A bigger chapter.

The writing is getting coarse, since I'm trying to describe some events quickly, in a factual way. Come to think of it, lots of it is irrelevant and shouldn't be in here, but I wanted to include it.

I will try to incorporate more emotion and imagery next chapter.

"Thanks for coming all the way here, Tanuma". The sand-haired boy stopped in front of the Fujiwara house. He wiped his forehead and swiped his sweat-drenched bangs to one side with a sigh. His shirt's collar was undone to aleviate the effects of the summer heat. "Want to come in? I should get you a glass of water..."

"I'd like that. Thanks." Tanuma scratched the bac of his neck and followed Natsume to the porch. His throat and mouth felt terribly dry. Wether it was the heat, or the nervousness for what he was about to do, he wasn't sure.

"I'm home!" Natsume announced as he pushed the door open and snuck inside the relieving cool shade of the house.

"Ah, Takashi-kun! How was the last day?" A grinning Touko-san appeared at the hallway. "Oh, Tanuma-kun!" she exclaimed at noticing the taller boy standing behind Natsume, and hastily wiped her hands, which had remains of rice from making onigiri, on her pink apron.

"How have you been Fujiwara-san? Ah... I'm sorry for the sudden intrusion..." Tanuma bowed politely.

"Oh, no, no worries at all, I was just finishing making lunch. Make yourself at home." She gestured to his shoes in a suggestion that he took them off. "That's right, would you want to have lunch with us, Tanuma-kun?" she offered, glancing at Natsume, who smiled gratefully. "I have made extra today."

Tanuma's grip on his school bad tightened.

"Thank you, Fujiwara-san, but my dad said he'll get home early today to celebrate and has probably cooked something for lunch so..."

"I'll go get you a glass of water then, Tanuma," Natsume said and disappeared into the kitchen.

"Ah, I see, I see," the woman nodded in understanding. "Last day of exams huh. It should be celebrated indeed. I was happy to hear about your plans to go to the sea next weekend. Be sure to have lots of fun! You boys have earned it!"

"Yes, thank you..." Tanuma found himself smiling back as happily at Touko-san, who radiated motherly tenderness. What a wonderful house... A wonderful family. Natsume seemed happy to be with these peoeple. He always talked about them with utmost respect and gratefulness.

Natsume came back with the water, and Tanuma drank it with much zeal.

"Want another one?" he asked.

"I'm good," Tanuma assured, wiping the one drop that had slid down his chin with embarassment. "Thank you for everything... I should be going now..."

"Thanks for dropping by!" Touko-san waved goodbye.

Natsume followed him outside to see him off. It was awfully stale and hot, seemingly tenfold since they had just come out the comfortable temperature of the house, and Tanuma felt like he needed to dive into a pool of water then and there, with his clothes. He readjusted his bag's strap on his shoulder nervously, feeling his pulse go faster and faster, thumping against his temples.

When they were together, Tanuma was always inspired by the sudden need to be gracious and kind. And it was all Natsume's fault. Natsume, with his soft voice and gentle words, his beautiful amber eyes that gave understanding gazes, his delicate thin fingers and the way he caressed the flower petals on his way home - every action of his had made Tanuma pay attention and get mesmerized more and more, little by little.

It didn't feel wrong at all. It was something that he could not have controlled. And he was certain there was no malicious intent, no malicious source behind all of this. So how could anyone claim that it was wrong and evil? It couldn't be. Impossible. Such a warm and fuzzy feeling...

The tall boy stopped in his tracks.

"Tanuma? What's wrong?"

"I have... something I want to give you. Something for you to read," Tanuma spoke with a rough and shaky voice. He reached into his bag and retrieved a white envelope with a trembling hand.

Natsume frowned, noticing that his friend's face was overcome with seriousness. Tanuma wasn't smiling anymore.

"It's not yokai-related!" he explained quickly, seeing how he had frigthened him. "Not at all... I promise."

As soon as Natsume's fingers closed around the edges of the envelope, Tanuma let go of it. "I hope it won't trouble you much. If possible... I hope it won't affect our friendship." He seemed to be at a loss of words, his eyes moving about in a panicky manner, unable to look at Natsume. "I-uh, have to go now. Thanks for the water. See you!"

Natsume watched in bewilderment as the taller boy bolted off , exiting the yard with his school bag flailing behind him.

"Tanuma..."

He looked down at the envelope, flipping it over. It was blank, but there seemed to be a letter inside. Utterly confused, he headed back inside, deciding to read it in the privacy of his room, as it appeared to be important. Why write it down instead of talk about it directly? It didn't make sense. Perhaps it really was about yokai?

.

.

.

Natsume,

First of all, I want to apologize. For my cowardness that lead me to write this cowardly letter. And for the trouble I am about to cause. But there is something I've been meaning to tell you for some time now.

The truth is, I believe that you are a very important person to me. You are always there, always trying, always kind. It has made me see myself a bit differently, to think twice about some things.
I really like you.

I'm sorry if this letter has made you uncomfortable. I understand that you most certainly do not feel this way. You certainly have the right to not talk to me, if you wish. I will take that.

Please, be assured, I won't trouble you with this again. It was just something I needed to tell you.

I'm sorry.

.

.

.

"Is that all? Is this why you've stayed cooped up in your room for the past twenty minutes? Even though Touko-san annanounced that lunch a while ago? Pathetic!" Nyanko-sensei huffed after finishing reading the letter he had forced Natsume to drop by headbutting the boy's chin with all of his weight- err, allmighty power.

"Give it back, Sensei!" Natsume grumbled, rubbing his aching chin with an angry furrow in his brow.

"Tch. Humans. You idiotic bipeds with your flirt antiques... Getting all illogical and supid over some courting... seriously..." the cat mumbled.

Natsume snatched it away from the cat's paws with force and stood up on his legs, staring down at Nyanko-sensei furiosuly. "I didn't want you to read that!" he yelled, voice cracking and eyes watery. "I really... didn't want you to read this, Sensei..." he repeated, the arm clutching the letter dropping to his side in defeat.

Witnessing the outburst, the ayakashi was, for once, silent despite Natsume's tone. Nyanko-sensei hopped on his favourite green pillow and curled like a shrimp on it. "Don't get too caught up in thought. Touko-san's lovely food is waiting," he mumbled calmly.

Natsume exhaled deeply and leaned on the closet door, feeling very tired. No. It was wrong of him to shout like that. Yokai don't understand how their actions hurt people sometimes... he should know better than most.

"It's just that matters like these are a delicate subject for humans, usually. It is embarassing to have others know of your feelings. It might be humiliating in some cases," he explained, having regained his calm.

"But this isn't your letter," the cat pointed out.

"No, but it's my friend's letter. And it is equally important to protect and cherish."

Nyanko-sensei's ears shifted. "Mhm. Okay. Whatever. I understand."

Natsume stared down at the messy characters on the paper that had started to get crumbled from the sweat and pressure of his hands. He grimaced and rushed to refold it more neatly.

"Takashi-kun! Are you coming? Is something wrong?" Touko-san's voice sounded from downstairs.

"Yes! Sorry, I'm coming!"

He put it back in the envelope carefully and bolted to the stairs.

Reading that letter had made all kinds of emotions and thoughts go wild. Since when? How did it come to be? Why? And... what exactly did it mean... Natsume understood the words, but he couldn't wrap his head around it.

"Takashi-kun, you still haven't changed out of your school uniform?" Touko-san asked when she saw him entering the kitchen.

Natsume looked at the table that was filled with all kinds of colourful, tasty things - fried shrimp, Nyanko-sensei-s favourite included. Then he glanced over at Touko-san, who seemed perplexed at his hesitation and silence.

"Touko-san, there's something Tanuma forgot and I need to get to him. Is it okay if I eat later?"

"It's okay yes, but..."

"I'm really sorry... It's.." He felt the envelope on his thigh, his eyes fiery, filled with a sudden spur of determination. "...something important."

The woman managed to offer a smile despite her confusion. "Then go. I'll keep it warm for you."

Thank you for reading.