Chapter 10: Eliminated Clan
By the time Natsume made his bed, showered and got dressed, one of Matoba's knocked on the door. "Master is waiting for you in the dining hall." it bowed and said. Natsume nodded and walked down the staircase, the servant closing the bedroom door as Natsume walked out of the room.
"Did you sleep well, Takashi?" Matoba was sipping his coffee when Natsume entered. "Mm..." Natsume fidgeted as he saw Matoba. "Sit down, Takashi." Matoba put down his cup and took his hand. "Come," The servants then came in and served breakfast. Nanase knocked on the door. "Matoba. There is something I need you to see." she was holding some documents. "Later, Nanase." Matoba waved her away. "I'll see to it when I'm done with breakfast." Nanase bowed and left the dining hall.
Natsume had no choice but to sit on the chair Matoba had pulled out for him. "Eat. We have a long day today." Natsume glanced at Matoba. "You are already part of the clan. You still want to run away? I had said many times, didn't I? No matter where you go, half-breeds are not welcomed anywhere but here." Natsume looked at the sky sadly. "Is this our fate?" he said. "Maybe Takashi. Those who don't know anything decided the fate of your clan." replied Matoba. "If you stay here, you'll be fine."
"Ever since I was born, no one had ever been friendly to me. The world has abandoned me, was what I thought. The clan was obliterated by who?" said Natsume. "By the humans. You may not believe it, but it was the truth. The authorities who decided the Natsume Clan will pose danger to humanity in the future, must be eliminated. Assassins, hitmans, syndicates, and the worst of all, they even hired armies and warfare experts to eliminate the Natsume Clan." As Natsume listened to Matoba's story, his insides iced up. How can humans be so cruel? Are they even humans?
"Don't cry, Takashi. No one will try to kill you here." He kissed Natsume. "You are mine. No one shall take you away." "Why...? I am just one of the many people in the society." Natsume's tear dripped onto the tablecloth. "I knew you were still alive. The towns and cities you used to live, the people there only remembered you as 'the strange boy'. They don't understand a single thing." said Matoba.
After breakfast was over, Matoba dragged Natsume to his study. Nanase was already there waiting for them. "Where are they?" Matoba said. "In the guest room. But first, read this." Nanase handed Matoba the documents. Matoba took it and went to his desk. "Natsume, you may sit there." Natsume made his way to the nearest chair and drifted off into his thoughts.
"What is their objective?" said Matoba, after a while of silence. "The 'power' strong enough to eliminate the world." said Nanase."But there is no such power." replied Matoba. "There is, a long time ago."said Nanase. "Yes, of course. The power of the Natsume Clan."
After a while, Matoba dumped the documents with a loud thud. "Come, Takashi. We're going to meet those idiots." Natsume could only look and follow. When they stepped into the guest room, Natsume saw that 'guest' Matoba was expecting was, the clan that was known for craving for power. The Kiria Clan.