An invitation to Gensokyo

Chapter 13: an unfriendly relationship

Ran sleepily opened her eyes as the sunlight shone through the windows. Sitting up, she yawned and shook Chen's shoulder. "Chen, come on. It's time to wake up." She said quietly, and Chen mumbled in protest. "Just five more minutes? I've got the best spot in the house and I'm a sleepy kitty..." She whined groggily. Ran sighed, and noticed that Chen wasn't the only one snuggled in her fur. She smiled, running he fingers through Ryusashi's hair. "Good morning, did you sleep well?" She said, gently caressing his cheek. She pulled her hand away, but Ryusashi gently took her wrist, and she gasped lightly. He pulled her hand to his cheek again, nuzzling it gently. "Your hand... it's so warm, and soft." He said quietly, and she smiled. "You like this?" She said with a small chuckle, continuing to caress his cheek and he gently pressed his face into her hand, and he kissed her palm. Ran blushed deeply and pulled back her hand, holding it to her face, embarrassed. "Umm... I don't think we're there yet, Ryusashi. I'm sorry." She said nervously, and Ryusashi frowned slightly. "I shouldn't have done that, sorry I just spaced out for a second there." He replied, blushing as well. "Oh, don't be sorry. It's just-" Ran began, but she was cut off when Chen suddenly hugged her tightly. "Lady Ran! Pet me too!" Chen yelled and Ran chuckled. "Alright, alright just give me a-" Ran began, but she stopped, and smelled her hand. All of a sudden, she felt annoyed. "What's this... smell?" Ran said, sounding angry. Chen backed away, frightened somewhat. Ran tightly clenched her fist, turning to Ryusashi, who backed away fearfully. "What's this smell on you?!" She said angrily, and Ryusashi stuttered. "I-I don't know what you're talking about! I-I-I don't smell anything!" Ran forcefully grabbed his collar, pulling him to her face, violently smelling him all over. "This smell... it's her! That stupid tanuki!" She screamed at him as she continues to smell him all over. She grabbed his chin, squishing his cheeks. "Who did you talk to last night?" She asked calmly, staring into his eyes. "Wha- no one! I just ran into some obnoxious little fairies!" He said, and Ran growled, squeezing his chin tighter. "That smell says otherwise!" She yelled as she sprung onto her feet, dropping Ryusashi onto his back. She made her way towards the front door, following the scent outside. Ryusashi scrambled onto his feet and followed. "Wha- where are you going?" He worriedly asked as he followed her out the door. "I'm just going to find that old bitch."

After a long walk through the forest, Ran had followed the scent of tanuki to the human village, with Ryusashi following behind. The two of them came across a small shop named "Tanuki's storehouse", a small, charming general store. "This is definitely the place. I'm going in there and knocking some sense into her!" Ran yelled, reaching for the door handle, but Ryusashi stopped her. "Hold on, let's just calm down and think about this, alright?" Ryusashi tried to calm her, but suddenly, Ran's nails grew into claws, and she dug them into his arm, piercing his skin with very little effort. "OW OW OW! CLAWS! CLAWS!" He said befor Ran threw his wrist away. He gripped it in pain, realizing that he wouldn't be able to calm her down so easily. She swung the door open, making the doorbell ring violently. A girl sprung up from behind the counter, waving happily. "Welcome to The Tanuki's Storehouse! Are you looking for-" Her bright smile turned into a frown. "Aww, crap. Why're YOU here?" She said while she rested her cheek on her hand, and placed her elbow on the table. Ran stomped her foot, and folded her arms. "Mamizou! Just what do you think you were doing last night?!" Ran yelled at her, catching the attention of the other few patrons. Mamizou sighed. "Alright, everyone out. We're closed." She said half heartedly as Ran stormed to the counter, slamming her hands on it. Ryusashi looks over her shoulder. "What're you talking about? That's not Mamizou." He said, looking her up and down. Her hair was longer, and she wore a checkered robe while smoking a long pipe. "Aw, c'mon! You can't really say you don't remember me, can you?" Mamizou said as Ryusashi looked at her more closely. Ran sighed angrily, cutting between them. "So you WERE talking to her? You lied!" She yelled at him. Ryusashi began stuttering again. "Wha- I-I've never met a Mamizou in my life! Honest!" He said, trying to resolve the situation. Mamizou snapped her fingers, creating a cloud of smoke around herself. When it cleared, her hair had shortened, and she grew a large, stripped tail and a pair of canine like ears. "Oh, hey Mamizou how've you been?" He said, waving to her before Ran gave him a hard slap to the face with her right hand, sending him to the floor before turning back to Mamizou. "Alright, how exactly do you two know each other? Tell the truth and I might not rip your throat out." Ran said calmly after placing her hands on the counter top. "Just ran into him on his way home, what of it? Don't worry, I'm not trying to steal your boyfriend or anything." Mamizou replied smugly, causing Ran to blush profusely. "Wh-what?! He isn't my- umm... we aren't like that at all! We're just friends!" She replied, flustered. Mamizou raised an eyebrow. "Really? Cuz I'm pretty sure I saw you two holding hands at the market the other day." Mamizou said, keeping her smug attitude. Ran took a moment to compose herself before speaking. "I was simply making sure that he didn't wander off, the village is a big place, and it's easy to get lost in." She said, folding her arms. "Oh, really now?" Mamizou replied in her smug tone, instantly making Ran lose composure again. "YES, REALLY! WE AREN'T LIKE THAT!" The two of them continued their argument while Ryusashi tried to regain his consciousness. He shook off the dizziness, though his vision still blurred. He rose to his knees, letting his vision adjust as he stood back up. He scanned the room around him, looking over shelves lined with random junk and other worthless objects that one might find valuable. Ones trash is another's treasure after all. One piece stood out amongst it all, sitting on a large, wooden stand, a sword, almost five feet in length, rested in its leather scabbard. Ryusashi recognized it instantly. The blade was his first real sword, given to him by his sword master, Sanger. "I threw you away... what are you doing here?" He whispered to himself. He walked over to it, clumsily, but eventually he made it, placing his hand on the hilt. Suddenly, a flash of images barraged his mind, causing him to wince at the sudden shock. When he opened his eyes again, everything around him had gone white. He looked around aimlessly before a voice came from behind him. "You've finally come to claim that which is rightfully yours, young Takano." The voice was familiar, and Ryusashi turned to face his old master. "Are you angry with me? I threw this away because I couldn't wield it properly." Ryusashi said guiltily, but Sanger shook his head before placing a gentle hand on Ryusashi's shoulder. "Of course not. I am simply here to pass on the remainder of my teachings to you, my one and only disciple." Ryusashi frowned. "But I could never do it. I could never be a great swordsman like you." He replied before Sanger placed his other hand on Ryusashi's other shoulder. "It's because you've given up before you've even begun." Sanger explained, unsheathing the sword and placing it in Ryusashi's hands. "Don't attempt to control the blade, but rather let it guide you. In doing so, there is no enemy you won't be able to defeat." He said with a warm smile before straightening up. "My time here has run short, I have to go now. You understand, don't you?" He said looking down at Ryusashi, who nodded in understanding. "Good. You can always find me again, that sword will be your guide to me. I bid you well, young Takano."

Ryusashi snapped back to reality, noticing the sword in his hand. The scabbard had an engraving in kanji, that read: Zankantou. This blade was Sanger's personal weapon, and even after many years of use, the blade still clean. The metal was so perfect, that Ryusashi could see his reflection in it. The Zankantou was almost five feet in length, as an ancient Japanese style odachi, commonly used by Samurai or wandering Ronin. He sheathed the blade and held it to his forehead for a moment. "I will make you proud, master." He thought to himself before slipping the scabbard into his belt. He turned around to see Ran and Mamizou were still arguing about utter nonsense. "Maybe I should do something..." He thought to himself as he began approaching them. Ran suddenly screamed in anger. "THAT'S! IT! I'M DONE PLAYING THESE GAMES! I'LL JUST TAKE CARE OF THIS HERE AND NOW!" She yelled as she raised her arm to slap Mamizou, extending her claws again. Mamizou sighed. "Can't we just settle this over some sake?" She asked nervously before Ran slashed downwards at her. However, Ran was stopped when Ryusashi grabbed her wrist, twisting Ran's arm behind her back, causing her to yelp in pain. "Eep! What're you doing!? Let me go!" She yelled, flailing her free hand in an attempt to free herself, but Ryusashi held firmly. "I'm really sorry that we barged in on you like this, we'll be leaving now." He said calmly as he led Ran out the door. She continued screaming in protest. "NO! LET ME GO! I'LL KILL HER!" Mamizou wasn't intimidated in the slightest. She simply bowed respectfully. "Bye bye now. Come again soon!" She said cheerfully as the door closed. Ryusashi released Ran after the door had shut behind them. Ran attempted to dart past him to go back inside, but Ryusashi caught her by her waist. Ran shrieked as Ryusashi threw her over his shoulder and began walking back to the house. "NO! PUT ME DOWN! LET GO OF ME!" Ran cried as she pounded angrily against his back. Her cries attracted strange looks from the townsfolk, making Ryusashi look down in embarrassment. Ran eventually picked up on the murmurs among the crowd and fell silent. Looking all around, she saw the faces people made at her. "L-look, Ryusashi? I promise I won't try to run past you again, so please put me down..." Ran said quietly. Ryusashi sighed as he lowered Ran to her feet. Ran's face was red with embarrassment, and her eyes held small tears. Ryusashi placed his hands on her shoulders. "Ran, what's wrong? You went crazy back there." He asked calmly, Ran's face scrunched up a little before she suddenly threw herself at him, embracing Ryusashi with a tight hug. Her watery eyes left small wet spots on Ryusashi's white shirt. He sighed lightly in annoyance, but returned the hug. "I'll just never understand women I guess." He thought to himself. "I don't care if you make friends, but not with her!" She said through her sniffles, her voice muffled against Ryusashi's chest. "And what's wrong with Mamizou?" He asked and Ran raised her head to look up at him. "Because! She's loud and obnoxious, and thinks that she's better than everyone! She'll tell you lies about me... about lady Yukari..." She tried explaining through her somewhat incoherent sobs. Ryusashi sighed again. "Alright. Look, let's just go home. It's getting dark anyway." He said and he took Ran's hand and the two of them began walking back home. "Wait, it's getting dark? Already? It was morning when we left." Ryusashi said about halfway through their walk. They looked up and saw the full moon looming above the darkened horizon. "Th-that can't be right. Somethings wrong. We should get home and see lady Yukari immediately!" Ran replied as she took off, flying towards their home, leaving Ryusashi stranded on the ground. "Guess I'm walking? Fine." He said to himself as he began running close behind her. He had a long night ahead of him, and it had only just begun.