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Chapter Text

Staring up at the night sky which was visible in the Forest of Magic due to the winter stripping the trees lifeless, Sakuya observed the array of constellations that were notable. 

The names seemed to form in her mind without prompting, like she was reciting a scripture and perhaps it was.

It was those stars which held the memory of the one whom had taught her how to read the night sky. 

In Sakuya's left hand, she held her knife, one she no longer used since it had become more of a relic now.

She couldn't help but to reflect on how it had achieved the status of becoming such a sacred item, the audience of the stars watching her, reminding her of a time where being here didn't feel so empty. 

Sakuya was missing one of her knives, and if something went missing in this mansion, there was usually one culprit to blame.

That being said, why would Marisa want to steal one of her knives?

"Well, I suppose she rarely needs a reason" Sakuya thought to herself as she arrived at Marisa's cottage, amused, "It is more of an impulse at this point".

It was a cold winter evening and Sakuya had taken her leave from the mansion for a few hours, not just to reclaim her knife, but to see Marisa as a casual visit.

Knocking on the door, Sakuya heard several things bumping and curse words being expelled in the process, the typical one sided facetiousness continuing on.

It was the norm at this point and despite Sakuya's best efforts to implement some order in Marisa's home, the blonde insisted that she has a organisation system in place. 

Sakuya highly doubted this.

The door then opened but before Marisa could greet Sakuya, the maid slowed time down and let herself in, closed the door, and then resumed time as she spotted her knife on Marisa's worktop. 

"Huh?" Marisa exclaimed whilst she turned around, "Hey, you can't just break into someone's home!".

Sakuya looked back, "You are the last person I want to hear that from, Marisa" she smiled and then picked up her knife, "So this is where you are".

Marisa sighed and shuffled into the room, "I was gonna give it back, you know" she insisted, "It was meant to be a surprise".

To this, Sakuya raised a brow and then examined the blade, her eyes moving to beneath the pommel.

Inscribed onto the silver blade were two small stars, the shape slightly rough but it was notable what they were.

Beneath those, there was a date.

Sakuya recognised it immediately and her gaze went to the blonde in front of her, shifting on her feet and rubbing the back of her neck in an endearingly sweet manner.

"I just thought it was a nice reminder, I think?" Marisa muttered, cheeks reddened but she managed to look up at Sakuya, "It felt like we got closer that time".

That time being their journey to the moon in a less than stable rocket created in the basement of the Scarlet Devil Mansion. 

Sakuya ran her fingers over it, "Indeed, it is certainly a time I would not wish to forget either".

Coming from Marisa, this was a sweet gesture, not to mention sentimental and it stirred awake the same sensation in Sakuya's heart too.

She stepped to Marisa after placing the knife back down and moved her hand beneath the blonde's chin, curling her other arm around her waist till she could pull her in.

Marisa smiled in a bashful way, "You like it?".

Leaning down, Sakuya chuckled and hovered her lips over Marisa's "I do, Marisa. I shall cherish it always".

Circling her arms around Sakuya's neck, Marisa felt the sensation of Sakuya's lips over her own, warm and soft which lead to her wanting for more. 

Their history was filled with a myriad of experiences as they fought alongside each other, lived out their days constantly moving towards each other.

So a sense of home formed, and inscribed on that knife were two stars, brightly burning till the very end, together.

And Sakuya did cherish it always, years after Marisa's death.

Perched on the roof of Marisa's abandoned home which Sakuya still maintained to this day, the maid stared up at the night sky. 

She was recounting the many nights she had spent up here with Marisa, cuddled up as the witch taught her astronomy, her golden eyes more luminous than the celestial bodies above.

Recounting the constellations now was indeed a method that Sakuya used to feel Marisa's presence, however real it was.

In Sakuya's hand was the knife which Marisa had decorated, her thumb running over the two stars as she watched what was definitely a shooting star pass by.

As surreal as Gensokyo was, no number of wishes made would bring Marisa back to life.

Chapter Text

The last two people that Reimu wanted to see would cross her path in the Human Village.

She had a few jobs to do and was hoping to leave as quickly as she could, but when heading to the direction of the path leading out of the village, her steps would pause midway.

Sanae and Alice also stopped as the awkward atmosphere settled around them immediately.

"Hey, Reimu" Sanae smiled wryly, the paragon of exuberance actually seeming weary, "Uh, how are you?".

Reimu's hand around the gohei tightened, but she managed to reply in her usual curt tone, at least, she tried to make it as normal as possible. 

"I'm fine" she said, her eyes glancing to the lack of space between Alice and Sanae, "Going somewhere together?".

The acidity in the last word could corrode metal.

Sanae almost flinched but Alice remained as impassive as Reimu did and met her gaze, "I needed some material for a doll and Sanae is accompanying me".

"Sure, wouldn't want something to happen to you, huh?".

"Ah, I don't think Alice needs my help for that" Sanae interjected, "It's just a day out, you know?".

Reimu didn't bother to acknowledge Sanae as the intonation of those words and their close proximity was an indicant enough to their relationship status.

While Alice had moved on, Reimu had been clinging onto the hopes that they could reconcile, but that hope was obliterated now.

She needed to get away and fast, before she did or said something she would regret. 

"Right" she managed and sidestepped the couple, "I have to go".

"Oh, we're having a gathering at the shrine later, Reimu! You should join us!".

Whether Sanae was that clueless or just lacking any tact was something Reimu couldn't deduce so she didn't respond, but the feeling of Alice's eyes on her back didn't fade.

Gensokyo was suddenly a small space when it came to not being able to avoid exes. 

As soon as it was reasonable to fly, Reimu did so with a frightening speed, her ability of flight taking her home before she could encounter anyone else.

Notwithstanding, Alice's presence would still follow Reimu. 

The brunette practically stumbled into the entrance of the living area, the rare silence overtaking her, but blue eyes on a shelf followed Reimu diligently.

Reimu glared at the doll Alice had made her at the start of their relationship and the happy memories, now bittersweet, poisoned Reimu's mind.

Memories of the pleasant afternoon where they were spending time together, the autumnal wind rustling the leaves while they sat on the veranda and Alice, in her demure mannerisms, extending the doll to her.

Reimu walked up to it and stared at the glassy blue eyes which were framed by brunette hair, its pristine white dress immaculate. 

I needed some material for a doll.

For Sanae?

Reimu felt nauseated at the thought of it and what their doll would look like.

She recalled the happiness she had felt when receiving the meticulously crafted gift, and she could feel the way she had embraced Alice till they had toppled backwards onto the veranda.

Reimu remembered the feeling of Alice's hands on her face, their lips meeting, the gentle wind coursing around them.

Now, it felt cold and hollow, just like the doll cradled in her hands.

Broken into pieces, the porcelain shards dug into Reimu's palms, freeing a river of crimson.

Chapter Text

Much like Yukari, Okina often visits Yuyuko's residence despite the sequestered mansion no longer holding any life.

She knows the hypocrisy she bathes in when she tells Yukari to move on, that Yuyuko's death was inevitable. 

Yet, here she stands under the tree in which Yuyuko is burned beneath as the spring weather felt lifeless, like it was just winter in disguise. 

The cherry blossom petals would no longer bloom here, leaving nothing but a desolate grave.

Okina crouched down and placed her hand over the grass, the cold blades greeting her and she wondered why she even bothered to do this.

The individual that this grave belonged to had whittled away Okina's gregarious tendencies when they were alone.

But the arms resting over her shoulders and the airy weight on her back was a reminder, her breath stalling.

"You visit me as much as Yukari does".

The melodious laughter which followed tore away at Okina's heart as she turned slightly to look into pink eyes, "Tell me, am I the favourite?" she teased.

Yuyuko lamented at being given such a troubling choice, "Oh, to choose would be dreadful, Okina" the spirit answered, "I feel fortunate that you still visit me after all these years. I should be forgotten".

"Never".

Try as she may, Okina could never touch Yuyuko. 

She had quickly turned around and reached out, but her hand was only covered by air while Yuyuko remained in her arms.

Okina grit her teeth and had both hands on the ground as she felt Yuyuko's cold breath near her neck.

"We could never forget you".

The words whirled with the spring breeze and Okina's eyes were focused on the mansion in the distance, away from Yuyuko's resting place, her prison.

Okina sighed, her put together demeanour and arrogance always fading whenever she was with Yuyuko, in life and death.

"Regrets drown me as much as they do Yukari" the sage admitted as she slumped back onto the bark of the tree, "We could have done more to save you".

"You did enough".

The gentle words near her ear were not enough to placate Okina as her usual countenance shattered now that she was alone. 

Only with the figment of Yuyuko's existence could she expose the grief she was embroiled in, one which seemed to drain each breath as the memories of Yuyuko both pained and reassured her.

They could have done more, found a way to break the curse, implement methods to lessen its power, stopped Yuyuko that night. 

Something.

The eidolon of Yuyuko felt the helplessness coming from the usually unperturbed sage so she curled her arms behind Okina's neck and held her close as the evening started to appear. 

"Okina, you saw me, loved me" she said simply, "In a life where all I saw and felt was death, because of you and Yukari, I was allowed to feel something else, a warmth indescribable".

Okina took in a deep breath and shuddered as she felt the soft presence of Yuyuko on her chest, her hands tugging at the grass beneath, like she wanted to dig Yuyuko out of there.

"My last moments, though shrouded in death, were full of life because of you".

Those soothing words seemed to fuse with Okina's body when she closed her eyes before opening them again, wishing that once they were open, Yuyuko would return to her.

Such hopes and wishes were wishful thinking and another tool to torture herself with.

Pink petals with their edges dyed in red seemed to perform a dance in the swaying evening light, luring Okina in, her eyes focused on the flurries floating.

The hallucination of bloodied cherry blossom petals floated around her, and Yuyuko had disappeared.

Chapter Text

If I am to leave this earth, it is to be by your hands.

Those words dictated by Yukari a century ago had come to fruition, and the promise Eirin had made could not be reneged on.

Despite this, Yukari had to push Eirin into doing so, into honouring her words.

Gensokyo had long fallen, and with it, Yukari would crumble too.

On the site of the grave of Gensokyo, a final bout between Yukari and Eirin had transpired while Mokou and Kaguya observed.

Well, Kaguya was more of a participant too.

"How many times are you going to watch me kill her before you act, Eirin?".

Kaguya's lifeless body lay between them as Eirin grappled with watching her die for the who knows how many times that night, the toll reflecting on them all.

This was Kaguya's doing, she knew what Yukari wanted and would help see to her last dying wish, as an extension of her gratitude for their time in Gensokyo. She knew that Eirin would yield to her and Yukari's request, for the sake of Eirin's continued existence.

Yukari scoffed and picked Kaguya up while she revived again, "Is it not your duty to protect her? Then this is a failure on your part".

"Enough!" Eirin yelled out, watching Yukari curl her hands around Kaguya's throat, "I told you to give me another month, Yukari. I will find a way to save-".

A crack was heard and Kaguya's head dangled forward, followed by her body when Yukari let her fall, an action unsightly for the royalty that was Kaguya.

"You cannot save me" the blonde sighed, "The least you can do is try to save Kaguya, as this experience is unpleasant for her".

"Then stop this madness!".

The glare of the moonlight from the sky illuminated them all, accentuating Yukari's emaciated condition as she looked up at the full moon, a wan smile forming. 

"Is that not a attribute of the moon? To make us mad, to evoke lunacy?".

Eirin's bow and arrow in her hands tightened when Kaguya roused again, a pained groan escaping while Mokou glared at Eirin. 

As if to say, "You can stop this, so end it".

Yukari took in a quick breath, the remnants of the once majestic bamboo forest long gone, "Eirin, I understand that this is a situation unfair to you" she said gently, "However, you are the only one I will allow to do this..a display of my trust and love for you".

"No, this is the opposite" Eirin shook her head, "I know what I agreed to".

"It was more than agreement, it was a promise".

Eirin's mind was being wrangled as the words didn't facilitate her turmoil, "I know".

It was easier to say it at the time, but now that time had come.

Yukari was close to death, but the final stages were unbearable, thus Eirin had to be the one to end that pain.

Her reticence to do so was frustrating and endearing for Yukari to witness.

"Then, grant me this final moment, Eirin!".

Eirin's eyes widened when she realised that a gap had opened behind her arm, thrusting the arrow in her hand forward and she couldn't stop it, the force unyielding, like Yukari was pouring the last of her energy into this action.

"Yukari!".

The blonde rushed to her, gliding over the ground as a soft smile braced her lips when she approached Eirin.

She wrapped her arms around Eirin's neck, feeling the arrowhead pierce her heart but more than that, she felt the softness of Eirin's lips against her own.

The kiss tasted of salt, it was warm, it was apropos of their end.

Eirin dropped the bow in her left hand and then wrapped it behind Yukari's back, her eyes opened to see Yukari staring at her too.

It was a peaceful cessation.

A final dance between two former enemies under the striking silver moonlight, cementing their end for all eternity. 

Eternity was Eirin's, and she would carry Yukari's death throughout it.

Chapter Text

Byakuren didn't understand why this was happening again.

Though she cared for youkai, she also helped humans and had made it clear that she bore no ill will towards anyone. 

Yet, the chains which had been bound around her wrists and ankles as they burned into her skin would imply that she had done something heinous. 

Byakuren was pushed into the hell that was Hokkai, forced by the powers of the priestesses to be chained to the wall as the flames started to engulf her, exacerbating her situation.

Villagers watched on with righteous condemnation, sneering at her fall as Byakuren cried. 

"I don't understand" she sobbed, "I have done no harm, my powers have been used only for good".

"Lies!" a villager yelled, "Behind our backs you have been feeding youkai with your power till they can overtake us!".

"It was your plan all along!".

"We now know of the curse you were going  to bring to Gensokyo!".

Byakuren winced as the flames licked her back, charring away the black robe she had on, "I had no such intentions. Gensokyo is my home and I had sworn to protect it as a faction leader. Please, this has to be a misunderstanding! Where is Reimu? She will speak on my behalf".

One of the priestess's sneered, "The head priestess would never vouch for an evil being like you. So, prepare to suffer at the mercy of these fires, your home until the day you perish!".

The crowd cheered, their voices deafening and Byakuren could feel each one scrape the inside of her skull as she tried to make sense of what was going on whilst feeling utterly debilitated. 

She accepted all in Gensokyo regardless of their beliefs; her temple and teachings were of peace.

It was how she worked alongside Kanako and Miko too.

The magician's eyes widened when she realised that Kanako must be aware of this and was taking steps to clear her name and talk to Reimu.

Kanako would undoubtedly amend this misunderstanding.

Or so she thought.

"The goddess foretold us of your betrayal" a priestess declared, "She came to us during a ritual and showed the fate of Gensokyo herself".

"Goddess?" she managed to repeat.

"That's right, because of her, Gensokyo is now free from the grasps of your malicious intentions".

Byakuren yanked at the chains as the flames started to form around her body whilst she thought on who they could be talking about since Gensokyo was home to many goddesses.

For better or worse, Byakuren would get answer.

Behind the crowd, a familiar figure in red and blue with her arms folded over her chest would appear, those red eyes and that satisfied smirk telling Byakuren all she needed to know. 

"Kanako".

Her broken tone would be drowned out by the sound of the crowds and the crackling of the flames.

Byakuren would wake up with a start, her movements stiff and erratic while her strained breathing rang out in the silence of the room.

She tried to scramble back but arms quickly wound around her waist and she was pulled to someone's chest.

"Byakuren, it was a dream" the sleepy voice said gently, "It's okay, just breath slowly".

The priestess clutched the white robe, catching strands of blue hair in her fist as she looked up, "Kanako?".

"I'm here" Kanako replied as Byakuren's head rested on her shoulder, the hazel eyes staring at her, "It has been a while since you have woken up like this. Was it Hokkai again?".

The name of the location sent shudders up Byakuren's spine and Kanako rubbed her back till Byakuren gathered her bearings.

It all came back to her, fragments of the  nightmare piecing together.

Her imprisonment, the crowds, Kanako's betrayal.

Staring up into the red eyes, serpentine and sharp, Byakuren wondered how much of it was just a nightmare, and how much of it was a prophecy.

Chapter Text

Whatever Kaguya desired, she received. 

Even after her fall to the earth, acclimating was simple enough due to the doting elderly couple who took her in, and then later her unrivalled beauty making everyone around her succumb too willingly.

Eirin herself couldn't resist Kaguya's requests.

So Kaguya felt like whatever she wanted, she would get, but the first instance of this not happening would hit her in unimaginable ways.

Kaguya didn't chase, she was the one being chased. 

Yet, wherever Keine went, she followed. 

Out of all the individuals in Gensokyo to become attached to, it had to be Mokou's closest friend.

Kaguya simply saw this as a challenge and she would acquire the historian and half beast if it was the last thing she did.

Eientei was hosting a small gathering frequented by the usual faces, but Kaguya was only interested in one and the second she got her alone, she would strike again till the wall between them crumble. 

"Are you not tired of this?" Keine snapped.

The duo were out on the veranda of the kitchen where Keine had led Kaguya to since all she could feel were the princess's eyes on her, a gaze she could feel being imprinted onto her skin.

Kaguya merely smirked and tilted her head, "The patience of an immortal is unmatched. I am sure you are aware of this".

"Yes, as much as you should be aware that I have no interest in you" the woman frowned, "I have heard enough about you from Mokou. Your whims are fleeting".

"How she speaks lies of me" Kaguya sighed in feigned disappointment as she walked to Keine, "You are far more than a whim to me, Keine. I did not understand Mokou's fascination with you at first.." she said, giving her a once over, "Now, I cannot remove you from my mind".

Keine stepped back but Kaguya wouldn't let her run tonight as she grabbed the red necktie, not too firmly, but just enough to make her point.

The lunarian had every intention of keeping Keine close to her, letting her run free when need be, but alway returning to her.

The glare from the historian made her chuckle, and she could envision fangs instead of the teeth that were clenched. 

"You would be a fool to deny my feelings".

Keine scoffed at the ignoble princess, "A life of decadence and luxury has led you to believe that you can have whatever you want" she said in disgust, "People like you sicken me".

"What is wrong with wanting, my dear half beast? We all have desires, even you" Kaguya countered and ran the fingers of her left hand down Keine's arm, "I can be one of them".

With a firm pull, Kaguya brought Keine down enough till they were face to face, silver hair bleeding into black in the way a lunar eclipse would.

"For as long as you live" she then whispered. 

Just as Kaguya was about to kiss her, Keine gripped the hand trapping her necktie and used her full strength to make Kaguya let go, not caring about the pain being inflicted.

The sound of bones crepitating was harrowing against the dull noise coming from within the manor and the silence of the outdoors.

Kaguya didn't even bat an eyelid, watching the other woman's intense gaze as her hand was moved to the side.

"Having you desire me for as long as I live sounds like a curse, Kaguya".

Keine let Kaguya's hand go, the fingers moulded in unnatural directions as bruising and blood swelled within it.

With nothing else left to say, Keine walked past Kaguya, hoping that this was the last time they would have to interact. 

The veranda door closed gently while Kaguya brought her mangled hand to her face and smiled at it.

She felt nothing coming from the injured limb, and yet, when she placed her left hand over her heart, there was a pain so severe that the idea of death to end it was welcomed.

Chapter Text

It had happened again.

Something precious to Junko had been taken away from her before her very eyes by a malignant enemy, and there was nothing she could do to halt it.

The Lunar Capital had invaded Gensokyo and this time, they had the intention of annihilating everyone and relocating the lunarians here permanently.

So a bloodshed was ongoing on the land as both sides fought relentlessly, 

Eientei in particular was a focused target which went without saying for the lunarians, so its denizens were doing their best to defend, especially since it was the medical hub too. 

Reisen was in command, locking away her past trauma in an effort to defend and protect the land she called home now.

She flew over the walls of Eientei and took out as many of the Lunar Army as she could whilst yelling out to Kagerou and Raiko, "There are more coming from your left!" she stated, "Mokou is on her way!".

The duo waved at her in thanks as Reisen flew down onto the ground to help a group of youkai and humans fending off the Lunar Army. 

With the advanced weaponry, the denizens of Gensokyo had a disadvantage, however, the sheer power of some of the beings like Utsuho and Tenshi evened out the playing field. 

However, Reisen would find herself caught in one of the lunarians abhorrent traps: a fine laser net which held its victims frozen in place.

She tried shifting free but the lasers started to cut through her skin the more she struggled.

Luckily for her, Marisa and Youmu were nearby and quickly sped to her aid, but they would be too late.

"Reisen!" the duo yelled out, though it was in vain.

A group of the lunarian soldiers had their guns pointed at her and started to shoot, the beams of blue bullets barricading into Reisen. 

Her screams of anguish would haunt everyone in the vicinity, but it was the sight of the divine spirit whom had just arrived that would leave a scar in their mind.

The firing from the lunarian soldiers stopped and Reisen was no longer moving in the laser trap.

A second later, the lunarian soldiers would plummet to the ground as corpses beyond recognition, a stain on the earth they had tarnished. 

Junko them reappeared and tore apart the nets before cradling Reisen in her arms, her hand shaking as she touched her bloodied face.

"Wake up, Reisen, you are safe now".

Her voice was breathless, eyes dilated as she tried to wipe away the blood and bullet wounds.

She gulped lightly, holding Reisen as close to her chest as possible, "You must wake up" she said again, "I..will not accept losing you too".

The reason why she could grieve the loss of her son, the reason why the rage she had been imbued in had lessened enough to see beyond it.

It was all because of this brave yet weary former Lunar rabbit whom she had learned to love.

Junko's aura turned black as no response came and she could hear Youmu and Marisa, the former in tears.

"Reisen".

Hecatia arrived soon as she had been fending off the main forces of the Lunar Army and the scene which greeted her made the goddess's fingers curl within her palm. 

How long had it been since she had seen Junko encompassed in such darkness?

Her gaze went up to the moon as she saw more lunarian aircraft land into Gensokyo's airspace. 

It wasn't just Chang'e whom would be the recipient of Junko's wrath; the entirety of the Lunar Capital would now meet its demise.