From the darkness, a soft pang clattered through my ears; its presence soft, yet unsettling. Caught in a hypnotic daze, my mind wanders lost within the mysterious echoing. In the harmonic dissonance from the uneven noise, I recalled what it was that I was hearing.
This sound, is it rain?
No, not just any rain. My eyes open to the darkened sky as I was entreated to an unsettling sight.
Home... from before...
The dim haze of night was being pierced by the open flames of torchlight and my sight wandered closer to the foggy shapes. The soft echoes grew louder as a cold shiver enveloped my body. Tightening my grasp, I shook away the panic that tremble over my thoughts.
"Is something amiss?" a gentle voice called.
Still trembling faintly, I felt the hazy dream dissipate from around me as the figure before me returned into focus.
Ma... m?re...
"Madame?"
With a faint stare, the stupor lifted from my eyes as the silhouette faded into a different shape. With an uneven breath, I tried to identify the new shape before me, "Sa.. ku-ya?"
"Are you not well, Madame?" she asked while glancing at me with great concern.
My drifting attention took notice of my state: I was being carried by Sakuya. With that thought in focus, I recalled what I had previously asked of her. After she had spoken with my sister, she was to find me at the Hakurei Shrine and bring me back home. As my scattered thoughts sorted themselves, I turned my attention elsewhere.
With my eyes closed and my head resting upon her shoulder, I asked, "How far are we?"
"We have only just passed the outer gates, Madame," Sakuya informed, "As you have requested, I have not altered our course, and we will arrive at the main entrance shortly."
"Hm," I halfheartedly replied.
The afternoon lethargy still grasped at me as I tried to tighten my hold across Sakuya's form. My mind slipped back into the terror that was the memories of my past.
From before I could recall, I had always been seen as a cursed child. It was true since no matter whom it may have been, everyone I encountered had misfortune befall them. When my own parents fell victim to tragedy, I was left alone to dread the inevitable: I would soon join them. Truthfully, it was what I had longed for the moment I realized it would happen.
What I was most afraid of was to be left alone, and when that moment came, I was foolish enough to step forward into the sight of certain doom. My parents lay dead as the building I would later call home was set ablaze. In the open sky, heavy rain scattered before me as the droplets cut across my skin and stole my strength. I was driven by loathing and despair, ready to embrace my end, when I heard a cry. At that moment, I recalled something important: my sister.
Her faint cries beckoned to me from a distance away, and I felt a tremor of emotions: she and I were all that we had left of our family. Even if it was painful for me, it would be worse yet for her if she were alone. I understood that I couldn't simply abandon her.
Then, in a flash, I sensed a change nearby and the spell lifted from my eyes. As the distilled images that enveloped my mind faded, I slowly reawakened from my rest.
"Madame, we've arrived," Sakuya announced.
I held fast to my embrace as my mind returned to the matter at hand. The comfort left me with a sigh when I released my embrace and headed onward.
As I approached the doors, Sakuya appeared at my side and stated, "No matter the past, our futures are yours to decide."
Following a momentary pause, our expressions were synchronized with smiles.
"And that's because," I remarked while unfurling my wings, "I am the Scarlet Devil."
I was no longer the child of my past. I have changed; grown. I am not a mere fledgling, but the master of my domain.
Content with my restored confidence, Sakuya opened the door for my entrance. Approaching calmly, I took sight of the battle's ceremonious end. Awaiting patiently, I was treated with a humorous spectacle as my guest and my sister continued to exchange some idle banter.
Taking ear of my mention, I interjected, "And that makes you a good girl?"
"Sister!" Flandre exclaimed as the two finally took notice of my presence.
"My little sister," I called, "It seems you've already meet the Hakurei Miko."
Hesitantly, Flandre confirmed, "Yes, I have, Sister."
Casually, I continued to ask, "Did the two of you have fun together?"
With another hesitant, yet eager, expression, my sister confirmed, "Yes, we did, Sister."
With a light chuckle, I smiled gently as I remarked, "That's good to hear."
I reached forward to caress my sister's face, but was interrupted when Reimu callously informed, "Since we're done here, I'll be heading back."
"Yes, of course, and thank you for your time," I replied as the miko sighed loudly before exiting. Turning my attention back to my sister, I commented, "Perhaps you should get some rest as well, dear Flandre."
At that suggestion, Sakuya knelt by Flandre's side and offered, "If I may be so direct, shall I carry you to your quarters, Mademoiselle?"
Receiving her quiet consent, Sakuya held Flandre in a cradling embrace and headed towards the Northern Hall. Calling at their departure, I wished to her, "Sleep well, my dearest sister."
With a faint smile, Flandre whispered back as she always had, "Dream well, my only sister."
"Quite the touching moment," came a comment from behind me after Sakuya had passed beyond the doorway.
"Indeed," I replied as I turned to face my commentator, "But I thought you already left."
With a concerned expression, Reimu asked, "That sister of yours, you know she's-"
"Lonely," I interrupted, "All she really needs is someone to play with."
With a soft sigh, she turned and proceeded towards the entryway once again. After her departure, I was left to dwell on my thoughts.
"I, who have lost so much, and my sister, who never had much to lose; for so long, we only had each other, but that won't be for much longer," I mused loudly before I turned around, "Will it, Pachi?"
"Keeping us ever busy, Remi?" emerging from behind the Northern Hall's doorway, Patchouli grumbled, "Hm, this really will take more than a week."