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 Shitara 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

VI: Misuzu 3

It was another pleasant morning when the little blacksmith ogre finally aroused from his sleep. He reached out to rub his eyes as he struggled to properly get up. However, once he sensed a familiar aura just outside his home, he immediately sat upright and slowly called out the yokai's name.

"Misuzu?"

"I am here, my lord." The dark skinned yokai immediately answered, his huge eye peering inside from the open window to his room.

Takashi sighed in relief and got out of his bed to approach his friend. "I'm glad you're here, Misuzu. I've missed you." He petted his large snout gently, giving himself a more solid evidence of the fact that the yokai was right there in front of him.

Misuzu closed his eyes in the rare occasion of enjoying his master's touch. He could feel his master's tender and nostalgic gaze upon him and knew that it was time.

"I suppose you are in dire need of questions, my lord." He stated before opening his eyes to stare at the young ogre's light green eyes. Natsume-dono smiled gently and nodded, stopping his petting and moved back inside.

"Let me just change, I'll be down in a bit."

The yokai nodded in acquiescence and drifted downwards, patiently waiting for the former holder of the Book of friends to appear.

" — be going out now, uncle!" He heard the boy shout while running out with his hair in disarray.

"Wait — ittle black — !" The rest of the older ogre's words were unintelligible as the two, both master and servant, had already begun to move away from the house.

Misuzu found himself chuckling. "Dear me, what a strange master I have. You did not have to rush, your answers will not be going anywhere after all." Instead of the expected nod, the former human shook his head in disagreement.

Humming in curiosity, the Lord of the Bell-Crying Swamp asked why despite already having an inkling to the boy's thoughts. Even back when the boy had been human, his intuition had been strong.

"It's just a feeling," his master answered. "I have this feeling that you cannot stay long here."

"You would be correct in that regard," the yokai spoke, praise filling his tone. "The result of my summoning and your Unique Skill was a compromise set between us and the system these denizens so respectfully call the [Voice of the World]."

"By us, were you possibly referring to the yokai whose names were held within the Book of Friends?" Takashi questioned. His eyes held a bit of longing in them and his aura tasted nostalgic to the spirit. "And what is the time limit of your presence in this world? Why is there a time limit in the first place?"

"Why indeed." A familiar answer escaped his lips as if in jest, a reminder of the same answer he had given back when he was being interrogated by the former human. The two were at the base of the hill where the Glass Leaf tree grew now. On their way to it, they had passed several ogres, both young and old, waving at them in either joy, excitement, or respect. Surprisingly, none had cowered away in fear.

It was that kind of world where the strong ruled over the weak, and the weak respected the justifiably strong. Somewhat similar to the world of spirits.

"Misuzu." The scolding tone was clear in the boy's tone but the spirit knew it was more in annoyed fondness rather than true anger.

A breeze blew past them, causing their attention to drift over to the Sword Ogre who was in the middle of training the younger ogres. The old-looking ogre paused and turned to look at them as if sensing their stare. He nodded in acknowledgement then returned to devoting his concentration of teaching the younger generation.

"Misuzu...will you tell me now?" Sadness suddenly washed over the yokai, his master's emotions being quite overpowering but not to the extent of losing his senses. How negative of the boy, he thought idly.

"I'll answer your questions and more once we reach your favorite place." He pointed at the Glass Leaf Tree that sat on top of the hill.

"How did you — "

"It was very simple, my lord. I simply asked your uncle and he answered."

"I see." The walk uphill for the young ogre was silent with Misuzu simply floating beside him.

.

.

.

"We have arrived."

ooo

In another part of the village, a scout arrived in front of the matriarch of the tribe. Beside her were the other leaders within the village as they spoke of what to do with newly discovered Unique Skill holder. The scout was another budding warrior who delved deeper in the shadows compared to the frontline fighters of the village.

The young scout ogre had dark skin tinted with blue which made it look overall grayish. A single white horn protruded from his forehead, parting his long dark blue bangs from his face to reveal blue eyeshadows underneath his blue eyes, and two canines peeking from the corners of his upper lips. He wore tight fitting clothes and his signature scarf.

He was called Blue Scarf Scout Ogre because of his tendency to wear scarves no matter what weather or occasion.

"You may report." Okusama ordered the young scout.

"Yes! There were sightings of the chief together with his personal guard fast approaching the village. I infer that in half a day, they shall arrive." He reported. "Awaiting your commands, my lady!"

"Announce of their arrival to the village but tell the villagers not to mention a word of the little blacksmith and his summon. The leaders and I will be in charge of disseminating this particular information to the head! My word will be held even after the chief's arrival and anyone who disobeys will be punished!" She ordered immediately with rest nodding along behind her. It seemed that they already had a plan regarding the blacksmith ogre's nephew.

"I shall do as you command!" And then the boy disappeared.

TBC