Thread 1: >>/youkai/22769
Thread 2: >>/youkai/23061
Thread 3: >>/youkai/23345
Thread 4: >>/youkai/23651
Thread 5: >>/youkai/23942
Thread 6: >>/youkai/24231
Thread 7: >>/youkai/24553
Thread 8: >>/youkai/24863

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Okay, okay, never mind. It's none of my business. Hina and Itchy were just having a private moment, and no doubt she was just sharing some advice with him, or offering a few words of encouragement. It's not like she was flirting with the blushing, clearly fascinated male tengu who, when you really take a look at him, is actually kind of handsome.

Of course not! This has nothing to do with me! So there's no reason for me to feel all wary and curious, and vaguely eager to throw Ichiro to the floor and demand answers. Nope. Nuh-uh.

Thread 1: >>/youkai/22769
Thread 2: >>/youkai/23061
Thread 3: >>/youkai/23345
Thread 4: >>/youkai/23651
Thread 5: >>/youkai/23942
Thread 6: >>/youkai/24231
Thread 7: >>/youkai/24553

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Okay. I can do this. Just stay calmSHE HAS HER FUCKING GOHEI OUT THIS IS BAD.

"After everything else, you have the nerve to walk in here while I'm trying to have a nice breakfast with my wife after THIS?!" Reimu shoves a copy of the Kakashi Spirit News in my face. It looks like someone's been drawing mustaches on the Mikami. "Explain to me why I shouldn't just blast you to the damn moon and let the loonies up there deal with you!"

Thread 1: >>/youkai/22769
Thread 2: >>/youkai/23061
Thread 3: >>/youkai/23345
Thread 4: >>/youkai/23651
Thread 5: >>/youkai/23942
Thread 6: >>/youkai/24231

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Groaning, I rub my forehead a bit. "Hatate, can you give me a moment?"

"Um... sure," Hatate replies, awkwardly adjusting her skirt in order to preserve what's left of her modesty.

Calmly, I alight from the tree branch and land on the ground, striding over to Sukuna's position. The inchling sees me coming and blinks, face slowly sliding into an expression of nervousness. I think she realizes that she's gone a bit too far. Finally, I stand over the tiny warrior-poet, hands on my hips and eyes narrowed.

Thread 1: >>/youkai/22769
Thread 2: >>/youkai/23061
Thread 3: >>/youkai/23345
Thread 4: >>/youkai/23651
Thread 5: >>/youkai/23942

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(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MRfvI8Mwv4)

Awwww, yeah~.

That's what I'm talking about.

Thread 1: >>/youkai/22769
Thread 2: >>/youkai/23061
Thread 3: >>/youkai/23345
Thread 4: >>/youkai/23651

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"Well, this is just me," Hina speaks up, "But I think that some prayer wheels and prayer cylinders would make for a very nice shrine. I mean, yes I like the whole spinning thing," she shrugs in embarrassment, "But think about it! They're a perfectly valid addition to any shrine!"

"I'm fine with that," Minoriko comments, "Just put them out front for general meditation and prayer, maybe?"

"And on that note, auspicious architecture in general would be a good idea," Shizuha notes thoughtfully. "Various mystical sciences all specialize in constructing buildings so as to maximize the good fortune within them." She glances over at Hina. "That would work well not just for Hina, but for all of us. However, if Hina's wing was specially made to help in the absorption of misfortune..."

Yamame nods. "Yeah, I know somebody that I could consult with on that. So, great! Prayer wheels and specialized Feng Shui, can do!"

Thread 1: >>/youkai/22769
Thread 2: >>/youkai/23061
Thread 3: >>/youkai/23345

Thanks for reading this stuff this far!

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I'm sipping my latest drink and still not getting a decent buzz (screw you so much, tengu metabolism), when I hear someone else enter the bar and the bartender call out a greeting. Still can't remember his name. Something foreign, anyway, and I really wonder where he got that vest. Whatever, I'm too busy being in the middle of my funk.

I hear a familiar voice call out in response and a weary figure sits a few spaces to my right. I glance over and-

Godsdammit, this day just keeps getting better and better. A certain pyromaniac has decided to grace the very same bar in which I am hoping to use alcohol to obliviate all of my cares. Ladies and gentlemen, let's hear it for Meiling Hong!

...Doesn't she have a forest-fire fairy working right under her at the Mansion? That explains everything.

Thread 1: >>/youkai/22769
Thread 2: >>/youkai/23061

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I groan from my uncomfortable place on the ground in front of Mystia's stand. There's a lot I want to say here right now. Starting with comments about disproportionate retribution on Mystia's part, Hina's lack of concern and support for her beloved friend, and the fact that from my position, I can't peek up anybody's skirt and see the good stuff.

Seriously, Hina's a classy lady! I bet they're all lacy, and frilly, and I can't see a damn thing!

However, my irritation at my lot in life is slightly overridden by a more pressing concern. One given voice by my loudly rumbling stomach.

"I'm hungry," I announce to the two peering down at me. Mystia snorts with amusement and disappears back behind her counter, while Hina giggles and extends a hand towards me.

"Come on, up at at 'em," the goddess says cheerily. "I think you've had a long enough nap!"

I slam the wooden door with a loud bang behind me as I push my arms out and up towards the ceiling with a relaxing stretch.

"Ah, I'm finally done with the hunt. Good run today." My arms come back down with the leather bag held in my right hand swaying slightly. I press my forehead with my left hand and slide it across flicking the sweat off, then tug my light purple vest around a bit. It's pretty hot around here.

With a precise swing, I fling the bag to a corner with a solid thump on the floor and twirl my hat on top of the bag. I walk over to light the candle then jump with a nice flop landing my back on my soft comfy bed as the eyes on my hat bob from the impact. A moment of peace, a good day's work in.

Until the phone started ringing.

I sit up and slam one end of the handset on the base sitting on the nightstand. It flies with a flourish and ends up in my hand as I hold the transmitter next to my ear.

"Who's this?" I nod speaking into the receiver.

"Oh, it's you, good, I thought I got the wrong number. Anywho, Suwako, it's Shizuha."

"Huh. It's been a long time since I've heard from you. What's the occasion?"

Or "How I Ought to Stop Worrying and Love the Story"

_________

I shivered upon stepping inside. A torrent of memories I'd rather not recall rushed through my head. I knew this place more than I wished to.

I recalled walking through the paved streets, after once wandering away in a childish attempt to escape: how absurdly wide the avenue had seemed and my innocent thoughtsa: "Why would anyone need so much space just to walk?"
The walls of the mansions had all seemed the same: tall, an uncaring white. The people also - some scoffed: the ones in silken robes, riding in ornate carriages. Some made a disgusted expression, taking me for a peasant. A few showed pity in their faces, yet none extended a hand. The heart of the city had been cold as ice.
I felt sick.

Then Minoriko was by me, and it was gone.


"Do you feel it?", she asked, brows knitting.

Thread 1: >>/youkai/22769

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Okay.

Okay. This is bad. This is clearly a very nasty combination of guilt, self-doubt, and bitterness at life all flowing together into a steaming, goopy mess of... of... not-feeling-goodness or something, I dunno! I'm not a shrink.

But Hina's clearly suffering, here, and I don't like seeing that. I don't like seeing people cry. It's too depressing. I've seen enough of that to last a lifetime. And I've lived a very long time indeed.

So! Right! Crying Hina, and Kasen looks about as clueless as I do! So, um... gotta give her some support. Gotta let her know that things will be okay. Right.

Carefully, I scoot around the table until I'm sitting next to Hina. Then I gently wrap my arms around her, pulling the goddess into a gentle hug.

Hina hiccups a little bit and settles into my arms, wrapping her arms around me in response. Poor thing... it's like she's pretty much hanging off of me. This must really be eating her up inside. As she sobs into my shoulder, I start running my hands through Hina's soft green hair and start making gentle noises, trying to calm her. It works a little bit, and Hina's crying subsides, just slightly. I notice that Kasen has slipped over and is on Hina's other side, watching her sadly. The hermit looks at me, giving me a nod.