Loading User Commands:
[X] My chest.

---

Something hurts. Slowly, the pain begins to register in his brain. His chest really hurts. It feels like something tore him open, sewed him back roughly together, then tore him open again. He involuntarily grits his teeth as the pain grows more lucid.

"This is the end," says a voice before sighing deeply. "I can't carry you any further than this."

Slowly, he opens his eyes. The bright noon sun causes him to squint. Slowly, he recognizes an imposing shadow looming over him. The tall figure is carrying a large scythe. He sighs heavily and closes his eyes again.

"We meet again," he whispers. "I guess that this will be my last visit, at the very least."

"How rude," the shadow says. "It's not like I have a morbid fascination with this kind of work. This is just my job."

"So, my Death," he says without opening his eyes. "What happens next? Is my soul going to be judged or something?"

"Unfortunately, there are some complications," the shadow says. "As much as I want to let you cross over with me, I'll have to dump you right here."

"... What?" he mumbles.

Before he can reply, he feels himself being thrown over the side.

"... W-w-wait! This must be some kind of mis-"

And in the next moment, he finds his mouth full of sand. He quickly spits the sand out as he pushes himself up. The dull gray sand has a nasty gritty taste.

"I'll be back in a few minutes, I just need to finish with this one," says the shadow.

The shadow gives him one last smile before rowing the skiff across the river. He can see a single, glowing wisp floating patiently beside the oarsman. The scene seems so strangely appropriate that he doesn't immediately recognize the girl manning the ferry.

She has bright red eyes and short red hair tied in two places. She is wearing a white dress with a blue vest overtop and a large belt around her slender waist, subtley countouring her shapely figure. There is a large scythe lying on the skiff beside her.

"Komachi?" he mutters aloud.

This doesn't make sense. What was he doi-

"Argh!" he cries out. The pain in his chest grows excrutiating as he tries to remember what happened. After a few moments, he gives up and lies down with his back on the sand.

Slowly, he turns his head. There seem to be a bunch of strange red flowers growing near the shore, but nothing else. He doesn't remember this place, but a glance back at the endless expanse of black water tells him that he must be somewhere along the Sanzu River.

But he can think about that a little later. Exhaustion finally overcomes him, and his vision begins to blur. This is his limit.

...

Something smells good.

Slowly, he opens his eyes. Before he can say anything, someone shoves a spoonful of soup into his mouth. His eyes widen in surprise as he swallows the stuff by reflex.

"At least you are well enough to eat," says a familiar red-haired girl. "You really are something, Vincent. You looked half-dead when I found you."

"K-Komachi? Wait... what?" mumbles Vincent.

Suddenly, he cringes as the pain in his chest grows. Something catches on his left hand. Slowly, he pulls the object closer to his face. It takes him a few moments to recognize it. They look like bloodstained bandages.

"Don't move yet," says Komachi sternly. "I know that you are pretty tough, but your injuries aren't anything to laugh about. Just stay still and let me feed you."

He looks up at the Shinigami with a puzzlement upon his face. His chest hurts, but he doesn't feel that bad. However, she looks pretty worried. Maybe the injury looks worse than it feels.

[ ] Nod slowly and lie back. Let her feed you.
[ ] Force a smile and tell her you can feed yourself.
[ ] Carefully get up and examine your injury.
[ ] Quickly stand up and stretch to show that you feel alright.
[ ] Pretend to pass out in pain.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Draw the blade named "Hakurouken".

---

"Please accept this offering," says Youmu as she claps her hands together in reverence.

Carefully, she pours the liquid over the gravestone. Some of the mud begins to wash off as the sake flows over it. After pouring the rest of the sake, the name upon gravestone becomes visible.

"V-Vincent Gray?" she reads aloud.

Before she can react any further, something grabs at Youmu's ankles.

"Get away!" cries the half-ghost as she draws her blade.

She swings the shorter blade wildly several times, but she only cuts at the empty air. The half-ghost glances around carefully, but finds herself alone at the clearing.

Slowly, Youmu clears her throat and begins to sheathe her weapon. She must be imagining things. There is no possible way that he is still alive. Not after what happened then...

"..."

The half-ghost closes her eyes for a moment, as if to remember.

"Sad, isn't it?" whispers a familiar voice.

Youmu quickly turns around, half-expecting a phantom. Standing before her is a tall man wrapped completely in bandages from head to toe. He seems to be carrying a long weapon in his hand. The man's face is also heavily bandaged, but he looks down upon the half-ghost as if he could see her clearly.

"Remembering the day you killed me?" rasps the man.

"W-what the... I don't understand..." mumbles Youmu.

"Then maybe this blade will help you remember," whispers the shadowy man.

The man slowly draws his sword. She recognizes it immediately. A European longsword forged of blessed steel, the glowing runes on the weapon are unmistakeable. This is a ghost hunter's weapon.

"V-Vincent?" mutters Youmu.

Without warning, several pairs of skeletal arms burst from the ground and grab her legs tightly. She swings her blade at the bones, but to no effect. No matter how hard she tries to pull away, she can't escape.

Suddenly, the man is standing only inches before her. He lowers his head to her ear to whisper something.

"Goodbye, half-ghost," whispers the man.

Before she can react, the shadowy man drives his weapon straight through her heart. Her eyes widen in shock before slowly closing, never to see daylight again.

...

...

...

...

...

Something hurts.
[ ] My head.
[ ] My chest.
[ ] My arms.
[ ] My legs.

Loading User Commands:
[X] Hold your breath and hide yourself completely under the water.

---

Youmu hears a single pair of footsteps nearing the bath 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.

"..."

Thirty seconds pass. The half-ghost opens her eyes under the water. She can see the vague outline of someone sitting comfortably at the other side of the bath. From this distance, she can't tell if it's a man or a woman.

"...?"

One minute passes. The person on the other side seems to be walking toward the taps on the left. It doesn't look like the person noticed Youmu's presence. After adjusting the taps, the person lies nearby and relaxes.

"...!"

Two minutes pass. For some reason, the water seems to be getting warmer. Did that person adjust the temperature? The half-ghost quickly looks for another avenue of escape.

There isn't any way out. As the water becomes intolerably hot, Youmu begins to panic. She quickly raises her head above the water to breathe, but it's too late. The half-ghost can feel herself feeling weaker and weaker.

"Spash!"

"Eh? Who's there?" cries a distant voice.

Someone seems to be making their way to the back of the bath, but she can't even keep her eyes open. Her vision starts to blur, and soon Youmu loses consciousness.

...

"W-where are we going?" cries Youmu.

"..."

The master looks over his daughter carefully. Master Youki Konpaku is tall and lean, not unlike the farmers who toil daily in the rice fields. He is dressed in the traditional colors of the Konpaku school of swordsmanship, green and white. His long grey hair is tied back neatly. The elder half-ghost strokes his beard thoughtfully before he speaks.

"You have grown," says Youki. "Your swordsmanship has improved greatly."

"Ah! T-thank you very much, master!" stammers Youmu. She can't help but smile when she hears those words.

"However, I wonder if your mind and heart have grown since I left," says the sword master.

"E-eh? What do you mean?" the younger half-ghost asks.

"..."

Master Youki says nothing as he leads his apprentice daughter deeper into the woods. Soon, the path disappears from sight, and they find themselves walking through the thick foliage. After several minutes, they finally stop in a small clearing.

"M-Master?" mutters Youmu, uncertain of their purpose here.

"It is time to test your will," says Youki, his voice calm and powerful. "See that lone grave on the hill? I want you to pour this sake on the tombstone as an offering."

The master hands her a bottle of sake. She gives him a puzzled look, but he says nothing more. As is her custom, she gives him a deep bow before heading closer to the tomb with the sake.

"I thought we were going to train," mumbles Youmu as she heads closer to the grave.

As she approaches, a chill runs down her spine. She has a really bad feeling about this, but she moves forward. For some reason, the grave is poorly kept. The name of the dead is covered with a thick crust of mud.

"Please accept this offering," says Youmu as she claps her hands together.

Carefully, she pours the liquid over the gravestone. Some of the mud starts to wash off as she does so. But it is only after she pours the rest of the sake that she recognizes the name on the gravestone.

"Vincent Gray?" she reads aloud, her voice dry with shock.

Before she can react any further, something grabs at Youmu's ankles.

[ ] Draw the blade named "Roukanken".
[ ] Draw the blade named "Hakurouken".

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