An invitation to Gensokyo

Chapter 6: Progress

Stepping from the gap once more, Ryusashi entered Kasen's dojo after he and Yukari finished their breakfast. Kasen and Yuugi stood waiting for them, but Suika was fast asleep, hugging her gigantic gourd. "Ah, you're here. On time today." Kasen said energetically, and Yukari chuckled nervously. "Yes, yes. Sorry about yesterday, some matters came up that were, um, out of our control." Kasen raised an eyebrow before Yuugi cracked her knuckles. "Well anyway, water under the bridge n' all that, right? You're here now so let's get started!" She yelled, making Ryusashi's head hurt. Yukari giggled. "Yes, you have fun now. I'll be back to get you before dark, buh-bye~!" She said as she stepped back into her gap, closing it behind her. "So, what're we starting with today? Something "normal" I presume?" Kasen shook her head. "Same as yesterday, that's why Yuugi's here. On the floor now." Ryusashi and Yuugi got into the same positions they were in yesterday and firmly clasped each other's hands. "Good look, Ryu, you're gonna need it!" Yuugi said with a hearty laugh, Ryusashi laughed nervously. "Yeah... you too." Kasen set a hand on top of theirs. "Alright, are you both ready?" She asked, receiving a nod from Yuugi, but Ryusashi shook his head slowly. Kasen sighed. "One, two, three... begin!" Yuugi didn't hold anything back like yesterday, she slammed Ryusashi's arm down on the floor so hard, she had popped his shoulder joint out of socket. "AGH SHIT!" Ryusashi screamed in pain, and Yuugi cringed a little. "O-oops..." Yuugi nervously rubbed the back of her neck as Ryusashi held his shoulder. "FUCKING SON OF A BITCH!" Kasen pinched between her eyes and took Ryusashi's arm. "Quit whining, your shoulder's just out of it's socket." She placed her left hand on Ryusashi's neck, took his wrist in her right, and pressed down on his shoulder with her foot. "OW OW OW OW OOOWWW!" Kasen put in more effort. "Relax, I've almost got it..." Yuugi couldn't watch, she blocked her view with her right hand as she turned away. "Man, you really messed up this time, didn't you Yuugi?" Suika asked, Ryusashi's yelling woke her from her nap. Yuugi looked down at her. "Yeah... but I didn't mean to. I just wanted to finish quickly, you know?" Suika nodded. "I hear ya, training this weakling's gonna be a pain." Kasen popped Ryusashi's shoulder back into place. "That should do it, but you shouldn't train today. Give yourself maybe 3 days for it to really settle back in, then come back." Ryusashi was flexing his finger, making sure he could still move them, the he turned back to Kasen. "But Yukari isn't going to be back until night time." He said before a gap opened above them. Yukari popped out, cringing a little. "No, no. I saw that. If Kasen says you should walk it off then that's what we'll do. But honestly, that was embarrassing..."Ryusashi sat down on the floor, holding his arm in frustration. Yuugi crouched next to him. "So, no hard feelings?" She said with a nervous smile, Ryusashi continued looking down at his hand. "Yeah, I guess so." Ryusashi got up to follow Yukari into the gap, Kasen placed her hand on his other shoulder. "Don't let it get to you, alright? As long as you keep putting effort in you'll get stronger, ok?" Kasen told him, trying to get his spirits back up, but Ryusashi just nodded and walked away. The gap closed and the three oni stared where it once was. "Man, now I feel bad..." Yuugi said, sadly.

"We're back!" Yukari said, trying to sound cheerful. Ran's ears perked up as she turned away from her cleaning. "Hmm? You're back so soon? I figured you'd be gone longer." Yukari shook her head. "I'm only popping in for a second, I'm here to drop him off." Ryusashi stepped out of the gap and sat down at the table, disappointed in himself. "Oh, is he not training with Ms. Ibaraki today?" Yukari frowned. "He injured himself, Kasen said to let him rest it off for a few days." Ran covered her mouth in surprise. "Oh dear, that's not good..." Ran said worriedly. "Don't worry, I'll see to it that he's taken care of." Yukari nodded happily. "Thank you, Ran. If you'll excuse me, I have a little get together with Yuyuko planned for today and I'm already running a little late. I'll see you later~" Yukari said cheerfully. Ran looked down at Ryusashi, he was tapping his fingernails on the wooden table emotionlessly. "After I'm done cleaning up these dishes, I'll make us some tea, ok?" Ran said, trying to get Ryusashi to smile a little. "I don't want any, but thanks." Ryusashi replied grimly. Ran put her hands on her hips, frowning. "Would you rather have your coffee?" She asked him, and he sighed. "No thanks. I'm not in the mood." She sat down right beside him. "Being sad about it isn't going to help anyone. Maybe caressing my tail again would help lift your spirits?" Her tail went up to his face, and he stared at it for a moment before she tickled his face with it. Ryusashi groaned with annoyance and Ran chuckled a little, not understanding that he wasn't enjoying it. She started using her other tails to continue her fluffy assault as Ryusashi tried to swat them all away. "Stop..." He said calmly, somewhat muffled by the all the fluff, Ran chuckled. "Nope. Not until you show me a smile." As much as Ryusashi loved her fur, he wasn't in the mood to be joking around like this. "Ran, I said stop." Ran halted her tails, pulling them away from him. Ryusashi just rested his chin in his palm and frowned, causing Ran to sigh. "Then tell me why you're acting like this. If it's because of your injury, it isn't your fault so don't let it get to you." Ryusashi shook his head. "No, that's not it... I just feel... worthless." Ran was surprised a little, but she understood his feelings. "I see, well, it's true. You're not strong enough to do what lady Yukari has asked of you, but you'll get there." She took a hold of his hand. "You've just run into a little setback, and that's fine. You were bound to run into a few, so don't let the first one stop you." He withdrew his hand gently, and rested his other cheek in it. "You make it seem like it's so easy. I'm sure all this incident resolving stuff came to you naturally Ran." She shook her head. "That's not true. It took me nine hundred years to become the powerful Youkai I am today." Ryusashi looked over at her, surprised. "You do realize my lifespan is only one ninth of that, right?" She chuckled. "Of course I do, but, I didn't become this strong by sulking about my failures and wrongdoings. I learned, and grew with them. I'm sure you can do the same." She smiled warmly and opened her arms, offering her embrace, Ryusashi couldn't say no to that. He smiled and wrapped his arms around her, and she did the same. "Thanks Ran. You're a good friend, I feel a little better now." She pat his head. "Don't worry, you'll do fine. I have high hopes for you." She said encouragingly, Ryusashi took in her scent, it was different from yesterday. "Are you using a different perfume from yesterday?" Ran blushed. "Ah... how can you tell?" Ryusashi backed away. "Yesterday you smelt like lavender, now you smell like strawberries." Ran scratched her cheek with her index finger nervously. "I-I just wanted to try something different today, that's all." She stood up, her blush still on her face. "Anyways, let's go for a walk. I want to show you to the village." She said, enthusiastically, and Ryusashi stood up to follow her. "Sure, some fresh air would be nice."