Grass Story

Chapter 35: Gather and Some Shenanigans.



"Hmm...?" Kusa muttered, her voice groggy from just waking up.

"Familiar ceiling," Kusa observed with a smile, recognizing the distinctive wooden patterns above her.

"Ah, I feel like I've got my energy back," Kusa remarked, feeling renewed vitality. She could now navigate the influx of information from various realms without feeling overwhelmed.

With newfound vigor, Kusa rose from her bed and her form began to return to her human appearance.

She gently slid the door open and found Mokou, Reimu, and Marisa eating in silence.

"Good morning," Kusa greeted them in her usual gentle manner, her presence eliciting a surprised yet delighted reaction from the trio.

"Easy there..." Kusa chuckled as she used her control over plants to support the weight of the three as they rushed to hug her.

"I nearly lost my balance," she added with a light laugh.

The three hugged her tightly, a mixture of relief and joy evident.

"So, how have things been these days?" Kusa inquired, curious about what she had missed during her time of unconsciousness.

"So the ship has transformed into a temple near the Human Village..." Kusa mused, taking in the new development.

"Nue Houjuu was responsible for the crew's antics, but it seems Byakuren forgave her, and Nue decided to move to the temple," Kusa added, giving a summary of the ship crew's situation.

"That sounds like a positive outcome," Kusa said, relieved that things hadn't taken a negative turn.

"The food is delicious, by the way. I have to give you credit for that," Kusa complimented, a gentle smile on her face.

Reimu's smile grew wider upon hearing the praise.

"Thanks to your cookbook, I managed to recreate those amazing dishes you wrote about," Reimu replied, Her admiration for Kusa is evident in her gaze.

"I didn't come up with the recipes myself. I simply documented the creations of talented individuals. All I did was put their ideas onto paper, so any credit should go to them," Kusa said modestly, her smile remaining.

"I'm still glad you enjoy it, though," Reimu responded, her eyes showing a fondness for Kusa.

"Since we're all here, how about we go for a picnic?" Kusa suggested, sensing an opportunity for a pleasant outing.

"Sounds like a plan, but where should we go?" Marisa inquired, curious about the picnic location.

"Since it's spring, how about the flower fields?" Mokou proposed, remembering that the timing was perfect for flower viewing.

"That's a wonderful idea!" Kusa exclaimed, fully on board with Mokou's suggestion.

And so, the plan for a picnic in the flower fields was set, with everyone eagerly looking forward to a delightful day outdoors.

The group rallied together, preparing a variety of delicious meals for their picnic, and then made their way to the flower fields. Beneath the vast shade of a towering tree, which Kusa had expanded with her plant-manipulating abilities, they settled in to enjoy the serene beauty around them.

As the flowers swayed gently in the breeze, a cheerful procession approached. Remilia, Flandre, Sakuya, Patchouli, Meiling, and Koakuma from the Scarlet Devil Mansion joined the gathering. Kusa quickly extended the blanket to accommodate the newcomers, creating a space where everyone could sit together comfortably.

Mima, having recently ascended to godhood, decided to join the group as well. She approached with a relaxed demeanor, looking forward to spending some leisure time with friends.

Not long after, more familiar faces arrived to join in the festivities. Youmu, Yuyuko, Yukari, Ran, and Chen added their presence to the gathering, ready to partake in the fun.

Yuuka, drawn by the lively atmosphere, decided to join as well, intrigued by the crowd that had gathered beneath the tree.

Suika, true to her nature, appeared with an abundance of alcoholic beverages, adding an extra touch of merriment to the occasion.

Alice, Mystia, and Wriggle arrived, having heard about the gathering, and were welcomed with warm smiles.

Keine, Sekibanki, Tewi, Reisen, Eirin, and Kaguya brought along delicious treats and even apology biscuits for Mokou, fostering an atmosphere of camaraderie and understanding.

Under the vast shade of the towering tree, Kusa noticed an opportunity to mend lingering conflicts. With her gentle intervention, Mokou and Kaguya were finally brought face-to-face, allowing them to settle their grudge in a mature and understanding manner. The tension that had persisted for ages began to dissipate, replaced by a newfound sense of unity and camaraderie.

As the gathering continued, more familiar faces arrived to add to the festivities. Komachi and Eiki, representing the afterlife, showed up to join the lively scene.

The Prismriver sisters, Lyrica, Lunasa, and Merlin, took center stage, holding a captivating concert that filled the air with melodious music, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the day.

Even the fairy duo Cirno and Daiyousei, along with Letty, Luna, Star, and Sunny, made their appearance, bringing their unique charm to the gathering.

Aya swooped in like a hurricane, her arrival as lively and energetic as her personality. She was followed by Shizuha, Minoriko, Hina, Nitori, and Momiji, who arrived a bit more subdued due to Aya's whirlwind entrance.

Sanae, Kanako, and Suwako from the Moriya Shrine made sure not to miss out on the festivities, adding a touch of divinity to the occasion.

Satori and the Komeiji family, Utsuho, Rin, Yugi, Parsee, Yamame, and Kisume came bearing various items, each contributing to the shared experience of the gathering.

Marisa, in her usual spirited manner, dragged Rinnosuke into the festivities, helping him overcome his shut-in tendencies and enjoy the company of others. Although he felt overwhelmed by the crowd at first, he gradually began to relax and engage in conversations.

Tenshi appeared with her characteristic playfulness, and Iku took on the role of supervising her mischievous antics.

The crew from the ship, including Nazrin, Kogasa, Ichirin, Unzan, Murasa, Shou, Hijiri, and Nue, joined the celebration as well, further enriching the diversity of the gathering.

Despite the impressive number of attendees, the atmosphere remained surprisingly tranquil. Conversations flowed smoothly, laughter and camaraderie filling the air. As noon approached, the once-quiet flower field transformed into a bustling hub of joy and connection. Amidst the vibrant colors and harmonious atmosphere, the gathering turned into a heartwarming celebration of life and friendship.

--

In the celestial expanse of heaven, Iku was relishing a rare moment of relaxation as she swam among the soft billows of clouds, thoroughly enjoying the sense of weightlessness that came with it. Yet, she couldn't deny the bittersweet truth – her role as the celestial enforcer of natural phenomena had become somewhat obsolete with the pacification of the earthquakes, a shift that bore both blessings and curses.

The keystone she held was a powerful artifact that had once caused earthquakes, and removing it could lead to desolation. However, she had decided that it was best to remove it only when the source of the earthquakes had been eliminated.

Lost in her thoughts, Iku's serene ambiance was disrupted by a sudden intrusion – a vine, seemingly emerging out of thin air, with a lively squid attached to its end. As a yokai of pride, Iku's attention was hardly caught by the squid itself, so she made a swift decision and swallowed it whole.

However, her tranquility was short-lived. The call of "Tenshi now!" resounded through the air, jolting Iku into alertness. She moved to guard herself instinctively, but she found herself ensnared in a net before she could fully react. Bound tightly, she could only watch as Tenshi appeared, taking charge of the situation.

"We have caught an oarfish!" Kusa's voice rang with pride and amusement, revealing the source of the sudden commotion. Tenshi had enlisted Kusa's assistance to prank Iku, and it seemed that they had achieved their goal.

"Yey!!!" Tenshi's exuberant cheer echoed through the celestial realm as she reveled in her successful revenge against Iku.

Iku, on the other hand, was far from pleased. Her annoyance was noticeable as she effortlessly tore herself free from the net that had entrapped her moments ago, her celestial robes fluttering dramatically in the wake of her frustration.

As Kusa's warning filled the air, Tenshi and Kusa wasted no time in fleeing the scene, taking flight with determination. Iku's fury propelled her forward, the red haze of anger emitting from her form adding a fiery intensity to her pursuit. The celestial sky, once serene, now bore streaks of green, blue, and red as the three celestial beings soared through the heavens.

In the celestial realm of Tenkai, Tenshi, and Kusa knelt on a colorful flower patch, their heads adorned with noticeable bumps – a clear testament to Iku's retaliation. The atmosphere was charged with a mix of amusement and caution, their glowing-eyed captor, Iku, watching over them with an intensity that seemed to challenge any notions of escape.

--

Kusa was with two interesting people. The first was a girl with bright yellow eyes, short blonde hair, a pink hat with two tails, and a variety of attractive amulets. Her hat covered fox ears, a cute feature that suggested she was magical. She also had nine fox tails behind her, which revealed her supernatural ancestry. This girl was Ran Yakumo, a shikigami of Yukari Yakumo. She exuded elegance and enchantment, a fitting match for Kusa's otherworldly presence.

Another enigmatic figure joined her, a girl with long raven-dark brown hair. She wore a pristine white short-sleeved shirt with a mysterious crimson "eye" emblem at the center. She wore a bright green skirt that matched her hair ribbon. Her right arm had a device called the "Third Leg," which was interesting because it had controls for both practical and mysterious reasons. Her cape was unique with a pattern of stars on the inside and a white exterior. Her black wings made the cape flutter nicely. Yet, her feet were the most remarkable feature, displaying her unique abilities. Her right foot resembled the "elephant's foot" of Chornobyl, a symbol of incredible power. On her left foot, atoms orbited, representing her fusion capabilities. This person with many talents was Utsuho Reiuji, also known as Okuu, the companion of Satori Komeiji. Her calm and collected demeanor aligned perfectly with the extraterrestrial creatures she was with, giving off an aura of restrained vitality.

Amidst a strange meeting in Hell, Kusa talked with Ran Yakumo, trying to figure out why they were gathered there. "Why are we in Hell, exactly?" Kusa asked Ran, hoping for some answers.

Ran thought about it before answering, looking unsure. "It seems we are collecting something important," she said, sounding uncertain.

Kusa was curious. "Do you know what we're gathering exactly?" she asked.

Ran's response was mysterious. "Unfortunately, no. I don't have the details. But Utsuho Reiuji may have more information," she said, nodding towards Utsuho, who was standing nearby.

Utsuho was excited as she explained, "We're getting back something stolen from our Mistress."

Kusa was curious and asked, "Do you know what this 'something' is?"

Utsuho answered, but was still cautious, "It's a priceless possession that can't be seen by anyone else." She only gave a hint about what it was.

Processing the information, Kusa turned to Ran and asked, "Are you working with Utsuho on this project?" to clarify their roles.

Ran replied, "Not exactly. We have a common goal, but our methods and motivations may be different." She stressed the unique nature of their involvement.

"Mistress said I need an adult, so I picked you," Utsuho declared. Kusa was momentarily speechless, her lips twitching at the unexpected turn of events.

Kusa couldn't help but think, "Am I now some kind of Pokémon?"

Utsuho aimed her powerful cannon at the bunker where the thieves were presumably hiding, and Kusa and Ran felt a surge of alarm. "Wait!"

Kusa was worried that the item they were there to secure could be destroyed. So, she quickly grew plants around herself and Ran to protect them from the chaos.

Ran was calmer and quickly made a defensive barrier that covered them both.

--

As the dust settled and the echoes of Utsuho's strong explosion started to fade away, the castle they had aimed at survived. Yet, the area around it had changed completely. Tough plant life wrapped around the keep, creating a natural barrier that stopped the cannon's effect.

Utsuho examined the scene with a blend of surprise and disappointment, as she only sustained a minor headache from her weapon's recoil. Kusa looked relieved and slightly out of breath after her quick intervention.

She exchanged a glance with Ran, who smiled wryly and appeared amused. "Looks like we kept the target intact," Ran said, her eyes twinkling.


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