Reimu and Alice's Part
"I can't find her..." Reimu said as she floats down to where Aunn is. After she landed she kicks the ground and dust formed to bite her back in the face.
"Bleh! Stupid dust!" She waves her hands to blow away the dust. "I can't believe this... Aunn did you see where she could have been blown away?" She asks the Komainu.
As she did, Alice also came back with no news about Rain either.
Though Aunn didn't actually see where could have Rain have been flung to. She shares her thoughts to them.
"I didn't see her either but it's best to know that she's not in this area anymore. Our best bet is that she landed in or near the Forest of Magic. It is not possible for her to be blown pass that range."
"Huh...look at you Aunn being smart. Thanks we'll conduct the search and you'll stay here and guard the shrine while I'm gone."
Hearing this Alice could not help but mentally remark.
'Is she praising or insulting her? This wouldn't have happened if I didn't let my emotions take over... I've- I've been a bad friend.'
She's so focused on reflecting her mistakes that she didn't noticed Reimu already left her. She was only snapped back into it when Aunn called out to her.
"Umm, miss Alice? Miss Reimu already left." Aunn said as she points to the direction where Reimu had gone to.
"What?!" She quickly flew away and followed Reimu.
Aunn being left alone again said "It's already just the first day with Miss Rain, perhaps that darkness is making her unlucky?" She looked at the sky for a moment and then stands guard.
Forest of Magic --Reimu and Alice's search continues--
"Haaaah," Reimu expelled a tired sigh."How are we supposed to find her in this thick forest?" She grumbles.
"Flying out in the open is also not an option as all I can see are trees and vines." Alice added.
With this they will have a hard time finding Rain this way. Well until that is, they spotted a blonde girl with red eyes.
Yes, this is indeed Rumia. The yokai, Rain supposedly have fought –again if that is even a battle–.
They take all the chances they could get and went to talk to her.
"Hey you!" Reimu shouted and this startled Rumia.
"Eek! The human red-white! Sorry I cannot play with you, the bleeding human earlier annoyed me so I'm not in the mood." Rumia said as she tries to get away.
Both of them heard this and quickly looked at each other before stopping Rumia from leaving.
"Hey, you said a bleeding human right?! Does she have a silver-white hair and wears an armor with swords on her waist?" Reimu said. The way her face is very close to Rumia and her tone of asking might have intimated the little yokai as she's not eager to answer Reimu.
"Hey, come on answer me!" Reimu pushed on.
"Reimu, stop let me handle this." Alice stops Reimu and closely leans in to Rumia.
"It's okay, did red-white scared you?" Alice tries to comfort Rumia.
"What?! In what way that was scary?!" Reimu protest only for Alice to wink at her and motioned her to go away.
Reimu turned her back at them and slowly walked away while grumbling.
"Alright, she's far away now. Can you tell me what happened?" Alice gently said and Rumia opens up to her.
"You see, I met this human while I'm taking a walk..." She tells her about how she met a human who is somewhat bleeding and injured and that the human fought back when she tried to eat it and that it used annoying tactics to defend herself. Which caused Rumia to lose interest and carry on with her walk.
Upon hearing this Alice seems to be relieved and sure that human is Rain. She asks Rumia the direction to where she met Rain and the yokai obliges.
After learning what she could from Rumia. She goes back to where Reimu was who seems to be annoyed by what happened earlier.
"I'm not that scary..." Alice hears her mumble.
"Reimu, I know where she is." Alice said making Reimu turn around.
"Really? Let's go then! Tell me the details on the way."
With that they went to direction Rumia had told them and Alice relayed what she had learned to Reimu. Reimu herself said that the moment Rain leaves the shrine she might encounter a yokai that would attack her in sight. She stands corrected and find fault in herself too for allowing such a thing to happen.
In a matter of minutes. They arrived at their destination and they can tell that they are here for they noticed the damaged trees and on the ground is what seemed to be the tree branches that once belonged to the said damaged trees.
"What the... did Rain really did all this? Must have been an awful landing she had." Reimu deduced.
'First jumping off that high then this... is she really a normal human? I think it's safe to say she belongs to the not so normal ones.' She thought.
While Alice seems to have found Rain's trail leading in forward to the road. Alice herself saw a few drops of blood on the ground and urged Reimu to hasten.
Another minutes have passed as they follow the trail on foot and soon they noticed another damage on the road. Two different trees have a damage mark on them –the ones Rumia rammed into– and a seemingly small hole on the ground near one of the said trees –this is the one where Rain forcefully kicks her foot to the ground–. Which means they are getting close to finding her and they quickly move on.
Moving forward they saw another famliar person going towards them and it was none other than Marisa.
"Huh? Marisa, why the heck are you here? Mushrooms again? Perhaps?" Reimu stops Marisa who seems to be in a hurry and looks red in the face.
Marisa seeing Reimu quickly grabbed the the shrine maiden on her clothes and starts shaking her.
"Reimu! You cruel o'l miko! How can ya do that to Rain!" Marisa spats at her.
The duo seems to be confused to what Marisa is saying. Alice approached her and asks.
"Stop shaking her Marisa. Elaborate what you mean."
Marisa stops and said.
"This broke shrine maiden, really did kicked out Rain, ye hear?! I saw her at Kourin's place... wi-with nothing but bandages!" Marisa exclaimed.
This took a while for them to process but hearing this Reimu angrily rebuked.
"Huh?! What the hell are you saying?"
"Oh, poor Rain! What was I thinking running away?! I'll beat the crap out of Kourin for doing such a thing!" She exclaimed as she punches in the air with her fist.
"Explain it one more time Marisa, you're getting us lost here." Alice calmly said.
"Fine, I went to Kourindou to borrow," Marisa gestured with her two hands to highlight the word, "some stuff and when I went in to the living room, I saw Rain almost naked with Kourin on top of her! I run away because ya know I don't really know what to do at that time. Then it occured to me why is she there? If she's in Reimu's place in the first place! So Reimu here must have her kicked out, I dunno how she ended up in Kourin's place but that doesn't excuse you from being that cruel, ye hear?" Marisa seems to spouted a lot of words and Alice seems to have finally understood which she then leans in to Reimu and whispers to her ear.
Reimu frowned upon hearing this and turned a bit red for a moment before quickly smacking Marisa in the head with her gohei.
"Ack! That hurt! What if ya damage my witch hat?" Marisa said while examining her hat for damages.
"None of that stuff is true! We'll tell you later but right now we need to go to Kourindou!" Reimu said while pulling Marisa's ears.
"Ow-ow! Fine! I'm sorry! Kay?"
So the trio went to Kourindou and once arriving there. Reimu knocked on the door once and by that she actually kicks the door open and they rushed inside. Seeing Rain and the store owner Rinnosuke having a tea.
"Hey Rain! We've come to save ya from the clutches of the evil perverted store owner!" Marisa declared as she bumps her own fist together.
"Are you talking about me?" Rinnosuke said while pointing at himself.
"Who else?" Reimu said as she readies her gohei, slapping it gently a few times in her other hand.
"Sorry Mr. Rinnosuke but a punishment is a must when you do things like that." She added.
Alice seems to be not that hostile to him and instead turned her attention to Rain. Who was shaking her head and face palming in hearing at what the two girls has said.
"Are you alright Rain?" Alice asks.
"Yes, I am fine but-" Rain stops and stands up and positioned herself in between Rinnosuke and the trio.
"I can't let you do that... can we talk about this without hurting the guy?" Rain said surprising all of them.
"First of all, it was a misunderstanding and an accident. So why don't we all sit down and talk over this with a cup of tea?" Rain added and suggested.
The three seems to be eager to listen to her. So they all sat down and listened to her.
"Yer not gonna tell us ya already have fallen for this guy and gonna reveal such a relationship, are ya?" Marisa spoke as she continuously points at Rinnosuke.
"What?! No! Sh-Shut up Marisa!" Rain denied hard what Marisa said. "First thing first is that he's the one who helped me and tended to me." Rain explained.
She retells the events to them and they seemed to have jump into conclusions thanks to Marisa.
"And so here we are, the man is innocent even if he did that accidentally." Rain sighed after a long tiring talk.
Marisa seems to be in good mood after hearing that and even throws a back slap at Rinnosuke before saying.
"Well good for ya Kourin! So how do they feel huh? I bet ya felt nothing!" Marisa laughs at her own words.
"Marisa... Rain is physically hurt and you keep jabbing at her like that might add to her mentally." Reimu said with a straight face.
"Both of you shut up... and as if you're no better Marisa!" Rain scowled at her.
"Eh? Whaddya mean? I'm more bigger than you and Reimu." She proudly stated and even puffed her chest forward.
"Huh?!" Both Reimu and Rain hissed at her. In fact their expression is almost the same, well who wouldn't be after such an insult like that.
"The heck! You haven't even seen mine so you don't have the right to say that!" Rain said with contempt.
"Let's just throw it down outside, Marisa." Reimu said as she roll's her sleeves upwards.
The shrine maiden suddenly resorts to violence!
The atmosphere was chaotic and the only thing that could break it is possibly the only guy in here.
'Dealing with Marisa is always tiring... and Reimu is no help either...ugh.' Rain mentally said.
"I'm just glad I could help. Now girls don't fight over such a small matter." Rinnosuke smiled and fixes his glasses.
Scratch that part about him being the one to stop them. He may as well incurred the anger of both of the affected girls.
"Small?" Both Rain and Reimu seemed to only heard this part, infuriating further more but before they could blow, Marisa butted in.
"Sure ya are! Mr. Lucky Pervert..." Marisa said.
"Please don't tell me that's my new nickname..." Rinnosuke seems to be worried.
"Naw I'm just kiddin', I know Kourin is not that of a liar or even a good one. So it is up to Rain to forgive him for that which she already did. So all's well that ends well, eh?" Marisa cheerfully said.
"I never need to lie in the first place." Rinnosuke said as he sighs.
'I do hope this gets wrap up without me incurring loses to my shop...' he anxiously thought.
"Well if the misunderstanding is cleared then I suppose I'll be taking back this troublemaker here with me." Reimu said while pertaining to Rain.
"Who me?" Rain pointed at herself.
"Yeah you, it's just your first day at my shrine and you already caused a lot of trouble. Then again it is partly my fault since I didn't told you about bullets being that harmless." Reimu said while crossing her arms.
"I too, if I didn't issued the challenge then none of this would have happenned." Alice steps in to apologize too.
"You guys... you know it's my fault because I didn't told Alice." Rain tries to take the blame to herself.
"So which one of you guys are actually at fault here?" Marisa butts in.
"Shut it Marisa." All three of them said in unison.
"Waah~ Kourin they are being mean to me!" cried Marisa who turns to Rinnosuke to side with her.
"Well you are being annoying." Rinnosuke said while chuckling.
"Not you too!" Marisa exclaimed which she then grins and laughs.
The place was lively with them being here.
It was not long before they left as it was almost lunch. Everyone has places to be it seems. So it's natural for such a moment to end.
Rinnosuke could still hear the girls talk and bicker outside of his shop. Until it went quiet and the same sound he hears everyday is here. Just him and his shop, along with his stash of hordes of items.
"I guess it was lively..." he said before sitting back down and finishes his tea.
'Still that girl... Ah! I forgot to ask her about her swords!' He just remembered it now.
"Maybe next time when she comes back..." Rinnosuke muttered.
Not long enough when the girls left. He hears a knock on his door.
"Yes! I'm here!" He said to let know that he is in the shop.
He opened the door and greeted the potential customer.
"Hello! Are you-" His words were cut when he saw who standing in front of him. It was a lady whom he is familiar with. After all he had dealings and transactions with her before.
The lady in front of him is dressed extravagantly. She has a long blond hair and dark golden eyes. Her clothing is a pink and purple dress, and wears a pink mob cap with a thin red ribbon tied in the front. She gives an ominous vibe despite on how well she dresses after all she is a yokai.
"Care to let me join you in for a cup of tea?" The blond lady said.
Rinnosuke obliges and lets her in, and poured in some tea for her.
Normally this yokai visits him rarely so he decides to ask what she is after this time.
"What brings you here...Yukari? Rinnosuke named the blond lady.
Yukari before answering stretches her hand into thin air and there appeared a seemingly dark gap where her hand dissappeared. When she pulled it out, she now has a paper fan with her and casually covers her mouth with it, and then answered.
"It's about the human you've helped," She darts her gaze to her surroundings and continued. "I'd like you to keep what you learned about the weapon to yourself... at least for the time being. I do hope that you understand as I cannot say anymore than that."
He's surprised that she knew about it and feels uncomfortable that this yokai is requesting him to basically keep his mouth shut. He understood that he cannot ask questions regarding about the sword that Rain possesses so instead of it, he asked another question.
"What about the girl? Can I know more about her?"
The yokai chuckles a bit after hearing that and said.
"Oh? Are you that interested in her? I could only tell you a thing or two about her though." She said as she removes the paper fan hiding her mouth and reveals that ominous smile.
Rinnosuke ignored Yukari's teasing and replied.
"Please tell me in exchange for that request." His eagerness to know must have clouded his judgment but nevertheless information is information.
"Very well, we have deal." Yukari said with her seemingly fake smile still on her face.
Earlier --Outside Kourindou--
"Hey Rain, don't go taking on the bullets with yer face next time. Ya don't wanna eat up my master spark or even the final spark in the face, not only I'd feel bad about it but it may also cause ya to be blind by its awesomeness." Marisa chirped while teasing Rain again.
"You mean its flash... but seriously Rain don't do that again." Reimu said while shaking her head.
Alice seems to be silent and Rain notices it and talks to her.
"Hey Alice, sorry again for not telling you. I'm an idiot for that." Rain said humbly while lowering her head as she apologizes to her.
"No, it's alright, I forgive you but I lost that duel even if that was interrupted. It was clear who won that fight. Alice said while looking at Reimu and remembering their wager.
"Nope, the duel is nulled and so the wager is void as well." Reimu chimed in.
"But-" Alice tried to reason.
"Are you saying you'll avoid Rain as per our wager? I'm technically saying that the duel is invalid but if you want me as the winner-"
"You guys used me as wager??? What the heck?!" Rain interrupted them.
"Ooh! Yer getting fighted over with! I'm jealous!" Marisa jokingly said.
"Not the time Marisa..." Rain said with a serious tone.
"Basically that but Alice started it so I can't help it." Reimu explained.
Rain then called both Reimu and Alice's attention and spoke.
"Alice, thank you for fighting for me and you too, Reimu. But I don't like seeing my friends getting into a fight because of me. So why don't we forget this ever happened?" Rain thanked the both of them and smiled.
"Except that ye can't forget how Kourin got a felt out of ya! Haha!" Marisa again ruined the mood.
"I know you're trying to up the mood but you just like ruined it." Rain said earning a nod from both Alice and Reimu. Even Alice's dolls are nodding in with them though that technically still counts as Alice.
"Next time by the way I might just punch ya in the gut or face." Rain said while copying Marisa's manner of speech while glaring at her with a not so genuine smile.
Marisa herself didn't know if she was just joking or was deadly serious because of that smile. So she could only smile back at her too.
"Oh... she's quite the girl when angry." Whispered Reimu to Alice.
"Yeah, I can feel her angry energy. Though that idiot Marisa seems to have not yet realize it." Replied Alice.
"Anyways, Alice can I ask a favor?" Rain said while quickly shifting her mood.
'Well that was fast.' Mentally remarked by Reimu.
Alice nods as a sign of her agreeing. So Rain continued.
"I'd like you to take me on the human village after I recovered, just a tour so I can get familiar."
When Reimu heard her favor she interrupts by saying. "Not a chance without me... that's what I would say but I have things to do so perhaps I could leave it to you, Alice."
"Re-really? I don't really mind as I go there when shopping and performing." Alice said without rejecting Rain's favor. Though she won't in the first place.
"Alright then we're all set! I'll be meeting you again after a few days Alice!" Rain cheerfully said.
And so they all went back home safe and sound. Except that Reimu insisted that Marisa came along with her and Rain back at the shrine to talk more. While Alice went back home this time without anymore worries and guilt.
When they arrived back at the shrine, they have lunch and of course tea. After that they didn't expected to be lectured hard by Reimu.
"Marisa..." Whispered Rain to her.
The two are sitting in a formal way. A seiza position in fact. Technically they are in such a position because they are being scolded.
"Yeh?" She answered.
"Is Reimu always like this whenever an incident occurs?" She asked the magician who is sitting still next to her while in front of them is Reimu who's been talking non-stop.
"She's usually grumpy all the time, this is the first time though that she lectured us like that perhaps it's the influence of Kasen? Even for me... why the heck am here being scolded with ya anyway?" Marisa shrugs at her own words.
"Hey! Are you guys listening to me? Reimu chided them.
"Nope." Both of them said at the same time.
The grumpy shrine maiden seems to have ignored their answer and continued.
"Anyways, I'd like to accompany you to your trip to the human village but as I said I'm rather busy here at the shrine."
"Like what? Sitting around all day waiting for yer worshippers to come? Which is like none at all?" Marisa said.
"No I don't do that...(sometimes), just shut it Marisa. You're here so you can help me watch over her and don't forget what you did back there." Reimu seems serious about this.
"Eh? Is she some sort of baby we have to babysit? Heh! I don't mind but only when I have the time." Marisa seems to agree but let's face it she's just in it for the interesting things that happen around Rain.
"I'm right here you know?" Rain's eyes narrowed at the thought of that.
"Well now that's decided, Marisa you're free to go." Reimu said while waving her hand in a shooing gesture.
"Welp, Rain. I guess yer on your own! Hope ye survive her lecture! Go get 'em!" Marisa said as she waves goodbye to them and then leaves quickly.
"Yep, thanks for the encouragement." Rain sarcastically said.
And so the day ended with Rain being back safely and she successfully stopped the duel of Alice and Reimu with her being part of the wager. She learned a lot of things today and even saved Alice from the consequences of her own actions. She needs to rest for some days to fully recover.
The reason for her to visit the human village besides to get familiar with it is that she has the agenda of information gathering. After all she came here to find the person or people that can help her return back her memories. Perhaps a yokai can do that or she needs a God itself. Whatever the case, she first needs information the rest comes later.
Eventually 3 days have passed and Rain is fully recovered and ready to go. Rain asked Marisa -- which of course Marisa didn't refused-- yesterday to deliver her a message to Alice. The message is pretty simple Rain is letting Alice knew that she is ready to go to the village and come pick her up tomorrow, which is today.
All she need to do right now is to wait for Alice to arrive and fetch her. Though she still needs to finish her sweeping.
"It's a good thing that Reimu somehow fixed the crack on the ground that I supposed to have made." She uttured to herself as she sweeps the floor clean.
"Somehow I feel bored doing this chore..." She added.
"But I need to make up for Reimu's hospitality." Her face lits up with determination.
It was not that long before she finished her chores and not long after Alice arrives.
"Good morning, Rain. You're working hard as usual." Alice waves her hands impatiently along with her dolls as she greeted Rain.
"Ah, Alice! Good morning to you too! I'm actually done and was gonna wait for your arrival. Looks like your on time! Unlike some human magician that is always late." She scoffs at the thought of the said person.
Alice softly laughs and replied. "So, how do you want to travel?"
Without a doubt Rain quickly answered "By foot." Probably because of her past experience with Marisa and of course her falling in the air that almost ended her.
"That was expected... I don't mind at least we get to talk more as we walk over there." Alice said to which Rain agrees with a nod.
'Should I convince her that I can carry her using my dolls? Just imagining it looks cute... Hmm... Maybe I myself can carry her...? ' She imagined it for a second and was quickly embarrased.
'Wh-What am I thinking?' Alice shakes her head to clear up such a thought.
"I'll just notify Reimu that we're leaving for the human village. It won't take that long." Rain said as she puts the sweeping tool back to where it belongs.
So Alice waited while Rain goes into the shrine to talk to Reimu who was sitting peacefully and drinking her tea.
"Hey, Reimu. Alice is here and I just want to let you know that we'll be leaving for the human village. I've also done the sweeping so you can relax for a bit." Rain said.
"Oh, she's already here? A shame I can't come with you as I have a meeting to attend. Thanks for doing the chores by the way," Reimu finishes her tea and lets out a satisfied sigh and then continued. "now off you go, remember to be back before nightfall." She reminded Rain.
'A meeting? I'm kind of curious to know who will be she meeting with... Ah, what am I dawdling for?' She wondered.
"Yes...mom." Said Rain jokingly.
"What did you say?"
"Er...I said yes, maam." Her voice became soft but clear.
"Look at you being formal again. Aha." Reimu chuckles not knowing the joke.
With Reimu's permission she returned to where Alice was. She seems to be playing with her own dolls as she waits for her.
"I'm back! We're clear to go! Sorry, did I made you wait that long?" She expressed.
"No, it was not that long. Well shall we go?" Her dolls are jumping back and forth in the air, they are as excited as Rain is.
"You bet!" Rain excitedly replied.
And so Rain and Alice sets out to the human village. They happily converse as they walk. As for Reimu who stayed behind the person she is actually meeting is-
"And here I thought I'd be meeting with your fox shikigami. Guess you're serious about this. Right?" Reimu looks to her right side from where she is sitting. There stands the ever enigmatic and master manipulator, Yukari Yakumo.
"What do you mean? I may not look like it but I can be serious when it warrants." Yukari walks to her and slowly sits in front of her.
"Oh, you already have the tea prepared? What a good girl you are, Reimu." She said as she takes the supposed tea for her.
"Just my way of hospitality. Anyway, let's get to the point. You've been watching over Rain? Right?"
The yokai in front her takes a sip from the tea before answering.
"Yes I do, after all I keep tabs on the interesting ones."
Her smiling face then suddenly turns into a serious one and said.
"Reimu, it is up to you on what you should do next, whatever you do, I'll respect and accept it, especially as more things will be happening soon. Oh, and one more thing, Believe on what you think is right not as the shrine maiden of Gensokyo but as Reimu. A friend once said that to me, long ago in the past." She said and a huge gap appeared from her behind and she slids through it. Leaving Reimu behind.
"Up to me huh? That's new, she seems like a different person just now. What does she mean by that? Still being cryptic is so much like her." Reimu also finishes drinking her tea.
She then remembered something. Yukari did something again and she notices that only one teacup is left and that is the one on her hand which means-
"Ack! My teacup! She didn't even return it! God damn it! You old haaaag!" She angrily shouted at the top of her lungs.
Rain and Alice is currently on Kourindou. Rain figured to visit as they are passing by. They knock on the door and casually goes in.
"Hey, Mister Rinnosuke, told you I'll be back." Rain greeted the shop owner as usual manning his shop alone.
"Oh, it's you Rain and Alice. I thought I told you that you can call me without the Mister? Anyhow thanks for visiting, what brings you two here? Eyeing something?" Rinnosuke said.
"Ah, not really, I'm broke remember? We're just passing by and came to say hi." Rain chuckled.
"I see, Well would you like me to brew you some tea?" He offered.
"Thanks for the offer but we're not staying that long. You see, I'm visiting the human village today! I have Alice here with me to tour it!" She excitedly said.
"That sounds totally like you, acting like a excited child." Rinnosuke happily pointed out.
"Eh? What do you mean? Hey, Alice," She turned to Alice. "did he just insulted me while smiling?"
With a smile Alice replied. "I'm sure he means nothing by that Rain, he's just comparing your reaction to a child. Which is cute." She said as her dolls nodded along with her.
"Wha-what? You know what? Let's leave at that." Rain said as she averted her eyes for a moment.
Alice being the observative type can't help but speculate.
'Mr. Rinnosuke seems different today, he always smiles and is polite to Rain and I can't help but feel something is amiss.'
Rain's eyes scanned the items that she can see in the shop and one of them particularly caught her eye.
"Oh! Hey, Rin! is that for sale?" Rain pointed to the seemingly old sword that is displayed just right front of them.
Alice and Rinnosuke seems to be in shock not from Rain pointing at the sword but from saying Rinnosuke's new nickname.
'Not fair... she still hasn't given me a nickname yet but this guy casually gets one?' There is no doubt about it Alice just got jealous.
'!! Did she finally-' Rinnosuke cuts his thoughts but to be sure he calmly asked.
"Uh, is that supposed to be my nickname?"
"Oh that? I figured your name is too long so I just shortened it. Well if you want Rin-Rin sounds cute too, no?" She happily said.
Rinnosuke seems to be frozen for a second but after a while he warmly smiled at her.
"They sound thoughtful, thank you."
Such a smile affected Rain making her a bit flustered.
"A-Anyhow! I'd like to know more about this sword!" She pointed again at the said sword.
"Oh that? That's not actually for sale..." Rinnosuke said while adjusting his glasses.
"Wait? Then why it is on display?" Rain asks curiously.
"There are many items here that are like that. They are just here for display since storing them away would be waste." He explained.
"I see..." Rain raises a finger on her chin.
"This sword is made of hihi'irokane. A rare metal which is why this sword is very rare even if it such in a disrepair state. That's as much as I could tell."
'I can't tell her that this is the the sword of Kusanagi or the so called Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi which means sword of the heavenly gathering of clouds.' Rinnosuke cannot fathom what would happen if it falls to the outside world.
"Whoa... a rare metal. I wonder what kind of metal are my swords made off?" Rain said as she looks at her own sheathed sword.
"Judging from the looks of it I'd say it is not the same material as this sword. Maybe yours is more unique?" He said which made Rain more happy.
"Oohh! Now that sounds more cool! Oops! We've been here for too long already. Sorry, Rin I'll come back some other time! Let's talk more about swords and some other interesting things!" She said as she waves goodbye to him and leaves with Alice.
Rinnosuke now alone again in his shop can't help but utter.
"Things will be more livelier now that she's back..." he said before resuming work.
And so they continued walking. It will not be long till they reach the human village.
"Now that was new, sorry Alice I was so absorbed in learning about that particular sword." Rain said as she looks at Alice.
"I know, I can see that you're happy about it." Alice smiled at her.
"Thanks, I've been thinking..." Rain spoke, "I can't think of a perfect nickname for you Alice. I'm afraid that you won't like it or something like that."
Alice finally knows the reason why Rain is reluctant to give her a nickname.
"No I won't, anything coming from you would lovely." She assured Rain.
"Really? I was thinking of Al but it sounds a bit off and Alicia sounds more of a different name. Ahaha... perhaps your name is already good and perfect as it is that I can't think of anything else good." She clasped her own hands together.
Hearing this Alice good not help but smile warmly at her.
"Well I'm fine to what you call me nickname or not." Alice said as she also gave up on the idea of giving a nickname to Rain, though Ame is still technically Rain's other name Alice opted to call her the same much like what Rain did.
"Then I'd like to call you Alice, same as you are!" She raised an arm in the air.
They talk about other things after this such as tea and other topic regarding dolls.
Alice's dolls rested on both of Rain's shoulders.
"Looks like they got tired in flying, eh? Rain said to Alice.
"They just got lazy and probably missed you."
Rain gave a hearty laugh and agreed.
Just seeing the village itself makes Rain excited and even more so once they are inside.
They are currently just outside the village and about to enter. Somehow Rain is anxious that they might encounter a problem since she is not from there and companion is not exactly human either. But they didn't meet any problems when they entered which eased Rain.
"Whoa, the human village is quite big, I don't think it's even a village anymore." Rain said mesmerized from what she is seeing.
There are many people walking around. Some are adults and some are kids just playing with each other. The village itself seems to be thriving and shows no sign of unhappiness from the villagers judging from their faces.
"Rain, don't wander around or you'll get lost in the crowd." Alice told her.
"Do you guys like treating me as child? What's next? You holding my hand?" She frowned for a bit.
Alice laughs at her reaction though she cannot help but imagine such a scene only to be embarrased by it.
"So many humans..." Rain uttered out aloud her thoughts.
Alice hurriedly went to her side as she saw some of the humans who heard Rain, raise their eyebrow and look at her with suspicion.
"Shhh, don't say that!" Alice whispered, "You sounded like how a yokai would react when meeting this many people."
Rain seems to get it and can't help but giggle on her own mistake.
"I see what you mean, won't happen again, ehe~" She puts her hand at the back of head as she said this.
So they went to many places such as a teahouse, a tofu shop and many more. They met various people such as carpenters, florist, woodcutters and even yokai exterminators who are very friendly to them. But the most interesting thing they visited was the dragon statue which Rain finds fascinating.
"Ooh! We've been to many places and this one is very interesting." She said as her eyes lock to the dragon statue.
The statue's eyes seems to be in the color of white. Alice seems to know the function of this statue as it is not a mere statue.
"Did you see the color, Rain? If it's white then the weather today is good or sunny. This statue is able to predict the weather and even incidents. It will turn red when an incident is about to occur." Alice shared.
"Whoa, quite the impressive statue this is then." She said as she looks back at Alice.
"There's also a book rental shop that I know. I'd like to take you take you there and apparently there is also a new hit book that is being sold there. The first book is focused on detective and murder mystery which really reels in a lot of audience." Alice said making Rain interested too.
"Ooh, that sounds nice! Who's the author?" She cheerfully asked.
Alice thinks for a moment and puts her hand on her chin.
"Its author's name is Agatha Chris Q., quite a name in my opinion. Regarding the new book she just released, this time I think it is about adventure and world travel? Hmm, I wonder if I should give it a try." She said as she contemplates about it.
Hearing this Rain could not help but urge her.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go then!" She said excitedly.
"Alright, but after we visit the school temple and buy some vegetables and other ingredients. They are not that far so we can do it without going in back and forth." Alice said as she points to the direction where they will go.
"Fine by me." she said as she follows her friend.
It didn't take long for them to reach the said school temple. Seems like Alice wants to visit someone here that much is what is in Rain's head when she saw the place.
There are many children playing around and one of them bump into Rain causing the human child to stumble on the ground and land on their butt.
"Oh? Are you alright, kid?" Rain asks while extending a hand to the child.
"I'm alright!" The boy said while standing up and taking Rain's hands, "Sorry, oba-san!"
(A/N: Oba means Aunt or used to say to a middle age woman usually. There is another one but different called Obaa which means old woman or grandmother.)
"Oi! I'm not that old you know? I'm still an onee-san." Rain glared at him and looks offended but nevertheless she just scolded the child and then the boy slightly bowed its head and then runs along back to his playmates.
Rain smiled and uttered. "What a lively and rude children..."
It was then when Alice called out to her and was accompanied by another woman. She has brown eyes and long silver hair with blue highlights. She wears a hat that looks like some kind of building with a red ribbon on top and glyphs inscribed along its side.
'What is that? Is that really a hat? Eh?' Rain could not help but remark in her thoughts.
Her dress is dark blue with white short sleeves, and a red ribbon is tied to the bottom of the collar. She's holding a book with her much like Alice but her's is more of like a textbook. She's conversing with Alice as they approached Rain.
"That's good to hear, Ms. Keine. I'm glad the children liked my performance." Alice said happily and turned her attention to Rain.
"Ah, Ms. Keine please meet Rain Nanase, she's my friend and a newcomer here." She said as she gestured at Rain.
The woman named Keine looked at Rain with a surprise face but quickly change her expression to a smiling one and greeted her.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Rain. I'm Keine Kamishirasawa. Please call me Keine." She slightly bowed her head to offer her respect.
"Likewise, please call me Rain." Rain said while she also bowed her head.
"Alright, I'd like invite you to talk about more of yourself over some tea-" She paused and for a bit and looks at the two before resuming, "but I can see that you and Alice have places to be. A shame but maybe some other time if you wouldn't mind." Keine said as she turned her back to them while waving her hand as she walks away.
"Huh? She didn't even let me reply..." Rain said to Alice.
"I think she just wants to impress you. She's after all not really human too. A half one is the right word."
"Oh? You mean like Rin?" She said while pertaining to Rinnosuke who is also a half-yokai.
"Yes, like him... anyways Keine is a teacher teaching in the school temple." Alice said.
"I see, she seems to be a nice person. Maybe I'll come and talk to her when I come back some other time here." Rain said as she looks at Keine whose playing with the other kids.
"Well let's move on to our next location." Alice said while Rain tags along with her.
The two walked away from the temple school. Keine who stole a glance before they left uttered.
"Rain Nanase... a name I haven't heard for a very long time..." Her expression changed and turned into a serious one. It was only when one of her students called out to her was she able to snap out of her staring from the direction the two took.
"Sensei?... What are you looking at?"
(A/N: Sensei means Teacher or Instructor)
"O-oh, it was nothing. Come, let's go." She said while the other children followed her.
"Hey Alice, didn't I say I'll cook for you one day? Well I just had the right dish in mind!" Rain said as she looks at the stalls.
This area is where most shops are found. The most lively part of the village and the most crowded one.
"Oh? What dish may that be?" Alice asked curiously.
"Udon Noodle Soup... we had miso soup the other day, Marisa brought these tons of mushrooms which I find suspicious by the way," She recalled the way Marisa's supposedly annoying face saying "Ze!" making her frown for a second. Trying to forget she imagined that she continued. "We can also add some fried tofu or whatever you want! Just imagining it makes me hungry already!" She said as she makes a toothy grin.
"Sounds delicious, I'm looking forward to it." Alice smiled at her.
"Although..." Rain said while fidgeting her fingers. "I don't have the money to buy the ingredients... ahaha." She just laugh it out.
"No worries, I'll buy them for you," Alice assured her and clasps Rain's hands. "I'm sure you'll make a great udon noodle soup." Her eyes seemed to flare up with expectations.
Seeing this Rain seems to be more eager and fired up to cook. "O-oh sure! I won't let your money go to waste!"
"So what do we need to buy?" Alice asked.
"Ah, the ingredients we need are:" she said a a lot of things as Alice listened.
"-I think fried tofu is the best to top it with. Ah, that's most of it. We can try the other styles and recipes some other time." She said cheerfully.
"Alright, then let's go buy what we need." Alice said as Rain followed.
They went stall by stall to buy and look for what they need and even in shopping they looked happy as they converse. Eventually they bought all what they needed. With Alice's dolls holding them for her.
"You're sure you don't want me to hold them?" Rain said as they walk.
"It's alright, they are not that heavy besides we're here." Alice stopped and turned to her side.
The building in front of them has the title logo of the shop, it reads "Suzunaan".
"Let's go in shall we?" Alice invited her and they both went in at the same time.
As expected of a book rental store. There are many books that you could choose from. As expected from it, things are quiet and you can actually read here as the lighting is good. They are pretty lucky as they are currently the only customers in there for now. Rain's eyes went to a lot of books. She heard a warm greeting.
"Hello! Welcome to Suzunaan! I'm Kosuzu Motoori!" A young girl introduced herself as she approached them.
She has red eyes, light red hair and twintails adorned with bells. She wears a checkered kimono and apron with Kosuzu and Suzunaan written on the front.
"Ah! Miss Alice! Have you come to try out the new works of Agatha?" Kosuzu said with a cheerful voice and a smile.
"As a matter of fact, yes, and I'm here with my friend, Rain Nanase. She's a newcomer from the outside world." Alice looks at Rain as she said that.
"Ah, hello! Call me Rain. Um..lots of books you have here." Rain said as she awkwardly smiled probably because of that introduction.
'A friend from the outside world?' She thought as she looked at the said person.
Kosuzu's eyes sparkled as she saw Rain, in her own vision she's seeing a beautiful tall girl with a presence of mysteriousness, her different colored eyes gives off even more of that and can't help but fawn over her.
"So...So cool! Those armor and swords! Do other people wear that too in the outside world?" Her gleeful words burst forth.
"I..uh...no...um...I'm kind of unique...I guess..." Rain can't help but look away to Alice.
"Are outsiders really that rare? I mean, I feel like she's about to dissect me from looking at this close." Rain said still averting her gaze to the young girl.
"Oh! I'm sorry! I just got excited a little bit." Kosuzu said as she steps away from her.
'You call that a little bit? You look like you're about to eat me despite you being small.' Rain thought as she tried to make a poker face.
"It's alright. I'm just surprised that's all." Rain said as she shifts her gaze to the girl. While brushing her silver-white hair with her hand. To add more coolness to this, somehow a breeze came in making her hair and clothes wave.
This of course affected Kosuzu who thinks it's cool and awesome. This is the first time she saw a tall girl bearing an aura of beauty and coolness at the same time.
"So, I'd like to rent two books of that please. What's the title of it by the way?" Alice said to snap out Kosuzu off her trance.
"Ah! Yes! The title is "The bizzare adventures of Princess Nira". For how long are you planning to rent it?" Kosuzu said as she reverts back to her working attitude.
"Hmm...let me think." Alice then motioned to Rain and asks her.
"How about you Rain? Can you give me a time on how long do you think should we rent this book? I'll settle on what's on your mind."
"Me? Um... I guess about a month?" She quickly decided earning a quick nod from Alice.
"Then a month it is. You heard her miss Kosuzu." Alice said with a humble tone.
"Alrighty! Please wait here while I fetch the books." She warmly said as she temporarily leaves the two alone.
"So what do you think? Any other books that interest you?" She said.
"While they are interesting... I can't read all of them so I think I'll stick in just one book."
'As much as I want to read them, I have to focus on getting a lead on someone who knows how to get my memory back. Maybe I should visit the place where Patchouli have invited me.' She mused as they both wait for the book keeper to return.
"Say Rain, can you do a pose? A cooler one if you don't mind?" Alice suddeny said.
"Eh? Um... I can but why though?" Rain felt off because of what Alice just said.
"Nothing, I want to see if it will have the same effect to me." Alice said with a straight face as her dolls cheered.
"Effect?" She blinks her two different colored eyes about two or three times.
Alice seems eager to see her do it. Not wanting to let her down, Rain gave a quick sigh before positioning herself so that Alice can see it clearly, she faced her with her body facing on the left to highlight her sword as this is where it is located. As she looks at Alice, her expression changed to a serious one placing her left hand in her sword's scabbard and making a stance. With her right hand slowly unsheathing it, she stopped when the katana is slightly drawn.
As she completes her pose and remain in that position. Another breeze came in, this time a lot stronger. Blowing Rain's hair and clothes as the swordsman's face remains unfazed. Giving the aura of a samurai with no fear and ready for battle.
Alice's seems silent after seeing this but in fact. But her dolls gave away the emotion the puppeteer felt as they squirm in the air if they had a voice they would probably shrieking with excitement. Good thing the good they bought didn't fall from all that squirming.
'So that's the Rain Effect...' She thought as she coined an exclusive new term.
"Hello! Kosuzu! I'm here for-" A voice came from the outside of the store.
As she thinks, another girl came in and Alice being facing her back near the entrance means whoever comes in will see Rain's pose immediately.
Rain remained frozen in place as she can't seem to handle the embarrassment. The girl who saw her seemed to be in shock and froze too.
'I can't help but feel this thing has happened before...' Rain felt the deja vu, after all the similar thing happened back at Kourindou.
The girl who saw this has a purple hair, purple eyes and wears a light pink flower-shaped ornament in her hair, which matches the flowers on her sleeves. Her outfit resembles a Japanese-esque maid outfit. It has yellow flower-patterned sleeves, a green vest, and a shortened hakama skirt separated by a red, white laced obi.
"...You're?..." The girl muttered.
Alice turned around to greet her. "Hello, miss Akyuu."
The girl called akyuu turned her attention to her.
"Miss Alice? Oh! You must be here to here for the newly published book of Agatha?"
"Yes, Kosuzu is already fetching them. Ah, please meet Rain Nanase. She's a newcomer from the outside world." Alice introduced Rain whose still frozen.
"How do you do? I'm also here to rent the said book, Alice here is a good friend of my mine." She said still acting cool while also seizing this chance to return her posture to normal.
"Sorry, about that. I'm on guard since this place is unfamiliar. If it caused you to be uncomfortable, please forgive my actions." Rain said as she make up a blatant but believable lie.
'AHHH! God damn it! Stop acting cool! Me! Being humble won't take the fact that she saw my pose! I think I'd die from such embarrassment!' She mentally shouted.
Alice seems to be holding in her laughter as she caught on what Rain is trying to do.
The girl seems to didn't mind and said.
"Ah, no it's fine! I actually thought it was cool!" Akyuu said.
"R-really?" Rain said breaking her facade.
She heard a "Pfft!" sound that came from Alice which she ignored.
After that Kosuzu returned with the two copies of the said book.
"Here you go! Oh? Akyuu! You're here!" She said as she waves at her friend.
"Hello! I'm actually here to check how it is going?" Akyuu said as she approached Kosuzu.
"It's selling quite well! We're almost out of stock though. So we need to print more copies. By the way these two also rented it. Your idea is great as ever." She praised her friend.
Alice moves toward Kosuzu to pay and with the books in her hand she said.
"We'll be going now, thank you for your hardwork." Alice said as she tagged Rain along with her.
"Thank you! Come again!" Kosuzu smiles and waves at them.
"We'll meet again. I'd definitely come here when I visit the village again." Rain said before they left.
As the two have left. Kosuzu asks Akyuu.
"She's pretty cool. Right? Akyuu?"
"Mhhm... she is..." She nods as she looks at the entrance where the two had gone.
"That pose...is it really...her? Akyuu muttered to herself.
As she tries to recollect her memories she is interrupted by her friend.
"Hey Akyuu! No time to daydream! I'd like you to review the second chapter for errors. You wouldn't want it to have such a thing right? Agatha Chris Q.?"
"Shhh! What if a customer overheard that! Geez! I know let's go." She urged her friend and Kosuzu follows.
Meanwhile Alice and Rain is walking back. They've just left Suzunaan.
Rain sees Alice is about to react about earlier so she said.
"Not a single word, Alice." She said as she saw Alice's face smiled at her.
"Sorry, but that was pretty funny." She teased her friend who in return pouts at her.
"Huuuh~ I think I'm ready to go back now. Please don't tell Marisa nor Reimu about that. I can already hear Marisa's ze in my mind making fun of me."
Alice chuckles and replied. "No worries, I won't, at least I get to see that myself."
Such an event with just the two of them is something that Alice has been looking forward to. This day has been great for her...no she thinks it is for the both of them.
They've been in the village for about half a day. When they returned back to the shrine. Reimu's there waiting for them. With giant expectations that Rain will bring home food of course. To make things lively, Marisa also came by and demanded to be part of those who gets to eat Rain's first time cooking.
Of course all of them helped her in preparing and cooking. So after that they digged in. The three were awed of how delicious their food was. Praising Rain while also demanded seconds, Reimu and Marisa in particular. It was very merry indeed.
As all four of them enjoyed. They don't know that there are watchers from afar. Well not exactly as it came from the giant tree near the shrine.
"That green human is something indeed."
"Can't believe she befriended red and black that easily."
"Well, Duh! She's human like them. Anyways! We have a new target of our prank!"
The three voices unite as one and said.
"We the three fairies of light! Declare war on the green and red eyed human!"
As they said that another voice chimmed in.
"Hey! Don't leave me behind! I want in too! Piece is here! To give her a taste of hell too!"
A/N: Uh-oh, I guess more trouble is coming on Rain's way. Anyways! That's the human village! More interactions means more characters! Can't say that all of them will be friendly though! Anyhow, thanks for reading. This is pretty much long already so this note ends here! Heh~.