anko5525
In a park, dirty cardboard box lined up one after another. This is what stray yukkuri call as their "House". When many gathered together, they formed a clan. And as the clan grow big enough to trouble human, they're exterminated.
After the dust settled, another yukkuri will return and repeat this meaningless cycle.
A Myon, her body covered in scar from her fights, entered a house. She is the company of the clan leader, an old Patchouli who now spend most of her days inside her house unable to move much.
Myon came to report a newcomer, which Patchouli are not too interested. She had made the rule. If adult, see if they're useful for the clan. If little one, Myon can decide on her own whether to welcome or refuse them to this clan.
Exception are the rare types. Previously, the clan has traded a Sanae with sweets sweets, a good trade with human. Even without that, rare types usually have special ability and is stronger, so they can help the clan.
The reason Myon came to consult is because this little one is a Kotatsu Marisa. She looks scared when Patchouli came, so first Patchouli greeted her, which the Kotatsu Marisa replied instinctively.
From the interview, she knew that this Marisa is born in an empty lot nearby, from stupid couple who refreshed in the winter.
Most Kotatsu Marisa doesn't survive to adulthood. Kotatsu Marisa emitted heat, so they can warm the nest and protect their family from winter cold. But in summer, the family will kick them out because they're too hot.Clan member gathered and saw the Kotatsu Marisa. They like the little one, but suspected their uneasy leader would reject her.
Patchouli is uneasy, but she lived a long life for a Patchouli. She always think for the clan's benefit and choose what's best without any hesitation, and refuse danger even if it seems easy. Patchouli would cast away orphans, lead them to steal from outsiders, and avoid human at all cost; the right way of life for city strays.
This is why the clan choose her to be their leader. Even if they can't think deep enough to understand, instinctively they knew they will live longer following Patchouli.This is also why they're surprised when Patchouli allowed the Kotatsu Marisa into their clan.
Patchouli asked a Marisa and Reimu pair to be foster parents. For the food, Kotatsu Marisa will get her share from the clan's stockpile. Hearing this, the pair don't have any reason to object. Besides, with the one child policy in this clan, they're happy to have another little one to love.
Patchouli added: if this little one die, the family will be casted away from the clan.Problem is with their little one Marisa.
As mentioned before, Kotatsu Marisa has higher body temperature than most yukkuri. That thick blanket is also making it feel hot for those looking at her. Maricha cried and complained when introduced to her new little sister.The parents are alright though. Even in summer, the heat from Kotatsu Marisa is not something unbearable. This also means that the original parents are stupid yukkuri who can't bear even a little uneasyness.
Probably because of her harsh life, Kotatsu Marisa is not slurring anymore. Her personality is also more agreeable than the spoiled Maricha. This made the parents enjoy taking care of their foster child more than their own.
The other clan members also love Kotatsu Marisa because she's rare, and her nice personality.
Fueled by jealousy, Maricha thought of an evil plan.
She take Kotatsu Marisa out to play and ask to borrow the kotatsu. While her yukkuri instinct made her hesitate to part with her accessories, the thought of getting along better with her sister made Kotatsu Marisa crawl out from her kotatsu.Just then, she got stabbed and died.
Maricha took the kotatsu and take over Kotatsu Marisa's place. She expect a life of being pampered by everyone.
Her parents are worried sick. The clan look for Maricha, until finally Patchouli declared that Maricha is dead. The parents are sad, but they still have one daughter to love.
Patchouli felt something not right, but shrug it away.
===
Winter finally arrive and Patchouli called Kotatsu Marisa to her home.
Myon followed to make sure. She had followed Patchouli through many clans she lead and its destruction. She knew Patchouli won't do this just because of emotion, but she don't understand why.
Patchouli's plan is to use Kotatsu Marisa to help warm the house of clan members. Unfortunately, this Kotatsu Marisa is so spoiled and demand sweets sweets.
Angered and suspicious, Patchouli told Myon to flip the kotatsu.
Inside, they found a black hat. Because of yukkuri instinct, Maricha can't part with her own accessories.Even Myon is afraid. Patchouli is usually calm and would even accept things as fate. But when someone ruin her idea or break her rule, she will be very angry and scary.
Patchouli take away Maricha's hat and tear is apart, after all, Maricha want to be Kotatsu Marisa. After that, she cast Maricha out of the clan.
Kotatsu Marisa has high body temperature, and the kotatsu make it stronger. But normal Marisa with the kotatsu are nothing more than wearing rag clothes to keep themselves warm. She's of no use to the clan.
Her parents are informed later. Patchouli actually forgiven the family even if Kotatsu Marisa is dead. This is not their fault and she didn't foresee it either. But if they want to chase their daughter, then they will be casted away too.
Marisa said she'll accept that; after all, Patchouli is uneasy.
Patchouli can only see as they walks out of the clan. She thought things would go well this time, but apparently she failed.
Myon left her leader to rest, don't want to bother her more even if she realized that using Kotatsu Marisa to warm the clan is just an excuse. She won't inquire more about it.
Inside her house, Patchouli crawled and snuggled under a big kotatsu, something left for her by her father.
Note: not sure about the number, read it last night