Takashi was having trouble wrapping his mind around the spirit in front of him. Its form continuously shifted and was incredibly disorienting to witness.
He, Madara, and Hinoe had all wandered around looking for the spirit that was after Matoba's eye for a few hours. Luckily, it seemed the spirit never strayed too far from its prey.
The spirit, wary of Madara and Hinoe's presence, restrained itself from attacking the human child in front of it. Its infernal bond with the Matoba Clan head depleted the amount of power it had at its disposal.
"What do you want, human child?" its dark voice creaked out.
"So, I heard you made a deal with the previous head of the Matobas and it fell through. Now you're attacking the current head." Takashi confirmed.
The spirit tensed, at least Takashi thought it did, and hissed, "Have you come here to seal me?"
Madara growled and leaned over Takashi protectively as the young man held up his hands defensively. "I know you won't believe me, but I promise I didn't come here to seal you away."
"Filthy human promises. Not worth the breath used to speak them." The spirit growled.
"I just wanted to ask if you would come back and collect the current head's eye later? What's another fifty years to you if you can settle your debt and be free from this family, once and for all." Takashi shared a quick glance with Madara. He received a nod to continue. "I'm not sure if you have heard from the other spirits, but my name is Takashi."
The spirit's eyes widened almost imperceptibly in recognition.
"I am willing to make a promise with you. If you make an extension before you collect Matoba's eye, I can ensure that you get it."
The spirit gave him a long considering look that had a small spark of hope within.
"Very well. I'll give him twenty years more of freedom. After that I will be getting an eye. Whether it is his or yours. Deal?"
Takashi swallowed audibly. He looked back at Hinoe and Madara. He could make sure Matoba would fork over his eye when the time came… right?
Steeling himself, Takashi nodded, "Deal."
"One other thing, Takashi. I demand something to tide me over until the twenty years are up."
The young man winced, expecting that the deal wouldn't go as smoothly as it had. "What is it?"
"I demand something from both you and that liar, Matoba." The spirit's many eyes stared Takashi down, watching for any reluctance. "A severed length of hair."
Takashi took a moment to process the words before he agreed, "Done."
Now, he finally had an excuse to cut his long hair. Even better, Hinoe was here to witness it.
'Nooo.'
Takashi could feel Hinoe's horrified stare after he'd agreed. There was no turning back now, at least, that was the story he was going to weave to her.
"That was foolish, Takashi." Hinoe admonished as she carded her fingers through Takashi's long hair. "How are you going to make sure that filthy exorcist follows through on his end of the bargain?"
Madara snorted, "How do we know that the spirit is going to keep its end of the bargain?"
Takashi sighed, "Guys, I don't think that spirit was lying. Couldn't you sense it? Its power has been sapped for so long from that contract, it wants to be done with that deal."
He continued under his breath, "I have a feeling that the attack Matoba suffered when he was younger might have been a last-ditch effort to get its power back."
"I don't like it, Takashi. But…", Hinoe shared a nod with Madara before she continued, "we're with you."
The young man turned around and gave the two a bright smile, "Thanks, you guys. I'm glad to know I can always count on you."
"Don't get too used to it, brat." Madara huffed as he turned away from Takashi, his body language indicated he was incredibly flustered.
Takashi and Hinoe laughed at his expense good-naturedly. Madara's sour mood from before was replaced with mock aggravation. The general mood was lightened as Takashi was escorted to the edge of the woods.
Madara would have gone with Takashi if the man had asked, but if the spirit was being honest, he was glad that he didn't have to meet the exorcist in person.
After the events that had occurred the first time Takashi had visited the Matoba house, he was a little miffed that his second adventure into the house wasn't nearly as mysterious. He knocked and waited patiently to be led inside.
"Ah, Takashi. I was wondering when you'd turn up again."
Takashi turned around and found Matoba leisurely approaching. He had an umbrella casually thrown over his shoulder and his usual eyepatch. His soon-to-be-short hair was tied back loosely.
"Matoba." Takashi greeted with a nod. "I have renegotiated a deal for you."
The exorcist made an impressed sound before he motioned for Takashi to follow inside.
After the series of hallways, which Takashi discovered were not nearly as complicated as that old woman from before had made them seem, they arrived in Matoba's room. The older man must have seen the confused look on his face, because he began to explain.
"Nanase usually likes to play small pranks on people visiting. Normally, I would play into it and make you wander around to get you hopelessly confused inside this house's layout. But, I don't want to waste my time." He cast a quick glance and a smirk, that may have been trying to be apologetic, "Sorry, our time."
Takashi remained silent as he waited for Matoba to settle behind his desk. When the older man settled in his seat and gestured for Takashi to sit as well, Takashi declined with a subtle shake of his head.
Matoba gave him a look that seemed to say 'Suit yourself.', before he motioned for Takashi to give him the details of this new deal.
"The spirit agreed to give you twenty years before it returns for the eye. In that time, it will leave you alone. Meaning you could remove that eyepatch safely."
"That would make me forty-six." Takashi heard the other muse to himself.
"There's more." Matoba motioned for him to continue. "It demanded that we give it a severed length of our hair."
The exorcist's eye widened for a moment, before it narrowed with suspicion.
"I hope you're not serious, Takashi." The young man shivered before he regained his composure. He shot a nasty glare at the older man in warning.
"That's the deal, Matoba. Now you can give it your hair and lose an eye later, or you can lose your eye any time you turn a corner." Takashi bravely leaned forward. "Take it or leave it. I only stuck my neck out for you, no big deal. Sorry you have to give up some hair. That will grow back." This was it. Either Matoba would do this willingly, or Takashi would have to persuade him, the spirit he'd dealt with would not take another broken promise lightly.
The older man sat in silence for a long time. Takashi had no idea what the other was thinking, but he hoped he was at least considering the offer.
"Very well, Takashi. But if you try to do anything with this hair, other than offer it to this spirit, I will make you regret it." Matoba stood threateningly, "I promise you that, Takashi. And I am not like my predecessors."
Takashi took a step back in fear and confusion as he recovered from the effects of his name being called. "What would I do with your hair?" He asked genuinely flabbergasted.
The older man stood straight, his eye wide again. He let out the most real sounding laugh he'd ever heard Matoba emit.
"Of course, you have no idea how this underhanded human world works." He laughed some more. Takashi was beginning to feel mocked.
As he opened his mouth to tell Matoba to stop, the other held up a hand to signal he was done before he controlled himself. Still chuckling, he reached into the first drawer of his desk. Takashi watched as the other pulled out a weird looking rectangle of an object.
When the other pulled at its ends and revealed a wickedly sharp blade, Takashi flinched and pressed himself against the door. He was so focused on the silver glinting at him, that he missed the soft smile that briefly stole over Matoba's lips.
"It's fine, Takashi." He announced reassuringly. With a quick movement, he grabbed at his loosely tied hair and with a few sawing motions, his now shorter hair fell around his chin.
He offered the bundle of his hair to the other with an unreadable smile.
Takashi took it carefully, wondering how the other felt with his new look. The shorter hair was just as silky looking as it had been before, but without the added weight his hair puffed a little.
Takashi thought it was cute. He felt his face flush and he ducked his head to hide it.
"Would you like me to cut yours?"
If he hadn't been so flustered, he might have realized how dangerous this situation was. But, he didn't feel any ill intentions from the other so he figured it would be safe.
Unbeknownst to him, Matoba was marveling at the level of trust he'd just been shown. He bunched the honey colored hair in his hand and admired its softness.
Such a shame. He thought, as he cut through Takashi's hair. When the last bit was severed, he realized he'd cut it a little too close.
Takashi turned to look up at him and smiled as he touched his incredibly short hair. He looked almost relieved to have his long hair removed. With his short hair, a few strands curled up and resulted in many cowlicks. While still beautiful, Takashi's new hair length helped to show off his more masculine features.
"Thank you." Takashi exclaimed as he grabbed his hair from the other and examined it for himself.
"No Takashi, thank you. After you finish with this spirit, meet me at my front gate for your reward."
"Oh, that's not really-"
"I insist." If only to keep Takashi isolated from others, were the thoughts Matoba had.
With a sigh, Takashi relented. Maybe at his new residence, he could live with Madara and Hinoe again…
But weren't they better off without him? They seemed to be happy now, and enjoying their lives without him around. Maybe it was him that needed them.
Feeling more depressed than he had in a while, Takashi accepted Matoba's terms and left the exorcist's house without getting lost.
"So, you've returned. Do you have the hair?"
"Yes, I do." Takashi answered as he held up both bundles of hair in offering.
The spirit sniffed it before its eyes widened. Apparently surprised that Takashi hadn't tried to cheat him out of the deal. It gave him a long look before it swallowed both hair bundles. Takashi felt a momentary weakness after they disappeared down the spirit's mouth.
"I thank you, Takashi. You have proven to be trustworthy, so I shall uphold my end of the bargain. The Matoba exorcist will be safe for twenty years. After that, I will be getting my eye."
With that foreboding promise, the spirit disappeared with a violent gust of wind.
Takashi returned to the Matoba's residence and found the older man leaning against the wooden pillar. When he heard Takashi's approach, the exorcist stood straight and faced the younger man.
At his questioning look, Takashi nodded, "It's done."
With a genuine smile, Matoba reached up and completely removed his eyepatch.
During the older man's ministrations, Takashi began cautioning him, "Remember, it is only for twenty years. After that, you will willingly give the spirit your eye."
"Yes, yes. Never mind that now though. Let me look at you fully." If Takashi didn't know any better, he'd swear the other was giddy with happiness. But Takashi did know better, there was no way Matoba could feel such light-hearted emotions. He was an exorcist. Exorcists were evil… weren't they?
Takashi felt his face gripped gently by the older man before he found their faces incredibly close together. Takashi's golden eyes watched the pools of black flick back and forth as Matoba took in everything about Takashi's face.
Takashi barely managed to hold back a laugh at the ridiculous actions of the other. But when the man's breath tickled his lips, Takashi struggled to break free as he felt his face heat up.
Matoba wasn't trying to control the other, for a brief moment, so he released the other easily. With a brisk apology, the exorcist reigned in his emotions. It was unseemly for him to be acting so childishly.
"All right, Takashi. Time for your reward."
