Senran Kagura; Shinobi by Death: Volume 3. Festival of Kagura

Chapter 6: Nighttime Beaches

Yukio walked back to his room, and laid in his bed as the sunset atmosphere changed to nighttime.

So...first day is almost over, and I haven't done or learned anything. I should search more, but those ghosts...I don't know what to do about them.

"Ugh...has the past really come back to get me?" Yukio wondered, as he got up from his bed.

You know what?! I'm going to find someone else who knows what's going on and get answers.

Yukio left his room, and went to the beach. He looked towards the forest with an uneasy expression.

Maybe Sayuri knows about these ghosts, and how to deal with them. Where could she be at the time like this? Will she even tell me?

Yukio walked around the beach, he hoped that she would be there. However, he saw the ghosts of past Shinobi doing various activities on the shore. The ocean glowed blue from the moonlight, as the sand glowed white from the ghosts.

These Shinobi...have all died in battle? I wish...there could've been something to prevent them from dying that way. I wish I could go back in time now.

"Looks like they're having fun though." Yukio let out a sigh, and smiled.

Why are the ghosts of the girls different from these ghosts? Asuka and the others can't see them, but I can...why?

"They don't seem to be here." Yukio said to himself.

"May I ask who you're looking for?" A voice surprised Yukio. He turned around and saw Ryoki.

"Oh, it's nothing." Yukio dismissed the question. "I haven't seen you since you were with your sisters."

"Oh yes, they've told me a lot about you, and how helpful you've been to them." Ryoki smiled, then bowed to Yukio. "Thank you for taking care of my sisters."

"They wanted to avenge you. I see that as how much they really cared for you." Yukio replied.

"Honestly, you did the right thing by stopping them. I never wanted my sisters to become killers." Ryoki replied, her expression changed to one of remorse. "It's my fault for dying in the first place."

"What kind of logic is that?! It's not even close to being your fault. It's that damned Yoma's fault for killing you." Yukio reassured Ryoki.

She was taken aback from his slightly aggressive response, but smiled and looked up to the starry sky.

"Thanks for saying that." Ryoki bowed again to Yukio.

"You're gonna make me blush with all the thanking." Yukio looked away, slightly flustered.

Yukio looked back towards the ghosts, then at the halo on Ryoki's head.

She's another case I don't understand. She's  a nice person, but why was she not turned into a ghost? Why her, as opposed to Yumi's grandpa, or Miyabi's mother?

"Well, I've got to get ready for tomorrow. I'll see around." Yukio said.

"Very well...oh, would you mind helping me with something, please?" Ryoki asked before Yukio could leave.

"I don't mind, what is it?" Yukio responded.

"Ryobi has been acting nervous around me lately. I'm not sure as to why, but...could you ask her for me?" Ryoki requested.

"I see...of course I'll help, but she might not be willing to tell me." Yukio answered.

"If Ryobi thinks of you as she speaks, she'll always be willing to talk with you." Ryoki replied, with a reassuring smile.