So I've had this character in the making for some time but never really wrote about it. Upon later chapters you will see Natsume grow and develop so please keep up with my story.

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Shino Inuzuka sat along the Imperial City's river edge, with the soles of his boots just barely grazing the water's surface. Murasame, his raven, rested beside him while nibbling on a steamed bun. The two had spent the day wandering about the city as Sosuke worked on the rundown church by the red light district. Everyone apparently had something to do and couldn't bother with Shino right now, not even Genpachi.

"Maybe Rio isn't busy... " Shino sighed and stared at the water in boredom.

"If we bother him again he'll take away our allowance and then we won't have any meat!" Murasame scolded him as he finished the last of his food. Shino dipped his hand into the water and flicked some onto the bird.

"How was I supposed to know he had an important guest over last time. Besides, it was you who wanted to go to him for extra money for the new shop opening."

Murasame denied this and the two continued to bicker over whose fault it was. Before long, Shino had the struggling bird in his hands and was waving him over the water. Murasame flapped his wings and pushed Shino back somewhat. They were playing around, not that people took too much of a notice, but as Shino tripped and fell backwards, towards the water, he hit something that was running past him.

Someone cried out and was tipping over the ledge into the water. Shino quickly turned around and reached for their hand, catching them and pulling them back just before they hit the water.

They sat gasping, waiting for their breathing to go back to normal.

"Sorry, I wasn't watching what was around me." Shino apologized and looked to his victim of his rough housing. Sitting by him was boy who had blonde white, almost silver short hair and purple eyes. He wore black pants, a white button up shirt, and a cap that looked like it was from early england.

"No, it's fine. I was the one running so close to the water." The boy chuckled and got to his feet. He gave a hand to Shino and helped him up. "I'm Natsume." He grinned even though he had a bit of a scoff from the fall on him.

Shino decided he liked this guys attitude and grinned back, "Shino, and this here is Murasame" The boy, Natsume didn't notice the raven until now but he just nodded his head hello as if nothing was wrong that he was a raven.

"What were you doing anyway?" Natsume asked. Shino shrugged his shoulders and realized he still had nothing to do for the rest of the day. "Hmm, well if you aren't doing anything important, would you like to join me on my quest?"

Now at this, Shino's ears picked up. "Quest?" Murasame was intent on hearing this too for he stopped grooming his feathers to look at the boy.

Natsume got closer to them and whispered so they could only hear, "I'm trying to find this certain mystical being that is said to hide around some of the most delicious foods in the Imperial City. So, I've been going around, eating lots of foods in hopes that I can find it."

Shino's eyes were bright as he heard "eating" and "delicious foods". Seeing this desired reaction Natsume went on,

"And as legend says, if you catch this being you will be blessed…" He paused and leaned in further, "Infinite supply of food. Whenever. Wherever. And whatever you wish for."

Shino grabbed him by the shoulders and looked him straight in the eyes, "I would be honored to accompany you on this magnificent journey." Murasame cawed in agreement.

Natsume backed up and spun around with his arm in the air pointing forward, "Then we're off men! To the food!"

The two boys and the raven went all over the city, racing to find some of the most delicious goods there was. They stopped at bakeries, butchers, cafes, even herbal houses.

As the day progressed they became good buds, play fighting and sharing meals at times. But they never stayed in one area too long for Natsume would always rush them out to the next shop, his explanation only to keep searching, not that Shino minded. It didn't even dawn on him that they always avoided allies, empty shops, and roads scarce of civilization.

"I think if I eat anything else I'll burst!" Shino complained happily and imitated blowing up.

Natsume laughed and stopped suddenly, "I'll collapse where I stand and never be able to walk again" He pretended to faint as Shino caught him from behind.

They laughed together and stood there in all smiles. The sun was beginning to set and in the opposite distance there were stars already showing.

"Its getting late huh? Well I better be off now. I'll see you around crow boy" Natsume twisted around Shino and began to walk towards a small street that led to the main road. Shino waved goodbye and dashed off, closing cutting a corner that came up. As he did he ran straight into something and fell to the ground.

"Again? Man, there's people everywhere." He muttered but stopped speaking as he looked up to see who he ran into. Several men in hooded robes loomed over him, clearly rushing for some reason.

"You've made a grave mistake boy. Now you will pay with your life" One of the figures rushed at him and Shino saw a flash of silver. Unable to react fast enough he fumbled around, the man already going in for the killing blow. Shino cried out but felt nothing. He opened his eyes to see someone with silver blonde hair in front of him.

"Natsume?" His eyes widened as Natsume turned his head to him and smiled. Shino saw the knife plunged in his stomach and the robed men backed up. Natsume collapsed in a heap on Shino's lap as his white shirt developed a red stain, quickly spreading.

The men were whispering among each other and acting strange.

"The master won't be pleased…"

"We'll never see the light of day again.."

"Those eyes, they don't lie. Thats the guardian… but he's a boy..."

Murasame flew at the men, cawing and scratching. They backed up and ran into the main street, disappearing into the crowd.

Shino touched the blade with his finger and quickly pulled it away as the knife burnt his skin. It began to glow and went up in black flames, diminishing right before his eyes. All that was left was the wound and Natsume whose breathing increased rapidly. Shino yelled for Murasame to find someone to help them and while the raven flew off he pressed onto the wound. Blood continue to soak through though, as if it never ended.

"Hey, you can't give up. There's still so much food to eat." Without realizing it, Shino's tears were dripping onto his hands and he swiped at them, leaving a smear of blood on his face.

"Shino!" A males voice called out and Shino looked up, hoping that they weren't too late.