Done for an Ask Natsume blog on Tumblr after drawing a crossover fanart with Natsume dressed as the Medicine Seller from the anime "Mononoke."
Takes place at no real point in the canon storyline, though it's probably somewhere near where the story is at now.
Natsume's Book of Friends and Mononoke aren't mine.
Side Job
Part One
Natsume was sprawled across the green grass, lost in the kind of daze that could only be created by staring at clouds drifting across a blue sky. Madara was laid out likewise, but on his back with his paws up in the air. A low purr emitted from the fat cat body, a sign that he was pretty happy since he didn't like being caught purring. Natsume inhaled deeply, taking in the smell of the nature around him. It felt so peaceful to just lie there, without worrying about anything at all. It was the weekend, there wasn't any homework to worry about, and the youkai had been quiet as of late. It was a gorgeous August day, perfect for a stroll in the woods to a secluded meadow.
Footsteps approached from the edge of the woods, and Natsume quickly shot up, heart instantly pounding. A peculiar-looking man stood there, watching him with a keen gaze. He wore traditional but garish clothing, which were blue with large swatches of purple and green colors as well as odd circular designs. His hair was a sandy brown color, much like Natsume's, and was covered by a purple head cloth. On his feet were ashida geta with tall pegs to keep one's feet out of the mud. Dark-colored pants were on top of wrapped legs, and straps across the shoulders held a large box on his back. If not for the outrageous colors, the strange man would've looked like a merchant straight out of a history textbook.
'More importantly, is he human, or a youkai?' Natsume thought, getting to his feet. He kicked Madara, who snorted awake and flailed around, forgetting he had been on his back. 'Sensei didn't seem to sense him…'
The man remained silent.
"Natsume, I don't know what he is," Madara muttered. "He appears human at first, but…"
"Shhh," Natsume hissed. Louder, he asked, "Can I help you…?"
The man didn't say a word.
Natsume felt irritated at having his peaceful afternoon interrupted by this. "Well?"
"Yes," the man finally said, voice deep and slow. "But, for now, no."
"Then…I'll be leaving now," Natsume said, warily dipping into a shallow bow before turning and walking to the edge of the woods opposite of the man. Madara followed, casting a glance every now and then behind them. The odd stranger watched them leave for a while, then disappeared back into the woods himself.
"He's gone, Natsume."
"Who was he?"
"Beats me. He smelled like a whole bunch of things; maybe a merchant, given by the big box on his back," Madara replied.
"Merchant? Who dresses like that these days?" Natsume sighed. "He's probably a youkai, then."
"I'll ask around tonight about any weirdoes wandering these woods," the cat sniffed.
"Tonight? Wait, you're going drinking AGAIN?"
"Its August! A time of warm weather, plentiful harvests, and celebration!"
"I swear, you act more like a drunken old man than a cat sometimes."
"Keh! I'm not a cat OR an old man, so there!"
End Part One