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"Wha-? M-Maemi, wait!! ...But, we had plans..." The Celestial chased her friend out of the kitchen, waiting as the Tengu dressed herself with unmatched speed. Her long hours spent training seemed to have kicked in, as she affixed her armor with speed and precision. Lumine hurried to do the same, though she was far outmatched. By the time she even laced her boots and tied her capelet's bow, Maemi was already out the door, and ordered her to stay behind.

Yeah, right.

"Master Kazuko!" Lumine cried out to the Wolf Tengu, just as she turned to leave as well. If the teacher was called into duty as well, then whatever threatened the village was perilous indeed.

"...This is bad, isn't it? You know I'm not just gonna sit here while you all go defend the village." The Celestial took her sword from her backpack, tying it to her belt. "Master Kazuko, I can't stay here while Maemi is out there, in danger. I'm going after her!" She hurried to her friend and, despite her voiced conviction, stood before the much older Wolf, as if looking for her permission. Lumine knew she was no trained guard, and not as good a fighter as Seijin, or even Maemi, but the thought of sitting idly by while her friends were in danger was unbearable.

"Don't worry, Master Kazuko!" The Celestial said, pressing her balled up fists against her hips in a triumphant pose. "I'm a Celestial! Which means I can beat even death itself!"

As Seijin left, Lumine followed behind, though being much slower (why were all Tengu so fast??). She ran towards the fires, to where she believed the most danger to be, her normal guard's sword unsheathed and gripped tightly in her hand. She knew Maemi's pride would lead her there as well, and hoped to catch up with her. None of the other guards seemed to be paying attention to her, the quirky Celestial that wandered their village, as most were either engaging rampaging Youkai, or seeking them out. This fit Lumine fine; it meant she wouldn't have to waste time explaining herself to the guard - she could do that later!

Lumine came across a few small-fry demons as she made her way to the epicenter of the assault. A few quick strikes of her sword were enough to fell them or at least send them running in the other direction. The training sessions she watched Maemi and Master Kazuko perform, as well as those few she attended, seemed to have payed off! By the time she reached Maemi, Lumine was feeling quite confident in her fighting skills, having not even had to use a spell card yet.

"Maem--EEK! ...er, Maemi~!!!" She called out, having nearly ran into another Tengu Guardsman as he took down a Youkai.

"Hey, Maemi, be careful! You're gonna get hurt that way if you don't pay attention!" The Celestial said, approaching Maemi. Her friend was worried, more so than usual.
Maemi had always tried to get her to be more careful, and had a habit of being right most of the time... Lumine's lack of foresight was more than often the reason she got into so much trouble, and forcing the Tengu to save her on more than one occasion. But today would be different! She wasn't going to be a burden on Maemi! They were going to stand side-by-side and defeat the Youkai who dared to attack the village!

With a grin on her face, she raised her hand in a fake salute. "Lumine Mayflower, reporting for duty! I'm gonna help you guys fight off these Youkai!" She lowered her hand, adding, "...There's no way I could sit at home, all the while worrying sick about you the whole time, not when I could be out helping you."
Another small Youkai approached, its weapon drawn. Lumine blocked its strike with her sword, braced by both hands, and aimed a swift kick at the demon's knee, busting its leg and sending it to the ground with a pained screech. It began to claw itself away as Lumine turned to face Maemi again.

"See? I can take care of myself, so don't worry!" Her over-confident grin returned, though it was mostly just to show Maemi that she shouldn't be afraid. "Besides, you shouldn't be out this far anyway - It's dangerous! I saw most of the other guards heading up defense points further into the village on my way here. We should fall back and join them!"

As Lumine spoke, a much larger, horned Youkai approached from behind the Tengu. He was taller than either of the girls, and wearing armor pieced together with both old and new equipment. He carried a rather large, curved blade - a foreign weapon, like a scimitar. Lumine spotted him as she finished her sentence, her icy-blue eyes drifting above Maemi's head. Once he noticed the Celestial's eyes upon him, he rushed them, weapon poised, ready to strike.

"LOOK OUT--!!!"

"MAAEEMIIIII!!!!"




There was an alert in the Tengu Village; "all guards to their posts". A large group of maverick Youkai had formed in the Forest of Magic, and had planned to assault the Tengu Village. You and nearly every other guard and Tengu able to bear arms were sent to places around the village to protect the citizens. You wanted to keep me inside, but Master Kazuko let me sneak out, like she always did. I followed you to where I knew you'd be, where I knew your pride would lead you. It was one of the heaviest to be hit by the Youkai.




As the armored Youkai rushed them, Lumine had begun to draw a spell card from the pouch on her belt, but she wasn't quick enough. She watched in horror as Maemi froze with a sickening sound, a triumphant look on the demon's face. As he withdrew his blade and held it high to strike once more, Lumine could see the crimson it bathed in, solidifying her worst fears.
Without a second thought, the Celestial thrust her elbow into Maemi's side, shoving the Tengu away while bracing with her own blade to cross the demon's. However, the armored Youkai was stronger than she, and as he brought down his blade, the combined weight of the weapon along with the demon's strength caused both Lumine's arm and legs to buckle, forcing her to one knee and allowing the blade to wedge into her left shoulder.

"S-Swordplay: Scarlet... Scarlet Mastery!"

The spell card in her off hand shone with a crimson light before shattering, the red energies released encircling the guard's sword Lumine held. The now-Scarlet blade sliced through the demon's own weapon with a quick flick of her wrist. Before he could react, Lumine followed up with a swipe to his exposed legs, nearly severing them. As he collapsed, Lumine stood, bringing her blade upward and across, beheading him before his body hit the ground.

As Lumine turned to find Maemi, another demon filled her vision. Another slice, and the demon's blood filled the air. It was only now, much too late, that the Celestial realized how truly outnumbered they had been.
Her spell card continued, making quick work of the Youkai that tried to surround her. She focused on keeping them away from Maemi at all costs, even using her own body to block blows that were otherwise meant for the fallen Tengu.
Another demon, another wound, another death. Lumine stopped keeping track of her own injuries, even as her other arm was eventually rendered useless after a tendon was cut. The spell card timed out, and her blade returned to normal, but that didn't stop her defense. She forced her blade past the Youkai's defenses, earning nicks in the blade as it clashed with other weapons and armor. More pain. More blood.

...

The dance lasted for what felt like hours. Lumine stood, panting, her damaged blade ready for the scrap heap and her body pushed to its limits. The remaining Youkai in this group, as few as they were, turned tail to run from the Celestial's unwavering conviction, fearing for their own lives. As they left her sight, the silence became deafening. She quickly turned, dropping her sword, and began searching for Maemi's fallen form amongst the bodies of slain Youkai.

"Maemi?! MAEMI?!!"

As Lumine searched the amongst gore, she spotted a small movement. A wing. Maemi. Her heart sank when she realized she was still on the ground where she left her. She hadn't moved at at all.

She rushed over to the sight, pausing, the horror of the situation sinking in in its entirety. "MAEMI! Maemi, oh god!" She knelt down beside the Tengu, wrapping her hand under her head. "Maemi, can you hear me? C'mon, please say something! Maemi!!"
There was nothing Lumine could do for a wound like this. Knowing this, the Celestial looked around frantically for a sign of another guardsmember, a Tengu, anybody friendly. There was nothing but blood and bodies, and the distant howl of the wind and fire. "He-..H-HELP! HELP, ANYBODY! MASTER KAZUKO?! SOMEBODY, PLEASE!!!"
Tears began to well up in her eyes. Lumine quickly untied the bow fastening her capelet, unwrapping it from her shoulders and balling it up. She took the mass of cloth and pressed it against Maemi's wound; the white fabric instantly became soaked with her blood. "I-I can't stop the bleeding..! I..I need help! HELP! HEELLP!! Oh god--!!"

Lumine was shaking uncontrollably, gasping through her own sobs, trying to elicit a response from her friend. "Maeemiiii....please get up...."

I don't remember much about what happened after that. Master Kazuko told me that I passed out while crying and screaming, still clinging to your body. It took two guardsmen to pry my arms away from you. I awoke the next day, with my wounds bandaged and already mending, all except for one.
When I came to, Master Kazuko was by my side. Even though she smiled through her pain, she looked so...tired. For the first time since I've known her, the Tengu Wolf looked worn, showing her age. I know it must be hard for her, too; you were like the daughter she never had. When Master Kazuko smiled at me, I saw tears forming at the corners of her eyes. I broke down again, throwing my arms around her shoulders. She held me calmly, trying to comfort me by rubbing my back, though through our silent embrace, I could feel her body shaking. She was crying, too.

Later that day, those who fell during the attack were laid to rest higher in the mountain tops, close to the setting sun. As the day ended, so too did the journey of all the brave Tengu as they met their final resting place. One by one, the Guardsmen and women were lowered into their respective graves. Maemi, you looked so beautiful, dressed in the royal garb your family had arranged, decorated with rich silks and divine trinkets that vividly displayed your grand heritage. I watched the Highest-ranked of the Tengu Guard lower you into your own grave, higher above the others.
Even though my head was spinning and tears filled my eyes, I could feel the dagger-like glares that fell upon me from your family. They blamed me for your death, as did I. Master Kazuko was the only one who stood beside me as the sun's final light faded over the mountains.

I didn't spend much time in the village after that, only returning once in a while to Master Kazuko's open arms. She was the only who still accepted my presence in the Tengu village. But even that came to an end not long after. She once told me in confidence how she was beginning to feel the years catching up to her. She passed away a few years after you left us, after she had quit training students. I was with her in her final moments. I wasn't going to let her die alone.
You truly were our life, Maemi. When you died, so did we. But I was selfish. I didn't attend Master Kazuko's funeral because I knew there would be no one left to stand by my side that time. I hope you both can forgive me.

That day, I decided to leave the Tengu Village for good, but not without something to remember you by. I snuck into your family's mansion as they slept, and took your Nodachi. It was on display in a small shrine dedicated to you, where it would just collect dust, and serve as nothing more than a passing memory. I decided I would bear your sword in your honor, and let its weight be a burden along side my guilt. I left the mansion and planned to leave the village, but I had one last place to visit...




Lumine stood quietly in the doorway to Seijin Kazuko's home. The moonlight poured in from the windows, their curtains left open, casting a cold, blue glow across her home. Normally, the room would be lit with a warm glow, complementing the simple wooden features and furniture that rested within. Lumine looked side to side as she walked inside. The house felt so empty without its owner.

On the walls were an assortment of various weapons collected over a lifetime of achievement, all meaningful in some way to Master Kazuko. The sight of the weapons reminded Lumine of the burden she now carried: Maemi's Nodachi weighed heavily on her back, being unused to such a weight. Ignoring the discomfort, she simply tugged at the strap that fastened it to her back and moved forward.
A little further in, there was a large crest hung on the wall, the centerpiece of the room. It was the crest of the Tengu Academy, where Seijin taught her lessons for so long. Lumine could only imagine the grand ceremony they must have held in Master Kazuko's honor as they laid her to rest.

Leaving behind these relics, Lumine moved into the next room. It was Master Kazuko's bedroom. Fresh, painful memories returned from mere days before, when Lumine sat beside Seijin as she lay on her bed, as she breathed her last breath. Lumine didn't cry, even as she held Seijin's hand. The Wolf Tengu thanked her deeply for her company, and left the world with a smile.
Lumine blinked her tears away, feeling comfortable enough to let them fall now. She had wanted to be strong for Seijin, in return for the strength and love she had shown her.

She moved to Kazuko's bed. Curiously enough, one side of the bed was shown to have been in constant use - it was the side she found Seijin on. The other, however, seems to have been untouched for quite some time; perfectly creased sheets and bedding, tucked in at the corners without so much of a wrinkle. Looking to the Wolf's nightstand, she soon understood why.
On the nightstand, in a rich wooden frame was a picture. Lumine had never taken the time to closely inspect it before. The picture was of a younger Seijin, standing side by side with a handsome young man, another Wolf Tengu, and between them, a...child? Lumine picked up the frame and held it in the moonlight. Yep, it was definitely a child - and she looked just like Master Kazuko. Why didn't she tell them she had a child...?

Lumine carefully replaced the photograph where it belonged. It obviously meant a lot to Seijin, and so she meant to leave it undisturbed. Afterwords, she searched the bedroom a bit more, looking for anything useful. To be honest, the idea of going through Master Kazuko's house felt wrong to the Celestial, but she didn't have anything else. Her clothes were starting to become worn, and her money had all but run out, not to mention the strap of her backpack broke months ago. Her small search recovered a messenger's bag, worn but sturdy, and a soft, loose-fitting shirt that belonged to Kazuko. Lumine cursed her failure to properly care for her clothes as she stripped off her long-sleeved shirt and stuffed herself into Seijin's tunic. She once did this as a joke before, but now, it wasn't so funny...

Leaving the bedroom finally, wearing both Seijin's shirt and messenger bag, she had one last room to search: The study. Lumine entered the study, tugging slightly at the messenger bag's strap in an attempt to make it comfortable. The Nodachi made wearing a normal backpack impossible, so this would work perfectly for her.
As she entered the study, Lumine was met with the bittersweet aroma of paper and books that clung to the air. It was an unmatchable scent, and one not often encountered in Gensokyo. She looked around, on all the shelves, quickly reviewing their contents. Scrolls, notes and books littered them in a seemingly random arrangement, but upon closer inspection they were actually arranged by what topic they covered. Some were training manuals; others, manuscripts and maps, official documents and the like. These were pressed with the Academy's Seal.
Nothing looked particularly interesting. However, as Lumine was about to leave, something on the desk caught her eye. A single, leather-bound book, partially over-stuffed with extra pages and notes. Something about it stood out from the rest, and raised an interest in the Celestial. She picked the book up and flipped through its pages, quickly discerning it to be Master Kazuko's Diary. Out of respect for her friend, she was about to close the book when something fell out from between the pages and onto the desk. Curious, Lumine set the book down and retrieved the item; it was another photograph, this one of a young white Wolf Tengu, dressed in reserved clothes and seemingly unaware of the photographer's existence. She turned the photograph over, and was pleased to see details written on the back. A name, and a small note...

...

Lumine stuffed the picture, as well as Master Kazuko's diary, into the messenger back and quickly left, a new determination in her eyes and purpose in her life. She left the Tengu Village once and for all, and soon found herself wandering the Forest of Magic come dawn's first light...

Finding the lost child's home proved to be easy with the provided directions, though the long trek from the top of Youkai Mountain meant she wouldn't arrive until some time late morning.

When Lumine arrived, she took the time to survey the home from the outside. It was a simple place, square walls and the like, and sitting by a lovely pool of water. Tired from her journey, Lumine first visited the creek, kneeling down at its edge and drinking in its clear, refreshing waters. The water here was pure and undefiled, and she was careful to leave it that way, only splashing her face with a cupped-handful of water after moving away.
Refreshed, the Celestial next moved to the home's door. She knocked twice, and waited for a response. One would never come. Undeterred, however, she decided to try the door nob, and found it to be unlocked. What luck! She entered the home, making sure to make her presence known; she didn't want to scare the girl or anything.

"Helloo~oo? Is anyone home?"

Again, there was no response. Lumine sighed, reaching into her messenger's bag as she closed the door behind her, removing the picture of Seijin's child again. She was certain this was the right place, having followed the directions to the letter. Replacing the parcel, Lumine decided to take a look around.

The home was somewhat plain, at least in contrast to what she expected of the daughter of such a celebrated Tengu. There was nothing here to denote that she belonged to a legacy of a swordsmaster. She had expected to find weapons lining the walls, maybe a set of armor, or something connecting her to the Academy or Master Kazuko. But it felt so... bare. The only room with any character was the bedroom, filled with a number of written and printed texts, papers and other scholarly items. It seemed Seijin's child had chosen a very different career path than her mother.

Leaving the bedroom, Lumine was shocked to find the owner's silent return, standing in the doorway and eying her coldly. A long moment passed as the two girls stared each other down. Eventually, Michiko entered her home fully, moving to her table and laying down the armful of food she carried as well as an oil lamp. It was only after this that she finally spoke to Lumine, her voice carrying no sympathy or care, merely prodding the Celestial for information. Was this really Seijin's daughter...?

Lumine removed the hat from her head and held it over her heart, bowing down in a show of respect. "I apologize for the intrusion, miss. My name is Lumine Mayflower, Wayward Celestial of Bhavagra." she looked up to the Wolf as she straightened herself. "I've come in search of Michiko Kazuko, on... On her mother's behalf. May I assume that you are Michiko?"

She thought for a moment, carefully forming her own words in her head. She had many things she wanted to ask Michiko, namely, why she hadn't been there for her mother during her final hours? Why had she never seen Michiko in the long years of knowing Master Kazuko? She had read some of Seijin's diary, but not enough to grasp the whole story yet - and for all she knew, it may not even be written within.

"M...Michiko, I'm sorry to be the one telling you this, but your mother passed away...a few days ago." Sadness could be seen in the Celestial's eyes as she told the daughter this, but her voice remained calm and, honestly, quite unlike her normal self. "I didn't know if anyone had come to contact you about it, and, when I found out about you, I... I just thought you should know. I'm sorry for your loss..."