A/N: GOMENASAI! This took WAY longer to upload then it should have. Even though is summer, there were a lot things that came up that I didn't expect to take too long. Not to mention the urge to keep making changes to the chapter every time my eyes came upon it.
But you guys were patient and I really appreciate that. The next chapter will soon be up.
I do not own this lovely series called Natsume Yuujinchou. I only own the two OC youkai.
Several rushing footsteps continued to echo through the hallways as Natsume dashed through temple's first floor. He managed to create a large gap of distance between himself and his pursuers. Times of escaping from youkai proved to quite helpful in situations like this. However, this chase was more prolonged than most instances and Natsume himself was quickly running out of energy.
After turning the corner, Natsume spotted an open, unlit room up ahead. He peeked and slipped inside after noticing it was vacant. He quickly closed the door a few seconds before the others turned the corner. Sitting against the adjacent wall, he allowed himself to quietly catch his breathe. Though the room was dark, Natsume saw another door on the other side of the room. So regardless of what entrance Matoba's servants arrive from, Natsume could still escape through the other door.
From what Natsume assumed, almost everything was according to plan: him acting as a distraction to pull away attention from Sensei so that Sensei can escape and find the jewel. But Nyanko-sensei took a direct hit from Matoba's spells and he couldn't easily transform, especially without causing a big commotion. Which was the last thing either of them needed. So what was Sensei planning?
The sound of a door opening disturbed Natsume out of his thoughts. He got up, noticing one of Matoba's servants calling others for help. Whatever Sensei's plan is, I'll have to take his word for it. Natsume quickly turned around and headed towards the opposite, closed door. Hearing the familiar whirl again, he dodged the incoming shikigami. However, he realized too late that it wasn't directly aimed at him. It slipped through his feet and tripped him. After colliding into the wooden floor, not even seconds later did he feel something tightly wrap his wrists together. He quickly looked up and saw another shikigami sealing the door…his escape route.
"I'll assure you that things won't follow your plan as easily as you want to," Matoba informed as he entered into the room.
Natsume remained still as he felt forcibly picked up by the two human servants to stand.
"Saisei-sama!" a familiar voice called out.
Saisei lifted his hand off a youkai, finishing his healing on him. Saisei then turned his attention to the voice, seeing Chimeu running towards the spring's deity. Once by his side, the bodyguard knelt to give a bow but Saisei nodded to drop the formalities.
"What's the status of the others?" Saisei inquired.
"We were able to avoid causalities this time around. Though there are a few remaining that are critically injured, everyone else seems to be recovering well, thanks to your help," Chimeu informed his master.
"Thank goodness. I'm not sure how many close encounters like this we can handle."
"What about you?" Saisei asked as he got up and scanned his master's body. "How are you're wounds?"
"I feel much better, thank you. You need need no longer be concerned of it," Saisei answered.
Upon hearing this, Chimeu let out a peaceful sigh."That's a relief," Chimeu replied, with a hidden soft smile, before turning his head towards the west. Saisei traced his follower's gaze.
"You're worried about the boy," Saisei inferred.
"W-what? Of course not!" Chimeu replied, now startled out of his thoughts. He then defended, "Why would I care about a hum-"
"If you're worrying about Natsume-sama, he'll be a-ok!" said the middle-class ogre that popped out from behind. Startled, Chimeu jumped from his and his ox friend's sudden appearance. The ogre tensed his muscles to appear tough as he continued, "Our Natsume-sama is strong enough to take down any foe, whether it be an exorcist or a scary ayakashi. You know the wild, white beast that you've seen with Natsume? He is so strong, he can use one punch to easily take down that menacing, alcoholic canine"
"Menacing, alcoholic canine!" the ox youkai repeated cheerfully.
Watching the merriment of the youkai, Saisei gave a happy chuckle. "See, Chimeu? I'm sure there is nothing to be worried about."
You still don't realize it yourself, Chimeu thought, giving a quick glance to his master before looking back towards the west, why you chosen that child of all humans to help.
"It was rather bold, if not stupid, to track me down here. Did some friends help you get here?"
Natsume remained silent as he walked between Matoba's two servants, his head hung down as his captor led them through the seemingly endless hallways. He may have been caught but he wasn't planning to stay long nor entertain Matoba with that thought.
"Not talkative today, are you," the exorcist pointed out, sensing the boy's defiance. There was another silent moment as they continued to walk.
"I wonder how your foster parents would react if I brought you back home like this," Matoba mused out-loud. Natsume's eyes twitched but Matoba continued. "Of course, I could tell them whatever reason I please to explain your sneaking around here or perhaps," Matoba gave a slight pause before resuming, "…you want to tell them something else? Maybe something that you've been hiding a little too long?"
Natsume eyes widened in horror at thought. His chest began to tighten as his mind flooded with racing imagery…Touko's frightened expression…Shigure's state of speechlessness…Worst of all, their constant worry and anxiety for his well-being here on after, likely leading them to an early death.
…all because of me...
"P-Please," Natsume finally spoke though unintentionally with a hint of desperation, "Please don't do that. I'll do anything! I'll—"
"Is that so?" Matoba immediately retorted, a hidden smirk forming.
Natsume's eyes widen further. He knew where Matoba would go…his alternative offer.
Knowing that Natsume understood, the man darkly added,"You have to learn that there are consequences for your actions, especially for those around you"
Natsume's head fell, continuing to remain silent. Matoba took the boy's new quietness as his acceptance of his defeat.
I have to get out of here quickly, Natsume decided. Up ahead, he heard voices approaching and becoming louder. Great, if Matoba could become distracted just long enough, he could sneak out of here. As one of the voices' owner turned the corner, Natsume felt a strange sense of familiarity to the person. When the second person turned the corner, he understood why.
Tanuma…
He wasn't going to drag him into this.
Natsume looked down again as he walked, hoping that if they don't make any eye contact, his friend would not notice he was here. However, he heard the other footsteps come to a halt and felt a heavy stare upon him. Subconsciously, the stare pressured Natsume to look back up. Surprised eyes met with frightened. Natsume feared for the worst.
A/N: Fear is an interesting emotion to write because how one reacts to it various from person to person. Hopefully in this case, it was written in character. I think I brought this up in Pace but Natsume's fear of the Fujiwaras knowing goes back to when Tanuma mentions about Natsume not wanting them to worry. It is true worrying can cause a lot of stress on the body (especially if happening daily and it never resolving) though chances are Natsume's fear exaggerating just how much. Of course, Matoba is playing with these fears.
Next chapter should be up soon. It will be when Pace intertwines with the story except it will be written under Natsume's perspective
Unrelated to this fanfic at all but for anyone interested in the Hetalia fandom, I'm writing a collab fanfic with TanakaTarou called Breaking the Ice which I'm shamelessly advertising here. It is a fantasy AU focusing on the FACE family (though they're sorta split apart) but will also be featuring many other characters. The fanfic is under the pen name Tomatoes and Turtles.