Really sorry for the late update! I had a problem in accessing my Fanfic account and couldn't upload it!
This is the fixed version for chapter 3. Sorry for the miss!
Chapter 3
"Natsume! Where are you! If you can hear me say something! Natsume!" shouted Tanuma as he and Nyanko-sensei made their way into the forest.
"Wait Tanuma. I see a cave. That might be it. But be careful, I feel a strong presence." warned Nyanko-sensei.
"O-okay."
"Wait! Something's coming out!" Nyanko-sensei shouted suddenly.
"Natsume? Is that you?" asked Tanuma as he saw Natsume come out into the light.
"..."
"Natsume? What's wrong? What happened to the youkai that kidnapped you?" questioned a worried Tanuma.
"Wait. Something's not right. Look at Natsume's eyes, they're glazed over. He might be possessed."
"Natsume isn't possessed, fat cat. I'm just guiding him." replied the youkai as it came out of the cave. "Now Natsume, bring the boy to me."
"..." Natsume slowly walked towards the two with an emotionless face.
"Natsume! Wake up! I know it's not you doing this!" shouted Tanuma.
"..." But Natsume kept walking forward without so much as a glimpse at Tanuma.
"It's no use. Your voice can't reach Natsume."
"Wh-what did you do him!?"
"I only asked him about his guardians, and he's the one who asked me to make a request. I only told him to let go of his consciousness, so he did it of his own free will. You can't get him back now." explained the youkai.
"Natsume, if you really let go of your consciousness of your own will, then there's nothing we can do for you. You'll have to escape its influence on your own." said Nyanko-sensei as he held Tanuma back.
"Natsume! Please wake up! Tooko-san will be worried if you don't go back! Are you okay with that!?" shouted Tanuma as he struggled out of Nyanko-sensei's hold.
"..." Natsume's pace slowed, and a single tear slid down his cheek. "Ta-nu-ma? Nya-nko-sensei?"
"Natsume, you realized!"
"Natsume, you know what'll happen if you don't bring that boy to me, right? You won't put your heart-warming guardians in harm's way, will you?" cooed the youkai.
"That's filthy! How could you use them like that!? How could you trample on Natsume and their feelings!?"
"Y-you said you won't touch them... Was that a lie?" Natsume weakly whispered.
"Hmph, you thought I would make an actual deal? You must be more of a fool than I thought!" cackled the youkai. "You are no longer needed for my plan, Natsume. Disappear."
At the same time the youkai slashed at Natsume. Instantly, Natsume's back began to bleed through the four slash marks.
"Na-Natsume!" shouted Tanuma and Nyanko-sensei.
"Hahaha! So long for you! If you just listened to me, you wouldn't have had to feel any pain. Now for you, kid." the youkai slowly walked towards Tanuma as it extended its hand. Just as its power started to stretch towards Tanuma, a shadow jumped in line of fire.
"Na-Natsume!" shouted Tanuma as Natsume dropped to the ground.
"Amazing, so you still had energy to move? Though looks like you won't be getting up anytime soon. There'll be no interferences this time." chuckled the youkai.
"Ponta, can't you get rid of it!?" yelled Tanuma, still watching Natsume's unmoving body.
"No, since he didn't force his first victim, no outsiders can interfere." replied Nyanko-sensei.
"But..."
"Ugh! Y-you better not touch Tanuma, you youkai!" suddenly Natsume shouted barely supporting his weight on a stick. He grabbed his yuujinchou and summoned Misuzu.
"Oh Natsume-dono, have you finally come to call my name? What can I do for you?"
"Mi-suzu, can you take care of this youkai? Just away from us, don't hurt it though." replied Natsume as he struggled to breath normally.
"Okay. I could just kill it, but if that's what you wish I shall comply." Misuzu grabbed the youkai and flew a little way off.
"Na-Natsume!? You okay!?" Tanuma ran forward as Natsume lost consciousness.
A few days later
"Ugh... What am I doing here?" whispered Natsume as he tried to get up.
"Natsume! Your awake! How're you feeling?"
"Um, good. What about you? What about the youkai? What happened afterwards?"
"After the youkai you summoned took it away, you collapsed. So we took you to a hospital. Don't worry we didn't tell Tooko-san anything." explained Tanuma.
"Okay... Thanks."
"It's okay, I was the one that was helped. It's the least I can do. Thanks, Natsume."
"But you were there only because I was. So sorry I had to involve you in my problems."
"It's okay. I said I wanted to help you if you were ever in trouble, right? You would do the same for me, so why not?"
"Thanks."
"No problem. You should rest for now, the nurse said you'll be in here for a little while. Really, thanks for helping me."
"It's not a problem. Then I guess I'll sleep for a little bit." replied a groggy Natsume.
"Okay. See you in a little bit."
End