Touhou Duel Masters Café
Chapter 41 – Fragrance
Nekohana cruised through the afternoon air as she mulled over her findings over the last couple days. She asked her employers and other people within the village about the woman she encountered that evening, and she learned why a lot of people were reluctant to answer her questions.
Kazami Yuuka. Flower Master of Four Seasons. That was the woman she met.
A youkai who goes at her own pace, Yuuka wanders Gensokyo, blessing flowers and plants in every season with her ability, one that enables her to manipulate flowers. She visits the Human Village at times, and while there she is lady-like, complete with courteous manners and an almost noble demeanor. Reportedly, she also invites herself over to festivals and banquets at times, albeit alone for the most part.
However, while fairly harmless when unprovoked, the incredible combat prowess and ferocious attitude she reveals when her territory or goal is disturbed has earned her a very fearful reputation among humans and youkai alike.
"Strongest".
That has been said to be her power within Gensokyo. Not strongest for her cheat skills, nor special abilities. Not for dueling either, but simply for her unparalleled combat abilities. Inhuman power, durability and speed. A youkai that is most like a youkai.
Nekohana gulped as her brained processed this information. She definitely didn't want to get on this youkai's bad side. It's even rumored that not even Yukari wants to interfere in her business if she can help it. Although duels are the official rules to resolve disputes within Gensokyo, there are always some who would rather deal without it. And when this type of conflict concerns Yuuka, things don't end well for her opponent. Shaking these thoughts off, Nekohana focused on the idea of befriending, or at least knowing, Yuuka. Her ability to manipulate flowers is intriguing, to say the least, and Nekohana hoped to see if she could learn a thing or two from the youkai.
After another period of flying, Nekohana's goal came within her view. A vast field of yellow covered the earth, and a close look identified them as sunflowers, matching the area's name; Sunflower Fields. Also known as where Yuuka tends to linger for long periods during the years.
"This is beautiful…" The lioness muttered.
Entranced by the sheer amount of sunflowers within eyesight, Nekohana could barely react as the air around rumbled and shuddered. Doing a barrel-roll in the nick of time, she narrowly evaded a large blast of yellow beam from the ground.
"Wha…!" Turning her head to the origin of the attack, Nekohana finally found the youkai she was looing for.
Kazami Yuuka, in her usual attire of checkered long skirt and vest over a white cutter shirt, gazed at the airborne lioness with her crimson eyes, her short green hair swaying lightly from the intense blast. The smoking tip of her parasol was pointed at Nekohana. Clearly it was where the beam came from.
A little frantic, Nekohaan raised her hands in the air.
"I'm not here looking for trouble! I'm sorry if I trespassed your territory! I just wanted to have a talk!"
Yuuka's eyebrows raised. "A talk?"
"Yes! I know your ability, and as a flower gardener I'd just like to have a few words, and see if we could connect and stuff…" Nekohana explained, hoping the other youkai could at least hear her out. "I'm not here to look for a fight, please, trust me."
"…" While Yuuka's gaze was still fixated on the lioness, she seemed to consider her proposal. It was a while before she opened her parasol and swung it backwards, resting it lightly on her shoulder.
"Very well. Come with me. Let's see what you want to talk about."
Yuuka motioned for Nekohana to take a seat at a small, round table. A pot of tea sat on top of the table, still hot.
So she was having tea just now… Nekohana mused as she sat on one of the chairs. It was clean, but nothing seemed to imply it was in use for the most part.
Yuuka poured her guest a cup of tea. "I apologize for my aggressive behavior just now. I don't have a lot of guests here after all, at least, not many that harbor good intentions."
"Of course…" Nekohana bobbed her head. "I've heard much about you."
"Oh, really?" Yuuka smiled, though even Nekohana couldn't make out if she was really amused or not. "I don't suppose those gave you any good impressions?"
"Um… I've heard some good things as well." Nekohana replied, prompting a small chuckle from her host.
"Fufu. Well, let's leave that there then. What did you want to talk about again?"
"Oh, right!" Nekohana piped up at the prospect of getting a real conversation going. She shuffled through her sack, producing a few seeds she had gathered from her travels. "It's not often I see youkai with the power over plants like myself. Or rather…it's my magic that affects them. But I'd really like to chat with someone over plants."
"Hmm." Yuuka raised her cup to her lips. "I do hold over plants, but I'm not an expert on plants themselves. I just make them blossom, and see them grow into their full blown form."
"Oh? But you're a flower youkai, no?" Nekohana cocked her head.
Yuuka's lips curled into a small smile. "I only hold power over plants. As for what youkai I am…I'll leave that up to your imagination."
"Oh…I'm sorry for the assumption." Nekohana apologized, a little taken by surprise by the revelation. "I had assumed that…"
"It's not a big deal." Yuuka brushed the matter off. "Seeing as you're one of the new youkai from another world…or so I've heard, it's normal you didn't know. Granted, no one really knows what youkai I really am, aside from myself."
She smiled again, crimson eyes boring into Nekohana's, causing her to break off the eye contact a little frantically.
She really is dangerous… Nekohana thought to herself. Coughing, she changed the subject.
"How do you make plants grow? Do you just will them into blossoming? I use some magic to help them grow, but I haven't seen anyone using a different method, or at least in a long time."
Yuuka's index finger tapped her chin. "I don't really have some kind of complex theory or skill. I just…"
She raised a palm at the seeds, and instantly they began to sprout, but abruptly stopped when Yuuka withdrew her hand.
"It's just my endless amount of magical power being able to will them into maturing. Reviving dead plants is not outside the realm of my abilities as well."
"Wow…" Nekohana peered at the sprouted seeds. "This is definitely a handy power."
"Not so much. But I love to see flowers grow, after all. Making them blossom is the second thing that makes me feel that I'm alive."
"And I may ask what's the first?" The lioness regretted her words as soon as they came out of her mouth, as she instantly knew the answer.
Yuuka's smile grew wider, almost like a predator looking at her prey.
Nekohana gulped.
"Don't worry. I don't have any interest in treading the weak." Yuuka brushed through her green hair before taking another sip of her tea. "I seek to have worthy opponents after all. You know, like the Hakurei shrine maiden, or the Buddhists. Especially the former…fufu, she definitely makes my blood boil at times."
So Reimu's that strong to receive praise from Yuuka… Nekohana fiddled with the seeds. She's not only a good duelist, but I didn't expect her to be one of the strongest combatants as well.
"I'm sorry if I can't share with you more knowledge about plants in Genoskyo." Yuuka refilled Nekohana's cup. "You might have more luck asking in the Human Village, or maybe asking the magicians, especially Kirisame Marisa. They might have more insight on herbs and the like."
"Oh, thank you very much." Nekohana's head bobbed again. "I'll be sure to ask them."
"Hm." Yuuka leaned back in her seat, bathing in the sunlight as she waved her hand. At once all the sunflowers turned at incredible speeds, for plants, and turned to face the sun in the afternoon sky. "This was an meaningful conversation. I didn't expect another youkai who could control plants and flowers as well. Definitely not some kind of fairy bringing the new of spring and such."
"Well…it's a long story." Nekohana sighed. "Back in my world studying plants was one of the few hobbies I was permitted to have. Over time, it just grew onto me completely, and now I can't feel at ease without planting something or researching on some kind of previously unknown plant."
"It's good to have something you indulge in. Definitely keeps you busy, and make you feel alive." Yuuka stood up, twirling her parasol. "I suggest you take cover."
At once, she pointed her parasol at the sky, once again firing her signature Master Spark that shook the air and almost covered Nekohana's whole line of sight.
"I didn't expect 2 visitors in a day."
The newcomer's aura was familiar enough to let Nekohana know who the newcomer was.
"Keh…"
"Shishima." Nekohana looked up at the hovering demon. "What are you doing here?"
Demon Subaru scoffed. His clothes were a little charred, but it seemed he had evaded a direct shot from Yuuka.
"I've just finished running an errand for Yukari. Taught a few rogue youkais a lesson to let them know their place. I happened to pass by and felt your presence, and of course…" He peered at Yuuka, their crimson eyes locked on each other.
"So, that's the other youkai from another world, I see." Yuuka's parasol didn't move. "Shishima, was it?"
"Hmph…" Shishima quickly landed in front of the ladies, with the parasol's point following him. "Yes, it is I, Shishima, prince of the Twilight Kingdom."
"Hmm…" Yuuka cocked her head, and twirling her parasol, she stabbed it into the earth, hands poised on the handle. "A pleasure to meet you. Kazami Yuuka, if you haven't known already. What brings you here?"
"I told you, I just happened to pass by, and you could say my curiosity got the better of me." Demon answered. "I didn't expect such a strong aura in a place like this…and it seems you're the source of that, Kazami Yuuka."
"I'm flattered." Yuuka's tone indicated otherwise. "Now that you know, mind leaving us? As you can see, I'm entertaining a guest here."
"…Hm." Demon turned his attention to Nekohana, who didn't seem to welcome his presence either. Of course, her happy conversation being cut off didn't put her in a good mood.
"I'm not asking here." Yuuka's tone grew even colder. "Your presence alone chokes my flowers."
"Tsk…" Demon could feel the air tremble again as Yuuka's feet planted themselves even firmer into the ground. This Yuuka…she's definitely out of my league. And I've lost my touch as a fighter now. I can't afford to pick a fight with her…
"Fine." He stepped back, but eyes still fixated on Yuuka. "I don't want any trouble either."
With that, he turned and leapt into the air, soon disappearing into the horizon.
"…" Nekohana sighed with relief as she reseated herself, as did her host.
"I take it that you know each other." Yuuka lifted the pot, emptying its last contents into Nekohana's cup.
"Yeah… Whether I like or not."
"Hm. I suppose its part of that long story."
Nekohana nodded in return. "You can say he's one reason why I prefer to stay in a human form."
"Complicated, I see. Then again, I don't plan on commenting on others' way of living." Yuuka finished the last of her tea. "It's been a some time since I talked with someone for so long, but seeing our tea is finished, continuing this conversation might have to wait till another time. You see, I do prefer being alone for the most part."
Nekohana didn't dare refute, although she had one last request.
"Would you accept another request from me?" She shuffled through her bag. "If it's possible, I'd like to have a duel with you."
Yuuka's eyebrows arched upwards.
"A duel… you say?"
BGM: Love Mound of Cherry Blossoms ~ Flower of Japan (Dolls in Pseudo Paradise)
"I will admit, I really prefer having actual fights that make me feel flesh and bone. Duel Masters might be the official rule…but it has never been my style." Yuuka sighed as she charged a mana. "I cast Future Blueprint."
6 cards from the top of her deck presented themselves in front of her. "I add Ochappi to my hand, and the rest…go back in this order."
The other 5 cards quickly aligned themselves according to Yuuka's instruction on the bottom of her deck as she ended her turn.
"You still have a duel orb though." Nekohana noted, drawing a card. Yuuka shrugged nonchalantly in response.
"It's the rules, so just in case."
"Hm. Well, I cast Scale of Love and Bravery to discard Mad Dead Wood and draw 2 cards." Nekohana smiled. This was a good early game for her. "Turn end."
"Hm. My turn, draw. I charge Cebu Algol and summon Ochappi."
The Snow Faerie, gifted with long flowing hair and boasting a better style and height than most others of her kin, appeared on Yuuka's side of the field. With a wave of her cane, Future Blueprint bounced from Yuuka's grave to her mana.
Nekohana frowned. This wasn't a deck she liked to face. But if that's the case, she'll need to finish this fast. Thankfully I have Mad Dead Wood in my grave…
"I charge Megagoone Churis and summon Dorgan Churis!" The red Beat Jockey clad in armor made from the fossil of Bakuadorgan bounded onto the battle zone. "Thanks to Bad Action Dynamite 2 I can summon him for 3 mana. He's also a Speed Attacker, so I enter the battle phase and attack you with him! Then Revolution Change! I exchange Dorgan Churis with Doguraeater from my hand, and I discard Gigandydanos to bring out Mad Dead Wood from my grave!"
The mouse bounded back to Nekohana's hand, right after exchanging a high-five baton touch with the plant-like Demon Command Dragon. "Now Mad Dead Wood gives my creatures Ultra Saver for multicolored creatures."
"I see your love of plants has reflected in your choice of deck." Yuuka commented, as Dogureater slashed at 2 of her shields, which reformed in her hands as cards. "No trigger."
"Turn end then."
"My turn. I charge Intense Vacuuming Twist into my mana zone and cast Imen's Sign to bring out a cost 7 or less Beast Folk form my hand. I bring out Imen=Bugo. Then I equip him with Boaroaxe."
The Beast Folk modeled after a crocodile and wearing aboriginal clothing materialized, calling forth the Evil Tomahawk from the hyperspace.
"Then with Boaroaxe's effect I call forth Cebu Algol from my mana zone, who in turn calls Victrious Prinprin from my hyperspace." Two more Aliens materialized on Yuuka's field, bumping the number of creatures in her possession to four.
"Kuh…and the total cost of those creatures are…"
"Correct. Prinprin first stops your Dogureater from attacking or blocking until my next turn." With a thunder wave, the Alien princess bound the dragon with energy chains, preventing her from moving. "Then End Phase. Ochappi costs 3, Imen=Bugo costs 7 and both aliens cost 5. The total cost of my creatures are 20, and so Boaroaxe ryukais into Boaropagos."
Imen=Bugo flung the axe into the air, and it transformed into the dragheart fortress, crashing down onto the earth.
"Turn end."
Nekohana had no choice but to declare the activation of Mad Dead Wood, switching as it brought out Gigandydanos while sending all of the other creatures to their respective owners' deck bottom.
"Gigandydanos sends all of your hand to your mana zone." With a roar, the Giant Dragon sent a shockwave at Yuuka, sending her remaining hand into her mana zone.
"Then draw. I charge a mana…then I summon Megagoone Churis." Now I have something to protect Gigandydanos once…
"Hmm… My turn. …I summon Aqua Ninja Raija."
Nekohana groaned internally.
"Boaropagos allows me to bring out a cost 4 or less creature…I bring out Manazone Chain Britanekko." The cat Beast Folk, also belonging to the Bouken Kingdom, appeared only the battle zone, but swiftly disappeared back into the mana zone, and likewise Raija returned to Yuuka's hand. "Raiya's effect bounces himself back to my hand, and Britanekko sends one of your creatures to your mana zone."
"I'm not using Ultra Saver." Nekohana's Beat Jockey was sent to her mana zone.
"I use my remaining water mana to summon Raiya again to repeat the same action." Yuuka shook her head, as Imen=Bugo wasn't present to turn all her mana into rainbow mana.
"Gigandyndanos gets sent to my mana zone as well."
"Turn End then."
"My turn, draw." Nekohana took a quick look at the new addition to her hand before charging it into her mana zone. "I summon Honenbe to mill the top 3 cards of my deck and salvage 1."
The Skeletal Guardian radiated a dark aura as Dorago the Great, Megagoone Churis and Shuff were dropped into Nekohana's grave from her deck, and she quickly recovered the Twinpact card.
I can't risk giving her hands…but this is the only chance now. "I use Bad Action Dynamite again and summon Dorgan Churis. Battle!"
The Beat Jockey rushed at Nekohana's opponent, but soon bounced back to her hand as she exchanged it with the card she reserved for a time like this.
"Revolution Change! Dogiragon Buster! With his effect I bring out Rinnevenus from my hand. I don't have 4 multicolored cards in my mana zone, so I can't activate his effect, but he'll do. Ike! Buster! Triple Break!"
The Mega Command Dragon clad in blue armor bounded forward, cape flowing as he slashed apart Yuuka's remaining shields.
"Shield Trigger. Imen's Sign. I cost trample a second Imen=Bugo that came from my shields as well." Imen=Bugo signaled his reappearance with a roar, and rushing forward, his fist went through Nekohana's remaining dragon. "I didn't get to use it the last time, but Imen's Sign allows me to battle an opponent's creature with the trampled Beast Folk."
Nekohana sighed with relief. Thankfully she had prepared for the worst if Yuuka could somehow use another Imen's Sign. "Rinnevenus has Slayer, so Imen=Bugo dies with him as well."
Right before disappearing, Rinnevenus sunk his fangs into the Beast Folk, dragging him along to the graveyard.
"Hm… Imen=Bugo's effect. I bring out Mysterios Ruins Euru=Bukka from my hyperspatial zone." Boaropagos was joined by the 2nd fortress on Yuuka's side of the field, almost as if fighting Mad Dead Wood for territory. "Now my Nature creatures cost 1 less to summon."
"…Turn End."
"My turn. …Hmm." Yuuka scratched her chin. "I summon Ochappi for 2 mana and put Imen=Bugo from my grave to my mana. With Boaropagos' effect, I bring out Prometheus from my mana."
The humanoid ox in a suit, with his right arm transformed into an axe, appeared on the battle zone, and added Yuuka's top 2 cards of her deck into mana tapped, recovering Hayabusamaru from her mana zone in the process as well.
"Then I summon Raiya to bounce himself and bring out Britanekko to send herself into the mana zone."
Nekohana chose Honenbe as the Guardian disappeared in green light, dropping into her mana.
"Then I summon Jasmine to destroy herself and boost 1, and bring out Britanekko to remove your Dogiragon Buster as well."
Nekohana was left with no choice, and green aura surrounded Dogiragon Buster, removing him from the battle zone.
"Turn End."
Nekohana smiled as she drew. Yuuka's deck was indeed dangerous, but she was glad she was able to stop Yuuka from getting her needed pieces to win thanks to her early Mad Dead Wood.
"Alright, let's finish this. I summon Shortshot Magnum, and Dorgan Churis as well." Dorgan Churis reappeared for the 3rd, and final time in the duel, this time joined by the Outrage that resembled a puppet on horseback, like his namesake. "Magnum effectively prevents you from putting any creatures into the battle zone during my turn, so Hayabusamaru is now useless. Go, Dorgan Churis, direct attack!"
"Well, I hope you're satisfied." Yuuka stretched as the light from the duel orbs faded, along with their creatures. "I told you I'm not the best duelist, but I don't duel much, but consider this is my parting gift today."
"Thank you very much, Yuuka-san." Nekohana bowed, grateful that Yuuka had responded to her request. "Would it be alright if I came to visit again sometime later?"
"I'd prefer to spend more time alone here, I'm afraid."
Nekohana's heart dropped a little in disappointment.
"However…maybe you can entertain me with more stories of your travels if you meet me another time on banquets and festivals." Yuuka smiled a little, as she rested her parasol on her shoulder again.
The lioness' face lighted up.
"Of course!"
"Well then, good day."
"You're in a good mood, Nekohana." Jonathan noted as he watched her hum lightly while serving the customers.
"Heheh… yes I am." Nekohana smiled brightly. "You could say I managed to have a good conversation going with Yuuka-san yesterday."
"Yuuka? Kazami Yuuka?" The shopkeeper looked genuinely surprised. "You did ask about her the other day, but I didn't expect you to become friends with her."
"I don't know if she considers me a friend…but at least I guess she's an acquaintance now." Nekohana wiped an empty table.
"That's definitely a first. Yuuka doesn't take much interest in other youkai or humans unless they're very strong…so even Michael and I haven't interacted with her aside from a few greetings on festivals." Jonathan served up a cup of mocha. "I must say, that's quite a feat you accomplished."
"Hopefully I can meet her again sometime." Nekohana smiled again. "She's almost the perfect image of my imagined self. Strong, beautiful, affiliation with plants… I would definitely want to be friends with her."
"Hm. Well, I wish you good luck in that."
"Thank you~"
Nekohana spent the rest of the day anticipating her next meeting with Yuuka while working, and before she knew it the day was over, shimmering stars littered across the overarching night sky.
Decks:
Nekohana: 5c Doguraeater (５c ドグラーター)
Yuuka: Imen Loop (イメンループ)