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

Chapter 9: Yukio's Safety

After Yukio accepted the advice that Sayuri told him, he sat on a nearby tree trunk, while the ghosts still attempted to comfort him. He noticed the sunset behind the forest's trees.

Yukio sighed, and looked at the ghosts around him.

So Sayuri really can't see these ghosts either, but they were well aware of her. I wonder why they were acting like that?

"Man, am I still overthinking this?" Yukio said to himself.

Alright, one thing at a time. First, I'm going to find out what these ghosts want, and how they can leave.

"Why are you still here?" Yukio asked the ghosts.

"We must ensure your safety..." One of the ghosts said, Yukio wasn't able to recognize them because they had bullet wounds covering their body.

"But I'm perfectly fine." Yukio said.

The ghost approached him, and hugged him. Yukio noticed that she started to fade away while still in the hug, until she fully disappeared.

"Whoa! That's...it?" Yukio was confused by how he solved this problem.

He looked at the remaining ghosts, and prepared himself. He then hugged every ghost there, and told them that he was fine. While he hugged each ghost, he said their name and the cause of death. He apologized to each one, and thanked them for their concern.

Eventually, They all disappeared. Leaving Yukio by himself.

For some reason, Yukio felt bittersweet about the moment. "To think that those ghosts were stuck here...just to make sure that I was safe..." Yukio said, now alone. "At least now they can finally rest in peace."

And I feared them...because they reminded me of my failures...

Yukio decided to go back to the hotel. On his way there, he happened across the festival grounds where Sayuri held the festival's beginning ceremony.

"Whoa..." Yukio was astonished when he saw the grounds filled with concession stands, and bright lights that shone from every corner of the streets.

Along the streets were many ghosts of past Shinobi that Yukio didn't recognize. They were enjoying the festival that happened all around Yukio. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of all the Shinobi ghosts having fun.

This place...is a paradise of an afterlife. Maybe Sayuri isn't a bad person for starting this festival...still, there must be an ulterior motive behind this.

For now, Yukio forgot about the suspicion of the festival, and enjoyed the scenery. The ghosts were eating festival food, playing festival games, and winning some interesting festival prizes.

Yukio stayed there for an hour or two before a wave of exhaustion took over him, and he continued towards the hotel.

When he arrived, he saw Hibari. Her face was teary-eyed as she entered the hotel.

"Huh? Hey, Hibari!" Yukio entered the hotel and called out to her.

"O-Oh, Yukio." Hibari said, she attempted to hold back her tears."

"Are you ok, Hibari? What happened?" Yukio asked.

"Nothing happened, it's just...Yumi's group seems so happy to be with their grandpa." Hibari said.

"Huh? How did you know that?" Yukio asked.

"I was observing a conversation between them and Sayuri. Yumi's group was asking to not be a part of the festival." Hibari stated.

"What?!" Yukio exclaimed.

Why would they...oh, it's because of her grandpa. If they participated, the festival would end sooner, and would force them to say goodbye to Kurokage...again.