Fading Cinders

Chapter 6

It was daybreak, the sun just creeping over the horizon, casting a faint orange glow on the land. Mokou carried me up to the front gate, the guard was yawning, rubbing the sleep out of their eyes. We were able to just walk straight into the village, being casually waved in from the sleepy 'guard'. It somehow makes me glad that we're able to be this peaceful. We slowly made our way through the village, when it occurred to me that I don't know where Mokou is taking me.

"Hey, Mokou?"

"Hm? What is it, Yuki?" She looked over her shoulder at me.

"Where exactly are we going?"

"I said it before, didn't I? I'm taking you to Keine. I don't know how many years it's been, but I know Keine will always be here." I guess even Mokou knows Miss Keine, which makes me wonder just how old the both of them are... We walked in silence the rest of the way through the village, I was leaning my head on Mokou's back. The villagers were just starting their day when we made our way to the home of the reliable teacher. Mokou puts me down and starts banging on the door. "KEINE?! ARE YOU HOME?!"

"M-mokou, you shouldn't be so loud, it's still earl-" My words were cut off by Miss Keine throwing open her door in anger.

"Do you have any idea what time it is?! I have a busy da-" She suddenly paused when she saw us. "...Mokou?" Mokou awkwardly smiled.

"Hey, Keine... it's been a while huh." Keine just stared at Mokou for a few seconds before she noticed me.

*Sigh* "I figured you didn't come all this way to visit... What happened to her?"

"...she was lost in the forest, ran into one of Tewi's traps." Mokou looked guilty while she said this, she still must feel bad about what happened to me.

"And you took her to me instead of a doctor?" Keine rubbed her temples.

"I didn't know how much time passed! I knew you'd always be here though." Mokou scratched her head while bashfully smiling. This made Keine sigh again.

"I'm glad you think I'm reliable, but I'm a teacher, Mokou... *sigh* I guess I do have some medical knowledge. Alright, bring her inside." Keine goes back inside her house. Mokou smiles at me then goes to pick me up again. Entering the house of everyone's teacher brings me a normal sight. The average house of just about anyone in the village. Keine motions to a couch. "You can set her here, I'll see if I have any supplies." Mokou gently sets me down when Keine comes back with some bandages and other things that can help my leg. Keine starts to grab my leg when she pauses. I start to worry as she just stares at my wound.

"...is it bad?" I finally spoke up to ask her. She turns her head and gently smiles at me, just like she did when I was young in her class.

"No, don't worry. You'll be just fine... It's just that... it might take quite a while to heal." She turns and glares at Mokou. "You did this, didn't you?" Mokou looks a bit nervous.

"I-I had to stop the bleeding somehow... I couldn't think of anything else to do..." It was kind of strange to see the confident Mokou from the forest look this nervous. I guess this is how she acts around someone who's known her for a very long time. Keine stops glaring at Mokou and turns back to my leg. She begins to mumble.

"Both the deep cuts and the burns... this poor girl..." She looks up at me again. "What kind of trap did this to you?" I take a breath before speaking.

"A bear trap, Miss Keine..." She looks back down at my leg and begins to silently clean my wound. We were all silent, Mokou had gone and sat near a window. Keine was about to bandage my wound when she quietly said something to herself.

"Oh, Tewi..." I decide to speak up and finally ask her something that's been on my mind for a while.

"What's wrong with the people in that forest?" Keine stops, I hear Mokou sharply inhale from across the room. Keine looks up at me, starts to talk, but stops. She tries to get any words out but she looks conflicted. "I-I'm sorry if it's something you don't want to talk about but-" Keine takes a deep breath.

"No, it's fine. After what you've been through, you deserve to know... Years ago, probably before you were born, Eientei was a place that was dedicated to helping everyone that needed it. The head doctor, Eirin Yagokoro, brought the knowledge of the moon down to us. Her medicine and knowledge healed countless."

"Then... why would she...?" I didn't understand. Someone that like that would never do such terrible things to people.

"It wasn't Eirin," Mokou spoke up from where she sat. "It was one of her most trusted friends." Mokou sadly looked out the window while she said this.

"Mokou's right. The cause wasn't Eirin, it was because of another resident of Eientei. One who had the power to cause insanity to those around her. Her name was Reisen, and she was such a kind person..." Keine was quiet, these memories were clearly something painful.

"So, did Reisen cause...?" I was confused, those powers seem strong, but Keine said she was nice.

"...in a way, she did cause Eientei to be how it is today. Slowly, over several years, her powers became more and more uncontrolled. Her madness was growing around her, causing those closest to her to lose themselves without them even knowing... By the time we caught on there was no going back. Those of Eientei had become, well... you've met some of them." Mokou started pacing around halfway through Keine's story. Bad memories for both of them, I suppose. I barely even knew what to say. Watching your friends slowly go mad is just...

"How horrible... I'm sorry." It was about the only thing I could say. Keine softly smiled, still looking down. I had another question though. "...I'm sorry for asking this, but couldn't the Hakurei shrine maiden do anything about it?" Keine's smile left her, I heard Mokou's footsteps stop. She took a breath, then spoke up from across the room.

"...we made a deal with Reimu. If I could keep people out of that forest forever... the residents of Eientei would be spared. It was the only thing I could do to keep them alive" Mokou looked pained while she said this. I couldn't even begin to imagine it. Being so close to corrupted versions of people you care about, something Mokou decided to do forever. Wait, if she was so close to them...

"Mokou, um, how come you aren't like the Eientei people?" Mokou blankly stared at me before awkwardly chuckling.

"Heheh, this'll sound a little ridiculous, but... I think because I was further away from Eientei it didn't affect me as fast. I managed to feel it come and every time I did, I... blew my head up."

"Huh?" Did I hear her right? B-blow her head up? At first I thought she was joking but after what I've seen she can do...

*SIgh* "You never change, do you Mokou?" Keine had finished cleaning and bandaging my wound, she was now packing her things for the day. "Alright, I'm late enough as it is, you can rest here for the day. Mokou, you stay with her." Mokou was about to protest when Keine shot her a glare.

"Thank you so much, Miss Keine. I don't know how I can make this up to you." Keine gently smiled at me.

"No need to do anything, it was just my duty as protector of this village. Now get some rest!" Keine started walking towards her front door, and Mokou followed her. My thoughts became hazy, and my eyes heavy... What a long night that was...