Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Kizumi Meihai, cake yokai, woke up extraordinarily confused.

Her first question was how the hell she fell asleep on one of the dining room tables of the Scarlet Devil Mansion...

...

...And her immediate next question was why Sakuya Izayoi, the mansion's maid, was currently asleep hugging her.

...Her mind wandered back to last night.

After realizing that Ako had been stopped, the entire Scarlet Devil Mansion had thrown a party, and invited nearly everyone they knew...

...Including Marisa.

"...Huh, she must have spiked the punch or something."

Kizumi didn't know Marisa all that well, but what she'd concluded wasn't outside the realm of possibility, she knew that much.

...

She didn't mind any of this, in all honesty.

It was around now that Sakuya woke up.

"...Hm...?"

She opened her eyes, noticing herself on the table, and Kizumi right next to her.

"Good morning... or whatever time it is!"

"Ah, Kizumi..."

...

Sakuya blushed slightly.

"...What are we doing here?"

"Yeah, I've got no idea. I was just trying to figure it out, actually."

...

"...Marisa Kirisame..."

"You think so too?"

"...Without a doubt."

Sakuya sighed.

"I mean, I'm not complaining or anything."

...

"...That's... good."

"Haha, why are you so nervous all of a sudden?"

"...Well... this is quite an awkward situation, is it not?"

"...Oh, huh, I guess you're right. I can move, if you-"

"No, no, it's... perfectly fine."

"...Okay!"

...

While Kizumi felt fine, Sakuya was... at an absolute loss for words. She just had no idea how to handle the situation...

...Kizumi was cute, admittedly...

...

...Why was she thinking that? A maid shouldn't be thinking that about a guest, right? Especially not a maid and guest at the Scarlet Devil Mansion...

"...Hmm..."

"Is something wrong?"

Kizumi looked to Sakuya. Her internal conflict with the situation must have been showing.

...Whether it was her duty as a maid, Kizumi's evident concern, or something else entirely, she felt compelled to tell the truth.

"...I'm simply... feeling conflicted, is all."

"How so?"

"...I don't believe I should say..."

"Aww, c'mon, you can tell me. I promise I'll keep it quiet, if the situation calls for it."

...

"...I... find myself feeling something quite... unbecoming of me..."

"...Yeah? What's that?"

...

"...I... I should be performing my duties, but... I find myself wanting to... stay here, with you..."

"Well... we've got all the time in the world, right?"

"...I... suppose that's true."

Sakuya smiled as Kizumi hugged her a little tighter.

...

"...You're cute."

Sakuya did a mental double-take, the first she had done in a long while.

"...I beg your pardon?"

"Is something wrong?"

"...I... I simply haven't received a compliment of such a nature in a long time... much less from a guest here..."

"I mean, it makes sense. We're dating, after all."

...

"...We're... what?"

"...Are we not?"

"...I find myself rather confused."

"...I mean, it's been a while, we're pretty close, I just sort of... assumed we were dating."

"...Assuming...?"

"Why else would I fall asleep on the dining room table with you?"

...That did make sense...

"...I... see."

"...If I'm overstepping my boundaries or something, you can tell me. I'd rather not make you uncomfortable or anything."

...Sakuya felt herself making a choice. Of course, Remilia Scarlet was important to her, but... like Kizumi said, they had all the time in the world...

...And, well... there was room in her heart for someone else too.

"...I'm glad you... feel the same."

"...Woo!"

Kizumi kissed Sakuya on the cheek, and closed her eyes just as Sakuya turned red in response.

...

...Kizumi was likely going to stay at the Scarlet Devil Mansion for a while.

Chapter Text

Reimu... Marisa...

...

...Where am I?

What is any of this?

I'm cold... so, so cold...

It's dark here, too. I can't see my hand in front of my face, but... I've gotten used to it.

...Is someone listening...?

...Anyone...?

...

...My name... my name is Rin Satsuki.

I've been here for so long... it's been years since I've seen Gensokyo, decades since I've seen the outside world...

...Everyone just forgot me. Nobody knows I even exist, nobody knows I ever existed...

...

It's so cold. Where am I?

Deep breaths, Rin, deep breaths... try to remember what happened in Gensokyo for you to get here.

Try to... try to remember...

...

...

...

...It's... it's no use. Hahaha...

...

...I can't stay here. Let me out. Let me out!

Let me out, let me OUT! LET ME OUT OF HERE!

EVERY TIME I WAKE UP HERE IS TORMENT, EVERY TIME I FALL ASLEEP HERE IS EMPTY! WHERE AM I, AND WHAT AM I DOING HERE, AND WHY...

WHY WON'T ANYONE HELP ME!?

...

...

...

...My name... is Rin Satsuki.

I've been here for... for years.

If you can hear me... if anyone can hear me at all...

Save me.

Chapter Text

Alice and Chris had met for tea, as they usually did, after they'd split due to having too much to do in a day. Chris had to help at the Hakurei Shrine, and Alice was meeting up with Medicine Melancholy, who, according to her, was much nicer to her than anyone else.

This meeting wasn't just to help with antidote-making, although that was definitely part of it.

No, the true purpose of this meeting...

...Was to talk.

Alice talked to Medicine about some feelings she was having.

The Divine Puppet Incident was over. Everything was right in Gensokyo again...

...Chris, Marisa, herself, everyone could finally relax...

...So, why was she still so nervous about the future?

She asked Medicine about this, and she had something to say about it...

"...It sounds like some of the anxiety from resolving the incident was left over... doesn't your boyfriend have mind powers?"

...That he did...

...And, well, he had no reason to save his energy now that their biggest threat, Aki Morou, was taken care of...

...

So, when they had met for tea, Alice had built up to it a little bit, then asked the question...

"...How comfortable would you be with using Mind Sign on me?"

"...Um... depends on the spell, I guess? If you want to think it's a couple degrees warmer or something, I can obviously manage that."

"...No. I want you to use Control."

...

"...What?"

Alice had explained to Chris her situation, and... as awkward as Chris was going to find it, he figured it was his job to help Alice, since he had the ability to...

...So, of course, he accepted.

He let Alice know there was nothing to worry about, and that Aki Morou was entirely taken care of...

"...Everything's okay."

"...Yes."

Chris smiled. He was... almost surprised how easy it was to reassure Alice, but if she herself knew she was worrying for no reason, then it made sense.

...

...He figured, hey... Alice has been a little down recently.

She could use a pick-me-up.

Chris nodded, looking to her.

"...And one more thing?"

"...Yes?"

"...I'd like you to be more confident in yourself. I... honestly think you're incredible, alright?"

"...Alright."

...

"...Thanks, Alice. Love you."

"...I love you too."

Chris smiled... even something like Control didn't stop that...

...

"...Okay, you can wake up now."

Alice shook her head, looking to Chris.

"...How do you... feel?"

She hesitated, but it was only for a moment.

"...It worked."

She leapt up, running over to Chris and hugging him.

"It really worked!"

Chris was startled at first, then hugged Alice back.

...Things were alright.

Shortly after this, the two of them went to sleep...

...

...

...

...The following day, Alice was working on an outfit for one of her dolls.

"...Hmm... what do you think, Shanghai?"

The doll handed her a little string of lace.

"Thank you."

A tiny response from the doll and Alice got to work...

...But, in doing so, she had some idea.

"...Hm..."

Typically, it was an idea she wouldn't act upon, but for some reason, she felt... unusually confident.

"...Oh, Chris?"

"Um, yeah?"

"Could you help me with this outfit I'm making for Shanghai?"

The doll looked at Alice, who whispered to it as Chris responded.

"Sure, let me just get over there..."

He was there within moments, looking at what Alice was doing.

"...Huh, typically you'd be able to do this."

"Oh, regarding that, I felt a cramp in my hand."

"Hey, I get it. Think you could guide me along here? I know the pattern, I think, but there's always the chance I'm wrong."

"Certainly."

Alice took Chris' hand in her own, winking at Shanghai as she guided him along.

Alice taking the lead and Chris working with the precision of the needle, they finished the outfit relatively quickly.

"...Whew, alright, there we go."

"...Incredible dexterity, Chris."

"Oh, um, thanks."

...Alice wouldn't let go of Chris' hand, oddly enough.

"...I wonder what else you have."

"...Huh?"

Before Chris could question this further, Alice pinned his wrist to the outdoor table.

"Huh, what!?"

"...I believe you heard me."

Alice's face was... suddenly much closer to Chris' own...

"...Alice... don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to this, but... what's gotten into you all of a sudden?"

"...Hmhm... I believe you know."

"...Excuse me?"

"Well... I wouldn't do this in my typical state of mind, would I?"

...As Chris connected the dots, his eyes widened.

"Wait, hold on, I only made you more confident, or, I mean, I at least only meant to! I didn't mean to-"

"You could have made me serve your every whim and I wouldn't care less... in fact, I believe I would even be happy to do so."

...Chris was now a bright red... not to mention that he couldn't say anything.

"...Hmhm... speechless, are we?"

...Chris nodded.

"Well, actions speak louder than words, you know..."

Alice moved a little, and now both of Chris' wrists were pinned down.

"...So by all means, go ahead and act."

...

"...I... I honestly have no idea what to do here."

"...Then allow me."

With this, Alice just went in and kissed Chris. He offered absolutely no resistance to this.

"...Hmhm... how fun."

"...Um... yeah, definitely."

"...Perhaps you'd like to, shall we say... continue later?"

Chris fumbled over his own words, but Alice got the message.

"...I believe we both have things to do now, but..."

Alice gave Chris another, smaller kiss for the road.

"...I'll be seeing you, Chris. I love you."

...Chris could only nod and barely squeak out that he loved Alice too, as Alice went back into the cottage, the doll carrying its outfit.

...

...Chris had no idea how that one extra request lead to all of that, but considering he didn't tell her to do that...

...He couldn't really bring himself to be opposed to it.

Chapter Text

It wasn't often you would see Medicine Melancholy at Kourindou.

Make no mistake, she had indeed calmed down since the days before, but... she still wasn't exactly fond of humans.

Still, she had a couple coins, she had some free time... why not, right?

So there she was, browsing the selection that Rinnosuke had that day...

...When her eyes landed on something that seemed... vaguely familiar to her.

It looked like one of Alice's dolls, but... not quite. Less motion-capable, and by the looks of things, far softer?

"Ah, are you interested in that one?"

"...What does it... do?"

"Oh, it's a plush made in the outside world. They're apparently made to resemble us here in Gensokyo."

"...How does that work?"

"I asked my supplier the same thing, but I always get the same smug response... whichever game dev she hired, they're working like gangbusters."

...Medicine looked at the little thing.

...It seemed... kinda cute.

...

"...Okay, I would like this, please."

Rinnosuke nodded, Medicine paid, and soon enough, they went their separate ways.

...

...But, on the way back to the hill... Medicine spotted someone.

"Hey, what are you doing here?"

"Oh, I was just going back home..."

Something seemed familiar about this fairy... that's when it clicked in Medicine's head.

"...You look like my plush."

"Huh, what now?"

Medicine pulled out the plush, showing it to the fairy.

...

"...Wow, they're making these of me now?"

"Apparently so."

"Great! Now I'm the strongest and the most popular!"

Medicine laughed a little, and the new fairy didn't even seem to notice.

"Soon, the name Cirno will be heard everywhere!"

"Haha... is that so? Well, it's nice to meet you, Cirno. My name is Medicine Melancholy."

"Oh, nice to meet you too!"

"...I should be getting back home now... but I'll be seeing you?"

"Yeah, sure thing! If I'm really that popular, I've gotta start building a shrine so people can worship properly...!"

Cirno flew off... and Medicine Melancholy moved on, amused by the interaction and happy that she made a new friend.

...

...

...

...Later that night, she held the Cirno plushie in front of her face.

It looked kind of smug... very fitting of her new friend.

...

She stretched, yawning, and put the plushie down beside herself.

It was time to fall asleep.

Chapter Text

"Are you ready?"

Koishi looked over to Satori, who was brushing her hair.

"...I still have no clue how you managed to drag me into this..."

"Well... I mean, we've got a special guest and all, we can't disappoint, haha... plus, it'll be fun, right?"

...Satori sighed, smiling.

"...I guess so."

"Okay, then I'm ready when you are!"

Koishi's outfit had little heart-shaped buttons all over it, and Satori's had the same. It was eccentric for her, but hey, if Koishi and the guest of honor were happy... then she supposed it wasn't too awfully bad.

...Now she just had to make sure that second part was true... there might just be consequences if the concert Sakuya went out of her way to help set up fell flat.

Keeping a secret from Remilia Scarlet was no easy feat either, to say the least...

...

...Satori, reading the mind of the crowd, felt enthusiasm, and one lingering thought...

"...I do have to wonder why Sakuya has invited me here. She's typically not one for these events..."

...It was showtime.

"You ready, sis?"

"...As ready as I'll be."

The two walked out onstage. The underworld's crowd roared in applause, and way in the back, Koishi spotted Sakuya and Remilia.

"Hi, everybody!"

"...You all don't need to be so loud."

The crowd quieted down a little, followed by a light chuckle from Remilia.

"...Thank you."

"Now, our first song actually wasn't even our idea, instead, this one goes out to a special guest! The guest of honor for this whole party, as a matter of fact...!"

"...Remilia Scarlet."

Satori sensed Remilia's intrigue, as the latter looked to Sakuya. The maid simply smiled in response.

...The music started up, and Koishi sang the first line...

"...An eternal fantasy..."

"...In a land that they forget..."

"But as I toss away my sense..."

"...I cannot forget my friends..."

"The winds of time have brought us here..."

"And though fate may keep us bound..."

"Close together..."

"Almost forever..."

"Still, the hands of the clock spin around..."

"Through an everlasting chorus, through sun or rain or snow, I have always been there for you..."

"And as time goes on, though I can't become immortal, I hope that you'll stay with me, too...!"

...Remilia looked so happy... and Sakuya was definitely pleased as well...

...The performance was going great... and both Satori and Koishi could tell.

"We are bound by chains of fate...!"

"We are tethered to the moon...!"

"If we ever separate..."

"Know that I'll be with you soon...!"

"For the winds of time may blow..."

"I'll stay standing by your side...!"

"For all of eternity..."

"Until the day I die...!"

...

"...I am yours, and you are mine..."

...Silence, then...

...Resounding applause from the crowd.

Satori could sense Remilia in awe at the back of the crowd...

"...Happy birthday from Sakuya!"

...And then, she felt truly grateful to her maid... her companion.

...

...Needless to say, Satori likely wouldn't let herself be roped into this twice, but...

...Koishi was right.

It was fun.

Chapter Text

Stop! Look at this, take a look at what I've found.

A clueless little creature, stumbling all around...

Come, take a look, take a peek inside my lair.

I can't tell what lies in there...

Look, all around, tell exactly what you see.

For proper interaction, the mind is the greatest key.

See, entertainment is mere moments away.

Won't you come to play?

I'll create the greatest battle ever...

...Twists, turns, I'll oversee everything...

...I won't let you all down...

...I just hope you'll say the same for me, hahaha...!

Look, all around!

See a world made of all your choices!

Everlasting, so demanding, hear the people's voices!

All cry out!

And their options are so divisive!

All are frantic, in a panic, yet it is decisive now...!

Soon.

Chapter Text

All was not calm at the Hakurei Shrine.

Alice had just come back to tell everyone the news of Chris' disappearance through the rift, and during her time doing so, purple storm clouds had rolled in, zapping the land of Gensokyo as they pleased., seeming to... move things at random.

One lightning bolt was heard outside, just when things had presumably calmed down.

"...I can only wonder what's happened to him..."

Reimu spoke.

"Alice... listen, I know things seem dire, but... we can't lose hope just yet."

"...You're right."

There was a knock at the door.

"...That might be him. I'll get it."

Alice was silent as Reimu stood up and opened the door.

"...Chris?"

Alice's head perked up, and then Chris' voice said something... very, very unusual for him.

"Mind Sign: Control."

Reimu's expression went slack... and Alice's grew worried.

"...Step aside, please."

"...Okay."

Reimu stepped into the Shrine, granting Chris access. He walked in with his eyes closed...

...

...And he opened them, revealing a glowing purple.

...

Alice was... shocked. Absolutely heartbroken.

"...Chris... no...!"

"...I'm... I'm sorry..."

"...I... I can't... what...?"

"...I'll give you a minute, just... meet me outside."

Chris walked out of the shrine, giving Alice a little bit to recover from the fact that whoever was behind this had taken him, too...

...

...She... she couldn't afford to be shocked, not now.

...She had one mission at that point, and while she acknowledged it may be impossible...

...She still had to try.

...

...Reimu stood unmoving... leaving Alice to remind herself to stand up, and to walk outside...

...

Chris was standing only a little ways away.

"...Why go outside?"

"Well, on the off chance you decide to fight, I don't wanna mess up the shrine..."

"...I don't see much choice."

"Yeah, I know, I just..."

...

"...This isn't easy, you know?"

"...Yes, I'm... aware..."

"...I... I figured I'd give you a chance to just... let me help you over. I could use Control to have you think this is alright... I mean, I know I'd lose all hope if this happened to me..."

"...I've even lost hope already, and I'm the one here doing this, haha..."

...

"...I'll give you hope, then... I'll give all of Gensokyo hope... even if I have to fight you to do it."

...

...

"...That's the Alice I know..."

"...So... are you ready to try a fight?"

...

"...It's now or never, isn't it?"

"...Good point..."

Some dolls emerged from Alice's being.

"...Well... let's go, I guess."

Chapter Text

Marisa opened her eyes, slowly.

...It was so late... what time was it...?

...There were no clocks in the shrine, but it was so dark out...

...

...Marisa's attention turned to the shrine maiden that was asleep hugging her.

"...Reimu..."

...She didn't answer, she was still asleep, but the gesture was there.

Marisa snuggled up to Reimu. She considered telling the maiden about the dream she just had, but... she figured she should let Reimu rest. She's had a long few days, after all...

...

...Marisa, in her half-awake state, gave the non-awake Reimu a kiss on the cheek, and the latter smiled slightly.

"Marisa..."

"...Yeah...?"

...There was no response. It was likely Reimu was just sleep-talking...

...Did that mean she was dreaming about Marisa?

Just as a screw enters a wooden board, that thought crawled into Marisa's head and wouldn't leave, and she found herself smiling at the concept.

The thought of Reimu dreaming about her and the sight of Reimu's own sleeping face was enough to send her still-tired mind into near-total joy...

"...You're so damn cute, y'know that..."

...Even if it didn't change her behavior all that much.

Marisa had to wonder what brought her here in the grand scheme of things, but, well...

...It didn't really matter to her.

She was happy.

Knowing this, Marisa closed her eyes once more, and felt herself drifting into dreams...

Chapter Text

Ako Achika had been staying at the Yakumo Shrine for a couple weeks now.

Within that time, he had become acquainted with Ran and even Chen, but it was Yukari Yakumo that talked to him most often.

He had, admittedly, wondered what Yukari found interesting about him. If anything about his time in Gensokyo was particularly noteworthy, it was the time he spent atop Youkai Mountain...

...But, he wasn't complaining by any means. The only potentially frustrating part of living here was when Yukari silently teleported next to him to surprise him...

"Boo."

"AH!"

...Like just then.

Yukari fully exited the rift she had created, now next to Ako, who was sitting on the Yakumo Shrine's guest bed.

"...Oh, it's just you, whew..."

"That never gets old, hmhm... how are you?"

"I'm alright... sort of."

...Sort of? That part piqued Yukari's interest.

"...Care to elaborate?"

"...Ehh...?"

"If you don't tell me what's on your mind, there's very little chance I'll be able to help."

"...I mean... to be honest, just being here is helping some..."

"Oh?"

"I- I mean... um...?"

Silence from Ako, looking up at Yukari, who was floating in front of him.

"...Sorry, I think out loud sometimes, haha..."

"...Oh, of course, it's no issue..."

...She didn't tell Ako, but Yukari was already hatching a plan.

The border between his mind and his mouth must be somewhat thin for him to think out loud like that...

...What if she thinned it further?

...

...Only one way to find out, she figured.

Ako began speaking once more...

"...I just... what could possibly be her reasoning?"

Yukari listened intently.

"...Is it so I don't cause an incident... or maybe Ran or Chen have somehow gotten attached to me?"

"I mean, there's no way it's her choice... she's so... so..."

...Yukari sat down next to Ako.

"Okay, okay she's sitting next to me now, um..."

...Ako looked up at Yukari again, who just smiled at him in response.

"...She's so... cool, and... nice, even if she was a little scary at first... and even if she's still a little scary sometimes..."

...He looked back down at his lap.

"...Yukari's got all these things going for her, and I'm just..."

"...I'm just... me. I couldn't do anything before on my own, I had to wait until Chris came along..."

"...I... I still can't do anything on my own."

...

"...You really should have more confidence in yourself."

"...Yeah, probably..."

...

"...Wait, did I say all that out loud?"

"Yes, you did."

Ako just froze in embarrassment. He... apologized, for some reason.

"It's perfectly fine. That confidence issue is something we'll have to work on, but... I might be able to answer your question."

Yukari drew their faces closer together just as Ako turned to her, so she would be able to see in detail his reaction to this...

"...It's not Ran or Chen that are keeping you here, and I doubt you'd cause any incident on purpose."

...

"...Then...?"

"I've let you stay here for this long because... well..."

...Yukari brought their faces even closer, manually this time.

"...Hmm..."

Ako gulped nervously.

"...Yeah...?"

...

"...I suppose actions speak louder than words."

Yukari gave him a little kiss on the cheek, which immediately turned him beet red.

...

"...Oh my. Do I really have that much of an effect on you?"

...Ako gave an awkward thumbs-up, and Yukari laughed in response.

"...Well... I suppose we'll see just how far that reaction can go some other day, hm?"

Ako found himself able to speak again.

"I, I, um... yeah."

"...Hmhm... it's getting late."

Indeed it was. Ako assumed, correctly, that this was the natural passage of time and not Yukari altering the border of night and day.

"...Shall we talk about this in the morning, when you're well-rested?"

"...Yeah, um... sure."

"...I'll be seeing you then, Ako Achika..."

Yukari floated over to the door, opening it, then looking back at Ako.

"...Love you."

Ako found himself incredibly flustered, but he managed to blubber out that he loves Yukari too.

She closed the door behind her.

...

...

...As fun as Yukari found messing with Ako to be... she intended to go about the following morning's talk without any tricks like the one she just pulled.

...She had to admit, though...

...This definitely caught her interest.

Chapter Text

Chris coughed, laying in the bed the residents of the Scarlet Devil Mansion had provided for him.

"Ghh..."

...He looked at his hand.

Ever since that spell, he had been doing... horribly...

...

...Flower petals and some blood were now on him.

...

He was... scared.

He was scared of what might happen if this overtakes him. Would he die...?

...Or would it be worse, somehow?

...

"...No, no..."

Chris shook his head. He couldn't afford to think like that, not now...

...And someone had just opened the door, anyways.

He looked over.

"...Chris?"

"...Alice... hey..."

Chris coughed a little more as Alice walked over to the side of the bed.

"...How do you feel...?"

...

"...I... I can't lie, this is... awful..."

"...I would imagine so..."

Alice walked to the other side of the bed, then laying down next to Chris.

"...You sure you wanna be here? There's... blood, and-"

"I don't care. I'm staying at your side."

...

"...Okay."

Chris slowly and lightly nodded, whilst Alice simply faced the ceiling, unsure what to make of all this.

...

"...Things were... easy, for a few days, weren't they?"

"...Yeah..."

"...It's morbidly ironic... there have been very few days where the biggest problem we had was deciding how to spend our time together, and yet..."

...A tear fell from Alice's face.

"...I'm already starting to miss them..."

...

"...Alice-"

"Please, don't say a word..."

Alice latched onto Chris.

"...Save your breath..."

"...I don't want you to leave any sooner than you must."

...

...

...

"...I... I won't."

...Alice drew her face out of Chris' shoulder, cleaned of the blood from before.

"...Right... right, I have to maintain hope, at least somewhat."

Chris nodded silently.

"...Myself and the others are going on a mission tomorrow, one to hopefully undo what's been wrought upon you..."

"...Rin Satsuki and Yuuka Kazami will pay, mark my words."

...

...Chris... didn't know how to feel about that.

Sure, they were the ones who did this to him, but...

...Were they really so...?

...

...He couldn't spend time thinking about this. He just nodded to Alice.

"...Chris?"

"...Mhm?"

"...Would it impact your current state if I were to... stay with you for a while longer?"

...Chris shook his head.

...

"...Then that's what I'll do."

...

...Chris coughed again. The blood flying out was cleaned as soon as it landed.

...

Chris turned his gaze to Alice.

"...Love... you."

"...I... I love you too, Chris."

Chapter Text

The sight in front of Reimu was certainly a strange one.

She had barely gotten out of bed this morning, and yet, sweeping the shrine's kitchen was...

...Her. Much different, but that was unmistakably herself... so this answered who this was, but left a ton of other questions in that one's wake.

...If this was an incident, she figured she may as well jump in like usual.

"...Hello?"

The other Reimu looked over to the first.

"Oh, hello there! Welcome to the Hakurei Shrine!"

"...I would think that's my line."

"...How so? I've lived here for years, after all."

"So have I."

"...Huh. I've never seen you before."

"...What's your name?"

"Oh, I'm Reimu Hakurei."

"...That explains why we've never met, at least."

"Huh?"

"I'm also Reimu Hakurei."

"Oh, so that's why you looked a little familiar! You're me from the future?"

"I... think so."

Despite saying this, Reimu never really remembered herself being as... cheery as this other her was seeming. She figured she was getting a little jaded, but... she didn't realize she was once this much happier with things.

...And seemingly questioning a lot less too, as the other Reimu didn't seem nearly as confused as she was, even going back to sweeping.

"...Doesn't this raise any questions to you?"

"Well, of course it does, but I know they'll be answered soon."

...Reimu... couldn't really argue that. That was always how things had gone, after all...

...

"...Alright."

Reimu, deciding she didn't have the energy to think too hard about this right now, simply sat down.

"You okay, me?"

"I barely got any sleep last night..."

"Well, that makes two of us... or is it still just one?"

"I don't know, and quite frankly, I don't care."

"I mean, that makes sense. It's only a matter of time until we solve the incident."

"Yeah, I guess it is..."

...

The thought from earlier tugged at the mind of the Reimu we know better, refusing to let go, like a 7-year-old repeatedly asking why.

"...Can I... ask you something?"

"Oh, go ahead!"

"...How do you... feel, about your job?"

"What do you mean?"

"What do you think of being a shrine maiden?"

"Oh, it's great!"

"...Really?"

"Sure, there are some downsides and all, but I don't do this because I have to. I do it because it's the right thing to do."

...

...Reimu definitely remembered thinking like that, once.

Hearing that made her remember the times she had said it...

...

...It was a more peaceful time, for certain. Back when everyone's biggest problem was Yuuka Kazami.

Nowadays, an incident happens nearly daily... and the lack of break time had definitely pushed Reimu a little past her breaking point.

Anyone would grow to hate anything after having to do it for months straight, after all...

...

...But... this past Reimu lived without that jadedness.

"Here you go!"

Even making breakfast for her future self, she remained undeterred...

...The present's Reimu was left pondering just what had happened to her view of Gensokyo.

Meanwhile, her past self was right next to the door.

"We can solve the incident that lead us to meeting whenever you're ready!"

...

"...Go on without me."

"Huh?"

"I'll catch up... I'm not gonna leave this alone, but I still have some things to think about."

...

"...Okay, see you then!"

"...Thanks for the food, though."

"No problem!"

As the present's shrine maiden started eating, the shrine maiden of the past simply flew away.

...

Reimu was left thinking, about the past and the present...

...

...Not to mention the future.

Chapter Text

Cirno and Kizumi had lived for a long time... in fact, they had outlived most of Gensokyo, save for the immortals.

Cirno, insistent on being the strongest, won't stop fighting those who are also strong. Not until she wins.

Kizumi doesn't really have a problem with fighting Cirno. It helps that they stay constant in each others' lives.

They're just as much enemies as they are companions.

These are the things Kizumi thought about while she launched another attack at Cirno.

"SWEET SIGN: CHOCOLATE-COVERED STRAWBERRIES!"

Cirno slid over to the side, using her arm to shield herself from the syrup that the strawberries ended up exploding into.

"Heh, you okay there? You're a little off today, can't help but notice!"

"I'm alright, don't worry about me!"

"Well, if you say so, but you bet I'm checking up on you after the fight!"

"Just don't hold back, haha!"

"Trust me, I won't! COLD SIGN: WIND CHILL!"

A strong breeze blew through, making Kizumi shiver. She grabbed a railing on her platform, and stood strong.

She couldn't help but notice some ice forming between her hands and the platform...

"...Pretty clever!"

"Heh, thanks! I've been practicing that one!"

"You forgot something, though!"

"Oh yeah?"

"SWEET SIGN: PEPPERMINT SWIRL!"

As Kizumi said this, the platform disappeared from below her, leaving her flying in the air. Cirno coughed a little, but held her ground.

"I've seen that one outta you dozens of times!"

"True, yeah... but that wasn't my attack, if you could believe it!"

While Cirno took a second to realize what Kizumi meant, the cake youkai was already flying at the ice fairy, ice still on her hands as she swiped. Cirno's leg got hit before she flew back.

"Mixing it up a little, huh?"

Cirno laughed, then holding out both of her hands.

"Let's give our all! COLD SIGN: PERFECT FREEZE!"

"SWEET SIGN: SWEET TOOTH APOCALYPSE!"

Dozens of treats began flying at Cirno. Pies, cookies, lollipops, gummies, mochi ice cream, anything you could think of...

...

...And it all fell to the ground, all frozen solid.

"Whew, nice round!"

"Yep, well done."

"...So, who won?"

"I don't know... are we taking a break?"

"Yeah, I'm exhausted, haha."

"Well, I've still got some energy left, so I guess I win again, haha."

"I've won before too, y'know!"

"I know, I wasn't saying anything about that, don't worry..."

Kizumi was looking off in the distance. The sun was setting.

...

"...You okay?"

"I'm... I'm alright."

"Oh, don't give me that. You coulda gone a lot harder, and I know it."

"...Then you could have, too?"

"Of course, but... well, I can't go too hard on someone who's already having a rough time."

"...We can't die, you do know that, right?"

"Of course I know that by now, I only gave my all so you'd give yours... but you don't get to see me do it again until you tell me what's wrong!"

...

...Kizumi sighed.

"...I'm thinking about everyone... y'know?"

The moment she heard this, Cirno's expression softened somewhat, as Kizumi continued.

"Chris, and Ako, and Reimu, and Marisa, and... most of everyone, haha..."

"...You miss 'em that much, huh?"

Cirno sat down next to Kizumi, as the latter continued.

"I mean, everyone finally got to be happy together, everyone was doing great..."

...

"...And then, well... time happened, I guess."

"...Yeah, that happens real early for humans..."

"...Why..."

Cirno looked to Kizumi.

"...Why didn't I stay human when I came here?"

"...You're telling me you wanna be gone too?"

"Oh, not at all, I mean, you've been great to spend time with with all these years, it's just..."

...

"...Immortality's rough, y'know?"

"Yeah..."

"...And it doesn't help that you're gonna die someday, too..."

...

"...Yeah..."

...

"...I mean... I can't blame you for wishing you were mortal, but..."

Cirno stood up.

"I'm not gonna let you be all sad like this!"

"...Huh?"

"Hit me with your best shot, right now!"

"Cirno, I'm not sure-"

"Go on, don't hold back! Give me your everything!"

...

"Alright, if you say so..."

"SWEET SIGN: SWEET TOOTH APOCALYPSE!"

Cirno was met with all the treats from before, and she was...

...

...Well, to put it mildly, she was totally fucking destroyed.

But, mere seconds later...

She reappeared, with a lollipop in her mouth.

"...See?"

...

"...See what?"

Cirno took the thing out, making a "pop" noise as she did so.

"...I'm not going anywhere for a while."

"...Yeah?"

"Yeah. So don't worry about it, right?"

...

"...You had me kill you to prove you're not dying anytime soon?"

"Yep!"

"What if that backfired?"

"...I don't know, I just know it didn't."

...

Kizumi laughed a little.

"You're right, maybe I should worry less."

"Isn't that our whole thing?"

She nodded, now smiling.

"C'mon, wanna take our minds off it? I've got an even stronger Perfect Freeze with your name on it!"

"...Yeah, sounds nice."

"Awesome! Now, don't hold back on me like earlier!"

Cirno flew into the air, as Kizumi stood up.

"Don't worry, I won't!"

Chapter Text

Determination-Based Damage Scaling Type - Chris Akamo

Unfocused Shot - Justice Sign: Retribution

Green bullets, shot in a manner similar to Reimu's Persuasion Needle. Deals more damage the less lives you have, capping out at two times its base damage when you're on your last life.

Focused Shot - Mind Sign: Stunlock

A barrage of waves that home in on the nearest enemy, prioritizing bosses where applicable. Doesn't do much damage, but slows down whatever's hit for as long as the barrage is kept up, slowing down bullets it passes through as well.

Spell Card - Mind And Justice: Admit Your Sins

Requires 3 spell pieces. A barrage of bullets is shot at everything onscreen, at near-hypersonic speeds. Has the same damage scaling mechanic as Retribution, but with bombs as opposed to lives. Doesn't last as long as Kizumi's spell, but if Chris casts out his last spellcard, it deals five times its base damage.

Multi-Targeting Sugar Rush Type - Kizumi Meihai

Unfocused Shot - Sweet Sign: Strawberry Strike

A spread shot, similar to Sanae's Cobalt Spread. Explodes upon hitting an enemy, dealing splash damage and sending out smaller, less damaging seed bullets.

Focused Shot: Sweet Sign: Chocolate Cascade

Chocolate syrup rains from the top of the screen. Pierces through enemies. More power makes the rain denser.

Spell Card - Sweet Sign: Neapolitan Assault

Requires 5 spell pieces. Strawberry Strike and Chocolate Cascade fire much more rapidly and much wider, taking up the whole screen, and a life piece is acquired. When this spell ends, Kizumi is granted an extra 0.50 power, potentially going past the limit.

Extra Boss - The Girl Torn From Existence, Rin Satsuki

Nonspell 1

Static-textured lasers are shot out in lightning-shaped patterns, along with faster, straightforward static bullets. The bullets are randomized, but the lasers are aimed towards the sides of the screen.

Spell Card 1 - Oblivion Sign: Dark Sun

Rin moves slightly offscreen, creating a large ball of static above her head. This ball shoots a large amount of lasers that travel somewhat slowly, and when the ball reaches half its oriiginal size, Rin launches it at the selected character, launching it fast. If this spell is timed out, Rin will do this five times total.

Nonspell 2

Rin launches three circles of fast static bullets, each with gaps in different places. After this, a spread of very slow static lasers is launched, aimed wherever the selected character is.

Spell Card 2 - Oblivion Sign: Black Hole

A static field is formed around Rin, making her invincible. She then moves to the selected character's location onscreen, leaving a trail of static bullets in her wake that scatter after a few seconds. Rin hops towards the selected character a total of fifteen times.

Nonspell 3

Twenty static bullets are shot towards the selected character's hitbox in rapid succession, followed by a large laser which Rin spends a few seconds charging up. All nonspell phases from this point forward have less health.

Spell Card 3 - Oblivion Sign: Stagnation

The selected character's unfocused movespeed is set to a random amount, anywhere between 75-125% of its standard. After this, Rin sends out three randomized bursts of bullets, most of which stop somewhere onscreen. Finally, she fires five somewhat slow static lasers, aimed at the selected character's hitbox. After this, the bullets disappear and the cycle repeats. Rin will do this four times total if the spell is timed out, and unfocused movespeed returns to normal after the spell ends, whether timed out or shot down. Focused movespeed is entirely unaffected.

Nonspell 4

Large static lasers are shot from the top of the screen, and static bullets are shot from the sides.

Spell Card 4 - Desperation Sign: Memory Of Magic

Note-shaped bullets fly from the top of the screen, both yellow and red. Red notes explode into static bullets halfway down the screen. This spell lasts for 20 seconds at most.

Nonspell 5

Small bullets appear at the sides of the screen, all flying somewhere towards the selected character after a few seconds. The time this takes to happen decreases as the next spellcard gets closer.

Spell Card 5 - Desperation Sign: Fight And Flight

Rin moves slowly to the left side of the screen, firing a trail of bullets downward as she goes. Once there, a thin, white line goes down the screen, and after one second, she fires a massive static laser comparable to Master Spark. This laser leaves behind bullets which fire themselves at the selected character. She repeats these actions with the right side of the screen, then the left, so on and so forth. Rin will fire 2 times from each side if the spell is timed out.

Nonspell 6

Rin shoots curved lasers. Upon hitting the edge of the screen, they turn into lines of bullets, firing themselves either at the selected character or in a random direction. This nonspell's health is a quarter of the previous couple.

Spell Card 6 - Desperation Sign: Frantic Mixup

A mix of every spell thus far, except for Black Hole. This goes on for one minute at most, but the health bar is so low that it's possible to capture the spell in half that time.

Nonspell 7

Rin screams, firing a burst of randomized static bullets. The HUD and music both turn to static, and remain that way for the rest of the battle. This happens one time, and serves more as a transition to the next spell than anything. The nonspell ends when all bullets are offscreen.

Dialogue

"No... no, no, no... if you win, you leave! Don't you understand!?"

"I can't go back to there being nothing! I can't go back to not having anyone anymore! PLEASE!"

Spell Card 7 - Hopeless Entropy: DON'T LEAVE ME HERE!

Fast, randomized bullets fly from Rin as she cries out continuously. These bullets become more frequent over time, and shooting at Rin only causes the storm to become worse. This spell lasts 13 seconds.

Chapter Text

Hey, everyone. It's Z again, with a short announcement. I don't know where else to put this, and I feel like putting it in my current big story would be kind of... eh, so here it goes.

If you've read this far into my silly little oneshot collection, you may have noticed some... bigger stuff from me.

Namely, the series that, as I write this, consists of Divine Intervention and Star-Crossed Deluge.

Now, it's occurred to me that writing three or four connected stories... may have been a little big of a task to simply fling myself into.

I need way more practice writing before I attempt something like this...

...

...So, that's what I'll get.

I have three shorter stories lined up in my head, and I think it's about time I tell you just what I've got in mind.

Without further delay, I give you the name and basic summary of not one, not two...

...But three stories I plan on giving you all.

Here they are.

Also, fair warning, the last one is major spoilers for 100th Black Market, if you care.

Flower Detectives of Hidden Hearts

A world-hopping human, Abigail "Cherry" Kaeda, and a most powerful flower youkai by the name of Yuuka Kazami unravel a mystery bigger than either of them could expect. From what looks like the kappa stealing entire cars to the mysterious disappearance of nearly everyone Abigail knows, join our powerful heroes (and one who isn't as powerful) as they discover that the connection between Gensokyo and the outside world might just be stronger than one would expect.

Disclaimer: Abigail is somewhat based on someone I know. I said they strike me as a protagonist of a story, they said I could do something with that, and, well, here we are.

Blue Streak in Yellow Fantasy

In the type of crossover that someone who likes multiple things would come up with, an invention from a certain mad scientist sends a blue hedgehog to a realm beyond belief. The fastest thing alive and a magician by the name of Marisa Kirisame quickly become friends as they bash whatever supernatural machines appear, working to restore balance to a world where the scale has tilted too far.

Black Marketeer's Defensive Prowess

Takane Yamashiro discovers a portal to a whole other world, full of little animal buddies and strange, hostile party decorations... and it's a portal that won't shut, no matter what she does. Lest the entirety of Gensokyo be flooded with helium, it's up to the sneaky yamawaro to defend her world in the only way she and her new friends can think of, at least until that portal shuts down.

...There you have it. Three stories I plan to write sometime soon. You wouldn't think my solution to taking on more than I can handle would be to take on even more, but honestly, even unfinished projects should still be allowed to exist, at least that's what I think.

If you only know me for these oneshots, then hey, now may be the time to check out some other stuff. I'm also gonna be writing more oneshots that aren't connected to OCs, so that'll be fun.

Next oneshot is (most likely) gonna be a cooking contest in Gensokyo.

See you then!

Chapter Text

...Seija carried Rin's unconscious body on her back. Her condition was bad... really bad.

Lacerations of all natures lined Rin's being, she had been bruised in multiple places, she had a black eye and a couple teeth knocked out, and every single wound ran as deep as it possibly could... honestly, Seija could only tell she hadn't become a corpse by the ragged breathing that echoed in her ear with every step.

As afraid as Seija was to admit it to herself, if Rin didn't get help soon...

...There wouldn't be anyone to help anymore.

...

...Typhoons seemed to surround her and Rin as she made her way to her destination.

...

...In all this time wandering Gensokyo, the only one she saw with a healing spell had been...

...That cake youkai, Kizumi Meihai.

...

...Seija didn't want to ask for help from the Gensokyo Rebels of all people, but...

...She had no choice.

Seija approached the gate, and saw the gatekeeper, Hong Meiling.

"...You! State your business in... in..."

...It took a few seconds longer than Seija expected to flip the gatekeeper from awake to asleep, but she'd managed it. She just opened the gate and walked past.

She didn't have time for this, and neither did Rin.

...

...She knocked on the door, and opening it was...

"...Oh, really? You?"

"...That's no way to greet someone."

...Sakuya Izayoi, the head maid.

Seija looked at her, desperation in her eyes... not that it was visible under all that rage.

"...Get outta my way."

"...Why on earth would I do that?"

"...I thought you'd nice enough to not let somebody fucking die."

"...Someone else, maybe. But a willing co-conspirator to one of Gensokyo's worst criminals..."

"...Put that behind us. We've got bigger problems."

"...You would know, wouldn't you?"

Rin's grip on Seija wasn't that tight, and it was loosening bit by bit...

"...Listen, we don't have time to go over how you think this is all my fault! Rin's fucking life is on the line!"

"...And what would stop you from killing everyone inside this mansion, were I to let you in?"

"You really think I'm gonna pull something like that? I mean, I get my reputation, but come the hell on!"

"...My answer is no."

"I just... I just need Kizumi Meihai. She can heal Rin."

"Oh, absolutely not... with your tactics, you'd consume half of her being and save the leftovers."

"Listen, you... I...!"

"...Goodbye."

Sakuya started closing the door...

"WAIT!"

...But Seija blocked the doorway from closing with her fingers, wincing at the pain it caused.

...Sakuya considered this desperation for a moment. She had never seen this out of Seija before...

...

...Sakuya opened the door, much to Seija's surprise.

"...If you're claiming innocence..."

She pointed a knife right at Seija.

"...Then prove it to me."

...

...

...

"...Listen, I..."

"...I know I'm not a good person. You don't have to fucking tell me that, believe me, I know!"

"I like being hated, I fight people for fun, hell, Rin here is the first friend I've made in YEARS, probably!"

"If it was me on the brink of death, I'd totally understand leaving me like that! I'm... I'm an amanojaku! I'm a no-good, low-down, dirty, cheating liar to nearly everyone in Gensokyo, but Rin..."

...Seija started... tearing up, as Sakuya put the knife down.

"..Rin isn't the same person I am."

"She just got caught up in all this because she was with the wrong person at the wrong time, she didn't deserve this!"

"She didn't deserve to be hunted for hanging out with me, she didn't deserve to be treated like a criminal for things I did, she sure as hell didn't deserve to be beaten within an inch of her life...!"

"...And, even though I might..."

...Seija dropped to her knees, sobbing by this point.

"...She... she doesn't deserve to die... so please... please!"

"I don't care what I have to do! I'll be this place's maid for the next century, I'll kill some other youkai, I'LL DO WHATEVER YOU WANT, HELL, I'LL EVEN LET YOU KILL ME, JUST, PLEASE!"

"FOR FUCK'S SAKE, DON'T LET RIN DIE ON ME!"

...

...

"...Miss Kijin... you..."

"Yeah, I know, I'm horrible and I'm tricking you, just... just..."

...

...Sakuya... stepped aside, leaving the door wide open.

...

"...Huh...?"

"...Go to the dining room. I'll inform Kizumi Meihai of the situation... and the fact you're thinking of someone other than yourself."

"...I... you..?"

...Seija got up, and stepped inside.

...

...She turned back to Sakuya.

"...Thank you... thank you so much."

"...Save your thanks for when Satsuki is feeling better."

With this, Sakuya seemed to vanish before Seija's eyes.

...

...Seija just... kept walking, the unconscious Rin still on her back.

"...There's still hope, Rin..."

...

"...There's... still hope..."