[2] Take out the otters with extreme prejudice.
[0] Capture the otters.
[21] Warn Kutaka about her stalkers.
-[X] Subtly. Don't want them to catch wind of a counterattack and bolt.
-[X] Ask our lady to keep an eye out for us while we talk to Kutaka.

Youmu wanted to cut them down. So, so much.

But… she couldn’t afford to make an unnecessary scene here. She’d brought Koishi along so she could explore the surface, somewhere where her third eye wasn’t a factor. Bringing a grudge from beyond the grave was one thing, but getting the young mistress exposed by her own recklessness was another matter entirely.

Instead, Youmu turned to Koishi. “Could you cover me while I warn her? Call out to me if they catch on early.” The satori nodded, hanging back as Youmu approached.

Looking more closely, there were subtle signs of drowsiness on Kutaka’s eyes, and a slight unkemptness - one that suggested her being up all night, for one reason or another. She raised an eyebrow, then gave a genuine smile as Youmu approached.

“Well, hello there! With you and the lamprey seller, it’s nice to see a couple of feathered friends that aren’t well… you know.” She gestured at the nearest tengu. “What brings you here, young one?”

Youmu smiled. “Ah, Lady Niwatari? I just had a couple of questions I wanted to ask, privately.” The chicken god smiled, scooching over to allow the younger bird to sit next to her. “What brings you to the village, Lady Niwatari?”

Niwatari tapped the letter. “Well… it’s a long story. But this is my last job before I return home to the mountain, thanks to… well, surely you saw the sparks last night.”

Youmu tilted her head. “No? I… don’t live near the mountain, and I sorta fell asleep early last night. …It was just a really comfy spot.”

Kutaka looked surprised. "Oh, then you might have missed the big fight the Moriya Goddesses had, super late. I’m surprised anyone on the mountain got any sleep. First there was all the yelling, then the ground started trembling… then there was those big iron rings… by the end of it, I half-worried they’d wake up the old volcano.”

The goddess lifted the letter she was holding. “I decided to just head into work and get stuff done. Was nearly deciding to go for a fourth can of pick-me-up when… well, a certain opportunity came for Eiki to send me off. So I’m just passing on a little red letter before I go to a much-needed afternoon nap.”

Youmu nodded. “A little solo job on the way home, eh?” The chicken god nodded, and Youmu leaned in to whisper. “Then, are you aware there’s a couple of otter spirits following you?”

The chicken god’s face soured. “...Really? Ugh. I really must be tired if they managed to sneak around me. Where are they?”

After a moment’s thought on how to best communicate it, and realizing that she was talking with a Chicken God, Youmu extended one of her wings, conveniently pointing in the right direction. “Under the awning there.”

Kutaka grinned, pulling out her whistle. “This’ll do the trick, then. How did I write it…? ‘O Phantoms, Return to Thy Proper Place’.” She blew on the whistle, producing a short, sharp trill. In the corner of her eye, Youmu saw a line of spectral blue fire trace under the awning. And a couple of green bursts of light. Youmu took a glance over at Koishi, who gave a thumbs up, and nodded in satisfaction.

The chicken goddess smiled, sitting back and yawning. “Ahhh, now I know what that feeling was. Thank you, young Lady…?”

“Youmu.” The two birds shook hands. “Reiuji Youmu.”

There was a brief pause, as Kutaka tilted her head. “Youmu, Youmu… there’s something about that name…”

Youmu sat up. “Really? What was it?” The chicken god screwed up her face, but seemed to be making little progress. At length, Youmu sighed. “...You’re too tired to remember, aren’t you?”

Kutaka playfully stuck out her tongue, and bonked her head. “Sorry, Youmu. I’m a birdbrain at the best of times, and this definitely isn’t the best of times. Where do you live? Maybe I could pass on a message?”

Youmu paused for a second. “O-oh, well, uh…”

Koishi trotted up. “Lady Niwatari? I’m Koishi. Youmu here is my escort.” She offered a hand, which Kutaka shook. “Apologies for butting in, but… does the thing about Youmu have to do with the Immaterial Children?”

The chicken god blinked, then straightened up. “Yes! Yes, that’s it! Old man Konpaku told me he was chasing down every Youmu he could, because one of them could be his Youmu.”

Youmu blinked. “...Konpaku… Youki?”

Kutaka smiled. “Yep! You’d know him if you met him. Wizened old man, half-phantom, ghostly white hair… wears a lot of green… two swords…” She looked Youmu over again, muttering the same description under her breath. “...Looks a lot like you, actually.”

Koishi grinned, leaning in to whisper. “We came here because Youmu… is one of the Immaterial Children. We actually came up here trying to find Akyuu.”

Kutaka… slowly began to beam. She was the sort of person whose smile seemed to fill their whole body, down to her wings curving up in excitement. “Oh, how wonderful! We’ve been getting worried, you know. It’s been a whole month since we found the first two!” She scooched in closer. “So, you all turned into youkai, right? You’re… a hell-raven, yes?”

Youmu… didn’t respond. Grandpa was looking for her. Grandpa was looking for her. She turned her head up, reaching out to grab Kutaka.

“Where is Gran-where is Konpaku Youki?!” She couldn’t help but let slip a slight air of desperation. “I-I need to speak with him, as soon as possible!”

Kutaka took a moment to think. “...Uh, I think he’s exploring Former Hell right now. Found a lead he thought was really promising, about this… Phantom of Chireiden, I think.”

Youmu’s face fell. Was he seriously investigating the Phantom of Chireiden the one day she wasn’t anywhere near home?! “Are you serious?!” She leaned back, groaning. “Did we seriously miss Grandpa by a few hours?!”

Kutaka chuckled awkwardly. “I… I guess so.” The chicken goddess gave her a pat. “Well… does anyone who’s still there know where you were going?” Youmu nodded, slowly. “Then I’m sure they’ll convince him to stay, or something like that. In fact, it’s probably better - he’s still recovering from a rough battle a few weeks ago.”

The hell-raven sighed. “But… but still…” She sagged, feeling her wings trace along the dirt path. “I can’t believe…”

She leant forward, rubbing her forward. Now that she was suddenly thrust a lot closer to one of her ultimate goals… all of the other considerations were beginning to surface themselves. “Ah, what am I even going to say…? How do I even prove it…?”

The goddess gently reached out, patting Youmu’s head. “It’ll be okay, young one. You all remember bits and pieces of your past lives, right? …I think your grandpa has a trick up his sleeve. Regarding a certain family blade.”

Youmu straightened up. “Hakurouken? Would… would it accept me like…” She twitched her wings. “Like this?”

The chicken goddess chuckled. “No need to say it like it’s a curse, young one. As for if it’ll work… well, I certainly hope so. Whether or not Hakurouken would accept any given wielder has been his guiding light, all this time.” Youmu fidgeted, prompting a more reassuring pat from Kutaka. “Relax, Youmu. The only reason we know where the Immaterial Miko is, is because her own ancestral weapon responded to her, despite being a youkai.” Kutaka smiled reassuringly. “I’m sure Hakurouken will take a liking to you just the same.”

Youmu sighed. “I hope you’re right…” She straightened up. “Well… I suppose we should go back to waiting for Akyuu, shouldn’t we? Sorry for taking up your time, Lady Niwatari.”

Kutaka lifted up the letter again, swinging up . “It’s not a problem, I promise. I’ve just got this letter to deliver to Akyuu, then I’ll be off.”

Koishi grinned, sitting down on Youmu’s other side. “So we’re all waiting for Akyuu then, are we?” She took Youmu’s hand, giving it a reassuring pat. “Perhaps while we wait, we can double-check that our Youmu is the Youmu you’re looking for. Got some good stories to tell of her grandpa? I’m sure I’ve got a few of her, as well.”

As the two began to swap stories around her, Youmu did her best to take a slow breath and process. Hakurouken… the thought of being able to wield it again had set all her nerves ablaze, and she could barely sit still. And, likewise, the thought of it rejecting her threatened to break her heart. What would she do then? If the most central, core proof of being a Konpaku failed her?

…Then the Komeiji sisters would be there for her. Even as she was worrying, Koishi was trying to prove who she was, just in case. If the worst came to pass, Koishi and Satori wouldn’t abandon her. As a pause came, Youmu looked at the young mistress, who gave her a reassuring smile. The hell raven felt her heart ease…

Youmu felt the comforting flow through her, doing nothing to stymie it. Sometimes it snuck up on her just how mature Koishi could be. She closed her eyes, letting herself slip back into her memories.

---

Youmu felt the rising tide of embarrassment flow through her, doing everything she could to not show it. Sometimes it snuck up on her just how devious Koishi could be. She closed her eyes, trying to parse through her memories.

It had started out innocently enough. Discussion of specific techniques, and traits about sword styles according to the untrained eye. Koishi and Kutaka both seemed ever-more reassured about the connection, which was a good thing.

…And then something had changed. Youmu wasn’t sure what she’d done, but Koishi had taken the reins of the conversation, and determinedly shifted its course. It had, without seemingly any conscious acknowledgement by Kutaka, shifted from ‘comparing Youki and Youmu’s habits and behaviors’ to ‘telling embarrassing stories about Youmu’, and all the hell raven could do was sit there and take it.

She’d told all sorts of stories, from embarrassing failures in her early gardening attempts to the time she wet herself on her first day in Chireiden (thanks to a certain kasha’s spooky powers). And every time a story seemed to be about to wrap up, Koishi would throw out a little hook or debate, Kutaka would always bite, and Youmu would be back on the embarrassment treadmill. She groaned, as the story started up yet again.

As the stories seemed to be, presently, unending, Youmu did her best to tune it out. Instead, she tried to focus on everything else around them. The bustle of the stalls, the sizzle of the grills, anything other than the people right next to her.

It was as she was just about to zone out completely… that she heard it.

Something she hadn’t heard, - not just remembered or psychically sensed, but truly heard, in her entire life.

“...You sure she’s fine, Reisen?”

Youmu felt her heart catch.

“I’m sure. Lady Eirin said she came over this way, didn’t she? People who’ve gotten psychic migraines don’t go have lunch in a public place.”

Youmu’s eyes began to frantically scan the crowd. Looking for something, anything.

“I hope she’s not mad…”

“You just got a bit over-excited and peaked the proverbial mic. She’ll understand, I’m sure.”

The crowd parted, and Youmu saw them. Two rabbits, both in light, modern clothes, working with large packs. Reisen was standing, in the usual white button-up and pink skirt Youmu remembered from her past life. And the other rabbit, in a yellow shirt and green skirt - she was turned away from Youmu, kneeling on the ground and fiddling with her pack’s contents.

It was Reisen who met her eyes first. The lunar rabbit’s eyes focused on her, assessing her for a moment. Then on the chicken god next to her. Slowly, Reisen began to smile, turning to her companion. “Come on, leave that for a sec, will you? We can play with the packs once we’ve had lunch.”

“...I-I don’t know, I’m not ready.” The kneeling figure sagged. “What if she doesn’t recognise me? What If I don’t recognise her?”

Youmu stood up, slowly. The two on her sides said - something, a question maybe. She didn’t catch it. Her brain was flooded with memories. Memories of sharing recipes and dishes they’d studied and worked on together. Of reading stories of dazzling adventure with shared excitement, and tales of absolute horror under great protest.

Of coming around the corner, only to find a friend she’d brought tea to only minutes before reduced to even less than ash.

“Oh, I don’t know about that. Something tells me, one look at each other, and you’ll know who’s who. You’ve got perfect memory, after all.” As her companion began to protest, Reisen reached over, dragging the pack away. “Now come on, I’m sure she’s been waiting for you.”

Youmu began to step forward, stumbling, shoving through the crowd. Pulled along by an invisible string that she’d forgotten existed for almost her entire second life, now as unyielding in its force on her as an iron chain. As the other rabbit straightened up, Youmu felt tears forming. Purple hair, of an unmistakable shade. An unforgettable shade. “...You sure she’ll know it’s me?”

Reisen smiled, putting one hand on her companion’s shoulder… and gesturing to Youmu with the other. “I think she already does. Don’t you, Youmu?”

The younger rabbit… turned. And Youmu’s heart soared, as what was completely, absolutely, undeniably Akyuu looked her in the eyes.

“Youmu?”

[ ] …

---

(Any write-ins for Akyuu specifically, use A instead of the usual X. Any write-ins for Youmu, use Y.)

The moment she saw Akyuu’s face, what little had been holding Youmu back broke. She ran, shoving through the few people remaining, doing anything she could to keep moving. Akyuu still seemed frozen, stunned.

The moment there was a clearing in the crowd, Youmu surged forward, faster than either of them had been expecting. Her full body slammed into Akyuu, toppling the smaller rabbit over from the force.

Youmu twisted her body, pulling Akyuu around so that she landed on top. Her arms and wings both closed around the rabbit, tightly, holding her close. As if she might slip away again if even the slightest grip was spared.

“Y-Youmu?!” The rabbit looked up at her, shocked. There were subtle differences, but… it was Akyuu. Alive. Whole. Safe.

Youmu… couldn’t find words. She said… something, but even she couldn’t tell what it was, between ragged sobs. She held the chronicler close, trying to speak.

“Y-Youmu…” The rabbit managed to get her arms free, hugging her back. “I-I’m sorry. When I was sending those messages, I got excited and-”

Youmu nodded, trying to focus on the blurry image of Akyuu. “I’m fine. Don’t worry, I was fi-.”

“No you weren’t!” The chronicler’s voice was heavy with guilt, and tears were beginning to fill her eyes. “I - when I saw you were on the surface, I-I was so happy, and I just- I lost control, A-and then you passed out, I’m sorry, I just - I was trapped up on the moon, and I couldn’t find a way down, and I-I wish I could have been here sooner, but- but all the options were so, so dangerous, and, and-”

“It’s fine.” Youmu kept holding her close. “I’m safe. You’re safe.” She let out a ragged breath. “I’m the one who should be saying sorry. When the time came… I failed to protect you. To protect anyone.”

She looked up at the sunny sky above. “And… I didn’t even see it happen to you. One moment you were there, the next, you were… just gone.” Youmu hugged the rabbit tighter. “…and then I forgot about you all. For years and years. But… you remembered. You got here. You brought me back. …Thank you, Akyuu.”

The rabbit let out a haggard sob, burying her face in Youmu’s chest. The hell-raven stroked her back soothingly, feeling her heart swell with every sensation. “There’s… there’s so much I have to tell you, Youmu, a-and-”

“We’ll figure it out.” Youmu sat up, bringing the sniffling rabbit with her. “There’s two of us here now.” She took an unsteady breath, trying to hold back from bursting into tears. “We’ll get them all home. Marisa, and Reimu, and Kosuzu, and, and, uh-”

Akyuu managed a laugh. “Y-you sure you’re right, Youmu?” She sat up, smiling. “...Yeah. W-we’ll save all of them, won’t we? Together.”

“Together!” The two of them chuckled… before a murmur slowly brought the rest of the world into focus.

A small crowd had gathered around the two of them, murmuring a bit. Koishi and Kutaka were trying to get the crowd to disperse, while Reisen seemed to be focusing her efforts on stunning a wolf tengu who was rubbernecking on the conversation. The two girls at the center flushed, slowly trying to stand.

Youmu turned to the young chronicler. “We actually haven’t properly introduced ourselves, have we?” She stuck out her hand. “Reiuji Youmu, of Chireiden. Satori calls me Myon.”

Akyuu took it, giving a firm shake. “You’re from Chireiden?” She turned to look with momentary nervousness, until she saw Youmu’s companion. “...well, if it’s Koishi, it’s fine. Inaba Akyuu of Eientei, ex-Eagle Ravi.”

Before Youmu could ask, Akyuu seemed to realize something. “Oh! Um, if you haven’t heard, Reimu’s awake as well. But she hasn’t been able to come to the surface yet - Yachie and the others are still negotiating. So we’ve been trading letters.” Youmu stiffened, as Akyuu tilted her head. “Um, did you hear, actually? About Reimu, and Yachie?”

Youmu gave a curt nod. “...mmm. I did.” The swordswoman let out a sigh. “...Hopefully they manage to pry her away soon. If not, I might just have to go down there and take her away myself.”

The rabbit smiled. “Well, we can talk more about that later. Have you two had lunch yet?” Youmu shook her head. “Well then! I’m sorta indebted to Mystia, so how about we have some lamprey and talk things over? I’m sure we both have a lot to discuss.”

Youmu grinned, brushing a bit of dust off her wings. “Oh, definitely.”

As they stepped towards the stall, and the crowd began to disperse… a short figure alighted on a nearby roof, out of sight. Moriya Suwako looked over the crowd, watching them quietly.

“...So that’s the Immaterial Chronicler, is it? A moon rabbit…” Suwako folded her arms. She’d actually seen that rabbit before, coming to the Moriya Shrine once a few weeks ago. She hadn’t realized she was new. If she had, then… would she have realized sooner?

The goddess sighed. “...Come on, Youmu. You’re so, so close.” Suwako squatted down, watching the Immaterial Children move about. “Don’t stop now, little birdy.”

---

Lamprey eel was not an ingredient easily found in Former Hell. Youmu tucked into her serve eagerly, savoring the flavors.

Koishi was just as eagerly devouring her skewer. She reached up to wipe a bit of sauce off her lips. “This is so good! Youmu, we have to bring some of this home!”

The swordswoman nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure everyone else will love it too. Orin will go ballistic.” She chuckled.

The two groups had briefly broken up, while the Inaba sisters worked on reorganizing their packs. Reisen had volunteered to do the rest of the deliveries solo, to give Akyuu and Youmu more time to catch up, so their packs had to be rearranged to all fit in one bag. Fortunately, it seemed like it’d be possible, eventually.

When the two rabbits were fully engrossed, Koishi leaned in, giving a conspiratorial whisper. “You sure we can’t take one of them home? We don’t have any rabbits at Chireiden yet!”

Youmu gave an awkward chuckle. “I think they’re already spoken for, Koishi. Princess Kaguya would be very unhappy if you took her pets away.”

Koishi sighed… but took a glance over at the rabbits. They hadn’t seemed to have heard her. “Well, I was sorta asking just to check… Youmu, I need to ask you something.”

Youmu looked over at her. All of a sudden, Koishi’s face was… she’d never seen that expression before. “What is it, Lady Koishi?”

“...Your friend. She seems to think I can’t read her mind.” Youmu blinked. “But… I can. And I don’t know why she’d think that.” She turned to Youmu. “Would she… know I’m a satori? The rabbits want to hide something from me, but I think they reassured each other while the crowd was still around, so now they’re not thinking about it.”

“Oh, absolutely. She definitely would know that, but…” Youmu shrugged. “She’s kinda psychic now… maybe she thinks she can block your abilities?”

Koishi shook her head. “She seemed to think big sis was more concerning, though…” She groaned, rubbing her head.

Youmu tilted her head. “So… then what should we do?”

Koishi leaned forward. “You have to ask her why. Why she thinks I can’t read their minds.” She smiled. “If there’s a way for me to not read people’s minds… then maybe nobody has to be afraid of me anymore!”

Youmu… gave it some thought. It was an important question, but… there was an obvious risk as well. If Akyuu thought some secret was safe, then… maybe she would react badly on learning it wasn’t as secret as she thought. Worst case scenario, she might even think she was under attack.

…But still, it wasn’t like Akyuu had any big secrets to keep, was it? Nothing that she wouldn’t tell Youmu, surely? The hell raven sighed, mulling it over. “I’ll… think about it. Might be best to ask later, when…”

When no satoris were around. Koishi sagged at the unsaid implication. “Well… it’s up to you, I guess. I can’t probe without revealing it, and I think if she knew I was probing, well…”

Youmu put a reassuring hand on Koishi’s shoulder. “I’ll figure it out. We’ll be fine, Lady Koishi.” The satori smiled at her, nervously. “Once they’re finished packing, let’s get some parfaits and we’ll all have a big talk.”

Koishi smiled. “I’ll trust you, Youmu.”

The two of them sat there, discussing some of the sights Koishi had seen already, with Youmu patching up a few gaps in her understanding. Before long, they’d had their fill of the eel, and with a final wave to the proprietress, they all stood up, and headed over to the parfait parlor.

Youmu took a few moments to observe her old friend more fully. Now that the initial burst of excitement was over… there were some clear differences between the Akyuu she remembered and the Akyuu in front of her. And not just the ears, or her height (belatedly, Youmu had realized she was tall enough now to be the equivalent of a several-years-older human Akyuu, which had thrown her off a bit). She also composed herself slightly differently - more alert, attentive, assertive. She seemed like she was a bit more spirited, too.

Youmu smiled as the chronicler came closer. “So, you’ve been on the surface for about a month, right?”

Akyuu nodded. “Yeah… and it’s been pretty non-stop for me ever since. Training with Reisen, trying to write up the chronicle, doing deliveries, trying to get in contact with the others… It beats the lifestyle of a rabbit soldier, though.”

The hell raven chuckled. Somehow, even with the more… soldier-y Akyuu in front of her, she could still imagine her so vividly struggling with a warrior's training. “I bet at least the beds back in the Hieda estate are comfier, right?”

There was a slight pause. Akyuu didn’t quite meet her gaze. “Um, well… I haven’t actually been there, yet.” Youmu turned to Akyuu. “I-I’ve just been so busy, you know?”

Somehow, Youmu didn’t even have to look at Akyuu’s shifty expression to doubt that. “Oh really? What sorta stuff has been taking up your extra time, then?”

[PICK TWO]
[ ] “I’ve been doing extra training with Reisen! She’s been teaching me some special family techniques.” (+1 Instinct.)
[ ] “Princess Kaguya’s been helping get me back into civilian life. Trying to make sure I don’t blow my cover when I officially step forward as the Child of Miare.” (-1 Instinct)
[ ] “Eheheh… well, I’ve been having a bit of fun with Tewi, honestly. Just a few tricks, you know?” (Spirit moves to Youkai-3)
[ ] “Eiki’s been over a lot, trying to make sure I’m doing my duty on the Chronicle, and otherwise fussing over me. I know she’s got my best interests at heart, but still… you know how she is.” (Spirit moves to Youkai-1)
[ ] “Lady Eirin’s given me some special mind exercises! I’m not gonna be taken out by some cheap hypnosis, pyon! …Um, I mean Myon.” (Gain 1 point of Instinct Resistance.)
[ ] “...I’ve been… playing chess. With a certain shinigami. Certainly not slacking off, ahah…” (No change.)

{ } Ask why she thinks Koishi can’t read her mind.
{ } More subtly, try and fish out any secrets she’s keeping.
{ } Nope, all too risky. Another time, maybe.

( ) Any specific topics to discuss?

---

For the third choice, once again we’re going with (A) and (Y). It’s suggestion based, not vote based, like way back when Y'all were interrogating the otter in Redo/Reimu’s first arc, unless people’s choices start to conflict. (For example, if some people wanted Akyuu to tell Youmu what she thinks Jenny-say-kwah means, and other people think she shouldn’t.)

Instinct Resistance is pretty obvious in this case, I think. Like the other stats, it’s a five-point scale, whose only benefit is reducing the negative effects of the Instinct stat/other species-related issues.

Oh, and tallyanon! It didn't matter too much this time, but can you group the suggestions this time by topic, rather than by character?

[14] “I’ve been doing extra training with Reisen! She’s been teaching me some special family techniques.” (+1 Instinct.)
[1] “Princess Kaguya’s been helping get me back into civilian life. Trying to make sure I don’t blow my cover when I officially step forward as the Child of Miare.” (-1 Instinct)
[10] “Eheheh… well, I’ve been having a bit of fun with Tewi, honestly. Just a few tricks, you know?” (Spirit moves to Youkai-3)
[7] “Eiki’s been over a lot, trying to make sure I’m doing my duty on the Chronicle, and otherwise fussing over me. I know she’s got my best interests at heart, but still… you know how she is.” (Spirit moves to Youkai-1)
[20] “Lady Eirin’s given me some special mind exercises! I’m not gonna be taken out by some cheap hypnosis, pyon! …Um, I mean Myon.” (Gain 1 point of Instinct Resistance.)
[0] “...I’ve been… playing chess. With a certain shinigami. Certainly not slacking off, ahah…” (No change.)

Akyuu stuttered for a moment. “W-well, mainly what I’ve been doing is training, you know.”

Youmu raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What sort?”

“Lady Eirin’s been giving me some special training to resist hypnosis!” The rabbit pumped her fist. “I’m not gonna be taken out by some cheap mind trick, pyon!”

There was a pause. Youmu kept looking at Akyuu. “...Do you mean Myon?”

“Um. Yes.” Akyuu couldn’t quite meet Youmu’s gaze. “That’s… I just misspoke, sorry.”

Eventually, Youmu sighed, finally breaking her stare. “Why do you even need that sort of training?”

“...Well… let’s just say it’s very useful to have as a moon rabbit.” Akyuu said, waving her hand noncommittally. “It’s… one of the best ways for Lunarians to try and control us.”

Youmu flinched a bit at that. “...Suddenly, you’re not making a moon rabbit sound that inviting. Are there any upsides to it?”

Akyuu nodded, grinning. “Well, the telepathy is how I found you, isn’t it? Not to mention I’m a lot stronger and faster… and besides, I’m not just any ordinary moon rabbit. I’m part of a special gene-warr- a special family that can use the Lunatic Eyes, and Reisen’s been teaching me how!”

Youmu looked over at Reisen, who’d sat on the other table, opposite Koishi. “Really? You can use hallucinations too?”

“Well… we’re getting there.” Akyuu shrugged. “Most of my hallucinations and stuff are based off my own memories, but… according to Reisen, it’s become a bit of a crutch. So she’s trying to get me to work on more spontaneous illusions.”

The hell-raven hummed. “I see… sounds like you’ve been busy.”

“Yeah, I have so-”

“But… surely they’d have let you go see the Hieda family if you asked?” Akyuu flinched, quieting down immediately. “...Though I suppose it depends on what you’re asking, isn’t it?”

Akyuu muttered her next response half-under her breath. “...You can always see right through me, can’t you, Youmu?”

The swordswoman nodded firmly. “I might be better on the battlefield than around the negotiating table, but I certainly know you well enough. You’ve been avoiding them, haven’t you?”

The rabbit didn’t respond, balling up. At length, Youmu sighed, reaching out to give the Chronicler a pat on the head. “...Look, I’m not gonna give you a long lecture. I’m sure you get plenty of that from everyone else. But the longer you leave it, the harder it’s gonna be to eventually break through, alright?”

Akyuu nodded, a bit hesitant. Youmu… slowly retracted her hand, staring at it. She hadn’t even realized she was doing it until she was already into it, but… Akyuu had just provoked that response from her. Like a sad animal.

Youmu shook her head. It was probably just her imagination playing tricks on her.

Akyuu’s Instinct is now 3.
Akyuu’s Instinct Resistance is now 1.

[A] Any specific sweets local to hell?
[A] Ask Youmu how this life has been - presumably, she's one of Satori's pets?
[A] Any weird new behavioral quirks of your new reincarnation? I'm sweet obsessed.
[Y] What is it like having rabbit ears?
[Y] Mention how you got confused about dinner portions.

It was about that point when the parfaits arrived. The group had split into two tables, giving the two Immaterial Children some semblance of privacy to talk. Youmu started slowly, still trying to put away her other thoughts.

“...So… what is it like having rabbit ears? I’m… still adjusting to my new body, myself. Or… rather, the lack of one of them.”

Akyuu had taken a much bigger parfait than Youmu remembered her having in her past, and had to swallow a bit before speaking. “Well… they’re pretty good. One’s always getting in my face, but with enough power over wavelengths, I can probably make that a non-issue.”

The rabbit traced Youmu’s gaze, to her spoon. “And the other thing is that I’ve got a crazy sweet tooth. According to Eirin most rabbits are at least somewhat like that.” She looked a little awkward. “...I think half the reason she insists on me joining in the deliveries is to keep my weight in check.”

Youmu chuckled. “Well, at least you’re fit enough to do it, right?” The rabbit grinned, flexing her arm as Youmu continued. “I haven’t noticed a big difference in my tastes myself. …Well, maybe I’m more tired of spicy things, but that’s more just a consequence of the cuisine in Former Hell.”

Akyuu smiled. “Oh yeah, you’re obviously from Former Hell this time, right? Any good sweet stuff down there?”

Youmu tilted her head. “Mmmmm… not a whole lot, it’s a spice-and-sake sorta place for the most part. But there’s some nice, fruity puddings in there. They all tend to be on the sour side, though, so you’d have to temper it.” After a moment, she snapped her fingers. “Oh! There was this mousse I had an idea of making, but Lady Koishi just seemed to hate the very thought of it. Maybe I’ll have to make that for you, sometime.”

Akyuu licked her lips. “Ah, I’d like that - but don’t spoil the surprise for me just yet. So you’re still a cook on the side down there, are you? …You’re Satori’s pet, I’m guessing?”

Youmu nodded. “Yep. It actually caused a few problems last night, because I started making Yuyuko-sized portions.” The chronicler started to chuckle at the thought. “But we had enough pets to make a banquet out of it, so it worked out okay.”

The chronicler smiled. “Glad to hear it didn’t go to waste. …You said Reiuji Youmu, right? That means… Okuu’s your sister? I’m assuming big sister? Because it would be an earth of a coincidence if we were both pets, and little sisters.”

Youmu shook her head. “Actually, she’s my twin sister. …She’s very slightly taller than me, but not as big as you remember.”

Akyuu seemed to pause, taking that in. “Maybe she had a growth spurt from… you-know-what.” Youmu nodded. “When you say twins, do you mean from the same clutch, or…?”

Youmu tilted her head. “From the same egg, actually - or so we were told, of course.”

Akyuu looked at her, taking a moment to think. “...That could be quite interesting. There’s lots of superstitions around twins, you know. Saying they’re linked down to the soul, and that.”

Youmu shrugged. “Well, I certainly still feel like my old self. Is that really important?”

“...It could be. It could be very important.” Akyuu looked at her, evenly. “...Youmu. Have you ever heard of… Re/Awakening?”

[A] Mention Re/Awakening.
-[A] Discuss the reason we reincarnated and what Youmu implied she remembers.
[A] “Reimu’s… Past? First? Original? What word should we use? Anyways, Hakurei Haru is Alive! It was a little close… but she’s still here!”
[Y] "Did you know that Youki was looking for me?"
[Y] Ask about Youki... maybe?
[Y] How's grandpa? He didn't leave for his long training trip this time around?

Youmu shook her head. “No, I haven’t heard of it. What’s that?”

“Basically, it’s… the leading theory on why we were reincarnated. Why even I came back as a youkai, rather than just being a passenger alongside you all.” Youmu raised an eyebrow at that.

“It’s… Can I show you something? With Lunar Rabbit powers?” Youmu nodded. And Akyuu put her spoon down, reaching to take Youmu’s hand. At once, Youmu’s mind was filled with an image of… wearing a robe of purple crystal.

“...Whoa.” Youmu tried to lift her hand, but the body she was seeing didn’t react. “What is this?”

“Well, it’s my memory, so it’s moving the same way I did. As for those crystals, it’s… my past, superimposed on my present. Supposedly, it makes us a lot more powerful. Both me and Reimu have managed to do it… exactly once.” Akyuu let go of Youmu’s hand, and the illusion faded. “That’s Re/Awakening. And it allows us to change fate itself - both of us managed to save someone who was fated to die.”

Youmu raised an eyebrow. “How… how do you do this Re/Awakening?” Akyuu raised an eyebrow at the swordswoman’s perfect pronunciation. Youmu just smirked. “Seems like it’d be a powerful tool if we could control it.”

“Yeah, but… it’s not that simple. You need to be in a life and death situation… or at least feel like it… and you need to have your past and current lives being super-heavily juxtaposed. And you need to have a little bit of your past life in your memories, too.”

Youmu frowned. “Well… I don’t know what to tell you, but… I don’t think it’ll be that simple.” Akyuu looked surprised. “I’m still a swordswoman, right down to using Konpaku Style. In any life and death situation I can think of… my lives are pretty similar.”

The rabbit turned her head. “...You sure? What about Utsuho? If your souls are linked… then maybe she can access it too.”

The swordswoman shrugged. “I mean, if we can make a life and death situation out of cultivating some orchids, maybe we have something, but… I just don’t think it’d be super possible. And the only big difference in Okuu’s life is me - and the fusion thing of course, but she doesn’t have memories of her past life.”

Akyuu tapped her chin with her spoon. “...Maybe it’d need a specific trigger? Like… Hakurouken?”

Youmu sat up at that. “Now there’s a thought.” She said, mulling it over. “Maybe if I got my hands on Hakurouken, that might do it. …If only I can convince Grandpa it’s me…”

Akyuu grinned. “Well, I don’t think you have to worry about that too much. Reimu’s done a fair bit of convincing for you.”

Youmu blinked. “Reimu’s met Grandpa?”

Akyuu nodded, eagerly. “He’s the one she saved! He was up against Toutetsu Yuuma, and it was only Reimu’s help that got him out of there.” Youmu blinked, feeling a drop of sweat drip down her back.

“Are… are you sure that he would’ve…”

Akyuu nodded. “No doubt about it. Actually, it’s one good turn for another so far - I saved Haru, and she saved Youki. Maybe we’re making a little loop?”

Youmu took a deep breath to steady her worries. “Well… if it comes to that, I’ll just have to save them the old-fashioned way, I think. …You’ve spoken to Reimu?”

[Y] "You've been trading letters with Reimu? How is she?"
[Y] Also ask if it's possible to send her own letters to Reimu. Former Hell and the Animal Realm are connected, right...?
[A] Don't forget about the letter Kutaka had! If it's from Reimu, maybe the two of you can read it together?
[Y] Have you noticed anything different in Reimu?
[Y] “Any sign of Marisa or Kosuzu?”

“Well, I haven’t spoken with her directly.” Akyuu said, lifting up the letter Kutaka had handed her earlier. “But we’ve been trading letters, back and forth.”

Youmu looked it over. “...Are you sure it’s from Reimu? I mean… she’s with Yachie, right?”

Akyuu nodded. “Trust me, the handwriting is one-hundred-percent Reimu’s.” She grinned, starting to open the letter. “Here, why don’t you read it for yourself?”

Youmu watched as Akyuu struggled with the letter. “...What about Kosuzu and Marisa? Any news about them?”

Akyuu shook her head. “Nothing concrete. I’ve heard from the Hakurei Shrine that there’s a lead on Marisa in the village, maybe, but they haven’t been able to chase them down. If she’s a youkai who doesn’t remember her past life, I can’t imagine the idea of anyone from the Hakurei Shrine trying to follow her went over well. And it might have just been another member of the Kirisame fa-mily!” She ripped the letter open at last, pulling out the contents.

Youmu raised an eyebrow. “Is there anything we can do, then?”

Akyuu grinned. “Well, if she’s in the village, I’ve got a special trick.” She handed the letter over to Youmu. “Here, read this out, I’ll just fetch it from my pack…”

Youmu took the proffered letter, unfolding it and beginning to read aloud.

Akyuu,

Thanks for your detailed response on that. Sounds like I’ve got a lot of work to do when I get to the surface. We’ll talk more in person - hopefully, I’ll be able to come over very soon.

Mama’s still being insistent on an escort, but I’m holding my ground. She’s tried to get any number of people on with me, but we’re slowly wearing through the options. I expect that I’ll be able to come up next week at the latest.

I’ve only been getting an even stronger gut feeling about this ‘psydar’ thing. Let me know as soon as you’ve tracked down Youmu, okay?

Stay safe,
Reimu.

Youmu scowled at the letter. “‘Mama’, huh…”

Akyuu gave an awkward look at that. “Apparently Yachie dotes on her.” Youmu scoffed. “...Something the matter?”

“...Are you sure Reimu’s gonna be okay? Yachie’s… an incredibly manipulative person. And being part of the Kiketsu is… it’s not a good thing in the slightest.” Youmu’s eyes stayed locked on the one word of endearment.

Akyuu lifted a tightly-bound stack of paper. “Well, if it makes you feel better, supposedly she makes for a rather poor Kiketsu. Always trying to stick up for the humans, and liking the benefits of human ingenuity. Pretty clear she’s not a Kicchou all the way through.” Akyuu gave a weak chuckle. “I once mentioned I was ‘refining’ my skills as a moon rabbit, and it turns out that’s a word Yachie likes using to describe Reimu’s need to be more Kiketsu-like. That letter was a lot longer than three paragraphs, I assure you.”

Youmu breathed a sigh of relief. “That… makes me feel a lot better, Akyuu. Thank you. Hopefully we get her here soon… things seem pretty tense here right now.” The swordswoman looked away from the letter, at the pages Akyuu was holding. “And… what is that?”

“It’s a manuscript of a 'fictional story', of the world-that-was.” Akyuu smirked, spinning it around. “Going up under the nom de plume Agatha Chris Q.”

Youmu looked at it, tilting her head. “So… how does this help?”

Akyuu sighed. “Never been too much of a literary sort, have you? Well, that’s what the psydar was for, I suppose.” She pointed at the pages. “If I can get this printed… maybe we won’t even have to find the others. Maybe they’ll find themselves.”

The hell-raven’s eyes widened in understanding. “Oh, of course! Particularly that possibly-Marisa, right?” Akyuu nodded eagerly. “That might be just the thing to rouse their memories.”

The rabbit puffed out her chest. “Of course! Nothing the bibliophiles like more than a mysterious book. Heck, I’m pretty sure it counts as a Youma book - a youkai did write it, after all.” Akyuu smirked. “This is pretty much ready to go, as well. Had a couple of editing passes and everything - here, take a look.”

Youmu smiled as they traded paper. “You’ve always been a hell of a fast writer, you know? Are you taking this to that ‘Suzunaan’ place? I’m sure they’d be glad to help.”

…

“Akyuu?” The rabbit couldn’t meet Youmu’s suddenly stern gaze, hiding behind the letter. “Have you been to any of the families?”

“I… I just don’t know what to say.” Akyuu said, quietly folding up the letter. “And… I don’t know how they’d react if a rabbit says it.”

Youmu folded her arms. Akyuu did seem pretty rabbit-y right now, but… “Akyuu… you need to tell them.” She sighed. “We can do it together, alright? Actually, no, scratch that: we are doing it together. No ifs, no buts.”

As the rabbit flinched at the scolding, Reisen poked her head over at the two of them, subtly giving Youmu a thumbs up. Perhaps they’d have to compare notes later, Youmu mused. The hell raven turned her eyes to the manuscript.

“...Actually, maybe now is the time to ask. I wanted to get some things straight in my memory.”

Akyuu looked up. “Oh? What’s bothering you?”

[Y] Ask about the Moriya goddesses. Weren't they supposed to arrive after the Sixty Years incident?
[A] "Have they come down to bother your sister about nuclear fusion yet?"
[Y] “There was a fight at Moriya last night, did you catch what was going on there? Just the regular duel between Kanako and Suwako?”
[Y] Explain Suwako's offer and ask for her opinion on whether she should take it or not.
[Y] “Would you know of Jenny Say Kwah? And how does one cultivate it?”

“...Suwako came down to Chireiden recently. To speak to me.” Youmu looked up at Akyuu’s shocked face. “Yeah… she’s considering me to be a second Yatagarasu, with Okuu.”

“...Oh my. That’d be…” Akyuu paused, tilting her head. “She seriously thinks you’re up for it?”

Youmu tilted her head. “Well… she says she thinks I have potential. That Chireiden Ravens are more reliable than outside ones. And she’s asked to monitor me to see if I have the Jenny-say-kwah.”

“The what?”

“The Jenny-Say-Kwah. Something secret that makes me and Okuu good candidates. Apparently Okuu’s got more of it than I do, but-” Youmu raised an eyebrow as the rabbit started to snicker. “What?”

Akyuu resisted the urge to chuckle. “Pfff… I think I might have an idea what she means.” As Youmu leant forward, Akyuu put her hands up defensively. “Ah, it’s only a guess, though. Wouldn’t want to upset a curse god by implying something she’s not actually doing.”

Youmu sighed. “Why does everyone who seems to have an idea dodge the question…?” Akyuu gave her a pat on the shoulder. “A-anyway, I did want to ask about that, but… there’s something else bugging me.”

Akyuu tilted her head. “What is it?”

Youmu looked up at her. “I’ll admit… my memories regarding the Moriya are particularly fuzzy, but… I can’t help but feel something’s wrong about this. So… maybe you could patch things up for me?”

Akyuu paused, as if debating what to say. “That’s a blank spot for you? …Odd coincidence, that. Reimu asked me to send the recount of the Moriya with my last letter, too.”

Youmu shrugged. “Admittedly, I never kept too great a grasp on surface events if I wasn’t participating. My memory’s pretty patchy in some places…”

Akyuu smiled, reassuringly. “Well… I think it’s pretty clear why you’re distressed. You’re thinking they’re early, right?” Youmu nodded. “Well, that’s because of their official story, I think.”

Youmu tilted her head. “Official story?”

“Yeah.” Akyuu nodded, picking up the book and starting to flip through the pages. “Because they originally used the Spring Snow Incident as justification for the nuclear plant. But building that big reactor must have taken longer… so they probably were planning much earlier than that.”

Youmu looked up at her. “...You sound pretty confident making that speculation.”

The rabbit rapped her hands on the paper. “The Moriya’s arrival was one of the first events I was old enough to record as it happened. So documenting them became a bit of a special project of mine.”

Youmu nodded, slowly. “...Maybe that was it, then…” She sat up, musing. “Admittedly, I’m even more flaky on the incidents before the Spring Snow one.”

Akyuu smiled. “Well… without Reimu, they went a fair bit differently than they did in our world. The Twinned Invasion incident was… well, the incident itself was resolved peacefully enough, but things went pretty poorly afterwards. The Demon’s Record Incident followed, and that went… well, the Hakurei took some injuries, but it still didn't get too far out of hand.”

The rabbit leaned back, humming. “Next was… A bunch of spooky ruins appearing near the Hakurei Shrine? It wasn’t considered a true incident in our timeline, and it still isn’t here, for a change - apparently some girl named Kotohime resolved it in the end.” Youmu blinked. Surely that was a coincidence, right…? “...After that was the Lotus Rampant Incident… As in Kazami Yuuka. That one went… very, very wrong.”

Youmu leaned in, feeling dread fill her. “What happened?”

“Well… Hakurei Haru was still dealing with injuries from the Demon’s Record, so she couldn’t keep up with Yuuka, and got even more badly wounded. And Yuuka’s youkai ran rampant all over the place.” Akyuu raised a finger. “That was about the time the Moriya came in, probably to use the incident for faith-gathering. They missed the deadline last time, Reimu had it wrapped up before they even got here, but this time… Kanako helped resolve things, and chased Yuuka back to the Garden of the Sun. And, well… if you’re wondering why the Makaians have a treaty, they negotiated that as well.”

Youmu shook her head. “Sounds like I owe Suwako even more than I thought… Reimu’s really gonna go spare when she sees them, isn’t she? Speaking of going spare… do you know what happened last night between them? Apparently there was a big fight.”

A firm shake of the head. “First I’m hearing of that, but… well, it’s nothing all that unusual for them in either case. Does that clear things up for you?”

…Did it? There was something still bothering Youmu. Just the slightest, littlest nagging doubt. But… surely she could trust Akyuu? At length, she sighed. “I guess… I’m sure when Reimu gets here, she’ll be able to dig out any details you’ve missed.”

Akyuu huffed dramatically. “What, you don’t trust me?” She chuckled. “Hopefully. Something was bugging her about it too, maybe you can put your heads together and find something that’s kept outside of civilian life.”

Youmu pushed the paper back, and Akyuu started putting it away. “Now… if I’ve filled in a gap for you… can you fill in a gap for me?”

[Y] Ask Akyuu if she's ready to talk about the previous timeline's final incident. If she isn't, drop it.
[A] “Do you know of any Youkai or other creature from Gensokyo’s past, or before even then, that produces black flame?”

Youmu took a deep breath. “...You mean the very end?”

Akyuu nodded. “I was hoping you remembered more than I did. Last thing I can remember is drinking some very nice tea, courtesy of a certain half-ghost gardener. Much worse memories I could go out on, I suppose.” She picked up the parfait cup, starting to scoop around the edges. “What do you remember?”

Youmu… took a deep breath. Of course Akyuu would be curious about a gap like that. And she was clearly ready to have this conversation.

Hopefully Youmu was too. She took a moment to compose her thoughts. “...Do you remember feeling a bit of rumbling before the end?”

Akyuu nodded. “Oh, yes. Kosuzu spilled her tea on herself.”

Youmu hesitated. “That was… Yukari starting to bring us to the surface. She was dying, and covered in this… strange black fire. I… think she was trying to let us out before she… couldn’t. Marisa touched the flames, and then… she was gone.”

Akyuu let out a gasp. Youmu did her best to not get too distracted. “Um, we panicked, but Yukari told me to cut through… to cut through the flames with Hakurouken, and that’s how Marisa ended up a little mote. She started explaining some things to us. About the flame, and the Pyres.”

Akyuu tilted her head. “...I’ve never heard of black flames. …That makes it hard to speculate on… What are these Pyres?”

Youmu tried to steady her breath, feeling her heart start to pound. “They were these… living flame things. Looked a lot like fairies, actually. But… but before Yukari could properly explain things, we heard a scream from Kosuzu.”

The hell raven pulled at her collar, feeling her hand get slick with sweat. “We… came around the corner and …you were also up in flames. Burning away. We put out your flame the same way, and…” She took a deep breath. “A-and then you were a little ball too.”

Akyuu winced. “...Perhaps I got lucky, then. I was sitting closer to the door… I must have taken my hit from behind, and died before I realized. …Youmu… are you alright?”

Youmu only barely heard Akyuu’s question, picking up her parfait spoon. “We… we tried to protect Kosuzu, so, so she could still act in your stead.” The spoon began to clatter against the glass.

“...Youmu? Youmu!” Akyuu reached out for her. “Slow down, okay?”

“But… one of the pyres spotted us. Through a wall, somehow, and… and Kosuzu didn’t stand a chance.”

Akyuu gripped her shoulder. “Youmu, deep breaths. We - we can talk later, alright?”

“We - we cut the first one to pieces, but, but Kosuzu was already gone-”

“Youmu!”

“-One of them heard the noise, and was headed to the shrine so I ran to head it off-”

“Youmu?! YOUMU! YOUMU!” The swordswoman did her best to not get distracted, swinging her blade with deadly precision. The spiral-haired Pyre gasped, as its form began to dissipate.

Youmu steadied herself, breathing heavily. As the black flames dissipated, all that remained was… something like a crystalised piece of charcoal. Youmu stepped back, turning to her last remaining companion as she flicked some sweat off her brow.

“Th-there’s still one more, I think. Don’t get…” She paused. Reimu had partially chased after her, and was now looking around, stunned. Slowly, Youmu followed her gaze… and observed the world they had emerged into.

“Reisen, what’s wrong with her?!”

Dark grey clouds completely, utterly filled the sky. The only exception were the flowing curtains of ethereal, red light raining down from them. But… as Youmu’s eyes traced downwards, she realized that wasn’t even close to the worst of it.

There was nothing alive.

Nothing.

The closest one got to something living was the occasional old, worn log, or faded bones of an animal dead long before the end. Aside from that, every thicket and scrap of grass was completely, utterly gone. Untouched earth sat fallow, unoccupied, next to pillars once covered in moss, now picked completely clean.

“Yukari…” Youmu turned back to the Shrine Maiden, whose face had gone utterly pale. “Where- I need to-” She took off at a run, turning around the corner. Youmu was only a few steps behind.

“Not good… she’s hyperventilating!”

“Calm down, Reimu! The last threat’s over that way! Don’t go runnin-” Youmu rounded the corner, drawing her blades, and-







Yukari was dead.

Youmu looked up, and… saw Reimu, standing over the toppled Komainu statues, and the corpse of the gap youkai. Yukari had rolled onto her back, and her face was burnt, but… still, somehow, eerily peaceful. The back of one Komainu didn’t seem like anything special, but the one Youmu could see the front of had a cavity driven through its chest. And… whatever Youmu had sensed about the Komainu before was-

The slightest disturbance of dust brought Youmu’s vision back into focus. She launched forward, blades at the ready, slicing through the air. With a vicious cut, the last of the Pyres came back into vision, only for the two parts on either side of the cut to fade away. Another crystalline ember was left, and Youmu flicked it away, with the tip of Roukanken.

“Youmu, come back to us!”

“Reimu, these things aren’t so tough! We can beat them, I’m sure!”

There was no response. The half-phantom turned to Reimu, who hadn’t moved. “Reimu…?”

“...There’s no point.” Reimu’s knees gave out beneath her. “Everything’s gone.”

“We can’t give up! Yukari had a plan-”

“Yukari’s DEAD!” Reimu landed on her palms. “Not just vanished, she’s GONE! And the fairies are - She- I-” The shrine maiden let out a wretched sob. “Wh-what are we supposed to do?”

Youmu hesitated. “We, we might still be able to find the culprit, and beat them!”

“...What’s the point? They won.” The miko began to curl up. “Even if we still stood a chance… We failed. We lost. There’s nothing left to save. No-one left to remember.”

“Sh-she’s gonna pass out at this point!”

Youmu began to reach out for the shrine maiden… and paused.

“R…Reimu?” Black flames were beginning to surround the miko. Youmu tried to slash at them without hurting her, but they just seemed to grow, and grow. “R… Reimu, you’re - you’re gonna-”

The Shrine Maiden looked at the flames surrounding her, and just before she was swallowed by the flames, Youmu saw her expression.

It wasn't defiance, or anger, or fear. She… she almost looked relieved.

And then she burst into flame.

“REIMU!”

It was too much, too much, and Youmu couldn’t keep a hold on it anymore. She screamed and thrashed, fighting off the others and the flames, and
the world
went
black.

A girl in a white robe stood on a hill, overlooking the human village. She tapped her foot impatiently, glancing between the village and the mountain. “Come on, Megs… what’s taking you so long?”

“You.” The girl jumped, whirling around to see who was speaking. “You’re the one calling yourself Go, right? What exactly are you playing with?”

Go reached into the folds of her robes. “Who’s there?! Show yourself!”

Slowly, a woman did as she was bid. She emerged slowly, in stages, letting the robed figure see her, piece by piece. Short indigo hair, framing a face with a stern expression. A mature, regal figure, garbed in reds and blacks, and adorned with a mirror atop her chest. Rings of shimenawa rope, around her ankles, wrists, forehead and neck, with a large ring orbiting behind her.

And, of course, an onbashira, hoisted over her shoulder. Yasaka Kanako had a feeling she’d be throwing more than the one in her hand before long.

The goddess stared down the small figure. “I asked you a question, brat. And I want some answers.”

Go slowly straightened up. “Ah, you must be lady Kanako. What brings you here, my lady?”

“Spare me.” Kanako hefted her pillar. “I’ve been asking the tengu to report on any white-robed figures after last night. You’re the one Suwako’s been talking to, aren’t you?”

“My, what on earth could you be-?”

The goddess hurled the pillar, slamming it into the ground. The robed figure toppled over, starting to scrabble away. “You’re already in over your head, brat. Now, are you going to answer my question?”

Go fished through her robe, pulling out a small, metallic object. “S-stay back. This may look small, but it’s a lethal weapon.”

Kanako approached, undaunted. “‘Lethal’ for humans? That’s the standard you’re going for?” She grabbed onto the end of the pillar, tugging it from the earth. “Do you want to know my professional expertise, as a war goddess? Anything can be a lethal weapon, if it’s moving with enough force. That weapon might be the new style, but all it does is make the process more portable to the weak.” She shouldered her onbashira. “Now, are you gonna start talking, or am I going to have to demonstrate?”

She saw the robed figure starting to sweat. “Now, now, calm down. You may not believe it, but what I’m doing is for the benefit of all of Gensokyo. The Immaterial Children need to reach their full potential, if they’re going to pull through from this.”

Kanako glared at the figure, but she didn’t budge, just holding her gaze firm. At length, Kanako sighed. “This is why I’m calling you a brat. You’ve got no perspective on just how dangerous your actions are, do you? You’ve just locked on to an end goal, and you’re pursuing it no matter what means you need to use for it.”

“Now, now, you’re making me out like some evil witch!” Go started to sit up. “I haven’t done anything to Suwako at all, nothing whatsoever! All I did was pass on a little information. Information that you neglected to mention.”

Kanako took a single stomp closer, prompting Go to reaim her weapon. “You mean about Reiuji Youmu.”

The robed figure chuckled nervously. “Well, why not? Suwako certainly thinks she’d make a good candidate for Yatagarasu. Why did you… overlook her, Kanako?”

“You’re not the one asking questions here, brat.” Kanako said, bluntly. “And I’m sure you came up with a good enough answer yourself, if you think gloating about it is anything resembling a good idea.”

She hefted her onbashira again. “You know, I’ve heard rumors about you. Robed figures going around, whispering just enough in certain ears, and yet being unable to be manipulated by other powers. …I believe the running theory is that you’re using some kind of illusion magic?”

The robed figure began to respond, but Kanako cut her off. “But… I detect no magic on you. So perhaps your trick is more… mechanical in nature? No more than smoke and mirrors?” The goddess chuckled. “In other words… a piece of technology, correct?”

At this, Go grumbled. “Think yourself clever, do you?”

“Smarter than you, at the very least. Because I have a hunch… that you wouldn’t be as concerned about protecting yourself…” The goddess surged forward, prompting desperate fire from the robed figure. Kanako shrugged off the blasts, grabbing the girl by the scruff of her collar. Her hood fell back, revealing blonde pigtails.

There was a pause, as both of them took a moment to process. Slowly, Kanako took on a slight smirk. “...if you weren’t really here. Where’s your puppet, pigtails?” Go couldn’t quite meet her gaze. “Or… did the little soothsayer not see this coming?”

The blonde girl began to sweat. “I… I was just planning to play observer…”

“I see! I see.” Kanako lifted the girl up with one hand, gripping her firmly by her shirt, so she didn’t choke. “Well, perhaps you’re in a more straightforward mood now, are you? Talk. What did you do with Suwako?”

The blonde girl squirmed. She couldn’t be more than a teenager, Kanako guessed, keeping her grip just barely too light to hurt her. “I- I told you! All I did was point her in the direction of Youmu! I wanted to help her get Youmu to the surface, but she insisted on doing it her way!”

“I see. So… what else did you do? Surely your goal wasn’t just to get her topside?”

Something fluttered in the corner of Kanako’s gaze, and her head turned, towards the mountain. Small, black figures began to fill the sky around the mountain. The girl in her arm caught the distraction, and twisted her head around, too. “Ah, there goes the flock.”

Kanako pulled the girl down to glare at her. “And what part did you have to play in that, hmm?”

The girl chuckled, in spite of it all. “Aheheh, well… You’re right that the real me’s here. I wanted to see if anything big would happen in the village.” She pointed with a thumb. “The ‘puppet’ is still coming back down from Youkai Mountain, after having given a certain daitengu a liiiiittle tipoff. About a white-winged raven… and about her posse.”

---

Okuu let out a whoop as she finished her loop-de-loop. The world around her was filled with endless, limitless blue. She’d never been so far from the ground before.

She came down to a landing, next to Satori and Mr Youki. The two of them had been the ones who’d brought Okuu to the surface, tracing Koishi’s steps. “Lady Satori, this place is great! The sky goes on forever!”

Satori gave her a weak smile. “...I’m… glad you’re having a good time, Okuu. Did you see any of them?”

Okuu saluted. “Yes! Orin and Parsee are coming back this way with a full cart. Um, I didn’t see Koishi or Youmu, though.”

The swordsman mused for a moment. “Perhaps they’ve gone to look for that Akyuu, then…” He looked over at the satori, now garbed in a heavy cloak. “Any idea where they might have gone?”

Satori wiped some sweat off her brow. She’d chosen something that’d hide her third eye in a rush, and now was feeling the heat. “I’m… fairly sure the psychic message I received said… something about the village. But I hope they weren’t daft enough to take Koishi straight there.”

Okuu took a look. “Maybe we should go ask at the village, then?” Oh, and get some food. They’d left in a rush, so Okuu was kinda hungry.

Satori shook her head. “No time for eating now, Okuu. We have to find Koishi before something goes horribly wrong.” She took a look. “But… it wouldn’t hurt to ask some of the people around here, I suppose.

Youki nodded. His phantom half slid a little closer to Satori, trying to cool the sweating Youkai. “Looks like there’s two possible entrances they could have entered the village from. Let’s get a little closer and see what’s happening at them.”

Okuu came down to the ground, nearly stumbling over. In her defense, the flowers were so colorful she almost forgot to stick her feet out. “Oh, this is so exciting! I can see why Youmu’s always wanted to bring the flowers down if they’re all like this!”

Youki chuckled. “Ah, does Youmu do gardening? I have something of a professional interest in it myself.”

Okuu nodded. “She does most of the gardening around Chireiden. She’s always frustrated ‘cos there’s not many plants that can grow in hell. Not enough sunlight.” The hell raven thought back, to her idle dreams as a little kid. Of bringing the sun down to hell, so plants and other stuff could grow down there.

…It was funny how Youmu never seemed to show up in them-

“Okuu?” The hell-raven started, looking up at Satori. “I’ve… been meaning to ask. Have any strange people come to speak to you recently?”

“Ummm…” The raven took a moment to think. “Oh! There was a man with a ghost and two swords just this morning!”

Youki chuckled. “I think she knows about that one, lass.” Satori sighed, waving it off and turning back to the village gates. Okuu skipped ahead, trying to see what was there.

It looked like each of the gates had a pair of people. One was a pair of short people with caps, and a bunch of metal things around them. They appeared to be brushing themselves off, and nursing a few bruises.

The other was a pair of people with red and purple clothes, and purple and red hair. The purple-and-red one was counting something off on her fingers, while the red-and-purple one was slowly banging her head into the wall. Satori took a look at them, nonplussed.

“...These appear to be rather interesting duos. How about we split our forces? I’ll take the two humans - they’re less likely to sniff me out.”

Youki nodded. “I’ll take the kappa and yamawaro, then.” He turned to Okuu. “Who would you like to talk to, lass?”

[ ] Go with Mr. Youki and speak with the two youkai.
[ ] Go with Satori and speak with the two humans.

“I’ll go with Lady Satori.” Okuu said, smiling. “Those two seem funny.”

Mr Youki seemed slightly saddened at that, but nodded. “Very well, lass. We’ll meet up shortly.” Okuu waved as they parted ways.

As they got closer, Okuu turned to Satori. “So, what are Kappa and Yamawaro?”

Satori smiled. “They’re rather clever creatures. Very good at inventing things, and working with complex technology.”

“Oooh, like those metal things around them?”

“A classic example.” Satori glanced over at the two, who had turned their attention to the approaching swordsman. “They are very industrious. Unfortunately, they’re difficult to keep on task at the best of times, but with the right motivation, they can do incredible things.”

“What sort of things?”

Satori rubbed her chin in thought. “For example… if you wanted them to build some big, massive piece of machinery, and you had the blueprint ready for them… they could probably get it running in months. A facility started in autumn could be ready by spring. The only problem is having enough to offer to keep them on track that long.”

“Woooooah.” Okuu blinked. “But there are no kappa underground. How do you know that?”

Satori chuckled, smugly. “Running a place like Former Hell requires a good understanding of who you can get working and how. Tsuchigumo are great for constructing actual buildings, those with the ability to shift earth are good for digging and clearing out space… species that rely only on themselves tend to underestimate just how fast you can build things, with the right assistance.” She sighed. “I’ve considered hiring yamawaro in the past, but we don’t have anything worth their focus, like good technology. Or, well, cucumbers. And kappa are even more unsuited.”

Okuu pouted. “Awww… that’s a shame. Metal things are fun sometimes.”

Satori gave the bird a pet on the head. “Another time, Okuu. Now… we’re going undercover here, so I’ll be going under a nickname of…”

Okuu waited. Lady Satori started to sweat.

“...Lady… Torisa.” She finished awkwardly. “L-let’s go with that. It’s just hiragana, it’ll work fine.”

Okuu looked at her, flatly. “...Okay.” She closed her eyes, muttering it under her breath. “Torisa, torisa, torisa…”

“For the last time, there was SEVEN people, counting the mastermind and yourself.” The purple haired woman was all-but banging her head against the wall. “The shrine maiden was licking her wounds, and I don’t know where the hell this talk of a magician came from.”

“You’re just trying to play me down, arencha?” The redhead responded, pointing her fingers up. “You’re just jealous of my talent and beauty and cooking prowess and brains.”

“I’ll give you exactly one of those things, Lady Kotohime.”

“You want some recipes?”

“No.” She looked away from the wall, to observe the newcomers. “Halt! Who are you two?”

“I’m Okuu! And this is Lady Saaaaa-to… Torisa!” Okuu waved at the two humans. “We’re looking for our sisters!”

Sato- uh, Torisa was staring at the redheaded lady. “...This Lady, she’s… I don’t believe we’ve met?”

Kotohime struck a pose. “Lady Kotohime! Winner of the Hyperspace Tournament! At your serv-ice! Oh, and this is Meira.”

The satori gave a doubtful look, prompting Meira to elaborate. “Not surprised you haven’t heard of it. A somewhat-recent intrusion upon Gensokyo by a pair of troublemakers turned into an impromptu free-for-all. And when the dust settled, Kotohime was the winner.”

The winner stuck her fingers up in a v-sign. “The winner got their wish granted - and I certainly didn’t waste mine, heheheh!”

Okuu hopped forward. “What did you do with your wish?” The funny lady lowered her hands, making a ring, and Okuu leaned in, until the fingers were against her cheeks.

Meira sighed. “She… locked up one of the perpetrators. She wanted to… ensure her security measures were still operational. So the lesser of the troublemakers got locked up.”

Kotohime nodded. “She was a funny one. Blonde hair and pigtails, always going da ze da ze!” The lady stepped back, putting her hands on her hips. “I think she was called… Chipotle Kataraccashawaka.”

Meira let out a groan. “Chi-yu-ri Kita-shira-kawa. She’s your only prisoner who even had an overnight stay, the least you could do is remember her name.” The princess let out an elegant chuckle. “Lady Kotohime has always had some… eccentricities. And now those eccentricities seem to be adjusting the numbers in her head…”

Satorisa looked over at Kotohime, smirking. “Numbers, plural? Are there other cases?”

“Yeah!” Kotohime pounded one fist into the palm of her other hand. “Meira’s saying that there’s like… four Immaterial Children? Five now? But there’s only the shrine maiden and the one with the fancy sword, right?”

Meira scowled. “You’re forgetting the two civilians and the Child of Miare. And the latter’s pretty important, I’d think.”

Torisa waved her hand. “Anyway, this conversation has been… enlightening, but it’s not what we’re here for. Have you seen either of our sisters?”

Meira rubbed her chin… “Maybe? What do they look like?”

Okuu flapped her arms. “Well, my sister’s like me, but where she’s got white stuff, I’ve got black stuff.”

Meira leaned in… and her face blanched. “Your sister, is she…”

“She’s named Youmu! She’s more focused than me. I’m a bit of a scatterbrain in comparison.” The swordswoman stepped back, momentarily letting out a shudder. Torisato coughed, to bring the attention back to the actual point.

“If you wouldn’t mind… Does that mean you have seen them?” Meira nodded. “...They’ve gone into the village, haven’t they?” Another nod.

Torisatori sighed. “Ahhhh… I knew it. Koishi…” She groaned, rubbing her head. “How could this day get any worse?”

Okuu looked up at her lady, concerned. …And then she looked past her lady.

At all the birds in the sky.

“...Unyu?”

Youmu held Hakurouken unsteadily, jumping at shadows in the howling winds. Her other hand tried to cup the small motes, herding them against her chest.

Her eyes whirled around, searching for something. Anything. The slightest hint of movement.

“...Come on, come on… something has to have survived, right…?” She started stepping backwards, towards the Shrine. At least then she’d have some visual cover. “HELLO? Is anyone out there?”

There was a long, long silence. Youmu tried to keep her breath level, straining her ears.

“...You know, you fight someone a few times, you think you get to know them in a rough spot.” Youmu’s eyes went wide. “But I’m surprised Reimu just gave up like that. Always gave me the impression of being defiant to the end. Nothing the flame likes to feed on like despair and the living, though.”

Youmu gripped her sword. “Wh-who’s there? Show yourself!”

The voice continued, undaunted. “It’s hard to say who gets the better end of it. Humans burn up too fast to be saved, but at least it’s quick. Youkai and gods burn a lot slower, but in theory you can save them - or they can take themselves out, as a certain youkai’s just demonstrated.”

Youmu… saw an ethereal, green glow, around the corner of the shrine. Slowly, she began to approach it. “...What… what are you? Are you human, or youkai?”

The speaker chuckled. “I was human, once. A lifetime ago. …Now let me ask you a question. How are you still standing, Youmu?”

“Wh-what?” Youmu tried to wipe a bit of sweat off her brow with her sword hand.

“You heard me. If you’d given up heart and soul, near those fairies’ embers, you would have gone up in flames just like Reimu. But… you still stand.” The voice seemed to mull it over. “Do you not realize how hopeless the situation is? Have you been holding out for a miracle?”

Youmu clutched the motes closer. “There… there has to be a backup plan. I’m sure of it.” Slowly, she took a deep breath, and rounded the corner.

And felt her knees go weak. The vivid light cloaked a strange figure, hovering in the sky. Long, green hair framed a face Youmu couldn’t quite see, except for eyes like glowing emeralds. She was taller than Youmu by at least a head, with a more mature figure. But more overpowering was her presence - the world around her almost seemed to fade out, irrelevant compared to her imposition upon reality.

“A backup plan, even when the architect lies dead in a pool of her own blood? …I suppose that answers my question, then.”

Youmu gulped. “Wh…who are you?!”

The figure kept looking at Youmu. She couldn’t read her expression from this far away. “...I’m one of the two reasons Yukari decided to sequester you all away.” She looked up at the sky. “The other is responsible for our little light show here.”

Youmu raised her sword, as the figure lifted off, and started to approach. “You may be surprised to know… there is actually such a backup plan. One last hope - the Hourai Immortals. They’ve got Kamishirasawa Keine with them. I’m sure they’ve seen the gap you were all in open up by now. I certainly did.”

Youmu took a step back, trying to keep pace with the interloper. “The… the Hourai Immortals? C-can they save my friends?”

The figure nodded. “...With their help, you could be the key piece in saving everyone. But… that depends on them getting here before it’s too late. Getting here while at least someone is still around.”

Youmu shuddered. “Do… do you mean if they get here…” Youmu looked down, trying to psych herself up. “I-I’ll hold out. However long I have to.”

“Not like that, you won’t.” The half-ghost looked back up at the figure. “You intend to fight with only one hand? Don’t think fighting off a few burning fairies is enough - you’ll need both your blades out, Youmu. As it is, you don’t stand a chance.”

Slowly, the figure extended her hand. “But… fortunately, your miracle has arrived. There is someone else here who knows exactly what to do with those little motes. So… how about you let me take care of them?”

Youmu sat bolt-upright, gasping for air. Reisen caught her, trying to steady her.

“Easy now, easy…” The rabbit gave her a pat on her back. “You good, Youmu?”

Slowly, the world came into focus. They were sitting on a bench outside of the parfait parlor. Koishi and Akyuu were next to her, with the latter proffering a cup of water. Youmu looked at it, but pulled her arms around herself, shuddering.

“I-I’m sorry, Youmu. I-I didn’t realize that your memories were like that.” Akyuu pulled the cup back, resting it next to the shivering hell raven. “Are… will you be alright?”

Youmu tried to speak, but her throat was too dry. Koishi picked up the cup and offered it to her again, and the hell raven took it, taking uncertain sips. “...I don’t know. The deeper the memories go… I, I just know I’m getting close. Close to…” The words dried her throat again, and Reisen started to give her back a gentle rub.

Akyuu looked up at Youmu. “...Then, we can drop it for now. Black fire’s a big clue already, I’m sure.” She did her best to give a reassuring smile. “So we’ll just work off that, okay?”

Koishi glanced at Akyuu, and spoke, hesitantly. “I’m… not sure about that.” Youmu looked over at her. “That person in that last dream… she seemed important. Do you know who she is, Youmu?”

Youmu stuttered. “L-let’s not go back down that r-right after passing out, o-okay?” She slowly started to stretch out. “I-I need some time, Koishi. S-sorry.”

As the satori started to pull back, Akyuu turned to look between them. “...Sorry? Koishi, did you say you can see her dreams?”

Youmu nodded, latching on to the alternate topic. “R-right. Akyuu, we’ve been meaning to ask…” She turned to look at the rabbit. “Why do you think she can’t read your mind?”

There was a long pause. Akyuu opened her mouth, slowly. “...Eh? You mean her third eye isn’t…?”

The chronicler’s eyes went wide, and she scrabbled back, getting to her feet. “S-stay back.”

Koishi got to her feet, hesitantly. “Akyuu… I’m not going to hurt you… I just… I need to know.”

“S-stay back.” As Koishi stepped forward, the chronicler tried to backpedal. “I-I can’t, I don’t want to-”

“Akyuu.” Reisen was standing now. “Don’t freak out. I was talking to her earlier, and I don't think she-”

“I-I don’t care about that… that button thing.” Akyuu’s eyes shrank to pinpricks, as Koishi stepped even closer. “I-I just need to-”

“STAY BACK!”

A shove.

Koishi hit the dirt hard.

Youmu was on her feet, trying to stumble over to her. “K-koishi, are you-”

Before she could get there, the girl was on her feet again. She turned and ran, disappearing into the crowd.

“Koishi, wait!” Youmu tried to reach her, but she was already disappearing into the crowd. She turned her head back, looking at her other friend. “Akyuu, what the hell was that?!”

Akyuu was still shivering, as Reisen knelt next to her. “I-I’m sorry, it’s just, I can’t…” She straightened up. “I-I need to…”

Reisen looked around. “That… that girl’s… ahhhh, this is a mess.” She stood up, looking over at the stunned hell-raven. "If it ends like this..."

[ ] Go after Koishi, take to the skies. Leave Akyuu to recover.
[ ] Ask about Akyuu. Clear that air, and then get their full assistance looking for Koishi.
[ ] Get Akyuu up and moving and talk to her while looking. Both girls needed help, and neither could really wait.

Koishi's mental state has been badly rattled. Depending on the final boss of the arc, Youmu may start with a strike against her.

[14] Go after Koishi, take to the skies. Leave Akyuu to recover.
[ ] Ask about Akyuu. Clear that air and get their full assistance looking for Koishi.
[17] Get Akyuu up and moving and talk to her while looking. Both girls needed help, and neither could really wait.

Koishi had already vanished from Youmu’s vision. Youmu turned around, trying to look for her in the crowd.

“Damnit…” She turned to Akyuu, who was still shivering. ”We… we need to go after her. Akyuu, what… what was that?”

Reisen looked at Youmu, seeming to debate something in her head. At length, she pulled Akyuu to her feet.

“Why… why did you think she couldn’t read minds, Akyuu?”

Akyuu took a moment. “I-in the last timeline… she closed her third eye.”

Youmu… tilted her head. “…is that even possible? I thought those things didn’t do more than blink. Wait… if that works, then… doesn’t that mean she can be safe?”

Akyuu shook her head. “…I-it’s not a good thing. She becomes… e-essentially entirely unconscious. She can’t be hated, but she can’t be liked. Her mind fades, and she fades from everyone else’s memory… and as far as I know, she can’t open it back up again.”

Youmu stared at her. The absence of Koishi in memories of her past life began to click. “WHAT?!” The hell raven’s wings flicked out, already ready to take off. “Did she get that from you?! The closed eye thing?!”

Akyuu looked up. “…maybe. I-I think so.” Youmu swore, grasping at her face and pulling it down. .

Reisen dusted her sister off. “We need to go after her.” She looked up. “Let’s take to the skies.”

Youmu nodded. “Akyuu, you’re coming too. We’ll talk on the way.”

The three of them packed up, standing to leave. All three of them were rattled, and in a hurry.

By the time they noticed the manuscript had fallen out of Akyuu’s pack, it would be long gone.

---

The first few minutes were almost dead quiet. The three of them flew in silence, save for the occasional mutter that a particular street was clear.

The lack of a second pair of eyes was doing nothing to help Youmu’s pounding heart. Naturally, it was her who broke the silence first. “...So. What was it?”

Akyuu looked over at her. “...What do you mean?”

Youmu clicked her tongue. “You know. What exactly didn’t you want Koishi to know?”

The rabbit glared at her. “Do I have to tell you?”

“Exactly? No. Enough to understand why you might be responsible for Lady Koishi closing her third eye? Yes.” Youmu faced Akyuu’s glare down with one of her own.

Reisen called out from in front of them. “This street’s clear. Moving to the next one.”

Akyuu broke first. “...Look, there’s a… thing. A secret about lunar rabbits that not even most of us know.” Youmu’s glare remained until Akyuu coughed up more details. “It’s… a way for Lunarians to control us. Make us their obedient pets. Even knowing about it is dangerous if there are mind-readers about.”

“I see.” Youmu waited a few seconds. “If it’s secret, and dangerous to know, why the hell does the one rabbit who can never forget things know it?”

Akyuu sputtered. “I- look, you can counteract it a bit if you know what it is, that’s what the training was for.”

Youmu let the irritation seep through in her voice, needling the younger rabbit. “That’s not what I asked. Why do you know?”

Reisen pulled a device Youmu barely registered out of her pocket. “I’m just gonna call in Eirin. See if she can help.”

Akyuu didn’t have a response. Youmu rolled her eyes. “I see. Great forward thinking there, oh Child of Miare.”

“Oh, are we talking forward thinking now?” Akyuu snapped back. “Here’s a question for the apparent expert: for what earthed reason were you taking a satori to our first meeting? Did you not think that could be an issue?”

Youmu kept her eyes focused forward. “She came up to the surface on her own. It was her first time. We already had Parsee, and we split two and two.”

“Then you should have taken Parsee here, shouldn’t you?”

Youmu turned her head to Akyuu. “You actually want Parsee here rather than Koishi?”

Akyuu nodded, firmly. “Koishi being in the city would break the treaty between the surface and underground Youkai, at the hands of a relative of one of the primary administrators of old hell. If word got out she did that, you’d have a scandal on the surface and a riot beneath it! Surely you know that?” She stuck a finger in Youmu’s face. “So shouldn’t you have left her with whoever the fourth was - probably the grave-robber? - instead of taking her to the one person who would know exactly who she was? At least then she wouldn’t be literally in the middle of the human village!”

“Lady Eirin? Is there any way to retarget the psydar remotely? …I thought not.”

“I…” Now it was Youmu’s turn to break. “I didn’t think of that.”

“Clearly!” Akyuu rolled her eyes. “Can’t fathom why you thought that was a good idea. I’d say it was Okuu’s genetics rubbing off on you, buuuuuuuut let’s face it, you were birdbrained in your last life too.”

Youmu glared at her. “Well, if I was always birdbrained, what’s Little Miss Genius doing learning forbidden knowledge that makes meeting a satori a threat?”

“We’re looking for a young satori. Her name’s Komei - wow, Lady Eirin, maybe they should call you the mind-reader.”

“I didn’t know there’d be satori-”

“-Aside from the one that was regularly involved last time and liked collecting pets? For all you knew, one of us could have been a satori! Hell, maybe one of the others is a satori we just haven’t met yet!” Youmu growled. “What, were you expecting to get to kick back, sip your tea, and relax while we did all the work?!”

“Maybe I was! Maybe I thought I could just point in a direction and you’d go off cutting down everything in your path again!” Akyuu glared at her. “Or maybe I’ve been busting my tail for my entire life trying to get to even one of you! I didn’t get to goof off in the hot springs!”

The hell raven’s voice was incredulous. “Oh, you think living in Former Hell was easy?! It’s not called Former Hell because it’s become a pleasant place, you know! All the other hatchlings in our clutch were eaten! Me and Okuu only survived because the hellhound that attacked us saved the runts for last! We were all we had until Satori found us!”

“Still better than being some Eagle Ravi who everyone thinks has their Lunatic Eyes in backwards! Still better than having to literally fall from the moon to get here! Do you have any idea what it’s like to live as a soldier?!”

“Do you?! I’ve fought enough ‘Eagle Ravi’ in my time to know they’re not soldiers. Just useless little bunnies who wouldn’t know a real fight if it burned off their cottontails!”

“Hmm? How’s the reunion going?” Reisen quietly lifted the device and pointed it in the direction of the other two.

“Like you’re any better. The only thing you’ve trained to fight is topiary animals!”

“At least I wouldn’t lose!”

“Catch that? …So yeah, it’s going great.”

Akyuu was tearing up. “Have you got any idea what I had to do to find you?! I broke bones your borderline-illiterate ass couldn’t even find if you had a labeled chart! I had to accept the idea that splattering on impact with the earth was just going to be a faster way for me to get to Eiki! And what do I find for my trouble but an absolute fucking idiot whose first move on the surface is to bring a species of youkai hated by literally everyone as her plus one!”

Youmu stopped in midair, flaring her wings out to intimidate the little bunny. Her own vision was getting watery as well. “Have you got any idea what you finding me did to me?! I’ve been in a constant state of having to hold back a panic attack from missing a whole god damn body! I’ve been having to hold my ears just to stop my brain leaking out every time you wanna give me a heads up! And I’ve been getting to watch a delightful little countdown of everyone dying in front of me, and all that’s left is the wonderful little epilogue of getting burnt to absolutely nothing!”

She leant over the rabbit. “And do you wanna know why I brought Koishi?! Not why I didn’t bring Parsee, why I brought Koishi specifically?! Because I thought there might be one girl who’s used to having every person around her looking at her like she’s an unnatural inhuman automaton! Who would be able to find some common ground with her, not drive her to break her own goddamn mind!”

There was a resounding clap, amplified from merely sharp and piercing to outright deafening. Both girls held their ears, flinching, and looked at their third compatriot.

Who blasted them both, full throttle, with the Lunatic Eyes.

“Alright that’s enough, both of you.” Reisen’s voice was sharp and firm, and the glow of her eyes dominated the two girl’s vision. Youmu started to object, but her voice didn’t come out - the elder rabbit’s glare was utterly impenetrable. “If you two want to end this with a danmaku fight, or pulling each other’s hair? That’s fine by me. But we’ve got a young girl out there who’s about to make an irrevocable mistake, and you’re both more focused on blaming the other than fixing it! So if either of you give a damn about not letting that happen, you will both shut up and look for her!” Reisen pulled another, similar device out of her pack, throwing it at the stunned Youmu. “Now, I’m going to take a look over that way, and I don’t want either of you to follow me. I’d say it’s so we can spread out and cover more ground, but the truth is all you’re being right now is noise pollution and I’m trying to listen for her literally crying her eyes out. Got it? Reisen, out.”

The elder rabbit turned, storming off. Akyuu and Youmu floated there, stunned.

They both turned away from each other. Youmu’s blood was still boiling, but Reisen’s glare had been the appropriate ice to allow other emotions to surface. Embarrassment. Guilt. Regret. Her tears started to flow more openly.

She heard Akyuu choke back a sob behind her, her voice on the verge of breaking. “Do you know how many times I tried to contact you? I tried for a whole week. And it hurt. It hurts to use that thing.”

Youmu bit back the urge to say good. She couldn’t hold off all of the bile, though. “It hurt to hear it, as well.” She regretted it as soon as she said it. “...I only heard two, though. The one last night and the one today.”

Akyuu took a shuddering breath. “I-I had to keep trying each night. I-I wasn’t used to it, so working up to the volume was really difficult. I… I didn’t want to wait to test it, I wanted to find you.”

Youmu sniffled herself. “Well… I didn’t wait to come up here, either. Had to bet my dignity against Parsee just to come up. I…” She took a deep breath. “I wanted to find you too.”

She pushed the rest of the anger down, turning to look at her friend. “Akyuu, I… I’m sorry for what I said-”

The rabbit shook her head. “I-it’s fine. I-I know I’m not cut out for this.” She started to sob. “I - I nearly got the Hakurei killed, I caused the Eternal Night Incident early, a-and now Koishi… I-I just seem to be-”

“Hey, hey, hey…” Youmu turned around, stopping to pull Akyuu into a hug. “It’s okay, Akyuu. You saved Haru, didn’t you? We’ll save Koishi too. We’ll figure this out, okay?” Akyuu nodded, letting out a weak sob. Youmu began to tear up too. “I-I’m sorry I yelled at you. A-and I’m sorry I didn’t think things through more.”

“I’m sorry I called you an idiot, Youmu. You’re not. You’re… you’ve always been a lot smarter than me when it came to dealing with people.”

“And I’m sorry I downplayed your work finding me. A-and acted like I didn’t want you to save me. E-even if I’m freaking out a bit now, I-I’ll get used to it. After all, I went my whole life so far without even realizing all this.”

Akyuu looked up at her, and Youmu did her best to crack a smile. “Here’s another reason I didn’t bring Parsee: clearly we didn’t need her help in starting a fight.” Akyuu let out something between a laugh and a sob, and Youmu joined in.

And… for a moment, it just broke. Everything. Neither of them could find any words, they just… laughed, and cried. And slowly, the tension faded, bit by bit.

When it was all over, Akyuu took a deep breath, steadying herself. “O-okay. Full apologies can wait, we have to find Koishi. You said she seemed like me?” Youmu nodded. “...If that’s the case, I might have an idea.”

---

Koishi stared, down at the canal. She held her knees close to her chest, and tried to just… hold herself together.

Well. The bright side was that her long awaited solution did actually exist. The only problem was it required breaking herself.

The pieces of confused, panicked thoughts Akyuu had given her hadn’t been much, but it had been… enough. Closing her third eye. Becoming forgettable. Becoming invisible.

And in exchange… her ability to talk to her pets. Her ability to discuss things with Satori in secret, where no one would ever hear. Her ability to think and feel.

Everything she ever wanted. All it would cost is everything she ever had.

She found herself wondering. Did the Koishi Akyuu remember know, when she made that choice? …No. Probably not. How could she have known? It wasn’t exactly a topic of casual discussion. Maybe she was the only satori that did it. Or maybe there were hundreds of satori that did it, and nobody remembered them anymore.

Koishi couldn’t blame them. She couldn’t even blame her past self. Maybe she’d screwed up as badly as Koishi had today. Maybe then-

“Hey.”

Koishi looked up.

Akyuu was sitting on the opposite side of the canal.

“I need to tell you something. Will… will you hear me out?” Koishi was too stunned to respond.

Akyuu looked down at the river. “If you’re wondering how we found you, well… me and Youmu were too busy blaming each other to chase after you, at first. So you got away pretty well.” She picked up a rock and tossed it in. “But… whenever I got stressed and overloaded, I’d come to a place like this. A place where most of the sounds weren’t other people. ...Granted, took us four tries to find the right one.”

Koishi opened her mouth. “Wh…where’s Youmu?”

Akyuu pointed up, and Koishi followed her finger. Far above, a ghostly white hell-raven gave her a wave. “She’s stepped out, for my sake. She’s still close enough to dive in to help, though.”

Koishi looked at Akyuu, but didn’t speak. After a moment, the rabbit continued.

“...I want to apologize… but first. You should hear why I freaked out. There’s… a secret buried in my head. In every moon rabbit’s head.”

Koishi nodded. “The signal-”

Akyuu put her hands up. “Please, let me. …You’re not wrong. It’s a radio signal, designed to make me… compliant. Make me a good little bunny. I’ve already fallen victim to it once, pyon.” She’d let that slip through on purpose, and yet… Koishi chuckled. “The best thing is to never learn of it in the first place. The next best thing is to forget it. But… I can’t forget things, ever, and I’m too curious for my own good, so… I have to settle for building a mental resistance the hard way.”

Koishi stared, as Akyuu pulled herself up, and hopped over the gap. “But… that’s no excuse for doing what I did to you. I should have trusted Youmu more. I should have trusted you.” She sat down next to Koishi. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”

Koishi looked down. “...It’s okay. I’m used to being feared. And being hated.”

Akyuu chuckled. “Well… then tell me. How am I feeling right now?”

The satori looked at her. Then, even closer, trying to make sure she understood it. “You’re still scared… but a bit relieved?”

Akyuu smiled. “...Yeah. It’s strange, isn’t it?” Akyuu looked out, up at the sky. “It’s terrifying, having your secrets open to someone else… but if they’re open by default, why not just… let it all out?” She grinned. “I mean, I can’t even tell Youmu about the secret, because it’d be the one part of the conversation she wouldn’t ever forget.” Koishi had to hold back a chuckle at that.

---

Youmu looked down, seeing the two girls talk. She breathed a sigh of relief, letting the tension out.

“Youmu? Are you there?”

The hell raven almost shrieked, throwing the device that had suddenly spoken into the air. She managed to grab it before it fell, staring at it.

“Lady Eirin? Was that you?”

There was a pause, before Eirin’s slightly choppy voice came through again. “Youmu? Are you there? …Did Reisen not tell you how to use the communicator, or did you just drop it?”

She shook her head. “She didn’t teach me, Lady -oh. Mmmm.”

There was a few more seconds of pause. “...If you can hear me, but not respond… Can you go ten paces any direction, then come straight back? We still have your position on psydar.” There was a short pause as Youmu did as asked. “...Great. Press the red button while you’re talking, and let it go while you’re not.”

Youmu pressed the red button. “Lady Eirin. Nice to meet you for the first time. Me and Akyuu found Koishi. They’re just talking it out now, in private.”

“...I see. That’s a start, at least. Youmu, I need to tell all three of you something. Reisen’s got news, and absolutely none of it’s good.”

---

“...Koishi. Can I ask you something?” The satori nodded, looking over at Akyuu. “...That dream of Akyuu’s… you saw it, right?”

Koishi thought back. To the figure in emerald light. “Yeah. I saw it. I’ve seen all her visions, except the first, I think.”

Akyuu looked up. For whatever reason, Youmu seemed to be doing a lap of the sky or something. “...If so… can you help her figure it out?”

Koishi looked at her. “...what do you mean?”

The red eyes turned down, into the canal. “...She’s freaking out about them. She’s getting closer to remembering her own death. I… I don’t want her to go through that.”

Koishi nodded, slowly. “I… don’t want that either.” The rabbit smiled. “...But how can I help?”

Akyuu turned to her. “...Is it as scary for you to remember what you saw, as it is for her?” Koishi shook her head. “Then… maybe you can remember for her. Pull the pieces out she can’t.”

The satori tilted her head. “...do you think I can do it?”

The rabbit gave her a thumbs up. “I seem to recall your sister doing some detective work in our time. Maybe you can be the same… or something similar, at least.” The chronicler grinned. “Even one thing you can spot in Youmu’s memories, that she doesn’t have to go through herself… might be enough to save the whole world. Bet some people would change their tunes with that, huh?”

Koishi… blinked. “Me? Save… the world?” The rabbit nodded emphatically. She was serious, too, already drafting a puff piece in her head. Trying to make up for her own mistake.

...Right. Her mistakes. Satori was going to be so mad, and if they found out about her coming here-

Akyuu looked out, turning her head. "...If there's one thing I've learned from going through this... it's that making a mistake is one thing, but if you just run away from it, you can never make it better... or even fix it. It's not over until the fat lady sings."

...Well. That certainly knocked Koishi's gloomy mood off-course, even if she wasn't sure it was Akyuu seeming to read her mind, or that bizarre saying.

She looked down, thinking. Something that only Youmu could remember... something that only Koishi would know.

“...Um. About that last dream of Youmu’s. Right at the end, there was a new person-”

“GIRLS!” The two young youkai jumped, turning to look at the sudden entrance. Youmu landed next to them, kneeling down.

Her face was deadly serious, and her thoughts even more so. “We have a problem. Akyuu, can you put up a sound-cancelling barrier?”

The rabbit gave a weak non-committal gesture. “I can put up a sound-dampening barrier. I’m not as good as my sister, yet. Will that work, if we keep our voices down?”

A voice Koishi didn’t recognise came in through the device. “It’ll have to. Gather around young Koishi, and keep your voices down.”

“The tengu are making their move.”

The three of them huddled close. Youmu kept her wings around the other two, particularly their heads, staring at the device.

Akyuu had fiddled with its settings until it was ‘talking’ much more quietly. When she’d done that, a hazy, translucent bubble had formed around the group, just within Youmu’s wings. She’d had to lean her head in a bit - getting her ears right on the bubble itself was not a pleasant experience. “Okay, we’re ready, Lady Eirin. What’s the situation? What are the Tengu doing?”

“They’ve gotten a tipoff. That the Immaterial Samurai is on the surface.” Youmu felt a drop of sweat trickle down her cheek. “...And that alone would be a problem.”

“...Why is that?” Koishi asked, hesitancy in her voice.

“Because the fact that the Immaterial Children are being found is known, but the fact that they’ve become Youkai is not.” That response came from Akyuu. “Because, in the case of… basically all of us except maybe Marisa and Youmu? That’d be a huge problem if we were discovered.”

The communicator spoke up again. “We’re trying to make sure we know what they’ve all become before we say anything concrete about it.” Akyuu nodded. “And that’s not even the biggest problem. What’s the bigger problem is what they’ve been given to identify you by.”

Youmu took a deep breath. “What features have they used to describe me? My white hair? My feathers?”

“No. That’s the twisted part of this.” The communicator seemed to take a moment to choose its words. “The tipoff’s worded very specifically. And it doesn’t describe Youmu at all.”

---

Satori took a deep breath, clutching at her heart. She took a moment that Okuu guessed was to recall the exact words she read.

“The tipoff was ‘the Immaterial Samurai is traveling with a green-haired, green-eyed satori’. In other words… the tipoff is really about Koishi.”

“WHAT?!” Orin was on her feet in moments. “WHAT THE HELL?!”

Okuu looked over at her, confused. “I-isn’t that just the truth though? What’s so scary about that?”

The hashihime sighed. “You really are a birdbrain, aren’t you? The problem isn’t that it’s a lie, the problem is that it’s a secret. Koishi only came up here because people didn’t know she was a satori. If it comes out she is one… then it’s going to be even less pleasant here for her than it is on the surface.”

Okuu whimpered as the implications hit her. Youki folded his arms, humming. “That’s… beyond troubling, it’s targeted. Assuming our understanding of events is correct… Nobody who knew that Koishi was traveling with her wouldn’t know what Youmu looked like.”

Satori nodded. “And there’s other problems, too. If it’s discovered that Koishi came up here… it’s pretty much instantly a scandal. And… it’s not like Youmu can just reveal herself, either.”

---

“Why not?!” Youmu demanded in her most fierce whisper. “Couldn’t I at least get them off her trail?!”

Akyuu shook her head, fiercely. “You can’t! If they discover you’re here, they’ll know the tipoff was true! And if they find out you’re Chireiden’s pet, it’s pretty obvious who the satori in question is.”

Koishi shuddered, pulling on her hat. “No, no, no, no, no…”

Eirin spoke up again. “In short, you both need to get out of here - Youmu unidentified, Koishi all-but-unseen - to avoid any issues.”

Youmu grit her teeth, taking a deep breath. “...Okay. Fine. I get it.” She turned to Akyuu. “Can you conjure up an illusion to help? Or can we get Reisen in?”

Akyuu’s head-shaking went from fierce to grim. “...I wish I could say I could. I can do some mind trickery on individuals, but I’m not good enough at illusions to hide another person, let alone two, and tengu have plenty of information-gathering abilities that circumvent it, regardless. Like spirit photography, or telegnosis, or just good noses.”

The communicator only concurred with grim tidings. “Reisen’s trying to help from where she is, conjuring green-haired illusions to scatter the tengu. But she’s gotten too far from you all to help quickly, and many tengu are faster, regardless - it’ll be hard to meet up again subtly, and many of the same problems apply.”

Youmu gulped. “So… we’re stuck like this? Can anyone come to help?”

---

Satori paced. “That’s the trickiest part. Pretty much any of us who go in either reveals people from Former Hell are coming up, or reveals Youmu is in - the same thing, with extra steps.”

Parsee looked up. “Well, on the ‘bright’ side, if it can be called that… it’s gonna get pretty hectic, I think. The tengu are not working together, they’re competing for the scoop of a century. And the other youkai won’t take something this brazen lying down. There’s gonna be brawls in the streets.”

Okuu looked out. Already, she could see one of said brawls, between a crow tengu and the kappa that had been at the gates. Or the Yamawaro. The green one, that one.

She looked up. “Unyuu… I’d hate to be the one who has to sort this all out…”

---

The two otters peeked out from under the awning. The lamprey saleswoman had said something about a green-haired customer, and now three tengu had cornered her, peppering her with questions.

“...Do you wanna be the one that tells the young mistress?”

“I vote for the ‘slide a note under her door and run’ strategy.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

---

Youmu groaned. “Chaos might make it doable, but… it’s still going to be a mess. No coordination just means a tengu could pop up at any time.”

Koishi looked up. “...But there’s another option, isn’t there?” The two turned to her. “I-if I’m discovered, then… I won’t have anywhere left to go, anyways. So-”

Both of the pets spoke in unison. “NO.” Akyuu was the one that continued. “Whoever did this… they either want to hurt you, or they don’t care that they might if we fail to escape. At the very least, we’re not going to let that happen.”

Youmu rubbed Koishi’s shoulder. “I'll find them myself, if I have to, once we're safe here. We won’t let them win. I promise you that. No matter how sticky the situation looks, we’ll... find a… way…”

She paused, reaching into her pocket. And pulled Suwako’s badge.

---

“An… earth goddess?” Okuu tilted her head. “What’s this Soo-Wacko person like?”

Orin tilted her head. “She’s one of the two gods of a shrine on Youkai Mountain. Youmu seemed to have a relatively favorable impression of her.”

Satori nodded. “It extended to her past life, too. And Suwako gave Youmu a token of her power - a way to contact her, and get her aid.”

Youki rubbed his chin. “Suwako… she has the ability to shape the earth. To swim through it, even. If she could even just take this young Koishi out…”

Okuu grinned. “...Then there’s no problem, is there!” The hell-raven beamed. “They can get past the tengu, at least!”

“So I guess I’m just in on this crackpot stuff, now?” Parsee’s voice was gruff, but concern did lurk in its shade. “...It lines up, sure, but what if this is her trap? After all, isn’t she the corpse-carter who pulled us to the surface in the first place? Maybe all this was set up by her?”

Youki considered it. “...Speaking as someone who knows Suwako personally… no. Going off Koishi’s description alone? Targeting a young lass like her in such a cruel way, just to set off a trap… is absolutely unthinkable for her.”

The hell-raven looked up at him. “A girl… like Lady Koishi?”

Satori nodded. “Not to mention… There’s other reasons, too. After all, she plans to build a relationship with Chireiden.”

---

“Wouldn’t this work just to curry favor?” Akyuu asked. “Make a problem, and magically you already have the solution?”

Eirin considered it, but responded to the negative. “The problem is that Chireiden is lead by mind-readers, and this is an extremely personal attack on them. And if your previous loop is anything to go by, they want to give what amounts to nuclear weaponry to one of the pets of Chireiden.”

Youmu nodded. “Two, actually. And yeah… one way or another, we all know how powerful Nuclear Okuu can be. You don’t plan to give that to someone, and then drive the young lady of their residence to… this.” She turned to Koishi. “For that matter… did anyone convince you to come up here?”

Koishi shook her head. “I… didn’t really need convincing. …It was all just my own stupid idea.”

Youmu rubbed her chin. “Though… admittedly, I can’t think of many other people who’d have a chance to know Koishi came up. You’d have to see the future or something, wouldn’t you?”

Akyuu’s face hardened. “...There may be such a person. Two, in fact, according to Reimu’s account. And they have a reputation for telling half-prophecies, as well.” Youmu raised an eyebrow, but Akyuu waved it off. “Not the time, I think.”

The white hell-raven continued. “...And the one meeting I had with her today… well, she told me to disguise myself as a Makaian, and it worked just fine. She could have very easily given me dodgy advice, or just gone along with my tengu plan.”

Koishi tilted her head. “...Then what’s the catch?”

Youmu shrugged. “We’d have to ask her to see if there is one. She certainly didn’t make it sound like there is one, and if someone’s used whatever her intentions were in sending me to the surface against us, she might be amenable to negotiation even if there is one. She definitely can be hard to predict, but…” Youmu stared at the talisman. “This might be our best chance, by a long shot, of getting out of here.”

Akyuu looked at the talisman. “...It’s your call, Youmu. You’ve probably got the best idea what to go with here.”

[ ] Try to sneak out without being spotted. It was risky, but...
[ ] Use the badge. Protecting Koishi was the top priority.

---

I don't need to tell you which one of these leads to the path you've got the strike on, right?
The reason I turned the previous write-in about using the badge into a vote was because the very next vote was going to be when the question was officially popped. Had it won there, I'd have skipped this vote.

[1] Try to sneak out without being spotted.
[22] Use the badge. Protecting Koishi was the top priority.

There wasn’t even a moment of doubt.

Youmu gripped the badge, tightly. “Lady Suwako? I’ve got to call on that favor.”

There was a long pause. Youmu felt sweat trickle down her face. “Lady Suwako? We need your help. If you don’t… Koishi is going to be in danger.”

That seemed to bring a small reaction. “Mmmmh?” …It was an oddly lethargic noise.

Youmu took a moment to compose her thoughts. “We’ve got… Tengu coming for us. Technically for me, but… the only hints they’ve been given relate to Koishi. We think she’s the one being targeted.”

“...What?!” That immediately got a bigger response. “Who the hell-rnnng, if it’s that blondie, why would she… not the time.” The badge vibrated in Youmu’s hand. “Right, I’m not far. I’ll be there shortly.”

“Sounds good. We’ll be waiting, Lady Suwako.” Youmu sat back, pulling her wing around Koishi to comfort her. She looked over at the other two. “Seems like we have a couple minutes. Let’s just sit tight, alright?”

Akyuu gave Koishi a reassuring rub on her shoulder. “I’m sure it’ll be okay, Koishi.” …After a moment, she tilted her head. “That interaction was a bit weird, though, wasn’t it?”

Youmu shrugged. “My first interaction was pretty weird with her too. Felt like she was having a big joke at my expense.” Akyuu tilted her head at that. “...What?”

At length, the chronicler sighed. “Ah, it’s probably nothing. Just a business face, maybe.” Koishi looked between them, but seemed to hold her tongue. Youmu gave another shrug, and settled down to wait.

It wasn’t much longer they had to wait before the frog goddess emerged from the ground next to Youmu. She was pulling her hat down at the front, as she emerged. “Alright. Tell me what the problem is, and how I can help.”

Youmu bowed. “There’s Tengu who are nominally looking for me, but the big clue they’ve been given is that I’m traveling with Koishi.” She saw the goddess grit her teeth. “We need to get out of town without being seen.”

Suwako growled. “...Have a bad feeling I know who tipped them off. Alright, that’s an easy fix in terms of immediate safety. I’ll just get you out under the ground, and take you back to the cave entrance you came from, okay?”

Akyuu hopped up. “Sounds great!” The goddess tilted her head in Akyuu’s direction. “...Though… I guess this means this is where we part ways, huh?”

Youmu nodded. “Guess so. Lady Suwako… we can’t thank you enough.”

Koishi looked at Suwako… her face turning to one of concern. Quietly, she bowed before the goddess. Suwako looked her up and down… before reaching out and placing a hand on her head.

She spoke in a gentle, low voice. “...Poor thing. You’ve had a bad time of it, haven’t you?” The goddess sighed. “Perhaps we’ll have to arrange a convincing disguise for next time.”

The satori looked at Suwako, seeming to debate something. “Lady Suwako… are you okay?”

The goddess took a shuddering breath. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll be okay. Nothing I’m not used to.”

Youmu turned to Akyuu. “Akyuu… I’m sorry to cut this short, but…”

The younger rabbit nodded. “For now, just keep that device with you, alright? At least then, next time you come to the surface, I’ll know.”

“...Right.” She turned to Suwako. “Lady Suwako… why did you call me to the surface?”

The goddess hesitated. “...I wanted you to meet your friend quicker. And beyond that… don’t worry about it. What I expected to happen, happened.” She nodded, slowly. “And seeing how bad those flashbacks have been treating you has only confirmed pushing you further is a bad idea.”

Youmu was about to ask, but the Moriya goddess raised her hand. “You should say your goodbyes. It might be a while before you see each other again.” Youmu’s wings sagged, and she turned to her friend again.

“...I guess this is it, then.”

The ex-Hieda chuckled. “Yes, I guess it is. Say hi to your grandpa for me, will you? I’m sure he’s been waiting for you for a long, long time.”

The hell-raven nodded. “And you better plan meetings with all the other families you haven’t told yet-”

Akyuu sighed dramatically. “The Kirisames and the Motooris, yes.” Youmu glared at her. “...And the Hiedas. I’ll make sure everyone knows their daughters are coming home.”

Youmu smiled. “I’ll see if anyone’s down in Former Hell with me. We’ve got three of us now, we’re over the half-way mark. And so far, everyone’s kept their old name, right?” Akyuu nodded. “It won’t be long until everyone’s here.”

The rabbit grinned back. “Yep! Only two more until the quintet’s complete.” She clapped her hands together. “Next time you’re up, I’ll have to give you some dango me and Reisen made.”

“We’ll prep a big feast when we’re all together.” Youmu started to think. “I’ll have to see if anyone else’s tastes have changed.”

The rabbit chuckled. “A little party at the Hakurei Shrine sounds like a plan to m-”

Suwako snapped her fingers, fixing a single, irritated eye at them. “If you are quite done, rabbit, it’s time to go. The tengu could be here any minute.”

Youmu nodded, walking over to Koishi. The satori was looking between the other three around her, as if debating on saying something.

Suwako snapped her fingers, and a small square cut formed in the earth around them. Like a platform, it began to sink. “Now, Youmu, Koishi… I’m sorry your day is going to end so abruptly, but… I can only apologize for my own impatience. Please, have a nice rest. You deserve it.”

Akyuu gave a wave. “Talk to you again, Koishi! Have a nice time, okay?”

The satori swiveled her head between the three of them. At last, she started to say something. “A-ahhh, wait-”

Youmu stumbled at a sudden lurch of the ground beneath them. The cup that had been formed in the earth seemed to be moving beneath the surface - after the initial acceleration, the only indicator of movement was the changing ceiling of their box. She looked over, to see Koishi had fallen flat, and her hat had dropped off.

The satori’s eyes were wide, shrunk to pinpricks. “Nonononono! Go back! Go back!”

Youmu moved up next to her. “Koishi? What’s wrong?”

She turned to Youmu, her face ashen. “Akyuu - Akyuu’s in danger!”

---

Akyuu watched, as the ground resettled itself. There was always a fascinatingly fluid quality to earth Suwako was moving.

She grinned at the goddess. “Guessing you pushed away Koishi early so she couldn’t see why you’re in a funk, huh?”

The goddess took a moment to respond. “...How far away do you think she’d have to be to prevent that?”

“About… thirty ken, I guess?” Akyuu shrugged. “But hey, if there’s anything you wanna talk about, I can keep a secret.”

“Oh, you can, can you? Seems to be a lot of people keeping secrets these days.” The goddess’ voice dripped with sarcasm. Akyuu just rolled her eyes. “You here on your own, rabbit?”

“Ah, Reisen got stalled out making decoys to protect Koishi. I’m sure she’ll be over soon. ...Oh, right, I was curious.” The chronicler leaned over Suwako’s shoulder. “Lady Suwako, I heard you got into a fight with Kanako last night? If you don’t mind me asking, what was that about?”

There was a pause. Akyuu looked at the smaller girl, squatting down a bit to get a look at her eye. It almost looked like she’d been cr-

The goddess turned, and Akyuu felt a grip of stone close around her throat. “You wanna know why?! Because the one thing I’ve been trying to find, for over a fucking decade, she decided to keep from me! That answer your curiosity, vermin?”

Akyuu tried to pull at the fingers. “C-can’t… breathe…”

Suwako let go, but when Akyuu tried to stumble back, her feet were sucked into the earth. “And you know what? I’ve had enough of Kanako’s secrets, the official half truths, and your brazen fucking lies.” She squatted down, grabbing the sinking rabbit by the ear. “So how about we have a little pow-wow, eh? One where we put eeeeeeeeverything on the table?”

Akyuu gasped. “L-Lady Suwako, I-I don’t know what you’re talking abo-” The goddess slammed her head into the fluid pavement, causing it to splash like water. Some survival instinct managed to grit the rabbit’s teeth in time, preventing her mouth being filled with the mud-like dirt.

“Now, now, no need to discuss it here.” Suwako gave a vicious grin. “Let’s go somewhere a little more… private, shall we? I know a perfect little place, just past the Chireiden pair’s destination. A nice, secluded little grove with no interruptions… and no witnesses.”

Akyuu heard the goddess chuckle as the dark earth swallowed them both.

---

koishie is safe! <3

Next thread will start with the next update.