~Madara's Trembling~
Chapter Three
"Master."
Hiiragi stood at the doorway, along with Urihime and Sasago, watching her master, Natori, lay on his bed. He really has not done a thing since what happened yesterday. He was bothered about how Madara was able to trick him AND HIS SERVENTS for a full year. He was also shocked to learn that Natsume was actually killed by a youkai as well. Natori was almost always worried about the boy.
And last but not least, Natori was confused. Confused over the Book Of Friends. He wasn't sure what it was, but he was sure it was that one thing Natsume always refused to tell him about it. He knew that kid had secrets. From what he gathered from Madara's wording was that it was VERY powerful.
"Master, you have a visitor." Hiiragi said.
Natori sighed, slowly sitting up. He rubbed the back of his head, his eyes dark from lack of sleep. He let out a yawn before standing up and fixing his hair and kimono.
"Who is it?"
"It is a Youkai who has come here to talk about the book you were given." Sasago said.
Natori was surprised, but should be grateful. He nodded his head and walked out the room, down the hallways of his house, and into another room of the house. In this room was a table, where the visitor sat. Natori sat across from her and his servants stood at the doorway, hostile towards the youkai.
"You look familiar. I saw you yesterday, didn't I?"
The youkai sighed, pausing.
"Yes, yes you did. My name is Hinoe."
"Please, Hinoe, explain what you came here to explain."
Natori pulled the book from his kimono and placed it on the table in front of Hinoe. The book of friends sat in front of her. When was the last time she saw it? It was yesterday, but before that. Madara never had it out when he had taken Natsume's form.
"That book that Madara had foolishly given you is not a book that an exorcist should have. In fact, no human should have it. No youkai either. It is only something I, personally, can trust Natsume Takashi or Natsume Reiko with." Hinoe gulped. "However, they are both dead now..."
"Now, before I continue any farther about the book, I must make sure that you do know who Natsume Reiko is."
Natori shook his head. "I do not."
Hinoe shifted just a bit. "Reiko is Takashi's grandmother. Reiko could see youkai as well, and because of that, she wasn't liked very much by the humans that lived with and around her. She, maybe no younger then takashi, was given up on the human world. She'd walk around, and no matter what youkai she'd run into, she'd challenge them. If they won, they would get whatever she offered. She would offer them human foods to things like being able to eat her."
"However, she'd always win. When she won, she'd have them write their names on a piece of paper, of which she would put together in a book. The book of Friends. Any youkai who's name was in that book could be summoned at any time and place and have to obey the commands of the book's owner."
Natori was in shock. This book was insanely powerful! He could see why no one should have it. He could, sadly, see why no exorcist should have it.
Hinoe continued. "Reiko passed away a long time ago, and Natsume Takashi inherited the book. From what I heard, it wasn't until he met Madara that he learned what it could do. However, instead of using it to control the youkai his grandmother defeated, he decided to give back their names."
Natori tilted his head. "Give back their names?"
Hinoe nodded her head. "He's risked his life hundreds of times just to give youkai back their names."
"If I remember correctly, there was a youkai with you that had not been given back his name." Natori said. "Misuzu, am I correct?"
Hinoe chuckled sadly. "Misuzu is wise, but In the end his choice to trust the boy with his name has turned for the worse. See, Misuzu trusts Natsume with his name, and reminds him that he can be summoned in the time of need. I don't think it's ever happened."
"Another thing." Hinoe's voice darkened a bit. "if the book is hurt in any way at all, all those youkai, including Misuzu, will be hurt badly."
Natori didn't reply for a while. He was trying to take this all in. It was all so amazing. But he was confused as to how Natsume could keep this all to himself.
"How does one return a name?" Hiiragi asked all of a sudden. "Sorry for interrupting."
"No no, it's fine." Hinoe said, then answered the question. "I've seen him do it a few times, but from what i'm told, you have to be a decedent of Reiko in order to give back the names. I don't believe Reiko has any other relatives who could see the youkai, so I think fate is sealed."
Hinoe only realized it as she kept talking.
"Those names will remain in that book forever."
There was a long silence. A looongg one. The wind from outside blew through the house, making a slight strange whistle noise as it did. Hinoe then stood up, brushing off herself. He pulled the pipe she had to her lips, but the stopped.
"Naotri Shuuichi. I hope you treat this book and those youkai who live inside with care, just as Natsume risked his life to do. I will trust you for now, but if that book is abused I will come back and do whatever it takes to take it from you."
Before disappearing off, having slightly enraged the servants because of her threat, she said "It was Natsume's own want and doing to keep it safe. I know you can , and hopefully will, respect his wishes."
Hinoe was now gone, and Natori was still trying to understand everything he had just been told.
