A New World: Book 1 Completed

~Hakurei Shrine~ > Kosuzu's Grand Bookstore

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Iced Fairy:
Keine's house at the back of the school was smaller then what Maribel had expected, but still spacious compared to the apartments of Japan. It had a combination entry room / kitchen, in addition to a decently sized bedroom and a bath. Beyond that was the massive records room of course, and Keine had told them there was an attic above Keine's room where they would be staying.

Currently though they were using the kitchen to prepare the groceries Keine had acquired. ?That should do it.? She ignored Renko's questioning glance. The other girl was great at measuring ingredients, but she was always terrible when it came to time.

Keine walked over from where she'd been preparing the vegetables and took a sample of the curry. ?Excellent! Thanks for helping with the cooking.?

Maribel smiled. ?Well we should try to help somehow, since we're staying over.?

?Though curry's a pretty easy recipe,? Renko added. ?We might need a little more help with something harder.?

The door opened.

Immediately Maribel had to look away. Once again infinity ripped into her mind from her eyes. She took a few deep breaths to try to clear her head while she stared at the walls. Those were much less terrifying. As her mind cleared she noticed Renko was holding her hand.

?Er, I'm not that hungry today Keine, so I'll just wander around for a bit before nightfall,? Mokou said behind her.

There was a couple of quick steps, followed by a sharp crack and a yelp of pain. ?Fujiwara no Mokou! You will NOT just wander into the woods because you're feeling guilty about that young girl's power! If you're worried about it you can sit outside while you eat.?

Maribel turned towards the fight until she caught a glimpse of the immortal for the corner of her eyes. It was annoying, but not actively painful like this. ?Um.... I can handle it, so long as I'm not staring directly at you.? She immediately felt terrible about it. ?I'm sorry, I'm being a bad guest.?

?Not your fault,? Mokou replied. ?I'm surprised your power's kicked up so much though. You really should have that investigated.?

Keine's voice chimed in. ?The next free day I'll take you to the temple of Myouren. They should be able to help you.?

Renko stepped in front of Maribel, to her annoyance and relief. ?What about the Hakurei Shrine you were talking about? Wouldn't they be good with boundaries??

Keine shook her head. ?They would be better people to ask, but I'm afraid the forest between the village and there is incredibly perilous. The Hakurei miko acts to eliminate the most dangerous youkai who choose to attack humans. So the youkai do their best to make going to the shrine as dangerous as possible. I'm unsure if I could protect you two by myself, and going with Mokou is out as well.?

?However the temple has some people who could take you there safely even if they can't help you themselves.? The schoolteacher sat down at the table. ?For now I'll see if concealing Mokou's history will help. But, I'd like you to try to handle it on your own later. You might learn some more about your abilities if you do so.?

Renko hesitated for a moment, but she moved when Maribel pushed her towards the other chair. This time Maribel couldn't see anything from the white haired woman. She sighed in relief then bowed in apology. ?I'm really very sorry for being such a pain.?

Mokou shook her head. ?Don't worry about it. It's my fault for drinking that stupid elixir. Though, if you slapped Eirin for making the stupid stuff to begin with I'd have a good laugh.?

The rest of dinner was awkward to put it mildly. Maribel felt terrible for treating Mokou like some kind of freak. Mokou seemed to feel that she was some kind of freak. Keine was insistent that Mokou act like everyone else, and Renko was feeling incredibly helpless and out of place.

Finally Mokou finished her meal and stood. ?I'll go heat up the baths.? The immortal was out the doors before anyone could voice a protest.

Maribel opened her mouth to apologize again, but Keine just shook her head. ?Don't let it bother you too much. Mokou's always been bad at socializing with other humans. It's not your fault. You're trying your best.?

Maribel lowered her eyes. ?I still feel bad about it. And I don't want to constantly have splitting headaches when I run across people like that either.?

Renko frowned. ?Yeah. That could get annoying really fast. When is your next free day Keine??

Keine thought for a moment. ?Three days from now. That should give you plenty of time to look around the village and start figuring out what you want to do with yourselves. I'll still help show you around after classes of course.?

?Now you two go ahead and take a bath,? the school teacher said while standing. ?I'll take the time to get some spare clothes for you two as well. You two both know how to put on a basic kimono right??

Maribel and Renko both nodded. ?Yeah.?

Keine smiled. ?Good. You'll eventually both need to learn how to make them. But that will do for now. I'll also look up some spells for you two to try out, but we should wait until tomorrow for that. You'll both want a good night's rest before trying magic. Even if it is in an easy to use form.?

***

Clean and wearing a fresh, if slightly worn, yukata Maribel found herself staring at the attic's ceiling. The room was filled with odd trinkets, mirrors and other items that Maribel would normally happily investigate, but she was bone tired, in spirit if not in body. She wasn't sure she wanted to learn anything else today.

She turned on the futon and looked over at Renko. Her friend was staring out the attic window at the stars. For once she truly envied her friends strange eyes. Renko's eyes didn't tear apart worlds or force her to see things. They just told Renko where she was, something Maribel wasn't sure about anymore.

Renko must have felt her gaze, because her friend turned from the window and shut the curtains. ?It's 11 o'clock. We probably should try to get some rest.?

Maribel nodded and pulled the blankets over her as Renko snuffed the oil lantern. As her friend slipped into the other futon Maribel reached out and put her hand on Renko's arm.

Renko started at the touch, then she wordlessly took Maribel's hand. With that Maribel allowed herself to sleep. She knew that no matter where they ended up, Renko would be there to tell her where they were.

***

There are cherry trees everywhere.

I'm not sure if that's a terrible insult, or somehow fitting.

But then, you probably don't remember.

I see you now. Standing in front of the one tree that doesn't blossom. The tree that will never blossom. You look different then you did in life. Your hair has turned the same color as the blossoms, but that's not the real change. Your face seems happier, but less passionate. Less, well... alive.

How else have you changed my friend? How much of your humanity do you still have? Do you remember the trials you suffered through, the decisions you made and that made you?

Do you remember me?

You turn at my approach....

I don't see any recognition on your face.

It doesn't matter. Even if you've changed completely, even if you no longer wish to be my friend, I still remember you. And I want you to know that.

I walk up and hug your ghostly form. And as you gasp in surprise I whisper, ?I missed you.?

Iced Fairy:
They'd finally reached the portion of the day that they'd been waiting for. They were in a strange land, separated forever from home, surrounded by beings that thought they'd go well with a bit of ketchup. But that seemed completely unimportant, because today, they were going to learn magic.

Or at least, that's what Keine claimed they were doing.

Renko stared down at the card then glanced over to Maribel. She shook her head as well. ?So these cards will allow us to cast magic??

Keine hesitated for a moment before nodding. ?Yes, but probably not today. Right now they'll give me a rough estimate of how strong you are, and allow you to get an idea of what magic feels like.? She gestured towards some nearby scrolls. ?After that you'll begin the real process.?

?But how do cards help?? Maribel asked.

?Those items are magical artifacts known as spellcards. Spellcards are part of an ancient dueling mechanism that has gone in and out of favor across the centuries. Originally designed by a small magician sect shortly after the first Lunarians departed, it spread to the tengu and from there to youkai across the lands. Its purpose is to allow for non lethal duels while still showing the spirit of the participants, and the capture system showed your victories over time, however....? Keine blinked then stopped her historical lecture. ?Um, in any case the nice thing about spellcards is that they're designed to be activated quickly and safely, and they're linked to the user's preferred style of magic.?

Maribel gave the cards another close look. ?But you said we can't use them to create magic.?

?Probably not.? Keine looked slightly embarrassed. ?I don't really have much skill at teaching magic. I'm mostly going by guesswork. But I know this is a safe way of determining your power.?

Renko pulled out a card from her stack. ?So how do we use these things??

Keine pulled out a card of her own. ?Simple. Focus on the card and call out it's name. If you have an idea about what it should look like visualize that.? She closed her eyes then held her card towards the sky. ?Sacred Treasure: Magetama!?

Maribel jumped back in surprise as several energy bubbles flew into the sky, followed by a dazzling stream of glowing shots. The spell moved somewhat slowly, but the pattern looked almost like a curving wall. It was as beautiful as any fireworks display back home. Perhaps more so.

?Whoa,? said Renko from beside her.

Keine lowered her hands and the spell abruptly stopped, the bullets vanishing. ?Now you two give it a try.?

Maribel began looking through the cards Keine had given her. 'Flying insects' nest'? What, did the spell summon bees? 'Mesh of Light and Darkness.' How would that look? 'Border of Wave and Particle...' That sounded promising. ?Renko, light is a wave and a particle, right??

Renko gave her a questioning look. ?Yeah, basically. Why do you ask??

?One of the cards referenced that for some reason.?

?That's strange. Then again I guess a physicist had to have wandered in her at some point, considering the questions the mages were giving me back at the mansion.? Renko returned her attention to the cards. ?I'll give these a shot.? Renko said, holding up 3 cards from her stack.

Maribel nodded and held up the spellcard that had caught her eye. ?I'll try this one.?

Renko stepped up first and held up a card. ?Curse of the Heavens: Apollo 13!?

There was a long pause as nothing happened.

Finally Renko put her arm down. ?It felt like something was different but....? Maribel stifled a giggle as Renko blushed. Her friend didn't need to be told how silly she looked.

Keine just smiled. ?Don't worry. Eirin's spells are all very difficult, and that one's probably even worse for you because you don't know the real history. Try the other two.?

Maribel briefly wondered about the 'real history' bit, but Renko pulled out her second card. ?Star Sign: Twinkle Sapphire!?

This time the card glowed bright purple. Then the light surrounded Renko, occasionally flaring out. There were no bullets but Maribel could see tiny stars in the light.

After a few more seconds the glow cut out, just as abruptly as Keine's spell had. The school teacher began clapping, and Mary joined in soon after. ?That was great Renko!? Renko flushed and adjusted her hat.

Keine nodded. ?Indeed. Even if that was a fairy's spell, it's still an impressive feat for someone without training. I think I know where to start you. Try the third spell.?

Renko nodded. ?Okay. Let's see.... Star Sign: Eccentric Asteroid!?

This time there was just a yellow glow from the card. Maribel could sense some sparkles around it, but she couldn't tell if those were real, or something only her eyes could see.

Renko lowered the card and frowned. ?That didn't work as well.?

Keine smiled. ?No actually, given the difference in power between you and the creator of that card I think it went very well. In fact I already know where to start you.? Keine searched through the scrolls before handing Renko a few. ?You seem to favor star style magics. These are the works that Marisa Kirisame used to train. You should get good use out of them for now.?

Renko nodded as she took the scrolls. "Maybe I should reconsider that deal with the mansion too, if you think that Marisa's a good teacher."

Keine laughed. "No no no. Marisa would be a terrible teacher. She's a good magician, but she's terrible at explaining things in a sane manner. The only one of the magician kids that managed to learn her spells did it by recreating them from scratch. And Yukihana moved to Makai, so she can't really help. But since both of them managed to learn magic on their own you should be able to do so as well."

Renko nodded. "Okay, that makes sense. I guess I'll just have to study hard then."

Now Maribel found both sets of eye on her. She took a deep breath and tried to not feel nervous. The card would probably just glow a bit then Keine would hand her some reading. Not much to worry about. She held the slip up and called out, ?Border of Wave and Particle!?

Maribel felt a rush, like she was running downhill. Her eyes twisted and suddenly she could SEE the light, millions of little particles, swirling like waves. It was amazing. She saw the card become a light on it's own, swirling waves of particles heading into the sky.

?MARY STOP!?

Maribel blinked and her vision cleared. Renko was on the ground behind a tree stump, and Keine was picking herself off the ground and patting at a hole in her dress. Maribel blanched and dropped the card. ?Wha... what happened??

Keine winced as she tested her shoulder. ?You succeeded in using the spellcard. It was less powerful then Yukari's normal attack, but sometimes she went easy on people. However, I thought that was impossible even with your boundary manipulation abilities.? She looked over at Renko. ?Nice dodging by the way. That's a good skill to have.?

Renko stood up and dusted herself off. ?Well, I guess Mary beats me. Guess you really are connected to this Yakumo person.?

?Obviously yes, but that doesn't explain it...? Keine stood there for a long moment frowning. Maribel began to feel uneasy.

?I'm afraid I was lying to you earlier. Spellcards are actually nothing more then a piece of paper that makes spells cast through them less lethal. I added a spell that would show your potential based on your own magical efforts,? Keine looked at Renko. ?The effects you caused were because of my spell. Maribel here seems to have bypassed that entirely.?

Keine sighed. ?I really shouldn't be surprised by this. You did manage to travel to the moon after all. However being able to duplicate her spellcard personally... that really shouldn't be possible outside of a few circumstances. With that I believe I can say with near certainty you are her reincarnation.?

Maribel felt slightly ill as Keine continued to look at her with cautious eyes. The young woman couldn't help but look down at the ground to avoid that piercing gaze. She'd believe in reincarnation on an abstract level, but it now seemed to be driving her life. And having someone know the person you were reincarnated from personally was very odd.

A familiar arm draped across her shoulders. Maribel smiled and shook off the odd feeling. ?Thanks Renko but I'm fine. I'm getting used to these shocks.? She frowned. ?Besides you're cold.?

?M~M~M~Mary!?

Maribel turned towards the voice to see Renko still standing next to the tree stump, pointing at her while trembling.

Maribel's veins turned to ice. She didn't want to turn. She didn't want to look. But she had to. Slowly she managed to force herself to turn her head.

The woman was beautiful. Her hair seemed to be the color of cherry blossoms, and her skin was fair and pale. Her funeral robes were blue and pure white and she was only slightly translucent.

As Maribel took all that in the ghost smiled and enfolded Mary in her arms. As Mary gasped the ghost whispered in her ear, ?I missed you.?

Maribel decided now would be an appropriate point to scream.

***

Mystia sang to herself as she cleaned her grill. She sang most of the time really. Singing was her nature, and no matter what minor changes she'd gone through that was still part of Mystia's being.

Some the other youkai thought that Mystia had become tamed, but really she considered the village just a really safe nesting spot. It had the potential to cage her of course, but it was no more dangerous then the forest. And a cage with an open door wasn't a cage at all.

Still, she did wish she could use her blinding song more often.

Mystia paused in her cleaning as a figure stepped out of the alleyway. ?I'm sorry, we're not ready for business yet.?

The figure chuckled. ?I'm not looking for lunch, at least, not my lunch.?

Mystia's eyes narrowed and she moved to place her grill between her and the intruder. ?What do you want Ran??

The kitsune slowly moved into the light, then stopped politely. ?Don't worry. I'm here to offer you a job. You're one of the few youkai I know I can trust.?

Mystia bent her legs in case she needed to jump away quickly. ?And if I refuse??

?Then I'd request that you keep the matter a secret. I can't force you to do it, but it would be problematic if the rumor market got too active.? Ran smiled slightly, her teeth gleaming.

Mystia relaxed a bit. The casual threat indicated the fox youkai was probably telling the truth, and Mystia knew how to keep her mouth shut when needed. ?What's the job??

?I need someone to help collect and distribute human corpses....?

Kasu:
Yuyuko sure knows how to make an entrance.

Iced Fairy:
After Ran finished explaining the plan, Mystia shook her head. ?Not a chance.?

Mystia shuddered a bit as Ran growled in frustration. She was pretty sure the kitsune wouldn't harm her, but as a prey species she couldn't be too trusting.

?Why not?? Ran asked. ?I can understand the other two I talked to, but why not you Mystia? Have you really gotten domesticated? Or are you actually going after that immortal girl??

Mystia looked shocked, then giggled. ?Hardly. It's just your offer is terrible.?

Ran's eyes narrowed. ?What's wrong with all the human you can eat??

?Because I'd get eaten first!? Mystia shook her head. ?Some people might believe that I've got a safe source, but most would just figure I'm shrine maiden bait and take me and the meat as a bonus. Heck there are enough stupid youkai around that some wouldn't even think about it before attacking.?

Ran growled in annoyance again. ?So then 'Eel Cart Lady', what the hell am I supposed to do? I can't leave this in the hands of one of the big players. The only one that needs humans anyway is the damned Scarlet Devil Mansion, and no one likes them.?

Mystia shrugged. ?You're going to have to prove this isn't a short term thing. That you're back in control and the good old days of the youkai sage are back.?

Ran thought about that for a moment. ?You always were good at marketing little sparrow.? Then she began to pace. ?Hm... how to do this without screwing everything up again. This will take some calculations.?

Mystia reached into her ice chest and pulled out a chilled fish. ?Well while you thinking could I interest you in some fish? I hear it's good brain food....?

***

Mary's scream managed to break the paralysis of fear that was holding Renko in place.

At least that's what she wanted to claim. The truth was that even hearing her friend cry out, it still took her some time to get her shivering legs in motion and reach her side.

Which is why by the time Renko was there to protect Mary the ghostly figure had released her and was floating away looking disappointed. ?Oh dear. You didn't take it as well as I did.?

?Who are you!?? Renko yelled at the ghost.

Then she felt Keine's hand fall on her shoulder. ?It's alright. She's harmless."

"But why are you here Yuyuko? For that matter, how are you here?? Keine asked as she stepped up to the pale figure.

The ghost hid her face with her sleeve. ?How cold. I simply came to talk to my old friend again. Even if she doesn't remember me.?

Yuyuko sighed and let the sleeve drop before looking straight at Mary. ?But I guess this is different isn't it. We both don't remember our past, but I was still me then. Now you, no she, is someone else.?

Renko gave Mary a hand up, while keeping her eyes fixed on the ghost. Mary seemed less scared, but Renko could still feel her friends pulse racing. Or maybe that was her own heartbeat.

Keine however seemed to be completely relaxed. ?So that confirms it.? Keine turned towards them. ?Since she's apparently able to enter Gensoukyo again, I might as well introduce you. This is Yuyuko Saigyouji, Princess of the Netherworld. Yuyuko, Maribel Hearn and Renko Usami, from the outside world.?

Yuyuko smiled then bowed. ?A pleasure to meet you two again.?

Renko hesitated a moment before giving a slight bow, with Mary following shortly behind. They didn't let go of each others hands though. ?So you've met me in a past life too?? Renko asked.

Yuyuko thought on the matter for a moment. ?Sort of. It was after the Yama had judged you however, so your past life was mostly cleaned away. I can't say I knew you well.?

Mary's grip on Renko's hand tightened, so she gave Mary a comforting squeeze in return. ?So... how well did this Yukari know you before?? Mary asked.

Yuyuko's smile widened. ?Better then I knew myself. Death and judgment tend to remove most of your memories you see, though it leaves the personality. Reincarnation however can change that. Or so it seems.? Yuyuko bowed once again. ?I'm sorry for surprising you. You see, you had known me when I was alive, so you greeted me when I assumed my care of the Netherworld. I thought I'd feel better returning the favor, but well, I'd forgotten that people here probably were afraid of ghosts since the boundaries had gone back up.?

?I'm sorry to interrupt, but I'm a bit curious about that.? Keine asked. ?How did you get into Gensoukyo again? And should we be worried about more ghosts wandering about??

Yuyuko nodded to Keine. ?You will be seeing more ghosts because the boundary between Gensoukyo and the Netherworld has weakened. That's how I can travel here as well.?

Suddenly Yuyuko smiled happily. ?Well even if I got a few things wrong, I've done what I came to do. I probably should return and start teaching my new gardener the ins and outs of the world of the living. It was good speaking to you again, Maribel was it? And you as well Renko.?

?Good to meet you too?? Renko replied.

?Um, it was good to meet you, but could you do me a favor?? Mary said. ?Could you not keep treating this Yukari and me like the same person? I'm not her.?

Yuyuko paused, her smile fading again. ?Hm.... While I can understand your confusion over the matter, the truth is you are her. One of the biggest mistakes I made came from forgetting who I had been.?

?Well your situations aren't exactly the same are they??

Renko felt her neck begin to prickle with embarrassment when she found everyone staring at her. She hadn't meant to say that out loud!

Yuyuko however didn't seem insulted, just concerned. ?Perhaps.?

?Yuyuko, there's something you aren't telling us isn't there,? Keine stated.

The ghost pulled out a fan and fiddled with it for a bit before nodding again. ?But Yukari specifically asked me to keep that a secret.? The ghost looked pointedly at Maribel.

?Well then that's between you and her,? Maribel replied.

Renko chuckled at her friends comment. Surprisingly so did Keine and Yuyuko. Still smiling Yuyuko nodded. ?Very well. I never was one to listen to her plans unless they were fun.?

She composed herself and for the first time looked at all three of the living women present. ?Yukari Yakumo knew of her death. She might even have planned it. I don't know. I do know she came to say goodbye to me beforehand. And she asked me not to interfere with her plans after her death.?

Renko felt fear stirring in her again as the ghost looked at Mary and her. ?So even if you don't want to be associated with Yukari, her plans are in motion, and you probably are at the center of them.?

FinnKaenbyou:
Somehow, hearing that Yukari planned things out after her death is unsurprising. Although if so, Ran doesn't seem to be aware of it.

Also, we've heard about ghosts coming into Gensokyo more often, so what are the odds of us meeting the ghosts of Youmu/Sakuya? (Because I'm still a little ;__; over the dying thing.)

Anyway, I assume this is inevitably going to end in World Lunar War III, but until then I like the look of this 'on the verge of being screwed over' Gensokyo you've come up with. There's a real feeling of the human village being the last safe haven in a dying world, and when the Lunarians come down all hell is going to break loose.

Sign me up.

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