Natsume gets a letter from the Fujiwara's with some very shocking news.
Apparently Natsume has a step-brother he never knew off, and unfortunately it's Matoba.
That night Matoba comes to pay a visit at his house, but Natsume isn't planning on seeing him.
With a fat cat and a train ticket, Natsume is heading towards Tokyo to find anything about his mother's shady past with the Seiji's.
Little does Natsume realize he is about to gain more then what he is aiming for. AU / Rated M for safety and further chapters.

'' Takashi-kun, could you come downstairs please? '' I heard Touko-san from inside my room.
'' I'm coming. '' I responded back as I closed my biology exercise book I was working on.
I stood up and stretched myself a bit before walking towards the door. '' Natsume! Natsume! More jelly! Get me more jelly! '' I turned around to see Nyanko-sensei
sit on his back with his bloated belly sticking up as he floundered his paws while talking. '' Sensei, you've had enough jelly already. '' I said as I sighed and shook my head while staring at the cat who started protesting, calling me every ugly name he could think off.

I walked downstairs and went towards the kitchen. Touko and Shigure sat on the table and stared at me with a rather serious expression I had never seen before.
I took a seat and opened my mouth to say something when I noticed an envelope was placed on the table.
I closed my mouth again and stared at it for a couple of seconds before returning my look towards the Fujiwara's again. '' Is..this envelope for me? '' I asked curious.
Touko and Shigure gave each other a quick look first but then both nodded affirmative.

I started opening the envelope and folded the paper open. It looked rather official as my eyes scanned through the letter globally at first.
Later I started reading more carefully as my eyes widened, my breathing paused, as my heart felt it had stopped beating completely.

Takashi Natsume, born on the year 1998, July 1, son of Hideo Natsume and Miyako Natsume.
Resident of Toyama city, living in Asahi Ward, District A, house block 34 -7.
Guardians names are: Shigure Fujiwara and Touko Fujiwara.
Last recorder height: 167 cm, blood type B, no additional medical information.
Identification number: 7253803. Social security number: A57848970

Takashi Natsume, In this letter you will find some information in terms of one of your parents inheritance will they have written down for you as their son to obtain on your 18th birthday. It has come to our notice that your mother: Miyako Kobayashi (maiden name) in the past had married another man under the house of Seiji and had conceived a first born son. After one year a divorce was followed, and within a few years she re-married a man under the house of Natsume (your father) and later got you as her second son. According to the law, both you and your blood related step-brother will get what she inherited or has written
down in her inheritance will. This is due to the fact that the man under the house of Seiji did not remarried after your mother had married him first.
Your step-brother is hereby entitled one-third on what will been passed down to you in your mother's inheritance will.
Your father's inheritance will not be related to this matter.
Another letter has been send to your step-brother and his family with the same information as we are giving you now. You are obliged to give up one-third of what will been given to you to your step-brother: Seiji Matoba, born on the year 1992, November 1. son of Aoki Seiji.
Due to privacy regulations we will leave out further information regarding your step-brother.
We hope to have informed you well ahead of time regarding this matter.

Sincerely,

Hajime Seishi,
Tokyo's social security bureau administrative collaborator.

I kept re-reading the paper over and over again until it became clear to me that what I was reading was really the truth.
That scum of a Matoba was really my step-brother. I placed the paper on the table and stood up, respectfully bowing my head towards my guardians to make notice of me leaving the kitchen. '' Takashi-kun. '' I turned around and looked at Touko-san who stood up half way from her seat and stared at me with a hint of hesitating as she opened her mouth to say something. '' ...Your step-brother called. He said he would come over tonight to discuss the matter with you. '' Touko-san said.

I turned around and stared at both the Fujiwara's with astonishment.
'' You knew of this? '' I spoke, not caring that I gave off an disrespectful tone towards my guardians. '' Takashi... the whole family knew of your mothers first marriage. We were all planning on telling you this once you get old- ''
'' ONCE I GET OLDER?! '' I shouted as I interrupted Shigure. I quickly held my hand on my mouth and stared at him with big shocked eyes. Yes I was extremely mad and felt betrayed by the Fujiwara's for carrying this secret with them, but shouting at them like this after everything they had done for me felt like I had crossed the line and I didn't want that. '' I'm deeply sorry for my response, I went too far. '' I spoke towards Shigure as I bowed down again, a bit more deeply this time as I refrained from making eye-contact.

'' Takashi, it is okay. We both can understand what you must be feeling right now. Please.. ''
I looked up again and stared at Shigure who had this guilty look on his face that sore my heart a bit. I nodded and took a seat again, the adrenaline still rushing through my veins as so many questions kept bursting through my head one after the other. '' I never.. I don't... understand how my mother could have married someone else except for my father. '' I spoke, trying to hold in my emotions but the tears were already starting to form on my eye rims.
I felt pathetic, but I couldn't help it as I stared down, not wanting the Fujiwara's to look at my eyes.
Come on Natsume, you are 16 now. Why are you sad over this? I spoke to myself in my mind as I bit on my bottom lip, but it was too late.
The first tear drop had already made its way down my right cheek.

Suddenly I felt 2 hands holding my own as I had placed both my hands on the table.
I looked up and stared at both the Fujiwara's as they smiled gently at me, telling me that it was okay for me to feel this way. That there was no shame.
More tears started to run through my cheeks but this time I let out a heavy sigh and smiled back at them. It was okay. It felt so.
I had calmed down again after some minutes as the 3 of us remained silent. There was so much that I wanted to know but at the same time I didn't want to know.
I didn't want my image of my parents and their perfect, loving bond and history to be torn to pieces.
But hiding behind the truth and being ignorant over it wasn't an option either, I knew so.

'' Could you please tell me anything you know of my mother's first marriage. '' I spoke.
Shigure had left the kitchen table for a few moments and sat down again, holding a mug.
'' Your mother was always very... cautious and secretive about that to be honest Takashi, the only thing we as a whole family do know is that back then she lived in Tokyo and got married there, and that after she gave birth to your step-brother she started having problems with her in-laws and soon after that also with her former husband. What exactly happened and why she left Tokyo, no one knows. Perhaps only the Seiji's know the answer on that. ''
Shigure said as he stopped stirring his coffee with a spoon and took a gulp from it.

It was 7 o'clock as I headed towards my room again and firmly closed the door.
Matoba would come within an hour, but not under any circumstances was I planning on seeing him tonight. The desire of finding out about my mother's past and the relationship she had with the Seiji's was burning inside of me. '' Natsume, what's wrong? ''
I looked at Nyanko-sensei who had started looking at me worried and curious.
I grabbed my bag and threw what I thought would be useful inside of it.

I grabbed a pen and paper and started writing a little note for Touko and Shigure to see later.
If I told them what I was planning on doing tonight they would go insane and be against it.
I went downstairs with my bag behind me and quickly mentioned the Fujiwara's that I was off to a friend real quick for some homework reasons, and that I would be back before 8 o'clock. They both stared at me suspiciously for a moment but approved of me leaving.

I quickly pulled on my shoes and grabbed my jacket as I immediately rushed off the front door with my bag on my shoulder.
I turned around the corner and left towards the station. I felt extremely bad for lying to them, but I had no choice. I didn't want to see Matoba at all, and most importantly there was 1 person I knew off that would let me stay over so it wasn't like I was going to get myself in that dangerous of a position. I just hoped both Touko and Shigure would understand why I left tonight in the end of it all. '' Natsume, where do you plan on going without me? Idiot! '' I stopped running and looked at Nyanko-sensei as he had jumped himself in front of me. '' Sensei. '' I said surprised as I panted from a few moments. I couldn't help but grin as I smiled at the cat who had followed me the moment I left the house, probably worrying where I might be going without him body guarding me as usual.

Nyanko-sensei noticed my expression and immediately snorted as he looked away. '' D-Don't-Don't you think I do this because of YOU, I only do this because of the Book of Friends you carry around you. Don't forget that Natsume. '' He said, obviously lying.
I chuckled softly as I bent down and patted Nyanko-sensei on his head.
'' I know, will you please come with me sensei? '' I asked, already knowing the answer.
Nyanko-sensei stared at me blushing, probably a bit overwhelmed with my comment.
'' I-If you insist of me coming, then I suppose I could join you on where you are going. '' Nyanko-sensei stuttered as he looked the other way.
I grabbed him up from the ground and stood up as I held him in my embrace for a bit. '' Thank you.. sensei. '' I whispered.
Nyanko-sensei remained silent, only a soft purr was heard. I smiled pleasing as I gently tucked him inside my bag and continued running towards the station.

'' Please take a seat, Takashi-kun will come any minute. '' The woman spoke to me politely.
I took a seat at what seemed like the kitchen area as tea and snacks had been served for me.
I politely bowed as a token of my appreciation and glanced around me for a few moments.
This place definitely was smaller, and more simple then what I was used to at my own home.
Me and Natsume step-brothers.. huh, who could've believed that? I thought as I grabbed the cup and took a sip. I glanced over towards the couple who seemed uncomfortable as they both remained silent and were staring down. I cleared my throat and was able to seize their attention towards me.
'' Please, don't feel uncomfortable, we are family now after all. '' I said as I gave a small smile. They both nervously smiled back and were seemingly trying to force themselves to calm down. I sighed as minutes went by, yet still no sight of Natsume.

The woman glanced over at her husband and excused herself as she went down the hall.
'' Uhm, Natsume went to his friend for homework reasons really quick, he said he would arrive back before you would come over Seiji-san. '' The man said nervously as he shoved the snacks closer towards, trying to sooth the situation with it. My suspicion had already grew the moment they said Natsume would come any minute instead of just being here already. I glanced over at the letter that was placed on the left side of the table, the same letter had arrived to me just a few weeks ago.
It seemed Natsume had found out about everything just today I thought as I saw the date on the envelope card.

'' Natsume isn't picking up his phone. '' I turned around and saw the woman standing down the hallway, looking shocked at her husband as he returned her look with the same expression. Suddenly the woman started walking up the stairs, supposedly to his room.
A surprised cry was heard, as the guy was on the urge of standing up from the table but refrained himself from doing so out of consideration towards me. I heard the woman slowly coming down the stairs. She sat down on the table again, holding a piece of paper in her hand as her face had turned pale. Her husband immediately grabbed the piece of paper out of her hand and started reading himself. Within a few minutes he also shared the same gloomy expression as hers as they both looked shock, completely zoned out of reality.

'' He ran away didn't he? ''
The couple both were staring at me, their faces still haunted from the sudden situation.
'' Well.. you can't really blame him for it. It must be hard on him, finding all of this out in just one day and expecting to just accept it. '' I said as I gently grabbed the paper the man was still holding in his hand and carefully read each word Natsume had written.

Dear Touko-san, Shigure-san.

I am on my way to Tokyo now. I am sorry I have to mention this through a piece of paper.
I knew you both wouldn't agree on me going, especially around this time of hour.
Please don't worry about me, I'll be staying over at my mother's acquaintance for tonight.
I hope you both are not mad about my decision, and I hope you both are able to understand my situation, and how I am feeling right now.
I just need to clear my head for tonight. I'm planning on coming back tomorrow evening so please, when I come back, don't push me away...like all the others.
If I lose you both... then I don't know anymore.

Sincerely,

Natsume.

I placed the paper down on the table and stared at it for a few more moments as I glanced from underneath my eyes towards the couple again. The woman had started sniffing and was obviously on the burst of crying as the man just stood helplessly and still shocked on his seat. I sighed and stood up from chair.

'' We-We're deeply sorry for having you come all the way here for nothing Seiji-san. '' The woman said in a sobbing voice as she wiped her tears.

The guy finally awoke from his trance and placed his hand on his wife shoulder, trying to comfort her, but it only made her go burst out into tears even more.
'' I'm so worried Shigure, I can understand why Natsume did this yet... I feel so sad that he couldn't just let us know.. doesn't he trust us? '' She sobbed as she grabbed a tissue from the tissue box that was also on the table. Natsume has been hiding or not telling you both more then you can even imagine lady I thought and started remembering the first time I had encountered Natsume. It was clear to me that his powers of seeing and restricting Youkai was advanced and far more superior then I had imagined. I was instantly drawn and interested in Natsume, and I still am.
Running away from me is futile Natsume... I know what you are planning to do in Tokyo I thought as a mischievous smirk was curled on my lips.

'' Touko-san, I will get Natsume back for you tonight if you want. ''
The woman instantly looked up at me and held her mouth half-open from shock.
'' You-You will?! '' she spoke abruptly and kept staring at me like I was some sort of hero.
'' Yes of course, I am also worried about my step-brother you know. It can be quite dangerous in Tokyo, especially turning night time. Who knows what might happen to a minor like Natsume out there. '' I said as I gazed at the couple, examining their priceless expression.
Both the couple gulped from anxiety and stared at each other for a few moments.
My comment had obviously ringed some alarms inside of them as they both stared back at me with determined expressions and stood up from their seats.

'' Please Seiji-san, find Natsume tonight and make sure he gets back here, Please. ''
They both said with a pleading undertone in their voices. This was just too good to be true I thought amusingly as I bowed down towards them, giving them my word on the matter as I was being walked off towards the hallway. I took my time to put on my shoes and jacket and walked outside. They waved me off as I smiled at them and waved back while turning around and making my way towards the entrance.
I grinned as I heard them shouting goodbye or good luck behind me, soon followed with the sound of a closing door.
I turned around the corner and walked the road that lead towards the train station.
'' It's time for your brother to come and get you...Natsume. '' I whispered softly and smirked.