TOUHOU-AT-ARMS : Gensokyo no Arashi

by Some Crusading Crusader

For millenia and a half, Japan is in turmoil. External issues pushed the sages to construct Gensokyo more early than it was supposed to, the year 1600s at least. Over the years in Gensokyo, humankind developed martially to combat the youkai threat but in overtime, themselves. With its status-quo broken, so changed these youkai exterminators of law into peace brokers of Gensokyo.

6. UNDERWORLD-CH:5 'Motemete

[5]

---

UNDERWORLD - CHAPTER 5 'Motomete'

---

JUNE 23, THE YEAR 19]

SIGHTS OF FOOD, THINGS, AND MORE.. IN SHIN'BOKYŌ

[THE SHRINE MAIDEN OF PARADISE'S VIEW]

.

"Mmmmm.. Ssquishy.." munch. "The rabbit buns they sell at this food cart are so good!" she bit one down ravishly, "This might be the only, best thing people in the capital have ever done for Gensokyo. Gourmet food..! What a kick of an aftertaste!" Reimu mulched her food down in her mouth.

Right after she finished off that small talk to herself about street food being a godsend, the shrine maiden noticed the hushed murmurs, she looked around her, it seemed all that miniscule of a bickering she made had stirred quite a crowd. But not out of demure you might think but rather in astonishment. Even if that was the case, drawing out more attention was still bad.

"Uh.. Although maybe I shouldn't speak out my thoughts in public.. Like what I'm currently doing…" Reimu slowly snaked her hand full of onigiris near to her face and tossed them all down to her mouth with a gulp," But even so they seem kinda intrigued by my appearance." munch. "I mean I guess you don't see a shrine maiden, or the Hakurei shrine maiden ever so often in the capital. That or my eccentricities. I'm kinda liking it though.."

She reached her hand over to a certain metal hidden around her clothes, a compartment that had straps; holding the ryo in. Reimu had that gold, real sealed onto her. She wasn't spending that metal wastefully! No way! Never in a million years will she throw away such a valuable thing! It was a good thing she had money to her very own, albeit not much but it was enough.

The shrine maiden walked along the stretched road continuously, shops were flecked by the sides of the road as she ignored the accumulating swarm of people fascinated by her presence, as they mindlessly created a gap forward for her to move toward as she whipped out another onigiri, not noticing them. . . The onigiri's texture was quite crumbly.

Crumb. "I wonder if this is how Marisa gets this treatment every time she visits a village," munch."-or a town, or some kind of settlement." Slruup.. crumb. "Like I get us exterminators are a big deal, they're practically heroes in their eyes," munch."-but I get the feeling that because of our extreme habits and I dunno, brawls, they definitely don't like that. Probably thinks we'd get into fights with the locals and break stuff or something. Maybe." .. munch.

The shrine maiden brainstormed as she strolled, she passed by other vendors and grabbed any glittering samples she could take, so they all say. It isn't immoral.. She doesn't think so. Kamis, she hopes not.

As she dusted her hands off, her eyes widened as she caught a figure out at a distance. Someone. A special someone. Someone that isn't supposed to be here! She had to rub her eyes twice. Once her vision was.. cleared, she couldn't mistaken that appearance!

A short, small female individual, just barely over the average human being, had a human put into a headlock with her left arm, trying to lose themselves free from their clinch. On the other hand, she held a bottle with unclear contents in a cheering raise, but she can tell it's a beverage from some brewery.

She sat on an ordinary straight bench by a dishevelled looking table by the corner of the tavern, stocked with a boat load of bottles of drinks flooding the surface. Yeah. It was clear she was drunk.. as always.

The familiar individual wore a straw conical hat, with what appeared to be two horns, like literal oni horns, penetrating the frontal brim of the kasa, and no one is paying attention to it? She was dressed with a grey robe, encased around with a mino straw cape hiding her back, and that golden hair of hers was sticking out so damn much!

Her thoughts raced with appallment, it was a total shock to her that not a single wandering swordsman, or a doshin, or an exterminator has noticed her at all! In the human capital! Or at the very least show up at the premises, 'What the?! No way..! Suika! Judging by the horns alone!'

Before she marched her way in, just now, a daunted voice befell her from upfront. An old man, clearly in distress, called. He had worn in beige-like coloured apparels, sleeves rolled up and his trousers ending at just almost above the knee level. Where his hips are, it was draped with a white raggedy kaekama at front with signs of stains. His hair was grey, had a top knot as every man, eyes weak-lidded, and quite the bushy eyebrows.

"Oh..! Priestess!-sama," they scattered at the heel and pleaded to the miko, "Thank the kamis, you are here! A discontent upon my shop! Much trouble..! Like an oni's rampage!"

She was certainly not surprised as she already knew who and what the problem was, but she was still to listen, as the many gods's graces and the Hakurei kami she pledged to she is.

"Right. Just what, or who," she intoned with a hint of emphasis, "-is this discontent are you talking about?"

The elderly man didn't notice the small shift in her voice as he nodded thankfully, a bit distressed, "A stranger, she said to be from afar, ordered drinks. At the time, it was okay.. But every few seconds, she drank quick and swift and the whole masu boxes emptied; ten every eight seconds have passed..! Then the next, she disrespected the shop by drinking the stocks of our flasks used to pour drinks! It wasn't enough she said..!"

'That damn hell oni..! Problems with the locals already?! Does she ever think what'll happen next before coming here?! Or is alcohol the only thing in her kamidamn mind?'

Reimu reassured the owner, "Don't worry." she inflected heavily, "I'll deal with this store problem of yours."

"O-of course! You best be careful..! She is no ordinary woman, nor stranger at that matter! At this point not even a human..! Scared the unruly gangs that always visited my establishment with her mere presence, and my regulars too! She's like an oni.. disorderly, strong, with unbelievable surging strength both in body and mind..!"

The shrine maiden sneered at the last word, 'Mind? Yeah right.'

"She knocked and grappled with one of my patrons after a fierce altercation due to the amount of drinks she had! Look what ended up for him..! " he cried out.

"Yeah. I saw." she stared blankly at the man headlocked by the very oni.

"She's told us herself that she's a hermit from Bha-vah.. Ah-gra?" Reimu went white after hearing that, "I've never heard of it before but that just makes it so interesting to us..!"

'W-what the hell? Did she just drop that name out to make her story believable?! Always with her! She could've made up a fictional place but no! She instead picked one that's restricted to human knowledge?! She's going to out herself and a lot of things if she keeps going like this! Is she really this stupid or is she so crazily drunk that she's inclined to shake it off?! She's going to make another catastrophe here! Again, in the human capital! .. How many times am I going to say human capital?'

"Achi! Achi! Come here quickly!"– '.. Who? Oh.'

The elderly man ushered hand gestures at what appeared to be a young woman, a shakufu, wearing a basic brown kimono, not the most fashionable nor was it uniform at all. Just like the owner, his father, she too had a kaekama. She had a disheveled-looking cap over her head, her hair was normally cared for, cleanly shaven and with an onyx-coloured kimono, and a smooth face albeit a bit grimy from the work she hosted.

"Very sorry, this is my daughter. She helps me in tending to the customers with care."

"Hi-ehhtoh… I-it's nice to meet Miss Priestess-sama…" the young gal lowered her head, "I assist my father as a server, and sometimes c-caterer ."

"Um. Likewise." the shrine maiden returned the compliment, she pointed out the gathering around Suika, "So, what's up with them?"

"The yakunin have temporarily left this sector.. Residents would risk a bit, if the fine is not so damaging." the owner informed her honestly.

His daughter nodded, "Many say they were all moved to investigate a fire that spreaded in the storehouses, along with the local hikeshi.."

'That's ironic. Didn't Keine say they built safety architectural precautions in case of a storehouse getting caught on fire? Anyways, Hikeshi? The hell's that? .. Nevermind I don't think it's necessary to ask.'

"Aha. Is that so?"

"Yes.. It is why you don't see much respect around here, for the time.."

"Mhm. Yeeah.. I've seemed to notice that." Reimu side-eyed the small group of followers just behind her, the two noticed her hints and understood.

The owner's daughter gasped, "Ahh..! It must mean much for them."

Her father added to that, "W-we apologise for our them, we don't get much visitors here. They act differently when we receive foreigners. Especially the Hakurei shrine maiden.." his eyes scoured the gathered crowds, "My regulars have all been from around here, not elsewhere, if you understand.."

"Eh. I don't mind it, really."

It made ample sense. Gensokyo, while its incidents continued like a moth hunting for the nightlight, actually pushed people to stay in their homes and local regions, or what is considered to be youkai-free.. Speaking of youkais. . .

"When has that ohn-...emm.."– 'Definitely not smart to say that right in front of them. And importantly, the large crowd behind her,'– "-that new customer of yours arrived?"

"ooh.. well, the day before Tsumetai arrived."

"... And that is?" Reimu asked. The shrine maiden didn't know who, or what Tsumetai was.

"Oh-oh.. Excuse for my poor choice of talking.. I forget you are not all too familiar with Iro-ku. We don't get many visitors here as you already know."

"It's fine. I don't come to the capital as a whole often."

"A-achi, if you please."

"O-of course, chichiue. aaanno.. Tsumetai is.. a holiday here, about the cold spirits that once lived here.. A g-great flood wiped out its inhabitants here before the village was absorbed in by Lord Hizatako-sama under court orders. In this event, we make figures out of clay to be presented in front of our homes to show the spirits our progress."

'That sounds.. nice actually. Letting the spirits to harbour clay people and see the improvement of the place must feel reassuring.. Anyways, absorbed? so that's the capital expansion I keep hearing about. That said.. isn't the land around the capital all plains and.. all that topographical nonsense?'

She cleared her throat, "Uh-hem.. Where are we?"

"Uhm.. In Iro-ku.."

"Not what I mean!" she caused the woman to squeak," Sorry... I thought the capital was all flatlands?"

"No-no, many get that wrong.. I think.. The central part of the capital is.. tended on a smooth plain compared to ours. The territories on the edge... are mostly lowlands or swampy marshlands. Water will flow from the top."

"Ah, I see. Yeah, I got'cha."– 'That certainly explained the bumpy road.'

"Our ancestors were haunted with sworn vengeance. To fix that, t-they built Hiyaka shrine.. It is close to the local grove here."

Curiosity prompted Reimu to push, "Why make it a day though? Isn't a shrine just there to appease them.. No, sorry." the miko apologised. She felt like she was disgracing the sanctity of the spirits. It's shameful, ".. Though.. A day just doesn't seem necessary honestly."

"P-please do not apologise.. Villages h-have their own ways of tradition compared to others.. You m-may see other differences when you visit others.."

"All understandable.." – 'I guess.' – ".. Don't you people have at least protectors..? Other than the guys that police this place, and the spirits around here, of course."

"W-we have occasional thieves and arsons living here in Iro-ku. If the yakunin can't catch them.. Then the kumigashira of the local militia will.. But we usually seek help by the very spirits we owe homage to.. Like the villages we hear to you as the divine protector of Shōtai.."

'What..? in the Yaoyorozu is that! Are the human enforcers that weak in maintaining order around here?! That's..! really.. infuriating with how incompetent they seem to be. Unless it just might be this part of the capital.'

"Oh yes.. Kasahachi-dono.." the store owner spoke again, as to aspirate his image, "He is a close friend of the establishment and we are very indebted to him."

"Uh-huh, then where is he now?"

"Yes, yes.. Although I don't know the details, Kasahachi-dono and his peers are out to train with the machikata doshin. There is a good chance he may have been diverted to help with the fire.."

'Just my luck..' The miko sighed frustratingly, a bit soft so it wouldn't intimidate the shop owner in any way, "Just leave it to me, I got this."

"We thank you much! Truly!" he said profusely, thanking her as she passed, they lowered their heads in gratitude. It was really unnecessary.

Marching down, she explored around the packed space for a bit. An ordinary tavern, "Sakamiya, Miso and Sake" .. Enticing.. But she wasn't here for that, while appealing it still might sound. . . Seemingly her stranger's ravage had attracted a small crowd.. There was no way this revelry hasn't blown up to anyone in particular yet, especially with the rowdy customers around her.

She picked off a bottle from on top of the capped barrels of miso soup by the corner.. "Hey. You." Reimu pointed at the oni," What are you doing here."

"hhhnn.. please.. Help.." a defeated voice groaned gravelly.

The miko shifted glances on the grappled human, before she narrowed her eyes on the oni. Reimu placed her left hand at the side of her own waist like some upset mother to a prodigal child.

Finally, the seeming oni offered an eye and smiled, "Ooh.. hay there, raymoo." she raised the same bottle in her direction, "Whana join?"

Tempting offer but, "No thanks! What in hell are you doing out here?!"

The oni dropped the human out of her arm, 'ooofh.' as they hit the ground, "ehe. Jhust wanted toh tri themm drinks, obhviously. Hic."

"Seriously?! But, you're not supposed to be here! Remember? You're an o-hmpni.. Nmh?" strikingly, an inebriating stench; undoubtedly one that's familiar to her, clotted her nose. Reimu's eyes drooped down to see the oni's hunking hand covering her mouth, "Mfmmph!"

"Of courseeseh, I dooo kno' dat.. Eheeh.." Reimu's eyes avert back to Suika, her small dense body of her's was just casually reaching over the table just to cover her mouth,"eeh.. Maybeh." she belched pretty loud, typical oni, "S'cuse me."

"Fummph? Megh mmhis moff!" Reimu tried prying off Suiki's hand, it was exuding this strong alcoholic scent!

"Oh rhight. Surry.. ehe. Heh.." Suika finally released her hand off her lips, whipping her head around unto Reimu's coughing physique. The shrine maiden was just lucky to be alive, not choking to death.. by her.

The miko hacked and wheezed for air, "Y-you idiot of an on-hm.. Grrgh, ahem.. why are you here at this tavern? … I-.. Saying that, I just realised how stupid I sound when I noticed who I'm talking to."

"Eheheh.. Yew kno meee.. Deh drinkssh here aree naht that baadh." she strung up her words so dully.

Reimu coughed a couple of times before trying to rejuvenate, she inclined herself to indulge, ".. R-really?"she rasped but cleared her voice, "-Is that so? That sounds hard to believe. I thought you'd-.. uh, liked your drinks fromelsewhere? Specifically not here and somewhere else foreign."

"Ooh hyeah.. I haad ovah ah handred drinks, HIc, i tink, olso i khept draahnkin' fram mai purrsuhnal saakeh too bee-cause it wassent enuf.. Soh, can't thell if thish the dhrinks ahround here makin' me feels thish whay or mai gourd.. ehe.. Came hare to seeh ifh teh ruhmours aare true.." her speech was so slurred, she didn't understand the first half of it!

"What the hell.. Okay, I was talking about how you're- oh right.." Reimu knocked at the head, that oni would drink out of her gourd whenever she feels like it, not the sake, "-You'll just drink whatever.. I was really thrown off on how you can get drunk off the drinks around here but that explains why you're super drunk… And what rumours?"

"Ehe.. ehehehe." the oni giggled uncontrollably, "i tink! It's besh we talk sumwhere else..! thann heere. Ehe." she jostled her gourd-shaped jug around.

"Yeah I think so too. At least sober up."

"Shuure..Hic." Suika rose a bit from where she sat as Reimu stood just far away from the table, others who'd seen her; followed and backed off a little. The oni raised her two arms in a stretch before tumbling a bit backward and Thud! It felt like the ground had shaken then.

'... If that isn't proof of what she is, then I don't know what is.'

As the little oni pushed herself up, she patted herself clean… The rough floor she bedded on; a dirt ground mind you, was a small crater. Were it to be a stone floor, it'd be a massive crack.. Suika grabbed her hyotan gourd, took one small sip, and shook her head.

"Waaw.. hwaah…" she huffed, "Mhan.. Whish the human beers nhow were as shtrong as back ten. Ye knoh, ahround the time when h-mfump.. mhanmm.." her words came off muffled from a lidding gohei on her lips.

"And I thought you were planning to keep your identity a secret..!" she aggressively muttered out to the oni.

Her gohei leapt out from the oni's mouth, "uhnn.. Dhun't wurry.. Told everywan here I'm ah hermit.. ehe. Look! Lhook at what I'm wearin'!" she tugged on the robes.

"... You really need to sober up. I can't talk to you like this. Especially out here."

They both stared at each other blankly, "... … When have I ehever bheen shober?

"Good point. When have you really ever?"

"eehe.. d'pends. We drink because itsh great. Itsh doesn't fheel fun when we are."

Reimu rolled her eyes, "Look. We better get going. it's better somewhere else than here-" she looked around the gathered crowd, this in turn made them weary, "-. As you said."Reimu whispered with emphasis.

".. Okey. I'll follow ya." she said chipply.

"Good because I really didn't want to keep talking sense to you. Come on."

"Yheaah yheah." the oni acquiesced, skipping along behind her.

Good, she got her attention, the miko turned around to the entranced crowd and took one small breather, "Hello? Uh, everyone here? Can you please move away just right, we need room to walk upon." as ordered, they immediately scurried back and formed a path just for them to cross, "Woah. That was extremely.. organised, and quick."

"Where do ya wanna go anywhays? Any place here iz definitely nat suitable to talk."

"I know that! Just needed a starting point to go from."

"Okai! I undastand that." the oni took a sip off her sake container.

The miko sighed, drained, gesturing the little oni to follow as she walked into the newly carved-out..? .. path made out for them. While her presence did still garner unwanted attention, the numbers did plummet as time went on. But of course, passersby watch them with awed interest. After all, one never sees the shrine maiden of the Hakurei clan converse with a ronin; they might think. A hermit, others would judge, by the peculiar addon on Suika's kasa. In. The. Human capital. Although.. Technically at the western outermost part of the capital.

Their contrast between the two showed a lot. Whereas Reimu walked with a stiff and ordinary gait, Suika walked along in an uncontrollable daze. The miko showed divinely and with pageantry, Suika was more jolly and expressive in comparison. The shrine maiden shone on that. The duo still hasn't said a word to each other after leaving the tavern, a minute has passed, or was it more than a minute? It didn't matter to her.

She browsed the establishments endowed by the sides. Perpendicular raised paper lanterns and festives lining the road with colours. Multitude of shops, carts, and stalls selling their produce. Selling the occasional food like meat buns, udon, and other specialities upfront. Tea houses, potteries, haberdashers and lodgings at times. Watched random events bunkered on specific locations, like a lacquerware store manager seemingly arguing with a confused farmer with his ox.. She slowly grasped why. Oxen aren't allowed to be in the capital, if she remembers. Her mother told her similar to that.. Something about the roads being damaged and cutting costs..? If her memory serves her right.

Anyways, either public regulations in this part of the city are as dead beat as not seeing through Suika's disguise, or the security around here wasn't as serious as the capital guards of the bukemono monban-shu deep within the central area of the human capital.

Also..! That load the ox carried were a copious amount of rice bales, sixteen at best she counted.. So not really copious but.. That can like, live out a month or two, if her maths persists.. Of course, rice bales as those numbers are normal; for a yield per paddy produce are like around the numbers between thirty and twenty. . . Here in the consolidations by the capital anyways… She was getting distracted.

She shook her head, changing course. She found other places that had these odd names unfamiliar to her, but that's just probably because she never stayed in the human capital long enough to know what some of these establishments are, or this place ever. 'Hachi..kyuu..san,' eight.. nine.. three? Who'd name their establishment with randomly arranged numbers?. Just from afar where Reimu and Suika are, the sounds from within the establishment had very rowdy customers. By the sounds of it alone, it could be a bar but she doesn't know much of this part of the area of the capital at all. So she could leave it at that.

Then a large vertical sign, 'Kenrō Sharpener?' They sharpen things? .. No, no. Well, they do but they specifically sharpen swords. All because she saw a few individuals outside grappling on these strange long thin casings; they looked like samurai? swordsmen? But not in a threatening way, just holding them in an eloquent manner. . . 'Kamis, is it hot today..'

Until her thoughts were disturbed by the very same oni, as her voice called out to her, "Raymoo! Helloh! Heyah! Raymoo! Gensokyo to Reymoo!" she waved a hand in front of Reimu's eyes. That was enough to make her snap out of it.

"Huh? What? Oh. Sorry, I wasn't thinking straight."

"Yheah. Hi've been callin' you out. Yew nhever responded."

"Sorry. I was a bit out of the loop.." she grazed their surroundings, ".. Uh, Is it safe to speak? Here? There doesn't seem to be a lot of people here, around us anyways."

The oni addled, and procrastinated a little bit. She prowled around the area they were in; three times to be sure, and gave a thumbs up. Still pertaining to that tipsy attitude.

"Eh? How can you tell?"

"Ih checked..! Ahnd intuition."

"... So you're not sure."

"Ay am. Trust me!" the oni's grubby little hands clung unto Reimu, "I'm nat lyin'!"

"Sure.." she tried to pick the oni's hands off, "I'm only agreeing because.. I'm in a.. good mood?" –'Huh.. It might've been those sweets I had earlier. They were actually really good. Might have to come back there another time.' - She reeled back a bit, Suika's grip didn't budge, "Please let go of me now."

"Okeh.." the oni finally let go. Suika seemed.. Despondent. Reimu didn't bother.

"Seriously.. What is the deal with you? Didn't I tell you not to come back here without getting yourself in trouble on top of that?"

"Jhust wanted to try the dhrinks out! What's wrong with that!"

"Yeah no, I don't believe you. You're being mighty suspicious on a day like this, said there's a rumour that made you curious, 'specially when the human clans in the Yonshou regions are getting rash. Kigiku this, and whoever the hell Kawamura is, that. It's the start of a hot summer and they have to exhaust me out with all this work! They may as well send another lampad to the shrine to annoy me further!"

"Eh...? That'sh weirdly specific. lamb-pad? Are you talking about that girl under your shrin-"

"No, it isn't. Okay, here look." Reimu breathed a sharp one out, "This isn't the first damn time you're here in the capital. And all your times visiting here have been one disaster after another."

"Eeh? But Ih dhon't remember dhoing anything that extreme here.."

"Course you freakin' don't! That's because you weren't there to see it as you left! You hitch for a drink and leave! That's all you've ever done here!"

"Mhmmh.. Shurely I-" the miko cut her off.

"And don't get me started when you incited that small incident at the city with the locals that ended up getting them locked up and their fingers sliced off..! …" Reimu's face softened up afterward, "-but.. it turned out that they were actually some infamous brigands the cops have been trying to catch around that district.. Can't believe they wanted to reward and thank you.."

"Wuhh-rweally? Eh, well, what do yew look at that! Nhot all-"

"Shut up, that was only the one. In fact the fourth time you were here and made a mess around here, I had to clean it up! And..! Ooh, this one!" she griped," The time you flooded one fifth of the outskirts of the capital with beer!"

Suika swayed ever so slightly, tending that upbeat motion but a curious expression, "Whaa? Thaat happened? I dhon't remember much.."

"... You single handedly, unintentionally, caused it because you left your gourd of yours, open, in the drainages after leaving the market, then complained to me that you lost it!"

Suika hummed inquisitively, ".. How'd Ih managed to get ya toh help meh?"

"I had to! I couldn't keep listening to your bawling! You kept wailing to me, 'Reimu! Reimu! I can't find my gooourd! Help me find it!' so I had to give in just so you could shut up."

The oni merely spoke with a simple interjection, "Oh." she popped her hyotan flask open once more and chugged.

"Then, we travelled to.. kamis know where." Reimu tried to recount, "Oh yeah, we went to that one village by the lake across some forest, and then we had to sort out a drunken brawl happening; that you just so happened to cause, again unintentionally!"

Suika finally ended her long swig, ".. waw, sounds pretty hic-tic."

"-When that whole thing was done, we visited the capital and heard from the people that there was a massive sake leak; so they say. We checked it out and there it was. A flood, and it took ages to fix that whole mess! Your gourd left out in the open, stuck in an incline, stopping anything in and filling up the pipes so much that it created a literal tsunami from inside waiting to burst out of pressure! Like?! How is that even possible?" the shrine maiden roved her hands over, "And don't think I've forgotten about the time you nearly started a brawl at the main festivals because you were celebrating too hard to connect well and relate with the locals. . . Wait…"her gaze averted as she stopped the rant, darting her eyes unto Suika," … Was that intentional?"

"Huh..? eh? Wat is?" she snapped out unconsciously, Suika tipped her head unknowingly.

"You don't? .."A slight sigh came out of the miko's mouth. The unintentional onomatopoeia wordplay the oni had spouted had her naturally dispositioned. Her face gave up, "Guess not.. It doesn't even matter, you'll just forget about this anyways." she pinched herself, ".. So what are you doing here? You said something about rumours?"

"Yup!" she admitted, "Came here toh scout out tah chri-minal organisation nhetwork here in this particular lohwer sector." Suika plainly stated, unknowingly tipping the shrine maiden with.. quite the display of information.

"Eh? .. C-criminal organisation..? You came for that? .. And all you did was drink?! Solely here for a rumour?" Reimu brought herself onto the oni, "Suika.. What in hell do you even find anything worth your time in this dumb rumour?!"

"Jhust nahturally curious! That's all!"

"Naturally curious? Gah.. Who am I kidding? It's you who I'm talking to." she slumped both arms down.

The oni giggled, "Ehe.. Well, it's nhot like I'm gunna exacerbate it with furthah mishchief, mmh? Hic!"

".. Hum.." Reimu really doubted that, ".. I never asked but you're getting pretty coherent by the minute, how do you guys do this?"

"Ehe. . Happensh to ta' most of us onis when we're drunk."

'or it's just the alcohol's effects running out.' – "Right anyways.. What are you going to do now? Downing yourself into more troubles again or what?" she placed both hands on her hips.

Suika shook her head at her in a way to placate Reimu's ire, "Nuh! Noh! It's sumthin' hi've to do, sumthin' Yhuug wanted-eh, . . ." Suika sputtered, "Jhust dhownplayin' an organisation!"

".. Was that even a.. language you could even understand? I take that back, you don't actually get coherent a minute later."

"Oofh.."

"But seriously, Is that the rumours you're talking about? Some secretive ragtag group you want to schmuck on? … Is that why you're here?!" the shrine maiden flipped out.

"ehh.. Tah ruhmours.. Part of it. Mhm.." Suika droned in affirmation.

'Part of it..? Is she alluding to beer and sake?! … Well it's not like she did that earlier.'

"Mhany shay tah top ruling gangs in this dishtrict have bheen unified, or not really, mhore like forced to jhoin. ehe."

".. How.. do you know this?"

"Ooh! eeh.. Weeeell.. It's been widely talked abhout?"

The silence was off putting that Reimu settled, "You.. really have a way of words.."

"A-ahnyways, this union leader has a boss of their ohwn! No clue who though! Yuugi whouldn't say ..! Eep!" she covered her own mouth.

"W-what the hell? Yuugi?" her mind strafed into connecting the dots, "So you are here because of the conflicts that's been recently happening!" – 'That's some serious business if Yuugi seemed pressed about the entire thing to take the matter into her own hands...'

"Y-you kno' abhout dat? .. N-n-no! Ih.. actually have no idea! .. Youkais bheen talking about them! Saw a couple of Yuugi just caught word of it..! Ih think.."

"Yeah? Tell me how."

"Whe're actually at tah northern part of the human capital!" she drew out an imaginary circle in the air and tapped at two points; at the north and south of the circle, "Ahnd you know youkai forest is just above it! Soo course itsh'd made sense fhor it to explode and take word!"

"Wait? We are? .." So the Hieda Manor is up north? She better remember that.

"You don't kno'? Ih thought you came here by yhourself?"

Reimu pursed her lips, "I.. did. Maybe without a sense of direction.." her head listed for a bit, "And you're sure word spreads that quickly?"

"Mhm. It's already in the tengu papers!"

"And that it doesn't strike you as odd that it's all public information, with how the tengus already picked up on that? With the fact that there aren't any signs of further administration localised with good-to-true honest police work after such upstart rumours and tabloids tying in around?" – '... Holy Hakurei, did I actually say all that?' her mind was.. certainly surprised with her vocabulary.

"Ih.. guess so! But, I mhean, there's bheen a ghood ahmount of arrests.. So I hear.."

"You call that great? Tell me, how long has this criminal ringworld been going around for?" the shrine maiden walked closed in front of Suika.

"Eem. . . Ih don't kno'.."

"Uh-huh. You don't know?" she said with the most doubtful attitude, "If there have been a good amount of arrests, trusting on your words.. even though I shouldn't. You imply it to be recent-"

"bhut.. dhidn't rheally mean dat.. it.. was rhethorical.." while Suika spoke up, slightly quiet. Her protest would fall on deaf ears.

"Then why haven't they sorted this entire thing out from the get-go? I'm sure something like this would already have been purged out; considering how brutal the enforcement system is."

Suika couldn't even get a word in until Reimu spoke again, not anything a repartee to lighten the topic nor a counterclaim; since she wasn't technically wrong.

"-And you say they've been unified fairly recently. And that leads me to suspect that you're not here for them at that time, you're here because of a motive, and that motive leads us straight back to Yuugi."

'Wow.. What detective work I did by myself, I'd pat myself in the back.. I should've been born a detective instead! . . . Wait so.. is it really Yuugi?!'

"Noh..?"

"... Is that all you can say?"

. . .

"Myes.."

"Onis… I swear, you guys have always been the troublesome of youka-.. people; I have ever encountered, even. to. this. Day."

The oni pouted before she accepted her defeat with a slow nod. She then started to wear a seemingly and slowly, smile; curled upward twitchingly, "Bhut.. ahgree with me here.. ya dhon't think the big people ahround here have ahny people doing obscure and suhpicious errands to run?" she nudged her index finger at her.

"Huh. Well, now that I think about it, they probably.. definitely do.. Who do you have in mind..?"

"Nhun in particular!" Reimu didn't believe that, "Hwell, why do yew think this criminal operation hasan't shutted down yet?" The oni made a strong point and comeback, "Bhut! I'm not here for them..! Eh..?" Reimu tapped her foot repeatedly, "rrnn.. Yhuugi..! Yuugi called in the fayvour Ih owe her! Ih h-have to obhstruct what they're doing!"

Shockingly Suika resisted the alcohol toxins for a good while. She spoke extraordinarily well, like more than a drunk human could. Actually more than the average heavy drinkers in Seinami Lake.. Anyways-

"Obstruct them? Why? No wait, who? Yuugi? So it really is her?! Of all youka-ah, people to make you do that?!" she blurted but fixed some carelessness in her words, "That's charting out plans!"

"Yeaah.. Ish kindah sad about it though. We thought time would mend and build ah nhew bond but.. It's not as we think.. There 'r still mhany who 'hink the cord hasn't been severed tho.."

Reimu, who was once agitated, understood the situation, even felt bad, ".. Right to do so, but why does that drunkard of an oni want you to snoop on some delinquents and felons. Here of all places..?!"

"Ih told ya! A fhavour! She didn't fill in tah details! Yhuugi asked me to catch ahnybody suhspicious holding tis chrest!"

She shuffled her hands around inside her garments, as pieces of crumpled washi paper fell out of the oni's robes before she held out a thin woodblock with the carving of some kind of large fish, specifically a bream with its tail pointed upward and behind the bream was a crescent moon facing on it.

".. The hell is that? .. Some fish?" her eyes squinted closely, nothing in particular to her, "Ugh, important or not, this is the human capital. The last thing we need is a bunch of vandals and criminals causing a scene here in the most important human cities in Gensokyo because of your upcoming probable mess." a brief sigh came out, "Do you even know what you're doing?"

"ehh.." she stumbled a bit, "Yuugi said I'm s'posed to keep an eye out for any suspicious shtuff, or suspicious people with that cresth, t-that's all I knooow."

"Then what? Get yourself hunted across the country? Idiot! You'll make matters worse, on top of that ill-interest of whatever the human clans are doing near the Underworld, it'll just create an example out of you guys!"

"I'm nat and I won't! I swear! Ih told ya, ish a fhavour! Cahn't say noh! Itsz an oni's prohmise! Plus, I'm in dishguise!" she beat her chest proudly.

Her mind bled with the flooded anguish occupying her head, 'Unbelievable drunks.. A promise, one mere promise? Read the room! You can't just say that without knowing the viable consequences!'

Suika flashed a smile at the young miko, "Eeehh.. Rhegardless, I'm acktually still here because of an infhamous ghroup ahnyways! Ehe. See! Soo I'm nat doin' any badh! I'm helpin' too!"

"Because of a favour."

"Ih mean hyeah bhut-"

"Still because of a favour. Suika. Listen, you'll botch this." the oni frowned, saddened by what she's just heard, "There's a big difference between doing the operation successfully with a thought-out plan and being here without knowing what to do but drinking around at the meantime to said favour."

"Y-you never kno'! I mhay be a drunk ohni but that dhoesn't mean I can't do it! I can do it! .. In style!"

"Idiot. You'll just make things worse and create an uproar. The last thing we need is upsetting an entire network of hoodlums and their lackeys that could create turmoil around here." she laid her gohei to sit statically on her shoulder," I don't think I can handle a manhunt all because of a freakin' favour!"

"Ookei.. Sounds fair… But ifh I cahn't dew that.. maybe you can-"

"No way! Absolutely not!" Reimu had her arms and hands crossed into each other.

Suika was aghast, "B-b-b-but! Yo' know I have toh get it done!"

"Suika, what the hell do you think is going to happen when they find out you're an oni?"

Suika's head mindlessly listed off back, "Em... noh?"

"They call me, and make me sort this out! Your mess! The next thing I know, I have to exterminate you in front of them all when they manage to capture you by getting help!"

Suika slurred with a perplexed expression, "Whaa? Why?" her words were getting onto her nerves.

The shrine maiden really wanted to tackle the oni here and now, even if it may be in public but she knew she couldn't, all she could do was make her understand, "You're an oni! Many exterminators I've heard of have no idea on what to do on exterminating your kind. So. They. send. Me."

The little oni directed her head back flaccidly as she understood, "Ooooh.. You were talkin' about that. Y'know Ih thought you were ghoing to say that they're ghonna use that ash a pretensh to jushtify sumthin'."

"What..? Oh yeah, right. That too. Doesn't matter, I have a life ahead of me to maintain, and that's keeping my sanity in check." she swatted her words mindlessly.

"Uhm.. Aren'th you supphosed to be all eternally ded-hic-ated in keeping the rhole as tah shrine maihden?"

"Yeah. But I'm not entitled to every single mess. It has to be an issue, an incident, not one that doesn't actively threaten the existence of Gensokyo." How many times is she going to say this?" That's why I'm trying to avoid lots of public matters that aren't too serious to somebody like me. You'd think they'd have a lot of people in those clans that act as police capable of slaying a youkai stronger than them instead of the one who maintains the Hakurei barrier, seriously." – 'Though she did hear that samurai back then were capable of doing so. Even kamis..'

"But ishin't basically what you're saying that tay just exterminators? anoo.. colloquially?"

"Colloquially.. sure but I was thinking that they'd have the clans, or the local administrations employ them as ordinary enforcers.. N-not like some imposed advertised soldiers, but.. anoo. some mercenary-like chastisers to go around in the matters of anything youkai-related, you know? Befitting their field."

"Whut, like vigilantes?" Suika took another swig.

"Exactly like that.. Sorta. . . . We're going off-topic. You're not going to do anything drastic around here, end of story, got it?"

"Bwah..!" the oni spat her own saliva and coughed, "Ih understand dat, Ih understand.. But, ya got to take meh seriously..! This is seriously a big one!"

"Oh yeah? How serious is it?" she spat, figuratively.

"Eem. . . priority?" One bit of sweat fell close to her chin.

"Wrong answer, try again."

"But-"

"And you're sure Yuugi didn't inform you of anything else?" Reimu queried to the oni with interruption.

The tear of sweat dropped, "Auuh. . . Well.. Ookaay! Fhine! She said Ih have to shtop sum criminal activity thash been rhampant in this part of the cahpital"

Reimu's brow raised ever so slightly, "That's all? So what? That doesn't strike you as odd to do? Battering up thugs? Really?" it didn't concern her that much, until-

"I-it's sumthing 'bout oshtracising one of the gaido's office staff! And even the recently apphointed supervising yoriki of teh head of zhis place."

Okay. That does sound pretty bad, if anything she felt more obligated to help the people around here, and hopefully, better more if this whole sham could really be used to break with the whole clan mess happening between the regions of the east. If she were to trust Suika with that fish crest that looked like it'd probably belonged to a clan. So causing a problem for them could delay a few setbacks, meaning! More time. But..

".. What's a yoriki?"

"Eh, Ih dunno. Yhuugi jhust zaid to look out for wan in tis area."

"But why here?"

The oni lightly tapped her cheek whilst she thinked then reading them aloud, "Hic. Shince we're at the northwest towns of teh capital, it's closer to the Undahworld. Sooo somewhere here, it all comes bacc to tis!"she jiggled the moon and fish-carved woodblock in her hand.

'Northwest?' – "We're that deep? .."she said astonishingly, "I.. never was good at knowing my directions."– 'Without a guide in a huge expansive urban area..'

"Uh-huh! She also said there should be a shinobi ring achtive at tah northeast too, and they have scary jizo statues in there- but dhon't worri, she said she got it all fihgured out!"

". . . Don't tell me she's there? Is she?"

"Noope, she didn't whent. She's ghot help. Hic. Humans though." The shrine maiden relished herself in exhaling. The statues placement though was weird but, it did make sense. Shrines and all sorts of divine structures were hoisted at the northeast of the capital, she remembered.

"Thank the kamis they're using their brains for once… Not for this oni though..!" she muttered down to Suika as she pinched her cheek.

"Ahh! No! Stop!" Suika shrieked.

The shrine maiden let go of her reddening cheek then remained in eye contact,".. Suika." Reimu's eyes twitched slightly.

The oni soothed her cheek with two fingers, circling them in a looping motion, till that all went away when she jerked at the mention of her name, "Ye-yheah?"

She sighed, "I'm going to help you." as she swallowed her pride.

The determined little oni gleamed at her cheerfully, "Rheally?!"

"I'm only doing this because it just may help out the people around here and after how much trouble you've cost them."

"That's fair! With you along it'll mhake more things easier!"

"Yeah.. Easier." .echo.

'...Easier.'

.echo.

'..Easier..'

.echo.

'.Easier…'

.

---

JUNE 26, THE YEAR 19]

SOMEWHERE AT THE FOOT OF YOUKAI MOUNTAIN

[A RIVER KAPPA'S WATCH DEVICE]

.

The massive area of Youkai Mountain; actually Youkai Forest at that matter, can easily get you lost, unless you have an ability to make you fly outta here simply, or a map to guide you out, or a freakin' genius to know the landmarks, or just by sheer dumb luck.

The kappas have all sorts of those things in their disposal, except that luck thing but they probably could, albeit mechanically operated; usually by manual. And all of those things that were vaguely listed were unobtainable elsewhere as they were kappa-exclusive equipment. With knowledge only limited to them.

However, some of their designs would be taken after human designs; specifically the Kurokawas. It might've been made to prevent them from going off their.. peaceful route.. All Kurokawas have to be civil engineers to take on the job to learn off them, and of course, combat qualified to keep a watch. . .

Nitori hoped Marisa wasn't caught by the Kurokawas, because they were quite a bit brutal on their approach from what she'd seen.

"Hey!" A hefty grunt squandered behind Nitori, "Stop pushing!"

"Then you should stop shoving..!" they retorted back.

"Whoah-woah-woah..! Guys..! Wait for me.. I-I'm going to t-t-trip!" one of them said erratically, she sounded as if she went to try to grip on something before the comedic timing of the sounds of falling and a Krskshh! .. afterward there was silence when something crashed onto the bed of leaves, "Ooof.. my head.."

"Quit it!" Nitori snapped at the three, they quieted almost immediately, "The mountain walk is hard as it already is!"

"Sorry.." they apologised.

One of the kappas, Sute, who were just reprimanded just recently, walked on forward just beside her to match Nitori's pace, "Yo.. Nitor', Was it really a good idea to strip the supports off the Moriya ropeway a few days ago? The very same machine you built out of your own time and hands?"

"Eh, it was an important day. Was. Because this project is even far more important!" she gleamed her words at her, "We needed those stuff. But really, the ropeway wasn't something I thought of myself, unfortunately.." she muttered and sighed, "It's-.. The Moriyas proposed it to us because they said it's revolutionary and if I've got a say on it, it really is.. Not our idea though.."

"I'd have to agree as well. I'm, but.. I guess we're just too competitive.." Sute said as she kicked a small rock out of the way, ".. Like.. We really, like really, gotta ask them out about the Outside World, since y'know. They just came outta there and it just makes you think what's out there now. It's been… how many years has it been? Hm.." she mumbled some bits out at the end. The kappa didn't catch it but she didn't care to ask.

But, what Sute had said had made the kappa think about that. The Moriya's are surely full of ideas of whatever modern machinery the Outside World has. Maybe they have a giant rocket to cross through space and land on planets? .. That sounds impossible! There's no way, that'd be resource expensive!

. . .

Wait, didn't Marisa already mention her that they did? The Scarlets? She remembered them, to clarify, it was apparently during a Lunarian close-to-tragedy conflict between Gensokyo. She'd breathe another massive sigh of relief for that again due to how significantly advanced the Lunarians were, now wondering how advanced they are now..?

Unfortunately, the magician never did say how the contraption was constructed; just the adventures .. But wow.. it's been a long time since she recognised the Scarlets out there before they were secluded in Genbu.. Unless maybe that's private information not meant to be leaked out.. Their yamawaro friends.. Or adversaries would have informed them about it right away had it been worded all around.

Nitori temporarily procrastinated then blinked, "Right.. Human contraptions, yeah.. They.. tend to be.. Well, wacky? Hehe, like it's just strange and foreign to us. There's usually not much thought put into them honestly but they still work."

"Mhm. Their designs look real draft and mild, but hey! The concept ideas on some of them seem pretty nice! ..ahem.. Anyways, about the project you wanted to do." Sute had a change of voice there, she did seem pretty interested- no, jovial about it just before.

"Yeah? What about it?"

"Like.. Couldn't we have just asked the Kurokawas to.. well, ask for some resources. They seem pretty compliant."

Nitori raised a hand at that, "Too problematic, and they'd probably get suspicious with what we're asking for."

"Then.. why out here? Do we really need wood for this? Like I'm certain we don't..! "The kappa plucked out a blueprint from behind, out of her backpack, "The blueprint you showed us definitely does not require wood from what we've seen!"

Nitori shook her head at her as they walked, "There's a place around here that's full of stuff that we need. Tons of what we really need. It's a human place though, but at this time.. It should be empty. . . hopefully." she said, a bit worried.

"H-hopefully..?" Had Nitori been looking at the kappa instead of forward, she would've noticed the kappa's mouth was agape. But she didn't, "Is it.. a Kurokawa site at least? I figured it'd be a lot easier if they are.."

"Hmmm… Nope. I mean it could be. Don't know whom they're affiliated with. The place's full of magic equipment though, enigmatic and artificial magic devices. And I know you hate them–"

"i don't really though.." Sute's words were left unheard.

"-But there's a large wood grid tower that has loads of insulative resources that needs being put to work.. and computing too, so we're heading right over there."

"Is that smart..? I reckon there'll be guards."

"I.. don't think so.." Nitori shrugged, to which the kappa sighed. Even then, Nitori herself was also a bit tentative. Sute could be right. But that wouldn't stop her from completing something… groundbreaking, "I'm sure we could talk them out of it.. Like how we bargained to those Kurokawa watchguards back at the elevator."

The kappa froze at that, ".. Seriously? I have lots on my schedule now. You know Ayumi's going to have me for that."

"I mean.. You can back out now, you don't really need to-" The kappa was interrupted by a halt of a hand. She raised a brow, "Wha?"

"Nope. I'm no chicken. Let's do this." Sute said dismissively as she marched forward.

"O-ookay then..?" Nitori shrugged and turned her head around for the other two kappas. Her face fell just immediately, "Why.. are you guys still in the back! What's taking you guys so long!"

"Sorry..! I'm trying to pull Akemi out.. But.. she's got her foot stuck under a tree root! .. Heeave..!Heaaave!" the kappa attempted to pull from the kappa's torso out. The kappa reacted with a pained look as her leg appeared to be getting twisted from her foot tucked in.

"Waah! That hurts! That hurts! Stoop! Stoooop!"

She stopped pulling, her face marked with a puzzled and embarrassed expression, "Eeh..? What can I do then?"

"Jeez. I can't believe you guys didn't even bring your material detachment tools with you. And Seira.. You already know Akemi's got a frail body condition."

The kappas Nitori had mentioned; reddened. Quickly, Nitori put herself down to her knees then sounds of machinery of a mechanical claw hand out of her blue backpack offered her a small box, opened it up and brought it near.

Just as Nitori was about to aim down on the large root with the.. What appeared to be a handheld portable plasma cutter which Akemi looked at with disdain and worry.

"What's the big hold-up over there! You guys coming or what?" Sute called out from afar.

Nitori looked back up and retracted the plasma cutter out. The stuck kappa breathed out a sigh of relief, "Yeah! .. Just a minor problem."

"Seriously? Did Akemi get stuck on a root again? Damn it.. Just use a wood cutter!" Sute shouted impatiently once more. Not like her suggestion mattered.

. . . Well, people called it inane, but the kappas called itefficient.. Akemi gulped. Nitori flicked a switch on the device, turning it on. It whispered an electric sound as it fired up. The kappa quivered under the blowing noise it made.

"H-hey.. Nitori.. Uhmm.. Oh! .. ooooh.. My head..! I don't feel so good, when I smell the fuming gas of-"

"Not like turning the plasma cutter makes any kind of odor." Nitori deadpanned, "It's on but I didn't set it on to initiation yet if that's what you're worried about."She said while she set the device on the large root with a small Thud.

"Eeep!"

.

Whoosh! .. fwassh, suu..

.

Nitori withdrew the tool again. Those unnatural sounds were approximately emitted above them. Like the sounds of a twig rattling before a swift dash. . . Just as luck would have it for the ensnared Akemi, she gave another sigh of relief. What other sounds accompanied was Seira's squeak at what had occurred.

Nitori looked around, ".. What.. was that?"

"I.. have no i-idea..!" Seira wore a worried face.

"Yo guys, nothing to worry about.. but I'm hearing these clicks around us."

"h-how did you get here..? I thought you were ahead of us?" The kappa was replied with a two steps back from Sute, then responded with a smirk.

"We aren't deaf, we heard the noises.. So… this might be the best time for using our optical camouflage suit V2.." Nitori drew out a small pad with buttons and all those technical terms.

"Are you sure..? The suit didn't even get out of beta yet! And the controller you have is definitely not connected to V2.. It's still V1.."

"... Really?"

".. Yeah.. I'm sure.. Sure because I may be in charge of handling the remodelling designs alongside Nanami. And I know which are which.." Akemi fiddled her fingers.

"okay. . . Then let's just run out of here. We'll come by… another time." Nitori uttered to the pair.. Oh and Sute too. She sent both the handheld portable plasma cutter and the apparent V1 optical camouflage suit controller pad back into her backpack.

"Wuh..! W-w-w-what?! Wait! What about me!" the stuck kappa cried frantically.

"Oh. Right."

Again, that resurgent whooshing noise that passed around their ears; subsequently caused a number of branches above them to move and rustle, a few fell and cracked at the surface, seemingly, on their own. . . Seemingly. There was definitely something, or someone, flying around them

But Nitori managed to catch a glimpse of the shadow yet it was, just, too quick. It darted through trees and leaves, in between she would've described a small momentary blurry colour of black and white, and a crimson red on top of said colours.. The kappa could've sworn she's seen that colour scheme of character before, or at least familiar with the palette.

"Hnn.. did you see it?" Nitori whispered to the three, "That blur? White and black colours. Red too."

"No. But I really regret coming along. NO! Don't call me a chicken."

"I.. wasn't planning to."

"Good. Because unlike these two, they're acting like ones by shielding their eyes." she pointed with her thumb to the cowering kappas. . . She still remembers what a chicken is?!

"Am not! It's instinctual!" Akemi spat back at Sute with a glare, the kappa rolled her eyes in response.

Something clicked, it sounded like some kind of tap then a long whirr that thinned itself out. .. bzzzzz tsss.. It cranked from within the device then stopped at an interval.

The mysterious voice giggled from beyond the foliage, "That should be a funny shot! keheheheh.." It was certainly mischievous, "-hehe.. Well.. what'd you look at that! Kappas! … Out here, where none of you guys should be! Just what are you guys doing out of the Genbu Recluse Zone?"

The voice too sounded familiar. Very, very familiar. It's funnily nostalgic.

Finally, the figure showed itself. Hoisted out of the shadows, they sat crouched on one of the more larger and stabler branches of a tree just three shaku away from them. Noticeably they held a camera near to their chest, with a thin rectangular item emerging out of it. It looked bendy and plastic, like if it was made outsourced.

What was her name again? … Oh.. Aya. That tengu.. main journalist and editor-in-chief of Bunbunmaru Newspaper, she saw one of her papers just recently. It was indeed strange for the tengu to localise, or fit in with the human settlements with information. Nitori was sure that'd exhaust her, but considering her to be the quickest youkai out in Gensokyo she remembers? Yeah, she probably still could.

The tengu flapped the photograph around and smiled in glee, "A bit stale.. but I just might get one, or more out of this!" – 'More of what..?'

Sute looked around, "Uh. Who's her?"

…

Aya displayed a baffled expression, greatly startled, "Wawah..? You.. you don't know me?"

"Yeah, no. Definitely not." she crossed her arms, "We were social then- I mean we're still social now, but I'm sure 300 years without any major contact from the outside in a ravine wouldn't be notified of what's going on as much as it is outside. Did you really think we'd know you in some way?"

Sute was half-right. Tengu and kappa relations were bolstering strong back then. They'd meet, they'd talk, and do what-.. What did they do back then? She doesn't remember much..

Nitori saw that Aya possessed a small, skeptical attitude that laid on her visage, suspicious of them, in a way..

"So.. my drop of cache of newspapers didn't make its way in? Maan.. That took much careful planning and bribin-..uhm. money to pass it down to you lot!"

"Oh..? Oh, yeah. We got it alright. We thought they were normal supplies, so we just used them up for fueling one of Ayame's crazy biomass-boiling generators for the KARATARO project." Nitori shushed Sute up, ".. Oh right! Forget what I said."

Nitori facepalmed. Luckily the tengu didn't care about that, more like she cared for her character's renown.

"Then.. how do you know it was mine?"

"We didn't."

The tengu pouted, "But.. then, how do you guys get in touch with the current events of Gensokyo if you've never read any reliable informative manuscripts?"

"Meh. It depends, we'd read if we get curious, and we'd definitely read when we noticed something's out of the ordinary. But we've got our sources from neighbouring sources. That's how the Kurokawas do nowadays. Like from Suzunaan for example. That, or a few friends from Suzaku ridge." Nitori went aghast at what Sute had sputtered out.

"Suzaku..? ridge?"

"O-oh. Just nothing." Sute started playing with her words. Aya drew a brow up before letting it go. Nitori wiped her sweat from that close encounter.

". . . Okay so.. If you receive.. posted papers from Suzunaan daily, or maybe at a particular time? I'm sure you're able to get my papers on top of that! We've made a collaborative effort with Kosuzu!"

"Possibly, but we still usually throw them down into the generators." she shrugged, "Though, I'm sure one of us has a knack for reading newspapers. Don't ya, Nitori?"

"Eh? Oh .. Mmm.. I do. Although, I'm sure I already know who she is."

Aya's face flared up in exuberance, "Really!"she lit up in recognition. The tengu immediately b-lined for the kappa without warning with that wanting stature.

"Yeah.. We met in this very place..? I think.. During the war?"

"Hm? The war? There's tons of war!" until she snapped her fingers in acknowledgement, "Ah! That's right! You were the head engineer of the pioneering division during the Chishi-zoshi war! Heh, documenting everything you guys said was always fantastic, I then monopolised it to anyone who wanted to know." she coughed, "As, I didn't really learn a single thing."

"That's okay, I'm sure it was put into some great help."

Aya winced, "Right.. Great help." she whistled for a while.

Sute snapped her fingers, "Oh yeeah, Nitor'. you did volunteer to fight in that crazed campaign you found.. How'd ya say it again? A rare opportunity."

"I didn't fight. I just built emplacements for them. We wouldn't be able to do much ourselves physically."

"Eh? Wouldn't do much physically? I wouldn't say able to toss an adult, not physically strong. You know some of us do sumo right?" she said snidey.

"I mean, we can. Just not to this level of form.." Nitori muttered her words to herself.

Behind the two, whispers accumulated as they vaguely heard, "Nitori fought?" . ".. she said she didn't fight!" . "yeah.. But that's still fighting."

Sute crossed her arms once more with her eyes narrowed, "So, you're saying we have the strength to do so, just we don't want to." the kappa said boldly.

"Yeah, yeah! But, I'm saying that compared to most youkais out there!"

With what appeared to be the reprisals to end. The tengu, while that happened, watched them back and forth with a neutral expression to this.. badinage she thought. With silence closing in, Aya spoke up.

"What are you guys doing here anyways?" she stepped a foot forward, "Finding brushwood?" another step, "Or tearing down another support tower for the Moriya ropeway?" the tengu giggled, "The officers you guys have stationed in that lovely ravine of yours have been under fire recently. Very recent. By Lady Yasaka personally."

Nitori's face went pale for a bit, she felt like she could just drop down and dig a grave for herself, and the others. This newly-arrived foreigner from the Outside World, goddess of wind and rain, certainly had made her presence well-known. Even reaching news of the deepest pits of Makai, or how she heard it anyways.

Of course, they weren't all too familiar with Lady Yasaka, but they met for the Moriya Ropeway project. One of the first times for the kappas to see some sunlight figuratively, and fancying a sight of the Human Capital. . . And those massive floating onbashiras she used as support platforms that could easily flatten her? Capable of flooding the ravine and flushing them all out? Greatly spoke for her.

"That fast? When?"

"Well… Just now! Started taking pictures too, wanna see 'em?" she shuffled her pockets and brought three photos that captured the eminent goddess of the Moriya Shrine in it. She was reprimanding a band of lightly armoured men in three different angles, "High-quality, isn't it? Took this off from Kourindou.. Haah.. Rinnosuke's so hard to get by. Tried haggling, then we resorted to bargaining.. Popularity? Doesn't wanna. Direct services from me? Don't wanna! I could've brought him anything I could! Then.." she pulled back her tears with a sniff, "I had to trade off state tengu secrets for it..! But.. I think he can keep the word to himself… Still got this though. Worth it." she waved the camera around, it definitely looked unique and interesting.

'Kourin..? Sounds familiar.. Didn't Marisa mention that name before..?' – "Uhm.. Who..? … Eh.. I guess we're just lucky to make it out of there." – 'but we still need to get back in…'

"Mm. You guys are lucky an exterminator didn't find you first. Otherwise if you were, let's say-"

"Yeah, yeah. We all know about exterminators in this current age, we're not that out of touch." Sute cutted her off.

"Oh. Okay. Need help then?" Aya spoke with a suspicious tone.

Nitori didn't want to buy in but. . . I mean the additional aid sounds good. Even if it were to be capitalised, it was fine. The only problem isn't that it'd get famous and Aya getting back rich off that. No. It's that this particular tengu, with the fact that she hasn't changed one bit, would just reveal them out to make it her next latest publication! There's always something more Aya would want. Before Nitori would call her out on that, Sute asked the tengu.

"Is there a catch?" It was a good call. Nitori really wanted to say that outloud.

"Eeeehh.. I mean.. I… want to just have a good interview with you guys! Is that okay? .. it should be.."

Nitori looked at one of the kappas, they nodded at her, inferring to not at Aya's deal but at her. The kappa shook her head no.

"We refuse."

"Eh? shikashi! This is once in a lifetime!" The tengu wrangled her hands about.

"Lifetime? . . ."

"I-I mean.. Have you ever had this opportunity pop up a hundred years ago or more? It's a rare sight! Imagine what it can do for you when many in Gensokyo might feel sympathetic!" The tengu made a good point. The kappa's are patient.. But the process of waiting was horribly boring.

"Okay.. here. Let's make a compromise. You can freely publish something about us-" Nitori saw the tengu had her heart flutter in joy.. before it drowned in confusion, stupefied, "-but, you can't mention us."

". . . Huh?"

"You can make stories about us, but you can't have our names listed in the article."

The tengu displayed a wilting face, overly confused that she scratched her head, ".. What?"

Nitori sighed, "You-"

"I heard ya the first time! But, it doesn't make sense! How can I publish a story, without one-hundred percent truth! .. A-And to spice up that truth at that!"

'Factually true huh? Of course you'd like your version more!' – "Haaa.. don't worry, you'll get it soon enough. For we may be doing something.. Incidental." Might.. Maybe, might be the first time she sounded that nefarious. Heavy intonations implicates lots.. "You'll.. Just have to be patient."

"Oh? Oh. Ooooh.." she shined a smirk after wiping that estranging gaze, "-heh. I get ya. Then.. What'd ya want me to do? I'll keep this little secret of yours, ah?"

"Good enough, I'd like you to check out an outpost not far from here.. I think just straight ahead, a tower and a pylon on the right. If I remember.."

"Okay, sure. I'll check it out.. ayaya.." . .. Ayaya..?

In less than a second, the tengu had already disappeared into thin air. Not a single trace of evidence to see where she had gone! .. As expected much of the tengus.

During this interval, Sute and Nitori stared at each other. Seira and Akemi finally caught up with the whole debacle as their emotions transfixed into calm. they just sat cautiously at the back.. With Akemi still entangled by the root, hence why Seira sat beside.

Then without warning, Aya finally returned with.. "I'm back. Yeah, you're heading in the right direction alright." good news! "Don't know why you guys are heading to the reflective elemental broadcasting tower, but I'm sure it's for a good cause. There's a hot spring facility nearby here by the way, not sure if you guys would use it.."

"Oh it's a good cause, a noble cause alright." Sute had her arms crossed while affixing this smile on her face.

Aya hummed, "I'm sure it is. Truly. Mhm. Nothing out of malicious intent!" the tengu tellingly joked. It was obvious. And yet..

"Y-yeah! But it's that malicious intent that'll save the Underworld!" Akemi shouted before slapping both of her hands to shut her mouth up. The other two kappas pursed their lips. Nitori, on the other hand, just had a scrunched-up face as if her whole world had collapsed.

". . ."

That overbearing silence was proceeded with the tengu having carved a huge smile on her face. And judging how Aya is. It looked like they wouldn't hear the end of it; putting a long frustrating groan. She wondered if Reimu, or Marisa were having it a lot more easier! echo.

'...easier.'

.echo.

'..easier..'

.echo.

'.easier…'

.

---

JUNE 26, THE YEAR 19]

SOMEWHERE IN GENBU RAVINE.. KUROKAWA HOLDINGS

[THE ORDINARY MAGICIAN'S POINT OF VIEW]

.

"Ooh.. geez.. Where am I..? Felt like I had one nasty fall then a good nap after that.. Brrrr…" Her teeth clattered for some reason. Wait.. That wasn't what she was supposed to set off last, ".. -ze.."

The magician picked herself up, rising. Her eyes were still a bit building up a clearer vision as what seems to be.. tears clogging her sight.. Was that normal?

Her surroundings, groggily still, laid to be plaster walls around with laths. Then there were thin long wood running vertically and horizontally in a pattern in front of her; they were held together by tied rope keeping them tight.. Marisa felt like she could just destroy them… Actually no she couldn't, they were quite sturdy after she tried a push, so she gave it another thought. . . She could just light it on fire or destroy it.

Then a light spiky feeling rushed over her head, "eeeh..? Ooh.. Maan.. my head.." she rubbed where it hurt; her forehead particularly, "What just-... Oh.. Right."

She finally remembered how she got here. Two figures she recalled. She was knocked out by them. She couldn't vividly recognise what they were wearing nor who they were but all she could presume is that they're likely Kurokawas as the kappas had told. It was the only sensible answer.

"... Damn it.. Are you serious..?"

The magician grappled along the wooden bars. She noticed that they weren't actually that thin nor small, they were quite blocky and dense. There was also a small aligned doorway closed with a woodwork joint lock, it seemed walking out of her cell was out of the question, nor could she be able to pick it off. Looks like she wasn't getting away that easy.

".. Kinda upset.. Really upset.. ze.." she tensed her grip on the wood.

Now yes, she could easily blow the place up into smithereens.. If her mana pool.. wasn't all out? .. Strange.. And if she had her stuff too, she would've been out of this place in a moment's second!

But they were all if's. There, the magician wanted to bawl, what can she do without her mini-hakkero! And her magic explosives too! She worked so hard to procure them! Even her trustworthy broom that stood along her since the day she got them was confiscated. The nerve!

"Uuuuu… woe is me.. woe is me.." Marisa imitated a cry, faking a 'tear' in the corner of her eyes.. In just a few seconds, she leapt off from the wooden bars back with a straight face, "Okay! Enough of that. I'll just find another way. I'm sure this place's coated in anti-magick anyways… Not too hard to detect, it's almost flimsy really. Not my first rodeo.. Or as my father likes to call it, 'Taikou mahou.' Pssshh.. Lame."

The magician patted her accoutrements; hidden compartments below her. She grinned. At least they didn't search there. They took away her magic bombs that hung around behind her vest, but they didn't take away the ones in her skirt! She reached out for them, with enough bombs she could just easily break out, even defer the anti-magick with the initial potion throw..

Then she thought about it.. How can she retrieve her broom and stuff back?! Without getting them charred and dulled in the process! That worried her, I mean she could just wait and meet-

.

.. looouud creeaaak...

.

Well. That was.. all too well convenient. The winding screech of a wood door was produced closeby. It came by her right, then two figures entered. She wanted to say that they were her attackers but, by assumptions.. They don't look like the ones.

One was taller than their counterpart, even her too from what it seems. The other is a bit taller than the magician but by an inch. They were adorned in clean but wornly apparels. A black haori with a few white insignia that she hasn't seen before, possibly the Kurokawa coat of arms? Over a plain grey kimono. Marisa found it crazy they'd wear such clothes under the heinous summer heat.

They didn't wear any armour at all yet, they were still armed with the katana sheathed by their side.. But honestly they'd probably say the same thing to her with her attire, she should really discard it temporarily just for this season..

"Ahem. Kirisame-dono. My name is Hikohara Shirakoya, yoriki Shimada-sama's banya lodging guard."

"Otoki Tsuchiya. Also one of yoriki Shimada-sama's banya lodging guards."

"It is a pleasure to meet you." they both said simultaneously, even bowed all the same too. How robotic..

"Y-yeah. Likewise.. Ze~ Uh.. Did you guys-"

"No. Kyonohara and Fujisaki-san did not intend to.. Ambush you? It might seem that you were but, in reality, they were shocked to find you there as you were surprised to be found, Kirisama-dono."

"Eeh..? Seriously?" - 'Can't believe I got caught.. Unintentionally.. There's no way I just did, just like that? ..'

"We'll be informing you that you have a visitor today. While you'll be here…" the female guard poised to rack up her brain, ".. for a day."

'A… day?! Only a day?'

"We'll also give back your stuff,"

'My stuff too?! This can't be real.. This must be a dream.. It's too good to be true!'

"-you will be granted permission to use the TCTC. The exclusive Transmittal Cantrip Telemagic Communication here at our broad-spellcasting station whenever during your incarceration, however you may experience some due lag." she flicked her hair up, "We've been having bad cut-off arcane signals from other towers recently, with our colleagues already working on solving the problem after finding the pylon missing.. a few components? More or less." she sighed, "If it was up to me, something definitely must've tampered the pylon. Could've sworn I saw someone snooping around it."

The male guard nodded, "We're trained to fix equipment, structures as those lattice pylons would be easy work.. But.. we can't determine the problem. That is why we're taking every piece and bits off so we can rebuild the whole thing."

".. We are? I thought we were just replacing the receiver? Not build it up all over from scratch! .. why should I do more work to get the least reward?"

As the guards exchanged dialogues in what appeared to be a non-serious debate, she wondered. Marisa couldn't tell.. If these people were kurokawa folks stationed for Genbu ravine, or some branch party connected to them in some way; like an external party.

".. Soo.. What can I do with the.. TC-thingymajiggy- Whatever d'ya guys call it."

In an instant the female guard broke away from her previous conversation with the other guard and responded to her, "Arcane power lines are capable of spanning the world. All depending on the magic frequencies based on the province's estimated level of arcane energy presence.. Or spell users slash magicians in the area, especially how powerful their magical pulses are; allowing the user to transmit whatever type of language you divulge in through; including enchantments, by the reflective-arcane pylon in each station, however it would still require much of your mana pool, or..! … Hikohara-san, if you please."

'... Such a long explanation..!'

"Ah, yes. Of course. This particular tower utilises the energy of the very land that we stand on! Youkai Mountain!" the guard played-fully stretched out his arms open.

What Marisa only did was be.. well, intrigued, practically herself when she finds out other… uses; but even so the idea of using the natural energy of the mountain, especially also below, never crossed her mind, "S-seriously?! Isn't that dangerous? What if someone knows to.. Well, conjure it? .. ze~"

".. You shouldn't. Don't disclose this information off to other people, we wouldn't want Youkai Mountain to be exploited and sucked off dry-" - 'Sounds unlikely.' – "-of its natural resources from conniving people now would we?" A finger standing vertically was placed in front of his lips with a shushing gesture.

"Ah.." The magician understood briskly then nodded, "I see. Makes sense, I got'cha, ze~" – '.. I only say that cause I'm planning to use it for myself!'

He hummed, "Youkai Mountain is a massive reserve pool of magic, or it's just how we like to term it. It just exudes so much, we're even just barely scratching the surface! And with how much it regenerates its magic out of its source, it's stupendous!" – '.. Probably from the hell spirits no doubt..' – "So the TCS feeds on its magic, giving unlimited power.. Although, the TC system would have its disadvantages.. Like using your mana pool passively without the user knowing; we tried our best , or units as these only exist specially for energy-rich areas, or if we get our gear sabotaged and our contacts severed.. We'd starve or get eaten in the wild."

There was some stuff Marisa didn't find interesting nor heard too intently, but even so, it was certainly revolting. She's used this sort of service before; chatting with Alice. It was useful, nifty, and absolutely convenient, but it didn't feel like the same way as hanging out with them physically.. Speaking of Alice, a thought surfaced.

Marisa raised her voice, "One question!"

"Shoot."

"Isn't this place wildly packed with youkai? Um.. What a dumb question, ehe. 'xcuse me. ze~" Marisa cleared her voice, "ahummm… Don't ya guys have, like, a regular occurrence of youkai around the place?" she curiously asked.

The two guards stared at each other, contemplating about something, "... We concealed the tower head-to-toe from a technique we learned from the kappas, optical camouflage."

"Woah seriously?" – 'Must've gotten the knowledge from Nitori, that's the only kappa I know who's reached that level.''

"Just as long as it stays still, or if nobody bumps into it. It'll stay hidden as long as it wants." .. With how extremely passionate and optimistic about all these jargon. Yeah. Marisa can see why and how they know how to, however-

"Yeah, I mean.. Have you guys seen any youkai wandering around here? I'm sure there's lots, right?"

"Hm. Yes, there's many that would wander around. Mostly the tengu defense corp patrols though."

'Not too hard to realise..'

"Hikohara-san…" the female guard covered her face up with one hand, "Do you ever think to ponder what you're going to say?"

"Oh! Right.. Hehe, sorry."

"I dunno, I think it's great you're informing me of all these!"

"Don't get ahead of yourself. You're still held captive, any wrongs and you'll face consequences you wouldn't like." the female guard retaliated with near spite.

"Oh yeah? And what's that? ze~"Marisa teased.

"... Or.." she walked over to the table where her things are, "Your little device gets it." the female guard gestured her arm into a closed fist, as she beckoned forward to her mini-hakker-

"O-okay!" Marisa gripped the wood bars, "Let's really not get ahead of ourselves here! ze.." The magician immediately backed down, she glared at her stuff, they were at the pressure of a fist floating above them, "I promise..! I won't do anything, really!"

She narrowed her eyes, "Sure? … Right." she swept her arms down, "Ahem. Do you have any last questions before we leave you to your visitor?"

"Uh.." she looked at her in thought for a few seconds, then spoke, ".. Yeah, three. Does the communication system(?) also work for.. Y'know, divine power, all that faith stuff?"

"Hmm.. We never thought about it. We're not sure if they're inherent along with communicative magic.." she covered her mouth, massaging it as she pondered, "As long as it touches spiritually to the user, I'm sure it could."

'Perfect then! I just might be able to contact Reimu! After she mentioned that Yukari modified her yin-yangs to be some kind of communicator device.. It could just work.. ze~'

"Alright, second. How long was I out for?"

"..." The female guard directed her gaze at her male counterpart, "Well?"

"Oh.. Yes. Of course, it's been three days." he said squarely, she facepalmed in disappointment, "How do you want me to say it..?"

"W-what? T-t-that long! How?!" – 'T-three whole days of being knocked-out?!'

"No clue, Kyonohara-san must've struck you too hard. That or your mana pool must've run out. We were a bit worried that you were out for that long, so we called a doctor to check you up."

"No way! I was all fine and dandy back there! It didn't get emptied out all of a sudden! I'll know when it does!"

"Strange then." The female guard stated passively, "Kyonohara must've hit you too hard then at the second whack. We'll apologise for that."

'Seriously?! Just how strong are they for me to get blacked out for three days?!' She sighed.. Had Marisa been listening intently, she would've known.. "Lastly. Who's my caller?"

The two guards traded looks once more.. Just how many times? "She might be a mouthful for you."

The magician snickered.

".. What's so funny?"

"S-sorry.. It sounded like an innuendo to me." Marisa snorted. Then she noticed her irritated demeanour, "Like, like! It just could ze~"

The female guard remained a blank expression, and not getting how it was an innuendo, ".. We best leave, Hikohara-san. I'm sure that's enough." she affirmed strongly to him as she walked over back to the door before knocking on it, alerting her visitor no doubt.

"Ah yes, of course, of course. Good luck to you, Kirisame-dono." the male guard bowed.

"All good, all good. As long as I get out of here alive, ze~" The magician could've sworn the female guard shifted looks as to roll her eyes, Marisa shrugged.

In due time, the magician could hear their footwear shuffled off back, prancing with organisation, slowly sending themselves out of the room with good synchronisation. Marisa acknowledged this as they walked out. But as they left the room, she could just hear two lines that stuck out to her-

"So where are we putting that trophy poster I made yesterday.. It'd look good at our record board, I promise."

".. Seriously? That's one of your agendas right now? .. Frankly I don't see the appeal."

...

Marisa wanted to explode the place already, at the double, but that was until her visitor finally arrived. . . A kappa? Taller than Nitori, has those foreign, vintage, circular eyeglasses on her temples, blue cap with white stripes, brown hair. . . That was the kappa from before! Wasn't it? The one from Storage 9! Nami!

Before she could say anything, a sudden affliction struck her, making her face grimaced in pain, "nhhnn.. Geez.. uhn.. You're..? Na-nami?" she groaned out and stuttered.

The bespectacled kappa shook her head, "No. That's my sister. Nanami. My name is Nami."

'.. What..? Jeez, why the hell am I getting this pain all of a sudden?!' – "Gnnh.. What the hell..? Why, so freakin' similar?" she rubbed her face, ".. Wait. You have a sister?!"

"Yes. She's a lot more sociable than me though. If I say, sporadic in intent."

"So, you.. weren't the kappa in Storage 9..?" Marisa asked with absolute curiosity

"I never was. You must be talking about my sister, are you? Storage 9? .. She did say she had to come over at Storage 9. Is that a problem?"

'Yes, that! It's a problem! .. For me anyways..' – "Then.. if you never were in Storage 9, that means it wasn't really you who word me into the Kurokawas? Is your sister affiliated with you guys..?" – 'S-so they really got me just like that? What a boring capture!'

"Word you? .. They didn't catch you if that's what you're trying to say. The guards were just minding their own business in the exit fourth corridor shaft-" — 'There's… multiple exits?' – "-and just conveniently found you. And no, my sister's a bit hard locked in all things work, she doesn't care about the Kurokawas. You may find her.. a bit stern. . .

The kappa marched closely to her cell, hand holding on the bar in front of her with an ominous look on her face.

"Actually, the reason why I'm here is I just want a bit of information out of you. Marisa, Kirisame."

… Crap. It really doesn't get much easier. echo.

'...easier.'

.echo.

'..easier..'

.echo.

'.easier…'

.

---

JUNE , THE YEAR 19]

SOMEWHERE IN KANA PROVINCE..

.

. . .

In the stillness, a faint creak echoed from somewhere within a room, somewhere.. Out in an entirely different area, somewhere in Gensokyo. In Kana no kuni. The place looked barely discernible, to be judged, it ranged in seclusion. In the room, it was dim, black, and quiet. Shrouded by darkness all around.

There was hardly any light coming from the wooden window at all, barred up with vertical poles out of the same material. Even though the place looked so old, it's actually well assorted; just crusty.

Hardly any light, that's because the day had turned dusk. The reign of luminosity by the sun fades to a glow, and the atmosphere truly mellow. Only the lanterns outside flare its way in.

A clear voice articulated itself to shatter the tainted silence, "Sorry for the wait." he knelt then sat down, "I say we continue where we left off?" The man pressed a finger down.

At the other side beheld another man already cross legged, statued into a thinking position before straightening his back and propped both hands on the short table.

"Yes, I'm sure this is where we have even the pieces? I was winning, you know. "The other man responded back, did the same as his opponent did; pushing something forward.

.. tap… tap..

".. You already knew I've had my forces set up camp here. And you know that you'll have to choose whether you want to keep your fief, or lose it."

"How terrible, how terrible." they grumbled as the man put thought into it, scouring the field, "Hhn.. How foolish of me.. There's no other way around this situation is there?"

The man smirked at him, "I don't think it's that hard to see, is it? Tochigi-dono. You. Are surrounded."he remarked.

They huffed a grunt, creasing their lips in befuddlement, "Hhrnn.. So I am beat.. Looks like it won't be a long battle then." .. tap.

"It certainly does look like it." .. tap. "After a move or two, you'll be divided and it all falls apart there. You're always on the offensive, kindling to clash. The soldiers will be tired, morale will drop, and when the time is ripe. I'll take both of your outposts."

.. tap.

Emplaced troops, tap. Misplaced points, tap. Displaced tactics, tap. Territorial advances.. tap.. tap.. pap! The two looked like they were focusing down on something. Was it a map? Was it a drawing, a painting? What was it that made it seem so interesting to the both of them? ... tap.

Afinger raised off the table. The man looked up with a smile with glee, "I won."

The other player retracted a finger too with lethargic movement, holding a disdainful yet surprised look then sighed, "You did."

. . .

The men laughed in unison as one of them nodded. Apparently, it was no serious situation. They were just playing a game of Go, an ordinary board game, and not what it looked to be some kind of war scenario they kept spouting.

"Want to play again?"

"Do I ever? I've won all my games the past two seasons of spring and winter, don't think you will dethrone me from summer. I won't lose today and I won't accept any sympathy!" he laughed with vigour as he wiped the pieces off the board.

The other man bobbed his head admirably, like a type of respect, then helped him clean and fix the board up with ease. Together, they set up their playing pieces, white and black on their respective side. Landing them on empty lots of the 19 by 19 board, flanking star areas and walling down each other in the middle.. Tap.. Once more, another long game.

"You know." the same man who lost began to converse while playing the game, "A monk from Tidao-ji. He was preaching to the locals while I was around and told me something interesting.".. tap. He continued uninterrupted after settling his turn, "Recently, he says, the Aomori have started ordering the smithing village on the island of Hatagiri to secretly make guns. Do you happen to know anything about that?"

The man sat motionless in silence, deliberating where to place his next stone.. tap.. "Guns huh? Hm.. So, the world is getting quick on their heels." he scratched his nose with his index finger, "Even the rustic plains of Inaka are weary of what's to come that they bear arms. That, or the Scarlets demand for it."

"Everyone knows a war will drag out, it's no secret."

.. tap. The man played a piece after his opponent finished his turn. Played an arbitrary move that caught the other man off-guard, placing his piece on the sixth line of the board at his side. The man started again.

"This has always been in my mind." pap.. "The tales, have you remembered?"

"The tales? Ones that were preached and passed down to our forefathers?"

"I wouldn't call them tales, but more like.. A vision. Even though I haven't the slightest of idea they accorded upon the Lord. They may just be right, politically. Maybe not out of the reverence of the Yahata might."

"And what's that?"

"We may just not bide out the time as our ancestors did, waiting for the moment the day the world would be in long turmoil, as they foretold.." he quietly let out a puff of air, "Or not, yet I still sense they might be correct."

The man hummed, "Do you really think so?".. tap.

".. It could. If there'd be a day the world daringly finds itself close to the endangerment of our people just as they say, it'll be somewhere soon this year I reckon."

He arched their brows over his curious expression, "Why so?"

"It's been getting a lot more turbulent lately since the Tochi died,-" tap. "-without a centralised military chief, I imagine many people are doing as they wish. Youkai too. It's been thirteen years the court has been running the administration by themselves, and dissidence has only become more rampant without an army to maintain their laws. It's almost ironic."

The other man was highly deep on the board, his eyes watching for any areas to mark on, "... I never do think about the census." tap.. "I'm not used to contemporary politics."

"You should."

Tap…"Should I assume you're hinting about the Kigiku?"

"How can I not? It's the current talk of the time." tap. ".. Despite the pro-Tochi Lord displeasing the strict law of the court, albeit being strung loose and easily manoeuvrable. Their precarious act has been presenting a lot of opportunities, especially for us."

The man took a deep breath, "You know. It's taking a lot more than usual picking the Tochi. I'm quite surprised there hasn't been a change of power during this pace of intermission, not even an attempt. Looking back, I really think siding with the Tochi was the better choice; even if it isn't in our greatest favour. I'm sure we could've prevented it."

The man tapped the board a couple of times, "I'm not so sure. His deeds were high on the idea of breaking down the very concept of our warriorhood. A peace edict. Isn't that feasible to laugh at?"

"That, or otherwise our ancestors may be correct." a faint groan was heard, ".. But I cannot deny that the Tochi's utopia of peace would probably have the same effect. Once word spread that hailed his death, the Lords who were with him immediately fell apart." . . . "Oh, that's right." .. tap.

"My point still stands, the uncontrolled atypicality the court never tried to stop still gnaws on the balance. Our ancestors never lived peaceful lives, but they still lived through it. Why can't we?"

"... A warring period?"

"It's the only obvious answer there is, no?"

He shifted himself close to where the board was, and had his hands curled together away from the table. As his eyes skirted along the pieces…

"... Your turn."

"Ah. Yes. I forgot." tap…

"You think the world begins another all-out war once more? On what grounds?" He curiously questioned him.

The man pulled their head back in deep thought, sweeping off their procrastination ,".. I don't really know.. Who knows.. The rate for such a will after all… should be more probable than its past, neh?" His piece clacked as it was placed.. It sounded like good fundamentals.

"Oh? Why is that?" tap..

".. Well.. for starters…hrnn.. I really thought you would've understood.." He huffed, "It is at most guaranteed that other clans would see the display as a show of weakness by the court." tap.. "Consequently, they'll use it as a benefit. Seeing how the youkai have been strained by the new Hakurei's spell card rules, the possibility of getting what they want has never been greater since the Geshoto War. Everyone's still not over it, even us."

"Fair, fair. I understand the implications." tap..

The man rubbed his stubble beard, it wasn't well groomed but it certainly looked well cared for, "Hnmm.. How long have we been in here again?"

"Hm? Ah. We've been playing for two hours straight now, I'm sure of it. What I'm also sure of is that lord Shiratori-dono should finally be granted permission by the Young Lord."

"Two hours shouldn't take that long, it should be forty minutes at best. I'm surprised we have stories to keep us alive, hm?" he jested, "However, I'd prefer if they were more.. Historical."

"Then?"

"I suppose- W-wha.. Huhhn.?" he roared with bewilderment, "Have I not paid attention? I have already lost!" The man analysed the board multiple times, most of his pieces were already surrounded with, and the pieces he still had in his disposal were scattered across empty lines, "How foolish of me.

"And it seems, I will be winning more games for more." The man said vivaciously, "Maybe I should speak out more often, it always has the tendency to distract my opponents hm?"

"It certainly does have that effect, I truly spaced out- No, like an alluring effect to have me concentrated talking with you. A shame again I lost. Better luck next time?"

"If the kamis lie upon your shoulder, you may think that way." The man wiped the board spotless like before, the stones centred mixed together in a pile, "This session is over then, to drink?"

"To drink."

"Good."

He gave a cheeky smile, his eyes pulled down. Then he stood and took the board up with his two bare hands, followed by his compatriot who held the game pieces. Concerting their movement to a stroll to the translucent paper, shoji, and venturing out for the hallways in a direct and decided fashion.

"Kasuga-dono." his eyes passed around the halls as they moved, ".. After Lord Teji-sama's death, we Okazaki vassals remained to help Lord Shimokōbe-sama. Many found it weird because it's unheard of. For they have no legitimacy of connection to the protector clan of Kana. however.. It is just in good faith."

The other man hummed, "What a controversial time that was, but, where is this coming from?"

The man's eyes kept dancing around the place, clearing out any hints of silhouettes behind the shoji walls, "It beats having the Kigiku, or the Toshiro seizing our land, neh? For all our years living here, it's been a land of helping each other out. Foreigners that isn't any different than us, why can't they be allowed?"

"That's a high bar you're setting us up."

"Well no one can hear us, no?"

".. No, no, there isn't."

"Just recently... My spies have been watching the Kawamura Mansion since they proclaimed those wealthy threats. It's an opportunity… Kawamura's second son has been leaving it more frequently, and has been visiting both the northern clans and other organisations at the same time. "

"That ambitious lad? And I thought he was forever loyal to his father. It may be a great deal to lose his faith to his own clan."

"We received a message from the Kawamura. A call-to-arms." he stopped walking. Just to make suspense, or maybe intuition?

"Is that so?" he sounded.. understood, "Do you happen to know where he's been heading to?" he said in a near whisper but made it at least audible to hear.

"There's a Kawamura castle just close to the reaches of Sakone, just before the barrier station of Numata."

"Ah! Yamabuki-jo? Wasn't that a Kigiku castle taken during the Geshoto war? A formidable fortress I learnt due to its upland position and second walled up moat? So impenetrable, not a single vassal nor fleet lord would trek in for the glory to conquer it."

"Yes, yes. That place! Kawamura Hatayoshi sent a transmission to us. He's made secret alliances with groups within Sakone, alongside some youkai willing to help them pass the first defenses of the castle. And now he asks if we may join hands with him in this gamble, getting by the Kigiku borders by posing as Miyagawa traders."

"That confident? How daring, what a big fish he is frying. Even dressing up as those furniture arts craftsmen wouldn't simply work when the merchant convoy is as the size of a small warband party. I doubt we could even reach Tanaka-cho even if we have the proper clearance."

"If word gets out that we're conspiring against the Kawamura, the results would be catastrophic, neh?"

"Yes.. yes, indeed." he said , nodded.. Whilst looking around. . . The air shifted, and the wind no longer toiled the ambience with its foreboding feeling within the area.

.

… ooossshhh…

.

.. Hook, line, and sinker."... It looks like he took the bait, Kasuga-dono. The seed has been sown. It's time we contact Lord Monoaware-sama that we can proceed as he planned."

Kasuga, the other retainer, stopped just beside him with a smirk. Shouldering close with the play pieces in his hands, "I guess you are right with that intuition, neh? The long-awaited moment have finally arrived."

In response, he was given a smile.

.

---

GENSOKYO, THE DENIZENS GRASP STERNLY.. PLEASE WAIT WARMLY…

---

[GLOSSARY]

[1] Onigiri - a Japanese pressed rice ball, eaten with optional fillings.

[2] Kasa - a conical headwear, projecting the wearer from rain and sunlight. Has other types of variants: straw, wood, metal(jingasa), etc.

[3] Mino - a woven cape out of straw, blanketing the wearer from their shoulders to their legs.

[4] Doshin - typically police constables that serve as public enforcers to the Shogunat- military administration.

[5] Kaekama - a traditional Japanese apron used by shopkeepers.

[6] Masu - while also working as a measuring cup for raw rice(mostly), it also acts as a drinking vessel for sake.

[7] Shakufu- a waitress or barmaid that tends to customers.

[8] Yakunin- an attendant or personnel that serves a/the government; a government official.

[9] Hikeshi - fire brigades that are specialised in taking out fire in wooden architecture, even until now. Certain hikeshi were samurai(jobikeshi) because they were far more trained.

[10] Kumigashira - a captain of a group.Used in general, or also as amilitary designation.

[11] Yaoyorozu (no kami) - eight million gods, although not assured of its exact number. Displayed in shintoism.

[12] Machikata doshin(4] - referring to the town; essentially a town police constable.

[13] Miso-traditional Japanese soup.. that's all I know.

[14] Udon - noodles made out of thinly, long sliced dough. Put into broths and soups to enhance its taste, although that is optional.

[15] Hyotan - the memorable appearance of a sake gourd; imaging a calabash, known definitely because of a certain oni, or just from its unique look alone from other adaptations.

[16] Yoriki - A high ranking official,a senior officer who works with their subordinates; the doshin(4] in criminal activities.

[17] Jizo - a statue of Buddhist origin. A divine deity that protects the souls of the juvenile, and security of a pilgrim's journey.

[18] Sumo - a Japanese traditional ceremony that is often ritualistic; widely associated with shinto, and as a way to deter onis once a wrestler stomp and trample.

[19] Banya - stations or lodging houses for guards.

[20] -jo - a suffix to tell a castle.