The Touhou characters and settings are respectively belongs to ZUN! He's an awesome guy. Long live ZUN!
Leo, my character belongs to me.
This is a self-insert fic but hey, give me a slight chance with this, okay? Thankies.
Also, I'm trying my best to keep the originality of the canon characters to make this story a bit... Original, I guess. XD
Anyway, please enjoy the story and leave a review! Peace! :D
Chapter 13 is here. Yay!
I didn't update the story two days ago because I got a case of Writer's Block. =w=;;
NOTICE : In this chapter, its just some small talk and a bit exposition. Also random scenes happening here and there. You can skip this chapter if you want. I wouldn't mind anyway. Heheh. Also, there's an Onsen (hot spring) scene so keep that in mind. XD This chapter is just a random continuation, that's all. And by the way, this one is a long one and also there are some pauses for whatever reasons.
Still, if there's anything catches your eye, tell me and I keep that noted. Thankies!
So, enjoy the story! :3
Chapter 13 - A SHORT STAY
LEO'S POV ========= We sat on the floor inside the temple as the awkward silence fills the air. Byakuren took a sip from her tea that one of the temple followers made. I look down, trying to calm myself. "So... Care to explain why are you expecting me to be here?" That question just popped out from my mouth by itself. Byakuren gave me a deep glare. "For these past few days, I sense a disturbance in the air. I had a feeling that another incident will come." She took another sip from her tea and gave look at me with a serious expression.
What does she meant by 'incident'? I look down and play around with my fingers in awkwardness. "There is something that keeps you from escaping, yes?" I look up at her and nodded. Then, I asked her if she knows anything about all of this.
"The reason you're here is unknown. But I know that the reason you can't escape is because of a yokai's doing." I look up at her with fear running down my spine. "A y-yokai? Wait. What does a yokai wants with me?! I..." I started to stutter. I put my palms on my head, trying to calm myself down. "But at least you've awaken your power, right?" She gave a light smile. I look up at her and gave a thought of her statement. She's right. Without my sudden-awakened powers, I couldn't even survive my first battle with that slit-mouthed woman. "I guess... But Where does my power come from to be honest? I mean... There must be a reason for it."
Byakuren gave me a smile. "Your need to survive is the reason. You want to stay alive and survive. Even though you felt fear inside your soul, but that fear makes you brave to face the challenges and that is why your power awaken within you."
That's the reason, huh? I shrugged in disbelief. But still maybe she s right. Ah! I m really torn right now. Are you alright? I look up and saw Byakuren s worried face. Ah, y-yes. I m okay. I gave a weak chuckle. I know. I lied. You look pale. You should take your time to rest. I gave a slight nod. She s right. I am seriously tired. Maybe it s because of me walking for too long or because of the fight with Cirno. Or that nightmare sequence that kept me from sleeping peacefully.
I thanked her and promise that I won t stay at the temple for too long. Oh, no, no, no. Stay as long as you want. She seems like a nice person but I can t stay here. I need answers and an exit out of this world. I gave a slight nod and a small smile at her. I m going to have a short stay here. A day will be enough.
W-wait what? I was surprised by Byakuren's invitation. It s for refreshing your inner spirit and fatigue. You never have been to a hot spring before? I just shook my head. I have been to a hot spring before but with the guys usually. This is my first time a lady like her invites me to an Onsen. I blush a little and gave a moment to think about this plan through. It is true that I am in a fatigue state. About my inner spirit, I don t know anything about that but I just accept that my spirit is running low right now. I sighed and gave a slight nod. Anything to get me back on my feet perfectly before I go flailing my arms around on danmaku battles again. "The hot spring is a bit far so I hope you don't mind walking there since you can't fly." Hijiri gave a soft chuckle.
We arrived at the Onsen s front porch. So Uh Where s the male s only bath? I look around my surroundings, trying to find a male s only Onsen. Byakuren gave a small chuckle. I see that you re not familiar with Japanese culture that much. Do you know that mixed baths are a part of the Japanese culture too?
I blush and started to stutter again. O-oh? R-really? I didn t know. Ahaha I look away and try to throw away the perverted thoughts that I m having right now. Darn it, brain, work with me here! I m here to relax! Come on. Let s go. Byakuren slowly walks first and took her clothes off right in front of me. I quickly turn around and try not to peek. D-done? I could hear Byakuren giggling behind me. Yes. Now it s your turn. I nodded and told her I m going to change somewhere else. I walk towards a huge rock not far from the Onsen and take my clothes there. I cover myself with a towel and sigh. It s just for today. I can get through it without messing this up. I walk back to the Onsen.
Sitting there next to a naked woman really make things awkward. I kept my silence for a long time. So. How do you feel now? Byakuren just gave a smile at me. I quickly look away. I-I m fine, Byakuren-sama My heart starts beating furiously. I never felt this nervous before. You seemed stressful. You should empty your mind and calm yourself. Byakuren smiles and closes her eyes, meditating for awhile. I nodded and do the same but I still had this nervous feeling in me. I I think I m okay enough. As I was about to get out of the water, Byakuren stopped me. She told me to stay in the water for a bit longer. I sighed and nods.
Time passes slowly as the silence between us intensifies. Byakuren opens her eyes and looks at me. You seemed nervous. Are you alright? I sighed and nodded but then she placed her palm on my chest. Your heart is beating fast. You need to calm down or else you ll hurt yourself. She s right. I took a deep breath and empty my mind. I ve been thinking too much so I got to push everything aside for awhile. I could feel my heartbeat slows down. I open my eyes and look at her. I m alright now Byakuren smiles and grabs my hand then place it on her chest. I instantly blushed and ask her what she is doing. You need to be calm like me. I could feel her heartbeat as calm as the sea. If only I could calm myself easily like her. I quickly move my hand away from her chest because I don t want things to go to the wrong way. Time really passes slowly as we calmly sit in the springs.
After we got back from the spring, Byakuren showed me a small vacant room that I could stay the night in. I thanked her for her kindness and walks in the room as she left me alone to rest. I took a look around and saw a couple of folded futons in the corner of the room. I unfolded one of the futons on the floor. As I was about to catch some shut-eye, I heard a voice coming from behind me. Ahem. Excuse me, you.
I turn around and saw the girl from earlier. Oh, it s you Um What s your name again? Yeah, that was rude of me. She introduces herself as Nue Houjuu. She took a deep serious glare at me and walks towards me.
Listen here. I don t trust you at all. In fact, I had this disturbed feeling whenever I see you. I don t know why Lady Byakuren is so kind to you, but I don t want you to stay here for too long. You might be a threat not only to the temple, but also to the whole Gensokyo. She gave me a serious expression as I could see her grip on her trident tightens. I sighed and nodded.
I see. Don t worry. I ll be gone tomorrow before you know it. I look up at her and gave a slight smile. I really want to find my answers anyway and staying here for far too long won t help. She looks at me with a surprised expression. I told her that she s right that I may be a threat and promise that I ll be off tomorrow. I slowly lie down on the futon and ask her to give me some time to sleep. She stood there silently and nodded. She walks out of the door and left me alone. Finally, I got time to rest my head.
I slowly close my eyes and sleep. There were no nightmares coming in so that sleep was peaceful and relaxing. I never felt so calm while sleeping. I slowly fade into my own slumber and hope for the best on my journey tomorrow.