#I wanted to write something uhhh more or less relevant to dia de los muertos

[nekofantasia]

Drabble

A shiver traveled across her body, prompting her to rub her now cold hands together. She didn’t realize that it was getting very VERY cold lately, she didn’t even bother to grab some gloves or a scarf but it would be a waste of time going back home just for that. Maybe she had to steel through it for now, she thought.

After all, there was a lot to be done at Mayohiga and she would prefer to finish as much as she can. The cold weather will only get harsher as the season transitions into winter and she needs to make sure her subordinates are comfortable through it. Not to mention the already existing damages that could worsen if you add some snow to them, the least she wanted was even more stuff to do in spring. As much as it will suck to use any tools with her cold and rough hands, she had to do it. For them and for Mayohiga.

“This should work fine I think...” Thankfully a good chunk of her tasks were simple like fixing the joint of a door. Opening and closing it a few times just to make sure it felt right. She might not call herself an expert in repairs or carpentry, but if a door can be opened and closed without much trouble then she considers it a job well done.

Of course, it could’ve gone a lot smoother if she wasn’t so under-dressed for the weather.

“Alright, that should be the last one.” Chen reached into her pocket and grabbed what seemed to be a hastily folded sheet of paper and a pen, crossing out her recently finished task. Despite the difficulties, she’s been completing them at a good pace. At least for her, anyway. She was certain her master would beg to differ in that regard. “Next...Ugh the shrine. I almost forgot about it.”

The shrine was probably the most neglected building in Mayohiga. It probably looked rough prior to arriving to Gensokyo, but things got worse with time, not to mention that one time an inugami almost killed her. Still, just like any building in the village, it refuses to crumble down but that shouldn’t mean it must stay that way. The sooner she takes care of it the better, and with that, she made her way to the abandoned shrine.

Compared to other shrines in Gensokyo, and by other shrines she probably meant the Hakurei shrine, this one in particular looked a lot...smaller. Then again, it’s a small village. The torii looked fine she supposed, the sando looked like it could be cleaned a bit more, the oratory and the sacred building might probably have more problems inside--Well, assuming the god is no longer inside the shrine, that is.

She could almost hear her master telling her to take all of this one step at a time, so she obeyed.

First she grabbed a broom and swept the grounds until the stone paths looked visible enough for her. Removing the ground of any stray branches and stones that could make for a tripping hazard. Not that she’s expecting visitors or anything but better treat the place like that. She even made sure that every decorative lantern was working. The visitors’ wishes written in wooden plaques looked so faded it was hard to read them, almost as if the wishes vanished along with the people that once lived here.

Sometimes she forgets that people used to live here. This used to be a village from the outside world, after all. The decline of population has caused for villages like this one to be abandoned, and once they’re erased from the map, they end up in Gensokyo. Some villages eventually disappear after a while, with nothing but specks of their old identity under the ground. But this one was special to her, and she made a promise to take care of it.

It is a lot of work for someone like her, but she’s getting used to it.

The oratory needed a lot of repairs, but she focused on cleaning the whole place for the time being. Chen made a mental note on the materials she might need to fix the halls and the rooms, thankfully none of her subordinates frequent this area so she was in no rush to restore this building as quickly as possible. But what she was most concerned about is the sacred building that lied behind the oratory like a ruler being shielded by his most trusted guards. She doubted that there was a god inside the building, otherwise she would’ve noticed right away. But she couldn’t help but approach the heart of the shrine with a cautious step, almost as if she didn’t want to make a single hint of noise.

Against her own doubts, she reasoned that she could be dealing with a dormant one. The least she wanted was dealing with a pissed off god.

The doors were naturally closed. You don’t open those unless there’s an important ritual to be done. But she couldn’t feel any signs of a god yet so it should be fine, right?

...How much she wished Master Ran was here with her instead.

Chen took a deep breath, both hands on one door, slowly opening one door at a time. Finally having a chance to inspect inside a honden she looked from side to side for any clues about the god that once resided in.

It was dirty, the bottom was completed covered in dust but surprisingly the sacred ground was in top notch shape. Still there was no images or anything about a god. Perhaps they left a long time ago. For Chen, that’s good news. It didn’t take her long to clean the inside and she was quite proud of it, no doubt a god would be feel welcomed if they moved to this place!

Sure, there’s still plenty to be repaired. But those can be handled later once she gets the right stuff for it.

“It’s already getting late...” Time sure flies when you’re busy, she thought. Chen did a quick but very necessary stretch, “Well, I should probably head home and--“

Tap.

She felt something rest on her shoulder.

Chen quickly turned around and was blinded by a sudden rush of wind. It was unexpected but it didn’t feel harsh, in fact...it felt gentle. Chen looked around only to be welcomed by the same silence when she entered the shrine grounds. Was it a god just now? She still doubted it, but then again it’s not just gods you could find in this place. Not that she believed it was haunted by ghosts either. A lot of weird things happen in Gensokyo almost everyday, but even she couldn’t put a finger about this whole thing.

Maybe it was someone else. Maybe it was someone who still cared for this place just as much. Maybe what she just felt was gratitude.

“Hey, I also care about this place too.” Even if there was no one to talk with, Chen spoke up. “You can rest easy now, okay? I’ll take care of it.”

To all the generations that took care of this village and shrine, she promised that much. Little by little, she learned more about the life that once resided in the village and while she might never get the full picture of it, the least she can do is become their dutiful keeper.

And who knows, maybe someday this village will be populated once again?

Well, it would be too soon for that she thought.

Chen waved goodbye at the shrine grounds and went back home to her masters.