Loading User Commands:
[X] Quickly move toward the farthest part of the bath and try to hide.
[X] Replace the skull inside your ghost half.

---

Suddenly, Youmu hears footsteps approaching from outside. She gasps silently when she realizes that she left her towel near the washing area. Her clothes and weapons are back in the changing room. She can't cover herself up without leaving the water.

"D-damn!" whispers the half-ghost.

She looks around for other options, but there aren't any. This is bad. She glances at the skull is lying exposed nearby. Carefully, she stuffs it back inside her ghost half. She can't let anyone get suspicious of this inconvenient misunderstanding.

"Thud!"

Youmu jumps slightly. That sounds like a sliding door. Seems like someone just entered the changing room. From this distance, she can't tell who it is. But she probably only has a few minutes before the person comes inside.

Perhaps she can just stay put and wait for the person to arrive. After all, she has bathed together with Lady Yuyuko and the others in the past. Doesn't look like she has enough time to grab a towel or sneak into the changing room either. Shouting at the person is simply rude. This is a large mixed bath area designed to hold a number of guests.

"..."

Wait a minute. This is a mixed bath...

"Ah!" she squeaks.

This is a mixed bath, so that might be Vincent coming inside. Just the thought of him seeing her naked turns her face bright crimson. S-she can't let that happen! It would be completely inappropriate and embarrassing!

Youmu moves toward the farthest corner of the bath as quickly as she can. As she approaches, she carefully thinks about how best to hide. There are a few large stone statues lying in the water near the back. Lady Yuyuko added them as decorations a while back, though the half-ghost must question her taste.

One particularly strange carving is that of a female knight of Medieval Europe. She is dressed in heavy plate armor, and she has an intimidating and confident expression upon her face. But instead of a sword, she seems to be holding a knife and fork in her hands. Engraved on the bottom is a single word: "Rival".

Youmu quickly hides herself behind this statue, as it is the largest one in the bath. She lowers her head as much as possible, keeping everything below her nose under the water. Maybe if she stays still and silent, the person won't even notice that she came inside.

In a few moments, she hears a single pair of footsteps walking around the washing area. The half-ghost stays completely still as she listens to the sounds of the person washing up. Finally, she hears a soft splash as the person enters the bath water.

"..."

[ ] Stay completely still and silent.
[ ] Slowly take a peek at the person.
[ ] Come up with a diversion to escape.
[ ] Try to sneak away while the person is relaxing.
[ ] Hold your breath and hide yourself completely under the water.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Head for the bath to clean yourself up and relax a bit.

---

"Get it together, Youmu," the half-ghost whispers to herself. "This isn't like you."

A glance around the dojo tells her than no one else is around. Besides the occasional friendly spirit, the mansion is generally devoid of anyone besides Lady Yuyuko and herself. It has been this way for as long as she could remember. However, she feels like something important is missing.

Strange. She has never felt this way before. At this moment, the dojo seems like such a lonely place. This doesn't make any sense. It has always been just her and Lady Yuyuko. While irritating at times, she must agree that she was content and happy here (though she would never admit that openly). Why then? Why is it?

Why does this place feels so empty right now?

After a few minutes of pondering, Youmu stands herself up. She must just be confused right now. Those dreams are starting to get to her. They can't possibly mean anything important. However real they were, dreams are dreams. While similar in some ways, that man she saw can't possibly be Vincent. The two are far too different. Maybe the stress of handling the new guest is affecting her. Yep, that must be it. She needs to relax and clear her head. She has to find a place where she can forget about everything for a moment and focus. Some privacy would be nice as well.

"The bath should be empty," mutters Youmu.

Only the sound of the cicadas in the garden can be heard as she heads for the baths side of the mansion.

...

"O-ouch!" cries Youmu as she tests the temperature of the water. It seems a little bit too hot for her preference. She sucks her finger tenderly as she waits for the bath water to cool down.

The half-ghost heads to the tap to scrub herself while waiting. She does so absent-mindedly, enjoying the sensation on her skin. After cleaning herself, she pulls her ghost half near the tap to wash it as well. While spirits don't really get dirty, the feeling of the water flowing over her ghost half is quite enjoyable. She strokes it carefully, making sure to clean the object she hid inside it as well.

After washing herself, Youmu lowers herself into the bath water, which has started to reach a comfortable temperature. The half-ghost relaxes as she sits herself down. She then pulls the skull out of her ghost half and looks at it thoughtfully.

"So, what are you grinning about?" she says threateningly. "I don't see anything that looks especially funny."

"..."

"W-what are you talking about? What kind of question is that?"

"..."

"I always take good care of my hair, a-and not just because we have guests!"

"..."

"Like him? Well, I don't really hate him, but I don't know..."

"..."

"D-damn! Stop looking at me like that!"

"..."

"I-I know they aren't that big... you don't have to say it out loud!"

"..."

"Hmph!"

Youmu puts the skull down on the floor nearby and faces it away from her. Somehow, she just doesn't feel like continuing this conversation. Instead, she simply stares at the ceiling as she enjoys the warm water. Several minutes pass, and soon she is able to clear her mind a bit. She can hear herself breathing calmly, her chest moving in and out under the water.

Suddenly, she hears footsteps approaching from outside.

Youmu gasps silently as she realizes that she left her towel near the washing area. Her clothes and weapons are in the changing room, so she can't reach them without running out of the water. The skull is the only thing nearby.

[ ] Don't say anything. Just stay in the water and wait.
[ ] Quickly move toward the farthest part of the bath and try to hide.
[ ] Make a break for the towel and wrap it around you.
[ ] Run for the changing room and try to get changed.
[ ] Shout at the the person and tell him/her that someone is already inside.
[ ] Custom

The skull is out in the open.
[ ] Replace the skull inside your ghost half.
[ ] Hide the skull in one of the wash basins.
[ ] Submerge it in the bath water.
[ ] Leave the skull where it is.

Loading User Commands:
[X] Head to the dojo and do some practice swings.

---

Lady Yuyuko starts walking back to the dining room before half-ghost can reply. Youmu opens her mouth, as if to argue, but at the end, she closes it. If the ghost princess wants to keep secrets, then she can't do much about it. She certainly can't force Lady Yuyuko to talk. In any case, this topic is already dead.

"Love grows sweeter with time," says Yuyuko suddenly. "Take it easy~"

The half-ghost turns completely red this time.

"W-what? Don't misunderstand this!" cries Youmu. "I-It's not like I care about that violent idiot anyway..."

The ghost princess only giggles as she continues walking.

"I'm not falling for him," she mumbles in protest to no one particular. "No, it's not that..."

She closes her eyes for a moment, remembering the strange dreams of the past few days.

"He is just... familiar somehow," whispers Youmu to herself.

By the time she opens her eyes, the ghost princess is nowhere in sight. Her gluttonous mistress must be feasting on the food already. Really, now! Yuyuko is far too carefree when it comes to strange and important events. Vincent's disappearance might even be a sign of another incident!

"..."

No. Lady Yuyuko would tell her if something bad happened to him. If anything, she seems to be pushing them to become a couple. As if such a thing could ever happen! It would never work out. Her place is here in the land of the dead, while his is in the realm of mortals. Besides, she can't abandon her duty to the House of Saigyouji. Her father entrusted her with this responsibility before he left on his journey.

"Master," whispers Youmu.

Youki Konpaku left many years ago, leaving her to care for the ghost princess. He never explained his reason, and she never asked. Before anything else, he was her master and teacher. It would be improper to speak out of turn or argue. He must have had his own reasons. As a student of Konpaku swordsmanship, she did what was expected of her. She accepted his last order without question.

But deep inside, underneath the facade, the half-ghost knew her own feelings.

She missed her father.

...

"Haa.. Haa.. Haa..."

Youmu lies on her back as she catches her breath. She feels completely exhausted, and she can barely move. Even her ghost half has grown limp. Seems like she overdid it this time.

Instead of heading back to the dining room, the half-ghost decided that she should do some practice swings at the dojo. Partially to complete her daily training and partially to clear her head, it seemed like a perfectly good idea. Unfortunately, the training only reminded her duel with Vincent.

Before she realized it, she was practicing her most powerful sword techniques as she visualized a rematch. For some strange reason, she kept imagining him as not only keeping up with her speed, but completely blocking her every attack. She could even visualize his confident smirk as he toys with her. The ghost hunter could easily find weaknesses in her own imperfect technique.

"..."

Slowly, Youmu sits herself up and wipes the sweat off her brow. This is getting ridiculous. Why is she getting so worked up anyway? She only met the damn idiot a couple of days ago and not in the best circumstances.

When she tried to help him, that fool knocked her out, tied her up and gagged her. He even found a way to place a sealing barrier on her ghost half's core. Where Vincent learned such a complex technique, she would never know. If it weren't for the seal, she would have beaten him senseless by now. But why is it, then?

Why is it that she feels so worried about him?

"Get it together, Youmu," she whispers to herself. "This isn't like you."

The half-ghost forces herself to stand. A glance tells her that no one else is in the dojo.

[ ] Head for the bath to clean yourself up and relax a bit.
[ ] Return to the dining room and have some breakfast.
[ ] Investigate the guest room where Vincent was staying.
[ ] Wander aimlessly around the grounds for a while.
[ ] Go back to your room and prepare to leave Hakugyokurou.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Custom

---

"He's not here?" says Yuyuko. "Now isn't that strange~"

The ghost princess gives Youmu an enigmatic smile as she speaks those words. She licks her lips as she waits for the half-ghost to react. Yuyuko seems to be enjoying this, for some reason.

But this half-ghost hasn't the time for these foolish games.

"Very well," says Youmu. "We are going to search for Vincent together."

The half-ghost sneers at Yuyuko coldly.

"No one eats until we find him," she adds.

"W-what? Wait, are you serious? Y-you can't do that!" cries Yuyuko.

She grabs Yuyuko's wrist and pulls her closer. The ghost princess gasps slightly in surprise. Her deep maroon eyes meet Youmu's icy blue gaze.

"Lady Yuyuko," says Youmu. "You know something. I can feel it."

"Err... I haven't a clue to what you are talking about~" returns Yuyuko.

Youmu tightens her grip slightly as she takes a few careful breaths before speaking.

"Where is he?" she asks sternly.

"I-I said that I don't know," replies the ghost princess. "S-stop it! Don't look at me like that!"

"Please," whispers Youmu.

"..."

Yuyuko sighs heavily as she gently pulls away from the half ghost. She straightens up her kimono carefully before she speaks.

"Ara~ I didn't expect you to worry about him this much," she says.

Youmu feels herself blushing, but she stays silent.

"Vincent is fine," Yuyuko continues. "At least, he should be. Humans like that don't die very easily."

"Where is he?" repeats Youmu.

A moment of silence passes between the two.

"I don't know exactly," replies the princess of ghosts. "But wherever he is, I'm sure that he is being useful to Gensokyo. A hero must go to where he is needed, after all."

Yuyuko pauses for a moment, as if remembering some distant memory.

"In fact, he sort of reminds me of -"

Suddenly, she shakes her head.

"Never mind," says Yuyuko, a fresh smile upon her face. "You don't have to worry about him right now. So let's go back and have breakfast~"

The ghost princess starts walking back to the dining room before Youmu can reply. The half-ghost opens her mouth to protest, but then closes it. She understands that Yuyuko won't say anything more than this. The conversation is already over.

[ ] Join Lady Yuyuko for breakfast.
[ ] Examine the guest room carefully.
[ ] Take a walk around the grounds for a while.
[ ] Head to the dojo and do some practice swings.
[ ] Return to your room and clear your head.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Wait patiently. Make sure Yuyuko doesn't start until everyone is here.

---

Youmu sits quietly as she gathers her thoughts. Somehow, she has a bad feeling about this. But it must be her imagination. If evil spirits tried to attack Hakugyokurou, she would feel their presence. In fact, she doesn't feel any foreign presence in the mansion at all.

"Let's eat~" says Yuyuko as she clasps her hands together. A pair of chopsticks in her hands, she makes for some meat. But before she can grab a piece, the whole dish disappears from beneath her chopsticks.

"You can't eat yet," Youmu says coldly. "It is unbecoming of a lady to start before everyone is at the table."

Yuyuko looks up at Youmu with damp, tear-filled eyes.

"B-but I'm huuuuungry!" the ghost princess cries.

"No," replies Youmu sternly. After giving Yuyuko a harsh glance, she replaces the dish on the table.

...

Ten minutes pass. Youmu glances idly at the empty seat across them.

"Can we start now?" whispers Yuyuko. "I'm starving! If I don't eat something, I'm gonna die!"

"Ghosts do not die when they are killed," returns Youmu.

...

Twenty minutes pass. Yuyuko starts shifting in her seat uneasily.

"Huuuungry... huuuungry... aaaauuuu..." she whines.

Youmu promptly ignores the ghost princess.

...

Thirty minutes pass. Even Youmu is starting to get irritated.

"Maybe he died in his sleep," says Yuyuko. "So let's just have breakfast already~"

"..."

Suddenly, Youmu stands up. She grabs hold of Yuyuko's hand as she walks out of the dining room.

"I'm going to check his room," says Youmu. "You're coming with me. I'm not letting you eat anything until everyone arrives."

Yuyuko sobs silently, but she allows the half-ghost to drag her across the mansion. Vincent's room isn't very far, so they arrive in a few minutes. Youmu calls out for him politely, telling him that breakfast is ready, but no one answers. Curious, she slowly slides open the door to peek.

"..."

"He's not here?" says Yuyuko. "How strange."

Yuyuko gives her an enigmatic smile as she says those words.

Youmu pauses to think.
[ ] Return to the kitchen and eat without him.
[ ] Examine his things and look for clues.
[ ] Search the mansion grounds for him.
[ ] Ask Lady Yuyuko about his whereabouts.
[ ] Custom

[X] Inventory
A long sword named "Roukanken". This blade can kill ten spirits in one stroke.
A sword named "Hakurouken". This blade can dispel the confusion of those it cuts, but it can only be used by the Konpaku family.
A black hair ribbon. You feel naked without it.
A skull wrapped in some cloth. To avoid trouble, you are hiding it inside your ghost-half.

Loading User Commands:
[X] Japanese

---

"When's breakfast? I'm huuungry!"

Youmu sighs as she carries the food toward the dining room. Her gluttonous mistress must be satiated, after all. The half-ghost shivers slightly as a chilly breeze passes.

"It's a bit cold today," she mutters. Despite being part ghost, she still prefers warmer weather.

There is a thick fog around the grounds this morning, but nothing especially unusual. A few ghosts are floating lazily near the mansion. They don't seem to be causing a disturbance, but she better shoo them away later, just in case.

"..."

Youmu pauses to stare at the dreary grey sky. She has been having some very strange dreams ever since Vincent arrived. And for some reason, the outsider swordsman seems familiar. But she can't recall seeing him anywhere else. In any case, she still doesn't trust the man. Though some small part of her really wants to..

"Breakfast! Breakfast! I'm gonna die, uwaaa!"

The half-ghost sighs deeply as she enters the dining room. Yuyuko is quite impatient about the food, as is her custom. In any case, it takes slightly longer to prepare a Japanese-style breakfast for three.

"Here it is," says Youmu. She carefully puts down the dishes before taking her seat.

Yuyuko inhales the aroma of the food with a smile.

"Ah, it smells great~" she says sweetly. "It makes me feel so alive."

Youmu simply gives her a nod as she looks around the room.

"Vincent hasn't arrived yet," says Yuyuko in response. The half-ghost feels herself blush at the words, but she says nothing.

Strange. Their guest seems to be missing.

[ ] Start eating without him. He can take care of himself.
[ ] Wait patiently. Make sure Yuyuko doesn't start until everyone is here.
[ ] Head to his room and call him. He should have breakfast with everyone.
[ ] Excuse yourself and walk around the grounds. You need time to think.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Continue walking.

---

Ordinary humans cannot defeat the ancient evils that have been awakened. Certain death awaits those foolish enough to try. Worse still, the brave souls who fall often return to haunt the living as ghouls and revenants. None have returned alive from the towns that have fallen to their demonic influence.

But he is different. He is one of the few who carry the bloodline of the sword. The things he cannot cut are next to none. Even the most vile and powerful creatures will fall by his blade.

She follows silently behind him, knowing that this is the right choice. Even if he is fated never to return.

Her heart aches painfully at the thought.

...

"This is the border," he says. "Beyond it, your safety can't be guaranteed. The barrier only extends up to this point."

"..."

He was never good with words, and he never needed to be. But at this moment, he wished he could lift this girl's sorrow. He opens his mouth slowly as he thinks of something to say. But in the end, he says nothing.

The swordsman nods at the girl slowly before turning around to leave. He can feel her watching him. Waiting for him.

He does not turn around as a single tear rolls down his cheek.

...

She stood at the edge of the border, watching him walk away. Carrying only a small pack and his trusted blades, he headed deep into the dark woods without turning back. A man of valor, indeed, must put the good of others over his own.

But he was not just a man of valor, nor a swordsman. He was the only man she had ever loved. And she must let him go.

As he disappears into the shadows, her legs begin to shake. Finally, they give way, and she kneels down on the ground. Slowly, she begins to weep.

She did not tell him. She could not tell him.

In the first place, it was supposed to be impossible for such a thing to happen. It went against both the laws of nature and man. But it did happen, and only time will tell if this was a blessing or a curse.

She was pregnant.

[ ] Japanese
[ ] Chinese
[ ] Italian
[ ] French
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Go to sleep.

---

"Wait!" she cries out.

He stops, but he doesn't turn around to face her.

"I must go," he says. "This is one duty I cannot abandon."

"But it's dangerous," she says. "You will be killed!"

He smiles gently.

"Then perhaps we can be together in the afterlife."

She lowers her head sadly.

"That chance is next to none," she whispers. "You have no reason to become a ghost like me."

He sighs. Slowly, he turns around to face her.

"Aren't you a good enough reason?" he asks. "We have walked along parallel roads for too long."

"..."

"Besides, I always wondered about how it would be like on the other side," he says carelessly.

"N-no! You can't!" she cries out.

Suddenly, she runs up and grabs him by the chest. She leans her head against him. He begins to hear her sobbing. Gently, he strokes her long silver hair. After a few moments, she finally calms down.

"Don't be a fool!" she whispers. "Life isn't something that can be thrown away so easily!"

"But is my life worth more than those who have already died?" he asks. "How about those who are, at this very moment, fighting for their lives? And how about those who have yet to taste death?"

She looks away sadly.

"You, of all persons, should understand this," he whispers. "I cannot watch as others die because I refused to take responsibility."

A forlorn silence passes between them.

"Your moment will be my eternity," she whispers.

He looks at her with a sad smile as he remembers.

"And your eternity will be my moment," he answers.

He begins walking again, this lovely, lonely spirit following behind him. She does not argue any further. Perhaps she understands that this is his only option. No matter how painful it is, this is the right choice. But his heart aches painfully as they walk. The silence is deafening.

This may be the last time he will see her.

[ ] Kiss her.
[ ] Continue walking.

Loading User Commands:
[X] Have a short chat with Yuyuko.

---

Vincent realizes that Yuyuko is still looking at him, a gentle smile upon her face. She really does have an air of royalty about her, like a princess of some sort, yet she speaks and acts in a most down-to-earth and carefree manner. Her eyes reflect both childlike innocence and ageless wisdom, unlike anything he can remember (which, truthfully, isn't very much, but that is besides the point). And this person is undeniably beautiful, perhaps supernaturally so (he can't help but blush when he looks at her this closely).

But that isn't what stands out most about her. For some reason, he always feels calm around this girl. Even if she is most definitely an unliving ghost, he doesn't sense those chills he gets when he encounters evil spirits. He can't explain it, but she seems familiar for some reason. And he feels safe around her. Safe.

"Yuyuko," he says. "Why is it that I feel so comfortable around you?"

"Ara? Could it be that you finally noticed my charm?" she replies as she moves dangerously close to him. The ghost princess playfully puts a hand on his leg. It feels surprisingly warm.

"N-not exactly," he mutters as he carefully moves her hand away.

"I know that," she says. "I was just teasing you."

Yuyuko sighs in disappointment. Slowly, she looks up at him with a determined, if not slightly sad expression.

"I'm not the one you are in love with," she says.

Vincent looks away and doesn't reply, though he can feel himself blushing. From the side of his eye, he can see Yuyuko stand up. Then, he feels her lean her back against his. She isn't very heavy, and her warmth is comforting, so he doesn't move away. They sit with their backs against each other. The minutes pass in silence as they collect their thoughts.

"Hey, Yuyuko," he mutters.

"Hmm?"

"Want to talk about something?" he says.

"..."

"I guess that I'm not the best conversationalist, but I think it would be nice if -"

"Hey Vincent," she interrupts. "Could you tell me another ghost story?"

"Eh?"

"Youmu doesn't like them much, but I do enjoy a good ghost story," she says.

Vincent can't see it, but he is sure that the ghost princess is smiling again. He, too, smiles thoughtfully as he clears his throat. A moment later, he begins searching his fragmented memories for an interesting tale to tell.

"Well, there was this one time when I was sent to a lone mansion on a privately owned island..."

...

Time passes quickly when one is having fun, and before he knew it, Youmu had come in to call them for dinner. She smiled and nodded at him slightly, but the half-ghost made no other expression of concern during the meal. He finished his story while they were eating, though he made sure to leave out the gruesome parts (he promised Yuyuko that he'd tell the complete version at another time).

After eating, Youmu explained that Chen had to return home, since someone named Ran would be worried if she stayed out late. Komachi flew off, saying that her boss might notice her missing if she isn't careful.

Before he knew it, he found himself bidding the two girls good night. He didn't encounter anything unusual on the way back to his room, thankfully.

Vincent yawns loudly as he closes the door. He feels pretty tired, and it's been a damn long day.

[ ] Explore the mansion.
[ ] Wander around aimlessly.
[ ] Go to sleep.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] "Youmu?"

---

Vincent can hear someone approaching his room. He turns his head toward the sound as the footsteps get louder. The sliding door opens, but he can only see the newcomer's silhouette.

"Youmu?" he asks hesitantly.

The newcomer responds with a light giggle as she covers her face with her fan.

"Sorry to fall short of your expectations," says Yuyuko. "But if you must know, she only left your side a few minutes ago."

The ghost princess walks close to him. Before he can argue, she begins wiping his forehead with a damp piece of cloth. The cool sensation feels quite nice, so he stays still to let her continue.

"You shouldn't worry my little Youmu like that," whispers Yuyuko.

"Youmu? W-what happened?" returns Vincent.

"She said that she found you unconscious after she took me back to my room," replies Yuyuko. "You really should take care of your health. Are you sure that you aren't anemic? Maybe you need medication?"

Her eyes glitter with a hint of mischief when she says the word "medication". While he could use something for a headache, the better part of him thinks that requesting for such a thing will only lead to trouble.

"I'm feeling fine now," he says as he forces a smile. "Good thing that Youmu passed by earlier. She must have noticed during her patrol."

"She wasn't patrolling," says Yuyuko, her face unusually serious. "She said that she heard you cry out for her."

"... huh?" he manages. She was much too far to hear him, if he recalls correctly. Unfortunately, he can't be sure of his own head right now. Maybe he just didn't notice.

"Youmu stayed beside you until just a few minutes ago," she continues. "You didn't have any visible injury or symptom, but she was worried all the same. If I didn't tell her to prepare dinner, she would still be here, looking over you with tearful eyes."

Vincent wonders idly if the ghost princess isn't exaggerating a little bit, but she seems to be speaking sincerely. In any case, he should apologize for worrying the half-ghost unnecessarily.

"Sorry for the trouble," he mutters slowly.

"You should try to stop passing out like this," she says. "While I find it kinda cute, it is really inconvenient for Youmu. That girl is pretty sensitive, after all."

Vincent agrees completely, except for the part about Youmu. That girl is pretty damn tough and strong willed. Sensitive isn't one of the words he would use to describe her.

"..."

He realizes that Yuyuko still seems to be staring at him. She smiles at him gently. Somehow, he feels calm around her.

[ ] Stay silent and wait.
[ ] Have a short chat with Yuyuko.
[ ] Excuse yourself and try to find Youmu.
[ ] Excuse yourself and try to find Chen.
[ ] Excuse yourself and try to find Komachi.
[ ] Custom