~Hakurei Shrine~ > Kosuzu's Grand Bookstore

The Shrine of Gensokyo

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WRATHIE_Beatrice: The old thread was: http://old.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php?topic=899.0 and it's for those that are willing to read the unedited ver. of it.. -- Yep, it's back online but it might take a while to get all of it back. Again, reviews and such are welcum. SoG Prologue and the Sequel is on hold currently, for a few days at least. Pardon me. -- The Shrine of Gensokyo -- [Are you sure you want to drink this, Reimu?] [Yes? After all, I am sick of this life?] [Don?t say that, Reimu? we, all of us will miss you?] [? Thank you? Yukari?] Smiling as I took the small bottle from Yukari, I closed my eyes and drank it whole even as Eirin?s voice shouted it?s warning to me. [Reimu, if you drink this? it can?t be reversed, no matter how much you wish it to be, it will never happen. It is like the Hourai Elixer, Reimu!] I have made my decision... I won't regret this... -- [Miss Shrine Maiden!!] Hearing a voice call me from the front of the shrine, I hurried over to greet the worshipper, a little girl that I was familiar with and I smiled and waved warmly as I slipped on my slippers. [Yes, yes?] She is a regular visitor to the shrine and I quickly offered to do a Omikuji for her. I smiled as she excitedly took the slip of paper from the box I offered and as she has always done so, offered a small prayer to the spirits before she opened it up. [Near-blessing, Miss Shrine Maiden?] Seeing that she is disappointed, I placed a hand on her head before passing her a small sweet to cheer her up. [Come now, the spirits won?t be happy if you are so sad now, would they?] [No, I guess not?] Mumbling as she took the sweet from my hand, the little girl suddenly hugged me and whispered softly to me so only I could hear her. The tiny frame that clutched me so tightly made me sigh as I patted her head again. I was used to little kids running here to confide things in me. In their eyes, I was the Guardian Angel or Spirit that is living a few blocks away from their homes and it was my job to comfort them and to lead them towards the right path in life and to share their new experiences with. I must say, although the number of believers in spirits has decreased, worshippers still come over to visit once in a while and I have my hands full dealing with small children who mob the shrine. I do like their company too as a thirty year-old shrine maiden has really nothing to do in her free time. The donations do keep me out of the red every month but as I receive government compensation every month, that is not much of an issue. Oh, that?s right. I have not introduced myself right? My name is? [Miss Shrine Maiden!!] [Yes, yes Yuka? I am listening? so do you want me to keep the cat in the shrine for you?] [Yes, please!! I promise I will come and visit her every day! I will bring her food to eat and play with her. If she is sick I will take her to the doctor!] Begging me by burrowing her face into my chest, I giggled and pinched her little cheeks to gently ease her away from me. [Alright.] As I said so, her little face lit up and I laughed again as I finished my sentence, which I was sure would render her speechless. [can you bring her to me, Yuka?] [Of- Of course!!] Smiling as she ran down the steps that led to the Shrine, I waved goodbye to her before I looked up to the sky and patiently waited. At such a carefree and peaceful Wednesday, I would prefer not to break the news. But an illusion is an illusion after all and it must end at a particular time? -- Narrowing my eyes as the little girl ran up to me, I placed a hand on her head and whispered a small prayer to any passing spirits before she said anything. [?] [You found out, didn?t you, Yuka?] [? Miss? Miss Shrine Maiden?] Clutching my top, I smiled bitterly as I bent down to embrace her in my arms. She was light, too light to be natural and as I ran my fingers through her hair, I saw many small sparkling stuff appearing around her. [Do not be afraid? look below you?] Closing my eyes, I patted her back comfortingly as I recited the familiar prayer the previous Shrine Maiden had passed on to me. [May the spirits bless this tiny spirit, from harm and from anything that tempt her innocent soul. Innocence like this should not be tainted? I beg of you? while the blood of the Hakurei Maiden still flows in me?] As I chanted softly, her grip on me slowly felt weaker and weaker and I knew it was not due to her not clutching on me. I could feel and see that she was afraid as her body was shivering very badly and tears were dropping from her eyes as she shook her head sadly from side to side. [Look below you? alright?] [Y-Yes?] Finally, little Yuka grabbed enough courage and a sizeable chunk of my top to look down to her feet. [All the spirits are welcoming and heralding your way?] [But Miss Shrine Maiden?] [Don?t worry? everyone will be there? everyone will be with you? it is just a matter of time?] Trying to stop the tears from flowing down my face as well, I slowly released her but it was the same as not releasing as I was clutching nothing but air in the first place. My arms, which was supposed to be holding a little girl in place, was suddenly holding nothing after a bright flash of light illuminated my surroundings. [? She?s gone?] Little yuka has passed away after saving a small Kitten from certain death but she herself has apparently not know that had happened and she ran over to the Hakurei Shrine to tell me about her adventures. The moment I touched her, my spiritual part of me told me that she was not alive and it was heartbreaking for me to send her away. It was not the first time that I had done something like this as random spirits do travel to the shrine often. It was a gift and a curse at the same time for me to be able to see the spirits. Being a shrine maiden since the age of 16 and perhaps beyond, I was a talented Shrine Maiden as I was able to give fortunes that were remarkably accurate and I do like being a shrine maiden. At certain times in my life, I was tempted to stop being a shrine maiden and to settle down to have a family like many girls my age, which is a full thirty in a few days, I always find a reason to continue to be one in the Hakurei Shrine. I am Hakurei Reimu and I have been serving in the Hakurei shrine ever since I was 16. Any remnants of my life before that is lost due to amnesia, as I was told, I was found unconscious by my the Shrine Maidens in the shrine one day and gave me my name, Hakurei Reimu. Hakurei after the Shrine and Reimu for Revelation. Ever since that day, I have been dutifully serving the Hakurei shrine, cleaning up the surroundings, patching up the many leaks in the old shrine and taking over as head Maiden after the last of the Shrine Maidens left the shrine. TO date, I am the 30th and final Hakurei Maiden if a new successor is not found. However, I am optimistic that a new successor will be found if I just wait long enough. -- As I mentioned earlier, I am blessed with the ability to view spirits. At first I found it disturbing but I generally accepted it as a sign that the Hakurei shrine as passed on it?s powers to me, giving me the abilities to see Spirits in the world around me. There are fireflies spirit, flower spirits and even Nekomata that pop by from time to time. I dare not say that I am familiar with those spirits, but I am certain that they exists and I could see them. It is my job to guide the followers to pay respect to their loved ones after they have died and at times they return to visit them in the form of spirits. Although it is very rare, I at times have seen that happen and the family would thank me for my kind words. The older, more skeptical generation would simply refuse to believe me while the younger ones will lap up everything. It pains me to see that the spiritual belief is so lacking in current generations? Training myself in the arts of building my spiritual powers is part of my daily rituals as well and I spent an average of an hour meditating and trying to strengthen my spiritual powers. By being more with the world, coexisting with it, I was certain that I will reach a new height of strength inside of me as well. It was an untested method, but I found that I could see spirits more easily then before and thus I am convinced that I was doing at least something right. Balancing the account books is something that I must do on a regular basis as even a Shrine Maiden must eat to survive. I am not very materialistic and even thou rice and miso makes up the bulk of the diet, tea is required to serve worshippers who come over to chat. As the natsu-matsuri is approaching, that becomes more of a necessity as it is customary to hold a Festival at the foot of the Hakurei Shrine. The people will chat and confide things with me, something that I am proud to say as it proves the people have faith and trust in a Shrine Maiden being locked up in the middle of nowhere. True, the Hakurei Shrine is located at the top of a small hill and it is a tough climb up. Still, the more faith the worshipper has, the lesser the burden one feels when one embarks on the trip up the shrine. I myself do the trek once a week with no complains at all and yet, those younger generations whine about it every time they visit. It is such a disgrace? -- Being nearly 30, I am sad to say that I do not yet have an engagement yet but that does not faze me at all. Being a shrine maiden takes the majority of my time here, leaving me with not time nor no energy to deal with other, more disturbing and distracting behavior. Honestly, the teens and man these day are truly so crude and direct in their wants and needs. [? sigh.] Sighing as I watched as yet another group of teenage boys and girls appeared over the gates of the shrine, I grabbed my broom and started to walk towards them, a smile still on my face that only barely twitched when one of them call out to me. [Miss Reimu, what time do you knock off today~ We got beer!] [? Dear Sir, A Shrine Maiden does not ?knock off? as you crudely put it.] Hiding the menace in my voice, my eyes dangerously twinkled but the dense boy would not get it and probed further. [Aww c?mon~ Even though you?re quite older than our age, I am sure you would like to han-] [May the spirits bless you, young lad.] Still smiling, I slammed my foot on his sneakers and twisted it a few times for good measure, ignoring the twisted look of pain on his face. [Now, I shall clean the yard of all the rubbish.] Brandishing my broom, I chased the lot of hoodlums out of my yard before slamming the big metal door shut and hanging the sign that read: ?away, be right back?. [? whew?] -- The many casual days that I spent alone in the Hakurei Shrine are all but plenty. The worshippers come in trickles and almost all in groups thus far and I would tend to them for at most a few minutes at a time. It is not tiring but a boring job that I find myself doing for so many years. It is a wonder how did I even manage to hold this job up till now. My parents were unknown to me and I was labeled an orphan the moment the Hakurei Shrine Maidens took me in. Over the years I had not made any effort to find my family as for all that I was concerned, I do not need them. Due to my status as an orphan, I was allowed to live my life in the Shrine, provided I do not run away with the donations and I do not get married, something I am very happy to abide with. The same old routine of waking up, getting breakfast, sweeping the leaves, checking for leaks in the shrine, tidying up the courtyard and so forth was embedded into me. If I did not follow the strict schedule, I would find myself uncomfortable to say the least. Neither do I admit I did not enjoy doing them nor do I not enjoy doing them. It is a matter of habit; habit is a dangerous thing after all. [?] Sitting in the shrine?s interior and in my private quarters, I clapped my hands together as I acknowledged the spirits around me before tucking into dinner, a simple fair consisting of steamed rice and miso soup, with some vegetables as a side dish. Chewing slowly, I looked out at the night sky to see some small spirits drifting happily by and I resisted the urge to wave to them. They looked like little fairies, complete with wings and little wands on their hands but I know all too well that some of them are mean and nasty. Once, I was bitten by one of them when I tried to pat it?s head and I was warded into hospital for a bad fever that lasted the better part of two weeks. It was a horrible incident that I do not want to happen ever again. [?] There is the saying that the Hakurei Shrine is connected to another world, a world that I could only dream about and that that world?s borders is guarded by the Hakurei Shrine Maiden. Till now, I have not found any trace of that world that I was supposed to protect and I had all but forgotten about it, if not for the spirits that drift in and out of the Shrine. The Hakurei shrine is the only place that I can sense spiritual power oozing out very easily and in large quantities. The worshippers here still believe in spirits, most probably thanks to me and I am very happy in doing my part. Spirits are real and they do exist, it is a part of my life now. [Miss Shrine Maiden!!] Hearing a voice call for me, I hurriedly got up from my seat and pulled open the sliding doors to welcome yet another guest to the Shrine. [Welcome to the Hakurei Shrine, I am Hakurei Reimu, the Shrine Maiden of the Shrine, how may I help you tonight?] Smiling as I bowed to the new visitors, a young couple who was holding hands together. [Miss Reimu, we would like to pray to the spirits for the well-being of our unborn baby? and so?] [We know that it is late, but we were in town and hoped to do that before we leave?] [?] Looking at the young lady standing in front of me, I seemed to remember a friend that looked just like her. [W-We can?t?] Her face showing her disappointment, I hurriedly shook my head before inviting them in. [J-Just out of curiosity? are you named Komachi? by any chance?] Her red hair and the way her hair was tied, in two short ponytails at either side of her head reminded me of someone. The memory was hazy and I was certain it came from the time before I came to the shrine. The name did come quite easily to me but that was all. The nagging feeling that I was forgetting something more important came to haunt me again. [No, I am Mako?] [well then, Miss Mako, I must be mistaken, come let us pray together?] Guiding them to the spring near the shrine, I urged them to wash their hands before following me over to pray. [When we are done, perhaps we could name the unborn child as well?] [Y-Yes! That would be a good idea!] -- -- Another day, another day of tidying up the shrine but today was special. It was the day where I make my rounds down to the small town at the foot of the mountain. Slipping on my slippers and adjusting my hakama pants, I said a small prayer to the spirits and to the greater spirit of the Hakurei shrine before going on my way. The great iron doors that I had used to lock out the few offenders the day before came in handy once more as I securely slammed the door shut. Despite my small frame, I was quite strong as from young I had carried heavy loads up the steps and after so many years, it seemed natural for my body to be stronger than the average shrine maiden. I could literally fly up the steps now while carrying a few bags of rice in my arms. [? It is a wonderful day?] Deciding to take my time, I enjoyed the chirping of the birds and the smell of nature all around me as the town slowly came into view. Up from the steps, I could see the people stirring and getting about their business and that always made me feel just a tad lonely. I am always alone and I had few, if any friends at all. That is perhaps expected of a Shrine Maiden, a test of one?s perseverance and I passed admirably. Once, I had raised a small puppy at the shrine but it had run away after meeting a spirit that severely wounded it. It seems that the Hakurei Shrine is only for the Hakurei Maiden after all. [!!] A sudden gust of wind struck me and temporarily blinded me as a shower of cherry blossoms whirled around me. As if by magic, the flower storm whirled around me for a moment before being blown away again. [? that seems familiar?] The feeling of nostalgia struck me again for the second time in two days as I absentmindedly brushed away the blossoms that were left in the stray ends of my hair. Previously, I had allowed my hair to grow almost to my knee in length but I decided suddenly and abruptly that having hair so long would only get in my way and I shortened it to just around my shoulders. I have beautiful hair, even if I am not fond of praising myself. The only redeeming value in my looks would probably be my black and silky hair. In the past, where I was still young, I had a big ribbon tied on the back of my hair in a ponytail. I still do that now, but the ribbon is much smaller in size and while the removable sleeves, which I once wore for convenience is no longer in existence. Having out-grown them, I changed to the recognized Miko outfit but with a small apron over it. Gone was the frills that came with my past and in with the more mature look. Though at times I do agree that it did make me look like a stay-at-home wife? [Hello, how are you this week?] Beginning my rounds at the first house of the block, the new family in the block, a family named Spencer that spoke only English. It was difficult for me as it was a foreign language that I rarely use in the shrine but it did come in handy as I was the few that could comprehend their words through their strong accent. [We are fine, thank you for asking, Sister of the Shrine.] [Erm. I am not a Sister, Mr Spencer, I am a Shrine Maiden?] [Yes, yes I am so sorry? a Shrine maiden was it? I still am not certain about the customs of the Japanese people, Sister?] [I-I said I am not a sister? I believe your wife is Japanese, she could fill you in?] Inching slowly away from the door, my mood changed suddenly when his child, a little boy named Steven ran over and surprisingly spoke to me in perfect Japanese. [Ohayo, Miko-san.] [? Ohayo, Steven-san. O-genki desu ka?] [Hai, Genki desu, Miko-san wa?] [Hai~ Geki desu. Asa-gohan tabe masuka?] [Hai, tabemasu. Etou, Miko-san?] [Hai?] ---- The conversation dragged long and complicated till finally his mother, the only true Japanese hurried over and said that Steven and his father would like to visit the shrine one day and that she is very thankful for the Hakurei Shrine to make the family fit in with the community. The rest of the families were well and thanked me for visiting them and asking about their health. I learnt that the weather has not been good lately and they were thinking of going up the shrine to hold a small praying session together. I gladly said that I would help them with it but also recommended them to hang up some teru-bozu just to keep the bad weather at bay too before giving them a small charm to ward off bad-spirits and bad luck. It was very well received in the town and before I was down with the rounds, I had to visit a small local bookstore to purchase some ink so I could write the charm myself in their homes. [?] Finishing yet another charm, I took a breather and a sip of green tea in the small tea-shop in the small town. The owner of the shop was a regular worshipper in the shrine and he had literally dragged me in to treat me to a new flavor of takoyaki that he had just rolled out. Thanking him, I took a small taste before saying that it was good and the smile that he gave me made me a little embarrassed. The energy that he possesses really took me by surprise and before I knew it, I was tasting yet another of his new creations, a cream-filled bun. By the third course, I had caught on to his actions and I quickly rejected him, saying that my duties at the shrine were more important. Although he seemed disappointed, he did not persist and only asked me to stay for a small drink of tea which I gladly accepted. [Thank you for your tea, Mr Hiroshi.] [Not at all, Miss Miko? I am glad that you graced me with your presence.] [You are flattering me, Mr Hiroshi?] Beating a hasty retreat, I hurriedly finished my rounds and hurried back up the shrine, running up the three hundred or so steps within five minutes. I was panting by the time I was back at the shrine and when I pulled the doors open, the wonderful feeling of being back at home never felt better. --

WRATHIE_Beatrice: -- Sitting at my usual spot in front of the porch, I meditated as I tried to reach towards the spiritual side of me that was located in the perfect circle within my own turmoil and confusion. It was so hard to reach but when I do, the feeling of peace that I obtained could tide me through many days of frustration and could even overcome hunger, even if it is not healthy. [?] Being a shrine maiden, one?s strong character counts and I am sure I am of Strong character as my spiritual prowess cannot be underestimated. Few would be inclined to say that they could truly see spirits but I could. Whether that is something to boast about is not yet known but I am proud of my ability. It makes me believe that I am a true heir to the Hakurei Line, which I am not? Still, it is something that I treasure very much and something that I would not give up. [?] Creations of Amulets and ofudas and charms are part and parcel of my job. Amulets and Ofudas are used mainly against spirits, to protect against them, to attack them, to banish them and to create seals and borders. It can only be used spiritually if one?s spirit is willing to believe in it. I for one, am sure that my Amulets do ward off spirits and has the ability to create seals and borders on spiritual objects. Charms are small objects that are blessed either with a spirit?s borrowed power, which is channeled through me, the Shrine Maiden or from another Holy object. Charms can bring good luck, ward off the bad luck and many other mundane blessings that people like to wish for. [I should do some more Charms?] Promising myself to start work tomorrow, I opened my eyes and stretched to prepare myself for another part of my Shrine Maiden training, the physical part of it. As they all say, one must strengthen the body as well as the mind and I practice tai-ji chuan, a form of martial arts that uses one?s movements to render the opponent?s attacks useless to oneself. The saying goes: ?To counter the strong with the weak? and that is very true with Tai-ji chuan, which uses one?s gentle strokes to protect one?s weak points while using the opponent?s best effort against them. The gentle strikes and blocks that renders the other party unable to maneuver is a favorite for me as I do not like violence unless it is regarding my duty as a Shrine Maiden. I first picked it up when I learnt of the term: Tai-chi from my senior in the shrine, she described it with so much detail and eagerness that I found myself wanting to learn as well. I seem to remember someone who showed me Tai-chi before but the name and the face escaped me? The graceful strikes that did not seem to hold much power but when one experiences the other end of the strike, you will come to understand the term: Beautiful but deadly. Tai-chi can be christened to be the same as dancing as well as both practitioners have the same at ease look about them when they practice their art-form. At times of the festivals that take place in the shrine, I lead the older generation in their tai-chi exercise whenever I could and has even been taught a few moves by those veterans. With age come experience and I am confident that any one who dares rob the Hakurei shrine shall be severely punished by me. Other training such as archery and festival dancing are part of my daily routine as well but only on specific days of the week. I have yet to achieve a hundred percent accuracy rate with moving objects but I can hit a target 5 yards from me even if it is moving. Such traditional skills are being lost down the ages and I teach the children of the town archery to while away my time. It brings me closer to the towns people as well and I am very pleased to note that every one of them are growing up to be fine, young girls and boys? -- [Miss Shrine Maiden! Please help me with my homework!!] [No fair, it is my turn!!] [No no, it?s mine!!] Being surrounded by a growing group of young children, I find it hard to concentrate on even one of them as all of them are trying their utmost to grab my attention at any given time. The Spencer?s child, Steven was resting in the Shrine while the other children of the town, who had came over to play had ended up sleeping beside me as I lazed below the solitary pine-tree of the Shrine. The children liked it here as it creates such a cool resting place for one to sleep and to rest their head against. I might add that it was my favorite place of the whole Shrine as well. [No.] Firmly refusing them, I chided them about their responsibility of doing their own homework till they finally got down and proper with their pens. [Sigh?] Patting their heads, I cheered them up by getting up and heading for the kitchen, where I had readied a batch of cookies for the children to enjoy. It feels so weird, that children would flock to me like I was made of sweets. Perhaps I was spoiling them too much? [Thank you, Miss Shrine Maiden!! I will do my homework now and get full marks!!] Jumping up and down, the young boy from down the street tugged his little sister before both of them laid down on the green grass to continue on their homework. [Miss Shrine Maiden, how do I put 2+2 together??] [Well, you could imagine it this way? when I give you 2 apples and Shiro there gives you 2 apples, how many apples do you have?] [Four!] [Good job, now have a sweet.] [Thank you, Miss Shrine Maiden!!] But? [Miss Shrine Maiden, could you tie my hair up for me? Just like yours?] [Of course?] [Kitty Kitty, the new boy has waken up!! Let?s go talk with him!!] Her friend pulled the little girl from my lap and hurried over to meet Stephen, leaving me all but forlorn behind them. As I watched the little ones grow up, I feel a strong belief that I had choose the right path in my life after all? -- It was after all the children had left the shrine and went home did she come out, the little girl that I had missed the whole day. [?] Sleeping in my futon, she snored lightly and I giggled to myself. The little girl was so adorable, her cheeks were flushed red and she gave little cooing sounds when she snored. If I had a doll like her, it would be very adorable but the face was unfamiliar with me. I had not seen anyone like her and I was anxious to know whether she is a spirit or human. [?] Upon looking closer, I could see that she was wearing a pair of horn-like ornaments on her head and her pink blouse was a bit tattered looking. [? Wake up, little girl? wake up?] Pushing her, I suddenly smelt the strong smell of sake and I recoiled from her. [? No way?] I do not drink as drinking is an indulgence that I dare not touch. She could never be? Pulling the sheets away, I gave a sharp cry of surprise when I saw a bottle tied to her bottle. [Why little girl?] Getting angry, I shook her vigorously, intending to reprimand her about drinking at such a tender age when she did awaken. Rubbing her eyes, she looked around her with drool dripping from her mouth but she still looked very cute to me anyway that it rendered me speechless. [REIMU!!!] The loud shriek that thundered around the shrine was definitely not me and it could only came from the little girl as she tackled me to the floor. She felt like a ton of bricks and unless my body was deceiving me, she weighed like a ton of bricks as well. [Reimu, Reimu!!!] Calling my name, I bewilderedly hung on to her as I racked my mind for an associate with that size and the face but none came to mind. It was weird enough that a little girl that size could have so much strength, not to mention that she was hugging me like she knew me. [W-Who are you?!] Pushing her off me with very much difficulty, I managed to ask her as the little girl just beamed at me. [It?s me, Suika! Ibuki Suika!!] -- [Su? Suika I-Ibuki?] Racking my mind for someone with that name, I paused momentarily before shaking my head. I knew of no one of this name, especially not a little girl of this age and this look. She look so perfectly cute that I was certain that she would grow up to a very pretty little girl in the future. [I?m sorry, I do not know who you are? do you know who I am?] Speaking softly in a cooing sort of tone to placate the little girl, I patted her head and urged her to come sit with me in the Shrine?s Interior, away from my room. [Of course I know who you are, You are Reimu! Hakurei Reimu of the Hakurei Shrine!!] Protesting loudly at being called a child, the little girl jumped up and down and quickly led me to the place where I kept all my brooms. [See, Reimu~ You never change, you always would hang seven brooms on the rack and the rest at the side of the room.] [W-What? how?] Surprised she knew that fact about me, the little girl grinned and giggled as she lead me to another part of the shrine where the donation box was kept. [Reimu Reimu~ You like to shake the donation box every night like this right?] Gripping both ends of the Box, she lifted the enormous box with her bare hands and shook it mightily, causing a small number of coins to drop out of it and rattle to the floor. [? Reimu, you must be slipping donations into the box again?] Before I knew what had happened, I had picked up the little girl, threw her out of the shrine and locked the metal gate behind me, shouting at her angrily. [Don?t EVER COME BACK AGAIN, SUIKA!!] [That?s more like you, Reimu!!] Before I could stop myself, I had called out her name without thinking and that alone made me slump against the steel doors in shock. [H-How could I have done such a thing?] Scolding myself for chasing out a worshipper of the shrine, I timidly pushed open the doors to see if she was still there. If she was crying out of being thrown out, I will never forgive myself. [Little girl? S-Suika? A-are you there?] Nervously peeping through the crack in my door, I held my breath as I pushed the door wide open. There was no one there at all, the steps were cold and deserted, just like they should be during the late evening. [? I must be seeing things?] Looking back at the courtyard, I saw the many coins that were littered around the shrine and pinched myself. [That must have happened?] Sighing, I was about to turn and lock the doors again when a face popped up in front of me. It was Suika, smiling mischievously as she looked at me, hanging by wedging her legs by the Shrine?s Large Doors. [Reimu~ I missed you?] [W-Who are you?] I could no longer mistake this as an illusion as she felt real, the warmth that she emitted and most importantly, the fact that the Donation box was indeed a few yards wide of where she had thrown it. But a girl of her size shouldn?t have such much strength? [I am Suika, Reimu?. Oh right? you have forgotten?] Turning downcast for a moment, Suika shook her head before offering a hand to me. [Reimu, shall we go in? We can talk there? about why I came to find you?] For the first time, I could see chains hanging around her neck like ornaments and judging by the thickness of those chains, they weighted a ton. It scared me, that such a little girl could have such enormous strength and still posses the looks and size of a girl that was about 5-6 years old. [A-alright?] If she is as powerful as I imagined her to be, there is no use in me trying to resist. She could easily overpower me and forcibly drag me with her and so I folded up my sleeves and followed her, trying to maintain a smile on my face as I did so. -- [Reimu, are you sure that you do not know me?] Narrowing her eyes, Suika paused before pouring me a cup of tea and pushing it to me. The thought of such a character sitting just a few feet from me unnerved me but I still took it in my stride as I said a small prayer to the spirits around me. [Please kami-sama? protect me?] Opening my eyes again, Suika was still sitting in front of me and I finally ruled out the fact that it was an illusion. [Reimu? I?ve came to take you back? Gensokyo needs you?] [Gensokyo?] [Have you forgotten everything? Reimu!! It?s ME, SUIKA!! You can?t have forgotten me AND Gensokyo!!!] She was in a state that just borders panic and as she waved her hands up and down, I took a deep breath before standing up and bowing formally to her. [I? really do not know who you are? perhaps you have got the wrong Reimu?] [No! There is no other Reimu!! You are Hakurei Reimu!! The Shrine Maiden of the Hakurei Shrine can only be Reimu and that is only yOU!] Pointing to me, Suika growled cutely and that cute song made me giggle a little before I did my formal introduction to her. [You really must be mistaken, there might be another Reimu and she too might be from the Hakurei Shrine. I am the 30th Generation Shrine Maiden, Hakurei Reimu. I am pleased to meet you, Ibuki Suika? and I beg to know what you are trying tell me?] As I finished, Suika?s mouth fell wide open and as I waited patiently for her to speak, another nostalgic feeling struck me. Somehow, the scene seemed familiar to me, just as if I was living with Suika for a long time. In the past, I had the feeling that living in the shrine, although comfortable, is lacking something and with Suika sitting in front of me, the picture seemed complete. I could just picture the image of her and I lazing around in the room with our legs spread open, hating the summer weather and of the both of us snuggled below the kotetsu to keep warm. All those memories flooded me and I paused in what I was going to say next, which is to ask her to leave. I knew her, from a distant part of my memory, I did know her? but? Who? Is? She? [? Reimu, you are scaring me? are you sure you do not know me? I?m Suika! I lived with you for at least a year!! Reimu!!] Tackling me down to the floor, I looked up at her eyes, panic stricken and tearing and I found myself doing the same as she clung on to me. [? I? I?] Shaking my head, god knows how long the both of us stared at each other till Suika broke the silence. [are you sure? you don?t remember me? Reimu?] [? i? sort of remembered you? Suika? but I can?t remember who you exactly are?] Wiping my tears away, I eased Suika off me and plopped her on the table to stare at her. [And? it is rude to keep wearing these horns of yours when in the house? what if you poked someone?s eye out?] Chiding her, I pulled at the horns only to get a rude shock. [IT?S REAL!!] Shrieking in alarm, I hurriedly backed off from her and in my hurry, tripped and fell flat on my house. [WHAT ARE YOU!?!] Earlier I had imagined Suika to be a little sister sort of person that I could have taken care of when I was young but this rewrote everything I had previously imagined. Who is she, or rather. WHAT IS SHE?! -- [I?m an Oni, silly!! Did you forget that too?] [An.. an oni?] [Mm! An Oni!!!] Recalling my knowledge of onis?, which are vicious and extremely powerful beings who abducted people to feast on their intestines? [BACK YOU MONSTER!!] Recalling my basic Miko training, which is to put oneself in danger?s way if it is to serve the people and that I draw my powers from the spirits around me, I tried to be optimistic to drive this spirit away from the shrine. If I had to, I will take her with me if I was to die. [An oni is evil and is feared, I won?t let you hurt the residents!!] The attitude she displayed earlier must be a fluke and a ploy to make me lower my guard. An ingenious plan it is from the beginning. I can almost hear the evil cackling coming from her inner mind. [What are you saying. Reimu? I wouldn?t hurt anyway? not now anyway?~] Ending the sentence with a giggle did not make me feel better and in reflex I raised a hand up protectively over me. [I?m serious, Reimu!! I? I will not harm you!!] [Onis? are evil!! Y-You spirit? I? I will banish you!!!!] Trembling from head to toe, I scooted back as I tried to grab hold of anything, anything at all that can serve as a weapon. If I could grab hold of a broom or something? [Reimu, you know I could kill you with just a flick of my finger?] Hearing her voice and face darkening, I felt my spirits plummet but I still showed a brave front as I defiantly fought back with a retort of my own, [Ibuki Suika, if you have any oni pride, I request that we duel it out instead of using your strength to level the Shrine. Kill me if you will but the Shrine must remain!!] Pointing a finger at her, I tried to stand but my knees kept getting in the way by shaking like jelly. [S-So? I, Hakurei Reimu shall do my job as the Shrine Maiden of the Hakurei Shrine? and?] Sobbing as I lunged towards her, I braced myself for the end when she just snickered and balled a fist. I was certain that she is going to kill me just by ripping my heart out with her hands but my last card was played. If I have to die, I would rather die while protecting the people that I came to love and the peace of the Town. [Hmph~~~ You?re cute, Reimu.] Opening my eyes wide open again, I felt her arms around me and for some reason, it felt really familiar. Her scent too, which was wafting through her hair calmed me down and I broke down and cried with her holding me all the time. It was embarrassing, being comforted by a girl that was likely half my age but at that moment, I was too confused and disoriented with everything to care. Ibuki Suika, the little Oni girl that came and took away the casual days in the Shrine? I wish I could blame her? blame her for taking away the peace and familiarity of my life but I just couldn?t. Deep down in me, I knew I knew her. I knew of the Oni named Ibuki Suika. That could explain how I was able to see the Spirits that float around the Hakurei Shrine. That would explain how my ofudas and amulets and my charms could work. The time that I had forgotten was linked with this Oni, the past that I had lost does concern her? and? And? And? And if she wants me to find my past again? do I have the courage to face it? Oh please, spirits? tell me? tell me? -- It was quite a while before I woke up. Judging by the absence of the sun shining down at me, I assumed it was night and that was confirmed by the little girl who still hugged me. It was obvious she did not move from the spot in fear of waking me up as her hands were trembling by the time she finally did let me go. It was just as if she was clutching onto something that will disappear from her if she let go? [?I?m sorry? I? just lost control of my emotions? I?] [It?s? okay, Reimu? I know? that you will take some time to believe me? believe that I am an oni? and believe that you know me? everything is so? so weird for you now? right?] Crossing her arms, Suika seemed bothered about something and I took the opportunity to speak up. [S-Suika? if you knew me before?. Can you tell me? where I am from??] Curiosity got the better of me and I popped the one question in my mind that was bugging me. It all seems so weird now, sitting peacefully at home which is in a shrine and my only companion is a spirit who is a vicious oni. Earlier, I was crying for my helplessness, my inability to do anything and of course, for the most sinning thing I could do as a Shrine Maiden: That is? To? ?Distrust the Innocent?? I could see that she was smiling for real, her smile did not deceive me and she was honest about her feelings for me. Ibuki Suika did like me and meant to harm to me. There is truth in her words and every word she said came from her heart. [? I?m sorry to? for not trusting you? I?m sorry?] [? No, it?s alright, Reimu. After all, I like you, Reimu. So it is okay?] [Suika?] [You beat me, Reimu? when you are the Reimu I knew? not the Reimu now?] As I listened to her, I could not help but feel that she was sad about losing her friend but at the same time, vibes of happiness radiated from her as well. [But I am happy.. to see you again, as another Reimu? I like you in this way too, Reimu?] Looking at the half-moon from the windows of the shrine, Ibuki Suika, the Oni who claimed to know me, sighed and patted my head. [So? don?t be sad? we are one family, Reimu? me and you.] Smiling at me, the Oni just ran her hand through my hair and my world collapsed just like that. It was the start of the trickling of the dam, the dam that had held my previous memories? [? S-Suika? Suika? SUIKA!!!] --

WRATHIE_Beatrice: -- A Dream? How I wish this is just a dream? that the little Oni Girl, Ibuki Suika never appeared in front of me. Never told me those things and of course, that I could deny them? That I can strongly deny all of them? All of the memories that I had lost? But there? there is the benefit of doubt? the ?what if? kept repeating itself in front of me. How I wish, with all my heart and soul that I could safely say that? I do not know you, Ibuki Suika? But I do? I do? The familiar feeling of her warmth, the cheeky smile that I find so nostalgic and her unmistakable scent and presence around the shrine. It is her, that I am missing in the Shrine? I remember her, very vaguely, the Ibuki Suika that was living with me? Ibuki Suika, the oni girl did live with me! Maybe not in the same place as now, maybe not in the same Shrine as now? I might look different from what I do now, I might think differently than then I do now. But I did, I definitely did spent time with her? She is? family? Ibuki Suika? family? -- And so I awoke, to the sounds of snoring from my new-found family member, Ibuki Suika. The memory might be hazy and the remembrance of that tough, but I won?t regret remembering who she is, the Oni who wanted to be a Shrine Maiden. The oni who came to live with me? the oni who made life troublesome, interesting and fun at the same time, Ibuki Suika... She was sleeping soundly beside me and she had kicked away the blankets that she no doubt should have covered herself a few hours ago. Vaguely I could remember that fact and I looked all around me. I could see mentally, that the same room I shared with Suika was the same as this room. My choice of decorations was not particular but when I compared it to the mental image of the one in my memory, it was picture perfect and it dawned on me that subconsciously I was all the time chasing my past. The many little things that I?ve done, was it due to my past?s habit? [?] Looking at Suika, I sighed and instead just smiled to myself. It is no use to worry after all, I have time, as much time as I wanted to? I didn?t know how wrong I was? [Breakfast, Suika?] Preparing breakfast, I brought it over to Suika and she woke up almost immediately.  The way her hair was all mangled up and out of shape made me giggle and when she looked at herself in a mirror, she laughed to herself as well. [I?m tucking in, Reimu!!] Saying her prayers together with me, Suika smiled as she finished her portion in three minutes flat. [Suika, you should enjoy your food more? Breakfast is important?] [Nah, I?m youkai, I don?t really need breakfast ya?know?] Laughing, Suika clapped her hands together with me and thanked the spirits for the meal. [But ish? good. So I couldn?t help myself?] As I looked at her smiling, I smiled back at her too before the both of us looked up at the blue sky that seemed to be welcoming the future. [? say? what are youkai.] [Spirits? super natural beings?demons? onis? vampires? they are youkai?] [? ? oh?] [Weird isn?t it. That you would be friends with a spirit.] [Uh uh? I?ve seen spirits before? just none like you?] [That?s good?.] Turing serious, Suika turned towards me before clutching my hand. [Reimu? I know it?s your choice to leave us? and I?ve never blamed you for that?] [?] As she looked at me, the silly childish twinkle that signaled that she was about to pull pranks was gone and it was replaced with a dark look that shocked me. [? Gensokyo? needs you, Hakurei Shrine Maiden?] Lowering her eyes as she did that, Suika?s shadow seemed to stretch much bigger than I thought possible and it totally covered me in it?s wake. [You once said? Humans, will always be food for Youkai? and Humans shall be the one to exterminate Youkai? thus forming a never ending loop? Just like between us and the humans. We oni, like to see you human suffer and you human, shall be the one to defeat the Oni?] Uncorking her bottle of sake, Suika pulled her bowl towards her and poured it full before drinking it all in a single gulp. [? What if youkai, exterminated all humans?] The dark, foreboding chill I felt when Suika muttered that to me scared me and I started trembling. As if on cue, the sky darkened and clouds started to rain in front of the shrine. [? the balance shall be disrupted? Youkai shall always start disasters? and humans would always resolve them? the Rules of the Spellcard system? Reimu, you invented them?] [? did I?] [Yesh you did. Hic.] It?s hard to treat Suika seriously, her face could make a 360 degree switch about in a manner of seconds and there was nothing I could do about it. Her words surprised me and captivated me just like a good story would and I could not stop listening to her. [Gensokyo? needs you, Reimu. Right now, right this moment? The Hakurei Maiden?] Smiling, Suika begged me by clasping her hands with mine and I? I shook my head? -- [No?] [? What?] I knew it was selfish of me to reject her without listening to her, but I do not want to know what is going on for now? I was reunited with my family, a person that called me family and I wanted to cherish the time I have with her right now. Not the past or the future, but right now. The world can wait. [? Not today? Suika? let? let me remember more? p-please?] Begging her, I pulled at her hand and waited for her reply. She was still sitting beside me and her face was troubled. I could tell that she was torn between the two current affairs [? No.] [Ah? b-but?] Hearing her reject me was not what I was expecting but when I wanted to ask her why and as my hands touched hers I retracted immediately. [? Reimu.] Her eyes were hollow, filled with sadness as she crawled towards me. It was truly horrifying as she cried and not cried at the same time. She was like a zombie wanting to eat me and as her hands touched me, I could feel that her body was cold and losing it?s color. [I? I can?t stay here? long? I need to go back. The spiritual power here? is too weak to sustain me?] Weakly, she smiled at me before offering a hand to me. [Come Reimu? we must go? and save Gensokyo? or there will be no more Gensokyo for us to save? and? ?] She never finished the sentence as I pounced on her and hugged her tightly. [YES YES!! I?m sorry for being selfish? I? I will go? do anything I can? if it?s to save you?. And the Gensokyo you speak off.] I was anxious at that time, reckless and foolish, trying to do everything in my power to save Suika. How could I be so foolish? to give up my normal life just like this? -- Clutching Suika?s hand, I gathered up the remaining amulets I have and my special lucky charm before I nodded to Suika, who was sitting by the shrine?s gates. She was getting paler and paler by the second and by that I meant not her coloration which would reflect her physical condition, but she was really fading away. Drinking sake all the way, she tried her best to muster a smile at me even though I knew that she must be feeling pretty helplessness now. To disappear without a trace must be a fate worse than dying? [? Okay, I am ready now? Shall we go? to? save? Gensoyo?] [It?s Gensokyo!! I?ll fill you in when we get there?] Struggling to stand now, I helped Suika up to her feet and clung on tightly to the little girl who had turned my life upside down. [Let?s go Reimu.. back home, to Gensokyo and to the Shrine!!] Bending to her knees to get some boost, I followed her example and followed her as she leapt towards the sky. [I?m pulling the border now, Reimu!!] I could only gasp and nod as I clamped my eyes shut in the sudden bright light that made spots appear in my eyes. I have the weirdest feeling of knowing this feeling as the both of us flew into a colorful void that appeared in front of us. That was my last thought as the next moment we struck earth and the both of us rolled on the ground for several seconds. [Ah? aha? ahahaha~] Giggling as she rolled in the dirt beside me, Suika grinned and I was glad that she had regained her vigor but in return for that, I had lost mine and my breakfast as well in the process. Turning over, I emptied my stomach on the floor while Suika just stared and patted my back comfortingly. [What?s wrong? Reimu?] [I? might be air-sick?] I have not travelled in an air-plane all my life and it was a new and yet familiar experience for me. As Suika had dragged me along with her, the sound of the wind blowing through my hair and the way the air smelt seemed familiar to me. But, I was unable to fly? ? Right? [Air-sick? You? Reimu you must be kidding!! You know how to fly!!] Laughing so hard that she rolled on the floor, Suika was still hitting the ground with her fist in an attempt to calm herself down when I sat up again. The taste of my own vomit did not taste that well with me and I sighed as I wiped my mouth with my handkerchief and offered a small prayer to any spirits that were nearby for forgiveness of soiling the ground in front of me. [? I apologize for intruding on the earth?] With my prayer done, I looked around me at my surroundings and was surprised at what I was seeing. I was back at the shrine? It was the almost exactly the same, the same positions of the donations box. The same sakura trees that populated the back yard, even the same fading sign on the front of the shrine. What was different though? was that? [How beautiful?] Looking up at the sky, I was rewarded with a beautiful sight as a colorful expanse greeted me. The usual blue sky was dotted and marred by colorful lights that seemed to dance off the sky. As I observed them closer, I realize that it was a gigantic border that spread all around the shrine and beyond it. I could perhaps pen it close to a cage or a wall that separated the Shrine?s Sky from something else. [? Where am I??] Asking myself and Suika at the same time, I was rewarded with Suika jumping on me and sitting on my lap, despite my protest of it hurting. [You?re home? in Gensokyo? Reimu?] Smiling, Suika jumped off me, casually avoided my vomit and pulled me to my feet. [Let?s go in for a while?] Turning back to smile at me, Suika dragged me along to the Familiar looking shrine and I could not help but take a deep breath in shock when I almost entered the shrine. [? There are so many spirits!!] Pulling on Suika?s hands, I looked all around the forest where the Shrine is located to see tens? of spirits looking at me curiously. Their bodies were glowing white and as they saw me looking at them, they seemed to be at a loss to what to do as they looked at one another nervously. [I?ve never seen so many spirits together before!!] [W-Wait, Reimu!!] Breaking out of Suika?s grip, I ran towards them and held a hand towards them. Silly me, I should have remembered that Spirits are sometimes evil and prey on humans. But those spirits, they looked like little lost children with their cute little faces and little dresses that I could not help myself. My Shrine Maiden Heritage will not allow me to abandon small children and run away to safety if there is something that I can do about it. [Come now? there?s no need to be afraid. Spirits are kind if you are kind to them too.] Those are words of my teaching and befitting for a Shrine Maiden who regularly prays to spirit and borrows their strength to make amulets and charms. Holding a hand out, I smiled at the three closest spirit before I whispered to them. [Tell me, Spirits? what do you want me to do?] Closing my eyes, I felt small tiny hands touch mine and I concentrated inside me, trying to reach out towards the other feelings, the other?s thoughts that I are so close towards mine. -- I should have stopped Reimu but she ran away from me in a split second that I was at a lost to what to do. [Wait, Reimu!!] Trying to run after her, I fell down as my legs gave way suddenly. [? tsk? I must still be a bit sick?] Cursing the gods that I would be this weak after visiting the other human world, I called out for Reimu not to touch those vicious youkai as she might be eaten. If? If Reimu was to be eaten by a youkai due to her willingness to help others.. THAT iT WOULD BE MY FAULT!! [REI-] What? is happening? As Reimu held her hands out to them, a glowing light seemed to seep from her and as the small youkai fairies touched her, the glow increased in strength and intensity. It was neither a threatening nor it was a powerful feeling that I could gather from it. Rather, it was a peaceful feeling that emitted from Reimu and the spirits as they squatted there for several moments. Before, I had thought Reimu had weakened by being away from Gensokyo for such a long time. Her physical body has grown much bigger and she is a little stronger than before but? Can Reimu, really save Gensokyo again? The Hakurei Maiden, who will always save the day is not me, The Oni in The Miko Outfit, but the Shrine Maiden of Paradise; Hakurei Reimu. The Hakurei Reimu who was not in Gensokyo for close to ten years now? Would she be able? [No? I must believe in her.] Smiling grimly, I nodded to myself as I watched Reimu speak with the tiny youkai spirits. She is special, she is the one... she has done it before, despite the odds that had been stacked against her. She will again, for she is Hakurei Reimu... -- They were afraid? afraid of something? As I concentrated, the barriers that separated between us slowly faded away and I was able to feel what the spirit was thinking about. If? It could think. It was not a bright creature, I could sense no words from her or it and all I could feel was an influx of emotions no matter how hard I tried to concentrate. The feelings of wanting to eat, of hunger and of pain were very strong in the three of them but there was one other image as well. The Image of Death was in their consciousness. Were they afraid of me? The Shrine maiden? I will be too, if I see a big hulking creature that was hundreds of times my size walk over and tried to grab you. But.. It wasn?t me. They did not fear me, the felt me and wanted to tell me that they were afraid of something that would eventually consume them. [? What is it that you are afraid off?] Whispering again, I waited for a reply and was immediately swept apart by the intensity of their words. [!!] A picture appeared in my mind, a terrifying picture that spoke volumes of their deepest fears. I was standing in a field that was full of dead flowers and as I walked through them, felt the dying flowers below my foot as I crushed them below me. I felt guilt in doing that but they were dead in the first place. The chaotic sky, the feeling of death littered around me unnerved me. Putting a hand forward to touch the dead flowers around me, all dried out and colorless were they and I sighed at the beauty that was lost here. All life was seemingly drained for as far as I can see and I wondered what the Spirits wanted me to see by showing me this image. Was this the future that will befall this land if I do not do something about it? Or was this a re-collection of something that had already happened? [?] Feeling unsure of my answer, I looked towards the chaotic sky that was above me and stifled a gasp in horror. My lips went dry as I struggled not to scream and cower in fright. [Lose not yourself in fear!] Reminded of my teachings, I gritted my teeth and just stared at the sky in horror at the scene that was taking place. Numerous spirits were being torn apart as I watched down from the ground, helpless to do anything at all. The frantic cries of pain and of the last dying shriek emitting from their throats finally reached my ears and I covered them in pain. [!! No.. .STOP!] It was like a red plague that ripped through them no matter where they ran and it left behind a wake of disappearing tiny bodies as it continued on in their rampage. Littering the skies with the bodies, the streaming ribbon of power paused and dived down to the ground just a few feet away from me. [Ahh!!] The resulting explosion knocked me off my feet and when I regained my senses, I was surrounded by the red ribbon as if I was a little island in the middle of the chaos. With such close proximity between us, I stared at the offending sight and wished I hadn?t almost immediately. The red ribbon was not a ribbon at all but a river of blood. It was uncannily similar to the river of Styx, with it?s width changing every second and of it?s victim?s body parts and occasionally a human skull popping from it. [A? A human skull?] Realizing it too late, I sank down to my knees when I finally understood what was going to happen to this land? The plants will go first, followed by the humans and then the Youkai, the spirits. CRACK!- If there was any sign more ominous than the sky being torn apart above me, I would like to hear it right now as all around me, reality was being torn apart as I know it. Despite me knowing that it is an illusion, it was sure a very good illusion that was coming from the tiny fairies that I had linked hands with as it felt very real. [AHH!!] I knew screaming was futile but I was helpless to do anything at all as I just watched everything around me crumble apart. The field of dead flowers is was disintegrating as I speak, the ground sinking and cracking as the river of blood just went through it like a hot knife through butter. The sky was not fairing well either as invisible hands tore it apart, revealing large gaping holes in the sky that was red in color, just like the river of blood that still surrounded me. As I watched in horror, another group of spirits flew overhead and I saw that in the front of them was a large Blue Fairy that threw an ice block at the sudden expansion of the red tide that threatened to engulf them. [!!!] As I watched, the ice froze all around the rushing current but it was of no avail as it easily overcame the ice and plowed straight at the group of fairies. [?] Unable to witness the massacre any longer, I looked away and wiped away the tears that were forming in my eyes before closing them and doing what a Miko always do. [? Spirits? may you rest in peace.., I am sorry for not being able to save you? but let me, let me gather your strength? your strength and willingness to fight for what you believe in? May you be part of me and bless me as well? I lay my life for you as well? I, who serve the Hakurei Shrine? wants to borrow your power!!] Raising my hands up in the air, I prayed and tried as hard as I can to find the spirit of the Blue Fairy I had seen earlier that had fought so valiantly. Spirits never truly died as they are spirits, embodiment of magic and of beliefs. If I believe in her survival, she will survive and she probably might still survive if I did not do it, it will just take a longer time. This must be the ultimate hell for the spirits as they, who cannot truly die, will have to face an endless cycle of life and death till the end of time. [?] Feeling another presence in my own body, I smiled and spread my hands open to welcome the tiny spirit. [?] Looking at her, I just could not help but cradle her in my arms, such a valiant spirit who risks her life to save her friends even knowing that it is pointless. [Go now?] Letting her go, I just shook my head as the world around me just continued to fell apart. By lending strength from the spirit, I do not mean that I will have their powers or their attributes. I will simply borrow their personality for a short period of time and in turn, save myself and the spirit from whatever injuries that come might way. It is called invoking a spirit and borrowing it's strength. As my body is a vessel to contain a spirit, it is possible. Previously, I would borrow power only to create charms in which a spirit would bless the charm with it?s powers. Now, I am using my own body as a vessel to save the spirit. With nothing to lose, I gritted my teeth and jumped straight into the bloody current that was destroying the land. -- [Reimu!] [REIMU!] When I awoke, all I could see was Suika crying out at me as I shook my head gingerly. [H-How long was I out?] [? For about an hour?] [It felt that way to me too? what happened to the little fairies??] [They disappeared as their magical abilities were all used up? what happened?] Looking down at the floor, I paused momentarily before clapping my hands together to pray to the spirits once again. [? I am sorry, for my lack in ability to see your vision? I will not let you lose your life in vain? I? I hoped that I did accurately know of your fears and your wants? forgive me?] Finishing my prayer, I looked up and smiled grimly at Suika. [The fairies? they told me? they showed me that? that they were afraid of the world ending. A world where? the plants were dead? humans were gone and spirits were massacred daily and reborn? till the day the world breaks apart?] [?] I wanted to pray to the spirits, for the spirits to give me strength to tide over the crisis but it appeared that the spirits were afraid to and there were nothing they can do but to wait. It scared me, that the spirits I had always thought were powers of nature would be afraid? afraid of their own fate and future. [? Reimu. What happened to you?] Contrary to what I had thought Suika would do; which was to not believe me, Suika was staring at me with confused eyes, disbelief and belief were fighting rationality as she just paced all around me. Her chains, which were once hung around her neck was trailing all around her. She looked very scruffy and she must have been that way out of worry for me. [Reimu, I knew you had changed when I first saw you? but w-what?s this? the spirits I know would have attacked you with no questions ask? b-but they wanted to speak with you? t-that?] Clutching her own arms, Suika looked at me before smiling and sitting down in front of me again. Her eyes were not one of disbelief now, but rather of determination and of hope and I smiled back, each feeding on each other?s emotions. [That?s incredible? you really are the Hakurei Shrine Maiden? and? you?re probably correct?] Sliding another Shrine Door to the side, Suika gestured to the woods behind me and just as I feared, the trees were yellowing and their leaves were falling apart. [Suika? what is going on? where is this place? and why? why did you drag me here.] Finding my tongue, which was taken away by a cat after I witnessed that incredible sight, I tugged at Suika?s sleeve to see that she was drinking sake from her bottle. [? Hic. That is a long story, Reimu? l-listen.] --

WRATHIE_Beatrice: -- Ever since you left, Reimu? the world never changed? Gensokyo never changed much? the people that were around never said much? But the Youkai? they were saddened that you left, especially Yukari. Marisa too was very sad, sad that her great friend was gone but.. She said that you will come back one day? And when you did, she will be better than you. Marisa she, she became the youkai exterminator of the Shrine? While I took on the duties of the Shrine. The days were peaceful and happy and more and more people came to worship at the shrine. Youkai attacks were less frequent and even those who were attacked was not seriously hurt. People were happy and the youkai were happy as well as they get along very well. However, there was always this lack of energy in the high level Youkai. Yukari especially seemed not to come out at all. Remilia seemed less willing to let Sakuya out, preferring to stay in the mansion.Even China was subdued at times. But life went on? Till two months ago? The trees started dying, the crops started failing and the youkai started fleeing the forested areas where they lived. The people were not attacked but they were afraid of the large amount of youkai that appeared in crowds around their homes. They started attacking the youkai and the youkai struck back out of fear and pain? Many people were killed and I, as the acting Shrine Maiden tried to stop them? But the people didn?t believe me and chased me out? The people didn?t believe in the Hakurei Shrine anymore and? When I visited Marisa?s house, she was not there and? her hat was found near Cirno?s Lake? The situation worsened everyday as the grass started to turn yellow too. Only the Hakurei Shrine remained immobile till last week. The foundations started to shake and the plant started withering and the youkai came in droves to reside around us. That?s when I decided to find you, Reimu? -- At the end of her explanation, which she had done so very remarkably without any interruptions what so ever, I paused for a moment to digest all the facts. [B-But? I don?t remember living here?] [When you left? you forgot everything willingly? b-but you remember me, right?] Shaking me, Suika begged me to look at her eyes and I did so willingly, trying to understand what she was thinking. [? Yes, I remember you Suika? b-but I don?t remember Gensokyo? I? I don?t know what to do? how am I supposed to save Gensokyo when I am so powerless? so powerless?] Shaking, I denied everything and slammed my fist on to the tatami mat in frustration. That was me, weak and powerless compared to her, to Suika who was standing straight, her face proud in front of me. -SMACK- [What are you doing, Reimu! You are the Hakurei Shrine Maiden!] Slapping me, Suika?s whole body was shaking as she tried to contain her disbelief and disappointment at me. Her small frame was shaking so much that I was afraid that she will fall apart at any moment. [If it?s you? you will know what to do? S-Save Gensokyo, Reimu! You are the one who can!!] [? I? I?] Looking away, I thought to myself, how in the world did I get dragged into this mess when I remembered. [It shall be easy for Youkai to cause disasters? and it shall be easy for Humans to resolve disasters?] ? Was that? another part that I had forgotten? I? am a Shrine Maiden? [? I draw power, from the spirits?] Closing my eyes, I looked around me and found that it was indeed familiar. The same room that had appeared to me in my home was exactly the same here but what was different was the feeling of history. I had once treaded on this tatami mats, slept at the futon on the other side and? I was here, put of it?s history. [? I am? Hakurei Reimu.] [Of?] Standing up, I made my decision firmly and absolutely with no touch of regret. If it is not for the World Call Gensokyo, if not for the Fairies that told me of their fears, if not for Suika, who had brought me here? but? For the pride and the responsibility of the Hakurei Shrine Maiden, the Hakurei Reimu that I had forgotten and they always remembered. [The Hakurei Shrine in Gensokyo. Right, Suika?] Smiling, I held her hands with mine and I nodded to her. [R-Reimu!!] Sobbing now, Suika tackled me to the floor and for a few minutes, I allowed her to cry to me as I tried to remember all the things that I had forgotten here? [M-Marisa??] There was the figure that had predominantly appeared in front of me, a smiling and friendly person that was here at the shrine beside me and Suika. -- [Yo, Reimu, I came to play, ze!] -- Her sunny exterior and her unlimited confidence was what differentiated her from all the shadows in my memories. She was something important to me, an important friend but? who is she? -- [So? you?re setting off already?] Looking back at Suika, who had changed into a outfit similar to mine, I nodded to her and said that I wanted to do what I can, no matter the costs. [? Reimu. I know you can do it? I will help too.] Still sniffing, Suika passed me a few amulets that she explained as Spellcards, magical amulets that would enable me to fire projectiles. [The youkai, especially the stronger ones who might get in your way will definitely want to danmaku with you, Reimu? so if they do, play by the Spell card rules?] [S-Spell card rules? I invented them? right?] The Spellcard rules, something that I recalled vaguely but I could not grab my hands on was of importance to me, as Suika would explain. [Well, it?s just that when the other side declare the spell-card, you have to dodge and graze every single one of them before hitting them. That?s about it.] Somehow, it didn?t seem that simple to me but seeing her confident face, I was relieved at that. [Reimu you never lost to anyone so you should be fine.] Nodding her head, Suika finally passed me something that I immediately realized. [That?s the Hakurei?s Shrine Yin-Yang Duality Orb!] [T-that?s right?] Seeing surprised that I could recognize it, Suika laughed when she placed the box on the floor beside me. [It's yours, Reimu. You can use it but I can?t.] [Why not? It is a treasure of the Hakurei shrine? right?] It was found in a few old texts that was in my home and so I was familiar with it. The yin-yang orb?s ability was wel known to be used to defeat spirits and can be used as a shield of sorts against impure thoughts. [Only one of the Hakurei Blood can use the Yin-Yang orbs.] [? if I could use it?] Then I am truly the Shrine maiden of the Hakurei Shrine? Taking the twin orbs from the box, I placed my palms on them before concentrating on my own spiritual power, begging for them to be of use. [? I beseech you, power of yin and power of yang that flows within my body?] [The Hakurei Shrine Maiden calls for your strength.] [The Strength of Yin and the Durability of Yang, may both of them lend me your strength.] The words came naturally to me and the box glowed momentarily as my exact words were carved on the cover of the box as the both of us just watched, awestruck at the display of strength. The twin-orbs disappeared and a pair of bracelets appeared around my hands. [I guess? I really am the Hakurei Shrine Maiden? after all.] Laughing weakly, I nodded to Suika and was about to take off when Suika passed me something that I had forgotten. [Take this, Reimu. Your gohei?] [Thank you, Suika. I will be back? soon, hopefully.] [I?m sorry Reimu, I haven?t quite recovered? but I will join you soon? Save Gensokyo and Save Marisa? they need you now.] Bowing back to me, Suika waved goodbye as I ran down the steps of the Hakurei Shrine. [Good bye, Suika!!] I only hoped that it will not be the final farewell for me as I wiped away the tears in my eyes. [R-Reimu, why don?t you fly?!] Hearing her call out at me, I take it as she must be kidding and continued my way down on foot. -- [Here you go, Reimu. Your amulets and your charms?] [Thank you?] Pulling out a mountain full of them, I caressed them with my hands and felt for once, the spiritual presence of them just jump and shock me. [?are they, really mine?] Picking a few up, I studied them and indeed, they were written in my handwriting and I accepted them as my own. My outfit was surprisingly good for storing those amulets and ofudas and I took as many of them as I can. If the people I am going to meet were spirits, or youkai as Suika put it, I am going to need them. [Here, your blow gun.] Passing me a box full of needles and a blow-gun, I took it and had a practice shot which was a perfect dead-centre bulls-eye. [? Was this where I got my archery skills from?] Wondering to myself, I took out my previous amulets and to my surprise, they too had the same charging spiritual presence about them. [Wow, Reimu, you came up with new amulets? This is one for removing spirits and this? for good luck?! Why do you need that!] Gazing over my shoulder at them, Suika praised me before diving deep into the box that was labeled: Reimu?s Stuff. [This is what Marisa left you, Reimu. She said it was a gift for you when you come back.] [M? Marisa??] [You'll know when you see her, Reimu. She?s quite the character and the magician~.] When I heard the term magician, I started as the foggy image I had of her dissipated for a second, leaving me a strong impression of the Blond hair, the cheeky smile and her voice as she called to me. -- [Reimu, I will beat you next time!] -- -Girls are Preparing for the Fight of their Lives. It is certainly a curtain fire game but? The Fate of Gensokyo depends on it. Do you fear it? The Future and the Past that you seek? Grab hold of it, Young Maiden and one shall see the future and the past that you have given up. The Shrine Maiden of the Hakurei Shrine? show the others your faith! -- [Whew? I?ve made it thus far?] After leaving the Hakurei Shrine, I was clueless to where I was going and I was afraid that I would be lost if I kept off the road. Surprisingly thou, I knew exactly where we were all the time even though this was the first time I was here. No, A correction, I?ve been here before. [Oh yea, I suppose so.] Laughing to myself, I closed my eyes and concentrated inside me, hoping to find the intuition of the Shrine Maiden that Suika said I have. -- [If it is you, you would be able to find the culprit no matter where they are!] [Well, I can?t disappoint Suika?] Raising a finger to the air, I sensed for any spiritual strength around me and I found none, there were no youkai around the area to give me clues and I just shrugged and continued running through the maze of a forest that I had encountered. [? what is this feeling?] As I brushed through the branches and the leaves, I felt some sort of power that I was pushing across all the time. It did not came from the many trees that populated the area but rather from the air itself. The air seemed to be thick and as I plowed through, it materialized in a dazzling fog that was shining with different colors in the sunlight. It strongly represented the Hakurei Border, and I stopped for a moment to marvel at it?s sight. [It?s so beautiful?] [yes it is, isn?t it, Reimu.] [!!] Feeling a strong spiritual presence behind me, I turned around to find the owner of the voice and I was greeted with a blonde girl, clad in a blue blouse who was smiling at me. In her hands, she held a large book that I recognized as a Grimoire and she brushed her hair up, revealing that it was held in place by a pretty white hair-band. [? Reimu? do you? remember me?] As she walked closer, I found myself not being afraid of her but rather intimidated by her looks. She was very beautiful and had a beautiful figure but one thing still struck out. Her eyes were crystal blue in color but they appeared to be strained and she was shaking very subtly. [A-Al?] [? It?s Alice, Alice Margatroid, Reimu.] Smiling in relief as I recognized her, Alice ran forward and hugged me before planting a kiss on my cheeks for good measure. [Welcome back, Reimu.] [Thank you?] The petite girl that was named Alice, she was not human, that I was know as I could sense strong spiritual powers coming from her. [Y? you are youkai?] [Yes I am, you must not have remembered quite a lot?] Sighing, Alice nonetheless smiled as she gestured to the rainbow cloud in front of us before turning back at me. [Such a wonderful sight? a beautiful sight worthy of the both of us seeing?] [? mm..] [? It is a wonderful thing, the seven colors that seemed to resemble me?but they are fading away? fading away as I speak? I? I might not be the Seven Colored Puppeteer any longer, Reimu] [!!] Sensing her pain, I held on to her as she suddenly collapsed to the floor, mumbling as she said so. [S-Shanghai? get Shanghai for me?] [Shanghai?] Weakly, Alice pushed her book to me before imploring me to get Shanghai for her. [Please Reimu? it must be fate that you found me? please, get Shanghai and save her?she?s?] Falling into a faint, Alice collapsed and I finally nodded to her request as I placed her on the floor in a comfortable position. [? Oh no? she might get attacked?] Reminded of the warning by Suika that youkai might attack me, I clapped my hands together and prayed to the spirits nearby. [Please, spirits of the forest hear my call? My friend, Alice is weak and powerless by herself? May you? I beg of all of you, to protect and watch over her?] Drawing a circle around her, I focused on the spiritual power around and channeled it through me to the circle around Alice. It was a risky gamble as I did not know the extent of my powers but it worked as a green glow appeared to circle around Alice. [Thank you? Spirits of the Forest!] Running off in the direction that I thought of immediately, I held on to Alice?s book tightly to my chest as I looked around for Shanghai, the mystery person that I was supposed to find. [Shanghai? SHANGHAI!!] -- Calling out her name, I paused for a second as I suddenly recognized a path that I had came across. [This? is Alice?s Home!!] Coming into a conclusion as I followed the path, I just placed all my heart and soul into running and in a split second, I reached a clearing. [Shanghai?] Looking at the western themed house in front of me, I cautiously approached as the mist was thick around this parts, if I get ambushed here, I would not stand a chance. The garden was as well kept as I had remembered it to be and I winced as I felt a sharp pain rock my mind. [Ow? that really hurts?] Falling to my knees, I noticed that my hand was touching something and I pulled it up, only to get the shock of my life. [Aiie!!] In my hands was a headless doll, it?s stuffing spewed all around the floor and as the fog cleared around me, I saw many of the same scene scattered around Alice?s house. [Shanghai?] As I clutched on to a doll, I got up to my feet but I was overwhelmed by a sudden flashback. -- [Say, Reimu? This is the reason I?m better than you!!] [Is this it?] Dodging the bullets that Alice shot at me, I grinned as I flicked a finger on Shanghai, Alice?s doll to make it?s aim go way off before grabbing it and threatening Alice with it. [I?ve got Shanghai! Stop your fire or I will twist it?s neck off!] [AHH! Shanghai! Give it back to me, Reimu!!] -- Shanghai is a doll? With that vision, I slowly got up, my faith renewed and I announced my intentions to the spirits around me. [I shall be entering your house now, Alice!] Diving for the door, I at the same time avoided the barrage of bullets that was shot at me from the top of the small house. The tiny sized bullets shot through the earth and as I slammed the door behind me, I could still feel the heat that they had emitted as I narrowly grazed them. [If? if this is what Suika meant by dodging them? I might die!] Sighing as I nervously opened the door again, I slammed it back when I saw the small figure that lowered itself from the rooftop. It?s eyes were shining red in color and it scared me as it slowly advanced like a zombie toward?s it?s prey, holding it?s tiny arms out stretched. [I? Is that Shanghai?] The doll that was hovering dangerously outside looks remarkably like Alice. It had blonde hair and orange eyes and was wearing a long purple dress that was covered with a white apron. It looked very adorable, if it was not coming after my life. Raising it?s arms, it summoned another army of dolls behind it and with a single command, called for me to come out. [Come out, Red-white!! I do not want to destroy Mistress?s Home! Come out!!] Looks like Shanghai is more worried for the house than my own personal well-being. Trying not to laugh, I dropped the grimoire to the floor and to my utmost surprise, it was unlocked and the book fell wide open to a page Alice has marked in it. [!!] Written on the book was both her?s and Shanghai?s name but it was written in her blood. The title of the chapter was: [Equivalent Exchange: Chapter Four; the Price] Discovering that stunned me but as I picked up the book, numerous lasers struck all around the house and I shrieked in surprised. It seems diving into the house when I sensed danger was the right thing to do after all but this was getting nowhere and I called back to her. [A-Alright.. Shanghai? I? I give up!!] Pushing the grimoire out the door, I came out of it with my hands raised above me and waited for any further instructions from the tiny doll. The last I remembered of shanghai was that Shanghai? ? -- [Reimu, one day I will make an independent doll. That is a promise between us, Reimu.] -- Shanghai couldn?t speak, right? [Shanghai!!] Calling out it?s name as the doll army poked me with their tiny lances, I pushed the grimoire closer to the doll before telling her the message that Alice wanted me to tell her. [Shanghai! Alice wanted me to find you, she?s hurt!] [?] Pausing as she looked at the book and then at me, Shanghai gave me a suspicious look as she crossed her arms and told the doll army to back off. [BY YOU, NO DOUBT! DOLL ARMY KILL HER!] [!!!] Closing my eyes, I waited for the end as all the dolls just readied their lances. [Eh?] Once again, fate has intervened as all the dolls suddenly stopped and started fizzing around their heads. [WHAT'S WRONG!!!] Panicking, Shanghai grabbed a lance from one of the malfunctioning dolls before lunging towards me, hatred and anger evident in her eyes. [Oh no you don?t!!] Dodging her attack, I grabbed Shanghai?s collar and lifted her up in the air with one fluid motion of my hand. As I did so, I felt strong spiritual power within her. [? Shanghai? did Alice know you can move?] [? No.] [? W-Wait a minute?] Looking closely at her, I came to a sudden conclusion and started sprinting away from the spot. [Where are you taking me, you red-white!!] [Shanghai, you? you couldn?t have!] Fearing the impossible, I pulled out an amulet and placed it on Shanghai?s forehead and chanted a small charm. [Tell me your name, the owner of the soul you carry? a doll you are but? a doll you are not!!] A doll is an empty vessel that can contain spirits, just like an effigy and it can be used to curse people. My body is a vessel too, a vessel to contain my soul. Alice?s plans always failed as in order for a doll to move of it?s own will, it must create a conscious mind whether intelligent or not. But? the spirit that I sensed in the little doll? it couldn?t be. [Shanghai.. a? are you Alice?] --

WRATHIE_Beatrice: Author's Note: I updated the Banner, it is a spoiler.. but as it has ended, i figure it doesn't matter ^^ -- -- Staring at the little doll, I chanted the spell again as I tried to reaffirm what I had suspected, that Alice?s soul was somehow being absorbed by the tiny doll. [No I am not!! I am SHANGHAI!!] A doll wouldn?t be able to speak unless Alice wills it to and Shanghai is not able to as Alice is so far away? not to mention that she has no vocal cords. This is magic and magic is not among Shanghai?s abilities!! -- [Say Alice, what can Shanghai do?] [Well, she can do anything I want it to do as I channel my magic through her.] -- [Shanghai, tell me the truth!!] Desperately, I racked my mind for where I had left Alice while I held the little doll in my arms. Wrapping my fingers around her all the time, I stopped her from doing anything at all as her arms were unable to free themselves, being stubby little extensions sewed on to the body. [I AM SHANGHAI! LET ME GO!!] [I?m bringing you to Alice, Shanghai! Keep quiet or the Youkai will hear us!!] I am remembering more and more of Gensokyo as I walked around this land. It was like a journey of discovery spurred on by Suika. Things that I have forgotten were slowly coming back to me, if only in small details but I do remember know Alice and Shanghai. The two of them? we were friends, although Shanghai was a doll then. [NO! I DO NOT WANT TO SEE AL-] Stopping suddenly, Shanghai looked away as I glared at her, my suspicions confirmed. [You leave me with no choice? Shanghai. As the Shrine Maiden of the Hakurei Shrine, I have to remove the spirit you have stolen from Alice.] Reaching for my gohei, I tapped Shanghai?s forehead with it and chanted to the spirits around me once more. -- [Spirits of the Forest, I beseech you to listen to my selfish request once more? my friend, who had lost her soul to the vessel she cherished the most? she might have wished; to allow her greatest treasure? to follow her for as long as she can? But? not in this manner, spirits!! I beseech all of you, to grant her wish in a different manner!!] Feeling a large surge of spiritual power enter me again, I touched Shanghai?s forehead and light exploded from her every pore, blinding me momentarily as I gritted my teeth and slowly pulled at the glowing form that was coming out of Shanghai?s little body. [? ?] Till the end, the little doll did not as much as struggled as it looked at me with it?s orange eyes. It must have dawned on her too that if she kept the body that she has now, she will cause the death of her owner. Alice has unwittingly given her soul to Shanghai, so she could move. It must have felt fine at first but it finally weakened her till she was close to losing her powers. The Glittering Cloud that Alice and I had witnessed earlier must be her source of energy, the last source of energy that she had left before her whole soul would be given to Shanghai. Equivalent exchange; the price for a soul to be given to the Soul of another would undoubtedly be another Soul. [Alice you dummy!!] -- -- Shanghai? Shanghai? Calling out to my favorite doll, I placed a hand on my chest and waited for death to take me away from this helpless state that I had carved out myself. It might be a curse? a curse that I had inflicted on myself. Oh well, I guess? this is what I deserve? after all the time I was sacrificing all my dolls. All the talk about, my dolls are my life? looking after them were my life. But weren?t they? my tools too? My slaves? They fought for me, not because they wanted to? but because? they had to. They sacrificed themselves for me, not because they want to. But? Because they have to. How can I face anyone who says that I love my dolls? And Reimu, she came back? I must thank her? for coming back to see me? even if there is nothing she can do, if she figures it out. After all, I will never admit that she is stronger than me, not in a million years will I do that? Haha? it seems that I will end this way? My dream would not be realized.. I.. I won't surpass her... -- [? Alice?] Sitting beside the motionless Alice, I placed Shanghai beside her before I looked at her again. She had moved herself so that she was facing the sky that could be seen peeping through the gaps in the canopy and I shook my head at the effort that she had put into it. After releasing Alice?s broken soul from Shanghai, Shanghai had returned to normal, a doll and I hurriedly ran back to where Alice was to check on her. Thankfully she was fine and I breathed a sigh of relief that the barrier was still present around her. The first connection between the truth was when I first looked at Alice?s Eyes, They were blue instead of the familiar Orange and I had wondered what had happened so. They turn blue when she is angry or when she is extremely powerful but Alice was weak and losing her powers even as she spoke to me. The magical cloud that I had seen was her powers and it was being drained away from her, thus her comment on being the seven colored puppeteer. [? Thank goodness? if I were a second slower?you might have really died? Alice? well then.] Shaking my head at her foolishness, I wanted to do something for her too and I placed another amulet on Shanghai?s head before placing a hand on her chest and waving my gohei with the other. [? Grant my friend this wish, oh spirits of the forest? You must have watched over her as she lived her all her life? her power is your powers and despite herself, she wishes for company? Spirits who can hear me, I beseech you to answer her call? Give this doll life, one of yours? RETURN ANIMATENESS!!] Recalling one spell that Alice tried to use, I was surprised when a slip of paper flew from her pocket and activated itself in a blinding flash of light. [?] When the spell ended, a light glow surrounded Shanghai and as I watched, a tiny spirit flew up beside it and bowed to me. [? are you? one who will be Alice?s friend?] I had spoken with countless spirits before but they all did not reply me as vigorously as this little one did. Flying all around Shanghai, it seemed to be satisfied with the tiny body and nodded to me. [? don?t tell Alice that I did this? alright?] Smiling as I touched the tiny spirit on it?s head, I got up and started to leave when Shanghai, no, the tiny spirit grabbed me by the sleeve and shook it?s head. [No, Shanghai? you are Alice?s friend now? keep her company? okay?] Pushing the tiny doll away from me, I took my leave and started running in the other direction, a direction from which I smelt water and strong spiritual presence abound. -- -- -- Walking along the path that my instincts told me to, I passed a small spring and I decided to take a break there to have a small drink. [?] The memory of me drinking from that spring came to mind and I laughed as I took off my slippers and soaked my long suffering feet in the spring. It had been a while since I had ran for such a long distance and I was quite tired. Saving the world is hard work and taking a small break would not hurt? As I looked all around me, I felt that I was reliving my past as I ran around Gensokyo. More faces were familiar to me now, Alice, Suika and? ... ... Watching the sky and the clouds drift too and fro, I felt at peace with the world in more ways than one. In the Hakurei Shrine where I spent my days, the sky were beautiful but I never expected the skies of Gensokyo to be so clear and beautiful. They were absolutely stunning as I could even make out the spirits that were floating about in the air. In Gensokyo, spirits are a common sight and that made me felt at ease even more. When I was home, sometimes I know I am different, isolated from the small town that I made weekly visits to. They were not friends but rather associates that spoke briefly when we met. Think of it in this perceptive. A week is not that long, it is seven days, 168 Hours, 10080 minutes or 604800 seconds long. With my small weekly visit, which might take a maximum of ten minutes, that is not even a fraction of their time at all. How many things could I learn from them while being isolated from the Shrine? How many people could I be familiar with while being away at the shrine, minding the responsibilities of the Shrine? [? I have family here?] Perhaps that is the reason I came with Suika here. The mere thought of someone being my family was enough for me to abandon the life that I had lived. I was lonely? [? Perhaps, I was afraid too? that people know of me being able to see spirits?] If they knew I could see spirits, I would likely be rejected from the people of the Town. Even with my status as a Shrine Maiden, being a deviant is never a good thing? Attention would seek for me and I was never an attention seeker in the first place? I just? Want to be normal? Is that a crime? [Ah? let?s go?] Deciding that a five minute breather was enough, I got up and started walking down the path again. The path was stony and very little travelled, as seen by the lack of maintenance; which reminded me of another thing, I had not seen a single human up till now. Perhaps they were further ahead? [?Youkai are everywhere thou?] True to my words, youkai were everywhere. There were some playing about in the fields, some of them drifting lazily in the air current and some of them just popping their heads from the trees in which they reside to look at me. Like scared animals, those fairy like youkai ran away when their eye-contact clashed with mine. [They are so cute? but they are youkai.] Like caged animals, youkai are wild and we don?t even know whether they have any rationality or any memory of sorts. They could really be wild animals; just that they can never die and is formed out of beliefs and of spiritual power. [? Speaking of spiritual power?] Muttering to myself as another large lake came into view, I reached into my sleeves to draw out one of my amulets, which was the one I had placed on Shanghai?s head. It was an amulet used to help in possession by forcing the spirit out of the spirit by creating a barrier that will expel the spirit out of the body. I did not know that it will so successful as this was the first time I had actually tried it out in a doll. All the other attempts involved people who wanted the spirit to be out of their bodies, thus it was much easier as both our combine efforts would make it easy for the spirit to be removed. Once a spirit is too attached to a body, the harder it is for the exorcist which is me, to conduct it. Shanghai must be very willing to return as the Alice?s spirit and power was quickly restored to it. Perhaps it still retained some of Alice?s Memories as well as I could have sworn I heard Shanghai cry while I was holding her. [Well, at least there is someone with Alice now?] -- [? How am I going to cross this lake?] Looking at the gigantic expanse of water, I was troubled as to what to do. Beyond the lake was a great white mansion with an European clock tower that held some youkai that had enormous power. If I recalled accurately, Marisa?s hat was found here, no matter who Marisa is, she is my friend, a friend that I had lost with me memories and I was going to save her. Rule One of the Miko: Do not just think of yourself Reminded of that rule, I slapped myself and sat down on a nearby rock to complement my thoughts. Why was I here? What should I do? And is it right? Up till now, all my actions were not for me but for others and I was happy about that fact too. Serving others is a Shrine Maiden?s Job. Before I had knew it, I was serving the spirits and the people and now? the world. But I am happy about it? [? Let?s go? time to find a way to get pass this lake.] Looking at the waves that were crashing up to shore and the murky, muddy water, I knew swimming was not an option and I would probably drown before I get half-way across. [? maybe I can borrow a boat?] Looking around, I gave up almost immediately as there was no human in sight, not even shadows of a human like me. [? well? guess I have to swim after all?] Shaking my head, I decided against it again and attempted to walk along the shoreline to find a way pass the river. [Well, I suppose I can always call upon a spirit? but that would be cheating?] Communicating with the spirits takes a lot out of me in the past but as I slowly cultivated myself, speaking and praying with spirits had became very much easier and for me now, it is a sort of routine for me. I take it very seriously as usual but at times, I wonder what it would be like to actually have a conversation with a spirit just for that, a casual conversation.   My calling for spirits usually involves speaking to the Great spirit that resides in the Hakurei Shrine, a spirit who has been there for hundreds of years to bless worshippers and to forgive them for their mistakes. Charms for repelling curses, amulets for good luck etc all is gone through the process of speaking with the Spirits, thus our role: We serve the spirits and they serve us. Actually it?s more of the spirits serving us and we doing the housework for them? But as I stressed, spirits are embodiments of faith, beliefs and spiritual power. Spiritual power is a source of energy that is within a person and is formed when one tunes himself or herself to nature. It allows man and nature to coexists in harmony and is also known as Qi or aura to some people. It is a natural process that everyone has spiritual power but what differs is how one uses the power. People might unconsciously give out lots of Spiritual power just by being happy, making it a lively atmosphere for everyone. Spirits are embodiment of that power and it takes form only when it is attached to a belief. Fear for example creates the most spirits, as many people fear snakes, it is logical for many snake spirits to form as all of the spirits that were exhaled and given out will collect to become spirits. However, the people turned to science and stopped believing in gods and spirits to protect themselves, thus the amount of spiritual power decreased as a result of people becoming more and more uncaring and does not like to exist peacefully with one another. It is such a shame that it has come to this state in the Hakurei Shrine? but I always do my best to retain faith and harmony around the people. [Who goes there!!] Hearing someone call out to me, I looked all around me for the source of the voice but turned upped with nothing. [WAIT, I REMEMBER YOU, YOU?RE THE RED-WHITE!] Hearing the scream, I was startled when a couple of icicles rained down on me and I hurriedly took a step back. [? W-Wha?] Flying on top of me was another fairy but this fairy has a stronger and larger physical body then the rest. Wearing a blue one-pieced dress, she had matching hair and eyes with a green ribbon tied on her hair. Her wings were unique as it was shaped liked an icicle. [? What are you doing there?! I know! You came to ambush Cirno!] [Cirno, is that your name?] Looking at her, I found that she was quite adorable and I smiled up at the little fairy, something which she did not expect at all. [W-Why are you smiling at cirno, Red-white?! Cirno is Cirno. Cirno is the ice-fairy of the lake.] [? Okay, Cirno? You?re the ice-fairy of the lake.] [Yes, Cirno is the ice-fairy of the lake! The ONLY ice-fairy of the lake!] Sticking her chest out proudly, Cirno flew down towards me before staring at me fiercely. [What does the Red-white wants with Cirno! Did she come to pay Cirno a visit?] [? Well? Not exactly? and why are you calling me Red-White?] [Red-White is Red-white! Cirno remembers you!] [? Do I know you?] Tilting my head in confusion and staring at her, I racked my brain for an answer as I paced all around her, looking at her distinct features as I did so? [?] For some reason, this tiny blue fairy did not come into mind when I hear the name Cirno? -- [DON?T YOU CALL ME AN IDIOT!! CIRNO IS THE STRONGEST!!] -- [? the strongest?] [YES, CIRNO IS THE STRONGEST AND CIRNO WILL PROVE IT!!] I must have hit a sore sport as the ice fairy suddenly dived at me with her teeth bearing out at me. The sight of the tiny ice fairy being so vicious shocked me and I was unable to dodge in time and she collided head first into my stomach and the both of us rolled around in the dirt for a second. [Ow?] Getting my wind back first, I rubbed my head and dusted my miko outfit off before looking at the sprawled out ice-fairy beside me. She was knocked out with her face buried in the dirt and I laughed at her pitiful sight before pulling out of the dirt and shaking her awake. She was real tiny, just a tad bigger than Shanghai and an attitude and ego that was way above her small frame could ever contain. [?] Looking at her dazed expression, I tried once again to remember who she was. I know her, sort of? there were pieces in my recovering memory that contained her but I just could not place her. [? well. Rest for now.] Placing her near a small rock, I jumped up on another and scanned the whole area for any clues to where I was. The Large Mansion was still visible over the thick fog but it was hopeless to get across there without some kind of help. The surroundings were familiar but it seem different somehow, as if I was viewing them from a long way away instead of in such close proximity. As I looked at the Mansion, I was reminded of Maids and Door Guards for no particular reason and I chided myself for being so foolish. [? there wouldn?t be any maids here..] [CIRNO IS MAD!] [Ahh?] Crying out as the ice-fairy somehow rejuvenated herself in a matter of seconds, she sat up and glared fiercely around her before tilting her head in confusion. [Why is Cirno mad?? And where is Red-White?] I was just above her eye-level and she couldn?t see me from where she was. Cirno must not be that bright after all as I just sighed and laughed softly. [?ha ha~] Hearing my voice, Cirno looked up and saw me and the way her face contorted totally blew the cute out of Cirno as she lunged at me again. [RED-WHIITE WILL PAY!!] [Ahh? AH no!] Jumping away just in the nick of time, I paused and looked up at her before I called out. [Cirno, I don?t want to hurt you!] [RED-WHITE IS TREATING CIRNO AS AN IDIOT! CIRNO IS NOT! CIRNO IS NOT!] Throwing a temper tantrum in the air, Cirno wheeled around for a moment before she raised her arms up and shouted at me. [CIRNO WILL MAKE RED-WHITE PAY!! ICE SIGN: ICICLE FALL] Is? this danmaku? Running from the ice-fairy as she threw blocks of ice at me, I barely scrapped it through when a large icicle block smashed to the ground beside me, causing dirt to fly everywhere. [A-ah!!] Diving back again as a stream of small icicles were coming straight at me, I took cover behind a large boulder and screamed when they riddled the boulder full of little holes. It was like a pin cushion when I left it, riddled with tiny holes that the icicles had made in them. [Well, it?s just that when the other side declare the spell-card, you have to dodge and graze every single one of them before hitting them. That?s about it.] Suika?s words came to haunt me again and I wanted to scream at her at not warning me about the danger that will involve danmaku play. [Well? at least it?s just one spell?] Breathing a sigh of relief that at least it was quite easy to avoid all the icicles, I suddenly leapt back on to a fallen icicle to face Cirno. Up till now, Cirno was still mad and when she saw me doing that, her face turned red in anger and she screamed at me again. [RED-WHITE WILL PAY! ICE SIGN: ICICILE FALL!] Ready for the attack, I leapt from that particular icicle to the other and reached into my sleeves for my blow gun. [? I?m sorry Cirno!] It was like shooting fish in a barrel as I shot a stream of tiny needles straight at Cirno before diving down for cover as the larger icicles struck where I was momentarily. [OW! THAT HURT!] Hearing her cry of pain, I wrongly assumed that that had taken care of her and popped my head out, only to see Cirno trembling with rage as she raised both her hands up. [RED-WHITE!!!] [Ah? No?] Watching in shock and disbelief as tens and hundreds of icicles form above her, I muttered a curse and started running for as fast as my legs can carry me. [AHHH!!!] -- The sounds of icicles crashing behind me never ceased at all even when I ran back towards the place where I first met Cirno. I was panting like crazy after running a crazy marathon around the edges of the leg. Even now I could still hear Cirno?s enraged cries as I made yet another fast turnaround another icicle. Cirno has conveniently modeled her icicles to fall with gaps between them for me to hide between them and it was like a maze, a maze that I could not hope to get out of. For a few times I had dodged away from sight and launched a few needles at her but they seemed to bear no effect what so ever. Amulets would be a much better choice but they kept being knocked out of air by Cirno?s small ice needles. If this kept up, I will definitely be killed. [What?s with the spell-card rule? I don?t have any?] My sentence trailing off, I sighed when I remembered that I did have spell cards, it was just that I did not know how to use them. [? and the yin-yang orbs, I still do not know how too? Well? I just have to make the best out of it.] Drawing my blow-gun again, I dived behind yet another icicle as Cirno circled passed me, calling out my name as she did so. [RED-WHITE! We are not playing hide-seek! We are danmaku-ing!!] Giggle at the term: [Danmaku-ing], I readied myself and did a spectacular roll behind Cirno and shot her at the back once again. [OW!] This time however, I threw a few amulets between me and her and muttered: [BORDER!] The two slips of paper converged to form a small barrier between us and that effectively stopped all the ice-needles that she threw at me. [?] It was an amulet that I recognized among the lot that Suika gave me, it was used primarily as a sort of prevention for spirits and who knew it would be so effective. [Red-white. Cirno is the strongest!] Sensing something was wrong when Cirno never even faltered at the sight of the tables being turned, I was about to take off again when Cirno pulled out another slip of paper and declared. [ICE SIGN: PERFECT FREEZE!] [?!!!!] Realizing too late, I felt the area around me starting to freeze and I fell to my knees, numbness hitting me from all parts of the body. [??! ?] [HAH! RED-WHITE WILL DIE TODAY!] [? heh..] Feeling my strength leave me, I recalled someone telling me that a second lost might be a difference between life and death. How fitting? Kneeling on the Ground in front of the Ice-fairy, it must have looked as if I was praying to her, praying to Cirno, the ice-fairy. I should have been mad, mad at myself for losing to her but I didn?t? I had underestimated her and underestimated the Spell Card rules and of course, I had overestimated myself. The moment that I had been challenged by Cirno, I had not given a thought on how I was supposed to defeat her or even stop the battle from starting. After my previous success in helping Alice, talking with spirits and usage of the amulets, I must have gotten cocky all of a sudden and over confident in my abilities. The words of encouragement that Suika had told me: [Reimu never loses] must have gotten into my head and made me accept this battle immediately. [Never be proud, you are serving the people, Reimu.] My teacher?s teaching once more rang inside me and I swore, swore loudly inside me that I had made so many mistakes, forgotten so many teachings within such a short time. I really am changing? [CIRNO IS THE STRONGEST!] [? yes, you are? you are the strongest? huh?] Watching helplessly as she formed thousands and thousands of small ice needles around her and me, I just shook my head and laughed. [Well, nothing like being bested by someone better than you?] -- [Rule Three of the Spellcard System: It shall Negate The Doctrine of absolute Power.] [/b] -- [? what use is of remembering that?] -- [I?ll get you Red-white! One day I shall make you pay!!] [Okay, I will be waiting, Cirno.] -- [Promises? looks like she made me pay alright?] Closing my eyes, I gingerly stood up and spread my hands apart, welcoming the barrage that will come at me. [TAKE THIS! ICE SIGN: ICICLE FALL!!] [? well, it would be rude for me not to take the invitation right?] -- [Rule Four of the Spellcard System: It is unsurpassed in beauty and in thought.] [/b] -- Opening my eyes, I leapt to the sky and willed my body to move and to move it did. [? wow? so? I can really fly?] Or so I thought as I crashed back to the earth in the next second. [OW!] But I was out of the Freezing spot and the strength returned back to my body gradually. The icicles that were aimed at me were gone behind me too and I grinned in temporary triumph as Cirno dived down at me again. [RED-WHITE!!] [Well? I?ve got nothing to lose?] -- [? What is it like to be a fairy, Cirno?] [?Cirno don?t understand what Red-white means.] Flying past the lake, I casually called out at the grumpy idiot that usually sits by herself in the middle of the lake and I flew over to wave at her. [Up to another lost, Cirno?] [RED-WHITE!! YOU!!] Looking at the lonely face is not a very happy sight and I played along with her for a while, giving in some pretense that she was getting better before I whacked her with my gohei. Truth was, she is getting better. It?s just that I am getting better faster than her. [I WILL MAKE YOU PAY, RED-WHITE!] [Later, Cirno.] -- [? Cirno, you are the strongest? right?] [Yes, Cirno is the strongest!] Remembering her face at last as the island in the middle of the lake became visible in the afternoon sun, I lowered my head and smiled at her. [Well? then I should show you how strong I am.] It?s all or nothing. If I can?t get at Cirno, she will kill me. [? Red-white?] It probably must be the first time that she was seeing me so terrified, my hands were shaking and I was trying so hard to preserve my dignity as a shrine Maiden. [It? is alright, to give in to your fears sometimes? Cirno?] Smiling, I was reminded of the time that had happened to me a long time ago. I had lied to Suika that I had gotten Air-sick and I had lied to myself saying that I had not taken an air-plane before in my life? how could I not know I get air-sick by not going on an air-craft? The reason why my teacher, the other Hakurei Maidens was gone was cause of an accident that happened in the air to cause the air-craft we were on to crash. It was a horrible, horrible incident that only I survived. Till that day on, I vowed never to get on an airplane and fly in the air again. If anyone tried to bring me on one, I would say I get air-sick? [? Cirno?] [? ??] [? Let?s Danmaku, for real.] Clenching my eyes shut, I leapt from the ledge I was to the air and just as easily as that, I flew. -- [WOAH!!] Feeling the new revelations strike me, I struggled to keep my heartbeat normal as I soared in the sky, as carefree as.. Well. A large vulture as I looked kinda silly. With my hands spread wide open, I did not really look like flying but sort of gliding as I flew along. [Aww? how am I going to steer?] Wondering that random thought, I heard Cirno cry out from behind me and I instinctively turned. [Red-white, take this again! Ice Sign: Icicle fall!] [? how many times must she do that?] Wondering to myself as the image of the icicle?s path came to me, I narrowed my eyes and dived towards the formation. Words could not describe how I knew how to fly but it is deeply rooted in my brain, kind of like riding a bicycle, once you mastered it, it is easy and natural to you. The image of the path I was supposed to take is clear in my mind too and I almost casually grazed every single Icicle to greet Cirno. [Now Cirno, this is the? AIEE!!] Losing concentration for a moment, I completely missed Cirno and instead crashed into a nearby tree. [Ow? that was really not cool?] Rubbing my head, I sighed and flew out of the tree to meet Cirno again. She had the same clueless expression she always has when I and Marisa? M-Marisa? A sudden image of her appeared in my mind and I groaned in pain and dipped down lower in mid-flight. [T-That hurt?] Seeing that I was distracted, Cirno took the opportunity to attack me again but I easily grazed all of them by twitching about in the air. [NOW!] Diving like a bullet, I reached into my sleeves for a particular ofuda that I had kept and slammed it right on Cirno?s forehead, calling out it?s incantation as I did so. [BIND!] It was a single strike, the minimum requirement to end a danmaku fight and I had done it picture perfectly as Cirno, her body paralyzed, fell from the sky. [..!!] What have I done?! Watching in horror as Cirno fell lifeless from the sky, I struggled to turn my body around and with no hesitation whatsoever dived in after her. As I approached closer and closer and with the wind screaming at me, I shielded my eyes when she plunged into the murky depths of the lake. [Cirno?! CIRNO!!] As an ice-fairy I imagined she would float but there was no body in sight even after a few seconds. [I?ve got to save her!] The binding spell will bind almost all her powers, I had forgotten about it as Cirno looked too much like a normal person? Taking a deep breath, I plunged into the depths and searched furiously for the little fairy, hoping against hope that I would be able to see at least a trace of her. [please, Cirno be fine!! I? I didn?t want a little danmaku battle to turn out like this!!] Praying deep in my heart, I stretched my arms furiously to see if I can touch anything that remotely resemble an arm or wing? or anything! [G-Gotcha!] Feeling an arm after flailing in the water for several moments, I grabbed hold of it and desperately swam for the surface with her in tow. [Whew!! Cough? cough] Breaking the surface for air, I pulled the little Ice-fairy with me to the surface and removed the ofuda from her forehead, rendering her powers back to her. [? well? what did you know? I had to swim after all?] Laughing, I towed Cirno with me as I swam for the little island in the middle of the lake; an island that I knew was Cirno?s home. -- As I watched Cirno sleeping off the shock of the water, I took the opportunity to think about what would have happened if I had lost to the little fairy in front of me. She was egoistic, very confident and very arrogant. Calling herself the strongest tend to do things to people but what about me? I call myself the Hakurei Shrine Maiden if not out of pride but of what? A shrine maiden should never be proud and always should be humble. I should be confident of my abilities and not be PROUD of my abilities as a Shrine Maiden. I recalled the instant I was flying, the jubilant feeling of being free and riding the air like it was nothing. The first experience is always the best experience of all? if I could keep that feeling everything I fly, it would be terrific. But that?s not to be? the next time I fly I would probably be excited at most and eventually? I would be accustomed to it. That is like my character, the first experience of being a Shrine Maiden will definitely be ecstatically great and I would be proud of myself. For how long could I keep the enthusiasm up as the Shrine Maiden? I wouldn?t know for sure? But as I look at Cirno, the Ice-fairy, I remembered the countless times she fired Icicle Fall at me, the same pattern and the same intensity. She never gets sick of the move and she is very confident in the move all the time, even knowing how many times I had broken the pattern, she still uses it. Perhaps I had made the wrong call in calling her arrogant. Her innocence is something that I wouldn?t have in a million years. She?s not proud or arrogant, she is just, Cirno. Well, she?s definitely not the strongest of Gensokyo, yet anyway. She?s Cirno, the Ice-Fairy of the Lake and an adorable youkai Fairy that I know. The world might not end without this little fairy, but at least there will be more color in it with her. If I lost it will be up to this little fairy to save the world then? --

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