Hehe, in a Natsume updating mood :) I actually like this story, since it's something that doesn't have romance in it, nor is it boyxboy :P I apologize for the short chapters! Anyway, enjoy, my beloved readers~! :D

~ ( O w O ) ~

Secrets of The Family

Chapter 3 : Not Here

Huff... Huff...

Leaves of low branches and bushes rustle as he runs through, trampling wildflowers and weeds on his way. His breathing is labored and the muscle of his legs are aching from the exertion. Honestly, he should be used to all this running already!

He pushes a particularly low branch that is abundant with leaves, unaware of the root that juts out from the ground. His foot makes contact with the root and he stumbles, nearly dramatically face-planting like he nearly did in class.

"Natsume... Natsume Reiko... Return my name or I'll eat you..!"

Yes, once again, he has been mistaken for his late grandmother by another ayakashi. It has become a daily occurrence for one Natsume Takashi with the appearance of ayakashi, demanding for their names once more.

Natsume slips the book from his school bag as he makes a sharp turn behind a tree. Imagine the ayakashi. He waits for the surge of power and the flipping of pages as he imagines the ayakashi, but nothing happens. What?

"Reiko..."

Natsume is frantic, quickly getting up on his feet and running as quick as he can. The chill of the ayakashi sends shivers down his spine as its dreadful claws reach for him.

"I'm sorry, but I don't have your name!"

"What? How dare you lose my name! You imbecile! You take my name for one human day, and lose it on the next!"

"What? Wait!"

Natsume skids to a stop, turning around to face the ayakashi that is still chasing after him.

"Return my name, imbecile!"

"I said. WAIT!"

BONK!

~ ( O w O ) ~

"Ah, I see... Now that I look at you better, you're not Reiko, but you do look a lot like her..."

"Yeah, I get that a lot."

"But, I just saw her yesterday. She challenged me to a game, telling me that I could eat her if she won. Have you seen her, grandson of Reiko?"

"Oh, no, I haven't seen her. The last I heard of her was that she passed away at a young age. That girl you met must have been trying to impersonate my grandmother..."

"No, no, I'm sure that she is Reiko. She had a strong spiritual aura and you look a lot like her!"

"Oh, I see. I'll let you know if I see her again, ayakashi-san."

"Thank you, grandson of Reiko..."

The violet-haired ayakashi stands up, her gown trailing down towards the ground as her cloth mask flaps in the evening breeze. The face of fox is drawn on the small cloth, and the small bells on her ribbon jingle softly. A strong gust of wind blows by, forcing Natsume to shield his face. Once the wind is no more, the ayakashi is no longer there.

A rustle of the bushes to his right catches his attention, and his sharp eyes catch sight of strands of blond hair disappearing into the green. He quickly moves to catch the person, be it ayakashi or not. However, there's no one there when he breaks through the green.

Now, Natsume's troubles have doubled. He'll have to deal with the suspicious transfer student, and investigate this person who's impersonating his grandmother!

Sorry, it's rather short! :( Hope you liked it! Review, review! :D