As the girl cautiously ventures out into the morning sun, a gentle breeze blows past her. It?s cool and refreshing, not too strong, and not all too week. Kohaku?s long hair sways softly in the passing breeze. She can feel the sun?s heat clearly even though it is only the beginning of spring.
Kohaku carefully examines her surroundings, looking around for any signs of youkai or otherwise. After thoroughly gazing at the surrounding area, she frowns, slightly puzzled. The girls turns and looks back at Hyozan, who has made his way out of the shrine and is now standing a short distance behind Kohaku. As she watches her malamute, she thinks to ask him again if there was really something out here.
Just then, another, slightly stronger, breeze blows across the shrine grounds.
Kohaku swiftly turns around and faces forward, towards the magnificent torii standing proudly at the top of the stairs, silently watching over all of Gensokyo.
As the wind dies down to a calm zephyr, a woman steps out from behind the left pillar of the grand torii.
Her short hair is golden in color. She?s wearing a white dress with a dark blue, no indigo, colored layer on the front. Her hands are in her sleeves, sitting in front of her chest. Atop her head is an oddly shaped hat with charms on it. However, this is not what draws the girl?s attention the most.
Sprouting from her back are nine golden tails, all shining under the bright morning sun.
As the wind slows to a stop, she opens her eyes, revealing beautiful golden eyes. She turns her gaze to the human before her and smiles invitingly.
?So you?re the one she chose?? She says with a smile of reassurance. She closes her eyes for a moment then opens them, gazing directly at Kohaku with their beautiful golden luster.
?I apologize for all the trouble we?re causing you. I hope you will understand?? She says, looking slightly uneasy for a moment.
Just then a shout rings out from the sky.
?Bunbunmaru Newspaper! Extra big news! Read it or be blown away!?
As Kohaku looks upward in search of the voice, a bundle of paper flutters down towards the ground. As it lands by her feet, she kneels down and picks up the lump of paper. As the girl quickly glances at it, she notices the pages are entirely covered with words, the first page in particular grabs her attention.
The Next Hakurei Miko Appears!
Barrier left in the hands of Amateur?
As the harsh blizzards of winter come to an end, a gentle breeze blows throughout Gensokyo.
At this time, all of Gensokyo eagerly awaits the arrival of spring.
When it comes to spring, there is one thing on everyone?s minds.
Flower viewing.
And the number one place in Gensokyo for flower viewing is none other than the Hakurei Shrine.
X Month X Day, I received a strange report from a certain youkai.
The youkai spoke criptically and her words were hard to comprehend, but this was what she said:
?Do you remember that magnificent shrine to the east?
There will be someone there today, someone special.
Maybe she?s there to take the Hakurei?s great power.
Shouldn?t a reporter such as yourself go check out these things??
As always this youkai speaks in illogical riddles that can?t be understood by normal people.
Uneasy as I was, I reluctantly set out for the deserted shrine.
Upon arrival I observed a most shocking of scene.
There was a human girl ransacking the shrine.
I quickly rushed back to write an article.
On my way back I ran into Gensokyo?s resident oni, Suika Ibuki.
Upon hearing of the thief I caught red-handed, she told me not to worry, that the girl was just the new miko cleaning up.
This was even more surprising than I imagined.
So with renewed energy I headed back to begin writing the article.
It?s been more than a decade since the Hakurei Shrine was inhabited.
The Hakurei shrine which stands on the boundary between Gensokyo and the outside world used to be a lively place that youkai frequented.
The shrine?s only role is to maintain the border between the two worlds. Without a shrine maiden, the shrine fell into a sad state of disrepair, and youkai no longer visited.
Unable to complete it?s function, the shrine was forgotten by Gensokyo.
To believe that the shrine finally has a new shrine maiden.
This is a happy day indeed.
I look forward to a multitude of new material from this new shrine maiden.
(Aya Shameimaru)
*Notice*
To celebrate this joyous event, a feast will be held at the Hakurei Shrine. Everyone is welcome so there?s sure to be plenty of sake and food.
---
As Kohaku finishes reading the article, she looks up from the paper to see that the golden tailed woman had vanished.
It seems her everyday life is going to become anything but boring.
---------
---Time Skip Initiated---
Date: 28th of March, Year 160. Early Spring
9:01 A.M. ---> 5:46 P.M.
---------
As the sun began to sink to the west, Gensokyo was tinted with a beautiful golden hue. Shadows stretched out far across the dusty ground. Slowly, the nocturnal residents of Gensokyo began to awaken.
---------
---Marou
?Hah! That?s all the lessons for today? Tsukasa says as she wipes her brow with her sleeve. She inhales the cool evening air with a smile. She places her hands on her hips and turns to Sanaya who is standing before her outside of the Dojo.
?Thanks for your help Sanaya. I appreciate it.? She says. ?Anyways, I?ve got things to do this evening. Sorry that I can?t keep you busy any longer? She says with a weak laugh. She closes her eyes and takes another breath of crisp air. She opens her eyes and smiles at Sanaya.
?Feel free to stop by any time you?ve got nothing to do. I could always use help with demonstrations.? She shfts slightly, glancing towards her home that stands behind her.
?Well, It was great seeing you again. I hope we?ll get to spar again soon. I need to check on my mother so?? Tsukasa turns and gazes at the house with a frown. After a few moments, she turns back to Sanaya. Her gaze seems to have lost a bit of that energetic aura they previously had,
?So I?ll see you later??
