Disclaimer: I do not own!

Author's Note: This Story is based off of Ryn-Ryn Arashi's one-shot His Name and Rank. A Natsume Yuujincho & Black Bird xover. I asked on Christmas if I could make it into a story she agreed. I hope I do her story justice! It took me a bit but I sorted out a semblance of a plot.

Prologue

Reiko Natsume: Forgetful

Fifty-nine years ago

She was an adorable young girl. With hair the color of Straw and Wheat. Her eyes a bright yet hollow amber. Her clothes where muddy and damaged. Her face and a slight scrap. She sat there at the edge of the river glaring at the fish that shied away from the section she occupied. He stood beside her silent, moments ago she was about to have been devoured by a rogue Yokai. it was odd seeing such a powerful young being, and to be completely human at that. He was the size and apparent age of about six. Though he was well over thirty in human years.

She was the first to speak. "Oui Yokai," She rudely acknowledged him. "I'll make you a bargain if you protect me..." He looked to her as if he wanted to scoff, it's as if she figured he was a low ranked Yokai. A feeble bargain would not be what sways him.

Seeing his reaction to the term 'bargain' she sighed. "Fine. Instead of a bargain. How about a pact? A binding promise?" She added. He raised a brow.

"You truly want my protection? And way to protect yourself?" She nodded. She was only seven and all the children in her class called her a liar. Adults call her worse, and big kids threw things at her. "If Yokai didn't exist, or at least were I couldn't see than everything would be fine. I'm sick of it. Humans and Yokai picking on me. Can't you make it stop?"

He sighed. "There is a way I could protect you. The way any man would a woman. I'll give you something of value. The power of a Yokai, at your disposal. But if you are proven unworthy and incapable of benevolence. I'll come back to reclaim it. Okay?" She nodded. "Hand me your satchel."

He took a long rectangular page from a bamboo made notebook. From a feather from his wing he wrote: 碓氷

"What are you doing?" She asked. He looked her in the eyes with a slight smirk. "I'm giving you my last name." She frowned in confusion. "I don't get it, why?"

"Don't you know? When you take possession over a Yokai's name you possess their power and will. But I'm only writing my last name. I will bend to no ones will so helplessly." She blinked. 'Take their name... And you control them?' She mused, storing it away incase it's important later.

"I'm giving you my last name as a promise that if I protect you, you will become my bride. When your older."

"Your bride? Why would anyone want to marry me?" She scoffed. Though the thought made her upset, it was what even her mother said. 'No one wants a liar.' He smirked. "I would. You possess strong powers any Yokai would hunt for in a mate. Count yourself lucky." He held the contract in front of her. "So. Do you want it? You'll have to agree."

She nodded. "Yea."

"Then I now pronounce you Natsume Reiko, The barer of my surname: Usui."

"What should I call you? Now that I have your name Yokai-San." She blinked curiously at the name. "It is still my name, but in you possession. You can call me simply, Kyo."

"You got it." She smiled with a shrug.

Ten years after

"That rogue girl, Natsume. I hear she's engaged."

"It's true I saw them! He looks like a foreigner."

"Such lovely hair and brilliant eyes, I wonder how she got him."

"She probably threatened to curse him? After all, what appeal can a girl with no home training have?"

"About the same as any house pet." The women laughed. A loud mocking laugh sounded from beside them. "Ah haha haha! House pet that's a new one. It still doesn't carry the umpth of Bitch though." She droned sarcastically. "Look if you old hags have anything to me Natsume Reiko, say it to Me!" She pointed her thumb to her chest. "Natsume Reiko!"

"I'll do you one better," A handsome young man placed his hand on Reiko's shoulder. He had hair the color of burnt umber, and pale green eyes. He wore glasses with thin frames. "If you have something to say about Reiko, you'll deal with me. Takeru Natsume." They agreed to keep her last name as the surname. He rapped his arms around Reiko, glaring at the woman as the shied away.

"Takeru what do you think your doing! I'm suppose to intimidate them! I want them to know I'm not taking there jabs anymore, not having you make me seem like a coward!" She scolded, swatting him away when she started feeling self-conscious.

"Reiko, I'll handle anyone's harsh words against you. I'm proud to be with you, that your my wife." He said sincerely, he sounded like a child to her. Her face turned red. It was too sweet and too clique. She scowled, and went tsudere on him. "Your wife, feh, more like your mine." She stomped away embarrassed. He followed behind her. "Reiko!"

In her bag crowded by hundreds more sat one name long forgotten. Unfaded and still as crisp as the day it was given. The first named in the very back of the Yuujincho: 碓氷 Usui.

Parings:

Kyo x Misao

Natsume x Madara

Reiko x Takeru

Takeru is an OC seeing as they never mention Takashi's Grandfather. I figured why not give Reiko a romance of her own. He and she will appear in some chapters as well. It's taken me a bit but here's getting started and moving forward.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012 - Friday, March 15, 2013