A/N: (Note/Disclaimer) All recognizable objects and characters belong to their respective owners. Mainly Team Shanghai Alice for Touhou Project or, as per usual, my own characters belonging to me.

Note 2:

("Common Language [Japanese in this case]/Speech")

(‘Foreign Languages’)

(" Thoughts (In their own native tongue)" )

(Attacks/Weapon names)

(Other/Foreign/ Speech & Text/Written, Titles)

(Actions/POV)

(Titles / Flashback/Time/Dates/Place)

(Narration & Everything else)

(“Demonic Speech”)

(‘Demonic Thoughts’)

A Retired Officer’s Shop In The Eastern Wonderland Chapter 6

Gensokyo: Bamboo Forest Of the Lost: Forest Edge

August 18th, 2003: 1300

Third Person: Omni

Desmond checked his kit once more, several navigation tools, and sharpened saws. If he was a professional bamboo cutter he would have decided to come in before dawn, but despite it being overly cumbersome to carry he decided to come to harvest some bamboo anyway.

“I still haven’t a clue as to why you would come harvest in the most cumbersome way possible when you can literally manufacture it in the realizer. Or even use a miracle.” Eve comments from the headset resting atop his ears. Desmond smiles lightly before responding.

“Well, I could do that, but it would take the challenge and fun out of it. Even if it will take several months to actually cure.” He remarks as he repacks everything save for the compass and machete. Though what was left unsaid between the two of them was the mystical properties that real grown bamboo held. It was particularly difficult to replicate via the manufacturing method, though that wouldn't matter much in what they are using it for in the first place.

“Sides, it gives our observers something to watch. And you know how often I switch through projects just to not dwell on things.” Though the observers in question could not hear what he said about them. Today was the creation of a bamboo scroll, just to see how it feels to write on and how effective it would be in warding.

More of an experiment than anything, in the traditional Chinese elemental sense, the overwhelming amount of “wood” that rests inside bamboo was to help in the adaptability. The second most abundant element within the bamboo would be water, especially with the time that he is harvesting time now.

“Well then, nothing like a good workout. Let’s get started.” He takes his first steps into the forest between two clumps of young bamboo. A thread of magias energy to lead him back, it was a fairly easy way to get back to the outer parts of the forest. And it would last an entire day.

___(TOUHOU)___

Gensokyo: Bamboo Forest Of the Lost: Outer Circle

August 18th, 2003: 1400

He hummed lightly as he walked through the rustling bamboo, making sure to enjoy the sight. Having walks like these would be fully inline with a person of his actual age… though his physical appearance and the danger that the area around him held made this image quite humorous if a person in the know saw him.

“The elements are getting stronger this way.” He said aloud as he walks further into the ever-changing topography. After spending an hour walking in about the same direction, but the sudden growth of bamboo that blocked him did make it a bit harder to traverse the place. Of course, he could just fly above it and be over it in a few minutes, but that would just take the enjoyment out of the bamboo harvesting.

He felt more and more stares pile onto him, along with flashes of colors behind the bamboo around him. He knew the newer observers were protecting something deep within the forest and would not do anything to harm him as long as he did not disturb them or went too far in. He could hear their hopping on the flat ground that the bamboo grew upon.

He finished the tune that he was on before stopping to observe the bamboo around him. Indeed, they were generally getting older, even if some young ones were still around. He could feel the slight relaxation that the people around him felt. They had also been enjoying his humming it would seem.

“Welp, farther in I go.” He resumed his humming and restarted his walk after observing the bamboo around him. After his statement, the residents got a bit tenser… though that did not stop them from enjoying the performance that he put up.

___(TOUHOU)___

Gensokyo: Bamboo Forest Of the Lost: Intermediate Circle

August 18th, 2003: 1500

“Now it is starting to look like what I have come for.” He remarks as he stops once more. He could feel the element surrounding and confusing his sense slightly. If he didn’t have the marker that was his magias energy, he would have certainly gotten lost by now, not to mention the standard villager that wandered into it. He felt the observers lessen, though the slight apprehensive note from their gases grew more severe as the steps towards the center of the forest increased.

The strength of the personel behind the gazes became much stronger after he crossed the boundary of intermediate and outer. Though that was the main way he could tell that there was a boundary… along with the sudden leap in the age of bamboo of course.

As he walked farther and farther in, the pieces that he sounded outgrew more somber and slower in pace. As if not in a rush in the slightest as he moved through the grasses. It was especially calming with the deep and softness that he used. And by far was it enjoyed.

Gensokyo: Bamboo Forest Of the Lost: Border Between The Inner And The Intermediate

August 18th, 2003: 1600

It started to grow dark as he finally reached the farthest he would go, the border between the two areas. Now that he was rather close to the center, he could feel a barrier set up. It was fairly advanced and quite strong by what he could estimate.

“This looks like a good one to use…” He selected the oldest bamboo in sight, prepping the tools to cut it. It was rather tall and large, definitely above a two-story home in height and a meter in diameter. A rabbit wandered into the small clearing he decided to set up in order to inspect the tools, and to take a break from walking for several hours.

“Hello, little one.” He smiled lightly at it, it was in no way scared of him despite being a relatively skittish animal outside Gensyoko. Deciding to bring out the bento he made for himself, he sits on the ground with a blanket. It was in no way dinner, but he decided to enjoy the hearty meal.

“Not at all shy ain’t ya.” He chuckles slightly at the movement of the small mammal to him. He brings out some leafy greens from a refrigerated box… or at least what looked like it, it was far more like a transporter that connected to his home fridge. It took a cursory look at the greens before deciding that it was safe to eat. He could feel the jealous stares focus on the rabbit from the ones in humanoid form around the small clearing.

“It really is beautiful round here, I haven't visited a bamboo grove for years before this.” He remarks as the rabbit sits with him. Close enough to protect it, yet far enough away to not startle it with any sudden movements. He takes off the bamboo hat that he wore to feel more traditional. The shadow over his face is now gone, revealing his features to the world around him.

“First time I am trying to harvest some bamboo like this.” He remarks to the rabbits in a conversational manner, though to them it looked like he was speaking his mind out to the rabbit in the clearing. He was eating the simple yet filling food with a rabbit.

“Welp, it is time to cut it.” He stands up after finishing, once more inspecting the particular bamboo stem that he would be cutting and transporting with him. He counted up the secontions to make sure that it wont rot after he cuts it. A sharp machete like knife was unsheathed with ease. He made sure to check the blade of it. Finding it was good and sharp, he let his arms drop to his side, eyes focusing on the line between sections, a way to keep the bottom piece sealed from disease.

“Sever.” He mumbles it under his breath, the open stance shifting faster than the eye could notice. He resheathed the knife, taking out metal skewers from another pack as the bamboo swayed and started to fall. He quickly threw the skewers into the bottom of each section to drain water. After getting satisfied, he pulled the threads back, returning the pieces of metal to his hands. It made enough resistance to have the bamboo stock to fall towards him.

“Rain, hydrate your children.” He calmly remarks as clean water dripped into the flat ground. Lengths of 5 sections split from the long stem that was the bamboo. He quietly stacked the lengths as they reached him, making sure that it was quite the spectacle for the rabbit observers.

“And that was all I came in for… now to wait for them to drain so I dont have to worry about rot.” He remarks, making sure that the holes were at the bottom. It would take a few minutes in order to drain out into the earth once more.

“Good day.” He greets several more rabbits that decided that he was safe enough to be around. He takes out a marker inorder to write just which section it was, and since there were about 10 of the cut lengths, it took a bit of time to mark all 50 of them and make sure that they were the right sequence. A young woman stepped from behind the grove of bamboo.

“Good day.” She states in her own variation of a calm tone. Though she looked a bit surprised to see another person this deep into the forest of the lost, even the lost usually only go as far as the intermediate ring. He did not feel her eyes on him, another wanderer most likely.

“Hello, miss?” He decided to stand inorder to greet her properly, alongside asking for her name. She was definitely not human from the ears on her head and the slight amount of fur that was only spotted with a keen eye from her sleeves.

“Kagerou Imaizumi. My name is Kagerou Imaizumi.” She states with a slight smile, she hasn’t met a human in quite a while all things considering. Not many humans wandered into the forest, at least those from the village. They did take the warning seriously despite the yakitori vender that wandered around the forest herself. Though it is not like she would attack humans.

“I am Desmond Howard, it is well meet to make your acquaintance.” His own way of speaking could be considered a touch antiquated, but her’s was on a far higher level compared to the way he is actively speaking.

“Might I ask if you are a Warewolf?” He decides to speak a little bit daringly. It has been a while since he has met a non human that didn’t immediately attack, at least from this world.

“Yes, I am a werewolf. Why did you want to know?” The rabbit looked over at the wolf wanderer, while she did not wander into the inner part often, it was not unheard of her to do so. They long understood her intentions of just wandering around.

“An old friend of mine was one, though I don’t think I have seen many western based youkai in gensokyo.” He remarks with a small laugh. She just smiled lightly as well, someone who is not an antagonist of youkai, the last human that was like that was the local shrine maiden. Though they did not meet often since she stayed at the shrine and no incidents have happened within the forest.

“Oh, another wolf? I would have liked to meet him.” She was a solitary person, but it would be nice to talk to another of her kind. It was fun talking to other youkai… despite it being quite exhausting for her.

“She has sadly passed though… like everyone around me eventually will be.” The last part was mumbled, but she could still hear it loud and clear. He had a nostalgic smile to his face. So is the curse and blessing of immortality. He would know them more than anything as an unaging constant in their lives.

“I am sorry to hear about that.” She had her fair share of friends who died… especially before she became a youkai. But who didn’t have close ones who died… they could only move on.

___(TOUHOU PROJECT)___

“Thankyou for the chat… but I must get going lest I arrive in darkness.” The human and wolf pair spoke to each other as the water drained from the bamboo, the rabbits hidden from sight watching the entire time. They were far more disciplined than one would expect.

“Would you like me to lead you out?” She asked him while he prepped the lengths of bamboo for transport… mainly tying them into bundles to place on his back. He shook his head in a polite refuse, he had his path out already marked out… though she couldn't tell.

“Thanks for the offer though… it was nice meeting you, Kagerou-san. If you would like some tea and a chat, you can come to my store. It is rather easy to spot.” He said to her with a smile as he tied the bundles to his bag for an even weight distribution. It was quite heavy like one would expect after cutting them in the wrong season and time.

“I will think about it.” She replied with a slight smile, they spoke enough to be considered acquaintances if not friends now. He pet the rabbit who grew to like his company before standing up from the ground and folding up the blanket on the ground.

“Something about this forest is making me think about my immortality quite a bit.” He remarks as he finished packing everything, he would be in for a long walk with a hundred pounds strapped to his back. He felt barely any strain from it though. She heard him, but she already was the first he talked to about his own immortality.

___(TOUHOU PROJECT)___

Gensokyo: Bamboo Forest Of the Lost: Intermediate Ring

August 18th, 2003: 1700

“Are you lost?” The slightly gruff voice of a young woman spoke up to him from within the bamboo. The store owner looked for the source, a young woman with pale hair and dressed in a fairly maskulin style of clothing. Despite it all, she is a rather pretty lass.

“I am not, young miss. I am walking back on the line that I took into the forest inorder to harvest this.” He gestured to the old bamboo tied onto his bag. Her eyes widened slightly, she could definitely tell that the bamboo that he harvested was from the inner circle.

“Would you like me to accompany you to the human village?” She decided to ask despite the words he spoke. She has not talked to another person in a little while.

“The human village is not my own destination, you could accompany me till I reach near my own store if you would like. It would be nice to have a conversation while I walk.” He decided to keep the conversation and try to offer a way to accompany him. She looked a little bit lonely, and he felt a bit of kinship with her.

Word Count: ~2600 Words

Date Completed: 12/6/2020

Note: And four chapters posted in a row… that is a first for me at the very least. Hope you all enjoyed the chapter.