A/N: Yes, I updated :D I'm realized I'm almost at my one month time limit. I'm really sorry I suddenly left you guys like this. I had to make some really important decisions about my future plus my school won't cut us a break from work. Still, I really appreciate the support I get from you guys. I am still am quite busy but I won't take one month for the next few chapters, I promise. Speaking of chapters, did you know that when I first wrote chapter one of this fanfic, I had planned to end it by the fourth chapter? Funny how things work since it is going to a bit longer than that XD
And without a further ado, enjoy the chapter :D
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Natsume Yuujinchou other than the OCs.
"Are you sure you don't want us to come?" Saisei asked worriedly, starting to slowly approach the two of them.
"No, you guys are both hurt and need to rest up" Natsume replied as he motioned the guardian to stop.
"Besides, we don't need any dead loads dragging us down" Sensei added in.
"Sensei!"
"What did you say?" Chimeu questioned angrily but the cat simply stuck its tongue out.
Chimeu then approached Natsume and put something in the palm of his hand. Natsume looked down to see it.
"A bell?" Natsume asked in confusion.
"You might not need it now but keep it with you just in case. Ring it if you're in trouble" Chimeu ordered before returning back to his master's side.
"Thank you" Natsume said, stuffing it deep into his pocket so he would not lose it.
"The last place we saw Matoba head was somewhere west. Ask the local youkai there. If any of them give you trouble, just mention my name" Saisei informed the two.
"Thank you, both of you", Natsume replied gratefully. Nyanko-sensei jumped onto his shoulders and they turned to head out.
"Be careful" Natsume heard Chimeu distantly yell. Natsume waved back as he continued to walk through the forest with his bodyguard.
Just as Saisei suggested, they began asking around local youkai if they had seen traces of the exorcist anywhere. The responses were mostly unfavourable, many shuddering or fleeing in fear at the mention of the name. However, Saisei's name had been pretty helpful though when dealing with the more hostile youkai.
"Based on the few helpful responses we got, this place might be where that one-eyed punk is hiding" Sensei spoke as Natsume and him stared at the building ahead of them.
"I didn't even know such a building existed around here", Natsume commented, "Do you think it's another of Matoba's houses?"
"Strangely, it might be not", Nyanko-sensei answered in disbelief as he jumped off of Natsume's shoulder, "While there is some strong spiritual energy, it's not the negative kind"
"What do think we should do, Sensei? This place doesn't seem harmless but this could be trap Matoba set up and-"
"Natsume-kun?", a familiar female's voice called as Taki stepped out of the nearby bushes with colored-stained clothes, "What are you doing here-Kitty!". Taki pounced on the unamused fur-ball and tightly hugged the creature in her arms.
"Taki", a startled Natsume spoke before asking, "What are you doing here?"
"I usually come here to pluck berries", she said before pointedly gesturing at the nearby bushes that she had just walked out of, "This area has the best tasting ones though lately, they have been becoming sour"
Does the springs effect such a wide area?
"Do you know anything about that building?" Natsume asked before pointing to it.
Her fingers began to rest on her chin as she took a moment to think. "If I remember correctly, it's one of the main Buddhist temples. Though through the noise I heard coming earlier, they're probably having an important meeting today"
Buddhist temple? Why would Matoba be allowed in?
Noticing Natsume's silent pondering, Taki asked "What's the matter? Is this somehow related to a youkai problem?"
Natsume internally debated if he should tell Taki about the situation. He had never brought up the topic about exorcists to anyone but Natori, Tanuma only recently discovering about them accidentally. Natsume didn't know how she well she would take it. Still, she knew the area better than he did. . . but if he said the wrong thing and brought up bad memories. . .and if Matoba sees her with him and-
"Natsume-kun?" Natsume heard her call him out of his thoughts. He turned towards Taki, who seem to be looking down with her bangs covering her eyes.
"I know you can't tell me everything. . .and I know there is a lot that I can't handle yet but. . .", Taki quietly started before looking up with determination in her eyes, "If there is something I can do to help, please don't hold back because of me". Natsume's eyes widen in surprise but Taki continued, "While I haven't completely gotten over it, that incident happened a long time ago. Besides". Her expression soften, looking slightly embarrassed though smiling warmly "I owe you my life. If it weren't for you, I would not have not made it this far. That's why". She held onto one of his hands and looked him in the eye "Though I might hold you back, if there is any way I can help, please tell me"
Natsume smiled. I am truly grateful to have such caring friends.
They sat down nearby the bushes, whose berries Nyanko-Sensei had starting munch on, as Natsume explained what happened. He left out the details of who exactly stolen in, just assured her that it wasn't a Buddhist monk.
"Sounds tough", Taki commented, "Though I'm sure there's a way in. They usually keep a few windows open for fresh air so we can start searching for that"
While not walking too close to the building, they searched for windows that would be easy to slip into. However, after circling the temple once or twice, they did not find any. Madara reasoned that Matoba probably predicted a youkai would come after him so he probably ordered someone to close them.
"Still", Nyanko-sensei added, "He probably did it in a rush so there might be some windows that aren't completely closed"
"Hey, I think I found an opening but", Taki exclaimed before pointing up, "It might be too small"
"No, I think we can pry it open" Nyanko-sensei examined.
Nyanko-sensei transformed and flew to the nearby window. After finding the opening and surveying the scene inside, the beast let a puff of air flow through his nostrils and blew through the crack. However, he forced it too strongly, causing the window to suddenly slide across open with a loud thud. The noise startled him, jumping slightly higher from the sound as a reflex.
"What's wrong, Sensei?" Natsume called up.
"It's nothing! Everything's fine!" the cat reassured.
"Are you sure? Because if it is too difficult, we can try searching for better-"
"No, don't worry! Coast is clear" the beast hastily argued before rushing down to pick up Natsume.
"I'll be off" Natsume told her before he climbed onto the invisible creature and flew to the window. Like the beast did before, he peeked in before climbing onto the ledge and pulling himself up.
"Natsume-kun?", Taki called out before he could slip inside. After he turned his head, she continued, "Be careful"
Natsume smiled. "I will" he assured her before he disappeared out of her sight.
A/N: I'm so happy I got to write about Taki-san X3 I originally wanted to include her in my first fanfic but I couldn't find a fitting spot for her so I'm glad I did with this one (though sadly, she will only appears in this chapter). I don't know why but I really like her character. You probably will hear me say this every time I write about almost every character in this series (this series makes it really hard for me to truly dislike anyone) but there is something original and refreshing about her, I really don't know how to explain it. Either way, she is in my top three favourite characters for this series (again, the way Midoriawari-sensei writes her characters makes it hard for me to have a definite favourite) and I hope to write someday fanfic based around her X3 I find it really sweet how both Tanuma and Taki really want to help Natsume with his problems. I wish they appear more in this series.
Enough with my pointless ramblings, thanks for reading :D