Natsume Yuujinchou Fan Fiction ❯ His Wedding Night ❯ Chapter 5
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: The Fox Witch 
Anime/Manga: Natsume Yuujinchou Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Occult / Drama / Psychological | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 10.17.2011 | Updated On: 10.21.2011 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.8K | Visits: 1.5K | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Natsume Yuujinchou Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Occult / Drama / Psychological | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 10.17.2011 | Updated On: 10.21.2011 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.8K | Visits: 1.5K | Status: Work In Progress
~Part 5~
A few days passed with a tense atmosphere. Every now and then, Natsume caught glimpses of shiki lurking just out of sight. However, with Madara keeping constant surveillance, they didn't appear too keen on doing more than observing.
Natori still hadn't replied.
Natsume spent the bulk of his time trying to take his mind off things. After school, he laid on his futon and read a manga he borrowed. He was halfway through and it still wasn't interesting. So much so, he must have fallen asleep. The yellow sunset filtering through the windows interrupted his nap an hour later. He rolled onto his back and slid open his eyes. A female face stared down at him from an inch above.
"WAH!" Natsume threw himself away from the futon, landing with a thump on the floor.
"You're so cute when you're sleeping, Natsume. I could eat you up!" A female ayakashi in a violet kimono laughed at him.
Oh, it's Hinoe. Natsume let out his breath in a mixture of relief and annoyance. "What are you doing here?" He questioned.
"Madara asked Misuzu to keep an eye on you while he's out drinking. But he was busy, so I came by instead," Hinoe chuckled. She perched casually on Natsume's floor and took a drag from her long pipe. "I heard something interesting from a friend, a lady-in-waiting for a certain princess," she said while she exhaled sickly sweet smoke in his face. "You helped them out, right? By impersonating her and drawing off those humans."
"Y-Yeah…"
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"Did you take any pictures?"
"Of course not!" Natsume snapped.
"W-What!? Why not?" The youkai exclaimed. "Well, I want to see. Where's the dress? Do you still have it?"
"No way, I'm not doing that!"
"Oh, this is why I hate boys! You only think of yourself!" Hinoe despaired. "Reiko never wore dresses. Imagining that cute face blushing in make-up, dressed like a sweet maiden....To think that I missed it…it's too cruel…." She held her face behind a flowing sleeve.
"You're not going to guilt me like that," Natsume said flatly. Hinoe pouted. Though he knew he shouldn't, Natsume felt a little bad about being mean to someone taking the time to help him. He sighed and offered, "I still have the dress, but I'd rather forget about the whole thing. Do you want it?"
Hinoe perked immediately, "Let me see it!"
Natsume opened his closet and dug under some items where he had the dress hidden away. He wanted to put it somewhere that Touko wouldn't stumble upon while doing laundry, but secret things always had a way of worming out into the open. He pulled it out and presented it to the female ayakashi.
"Oh, my," she cooed in appreciation, taking the dress and inspecting it. "It really is a royal wedding gown. This material is exquisite. Are you really giving it to me?"
"You'd be doing me a favor, honestly."
Hinoe hummed a little and continued to touch and explore the dress. Then she turned a mischievous eye on Natsume.
Oh, dear.
The ayakashi tackled him to the floor. "Just wear it for a minute~" She insisted.
"I said no! Hey- knock it off!" Natsume struggled.
Suddenly, Natsume's window slid open with a familiar voice, "Natsume. I've come to…ah…" It cut off.
Natsume stopped to see Hiiragi's inscrutable single-eyed mask looking in. Just in time to see him pinned under Hinoe with the ayakashi trying to strip him. She paused for a few moments, before turning around without a word.
"Wait!" Natsume kicked his way free and scrambled to the window. "Hiiragi, is Natori-san here?"
Hiiragi, ever composed, turned back. "Yes," she said. "He's waiting outside."
He's here? Natsume said to Hinoe, "I'll be fine with Natori-san. You don't have to wait around if you don't want to."
"I come all the way out here and now you're sending me away? I'm never babysitting for Madara again," the female ayakashi huffed and slipped out of the room in a puff of smoke.
Natsume grabbed his bag and told Hiiragi, "Tell him I'll be right out."
The ayakashi nodded mutely and floated downwards out of sight. Natsume slipped on his coat and made his way downstairs. Touko sat in the kitchen where she often did, leafing through a magazine. A grocery bag sat on the counter along with some vegetables in what appeared to be the beginnings of dinner. She glanced up, "Takashi-kun, are you going out?"
"Yeah. With Natori-san," he replied honestly.
"Oh, that sweet young man?" Touko smiled fondly. Natori's charms had already done their work. "You have such interesting friends. But don't stay out too late."
"I won't," Natsume said and exited the house.
Natori stood a small distance from his house with Hiiragi at his side. He was dressed-up in a nice shirt and vest, with formal khakis. He wore his glasses and a hat like he often did in public. Supposedly to hide his identity, though his "charisma" shined too brightly and he was often recognized anyway. Natsume still had trouble processing that Natori was so famous. It was too much of contrast to talk to the haughty and somewhat cynical man in real life and seeing him on screen.
When Natsume approached, the exorcist looked a little frantic, but managed to keep his voice down. "Natsume! I'm sorry it took so long. I was out of town for a photo-shoot, but I wanted to check up on you as soon as possible. Are you in trouble?" Natori's animated explanation and genuine look of concern caught Natsume off guard for a moment.
Despite his initial skepticism of the older man's motives, Natsume felt he could rely on Natori more and more. However, he remained hesitant to call him a true ally. He was someone just like Natsume, who saw the same world he did. But he doesn't, really. Not exactly like me, he warned himself. "I'm fine for now, but," Natsume continued, "Let's talk somewhere else."
"Of course," Natori said, and led him away. A car was parked nearby, and Natori climbed inside with Natsume following hesitantly. The older man started the car and took control of the wheel. The lizard tattoo on his body, actually an ayakashi, scurried to Natori's hand as if attracted to the movement. "Is there anywhere you want to go?" He asked.
"Not really," Natsume replied, looking out the window.
"Then I'll drive around for a while."
The constant hum of the engine soothed Natsume's nerves. He watched the scenery zip by outside in silence. Now that he had Natori with him, he didn't know where to start or what to ask. He chose the direct route, "Natori-san, just how powerful is the Matoba clan?"
Natori looked at him in surprise before remembering to keep his eyes on the road. "I know you're not just asking me out of curiosity. What happened?" He inquired.
"It's a long story," Natsume replied evasively. "But I met Matoba -san again, and he's really pushing me to join him. I keep seeing his shiki lurking around my school and I think…I think he's going to try to force me into it."
"Yes. I wouldn't put it past him," Natori tightened his grip on the steering wheel and an odd expression played across his face.
"I don't know what to do," Natsume admitted.
"They're one of the more powerful exorcist clans in this area. Or anywhere, really. But you know, they're still human and kidnapping is pretty illegal regardless of the reason. Have you considered calling the police?"
"I can't…I don't want to cause trouble for the Fujiwaras. And if Matoba-san tells them about me, I…" Natsume clenched his fists in his lap. "I don't want them to have anything to do with each other. Whatever I do, I don't want those people to worry."
"Natsume-kun," started Natori gently. "You can't bear all of this on your own. You're living two lives. It's okay to have things that are important to you, but you're taking on too many and the balance you have now is too fragile. Something is going to give."
They now drove through the countryside. The grass and trees melted together in Natsume's unfocused eyes. Growing up, life was frantic and ever-changing. Moving between households, switching schools, keeping silent about youkai with literally no one to speak to. After moving to this place with the Fujiwara couple, for the first time in his life, he began to settle. He made friends at school. He started a mission with the Book of Friends. He learned more about ayakashi and grew to care about them. The days stopped coming in short bursts of new fears and different settings, and instead lulled by in a stable, linear fashion. At some point, he had become complacent. Happy.
But he should have known that such a thing could never last forever, right?
When Natsume didn't speak, Natori continued, "Your feelings about ayakashi and humans both are part of what makes you so extraordinary. But it's also a weakness. Matoba-san is ruthless. He probably already knows about this weakness, and he'll latch on to it and use it to control you if you let him."
A weakness. Natori had said so before, hadn't he? That Natsume was soft. That is was strange to care about ayakashi and that he needed to pick a side, them or humans. Was it really…such a bad thing? "Natori-san…am I really the only one who feels this way?" Natsume asked quietly.
"Natsume-kun…" Natori trailed off. He watched the road silently, eyebrows knitting. His mouth tightened, and his throat moved a little. The lizard ayakashi flicked its tail before disappearing under his collar. Natsume noticed these little movements, wondering what the man was really thinking. Natori spoke at last, "Even if you are…and even if I disagree with you…I'm not sure if changing is a good thing."
The sun had fully set, and they were now in town again. Pale lights glowed in the windows of the houses as people settled in for the evening. Natori smiled awkwardly. "Sorry, that was depressing," he admitted. He straightened in his seat, removed his hat, and drew his fingers through his hair purposefully. "I wanted our time together to be a happy occasion. Won't you join me for some coffee? Or we could go to my apartment and watch one of my movies." The charm almost seemed to make the air around him glow.
"No, thanks," Natsume wanted to nip that in the bud right away. It sounded way too much like a date. "It's getting late, so I need to get home. But, Natori-san, I was hoping you could teach me how to make some barriers or maybe shiki so I can protect myself. Nyanko-sensei taught me a bit, but-"
"Uh, oh, of course!" Natori agreed hastily. "Yes, Natsume-kun. Anything you want to know, I'll be happy to teach you." He looked positively giddy.
Huh, maybe this was a bad idea, Natsume had second thoughts. He really didn't want Natori to get his hopes up.
A few minutes later, they pulled in next to the Fujiwara's home. Natori gave Natsume his number, and Natsume agreed to call him to schedule a training session. He waved good-bye and watched Natori drive away. He glanced up at the night sky. The air was cooling in early autumn, another year slowly inching by. How much longer would this happy life last?
Natsume approached the front door, and was immediately yanked backwards by powerful dark limbs.
He opened his mouth, but this shiki was smarter than before and stifled the sound with its hand. It wrapped an arm around his waist, pinning Natsume's arms down in the process. He struggled desperately, fear leaping into his chest when he saw a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye.
"Hello, Natsume-kun. I hope this isn't a bad time," Matoba said pleasantly.
The shiki who stood next to dark-haired man held a rope in its hands. No! Natsume kicked out at it, recoiling when it tried to grab his leg. Instead, he flung his head back and caught the shiki holding him in the face. Its grip loosened and Natsume freed himself. The other shiki poised to lunge at him, when Natsume spoke quickly, "Wait! Matoba-san, please, wait- I'll go with you!"
Matoba made a gesture and the shiki paused.
"I'll go with you, but you have to let me go inside first. If I just disappear, it'll cause problems for these people. Please." Natsume stood with his back to the door, eyes wide like a cornered animal. The two shiki tensed expectantly, ready to descend on him at the slightest cue from their master. But the focus was on Matoba, who held the power to ruin everything Natsume cared about.
"The couple you live with?" Matoba muttered, lifting his chin at the residence. "You won't be needing them anymore. Pardon my rudeness, I should really go inside with you and explain the situation to them."
"You stay away from them," Natsume mustered as much venom as he could.
Matoba inclined his head slightly. Natsume snapped his mouth shut, praying he didn't anger the man. If Matoba commanded the shiki, there was literally nothing Natsume could do without making a commotion that would attract the attention of the Fujiwaras. There was a small chance Madara was inside, but Natsume wouldn't hold his breath. He'd been a fool to send Hinoe away, though he didn't think he wanted her tangled in this mess either.
Finally, the Matoba head sighed. "Very well, if it means so much to you," he conceded. "You have ten minutes. If you aren't back by then, I will come in and fetch you."
Natsume gave a tight nod, shoulders visibly relaxing. The shiki stayed their position as Natsume backed into the door. He didn't quite trust them not to attack, even as he slipped inside the house.
"Takashi-kun? I thought I heard your voice outside," Touko stood from the table. She and Shigeru had already sat down for dinner. Natsume's and Madara's places were set as well, both vacant.
"Touko-san, sorry I'm late," Natsume's voice shook, and he had to clear his throat. "Listen I met…Tanuma while I was out. Since tomorrow is our day off, we were planning on spending it together. Would it be okay if I stayed at his house tonight?"
Touko frowned, "It seems a bit sudden."
"Don't worry so much, dear," Shigeru spoke up. "Boys Natsume's age want to spend more time with their friends than their family."
"I see…I suppose it's okay, then. Won't you at least stay for dinner?"
"I can't. Sorry, Tanuma is waiting for me," Natsume excused himself and ran upstairs. In his room, Natsume needed a moment to collect himself. The cat was not there. His hands trembled while he grabbed an extra pair of clothes and a few other things to put in his bag. He didn't know how long he would be trapped there, but he hoped that Madara would notice his absence before the Fujiwaras did. The Book of Friends caught his eye, and Natsume pulled it from his bag.
What to do? He couldn't leave it unprotected in his room. Even hiding it wouldn't keep it safe from any youkai powerful enough to enter the house uninvited. Instead, he stuffed it in his shirt under his jacket. With nothing left to do, Natsume dragged his feet to return, only pressing on due to the time constraint.
"Have fun, Takashi-kun," Touko waved at him.
Natsume could barely look at her as he waved goodbye and stepped outside.
~TBC~
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A few days passed with a tense atmosphere. Every now and then, Natsume caught glimpses of shiki lurking just out of sight. However, with Madara keeping constant surveillance, they didn't appear too keen on doing more than observing.
Natori still hadn't replied.
Natsume spent the bulk of his time trying to take his mind off things. After school, he laid on his futon and read a manga he borrowed. He was halfway through and it still wasn't interesting. So much so, he must have fallen asleep. The yellow sunset filtering through the windows interrupted his nap an hour later. He rolled onto his back and slid open his eyes. A female face stared down at him from an inch above.
"WAH!" Natsume threw himself away from the futon, landing with a thump on the floor.
"You're so cute when you're sleeping, Natsume. I could eat you up!" A female ayakashi in a violet kimono laughed at him.
Oh, it's Hinoe. Natsume let out his breath in a mixture of relief and annoyance. "What are you doing here?" He questioned.
"Madara asked Misuzu to keep an eye on you while he's out drinking. But he was busy, so I came by instead," Hinoe chuckled. She perched casually on Natsume's floor and took a drag from her long pipe. "I heard something interesting from a friend, a lady-in-waiting for a certain princess," she said while she exhaled sickly sweet smoke in his face. "You helped them out, right? By impersonating her and drawing off those humans."
"Y-Yeah…"
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"Did you take any pictures?"
"Of course not!" Natsume snapped.
"W-What!? Why not?" The youkai exclaimed. "Well, I want to see. Where's the dress? Do you still have it?"
"No way, I'm not doing that!"
"Oh, this is why I hate boys! You only think of yourself!" Hinoe despaired. "Reiko never wore dresses. Imagining that cute face blushing in make-up, dressed like a sweet maiden....To think that I missed it…it's too cruel…." She held her face behind a flowing sleeve.
"You're not going to guilt me like that," Natsume said flatly. Hinoe pouted. Though he knew he shouldn't, Natsume felt a little bad about being mean to someone taking the time to help him. He sighed and offered, "I still have the dress, but I'd rather forget about the whole thing. Do you want it?"
Hinoe perked immediately, "Let me see it!"
Natsume opened his closet and dug under some items where he had the dress hidden away. He wanted to put it somewhere that Touko wouldn't stumble upon while doing laundry, but secret things always had a way of worming out into the open. He pulled it out and presented it to the female ayakashi.
"Oh, my," she cooed in appreciation, taking the dress and inspecting it. "It really is a royal wedding gown. This material is exquisite. Are you really giving it to me?"
"You'd be doing me a favor, honestly."
Hinoe hummed a little and continued to touch and explore the dress. Then she turned a mischievous eye on Natsume.
Oh, dear.
The ayakashi tackled him to the floor. "Just wear it for a minute~" She insisted.
"I said no! Hey- knock it off!" Natsume struggled.
Suddenly, Natsume's window slid open with a familiar voice, "Natsume. I've come to…ah…" It cut off.
Natsume stopped to see Hiiragi's inscrutable single-eyed mask looking in. Just in time to see him pinned under Hinoe with the ayakashi trying to strip him. She paused for a few moments, before turning around without a word.
"Wait!" Natsume kicked his way free and scrambled to the window. "Hiiragi, is Natori-san here?"
Hiiragi, ever composed, turned back. "Yes," she said. "He's waiting outside."
He's here? Natsume said to Hinoe, "I'll be fine with Natori-san. You don't have to wait around if you don't want to."
"I come all the way out here and now you're sending me away? I'm never babysitting for Madara again," the female ayakashi huffed and slipped out of the room in a puff of smoke.
Natsume grabbed his bag and told Hiiragi, "Tell him I'll be right out."
The ayakashi nodded mutely and floated downwards out of sight. Natsume slipped on his coat and made his way downstairs. Touko sat in the kitchen where she often did, leafing through a magazine. A grocery bag sat on the counter along with some vegetables in what appeared to be the beginnings of dinner. She glanced up, "Takashi-kun, are you going out?"
"Yeah. With Natori-san," he replied honestly.
"Oh, that sweet young man?" Touko smiled fondly. Natori's charms had already done their work. "You have such interesting friends. But don't stay out too late."
"I won't," Natsume said and exited the house.
Natori stood a small distance from his house with Hiiragi at his side. He was dressed-up in a nice shirt and vest, with formal khakis. He wore his glasses and a hat like he often did in public. Supposedly to hide his identity, though his "charisma" shined too brightly and he was often recognized anyway. Natsume still had trouble processing that Natori was so famous. It was too much of contrast to talk to the haughty and somewhat cynical man in real life and seeing him on screen.
When Natsume approached, the exorcist looked a little frantic, but managed to keep his voice down. "Natsume! I'm sorry it took so long. I was out of town for a photo-shoot, but I wanted to check up on you as soon as possible. Are you in trouble?" Natori's animated explanation and genuine look of concern caught Natsume off guard for a moment.
Despite his initial skepticism of the older man's motives, Natsume felt he could rely on Natori more and more. However, he remained hesitant to call him a true ally. He was someone just like Natsume, who saw the same world he did. But he doesn't, really. Not exactly like me, he warned himself. "I'm fine for now, but," Natsume continued, "Let's talk somewhere else."
"Of course," Natori said, and led him away. A car was parked nearby, and Natori climbed inside with Natsume following hesitantly. The older man started the car and took control of the wheel. The lizard tattoo on his body, actually an ayakashi, scurried to Natori's hand as if attracted to the movement. "Is there anywhere you want to go?" He asked.
"Not really," Natsume replied, looking out the window.
"Then I'll drive around for a while."
The constant hum of the engine soothed Natsume's nerves. He watched the scenery zip by outside in silence. Now that he had Natori with him, he didn't know where to start or what to ask. He chose the direct route, "Natori-san, just how powerful is the Matoba clan?"
Natori looked at him in surprise before remembering to keep his eyes on the road. "I know you're not just asking me out of curiosity. What happened?" He inquired.
"It's a long story," Natsume replied evasively. "But I met Matoba -san again, and he's really pushing me to join him. I keep seeing his shiki lurking around my school and I think…I think he's going to try to force me into it."
"Yes. I wouldn't put it past him," Natori tightened his grip on the steering wheel and an odd expression played across his face.
"I don't know what to do," Natsume admitted.
"They're one of the more powerful exorcist clans in this area. Or anywhere, really. But you know, they're still human and kidnapping is pretty illegal regardless of the reason. Have you considered calling the police?"
"I can't…I don't want to cause trouble for the Fujiwaras. And if Matoba-san tells them about me, I…" Natsume clenched his fists in his lap. "I don't want them to have anything to do with each other. Whatever I do, I don't want those people to worry."
"Natsume-kun," started Natori gently. "You can't bear all of this on your own. You're living two lives. It's okay to have things that are important to you, but you're taking on too many and the balance you have now is too fragile. Something is going to give."
They now drove through the countryside. The grass and trees melted together in Natsume's unfocused eyes. Growing up, life was frantic and ever-changing. Moving between households, switching schools, keeping silent about youkai with literally no one to speak to. After moving to this place with the Fujiwara couple, for the first time in his life, he began to settle. He made friends at school. He started a mission with the Book of Friends. He learned more about ayakashi and grew to care about them. The days stopped coming in short bursts of new fears and different settings, and instead lulled by in a stable, linear fashion. At some point, he had become complacent. Happy.
But he should have known that such a thing could never last forever, right?
When Natsume didn't speak, Natori continued, "Your feelings about ayakashi and humans both are part of what makes you so extraordinary. But it's also a weakness. Matoba-san is ruthless. He probably already knows about this weakness, and he'll latch on to it and use it to control you if you let him."
A weakness. Natori had said so before, hadn't he? That Natsume was soft. That is was strange to care about ayakashi and that he needed to pick a side, them or humans. Was it really…such a bad thing? "Natori-san…am I really the only one who feels this way?" Natsume asked quietly.
"Natsume-kun…" Natori trailed off. He watched the road silently, eyebrows knitting. His mouth tightened, and his throat moved a little. The lizard ayakashi flicked its tail before disappearing under his collar. Natsume noticed these little movements, wondering what the man was really thinking. Natori spoke at last, "Even if you are…and even if I disagree with you…I'm not sure if changing is a good thing."
The sun had fully set, and they were now in town again. Pale lights glowed in the windows of the houses as people settled in for the evening. Natori smiled awkwardly. "Sorry, that was depressing," he admitted. He straightened in his seat, removed his hat, and drew his fingers through his hair purposefully. "I wanted our time together to be a happy occasion. Won't you join me for some coffee? Or we could go to my apartment and watch one of my movies." The charm almost seemed to make the air around him glow.
"No, thanks," Natsume wanted to nip that in the bud right away. It sounded way too much like a date. "It's getting late, so I need to get home. But, Natori-san, I was hoping you could teach me how to make some barriers or maybe shiki so I can protect myself. Nyanko-sensei taught me a bit, but-"
"Uh, oh, of course!" Natori agreed hastily. "Yes, Natsume-kun. Anything you want to know, I'll be happy to teach you." He looked positively giddy.
Huh, maybe this was a bad idea, Natsume had second thoughts. He really didn't want Natori to get his hopes up.
A few minutes later, they pulled in next to the Fujiwara's home. Natori gave Natsume his number, and Natsume agreed to call him to schedule a training session. He waved good-bye and watched Natori drive away. He glanced up at the night sky. The air was cooling in early autumn, another year slowly inching by. How much longer would this happy life last?
Natsume approached the front door, and was immediately yanked backwards by powerful dark limbs.
He opened his mouth, but this shiki was smarter than before and stifled the sound with its hand. It wrapped an arm around his waist, pinning Natsume's arms down in the process. He struggled desperately, fear leaping into his chest when he saw a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye.
"Hello, Natsume-kun. I hope this isn't a bad time," Matoba said pleasantly.
The shiki who stood next to dark-haired man held a rope in its hands. No! Natsume kicked out at it, recoiling when it tried to grab his leg. Instead, he flung his head back and caught the shiki holding him in the face. Its grip loosened and Natsume freed himself. The other shiki poised to lunge at him, when Natsume spoke quickly, "Wait! Matoba-san, please, wait- I'll go with you!"
Matoba made a gesture and the shiki paused.
"I'll go with you, but you have to let me go inside first. If I just disappear, it'll cause problems for these people. Please." Natsume stood with his back to the door, eyes wide like a cornered animal. The two shiki tensed expectantly, ready to descend on him at the slightest cue from their master. But the focus was on Matoba, who held the power to ruin everything Natsume cared about.
"The couple you live with?" Matoba muttered, lifting his chin at the residence. "You won't be needing them anymore. Pardon my rudeness, I should really go inside with you and explain the situation to them."
"You stay away from them," Natsume mustered as much venom as he could.
Matoba inclined his head slightly. Natsume snapped his mouth shut, praying he didn't anger the man. If Matoba commanded the shiki, there was literally nothing Natsume could do without making a commotion that would attract the attention of the Fujiwaras. There was a small chance Madara was inside, but Natsume wouldn't hold his breath. He'd been a fool to send Hinoe away, though he didn't think he wanted her tangled in this mess either.
Finally, the Matoba head sighed. "Very well, if it means so much to you," he conceded. "You have ten minutes. If you aren't back by then, I will come in and fetch you."
Natsume gave a tight nod, shoulders visibly relaxing. The shiki stayed their position as Natsume backed into the door. He didn't quite trust them not to attack, even as he slipped inside the house.
"Takashi-kun? I thought I heard your voice outside," Touko stood from the table. She and Shigeru had already sat down for dinner. Natsume's and Madara's places were set as well, both vacant.
"Touko-san, sorry I'm late," Natsume's voice shook, and he had to clear his throat. "Listen I met…Tanuma while I was out. Since tomorrow is our day off, we were planning on spending it together. Would it be okay if I stayed at his house tonight?"
Touko frowned, "It seems a bit sudden."
"Don't worry so much, dear," Shigeru spoke up. "Boys Natsume's age want to spend more time with their friends than their family."
"I see…I suppose it's okay, then. Won't you at least stay for dinner?"
"I can't. Sorry, Tanuma is waiting for me," Natsume excused himself and ran upstairs. In his room, Natsume needed a moment to collect himself. The cat was not there. His hands trembled while he grabbed an extra pair of clothes and a few other things to put in his bag. He didn't know how long he would be trapped there, but he hoped that Madara would notice his absence before the Fujiwaras did. The Book of Friends caught his eye, and Natsume pulled it from his bag.
What to do? He couldn't leave it unprotected in his room. Even hiding it wouldn't keep it safe from any youkai powerful enough to enter the house uninvited. Instead, he stuffed it in his shirt under his jacket. With nothing left to do, Natsume dragged his feet to return, only pressing on due to the time constraint.
"Have fun, Takashi-kun," Touko waved at him.
Natsume could barely look at her as he waved goodbye and stepped outside.
~TBC~
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