A/N: Enjoy!

WE TOO, WILL BE STORIES IN THE END

'Disappear? You mean leave them without saying anything? How can I do that? Touko-san and Shigeru-san would worry. They would call the police. Tanuma and Taki would think that something went wrong and that I would search the forest fruitlessly. Natori-san as well. Nishimura and Kitamoto... they'd be sad too. I'd cause trouble for everyone - how can I do that after everything that they have done for me?'

'Trust me Natsume, every day longer you'll spend with them, the harder it will get, the worse it will be when they are gone. And if you see them die, that is what you will remember for the rest of your life. Listen to me, and leave, as soon as you can. You will save both yourself and them a world of pain if you do so.'

'I am not as strong as you think I am, sensei, especially with goodbyes. I'm scared.'

'I know.'

'Do you really mean it sensei?' Natsume asked softly.

Madara waited for Natsume to elaborate.

'I've thought about it all this time but I don't know what path I should take. I scared, terrified. I feel lost and sad and I don't want to believe this all happened, and you are the only one that I can turn to. I'll do what ever you say. So do you really mean it? Do you really think I should leave?'

'I can offer you no other path.' Madara said sincerely.

'I trust you.'

'That's all I can ask.'

How long can I stay here?'

'That entirely depends on you, Natsume. How long do you want to stay? How long do you think you could stay after all this?

'Two months. Give me just two months.'

'Okay.' Madara agreed. 'We'll also use these two months to prepare.'

'Prepare?'

'I'll teach you some things that will be useful.'

'Like what?'

'You'll find out.'

A few moments passed in silence before Natsume spoke.

'Sensei?'

'What is it now?' Madara asked, not unkindly.

'I said that I'll leave in two months, but where will I go? What will I do? It makes no sense to leave here and go settle in a different place. I've sold my family home as well, and the only money I have is my inheritance and the money from the house.'

'Hm. Sometimes I forget how much humans have changed over the years.' Madara said, taking a moment to think.

'I propose a journey. We'll travel, both through human cities and youkai forests. You won't need to carry much: a backpack will serve you fine. We can stop in a human village from time to time for a month or two, and find some work. When we've earned enough and re-stocked on supplies we can leave again. The forests are more that sufficient in providing shelter for the night, and they are not as scarce of food as you might think. The world has a lot to offer you. There are humans and youkai to meet, places to see, things to learn... This "immortality" is not all that bad, if you allow it to be. Just look at me, I've lived for too many years to count, but I still look forward to what tomorrow might bring.'

'But for what, sensei? What purpose?'

'Purpose, huh? I guess it's early days for you.' Madara said with wryness. 'But If if it's a purpose that you're looking for, then I'd say the Yuujinchou is a pretty good start.'