Pondering Through Paradise

Just as the Youkai of Darkness bared her fangs, her patience and hunger growing thin, Reimu appeared.

"Spirit Sign: FANTASY SEAL!"

At the end of that delcaration, cluster of large, colorful balls of lights illuminated the dimly lit night.

They were as bright as the morning sun, surpassing the shine of the tranquil moonlight.

Each and every one descended down from the dazzling sky, heading straight into Rumia's direction.

"You tricked me! Hmph!" If I had foreseen something like this, then what's the point of being a human.

My interview was cut short as the balls of light attempted to make contact with Rumia. Her attempt at dodging had only made the light balls graze her figure as she danced on the air, reminding me of a young ballerina who has yet to reach the level of a professional.

However, the curtains of light balls were relentless in their pursuit, and eventually, Rumia's body had made direct contact with one of the balls of light. That slight grimace on her face had told me all one needs to know, as more and more of those balls hit their target.

"What are you just standing there for? Let's go!" As I was engrossed by the dance between Rumia and the balls of light, Reimu had come to my side and grabbed my arm, causing me to be taken airborn while carrying me with little to no problem on her end.

The youkai's clothes were tattered all over, dirt could be seen here, and there while parts of her arms that were once covered had now been exposed.

Taking one last look at the beaten up Rumia, I could only lament the loss of this opportunity to know more about the youkai.

***

After that whole fiasco, we returned to the shrine, beginning a roung of Reimu's scolding until she grew tired and began to get ready for bed. It seems that she began looking for my whereabouts after seeing I wasn't there to attend dinner.

Walking to the Human Village to make for my daily rounds, one can't help but wonder of the other youkai that I might soon encounter.

Reading up on the many known species and individuals portrayed by the established Hieda household matriarch, Miss Hidea no Akyuu, who's said to have a perfect memory in all matters concerning the history of Gensokyo, this strange and dangerous paradise home to countless youkai.

While such knowledge is without a doubt helpful, understanding the true nature of a youkai can not be captured by something as simple as words on a piece of paper. Nonetheless, I am thankful for the existence of the Gensokyo Chronicle.

***

As Masashi walked along the path heading towards the village, his eyes began to wander at a rapid speed. Those empty eyes that were deprived of emotion still held on to a sense of vigilance despite the enchanting figure of mother nature being shown by the dazzling sun.

The vibrant green of the swaying leaves will soon get ready for the blossoming spring, and the gentle breeze of the mountain ranges winds that make the grass flutter along its tune, sing a song as soothing as a woodwind note made for the residents of the wild.

If one were to look closely, they might catch the silhouettes of child-like fairies frolicking about deep into the woods of the Forest of Magic, but be warned, for the seemingly mystical forest while a place rife with sights unseen in the world beyond the borders of Gensokyo, is flooded with poisonous miasma that few could ever hope to breathe for long.

Many say that all beautiful roses have their thorns, and such is the case for this utopia that has preserved the wonders from the age when Fantasy prospered.

Masashi understands that a youkai, while having aspects that they be familiar to that of a human, is still a being of an alien nature. Be it under the insistence of those who believe youkai are "just like" as humans or those who fear them for the abilities they do not understand, they shall never be under the category of a human being.

That is why, to understand the nature of a youkai, one must first bear witness to the fallacies of the shackle called "mortality."

***

The Human Village came into view as the walls that surround it entered my sight.

Though it's said to be a form of protection against the youkai, the truth of the matter is that the walls merely exist to reassure the villagers of any fears growing at an excessive rate.

It is nothing more than a delusion that was spread in order to have the human villagers stay in their place. Though the youkai I've met are few, I know that the ability to fly or at least levitate is a most common one to see, for even the fairies said to be the weaklings of Gensokyo, able to be beaten by any grown man, have such capabilities.

Not to mention that youkai boasts of physical abilities beyond a standard humans reach, no matter how weak they may seem.

As such I conclude that this be reason why- *BANG*

A blunt pain entered as something had bumped into me, the sky sure is clear today.

"Are you alright?" Though my eyesight had become blurry, I was still able to make out a hand reaching for me.

It was a soft yet firm hand, almost yanking my body to stand up.

"Thank you."

"Yeah yeah, eyes down here buddy." Hmmm?

Looking down, I was met with a head staring right at me. Those red eyes and short red hair paired along with a big blue bow tie leaves one to quite an image.

Moving my sight towards the body of the hand that helped me up, a body without a head was laid out in the open, standing before me.

"Oi, quit staring and put me back up." A youkai with a detached head, I believe they were called-

"Rokurokubi, that's right. Stop staring and help will you!"

"Excuse my offense."

Getting ahold of her head in the most gentle manner I could, with both arms a bit under the back of the head, lifting it up and placing her to where the neck should be.

As the rokurokubi dusted her red and black long sleeved shirt and dark red skirt, I couldn't help but observe that she wore a red and blue capelate that covered up to her neck area, perhaps a disguise when going into the Human Village.

"You better not tell about me being a youkai or ill eat you! I'll let you go this time around because you helped me."

"Couldn't you have helped yourself without me?" Though what would I know? every youkai is unique after all.

"I... Hmph! Whatever, just don't tell." Hugging her cape, she dashed towards the road that was heading to the Misty Lake. The villagers say that it was a hotspot for many youkai sightings, the fog surrounding the area made it dangerous for unsuspecting humans.

Watching her figure slowly disappear into the mist, I wonder if she'd be willing to talk to me once more?