CHAPTER VII Eirin awoke with a loud knocks on her door. She lazily climbed out of her bed, heading towards the door. She has had a long day, and wanted a nice late afternoon nap. However, her eyes widened as she heard three quick taps on her door. This was a sign: it meant that something important as happened. She rushed to the door and quickly slid it open; a surprised Reisen was at the door, panting, and her eyes wide in fear.
“What is it?” Eirin asked rapidly.
“It’s the new patient!” Reisen exclaimed. “She’s gone!”
Reisen rushed to her clinic, into the new patient’s room. Sure enough, the bed was empty, but it was slightly warm, meaning that she just left it recently. However, Kaguya was nowhere to be found.
“Where’s princess Kaguya?” Eirin inquired dangerously.
Reisen gulped. “I… I don’t know, Eirin.”
Eirin gave a sigh. She couldn’t take anymore of this.
“Reisen, I want you to go find both of them. Bring Tewi along. I’ll sort out this mess here.”
Reisen nodded and left swiftly. Eirin shut the door behind her and slumped to the floor. First she lost Reimu, then the new patient, then Kaguya. She felt as if she was losing things one by one, and it seems as though she could not control it.
Please Reimu, Eirin pleaded in her mind, give me the strength to continue.
* * *
Maribel, Renko and Mike stepped out of the gap into the lush world of Gensokyo. The trio breathed the air deeply, as if fresh air were a rare commodity.
“I would never get tired of coming here.” Maribel remarked.
“Me too. I love the air and the breeze. No pollution, no evil modern companies. Nothing.” Renko said twirling around.
Mike said nothing, but flashed a smile.
“Alright, you guys. Enough of your honeymoon.” Yukari chided. “Our first goal is to find that little sister of yours Mike, only then may we proceed with our plan. Now, where do you think she ran off to?”
Mike looked thoughtful for a moment. His little sister loved anything associated with greenery. Greenery… She had a special preference for bamboo. Hopefully he would be able to find her in Eientei.
“Eientei.” Mike said. “However, as this is my little sister, it is none of your concern. I will find her myself, and bring her back home if necessary.”
“Very well, suit yourself.” Yukari said. “Meet me at my house when you do find her, then we can decide what to do. Renko, Maribel, come with me.”
With that, Mike split westward. Yukari and the rest went north.
* * *
The missing patient, also known as Mioku, stumbled across the forest. She had previously awaked in a random bed with princess-like person by her side, and she hated consorting with people she didn’t know. She was alone, afraid, and did not know where she was. All she wanted was to see her big brother again. As she ran through the forest, she tripped over a vine, and she flew out of the forest next to a large lake. She looked up, and saw a strange band of people, about four of them. They looked human, but they had interesting features. Two had wings, one had antennae and one was shrouded in faded darkness. She looked down as she realized they spotted her, and prayed as hard as she could that they wouldn’t eat her.
“Hey! Who is this? She is so cute!” The one with pink hair exclaimed as she saw her.
“Is she human? She doesn’t look like it, considering her clothes.” The girl with green hair said.
“Hello? You okay?” The blue haired girl asked.
Mioku picked herself up cautiously. These weren’t like the fairies she met last time. The ones she had met were heavily hostile. At least these ones were nice, in a certain way.
“My name is Cirno, and I’m the STRONGEST!” The blue haired girl said.
“I’m Mystia.” The bird-girl said, bowing.
“Wriggle here.” The green-haired girl said.
“I’m Rumia~” The girl who was shrouded in darkness said.
Mioku said nothing. She didn't like strangers. She shifted her weight slightly, as if about to run.
“Are you… a magician or something?” Wriggle asked.
For once, Mioku looked at her outfit. She was wearing a blue knee-high skirt, along with blouse with patches of blue and insignias all over. She was shocked. Just moments before she fainted, she remembered wearing her school uniform. Now it was a very different outfit. Mioku smiled inside. It was beautiful.
“Uh… you still with us?” Mystia said, waving a hand in front of Mioku’s face.
Mioku made a split second decision. It was either to travel alone, or with these fairies. She decided that it was better to travel in a party, and maybe she could battle those bad fairies. Mioku gave a smile. Maybe then she wouldn’t be so underestimated anymore.
“My name is Mioku.” She finally said. “Nice to meet you all.”
* * *
Mike reached Eientei in no time flat. It seemed deserted, but as he knocked on the door, an arrow whizzed past him, missing him by a narrow margin.
“Who are you, and state your business here.” Eirin said sternly, readying another arrow.
Mike turned to face her.
“My name is Mike, a human. How about you?”
“Eirin. I’m the doctor of this clinic. State your business here.”
“I’m wondering if you saw a little girl with long blond hair, around the age of fourteen. She’s my little sister, you see.” Mike explained.
Eirin’s muscles stiffened. That was the missing patient. She let down her bow and walked forward.”
“That was your little sister? Well, you need to do your job as an older brother better. She was beaten almost half to death, you see. However, she recovered.”
“Really?” Mike said in surprise, not knowing whether to be happy or sad. “Can I see her?”
“She ran out of the clinic, but I won’t tell you were she ran off to, especially to such an irresponsible older brother such as you.” Eirin sneered.
“Listen, Eirin. I believe you crossed a line there.” Mike said, his fist clenching slightly.
“Really? What can a mere human do to me? It’s not like you can beat me in terms of magic…”
Eirin got her answer in the form of a blow to the head. She doubled up and back flipped, landing on her feet. She readied her bow as Mike readied his glowing sword, Excalibur.
“Now this is getting more interesting…” Eirin remarked.
Is this really one of the outside youkai? Eirin thought.
Is he really the older brother? No, it cannot be. This is a trick. Watch over me, Reimu, as I shall fight for Gensokyo!* * *
Marisa landed at the front steps of an underground mansion. She had flew far in search of this place, and decided to let herself in. She pushed the door quietly, hoping not to make much noise. She tiptoed quietly to the study room, where there were several bookcases along the wall.
“What are you doing here?” A sharp voice was heard.
Marisa spun around, jumping backward slightly as she came face to face with a short purple haired girl. It was Satori, and Marisa was relieved she could find her easily without trouble.
“I need to see Orin.” Marisa explained briefly.
“What for?” Satori inquired.
“I get it that you got Alice’s note.”
Satori nodded slowly.
“Reimu is dead, and I don’t care how I am going to revive her, but I need Orin to find Reimu’s soul. That will bring me one step closer to reviving her.” Marisa dug her ear. “It’s not much, but at least it’s a start.”
“That’s not going to be easy.” A soothing voice was heard outside the door.
A girl with red hair tied up in braids with cat ears entered, spirits hovering around her head.
“As I have said, it is no easy matter. Reimu has been dead for over 12 hours. Her soul is now lost in the Chasm of Souls.” Orin explained. “However, it is still possible to look for her soul, but it will take a while.”
“How long will it take you to find it?” Marisa asked.
“Well, about 12 hours at very best. If I were to get interrupted in the process, however, I would have to restart the searching process.”
Marisa chewed her lip. 12 hours was a long time, and those youkai from outside of the border may come anytime soon. However, for her friend’s sake, she had to find that soul.
“I’ll follow you and protect you at the Chasm of Souls.” Marisa said. “Find Reimu’s soul immediately.”
“Take Utsuho with you.” Satori added.
“Alright.” Orin said, leading Marisa out the back door. They stopped at a large chasm, where Utsuho was waiting for them. Marisa grabbed Utsuho by the collar, slamming her down to the floor.
“I have half a mind to kill you here right now.” Marisa threatened, holding the mini-Hakerro in front of Utsuho’s face. Utsuho gave a look of sheer terror, not knowing what to do.
“She didn’t mean it.” Satori reminded Marisa, climbing down the steps.
Marisa sighed. “Whatever.” Marisa said, letting go of Utsuho’s collar, who cautiously picked herself up and followed Orin to the chasm.
When Marisa peered into the chasm, there was a sea of glowing blue. She looked at Orin, whose eyes were glazed as she chanted in an unknown language. Suddenly, the sea of souls rose up to form a wall. Marisa looked at Orin, who was quickly scanning through the large wall of souls with her eyes.
“Let the search begin…” Marisa muttered under her breath, her right hand gripping the mini-Hakerro tightly.
