Disclaimer: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona belongs to ATLUS. Touhou Project belongs to Zun. I have no ownership of the copyrights of either series in any way.


Chapter 25: Testing Temperament

Master, as usual, was prompted to leave the shrine early today, leaving me and Sukuna to watch over the proceedings. I don't know where he went by himself, though he seemed like he knew where he was going. Regardless, as usual, I'm unsure whether or not I should be here.

"All I'm saying Reimu, is that if you want more visitors, a bit more leg work would do the trick. You'll be able to easily gather at least a dozen more if you put the work in," Sanae told her fellow shrine maiden.

"Hey, so what do you think of this flavor Kaguya? I tried adding some of that spice you gave me last time." Mokou and Kaguya were getting along quite well, same as before. Although from what I've been told that is a recent development.

"But you yourself are half ghost, combined with the fact that you have a weapon capable of actually cutting through them, it seems quite strange. Besides that, the ghosts around our temple cemetery are harmless." Byakuren and Youmu seemed to be having a conversation that looked uncomfortable for the half ghost.

"And then it goes boom if you add a lot of that stuff to the formula, ze! Just make sure you do it outside got it?" Marisa, I hope you aren't teaching Sukuna anything too dangerous.

All in all, it was quite the eclectic cacophony of conversations that had no rhyme or reason. Oh well, just have to be careful then. I don't want to spill another plate, even if they did replace them with child proof ones. "I'm back with the tea and snacks, everyone." I let them know as I walked to the center table to place them down.

"Ah, thanks Ruukoto," Reimu was the first to say as I began to pour the tea out for everyone. The rest of them soon followed as I gave them their tea one by one. It then quieted down at around the time I began to pour into Sukuna's specially made cup.

"Alright then ladies, I would like to begin this week's meeting," Kaguya began after placing her cup down after giving it good drink.

"I still don't see the point of these meetings honestly. Most of us here are rivals. Working together seems counterproductive," Sanae was the first one to respond. The others, save for Mokou and Byakuren, gave similar expressions in place of sentiments.

"And yet every one of you is here all the same, each week. However I digress, the nature of this week's meeting is not on the subject of wooing our shared target of affection," Kaguya fired back, then attempted to restore the conversation towards her desired topic, whatever it may be.

"Alright, then what did you call us for, ze? Because if it's about sharing him again, then I'm out of here. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'm not playing second fiddle to anyone, or fourth, or whatever," Marisa stated quite clearly, to which the others appeared to be in agreement with… I think. It was difficult to tell honestly.

"And I keep saying that we'd all be equals for his affection. However we are straying off topic. Now if there are no more interruptions, let's actually talk about what I wish to discuss this week: Minato-san's state of distress. I'm sure you have all noticed but Minato-san has over the past few days seems to be distant, with his head in the clouds, and I specifically mean more than usual." Kaguya's expression immediately broke into one of worry and frustration. Her face was then mirrored by the rest of the room.

"Yeah, apparently Arisato-sama's friend has gone missing and he's trying to find her. I asked him if I could come along, but always he says it's too dangerous. I wish he'd take me on more adventures so I can see more of how cool he is!" Sukuna as always was one of the first to learn information about Master. Of course she still had difficulty containing her worship of him as a sort of hero of some sort.

"Kid says nothing at the stands when I ask. Doesn't order sometimes either which doesn't normally happen. It's like he's just a robot who shows up out of habit. Then randomly he appears at weird hours sometimes too," Mokou said, while looking off to the side away from the group.

"I offered to let him speak freely to me about it, however every time, he has, politely, rebuffed my attempts. He's usually such an honest and forthcoming young man. It's quite unprecedented to see him so worried and haggard as well. As someone who sees him like a younger sibling, it worries me as well." Byakuren said, with a hand placed at her cheek.

"Yuyuko-sama has been trying to get him to sleep and calm down, even going so far as to try and keep him in Hakugyokuro, however he simply challenged her to a duel and beat her. Though I suspect Yuyuko-sama was not trying her best. Regardless he normally is willing to listen to Yuyuko-sama without resistance. I don't think I've seen him so determined. While admirable, I cannot condone it when it is coming at his health. He isn't eating as much, and bags are beginning to form under his eyes," Youmu elucidated. It was also a change I noticed in master. However I was sure it would be over in a few days and he would get better. I'm a failure as a maid.

"Any news on who this person he's so desperately searching for is? I asked him the last time I saw him, but he told me I wouldn't know. It hurt to hear him sound so dismissive. When I asked how he was so sure, he told me that who he's looking for cannot be remembered to begin with. That if I asked him anymore, I'd simply forgot. After that we went to the village and-"

"Thank you but I think that's enough Sanae. Please keep the details of your date to yourself," Reimu interrupted her before Sanae could continue.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. It was such a wonderful time I couldn't help but reminisce," Sanae said in what master would describe as, smug. At times it's hard for me to remember that this was normal between the two shrine maidens. I suppose that would be normal for rivals.

"To cut off another tangent, so at the very least we are aware that the reason he is so distraught is that a friend has gone missing, and it is to the point that it is genuinely affecting his health negatively, both physically and mentally. However we have no idea as to whom he is searching for, nor do we have any idea where to begin looking," Kaguya summarized thus far.

"Actually," I began, resulting in all of them turning to quickly glance at me. The suddenness caused me to stop what I was saying. Oh no, don't mess this up. They aren't going to hurt you, just say what you wanted to say. "Um, I overheard him say something along the lines of, 'place of the heart'. And then he seemed to say the name of a place, but it was too low to hear. I don't know what that means, but he seemed obsessed with that phrase. Perhaps that is a clue as to, at the very least, where we should be searching for?" I finally was able to offer without stutter.

"Place of the heart, huh? Don't think I know any place like that in Gensokyou, ze. But I mean it's not like we've got a better lead. After the meeting's over I guess I'll do some research to see if I can dig anything up on that topic." Marisa said, placing both her hands behind her head.

"Perhaps Kanako-sama or Suwako-sama would know something," Sanae murmured to herself. The rest silently thought on the words, unsure of what to make of them. I admit that I too was confused. Though Gensokyou was a place where the lost is found, where the unreal becomes real, where the forgotten is remembered, it isn't a place of people's hearts, whatever that may be. This continued until finally Reimu had had enough.

"I'm not getting anything done just sitting here. I'm going to beat the answer out of a certain somebody, even if I have to go all out at the start!" Reimu then, without hearing anyone else reply, stormed out of the room. It was clear though that those left behind shared in her frustration, myself included. My kind master simply wasn't the same right now. It was clear that this person's absence hurt him. Actually, in retrospect, it was more like the absence of anyone he cared for would have elicited the same response.

"I suppose sitting here will do more harm than good. I myself will seek council about the matter," Kaguya stated as she began to rise. "Mokou, will you be coming along?"

"Nah, have somewhere I need to be. Besides I have my own place I want to start looking for answers," Mokou said, following Kaguya out the door as the two made their own exit. I could continue to hear them down the hall but making out what they were saying had become difficult over hearing the others speak.

"I suppose this is where I take my leave. Thank you for the hospitality as usual." Without much more ceremony, Sanae left quietly, most likely to help in her own way.

"Yuyuko-sama will want to hear this. I will inform her of this development," Youmu said to no one in particular as she too left the room, Myon trailing right behind.

"I will meditate on the matter. Perhaps an answer will arise in due time," Byakuren then made her own exit.

"I'll do some exploring on my own then! Perhaps Arisato-sama will praise me should I find who he's looking for!" Sukuna said, hoping into an empty rice bowl that was on the table, only for it to begin floating up. "Don't tell him where I'm going! I'll be back before dinner!" Like that, even the inchling left to help master. Master, you have so many people who care about you, myself included.

Honestly, I don't remember when I started serving him. It was just one day he was my master. Perhaps he remembers it better. I remember serving Reimu once, but then one day he was my master. I wish I could remember the day we met, but at least I remember everything else. He always forgives me for my mistakes, always praises me when I do something right, worries about me when I get hurt, never asks me anything terrible. Walking around the shrine, cleaning it from room to room, I reminisced on my times with him.

I remembered how he sometimes had to wake Reimu up. For some reason, at some point, she'd asked him to wake her up if he ever came in while she was asleep. At first, she was nervous, seeing as she didn't sleep fully clothed. The result was my master getting a fist to the face, to which he reflected with a spell. This caused problems since it would knock Reimu back asleep. Sometimes this would repeat multiple times before he would just give up and make me wake her up. I think he either found it funny or was still too tired to think properly himself. Eventually over time though, Reimu got used to my master seeing her in her various states of undress, though not fully nude. She no longer hits him, but she still blushes quite madly until she dresses fully.

Cleaning the front porch, it was easy to think on the some of the visitors that would come by. Sanae, Marisa, and Youmu were chief among the visitors, alongside Kasen. Each of them brought their own uniqueness every day. Sanae took the time to converse with Reimu about things involving this rivalry between their shrines. Of course, she also continued to extend invitations to Master in the hopes that he'd begin working for them. Reimu still is annoyed by it. She's become very possessive of Master, I find. Marisa would try to steal my master's time as often as possible. One time, she even used a Master Spark to jettison herself to catch Master by the scruff of the neck and take him home with her. Ever since, he'd promised to visit her more often. A promise he kept quite well actually.

Youmu would of course drop by, making sure that master was doing well. Honestly, I have a lot to learn from her. I see her as something of a senior, given that she does many of the same things I wish to do for master. When she'd visit the shrine, it would be to feed master or simply to say hi. Though it was mostly to make sure master didn't starve on the Hakurei shrines' meager reserves. Reimu never complained, given that it was free food. Kasen would always berate her, for that. Though the sage would relent quickly afterwards, given that Reimu would have otherwise had only rice and herbs to eat. Destitution is quite difficult. My master is very lucky that he has little use for the money that he receives from the ministry as a Death Administer.

Kasen had taken to master quite well. For some reason she was greatly interested in master's powers. For some reason, every time he talked about his abilities, I simply walked away. Something inside of me wished to not be involved with such matters. When not talking about that though, she seemed pleased by his shrine work, as well as his general attitude. Though perhaps that was only because she was comparing him to Reimu. Regardless Kasen did seem to admire master's character.

Everywhere I went in the shrine, I couldn't help but think of my time with master. Over time I learned to recognize that small smile he always held. Honestly at first, I didn't realize he was smiling, but he was, it was just incredibly faint and hard to see. Now that it was gone, I only just now realized how much he actually smiled, how happy he'd been. Master was still kind, still willing to listen to whatever ailed others, to help others. But right now, the one who needed the most help was…

Looking around, it was lonely being the only one in the shrine. Given that the place won't have any visitors, I suppose it's fine for me to also leave in search of master's missing companion. Making sure to first clean up the room (nothing broke this time), I then went outside. Looking outwards, the black starry sky above was so beautiful, as it always was. I hadn't realized it but apparently, I had been cleaning all day. The entire day had passed in the blink of an eye. When I took in the landscape below, for some reason, a faint feeling resonated in my core. It was the feeling master gave off. Whenever I worried about him, I just felt this feeling in my core and reassured myself that he was okay, even when it had gotten extremely faint that one night. I could still feel him. Letting it be my guiding light, I activated my wing thrusters and began flying to where he was now.

Even if I can't help him search, I can at least help him feel better.

Break

"Arisato-sama!" I closed in on the forest clearing where I found Master. I could see him turn to me as I flew closer. Standing at the side of the clearing, he was apparently with a few other individuals. Regardless, I descended until finally hitting the ground. "Arisato-sama! There you are!"

"Ruukoto, what are you doing here?" I suppose his reaction was understandable. Looking around I saw some familiar faces. I'd seen all of them at some of the parties held at the shrine before. If I recall correctly, the ones here are Remilia, Sakuya, Patchouli, Yuuka, Utsuho, and Mokou, who I'd seen earlier today.

"Arisato-sama, let me help you!" I told him frankly. I've learned in my time with him that he can be both simultaneously the densest, yet most perceptive individual around. The best thing to do is to be honest and up front with Master, for the best results.

"What do you-"

"Arisato-sama, you're not very good at hiding your emotions," I interrupted him to say. "You're actually very easy to read!" If you know where to look anyhow. He seemed shocked by my statement. Perhaps he thought that his emotions were too difficult to read for the people around him. Not true! It's easy to see it when you've been around him for as long as I have. "Please, allow me to do my job and provide you comfort, master!"

"Um… well, thanks. I'll take you up on the offer, but after I return to Hakugyokurou. In fact, you should really head home soon Ruukoto," he said as if in a rush. I wasn't sure why.

"No! You've been pushing yourself too hard recently! I know you're worried about whoever it is you're looking for, but you have to rest and as your maid it is my job to look after you!" I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I let him get hurt when I was able to do something, to finally be able to really do something for him.

"I-"

"I have to agree." Master was interrupted by Remilia. "You've been calling these expeditions non-stop recently. You're like a man possessed. While I am happy we have made significant progress, with the end certainly in sight, it would not do us well if you were to, how do you say? Kick the bucket?"

"Indeed, Arisato-sama. Listen to your maid. She's quite right," Sakuya agreed. "You yourself told us that we are only a few sections away from the top. You've pushed enough recently."

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm getting tired pulverizing s͆͊͒ͣ̉̽̏ͯ͞͏͎̠̹̭̭̯ͅḥ͉̠̒͗̈͒̄̈̿a̱̻̱͇̜͓̦̭͎̓̐ͭͦ͜͜d̴̨̥͚̮͍͚̝̝͍̾ͤ̏ͮo̔͘͏̬͎͍w̧͚̹͊͘s̛̞̲͚̘̼̔̽̐ͬͭ́̏̚̕ every night." Huh? What was that? I couldn't hear it well. "I suppose after almost one hundred floors without rest each night would do that." I don't think I heard what Yuuka said very well.

"Yeah! You look tired! And I mean super tired!" Even Utsuho was saying as such. Though maybe it was her animal instinct that helped her discern as such.

"Kid, I was going to say it if no one else was tonight. You need a break," Mokou started.

"Bu-"

"The tower isn't going anywhere. Besides what would you yourself say if you saw any of us looking like you right now?" Mokou's question looked like it pierced right through master. He took a moment to place a hand on his face, rubbing it every so much to keep awake. "That's it, take your time to think about it." He was like that for a few more minutes. It was clear that he thinking as deeply as he could on the subject. I could hear him whisper softly, trying to sort out what has been going on these past couple of weeks or so. Taking one final deep breath, it seemed he reached a conclusion.

"That's fair I guess…" he muttered as he lowered his hand. "If I'm just a ragged sack of bones by the time I find her, I'll probably worry her to tears anyways. Let's not do it tonight then." Nods were given in response. It seemed that the rest of them had wanted to stop him as well.

"Yes, after all, the only one who's health should be so poor should be me," Patchouli then gave a sort of mock cough to accent her attempt at humor. "It is good that even in your fervor that you are still level headed enough to listen to reason."

"Would not have been the case a couple of years ago…" My master admitted. "Sorry about calling you all for nothing."

"It's fine. Just be sure to take a good rest. Perhaps you should come to my garden. The sunflowers ought to cheer you up," Yuuka said as she twirled her parasol.

"All these late-night excursions have ruined my sleep," Remilia said with a yawn that was unbecoming of a lady such as herself. Sakuya made sure to cover her master's mouth for her so that she would not lose all diginity.

"Remi, you're a vampire," Patchouli pointed out.

"Oh! I mean, I can keep going! However, for the sake of everyone else involved here, a break surely is necessary!" Remilia's laughter certainly was used to mask her embarrassment of not seeming very vampire-like. It must be hard to be such a venerable species of Youkai.

"Okay! Let's go Home!" Utsuho is definitely like the sun with how cheery she is able to be. I wish I could be like that more, but I'm happy with the smile I have. It's one that makes master happy after all!

"Let's go home then. Ruukoto?" I gave master a hearty nod.

"Yes, let's go then mas-" Huh? What's tha-

Retrieving ASSW protocol package. Bypassing Okazaki Lock. Okazaki Lock Bypassed. Booting. Protocol Engaged. Activating Sensors. Current location, unknown. Connection to Kirijo Satellites… failure. No signal detected. Assess current situation. Unit appears to currently be in rural location. No human buildings in sight. Dark Hour is currently present. Human like creatures in view. Analyzing… Warning, entities not human. Creatures bear similarity to Shadows. Creatures appear to lack hostility however. Analyzing location, Warning! Massive shadow reading from nearby tower. Retrieving. Tower appears to be Tartarus from records. Activating combat mode.

"Retrieving." Hammer retrieved. Deploy full active mode. Full active mode engaged. Testing. Output normal. Engage flight wings. Flight Wings Engaged. "Ascending!"

"Ruukoto!" Turning towards name call. Analyzing… master… I… what's going on? Flight hampered. Descending. Conflicting protocols detected. Confli- "Ruukoto!"

"What the hell's going on!"

"Huh? I don't get it, she became weird all of a sudden."

"It would appear that the mechanical maiden was hiding something. Interesting. Maybe this will abate my boredom a bit."

Loading protocol. Must defeat shadows. Help me! Will continue by foot. What's happening to me!?

Break

It was like watching a movie. A series of events played out in front of me that felt familiar, yet I couldn't recall in the slightest. I sat there in the darkness as the images played in front of me. I watched a much less advanced me with her sisters dispersing into the city, attempting to subdue these things called shadows. However, we were unsuccessful. Each of us fell one by one trying to capture them. One by one my sisters were broken into pieces. It seems at the time we didn't really know fear. Actually, we only had enough of a consciousness to summon this… thing. I think it was called a Persona. In my attempt to attack one of them, I was quickly defeated. Before my consciousness gave out apparently, I watched my body fall apart. The last image my retinal sensors detected was the scattered pieces of my arm. Then it was darkness. Afterwards the images played again. Over and over these memories simply played on repeat.

It still didn't explain how I ended up in the future, under the repair of Professor Okazaki. If her explanation was to be believed though, she had been experimenting with time traveling magic and pulled me from where ever I had been during a test run of the technology. I then remember her apologizing for the banana smell coming from the nearby microwave. That's where my memories start though, since the advanced technology of the day allowed her to give me a personality that was better than, as my master would put it, a stick of butter. Still though, I had to address the elephant in the room, or the other one in the room as it were.

"So, are these really our memories?" I asked the other me that sat there beside me.

"We have a mission," she answered, her form more reminiscent of the base ASSW model. Her face and head were the same as my own, but certainly she was much lower spec overall. She was also quite monotone.

"I don't know what this mission is, but all I want to do is serve master." It's still feels distant, this old directive to eradicate these shadows. "I guess you could call it a mission if you want."

"To eliminate shadows is our mission," she stated again.

"It's weird hearing my voice like this," I let out. Was this really me? She's more like a doll than a person. However, I can't help but feel that, yes, this was… is, me. "So why do you think that mission is so important?" I asked. Though I might perhaps be able to recall it, it would have simply been like reading someone else's notes, all the words, but none of the meaning.

"It was the one I was born to fulfill," she answered without any dressings or flair. It was so robotic. Yet even so, the moment I heard her say that… I couldn't refute it. However, I still felt compelled to try.

"But is that the role we want?" I asked, trying to begin a dialogue with her about the matter.

"That doesn't matter."

"It does matter!" I argued back without giving her a chance to speak further. "Unlike our sisters, we have been blessed by the technology of the future to be our own person, with our own desires. We are even capable of bearing human children should we so desire." I couldn't take it lying down. The gift given to me by Professor Okazaki, both life and freedom, I couldn't let anyone, myself included, deride it for whatever reason. However, perhaps I should have held back more.

"So, you already think of yourself as something different from our sisters…" was her reply. Though her expression didn't seem to change, for some reason I knew that I shouldn't have said what I had just declared.

"I… that's…" What should I say? "That wasn't what I-" Without me noticing, I was surrounded. Looking to and fro, I saw the same thing repeated ad nauseum. Corpses of my sisters littered the landscape. "What is-"

"Do you remember them?" My other self asked as I could do nothing but be horrified at the sight. Though bloodless, to me it was anything but clean. "Our sisters," she clarified. While she didn't move an inch, I couldn't help but pick up one of the loose heads. Blonde and blue eyed… her name is on the tip of my tongue. I think it was… Aig- "We have a duty to them." Suddenly the head was replaced by one that looked just like my own. I couldn't help but drop it, but instead of a clang, it simply sunk into the darkness at my feet. Looking about, the other bodies had also disappeared.

"My duty is to master," I said aloud. However, I couldn't tell if that was for her, or myself.

"That master?" She asked, as she then pointed at the screen that had displayed our memories. With a flicker, the image changed. From it, my master was standing firm, blade pointed at the viewer. It was clear that he was exhausted, but he was no less determined. Was this what my body was currently seeing? "He's the one that killed our sisters."

As soon as she finished saying as such, master slashed at a strange card that had appeared in front of him. In doing so, a God of Death had appeared. Even with my memories so distant in my mind, the moment I saw it, those memories came rushing back almost immediately. Those coffins that wreathed around it like some morbid mantle, the rattling chain that signaled its arrival before your eyes laid upon it, the toothy grin that met your sight as soon as it entered your view, I remembered it all. It was the monster that tore me and my sisters apart. That is if it wasn't one of the other 12 that had escaped that night. This one in particular, I remember how its blade tore right through my torso, my innards spraying out with a screech as metal met metal.

"I have a mission to fulfill…" was all that she said, before suddenly, limbs of my fallen sisters began to rise from the shadows beneath.

"What Is-?" The hands grabbed at me before I too felt my body sink into the darkness. It had no substance, but instead it felt simply like my legs were disappearing inch by inch right before my very eyes. Soon bodies also rose up, grabbing further up in an attempt to drag me into the shadows, to consume me, placing their hands all over my body. She wanted me gone for some reason. However, I couldn't let her do this. Though certainly it had the visage of that monster, and certainly my body trembled at the sight of it, I still couldn't help but notice something else. Even though I was trapped inside here, I could still feel it. That monster had none of the terrifying essence the other did. This one instead, had master's kindness. Before they could place any more hands on my body, I began to shake them off one by one. Activating my flight pack, I fired it full throttle. Almost without effort, the advanced flight pack was able to let me escape without much effort. Soon I rocketed upwards once all hands had released me.

"So, you wish to fight for control?" She asked as I began to descend to height where I could still speak with her. With but a simply flash of blue, Hephaestus appeared behind her. As much as it would be easy to simply take that path, I don't think that's the correct way to handle it.

"No, because as it stands. I wouldn't be able to win." Bluntly speaking. I have no chance. She's the one with the power to summon Hephaestus. Though I can fly, and she can't, with her base ASSW body, she could still snipe me out of the sky if she doesn't just try to fry me with magic.

"Then why do you resist? Surely you agree that we have to stop him before he hurts anyone else." She asked, though at this point I'm sure she's lying.

"Hmm… you're me, so I think you already have it figured out. You know as well as I that master is nothing like the monster we fought years ago." She's me after all, of course she has to know this. Seeing her hesitate for a moment, it seems I was correct. "See look." I pointed at the screen. While she and I were having a standoff, master continued to try and subdue us. Though he had summoned that monster earlier, he had very quickly switched to other Personas, ones immune to our assault.

"Ruukoto! Please, listen to me! I'm not going to hurt you!" Master shouted at us. "Just calm down and listen to me!" Master probably was at a loss for what to do. He didn't want to hurt us, but we were attacking him. I have to apologize to him later.

"You already know this since you're me, but master is sweet and kind, even if he is a womanizer. He isn't the one who destroyed our sisters. In fact, he's doing everything he can right now outside of fighting to reach out to us."

"But, the mission-"

"Please, forget the mission. Time has passed, and things have changed. It's time to let go…" Perhaps it was the age of activity or the enhanced neural paths gifted to me thanks to the Professor, but I had to act as the older one here. She's just lost and scared, lashing out. I need to-

"No…"

"Huh?" I thought she and I were coming to an agreement.

"I said no…" she repeated. "I don't want to let go!" She shouted, surprising me with the sudden burst of emotion. I wasn't aware I was capable of such at that stage.

"But I thought-"

"You didn't!" She interrupted me. "While you've been playing house, I was the one who tried to keep their memory alive. Day after day I tried to make sure I remembered them. What memories we had before that night, I tried to keep. They died while we lived. We owe it to them to remember them, as the last ASSW it is our duty to remember them. Yet you want to throw them away!?" She cried, anger visible, the first genuine sign of emotion she had shown this whole time.

"No, that's not what I-"

"You just said to let the past go, but the past is all that's left of them. I refuse to let them go, to let them be forgotten," She declared as her anger had turned to spite. I messed up. I get it now. It wasn't her trying to take over. It wasn't her just being angry at me forgetting. It was something more than that.

"So, what will you do then?" I asked, being cautious so as to be wary if she would attempt to have my mind swallow me again, or perhaps something more violent. She didn't answer me. Instead she seemed to grab our hammer from out of nowhere. Its thrusters burned bright in the darkness, illuminating everything in a bright orange glow. I see this was her answer. Without a single word more, she made a break for me. Her eyes, still aglow with hatred, as she rushed ever so quickly to where I was. To meet her, I landed solidly back on the ground, disengaging my flight pack. This is where a decision will be made.

And so, she and I met. However-

"Huh?" was all I heard her let out as I grabbed her in my arms. Her hammer, that was once poised to flatten me, fell limply to her side as she lost strength in my grasp.

"I'm sorry," I told her as I hugged her. "I'm sorry for saying that we should let them go."

"I… I…" she stuttered over and over. It seemed that she was still trying to figure out what just happened.

"We don't have to forget them, but we cannot let them tie us down. Their memories should be the wings we use to fly forwards, not the chains that hold us back. What would our sisters say, if they saw us mourn them in such a way?" I asked her. Guilt. That's what it was. That's what I had been holding inside as well, making her take it all. Though to a point I still felt distant to the feeling. Looking at her made me realize how unfair I was being. Guilt that I might forget them, guilt for living while they turned to scrap, guilt for becoming better then they ever could, guilt for trying to throw it all away. And I pushed it all on her, my mechanical self.

"Our sisters?" she slowly intoned.

"It's going to be okay…" I told her, as I held her in my arms. I could feel the metal right underneath. The hard chassis unlike the soft artificial skin and flesh I was given, felt cold, but it was also shaking. "I won't abandon you. We won't forget them."

"I… I don't want to be forgotten." She said as I felt my shoulder become moist. Perhaps it was the first time this other me had experienced sadness. Or maybe the first time she was allowed to express it at all. "I don't want them to fade away." Her voice cracked and blubbered as she cried into my shoulder. I placed a head on her head, patting it ever so gently to try and soother her.

"You won't be," I said to reassure her, holding her tighter. "They won't disappear. Besides," I began again as I separated from her to look her in the eyes, watery and almost vacant, but still very much alive. "I need you." I looked at the window. Currently Master was giving it his all to face me without trying to injure me too much. The others were preoccupied eliminating the surrounding enemies that had taken to try and poach them while they were distracted fighting me. "See that?" I asked her, pointing to the screen. She followed my finger that was pointed at the corners.

"Shadows…" she said, having noted the enemies around.

"That mission is over. The one given to us before has long since expired. However. we're still needed. Our master lives in a dangerous, perilous world filled with not only the dangers we're familiar with, but other kinds of monsters."

"Youkai correct?" I nodded in affirmation. Of course, she would know, given that she was me.

"Yes but look at me. I'm clumsy. I break things all the time. Though master forgives me each time, it's clear that my abilities in helping master are lacking. You on the other hand can help him fight whatever threatens him, be they Youkai or Shadow. Our mission now, should be to help Master, whatever he needs. His kindness, that helped to free us, that each day, takes care of us more than we take care of him, we should repay it, and in doing so, perhaps live for our sisters who could not." I took a breath as I finished my long-winded speech.

"You need me?" she asked hesitantly, but hopefully.

"I'm not me without you," I answered. "How about I show you a mission we chose ourselves?" Though she took a second, in response, she gave a single nod, but then suddenly burst into light. Without even a moment's, delay afterwards, that light then flew into me until it completely disappeared inside me. Oh god…

My heart suddenly became heavy, causing me to lurch forward onto the ground. From my throat, I began to wail so loudly that it completely deafened me to all else. Tears streamed down my cheeks in a never-ending deluge. Just when I thought my breath had run out, the moment I filled my lungs again, I felt only the urge to cry once more. All at once the guilt that I had thrust upon her had, in an instant, exploded within me. How could I have forgotten them. How could I have ever thought to throw them away, my sisters, my family. Why was I the only one left? I couldn't help but run these questions through my mind over and over again. Each time I did so, I came to better understand. What a horrible thing to believe that one could simply forget this. Why did I do this? Why am I here? Why!?

"Ruukoto…" I heard from the window. A quick glance told me that somehow, I had been subdued. Whether or not that was because master defeated me, or my outburst from just now had caused my body on the outside to stop I don't know. However, master calling my name, began to spark a different feeling. It reminded me of what I had to do. It reminded me of a purpose, one that I chose for myself.

Looking about I made sure to burn it into my mind.

"Let's go see master," I said to no one, yet still to the one I wanted to hear it.

Break

"Ruukoto…" I forced my eyes open upon hearing master call my name. Once my eyes finally adjusted. I realized that master was cradling me in his arms.

"Ah… master. Good morning," I told him.

"It's… never mind. How are you feeling?" He was probably going to tell me that it wasn't actually morning. Nevertheless, I must update him on my status.

"Hmm…" Running diagnostics check. Scanning for abnormalities. Minor damage to parts and scratches, negligible. Energy consumption check, 63% remaining. Plume status, calm. Personali- I think we can stop there. "I'm okay, master. Just a little rattled."

"Are you sure? We had to… kind of…" Master was probably not wanting to admit to having used his more powerful attacks to stop me. Though I saw it all anyways.

"I'm made with special futuristic alloys that were designed to basically be as near indestructible as possible. Though I am a little tired." I need to reassure him that he has nothing to worry about. "Besides it will take a lot more than that to pierce my shell."

"Oh, so you did see it…" He said, releasing a big sigh as he did so. "Well, if you think so, at least you're okay. Just let me get that for you," he gently told me as he wiped a tear from my eye. Before I could thank him for that however-

"Mind if I ask you some questions later in regard to that power of yours?" I turned to find that besides me and master, we were surrounded by the other girls I had saw earlier. The one who asked me that just now was Patchouli. "I had assumed that that power was unique to him and him alone, but if it can manifest itself in others, then it might perhaps be worth studying."

"Um that's-"

"You can do that later. Right now, we have to find an exit. We all just rushed in here. What floor are we on anyways?" Mokou asked, interrupting master, as she looked around cautiously. Taking in my surroundings, it was pure white. The walls and floor looked crystalline in nature. Everywhere seemed to shine a brilliant white, but even so, down the halls, only darkness spread.

"We're in the Adamah Block. We're currently on floor 238. You really rushed in here, you know." I couldn't help but squirm a bit in embarrassment.

"I see. I had no idea the tower would contain such a beautiful place. It's so clean and pristine," Remilia remarked as she looked about the place. It was probably only now that she was able to actually get a good look at the tower's interior.

"Indeed, not even a single speck of dust or blood. I wonder who cleans it all?" Sakuya's question brings up a good point. I wonder if the shadows are the ones who clean this place. I mean the walls can't shine themselves. I wonder how they get water up here to do that too. Maybe some of the flying sha-

"This little reunion is nice. However, I think we should move on." As soon as Yuuka mentioned as such, chains could be heard in the distance. "I hate sore losers. I thought it was interesting that it kept coming back, but so far it's been nothing but a nuisance."

"Hey, can I blow it up this time?" Utsuho asked, fluttering her wings in excitement. I wonder who washes her cape.

"Sure. We need a bit of time to rest too, so go ahead," Master told her, apparently not even worried in the slightest for her safety.

"Yay!" And like that, Utsuho flew off without any hesitation. She wasn't fast, but certainly I wouldn't want to get in her way. She looked like she was having so much fun.

"I'll keep track of her so don't worry," Patchouli said as Utsuho disappeared around the corner.

"Yeah, I've also got Skuld running scans, so there's no need to fret." Skuld? Is that a new Persona? Hmm… I'm feeling a presence beside master. How long has that doll been sitting there? "Can you stand Ruukoto?"

"Huh? Oh yes I can…" I wonder why he asked that. I mean I was still laying in his arms, but that's okay. I like it here. It's next to master, so it's a good place.

"Well, we have to move at some point so…" Oh! I get it.

"Ah, right!" I then, with master's help, began to stand back up. No issues detected. Balancer and motor functions fully operational. With another look at master, I affirmed that I was okay.

"So, are we going to keep going then?" Remilia asked, interjecting between the good atmosphere between master and me. "If I recall correctly, from what you've said in the past, there are only about 30 floors remaining. With our speed and fire power now, we could potentially completely explore the tower tonight."

"Hmm…" Master said, thinking on what Remilia just said.

"I'll leave the decision to you. You've so far proven yourself a capable field leader, so I trust your judgment," Remilia said in an almost dismissive way, but despite that, it was clear that she seemed to hold my master in great respect. She should though, because master is great.

"I want to, but…" Master then looked at me. Oh, I get it. I think he's probably worried about me since there wouldn't be time to take me outside.

"Don't worry master. I'm A-Okay to keep going!" With a single thought- summoning protocol activated. "Hephaestus!" Summoning Persona. Summoning successful. No problems! "With this I won't be in danger at all!" I then took master's hands into my own. "As long as master promises to rest afterwards, I think it's best to get it out of the way while we can. Just promise me that."

"I see…" Master muttered with wide eyes. I don't know why he was surprised to see it. Maybe he thought my ASSW protocols were shut down again. I should explain to him later more of what happened when time permits. Closing his eyes, he took a moment to think, evident by the furrowed brow. He looks cute when he does that. "Let's do it!" Remilia's eyes lit up when master declared his intention to explore the rest of Tartarus. He gave me a nod before breaking off.

"Then once Utsuho returns, we'll immediately begin moving forward. She should return in abo-"

"I'm back!"

"-now." Patchouli finished just as Utusho returned.

"Turns out he can't fry! I wanted to see him super crispy! Thought he might taste good, but he just disappeared when I tried firing a mini sun at him! Boo! So weak!" I wished to reply, but I had not a single word I could say in response. Certainly, Gensokyou is filled with many wonderful and strange things. Also, very scary things.

"Everyone let's go. Utsuho, we're moving on." Minato commanded. Sakuya flashed her knives in response. Mokou let a wry smile paint her lips as a small spark emanated from her hands. Yuuka simply twirled her umbrella, but for some reason I was really scared watching that. Patchouli yawned, and Remilia flapped her wings as she flexed her fingers. The light of the crystal walls reflected off her claws.

"Great I found the stairs while trying to find him! Follow me!" Utsuho innocently let out as she then flew off without a care in the world.

"You heard her! Let's go! Ruukoto stick close by!"

"Roger!" I said as I activated my flight pack. As a maid, it's my job to make sure master is okay. That also means making sure that he stays out of danger, and that he doesn't work too hard. It's time to prove my worth to master.

Break

"There's nothing up here…" I heard master say as we had reached the top. Indeed, the summit had nothing at all. It was a simple open area with a clear view of the sky, only marginally obstructed by the various spires that dotted the edge. Master's face fell to the floor, expressionless as he just blankly stared at the ground.

"How disappointing," Patchouli said, having come with us since climbing to the top was supposed to be such an auspicious event. Sakuya had helped her up the whole way though, since Patchouli's constitution was quite weak. Right now, Sakuya was holding on to the youkai mage.

"Awww… that's it?" Utsuho whined, her disappointment clear as the sky in her voice.

"I was hoping for a much bigger shadow to fight," Yuuka said as she too looked about the landscape.

"Is there supposed to be something up here?" Mokou asked, walking towards the center of the area.

"Truly, is this it?" Remilia asked master.

"I… I guess it is… but I don't understand. Tartarus is supposed to appear for a reason. It… it can't be here for no reason at all," master said as he turned to the rest of the group. "Why is it here then?"

"Hmmm…" Remilia intoned as she looked about. "Perhaps there's no reason."

"Huh?" Master let out in confusion. "But-"

"What is Gensokyou?" Remilia asked, interrupting master.

"It's… It's a place where Youkai, the lost, and other forgotten things go so that they can still exist," master answered, as if almost grasping what Remilia meant by asking such a question. I had already guessed what she meant as well.

"Close enough!" Remilia said. "Ruukoto-san, I'm guessing you already know what I am alluding to." I stood stock still at hearing my name called, but taking upon my other self's fearlessness, I steadied myself. Thanks, other me. No problem.

"I guess it means that Tartarus is here, only because it has been lost in the outside world?" I answered, still a bit wary of getting it wrong.

"That is the most likely assumption," Patchouli affirmed. "Not only that, you yourself told us that the tower's purpose was already used up. So, it looks like it's just here thanks to it being captured in Gensokyou's grasp, rather than any express purpose."

"Then she isn't here…" my master said as he fell back and onto the ground.

"Master!" I cried as I ran over to him.

"I'm fine, just… I'm just exhausted." He said as he exhaled.

"So, then the reason why you rushed us is because you were looking for someone?" Mokou asked.

"Unyuu? You were looking for someone? Is it like Satori-sama's sister?" Utsuho suddenly butt in.

"That's right, you'd actually remember her." So apparently, he was looking for this sister, I'm guessing.

"That girl has a sister? I'm surprised, given how she's never brought her up," Yuuka added. "Did you suspect she'd be up here?" Master nodded in response.

"Yeah, I received a tip that she'd be in a place of the heart, and this was kind of the only place I could think of."

"And why would that be?" Mokou asked. "I don't know about you, but if this is anyone's heart, that is one messed up heart." Master let out a chortle at Mokou's comment before taking a deep breath to speak.

"Do you guys know what shadows are?" Master asked as he tried to recompose himself.

"I don't believe you've told us," Sakuya answered.

"I sometimes jump at mine, does that count?" Utsuho stated, raising her hand like a school child as she did so. Master gave a weak smile as he got up to explain more in detail what shadows are. Suffice to say, the explanation he gave them I was already privy to. Shadows are the negative emotions of humanity given physical form. I didn't pay close attention however, given that it was redundant to listen in my case.

"So, thanks to that, I thought that maybe Tartarus is where she'd be, since shadows are gather here in the tower," master finished explaining.

"A sound assumption, though it seems the hypothesis was conclusively disproven," Patchouli said. "Though I suppose if nothing else Remi, we can say we're the first to reach the top of the tower."

"Of course! And since we've thoroughly explored it, exactly as desired, we can simply go ahead and fly to the top from now on," Remilia said, with pride.

"Why were we going up the tower instead of flying through it?" Utsuho asked… Which was a very good question actually.

"I-I don't know," Remilia stated, a bit flat footed. "Why didn't we just fly again?" She asked no one in particular.

"It's because I wanted to make sure nothing was wrong with the tower. Now that we've gone through it so thoroughly, there's nothing to worry about it." Ah that would explain it. Master just wanted to be sure nothing was wrong.

"Hmm, well it was fun regardless. Having so many things to kill without guilt was quite refreshing, even if it did get a bit stale at the end there," Yuuka said with a blissful smile on her face. If I wasn't aware of her usual cruelty, I would have thought she looked quite cute. "Oh, is there something on my face?"

"Nothing!" I said in a panic. "Just happy you enjoyed yourself." I should really stop talking. Luckily it seems she bought it as she simply nodded and let me be. I almost had my life flash before my eyes, specifically my memory recall function was almost accidently called.

"Well, at least we know the tower ain't a threat anymore. We can probably take the shortcut down," Mokou said as she pointed off the side of the tower. "How about it?"

"Yes, I think my wings could do with a nice stretch after being cramped in that tower for so long," Remilia said as she went over to where Mokou was, near the edge of the tower.

"Yeah! Let's go!" Utsuho then rushed off, being the first to dive downwards. Without a word, the rest of us followed after. Of course, the one I was following was master, who seemed to at least be content and resigned to the series of events.

Break

"Welp, it was a laugh and a half, but I've got somewhere to be tomorrow. Kaguya's having a bit of get together at her place with a few others for some kind of night thing so I've got to get going," Mokou said as she prepped to leave the premises. All of us had landed safely on ground level. In the time it took for us to land, the dark hour had already gone away, bringing back the sounds of night.

"I too have to leave as well. If you want to truly test your skills, I'd be happy to lend you a hand. I want to see what you can really do. But until then I will be in my garden waiting," Yuuka said as she too was making preparations to leave.

"If I feel like it…" Master you don't hide your nervousness very well.

"Yeah, I have to make it back before Satori-sama gets too worried. So, if you'll excuse me!" Before any of us could say anything more, Utsuho had already left. Probably in her mind, there was no issue with leaving with such little ceremony. Though I suppose nothing was wrong with her being that way. Sometimes I'm like that as well.

"Thank you for leading the way through the tower, Minato-san. While it ultimately did not yield anything, it was still quite the romp!" Remilia said with gusto and satisfaction.

"Though she says that, I managed to get a great deal of magic research done. These Shadows sound interesting, and familiar to something else. I'm going to do a bit more research on my own, but you were a great help," Patchouli said as she ruffled through the pages of a book I think I saw her writing in earlier.

"Thank you for keeping my master entertained," was all that Sakuya said with a simple bow.

"You never did get your watch working in the Dark Hour," my master commented.

"Yes, well, as long as it still works outside of it, it's fine. It's not like those shadows were going to be trouble regardless." Sakuya flashed a knife in her hand, only to retract it in an instant.

"I can see that, but yeah. Thanks guys. It would have been a lot harder to do this if it weren't for everyone's help." Based on my scanners, I can tell that master, on a combat level, would not have had any issues, but he might have had navigational issues had he not had Patchouli's aid. Despite that he did seem sincere. As expected of master, who is always so kind.

"It's too bad you were never able to find who it was you were looking for though," Remilia relayed her condolences. "Should you ever need to do so, do not hesitate to ask us to help you investigate the tower again. I think those of us here would be happy to help once more." I could see master's lips rise just ever so slightly at the edge as he began to pat Remilia's head. The vampire girl froze the moment his palm met her scalp.

"Thanks, Remilia-san. I appreciate it." Master said simply. I must ask him to pat my head as well later!

"N-no, p-problem!" She said as she squirmed under his hand. Whether it was from pleasure or embarrassment, both, or some other emotion I couldn't tell. Her wings were flapping wildly though. Regardless it didn't seem like she disliked it. "Rrggh, come on stop it!" When she reached her boiling point, she swatted his hand away. With a cough, she continued. "You may pat me more some other time. For now, I must return home and make sure that nothing has been destroyed in my absence."

"Destroyed?" Master asked just as I was about to.

"It's nothing. Sakuya, Patchouli, we're leaving."

"Right behind you Remi. Take care, Minato-kun."

"Of course, Master. Farewell, Arisato-sama." And like that the ones from the Scarlet Devil Mansion left for home.

"See you around Kid. Try to cheer up okay?" Mokou added as she too took the opportunity to leave.

"Goodbye," was all Yuuka said as she flew off to where ever she called home. In the end, the only ones left were me and Master.

"So, are you okay Ruukoto?" Master suddenly asked me.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" I asked in return. Is he-

"I'm talking about the conflict you were having earlier. You might not have realized it, but on the outside, it was clear that your ASSW protocols and your usual self were fighting, what with the conflicting speech patterns that you said when we were fighting you." Oh, did that really happen? Oh my, how embarrassing.

"I'm fine master. It's just Ruukoto now. Maybe before tonight there was an ASSW me, and maid me. But right now, it's just me. Both are in balance. Both the past and the future" At least I think that's the case. She and I, I mean… I came to an agreement with myself. We must never forget the past but move towards the future of our choosing. Though I don't think I should burden him just yet about that past.

"Is that so. Balance huh?"

"Yup, and that balance is only possible serving you master." The master who takes care of me.

"Are you sure? You can leave whenever you want." Master's kindness sometimes hurts.

"I'm sure. My place is to be with master. It's where I'm happiest." I heard master give a sigh before picking up a whisper.

"What's with me and devoted robots," he said quietly as he scratched the back of his in resignation. Do I have a rival? I was sure I was the only robot girl archetype around master.

"If I ever wish to leave, I'll let you know. How about that master?" I offered, attempting to meet him halfway.

"Given my past experiences, I doubt that will happen, but yeah. Let me know if you ever change your mind Ruukoto. I don't mind if you find there's something else you want to do in life. I'll help you out even." Master, your words… you still need work. I couldn't help but grimace a bit at his willingness to let me go.

"Yes, but only if I bring the subject up, master." It seems at least he got the memo, as he quietly nodded in affirmation.

"If it means anything, I'm happy to have a maid around." I could sense that he was holding back on that phrase. Perhaps I can leverage a bit on that front in the future. For now, I was happy to hear that he liked my presence.

"Then I'll be sure to continue my service, master." I gave a little bow to him. The ASSW part of me felt like it had found something just then.

"Yeah, come on. Let's go home, Ruukoto."

"Yes, master." He fell asleep halfway back to the gate. Master's warm breath on my nape was nice.

Break

It had been a few days since then. Master had taken the rest he had promised and had apologized to everyone about worrying them so. He had been given pardon by the girls as he was made to simply rest as they searched for clues in his stead. I could tell in the way Master looked that he didn't expect anything, but he was happy all the same to be offered the help.

Sanae was contracting the kappa to try and find this girls presence. Byakuren had told her followers to be on the lookout for this individual. Apparently Nue was particularly gung ho to help out, much to everyone's surprise. Kaguya and Mokou had asked the rabbits to search high and low, with Eirin providing what aid as she could. Marisa of course searched by herself, saying it would be a great way to test her magics. Youmu by contrast only decided to provide the best care she could while he rested. Apparently, she felt that the best way she could help was by making sure master was taken care of. I still have a lot to learn from her. Reimu as well decided to let him rest instead of having him work. Though she seemed to be hiding something.

Of course, at some point, to his surprise a lead had been found.

"Really Maribel!?" I heard master ask Yukari, who he for some reason called Maribel, if what she said was true, jumping out of his seat as he asked as such. She had appeared in the middle of the day as Master, Reimu, Sukuna, Kasen, and myself were lazing about at the Hakurei shrine.

"I thought I asked you to only call me that in private!" Yukari admonished master. When did this happen?

"Sorry, go on, Yakumo-san." Master said as he sat back down.

"Yes, but I don't think you'll believe the answer." Yukari then for some reason turned her head to a certain corner of the room that had an otherworldly appliance playing in the background. Why was she staring at the TV?


Author's Notes:

I'd meant to write this out in a shorter piece, and do so faster, but then I hit writers block. It was messy, but an industrial drill tends to do the job nicely of breaking it. So honestly this was a chapter I wrote only because I kind of needed it. Originally, I had no plans to write such a thing, but reading it through I realized that I needed one more chapter between this one and the next one to explain some stuff before I could move on. Think of this as a semi-filler, chapter. It will be important, but not as much as others. Still I hope this came out nicely, give Ruukoto a bit of the spot light as well as showcase some of the other things happening around. The result is because I was semi forcing myself to write this chapter, this came out so late I got 6 chapters of a completely different fic out instead. Whoda thunk?

So yeah, Tartarus was just there because of how Gensokyou works. It isn't some greater mystery, it isn't some devilish plot. It's just how Gensokyou is. I mean come on, nuclear fusion happens there, anything can happen. It might be a bit of a let down I know, but I've got other plans for it later, ones that involve plots where you could, in the corner, 5C, 236A, 214D, 214214C, 236236A, OMB, 214B, 2B, j.5C, j.214A, 5A, 5C, 2C, 214B, 214214C… I was a Narukami main back in the day.

Any who, the next chapter should come up soon, so stay tuned… for about 3 days for editing stuff. I'll see you then. As always if you find something interesting, let me know, Reviews are there for you to shout various things of varying usefulness at me. I'll take what I can get. Hopefully though, you got entertained. I'll see you guys next time. Later!

PS. Turns out BBTAG is going to use the Japanese spelling for Aegis' name… going to be weird playing that.