Reimu's Youkai Babysitting Business Chapter 21: Rescue, a touhou project fanfic

The cavern warehouse was eerily silent, its darkened halls illuminated only by the flickering light of torches placed sporadically along the stone walls. Shadows danced across the uneven surfaces, their chaotic movements hinting at hidden dangers. The group moved in swiftly and quietly, navigating the narrow paths. Reimu took the lead, with Keine, Rinnosuke, and Sumireko close behind, heading toward where Tokiko was reportedly being held. The others—Ryusei, Cross, Yukari, Hayata, and Kiro—went in the opposite direction, securing an escape route.

As they split off, Reimu whispered a final reminder to Ryusei, "Keep it quiet, and make sure nothing gets in our way."

Ryusei nodded, then turned to his students. "Stay sharp and follow my lead," he whispered, his voice firm and barely audible. "And, Kiro, no unnecessary risks."

Kiro gave a curt nod, though the mischievous glint in his eye suggested staying out of trouble wasn't high on his list of priorities. The group continued deeper into the cavern, the air growing colder and heavier with each step. Their breaths misted in the torchlight as they made their way along an upper ledge overlooking the warehouse floor. From there, they could see piles of crates and rusty kappa machinery scattered throughout the space, casting jagged shadows on the walls.

As they reached a narrow gap in the ledge, Kiro attempted to jump across but misjudged the distance. His foot slipped on the edge, and he landed hard, the clang of his sword striking the ground echoed through the cavern, shattering the quiet.

Immediately, Ryusei's eyes widened as he saw movement below—shadows and figures converging on the source of the noise. The flickering torch light made it hard to tell exactly how many there were.

"Who's there?!" barked a gruff, masculine voice, reverberating through the cavern.

Ryusei leapt down to where Kiro had fallen, the impact jarring his knees as his boots hit the uneven floor. "Stay put!" he signaled to the others with a sharp hand gesture, then stepped into the light, making his presence known. Two figures emerged from the darkness—Tokiko's former parents, their eyes gleaming with malice. A dangerous aura surrounded them, as if they relished the thought of a fight.

With a deep breath, Ryusei drew his unfinished energon katana. The weapon hummed faintly, casting a dull glow that barely penetrated the shadows. Its unsharpened edge was a reminder of its incompleteness, yet he had no choice but to use it.

The two youkai closed in, their footsteps crunching on the loose gravel. Ryusei tightened his grip on his katana and shifted into a defensive stance, ready to buy time for Reimu and the others. As one of the parents lunged with a clawed hand, he parried the strike with a grunt, the force reverberating down his arm. His feet slid across the rocky floor, struggling to find purchase on the uneven terrain.

The fight felt more like a dance with disaster than a clash of steel. The torchlight above flickered violently, casting chaotic shadows that seemed to move of their own accord. Ryusei knew he had to keep the combat under control, but the uneven ground and low light left no room for mistakes.

Then, a blur of motion from the corner of his eye—Hayata sprang forward, his face set with a mix of determination and fear. "Sensei!" he shouted as he drew his wakizashi, the blade trembling slightly in his hands.

"No, stay back!" Ryusei barked, but the warning came too late.

Hayata's strike was clumsy and unsteady, and the youkai's claw effortlessly batted it aside. The backhand that followed sent him sprawling to the cavern floor, a burst of pain coursing through his ribs as his wakizashi clattered away into the darkness. The gritty stone scraped against his cheek, and for a moment, his world spun. He could hear his own panicked breathing and the heavy thud of approaching footsteps.

The youkai loomed over Hayata, its claws raised to strike.

Ryusei's instincts took over. With a surge of adrenaline, he launched himself between Hayata and the attacker, driving his shoulder into the youkai's chest with enough force to knock it back a few paces. He pulled Hayata to his feet in one fluid motion, thrusting the wakizashi back into the boy's trembling hands.

"Stay close to me," he snapped, his voice harsh with barely concealed anger. "And don't try that again—you're not ready!"

Hayata's face flushed with shame, and frustration flickered in his eyes as he gripped his weapon tighter. The taste of blood filled his mouth where he had bitten his lip in the fall, but he forced himself to push the fear away and focus.

The fight was far from over. Ryusei raised his katana again, glancing quickly at the cavern's ceiling where cracks had begun to spread, raining dust and pebbles onto the battlefield. The distant rumble of machinery seemed to grow louder, echoing through the hollow space as the unstable cavern threatened to collapse.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the cavern, Reimu's team reached Tokiko. The little bird youkai was visibly distressed and frightened as she tried to escape her bindings but the appearance of Keine and Rinnosuke seemed to have calmed her.

Though Reimu told her not to, Keine removed the gag that prevented Tokiko from speaking and embraced her daughter lovingly.

"Keine," sighed Reimu as she worked on the ropes. "Removing gags should be the last thing, not the first."

"I don't care as long as my little bird is safe," declared the teacher. "Every parent always wants to see and hear their child safe and sound again."

She continued to comfort her daughter while Reimu did her best to undo the ropes but after a few moments, was visibly frustrated by the knots.

"This is impossible," exclaimed Reimu. "Who wraps someone in multiple ropes and turns their knots into little balls that are so entangled, I can't even tell how they were tied."

"I think that's a Gordian Knot. It's pretty much impossible to untie," informed Sumireko.

"Then what are we supposed to do?" asked Reimu.

Before anyone could answer, Rinnosuke stood up and pulled out a pocket knife.

"This," replied the shopkeeper who swiftly cut the knot away from the ropes holding Tokiko. Within seconds, his beloved daughter was free of her bindings and could return the embrace her mother and father were giving her.

The heartwarming moment was interrupted by the sound of clashing blades in the distance, followed by the sound of various objects falling and hitting the ground.

"Ryusei and the others must've been found out," Reimu said urgently. "We need to get out of here before this turns into a full-blown battle."

Rinnosuke carefully lifted Tokiko into his arms, her small form limp and exhausted, while Reimu, Keine, and Sumireko closed ranks around him. As the group began to retreat toward the main chamber, they could already hear the sound of clashing weapons and snarling cries echoing through the cavern. But as they rounded a corner, they stumbled upon a fierce battle in progress, Ryusei locked in combat with Tokiko's youkai parents, his energy katana flickering weakly.

Ryusei gritted his teeth, sweat dripping down his brow as he deftly parried a powerful swipe from one of the parents. The unfinished blade in his hand shimmered and crackled, the unstable energy within beginning to pulse unevenly with each clash. With every swing, chips of the energon crystal flaked off the katana, scattering dim fragments across the cavern floor. It was holding, but barely. One of the youkai parents lunged with a clawed strike aimed directly at Ryusei's shoulder. He twisted away, narrowly dodging, but stumbled slightly as his foot caught on a jagged stone.

Hayata was beside him, his wakizashi flashing as he struggled to keep up with the relentless attacks of the second parent. His strikes were practiced yet unsteady, a sign of his training, but lacking Ryusei's experience. Each time he swung, his blade met the youkai's claws with a sickening scrape, the metal trembling in his grip. The shadows cast by the flickering torchlight only added to his disorientation, making it difficult to track the fluid movements of his opponent. Yet, despite his visible discomfort, he held his ground, refusing to back down.

Hayata's jaw clenched as he blocked a sharp backhand aimed at his torso, the impact jolting his arm down to his shoulder. Pain shot through him, but he forced himself to steady his breath and focus. "Sensei!" he called, barely dodging a swipe that left a claw mark on the stone wall beside him.

Ryusei, catching Hayata's strained expression, barked, "Hayata, stay on defense! Conserve your energy—don't overcommit." But even as he shouted the warning, he knew Hayata was reaching his limit.

Kiro, meanwhile, held his own with surprising finesse, his movements precise and calculated as he darted in and out of the youkai's reach. He had taken up a position slightly to the side, ready to flank either parent. In a sudden movement, he ducked under a wild swing and countered with a swift, calculated slice across the youkai's leg, forcing it to falter. His stance was relaxed, even almost cocky, his gaze flashing with a mixture of thrill and calculated focus.

Ryusei chanced a glance at Kiro, silently impressed with how the younger fighter handled himself. Kiro met his gaze for a split second and gave a nod of understanding, acknowledging that he was holding his own. Despite the danger, there was a glint of excitement in Kiro's eyes—this was where he thrived.

Suddenly, a resounding crack echoed through the cavern. Ryusei's heart sank as he looked down to see a jagged split forming along the blade of his energon katana. A clear warning that it wouldn't last much longer.

One of the youkai parents seemed to notice his hesitation, a sinister smile spreading across their face as they lunged forward with renewed aggression. Ryusei barely managed to block the strike, the impact forcing him backward, his heels digging into the rough ground. He could feel the strain in his arms as he desperately held his stance, using his own weight to counterbalance the force.

Just as he began to lose ground, Hayata lunged in, slashing across the youkai's forearm and diverting its attention. His breathing was heavy, and a line of blood traced down from a small cut on his cheek, but he stood firm, wakizashi at the ready. His eyes flicked briefly to Ryusei, showing a momentary flash of confidence, a silent assurance that he had his teacher's back, even if he was barely holding it together.

"Good, Hayata," Ryusei muttered, his voice laced with encouragement as he adjusted his stance and managed a quick strike of his own, feeling the katana's brittle edge chipping further. "Now stay alert. They'll try to break our formation."

With Tokiko in his arms, Rinnosuke took a step back, watching the fight with growing tension. He turned to Reimu, his voice low. "We need to get Tokiko out of here now. If Ryusei's weapon fails, this could get ugly."

Reimu nodded, her gaze hard as she prepared a defensive spell in case they needed to cover the retreat. She turned to Keine and Sumireko. "Get Rinnosuke and Tokiko out. We'll provide support if things go south."

A sudden burst of energy brought their attention back to the fight. Sumireko had pulled out her 3D printed gun and fired it at one of the parents, knocking them out. With one parent out of the way, Ryusei saw a window of opportunity and went to assist Kiro against the remaining parent.

Hayata got up and followed suit, his resolve hardening. He made a series of quick and precise strikes on the parent while Ryusei provided some cover and pulled Kiro out of the fight. Once both parents were down, Ryusei gave a final look to his students, before issuing his last command. "Get out now!"

As the trio ran towards Reimu and the others, the parents slowly got up and began advancing towards them. Sumireko tried firing her gun again but nothing happened.

"I'm out. I knew I should've brought another one."

"Worry about that later, just run!" ordered Rinnosuke.

Before the group could do anything though, Cross and Yukari arrived on the scene and formed a barrier between them and the parents.

"We'll handle this. You kids get on out of here. Things are going to get very messy."

Reimu nodded in understanding and Ryusei handed Yukari his katana.

"Just in case," commented Ryusei. "Try and bring it back in one piece."

Yukari smirked as she took the blade and prepared to do battle with her new ally.

"No spell card rules?" asked Cross.

"Naw but don't kill them either," replied Yukari.

As the barrier began to lower, Cross noticed something about the weapon Yukari was holding and gave Ryusei a look that read, "Again? This is your what? 10th?"

In response, Ryusei shrugged before picking up Hayata and running out of the cave with Reimu's group. Cross couldn't help but sigh as he raised his dual naginatas.

"We'll talk about your sword later. Get moving, Ryusei," Cross ordered.

With no one in their way, Ryusei picked up Hayata's discarded wakizashi as he followed Reimu and the others out of the cavern. Once they were outside with the sounds of Yukari and Cross's clash fading behind them, Ryusei finally released his grip on Hayata and handed him back his weapon. The young boy looked up at his sensei, shame etched on his face.

"I'm sorry, Sensei… I thought I could—"

"Don't apologize," Ryusei interrupted, his tone stern. "Learn from this. Next time, think before you act."

Hayata nodded quietly, the weight of his mistake heavy in the air as the group pressed onward, making their escape from Youkai Mountain.

The return trip was less than eventful and to everyone's relief, a lot quicker than their mission and very soon, Keine and Rinnosuke were able to play with their daughter again.

Tokiko was clearly very shaken from the experience but she was unharmed which was all that mattered at the moment as she happily snuggled into her true parents' arms.

Hayata on the other hand, was more nervous as was Kiro. Both knew that they had clearly messed up and it didn't help that Ryusei had not said a word to either of them since their return.

"Do you think I'll be removed?" asked Hayata.

"Well, I don't know," replied Kiro. "I've never seen Old Fisher this way before but he's never quit being my teacher despite my lessons with him being completely voluntary. I'm not even on his record so he doesn't hold any responsibility for me."

Hayata sighed. Things weren't looking good.

Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed through the woods, and Cross emerged, followed closely by Yukari. The pair looked a bit disheveled but victorious.

"Looks like we made it back just in time," Cross said, glancing at the group. His expression quickly shifted as he caught sight of Ryusei, a frown creasing his brow. "Ryusei, what happened back there?"

"Nothing I couldn't handle," Ryusei replied nonchalantly, though there was a glimmer of tension in his eyes. He could feel the weight of Hayata and Kiro's anxious stares on him.

Cross stepped closer, crossing his arms. "No, I meant your sword. You sent letters to me asking me to not send you Hayata because you were busy buying toys for kids and only agreed to let him come if he was the one who found you. Then you don't show up to church for an entire month despite volunteering for that time and appointed replacements without saying anything. Did you lose your katana again?"

Ryusei rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks slightly flushed. "It was… an entanglement with Suwako. I had to leave it behind to save Reimu from her."

Cross's frown deepened. "How did you lose it and does she still have it?"

"She hit the two of us with a spell card that caused me to get separated from Reimu and my sword," Ryusei explained. "She then made me choose between saving Reimu and picking up my weapon to keep fighting her. I think you can figure out which one I made."

Cross sighed. He sounded more like a tired father talking with his son than a disappointed teacher who had learned the truth behind his student's avoidance.

"How have you been getting by ever since?" asked Cross.

"I've been relying on my energon blades since then," revealed Ryusei. "I was suppose to have a new katana ready by tomorrow but-"

"You gave it to Yukari who unintentionally broke the sword just moments ago," sighed Cross.

Yukari raised her hands defensively. "Hey I didn't know how to use it well and I never even used energon before. On the other hand, I'm surprised you fought Suwako. No wonder she seemed so upset the other day and demanded to know if I knew of any hi-tech robotic samurai entering Gensokyo. She still has your katana by the way."

Ryusei's eyes widened in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me. I could've just snuck into their shrine the whole time and taken my sword back instead-"

"Uh-uh," tutted Yukari. "She took it and claimed it as hers. You aren't getting that back even if you break in. Still, I'll find a way to make it up to you alright. You're in good hands."

Before Ryusei could say anything, Yukari opened a gap and began leaving. "By the way, don't be too tough on Hayata and Kiro. They did their best."

Once she was gone, Hayata stepped forward, anxiety flickering in his eyes. "Sensei, I—"

"Hayata," Ryusei interrupted, his tone firm yet not unkind. "Don't come here without my permission again. You've got a long way to go."

Hayata nodded, a mix of relief and determination washing over him. Kiro stood beside him, looking equally chastened.

As Ryusei glanced at Kiro, he added, "And you, Kiro, stick close to Cross from now on. He knows how to handle himself in a fight."

Cross smirked, his earlier frustration giving way to a playful challenge. "I'll keep him in line. But really, Ryusei, you need to stop losing your weapons. It's becoming a bit of a habit. This is the third time you've needed to make a replacement. Even worse, unlike your previous times, you're not replacing the blade but literally the entire weapon itself. Kaito's a bit busy and he's not taking any commissions at the moment."

Ryusei chuckled lightly, the tension easing slightly. "Yeah, well I guess I'm making my own weapons now. Maybe I should teach Hayata while I'm at it."

With the mood lightening, the group returned to their activities with Cross taking Kiro to Yukari's place of residence while everyone else stayed behind to celebrate their victory.

Keine impatiently tapped on a nearby table waiting for an answer. She was clearly not in a good mood and her patience was getting thinner by the moment. Even Rinnosuke, who was usually calm and composed, was clearly agitated.

Ryusei did his best to ignore this while he, Sumireko, and Yukari watched as Reimu readied her gear and used her Yin Yang orbs to guess a location. Daiyousei had been sent home with Reimu's yin yang cat to keep her company. She was too young for something like this.

"Got it!" exclaimed Reimu. "She's being held at the Youkai Mountain. We need to get there fast before anything happens to her."

Ryusei nodded and looked at his weapons.

"Can these be of any use?" asked Ryusei as he held up his bow.

Reimu shook her head and took away his bow. "Those violate spell card rules. You can't use that."

Yukari nodded and gestured to his katana. "I can make an exception for that this time but nothing else."

Ryusei nodded in understanding and donned his armor.

"Alright then, Reimu, can you uhh fly me up there?"

Reimu gave him a look that clearly read, "Are you joking? How much do you even weigh?"

Yukari sighed and opened a gap.

"Don't worry I'll take care of that. Still, once you get there, don't do anything until Reimu tells us what to do."

As the gap opened and Yukari transported them to the Youkai Mountain, the tension hung thick in the air. The group emerged near the outskirts of a dense forest, the looming presence of the mountain casting long shadows across the landscape.

Reimu landed first, immediately scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. Ryusei and the others soon followed. Ryusei adjusted his katana, his eyes narrowing as he took in the terrain.

"We're here," Reimu said, her voice steady but carrying an edge of urgency. "Now, where exactly are they holding Tokiko?"

"Inside that cave, I heard it was a-"

Before Ryusei could finish, a soft rustling came from the nearby brush. A small figure emerged, clad in a makeshift cloak, their face hidden beneath a hood. The figure moved with quiet confidence, slipping through the shadows like a seasoned scout. Everyone froze for a moment but Ryusei just gave a small sigh.

"Hayata?" Ryusei called out quietly, the recognition in his voice unmistakable. "I know you're there. Come on out now."

The young boy, completely clad in a black and red gi that matched Ryusei, walked out of the bushes. A wakizashi was strapped to his back and while there were a few twigs here and there, he was mostly intact which was all that mattered to the annoyed samurai.

"What are you doing here?" asked Ryusei angrily. "I told you to stay with Master Cross and Kiro."

"I did as you asked, Sensei," Hayata said, a hint of pride coloring his tone. "The hideout is about a quarter of a mile up the path, hidden behind a waterfall. There are two guards at the entrance, both youkai, and it looks like they've got some kind of barrier setup. It's weak, though, probably because they didn't expect anyone to find this place."

"That is not the point! You aren't ready for any of this! No amount of training can save you in a real life or death situation," declared Ryusei.

"Hey! You taught me everything and I need some experience. This seems good enough."

Ryusei sighed again before sticking a hand out to Hayata. "Where's Cross and Kiro? Did they come too?"

Before Hayata could respond, a voice came from above, calm yet firm, carrying a weight of authority that instantly caught everyone's attention.

"Still lecturing your students as usual, I see," the voice said. A figure emerged from behind a tree clad in gold colored armor and a pair of naginatas on his back. He looked as old as Yukari, and was just as tall as her as well. Like Yukari, he seemed to be in his late 20s yet his voice carried the wisdom of someone who was well over 1000 years old. There was no mistaking him—this was Master Cross, Ryusei's former teacher and the one who had trained him in the way of the samurai.

Cross folded his arms as he regarded Ryusei with a mixture of amusement and reproach. "You shouldn't underestimate him, Ryusei. The boy has a lot more potential than you give him credit for."

Ryusei's eyes widened slightly in surprise, then narrowed with concern. "Master Cross, why did you bring him here?" His gaze shifted to Hayata, who was already starting to look sheepish.

"He suggested it," Cross replied with a slight shrug, his expression unchanging. "And frankly, I thought it might do you some good to see that your students can take initiative."

Before Ryusei could retort, a second, smaller figure darted out from behind Cross, landing in a crouch on the ground with surprising agility. A mischievous grin spread across the boy's face as he flicked his twin tails—striped and twitching with excitement. His cat-like ears twitched as well, signaling his nature: Kiro, the bakeneko. He was about the same age as Hayata and had a strong resemblance to Chen, Ran's shikigami and child.

"Hey, Old Fisher, miss me?" Kiro teased, his tone laced with irreverence. He didn't even bother to look at Ryusei as he plopped down on the ground and began idly playing with a rock. "Hayata dragged us all the way up this stupid mountain, so you'd better make this worth my while."

Ryusei frowned at the nickname, though he'd long since grown used to it. "Kiro, this is serious. You shouldn't be here, especially with things as dangerous as they are."

Kiro rolled his eyes and flicked his tail dismissively. "Yeah, yeah. Dangerous, life or death, yadda yadda. If you didn't want me here, you should've kept a closer watch on your student or babysat him yourself." He shot a sly glance at Hayata, who only offered a small, apologetic smile.

Yukari watched the exchange with a curious smirk, clearly amused by the dynamic unfolding before her.

"My, my," she said in a light tone, "it seems you have quite the entourage, Ryusei. Do your students share this knack for turning up when you least expect it?"

Reimu, on the other hand, was less amused. She put her hands on her hips, looking between Cross, Hayata, and Kiro. "Listen, this is a rescue mission, not a reunion," she said sharply. "If you're all going to be here, then you'd better follow my lead. Got it?"

Cross gave a slight bow. "Of course. We'll defer to your judgment, Hakurei. But I think you'll find that having a few extra hands might just make this mission go smoother."

Kiro scoffed. "As long as the 'extra hands' don't do anything stupid," he muttered, tossing the rock aside.

Hayata glanced at Ryusei, his gaze filled with a mix of determination and apology. "I promise I'll do whatever you say, Sensei. Besides, Master Cross-sensei was getting worried by Yukari's tardiness."

"Yeah! He was getting so worried that he just started going on and on and-"

Kiro was cut off by Ryusei's former teacher covering the bakeneko's mouth and shooting Hayata a withering glare.

"My my, still got feelings?" teased Yukari.

"Can you guys please just save this for later? We've got to get Tokiko back before it's too late," sighed Keine.

Ryusei sighed as he shot his teacher and students a look that read "You couldn't have sent a letter or something?"

Cross simply shrugged before returning to his previous task of checking on Kiro.

"Look, what's more important is Tokiko. We can solve this issue later at my shrine alright. For now, let's just team up and finish this. There is strength in numbers and if Hayata and that bakeneko are as well trained as they claim to be, they'll be really helpful in this."

Ryusei looked between his two students and his former teacher, then sighed deeply. "Fine. But stick close, and don't take any unnecessary risks."

The cavern warehouse was eerily silent, its darkened halls illuminated only by the flickering light of torches placed sporadically along the stone walls. The group moved in swiftly and quietly, navigating the narrow paths. Reimu took the lead with Keine, Rinnosuke, and Sumireko close behind, heading towards where Tokiko was reportedly being held. The others—Ryusei, Cross, Yukari, Hayata, and Kiro—went in the opposite direction, securing an escape route.

As they split off, Reimu whispered a final reminder to Ryusei, "Keep it quiet, and make sure nothing gets in our way."

Ryusei nodded, then turned to his students. "Stay sharp and follow my lead," he whispered, his voice firm. "And, Kiro, no unnecessary risks."

Kiro gave a curt nod, but the mischievous glint in his eye suggested that staying out of trouble wasn't high on his list of priorities. The group continued deeper into the cavern, making their way along an upper ledge that overlooked the warehouse floor. From there, they could see piles of crates and rusty kappa machinery scattered throughout the space.

As they reached a narrow gap in the ledge, Kiro attempted to jump across but underestimated the distance. His foot slipped on the edge, and he landed hard, a metallic clang echoing through the cavern as his sword struck the ground.

The sound shattered the quiet, and immediately, Ryusei saw some shadows and objects move, lights and figures facing the source of noise.

"Who's there?!" yelled a gruff masculine voice.

Ryusei's eyes widened, and he immediately leapt down to where Kiro had fallen.

"Stay put!" ordered Ryusei with his hand signals as he quickly stepped into the light, making his presence known to Tokiko's parents. Knowing that this wasn't going to end without a fight, he drew his unfinished energon katana and prepared for battle. The dull and unsharpened weapon was clearly not ready for combat but Ryusei knew he had to make do with what he could.

The two guards, Tokiko's former parents, quickly approached. Their eyes glinted with malice, and a dangerous aura surrounded them, as if they relished the thought of a fight. Ryusei gritted his teeth and readied his stance, hoping to buy enough time for Reimu and the others to reach Tokiko.

He moved with precision, his katana flashing as he parried a clawed strike and delivered a quick riposte to keep the parents at bay. But his movements were somewhat restrained; Gensokyo's rules forbidding combat killing and his less than ready weapon meant that he could only fight defensively and could not even counter an attack.

Just as he fended off another strike, Hayata suddenly sprang from the shadows, his face set with determination as he rushed to assist his master.

"Sensei!" he shouted as he drew his wakizashi.

"No, stay back!" yelled Ryusei, but it was too late.

Hayata's strike was blocked by one of the parent's claws, and before he could react, a swift backhand sent him sprawling to the ground. His wakizashi slipped from his grip, clattering away into the darkness. Panic flashed across his face as the youkai loomed over him.

With no time to waste, Ryusei launched himself between Hayata and the youkai, delivering a powerful kick to push the attacker back. He pulled Hayata to his feet and quickly retrieved the boy's wakizashi, shoving it back into his hand.

"Stay close to me and don't try that again!" he snapped, his voice harsher than usual. "You're not ready!"

Hayata nodded, shame and frustration warring on his face as he tightened his grip on the weapon.

Though Reimu told her not to, Keine removed the gag that prevented Tokiko from speaking and embraced her daughter lovingly.

"Keine," sighed Reimu as she worked on the ropes. "Removing gags should be the last thing, not the first."

"I don't care as long as my little bird is safe," declared the teacher. "Every parent always wants to see and hear their child safe and sound again."

She continued to comfort her daughter while Reimu did her best to undo the ropes but after a few moments, was visibly frustrated by the knots.

"This is impossible," exclaimed Reimu. "Who wraps someone in multiple ropes and turns their knots into little balls that are so entangled, I can't even tell how they were tied."

"I think that's a Gordian Knot. It's pretty much impossible to untie," informed Sumireko.

"Then what are we supposed to do?" asked Reimu.

Before anyone could answer, Rinnosuke stood up and pulled out a pocket knife.

The heartwarming moment was interrupted by the sound of clashing blades in the distance, followed by the sound of various objects falling and hitting the ground.

"Ryusei and the others must've been found out," Reimu said urgently. "We need to get out of here before this turns into a full-blown battle."

Rinnosuke picked up Tokiko, and the group began to retreat. As they moved back towards the main chamber, they ran straight into the ongoing fight, where Ryusei was fending off both youkai parents, and Hayata struggled to keep up.

Cross and Yukari arrived on the scene just behind Reimu, who signaled to them. "We're leaving! Cover our exit!"

Without hesitation, Yukari opened a gap and prepared to intervene. "Let's give these two a bit of a surprise," she said with a smirk. Ryusei saw her and, without a second thought, tossed his energon katana her way.

She caught the blade in one swift motion. Though unfinished, it still carried some weight and durability, enough to serve as a formidable weapon. Yukari spun it with a flourish, then dashed forward to engage the youkai, parrying a strike aimed at Ryusei.

Cross however, noticed something about the weapon and gave Ryusei a look that read, "Again? This is your what? 10th?"

In response, Ryusei shrugged before dodging an attack and picking up Hayata to leave.

Master Cross moved in simultaneously, his movements were more aggressive and deadlier than Ryusei. His defense was equally strong and he deftly blocked an incoming attack before countered with a series of precise blows that forced the parents back.

"We'll talk about your sword later. Get moving, Ryusei," Cross ordered.

With the path clear, Ryusei picked up Hayata's discarded wakizashi again before blocking another attack and following Reimu and the others out of the cavern. Once they were outside with the sounds of Yukari and Cross's clash fading behind them, Ryusei finally released his grip on Hayata and handed him back his weapon. The young boy looked up at his sensei, shame etched on his face.

"I'm sorry, Sensei… I thought I could-"

"Don't apologize," Ryusei interrupted, his tone stern. "Learn from this. Next time, think before you act."

Hayata nodded quietly, the weight of his mistake heavy in the air as the group pressed onward, making their escape from Youkai Mountain.

The return trip was less than eventful and to everyone's relief, a lot quicker than their mission and very soon, Keine and Rinnosuke were able to play with their daughter again.

Tokiko was clearly very shaken from the experience but she was unharmed which was all that mattered at the moment as she happily snuggled into her true parents' arms.

Hayata on the other hand, was more nervous as was Kiro. Both knew that they had clearly messed up and it didn't help that Ryusei had not said a word to either of them since their return.

"Do you think I'll be removed?" asked Hayata.

Hayata sighed. Things weren't looking good.

Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed through the woods, and Cross emerged, followed closely by Yukari. The pair looked a bit disheveled but victorious.

"Nothing I couldn't handle," Ryusei replied nonchalantly, though there was a glimmer of tension in his eyes. He could feel the weight of Hayata and Kiro's anxious stares on him.

Ryusei rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks slightly flushed. "It was… an entanglement with Suwako. I had to leave it behind to save Reimu from her."

Cross's frown deepened. "How did you lose it and does she still have it?"

Cross sighed. He sounded more like a tired father talking with his son than a disappointed teacher who had learned the truth behind his student's avoidance.

"How have you been getting by ever since?" asked Cross.

"I've been relying on my energon blades since then," revealed Ryusei. "I was suppose to have a new katana ready by tomorrow but-"

"You gave it to Yukari who unintentionally broke the sword just moments ago," sighed Cross.

Yukari raised her hands defensively. "Hey I didn't know how to use it well and I never even used energon before. On the other hand, I'm surprised you fought Suwako. No wonder she seemed so upset the other day and demanded to know if I knew of any hi tech robotic samurai entering Gensokyo. She still has your katana by the way."