Hello dears!

I've recently fallen in love with Natsume (both the anime/manga and the character, which I think isn't a surprise, Natsume is so lovable), and honestly I should have known I would not resist the pull of writing for Natsume Yuujinchou. I have only watched the anime as of now, though I plan to read the manga, but you will soon notice I am going with anime canon (for the hair/eyes color, but if anything is different in the manga, well since I haven't read it yet, I wouldn't know).

This is canon AU, though not much. Events of the anime happened, as well as anything that has been told/revealed about Natsume's past. I am merely… adding to canon. I am someone who most often work in canon AU or even complete AU, though so far I only got two ideas. I've decided to test out writing the one for the canon AU; but I do have something about a canon AU that is even more AU, which might or might not involve a half spirit Natsume being taken as Matoba's Shiki at a young age. Totally not inspired by other stories of this kind *cough* but! I would have plans for this, my only hint being that Natsume would not be just of any spiritual bloodline~ This might be Matoba/Natsume too, or just heavy whatever-they-have.

So, if you want this story to be written, do poke at me about it, even if I might cave in eventually, it will be faster if I know it interests people. But in the meantime, about Secret of Dark Red.

The idea jumped me a few days ago, but I cannot speak about it since it would spoil it all. I have to say though, what I first got was two scenes. The one in this Prologue, and another at present time. The problem is, I would need to set the next scene up, but I'm not sure yet how to go about it. I don't doubt I'll find sooner or later, but it might slow me down. I know how the characters have to end up in, but the challenge is to make it happen well enough.

Anyway, there is a theme behind the idea, but again, I can't really speak about it. However, there is a hint in the Prologue! If you're able to pick it, it can reveal well enough what-or who-to expect. There I go, giving a hint about the hint. I have to say though, whatever this is about, it doesn't cause Natsume's spiritual powers. Natsume is still Natsume, sight and all. It's more about… attracting something. But as you will see the end of the Prologue suggest pretty heavily; said something is dormant by the end of the Prologue. So it didn't play any part in canon events either.

Natsume's age in the Prologue is not said, but he isn't yet a teen. Or if he is, still in his early teens. He has been around a few relative though, so this isn't too close to when he started being passed around.

Now, WARNINGS: This Prologue contains mention of abuse, both verbal and physical. There is implicit verbal abuse, and mild physical abuse. There is another form of abuse hinted, that almost happen (but doesn't). I think the last is rather easy to guess; and here is the thing: for the idea to work, Natsume needed to be confronted to something worst that anything canon gave us. Of course, I didn't put Natsume through it, but it was the danger of it that triggered what is triggered in this Prologue.

As for Pairings, I will go with how canon is and not form any official pairings. Read whatever you want, nothing is official but anything is fair game~

Please enjoy, and do leave opinions, without forgetting the other idea I mentioned! And just so you know, I have a blog for my fanfictions at chrisemrysblog dot tumblr dot com!

Secret of Dark Red

Prologue

The slap threw the small frame to the ground, little hand holding his cheek as the young blond gazed down at the ground with tears in his golden brown eyes. His body shook as the man towered over Natsume, words washing over his ears even as he tried to not allow them to hurt. He knew it wasn't the man's fault, because of course Natsume had become a burden, reacting at what seemed to be thin air and being an overall liar. As kind as relatives were to take him in, eventually Natsume became unwanted. He knew it.

However, it didn't stop words from hurting. It didn't stop fear and anguish when the anger needed more than words to be released. He was but a young boy, and deep down all he wanted was to be loved.

A cry passed his lips as he was lifted, gratefully the hand in his hairs soon unclenched, instead pulling at the back of his shirt. His heart beat wildly as the words of being taught a lesson registered. His frame shook in fright, not quite realizing the full meaning of the words quite yet. After all, words had been what had been used the most, violence only present a few times. Alcohol or stress meant caretakers could not take it anymore, not quietly at least. Yet, it had never been bad, not when Natsume had been a few times under the hands of the Yokai.

However, as the man threw the boy harshly into the room, back hitting the side of the bed, Natsume started to feel his guts twist. Something rose from his survival instinct as he watched the belt being unbuckled, flinching visibly as it was whipped down. There was fury in the man's eyes, self righteous anger fully directed at the young boy that, in his mind, caused his girlfriend to leave.

"Boy, you'll learn not to lie." The man hissed, almost looking pleased as Natsume cowered.

And the belt whipped once, a cry passing Natsume's lips as his sleeve ripped, blood trickling down his thin arm. Yet, more than the physical pain, it was the heartache of being called a liar that gripped the young boy. Without thinking, a protest left his mouth.

"I'm not a liar! I swear I'm not!" There was begging in his voice, a will to make the man understand he was honest.

However, fury only increased in the man's gaze. "You brat!" He spat, taking a menacing step forward. "Do I need to shut you up? Fill your mouth with something else than lies?"

Natsume couldn't understand what the man meant, yet he felt a great chill in his whole body. His instincts screamed about immense danger, more than even the Yokai that would go after him. His mind reeled back, and his heart demanded an escape. His relative, but were was even still enough blood closeness to call him a relative?, moved forward; and Natsume pressed his back into the mattress of the bed. On part of him almost bolted on the bed to put more distance, but another part protested that it would be the worst move.

Heartbeat echoed in his ears as the older male was very close. His mind refused to connect the dots, even if the sick feeling in his guts hinted that deep down, he knew what mad punishment the man in mind.

Natsume closed his eyes, tears going down his face. And all of the sudden, a warmth wrapped around his body. Only quietness reached his ears, but then he felt the arms around him. The gentle kiss in his hairs.

"Such a kind heart that called to me… I have waited so long to find someone like you. Have no fear, young one, for I will not allow such harm to befall you." The smooth voice grew even deeper that it had been, the edge of fury behind the next words. "I will teach this man to not taint the true meaning of wrath."

Natsume felt himself fall asleep against the warm chest, all thoughts flowing out of his mind.

When he would wake, the firefighter spoke gently to him, but his eyes remained locked on the burning house. Confusion, then sadness mixed with fear hit him even as the doors of the ambulance closed to carry him to the hospital.

The boy rolled to the side, the doctor with him patting his hairs as he closed his eyes again, body and mind too overwhelmed for him to remain awake. Later, he would overhear how the fire remained a mystery. Later, he would be told he had been lucky, having been found hiding in the shower, having inhaled smoke but not enough to cause lasting damage. Later, he would be asked about family, and new relatives would be found to send him in. New relatives to eventually disappoint.

But that would be all later. For now, Natsume fell asleep again with the memory of the deep voice in his mind and terror in his heart.

It would only be years later that Natsume would recall hearing the voice again as his mind drifted into sleep, that Natsume would remember the full event of this day.

"Oh little one… I never wished to frighten you… Rest, I will do so too. Until the day you truly need me again…"

To be continued…