Chapter 3: My reason to stay

I can't comprehend the situation before me.

In front of me is Yukari Yakumo, an old acquaintance of my grandfather. Though to be more accurate, it should be an acquaintance of my family for several generations.

The Yokai of Boundaries, one who is capable of manipulating the all types of boundaries, be they physical or mental.

And she is preventing me from returning back home, to the Outside World.

Why?

"Hold it, Yukari! You can't just keep him here just for your own amusement!" Reimu shouted.

Yukari looked indifferent, "On the contrary, I have a perfectly legit reason to keep him here in Gensokyo."

Walking towards me, she then raised her palm upward and a small hole opened in the space above it, revealing a familiar looking… Wait, that's my family's charm! I patted my pockets to find to confirm this.

"Yukari…" I glared at the yokai of boundaries when I heard Reimu gasped.

"What? This is…" Reimu then stared at me in shock as though seeing me for the first time.

"What? What is it?"

"You're emitting a large amount of spiritual energy all of a sudden! But how did you hide…" Reimu glanced at the charm in Yukari's hand.

"Fu-fu-fu, I see you've figured out. Indeed, this charm is what has been hiding his spiritual energy from detection… though it is only a matter of time before it loses its effectiveness."

"Err… hello? You've just lost the outsider here." I said while waving my hand.

"Well, Seido. Your body has been housing a large spiritual energy, enough to attract any yokai capable of detecting it if you were still in the Outside World. Here in Gensokyo however, the amount you possess is not surprising."

I raised an eyebrow, "Okay… and how exactly would you rate the amount of energy I have now?"

Reimu frowned as she gave it some thought, "Well, in terms of raw power, you're more powerful than most of the humans and average yokai in Gensokyo… but weaker than most of the Danmaku users I know, probably the weakest."

BANG!

… And that's the sound my face made when it connected with the table in front of me.

"What the hell! If my power is the weakest, then why would I be targeted in the first place! What's there to worry about?"

And I received a tap on the head, courtesy of Yukari's parasol, "Control yourself, Seido. While it is true your power is the weakest, it only applies when compared in Gensokyo, to those who can use Danmaku. In the Outside World however…"

I caught on, "The difference is so great that any yokai can locate me easily?"

"Correct, which is why you were given this charm." Yukari held up her hand, "However, the spell which is engraved on it is starting to wear off, having existed for more than 200 years."

Reimu stuttered at the news, "T-Two hundred years! That's impossible! There is no spell that could possibly last that long!"

"The spell is engraved on the charm, my dear. The charm acts as a catalyst which transfers the bearer's spirit energy into it, activating the spell without any need to cast."

For some reason, I felt that Yukari was leaving something out. I wasn't sure how a spell could last for 2 centuries, but then I don't know a thing about them anyway, "Okay… but getting back on topic, why do yokai want my spiritual energy?"

Reimu coughed a little, "I am sure you know that every living being contains spiritual energy, no matter what shape or form they take. Humans, animals, plants, yokai, we all have it and it connected deeply to the soul."

I nodded.

"Now this power is present in everyone, even the humans in the outside world. The only difference is that the spiritual energy of the humans out there is so small it is close to none existent. Comparing them with the humans here is like night and day."

Yukari brought up her fan, "Do you know why yokai hunt humans?"

I thought about it and shook my head.

"It is because rather than an everyday need, you humans are more like a delicacy towards us. An extraordinary meal cooked with the finest spices and ingredients, fit for a banquet."

… Well, that was very blunt. And are you sure you should say that in front of Reimu?

"However, there is a much deeper reason why we prefer to eat humans cooked."

To my surprise, it wasn't Yukari who said that, but Suika who now looked sober.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Marisa looked as confused as Reimu and I did.

Yukari looked grim, "Let me ask you question, what happens to the spiritual energy you have when you die?"

Reimu answered, "It dissipates and fades away as your soul leaves the body, before re-gathering when your soul is at the Sanzu River."

The Yokai of Boundaries nodded, "Now, if a yokai were to devour a human being while it is still alive, what would happen?"

Wait a minute… is she trying imply that...?

I asked, "Are you saying… that the yokai are able to absorb energy by devouring live human beings?"

Suika nodded her head, "By the devouring other living beings, yokai are capable of removing energy from the victim's body and add it to their own."

I frowned at this, "… There was no way that such a method would not have a backlash if overused or if the energy went beyond one's limit."

"Indeed, and we yokai had learn to firsthand what ill effects it would cause. But… that is a story for another time." Yukari waved her hand dismissively.

… I wonder if I could even take this seriously with that attitude of yours.

"Okay, I understand a little bit now. Basically, you want me to stay here so that I wouldn't get eaten and have my energy stolen by other yokai. But then, why would you want to do this? I mean, even if they did get my energy, Reimu and Marisa could easily decimate them without blinking an eye!"

"Not quite." To my surprise, it was Reimu who said that, "There is a matter of the Spell Card system."

"The Spell Card system? Wait, so there's more to those cards you used?"

"Not exactly. The system itself was made so that every Danmaku user would have a fair chance of victory regardless of their strength. So even if the yokai who ate you is weaker than me, there is still a chance it could beat me."

… Seriously!

"That is not all. Let's say which ever yokai who wants to devour has succeeded, what makes you think it will stop with just you? What's preventing it from continuing to devour humans here? Or even in the outside world? And if it is the latter, how do you propose we stop it? The magic here doesn't work out there."

… I said nothing.

"Now you understand… the reason why I can't let you leave. Of course, I don't expect you to just sit around and twiddle your thumbs. You will be learning how to use Danmaku, after all you are not one to stand around being protected all the time. In fact, you are now cursing the fact you are unable to protect anyone, including yourself. Am I wrong?"

… Damn it Yukari, you don't pull any punches.

Yukari folded her fan and pointed it towards me, "Well, Seido? What is your answer?"

"If you already know that much about me Yukari, then you should already know what my answer is." I answered. "I'm staying."

"I expected no less."

I then held out my hand, "Now that we're done...May I have my charm back… please?"

"Fu-fu-fu, since you ask so nicely~"

As the charm was returned, Marisa came closer. "Hey, do you think I can borrow this?"

I raised an eyebrow, "What for?"

"I just want to take a look."

Shrugging, I placed the charm into the witch's hands who looked enthusiastic.

Reimu glanced at me, "I wouldn't if I were you…"

I returned the glance, unsure about what the shrine priestess meant.

Marisa looked outside, "Hey, the sun is almost down! I better get home before dark ze!" She then placed the charm under her hat before getting up and going outside with her broom.

"Wait! When are you going to return my charm?"

She looked over her shoulder and grinned, "Don't worry! You can have it back when I'm dead ze!"

….

WAIT JUST A DAMN MINUTE, WITCH!

BANG!

For those of you wondering, that was the sound of me tackling Marisa into the ground before she could lift off. In hindsight, it was pretty stupid to tackle someone who can fire giant lasers. Then again, I would suffer a fate far worse than getting blasted if I just let her take my charm like that.

And I'd rather not talk about unless needed.

"Ouch! What was that for? Let me go!" Marisa cried while trying to pry my arms from her waist.

I tightened my grip, "Like hell! Not until you give me back my charm!"

"Why? You said I could borrow it!"

"I never said you can keep it until your DEATH! That charm is really important to my family! I can't just let you take it like this!"

Marisa pouted, "But I want to look at it! And I let you ride my broom and brought you here! You can at least repay me by letting me look!"

… Crap, I hate it when people do this. She reminds me of Yukari and her "give and take" system of hers.

"Fine… but only until tomorrow and NOT A DAY LATER! No excuses! Promise me!"

Marisa sighed, "Alright, I promise that I will return your charm by tomorrow. Now can you please let me go?"

…

After Marisa left, I was greeted by a laughing Suika and Reimu. Yukari merely covered her face with her fan, no that it worked anyway.

"I didn't think I'd ever see that Marisa getting knocked down like that! And by an outsider no less!" Suika chuckled.

"My-my, only a day here and you've already started chasing girls and sweeping them off their feet? You're quite the beast, aren't you? A little advice: literally knocking them down does not help improve your relationship." Yukari quipped, causing Reimu and Suika to laugh even harder.

… Well, two can play this game Yukari.

"And I'm just getting started." I declared, raising my hand into the air. "I will woo and conquer the hearts of every girl and woman in this place, be they human and Yokai and turn Gensokyo into my own… PERSONAL… HAREM!"

The look on Reimu and Suika's faces were priceless, I wished I still have my cellphone, a picture would be nice.

Crossing my arms, I then gave a sly grin. "So, do you have any other stupid stuff to say about me? I'd be more than happy to troll you."

Yukari pouted, "And here I was expecting you to make that cute face when you're flustered… since when did you have such a big mouth?"

"Since I grew tired of you making fun of me all the time, and I'll be using it against you."

Reimu coughed, "Anyway, if Seido is going live in Gensokyo, where will he be staying?"

"Why, with you Reimu. After all, if he is going to learn about Danmaku and Spell Cards, it'd be more convenient that way, wouldn't it?"

Reimu looked shocked, "What!"

"Come now, Reimu. This isn't the first time you let an outsider stay here; you've done this plenty of times before."

"That's not the point! And you forced me let them stay here!"

"And why not? This is both the shrine and home of Reimu Hakurei, the protector of humans, exterminator of yokai and the strongest human in Gensokyo! If all the yokai knew that he was staying here, they wouldn't dare come close lest they invoke your wrath."

… She's got you there, Reimu.

"Fine… But only because I want to avoid another incident! Once, he's learned how to protect himself, he's out of here!"

… I'm guessing she has some less than pleasant experiences with the outsiders before me.

"Very well. Well then, Seido." Yukari turned towards me, "I shall see you tomorrow."

And with that, she passed through one of those holes and vanished.

"I meant what I said. You try anything funny and I'll kill you." Reimu glared at me while waving the gohei.

"I know, I haven't forgotten how you downright annihilated Marisa . So do you have a guestroom?"

Reimu nodded, "Yes. You better follow me."

Hmm? Wait a minute, where Sui- Oh! There she is, out cold from the sake she drank.

Come to think of it, I've got nothing with me. I better ask Yukari to let me get some essentials from home tomorrow. I'll need more than just the clothes on me.

…..

Not much to say here. But the story will go at its own pace with Seido meeting people and learning stuff from them.

After that though… *rubs hands together while grinning* things will kick off!

One other thing, Seido is right now… one of the weakest fighters among the well known Danmaku users, if not the weakest of them all.

But that doesn't mean he's completely helpless against them. After all, he can't protect anyone if he can't defeat the more powerful opponents. But that's all in due time.

Read and review, please and thank you.