by Twisted Eternal Wolvetta

Fleeting Dawn

Yuyuko's POV

"Youmu, where are you? Youmu?" ୭୭

Perhaps at the time I hadn't paid enough attention to her? Of course I had been speculating the possibility, but the moon incident had interrupted. What could be wrong with Youmu, precisely? Carrying myself through the corridors of Hakugyokurou, I didn't help but feel a sense of wonder. Youmu was different compared to myself. After all, I was dead. But Youmu? A half human born half phantom.

Sliding the shojo aside, I was greeted with the darkness of night. The moon incident had been solved, and yet we were still awaiting daylight. Maybe this concept in itself was irony?

"Youmu?" I searched the grounds with my eyes, yet still, no Youmu. I sat myself down upon the platform, and continued my surveying. The blooming cherry blossoms rustled ever so gently within the breeze, but I still felt unsettled. The Saigyou Ayakashi still stood dormant before me. It towered above the whole of Hakugyokurou, flooding the whole area in an eerie vibe. Just like the incident I myself had caused, what was special with this tree? Why did I yearn so much to understand it?

I don't know, nor do I think I ever will. But perhaps it would be for the best?

"Lady Yuyuko!" My gaze shot to the girl, the swordswoman rushing towards me. Myon was in tow, the phantom almost bumping into Youmu as they came to a stop. It was an abrupt halt, and as Youmu appeared flustered, she quickly bowed. "Fairies were attempting to get into Meikai, I-"

"Do not worry yourself, Youmu." I spoke softly. Smiling, I leant my hands against the platform I sat upon, tilting my head. "You did well, Youmu. Now come, sit. It should be dawn soon." Absently, I propped my ankle to the other, mutely watching Youmu's expression change.

Youmu has always been an interesting one. Ever since pulling her under my wing, she had displayed such…

Dedication, but embarrassment? Exactly what was Youmu so worried about?

"Come with you." Patting beside me, this seemed to entice Youmu, at last. I continued to watch her, the servant manoeuvring herself over beside me.

As the hanyou moved, her weapons rattled silently. It had always been an oddly soothing sound for me personally. Perhaps it was due to knowing my servant was close by? Youmu was someone who rarely spoke her mind, after all. It always took a… nudge.

The silver-haired swordswoman was flustered, but sat down next to me. Maybe now was a good time to help Youmu with her persistent embarrassment? Although this would be difficult. Youmu always hid behind so many mental walls.

"… Lady Yuyuko." The viridian-clad woman spoke uncertainly. She gazed up to the Saigyou Ayakashi, then situated her focus upon Myon. Pointedly she stared at her phantom-half, almost as if scolding it.

Was she thinking of something, I wondered? There was definitely something which caught my attention, but I'm not sure what it was. "Youmu." I softened my tone, catching the hanyou's attention. "How are you feeling?" Stretching a hand outwards, I wafted my fingers gently. In response, the lesser ghosts of my form reached for them.

"I'm… unsure." The servant was watching me. Her unease was still highly evident, but nonetheless her curiosity held for what I was doing. "Is something wrong?"

"No, no. Not at all." Gently jolting the ghosts away from my digits, I smiled at the girl. "You worry yourself too much, Youmu." As this was said, the ghostly forms lofted towards Myou. "The Hakurei miko shall be later tomorrow."

Gensokyo, although protected by the Great Boundary was still large. Honestly I'm not too sure where Hakurei Reimu would be right now. She would be making many stops along the way for the post-incident.

"Seems our little experiment didn't work." The voice, and warm breath hit my ear. Upon this, I jumped, tearing my gaze behind my shoulder. I sensed Youmu stiffen, and bolt her hand towards her blade.

Directly behind me was Yukari. She was half consumed within one of her gaps, and grinned at me. I only saw the glee within her eyes, her lips covered by her folded fan.

"Y-Yukari-sama!" Youmu spluttered, relaxing her stance and unclenching her grasp from her weapon. "Don't appear like that!"

"Oh?" Yukari peered towards my servant, her amusement lifting within her golden eyes. "But it isn't fun to visit normally?" She continued with her ploy, her lips hidden, whilst resting a forearm atop my shoulder. I took no notice to the light weight, simply regarding Youmu silently.

With others around - especially Yukari, Youmu's discomfort always skyrocketed. I could practically sense the anxiety ooze from the young hanyou.

"I thought I would like to add that I found us something of interest." Yukari murmured, slipping her fan into the gap below her. It was stored away on the other side of this dimensional gateway. Instead, she delicately lifted out a glass bottle from who knew where.

"Saki?" I pondered up to her, blinking as the elder youkai guided it into my hold. Yukari shook her head, and curiously, I tilted my head. Removing my focus from her, and upon the alcohol instead, I read it carefully. "...Kirin?" I narrowed my eyes. "The qilin youkai?" There was even an image of one upon the logo.

"Yes. I found it on the outside of the boundary beside the Hakurei Jinja."

Of course she had found it there. This Yukari, just where would they be without her? In a lot less trouble, for one; though without Gensokyo. So really, the whole of the region had a responsibility to thank the sage.

Although it was true many also feared her. This was correct, wasn't it? Musing, I handed the gap youkai the bottle back. "I am afraid I should not." I smiled, surprise flickering across Yukari's face. "I have a little date with my Youmu, here." Pointing to the swordswoman, I studied Youmu's expression.

"L-Lady Yuyuko!"

"Oh? I see." Slipping the alcohol back into the gap, Yukari eased the fan back out. Flicking it open, she grinned, this notion quickly hidden by the fan. "Then I bid you farewell. Youmu, enjoy your date." Slinking back into the gap before Youmu even had a chance to react, Yukari was gone.

AUTHOR'S NOTES

Chapter 1 of 2 complete.

Nothing spectacular going on here, just figured I should make a nice slice of life. It's rare I write in first person, so I'm hoping nothing is cringeworthy here. Fleeting Dawn does feel more… personal(?) when structured like this though.

I'm a little unsure about how I wrote Yuyuko's speech however. We all know how carefree, but sharp Yuyuko is. But this does give me the impression of her being the ancient, noble ghost she is.

The next chapter will be focused on Youmu; that's if she doesn't explode from embarrassment.