A/N: This chapter is a lot shorter than my others ones and that it is the same events of the other story (I would call it chapter 6.5 but unfortunately fanfiction won't let me). This is Natsume's/outside perspective of one the events that happened my other fanfic Pace. You don't need to read one to understand the other (but I hope reading both enhances the experience nonetheless).

Enjoy

Disclaimer: I do not own Natsume Yuujinchou

Tanuma stared back at Natsume with a shocked expression. From the gaze, Natsume suddenly felt more aware of his body: feeling his heart beat loudly, and his throat becoming dry. What should I say?

At the corner of his eye, Natsume saw Matoba motion a signal to his servants and with a nod, they tightened the space around Natsume as they walked.

"Good afternoon, Master Matoba" Natsume heard Tanuma's dad greet, who seemed unaware of Natsume's presence. Matoba returned the salutations before his gaze turned towards Tanuma and asked "Who might you be?"

As Tanuma's dad introduced his son, Natsume's ears picked up on a certain set of words: "…leader of a very powerful clan who is facilitating this meeting that I was talking about"

Meeting? Was that what Taki was talking about earlier? Natsume watched Tanuma bow though he saw his eyes were trailing on something. What was he looking at? Natsume followed his friend's gaze which ended on his own wrists. Could Tanuma see the paper?

"Who's the boy?" his dad seemed to notice Natsume, though not clearly as he swayed slightly side to side to get at a better view.

"Ah, yes. A neighboring boy was looking for his father who was attending this meeting but he became lost" Matoba explained.

Natsume looked off to the side, taking much of his self-control to not react to Matoba's lie. Not that Natsume silently didn't appreciate Matoba unintentionally distancing Tanuma into this mess. It was the fact that the man used his father-his dead parents- to help get away with his plans. Natsume clenched his fist to control his anger.

Then it occurred to Natsume: Tanuma knew that his parents were dead. Was Matoba testing him? With the back of his eye, Natsume caught a faint reaction from Tanuma, eyes slightly widened. Please don't have Matoba catch tha-

"The two of you are around the same age" Matoba noticed, cleverly masking his detection yet confirming Natsume's dreaded suspicions.

"Now that you mention it, isn't that your school's uniform?" Tanuma's dad pointed out.

Natsume's eyes widen in panic though Matoba's grin seemed to gain a more a mischief glint.

"Oh? So perhaps you know each other?" Matoba pressed out the words Natsume hoped he wouldn't.

With his wrists locked together, the tight space around him and his friend within radius, Natsume never found himself more trapped. More than ever did Natsume wanted to pull away and run away from here quickly as possible. He could manage to escape from Matoba's group, now that they were distracted with other people. But Natsume couldn't. Not without rousing suspicion from Matoba and possibly creating a new target out of Tanuma or his father.

"No, just someone I have seen at school" Natsume heard Tanuma explain. Natsume looked back at Tanuma, who gave off a neutral look.

"That's unfortunate" Matoba said with an unsatisfied sigh before checking up on Natsume. The possibility of the boys having a silent exchange didn't occur to the exorcist until now. Not wanting to foil Tanuma's diversion, Natsume nonchalantly looked ahead. Matoba narrowed his eye in suspicion but Natsume showed no reaction.

The exorcist then refocused his attention on Tanuma and his father, smiling before casually suggesting, "I'm sure you two would probably be good friends"

"Probably" Tanuma replied indifferently.

"Sir, its time" one of the other servants reminded.

"Ah yes", Matoba confirmed before politely ending the discussion, "It was nice meeting the both of you"

"It was an honor" Tanuma's father replied as both he and his son gave a bow. Feeling a slight nudge on the back, Natsume followed Matoba as they past by Tanuma and his father, both friends not daring to gaze at the other until they was out of sight.

A/N: While there is a bit to go (with parts beyond the events of Pace), this fanfic will definitely be finished before the end of this summer (because I have one or two fanfics in the workings).