Frame of the Undying Fortitude (finished)

~Hakurei Shrine~ > Kosuzu's Grand Bookstore

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An Odd Sea Slug:
***
A few minutes later, the group of four was in Marisa?s kitchen chowing down on the freshly peeled oranges. Wriggle?s bandages had finally been changed, and everyone?s stomachs no longer emanated with the sounds of hungry growling. Mystia returned to her futon, while Alice sat about knitting the dresses of her two fellow youkai (with help from her dolls). Wriggle eventually stepped into Marisa?s kitchen while still snacking on an orange, to find the black witch herself cleaning some dishes while wearing a rag over her hair. She seemed sort of like she desired to ask Marisa something?

?Excuse me? Marisa-sama??? asked the firefly girl, a serious and somewhat solemn expression on her face.

?Hm? Yeah kid? Ya need somethin??? answered Marisa.

?Well? This may sound a bit strange? But I have come to a realization: Mystia wouldn?t have been so badly hurt had I been able to battle against our enemy better??

?Wishin? you were more powerful huh? I?ve been there before??

?Indeed. The events of last night reminded me of my own mortality, along with Mystia?s. If there is any chance at all I can protect her, then I?d like nothing better to have it!? said Wriggle, with a determined look.

?But what do you want me to do? Wait? Unless?? said Marisa, looking off to the side with an uneasy smile.

?I know time is of the essence, and it is surely untactful of me to ask such a thing, but is there anything at all you could teach me?? begged Wriggle. ?Surely there is something you could teach in just a short time?!?

Marisa put her left hand on her hip and her right hand on her chin inquisitively.

?Well? I do believe there is one thing I could teach you? There?s just a very small issue though that you?ll have to be tight lipped about, ze??

?If it is a secret that I must keep, then I shall keep it.? promised Wriggle.

Marisa leaned close to Wriggle?s head and whispered.

?Okay? I will teach you something I think you could learn very quickly to become stronger? Just don?t tell the shrine maiden. She won?t be very happy with me if she were to get word that I?m training a youkai that has a history of attacking humans.?

?But of course.? acknowledged Wriggle, nodding her head quickly.

?Also, if I find out that some of my knowledge was used to attack a human? Let?s just say I won?t be to happy, okay?? said Marisa, smiling.

?Very well. I?ll keep that in mind next time I challenge a human or vice-versa.?

?Excellent! Just follow me.? said Marisa, as she took off her rag, redid her braid, and toward the front door.

?Oh, thank you Marisa-Senpai! You have my gratitude for this favor!? said Wriggle thankfully and happily with a bow before following Marisa.

?Hey, just call me Marisa. That alone will be fine.?

?If you wish.?

***
It wasn?t long until Marisa (who had put her hat back on) had led Wriggle behind her house, into a very small clearing surrounded by trees. The ground was littered with bushes, twigs, and of course, grass. But there was also signs of magic being used in the form of burn spots on the ground, and damaged tree trunks throughout. In front of her, Wriggle could see several tree trunks, along with the magic charred remains of humanoid shapes made from burlap and straw. Several however still stood, handing via sticks that were stuck into the ground with their ?arms? spread out.

?Now then, are you ready?? asked Marisa, as she turned to face Wriggle.

?I am.? nodded the night bug.

Marisa nodded her head in acknowledgement, then raised her right index finger into the air while closing her eyes.

?Laser cannon? ?is not difficult.? she began.

Wriggle was silent, not sure of how to respond. Marisa answered by cupping her hands forward in front of her.

?Take your arms like this.? said the black witch simply.

?Um?? muttered Wriggle as she did as she was told. ?Okay??

?Concentrate your mind??

Wriggle nodded in acknowledgement, now with a determined and focused look on her face. She briefly closed her eyes as she took a deep breath and cleared her mind.

?Mutter the spell tenderly? Think ?Laser Cannon?.?

?Laser cannon?? whispered Wriggle.

Small, green, barely noticeable specks of energy began building up in Wriggle?s cuffed hands, though whether or not she was aware of the building power was unclear. Marisa stepped out of the way, and pointed meaningfully at one of the still standing target practice dummies.

?Aim at someone you don?t like?? instructed the witch.

Wriggle found the command a tad strange as the straw and burlap dummy wasn?t a ?someone?? Still, she obeyed without hesitation and adjusted herself so that she aimed at the dummy.

?Now, unleash your annihilation of love!? half-shouted Marisa.

Now that command did garner a bit of hesitation from Wriggle.

?Unleash your annihilation of love??? Did that mean to fi-

?Whoa?!?

Before she could finish her thought, Wriggle found herself falling flat on her butt as a green blast of energy erupted from her hands! She blinked a few times, and found the dummy she?d been aiming at almost totally disintegrated, in addition to a large hole blown into the tree behind it as if the laser went cleanly through! Wriggle blinked a few more times as she realized she was successful, though she could?ve dealt without the surprise?

?You underestimated the intensity, ze! We gotta work on your balance, but otherwise, good job!? said Marisa cheerfully, giving a thumbs up.

?Th? Thank you.? said Wriggle as she regained her clarity. ?Was it really I who unleashed that blast???

?It isn?t difficult as I said.? reminded Marisa. ?You?ve already basically mastered it. Just remember what I told you, and keep your balance.?

?I see? It really wasn?t difficult like you said.? replied Wriggle, smiling a slight bit as she stood up.

?Cool. You might get another chance to use that soon? Time to go!? announced Marisa cheerfully.

?Time to go? What do you mean?? asked Wriggle with a questioning look on her face.

?You and your friend are mostly healed already since your youkai right? Further more, the Inaba army will be back here soon.? explained Marisa, walking past Wriggle in order to get back to the house.

?In other words you want to move to another place of hiding??

?Nah. I wanna find out more about what?s going on here, so I?ve decided we?re gonna head to the red mansion library for information!?

Wriggle had a shocked look on her face accompanied by a nervous smile.

?Th-th-there?? But that place is scary looking?? expressed Wriggle.

?It?s not really all that scary. Besides, we gotta go there if we wanna figure out what Eientei wants with you and stop it.?

Wriggle slowly followed Marisa, looking downward.

?If that is truly what I must do, then do I have a choice???

?Ya wanna protect your friend right??

?Alright, alright, I?ll follow you. But why move in the day time??? questioned Wriggle.

?You?re thinking ?we?ll be spotted more easily? aren?t you? Well with the Eientei rabbits it doesn?t really matter. Youkai rabbits are just like that.? explained Marisa.

?And to think that only night bugs and night birds were the only youkai that could travel well at night? Am I really so ignorant?? asked Wriggle more to herself.

Meanwhile, Marisa stepped into the house.

?Yo, Alice! It?s time to go!? announced the black witch.

?At this moment?! But their injuries haven?t healed!? protested Alice.

?They?ve healed mostly. You should know that they won?t need those bandages much longer. Other than that, we gotta move. It won?t be too much longer until those rabbits regroup ze.? said Marisa, with a wink, her smile never really fading. ?Still don?t know how fast you can heal huh? Man, I guess you aren?t a youkai after all!?

?Hey, I?m coming! Don?t pester people!? chided Alice as she hurriedly sat up and grabbed her large book.

?Hurry up then, slow-poke!? goaded Marisa further, smiling evilly.

Wriggle chuckled depressively with an uneasy smile as she put her right hand through her teal hear.

We have these two for bodyguards?? she thought more to herself as she walked to meet Mystia, who was still sitting on her now folded futon. ?Mystia??

?Huh? Oh, hi Wriggle. I didn?t expect you back so quickly.? said the night bird, not looking up.

?Heh, heh? Laser was not difficult?? chuckled Wriggle.

Mystia looked up at the smiling Wriggle, and raised an eyebrow.

????

?Ehh, never mind. Are you ready to go??

?I? It?s? It?s weird? Traveling in the day like this??

?It?ll be fine if we move quickly.?

?I guess so?? said Mystia, looking downward with an uncertain look.

Wriggle stopped smiling, and raised an eyebrow with a concerned look on her face. The silence (barring the noise made by Alice and Marisa as they argued outside while in preparation to leave) lasting for a nearly half a minute.

?Mystia?? What?s the matter?? spoke up Wriggle.

Another few seconds?

?Wriggle? ?I?m? ? ?scared.? admitted Mystia in a low tone.

Wriggle smiled warmly as she very slowly kneeled down, and gave Mystia a gentle hug.

?I?m scared too, Mystia.?

Mystia slowly returned the embrace.

?I?m scared too.? repeated Wriggle. ?But??

?But what?? asked Mystia.

?If we just stay close together and support each other, we can get through this. Don?t you think so??

Another few seconds?

?Yes? You?re right, Wriggle.?

Wriggle let go of Mystia, and stood up.

?Well then? Should we be going?? asked a smiling Wriggle as she reached out a hand.

Mystia looked up.

?Yeah!? said the night bird with a smile as she took Wriggle?s hand.

The night bug helped her friend get up. After that, they walked together out the door of Marisa?s house.

?Man, ?bout time you two! Da-ze?? said Marisa (now holding her broomstick) as she closed the door then stretched out her back.

?I apologize for the delay.? said Wriggle sincerely.

?As do I.? added Mystia.

?Huh? Well, I guess we?d better be off then. The scarlet devil Mansion?? asked Alice.

?That?s right! I bet we can sort this out there?? said Marisa inquisitively.

?We?re walking to make it harder for them to spot us, right?? asked Mystia.

?Yep! Don?t worry about a thing! Your under the close watch of Marisa Kirisame!? boasted the black witch with a wide smile and a wink.

Is that a good thing?? thought Alice in mind as she sighed with a weary smile.

The journey of the four girls began in earnest. They marched toward what could only be their destinies?

[Spell Break]

An Odd Sea Slug:
[Third Spell]

?Oh boy, it looks like Reisen slept in again! If I don?t hurry and wake her, she?ll be late!? chanted a young looking girl as she strolled down the wooden hallway of a Japanese style mansion.

The girl looked no older than ten, and was clad in a somewhat frilly night gown-like pink dress while barefooted. She had on a carrot necklace on her neck, had red eyes. Her hair was black and shoulder length. Finally, on the top of her head were floppy, thick rabbit ears.

It was worth noting that she also carried a large hammer behind her back?

She turned to a door, and slid it open? Inside this apparent, simple in design bedroom, a futon with a humanoid figure apparently under the covers was present.

?Oohhh, Reisen honeyyy! It?s time to get outta beeeed!? cooed the rabbit girl playfully as she walked over to the futon, standing in front of it.

Her innocent smile suddenly became mischievous and sharp toothed, like that of Marisa.

?Wake up sleepy head! Good morrrrniiiing??

She lifted up the hammer?

??AND GOOD NIGHT!?

?and brought down HARD were the occupant of the futon?s head would be. The girl expected either a jolt, or a loud cry of pain and irritation. Oh, such things were always so much fun to do to Reisen?! However, the rabbit heard not a sound, not even any movement. She blinked in confusion as she stared at the sight?

?Wha? What?s???

The girl suddenly felt an object pressed against her head? A nervous expression, complete with an uneasy smile appeared on her face.

?Good morning Tewi.? spoke a female voice behind the short bunny girl. ?What?s the hammer for??

?Uhh, recreational purposes! I was, uh? ?pounding termites! Yeah, th-that?s it!? blabbered the rabbit girl.

?We got rid of all the termites last month thanks to that new batch of insecticide, remember? You aren?t lying to me, are you??? asked the voice suspiciously.

?And why would I lie?! Ha? ?ha? ?ha??

?Mmm, real funny? Do you know what I?m holding to your head Tewi?? asked the voice.

?W-w-w-w-w-w-wait? I-i-i-i-it isn?t th-th-th-that, is it??? asked bunny girl Tewi nervously, now sweating profusely.

?Oh it is? And if I decide you are indeed lying, it?ll cause every last strand of your hair to fall out like it did before. Now be truthful. Are you lying?? asked the voice.

?N-n-n-neeeh, y-y-ye, NO! I MEAN YES! I MEAN NO! I MEAN I DON?T KNOW!? responded Tewi while shaking nervously, apparently not sure if she wanted to speak the truth or lie.

?Hm? I shall take this as a no. You forfeit your hair.?

?NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!?

Tewi panicked, dropping the hammer running out the door as if she were greased lightening!

?Hm? No way she?ll find a way past that counter, yes?? happily spoke the voice.

As it turns out, the object was nothing more than the index finger attached to a hand that had been folded to look like a pretend gun. The hand belonged to another bunny girl, older looking than Tewi, looking in her mid or late teens. She had ankle long purple hair, with rabbit ears on top of her head. But her ears were much longer than Tewi?s, thinner and crinkly as well. Each ear also had a shirt button attached as well? Odd? The red eyed girl was clad in sleepwear.

?Her antics are so bothersome? Oh well, time to get dressed!? said the rather cute girl with a smile.

After carefully scanning her room for anything that could be used to watch her, she closed the door to the room, and changed into a white shirt with a red necktie, and a short beige skirt. She put on a black business suit over the shirt. The suit had a crescent moon pin on the neck line, and a name tag reading ?Reisen Udongein Inaba? above the breast area, both on the left side. Finally, she put on brown shoes with semi-long black socks.

After she finished putting on her day wear, and doing her grooming, she opened her room?s back door and looked up into the partly cloudy sky.

?Hm? Another fine day, at Eientei?? thought Reisen out loud.

***
?Let?s see? Relish Force is to be positioned on the southwest side, Onion Force on the north? Where should Turnip Force go??? questioned a young looking woman as she sat outside somewhere on the mansion grounds, writing something onto a scroll with a brush. ?Perhaps they should back up Lettuce team? Hm??

She looked to be in her twenties, and was clad in a red and blue short sleeved dress with elaborate, constellation patterns on it, complete with a matching nurses? hat with a red cross on it. Her silver hair was tied into an odd knee long ponytail that swirled down like ice cream on a cone at the back. Her brown eyes looked up from the work nestled comfortably in her lap as she heard the familiar voice of the approaching Reisen.

?Mistress Eirin? Are you over hear somewhere??

?I?m here, Udonge.? called nurse Eirin, her face not giving any particular emotion.

Reisen walked out from the corner on Eirin?s left.

?Ah, so here you are. But? Why have you gone back to the shorter nickname?? I asked you not to do that, Mistress?? said Reisen.

?Why not the shorter nickname? ?Udonge? sounds cuter that ?Udongein? to my ears.? said the nurse with a slight smile.

Reisen sighed.

?You?d prefer Zayaku? That wouldn?t be too bad?? said Eirin inquisitively, unconsciously looking away from Reisen in thought.

?That?s even worse! I?d prefer ?Udongein? if I must really be called by a ridiculous nickname.? sighed Reisen.

?You find it ridiculous? Just what part?? asked Eirin innocently with a head tilt.

?The whole thing! Wait? We?ve said these things before!? said Reisen, putting her fists up and bending her knees.

?Really? I?m having a bit of trouble recalling? Let?s talk about this another time.? said Eirin, now with a very happy smile.

A few moments of silence pass as Reisen stares at her master with a twitching left eyebrow.

?You enjoy doing this to me on purpose, don?t you??? asked the irritated bunny girl.

?Whatever are you talking about? Why would my memory fade so quickly if I?m the Brain of the Moon?? asked Eirin with a smile.

?Oh, never mind?? sighed Reisen, knowing she?d have to be the victim of Eirin?s playing for awhile longer? ?Moving on from that, how is the operation going??

?Tewi isn?t moving as fast as I would prefer. I also think she has too many groups searching for the ones we need, and not enough helping to build the dome.? answered Eirin.

?I see? I guess I could try and talk to her about it, but even when she has her heart set on something, she isn?t able to completely put off her prankster tendencies.?

?Ah? She had prankster tendencies this morning??

?That?s pretty much right. She came to wake me up??

Eirin chuckled.

?Even now she doesn?t hesitate. Pretty soon she?ll have even more time to add to the already ridiculous amount of time she has to play. That is, if we?re successful of course.?

Reisen sat down next to the left of her mistress, then peeked over.

?About that Sensei?? she began.

?Hm??? muttered Eirin.

?I know that if this works? ?then I won?t have to fight ?the rival of the princess? anymore? But even so, is this right??

Eirin looked at Reisen strangely.

??Is this right??? I?m afraid I don?t fully understand, Udonge. This will put an end to one of our long standing troubles. Are you saying that this isn?t quite what you want??

Reisen just looked off into space, her head slightly low.

?That isn?t? I mean? We?ve never gone this far before? To hurt others while attempting to hurt one individual. Plus all the suffering we?d potentially cause to those not even involved??

?I know you have doubts Reisen? But that is why this operation is to be discreet as possible. Even in her current state, the princess knows that this could damage Eientei if too many get involved. The risks outweigh the benefits in her mind however. It is the same in my mind as well. But what of you, Udonge?? asked Eirin.

?But to do something so cruel? Is this really what people like us should do?? Perhaps we were better off doing the old w-?

Reisen immediately halted her tongue, knowing she would be reprimanded for such speech. She quickly got up to leave.

?Mistress? I? ?I?m going out for a bit. Just to? ?get some air.? said Reisen, beginning to walk off.

?Reisen?? spoke Eirin.

Her mistress just used her true name. It was rare for Reisen to be called by her true name by her mistress. There even times of battle, where her mistress continued using that nick name? She was truly serious to be using her real one now.

The purple haired bunny girl turned around to face her mistress. Eirin didn?t move, still merely sitting.

?I?ll understand if you want to be scarce during the operation?s climax? But you must know that I can?t just leave the princess to herself? Not after what I?ve done? But even so, I ask you to think this over. Think about our future if all goes well.? said Eirin, before closing her eyes.

Reisen almost immediately turned back around, and took to the sky.

?I will Mistress. I will wait just little longer before making my decision however.?

It wasn?t long until Reisen had flown off. Eirin watched until her student had vanished from sight before sighing, her current thoughts and emotions no longer clear?

An Odd Sea Slug:
***
It wasn?t too long until Eirin had finished her previous task, and reentered the mansion. The room she wandered into was littered with scrolls, and large boxes and crates that were labeled: ?Yakogoro Labs.? The dimly lit room also had smaller, elaborately labeled boxes and pill bottles, almost as if they were professionally sold medicines that you could buy at a store? A were labeled as being ?Kochoumugan.?

Eirin set the scroll she was holding onto a table, knowing one of the youkai rabbits would pick it up later. She then stepped out into the large wooden hallway of the Japanese style castle, intending to head to Kaguya?s room to check on her. Mid-way down however, she stopped suddenly just beyond a junction, and shifted her eyes to the left? Did she sense someone, or something?

She heard the footsteps of someone approaching her position. So she did sense someone? But she was perfectly calm as she awaited her ?guest.?

Out from the corner stepped a young looking (perhaps early twenties) woman, clad in a white and dark blue French maid uniform, complete with a white bonnet on her head. The collar of the short sleeved dress had red trend, and a black ribbon was located right below the neck. Her short, silver hair was tied into two braids that reached just below her neck on each side of her head. Each braid was tied with a green ribbon. She wore semi-high heeled dark blue shoes, along with matching straps just above the ankles that made X shapes when looked at from the front. Her eyes were a dark blue color.

But the most suspicious feature was the silver hair?

?Ah? Greetings Sakuya. You?ve come for the librarian?s medicine, haven?t you?? greeted Eirin with a smile, while holding her elbows in her arms.

?I do this as part of my duty. It wouldn?t be right to not come here unless I did it in a timely manner.? replied Sakuya, also with a smile.

?A perfect, elegant, and dutiful maid indeed. I can remember you being dutiful like this in the old days as well??

?Again with this, ?I know you from before? banter? It should not be possible for you to know me since I have only just turned twenty-three. I haven?t any memories of a previous life.? spoke Sakuya calmly with a relaxed expression.

?The only memories you have are those of your Mistress?? said Eirin with a slight sigh.

?My memories are my own. You have no knowledge of my memories.? said Sakuya, doing well to hold back her slight irritation.

?I?m puzzled as to whether you can?t remember, or choose not to remember. But all the same??

?I told you? I?m the only one with knowledge of my memories!? repeated Sakuya in a suddenly sharper tone, her smile vanishing. ?Now don?t we have other manners???

?Very well? Please follow me.? said Eirin, calm as ever as she turned around.

Sakuya sighed as they reached the room Eirin was just in mere moments before. Eirin went inside, while Sakuya waited outside at the door. The maid noticed that the nurse was a much less organized than usual? Eirin began searching through a box on the rather messy desk.

?Let?s see now? Eye drops, flu shots, aspirin, Ritalin, suppositories? Ah, here is Patchouli-sama?s medicine!? said Eirin, pulling out an orange bottle with a white cap.

?I must admit to admiring your ability to stay on top of things, even when you?re swamped with work as you are now?? mentioned Sakuya.

Eirin walked up to the maid.

?Well I am a pharmacist who runs a store. It?s important to keep up on work no matter what. But what you see here is an incomplete process of reorganization.? explained Eirin with a happy smile as she handed the bottle to Sakuya.

?But couldn?t have the rabbits do this for you?? In fact, I have seen only a few of them here today?? replied Sakuya.

?They have run off to accomplish tasks for the princess most likely. They should return soon.?

?Whatever you say?? said Sakuya, putting the bottle into her pocket. All the more suspicious?

?Do come back soon Sakuya.? said Eirin.

?I thank you again for your service. Until next time, Sayonara.? said Sakuya with a bow, before walking off.

?Take care.? said Eirin, also with a bow. I wonder if she suspects anything? She likely does? After all, the store has been closed for two weeks, and she was quick to notice that the rabbits were missing? Maybe I should ?dispose of her??? No, that wouldn?t be prudent now. We?ve drawn enough attention from the Scarlet Devil Mansion already.

Eirin turned halfway around?

In any case, it would be wise to hurry? Patchouli may have sent her to find the missing book. That would be most troublesome?

Now Eirin had turned all the way around?

I should get back to?

It lasted only a moment, but Eirin could have swore she saw the room turn monochrome in color? Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her back, like if something was piercing it!

?AHH?!?

Eirin shrieked as she was pinned to the ground by none other than Sakuya, who was now holding her arms behind her back, while pinning her down with her right foot. A throwing knife was stuck into Eirin?s back, blood leaking from the wound.

?You fool, you have underestimated just how shrewd Ms. Patchouli and I can both be! You knew perfectly well we suspected you were up to something, didn?t you? Stealing a single item from the vast canyons of knowledge that make up Voile and nothing else? Did you really think we would just think of it as a prank of the rabbit leader? I even gave you a clear shot for you to take care of me, and you hesitated! Now you will tell me just what is happening involving that book!? ordered Sakuya, calm, yet with a highly displeased tone.

Sakuya partially picked Eirin off the wooden ground, then slammed her back down again.

?And while you?re at it, you shall tell me why you?re so fond of my history!?

Eirin was silent, only angering Sakuya.

?Don?t be silent with me! Answer!? demanded Sakuya, now yelling a little bit.

?That will not be necessary of me, dear Sakuya.? said Eirin calmly, though with a pained voice.

?What?! What in the world are you?!?

?Have I not told you?? It was I who invented the Luna Dial that you use to halt time and surprise your foes. Did you not think I could recognize it and implement a contingency plan?? asked Eirin.

Sakuya tightened her grip on her red and blue captive.

?You are completely trapped! What sort of plan could you possibly hope to accomplish as you are now?!?

Eirin was silent. Instead of answering? ?she smiled. Suddenly, she kicked out her right leg, throwing out a coin like object with a blue star on it. Sakuya spotted it, just as Eirin pressed it with her right foot?

Alarmed, Sakuya jumped away from Eirin, shielding her eyes from the bright flash that came with the bomb explosion. Sakuya took flight, moving backwards at a high speed as several arrows came speeding toward her from out of the thick smoke. Moving with quick reflexes and surprisingly elegant movements, Sakuya was just able to dodge the arrows. The projectiles only grazed her at best.

Reaching under her skirt to a garter on her right leg with her left hand, Sakuya pulled out several throwing knives, holding them at the ready. Eirin dashed out of the smoke, missing the knife in her back, and now brandishing a bow with an arrow at the ready.

Her smile was gone?

The nurse fired the arrow, which split off into several open being fired. Sakuya threw her knives to shoot them down. As she reached for more, Eirin was firing magically generated arrows at an amazingly rapid rate of speed, forcing Sakuya to sway to and fro to avoid being hit. Clicking her tongue, Sakuya allowed Eirin to get just a tad closer, then threw her knives at Eirin.

?Gh?!?

The nurse put up her left hand, creating a blue flash that shattered the knives on contact. She then flew in at Sakuya at an astonishing speed. Sakuya quickly drew more knives, only to have them kicked away by Eirin via a high kick! Visibly surprised, Sakuya tries to move back, but Eirin sends her left foot crashing into Sakuya?s torso sending her reeling. The maid somehow recovers, and staggers onto the ground, somehow not falling down. Eirin however does a spinning kick with her right leg into Sakuya?s gut sending her flying the remaining length of the hallway into the wall with a gasp!

Sakuya, now with a desperate look, attempts to pull out what appears to be a golden pocket watch with her left hand?

?Oh no you don?t!? says Eirin, throwing her bow ahead of herself and pulling out a spellcard.

Oddly, she slams the card into the wall?

?Stealth Shinobi: Hidden Floor Arrow!?

A golden energy arrow suddenly bursts forth from the ground at Sakuya?s right hand!

??!?

Caught completely by surprise, the maid finds her tool for time freezing knocked square out of her hand! Eirin then does a spin move as she moves forward to collect her bow? Even while it was still in the air, that same left hand of Sakuya?s is shot through with a well aimed arrow from Eirin, pinning the maid to the wall! What speed?!

Sakuya?s agony was only added to as Eirin finished the job by shooting through her right forearm, and both of her upper legs, further pinning her to that wall. Eirin simply stopped and waited while Sakuya cried out in agony?

?GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!?

Eirin walked up to her attacker? The hunter had become the hunted. Sakuya?s breathing was most heavy, her face drenched with sweat, her wounds spilling blood onto the once pristine hall.

?Tis a shame Sakuya? You should have left when you had the chance. This makes you the one who missed an opportunity now, does it??

Eirin caressed Sakuya?s chin with her left hand for about ten seconds.

?GET YOUR HANDS AWAY FROM ME!? demanded Sakuya in a rough, gravely voice.

Almost as if she was obeying, Eirin backed off? ?while loading another arrow into her bow.

?Since you threatened Eientei, I can no longer let you live. Perhaps you?ll find the truths you desire in the next life?? said Eirin, her face devoid of emotion.

She leveled the arrow at Sakuya?s neck?

?Die, Sakuya Izayoi.?

The maid glanced at her impending death silently? When something unexpected happened! Sakuya screamed in agony once again as she suddenly started to build up magical energy! Alarmed, Eirin fired the arrow, only to have it knocked away by the waves of energy building around Sakuya.

Shock filled the nurses? face as she saw Sakuya do the unthinkable? She actually snapped the arrows holding her arms to the wall, and ripped out the arrows in her legs! It was as if she was completely oblivious to the pain! She reached into her right pocket, pulling out a spellcard!

?WOUND SIGN: INSCRIBBLED SOUL!? yelled Sakuya as she charged her opponent.

The shocked Eirin put her hand up in defense, but to no avail? Sakuya?s eyes now gleamed a red color as she riddled both Eirin, and the hallway with thousands upon thousands of slashes. Blood, flesh and splinters were sent flying every which way as if a hundred butchers in a single row went to work all at once?

Sakuya then slumped over to the side, leaning against the wall, letting Eirin?s shredded corpse fall to the floor. Clad in a severely tattered red and blue dress, Eirin?s slash laden corpse now lay in a quickly expanding pool of her own blood, shocked eyes still open?

Panting heavily, Sakuya glances back at Eirin?s remains as she struggled to calm down.

Dammit! What I?m to do now?! Wait? Her special medicines?!

Doing her best to fight the pain, Sakuya began the long crawl back to the room the medicines were stored, her eyes returning to their original blue color?

An Odd Sea Slug:
***
Meanwhile, in a rather large clearing within the bamboo forest surrounding Eientei, many, possibly hundreds of youkai rabbits began to gather in front of a small, wooden stage. Inexplicably enough, the stage had a large American flag with a carrot put up on its back that all who sat in front of the stage could see. It was as though an old fashioned military style briefing was to begin?

Reisen flew overhead and caught sight of the gathering. She raised her eyebrow as she slowed down and decided to drop in.

?What in the world?? How much time was this here exactly?? asked the girl to herself.

Suddenly?

?TROOOOOOOPS! ATTENTIOOOOOONNN!? came Tewi?s voice over what sounded like a megaphone.

The other rabbit girls quickly stopped their playing around and began sitting in perfect rows, much to Reisen?s surprise. Tewi suddenly jumped up from behind the stage, landing on the front with a graceful flip now clad in black shoes with white socks, and a green army helmet with holes for her rabbit ears.

?Is everyone accounted for? Okay, let?s begin!? announced the small bunny girl without a megaphone.

The sensitive hearing of the youkai girls, combined with the fact that they were now quietly sitting relatively close to the stage meant that they could now hear what Tewi was saying clearly in any case.

?Tewi? What are you doing?? asked Reisen, leaping onto the stage and approaching Tewi?s left.

?Ah, Reisen! You?re just in time for the strategy discussion!? said Tewi cheerfully as she faced the other rabbit girl.

?Strategy discussion? You were about to finally reveal what you were going to do about the Scarlet Devil Mansion Maid Army, along with the capturing of the subjects without informing Mistress Eirin, or myself??

?Mistress Eirin already knows of my strategy, and is busy deciding troop movements for her half of the army.? said Tewi innocently.

?But that still does not explain why I haven?t been told of this, Tewi?? pointed out Reisen as she put her hands on her hips and bent over to put her face closer to Tewi?s.

Tewi just smiled nervously, as Reisen?s shadow blocked the sunlight to her face.

?I was going to tell you? Eventually??

?Long after the meeting?s conclusion I presume? Or perhaps you forgot? Or maybe you were going to bring me in an objectionable way? Yeah, that last one sounds about right?? said Reisen.

?D-don?t be silly Reisen! Th-th-the reason you weren?t told? Um, you see??

As Tewi stammered on in an ill-fated attempt to find an excuse for leaving Reisen out, three more youkai rabbits jumped up to the stage, each carrying an item: one carried some rope, one carried a roll of duct tape along with a bottle of chloroform, and the last one carried an empty, folded up burlap sack.

?Captain! Target was not in her room, usa! We have aborted mission!?

Reisen noticed the three, and raised an eyebrow.

?Tewi? What ?target? are they referring to??? asked Reisen suspiciously, pointing to the three behind her.

Tewi turned around, giving the three a frantic eye signal to leave, whilst wearing a frantic expression. However?

?Captain, why would we retreat when the target stands in front of you?? asked the middle duct tape wielding rabbit.

?What was that now??? said Reisen, folding her right hand into a gun shape and putting her right index finger on the back of Tewi?s turned head.

Tewi sweated profusely as her mouth became a perfect upside down triangular shape, and looked to the left and right frantically.

?I-I-I-I-I have absolutely no idea what they?re talking about! Really, what are you two speaking of??

?Captain? You asked us to knock her unconscious, tie her up, stuff in this sack, then drag her here.? said the rabbit innocently.

Reisen pressed in her finger further.

?Ow, ow! I-I-I was talking about another rabbit girl that just happens to resemble Reisen! I?d neeeeever had such a thing done to my dear Reisen! Really!? rambled Tewi, still trying to fake innocence.

?I see. You really wouldn?t??? asks Reisen, with an eyebrow still raised, but removing her finger.

The smaller rabbit girl turned around clasped her hands in front of herself.

?Of course not! Do I look like I would do anything wrong??? asks Tewi with a sharp toothed smile that reeked of faked innocence.

?Yes.? said Reisen rather bluntly.

?So mean! You?re hurting my feelings Reisen!? cried Tewi.

?Somehow I?m not too sure about that...? said Reisen indifferently.

?Please stop Reisen! You?re making me sad!?

?Once again??

?I?m sensitive you know!?

?Oh really???

?Really!?

?Not really.?

?Not really?!?

?No.?

?Why not?!? asked Tewi looking like she was about to cry.

?Because I can?t believe you Tewi. You?re a jokester and a pathological lair whose insatiable urge to trick people often causes you to do annoying things to people, even when you should be working on something important. Namely, our strategy session.?

Tewi just stared at Reisen, and Reisen stared back. The exchange continued silently for about a minute. The three gear wielding girls behind Tewi shrugged and left the stage. The girls on the ground just waited quietly.

Tewi suddenly put her left fist up into the air.

?Well then, shall we start our discussion?!? she said excitedly.

?Shouldn?t you apologize for so many lies??? sighed Reisen in a disappointed down hunching over a bit with her head down.

?But I never lied!?

?You never learn do you?! By saying ?I never lied?, you in fact HAVE lied!? argued Reisen.

?Which means I don?t lie. I?m glad you see my point! Now let me tell you my ultimate plan!? spoke Tewi happily.

Reisen sighed deeply while putting a palm to her face.
?Alright, alright, just hurry and tell me the plan already.?

Tewi nodded her head twice with a curvy bunny smile before snapping her fingers. By seemingly nothing at all, the flag was pulled upward and away, revealing a ridiculously large chart of? ?somewhere in outer space?? The chart had dotted lines, X?s for locations, and what appeared to be moons with letters on them. The other bunny girls (save for Reisen) applauded Tewi?s ?display.?

Tewi pulled out a very large stick (read: pool cue), and began pointing out various things on the chart whilst explaining them to her.

?It?s a full proof plan, Reisen old friend! First off, we take off from Earth where we travel approximately 20,000 lightyears to this point??

Tewi pointed to that point.

??where we then detour over this way??

Tewi made a motion as if she were drawing a very small hill, tracing one of the lines.

??swing around this moon??

The stick made a circle across said moon before going upward.

??then proceed another 40,000 lightyears to THIS point??

The stick went to THAT point as well.

??before finally shifting to the left, and thusly reaching the fabled Planet X!?

Tewi pointed over to a moon with a large X on it, and tapped it. She then put the stick back into her right hand, and supported it with her left, looking very proud.

I have GOT to stop letting her watch so many Saturday morning cartoons? thought Reisen in her mind. ?Tewi? ?aren?t you thinking of something else???

Another minute long pause ensued. Tewi kept the same expression as before, but her face turned a little red, and the sweat began to return.

?Buh! Huh! Buh huh huh huh huh huh huh!? began Tewi before turning away from Reisen and snapping her fingers with a miserable look on her face. ?I forgot? That?s next week?s mission??

The chart detached from the wall, flipped over, and attached again. The other rabbits (save for Reisen) clapped again in amazement of Tewi?s supposed ability. The flipped over chart revealed the area around Eientei for the next few hundred miles. It showed mostly forests, lakes, and mountains. Over the spot where Eientei would be was a box with an arrow pointing to the mansion, and saying ?You are here.? There were several yellow circles, and one red circle, all on specific parts.

?See that sign Reisen?? said Tewi, tapping the ?you are here? sign.

?My eyes are still working Tewi.?

?We?re located here.?

Reisen rolled her red eyes.

?According to our Message Butterflies??

?Message Butterflies??? interrupts Reisen out of reflex.

?Oh? I didn?t tell you?? asked Tewi innocently.

?Of course not!? said Reisen, clearly annoyed that Tewi failed to inform her about these ?Message Butterflies.?

?Ah? They are in fact, the latest invention from Yagokoro-Sensei! With these, we were able to spot the targets heading in the general direction of the lake in the mountains. But because they have so little power, they don?t last long. We couldn?t get anything more.?

Just then, a purple butterfly with red and blue wings fluttered by, and landed on Tewi?s outstretched free hand.

?Mistress Eirin made these? Hm? Okay, so what?s your general plan for capturing them?? asked Reisen, sitting up straight while keeping her hands on her hips.

Tewi somehow managed to further widen her already wide smile.

?It?s a full proof plan! See the yellow circles? They symbolize the points where my bunny squads will ambush them.? explained the small bunny girl.

?But what if that fails??

?That where you come in, Reisen Bunny!?

I don?t appreciate her calling me that? thought Reisen in her head, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. ?And just how is it that I come in??

?You lure them to the red circle, where we spring our trap!? said Tewi with a head tilt.

?Your trap? Well I?ll just do what I have to do.? said Reisen in an oddly indifferent tone.

?What?s with that?? said Tewi as she raised an eyebrow in a questioning expression.

?Nothing. I?ll just do it.? replied Reisen with minimal emotion.

?Alrighty then! Inabas!? called Tewi.

The American Flag from before was returned to its former place as Tewi began pacing back and forth like an army general. She then stopped at the middle of the stage, facing the other rabbit girls. Reisen put her hands behind her back, and backed away a little.

?Gentlemen!? called Tewi.

All the other rabbit girls stared at Tewi with raised eyebrows for a few seconds before looking at each other. It didn?t take long for Tewi to realize her mistake and correct herself.

?Ahh?! Ladies! Today will be the Inaba Army?s day of Glory!?

Oh, brother? thought Reisen.

?The upcoming operation will be difficult. It will test the limits of your strength and ability. Some of you may not return from this mission, but you?ll at least enter the afterlife knowing you did so for the cause of our Princess Kaguya! Now let us go forth, and put an end to the conflict between the Princess and her rival, once and for all! Are you with me Inabas??

The Inabas all raised the fists and cheered in response. Reisen didn?t seem to pay attention, appearing to be in deep thought?

?Reisen? I?ll understand if you want to be scarce during the operation?s climax? But you must know that I can?t just leave the princess to herself? Not after what I?ve done? But even so, I ask you to think this over. Think about our future if all goes well.?

Not ever leaving the Princess? Our future? Is fate really so cruel, Mistress Eirin?

She was snapped out of her thoughts by the voice of Tewi.

?Hey Reisen, why aren?t you cheering with us??

?Huh? O-oh, I guess I was thinking about something else.?

?C?mon, look more excited! You?re as eager to complete this task as anyone of us, aren?t you??

?Yeah??

?Yeah?? C?mon Reisen, are you with us or against us??

Reisen had a moment of hesitation?

?Um? I? ?I?m? ?I?m with you. D-don?t worry about it.?

?Sheesh, did you eat a bad carrot or something?? asked Tewi with a head tilt.

Just then, another butterfly flutters by for a bit before landing on Tewi?s shoulder.

?Oh??? mumbles Tewi as she apparently listens to its (silent?) message. ?Inabas! The fairy maids of Scarlet Devil Mansion are moving toward our territory! Move out and defend!?

The youkai rabbits loudly acknowledge the order before getting up and running away from the stage to take their posts.

?Remember Reisen, we?ll be counting on you in case anything goes wrong okay?? asked Tewi before flying off.

?Yeah...? said Reisen as she blankly watched Tewi leave.

She just stood for a few seconds with another blank expression before flying up to leave herself?

[Spell Break]

An Odd Sea Slug:
[Fourth Spell]

The day was now in full swing. The sun was all the way up, and the sky hardly had a single cloud in it. A slight wind blew through the forest?s edge, with moderately warm air. A perfect day, or so it seemed?

The four girls- Marisa, Alice, Mystia, and Wriggle emerged from the forest?s edge, stepping into the vast grasslands of Gensokyo. It was something they rather would?ve avoided, but in order to get to the mansion, there was no other choice?

?If we move quickly enough, we may yet avoid the Inaba Army.? claimed Marisa with a smile.

Alice turned toward Mystia, while continuing to walk.

?How is your wing?? asked the doll carrying girl.

?It feels better now, though I still doubt I can fly with it.? responds Mystia.

?If we need to fly, I?ll make a little room on my broomstick, okay?? says Marisa as she briefly faced Mystia, giving a thumbs up.

?Um? Thank you?? said Mystia, not properly looking back at Marisa.

Wriggle looked over to Mystia (when she couldn?t see her looking of course) with a sad expression for a few moments.

Mystia?

?I still don?t think this is a wise thing to do Marisa.? said a concerned Alice.

?Well it?s too late now, so you?ll just have to go with it.? replied Marisa.

They soon came to a rather large lake that was over looked by tiny forests, and a range of large mountains. The path that led to the mansion seemed well enough?

?Its rather quite here? I thought we would?ve seen a few fairies around by now.? commented Alice.

?This path takes into some thick trees located nearby? If I were settin? a trap, I?d put one there, ze.? said Marisa.

?Well then, what would you do?? asks Alice.

Marisa turns around with an evil sharp toothed smile on her face.

?I?m really glad you asked that Alice!? says Marisa.

Alice, with a nervous expression on her face slowly steps back.

?A-ah, M-Marisa???

***
On the other side of the lake, a young looking fairy girl with large, spiky wings that looked like they were made of ice could be seen. She had a green bow, and ice blue hair with aqua eyes. She had on a one piece aqua blue dress skirt with white, spike like trend along the bottom edges. She wore a light pink, short sleeved blouse under the dress, with a tiny red ribbon below the collar. Unlike other fairies, she was human sized as well.

?Aww? Why can?t I find any good frogs to freeze around here? It really shouldn?t be like this at this time of day.? complained the fairy in her high pitched, but not quite annoying voice. ?This isn?t any good at all! Its becoming boring around here! Makes me wish it were winter??

A few seconds after she said that, she saw a flash out the corner of her eye.

?Uhh???

Being a simple minded fairy, she immediately grew curious and flew over to the light source?

***
Meanwhile, Marisa was holding up an unusually large golden coin, Japanese in design, seeming to be freshly waxed. She seemed to be shining it in a certain direction.

?So? ?what exactly is this latest brilliant plan of yours Marisa?? asked Alice skeptically.

?Watch and learn dear Alice, watch and learn?? said Marisa confidently.

?Um?? muttered Wriggle as she watched, along with Mystia.

It wasn?t too long before the quartet could see a blue fairy girl flying overhead, drawn to the gleaming light. Upon spotting the devilishly smiling Marisa, the fairy?s face turned to an expression of anger.

?Ah, Cirno! Just in time?? called Marisa.

Err? What could she want with that idiot ice fairy?? thought Wriggle to herself.

?Hey you! Why were you of all people shining that light just now?? asked Cirno (pronounced Cheer-no) in a peeved tone. ?You didn?t do that to make fun of me did you??

?Naah. I actually just came to challenge you. I figured a curious flash would be the best way to get your attention.? said Marisa with a wink.

The short tempered Cirno landed in front of Marisa, walking up to her with her fists up.

?Challenge me so you can humiliate me? I outta freeze you right at this moment for saying something like that!? said the angry ice fairy.

?Tis not a danmaku fight I?m looking for per say?? began Marisa, waving the coin a bit. ?But a small race. Whaddya say??

?If you want to race against me, you?ll be sorry! I?m faster than any fairy around here!? said Cirno confidently, but still with rashness in her voice.

Wriggle, Alice and Mystia all continued to understandably look on skeptically.

?I?ll take that as acceptance. Very well? I?m going to through this coin into the trees up ahead. The first one to retrieve the coin and bring it back to this spot to show these three will be the victor.? finishes Marisa.

?Hmph! Finding a mere coin huh? I?ll make you wish you?d never thought up this little game of yours, human! This will make up for my past failures against you ten fold!? exclaimed Cirno.

?Okaaaaay?? Marisa leaned her arm back to throw the coin? ?Three? Two? One??

Cirno took a starting position like that of a runner, pointing herself in the direction of the coin.

?GO!!?

Marisa hurled the coin into a surprisingly far distance. As she did so, Cirno took off at full speed in the direction of the coin? She of course didn?t run after it herself. Now she put an ear out into the direction that Cirno ran?

?Umm? What are you do-?

Alice was interrupted.

?Shh! Listen closely?? said Marisa.

Alice stood dumbfounded, wondering what Marisa?s big plan was? Wriggle and Mystia looked at each other for a bit, then listened out themselves? Two minutes later?

?KYAAAAN!!!?

?Ah, I was right! We?ll go this way then.? said Marisa, turning and walking past the three youkai.

?I get it? You wanted to see if there were any traps set up, and used her?? said Alice with a grumpy expression.

?And you know it would work because she?s a total idiot, with an attitude problem.? added Wriggle.

?You guys win the prize ze!? exclaimed Marisa happily.

?What? ?would that be exactly??? asked Mystia.

?More time with me! Now let?s go!?

Sighing, the three youkai followed their ?leader.?

?I?m mean, what did you guys expect? She?s a total nine-ball!? finishes Marisa.

Wriggle raised an eyebrow.

?What in the world is a ?nine-ball????

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