Man, this one killed me. Maybe because I couldn't write the one I wanted to write. Or maybe it was just a bad week.
Anyway I'm sure that another week will magically appear, but I have an obsession for meeting deadlines so here ya go.
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Kotori looked out suspiciously at the woods. While it wasn't unusual for her to feel the presence of youkai, she had a special duty today. Her grandmother was tired, so no one was supposed to disturb her. And she was certain that the youkai was trying to work around her to get into the room where her grandmother was resting. Which was why she was peering intently at the underbrush.
The watcher in the forest was suitably impressed with the young girls skill. Even if the young priestess was mistaking two auras for one, her form in searching was perfect.
Still, there were other matters to attend to. The watcher moved quickly to where the other youkai was and grabbed it by the neck. It cried out loudly in shock and annoyance. At the shrine Kotori jumped almost a foot in the air and crashed down onto the ground before scrambling to her feet gohei in hand. ?Alright youkai! Come out and face me fair and square!? she yelled.
?A bold request for one so young. But unnecessary. Neither of us are going to hurt you.? Momiji stepped out of the woods holding Rin by the scruff of her neck. ?I was just following this one to make sure she kept out of trouble.?
The young wind priestess stared long and hard at the two figures before lowering her gohei. ?Oh! It's you. But why are you here Ms Inubashiri? Shouldn't you be with the goddesses at the wake??
?I've given my proper respects, so I decided to follow this one.? Momiji shook Rin, who shifted to human form. ?Who was doing something she shouldn't be doing these days.?
Orin laughed sheepishly. ?Well, it's not often you have a chance to catch one of the greats.?
Momiji smiled at Kotori. ?Anyway, I'd like to speak with your grandmother, if it could be arranged.?
Kotori looked conflicted at the request. ?Well, I know you're a good family friend Ms. Inubashiri, but grandma's supposed to be resting. Lady Kanako and Lady Suwako wouldn't even let her go to the wake today.?
?Kotori? Is that Momiji out there with you?? a weak voice called out from within the shrine doors.
?Ah, Grandmother! Yes it is. She said she wanted to speak to you.?
?Thank you granddaughter. You can let her in. I trust her to guard my privacy just as well as you can.? The old voice chuckled slightly. ?You should go punish that other youkai by having her help you sweep the grounds.?
Momiji nodded to the younger priestess. ?You can count on me. I'll guard the door as if it led to the Great Tengu's chambers.?
Kotori bowed, then pointed her gohei at Rin. ?Alright youkai, it's time for your punishment! Follow me!?
Rin laughed again. ?Oh well. That's what I get for getting caught. Show me where the brooms are, kid.?
Momiji quietly opened the sliding door to the small room then shut it behind her. It was a very spartan abode. There was a futon, a heater, and a small table with several medicine packages on it.
The futon itself was occupied by Sanae Kochiya, eldest shrine maiden in Gensoukyo. For now.
Momiji smiled softly at the old woman before sitting down at her side, being sure to position herself do could face the door as well. Sanae laughed. ?I shouldn't be surprised. You would guard me wouldn't you? No matter how meaningless it is.?
?I promised the young girl outside. And no wolf Tengu would break a promise to a friend,? Momiji replied with a chuckle.
The woman on the futon weakly raised a hand to trace the smile. ?Hm... In the old days you would have said that with a straight face. Have I managed to corrupt you, oh great patrol tengu??
Momiji snorted. ?Hah. I'm just humoring you more. There's no way a human could corrupt a Tengu.?
Sanae chuckled again. ?Oh really? I wonder....? She laid back down again and sighed. ?That's right. How was the wake??
?It was... boisterous. Aya, Marisa and Remilia are smashed. Well, more then normal. Reimu's daughter was unconscious when I left. And I think Suika might have actually drunk enough to affect her judgment.?
Sanae sighed. ?That's good to hear. I know the funeral was so quiet. I guess Youkai don't attend funerals. Well, except perhaps those that were human like Marisa.? She closed her eyes.
Momiji's smile faded a bit. ?Sanae. Should I go run and fetch the goddesses? I think they should be here for this....?
Sanae's eyes opened. ?Hm? Do you think I'm dying Momiji??
Momiji clenched her fists. ?I know you're dying Sanae. Don't try to deceive me. The kassha came here to pick up your corpse, and Orin doesn't make mistakes.?
Sanae sighed again. After a moment she said, ?Well, perhaps I am dying. Dying more then I was before anyway. I think I'm taking in more medicine then food now.?
Momiji started to stand. ?So let me get the goddesses and have them stay with you. They've put in their time at the wake. You don't need to settle for a patrol tengu to keep you company as you...?
?Momiji!? Sanae said abruptly. ?I'm not settling for anything. I'm happy to have you keep me company.? She adjusted her head slightly to get a better view of Momiji's face. ?Besides I won't die until I've said goodbye to them. I promised myself.?
Momiji frowned. Seeing the expression, Sanae waved her finger at the wolf tengu. ?What's that look? You don't believe me??
Momiji paused, then sat back down. She took the old priestesses hand in hers. ?No. I have faith in you, Sanae?
Sanae smiled brightly at her friend. ?I know. I can feel it.? She gripped the wolf tengu's hand tightly. There was a long silence.
Finally Sanae spoke again. ?I wonder if I'll be able to see Reimu before judgment. Talk to her one more time, maybe get one more duel in.? She paused for a moment. ?I wish I could see my daughter again too....?
Momiji nodded, not sure what exactly to say. She could feel tears starting to leak into her vision. *Dammit! What kind of gods are you if you can't even tell when your priestess is dying!*
The air ripped asunder with a thunderclap as two figures appeared inside the room. ?Sanae!? Kanko yelled while rushing to the priestesses side. Suwako quickly followed.
?Oh good. You're back,? Sanae said weakly. Then her eyes closed.
?Oi! Sanae!? Momiji yelled.
The priestess grimaced. ?Just let me sleep, a little...? Her expression relaxed again and she began breathing deeply.
Suwako brushed the priestesses wispy hair back into place with her hand, while Kanako bowed slightly to Momiji. ?Thank you. She refused to call for us, so we didn't know until your prayer reached us.?
Momiji looked away. ?Yeah. Well, it was for her sake. Don't get used to it.?
Momiji stood and let Kanako take her place holding Sanae's hand. Wiping her eyes she walked out of the sliding door. There in the courtyard were Orin and Kotori. Kotori's face was twisted with worry. Momiji stepped aside and nudged the young girl towards the room. ?Go in. Your Grandmother would want you there.?
?Grandma...? The girl called out as she ran through the door.
Momiji wiped her eyes again, then managed a weak smile at Orin. ?Told you that girl was going to break a few hearts.?
The wolf tengu began walking away from the shrine, when the kassha's hand dropped on her shoulder. ?Where are you going sis??
Momiji bristled a bit. ?I'm going home. To be alone.?
Orin shook her head. ?If you were a cat you'd want to be alone. But you're a wolf Tengu. You want to go drinking with friends until you can barely stand, then howl your sorrows at the moon. So we're going to grab Nitori, and hit up Mystia's until you're plastered.?
Momiji growled but followed the kassha. ?You cats can be real annoying.?
?You prefer it if I chewed on your tail??
Momiji shook her head. ?Alright, but you can't complain later about my bitching. And you're the one who gets to drag me home after this and the wake.?
---
The funeral was a sunny day.
Momiji stood a distance away from the family. She didn't really think much of gods. Still they seemed to be taking good care of Kotori, despite their own grief.
Marisa and Alice had both shown up as well. Marisa had muttered something about her and Sakuya being the last, before lapsing into silence. Alice had said nothing, just walked over to the young wind priestess and handed her a tiny doll of Sanae in her younger days, before moving back to where Momiji and Marisa were standing.
Momiji wasn't quite as unused to funerals as most youkai. Training was always dangerous. For that matter, Momiji had been alive long enough to have fought in the last battles the of the Tengu, before they left the human world behind.
Still this wasn't the same. When a colleague fell Momiji could promise to continue their fight, to fill their place. But Sanae didn't serve the Tengu like Momiji did. In fact Sanae had been one of the people Momiji was supposed to keep an eye on.
She had no idea how to honor her friends memory.
The service ended quickly. Kanako thanked Momiji and the two magicians for showing up, while Suwako comforted Kotori. Then they left for the wake, followed closely by Alice.
Momiji stayed. She didn't feel closure. Not yet.
After a while someone coughed behind her. The wolf Tengu turned to find Marisa still there, looking uncomfortable. ?What do you want?? Momiji asked.
?Well, I don't know if this is the best time, but I figured I'd ask you for a favor, since I can't exactly get up the mountain without causing a stir.? Marisa flinched under Momiji's glare. ?Hold on, lemme explain.?
?Do it quickly.?
Marisa nodded. ?Well, the thing is, I've kinda got it in my head to help out Reimu's granddaughter down here. Make sure she gets out more, and meets up with more youkai and humans without her parents getting in the way.? The magician shrugged. ?Anyway, I figure Sanae's granddaughter might want to get out more too, but well, like I said...?
Momiji blinked considering the magicians words. Then she smiled. ?I think I can look after Kotori.?
Marisa grinned briefly. ?Right. Well I'll see you at the wake.? She gave a weak wave, grabbed her broom then flew off.
Momiji turned back to the small grave marker. She had her answers. Now there was only one last thing left to say.
?If you reincarnate in Gensoukyo, let's become friends again.?
