Really long author's note of doooooom. Not really, just long author's note.
I've been bad about responding to reviews, haven't I? Alright, well, since it seems like it's usually the same person anyway, here's a response to the last one:
They're short for a reason. When I started reading fanfics, I often didn't have time to finish reading super-lengthy chapters for one reason or another, and would get frustrated when I then had to go looking through 10,000 words to find where I left off. It bothered me so much that I decided to go with shorter chapters so when people read my fanfics, they'd always know whereabouts they left off and wouldn't have as much frustration as I did. That's why they're shorter than some other fics.
As for Kantarou's response to Natori, you are right that he usually doesn't judge until he gets to know someone, but, knowing how much the Natori family would have come up in his research over the years, you can imagine that he wouldn't be particularly fond of their methods, and he was obviously trained under his ancestors. Haruka's negativity would also get to him to some degree, so I don't think it's too out of character. Then there's the fact that Natori is in any and all ways more successful than Kantarou, as well as being a fellow exorcist, which would make him jealous for obvious reasons. Also, because he's an exorcist, it wouldn't be a stretch to imagine they'd at least seen one another before. Natori goes to little clan meetings with other exorcists, and I'd imagine Kantarou would too, if only for bragging rights about Haruka, and before he found Haruka, to get clues as to where he might be. Plus... It's in Kantarou's nature to insult people he disapproves of. Hasumi is a lovely example. A few quips from the manga. "Oh, hey prickface." "My noble quest of beating Hasumi's ass depends on it." And of course, "See? He's even poor. Drop the dud." Of course there's also the time he got enraged when he found out about Hasumi's experiments on Rosalie... My point is, insulting people he dislikes is very much in his nature. That said, I probably should have had him throw in a few insults about Minamoto. I doubt he'd go so far as to insult Ibaragi, as she's a demon, but Minamoto, he could have at least said something like, "that pompous ass." In fact... I think I'll use that line.
Same responses... Yeah. They do that. But that's just how it is. I mean, he's not going to come out and suddenly be like "JK, I LOVE YOU ALL, GROUP HUG~" that'd just be madness and difficult to keep up with. I guess I'm trying to be consistent? I should probably have made that last chapter an extension of the one before, but... I don't really like editing my chapters because then things get complicated and people have to go back and reread everything and... Blah. At any rate, I felt it important to include some help-getting, especially since it'd be Natsume's friends. Hinoe in particular- I can't imagine her NOT going. Of course, Misuzu will also be useful because his name is in the book... Now that I think of it, I should've included Tama. Tama was so adorable~ too late now though. It's time to go! I think I have a general outline of how it's going to go down, so hopefully I won't screw it up!
As for everyone who hasn't commented: DO IT. Reviews encourage me to keep writing because they assure me that people care enough about the story to take the time to write a note about it. Even if it's just "You suck." or "Keep up the good work!" just something to let me know you care is all I ask, because honestly, most of the fics that are on hold on my account right now are on hold due to lack of reviews. Just FYI.
Enough with the rant. Let's get on with the chapter, shall we?
They hadn't gone far when the mini mob came to a screeching halt, "I'm not going any further," Sugino warned, looking back at Kantarou, "You may have a death wish, but I'm going to pass on that." This said, Sugino took off rather suddenly. In truth, they were only about ten miles from Kantarou's home, and were currently over a dense forest.
Confused, as she couldn't see or hear Sugino, Sasada looked back to Kantarou and asked, "Why'd we stop? Are we here already? I don't see anything..."
"You don't see anything because there's nothing there," Kantarou said with a small chuckle, "We stopped because Sugino-sama took off and said he wasn't taking us any further. I can't say I blame him. Minamoto's nearby... But I don't sense Natsume-kun or Ibaragi."
"She could be shielding his energy," Haruka reminded, "Though that doesn't explain Minamoto. Either way, we should get going before he notices-"
"Oi~ Demon eater! Come down here, will you?"Minamoto called from somewhere in the foliage beneath them.
Squirming a bit as he tried to look down to see if he could spot Minamoto, Kantarou told Haruka, "Be careful, and don't get too close."
Haruka was a bit more hesitant about going to play with Minamoto with Kantarou in his current condition. He'd have to dodge blows from Minamoto while being careful to properly support Kantarou. "Are you sure? We could just keep going. We've been flying in pretty much a straight line for a while now, so we should be able to see something if we just keep going." He pointed out.
"But Minamoto might be out here keeping an eye out for us, ready to warn Ibaragi the moment he sees something suspicious." Kantarou countered, "As much as I'd like to, we can't just ignore him."
"Come on down, I have something good to tell you!" The man called up to them again.
"He may not be suspicious about the rest of you. Keep your distance... If there's trouble, Haruka will use his lightning." Kantarou told the others. "Hopefully we won't be long. Go on, Haruka." Cautiously, the tengu lowered himself to Minamoto's level. Of course, he was sure to keep his distance- about thirty feet up and thirty feet away. Enough space to see him and not have to yell while still far enough to evade, or at least see most attacks coming.
"Ah, you're still alive. I suppose that's a good thing," Minamoto commented when Kantarou was within sight. "You look like hell though."
"Stop acting like we're old friends." Kantarou snapped, "What did you call to us for?"
Minamoto frowned playfully, "No need to be so hostile- I just wanted to talk." When there was no response aside from the suspicious glares of Haruka and Kantarou, he added, "I wanted to tell you you're going the wrong way. You want to go East of here." He pointed, in case there was any confusion as to which direction "East" was.
"What do you have waiting for us in the East?" The priest wondered, not believing for even a moment that Minamoto was actually trying to help them.
With an annoyed sigh, Minamoto's face became suddenly serious, "We can go back to our regularly scheduled battle tomorrow, for now, our goals are... Similar enough. I assume you're here to rescue that boy?" Met with more silence, he continued, "Ibaragi needs to learn her place. As I'm sure you already know, that boy has something to do with the Book of Friends. I presume you've heard of it- you've probably done more research than Ibaragi has on the matter. Rin tried to deny his involvement, but he's a poor liar, at least on that particular subject."
A somber recognition of the name came over Haruka, and he shuddered. He couldn't remember who the name belonged to, or why he loathed it so, but it was undeniable. "Rin?" He questioned.
"He introduced himself as Maeda Rin. Judging by your reaction, I was correct in assuming it was an alibi. I found it rather amusing that he should come up with the name Rin, don't you?" Minamoto said, taunting Haruka a bit.
Left out and confused, Kantarou attempted to change the subject, "What-"
"What do you know about that name?" Haruka cut in, completely ignoring Kantarou.
"Ahh, I suppose you wouldn't remember, would you? No matter- don't worry yourself with that now. Once we've awakened you properly, I'm sure you'll remember every last detail about Rin."
Knowing that Haruka's past was a sensitive subject, and that teasing him about it was an inherently terrible idea, Kantarou shouted, "WILL BOTH OF YOU SHUT UP! I don't know who you're talking about, but frankly, it doesn't matter right now. Why are you saying Ibaragi needs to learn her place?" Haruka was a bit hurt by this, but he still couldn't quite grasp why. Giving up, he looked off to the side, turning his head. Thankfully, he'd become so used to disguising his emotions that he looked more annoyed than anything.
"Hmm, well this is something even you can relate to," Minamoto replied, "She seems to think that Book of Friends is more important then the demon eater."
Kantarou blinked, utterly shocked, "More important than Haruka?!" He gasped.
"That's what I said! What could possibly be more important than him?!" Minamoto enthused. Though they were both on entirely different ends of the spectrum as far as Haruka went, they could at least agree that he was more important than a book.
"Setting aside how horribly creepy it is that you two are both saying this right in front of me," Haruka interjected, trying to remind them that they weren't alone, "I don't see why it's our problem if she wants to chase the stupid book instead of me. Isn't that a good thing?"
"Absolutely not!" Kantarou replied, looking to Haruka with his all-knowing expression. Of course he hadn't forgotten who's side he was on. "You can fend for yourself, Haruka. That book, and it's owner for that matter, aren't prepared for that yet, especially not against Ibaragi. So I understand where you're coming from, that it's in everyone's best interests to correct this behavior." He added, turning back to Minamoto. "I've amassed an army of my own for the occasion. Can I trust you to lead us to her?"
"I expected nothing less," Minamoto said with his usual smartass grin, "As long as you don't mention my name who showed you the way, I've no complaints."
Kantarou nodded curtly, "Haruka, let's go tell the others about this... You think you can keep an eye on Minamoto from the canopy?"
"Of course I can." Haruka mumbled, almost insulted. "As long as he stays in relatively clear areas. I can't see through the trees." Without hesitating for instruction, the tengu made is way up toward the others.
Knowing they were all curious as to what had happened, Kantarou .summarized, "We're experiencing a truce with Minamoto. He's going to lead us to where they're keeping Natsume-kun... Though this is a "truce," I still don't trust that guy, so keep a lookout for traps or anything suspicious." With this said, Haruka took off after Minamoto, and the others followed. Though everyone had unanswered questions such as "why the truce," they knew it was not the time to ask. For now, they needed to focus on Natsume. They could ask all of those questions and more once he was safe and sound.
Pretty short chapter, it was mostly to let you all know that I haven't forgotten about you. I'm still here~