Chapter 1

"Natsume, you okay?" asked a worrying Tanuma on their way to school.

"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine Tanuma. Why do you ask?"

"Cause you've been spacing out for a while. Is it something with the youkais again? You know you can talk to me about it right?"

"Yeah, I know. Thanks for your concern, but I'm really alright." said a smiling Natsume.

"Okay... If you say so. Ponta, if you notice something tell me, okay?" said turning to Nyanko-sensei.

"Humph. He gets into trouble all the time, how am I supposed to keep track of it all!? reasoned a pouting Nyanko-sensei.

"Uh, no. I just want to be of help for Natsume."

"Fine, but I don't think you'll help much." mumbled Nyanko-sensei, as Kitamoto, Sasada, and Taki greeted them.
"Mornin' Natsume!"

"Yo, Natsume."

"Morning Natsume-kun."

"Yeah, morning you guys!" replied a joyful Natsume as the school bell started to chime.

"Oh crap! You guys better hurry, or we'll be late!" shouted Kitamoto as he hurriedly ran to the entrance.

"Okay. In today's class, we'll we talking about poetry." started the teacher as the students got into their seats. Some hurriedly took notes while others tried to stay awake, but for Natsume, he was trying not to faint.

Natsume's POV

I've been feeling a youkai's presence for a couple days, and it's making me feel uneasy. Not just that, even though it feels like a pretty strong youkai, Nyanko-sensei hasn't senses anything. Is just my imagination? But since then, I've been feeling dizzy. I hope it's not anything troublesome... Natsume thought as he fell off his chair and fainted.

"Natsume, you alright!?" shouted as Tanuma and Taki opened the door to the infirmary.
"Don't shout Tanuma, Taki. He's still asleep." replied Sasada.

"What happened, Kitamoto, Sasada?" asked Tanuma.

"Well, he just suddenly fell off his chair and fainted during class. And when we brought him here, the nurse said he had a slight fever." explained Kitamoto.

"Did he say he felt sick or that he was sick, Tanuma?"

"Uh, no. I didn't hear anything."

"Okay... Well it's spring break starting tomorrow, so I hope he gets better. Tanuma, will you watch him for us? We have to leave early today." asked Sasada while he and Kitamoto gathered their school bags.

"Yeah, that's fine by me. I'll take him home, and check in on him from time to time since I won't be going anywhere this break." replies Tanuma as he set his bag down.

"Then, I will too." said Taki.

"Okay. We'll leave it to you guys then. See ya when school starts."

"Yeah, see ya."

Tanuma's POV

I wonder why Natsume fainted. Could it be something concerning the youkais again? If so, the situation looks worse than usual as he's fainting in class. Will he be alright?

"Ugh. Where am I?" asked a confused looking Natsume as he sat up.

"Oh Natsume, you're awake. How are you feeling? Kitamoto and Sasada brought you here after you fainted in class." explained Tanuma.

"Oh... Sorry for worrying you guys, I'm okay now." replied Natsume.

"Are you sure? Is it something with the youkais, Natsume? If so, you know you can talk to us, right?" asked Taki.

"...yeah. It's nothing. Let's go home, it's getting late."

"Okay..."

"I'm home, Tooko-san."