could be.
"Yo!"
"Kin!?"
"Venus!" I look towards the sounds and there they are waving at me from down the hill I was on top of.
"I guess we're in the dream world with our dream selves?" I also couldn't just think that so I spoke it outloud.
"See!? He does speak!" I chuckle at the response as I walk down. One things for certain.
"Doremy wants something doesn't she?"
"Oh you're just so smart, and yet... You're head needs to get outta that overthinking habit you have." Doremy Sweet is a dream eater and the controller of the dream world. Her ridiculous red elongated santa hat or whatever. Her tapir tail with a purple orb of fluff on the end.
"I wish I could say I was looking forward to meeting you." She does the ta-da pose as if presenting herself with a giant grin on her face.
"Well if you wasn't such an incapable dreamer we would've met sooner. I have so little of your dreams it's almost criminal." I don't dream... rarely do I want to dream cause of my astuteness creates, issues.
"Dream paralysis, a very mild case but you have major fears o-!?"
"What do you want?" I had to interrupt her before she says it. Doremy pouts before holding her pink glob of dreams she holds.
" There's someone that you should meet. It might help your soul calm down for good." The others looked surprised.
"Yo dreameater! Why are we here anyways?" Doremy just huffs at Tenshi.
"At least you're not destroying the world anymore. You look better with dirt and humility than unbridled praises. Deep down, you prefer the honesty they give you instead of the faux paux you've lived with." Doremy knows more about us than ourselves thanks to the dream world. Tenshi looks flabbergasted and embarrassed trying to hide her face with her hat.
"You don't know me, you ugly tapir." Doremy had this smugness to her as she smirks at the display.
"Continue to be a rebel even when you're getting your wish celestial. At least now you have experience a kind love instead of worthless platitudes." Doremy gazed down at Medicine. Kneeling to her height.
"You have so much potential Melancholy to do evil as well as good. You've save so many even without realizing it at times. You just need to be less blunt at times."
"Seriously, what's with the psych exam? I thought you old youkai are meant to be mysterious and stuff." Furrowing her brow at Medicine, Doremy look offended.
"See what I mean by blunt? Curb the honesty just a little bit. No telling lies though. We all know what we do to liars."
"We dragged them through the mud to search for their crow pecked eyes." Yeah I expected that response. It's an old saying though.
"Yes to some extent. Though these days it seems liars are always benefitting from the less intelligent lately." Her face became stern for a second before going back to that sly smirk of hers.
"You dragged us here to talk Dreameater or is there a point to this meeting?" Vita was still a little green lizard on top of Medicine's head. Doremy cooed slightly at the sight.
"Adorable aren't ya little guy?"
"No!" The fist of rage that could be seen from Vita gave Doremy a laugh.
"Riveting group you all are." Wiping a nonexistent tear from her eye she turns to face me.
"Well actually I'm after you, young dragon. You're missing a vital part of yourself when you came back from the dead." Her expression was softer than I'll like. As if she expects me to understand from just that wording alone. I give her a confused glance as she just sighs and points behind me. Turning around reveal a door.
"What you seek to complete your empty soul is there. Deep down you haven't been motivated by seeing alone. Connect the past, not bury it as you've done." Exhaling I walk over pull it open to be met with an old childhood sight. One I remember as I wasn't watched closely back then. Just a lonely child destroying an old table top set cause I didn't know any better. Nothing here could keep me entertained for long.
"Hey kiddo." He stops and turns and looks. Tears in his eyes. He doesn't respond but he recognizes me. I'll have to take the reigns in this.
"So...Had a bad day?" He nods.
"Yeah, I know. This day sucked and pretty soon for no reason...You'll be kicked in the stomach by your dad." I gritted my teeth as I hated this childhood.
Author notes: Late on this one, but I was really ahead until I got distracted...again. Slowing down the pacing to something most are used to as well.