"The Power of Love"

Hi everybody! I'm here with another MariXAli fic again =) This time it was a challenge from Yuuki F, so hey there! First of all I want to thank you for entrusting me this theme. I changed the main idea a lot, however it was your story "Strongwilled Thief" which had insipred me =)) And once again sorry for such a delay! It was really something mystic - at first I'd been too occupied to write this fic, and when I finally created it, my computer died and I had to rewrite it from scratch X_X

So it is here at last! This is a fluffy story as well which consists of three chapters. I truly hope not to disappoint you! Enjoy & critisize ~_^

P.S: I don't own Touhou Project

The lemon-colored sun was shining brightly over the Forest of Magic.

It was spring, the most beautiful time of the year in Gensokyo. The cold winter wind had changed to the slight warm breeze at last and every single creature over there felt energetic and delighted. People and youkai began to visit each other more often, preparing for the spring feasts and going for long strolls during which they could fully enjoy the sight of the awakening nature.

Birds were singing cheerfully, celebrating the return of the warmth and light which all of them had lacked during the tough winter. In such a wonderful morning it was impossible not to be happy. Still there was an exception. The blond-haired young woman in the blue dress wasn't paying any attention to any of those sweet facts. She just kept walking down the forest path undistracted and deep in her thoughts.

Alice Margatroid looked up only when she reached the familiar cream-colored house in the middle of the birch grove. The girl slowed her stride and stopped completely. Then she looked up to the blue sky, but in spite of the positive sight that was supposed to gladden her, Alice's beautiful eyes now showed sadness and indecision. The doll maker sighed deeply however smiled cheerfully to Shanghai who flew closer to her owner with a sorrowful face. Little doll was worried about her - and Alice loved Shanghai too much to keep her frustrated any longer, even though Alice's dolls were only a reflection of her own feelings and emotions.

– Ok then… Let's go. – she whispered decidedly before knocking and opening the door twined by the vines of the wild grape. After that the puppeteer came inside asking: – Is anybody home?

The owner of the house who was none other than the well-known Black-White Witch Marisa Kirisame lifted her eyes dazedly from the book she'd been reading and greeted the puppeteer with a delighted grin. – Yo, Alice! What brings you here? Long time to see, ze!

Marisa's house hadn't visibly changed since the girl visited it last time. There was the same disorder in the sitting-room although it couldn't reverse the fact that the magician's dwelling was very cosy. Alice still couldn't understand why but she truly liked to be a part of that mess though she herself was a confirmed neatnik.

– Hello, Marisa! Yes, it's been a while. – Alice said sitting down into the armchair at the table.

Actually they'd met each other merely five times through all the winter, the puppeteer thought. Earlier the witch had been spending time at Alice's house more than statedly. Well, things do change.

The doll maker brushed aside the nasty thoughts and continued her phrase: – Well, I just decided to visit you. The thing is, I have a request to Marisa, but it doesn't change the fact that I really wanted to have a cup of tea with you.

– Ah, that's good! – The magician left her chair rapidly to put the kettle on the fire. She then came to Alice from behind and laid her hands on the puppeteer's shoulders, asking cheerfully:

– Well-well, what kind of an affair could probably bring ya to my home, da ze? Desperately waitin' to hear 'bout it!

Alice's face flushed suddenly but however she managed to respond composedly: – Return back to your seat, it's quite embarrassing to speak with you when you're in such a pose. I'll tell you later.

Marisa went back obediently though she was a bit disappointed. The next half an hour was spent on drinking tea and exchanging news that the girls hadn't been able to talk about earlier. Then the puppeteer caught the witch's waiting gaze and said: – Well… I think it's time to reveal my request at last. – She put aside her cup, sighing deeply, and continued:

– I need a love potion.

– You… You WHAT? – Marisa seemed to be totally dumbstruck.

– As you heard. Eh… You're famous for your potions made from mushrooms, plants and all that stuff, aren't you? – Alice began to blush again. – Th… That's why I'm asking you to make the love elixir for me.

The magician was visibly shocked, staring at Alice with an utterly disbelieving gaze. She then forced herself to smile and exclaimed: – Oh wow... So Alice has someone on her mind at last! Who's that lucky one, eh?

The embarrassed doll maker answered: – Sorry, but I truly want it to remain a secret to anyone. Even to you. S-so… Can I count on Marisa? – she added unsurely.

– Well… Of course you can, da ze! – the magician seemed to return to her vivacious mood.

Alice relaxed a bit: – That's a relief. Say… what do you wish for as a payment?

Without even a moment to think, Marisa gave her response grinning widely: – And as a payment for that I'll visit you every evening till your secret love drives me out of your house, ze!

Watching the youkai's eyes widen in astonishment, she made a sip of tea and winked, adding:

– What? I just wanna check how my potion works! It's quite difficult to create, ya know!

– Ok then. I guess I have no choice. – Alice also seemed to return to her usual self. In reality, she was completely embarrassed and uneasy, but the most important thing was that she got an agreement with the witch one way or another. – By the way, how long will it take you to make it, Marisa?

– Hmm… I guess a week or so, ze. Ah, and I need something from you to add it to the potion. The hair lock would be ok.

Alice made a merely visible movement with her fingers and Shanghai who was resting nearby flew to the Alice's Grimoire that was lying at her elbow. The doll opened the small pocket on the Grimoire's cover and drew a pair of elegant silver scissors out of it.

Cutting a lock of her blond hair, the youkai murmured blushing deeply: – Well, I'll be waiting then. Please, work hard. It's… It's very important for me.

– Ah… That's how it is, yeah? – Marisa once again had a strange look on her face. – Don't worry, Alice. I'll do everything well, ze. I'm the Love-Colored Magician, after all!

The young youkai girl smiled a bit sadly. – Thank you, Marisa. You really help me, you know. – She stood up from her place. – Well… I need to leave now. And the tea was delicious!

– Sure it was, ze! By the way, see ya soon. I think I'll begin visiting you starting tomorrow!

Alice stopped dead. – Huh? But you haven't even begun making the potion yet!

The braided girl grinned: – Jeez… Alice, dear, this is a deal, don't forget 'bout it! So I'm waitin' for your famous pastry as well!

Alice sighed and left the room mumbling something that sounded like: "This shameless person... Like hell I'll bake anything for you!"