Review Thanks:
blackkyu: Thank you! That was the feeling I was going for so at least it came across.
Silvermane1: Thank you!
AN: Well here's the next chapter. This was originally suppose to be Chapters 21 and 22 but I decided to combine them into one so enjoy the extra-long Chapter 21. Next chapter up next weekend. Review please!
Chapter 21
They got back to Kyo's apartment in the early afternoon and Kyo was glad that they did. Natsume shut down after the incident with the cans and Tanuma looked ill. According to him they were being followed.
"Can you still sense it?" Kyo asked as he helped Natsume off with his coat.
"No but," Tanuma said as he stared out the window before forcefully closing the drapes. "I don't like this."
"Neither do I," Kyo sighed not liking how Natsume was acting either. He hadn't reacted to much of anything since the store. Not even the cookies Kyo had bought him made the little boy smile.
"It was at the store," Tanuma said. "I'm sure it was what knocked over the cans."
"I wonder how many things like that happened to him as a kid," Kyo said as he looked at the sad little boy.
"Do you think he's up for…" Tanuma said as he held up the pad of paper and crayons they had just bought.
"I hope so," Kyo said before turning his attention to Natsume. "We need to talk to you about some things. About what happened at the store." The boy flinched at that. "You're not in trouble we just...Natsume do you see things?" Natsume's eyes got big and it looked as if he was about to cry.
"We'll believe you if you do," Tanuma told the boy. This time Natsume did cry. He nodded as big tears slid down his cheeks. "Is that what knocked over the cans?" Another nod.
"Natsume I need you to do a favor for us," Kyo said as he wiped the boy's tears away with a Kleenex. "Can you draw a picture of what you sa…" Natsume started to shake his head not even giving Kyo time to finish the question.
"Look at his face. He's terrified. How could people not have believed him," Tanuma said with a shake of his head disgust clearly on his face.
"I don't know," Kyo said agreeing completely. "Natsume I know you're scared but we need to know what you saw so we can help. And after you're done with the picture you can watch your new movie." Natsume studied him a long moment before finally agreeing.
Kyo sat the boy at the coffee table with the crayons and pad of paper. He watched as the boy drew furiously no trace of a smile; Natsume really was a serious little boy. After a few minutes the boy finally finished and handed over the paper doubt on his face. Both him and Tanuma looked at the paper and shuddered.
It was a shadowy humanoid looking thing with no head, one arm, no legs, and a mouth in its chest full of sharp looking teeth. No wonder Natsume found the idea of his other form funny if this was the type of creature he had been dealing with his whole life.
"Natsume how many times have you seen this today?" Tanuma asked as he pointed to the picture. Natsume held up three fingers. "Kyo we need to talk." He nodded in understanding.
"Why don't you sit down on the couch and I'll put in your movie," Kyo told the boy. Without any argument Natsume curled up the couch so Kyo put on his movie and went into the kitchen to talk to Tanuma.
"I don't think we can protect Natsume on our own," Tanuma said as he pointed to the picture. "This…this isn't good. I can't see it but from what I sensed from it." Here Tanuma sighed. "This one time Natsume got sucked into a bottle and I tried to help him but in the end I caused more problems for him. You did the same, the night you followed him. You tried to help but in the end…"
"Then what are we supposed to do?" Kyo said feeling frustrated. He knew that they were able to help him that one time but they all got lucky with that one. Not to mention that in the end it was Nyanko-sensei that saved them.
"Natori," Tanuma said as he tapped his bottom lip.
"You mean the actor. The one that can see yokai like…" Kyo said as he glanced in the living room.
"He can do more than see them. He's an exorcist," Tanuma explained.
"You might be right," Kyo agreed. "The cat said that he would be back but I don't know when that'll be. Natori is our best bet. He slipped me his number last time he was here. I'll call him." Kyo quickly dialed the man's number and had to wait for several rings before someone finally answered.
"Hello," a man's voice said.
"Is this Natori Shuuichi?" Kyo asked.
"Yes and who is this?" Natori asked.
"This is Kyo, Natsume's friend," Kyo told him.
"And why is Kyo's friend calling me?" Natori asked suspicion seeping into his voice.
"Natsume's in a bit of trouble…" Kyo started to say.
"What sort of trouble?" Natori asked.
"The bad sort," Kyo sighed. "He got himself cursed and the cat took off to look for a way to break it and he isn't back yet."
"Say no more I'll come over," Natori said his voice deadly serious.
"He's at my place do you need my addre…"
"I already know it. I should be there by tomorrow morning," Natori said then ended the phone call.
"What'd he say?" Tanuma asked.
"He said that he'd be here tomorrow morning," Kyo said. "We need to take shifts tonight. Me as a cat and you with your sensing. Between the two of us he should be able to know if it gets close."
"And what if it does," Tanuma asked looking frustrated. "I know that can you see yokai when you're a cat but how much have you actually seen?"
"I…" Kyo started to say and then really thought about it. "Just a few of his get-togethers."
"I already mentioned how Natsume got stuck in a bottle and I tried to help. What I didn't tell you was I actually saw a large gathering of yokai. I saw the world that Natsume deals with all the time. Even though I can sense things and you can see things we don't even come close to what he sees and senses," Tanuma said with a sigh. "The cat was right. Between the two of us we are almost useful."
"Natsume trusted us to watch over him," Kyo said and Tanuma shook his head.
"No he trusted you," Tanuma said as he glanced in the living room at the quiet little boy. "I have to admit that I'm jealous. That he trusts you so much. So how is it going on the…"
"Nowhere. I was trying to think of a way to tell him when he basically said I was like the brother he never had," Kyo said with a sigh.
"That kind of does put a hold on things," Tanuma said giving him a sympathetic smile.
"Tell me about it. He said something along the lines of how he used to watch the other kids play with their older brothers and sisters and how they would watch out for them. Then he topped it off with that now he has an idea of what that feels like," Kyo explained.
"Ah…Nat…" Tanuma started to say then quickly coughed when Natsume joined them, "he said one of his things again."
"Hmmm," Kyo agree when Natsume started tugging on his hand. "What's wrong? Did you see something again?" The little boy shook his head and then pointed to the TV. "You want us to watch your movie with you?" A nod. "Alright we're coming."
Kyo let the boy drag him into the living room with Tanuma following close behind. He was only sitting on the couch a moment before Natsume crawled into his lap. Kyo looked at the screen and internally grimaced. He really didn't like the Shrek movies but he knew that his younger cousins enjoyed them.
"I'll take first watch tonight and it looks if you have things under control so I'm going to go to take a nap," Tanuma said.
"Alright," Kyo agreed. "You can use my room if you want."
"Thanks. Natsume you be sure to let Kyo know if you see anything alright," Tanuma said and he didn't leave until Natsume nodded.
They ended up watching the movie two more times that night and even though the movie grated on Kyo's nerves he enjoyed spending time with the little boy but he was really beginning to miss his Natsume. He just hoped that they would be able to do something soon.
At the moment Natsume was helping him do the dishes. Kyo would wash them and he would hand them down to Natsume who would dry them and set them on the cupboard to be put away later.
"You've been a big help tonight and you ate your dinner well so I think you earned an extra special treat. How about some hot chocolate?" Kyo asked him. He was rewarded with a big smile. "Now go put that shirt I gave you on for bed."
Kyo made them their drinks and headed into the living room where Natsume was waiting in an old t-shirt of his. He barely held in his groan when he saw that Natsume had the same movie ready to go. He looked so happy about it he didn't have the heart to tell him no besides it wasn't like he had any movies that a kid Natsume's age would enjoy anyway.
"Careful it's hot so take small sips," Kyo instructed. Natsume nodded and as he took a small sip of his drink.
Kyo sat on the couch and had every intention of reading a book or at least that was his intention but no sooner had Natsume finished his hot chocolate, which to be honest was a good half an hour later, when the little boy was once again crawling up in his lap.
"Aren't you tired?" Kyo asked the little boy. Natsume vigorously shook his head while simultaneously rubbing his eyes. "Right." Kyo said feeling exhausted himself.
It had been a very long and stressful day and he wanted to do nothing more than to curl up in his bed and go to sleep. But that wasn't an option besides he wouldn't be able to sleep decently until he had his Natsume back. He looked at the little boy on his lap. Natsume was trying extremely hard to stay awake. His eyes would just about close when they would pop back open and he would sit up straighter only to have it happen again a few minutes later.
"Someone seems tired," Tanuma said as he once again joined them.
"One would think," Kyo said with a sigh, "he just won't let himself fall asleep."
"Would you like me to take over now so you can get some sleep? You look exhausted yourself," Tanuma offered.
"I'm fine for now. Why don't you go and eat something. I left your dinner in the oven," Kyo told him. Tanuma gave a quick nod and went to the kitchen. Now that the other boy was up Kyo finally let himself relax. And as hard as he tried to keep his eyes open they just didn't want to stay that way.
Kyo once again woke up with a sore neck and a stiff back. Not that it should surprise him with Natsume curled up in his lap what did surprise him though was that he could see the sun starting to come up and Tanuma standing by the window with a pensive look on his face. He must have sensed Kyo watching him because he turned around and gave him a smile.
"Morning," Tanuma said.
"You should have woken me," Kyo chided quietly.
"Didn't have the heart too. You two looked so comfortable," Tanuma said as Kyo noticed the light reflecting off of something in his shirt pocket.
"Is that a camera?" Kyo asked.
"Hmmm, I wonder," the other boy said with a shrug and a smirk. Kyo was about to think of some snotty comment when he felt the bundle on his lap stir. Natsume slowly sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
"Morning sleepy," Kyo told the boy as he ruffled his hair then frowned. Natsume felt warm so he rested his hand on the boy's forehead.
"What's wrong?" Tanuma asked as he walked over to them.
"He has a fever," Kyo said not liking it. "Natsume do you feel alright?" The little boy shook his head then pointed to his chest.
"Isn't that where you said the curse was," Tanuma said as he gently laid his hand on the boy's chest. The effect was instantaneous. Tanuma went flying back like he had been shocked and Natsume whimpered and curled up in a ball like he was in an extreme amount of pain. Kyo pulled the small boy close and began to rub his back in what he hoped was a soothing manner.
"Tanuma you alright?" Kyo asked.
"I can feel it now," Tanuma said sounding out of breath. "That curse it…how's Natsume?"
"I don't know," Kyo said as he looked down at the boy on his lap. "Natsume you okay?" He gently continued to rub the boy's back hoping to give him some comfort. It seemed to be working as Natsume began to uncurl.
"I'm sorry Natsume," Tanuma said as he crawled over to the couch, "Forgive me?" The boy gave a sniff and a small, slow, nod. "Thank you."
"I think since you two aren't feeling well," Kyo said as he ruffled Natsume's hair, "that we should have a pajama day and have cookies for breakfast." Natsume perked up at hearing that.
Luckily the rest of the morning was uneventful. Tanuma dozed on the couch while Natsume colored and watched his cartoons. Kyo did his best to keep an eye on them both. Once again feeling useless. How did he'd ever think that he would be able to help Natsume? Even if he could now see yokai that's all he could do and that was only if he was in his other forms. He was taken out of his musings when he felt a tugging on his shirt.
"What is it?" Kyo asked the little boy when a paper was suddenly thrust in his face. He pulled it back so he could look at it. There was two people drawn on the paper; one of them taller with orange hair and the other one much shorter with light brown hair. "Is this me and you?" the little boy nodded hesitantly. "You did a really good job! You're little artist." Natsume gave him a big smile and then pointed to the fridge. "You're right that would be a good place for it."
They had just hung it up when there was a knock at the front door.
"I'll see who it is," Tanuma said as he walked over to the door and looked through the peep hole and quickly opened the door. Kyo and Tanuma both let out a sigh of relief when Natori walked in.
"What's happened I could feel the curse from the hallway…" Natori started to say then stopped when his eyes landed on Natsume; the boy immediately hid behind Kyo's legs.
"It's a long story," Kyo said as he picked up the child. Tanuma made them some coffee and they all headed into the living room; the whole time Natsume wouldn't let go of him. "He got cursed and woke up this way. He doesn't remember anything and can't talk."
"You got yourself in a real bind this time. Can I look at where it hurts?" Natsume shook his head and then buried his face in Kyo's shoulder.
"I tried to see if I could sense anything by touching it earlier today and it didn't go so well…" Tanuma explained.
"Hmmm," Natori said with a frown. "You can see this right." The man pointed to his hand. Natsume stared as his hand a moment before nodding. Kyo curiously looked down at the man's hand and saw nothing. "It means I'm like you." Natsume then pointed to something or someone behind Natori and the man smiled. "She helps me out and won't hurt you. Now I just want to look where it hurts. I promise not to touch it and you can even sit on Kyo's lap." The little boy looked skeptical but he nodded his consent.
Kyo watched the interaction between the two of them with interest. Even without Natsume being unable to talk Natori was still able to understand him in a way he couldn't. They would have a connection that he would never be able to share in. Kyo pulled himself out of his dark thoughts. Now was not the time to be wallowing in self-misery.
The man studied whatever afflicted Natsume for a long while his frown deepened as he did so. Then he shook his head and sighed.
"The curse runs very deep and is slowly draining him," Natori said.
"Maybe we should discuss this in the kitchen away from small ears," Kyo said not wanting to frighten the boy. Natori looked surprised for a moment then smiled.
"Sorry I forgot that he has the mind of a child," Natori said.
"Right," Kyo said. "Natsume do you want to watch your cartoons or movie while we talk some more?" The little boy pointed to the DVD and Kyo barely kept a groan in. At least he wouldn't have to watch it this time. "Alright." Kyo got the movie going when Natsume pointed to the box of cookies. "One then watch your movie" He got a solemn nod. After he got Natsume settled he was finally able to join the others in the kitchen.
"He seems to be very attached to you," Natori commented.
"That's because I bribe him with cookies," Kyo answered as he leaned against the cupboard.
"No, you're actually very good with him," Tanuma said looking surprised.
"Well I have several younger cousins. It's hard not to pick up on certain things," Kyo said with a shrug. He shook his head wondering why Natsume couldn't be that attached to him when he was older. "Now about this curse. You said it was draining him?"
"Unfortunately," Natori said with a sigh. "It would be best if you tell me everything." Kyo and Tanuma told the man what had been going on the last few days. "I see. So he's only been this way since yesterday morning. That gives us about two more days…"
"Two more days until what?" Kyo asked and regretted the question as soon as he asked. The look on Natori's face said it all. Kyo tightly clenched his fist. He'd be damned if he'd let anything else happen to Natsume.
"I hope that cat of his gets here soon…" Natori started to say then looked off to the side. "I would appreciate that. Hurry back." Whoever Natori had been talking to must have said stopped and talked to Natsume. The boy seemed nervous at first but then he smiled. "Hiragi said she would see if she could find the cat."
"We really appreciate the help," Kyo told him.
"Don't be. Natsume is my friend and I'm glad to help besides its kind of nice to see him as a little kid," Natori said with a fond smile.
"He's a very serious little guy," Tanuma added.
"It's not surprising really. It's hard growing up seeing yokai especially when you have no one to go to," Natori said wistfully. "But you two seem to be doing alright by him by the looks of this place."
"What else are we supposed to do? He just looks so…" Kyo said and let the sentence trail off.
"I'm actually surprised he's as kind as he is. He always wants to help. It's the reason that I don't ask him to be my assistant. We think too differently and I don't want to lose our friendship to business," Natori said as he peaked into the living room to watch Natsume quietly play with his truck while watching his movie.
"His always wanting to help is nerve wracking though," Kyo grumbled. The younger boy got into too much trouble with his always having to help.
"Add to that he doesn't ask for help," Tanuma agreed. "I know I can't be much help with yokai, I learned that the hard way but the everyday stuff."
"I'm sure he learned not to rely on others at a young age. There's only so many times that you can ask for help and be told no. You just eventually stop," Natori said and then shook his head like he was trying to clear it. "Do you know if Natsume has seen this yokai?"
"Yeah," Kyo said as he pulled out the drawing and handed it to Natori. "He said that he saw this three times yesterday."
"This yokai is trying to get back its power. That's why it's gone after Natsume," Natori said as he frowned down at the drawing. "If it eats him…"
"Eats?" Kyo said cutting off the man.
"Hmmm," Natori said as he continued to look at the drawing. Kyo couldn't figure out how Natori could be so calm about the whole 'eating' thing but maybe that's what yokai did. "He's too powerful for his own good."
Kyo looked at the man curiously. That's the second time someone had called Natsume powerful. He wanted to ask more but Natsume came into the kitchen and looked at them all curiously. The small boy then tugged on Kyo's hand and pointed to the TV.
"I think you've been summoned," Natori said with a chuckle.
"Alright, alright," Kyo said as he let the little boy drag him into the living room.
As the day wore on Natsume seemed to deteriorate more and more. He's fever went from being mild to extreme and according to Natori there was nothing they could do because it was part of the curse. All they could do was wait. It wasn't until late that night, after the sun had gone down, that things started to happen.
"They're back," Natori said as he opened the window and a gust of wind blew in. He looked very serious at whatever came in then his face paled. "We don't have much time. He is on his way."
AN2: Like I mentioned last time little Natsume is loosely based on my niece and nephew. They really will watch the same movie over and over and over again until I want to scream. Movies of choice now Frozen (I know what a shock) or The Lego Movie. I don't know which song I am more sick of Let it Go or Everything is Awesome?!
Anyway please leave a review!