~Hakurei Shrine~ > Patchouli's Scarlet Library
The Miracles of Gensokyo
WRATHIE_Beatrice:
somehow, it is like... busy busy busy.
Not much of a plot advancement but stressing the points of the storyline here.
--
Opening my eyes, I woke up to see Medicine?s head resting on my chest and when I looked up, it was Miss Keine who was resting a hand on her head.
[Shh? she?s been there ever since you were brought in here.]
A very slight smile on her face, Keine directed my attention to the other person in the room, Marisa, who was shaking her head and trying hard not to shout at me.
[Stupid!]
But she did anyway and I winced from her scream. It was a minor miracle that Medicine did not wake up and I tried to shush her with my hands unsuccessfully as she slapped both her hands on my cheeks and pulled on it so hard I thought my cheeks would came off.
She was worried for me, I knew that and she did had the right to be mad at me?
With the bare traces of tears in her eyes, she released me and scolded me again.
[Honestly, when will you learn? The next time you pull this, I?m not going to bother with you, ever ze! You stupid, self-sacrificing idiot!!]
[Yes? I know Marisa? but there was noth-]
[Oh no da ze, no more of those ?there was nothing you can do about it? nonsense, right Keine?
You?re just going to get yourself killed if you are going to rely only on yourself, damnit!! I?m here, Suika is here, Keine is here, everyone is here to help.
So you better get that into your head or I?ll drill it into you, personally!!]
Slapping her hand on my head in anger, I endured the strike from Marisa despite Keine?s cry of disbelief and I nodded my head to her. She was right, I? I am taking too many unnecessary risks? I just want to-
[And no more of that ?I just don?t want anyone to be hurt? bullshit too!]
Oh gods, have Marisa developed mind-reading as well? She will be criticizing me in every interval then? Oh gods.. please make this just a coincidence?
[If you get hurt, all of us get hurt too ze! So you better remember that! Have you even considered how I?ll feel if you died just now, huh ze? What do you think I will have felt!!]
[W-well?]
I blushed red, considering what might have happened and I admitted I had not thought that far ahead. Marisa would be wrecked with guilt and Suika, well? Suika would?.
[I?m really sorry? but this child? Medicine she need my guidance.. I know, I know I am being selfish Marisa? forgive me, please?]
Interrupting her, who looks as if she was going to interrupt, I ran a hand through Medicine?s hair and told Marisa what Medicine wanted.
--
[if I had not guided her? I would be forced to kill her? her poison is strong, powerful enough to kill even an elder youkai, Marisa? and if she releases her power?.]
[?]
[?]
Miss Keine and Marisa looked at one another and finally nodded their heads but it was Miss Keine who spoke up first, brushing her hair backwards while rousing Medicine awake.
[? Her powers over poison are determined by her mood. Her mood swings determine the potency of her powers.]
Smiling at Medicine, who was rubbing her eyes as she slowly wakes up, I notice Miss Keine?s history scroll glowing and she nodded her head.
[I have temporarily sealed her powers, she is just a normal youkai girl now? she?s? so sweet?]
Unable to resist her charms, Miss Keine hugged Medicine from the waist down and judging from the surprised but relaxed look on Medicine?s face when she looked up, she kind of liked it as well.
[Her powers is adversely proportionate to her moods? the more upset and withdrawn she is, the stronger her powers and the open and calm she is, the weaker her powers are.]
Seeing how confused the both of us are, Miss Keine coughed and repeated herself.
[In other words?]
But not without a striking glare that made the both of us look away.
[her powers are affected by her moods. The happier she is, the weaker her powers and vice-versa.]
[Woah, that?s kinda? weird ze?]
Sighing, Marisa ran a hand through Medicine?s hair and she smiled sweetly at her.
That makes sense, the Medicine I knew, or I remembered is a lonely and depressed little girl.
In Miss Keine?s arms she looks happy and contented, just like how she and all little girls that looks her age should be? in fact I?
[R-reimu!!]
[Eh?!]
Without thinking I was fawning over her as well, cuddling and hugging her with all my might after snatching her bodily from Miss Keine.
The surprised look on Medicine?s face notwithstanding, she returned my hug after calling my name. Ahh, she?s so adorable~~
[? I think Reimu has the same tendencies as you, Keine ze?]
[shush?.]
Hugging her for a few minutes, I turned back to look at Miss Keine and Marisa, both of which were sipping tea calmly with a judging expression on their faces that I knew was trouble.
[Erm?]
Smiling wearily at them, I let go of Medicine in a hurry and played with my thumbs till Miss Keine cleared her throat and spoke.
[Well?]
[? da ze~]
Grinning evenly at me, Marisa chuckled while pushing Miss Keine forward.
[I am very disappointed in you, Reimu. You placed your life in danger for her; that is true.
You did do that to prevent more bloodshed and deaths; that is true as well.
You wanted to guide Medicine on the right path, yes, that is the truth.
But.]
Ending her speech with ?but?, I swallowed nervously as I nodded to her and inquired.
[yes?]
[In the course of doing that action, you have not considered the fact that you would be betraying your trust in you?
Have you forgotten that you had promised us present here that you would take care of yourself and not for us to worry?
Yes, the purpose what you did is not trivial at all, saving the people of Gensokyo is an enormous task.
BUT.]
Glaring at us when Marisa seemed to be out of it, Miss Keine clapped her hands together and lifted the sleeping Medicine to her lap and started patting her, just like how she would do with any child before containing.
[You failed to inform of us of what you were planning, what you meant to do? what you wished to accomplish.
We would have taken the news of your deed more favorably if we had known about it.
What does not matter is whether we could have done anything about it or the fact that you would have done the EXACT SAME THING IF YOU DID?]
Slamming her hand on the table, Miss Keine glared so fiercely at me that I really knew she was totally furious at me.
I had never seen Miss Keine this mad before and even Marisa was giving her a big berth, backing away and smiling nervously at me, then her and then back at me.
The only thing I see that was keeping Miss Keine from exploding in rage was Medicine, who had woken up and was looking as if she was about to cry.
[Hush, My dear? I?m not mad at you?]
Making soft cooing sounds at her, Miss Keine made Medicine smile again before shooting daggers at me with her eyes again.
[And now, back to you, Hakurei Reimu. I demand an answer from you? We deserve to know? we do, Reimu.
We are friends, very good friends? ?why would you not even consider telling us, what you are planning? Are we that not trustworthy for you?]
Softening her stance, Miss Keine placed a hand on her chest and elaborated once more.
[Do you believe we would not support you? Why would you not let us into? what you fear? What you wish to do?
Reimu? we wish nothing but to be trusted? we all need someone Reimu, can?t we? as your friends, have the right to know what ails you?]
Seeing her pleading with me was heart wrenching, made even more so when tears were appearing in her eyes made me even guiltier.
It was not that I would not wish to tell her of? what I am attempting? or that I did not trust them? it is simply that, I do not know what I am tasked to do before the exact moment where I had to.
It was my? intuition? it is something that can never be explained?
I could not explain the actions that compelled me to save Gensokyo in the last disaster as well? it was as if I knew what was the right thing to do at the exact moment prior it?.
Could I call it the wills of the gods? I certainly hope I could? After all the things I?ve been through, I am merely just Reimu, not a prophet? but the Guardian of Gensokyo and servant of the Great Hakurei Spirit.
[I?m sorry? I didn?t mean to?]
Lowering my eyes, I felt as thou the years were stripped away and I was once again in my teens, being lectured by Miss Keine with Marisa beside me, only I was the only one being lectured? and for all the right reasons.
--
[It is? something that I can?t explain? why I am compelled to act independently? and most importantly?
I too, see you as my closest friends, Marisa, Miss Keine? and likewise?]
I bit my lip and then smiled at the two of them sadly, using my eyes to express my emotions.
[I do? do not wish to see anyone to be hurt? at least not directly or indirectly because of me?
I know, I know you are hurt now? but at the least, you can be mad at me? when you are unhurt? I would rather do that, than to risk the chance of you being hurt? Marisa, Miss Keine?]
Smiling sheepishly as I raised my head, I told them that I would rather be hurt myself than to bear the risk of them being hurt.
[And I mean every word, Miss Keine, Marisa? even if you would hate me for it? even if you would hurt me for that? I will do so?. And? even if you feel hurt by me? I feel hurt too?]
That seemed to jar them and they looked at each other before sighing.
[Reimu, is it really that hard for you to do that? Just to confide in us?]
[? I?ll? try? I?ll try my best? sometimes it just happens without warning?]
Smiling at them, I believed I did finally appease them when they just stared at me in stony silence.
[Please? I am sorry, Miss Keine? Marisa? but it is the truth? it? it just happens?]
Sitting in my personal quarters with Miss Keine and Marisa staring at me was very uncomfortable, even more so when the silence persisted for a while.
[? sigh?]
Sighing, Miss Keine seems to have given up when Medicine started fidgeting in her lap.
She seemed weary and tired, lines appearing under her eyes as an indicator of the stress she was undergoing.
[It?s the old Hakurei Intuition, da ze?]
Marisa asked she poured a cup of tea for Miss Keine and ruffled Medicine?s hair before pushing her cup to me.
[Chill, Keine, if it?s that, there?s really nothing we can do ya know? Not like we all are Reimu?s~]
[I-I?m sorry, Miss Keine? it is not that I do not wish to? but?]
I bit my lip and was about to speak when both of them reached out and hugged me, pulling me into a big hug. I felt their warmth and I hugged back.
For a moment, sitting there, with nothing but a table separating me and them, I felt more than ever how different I am to them? the gap between us was never so obvious that I? that I just?
[Yea yea, sure sure? sorry, Reimu?]
Marisa apologized to me softly and as she looked up to her, I saw her eyes echoed mine, one that seemed so far away.
I know Marisa, of all the people in Gensokyo would understand and I felt a little relieved. If she could understand? maybe Miss Keine would understand as well.
[You?re burdened with many things? Reimu, we know? we should have known? it?s not something that you want to, right ze?]
[I?m sorry? I-I wish I could?]
[Shush, Reimu? like what Mokou and I told you, you?re Reimu, more than anything else before? you?re Hakurei Reimu.
Marisa too, you?re Kirisame Marisa? not just the protectors of Gensokyo, not just the Hakurei Shrine Maiden. You?re Reimu and Marisa?]
[And you?re Keine? da ze?]
[Kamishirasawa Keine?]
[Oh shush, both of you?]
Keine seemed embarrassed but the hug that she gave us became even stronger, so much so I was a little out of breath.
[Behind our roles, behind our tasks? we?re still people? humans?]
[And youkai ze?]
[And youkai.]
Miss Keine agreed firmly and I just chuckled, it felt so odd? and so? so heartwarming at the same time that I started to cry.
[Oh don?t cry Reimu?]
[She?s a natural cry baby ze~~ Reimu?s been like this ever since she came back?]
[S-shut up? m-marisa? stupid?]
Chiding her, I smiled behind the tears while Miss Keine and Marisa just shook their heads in exasperation.
[You give us more trouble than the rest of the youkai put together, Reimu?]
[Indeed, you are more of a handful than all the children? telling lies, breaking promises? and trying to settle issues by yourself.
You are pushing yourself too hard, Reimu?]
[I?m sorry?]
[Stop apologizing, idiot.]
It must be countless time I had apologized to them, most of the times for making them worry and a few times for disappointing them.
It?s just me? I feel so apologetic for them that I had to? Even if they said it was not my fault? it must be a character that was built to me from the years I am away.
I?m no longer the headstrong and impatient person I was? at least that is what I am told by Miss Keine and the others?
[Whatever you do, Reimu? we view you as Reimu, not as the Haurei Shrine Maiden? but as Reimu? that is why we worry.]
Speaking her thoughts, Miss Keine smiled sheepishly for a moment as she looked away, seemingly remembering something.
Her eyes for a moment have the hint of tears and she muttered under her breath.
[Just? like how he did for me too?]
Marisa and I exchanged looks and kept silent as she seemed to be in another world for some time before turning back to me.
She must really miss the person as she did not even notice herself spacing out? there are times I would want to find a soul mate like how Miss Keine did.
The many times I?ve seen her pine for her love one was painful for me, she seemed never able to let her love go?
It was both heartbreaking to see her mourn so much and heartwarming to know that Miss Keine, in the course of her long life did find a person that truly and utterly loved her and she returned that love.
--
Dizzy H. "Muffin" Muffin:
Awesome as ever.
Nice hints-which-don't-actually-reveal-anything about some of Keine's backstory. I wonder who "he" was ... (which, of course, is the whole point ;))
WRATHIE_Beatrice:
--
[We?ve forgotten that you are the Hakurei Shrine Maiden too, Reimu?]
[Reimu, turn into your disaster resolving mode ze! The Hakurei Shrine Maiden Reimu!]
[M-marisa?]
I was scandalized at being called that, it seems so wrong and one sided to associate me with the term: ?Shrine Maiden?, there is another Shrine Maiden in Gensokyo, Sanae-san and I immediately reminded Marisa of that.
[Oh yea? Sanae?]
Shrugging, I was so mad at Marisa I was about to reprimand her when Miss Keine coughed and continued, upset at me and Marisa for breaking the atmosphere.
[Reimu, from now on? even if it hurts us?. Which it will?]
Miss Keine spared no time in glaring at me again and I looked away to avoid her accusing eyes. She is truly terrifying at times.
[We will try to comprehend, that you are the Shrine Maiden of Paradise, Reimu. Your job is to resolve disasters at time? we should accept that?]
Taking a deep breath, it seemed painful for Miss Keine to even say it out loud for me.
[just promise us one thing, Reimu?]
She swallowed again but Marisa blurted it out to me, just like she always does.
[That you better freakin come back in one piece, da ze!!]
Miss Keine was scandalized as she stared at the glaring Marisa, who had grabbed my collar and was lifting me up slightly before she started giggling and laughing.
[Yes? please do? and likewise, Reimu?]
Smiling with us as we all giggled for a bit, Miss Keine once again placed a hand on her chest and elaborated.
She never seems to surprise me. She was gentle to all of us and yet harsh toward us all when we get in trouble.
Most of the time she would seem to be the wisest among all of us, having experienced life in it?s ups and downs and yet, at times she is as na?ve as the youngest child, bless her..
Right now, she is smiling, showing me how determined she is to live the life she has never done before.
Miss Keine had gone through so much, I wish she would not worry so much about me and Marisa but I guess she could not help herself.
She is the protector of the village, and has been for a very very long time even before I was born?
She had endured so much pain, so much suffering, so many rejections and so many denials? and when this peace, this peace that was secured by me was given to the land, Miss Keine, may the spirits bless her, is still unable to set her mind at ease?
She had to worry about me and Marisa, on virtue that the both of us were humans and we were her friends.
[I am Kamishirasawa Keine, the caretaker of the village and she is Kirisame Marisa, defender of Gensokyo and Resident Black Witch.
We too, asides from being your friends? have our own roles to play?
Please forgive us as well? if we made you worry about us.]
Bowing formally to me, the both of us hurriedly did the same to her.
[There, now we are settled? and even.]
Marisa grinned as she slapped all of our shoulders. It was indeed a load off my shoulders to have the two of them thinks that way but in a way, it made me feel a little sad as well.
Will we, in the course of doing our duties eventually forget that we are even friends?
Will we forget to even care for each other?s safety??
[Neh Reimu, don?t worry? we?ll still make you guilty for keeping things from us. Don?t worry about that!]
Seemingly reading my mind and my inner fears, Marisa winked and let us go, ending the hug between the three of us.
[Now the problem ze? is HER!]
Pointing at the sleeping Medicine, Marisa looked at the both of us before slapping us on the shoulders.
[And don?t get any weird ideas, ze!!]
--
Sitting together at the porch, the both of us played with Medicine with Marisa fuming beside me.
She had been grumpy ever since I decided that she could stay in the Shrine for the time being while we decide what to do with her.
Right now Miss Keine was reading Medicine a story while I was meditating peacefully. Suika had returned and was pouring sake for Marisa.
I did not understand her anger and disappointment at me deciding to keep her at the Shrine and when I asked her why:
[She?s YOUKAI, Reimu!!]
[Marisa? you too?]
[? But, Medicine is a dangerous youkai! She might harm all of you! Or the villagers, Marisa!]
[Marisa? she?s just as dangerous? as you and me?]
That silenced Marisa but she was still grumpy and resisted any attempt from me to reconcile with her. It was just like her to do that, it has served her well but it will not work against me.
By even trying to test my patience was an uphill battle that could not be won.
Meditating for three hours without moving, I had made Marisa utterly frustrated and only now had I broke the tranquil state of mind I had entered and stood up, stretching myself.
[Evening, Reimu!!]
Smiling at me, Suika hurriedly kept the sake with her duplicates and told me that the villagers were concerned about the weather and would like me to perform a ritual for rain.
[Oh, thank you Suika? I will make arrangements for that? In any case, it is my time for a visit tomorrow.]
[kaaaaaay!!]
Nodding, Suika shot a sidelong glanced at Marisa before going back to reading a book I had asked her to memorize.
It was a book about the teachings of Shinto, if Suika was serious about being a Shrine Maiden, I will have to instruct herself from the basics onwards.
Suika has been diligent student so far but I do sense some resentment from her part at being tied down to the Shrine.
[Miss Keine, are you not going back to the village?]
Absentmindedly, I asked Miss Keine while massaging my arms and I was amused to see a started Miss Keine look at me and then at her surroundings.
[Oh my goodness!!!]
Covering her mouth, Miss Keine hurriedly got up and seemed in a panic. Has she not noticed how fast the time has gone by playing with Medicine?
[Miss Keine?? Are you going somewhere??]
Medicine, who had gotten up and was pulling on Miss Keine?s skirt, had a confused and pleading expression on her face as Miss Keine turned back to look at her.
[Let?s play more! I want to hear more stories!]
[Ah.. .well, erm?]
Miss Keine truly looked torn and I walked over to pat Medicine on her head to help Miss Keine out.
[Medicine, Miss Keine needs to go back to the village? she?ll come and play with you again.]
Smiling at her, I was however not surprised when Medicine shook her head and pleaded Miss Keine to stay and play with her.
Despite everything, she still has the mentality of a child. Youkai does mature slowly and she might have to live a hundred years for her to outgrow this mentality.
[Medicine, Miss Keine has to go back now? please, let her go?]
Bending down, I explained patiently to her while Miss Keine looked even more reluctant to move away.
She was looking at Medicine with an expression of longing and another that I could not describe. It was as if Medicine had gave new life to Miss Keine somehow.
[No no!! I want Miss Keine to play with me!!]
We spent a few minutes trying to get Medicine to come to terms with the predicament before Marisa strolled over, StarFire, Marisa?s broom hovering above her.
[I knew that would happen ze~]
Marisa sounds as she was expecting it and to be honest, a part of me had expected this as well.
Miss Keine loved taking care of children and to her benefit, Miss Keine was adored by children as well.
If Miss Keine had indeed lost track of time entertaining and playing with Medicine, there is no doubt that Medicine would have bonded with her.
We do have a tricky situation now and I thought hard, trying to come up with a solution only to end up with a blank.
[The easiest way, was for Keine to take her home, wouldn?t it?]
Grinning as she tickled Medicine, Suika winked at Keine as Ran and Chen, my two constant companions rested on Miss Keine?s shoulder and nodded at the suggestion.
[Well? that would certainly solve the problem.]
I clapped my hands and smiled at the suggestion. It was indeed ideal.
[Miss Keine, you can seal her powers, that will make it safer for her and the villagers for her to be around.]
[Sides, I don?t think anyone can tell the difference between her and a human child.]
Suika does make a winning argument till Marisa interrupted.
[If you seal her powers, she will grow up without knowing how to control them.
That?s not a good idea, not to mention who knows what will happen to her powers if it goes untouched.]
Crossing her arms, Marisa seemed unsatisfied with the reply but she too seemed lost in what to do till we heard another voice call out to us.
[KEINE!!]
It was Miss Mokou, rather Fujiwara no Mokou the immortal phoenix and another caretaker of the village and the resident guide of the Bamboo forest.
She was Miss Keine?s closest friend and they have been through lots together, thanks to efforts from mine and Miss Keine?s part, Mokou is now accepted in the village and is one of the most loved, aside from Miss Keine of course.
They live together and seeing Miss Keine had not returned after being called out since morning, it was natural for her to come and look for her.
[Geez I was worried?]
Wearing her trademark red overalls that had paper charms pasted all over it and her brown blouse, Mokou grinned while exchanging hard high fives with Marisa.
What was different was that she had her hair tied in long twin tails that was different from the usual ponytail that she would wear.
She seemed embarrassed that I pointed it out to her but she did look very cute in that.
Mokou is quite similar to Marisa in terms of character and temperament and they click together very well indeed.
[So, what?s the commotion about? Reimu was getting herself into some sort of fix again?]
Grinning, Mokou winked at me and I looked away in embarrassment. Why does everyone have the same impression of me?
[Heh, Keine, I gave the children the day off since I didn?t see ya back, hope ya don?t mind.]
Smirking after she got the response she wanted, it was Mokou?s turn to be taken aback as Miss Keine exclaimed loudly it was the wrong thing to do.
[Mokou!! You knew that the children were supposed to keep up with their studies!!]
[H-hey hey! Keine, I thought it was something serious ya know? You been gone so long I was considering declaring a state of emergency!!]
Raising her arms in front of me as a makeshift shield, Mokou placated the angry Miss Keine by her words and it was an immediate reversal as Miss Keine blushed red and stopped abruptly, something Mokou immediately took note off.
[wait? don?t tell me it wasn?t important?!?!]
Mokou sighed when Miss Keine remained silent while the rest of just gave them a wide berth.
I was giving Ran and Chen a well deserved cuddle when there was a loud scream from Mokou.
[WHAAAAAAAT!!!!!]
It seems Miss Keine had told Mokou what was going on and I hurried over to coax Medicine with me, who was looking as if she was about to cry.
Mokou was glaring at Miss Keine as if she had lost her mind while Miss Keine was torn between making a hard stance and giving in to Mokou.
It was all too familiar to me and I wanted Medicine not to get involved in it.
[Come here Medicine, Miss Keine and Mokou have to work things out themselves?]
[B-but?]
She looked as if she did not want to leave Miss Keine and I nodded to Ran and Chen, who flew over and twittered to Medicine, persuading her to come with me, leaving Miss Keine and Mokou to argue between themselves.
--
Author's Notes:
Oh yea, i dropped hints on what could happen next.. or rather, what triggered the actions soon.
Dizzy H. "Muffin" Muffin:
I can just imagine Mokou's comical irate expression at the end there.
WRATHIE_Beatrice:
--
Short update from me.
--
[HER?! Are you kidding?!?!!]
Screaming at me, Mokou was surely totally befuddled by my decision to bring Medicine in.
I guess she would be, this was totally unexpected and it is was Medicine, Medicine Melancholy the little sweet poison that I was proposing to live with us.
[She?s youkai!!]
[I?m youkai, Mokou!]
[Okay, good point there?. But she?s a dangerous youkai!!]
Recovering quickly, Mokou tried to make stand against me, pointing at poor Medicine, who was shivering and clutching me with all her strength.
Mokou is scaring the poor dear but I can scarcely blame her too, oh dear I am torn between the two of them?
Lowering my head, I clutched her hand and explained to her.
[Please Mokou, she has nowhere to go? Medicine she? well, she could live with us?]
I pleaded with her again, I knew Mokou from the inside and out. I knew she would not let a little girl out in the cold if she could help it.
Despite Mokou?s tough exterior and constant scowl, she loves children and is actually a shy girl who does not know how to express herself.
Her long isolation from humans made it easy for people to misjudge her but I knew Mokou, I thought I did but I am unsure right now? why is Mokou so fiercely opposed to Medicine staying over?.
[She?s just a little girl at heart, Mokou. I?ll take care of her, I?ll teach her to use her powers and all that.
So please, Mokou? Medicine can stay with us, right?]
[NO it?s NOT okay!! C?mon Keine, you know what her abilities are, the manipulation of poison!!
If she gets out of hand it?s the villagers who would suffer?]
I knew it, Mokou is concerned about the village!!
I celebrated my small inner victory in getting Mokou to admit caring about the village by smiling happily at her.
[Mokou, please!! I?ll really take care of her? Please, Mokou?]
[It?s not about whether you can take of her, Keine!! She?s? she?s youkai!! I know, I know you?re youkai? I?m YOUKAI!
But? but it?s just that?]
Pausing, Mokou looked at Medicine fiercely before turning to me and yet she was unable to say what she wanted to say.
The words would not come out and I spend a few seconds watching her stamp her feet in anger.
What is it with Mokou? I have not seen her as mad as she is now? since the last time Kaguya came and hugged her.
But she was secretly very pleased by that, I knew from the shy smile on her face that was the rarest of her smiles.
[Come here Medicine, Miss Keine and Mokou have to work things out themselves?]
[B-but?]
I breathed a sigh of relief when Reimu came over and took Medicine away, I would not want the conversation with us to turn ugly in front of her.
Mokou was still glaring fiercely at Medicine and only with Reimu shaking her head softly at us did she lighten up.
[Keine?]
Looking at me with an unreadable expression, Mokou seemed very nervous, as if she was worried about something all of a sudden and I placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to reassure her.
[yes, Mokou? Is there something you are worried about?]
[Keine, If you really want to? I mean, if you really want to ya know?
Take her in? kay? okay?]
She seemed unwilling to give up the argument but give up she did as she lowered her head and smiled bitterly at me.
[After all? it?s your home? you have the right to decide?]
Smiling, Mokou grinned sheepishly as she scratches her head.
[It?s silly of me to object? it?s your home after all? I?m just staying there for the time being.]
Her words were a blow to me and to some extent, our friendship and I tightened my grip on her shoulder.
[Mokou! Why do you say that!]
[Well? it?s da truth, right?]
Smiling sheepishly at me, I shook my head to Mokou?s surprise and refused to let her go, imploring her not to think that way.
I?ve never thought of that home as mine alone, Mokou has the right to the home as much as I did?
I could not imagine life without Mokou, it wouldn?t be a home without it? if that is not counted as belonging to her, I do not know what is.
[No Mokou! I?ve never thought of it that way, hence me asking you that?]
[Nahhh, you shouldn?t have to? it?s your home and all?.]
She smiled at me but I saw the signs of pain on her features as she spoke to me, she was hurt and hurting badly but the more I tried to reassure her, the more she would not believe me.
Her hurt eyes made it obvious that our friendship was being tested again, perhaps more than ever before and I decided I should back off for a bit and let her cool down.
[? Mokou?]
Staying silent as she looked away from me, I endured the lonely and pain I felt for a few moments more before trying to reach her again, through my words.
I was trembling and I was afraid, this is the truth. I did not know why that I feel that I would lose Mokou if I played my cards right.
The barrier between us is made all the more obvious when I was reminded of how Mokou initially looked when I first caught sight of her.
It was back to the same distrusting and suspicious Mokou I saw back then.
What have I done to earn her ire and mistrust? Oh dearie me?
[? Mokou, I want to take care of Medicine? I feel like, I need to? that I am compelled to?]
Putting my hands behind me, I smiled sheepishly as I twitched nervously, using my foot to draw patterns on the ground.
It was like the tables are turned and I was being accused by Mokou. I do admit that I have some? tendencies for liking children but that was no reason for her to get mad at me like this?.
[I just want to, Mokou? please, I want to guide her, guide her to be the best youkai she could be.
Medicine is a good girl, a lonely youkai wanting nothing more than to be with her dolls.]
Mokou didn?t seem impressed as she scowled and shrugged.
[uh huh, I don?t see what that has to do with anything, Keine?]
[Mokou, I want? us to do it together.]
[What?]
She replied with surprising speed, as if she was expecting it and it was me who was surprised rather than her. Her sharp eyes stared at me, daring me to try her and I smiled apprehensively.
[Mokou, I want the both of us to nurture, to teach Medicine together. I wish to Mokou? please? Please?]
[?]
Looking down at her feet, I endured yet another small spell of silence till Mokou, her lips dry, shrugged and shook her head.
[Keine, thank you.]
She thanked me? Why did she thank me? I do not understand her reasoning for that till she spoke again.
[You think so highly of me ya? Thanks? but no, I?m sorry? Sorry Keine]
Stuffing her fingers into her pants, Mokou looked as if she was leaving when I grabbed her shoulder with both my hands and implored her not to leave.
[Mokou! W-where are you going!]
[Keine!! Well uh?]
She seemed embarrassed at me clinging on to her and she quickly tried to pry my fingers off.
[Quit it, Keine! You?re not a damn kid!! C?mon leggo!!]
[NO! Not tell you tell me where you are going and why!! Mokou!!
You?re not leaving, not leaving me or anyone again!! I won?t allow it!!]
It became a quick tug of war between me and Mokou, with me ending up pulling at her ankles till she finally gave up and sat down in her anger.
[Fine, FINE! Okay Keine. You stopped me from leaving. Why?! Why!!]
She was mad, I was mad too? why would she want to leave? Everything is fine right, so why? why must she?
[Mokou, you are not going anywhere? I want you to stay?. Isn?t that a good reason?
Please Mokou, we?ve been through this much? I-I didn?t think this would make you leave?]
Mokou seemed torn, not for the first time and with her hands, she reached to brush away the hair that was covering my eyes and my face.
Her touch always felt warm to me but today, just for today it felt clammy cold.
Something was really bothering her and I could not tell what it is.
[? Alright? I?ll stay? I?ll stay!! Alright? just? don?t give me that stupid look on your face.]
Grinning, Mokou helped me up before slapping me on the back.
[Don?t you spoil the little brat, kay?]
Sniffing, Mokou?s grin seemed forced but I was over the world when I heard her say she could stay and I didn?t notice the warning signs so early.
I just threw myself at Mokou and hugged her happily. All I wanted was for all three of us to be family and I gushed out all the things I wanted to do with her.
[I promise I?ll take care of her, as if she was?]
Pausing mid-sentence, I gestured Medicine to come over to share a great big hug from me.
The two of them were surprised when they were lifted into the air and I ignored the protests and giggles before whispering it so softly only they could hear.
[Our child, Mokou? okay? Oh don?t give me that face, Mokou? we are one big family!!]
Hugging them tightly, I could only imagine how life would change with the addition of the tiny youkai into our home.
I am sure there will be many challenges to conquer, many habits that we will have to change.
But this warm feeling in my heart that I felt when I have Mokou and Medicine with me will help me live through all that life throws at me?
I promise with all my heart, that I will?
So please, the Spirit that looks over us all? whoever you are, wherever you are? would you please answer my prayer, my prayer of letting me and my family live together happily?
Whatever the cost of having my prayer answered is, I will gladly pay it? if only, for them.
The price will be worth it? I know it would be?
--
Sitting down with Suika at the porch while looking at Miss Keine and Mokou settle their differences, I sensed something yet again.
It was a familiar feeling of someone trying to tell me something and I looked over behind my shoulder. Marisa seemed to be talking to someone at the corner of the yard and I stood up, going over to her.
[? it will happen soon.]
I heard a strangely familiar voice as I got closer but when I thought I would meet whoever Marisa was talking to, she turned towards me and grinned.
[Anything wrong, Reimu?]
[Eh, No? Not at all?]
Jumping slightly, Marisa pulled me away from where she was earlier back towards the Shrine itself, directing me back to Miss Keine and Mokou despite me trying to look over her shoulder.
Was she hiding something from me?
I studied Marisa?s face for any signs of her lying to me but there was none, she was clean.
There was the same smile she greets me everyday and the same expression of confusion, worry and a little bit of her goofy nature.
She was just plain, ordinary Marisa and I felt compelled to drop the issue right there.
She wasn?t doing anything wrong, perhaps it?s my imagination? but? the tingling feeling I?ve felt?
Was it just my imagination, probably not.
But let?s leave it at that? it seems Miss Keine and Mokou has worked out something and were waving me towards them.
[Well, whatcha waiting for Reimu? Go on!]
Winking at me, Marisa pushed me forward while she followed casually.
She didn?t seem to be in a hurry but she was right, Medicine and Miss Keine was the priority right now.
--