"Haa..."

Youmu slowly opens her eyes. She doesn't know how long she has been in the bath, but she can't stay here forever.

'A bath and a fresh change of clothes' Komachi had said. If the shinigami hadn't arrived that time, who knows what would have happened? Youmu didn't even realize that Vincent had fallen unconscious. At the time, she was completely helpless. Too many things happened, and too quickly. Even now, she doesn't really understand how she felt during the whole incident. Emotions she never felt before, pulling tightly at her chest, and the feeling of his hands against her body.

"..."

Youmu shivers as she recalls the alien sensations, probing and rough. She never thought that Vincent would suddenly do such... strange things to her. And his eyes. There was something wrong with his eyes when he grabbed her like that. Somehow, they looked too clear, not unlike the glass eyes of a puppet or a doll. Yet, there was certainly something familiar about them. Like she has seen this before, somewhere.

Youmu slowly turns to face her companion in the bath.

"Where have I seen those eyes before?" she asks.

"..."

"It's like he knew exactly what he was doing," she says. "Even more than he usually does. Or rather, he was acting completely different from his usual, half-hearted self."

"..."

"I never thought that he could be so barbaric..."

"..."

"O-of course I didn't enjoy it! He was so rough and uncivilized!"

"..."

"I-I don't care what you think! That stupid guy can go to hell, for all I care!"

"..."

"Well... maybe not that far, but I'll still punish him painfully for that!"

"..."

Youmu sighs heavily as she looks away from the skull. Sinking herself lower into the bath, she slowly recalls the events. Starting from a minor misunderstanding, it suddenly turned into some weird chase.

But weirder still was that he was able to catch up to her at all. No human could have possibly done that. And reacting so quickly... it's as if he read her every move. Not even the shrine maiden or the black-white could surpass her speed so easily. And no ordinary swordsman could ever overpower her attacks like that. No one except...

Her eyes widen in realization. Suddenly, she remembers.

Vincent was fighting like her father.

...

Vincent's coat and other belongings were left in his room. Komachi said that she will be returning around dinner time. She never said where she took Vincent. Chen was still asleep in a guest room the last time she saw her. She will probably have to come up with some story for the nekomata. And Lady Yuyuko hasn't returned from her walk yet. She needs to tell her about the incident right away.

After dressing herself in a fresh set of clothes, Youmu slowly steps out into the hallways. She pauses to think.

[ ] Head to the kitchen and start preparing dinner.
[ ] Look around for Yuyuko in the garden.
[ ] Search Vincent's room for clues.
[ ] Check up on Chen at her room.
[ ] Go to your room and think.
[ ] Patrol around the grounds.
[ ] Wander around aimlessly.
[ ] Custom