Continuing his walk home, Ryusashi had encountered many stray and hostile Youkai and fairies, however, they proved no problem against the Hakkero Gun. He was occasionally overwhelmed by sheer numbers, and suffered a few minor scratches and bruises, however, he was able to fend them all off. The repeated use of the Hakkero Gun began taking its toll. The barrel had gotten too hot, and overuse had begun damaging it. Because of this, Ryusashi realized something. "It's not enough. Just the Hakkero Gun on it's own, it won't be enough." Night had fallen by the time he returned, he opened the front door, brushing himself off. He slipped of his shoes, and took a step inside to see Yukari, sitting on her gap at the kitchen counter, with a small cup and bottle in hand. She waved at him, then put a her finger over her mouth, and pointed towards the table in the living room. Ryusashi waved back at her silently, and looked over to what Yukari was pointing at, and what he saw made him smile. Ran was sleeping soundly, curled up like a normal fox in her tails with Chen cuddled up in the middle. He chuckled quietly to himself and went over to Yukari, who was already pouring a second cup for him. "Care to drink with me?" She asked happily, but he shook his head. "Think I'm just gonna have some water." He said as as Yukari reached into the gap she sat on and pulled out a bottle of water. She handed it to him, and looking at the label, Ryusashi recognized the brand. "Hey, is this from the outside?" He asked and Yukari nodded, taking a sip from her cup. Ryusashi took the bottle from her, it was cold, and the droplets of condensation ran down his fingers. He opened the cap and took a swing, the cool liquid slid down his throat, giving him a sense of rejuvenation. He put the bottle down on the counter behind him after he finished. "Ah, I needed that. Thanks." He said and Yukari gave him a nod. "So why are you still awake? I figure you'd be asleep long before those two were." He asked as Yukari sipped her second drink. "Well, I have something I'd like to show you." She said, holding a small key between her thumb and index finger. This wasn't just any key, it was Ryusashi's apartment key. "This is yours, go on, take it." Yukari said, jingling the key on its chain. He held out his hand, and Yukari dropped the key into it. "That's great, but what am I supposed to do with my apartment key?" Ryusashi asked before Yukari stood up, the gap she was sitting on flipped into a vertical position. She snapped her fingers, and the gap began to change its shape, turning into a door with a number on it. 515, the fifteenth room on the fifth floor of his apartment complex. "With some help from a friend, I managed to make this handy door for you and preserve your small apartment in the gap. That way, you can return home whenever you'd like." Yukari said with a smile, but Ryusashi frowned. "I don't suppose it wouldn't take me back to the outside world, would it?" He asked and Yukari frowned as well. "Of course not, you'd try to run away and I can't have that. Anyways, just open it already." Ryusashi put the key into the hole and turned it to the left, unlocking the door. He opened the door, and on the other side was a room he didn't think he'd see for a long time. His apartment. Everything was exactly as it was left on the day he fell into Gensokyo, the day his life was practically taken from him. The teapot still sat on the coffee table in front of the couch. Even after all this time, not a spec of dust was seen anywhere in the room. However, seeing his old home didn't put Ryusashi at ease, instead, he felt nothing but anger, reminded of the peaceful life he lived that was forcefully ripped from his grasp. "Well? What do you think? Isn't this nice? All the appliances work, even the internet. There's no need to thank me, really." Yukari said proudly, pushing her hair aside with confidence. Outside the window, the thousands of eyes of the gap peered inside, watching Ryusashi's every move. He swung the curtains closed and chuckled. "Yeah, this is great! Just great! I mean, who in the right mind DOESN'T want to be constantly reminded of everything that was taken from them?!" He turned back to Yukari who simply stood with her arms folded, looking at him with a small frown. "Like seriously, I don't know whether to thank you, or punch you in your teeth." He continued angrily, Yukari opened her fan and hid herself behind it. "Why don't you start by lowering your tone instead?" She said calmly, making Ryusashi even angrier. "DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" He yelled before flipping the coffee table, sending it flying at her. A gap opened, swallowing the table just before it hit her, and reopened behind Ryusashi, sending it into his back. It smashed to pieces against him, but he didn't even flinch. "Do you honestly think that I'm just going to do whatever you want, without any complaint?! After you kidnapped me?! WELL FUCK THAT!" He screamed at the top of his lungs. Yukari sighed. "Fine then, you can yell and scream about how much you hate me in here, no one will be able to hear you. I, on the other hand, am going to bed. Feel free to destroy more of the place while your in here, keeping it stable like this is a pain." She said before stepping into a gap and taking off. Ryusashi took a seat on the armchair and thought for a while. Afterwards, he went to his bedroom and took the bedsheets back outside. He walked into the living room, Ran and Chen were still fast asleep. Ryusashi rested his head on Ran's tail and covered himself with the blankets. "You're the only one who actually cares." He whispered to himself sadly. "Ever since we met, you've comforted me with your embrace, made me feel at home here." He continued, hugging Ran's tail. "Like the mother I never had. You're the reason I can keep going, because I want to see your smile, hear your laughter." Tears began welling up in Ryusashi's eyes. "I keep going, because I want you to feel the same way that I do, and love me the way I love you." He buried his face in Ran's fur. "And I'll keep going, until someday... I'm strong enough to tell you how I feel." He slowly drifted off to sleep, albeit with tears in his eyes.
(Sorry, sorry, bit of a short chapter this time. I'm just coming up with this as I go pretty much. The next one'll be a full length chapter.)
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An invitation to Gensokyo
Adventure23 year old Ryusashi Takano lives a normal city life. Normal apartment, normal office job and normal friends. It's a good life, but he grew tired of his repetitive days that seemed to repeat on an endless loop. Until one day, his life is turned upsi...
