The Legend of Hoshiro

Sent from the heavens, wielding rainbows and lightning in the name of peace and justice, Hoshiro Nijinazuma is Gensokyo's greatest warrior. Her decision-making skills, however, leave a lot to be desired.

Joined by like-minded friends, laughed at or reluctantly put up with by heroines from throughout the series, Hoshiro will fight her way through Touhou history and get every Incident completely wrong. What hilarious mishaps await her? Will she find love? The answers ("lots of them" and "maybe") lie within...

~Chapter 9: Uncompromising Fighting Otenba Was Her?~

"Cirno! Cirno, it's an emergency!" A gloved fist thumped on the curving ice bricks of Cirno's igloo. "Wake up!"

"Who?! What?! Where?!" Cirno leapt from her little wooden bed and crashed into the carpet. She stood up with a pained groan. "Stupid alarm clock, I know I set you for eight..."

There was a bright pink flash, then Hoshiro materialised in a shower of sparks, a round pink sailor hat on her head, her horns poking through the cloth and scraping the ceiling. "Sorry to burst in, it's important! There's an Incident, Cirno! Come on, let's go!"

"Slow down! What is it, Katara?!" yawned Cirno, pulling on her dress with some haste. "Demons? Dinosaurs? Beast spirits? Men? What?!"

"Worse than that! A flying boat!"

Cirno stared open-mouthed for a moment, then she let out an anguished groan. "That isn't worth waking up at seven fifty-nine for!"

"But-"

"I'm going back to bed. Feel free to teleport yourself out-"

Cirno's alarm clock went off like a screaming crowd of wind chimes. Cirno shrieked and did a backflip. Hoshiro jumped, smashed into the ceiling and dangled there with her horns embedded in the ice.

After a few moments, Cirno spoke. "Want to join me for breakfast?"

"And then we go?"

"No, I promised Daiyousei I'd help her organise her record collection."

"Oh. I'll go now, but I hope you have fun!" Hoshiro reached up awkwardly to push herself out of the ceiling. A brief struggle, then she crashed down on her bottom with a heavy thud. "Tell me if you need help fixing the holes in the ceiling. 'Bye!"

"Kaguya! Kaguya, it's an emergency!" A gloved fist thumped on the paper and dark timber wall. "Wake up!"

The window slid open. A pair of floppy white ears poked out followed by long lavender hair. "Princess Kaguya's in the other wing. Look for the burnt window surrounded by rusty bear traps," said Reisen wearily.

"Oh. Thank you!" shouted Hoshiro, running off to the other wing. "OW!" she yelped, stepping in a bear trap.

"Kaguya! Kaguya, it's an emergency!" A gloved fist thumped on the torn paper and blackened timber wall. "Wake up!"

A few seconds passed, then Kaguya's reply came. "I have a hangover."

"What?!" replied Hoshiro.

"I have a hangover! Ow, pain, my poor head...!" Kaguya groaned emphatically.

"I don't understand! I'll come up!" Hoshiro spread her arms wide, straining as if she was pushing against some invisible force. She disappeared in a blinding pink flash and materialised seconds later in the luxurious bedchamber.

Tucked up warmly in bed, Kaguya groaned again. "I'm not in the mood, Hoshiro!"

"There's an Incident, Kaguya! A flying boat was spotted near the northern desert!" declared Hoshiro. "What's more, Gensokyo has a desert now."

Kaguya rolled over and pulled the embroidered quilt over her head.

Hoshiro stared at her for a few seconds and huffed in annoyance. "It matters, Kaguya! Flying boats aren't natural."

Nothing stirred in the mound of bedclothes.

"Gods above, you never want to resolve Incidents any more! Lucky I have other friends who-"

Hoshiro bit back her harsh words. "Sweet dreams, Kaguya. Maybe next time." With that, she teleported back out of the room.

A few more seconds passed, then something shifted under the covers. "I thought she'd never go away!" said Eirin, groaning softly while she stretched. "Your unusual friend can teleport, then? That's unexpected."

"She never mentioned it before!" said Kaguya, quite confused. "There were so many times a little teleportation could've saved our bacon, but no... What was she thinking?"

"WAS she thinking?" Eirin asked. "Maybe she only remembered she could teleport this morning."

"That sounds like her," sighed Kaguya. "Anyway, if you're ready..."

"Of course, my love." Eirin sank back beneath the covers. A few seconds later, the sharp sounds of toenail clipping could be heard throughout the room.

"Okuu! Okuu, it's an emergency!" A gloved fist thumped on the wooden door, disturbing the flowery 'Utsuho's Room' sign and the radioactive warning sticker. "Wake up!"

"I'm awake," said Utsuho, wandering over from another hallway. "Hey, I know you! You're that dragon who helped Lady's Satori's sister with her finger-painting, aren't you?"

"Yes, but I didn't come to paint this time! There's an Incident, Okuu!" Hoshiro said urgently. "A flying boat's been sighted!"

Utsuho's eyebrows rose in curiosity. "Oh, what was it doing?"

"Flying!"

"That's unusual!"

"I know, we have to investigate! Come on!" Hoshiro grabbed Utsuho by the arm and dashed away.

Utsuho's Oxford shoe and concrete leg-warmer dragged on the carpet. "W-wait a moment! I should tell Lady Satori fiiiiirst-!"

Hoshiro waited outside Satori's study, tapping her feet and counting all the knots in the wooden door. Eventually Utsuho emerged.

"It's best if I don't come today," she declared matter-of-factly. "Could you call me for the next flying boat? I need to get ready for-"

"Why not?!" A small spark of anger had ignited in Hoshiro's heart. "What's Satori's problem?!"

"Problem? Well, she doesn't think I have enough control over my abilities yet, since I apparently did something that worried her a few months ago. There was a geyser involved-"

Hoshiro's jaw dropped. "And she still isn't over it?!"

"More importantly, I need to be here for the power grid test- What are you doing?"

Hoshiro pushed past Utsuho and stormed into Satori's study. Satori looked up from her sudoku in a mix of surprise and resignation.

"Satori, you can't keep Utsuho locked up in here just because she makes mistakes sometimes!" shouted Hoshiro, slamming her fists on the coffee table.

"Hoshiro, it's all right! Don't- You don't need to-" Utsuho began.

"Don't worry! She can't hurt you while I'm here," said Hoshiro fiercely. "Don't try it, Satori!"

"Can I stop you there?" Satori said wearily. "I know what you're thinking, Hoshiro, but you're wrong about my relationship with Okuu. I'm trying to keep her from putting other people or herself in danger-"

"So you'd rather crush her dreams?! People need new experiences to grow! It's better to fly to the sun than live in a freezer so your wings won't melt!"

"I haven't crushed- Does Okuu look as if she's had a dream crushed recently? With a power like hers, we have to be careful. Today is especially bad timing, since Kanako's planning to test the power grid-"

"How can you be so selfish?!" Hoshiro stomped her foot, cracking the floor. "If you won't believe in Okuu, believe in me who believes in her!"

Satori's eyes blazed with anger. "I've ALWAYS believed in Okuu! She's kind and strong and sweet and great company, the cutest pet, the most powerful warrior and brilliant scientist we've had in centuries! You need to get your own thoughts in order before you paint me as an abuser."

"You..." For a second, Hoshiro's chest felt tight. Had she pushed the wrong button? No, Satori was clearly in the wrong, she had to be taught a lesson. "You think Okuu isn't clever enough to investigate one flying boat! Her dream to be an Incident-Resolver means nothing to you because it wasn't your idea!"

"Excuse me," said Utsuho, tapping Hoshiro on the shoulder. "I don't necessarily dream of being an Incident-Resolver, it's more along the lines of a hobby I'd like to try someday."

"Hoshiro, please, stop jumping to conclusions! I'm not your father-" Satori's eyes widened. "RYUUJIN was your father? Well, that is surprising, but not relevant."

Satori took a deep breath. "Utsuho may be many things, but most of the room in her brain is taken up with nuclear physics. I don't want there to be any limits on her horizons! I don't! But some things are harder than others, and rushing into them won't end well. Moreover, as she said just now-"

"You miserable, arrogant old pudding-face!" Hoshiro raised a hand wreathed in sparks. "If you won't negotiate, nor will I. I'll never let you hurt my friend again! Nijinazuma: Seven-Coloured Strike!"

Satori's eyes widened. She dove behind her desk as a seven-coloured glow filled the room.

"NO!" Utsuho lunged past Hoshiro and threw herself into the path of the lightning. She grit her teeth in pain as it poured into her Third Leg.

"Oh, my gods! What are you doing?!" Hoshiro cut off the lightning as fast as she could. "Okuu, why?!"

Utsuho glared angrily as she channeled the lightning through her stone boot, zapping some pot plants into piles of ash. "How could you think of hurting Lady Satori?!"

"I... I did it for you!" Hoshiro protested. "She was going to keep you here, caged forever away from your dream of-!"

"When did I ever say being an Incident-Resolver was my dream?!" snapped Utsuho. "I love nuclear physics, boiled eggs, picnics and my family! I'd be happy to help with Incidents, but doing so isn't a vital component of my self-actualisation."

"You don't have to be what Satori wants!"

"I know! But I trust her judgment," said Utsuho severely. "About everything except the purple apron, which didn't do it for me."

"So... Is that it?" Hoshiro's heart felt heavy. There was anger and confusion in her eyes, but sadness most of all. "You don't even want to investigate the flying ship?!"

"Not today! Not with you!" Utsuho pushed past Hoshiro and stormed out of the room.

"I... I don't..." Hoshiro swallowed. "I don't understand!"

Satori gave her a pitying look. "That much is clear even without the ability to read minds. Now I think you ought to leave."

Hoshiro stormed away from the Fantastic Blowhole, kicking a paper boat by the side of the road as she went. She stomped over to a large beech tree, leaned against it with her horns poking the bark and let out a heavy sigh.

"I don't understand... I just don't understand!" Hoshiro snapped, glaring up at the yellowish-green leaves. "Didn't I do enough?!"

How could it have gone so wrong? Okuu was supposed to come along and prove her mettle, then Satori would have to admit she'd been wrong and her daughter could take care of herself, and everything would be fine! That was what she deserved, not self-inflicted subjugation!

What sort of woman didn't want an adventure?! If Hoshiro had been Utsuho... Well, if she'd been Utsuho she wouldn't have asked for permission, but she'd have gone with herself in a heartbeat!

No, that was silly. If she was Utsuho, Utsuho was her, so Satori had to be... Keine? That wasn't the same! Hoshiro wasn't scared of Keine, she trusted her! If Keine had had a good reason why she shouldn't investigate the flying boat...

Then wouldn't Utsuho have tried to blast Keine through the wall? And wouldn't she have jumped in front of Keine because she loved her and trusted her and wanted to protect her-

"Ohhhh, tottering tanuki, what the buckle shoes have I done?!" Tears welled up in the corners of Hoshiro's eyes. She slumped down against the tree, hugged her knees and cried, her regrets sparkling as they spilled down her cheeks. This time, she really had boobed.

After several seconds Hoshiro felt something press against her nose. Blinking away her tears, she looked out and beheld a green object, round like a bowl on top with smaller knobbles on the bottom, floating in front of her.

Hoshiro yelped and leapt to her feet, her back scraping against the bark. "Ow! Wh-what are you?!"

The object just sat there, wobbling in silence, and turned red with a strange little sound.

"A weird thing, never before seen, floating and changing colour..." Hoshiro stared at the object in wonder, then let out a gasp. "An Unidentified Fantastic Object! This must be another Incident!"

Hoshiro reached out to touch the Unidentified Fantastic Object, only to freeze with her finger just centimetres away. What if it was a trap? A youkai or some sort of cursed toy? A cursed toy youkai?! No, she had to do this the smart way.

Hoshiro bent down and plucked a long stick out of the leaf litter. She gave the UFO a gentle poke, tapping on a smooth plasticky material which was probably plastic.

The UFO made another strange sound and turned blue. Hoshiro poked it again.

"You're just going to do that? Float and change colour?" Hoshiro lowered her stick, regarding the UFO suspiciously. It didn't seem dangerous, but she couldn't rest until she knew what was going on. Could it have been related to the flying boat?

The flying boat. It had slipped her mind, but there already was an Incident! Hoshiro felt a lump rise in her throat. Cirno and Kaguya weren't interested, and now Utsuho didn't want to speak to her- She'd pushed her away. How was she going to face anyone, let alone an Incident?

"Hoshiro! Don't just stand there, grab that Unidentified Fantastic Object before it gets away!"

"Uwaah?!" Hoshiro jumped, slamming herself against the tree again, and looked around until she saw Kasen running over. "Ow, my shoulder blades! K-Kasen! How am I going to face you?! I mean, of course!"

Hoshiro pounced on the UFO, which had since turned green again, slamming it down into the grass. Her body flopped down behind it like a long, thin sack of rice wearing tall boots, plus-fours, a tank top and a jumper. Actually, she didn't look the slightest bit like a sack of rice.

"Got it!" Hoshiro looked up at the amused Kasen and laughed awkwardly. "Hi, Kasen... What's going on with these?"

"They've been showing up all over Gensokyo, flying around aimlessly and bouncing off the sides of the..." Kasen wrinkled her beautiful nose. "I'm not sure what they bounce off, to be honest, but you can see them doing it."

Kasen leaned down and offered her hand. Hoshiro took the hand and stood up, cradling the UFO in her free arm and blushing a little.

"However mysterious they are, I'm sure they're connected to the flying boat," Kasen continued. "Since you're here, why don't we investigate together?"

Hoshiro gasped. "I-I'd love to, Kasen!" Her shame and worries faded into the background. "With our combined power, the, um... We'll, er... Together we are twice as many as one!"

"Take as much time as you need, Lovestruck Champion," Kasen said sweetly. "We'll start at the flying boat, the most likely source of the flying boat Incident."

"That makes sense! Let's go!"

Hoshiro's ponytail stretched out behind her, fluttering like a wind sock as she soared towards the boat. Up ahead was Kasen, her dress billowing, trying to set the pace and complaining about it.

"I can't believe how fast it is!" complained Kasen. "We'll really need to hoof it to catch up."

Hoshiro regarded her with bemusement. "How fast can you hoof?"

"I like to think I hoof fast enough," said Kasen, "for most purposes. But I'd be the first to admit I can't hoof the way a tengu hoofs."

Hoshiro nodded. "What's our plan when we catch up? I think we should find evidence and work out the boat's purpose, then deal with it or leave it alone as needed! That way we won't hurt people!"

Kasen blinked. "That wasn't what I was expecting to hear from you, but yes, good idea! Any flying sailors who hope to fit in in Gensokyo will be ready to fight at the drop of a hat, though, so we should be as well."

"Probably." Hoshiro looked away. "We mustn't be reckless, though, if- if they don't want to fight."

Kasen frowned in concern. "Are you feeling all right? That doesn't sound like the Hoshiro who chewed her way out of a cocoon, kicked Queen Joro right over Youkai Mountain, brought down her legions with a single Ryujo Beam and spent half an hour brushing her teeth. Er, your teeth, not Joro's."

"I'm fine! I don't want to make more mistakes, though-"

"I am arisen! Behold the majesty of my umbrella!"

"Uwah?!" Kasen gasped. "Over there!"

Hoshiro looked up and saw Kogasa, standing proudly in front of them with her umbrella held high. Well, I say 'standing' proud, her feet weren't on top of much apart from more sky.

"Where are you going in such a hurry? The ship again?" Kogasa came towards them, her heterochromatic eyes sparkling with excitement. "It must be carrying something very special to attract so many people!"

"Er, you said you were arisen...?" Kasen gasped. "Of course! Hoshiro, do you see her eyes?!"

"Er, yes! Why?"

Kogasa's expression turned to polite confusion. "Yes, what about them?"

"Isn't it obvious?" said Kasen gravely. "One is red and the other one is blue. Red and blue. Colours, just like the UFOs! She must be involved!"

Kogasa tilted her head in confusion. "Must I? Well, that's interesting!"

"We have to defeat her and find out what she knows!" Kasen slid into her martial arts stance. "Attack!"

"Right behind you-" Hoshiro's eyes widened in horror. "Wait, no!"

"No? What are you talking about?!"

"I've had a thought!" Hoshiro shivered. "What if it's a coincidence? What if she ISN'T involved and we're about to attack an innocent woman?!"

Kasen stared at her. "Hoshiro... Why would anyone need to worry about that? Get her!"

"If you're sure."

"She's sure!" squeaked Kogasa, clapping her hands in anticipation. "Come on, get me! My spell-cards are ever so much fun!"

Kogasa's spell-cards were indeed fun, but by the time our heroines sent her parachuting helplessly into Alice's compost heap the boat was a dot on the horizon.

"We lost so much time! Maybe we should have tried getting past her without a fight," Kasen sighed ruefully. "Or just ignored her. Can you fly a little faster?"

"I can fly at fifty thousand miles an hour," said Hoshiro.

Kasen blinked. "Fifty... Fifty thou...? Why didn't you say so?! We could catch up in seconds if I ride you!"

Hoshiro's heart leapt into her throat. "Y- you what?!" she stammered.

"Give me a piggy-back! It's the only way, I can't fly that fast on my own."

"A-all right! Get on!" Her heart pounding, Hoshiro turned her back to Kasen and bent over. She felt Kasen climbing aboard and yelped as she grasped her shoulders firmly. "Wow, your hands are warm- A- are you ready?"

"Of course!"

Hoshiro tensed her muscles. "One-seater champion, Hoshiro Nijinazuma! I soar across the heavens, carrying dreams and beautiful maidens on my back! Hold tightly, Kasen, destiny awaits-"

Hoshiro froze. "Wait. Kasen, you- you might fall off!

"Oh, what?!" Kasen sighed. "I'm not going to fall off! But if it'll make you feel better, I'll tie your ponytail around myself."

"Good idea."

"You don't need to worry so much, Hoshiro. It doesn't suit you," Kasen said, her tone softening. "I know you can be... Error-prone sometimes, but Marisa told me you were trying NOT to shy away from challenges-"

"Can we not talk about it?!" Hoshiro tried to give Kasen an angry look, but the neck angles involved were against her. "I don't want to get more things wrong! Sorry if you aren't used to that."

Kasen bit her lip. Pressing her probably wasn't going to help. "All right, Iet's just fly. But keep in mind that you can talk to me if you need to."

Several sonic booms exploded across the sky, then came a scream from Kasen. She clung to Hoshiro as they rocketed towards the boat, alighting at last on the wooden deck behind what looked like a bungalow pagoda.

Hoshiro stomped on the planks, making a satisfying clunk. "It's safe to disembark!" she declared.

Kasen untied herself and disembarked. "That was so fast! I'll need a pair of flying goggles if we're ever going to do that again," she said shakily. "It doesn't look like anyone's here-"

"That's where you're wrong!" a squeaky voice shouted from above.

Kasen and Hoshiro looked up in shock. The pagoda's roof curved out in long slopes of red, and on the peak of the tiles stood a short grey-haired woman, two round ears on her head and a long dowsing rod in each hand.

"If you were hoping for treasure, I'm afraid you're out of luck," the woman smirked, looking down on Kasen and Hoshiro. "Our ship isn't the kind with a treasure filling. It's iced with destiny and topped with a hierophant!"

"Hierophant? Something like an elephant?" Hoshiro gasped. "Ganesh?!"

"...No, not Ganesh. That's the wrong religion." Nazrin seemed thrown off her stride. "A-anyway, if you want to find treasure, look in the bins or underground! Caves have plenty of filling once you break through the crust."

"Who are you?!" demanded Kasen.

"Mouse General Nazrin, servant of Bishamonten and assistant to... Well, that would be a spoiler," Nazrin said with a wink.

Kasen narrowed her eyes. "That sounds suspicious. What do you know about the UFOs, the colourful things that have been flying around all day?"

"Only that they're important," said Nazrin, "for another spoiler. Their filling is one you really don't want to bite into unless you know what you're doing!"

Nazrin's smile disappeared. "If you want to interfere to 'protect Gensokyo' or something, I can't allow it. Defend yourselves!"

"Do we have to?!" cried Hoshiro. "It's better to talk-"

"Aiyeeeeeee!" Nazrin leapt from the roof and descended upon them in a whirl of dowsing rods.

Hoshiro dove to the side, a dowsing rod swiping past her feet. "Fine, have it your way!" she shouted, springing back onto her feet. "I apologise in advance for any harm this causes, but you pushed me to it! Water Mastery: Nagasakibana Waves!"

Nazrin fell, then Ichirin and Unzan, with apologies from Hoshiro and increasing concern from Kasen. Our heroines came at last to the front of the ship, only to groan when they saw who else was there.

"Hi there, lovebirds!" giggled Marisa, standing over a downed Minamitsu. "You're just in time for the main event. Shou was about to revive the great priestess, Byakuren!"

"Shou?!" cried Kasen.

"Priestess?!" cried Hoshiro.

A tall, curly-haired woman was standing between Reimu and Sanae, looking sheepish. "About that," she said nervously. "We're still one fragment short."

Noticing the confusion, Reimu piped up. "It's a little confusing, but Byakuren was sealed in Makai hundreds of years ago. Her seal started breaking apart recently, scattering fragments of its magic all over the world."

"Yes, and the fragments look like cute little spaceships!" Sanae clarified. "We've all been collecting them. Oh, if only we had the last one!"

"Last one...?" Kasen gave Hoshiro a curious look. "Did you hold onto that thing?!"

Hoshiro gasped. "Oh, yes!" She reached up and retrieved the UFO from under her hat, cradling it in her arms like a pet ferret. "Er, what did you say you were going to use it for?"

"To unseal Lady Byakuren! We all missed her so much." Shou stepped towards Hoshiro. "I'm so glad you had one! Give it to me!"

"Um, just a minute!" Hoshiro wrapped her arms around the UFO. "Are you Shou we- I mean, are you sure we Shou- I mean, are you sure we should? She might be sealed for a good reason!"

"Wha-?" Shou frowned. "Yes I'm Toramaru- I mean, yes I'm sure! Lady Byakuren's one of the nicest people in history! They imprisoned her for being too nice! You have nothing to fear from her."

"But she could've changed! Being trapped in Makai can do that to you!" panicked Hoshiro. "Ohhh, it could be a disaster-!"

"Hoshiro, we're all here! What's the worst that could happen?" reasoned Marisa.

"We were going to fight her anyway! It'll be fine!" agreed Sanae, brandishing her wand.

Hoshiro gulped and took a step back. "N-no, I can't give it to you! Don't you understand, if she's dangerous it'll be my fault again-"

"Oh, for tomboys' sakes, just give them the UFO!" Kasen grabbed the colour-changing object from Hoshiro's arms and threw it at Shou.

"W-what are you doing?!"

"Hoshiro, please!" Kasen laid her hands on Hoshiro's shoulders. "You haven't been yourself all afternoon. Tell me, what in the name of sunflowers is going on with you?!"

"I- I'm being careful! We don't know Byakuren, she might be evil or- or-! What if they got the wrong woman?!" Hoshiro shrank back from Kasen. "Kasen, you don't understand, I always jump the gun on these things! I attack, or I don't have a clue, and someone gets hurt! I've already broken one friendship this morning!"

Kasen's expression softened. "Hoshiro... What happened?"

"Er..." Hoshiro took a deep breath. "How do I put this? I'm an idiot, Kasen!"

"I know, but why-"

Hoshiro fell into Kasen's arms, weeping bucketfuls of tears. "I-I betrayed Satori, I betrayed Okuu! I thought Satori was abusing her so I tried to zap her bur Okuu got in front and took the lightning because of course she'd protect her mum she isn't like that I was wrong!" She looked up at Kasen, her face contorted with grief. "That's why I'm an idiot!"

"Oh..." Kasen took a deep breath. "I won't lie, what you did does sound idiotic, but everyone makes mistakes. Sometimes people make enormous ones, so we have to-"

"You don't understand! I can't DO things like that! I should be the Forever Champion who fights for love, peace and children's precious smiles, not a... Not someone who... Not a terrible person like this!"

"No, come on, you aren't a terrible person!" Kasen gave Hoshiro's hair a gentle stroke while she cried. "It's good that you want to improve yourself, Hoshiro! It's good to learn from your mistakes! Feeling bad when you've hurt someone proves that your heart's in the right place."

"But I always get things wrong," sniffled Hoshiro. "I thought I'd moved past it, but now-"

"Don't dwell on what you 'always' do," Kasen cut in. "You can't change the past, but you can decide what to do next. That's what matters. Don't let your shame paralyse you, learn from it and do things differently next time!"

Kasen lifted Hoshiro's chin to look her in the eye. "We've fought jorogumo, heikegani and four-headed shadow creatures together, we dug Eientei out of that croissant. You challenged Amaterasu once! You rise to every challenge with a strange tokusatsu battle cry, and that might be your best quality. Defeating your own bad habits is just another mountain to overcome, which you'll probably do by accident."

"My best quality?" said Hoshiro darkly. "Maybe I should be less brave. If I'd backed down from Satori this morning-"

"No! Knowing when not to fight is completely different from thinking you aren't good enough!" insisted Kasen. "I don't like seeing you like this. Please, don't carve out what's good about you to get rid of what's bad! You're worth more than- than what you can give up, how much you can hurt yourself for an apology! You're worth more than that!"

Hoshiro's mouth fell open . "Carve out?! Kasen, what do you mean?!"

"I've seen people with the best of intentions get consumed by shame, even over small mistakes." Kasen looked away, her face heavy with centuries' worth of memories. "It's usually benign spirits, religious people or warriors caught up in old-school bushido, thinking they have to grovel and hurt themselves and never be happy again in order to atone... To show they're still a good person."

"But... Shouldn't they atone?" Hoshiro said in a small voice. "My mistake wasn't small. I hurt Okuu badly, Satori too. Are you saying I shouldn't make up for it?!"

"No, but you can't make up for things by punishing yourself! That just brings more pain and sadness into the world. What you can do is talk to Satori and Utsuho when you're ready, or when they're ready, and tell them you want to be a better friend if they'll give you a chance. Then you duel them, get drunk, have some cake and laugh together."

"I wonder, though..." Kasen peered curiously at Hoshiro. "Are you used to being treated harshly over mistakes? Expected to grovel every time you do something wrong?"

"Eh?!" Hoshiro crossed her eyes, stunned by the rapid shift in conversation topic. "Well, I suppose back when I lived with my parents..."

"I thought as much. That kind of treatment leaves scars. But you don't live with your parents any more, do you?" Kasen smiled. "Nobody's going to send you to your room for five years for not putting on the perfect dog-and-pony show about how ashamed you are."

"Oh, they didn't do that! No, my parents just... Looked down on me. When I didn't meet their expectations. Most of the time. Even more when I did something wrong. Which was most of the time." Hoshiro gasped, realisation washing over her face. "Perhaps I learned to look down on myself for them! To save them the effort!"

She sighed angrily and shook her head. "But I still need to be a better friend, less of a loose cannon! I can't pretend whatever I do will work out fine! That matters more than my feelings, right?"

"It matters ALONGSIDE your feelings, Hoshiro. Don't lose sight of that."

Hoshiro's expression softened. "Alongside? Oh... That's interesting."

"Self-love is always better than self-hatred. For now you need carry on living, with your roots in self-love, so you can sprout healthy flowers in the colours you want," said Kasen softly. "Does that make sense?"

Byakuren nodded. "I don't completely know what's going on, but your words ring true."

"Eeeeek!" Kasen jumped and looked around wildly. "Wh- who are you?! What do you want?!"

"I'm Byakuren, high priestess of the Myouren Temple," Byakuren said with a nervous laugh. "And you... Ibaraki-douji, aren't you? You seem to have changed your hair- No, don't jump off the ship-! Grab her, Shou, quickly!"

"...And I still don't understand the urgency, because as I'm sure you are aware I can fly."

"Byakuren's that sort of person! She always wants to help, like you do."

"That's true. But why did Shou only remember she could fly when she was halfway to the ground?"

"Maybe it slipped her mind."

Once Kasen had carried Shou back to the ship and made it clear that she Most Definitely Was Not an Oni How Could Anyone Even Suggest such a Thing, there had been tea and spell-card duels enough to last the evening. Now they walked hand in hand through the fields, still feeling festive, not entirely sure who was being walked home by whom.

Hoshiro had been swept up in the festivities like a surfer on a wave of friendship, pushing all her shame and worries into the background. She'd got to talking about human and youkai relations, which went completely over her head, but she was glad of the new knowledge. However, there was still the faint, nagging concern that she didn't have any right to be happy after she'd done something so wrong.

That nagging concern, Hoshiro had decided, could kiss her tail. She was going to focus on doing the right thing, not on being ashamed. If shame alone had the power to make a better person, it would have made her flawless before the Asuka Period. Kasen was right; it was time to try a different path.

"Is that your house coming up?"

"Eh?!" Hoshiro jolted out of her deep thoughts and peered ahead. The road led to a small wooden house near a stream, the bamboo forest rising like a well-clipped fringe behind it. "Oh, yes, that is my house! I'd recognise it anywhere."

"Then it seems I walked you home after all!"

"You did!" Hoshiro went to give Kasen a hug, only to pull back with a sheepish look. "So, er. Do you want to... Do you want to come in?"

"No, I need to feed my pets. Er..." After a moment's consideration, Kasen reached out and shook Hoshiro's hand.

Hoshiro laughed awkwardly. "Delighted to meet you, Kasen! I'm Hoshiro, and these are my... sisters?" She gestured to the empty fields behind her. "What am I saying?!"

Kasen giggled. "Oh, Benzaiten. Well, anyway, um... Are you all right? After today?"

Hoshiro sighed. "A bit. I will be. Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Tired. I should definitely have a bath," said Kasen.

"Then you should go. Thanks for talking to me, Kasen, and helping with... Everything." Hoshiro smiled weakly. "I need a bath too! Let's meet up tomorrow and compare how clean we are!"