CHAPTER 13 // Making Amends
It had been awhile since I had taken a leisurely walk through Gensokyo. I enjoyed it, though I still missed flying.
"You said that you changed your clothes, right? That looks like the same outfit you always wear."
I smiled. "It's my favourite outfit, so I have a few of them."
Reimu looked surprised. "Hmm...maybe I should start doing that. This outfit gets dirty often, and I've even had to patch it together on a few occasions." I looked over her outfit, and I did manage to find what seemed to be some homemade stitchwork here and there.
We had made it into the forest, and we were coming up on the junction that splits up in three paths. I knew that Marisa and Razu lived in this area, but I had forgotten who the other was. I was so deep in thought trying to remember, when I bumped into someone, causing the stranger to stumble backwards and fall.
"A-ah, I, um...s-sorry!" the girl stammered as she quickly got back on her feet, bowing her head several times. She was dressed in a green button-up shirt, which had yellow sleeves. She had long, red hair, topped with a yellow hat.
"A youkai! Stand back, I've got it!" Reimu jumped in front of me and reached for her talismans.
"Wait, Reimu!"
"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" The red-head put her hands over her head and ducked.
"Reimu!"
"What??"
"I don't think she means us any harm..."
"Eh?" She looked down at the cowering girl in yellow and green. "Eh...I guess you're right..."
"D-d-don't hurt me! I was only going for a walk!"
"Waaaait a second." Reimu inspected the stranger more closely. "Have we met...?"
She opened one eye and looked up at Reimu.
"Wait...aren't you that shrine maiden?" She stood up. "Oh, my...you've changed so much since I last saw you... Did you dye your hair?"
"Actually, this is my natural colour... Anyway, I'm not quite sure I remember you..."
"What? Don't you remember beating me up years ago in the mountains?"
She pondered for a moment, when suddenly...
"Youkai, ze! Watch out Reimu!"
"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
Both Reimu and I shouted. "Wait, Marisa!"
Razu came running from the direction of Marisa's place. "I heard you shout 'youkai;' is this her?"
"Don't hurt me!!"
I spoke up. "Everyone, calm the hell down already! Geez!"
"Okuu again, ze!?"
"Get away from Marisa!"
This was getting annoying. "HOLD ON A DAMN SECOND!!"
Everyone stopped.
"I have something to say...Marisa, Razu." They both focused on me, along with Reimu and the new girl. "I came here to apologize for my actions."
Razu spoke up. "You attack us without asking what our business is, try to kill me and Marisa, and even kidnapped Marisa in an attempt to lure me into a trap...and you are...'sorry'?"
I looked down. "I'll understand if you don't accept my apology..."
Everyone was quiet for a moment.
"...Raz, whaddaya think, ze?"
"...I don't know...what do you think?"
"Well...she did come without her buster...I can only assume she's completely unarmed, ze."
"Anyone searched her yet?"
"Just a wallet on her, ze." Marisa waved my wallet.
I checked my pocket. "Wha...hey!"
"Ehe."
Reimu smiled. "Wow, she's good." The newcomer covered her mouth and laughed quietly as I snatched my wallet out of her hand.
"Well," Razu smiled, "being pummeled within an inch of your life by Reimu and victimized by Marisa's kleptomanic tendencies seems like punishment enough, I suppose."
"Hey, I just couldn't help myself, ze.~"
I smiled wide. "Thank you very much! I really am sorry, thanks!"
There was yet another pause. "Well, if that's all resolved, I'm going home. See ya." With that, Reimu flew off.
"So..." I looked at the yellow-green girl." "What's your name?"
"U-Um...it's Orange..."
"Well, it's nice to meet you."
Orange smiled. "Thank you. It's not often I meet nice people..."
"Oh, um...Razu? Can you give me a lift to the geyser? My wing's broken."
Razu nodded. "Sure. Comin' with, Marisa?"
"Of course, ze!" With that, Razu turned to aim his hand toward the direction of Marisa's house, and I saw a broom ascend over the trees, and quickly fly towards Marisa as Razu guided it.
"Heads up, here it comes Marisa."
"Little closer, ze...little more...NOW!" Marisa jumped into the air, and reached below her to grab the broom just as it passed under her. "YEEE-HAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"
Razu, Orange, and I smiled as we watched Marisa take off. "Well, shall we go now, Utsuho?"
"U-um..." Orange looked at me. "C-can I go with? Erm...I can't fly..."
I glanced at Razu.
"Sure." Razu began to float, and with him, myself and Orange. Orange, being new to flight, began flailing trying to maintain her balance. As we began flying towards the geyser, she began to enjoy it more. She even began spreading her arms as if they were wings.
In the end, I still regret causing all that trouble. But hey, I was at least able to meet Orange. I was sure that we would become great friends.
"So, Orange...you ever been to Hell?"
"What!?"
// // // // //
I brought Orange to Hell with me, and introduced her to Orin. She said I had better not let the Mistresses see her until we are sure she's okay with her visiting. When Mistresses Satori and Koishi returned, that said it was okay as long as we keep her out of trouble. She still visits every now and then to this day.
On top of gaining a new friend, I learned something very important. From then on, I made sure I learned any visitor/intruder's business before trying to blast them. That...and I was a bit out of practice. I decided that I might go challenge Razu to a friendly game of danmaku sometime soon.
Oh...and the Mistresses never heard a word of the incident. Somehow, the tengu missed it, and I had decided that it would be best if they didn't know.