Kanako Yasaka was sitting cross-legged inside the shrine. Her eyes were closed, almost like she was meditating. All of a sudden, Suwako burst into the shrine, "IT'S A GIRL!"

Kanako opened her eyes and smiled, "A girl? How wonderful!"

Suwako continued, "Yes! She's perfectly healthy! She and Riona will be released from the hospital after only a few days; oh, I can't wait!"

Kanako then asked, "So, what's her name?"

"Hmm?"

"Your newest child, did they decide on a name yet?"

Suwako exclaimed, "Oh yeah! Sanae!"

Kanako looked up to the window, "Sanae Kochiya; what a pretty name." She glanced at Suwako, "Anything else to report?"

Suwako answered, "Why yes! I have approximately twenty-four words to describe my feelings for Sanae."

Kanako said, "Yes, and those words would be?"

Suwako fell to the floor, and began rolling back and forth, "I LOVE HER I LOVE HER I LOVE HER I LOVE HER I LOVE HER I LOVE HER I LOVE HER I LOVE HER!"

Kanako laughed, then corrected, "That wasn't twenty-four words, that was three words you repeated a bunch of times to make it sound like twenty-four words."

Suwako looked up from the floor at Kanako, "Yeah, soǃ? I couldn't think of any other way to properly describe my feelings for my new child!"

Kanako complained, "But you do that for every child of yours who's descended from you. Face it, you've become predictable."

Suwako stood up, her cheeks puffed out, "Oh, don't try to act like I'm the weird one here! You love every kid I've had, too!"

Kanako joked, "Yeah, that's because they aren't my kids. And technically, you've really only given birth to one child, and that was centuries ago. Your new girl isn't exactly your daughter."

Suwako complained, "Maybe not in the strictest sense, but she's still bloodkin by proxy! And need I lecture you, again, about how family ties can transcend blood relations?"

Kanako chuckled, "Of course not! I love Riona, enough to look after her her since her birth, just like with your other kids, and I'm ecstatic to be able to start that process again. I just do it more maturely than you."

Suwako stared at Kanako for saying that. Then, she giggled, "I guess so."

Several years had passed since Sanae was born. Much like the other children descended from Suwako, she carried divine traits. One of which was bright green hair, and eyes that matched her hair. Whenever she went out in public, Kanako always used a spell to make her hair and eyes appear black, so that she would not look out of place among the non-magical people. She, her human mother Riona, and her father Ichiro raised her, as did Suwako and Kanako. Sanae was never alone.

One day, during the time when Sanae was eleven years of age, the family was away for school and work. Kanako was sitting on the floor. Suwako went up to her, "Hey, what's wrong? You don't normally look this glum."

Kanako answered, "You know how I could grab something from a distance by using my snake summoning? I can't do that anymore." She reached out with her hand, "No snake is appearing. You know what this means?"

Suwako's voice lowered, "Your divinity is slipping away."

Kanako said, "I suppose it's natural, since fewer and fewer humans are turning to faith to answer their questions, not just in this country, but throughout many other places in the world, too. Humans don't realize that many beings from what they take to be folklore and mythology are, or were, real, and you know what the one thing that can permanently erase a Shinto kami is."

Suwako recited, "Not enough believers to sustain your existence."

Kanako continued, "At this rate, I'll be able to function for maybe eight to nine more years, but the faith from your family will not keep me alive for that much longer, and sure enough, you're going to start losing your divinity, too."

"So, what do we do?"

Kanako thought aloud, "The only answer I can think of is relocate to a place where people would accept our word and believe in us. Only problem is, I don't know of any place that would do that. You yourself could easily leave the shrine, since you aren't bound here, but I know you would never leave your family. What can we do?"

A moment of silence followed. Suwako sighed, "I guess my children will have to learn to live without us, eventually. We don't have to tell them now, no, but we'll have to explain that we'll inevitably fade away, and then," she started crying, "and then . . ." she hugged Kanako, "I don't wanna fade away!" She sniffled, "I don't wanna!"

Kanako held Suwako, trying to hold back tears, "We should be able to exist long enough to at least see Sana-chan grow up."

Two years had passed since Kanako made Suwako realize that their divinity was fading. They watched over the family living at their shrine, despite the burden in their hearts. Regardless of what would come, the shrine was always full of love and laughter, until one day, Sanae returned home, crying very loudly. She ran straight into Suwako, hugging her tightly, "Hey Sana-chan, what's wrong?" Suwako asked.

Just then, some people dressed in government outfits stepped in. "Are these your cousins, Miss Kochiya?"

Sanae nodded. To outsiders, Sanae pretended that Kanako was her older first cousin, and that Suwako was her younger second cousin.

The government person said, "Misses and Miss Yasaka, it is important that you hear what we're about to tell you. Mister Ichiro and Misses Riona Kochiya were in a traffic accident. They were pronounced dead at the scene."

Right then, everything went black in the minds of Kanako and Suwako. They and Sanae tried their best to forget what they heard, forget the funeral they attended days later. Even though Kanako, posing as Sanae's cousin, signed up to act as her legal guardian, the laughter of the shrine was slow to return. Even despite the sudden hardships, their love remained; however, Kanako's powers were fading more and more as months went on. Suwako's divinity finally started showing signs of disappearance; she could not raise the earth as easily as she could in the past.

By the time Sanae was thirteen, Kanako felt she should learn the truth. During a break from school, Kanako and Suwako had finished helping Sanae with a school assignment. "Alright Sana-chan, it's time we discussed something else."

"Discuss what?" Sanae asked.

"About us." Kanako elaborated, "As you know, Suwako and I are Shinto kami. However, not very many people believe in the existence of Shinto kami anymore. It is people's faith that acts as our lifeblood. If we have a steady supply of that, we can exist forever. However, more and more people in this land are turning away from the belief in divinity, and into the beliefs that human observation can bring out. Sana-chan, have you noticed that Suwako and I haven't been performing as many magic tricks as we used to? That is because we are losing our strength."

Sanae's voice carried a worrying tone, "Wait, you're not . . . dying, are you?"

Kanako put her hand on top of Sanae's head, "Right now, no. However, several years from now, we may disappear forever. But take heart, though. I believe I may be able to last until you're nineteen, and I think Suwako will last until your mid-twenties."

Sanae started to waver, "But . . . but . . . I already lost Mommy and Daddy, I can't-"

"-Stay calm, Sanae! There is a way for us to continue living even beyond that!" Kanako continued, "If we were to move the shrine to a place where numerous people would dutifully worship us, we would gain back our strength, and we could watch over you throughout your entire life, just as we always wanted."

Suwako said, "You're the only family I have left, Sana-chan. We don't want to abandon you. We're doing everything in our power to find a place where we can all live together. I'll do my part and go to the library more frequently. For now, you just keep going to school. We'll look after ourselves in the background, okay? Can you keep your chin up for me?"

Sanae looked at her with her chin up, "Mm-hmm."

More time passed. The pain of losing Sanae's parents, while still in the hearts of the trio, had taken a backseat to the search for a new home. After countless hours poured into research, Suwako finally found a place that could prove to be their salvation. Now all they had to do was discuss it with Sanae.

It was the Christmas break of 2006. Sanae was fifteen, and a first-year high school student. The Christmas break was a long-awaited one for everyone. On Christmas Day itself, Kanako broke the news, "Okay Sanae, are you ready for the best gift ever?"

"What? What is it?"

Kanako exclaimed, "We found a place that could save us!"

Sanae gasped, "Reallyǃ?"

Suwako asserted, "Yes, really, and truly! Allow me to elaborate!" She cleared her throat, "To the south is an island of Japan that was closed off from the outside world during the Meiji period. This island is called Gensokyo, 'Land of Illusion.' I looked through as many texts as I could find on the subject, and as far as I can tell, Gensokyo not only exists, but flourishes with what ordinary humans would consider to be magic! Gods like us would be free to demonstrate our abilities, and you wouldn't have to hide your status as a demigoddess, either. In fact, you know all those things that most people think are make-believe, like us, and youkai, and oni, and fairies, and so on? They are said to all exist there! It even said that all such creatures only live in Gensokyo!"

Sanae's cheeks started to turn pink, "Wow! This all sounds so wonderful!"

Suwako continued, "Not only that, but you'd never have to go to school again!"

"However," Kanako inserted, "If we all moved to Gensokyo, you would never be able to see your friends again, and you would never be able to see your teachers again. And I'd never be able to work at the department store just down the block again. Sure, I wouldn't have to keep dyeing my hair blonde, telling the customers I like looking like American women from the 1980s, since I wouldn't be able to explain that my real hair color is indigo, but it was fun, helping people buy things, and somehow still be within my range from the shrine, and supporting us financially. However, you would have to walk away from everything you know if we really went through with this."

Suwako said, "The only way in and out of Gensokyo is to use magic to get through the barrier that is said to keep outsiders out. If we were to combine our magical strength together, and using the coordinates I wrote down, we should be able to relocate the shrine and the Divine Lake there. Mind you, Kanako and I haven't lost all of our magic edge yet. We can still perform a lot of our magic, just with a little difficulty. You, though, are at the prime of your magical potential. I know you haven't been able to express it, but I can definitely sense it within you. In words you can understand, the force is strong with you."

Sanae giggled, "The more I keep hearing about this place, the more I think it's straight out of fantasy, but I know since you two exist, and that I can cast miracles, that maybe Gensokyo isn't so far off."

Kanako said, "But remember, we will only leave if you want to. We're not forcing you to leave. Please, take time to consider this. You can take even a year to think on this if you want. We only even thought of this because you have no other family, no family you can rely on, that is."

About twenty minutes after this conversation, Sanae had an answer, "I'll do it!" She didn't want to leave right then, however. She wanted to inform her school that she and her family were moving out in next January. Where to, she kept vague. By the next month of the new year, the time came. It was a cold, late night. Sanae was wearing her wind priestess costume, which did nothing to ward off the cold. Kanako was wearing her clothes from what she called, "The old era", complete with a circle of rope and paper behind her back. Suwako was in her purple-and-white dress, as well as her hat with the googly eyes. They were all standing on the roof of the shrine, overlooking the Divine Lake. Sanae was rubbing her arms with her hands, "Do we have to wear these, Kanako-sama? I'm freezing!"

Kanako said, "Yes, we do. We have to be dressed for the occasion. Don't fret, we'll be in Gensokyo soon enough."

Sanae asked, "But what if it's cold there, too?"

"Then we'll hide under our blankets until it warms up." Kanako looked up, "Now then, it is time." She raised her hands upwards and chanted, "Winds, guide me and my shrine to the land of illusion!" Strong winds formed around the shrine and lake. An invisible tunnel of wind was aimed at where Gensokyo was said to be.

Suwako raised her hands up, "Mishaguji, hear my call! Answer the wish of the great Kanako Yasaka!" The ground below the shrine slowly raised up, shaking the foundation of the shrine and lake.

Kanako commanded, "Now, Sanae! Lend us your power! We can't do this by ourselves!"

Sanae raised her gohei rod, "I am the last of the Kochiya, descendant of Suwako Moriya-sama! I carry with me the blood of a god! I will see to it that the miracle of Kanako Yasaka-sama will become a reality!" At that moment, her eyes and hair, previously black, shone a vivid green. The earth shot upward and launched the shrine, the ground beneath the shrine, and the ground encompassing the lake, into the sky. The wind tunnel guided the shrine far and away from the city. The fury of the wind caused everyone's hair and clothes to shake about, yet the three of them stood in place, not budging an inch from where they were standing. Several minutes passed as the landmass flew through the sky, the three of them immobile in their concentration. Suddenly, the flight of the shrine seemed to stop in mid-air. "We've hit the barrier!" Kanako noted. "Now, Suwako!"

"Let us through, Mishaguji!" The Mishaguji went forth, and bored a hole through the barrier before them. The shrine resumed its flight once the wind tunnel extended down to where the Mishaguji went. Land became visible; vast plains of green lay before them. Kanako managed to slow the descent of the shrine. She slowly landed it on top of a small grassy hill that stood on the higher portion of a mountain. Once the shrine was landed, Kanako and Suwako fell down.

Sanae reached out, "Kanako-sama! Suwako-sama! Are you alrightǃ?"

Kanako smiled, "Yes. We're just exhausted. We've never attempted something like this once our divinity started waning. Nonetheless, we made it."

Suwako looked at Sanae, "Look! You channeled so much magic, your eyes and hair reverted back to their natural pigmentation!"

"Huh?" Sanae held a long strand of hair, and noticed it was indeed green. "Oh my! I guess I really will look like a girl from a magical girl manga from now on!"

Everyone laughed. Kanako then said, "Well then, let's see how the things in our house held up. And remember, it's okay to fly now."

"Got it!" Suwako affirmed. The three floated back into the shrine, which was completely dark. "Oh no, it's dark; we don't have any power!"

Kanako said, "All the information we could find on Gensokyo said that it had been landlocked before electricity was being used in homes. We could probably find a way around this, but for now, we'll have to make due. Let's at least find our clothes and blankets."

Suwako stated, "Say Sana-chan, if we have no power, you could still read all the books you got. Now do you not regret us encouraging you to read?"

Sanae said, "Certainly not now! But, if I were to read, it would have to be during daylight. Oh, and also, it's still cold here!" Her breath was visible as she overlooked the land, the Divine Lake, and the large Onbashira pillars that stood in the lake, still intact from their trip. I hope we made the right choice.

The Moriya Family did their best to adjust to moving into Gensokyo. The next morning, a short man with short blue hair spotted the shrine on top of the hill. "Hmm?" Curious, he walked up the path to take a look.

"Look! Someone's here!" Suwako shouted. She ran out to greet the stranger, "Welcome, traveler! Welcome to the Moriya Shrine!"

The man raised an eyebrow, "Shrine? As in Shinto shrine?"

Suwako was dumbfounded, "Uh . . . Kanako, are we Shintoists?"

Kanako came out and addressed the man, "Yes. This is the shrine of Kanako Yasako, who stands before you. Suwako Moriya, former deity of this shrine, still loiters around."

"Hey! What I do is not loitering!"

Sanae finally came out, "Oh? Your hair, are you a youkai?"

The man said, "If a kappa can be considered a youkai, then yeah."

Sanae tilted her head, "But, you don't look anything like a kappa! You look like a human! Kappa are supposed to be blue duck-like reptile people!"

The man responded, "That sounds more like a Hokkaido kappa, based on your description. Gensokyan kappa like myself resemble humans a little more closely than our cousins up north."

Suwako contorted her face in confusion, "There's more than one species of kappa? That's news to me."

The kappa continued, "But you say you're a Shinto shrine, right? You do know that only the Hakurei Clan is allowed to establish Shinto shrines in Gensokyo, don't you?"

Kanako murmured, "Oh, um, we just came in from the outside world last night. We don't know much about this land."

The kappa chuckled, "It shouldn't be a problem, provided the Yakumo Clan allows it. Speaking of which, did anyone bearing the name Yakumo tell you about Gensokyo?"

Kanako answered, "No. We learned of this place by our own. However, why is only one family allow to establish shrines? Suwako and I need the faith of the people to continue living."

The kappa said, "A long time ago, there were a lot of families that set up shrines of worship. Mind you, this was back when humans and youkai got along about as well as cats and dogs. They could summon divine power to protect humans and hunt down youkai. However, sometime about a hundred or so years ago, the Yakumo Clan I mentioned got in contact with the Hakurei Clan and formed the Boundary that I'm sure you had a hard time getting through. They cut some sort of deal that only the Hakurei can summon divine power. Details other than that are kinda sketchy, but it's been a while since then, so maybe you can establish a shrine of worship if you want to."

Sanae said, "Wait a second, if there's another shrine, then that means less worshipers for us! We must launch a campaign against them!"

The kappa said, "Picking a fight with the Hakurei? That's pretty gutsy of you, young lady. You can actually do that, if you want. You have to fight by the proper dueling rules, but if you win, you could probably take their worshipers."

Kanako replied, "We'll keep that in mind. However, right now, we need as many worshipers as we can get. Would you like to bear witness to a miracle?"

The kappa queried, "What kind of miracles can you perform?"

Kanako said, "I have control over the wind and rain. Suwako can tame Mishaguji, and can control the earth. Sanae has our blessings, and can perform a combination of our abilities."

The kappa pondered, "Hmm, the rain would feel good on my skin. Can I see some rain?"

Kanako raised her hand. Clouds quickly formed in the sky. A light drizzle came out. Sanae noted, "The local farmers should be happy. You can water their crops!"

The kappa said, "Ah yes, always good to get some water on my face. So, what do I do to properly worship you? I'm not too knowledgeable on religious practices."

Suwako answered, "Oh, just get on your knees, and bow, and tell us how thankful you are!"

"That doesn't sound too hard." He got on his knees and bowed, "Oh, great goddesses! I thank you for the rain! What can I do to show my reverence?"

Suwako replied, "Well, for now, you can tell your friends and family about us! Tell them the Moriya Shrine is open for business!"

The kappa stood up. "I'll do that!" He then added, "By the way, name's Jun Kawashiro. A pleasure meeting you!" He then left.

Sanae turned to Kanako, "You were right, Kanako-sama! Not only are there people who will worship you here, there are youkai, too!"

Kanako replied, "Yes. It would seem we made the right decision to come here."

Spring was in effect in Gensokyo. Trees and flowers were in bloom, and the grass on Youkai mountain matched the color of Sanae's eyes and hair. The wind priestess had gone to the Human Village for an errand. Kanako and Suwako were in the shrine. Kanako said to Suwako, "If we hadn't come here, I probably would've disappeared by now."

Suwako replied, "Maybe. I have no regrets though; this is what Sanae wanted, and this is what we wanted, too. I mean, I don't have to hide my true nature anymore! We can be like how we were in the old days!"

Kanako leered, "You mean like how you lost to me in a battle that didn't even last ten seconds?"

Suwako pouted, "Not that! I mean, not having to live in fear of humans trying to learn about us. There's nothing in the outside world's understanding of beings like us, but here, we blend in!"

Kanako corrected, "Actually, we stick out. We're not youkai, and Sanae is a demigoddess. Still, I feel we belong here more than out there. She's really come onto her own in this land."

Suwako remarked, "I'm just glad we get to see Sanae live out her life without us fading away."

[Author's Note: For this series, every chapter is a short story about a character or characters' backstory I haven't already explored in my other fanfics. I have more ideas brewing, and as such, expect to see more in the future.]