The world had changed, as it always did.
The fields and trees had disappeared as time passed, stealing away the homes of many low level ayakashi to make way for humans' structures. Where there had once been nature now stood shopping centers and apartment complexes, concrete and metal. Madara had watched it from both near and far, amused and infuriated by the changes. After all, his territory had been left alone and it did provide some source of entertainment. At the same time, it also proved just how bold and greedy humans were becoming. Not that that was anything new, really. He retreated to the mountains, where the air was still mostly clean and where few humans dared to intrude. It was fine for a while, but he soon found himself restless. As loathe as he was to admit it, Natsume had ruined him; sparked his interest in humans. Certain ones, that is.
"You've been visiting that town an awful lot, Madara."
He glanced towards the speaker with a low growl, which was ruined by the fact he had the voice of an old man and the body of a fat cat. Hinoe smiled serenely as she blew a ring of smoke towards him. He huffed and settled himself, round head held high. She waited for his response, brow arched elegantly. When there seemed to be none forthcoming, she sighed, eyes tracing slowly across the horizon. The air above them was clear and the stars twinkled merrily, but from the mountainside it was easy to see the heavy smog that hung over the distant city like some terrible omen.
"It seems like a rather unfortunate living situation, doesn't it?" she continued idly, not bothering to turn away from the sight. Madara stayed silent, although she could sense him shifting. The words seemed to have affected him in some way he was unwilling to admit. She heaved a dramatic sigh, although the quirk to her lips ruined the effect. "I suppose it's actually fortunate, in some ways."
"Alright, you impertinent creature." Madara snarled, turning towards her. His fur puffed out, making his already round form seem slightly larger (and softer) than before. "What is it that you might be referring to?"
Hinoe's smile disappeared. She turned to look at him, eyes narrowed dangerously. Against the backdrop of the glowing city lights, the golden threads of her kimono seemed to be made of fire. "Natsume. I'm saying that perhaps it's good that Natsume is gone from this world. I know why you visit that place so often, Madara. That person is not the human that you...that we cared for once."
She expected him to be angry. There was a part of her that wanted him to be. Instead, he laughed. It was a bitter sound.
"Did you somehow trick yourself into believing that I thought otherwise?" he demanded, eyes dark. "I go for my own amusement; to sate my own curiosity. There is no other reason."
And with that, he turned and left at a slow pace, head and tail held high. Hinoe watched him go, her face left carefully void of any emotion.