Echoing Voices — Project and Celebration — Part 1

"The shrine's donation today is quite many, Isn't it?"

"Yes it is. So are you here pester me again? You old hag?"

"Goodness, I'm still young as I can ever be. To give you an exact I'm still seventeen. You can hear the teen word right? You keep calling me that but you're at the age of milennium and counting."

"Tch... I so want to exterminate you right now."

"Heh~, we've been doing that for a long time but it always ends in draw, am I holding back or is it you?"

"Just zip it. You know it's a hassle to turn on and off the warding protection from the yokai. I always do this everytime you and those ruckus-making onis stop by. What if the villagers saw you guys?"

"Well we do come by at night so the humans are fast asleep while we come out and play."

"Then why come here? Play with each other not with me. You yokai are such a pain in the ass. Especially since I have to take care of a kid."

"Oh? I completely forgot about that. Last time I saw her was she's but a little baby."

"Feeding her milk at that time was very hard. I hate to admit it but with your help. I was able to come around it."

"No problem, although I would have preferred if you let me used my powers to let you breast feed her yourself."

"Ain't no damn way I'm doing that. Why don't you did so yourself? Actually, nevermind. She may turn into a yokai if she does."

"Rude...so? What years old is our little baby?"

"MY baby not ours but mine. You're making it sound like you're the father or something. She's no longer a baby if she's able to talk and walk on her own. I think she's turning six this year."

"I see, but wouldn't it be exciting if they know that a human and yokai are raising a baby together?"

"Gaah, there you go again with your fantasies, pervert."

"How awful~, that reminds me. What's the situation of that half-yokai boy?"

"Him? Oh, he's fine. He's growing but mentally and also slowly on the outside, guess that's the yokai part kicking in. He is after all the first one to be in that position. That I know of. No one wants him, not the humans or even the yokai. Y'all are a bunch of jerks for doing that."

"That is why we have you, the mediator for both sides. You didn't end him, knowing that both humans and yokai saw him as a abomination. I know you're cooking up a plan on how to intergrate him back to the human village. The yokai on the other hand won't come after him as he is after all, a half one."

"Hmph, don't use that word. The boy has the right to live. Even if he is like that. His parents are gone but that doesn't mean he should be too just because he is a half one. You know me, I couldn't care less whether what or who you are. I've been talking to a good family that will help us out. The Kirisame family."

"Them? Well I suppose, it is possible."

"Ah, well, we'll make it work. I could ask him to be her playmate though I think he'll make a fuss about it but he'll agree. My little girl would be very happy. Oh! You should send your shikigami. She enjoys fluffing that tails of her. Speaking of your shikigami, I heard that she is soon having her eight tail?"

"Indeed, she is. I suspect that you'll be giving her favorite?"

"What else do you expect? It's like catnip for them."

"Hmm... Let's switch topics. Do you remember that time when you gave me an idea that led to this project?

"Oh? That project? I don't remember but I do said something about preservation. We used to do it with endangered animals or species. Who knew you'll use it on your own kind, albeit with modifications. This is somehow related or applies to eternity but then again the flow of time continues. I can continue to ramble on but I'll stop here."

"That one, soon I think we'll able to fully implement it. The others are preparing for it and for that to happen we also need that power."

"I'll talk to it when I have the time. For now, I need to raise a good successor. The one who shall inherit its power."

"Hey, wake up sleepy head." Reimu pokes Rain in the head with her gohei.

"Ah?" Rain opened her eyes and this time she's able to move normally as the rope is no longer restraining her.

As for her dream she quickly forgot about it as she wakes up. What could it be? A distant memory from the past? But in between the two person speaking. None of their voice is recognized as Rain or rather it is as if she is there hearing their conversation.

Reimu looks at her eye and firmly nodded as she confirmed that her left eye is no longer red but returned back to being green. "Guess that vampire is not lying. Come on, up you go. You already have a visitor waiting for you." She said as she looks around.

"Where'd she go?" Reimu said as a figure behind her back emerged.

"Hellooo!" The one who greeted Rain from behind Reimu's back is none other than Koishi Komeji, smiling so brightly just like the last time they met.

"I've come as promised! I saw the fishing rods! They look good!" She chirped.

"Oh, sorry I'm still half-asleep." She wipes her eyes to fully wake herself up and then turns her head to where Alice was supposed to be in. She must have left before Rain woke up or Reimu kicked her out. She wanted to ask the home owner about it but she ought not to.

"You really should quit doing that." Reimu said but she didn't turn to Koshi. "I'm leaving this one to you, Rain. Oh, and don't worry about your choirs. You're having a paid leave to day." Reimu said and then turns around as she will have to do her daily chores.

'Since when did I get paid?' Rain thought as she watches her friend leave for her shrine maiden work.

Truth be told, in Reimu's mind she thought she is overworking Rain and kind of feared that the Scarlet Devil Mansion would take her should she decide to work there but Rain had clearly said that she's not interested, perhaps Reimu is just overreacting. Hence, she thought about this. Which was weird for Rain and

"Let me just get myself ready." Rain said to Koishi who patiently waits for her.

It didn't take for Rain to get ready. The only thing she needs to do now was actually talk to Reimu about going out. Which really reminds her that their relationship is somewhat like a guardian. Which looks awkward by the way they look.

Reimu could be seen sweeping the leaves. Which was Rain's job to do if she's not on a so called vacation. She approached her and casually waved with a greet.

"Sup, Reimu. I'm here to tell about me going fishing, you know to Misty Lake with Koishi."

"Ah, well. You know the rules. Bring back a catch and come back before dark. Marisa said fishing is boring so she's not coming but will come when it is time to eat." Reimu sweeps a bit before continuing. "Sheesh, that's her for you. Anyway, I won't be able to come with you. I have tons to do today. Also waiting around, sitting all day just to catch a single fish sounds iffy to do for me." Her face seems uninterested from imagining herself doing it.

Rain's face remained unchanged but she's thinking. 'That's a long sentence of saying you find fishing boring too.'

"Got it. Well off we go." She said and Reimu nodded as her reply. She then she walks back to Koishi who's smiling and waving at her from the torii gate. She is carrying their equipment such as the fishing rods and a big basket to put in their catch. There's a reason to why Koishi is the one carrying them and that would be Rain will do something that might solve her flightless problem.

"Alright, Koishi. You'll fly to the Misty Lake ahead of me. While I do my thing."

"Okie!" She nodded with a smile and quickly flew off.

"Guess, I'll try it after I get down at the bottom." Rain said to herself as she walks down the stone stairs.

It took her a minute or two to reach the end of the stairs. She was huffing and puffing when it was over. Not because it was tiring but rather annoying.

"This should be enough." She inhales and exhales. "Focus, redirect the power to my legs." as she said that she felt energy surging forward to her legs. She then positioned herself like she's about to run. Her body bended with her hands on touching the ground, she's getting ready to sprint.

"Here goes..." She then darted forward and left only dust from her starting position. In other words, she succeeded in her little experiment or so she thought.

"Oooooh craaaap, toooo faaaast!" In that mere second she've run, she already reached Kourindou. If someone saw her running in a straight line they'll probably yell "Watch out for that tree!" but no one is there so she ended up crashing into the said tree as she somehow can't control her speed yet hence she can't turn left or right.

The tree almost fell down if she didn't tried to reduce her power output. Good thing only the leaves are falling down. How did she do that anyway in such a short time? Probably her instinct or experience kicking in without her knowledge.

"Ow...my nose...crap." She rubs her own face to check for damage as she did hit the tree face first. "Well, that was embarrassing."

As she turns around she saw the shop Kourindou and as well as Rinnosuke who's looking at her.

"O-oh, did he saw me crash into the tree?" She uttered to herself.

"Y-Yo, nice morning we have, Rin..." She awkwardly gave a smile as she accidentally mimics how Marisa speaks and greet.

"May I ask why are you being so active in the morning?" He said as he walks to her.

This question might indicate that he did saw her do that. So she directly asked instead of playing around.

"D-did you see me bump into this tree?" She taps the said tree.

Rinnosuke being the man he is, casually said. "Yes, I did. It was a very perfect timing actually as I opened the door to open the shop. You suddenly dashed in and crashed into this tree, face first. I think I even heard a cracking sound? Probably the tree not from you. Oh, you also rubbed your nose as if it was broken. Goodness, we need to check it." Without even thinking about it he touched her face and even noticed the hole in her clothes -the one that got stab back then-. "Your clothes also has a hole in it, it is pretty big. I can fix them for you if you want?" He said still touching her face while looking at her stomach which is kind of awkward if someone again sees them.

When he did that Rain could not help but feel a little flustered and embarrassed at her blunder. She pulled away from him and said "What are you doing?! I'm f-fine! And Y-you don't have to perfectly describe how things went!" She folded her arms and turned her head to face away from him. "I'm perfectly just fine...I'm just here by coincidence as I need to go to Misty Lake. Don't get the wrong idea, you idiot...but thanks for worrying." She then slowly walks away to face the direction of her destination but stopped midway and said. "I'll stop by to have it fix. Thanks for the offer." and then started to run again, leaving Rinnosuke behind.

"Hmm, that was something. How do I put it? A mood swing to mask her embarrassment? At least she's being honest, just like how it is back then." He pondered as he walks back to his shop. The word he is looking for would be "Tsundere". Indeed she has shown this to him back then too. Though he really should think of what he is doing before actually doing it. Perhaps it is the lack of interaction that made him this way.

Misty Lake

She arrived here in just a minute if she's able to steer better then perhaps even less.

"That guy... really is a good person. I feel bad for calling him an idiot while he just wanted to help..." Rain said to herself and was interrupted when Koishi appeared.

"Muuuu~ I've been here for some time now. What took you so long?" Koishi makes a pouting face. "Well since you're taking so long. I decided to get us some fish bait!" She happily said.

"You did?" Thanks, sorry for keeping you waiting. Do you know a good spot to fish?" They begun to walk towards where their equipment are.

"Ooh, I know one! It's super duper good! Fishes there are swarming!"

"Good job, let's grab our things and head there!"

"Yay!" Koishi seems happy she got praised.

They found the spot Koishi is talking about. It was indeed a good spot for two people fishing as there is a rock that can be used to sit and wait while fishing. It was not that far and they could even see the Scarlet Devil Mansion from here. Though Rain wanted to question the fish bait Koishi seems to have found. Some of them are weird, there is this small red chunk shaped into a ball of what seems to be a meat as a bait? What are they gonna fish a shark? Nevertheless a bait is a bait. So they have to bear with it. Now that she saw it isn't that ball of meat looks like meatball?

"Erm... perhaps the fishes in Gensokyo are different?" That's what Rain said to herself.

While Koishi just casually flings the bait, now hooked into her fishing rod into the water. The way she just threw that into the water on top of the fishes. Shows that she doesn't seem to know or is an amateur at fishing.

"Koishi, you did good on placing the bait but you shouldn't just throw it in violently. You'll scare the fishes. Here this is how you do it." She said as she throws in her bait into the water. Far from Koishi's place as she knows what could happen if they fish at the same exact spot.

The way it landed into the water was actually quiet with only a splashing sound as it went it.

"Now, we wait. Don't worry about yours though, they'll come back after a bit."

"Mhm!" Koishi nodded.

A few minutes have passed since they settled down. It was actually very quiet here. With only the frequent gust of wind and the trees leaves rustling as the sound.

Koishi's about to fall asleep waiting. Why Rain patiently waits with a hand on her cheek.

"Maybe... we're not using the right bait." She said to herself.

"Hey, Koishi. Just to pass time. May I know what is that closed eyeball floating around with you? Just curious."

"Oh? This? It's my third eye but I closed it!" She seems happy about it or that's what Rain just thought.

"Reading minds, is very depressing. So I closed my eye. I can't hear the voices in my head anymore." She added.

"Huh... well if it was your decision. A power to read minds that comes with a repercussion. Say, what made you invite me to go fishing with you?"

The calm winds passed by as she said that. Koishi's face expression remained unchanged. "Didn't I tell you? You're special! Usually people forget me when I leave their sight but there are exceptions! You are one of them but much more special! You're able to remember even if I'm not around! That makes you more special and I'm glad I made friends with you!" She seems to be very happy about it that she is contantly smiling.

"If you ever meet my sister. I'm sure you'll be her friend too!"

Rain fell into a deep contemplation. The way the events that happened because of her and that she is making almost to nothing progress about her amnesia. Should she let just things be or take matters into her hands? This has been her new conflict from when she made friends with Reimu and the others aside from her main goal to get her memory back. But hearing about Koishi's side made her think more about this matter. And so today, she'll have to make a choice.

"Hmm... to be free of one's own power that binds them... maybe I ought to pursue my main goal instead of just loafing around. It's not like the others are holding me back but rather they care so much that I can't just set aside their care and worry for my own goal." She bits her own lips as she feels frustrated at herself. "I thought even if it is slow I'll have my memory back but if I truly want be not a burden to them anymore. Then... it is time for me to act on my own." She said and made her decision. Her friends' faces flash through her mind and she mentally apologized and thanked them at the same time.

She feels very selfish for doing so but she knows that if she lets them to continue the same treatment she's been receiving then a day will come that they will get pulled into her trouble and even get injured for it just like what happened last time. Hence, starting today she will be conducting her own search for the truth about her memory and her identity.

"You sound like you're going in an adventure! I hope it's a heart throbbing one!" Koishi said with glee.

"H-heart throbbing? Oh, you mean an exciting one?" Rain answered.

"Yep! Huh?! L-look, Rain! My fishing rod is moving!" She said as she quickly grabs a hold it.

Their talk was interrupted by this. "Oh crap! Don't let go! Pretty sure it's a big one! Pull slowly but not at once, otherwise it may get away!"

Rain looks at Koishi who's smiling very happily as she wrestles with the supposed fish she caught on her fishing rod.

"Almost there..." Rain cheered her on.

"And pull!" She instructed her.

Koishi did and she fell back on her butt due to how strong she pulled. But not to worry as the fish a size of her arm landed directly in her arms. Squirming as it tries to get away.

"Holy crap...that's a huge one...quickly! Put it in the basket!" Rain said as she gets the basket open.

Koishi shoves in the fish in there with an "Ei!" sound which was pretty cute to hear.

"Nice!" Rain gives her a thumbs up.

Koishi seems very happy at this. As she flaps her arms up and down in happiness like a child.

As Rain claps at her, Koishi then noticed the other fishing rod moving and told Rain about it.

"Whooo! Yours also caught one!" She exclaimed and points at the fishing rod.

Rain quickly grabbed a hold of it and entered a pulling contest with the supposed fish.

"This one's a fighter!" She said as she's trying not to use too much force while pulling.

"Go! Go! Go!" Koishi cheered for her.

Unlike earlier with Koishi's catch, this one is struggling very violently.

"Trying to get away? I'll make you into a sashimi once I got a hold you!". She said and then finally musters up a one big final pull.

She successfully lifted the fish out of the water. It was so hard that it went up in the air and Rain could not see clearly what she fished as it is too bright to see due to the sun.

The same thing happened to Rain as the fish landed to her arms but something is wrong.

"Wh-What the heck is this!" Rain exclaimed as she saw this fish.

It is wearing a leaf-patterned kimono which fades to teal at the bottom. What made her surprise that it has a human head with dark blue hair and eyes, as well as small fins in the place of ears. In the place of legs, she has a blue-grey fish tail ending in two large fins.

"Please...don't eat me..." she uttered and is on the verge of crying.

Rain didn't let go of her and instead examined her throughly. She made an eye to eye contact to her and because of her intense stare to the fish girl made it blush. After a moment a word finally clicks to Rain.

"Mermaid..." She said out aloud and the human-fish nodded.

"Yes, th-that would be what I am. Um...I'm... Wakasagihime." The mermaid introduced her name.

Though Koishi still thinks they get to keep her and probably eat her.

"Whoo! A mermaid! Congrats, Rain! You guys are having a sashimi!" She pumps her fists in the air seemingly excited.

The mermaid flinched when she heard that. However, Rain reassured her safety.

"No, Koishi. A mermaid is something we cannot eat. I'll set her free." With that she added a question. "I'll put you down and I'm going to ask some questions but if you run away. I will not think so badly of you. Instead, I apologize for fishing you out." She slightly bowed her head to show that she is sincere about her apology.

"Awww, but you did catch one! It was impressive!" Koishi is still positive despite what she thought that would be a meal.

"Um...no, it's alright. I was only supposed to grab that food and go away but my clothes got caught in the rod." Wakasagihime seems to have calmed down as she spoke.

Rain then sat her down gently near at the rock. She thinks that it will be easier for the mermaid to dive in when they are done.

"I see, that explains you getting fished out by me but does that er... food really is good?"

"Yes, it is! Have you tasted it yet?" She asked.

"Um, no. I don't think fish food is not good as a human food is." She shakes her head as she thinks about how it would look when she eats it.

"Is that so? Um...will you be coming back here to fish again? Not much are willing to fish here."

"I'll come back when I feel like it. Why'd you ask? Does it bother you if people are fishing?" Rain shoots back a question to her.

"Hmm, not really. Mostly I do things like singing and picking up cute rocks. This is the first time I've talk to a nice human. The others are really mean. There's this shrine maiden that actually called me a small fry and the other one tried to make a sashimi out of me. The last one is a maid but she's not as horrible as those two."

When Rain heard that she could not help but give a heavy sigh as she quickly knows who the two are. As for the last human she clearly knows that maid.

"Ah, well I'd like to hear you singing but I'm afraid I already troubled you enough. You can go now." Rain said to her.

The mermaid titled her head as she finds this human peculiar. Normally humans who caught mermaids will not let them go for various reasons. But this human here simply lets her go without a second thought.

She swam back into the lake and gave Rain and Koishi a smile with a wave. "Maybe next time, I'll give you a great singing performance!" That's what she said to them before diving below.

"And she's gone..." Koishi said.

"Yeah, ah, looks like the fishes are not coming back anymore. You got your catch while I got none. So clearly you did better than me." She unintenionally pats the hat of Koishi.

"Yay! I did my best! Oh! Take this fish! I don't really plan on eating it because I don't know how! I just wanted to fish!" She said happily while giving Rain the basket with the fish in it.

"Really? Well, if you insist...so? Where are you going now? As you just randomly wanting to do stuff well I can tell that you really enjoyed fishing this time, huh?" Rain said as she grabs the basket and their equipment.

"I don't know where to go next but that's the fun part! Are you sure you don't want me to help you return those fishing rods?" She said as she puts her hands behind her back and keeps on swaying her body back and forth.

"I'm good. I'll return them to the nice people on the mansion. I'll be going now. Thanks for fishing with me, Koishi! Come and stop by at the shrine sometimes." Rain said as she watch Koishi lift herself up in the air.

"I will! Until next time friend!" She waved her a goodbye.

With that she flew away, leaving Rain behind to herself.

"Ah, that was fun. An hour of fishing or maybe even less? But it was worth it. I got this big fish. Now to return the fishing rods to them." She said to herself as she sets her eyes to the direction of Scarlet Devil Mansion.

"Hmm, I've managed to run in a super fast way but if I do that now... It will end up with me damaging these."

An idea then came to her and without wasting anymore time. She positioned herself to be in a jumping position and instantly jumped way up from the air as if she propelled herself like a rocket.

As she left around a dust around from where she jumped -surprisingly there's no crack or damage to the ground-. Two fairies from just near a tree are shocked seeing this.

Earlier

"Cirno-chan... please don't try to fight her again. We'll be into real trouble if you did." This fairy was none other than Daiyousei.

"Shhh! She might hear and see us! She's in my territory. Probably, hunting down my hideout!" The ice fairy said as she hushed her fellow fairy.

They looked at Rain and Koishi happily conversing and they took noticed of their fishing rods.

A sudden realization struck Cirno as she gasped.

"Oh no... she's fishing? She's finally hunting down the others!?"

"I think she is just fishing."

"Nonsense! Why would she fish? There's nothing to do there but wait. It's boring. The strong does not do those things!" She exclaimed, still watching her supposed enemy.

Then they saw Rain fishing out Wakasagihime out. Their eyes might pop out from the way they are widened.

"S-she caught a mermaid!" Cirno's mouth are hanging out.

"She really is good even at fishing..." Daiyousei commented.

"Not fair... last time I tried to catch one. I got pulled under water." The ice fairy said as she stomps her feet to the ground.

"Oh, wait she's letting the mermaid go."

"What?!"

"Maybe she is just fishing for fun..."

"No! That can't be it! She must be plotting something else!" The way Cirno said that feels like she is doing stakeout but no one really is doing or planning something bad.

She seemingly remembers the words Rain said to her.

The strong are humble and does not toy with the weak.

Those words echoed through her head. She finally understood what it meant. Well not really as she takes that single word wrong. Since she is the strongest then the word strong is lesser than the strongest so this words of wisdom is invalid to her or rather she's just too dumb to understand it.

Then they saw her parting with Koishi and actually saw her made that big jump. They were shocked to see her do that, probably because normally they'll just fly away. But Rain cannot do that, hence this is her new experiment. Using her physical power as a substitute to flying.

They quickly go out in their hiding to see her up in the air.

"Did you see that?!" Cirno exclaimed as she looks up.

"She jumped..." Daiyousei stated the obvious.

To Cirno seeing an unusual stunt like that impresses her to the point that she forgot what they are doing here in the first place.

"I have to train harder." Cirno muttered to herself.

Big words coming from her as what she's actually doing for training is just freezing things like frogs and playing around but it is good to be motivated even if she's doing it entirely wrong.

Scarlet Devil Mansion – Front Gate –

As usual our gatekeeper is guarding the gate. With her arms cross and her standing still she's really doing her job proper- Scratch that she's asleep while standing still. Probably because of the task placed to her to help in the repairs.

"zzzz..." She's having a snooze and is very comfortable with her position.

Until Rain arrives with a loud entry. There's only little damage to the ground which is a plus since this is her first try. Only leaving a somewhat a mark from her landing.

"Gah! Who? Ha! Ya!? Jyaoooo!" Meiling quickly assumes her fighting stance while yelling kung fu noises from being surprised.

Rain quickly checks the things she is carrying. The two fishing rods seem to be fine and in one piece. While the basket with the fish is alright too. She exhaled a sigh of relief after that.

"Good morning. I'm here to return these." She politely said to Meiling.

"A-ah, miss Rain... I thought you were an intruder. Please forgive my rudeness." She made a gesture the same as the last time they met as it can also be used as a greeting.

"Oh, no problem. You're just doing your job. So, I don't need to fight you again or something to enter?" She asked of course with a polite joke and gestured back.

"Ahaha, I'd like to say yes but the mistress said you are more than welcome. I would be the one to take these fishing rods back but as you can see I'm here standing guard." She then opens the gate and continued. "Please enter and kindly give it to Sakuya. I'm sure they'll be pleased if you handed it to them yourself. Have a good day, miss Rain!" Meiling gave her a smile and returned to her post.

Rain thanks her and proceeded to go in the mansion. With a knock on the door three times. Surprisingly it opened quickly after she knocks and Sakuya greeted her.

"Oh, if it isn't the princess." She said with a smile.

"Please stop teasing me. I'm here to return these fishing rods. Thank you for letting me borrow it." She gave a smile with a bow.

"I assume you have fun in your fishing?" Sakuya asked.

"Ah, yes indeed I have. I caught a mermaid but I set it free. My fishing friend instead gave her caught fish to me." Rain showed her the basket containing the huge fish. Did she mention on how almost the fish will not fit in it?

Sakuya nods with a elegant smile and replied. "That's good. I'll take these out of your hands. So you could be on your way. I'd like to invite you over a tea but knowing the mistress, she won't let you go easily if she so hears you are here."

Rain know what the maid meant. Eating with Remilia, drinking tea and probably things related to the book she is currently obsessed with. Also there's the little sister of hers who would gladly jump at Rain when she sees her.

With a chuckle she replied. "I guess, I should go. Thank you again. Please relay my thanks to Remilia."

Sakuya smiled with a nod and then gently closes the door again. Rain then turned around and walks out of the mansion. Greets goodbye to Meiling and walks a few steps away so she won't bother her when she leaps to the air again.

She ought to return to the shrine first as she did promised to bring back a catch. After that she have plans to have her clothes fixed and then finally go back to the Human Village once more. What she does not know is that her second visit will not be the same as last time.

Hakurei Shrine

Reimu is sitting on the shrine's porch as she sips her tea.

"So much things have happened eversince her arrival. I hope this time her fishing won't turn into another trouble." She slightly shakes her head to remove her negative thoughts and not jinx it. "I could tell she's not the type to cause trouble rather trouble comes to her. I can't really put my finger on it but something is being played here. If only that darn old gap hag would actually say something useful." She exhaled an exhausted sigh as if she gave up trying to think.

Just as she is finishing her tea. Marisa arrives with a flashy entrance as she performed a jumping stunt as she gets off from her broom and then flipping it in the air as she catches it.

"Yo! Reimu!" She gave Reimu her usual grin and spunk.

"What do you want?" She coldly said making her friend chuckle at her usual treatment against her but after that Marisa's face turned serious and slaps down a newspaper at Reimu's side.

"This. Read it." Marisa said as she sat down just beside her.

Reimu lazily looks at it and knowing that it came from that tengu. She's not even the slightest interested in it. But that changed when saw the headline and photo of Rain.

"What?" Her lips pursed as she continued to read it. Reimu's eyes narrowed and then she commented.

"Legendary Yokai Exterminator... Rain is? What kind of news is this?!"

"You could have read that yesterday... but let me guess. You quickly stored it in the warehouse?" Marisa said which is true, Reimu does do that.

"Forget that! No wonder trouble keeps coming for her. I don't want to believe in this crappy news but I have the feeling that this is somehow true." She looks at Marisa with a worried face.

"I know, looks like you and I have things to talk to her then... can't believe that our new friend is actually such a person though would she know about it? I don't think even if we ask her about it she'll remember that she is one." Marisa said making Reimu fell into deep thought.

'If that is indeed true then what connection does she have in Gensokyo? The article implies that she's been here even before the Hakurei border is created. Does that mean she is not really an outsider? If so how did she ended up back here? How the heck is she even still alive?' This is what she thought. As questions after questions assailed her mind but eventually she gave up and stops thinking about for now.

"We should probably come and fetch her. Just to be sure." Marisa suggested.

However Reimu shakes her head and replied. "I think she'll be fine. Don't you think we're getting too worried about her? She's not powerless like a normal human."

"Heh, so now you say it? While everytime she goes out of your sight. Ya worry like yer her mother." Marisa laughs at her but this is not to mock her but rather as a praise.

"S-shut up, I'm just making sure about her safety!" Reimu seems flustered about this as she does admit that she is a bit of overprotective. "Ah forget it... do you have plans today?"

"Well if we aren't going to get her then I'm going on a quick trip to Kourin's place. I have something to ask him and also Rain should have stopped by at his place and have that hole in her clothes fixed." She stood up and picks up her broom.

"Well I'll be back later for that fish she promised ze!" She then rides off with her broom, leaving Reimu behind.

"Hmph, and you said I'm always worried but you are too." Reimu said to Marisa but she's not there to hear it. Well she probably deny it too but in truth she too worries about her friend and possibly after reading the newspaper about Rain, she's conducting her own investigation about it.

Not long after Marisa left. As she's about to get up and go back inside. A voice called out to her.

"Human! Please you have to help me!" This voice came from above.

Reimu looks up and saw this eagle like animal engulfed in a purplish aura flying in the air.

"I have heard that you're the one who are capable of helping us! Please, I need you to venture into Hell with me, as Beast Spirits are beginning to invade! They'll planning to take over the surface world with brute force and there are many of them! I beg of you! Help me put a stop to their plans!"

Reimu's eyes narrowed and her look became serious.

"Tell me more about this."

A new potential threat to Gensokyo has shown and this is the start of a new incident that would soon be called "Wily Beast and Weakest Creature".

Extra – The Sages of Gensokyo –

Mayohiga

"Lady Yukari." A femine yet mature voice said.

"Hmm? Is something wrong Ran?" Yukari said while sitting inside a room with a table and four chairs. She is currently occupying one and the one called Ran stands besides her.

"I'd like to ask why you chose here as the venue of such an important meeting. I already told Chen to keep out and be on guard."

Ran whose full name is Ran Yakumo. She is Yukari's shikigami, a fox yokai. She has yellow eyes, a short blonde hair, and has multiple tails, fox tails and nine of them to be exact. All flowing from behind her and forming a seemingly fluffy bouquet. She wears a white dress with oversized purple cuffs pressing together that it hides her hands and a collar too, an indigo tabard with a white print, white and blue footwear, and a light pink two-tailed hat which looks like two pointed ears with manyamulets stuck in it and which also hides her fox ears. In terms of her height she is fairly tall.

"That's good. Anytime now and they'll be arriving. This place is more than enough to hold such a meeting. Quiet and most importantly no eavesdroppers. Do you have anymore questions before I send you off?" She folded her fan which came out from a gap.

Ran expelled a quick sigh and then answered. "With all due respect, lady Yukari. I wanted to question the success of the plan. You said to me that this was not yours to begin with. How can we trust that it will work?" She asked her master but making sure not to overstep.

Yukari seemingly gave a chuckle to her question and replied immediately. "No need to fret. After all, it is her we are talking about. She always comes up with such ludicrous plans. The only thing we could do is to follow it and trust her. Seems like you're being ungrateful to her after all she's done for you, don't you think?"

The nine-tailed fox shikigami realized that she is being disrespectful, to doubt her would mean doubting her own master who have chosen to follow the plan.

"I...I'd like to apologize for saying such things. But I don't quite understand what she meant by her words 'Trust in the future generations.' All I see to that girl is she is a lazy successor." She remained in her position as she said that.

"I get what you mean. The current Hakurei is really that lazy compared to her 'The First'. If only she's here then she'll gladly explain it."

As Yukari is speaking a somewhat door appeared out of Ran's back similar to her gaps.

What came out was a person. A woman to be exact.

"Oh? I'm not late, am I?" it was a woman's voice, the way she spoke was casual and yet it contained something else, like wisdom and power.

"No, you're just in time. Okina Matara." Yukari named the newly arrived woman.

Okina Matara. The so called secret God. She has a long, blonde hair and yellow eyes. Her clothing is a yellow-orange tabard adorned with a constellation pattern of stars and symbols. She wears a green skirt and black boots, and on her head is a three-point hat. Her height is almost the same as Yukari.

The door behind Ran then closed as Okina went through. Yukari signaled her to leave and do her assigned duties.

"Do you think that hermit will come? She usually declines politely my invitations. I do understand her reasons." Okina stated as she sat across Yukari, facing her as two seats remain vacant.

"Oh, she will. I gave her a reason she won't refuse." Yukari gave a smile.

"Well, this meeting is very important. But I guess it is better that you persuade her." Okina cupped her chin as she said this. "So, tell me. Do you have other plans besides the original one? Well, the original plan didn't go as she said but the core solution is still there."

Yukari puts away her fan and answered. "We do, that involves however a sacrifice but nevertheless I guarantee that it will work should the original one fails."

As they talk they hear Ran excusing herself.

"Apologies for interrupting your talk but the hermit has arrived." as she said that another person came in.

The sliding doors are open so anyone could come in and out as they please.

"Is this true?" The so called hermit said as she entered holding a newspaper in her hand.

"Oh, so that's what you used to persuade her? I thought it would be something else but it did the job." Okina commented as she gave a chuckle.

Yukari chuckles along with her and greeted the newly arrived hermit.

"Why do you think I called for such a meeting, Kasen Ibaraki?" She named the so called hermit.

Kasen Ibaraki. Is an oni in a hermit disguise but she does intend to pursue the ways of a hermit hence her title. She has red eyes and shoulder-length pink hair with Chinese-styled buns. One notable thing about her is that her right arm is wrapped in bandages. Her clothing consist of wearing a white top and a green skirt. Over her top is a maroon tabard with a thorny vine motif and large rose-shaped ornament just below collar level. Her single-strap shoes are colored the same as her tabard, and a shackle lays on her left wrist, this one represents her being an oni though others seem to not notice it and she hides her horns with her chinese-style hair buns.

"I don't even want to come but I have to if it involves her." She said as she takes a seat besides Okina. Only one seat remains vacant. There's a reason why she would not seat beside Yukari.

"Feeling a little sentimental to the one who severed your arm suddenly coming back?" Yukari bluntly said.

Kasen on the other hand seems to be calm after hearing this.

"Would that make you happy if I said so? I owe her my life as she didn't exterminated me but instead gave me a new perspective in life and in the world."

"Now, now don't get teary eyes on me. That won't suit you as an oni." Yukari replied and that didn't fly well with Kasen.

"You! Being an oni doesn't matter with my feelings!" She said raising her voice. "I'd said this before and I'll say it again. I am not on your side and will not work for your ideals. This is for Gensokyo not for you."

To bring back the topic to its original one. Okina cuts in.

"Enough about that. The reason we gathered here in the first place is to address the problem Gensokyo will have."

The two silently nodded and Okina continued.

"This meeting is to address the return of Rain." She turns her attention to Kasen. "Now Kasen, I must warn you to not make contact with her. There are other people that falls to that list and that includes most of us Sages but Yukari here is the one she must never ever meet. We're here to ensure that she won't recover her most important memories. I know that would be nigh impossible but we must try until that wretched being inside her is dealt with." Okina clasped her hands together and leans in.

"I trust on the 'The First' plan. We cannot do anything to deal with that thing only a Hakurei can as she said. It pains me to see her in such a state but she herself have said that 'For the sake of Gensokyo, do what you must'. We are entrusted with this task and must work together to achieve it. If Rain is here with us that is what she will say should a similar case happened."

Yukari spoke after Okina ended her speech.

"Yes, that is very much what she will do. As the Human Sage." Yukari brieftly looks at the empty vacant seat. "I'll now talk about the plan I have in my mind. But before that we must say our oath."

The other two sages nodded and with that they all stood up and all three of spoke in unison.

"In the name of Sage Yukari."

"In the name of Sage Okina."

"In the name of Sage Kasen."

"We swear to protect and serve Gensokyo with all our power until the end of our existence!"

They all took their seat after this and Yukari continued.

"Now, let's go on about my plan."

A/N: There we have it, a new incident is happening. This incident did happen at this year and at summer. Looks like Reimu and the others will be busy for a while. Meaning they won't be around with Rain or would this new incident also extend to her? Find out on the next chapter!