This story will probably have 4, maybe 5 chapters at the most.
Disclaimer: I don't own Natsume Yuujinchou.
Sneakers pounded on hard packed earth. A flash of blond and a streak of black following close behind. Heavy breathing could be heard. The Ayakashi giving chase this time was an unusually strong one … but this is more or less a normal day, after all Natsume is used to being chased.
This Youkai's malicious presence burned uneasiness through Natsume. It was very persistent too, after running almost non-stop for what seemed like forever it hadn't slowed, Natsume was beginning to though, being extremely exhausted from returning two names today.
Maybe I should try to find Sensei…
"Natsume! Natsume Reiko! I'll kill you!" The black youkai rumbled close behind.
Visibly shuddering his speed picked up but too late as a gnarled hand snatched Natsume up, squeezing him around the waist, till the boy could hear his ribs creaking.
"Augh!"
The malice, heavy in the air was enough by itself to steal the boy's breath not to mention the added pressure.
Is this one of those strong youkai Sensei mentioned? Natsume wondered dizzily.
"Give it back! You stole it! Reiko!" The best roared.
Natsume slumped, nearly passing out, the roar was deafening. The black youkai's grip tightened, it's twisted face swam in Natsume's vision.
A second roar split through the woods, this one much more familiar and reassuring. Madara crashed through the trees, snarling fearsomely. His eyes quickly spotted the boy in the other youkai's grasp.
"Hands off my property!"
The black youkai smirked-
"This?" He questioned, gesturing to a half conscious Natsume.
A threatening growl rang out.
"Not till she gives back what she stole!" The youkai snarled.
He then shook Natsume roughly but the only response he got was the boy's head lolling back.
"Get up! Return it to me now! You witch!"
Madara lept into action, taking advantage of the distraction- razor sharp teeth bit down on the large, shadow-like youkai, eliciting a scream. Still he kept a firm grip on the half conscious Natsume, attempting to swat the great white beast away.
"Mmph!"
The strike hit Madara in the side of the head and his eyes widened momentarily, before biting down harder and raking his claws near the youkai's twisted face.
"Natsume?" He growled.
There was no answer and no time to check on the boy as the black youkai lunged forward yet again.
It was stronger than usual, even Madara was having a bit of difficulty but finally he was able to pin it with a few bursts of power.
"Natsume? Natsume wake up!"
Natsume shifted uncomfortably, he was feeling very drained.
I have to return his name…
Moving uncharacteristically slow Natsume reached into his bag and withdrew a green book filled with yellowing paper. With the book of friends in hand Natsume whispered the words needed to reveal the name he desired, then took the paper into his mouth, clapped his hands together and blew out slowly.
"Kurai, I return your name."
The memories crashed into his mind more violently than ever before. Sad, violent years, that ravaged through his mind… till Reiko appeared.
She was standing in front of him, hip cocked in her confidence- "Yes, it's so much easier to fight and chase everyone away, isn't it? I get it… but if you fight me maybe I could keep everyone away for you, or you could eat me, whatever you like."
The fight was long and hard, one Kurai didn't win but at the end Reiko did look impressed. Maybe it was for the best, he felt alone enough anyway, he would be Reiko's servant and she would need him… but as time went on she never called, not even once. Anger gave way to evil energy, which built up till it consumed Kurai.
Natsume's eyes fluttered open. Madara's large white face leaning over him was the first sight to greet him, as well as Kurai flying off quickly, without a word.
"Sen-Sei?"
"Hm?" Madara hummed.
"I feel a bit strange… you're face… is all funny looking…"
It really was strange, Nyanko Sensei's face was blurring in and out sickeningly.
"Ugh" Natsume clutched his stomach weakly.
This was more than his usual exhaustion.
Madara's voice sounded through his haze, deep, gravelly and slightly worried but never-the-less, indecipherable.
The blurred world around Natsume began to fade to black and no amount of blinking helped. Hazily he noted a dull pain in his head as it hit the ground. Touko and Shigeru flashed through his mind before the darkness took over completely.
This is my first fanfiction sorry if it's a bit awkward I'm used to writing in first person but it just didn't seem right for this story. By the way Kurai means dark in Japanese (I know not very creative, sorry). Anyway Please review, constructive criticism is great too!