A/N: An early spooks for y'all. I had this idea for a while. It would be a waste if I just let it slip, eh? Anyways, this will be a horror and drama chapter and expect it to have the said elements. Kindly skip if you don't want to read such a thing though I feel like I went hard on the drama?
Kirisame Magic Shop — Marisa's House —
The black and white witch can be seen sitting in her chair and reading a book in the table. As usual her room was all a mess, books here and there. Materials scattered everywhere. As if this was a storage house although even storage houses can still be more decent than this.
Marisa yawned as she flipped through a page in the book she was reading.
"Is this book really worth it? All I see are symbols that ain't making any sense. Rain said she found this in Suzunaan, that Kosuzu really ain't learning a thing huh?" She reminisced at the past before resuming her reading.
"She found this interesting book yesterday and rent it so that I could read it. Obviously a demon book, what a nice girl. I feel bad about pranking her the day before yesterday." She said to herself while grinning as she remembered the girl's reaction to her prank.
"That was hilarious, though I think I went a little bit too far... meh, knowing her, she might already have forgotten about it."
The prank that Marisa did to Rain was that she stole her fundoshi (A/N: Yes, she wears that too.) and sarashi and gave it as a gift to Kourin/Rinnosuke. Who was very surprised indeed.
Marisa actually planned ahead to get Rain to wear that as she usually wears bloomers all the time. Except when they are in the laundry. So she probably took it when Rain is in the bath. As to how she found out about this, let's just say she has her own ways.
Rain's reaction was so furious and embarassed at the same time when she found out about it. When she arrived at the shop, she actually kicked the door down and loudly yelled "MARISAAAA! You Freaking Kleptomaniac Bitch!"
"I think she meant to say that time was witch but what really matters is her reaction. After that I got an earful from Reimu. Rain also ignored me for the whole day, while Kourin... well, he's fine." She laughs as she said that.
She flipped another page and this time, her eyes fixated on something interesting.
"Ooh! Now this looks interesting!" What she is looking at are words and symbols presumably ones that could increase ones own magic power.
"Let's see...ingredients to this recipe and the correct instructions is..."
"Mushrooms... More poisonous more potent, a handful of flint and finally sufficient firewood that should keep the fire burning. Use water that's clear, no other substitute and stir well to maximize the potency. Note: Do not drink it nor try to use it as a soup! It will kill you! Idiot! Instead only absorb the essence it will create. Results should be increase in magic power and magical intelligence. Warning! Strictly do not use the mushrooms that is colored -" She reads it aloud and at the end of the note it seems to be smudged.
"Well what do you know? I certainly have what I need all here! Though what kind of a warning is that? Seems like someone did actually drink it or something? Idiots, I guess." She said as she closed the book and geared herself up to look for the said needed in the book.
Just as she's about to go out. She heard a knock on the door.
"I wonder who could that be this morning?" She muttered to herself as she goes to open the door.
When she opened it, she was surprised to see Rain. Who looks at her with a bored face.
"Geez, this is your house? Is this even a shop?" Rain said as her greeting.
"Sheesh, ya just had to insult my house so early in the morning and it's even the first time ya came here..." Marisa said narrowing her brows.
"Well? Are you gonna invite me in or not?" Rain said as she crosses her arms.
"Nah... I'm going out to look for the ingredients needed for my experiment. Thanks for the book by the way!" She said as she dashes out of her own door.
"Hey! That's rude! Leaving your guest behind!" She tugged the witch's clothes so that she won't get away.
"I'm here for the book I lent to you by the way. I heard that it was a demon book, which Reimu said was very dangerous. So I'm taking it back." She said still tugging on her clothes.
"Heh! I can handle such stuff! Dangerous is in my name!" She said to her.
"No it's not... God damn it...you're not gonna listen are you?" Rain said letting go of her.
"Nope! Ain't no one gonna stop this black-white witch." She winks at Rain and smiled.
"More like bitch to me." Rain said under her breath.
"Did ya say something?"
"Nothing... but let me come with you. So that my time going here is not wasted." Rain suggested.
"Does Reimu even know yer here?"
"Nope." Rain replied quickly.
"I'm supposed to say that you need to go back since she will worry but if ya are offering help then I have no reason to refuse." Marisa said happily as she gestured to Rain to follow her.
Along the way she read to Rain the ingredients needed to be collected.
"Don't get separated to me, I handle the flint and some mushrooms. You can cut some woods and also pick up mushrooms you can come across." She said while walking with Rain.
"I don't mind but does the mushrooms will have an effect on me?" Rain asked.
"Naw... Yer been eating miso soup, right? The mushrooms used are from me so... I'm confident ye already are resistant to it." The human magician chuckles.
"No wonder they tasted funny." She said.
"Ya get used to it, here!" She tossed a sack to Rain, "Yer gonna fill 'er up with mushrooms. For the firewood it's best to just carry it separately. Ooh, just get 'em near my house." She instructed her.
Rain rolled her eyes for a sec then nods.
And so they went to collect what they need and it only took them half an hour. They got back at Marisa's house and prepared the place to conduct the experiment.
"You mix stuff here? At your own house?" Rain looks at the disorganized books and items scattered everywhere. Somehow she got the urge to pick them up and organize them but her mind adamantly refused.
"Yeah, saves me the time to go back and forth." She lazily explained.
Hearing that Rain protested "Oh no, ain't no way we're conducting this here! Nuh-uh! Your place is fire hazard itself, heck even worse!"
The magician just laughs at her taking it as a joke which of course it is not.
"Well look at you Rain! Worrying about my safety and my house. Sure-sure I can make an exception for ya." She happily said.
"It will be better if you did so before..." Rain uttered.
So they moved the experiment outside not beside the house but a little far from it. It was a sunny day so they don't need to worry about raining or the wind.
"This thing is pretty heavy..." Rain complained as they settled in the black cauldron.
"No, I bet yer thick armor is much more heavy." Marisa shot back.
"Good point I guess, but they are just shoulder and hip-" She looks down to see her own metal boots. "-Nevermind..." She said as she puts the firewood under the cauldron
"Let's get this started!" Marisa excitedly exclaimed as she poured water first and then lights up the cauldron with fire.
"Let's wait a bit for it to warm up." She said to Rain.
"This feels like we're just cooking..." Rain said as she looks at the cauldron. "Maybe next time we could use this for a giant hot pot?" She added.
Marisa laughs at her for saying so while also saying. "Nope! For magical purposes only."
"Where do you cook then?" Rain said in a low voice while having this doubtful look on her face.
A few minutes passed and they continued.
"So add mushrooms, these are the most poisonous I could find." Marisa said as she tossed in the said mushrooms.
"That's awfully a lot of mushrooms. They look weird as heck." Rain commented as she looks at it.
"That's just how these things are in here. Like I said ya get used to it."
"I'm not aiming to be a magician you know?" Rain snickered.
"Why not? You could be my apprentice! Ooh, a magician swordsman sounds badass." Marisa said full of energy.
"With you as my mentor? Pfft! No thanks... just thinking about it makes me want to kill myself." Rain sarcastically said.
"Your loss then!" She laughs.
"Even Reimu would not like it..." Rain said before remembering something.
"Oops, I forgot my mini-hakkero at my home... Can't test my magic power if I didn't have that with me." Marisa said as she tried to find her said item in her clothes.
"Ya just stay there, I'll be back in a flash." Marisa said before turning her back to Rain.
"Oh hey wait!" Rain stopped Marisa to ask.
"Speaking of mushrooms... I found these sort of weird glowing red mushrooms, I'll just go and get them from the sack you gave me. Do you want me to toss them all in?"
Marisa smiled at her and gave a thumbs up.
"Sure! Mix them well or they won't be potent!" She reminded her and saw her give a rude smile before she turned her back and went on her way to the house.
She nonchalantly went in back in her room and looked for her mini-hakkero.
"Come on, where did I put it?" She muttered to herself as she tries to find it.
It took her a few moments to remember where she had put it.
"Aha! I forgot, I put it on the table and placed a book on top of it." She quickly went to her table and grab her mini-hakkero.
"There we go! Back to where R-" Before she could finish her sentence.
–Boom!–
There was a huge sound of explosion followed by a sudden rumble.
"Wh-What the heck was that?!" She quickly dashed out of her house and saw thick black smoke rising from where they are conducting the experiment. Which means-
"Rain!" She exclaimed and quickly rushed to where her friend is.
She arrived at the scene. She can't see clearly as the smoke still hasn't completely dispersed yet. There is no fire which means only an explosion occured. But what matters to Marisa the most now is the whereabouts of her friend and her well being. She can't ease the feeling that something bad has happened to her.
"Rain! –Cough–" She shouted as she coughs from the smoke.
She then saw the cauldron. Now reduced to pieces as it's former parts are scattered everywhere but no sign of Rain.
"Crap! Where is she?!" She's starting to get more and more worried.
She keep on going forward and suddenly she stopped. As she looked in front of her, the smoke have not yet dispersed but she can see that behind the tree in front of her. There's without a doubt a human hand reaching forward.
She slowly approached. Sweating nervously as she can't help but know who it is. A few more steps and she will see what is behind that tree. But she stopped as her shoes stepped on something and it made a splat sound. She looked down and her eyes widen.
"Th-this is..." She slowly uttered the word. "Blood..."
Her body froze and chills were sent down to her spine. Her mind telling her not to move forward. However she must for her friend might be injured.
Despite her mind warning her. She pressed on, slowly and then-
The spitting image of her friend appeared before her. Her whole body planted through the ground in a prone position. Marisa can't see her face as it is looking at the other way but what made her more worry and fear is that Rain's body is lying down with her own pool of blood.
"Rain? Rain! N-No! Shit! Shit! Come on!" She didn't bother even if her own friend's blood gets on her. She tried to lift her up and felt that she's already cold with no pulse and not breathing. She turned her body around just to see many shrapnel and some parts of the cauldron stuck in her front chest and stomach.
It would seem like the cauldron's shards are enough to skewer through the stomach. Revealing its contents such as guts and intestines. In other words, her flesh is pretty much ravaged from inside and out.
Marisa saw this and could not help but vomit at the first sight of it. Letting go of Rain's body and stumbling back, she can hear the body making a squish sound as it falls back into the pool of blood. To add more horror to her face. She saw Rain's left eye the one with the green colored is pierced with a what seems to be a stick or twig along with her lifeless face looking at her.
"Hughhhh! O-oh shit! What the hell! She's- Dead!" She exclaimed.
"How did this happen?!"
She tried her best to remember what could have gone wrong. Then she remembered the warning about not using a mushroom of a color. What Rain had found must have been one of those not to be used.
She pounded the ground with her fist and started cursing. After all it was her own fault for bringing her into this. Once again she standed up and approached the body, ignoring that it covered in blood. Leaning in and saying.
"Please Rain, get up...I-I know this is just you pranking me back...please say so!" She said with her voice cracking up and her usual speaking manner is broken. She shakes Rain's body but there was no response, no one retorted to her. It was just the silence that replied to her. She must accept the fact that her friend Rain is already dead and that is because of her.
She slumped to a tree next to her friend's corpse, trying to recompose herself. She quietly muttered.
"Ya survived a fall from the sky but not from this? What good is yer armor for?" She shoots a mocking question.
As expected no one answered back. She looks at her friend again.
"I think you're gonna retort by saying magical explosion is different from that, all while trying to scold me..." Marisa gently answered her own question. Her voice sounds like she's about to burst into crying but she held it in.
She slowly got up and with her bloodied witch clothes. She tried to carry Rain's corpse near her house to give her a proper burial. She might not look like it but she is really devastated to what transpired today.
Her thoughts were racing as to what the others would say when they know about Rain's sudden death. What will she tell Reimu and Alice? She can't help but feel guilty and remorse. If Alice was home she would have rushed to the scene as an explosion like that would worry even a yokai.
Despite the corpse being heavy she pulled through it after a ten minutes of pulling and lifting. Arriving near her house she sitted her friend at a tree. Her face seems peaceful even at death. Such a beautiful face ruined by a horrifying death. Her skin is also starting to look pale. Marisa could only pray that it is a quick death or she can't imagine the immeasurable pain her friend has gone through.
She looked for her trusty shovel. The one she used to look for treasures and even gathering materials. Now to be used in burying her friend. It didn't take long for her to get back at the tree where her friend is resting.
She ought to give her a proper burial. But after recalling that giving the dead a proper burial will let them rest and achieve nirvana. She suddenly has the selfish thought of just giving her a quick burial. Hidden enough not to be found but quick enough to remember where it is.
Perhaps its her guilt that drove her to this but she wanted to talk to her one more time and apologize to her. So by making sure her friend will come back as a ghost, she can achieve that.
"I think this is deep enough..." She muttered to herself. She then propped the shovel against the tree and squatted down to take a look at her friend's corpse. She could still smell the fresh blood that made her squeamish. Overcoming it she placed her hand on the back of her friend's corpse and hefted her body up to her shoulder.
"Oof! You're really heavy even if I lifted you several times already... or is it the armor?" Another insult came from her. As the supposed grave is just next to her, she knelt down and carefully lowered the body into it, laying it on its back and straightened it up. She nods slowly as she picks up her shovel.
She gazed at her deceased friend for a moment before uttering. "The time we spend is always happy and fun even if it was short... I'm gonna miss yer funny and loud reactions."
"Um...Here lies...Rain Nanase..." She announced as she lowered her head. "A good friend that even if ya pranked 'em they still be your friend. We could have been to a lots of adventure and incident solving... I know ya want that... sucks that you died before I can offer you that." She mumbled and felt the sadness that welled up to her. Tears are almost coming up to her eyes. She forced herself to smile before ending her speech. "Good bye... my friend." She ended it with a heavy sigh.
She looked at her friend one last time. She can't clean her up even if she wanted to so the only thing she could do was bury her this way. Despite the lethal injuries she looks as if sleeping but that sleep is forever eternal. Marisa then jabbed the shovel from the pile of dirt and flipped it over Rain's corpse, dumping over the soil over it.
She didn't stop until the hole was completely filled. Not even a single hesitation as she made up her mind. When it was done she scattered leaves on top of it to make it blend in the forest. There is one thing she didn't bury and that is the swords of Rain. She had taken it for safekeeping, as a proof that their friendship will live on and will not be forgotten. In otherwords, she borrowed it.
She drew the sword, although she have trouble for a moment as she didn't exactly know how to handle swords. After a moment she used it to make a mark on a tree where Rain's body is supposed to be buried.
"Your sword is awesome... I need to clean it up as it is covered by your own blood and... I got covered by it too. As for the others, I'll talk to them about you, I won't run away or hide the truth." She said and then turned around slowly walking back to her home.
Hakurei Shrine ‐ later that day -
"Grr... I can't believe she skipped out on her chores." Reimu angrily grumbled.
"She still haven't come back for lunch. I want to taste her cooking again!" She blurted out her desire.
Then she saw Marisa coming in and she sighed. After the witch landed, she somehow felt the gloomy aura from her friend.
"What's this? You're awfully silent... did yesterday when Rain didn't talked to you bummed you out?" She jokingly said.
"No, it's not that...I just... can we talk about this inside?" Marisa said still gloomy.
"Fine... so you can speak up."
So they did and Reimu served her some tea. They sat and Reimu urged her to speak up.
"So? We're inside and having tea. Spit it out." Reimu said.
"Alright... I need to talk to you about Rain..." Marisa's face turned serious.
Seeing this Reimu assumed she got into trouble again and complained.
"What? Did she get into trouble again? I swear that girl-"
"She's dead..." Marisa said grimly.
Somehow Reimu didn't hear that right. No, she just can't believe it so she asked again.
"C-Can you say that again?"
"Do I have to repeat myself? Reimu! She's gone! Ya hear? DEAD!" She shouted.
"Don't shout! Tell me what happened?" Her hands trembled and some of her tea spilled.
Marisa nodded slowly and retold her what happened.
After hearing it Reimu fell silent. Marisa seems to be crying but is holding herself back.
"So she ain't coming back here no more..." She softly sniffs.
"I-I... did you properly buried her?" She asked as her voice trembled.
Marisa could not say to her what she did and so she told her a lie.
"Yeah... in the forest, just near my house. I-I can't leave her there to get you because others may see her body as food or some sort..." Her expression distorted between sadness and guilt or perhaps both.
"I see... If this is a prank you two schemed. I'll be super mad." Reimu said looking at Marisa who was tearing up which means she is telling the truth. She slowly looked on the ground and after that loudly slammed her fist on the table they are sitting in causing the tea to be blown away and fall on the mat.
"Rain... you freaking idiot..." Reimu said as she bursted into tears.
"Reimu..." She tried to console her.
"... Can you leave me alone? I-I need time to think." The miko said while turning her back to Marisa."
Marisa wanted to apologize but seeing how her friend wishes to be left alone. She obliged and slowly got up, and walk outside to return back to the forest. Before she do she can hear Reimu's mumbling.
"Just when I was just starting to warm up to her..."
Marisa flew back to the forest. The black smoke is already gone just like her friend. Reimu probably is broken-hearted about this from the way she bawled earlier. What more if her other friend Alice hears about this? This would probably crush the poor yokai magician to the ground.
Her mind drifted away as she flew to her neighbor to bring her the sad news.
'Don't you dare drop me Marisa! I swear I'll shove that broom of yours up to your ass if you do it!'
The voice echoed through her head and she snaps out of it.
"You just died earlier yet I'm already missing you by hearing your voice in my head." She muttered.
She closed in to the doll maker's house and saw Alice who already saw her from afar. Alice greeted her warmly.
"Ah, Marisa! Good timing! I was out earlier and when I came home I saw this thick black smoke... from the direction of your house," She sighs before continuing, "I assume one of your experiments again? You seem fine to me so it seems like no one got hurt. I didn't check as knowing you, you'll be fine."
The yokai magician said if only she knew how deadly wrong is she. Which she will once Marisa says it.
"A-Alice, can we talk inside?" Marisa said.
She didn't refused and lets her in the house. Once inside, Marisa looked at her surroundings and saw something that made her more sad and unable to turn away her gaze to it.
What she see saw was a doll... a doll modeled after her deceased friend Rain. It's still not complete but you can see the effort the person have put into making it.
Alice saw her froze in place while looking at the doll and commented.
"Hmm? That's for Rain, I'm planning to surprise her with it. I won't use it in battles as I only made one. I'm sure she'll find it lovely." Alice happily said with a smile on her face.
Marisa couldn't handle it and slowly lowered her head. Alice noticed her actions and said.
"What's the matter? You've been silent this whole time and you going into my house is unusual...is there something wrong?"
Marisa still with a lowered head said.
"I knew you're the one that will be hardest... but I promised to Rain that I'll tell the truth."
Alice comes closer to her and started to have a bad feeling.
"What do you mean?" She saw Marisa's face twisted in sadness.
"It's about Rain, I'm afraid you won't be able to give her that..." She pointed at the Rain like doll.
Alice seems confused and asks her again.
"What? What are you talking about?" Her smile slowly faded.
Marisa sighed and steeled herself to say it.
"Rain...she's- she's gone." Marisa said with a heavy heart.
Alice seems to be fazed by this and answered back.
"Gone? You mean she left?" She guessed but this is wrong and she can feel that wasn't the case.
"When I said gone, I meant...dead...she's dead Alice." Marisa sadly looked at her with a teary eye.
Alice could not believe her and seemed to got angry with her.
"Marisa! That joke of yours is not funny! I'm going to ask you to leave!" She snaps at her.
"I knew you won't believe me but I'm telling the truth... that explosion earlier? She was caught in it and died... It was my fault for involving her in my experiment. I- I already buried her." She said as she slowly walks past Alice.
"If you won't believe me... ask Reimu... I already told her about it. I'll leave you alone, I'll just be on my house for the day..." She said before she left.
Alice is left speechless and froze from her place. She didn't want to believe it but such words coming from Marisa whose way of speaking is broken from her usual speech is something that tells the truth.
Tears welled up from her eyes and she cried without saying a word. She fell into her knees and looked at the doll at her work bench. It was smiling at her, giving her the impression that the real one did so too.
Today the seven-colored puppeteer is reduced to one specific color. Like how a puppet who slumps down when its puppeteer lets go of it strings, that is what Alice have undergone. This will be the day she'll hate the most in her entire life and the one she'll always remember as her house is filled with her echoing wailings.
Kirisame Magic Shop — Before Night Falls —
There is a note outside the door and it reads "Temporarily Closed"
Marisa is laying down on her bed wearing her house clothes as the one she usually wears is still being dried. Along side the pile of books and other things she supposedly pilfered. But there is one thing neatly organized and that is the set of sword of Rain. Newly cleaned and is on display on Marisa's table.
Marisa herself has been lying down for how many hours... She can't sleep or even eat. She didn't even get to tell Kourin what happened, that or she forgot.
The silence of the wind was quite unpleasant. Marisa can hear the clock ticking and she can only the pass time by recalling her past bondings with Rain. From her smile to her angry reactions.
"It should have been me..." Her voice was dry.
"Her last smile... it hurts just by remembering it. I'm at fault for this mess..." she started to tear up again. She used her pillow to surpress the sounds she'll make as she cried her heart out. Today after all is the time where they are allowed to mourn and cry.
"..."
"..."
"Look at you, crying over such a thing. Marisa you better wake up or you'll end up... like me." A familiar voiced whispered to her.
"..."
"... stubborn as ever... you'll need a little push." the voice said before it became quiet again.
Marisa felt something sharp pierced her. Something near her chest. This jolted her to wake up.
"Gah!" She shouted as she gets up from her bed.
"Wh-What? Ah, I feel asleep by crying too much." She said as she looks at her surroundings. It was the same as before except that it's already past midnight. Around 3 am in the morning.
Her clock ticking is only the she can hear. She seems eager to go back to bed. Until she hears the somehow rustling sound outside. It was very quick but such a noise is unsettling. She can't help but feel uneasy, with her mini-hakkero just within her reach she quickly grabbed it.
Then she heard a loud thud that seems like someone or something just fall. It came from the outside again. This time she got up out of her bed and slowly walk to the window. She quickly leaned next to it and takes a peek. She can't see anything but the darkness beyond the trees.
What happens next actually kind of spook her. As she looks through the darkness... She saw this glowing red light... it was faint but it is there. The way she stared at it feels like it is also looking back at her with intense glare.
She quickly backs off after seeing it. Right after that she peeked again and it was no longer there. Marisa backs off back to her bed still holding her signature weapon. After she went back, it all became quiet again. She stayed up for 30 minutes before going back to sleep again.
Morning came and she remembered what happened. She quickly dressed to her spare white-black witch clothing and rushed outside to see if her hunch is correct.
From that window actually, Marisa can see Rain's grave and the tree with it. So she could not forget. What happened that time was near to that area. Marisa can't help but feel her blood run cold from just the thought of it.
Running out to the front door, she sprinted to her destination. The supposed grave of Rain. When she reached it, she saw nothing in particular and that nothing has change. Was that only her imagination? She thought about it and gave up as it is stressing her out.
She approached the grave to talk to it.
"I thought for sure you'll be visiting me, I guess you're to angry at me to do that, huh?" She murmured and quietly left as soon as she's done.
She wanted to visit Reimu and Alice but Alice herself might still be locked up in her house, so it's a no go for her. Reimu on the other hand would probably let her talk with her but Marisa has other plans first and that is visiting the shinigami who does not do her job properly.
Muenzuka
The place where the nameless dead rest. Marisa came here for a sole reason and that is to ask the shinigami whose name is Komachi lying down in front of her. Presumably slacking off on her job as usual.
"Hey, have you seen a girl in a green clothing with silver like hair? Her face is always like this." Marisa said as she makes a grumpy face.
Komachi whose still on the ground replied.
"Eh? Kid, I ferry lots of ghost all day, I can't remember them all. Wait... is she a living or a dead one?" She lazily said as she yawned.
Marisa was reluctant to say but she did so anyway.
"Dead... just recently... I wanna know if ya did come across her."
The shinigami gave her a straight answer.
"No, I haven't not yet...they usually show up just after they died. Which is odd that your friend is not at the Sanzu River yet but-" She saw this opportunity to tell her a joke, "why do you ask? Did you killed her by chance?" She grins at her.
"No...just wanna talk to her for the last time. That joke is not funny by the way." She tips her witch hat and turned around.
Just as she's about to leave, Komachi gave her an advice.
"Careful not to let her body be taken away by the yokai or you just got yourself a vengeful spirit haunting you. Assuming of course you did something that caused her death." The shinigami warned her in an eerie way.
"..." Marisa didn't replied but she found what Komachi said unsettling.
After that she visited Reimu who was sweeping the area around the shrine. The aura she gave is that of a depressed one, perhaps she's still sad about what happened. They talked a bit about how their day went. It was a peaceful day so nothing worth mentioning actually happened. Marisa didn't tell her about her visit to Komachi. She figured that this will make her friend worry.
Night falls and Marisa is at her house. The way this day is about to end seemed unusual to her. She visited the shrine talked to Reimu but that was it. No teasing and talking with her other friend who temporarily resides there. What she is feeling now is a sudden change that her mind and heart haven't yet accepted.
As she sits on her table, staring only at the swords her friend once possessed. The night is once again silent, save from the clock that is ticking endlessly.
As she's buried in her musings. The light in the lamp in her room suddenly went out as if someone just blew it.
It was dark and Marisa seems to be unaware of what just happened.
"I think it's time to replace that lamp..." She said as she took out her mini-hakkero and used it as a small lighting. Before she can take the lamp she heard a noise behind her. Making her head turn around. The sound is something like a metal or coin being drop.
Then she felt something just passed in front of her. She describes that feeling of something like a breeze. But there is no air inside her room. So the only thing that could make such a breeze is if something or someone moved pass her.
"Did a wild fairy settled in here?" She uttered.
"Don't make me use this on ya! My home is not a place to stay for the likes of ya." She said as she continuously tried to find the source of the movement.
At that moment her mini-hakkero malfunctioned, clicking off and on like a flashlight.
"What the?" She said as she taps it several times but to no avail.
As her attention is focused on her mini-hakkero the clicking of its lights showed someone's silhoutte in the direction it is facing. It seems to be creeping in as the lights go on and off.
Then it went back to normal. With her surrounding still dark she needs to replace the lamp. The next thing that happened is that she can hear rain drops meaning it has started to rain.
"A rain at this hour? I still need to fix that lamp-" She suddenly stopped as she looks at her window. Her eyes widen as she felt uneasy because staring out in the window is the glowing red light. It is so much closer tonight than before, and when she looks closely that is not a red light but rather a red glowing eye gazing at her with an intense glare.
Marisa couldn't point her mini-hakkero at it. She just can't as either fear have gotten to her or she is hesitating.
But she don't need to as a sudden flash of lightning came by. it may have been brief but it was enough to identify who or what it is.
Staring at her was a person covered in blood, her face looks lifeless. Her right eye is dyed in red and her left is missing. Her clothes are wet as blood drips down. The mortally wounded flesh can be seen especially her stomach.
How can Marisa forget that face after all that face is the one that haunted her and now it comes to her personally. Yes, this is without a doubt her dead friend Rain.
The instant she saw her, Marisa backs up to her bed and gripped her mini-hakkero tightly. As the lightning flash is gone so is Rain.
"No..." Marisa uttered.
Her mini-hakkero seems to have given out and the darkness is all that she can see. She nervously looked around. The sound she can hear are the ticking of her clock and the water dropping outside.
She then heard a faint whisper.
"...ri...sa" she is calling out to her.
It repeated again and again until she can hear it clearly as it came close to her.
"Marisa..." Her friend whispered out her name.
"Urameshiyaaaa..." The ghost of her friend's voice said in a low and slow voice with a growl.
Marisa herself wanted to cover her ears and eyes but she knew that this one is real. That word stuck in her head as it means "I blame you." or even worse "I curse you."
She looked at the table where her friend's swords is and is surprised to see that red eye is now there. Meaning Rain is now inside her house.
"I'll...be taking these...back." The swords slid of her table and once again reunites with its owner.
"You pranked me again did you?" The voice of Rain said.
Marisa protested to her and said.
"No-No! That was... an accident!"
"Thanks to you...I'm dead... and you didn't even buried me properly..." She said getting closer to her.
"No... Pl-please listen... I...I just-" She tried to reason but the ghost loudly yelled back at her.
"No excuses! You'll reap what you sow...Arghh...Marisa...I'd suggest you run. You see, whenever I see you... I have this urge to hurt...you...to...kill you. So while I have my sanity and reason, find a way to end me. Get Reimu or something..." Her voice echoes in the room, still standing not moving an inch but her murderous aura is emanating from her.
"Bu-But! I..." She hesitated and then she remembered what the shinigami has said to her if that is indeed true then-
She quickly got out of bed and rushed outside to investigate. Even if it is raining she didn't mind as she got drenched.
She can't see well but she know her way around and her destination is to the grave of Rain.
When she reached it. Her face twisted in horror as the grave of Rain has been desecrated. The hole where she is buried is unearthed. Marisa panicked and hurriedly run to it, only for her to see that the grave was empty. Rain's body is no longer there...
There are two things that could happen. One is that her body got stolen. Two which made Marisa shiver is that the corpse itself did this which means... she is either revived or something else indescribable. But her encounter with Rain's supposedly ghost earlier hinted that the corpse got stolen...by a yokai... so Rain's ghost is actually-
"A vengeful spirit..." She murmured and she quickly looked around in her surroundings and the only thing noticeable she saw was the tree where she left a mark. The mark is still there but the eerie thing is that a handprint of blood is now on top of it.
"...What the hell.. Do I do now?" She slumped to the tree next to the grave as if she have given up.
Then she heard a grinding screech. The sound came from the direction of her house and a few moments she saw Rain in the dark slowly approaching her with her sword which the tip is dragging to the ground making the screeching sound.
Marisa did nothing she just watched as death approaches. And soon they came face to face.
"Why didn't you run? You idiot..." Rain said still her sword on the ground.
Marisa smiled while looking at her and said. "Why would I run away from my friend?"
"And you even lead me here to my own grave which will be yours soon enough..." She said coldly.
"I...I just wanted to apologize, If it weren't for my obsession and selfishness. You wouldn't have died." She blubbered.
"Is that your last words?" She said as she readied her sword.
"Yeah...can't think of a good farewell speech when death is staring right at ya." She joked.
"A lame joke... but before I lop your head off." Rain heard a gulp when she heard this. Perhaps Marisa is afraid after all she is just a girl about to meet her death by her friend's hands.
"Do you know what my grudge is?" She asked.
"Isn't it obvious? You getting killed by my silly experimentation which you thought I pranked you with." Marisa guessed as she looks Rain straight in her red glowing eye.
Marisa expected Rain to agree with her but the vengeful ghost answered.
"Wrong..."
"What?! What do you mean? What could your grudge be?" Marisa exclaimed.
Rain fell silent and then laughs.
"Ahahaha! Ahahaha!"
"You don't know?" She said to Marisa.
Marisa gave her a confused look.
"Judging from your face, it seems you don't know...then allow me to say it." She sheathed her sword back.
"The reason is I...I can't let such a prank go unpaid..." She said to Marisa.
Again Marisa is confused to what she is saying.
Rain laughs again and clapped. As soon as she did this the rain stopped.
Marisa can't help but react to this.
"In other words, Marisa..." Rain looks at her with her dead face straight on as it formed a smile.
"Ya just got pranked hard by... me! Whooo! Ahahah!" Rain laughs again while bumping her fist in the air, celebrating.
Marisa is trying to understand what Rain just said. All the tension is gone. She can't help but look at Rain whose smile resembled the one she's used to seeing.
"Hey, guys it's done! Marisa's pranked... tell me you guys captured her reaction?" Rain said but there's only the two of them, or are they?
One by one other figures showed up. There's Reimu whose face seems to be cracking up in laughter. Another is Alice whose smile can be seen. The last one came from above, a person with wings or in this case... a tengu.
"This will be a great headline tomorrow!" The tengu said before snapping a photo of them.
Marisa still dumdfounded, slowly gets up and asks.
"Aya? Wha...what? Why are you guys here?"
Reimu approached them and replied.
"I believe Rain already told you. You just got pranked." She said trying to hold in her laughter.
"Me? Pr-pranked?" She said while pointing at herself.
"Yeah... you did, what? Was it so good that you're speechless?" Rain said with a little laugh.
"Speechless? Ya freaking stupid? I thought yer gonna chop my head off clean!?" She shouted.
"Ooh, that just implies that it is very effective." Rain replied.
"Hey, Reimu give her a towel she might catch a cold." She said as Reimu obliged and handed Marisa a towel.
"Reimu... you're in it as well?" Marisa asked still in dazed.
Reimu nodded and said. "Rain here insisted. I'm only here for the laughs and food she promised."
She then turns her head to Alice. "What about you?"
"I'm with them as well. Rain here already gave me a promise to secure my participation."
"I'm here for the scoop! Miss Rain here personally invited me to cover it!" the crow tengu known as Aya said.
"You even got her? Man..."
Marisa groans, she doesn't know how to react due to the rollercoaster of her feelings.
"God damn it! I can't believe this!" She shouted earning a laugh from the rest.
She turned to Rain who surprisingly changed her looks back to normal.
"Sooo? Care to tell me the details? Ya freaking psycho..."
"Heh~" Rain looked at the other three and they all nodded and heads back to Marisa's house.
"Hey! Ya guys are just gonna crash into my house without permission?" Marisa said.
"Ah, let them they'll fix the lamp for you and I'll tell you the details while they do it sounds good?" Rain assured her.
"Fine." She crossed her arms.
"So what questions do you have?" Rain said.
"Oh, I have a lot! But first..." She grabbed Rain by her shoulders which looked awkward since Rain is much taller than her.
"GIVE ME BACK MY TEARS!" She shouted to her.
"Ehe~" Rain replied with such an expression.
"I thought yer freaking dead! I don't know how you did it but that's too far!" She said out of concern.
"Marisa..." Rain's smile faded.
"I really am dead... that explosion killed me. I planned that fake demon book, and to finally prank you with a fake explosion, it should have just been a screen of smoke and me faking that I'm dying then scare you. But-" She scratches her head and continued, "turns out that explosion turned out to be real, eh?"
"So technically, I killed myself with my own prank, good thing you aren't there, otherwise I won't be able to forgive myself." She chuckles.
"You're willing to go that far? Just to get even with me?" Somehow Marisa is starting to sound sad.
"Ah, no just returning your prank. After all, that's what friends do, right?" She shoots a smile to Marisa.
Marisa seeing her smile looks down on her feet and said. "Idiot..."
"Ah, well, it was worth it! I died but did my prank stops there? So I devised the ultimate prank to which only the dead can do!" She proudly said.
"I actually watched you do all those things. Talking to Reimu and Alice about me. Heh, thanks for that. When you left them, I actually appeared to talk to them about this. You should have seen Reimu's face and the way my clothes got soaked with her tears while saying that who'll cook for her now... Ahaha..." Rain sighed.
She stops for moment and looks at the house. Seems like the three have repaired the lamp. With a nod she continued.
"Then there's Alice I can't bear how she cried so I possessed the little doll she's making for me and ah, well can't tell you that as it's kind of embarrasing, I did that to calm her down and talk to her. Anyways, I dragged them with my plan, the tengu is just here for the headline. So I can leave some impression and proof that you got pranked. Oh! Also that ferry woman is involved too by scaring you with all those things about vengeful spirit."
"So if I properly buried you? Will you still come back as a vengeful spirit?" She asked.
"What? No, I'm a ghost. I just said that to scare you. My body is already cremated by Reimu. I asked her that since she said that it might result in me getting into trouble."
"I see, but... what will you do now?" Marisa asked the most important question.
But before Rain answers her question she said to her.
"Good question but let's head back to your house first. The others are waiting and you'll get cold if we stay here for long."
And so they did. The three greeted them and they all seated at a table to talk.
"Looks like Marisa is still in shock." Reimu commented.
"Who wouldn't!" Marisa retorted as she slams the table.
"Which means it was a good prank." Aya said snapping yet another picture.
"So Rain, about that question?" Marisa said.
"Ah, I just want to thank everyone for their help in the success of this prank that even fairies cannot top with. Also miss Aya here is the one who lended me that fairy who can make it rain, many thanks to her." Rain cheered.
The tengu nodded with her praise.
"Alright... like I said to you all, I'm already dead so no more crying! I hate to see my friends do that. Before I go, I want to see you all smile." She said as she makes the biggest smile she can make.
"Wait. What do you mean before ya go?" Marisa questioned her.
"Well you see, as a ghost we have our own attachment as our existence, I have my own body cremated, thanks Reimu. The only last step before I can achieve said nirvana is to fulfil that attachment. That attachment goes to Marisa not her physically but her pranks. My last business is to prank her back with all I got. Well now that it is achieve..." As she spoke her body started to glow.
"Whoa-whoa!, Rain! Yer body! It's glowing!" Marisa said as the others calm her down.
"Calm down, Marisa..." Reimu said with a hint of sadness.
"She's experiencing what you call 'passing on'. Very soon she'll be on the Sanzu River." Alice said with a soft sniffle.
"Come on! You can't leave Rain! I-I that prank was not impressive! Ye hear! What about getting yer memory back?!" Marisa said as she protested.
"Marisa... Here..." Rain said as she handed in her two swords.
"This time... I'm giving it to you... take care of them for me will you? I do chatted with that shinigami she says that the yama has that mirror that shows the past of the person being judged. So I'm getting what I want when I go there. Too bad I'm dead so I don't know what to do with those memories." She said with a smile.
Marisa seems to refuse at first but ultimately accepted them.
Rain looks at Marisa and can see her sadness.
"Come on, Marisa I need you to admit it. The last part of my business is to have you admit that my prank is good. I actually have a deadline, you see. Get it?" Rain said while joking.
With a small chuckle Marisa then said.
"...Alright... It was the most coolest prank I've ever seen. Probably the first one too done here in Gensokyo."
"Thanks, Marisa. Now I want you to remember this, no matter what happens never lose your spark... Marisa. Your dream of being stronger shines bright like a star. Don't ever lose it, our emotions as humans are both our weaknesses and our strengths. That also defines who we are. I don't want you to change even if I'm gone, continue to what you think is best for you. The same goes for everyone here. Thank you all for being here with me." She ended her speech as bit by bit of her body started disappearing.
Marisa wanted to stop her from leaving, from disappearing again. But her body and mind can't move as they already accepted it. As her heart and mind clashed, she heard her call out to her.
"Hey, Marisa." Rain said standing up and she extends a fist to her.
"W-What is that?" She asked.
"Just bump it with your other fist." Rain smiled as she awaits.
With that she too extends her fist to Rain's as the two fist meet it formed to what we call a "Fist Bump".
Marisa felt happy as they did this. After all this gesture was something special.
"If I do get reincarnated, I'd like you guys to be my friends again." Her last words echoed through them as she finally dispersed. Leaving them behind. Things went silent for a while until Aya spoke up.
"Waah! That human is good at making a speech, she even managed to make me cry!" Aya said as she wipes a tear or two.
"Let's be friends again...huh?..." Reimu uttered softly, turning her back to them to hide her sad expression and possibly her tears too.
"I'll be taking good care of that doll for you Rain..." Alice said wiping her tears too.
"We'll build a grave for her in the graveyard even if her body is not there as it was cremated at least we can still visit her and pay our respects." Reimu suggest and it all earned a nod from the other two.
Marisa on the other hand stared where Rain was. Her swords still in her hands. Even though this ending is good enough she still can't accept it. She wished she could turn back time again, to where her friend lives. As she closed her eyes and silently wait.
"Ngnh..." Marisa groaned in her sleep. Her body tilted back and forth, and eventually she falls down from her bed, waking her up.
"H-huh?" Marisa said as she takes a look on her surroundings, she recognize this as her room. She quickly got up and looked at her table. The two swords of Rain is not there, only her mini-hakkero. So she grabbed it, gets dressed and on her way out she saw her cauldron still here and intact as she rushed outside.
She stops by to the tree where Rain's supposed grave should be and there was nothing. The ground seems undisturbed, no signs of shovelling and no mark on the tree either.
She started to feel positive and quickly flew to Hakurei Shrine.
She arrives here in just a matter of minutes thanks to her flying. She saw the grounds have been cleaned so they must be inside. Without announcing herself, she climbed down on her broom and placed it near the door. Then proceeded to dash in.
The moment she's in, she saw the familiar clothing of her friend, her appearance and everything which made her smile. She quickly jump in from the side to pin her down. Her witch hat falls in the process.
"What the?!" That person can't help but be surprised.
"Aaah! M-Marisa? What the hell? Get off me!" Rain said as she struggled to shake off the clinging magician to her.
"Ahaha! Rain, I missed ya so much!" Marisa said with joy.
"You...Ah! STOP! This is too much! Reimu! Help me!!!" Rain cried for help but Reimu seems amused and did not budge.
"You guys seem like you're having fun, I bet this is just Marisa's way of saying sorry." Reimu said as she takes a sip from her tea.
"What part of this is being sorry! Ack! Don't put your face in my chest!"
"Nope! Not letting ya go! Until I'm satisfied!" Marisa said as she buried her face in Rain's chest.
"First thing in the morning, I get this? Is this yet another part of your prank?" Rain said as she's very suspicious of Marisa.
"No. No pranks, sorry about that time. You know about the underwear prank." She grinned.
"You think that face is sorry? Heh, I don't know what's gotten into you but I guess I forgive you. After all, we're friends. I can't stay mad at you." Rain said as she gave up her struggling.
Marisa smiled at her.
"Please don't prank me back. I know how hard you can so I'll cut it out."
"Hey, how did you know I can hit back with a prank?" Rain asked.
"Just a hunch. But still! I'd like to keep being friends with you Rain!"
Rain seems confuse but plays along.
"You think a small harmless prank like that is enough to tore our friendship? I think you're still sleepy to say something like that." She said as Marisa lets go of her and she's able to sit back up.
"Uwaah~ This is getting me jealous, I'm still here you know?" Reimu said lazily but with a hint of wanting to join in too.
"You guys know what? Let's go to the human village to shop! My treat!" Marisa said as the two looked at her.
"Hey no going back after you said that!" Reimu said in high spirits.
"I bet she wanted me to cook a different dish again..." Her eyes rolled a bit but eventually she gave a quick smile. "But since she said her treat then I got no reason to refuse." Rain said and the three quickly gets up to get ready.
"After this we'll go fetch Alice, eat together and go to the Scarlet Devil Mansion." Rain said as the two nodded with her.
As to Marisa here, this is what she's thinking as she saw her two friends happily conversing.
'Even if it was a dream it felt damn real to me. I don't want to experience that again but I learned a lot in that dream. I won't change just like what she said. I'll reach my dreams, this time with her to see it come true. To prevent such fantasy into a reality, I must get stronger and be more mature to protect my friends, be that sparkling star that ever shines brightly. Another thing I learned is that what truly haunted me was the guilt, the sadness, and responsibility. Not her actual ghost, heck I didn't even got scared by her. The only thing I'm really afraid of is that facing that haunting. Knowing your the one whose at fault and that fault stares right back at your face, biting you for it. I'm just glad that I could continue being her friend. Because I promised... I will not lose my spark! That's why...'
As Reimu went to another room. Marisa called Rain's attention.
"Hey, Rain." Marisa extends her fist to her while smiling.
Seeing this Rain smiled and extends her fist too, colliding with Marisa's fist as it made a satisfying sound that only the two could understand.
Omake – The End Of Her Eastern Escapade –
Sanzu River
"Oh, looks like I am finally here." Rain sighed as she looks around. "The dead cannot cry... Hmm?"
She was that there are many others waiting to be ferried to Higan. This is where the dead await their judgement from the Yama. Which Rain must cross.
"One, two, hmm... looks like I'm at number three. I guess it's good that the line is not that long. But then again I have this feeling of wanting the same line to never reach me."
She voiced out her thoughts aloud. What she saw is that this is a peaceful river with a view that could not be enjoyed as it is covered in mist, quite fitting for the departed. There are two people –dead like her–in front of her forming a line.
The sprit in front of her happens to hear her and turns around, it was a guy that seemed to be young.
"First time? I felt that too since I first found myself here."
Rain seems confused from this and replied.
"Uh? What do you mean? Can you hang around here if you're not sure if you want to cross?"
The ghost nodded at her and said. "Yep, you can take your time here. I'm here at the line because I made up my mind to embrace death." He casually said.
After that they saw a boat coming in at their direction and the one on it wielded a scythe. No doubt this is a shinigami. Rain knew who it was as they already met, the shinigami was none other than Komachi Onozuka.
"Alright! Next one please, step right in." She said as she stops the boat near at the river bank. She saw Rain and casually wave at her.
"About time you showed up! I'm guessing your plan went well?" She said as she shoots a smile.
"You should've seen her face... I think I went a little bit far, but you know it was worth it since that I'm here, haha." Rain laughs.
"Mhm, good to hear that, your number is three. No worries! I'll be back in no time after this guy." That said she motioned the other dead spirit to hop on.
"You have the money?" She asks.
"Um...yes, here you go." The spirit hands over her a bag of coins.
Rain saw this and is not sure if how many did that spirit gave to her but she heard Komachi said.
"Oops, you almost didn't make the fee. Lucky you, otherwise you're going for a swim with the fishies." She nonchalantly said.
'Is that a threat? Wait...fish?' Rain thought and looks at the river clearly and her eyes widened. A lot of fish are there... well and they all look dead and deadly if you would like for swim, this fishes are all eager to see you do so. After all, some of them are from prehistoric times, and they are all what they call a phantom.
"I think, I'll pass on that." Rain's thought escape from her mouth as she saw Komachi departs with the spirit.
"Hey, don't mind if I ask about how did you die?" The guy asks her which snaps her out of her pondering.
"Sure, but you first." She said to which the spirit agrees.
"Haha, I like your attitude. Actually the way I died is pretty pathetic. No yokai are involved, just me dying on my own. You know due to the extreme heat, I went to the lake to cool off, I didn't mind the danger as the heat is killing me. The Misty Lake is the best bet as I hear an ice fairy lives there which is a plus for me as I think it freezes the water." He stops for a bit to rest and then continued.
"I arrived there and saw that the lake has no other people or yokai, so I seized that chance to quickly jump off in it. That's the last thing I remember before I knew it I'm here already." He said ending his narration.
"Huh... extreme heat and then jumping off to a cold water seems like a natural response." Rain thought what could have killed the guy.
Before she could think about it the guy said.
"Don't think too much about it. How about you? You seemed to be too young to die and beautiful too. A shame..." His words seem genuine.
"Well... I accidentally died from an explosion." She sighed somehow as the words of her fellow spirit stuck into her. "Thank you for your kind words." She said as she slightly bowed her head.
"No worries, oh, it seems like it is my turn." He said as the ferryman returns.
"There we go, next please!" Komachi said as the second spirit gets aboard the boat and paid the toll.
"Goodbye miss, I'll see you on the other side!" The guy waves at her as they depart.
Rain waves goodbye to him and is left alone. Her happy smile then fades as she contemplates her feelings.
What she is experiencing is hesitation and possibly regret. This is very common for the departed who had a sudden death. The only thing that flashed through her mind is the past, the memory of her and her friends. Though her past memories have not yet recovered, she considers this as one of the best current memory she have. Her musings and reminiscence allowed time to pass and before she knew it, Komachi is already back.
"Hey! It's finally your turn! Hop in!" She said.
Rain does so before she starts to have second thoughts.
"Coins, please." She asks for her payment.
Rain who does not know how and where to look asks.
"Er... I- where do I put them? She tries to find it by going in to her pocket. Komachi seems to be amuse by her actions and said.
"Give me your hand, I'll collect them." She extends her right hand in an open palm. To which Rain followed her instructions.
"Hmm, you almost have no money but the remaining coins are enough for the toll. In other words, welcome aboard." She then moves the boat forward.
After a while Komachi began talking to her.
(Cue, The End of Eastern Dream by Sonic Hybrid Orchestra)
"I'm impressed you do not seem to use your money for your sake but for others." She said as they are on their way to Higan.
"I did? I don't remember, perhaps you forgot that I don't have my memory?" She said while sitting and looking at the seemingly endless river.
"Oh, right, though I kinda feel bad for you. We just met like two or three days ago with you still alive and now we meet again and well you're dead. Guess I was wrong about your life span."
"Life is unexpectedly random at times but you did say my life span is glitching out. So maybe you have your answer now."
"Maybe... speaking of which. Perhaps you don't know but we're taking a bit long to get there. Looks like your past is full of sins." She said and Rain is not fazed by this, in fact she expected it.
"Ah, so will we ever get there? I already anticipated that I would have that kind of past."
"No worries, I did say just a bit. You may have sinned but perhaps those sins are done for a good reason. I've seen your eyes and they speak that they do not fear death nor the consequences of their own actions as well as kindness itself."
Rain seems puzzled at this and asks.
"How can you say that? I may as well have been a cold blooded killer back then."
Komachi laughs at her and said. "Can a cold blooded killer have friends? Can you, who died have a grudge over such a friend who indirectly caused your death?"
"No, I don't have any grudge nor such a thought to blame." Rain said as she grasp her own hands.
"See? You're a good person, I know one when I see one. Having this kind of job and ferrying different spirits everyday is my proof." Komachi said with a straight face.
"Hmm, by the way did you know how the guy you ferried before me died?"
"Oh? Him? He died by the so called 'Cold water shock'. He would have been okay if the water is not that too cold, a certain ice fairy is inadvertedly responsible for his death." Komachi said as Rain could only give a "huh" reply.
"The human body is quite fragile and can die from smalls matters." She added.
Rain cannot argue to that as the guy before her is her proof that death has many ways to claim human lives.
"How about you Komachi? Do you have any thing to share? Perhaps you have some feelings bottled or something, just asking." Rain said surprising the shinigami.
"Hmm, this is the first time some human asks about me and my well being. Quite daring of you, if I find that a bit annoying I may as well throw you off." She said as she smiles.
"Eh? You're kidding right?" Rain said as she shuddered at the thought of it even though she is already dead.
"Ahaha, I'm just messing with you but thanks for asking. This job has its own perks and as for me, well I feel fine, I get to talk to people just like you and it is entertaining in a way both sides enjoy."
"I see, I do regret that I won't be seeing them anymore and won't be able to spend my time with them. That is why I'm hesitating but now I know that by doing so I'm keeping them chained and unable to move on. Hence, I steeled myself for it." Rain answered in a low tone of voice with a hint of sadness.
"I'm sure they will visit you after all we are in Gensokyo where anything is seemingly possible." Komachi said which lightened Rain up.
"They can?"
"Yeah, they can visit you at Higan and in the Netherworld, I'm sure you will be judge with either reincarnation or nirvana. Still knowing your friends they probably get me in trouble for ferrying them to reach you while you are in Higan."
Just the thought of it makes Rain frown a bit as she can see Marisa's smug face again but this also made her smile.
"Umu, I like the sound of that. You could come to visit me too, I think I want to try sparring with you. I haven't fought a shinigami especially when I'm already dead. If I did back when I was alive then that would be cool." She excitedly said.
"In other words, you want me to be your friend?" She asks seemingly curious.
"Why not? Can't a dead person make new friends?"
Komachi lets out a roaring laughter and slaps Rain's back making the boat rock a little bit.
"Interesting! I accept! Looking forward it, friend." She smiled at Rain.
"Likewise," She too smiled as she looks again to the mist-covered river. "I suppose this marks the end of my journey. I may have not recovered my memory when I was still alive but I did make new ones, my new friends will carry on those memories for me and I shall cherish the ones we made." While the words she brought out are sad but the way she said it makes it that she's happy.
The ferrywoman looks at her without saying a word but she knows that this person is content with her life, something that only a few human have demonstrated to her and today adds another one to that number.
The boat they're riding on and them quietly disappears to the mist along with Rain's regret and hesitation.
A/N: Ah! How touching! What a twist! So it was all but a dream! But! There was definitely a lesson that was learned by Marisa. Guess she won't be pranking Rain anymore. Anyways! Thanks for reading the special chapter! We're going back to the main story after this.