Kizuna

(Natsume Yuujinchou x Tensei Shitara Slime datta ken)

Author's Note: This fanfiction was inspired by harunekoya's "Worthy of A Name" and "The Human Mask" featuring a human-turned-god Natsume, as well as reading Tensei Shittara Slime datta ken manga chapters. Please be warned that this fic will involve slash sometime later in the story so don't read this if you don't like slash stories. But, it will be mostly gen...probably...with hints of romance (or its the other way around?). This is a crack fic after all so no real deep planning was made in this story.

Hope you enjoy!

Warnings: OOCness (it is inevitable), may have failure in writing the game-like parts in this story, future slash pairing

II: Life in the Ogre Village 2

Red flames blazed as it morphed itself into the shape of a huge wolf-like creature. It romped around, leaving ashen footprints on the ground, before promptly disappearing at the will of its creator. This creator being a two horned, grey-skinned, and silver haired male ogre child whom was fondly called "little blacksmith" by the other ogres. He let out a sigh of relief as he brought his hand to his chest as if to comfort himself.

He then looked to the village head's wife who also doubled as the magic instructor of the village, revealing his light green eyes. "How was that, okusama?" He asked politely.

The older female ogre applauded lightly and gave him a closed smile. "You did a great job, little blacksmith. Your [Fire Manipulation] has gotten even better but I suppose you should work on raising the heat of your flames and making sure it doesn't go out of control. That's your assignment for now." She said as she evaluated him.

"I understand, okusama."

He was about to sit together with the other students when a flower-inducing voice called out to him. "You did great, nii-chan!" He looked to the side and saw a child clone of okusama staring at him with starry eyes. He noted that the only difference between mother and daughter was that the latter had tear-like markings instead which had been inherited from the father.

Takashi wasn't sure what made the princess of the ogre village to act so familiarly like this when he had done his best to be as polite as possible to brush her off. Perhaps it was because he was the first student of her mother to willingly attend the magic lessons? He didn't know but decided to keep up his wall of politeness.

(It's still hard to think of this place as home. I can't afford to be too close to anyone here in this village. I'm scared of what they might think of my secrets...)

"T-Thank you very much for the compliment, hime-sama." He said with a tiny bow. It was a bit nerve-wracking considering their different social statuses (here in the village, hierarchy was unmistakably important). He was now an inhabitant of this world, he had to adapt after all. He remained silent while trying to avoid her eyes.

She was then gently directed by her mother to perform element-based magic. "Come now, my dear daughter. It's your turn to show me how much you've improved with your control."

"Yes, okaa-sama!" The young daughter of the head answered excitedly. "I'll do my best!" She then gave Takashi a glance and a small wave with her hand.

He nodded shyly in return and took a seat on the ground, not noticing the person sitting a few meters beside him.

I'm glad that's over with. I'll have some free time after this lesson, I wonder what should I -

"Oi, little blacksmith."

Huh?

Sitting at his side was a male ogre child with red skin and wavy crimson colored hair. His two horns and the tear-like markings on his face gave evidence to his identity as the young master of the village head. "Y-Young master?!" He stuttered but quickly resumed his calm.

A small closed smile appeared on his face as he addressed the slightly older boy. "What is it, young master?"

A frown made its way on the young master's face. "You - I don't understand you." He crossed his arms in frustration.

"What's there to understand?" Takashi asked, still keeping his seemingly serene expression. He glanced at the magic being performed at the front and then returned his gaze at the red skinned ogre. "I'll be going ahead now, I have some things I have to attend to. Please excuse me, young master." He gave a bow before proceeding to tell the head lady his excuses.

The young master watched in slight interest as the silver haired ogre moved until he left the site. He then grumbled in annoyance.

"He didn't even give me any more time to speak. What a rude kid, he just up and left!"

"Ara?" He heard as an ominous aura emanated from his side. The red-haired boy turned to look to see his mother and younger sister staring at him with scary grins on their faces.

"O-Okaa-sama, i-imouto-chan..." He trailed off in hesitance. He laughed sheepishly as he tried to retreat. "I thought you were still busy with the magic evaluation - "

"Did you just speak ill of little blacksmith?" His mother asked as she grabbed his shoulder.

"I-I didn't!" He stammered.

"Don't lie, onii-sama!" His little sister exclaimed from the side, her cheeks puffing. It was clear that she liked the silver-haired boy, platonically or romantically was his personal question. But the signs seem to be more of friend than crush quality...

"Okay, fine!" He eventually relented. "I called him rude, but not to his face!"

His mother sighed. "My son, you have to understand, it's still bad to speak ill of people even if they aren't within the vicinity." She took a seat beside him, her hand letting go of his shoulder and turning to rest on her lap instead. "Especially of that child. He was young when he lost his parents, his only living relative is his uncle who is the current head blacksmith of the village and a direct subordinate of your father. We infer that the reason he is so closed off to the others and puts up a wall of politeness is to prevent himself from feeling that same loss he felt when his parents had died."

"He has his uncle, doesn't he?" He asked, his tone a bit more solemn.

"Onii-sama, that uncle is a direct subordinate of otou-sama, remember?"

"So?"

She smacked his shoulder, her cheeks puffing once more. "Don't be an idiot, that means he's busy because he has to run the forge everyday!" She then stood up, putting her hands on her hips as she faced him. "Meaning, he doesn't spend enough time with little blacksmith-niichan!"

"Oh," he muttered.

"Just be patient with him, alright?" Okaa-sama asked before leaving him with his sister to go evaluate her other students.

"Un..."

TBC