Chapter Text
Reimu sat on the porch of the Hakurei Shrine and peered out into the pitch black night. It was past midnight, but she couldn't sleep at all. The stone lanterns had all gone out already, allowing complete darkness to engulf the shrine.
Reimu was surprised the candles had gone out so quickly. She had assumed they'd be good for at least a few more nights. It was just another annoyance to deal with in the morning.
A cold wind blew over Reimu from behind, and she reflexively shivered. She debated getting up to see if she’d left something open. She hesitated for a moment, then felt the cold concentrate on a single point on her skin.
Cold metal pressed up against the side of Reimu's neck. A woman laughed from somewhere in the darkness that covered the shrine.
"It's been too long, Hakurei," the woman said.
The metal object was shaped like a crescent.
"I've finally returned, and this time-"
"Too long since what?" Reimu asked, cutting her assailant off.
There was a brief silence.
"What?"
"Since what?" Reimu repeated.
"Since I tried to steal the yin yang orbs."
"When did that happen? Who are you?"
The woman grumbled something under her breath.
"It's Mima, Reimu!" she said.
"Mima?"
Mima leaned forward, showing Reimu her face. She looked at Reimu expectantly.
"I don't know any Mimas, sorry," Reimu said.
"What do you mean you don't know me?!"
"Are you related to Sanae or something?"
"Who? What?"
Mima stammered out a few unintelligible words. She took a moment to regain her composure. "Forget it. You have to know why I'm here. Give me the orbs."
"Why should I do that?"
The metal crescent was pushed harder against Reimu's neck. "Because I have a blade to your throat," Mima replied.
Reimu reached over and pushed the crescent away from her neck. "Blade? I remember this thing being pretty dull." She rubbed the crescent with her finger. It was smooth, not sharp.
"You remember that, but not me?!"
Reimu turned her head to Mima, and gave her a smug grin.
Mima gritted her teeth. "You little-"
"I'm not really little anymore, am I?"
The anger in Mima's voice turned into defeat. "Shut up."
"So, do you have a good reason for bothering me, or?" Reimu asked.
"I told you, I still want the yin yangs."
"Really? Think you can take them from me?"
"I know I can take them from you."
"Alright." Reimu stood up. "Try to, then."
Reimu and Mima stared at each other for a moment.
"Well..." Mima began.
"Well, what?"
"I'm a bit weak at the moment. I'm not at my full power. It would be unwise for me to fight right now."
"'At the moment'? 'Right now'?"
"Stop!"
"If you're not going to fight, can you just go home or something?"
"I..." Mima's voice trailed off. "Would you be willing to part ways with some food, at least?"
Reimu groaned.