Author's Note: Hello everyone! This is actually my second attempt at writing a full fan fiction. Yes, I know~ never did I imagine but I've been enjoying this journey so far! I noticed the high interest in the Natsume Yuujin Chou drabble and since I've been so hooked on this series for a while now, I wanted to make something that was equally as heartwarming and thrilling as Midorikawa-sensei's work. Again, I have this story mostly written out but I'm in the middle of making major changes and I wanted to see what you guys thought of it so far. My guess is that this will be three chapters as well but I suppose that would depend on the changes I make lol;; So I hope you enjoy and as always, any reviews are greatly appreciated! Thank you so much for taking your time to read my story!
Spoiler warning: If you have not read the recent books yet or seen seasons one and two of the anime, please refrain from reading this fic.
Disclaimer: Natsume Yuujinchou © Yuki Midorikawa
The Yatsuhara forest inhabited many spirits of all kind. From ones as tiny as an ant to those taller than the oldest tree, they happily carried on with their lives doing as they pleased. Whether it was simply pranking the nearby humans, surviving from their hungry predators or protecting nature itself, one had to always be wary of those around, much like any ordinary creature on Earth. There was always the hunter and the hunted. This night was no different.
"I've finally found you… taking the side of that woman… I won't let you get away with it…" A dark voice seethed within the bushes as golden eyes glowed in the dark. A figure approaching closer and closer to its prey, she kept her presence hidden until just the right time. The moon high above, its bright light was the only thing to guide any late goers from getting lost on their way home.
"Hmm~ Hmm~ Hmm~~ the staaars aaaareeee preeettty~~~" The wasted fortune cat spirit humming to himself, he lightly strolled along the hidden grassy paths while returning home from his usual drinking parties he often forcefully commenced with the other spirits of the forest. Pitter pattering on his four tiny feet, Madara happily weaved through the bushes when he sensed something wrong even within his drunken state. "Hm?" The smell of the strong spiritual energy and the aura that tingled his fur was enough to put the cat on alert. Something strong was lurking about and was definitely targeting him. Dropping the piece of wheat that he held in his mouth, the spirit immediately reverted back to his grand white beast self and loudly demanded with a growl. "Come out! I could smell you from a mile away!"
"Oh? As expected of you, Madara." The figured voiced herself with an eerie chuckle. "But it isn't enough! Ha!" A large glyph marking appearing below the beast, a strand of multiple chains shot out as it quickly surrounded him in an instant holding him down. Recognizing the voice, Madara widened his eyes as he fiercely struggled against the chains. "You're-!" A powerful electric-like shock coursing through the metal-like features, one jolt took the beast down, completely putting him out.
"Sensei~? Nyanko-sensei~?" Natsume Takashi called for his guardian spirit as he brought upstairs the kitty bowl from breakfast. "That's weird… He would have been home by now. Especially when foods involved… Ah, not good! Time for school." With a glance at the clock, he quickly placed the bowl down by the feline's favorite zabuton pillow before getting ready for school, silently wondering where the cat could have gone off to.
First period. Second period. Lunch. Sitting in his English class, Takashi couldn't help but daze out the window every few minutes to see if he'd spot his plump mentor somewhere, fooling around as he often did with a bird or something. The fact that he was concerned for the spirit this much in the first place came to a surprise as the feline always took care of him. He certainly was capable of taking care of himself. There really wasn't anything to worry about… or was there? A sense of chill running up his spine told him otherwise. He had a bad feeling and his intuition weren't normally off. A twirl of his pen after doodling a picture of the fortune cat in his notebook and another glance out the window, it wasn't long before the boy was greeted with a whack to the head with a heavy book and a brief scolding by his actual teacher for dazing off during class, followed by a wave of giggles from his classmates. How embarrassing. As soon as the bell rang and the class representative spoke their gratitude, Takashi quickly began to pack his things as soon as he bowed at the end of class when Kitamura and Nishimoto, both approached him at once. "Ah, Naaaaaatsume~ Let's do something today!"
"Sorry, not today guys. Next time, all right? I gotta go. Later!" Takashi apologetically declined their offer and headed out the door in a rush. "Where are you - ahh… and there he goes… You think something happened?" spoke one. "Who knows…" answered the other as the two sadly watched their friend leave with a deep unison sigh.
With no sign of him even afterward, Takashi started his search by asking the neighboring spirits if any of them may have seen his missing teacher, but alas no luck. Disappointed, Takashi was on his way home when the two manzai-like couple of mid-rank spirits cheerfully popped their head out to greet. "Natsume~ sama~" sang the one-eyed creature with a small goatee as the other, hippopotamus-looking creature repeated in a much lower tone. "We heard that you were looking for that hideous pi- ah, I mean Madara-sama." One explained as the two rubbed their hands together, almost as if readying themselves to receive something in return for the deed they had accomplished.
"Do you know something, mid-rank?" Takashi came face to face with one as he stared it down with a stern and determined look, making the two cower a bit.
"What, the word that Madara is missing is true then?" Hinoe spoke out from above as she puffed on her favorite pipe and gave a slow drag. Startled, they all looked up towards her before Takashi went over by the tree to ask her as well.
"Do you know anything, Hinoe?" Drawn by the worrisome face on the boy's face, the elegantly dressed spirit, crept down from the tree and lunged towards his face, caressing it lovingly with her long fingers. "Ah~ don't make such a face. That's why I'm here to help you, aren't I? Even if it is for that bloated ugly cat of yours. You know, if you ever get tired of him, I would be more than willing to take his place~" She flirted while bring him into her bosom as he tried to push away. "Ah, Hinoe. Thanks but it's ok. Just please tell me what you know."
Giving a small pout, she finally freed the boy and loosely crossed her arms with her pipe to her lips. "It's hard to believe, but I heard he was taken by a human during the night."
"A human?" Takashi widened his eyes to hear that as the two mid-rank spirits sobbed in the back as their precious information was swiped right from underneath them.
"That's right. I heard it was dark, but there was one that seemed to have seen her face. A woman with long black hair and a distinct scar covering half of her face. Many assume an exorcist I believe." Hinoe answered with a flat look to her face.
An exorcist. What did an exorcist want with Sensei? Takashi pondered as he listened and took mental note of the details that the spirit was sharing with him. The thought of Matoba came to mind and immediately an awful chill ran down his spine. What if this exorcist had the same goals as the Matoba clan of collecting spirits for their own use? But he knew that Sensei would never comply with such a thing and if that were the case then who knew what they were going to do to him. None of it settled well.
"And do you know where they took him?" The boy pressed on to collect more vital data that may point him to where his sensei might be. Seeing this as an opportunity the two mid-rank spirits slid in from the side to interrupt their conversation. "Ah~ Madara-sama often drank in the forest near here, Natsume-sama~ and the wisps have mentioned of seeing that woman roaming around the same area for several days now." The one-eyed beast gladly offered the information with a small dance as his partner followed right along doing the same, mumbling "several days several days~".
"So there's a chance that the exorcist may still be around here or in the neighboring towns." Takashi looked towards the populated area. The one person, who immediately came to mind was him—Natori Shuuichi. Perhaps asking him would lead him somewhere, he reluctantly thought, still finding the actor's presence a little uncomfortable. With a soft sigh, he stared up at the fading orange sky and decided to retire for the day, seeing as the sun had already began to settle in the distance. "I think I'll go home for today. Thanks everyone. I'll figure something out from here." Takashi waved and gave a small smile to the spirits. Hinoe silently watched him leave with another puff of her pipe as the two mid-ranks jaws dropped to the ground, clearly disappointed to see that they weren't rewarded after all.
That night Takashi laid in his futon staring up at the ceiling in the dark. He slowly gave a glance down towards his side and imagined the cat sleeping there peacefully. "Please be all right, Sensei." He softly mumbled and turned to his side to try and fall asleep. As hours passed, the dreams that plagued him were dreadful assumptions of what may have happened to his dear friend, leaving him restless throughout the night. Come the next morning, the faint sunlight rising in the east, he woke up exceptionally early to Touko's surprise, despite not having slept much and immediately called the actor after a hastened breakfast.
"Iya~ I wouldn't have imagined you'd be calling me and so early in the morning." Natori spoke through the phone in his usual flowery tone, enough that one can imagine his sparkles coming out from the receiver itself. Takashi having regretted his decision a little strived to push those feelings aside and getting straight to the point. "I'm very sorry for disturbing you so early in the morning, Natori-san, but there's something I wanted to ask you." The boy's voice carried a heavy tone. The actor already was suspecting something unpleasant coming from this.
"All… right. And, how may I help you, Natsume-kun?" Natori calmly urged him to continue. "Would you happen to know of any female exorcists with long black hair and a distinct scar covering half of her face?" The voice on the other end suddenly growing more and more silent, Takashi knew that the actor must have known something about this person. "…You know… don't you? If you do, please tell me, Natori-san! Nyanko-sensei may be in danger!" He begged with a slight panic heard in his voice.
"Natsume… I understand your concern for him but you shouldn't get involved. They are far too dangerous." Natori warned him in a stern manner.
"You said the same thing about Matoba-san. And if that's the case, I really need to go then! Who knows what they may do to sensei!" Takashi pointed out as he attempted to convince him in handing over the data.
Knowing well that the boy would go through anything to obtain this information, Natori lightly sighed and agreed while giving him an ultimatum. "All right… But there's something I need to check first. Promise me that you won't do anything rash, especially without my knowing. Understood? Meet me by the temple steps at noon and we'll talk further then."
A grateful smile growing on his face, Takashi agreed in relief to the conditions. "Thank you very much, Natori-san! All right. I'll see you then."