Chapter Text
Snow. That was what greeted me from the overcast skies that morning as I exit the Myouren temple. I always found this to be a good place to clear my thoughts; doubly so today considering I could watch the snow flutter down. My eyes followed one such speck to the floor, whereupon I notice that the pathway was free of snow. Seems like it was a recent work, too.
I look across the pathway and barely see Kyouko a good distance away. I can much more easily hear Kyouko, singing the Heart Sutra with a growling cadence that I suspect traditionalists would consider blasphemous. There is no denying the beauty and passion of Kyouko’s voice, but does she have to sound so angry even when she isn’t?
Sitting to my left is Nazrin, heartily snacking on a ‘sandwich:’ two slices of bread with a thick layer of cheese and peanut paste between them. She boasts – or complains, it’s hard to tell with her – of having to purchase the ingredients at specialty stores. That the temple is where this food is stored is why she hasn’t left yet; Nazrin spends half of her time scavenging from the dead around Menuzuka-
“Good morning, visitor!”
I smile upon hearing Kyouko’s greeting, for new visitors are always a blessing. A brief chant a spell of tengu’s sight so I can better see-
Oh, it’s Mamizou, likely back from her informal tutelage of Kosuzu since she hasn’t changed back from her human guise. Her presence is welcome as well, especially since she spends so little time at the temple.
But she must be in disguise here for a reason.
“With that act of hers, that racoon’s got something for your ears only.” Nazrin says, noticing as well. “Best to wait for her.”
Warfare is deception.
How I hate war.
I see people as potential friends, but war would have me do the opposite; or at best have me think in terms of who can be most useful, with no thought of compassion beyond yet another means to use people – the way Shou oft accuses Mamizou of thinking.
Mamizou approaches as a curious visitor to ‘that youkai temple,’ walking up the temple stairs to me. As the leader, it is socially expected of me to begin pleasantries. I get up, press my palms together, and give a polite bow. “Namaste, visitor. Welcome to the Myouren Temple. I am Byakuren Hijiri. Thank you very much for visiting. What can I do to help?”
“The priestess of the temple out here?” She says with false surprise. “What a turn of luck, I have been wanting to meet you for some time now.”
My turn. “Even more fortunate for you, I have time available for us to meet.” I motion to the temple. “Would you like to come inside?”
“Only if it is no imposition.”
“It is none at all.”
“Would you lead the way, Lady Hijiri?”
I turn and walk inside, glad to get this paranoid farce done with. Nazrin keeps up a bored appearance. Kyouko keeps on singing. I know both will be listening.
I walk a good distance into the main hall, hearing Mamizou behind me. I feel that just in front of Buddha’s statue should be sufficiently far enough. I then turn around to face Mamizou. “May we speak now?”
Mamizou looks serious again. “It would be best if you sit down for this.”
She waits for me to sit on one of the floor cushions before doing so herself.
“Kosuzu recently came into possession of a diviner’s guidebook,” Mamizou says. “She made use of it very effectively, but doing so brought the diviner back to life as a jinyou.”
I hope he didn’t purposefully kill himself, especially since there are far superior means of living indefinitely. I should focus on the present, however. “Does he seek sanctuary here?”
“I don’t believe he did, given the direction he ran, but that point’s moot. Miss Hakurei chased him down and killed him.”
What?
I lean forward, dimly aware of blood draining from my vitals. I feel my face show emotion, I don’t care.
I give Reimu, the Hakurei shrine maiden, bringer of peace, heroine of Gensokyo, the benefit of the doubt. “What did the jinyou do to merit execution?”
“From what I heard, he scared Kosuzu into a faint and ran, as well as scaring out everyone in Suzunaan.”
No, gods, no.
“Are you certain Reimu murdered an innocent?”
“There were no direct witnesses, but Miss Hakurei admitted her deed to Kosuzu.”
No.
“Her, Miss Kirisame, and Lady Hieda bore witness to Miss Hakurei burning the diviner’s guidebook.”
No no no no no no NO!
Reimu created the Spell Card Rules to prevent this bloodshed!
“I am very sorry about this, Lady Hijiri”
Why did the peacebringer of Gensokyo murder an innocent?!
“Lady Hijiri, what do you intend to do?”
Breathe deep in… and out…
I hear something pat down on my dress. I look down to see a couple of small wet stains.
I take another deep breath, pulling up the lapels of my coat to dab my tears.
“Did Kosuzu tell you Reimu’s reason for…” murder. I can’t bear to say it.
Mamizou shakes her head. “She didn’t, she just told me a youkai scared her, and that Miss Hakurei ki-”
Please don’t say that. “Anything else?” I’m sorry for interrupting…
Mamizou’s eyes widen briefly at my rude behavior. “I don’t know why Kosuzu didn’t mention motive; maybe she forgot, or didn’t consider it important. I noticed something odd as well; Kosuzu wasn’t bothered by the diviner’s guidebook being destroyed, since it wasn’t a youkai book. I would have thought her protective about all her books, in deference to her family if not her own interests.”
“You believe she’s been spiritually influenced?” Could that have been what affected Reimu?
Mamizou shaes her head. “No, I simply found that particular behavior surprising.”
At least Kosuzu’s all right. “What information do you have of the diviner-turned-jinyou?”
Mamizou turns her palms up. “I only learned of his existence just today, but I sent for news about him just after I left Suzunaan. I don’t have anything specific yet, but I did hear that Reimu went to one of the row houses right after she burned the diviner’s book.”
That book again…
My hope must show, Mamizou’s usual sly expression returns. “I take it you have a plan of action?”
I nod. “The book is destroyed, but its remains were caused by its creation. Are you familiar with interdependent origination?”
She nods. “Every effect has a cause. Pity it focused on the spiritual more than the physical; Buddhism could’ve founded the scientific method.”
Oh, Mamizou…will you ever learn that wealth without wisdom is pointless?
“I suspect your plan is more magic than mundane, though,” Mamizou says.
I nod. “Indeed: so long as I have something connected to the diviner’s book, I can divine its creation.”
“I suspect Reimu properly disposed of the ashes,” Mamizou says, “or at least in a way you can’t use, though Kosuzu didn’t know when I asked.”
“Perhaps the diviner’s writing desk remains, as do his notes.”
“I feel that’s the best course of action as well.
I stand up. “Before I resurrect the jinyou, I’m going to question everyone present at the book-burning. We must know why Reimu… disregarded her own rules.”
Mamizou stands up as well. “If you’d indulge my request, I’d prefer you not speak to Kosuzu about this; I already have, and Lady Hieda distrusts you enough without you bringing her best friend into this.”
“As you wish.” I give a short bow to Mamizou. “Thank you for informing me of this, and I’m sorry I was rude earlier.”
Mamizou waves her hand. “I won’t begrudge your sensitivities.”
“I thank you for your compassion.” I press my palms and give another bow. “Namaste, Mamizou.”
Mamizou gives a slight bow in reply. “Good fortune to you, Lady Hijiri.”
I stride out of the main hall and exit the temple. Kyouko has just stopped singing, and Nazrin looks up at me.
“Lemme guess: Koishi duty?” Nazrin asks.
I nod. “Indeed. I hope it’s simply a terrible misunderstanding, but we should be ready just in case.”
Nazrin grunts in assent, then scampers off towards Kyouko.
If Gensokyo’s peace is threatened, we must come together as soon as possible and form a strategy to preserve it.
I float off the ground; Gensokyo’s metaphysics granting the power of flight to sufficiently empowered individuals. I turn west to the Forest of Magic, and will myself through the air to Marisa’s abode.