Natsume didn't really to bother those around her with her problems. She thought that this was just dumping your garbage on others, which was a shitty thing to do, and telling them to clean it up. If her house was dirty, she would do it by hand, even if someone offered to help. She just couldn't let others help her with her problems.
But, everyone had a limit. And Natsume's limit was Keisuke asking her for the thirty-ninth and half (she counted down to his unintentional implication) time if she had her fire powers yet.
It a benign question, but compounded with everything else, it was just too much.
On that agreeable Saturday afternoon, Natsume decided she wasn't having any more of this annoying stuff. She was going to fix this today.
Kyubi looked up from his book as the three heavy knocks rang from his front door. He was bit confused as he wasn't expecting anyone at this time. Not even a package.
Suspicion kicked in as he pussyfooted across the room and into the hallway. The door was at the end of the hall, connecting the small room that was supposed to hold everyone's shoes. Three more raps, this time more aggressive. The kitsune snapped his fingers and a little flame sprang from the pores on his pads. If any hostile person tried to break in, they'd be blasted back to the hell they crawled out of.
Kyubi made his way quickly, his free hand resting on the knob. He took in a deep breath and let it out before opening quite fast.
Instead of some thug or the IRS, he was instead greeted by the face of his daughter, face emanating deep annoyance.
"O-oh, hi Natsume, didn't expect you," he chuckled nervously before snuffing out the flame, "what brings you around here?"
"Look, I need som-may I come in?"
"Of course." He stepped out of the way so she could walk in.
"Thank you. Anyways, I need your help, bad."
Kyubi's ears again perked up high with worry. Worst case scenarios trickled through his brain.
"What's going on? Are you being bullied? Did your house burn down? Did Micchy-"
The brunette sighed softly as she removed her first shoe.
"No no, it's not any of those. Plus, still haven't see Micchy around. It's weird; Jibanyan and Whisper came back, but not even summoning can bring Micchy back. Hmm."
She shrugged her shoulders as she ended the sentence.
"It's actually...a few reasons. You might wanna sit down for this one. Also, bring some coffee, but no decaf. It's going to be pretty long."
"Ok, lay it me."
The duo was sitting at the redwood table. Natsume thought that a house that resided in the fourth dimension looked weirdly normal. It looked very nondescript, with your average White Walls and wooden floor, polished to perfection. Even the tiles looked hand polished. She guessed that yokai, or kitsune at least, had a lot of free time.
Kyubi himself was dressed more casually. Gone was the purple kimono and wooden sandals; he instead wore a pressed black shirt with a set of jeans white socks. His clothes looked like they were molded from some stiff material as no wrinkles could be seen even as he moved. Then again, fourth dimension. Some rules of gravity and physics didn't apply here.
There were observations to make, but Natsume needed to do something about these things now. Small talk could wait.
"Oh gosh, where do I even start?"
"At the beginning."
"Hah. Well, it's actually several things."
She took a sip of the black brew before beginning.
"The biggest offender-or offenders, in this case-is the pestering. Ever since my brother and friends found out about my heritage, Keisuke and Touma have been prodding me to utilize my fire powers. Touma has some restraint and isn't so pushy, but Keisuke..."
"Hello my wonderful sister-"
"No."
"I didn't even finish my sentence!"
"You've been pestering me for the last week about my fire powers. I've said it once and I'll say it again: it will come when it comes."
Keisuke's body slumped as he walked away.
"Oh no, my microwave burrito is so cold! How will I ever HEAT it up?"
He brown eyes pointed in Natsume's direction as he held the cold sack of meat and preservatives in front of her face. Natsume didn't flinch.
"The microwave is in the kitchen. You have working legs, right?"
Even at the spot that seemed safest, the bathroom, she wasn't safe. As she layed down her towel and pajamas on the toilet seat and opened the curtain, she saw the message carved in the soap.
"Fire. Just fire. Pwease?"
"Yeah, I'd see why that would be annoying. It's things like those that I'm grateful for being an only child."
"Hm. There's also...how do I put this?"
She rubbed her cheeks and upper lip.
"There's also the...facial hair."
The three out of four members of the family and the dining room table went silent and stopped eating their breakfasts. Keisuke's mouth was agape, eggs hanging out as he stared at his sister. His parents kept their mouths closed but couldn't look away either.
Natsume was blissfully unaware of these looks as she chowed down. When looking up, it was revealed what everyone was looking at. Across her jaw and upper lip was fuzzy dark hair, barely sprouted out.
She looked as confused as everyone else.
"What? Do it have some food stuck on my face?"
"Well, I can't say I'm surprised, honestly. You are half fox, after all."
"Ugh, I know. But it's like every three days I have to shave my whole body down."
"Well, I have package of industrial grade razors if you want. Those things can cut through hard plastic AND hair."
"Eh, I'll take a few, if you don't mind."
"Not at all."
"Ok. What else was there? Oh yeah...the resistance."
"And so I said-"
"Oh my God!"
Natsume didn't know why Kawai looked so shocked at her resting her arm on the table.
"What happened?"
"Yo-you don't feel it?!"
She pointed at her elbow and Natsume saw that it was resting upon one of the Bunsen burners. That was lit.
"Oh."
She lifted her arm off the fire, unscathed by the licking heat. This did not calm Kawai.
"What the hell, why aren't you looking at your surroundings? You could have been seriously injured!"
"But I wasn't! That's the thing! I don't feel the fire or heat anymore. It's worrying everyone around me."
"Sigh. I can't change that, Natsume. You just need to look before you stick your body part anywhere."
"Yeah...well, there's also-"
"Not another word, my darling. You've already shown me that you need guidance with your powers and quirks. But fear not!"
His stood up quickly and layed a paw on her shoulder.
"I, The Great And Powerful KYUBI, as your father and friend, SHALL HELP YOU WITH THESE TROUBLING TIMES!"
Natsume shrunk a bit from his voice. Kyubi's deep voice and volume gave off the impression of someone important. A teacher, perhaps, or a master? Either way, she knew he was going to put his hundred and ten percent into helping her. She bit her lip a little. Natsume felt bad taking time away from him to help her.
But, at the same time, he had a lot of time to spare.
Still...
"Although we shan't start today, I'll tell you this." He squatted down so his face was on her level.
"Meet me here at my home everyday when you have the time and I will be there for our TRAINING!"
He clenched a fist at training and pumped it in the air.
"Ok?"
"O-ok."
A/N: wooo, this one is shorter, but a lot better than the chapter I posted before. Please comment your thoughts and have a good day!
