Xana's Snippets And Stories.

Different Kind of Shinigami: 1

(Setting: Touhou)

"Ah, it's quite a nice day," I said a I walked the streets of the town.

"Oh, good morning, Akari," an old man greeted me as I was passing by.

"Good morning, have your health improved?" I stopped to check on him.

"Ha, this old man still has a bit kick in him, but the herbs you got me the other day were a big help. Thank you again for that," the old man smiled and nodded, holding his hands behind his back.

"Just don't push yourself too hard. If you need anything, just ask," I offered before continuing my way.

That wasn't the only greeting I received. Many of the villagers talked to me as I was passing by, children ran up and stroke a conversation with me, alongside making me promise to play with them later.

This was a stark difference from their cautious attitudes when I arrived her a few weeks ago. Though, it was admittedly understandable.

With my all black Haori, and my Zanpakuto resting on my side, I probably looked like I was up to no good.

Walking up to the stairs, I reached the local shrine and saw the resident shrine maiden sweeping around the front with an old broom maid of wood and hay. When she caught sight of me, she gave a tired sigh.

"Good morning, miss Reimu," I greeted.

"You're back again, you freeloader," Reimu sighed, taking a stop from sweeping the ground.

"Now that's a bit harsh," I awkwardly sratched my cheek. "I come here because I really love the view and atmosphere."

"You still take tea and crackers without paying anything back," Reimu glared at me. "The least you can do is make an offering to the shrine."

"You know I can't do that. I have my own deity to worship. I can't really go making offerings for another now," I reasoned, though that was admittedly the only difference I had.

"Here," she held the broom forward. "The least you can do is clean up if you come here and drink my tea without any offerings."

"Alright, I guess that's fair," I accepted the broom with a smile. "Though, could I trouble you for some tea? I'd really like some after I finish here."

Reimu sighed again. "Fine, whatever. I was gonna make myself some anyway."

Reimu went inside while I started sweeping. I really didn't mind the work. I really did like how pretty this place was, and she kind of was right about me coming her to drink tea for free.

"For someone that complains about freeloaders, she seems satisfied in living off offerings and donations," I heard my Zanpakuto spirit say.

"Now, now, it's not like we're better off," I said back as I kept sweeping. "We don't have much to go on and we can only survive because the villagers are kind enough to offer us gifts and food every now and then."

I heard my Zanpakuto huff before sensing him go back to my Inner World. I knew that if he didn't agree, he would have kept talking, so I just went on with my work.

As soon as I was finished, I saw a figure approach from the sky. A witch riding a broom floated down and landed on the ground.

"Oh, you're here, too, Akari?" The witch greeted with a grin. "Here to mooch off Reimu again?"

"That seems to fit you more than me, Marisa. I'm here because I honestly like this place," I replied before smiling politely. "And how have you been?"

"Not bad, not bad," Marisa giggled devilishly. "Managed to get my hands on some rare materials. Should make for some good potions and Spells."

"Did you steal them?" I gave her a disappointed glare.

"I'm no thief!" Marisa cried out. "I'm just borrowing them until I die!"

"You can say 'stealing' in the most fancy way in history and it still will be stealing," I sighed, shaking my head at her.

"Oh, Marisa is here, too?" Reimu came back, holding a tray with a pot, cups, and a few crackers.

"Hey, Reimu! How have you been?" Marisa asked.

It wasn't long after the introductions that we all sat down in the yard of the shrine, drinking tea and enjoying the view.

"Ah, the tea is really lovely, miss Reimu," I praised after tasting from my cup.

"Hey, how come you always call her 'miss' but never me?" Marisa complained, pouting with some crumbs from a cracker on her cheek.

I chuckled. "Well, this is her residence, after all. I have to show our host a bit of respect, don't I?"

"You can at least give some offerings," Reimu complained with a deep breath, drinking her own tea.

"I told you-"

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Reimu took a long, loud sip. "Why don't you make a shrine for that god of yours then instead of hang out here?"

I blinked at the idea. "A shrine for Reio-sama? That's not a bad-"

"No! I take it back! I don't need anymore competition!" Reimu cried out, slamming her cup down and almost breaking it.

"Pshht, yeah, if a competent shrine actually showed up around here, she'd have no more donations to keep her from starving," Marisa snickered, covering her grin with her teacup, or at least trying to cover it.

Reimu glared at Marisa while I laughed awkwardly. "Hahaha, if it makes you feel better, miss Reimu, I don't know the first thing about starting a shrine, let alone attracting people to it."

Reimu groaned while Marisa kept snickering. I just raised my cup and took another sip from my tea.

Just another day in Gensokyo.