Chapter 29: Flash Back


For the longest moment, Sasoku and Shou were shocked. The only sound they heard was a street performer playing Credens Justitiam by Yuki Kaijura with a violin.

"So you managed to get here."

Sasoku spun around, "K-Kyosuke!"

Kyosuke drew even more attention as he staggered over, using the Shichishito to help him move.

"You look terrible." Byakuren said, surprised.

"What do you think you're doing out of bed?" Sasoku cried, "You're not well yet!"

"I'll survive."

"How?"

"My Mastery power can compensate for my weakness." Kyosuke sighed as he leaned against the wall., "If I'm weakened by 80%, then I'll raise my abilities by 80%. Too bad it only works when I'm holding a weapon."

"Y-You never told me this!" Sasoku frowned.

"Do you think I prefer this?"

"Kyosuke." Byakuren cut in, "I'm flattered you went went to such extremes to meet me here, but I don't think you should be up."

"Aren't you worried that you'd die?" Shou added.

"So much the better." Kyosuke said.

"Why? Why must you be here now?" Sasoku demanded.

"We had an arrangement." Kyosuke said, "I intend to keep it."

"It's nostalgic." Byakuren smiled, "You were just as weak back when we fought."


CRASH!

Kyosuke tumbled to a crouch, out of breath.

"Need my help?"

"No." Kyosuke frowned, picking up his Shichishito.

"It's not weak to ask the strongest for help ya know." Cirno smiled.

"I'm fine." Kyosuke repeated, getting up.

Byakuren slowly approached him, "Morichika Kyosuke."

"Hijiri Byakuren. I expected you sooner."

"Really?" Byakuren smiled.

"I was the one that stopped the seal from breaking after all. Wasn't that YOUR goal?"

"..."

Byakuren disappeared, coming up right in front of Kyosuke and punching him into the air. The Shichishito vibrated against her attack, shaking Kyosuke's whole body. Gritting his teeth, he reached for his spellcards.

"I won't let you." Byakuren said, appearing behind him.

Barely able to bring his sword around in time to block it, Kyosuke was sent flying across the air from her kick. Cirno sighed as he crashed into the ground.

"At this point you'll die!" She called.

"I don't need your help." Kyosuke said, getting back up, "Besides. I already have it."

Byakuren was instantly on guard when Kyosuke pulled out a spellcard,

"Freeze Sign-Perfect Freeze."

Cirno protested as a sudden blizzard manifested, blowing away her words. Byakuren frowned as ice began to form all around her body. With a slight shrug, she broke off the ice forming on her arms and body. With a bit more effort, Byakuren broke the ice surrounding her feet. Free, she looked for Kyosuke again. In the distance a glow marked his location.

"Energize Sign-Kappa's Grand Invention."

Byakuren cried out as a blast of super charges icy wind smashed into her, chilling her to the bone and creating small cuts. The wind blasted her off her feet, but Byakuren regained her footing easily, the snow dissipating quickly afterward. As she looked up she saw Kyosuke pull down a small chamber and slide a spellcard in it. He click it shut and took aim,

"Scatter Sign-Cryopreservation."

Byakuren quickly blocked as Kyosuke fired a large beam of ice at her. She winced as the ice chilled her again, but was surprised to be blown back and frozen.


"That last one was quite the ace." Cirno smiled, "I might borrow that until I die."

Kyosuke ignored her as he walked up to the frozen Byakuren, He lifted his Shichishito and struck the ice.

"Hey." Cirno frowned, "You just beat her. What do you think you're doing now?"

"Thawing her out." Kyosuke said, taking out his spellcards to glance through them.

"Why?"

"Because we have things to discuss." Kyosuke said, taking out a new spellcards, "Chi Sign-Fierce Tiger Energy Release."

Rainbow energy flowed from his body into the sword. A single slash and the ice broke. The 2 collapsed at the same time, Kyosuke pulling out another Spellcard,

"Hope Sign-Flower of the Sun's Brilliant Rays."


Byakuren woke up as the light healed the 2 of them.

"I'm not sure how long the spell will last." Kyosuke said, sitting up, "It's running out of power already."

"...Why did you free me?" Byakuren asked, "You could've kept me in that ice."

"That doesn't solve anything." Kyosuke sighed.

"It's nice to see that you're reasonable." Byakuren smiled.

"..."

"Ah, I should introduce myself. I am Hijiri Byakuren, of The Temple of Myouren."

"...I'm a Border Guard."

"Border Guard? What does that job entail?"

"I return youkai who escape Gensokyo back."

"Really? Is that interesting?"

"Not at all."

"Border Guard..." Byakuren mused, "So in a way you protect Humans."

"I suppose."

"...You look like a smart person. Perhaps you have an idea of why I attacked you."

"...Last year..."

"Yes. Last year, your sister came and took the whole of Gensokyo's spellcards in an attempt to succeed where I failed: Destroying the seal and reuniting Humans and Youkai."

"...Sorry."

"There's no need for that." Byakuren smiled, "I'm glad to see that you're so strong. Your conviction must be strong."

"I don't have conviction." The human said, "Just reason."

"Reason?"

"You've been sealed for 1000 years. The world has changed a lot since then. Reason has become humanity's treasure. Outside of Gensokyo anyway."

"Perhaps. But I believe humans and youkai can still co-exist."

"..."

Byakuren looked surprised as the human stood up,

"The world has changed, Byakuren." The human said, recalling his spellcard and picking up his Shichishito, "In a way that I can only show you. Someday, come visit the Human Realm. I'll show you what humans have become."

Byakuren smiled as she stood up as well, "Let it be a date."

"Let's not." Kyosuke frowned.

"Oh? Why ever not?"

"The definition of 'date' has changed as well."

"Really? I have much to catch up on."

Kyosuke turned around and began to leave.


"I'm sorry for not answering your call." Byakuren bowed.

"It was better that you didn't."

"So that's what happened." Shou said.

"You used Cirno's spellcards?" Sasoku smirked, "I thought you didn't like her."

"I don't."

"..."

"..."

"Looks like that's all I'm getting." Sasoku sighed.

"I've learned what date meant." Byakuren said, "Connotatively anyway. I must apologize...Unless you want-"

"No."

"Okay then."


"Master..." Shou whispered.

"Yes?"

"Are you sure about this?"

"I'm not actually."

"R-Really?"

"Yes. He seems really sick."

"Wh...I-I wasn't talking about that." Shou said

"Really?"

"I'm fine." Kyosuke frowned, "For now at least."

Shou jolted and tried devising a new way to speak without being heard.

"Sasoku." Byakuren said.

"Yes?" Sasoku looked up.

"Could you hold off sending Shou back? It'd be comforting to return home with her."

"A-Are you sure? In a few minutes, the gate will be emptied of it's energy. There's still time to send the both of you back."

"If I go back now, I don't know how long it'll be before I come back." Byakuren explained.

"You're going to come back?"

"Of course. I do have business with your brother. Although...perhaps I should go back. Your brother doesn't seem like he should be up."

"How long are we going to stand around repeating ourselves?" Kyosuke sighed.

"I'm just worried about you."

"Don't be." Kyosuke said, "If I die it'll just be the beginning."

"That's the spirit!" Byakuren smiled.

"I'll probably meet that reaper of yours. Though knowing her I probably won't. Either way my death only marks the beginning of my hell."

"That's...not the spirit." Byakuren stopped smiling, "But...A+ for effort!"

"Joy,"

"So if I'm not sending either of you back what am I supposed to do?" Sasoku frowned.

"Babysit Shou a while longer."

"What?"

"Please." Byakuren pleaded, "It would put my mind at ease if you watched over Shou. Especially the Pagoda. "

"Hey!" Shou objected.

"Well..." Sasoku glanced towards her gate just as the energy dissipated, leaving it worthless, "Fine. Not much else I can do."

"Then shall we start?" Kyosuke asked.

"Of course." Byakuren bowed, "Shou, try to stay out of trouble okay? And try not to lose the Pagoda."

"I'll try my best, but I can't really promise the second one."

"Just the first will do just fine."

Sasoku watched as Kyosuke left with Byakuren. Then she turned to look at Shou,

"...So...wanna go grab a bite to eat?"