Chapter Text
Takashi sat perched on the ledge just outside their cave, fingers idly stroking the smooth clay of the rabbit mask. A gentle smile had settled on his lips, the wind playfully tugging at his hair and robes. Some nights, he would sit out here, just appreciating the life around him as he stared at the celestial bodies twinkling in the heavens. Some nights, like this night, he would don the mask he was given and think of all the kin it represented.
He looked up, the rabbit mask perched comfortably on his face. The full moon lit up the sky, clearing away the darkness of night. Takashi smiled wider, eyes closed as he basked in those gentle rays. The moon was a kind and gentle mother to him. She watched over him throughout the long nights. He could feel Tsukiko’s love with every caress of the silvery light beaming down to earth. And though he missed her physical presence, he gratefully soaked up any form of affection he was given.
When a shadow fell over him, he opened his eyes, greeted with the sight of Madara's white fur looming over him. He reached up a hand to pass his fingers through thick strands. Takashi heard Madara grumbling above, probably trying to feign annoyance at the gesture even as the youkai leaned further into that gentle touch. Takashi giggled at the thought and Madara leaned away slightly with a huff. The wolf-youkai stepped back enough to look down at the small child.
"Come, Natsume. It is time for you to rest." Takashi simply nodded, climbing to his feet and brushing the dust from his clothes. Without another word, Madara picked Takashi up with his teeth, turning tail and striding into their cave until he reached the alcove they always slept in.
Settling down for the night, he lowered the child between his outstretched forepaws. Takashi leaned back against Madara's chest for a moment before shifting, sliding down until his head was pillowed on Madara's left arm. The boy set his mask beside them and looked up at the youkai with a thankful smile, eyes already half-lidded with the promise of sleep. "Good night, Madara-san."
Madara hummed, the vibrations ticklish against Takashi's back. "Night, you brat." Takashi just giggled softly, settling himself more comfortably as he dozed off. Madara lowered his head, the thick fur of his neck scruff nearly covered Takashi entirely, acting as the child's blanket.
...
Riou looked around curiously, the faint scent of a human carried to him on the wind. He had overheard some of Mizuki's followers talking of a kind human recently. He wondered if this was the same person.
Deciding to investigate, Riou took to the air, moving in the direction the breeze was blowing from. Luckily for him, his followers weren't with him today. He knew they meant well but they were not fond of humans, and he knew they didn't like him going down to that human village either.
He descended slowly, his wings folding against his back neatly once his feet touched the soil. He peered out across the tiny river he was led to...and there. There he was. A little human child, tucked up against river-smoothed rocks and letting some fish nibble on his fingers. The child giggled at the ticklish sensation, lazily gliding his hand through the slow currents as the fish gave chase.
Riou had barely taken a step forward when the child looked up, gazes locking together.
.
Takashi felt the lightest touch of spiritual energy across his senses. When he looked up, he found himself staring directly into blue orbs. He held in a gasp, the youkai - cause that could only be what it was - looked akin to the angels from western culture he once read about. He hesitantly broke gazes with the other, glancing behind him where he could just barely make out Madara's presence. Takashi relaxed his tensed shoulders, feeling safe in the knowledge that Madara would protect him if anything happened. He turned back to look at the youkai, white feathery wings and pale blue hair were their most striking features. They wore a simple white yukata and no shoes.
He drew his hand from the water, giving the youkai a timid wave and a shy smile. The winged youkai gave him the same in kind, smile a little brighter and their wave surer. Takashi relaxed at the friendly response, his own smile widening a touch. He folded both hands in his lap, feet tucked beneath him and he licked his lips in preparation to speak, "Would...would you like to join me?" His voiced pitched with uncertainty at the end.
The angel-youkai nodded, wings opening to allow them to float the short gap between shores before folding back once more. Up this close, Takashi's eyes widened as he realized just how tall this person was. If his smile wasn't so soft, Takashi would have felt threatened with how the other just seemed to tower over him.
He gave another hesitant smile, "Would you like to sit down, um...?" Takashi cut himself off, hoping the youkai would fill in the blanks.
The tall man seated himself at the offer, tucking his own legs beneath him as well, settling an appropriate distance from Takashi. He turned his head to the other, never losing that calm smile in his voice, "Thank you, child. My name is Riou, lord of the forest just across this river. And your name?"
Riou's voice was soft-spoken, even as it seemed to ring out with obvious power. Takashi lowered his eyes in respect, his already soft voice barely above a whisper as he responded, "Natsume Takashi, Riou-sama."
Riou laughed gently, waving his hand dismissively. "No need for the honorifics, Natsume-kun." He waited until Takashi nodded his assent before speaking again. "Are you by chance a relative of Natsume Reiko?"
Takashi nodded again, "Yes. She was my grandmother."
A thoughtful look crossed Riou's face. He laced his fingers together, setting his hands comfortably in his lap. "Ah. I see. I can only assume that means she has passed away by now."
Takashi nodded again, looking down at the fish still swimming leisurely in front of him, unbothered by the presence of another. He looked back up at Riou. "Yes. Did you know her?"
Riou let out a low chuckle, his eyes closing with his mirth. He opened them again, gazing down at Takashi with a fond gleam in his blue eyes. "She was certainly a lively human. Always trekking through the forests, challenging any ayakashi she came across to her games. A clever one, that girl. She even managed to win the names of myself and a number of my followers."
Takashi had brightened up at hearing more about his grandmother, leaning a bit closer in interest. He fiddled nervously with his fingers for a moment before shyly peering up through his bangs at the other. "Can you tell me more about her?"
Riou's smiled softened, already growing fond of this tiny human. He stretched out the wing closest to Takashi, beckoning the boy to sit closer. Takashi complied, shuffling over till he was nestled just within reach of the wing, the feathers brushing ever so lightly across his arm. He settled as comfortably as he could on the grass. Riou's gentle voice swirling around him as he began his tale.
.
It was already growing dark by the time Riou had finished. Takashi had been tucked up against the other's side at some point, nestled within the delicate confines of the youkai's wing. Takashi was completely relaxed, Riou's presence a soothing balm to him, not unlike Madara or Tsukiko's. He felt safe in this being's loose embrace, coupled with Madara being there at his back, assuring that no harm would befall him.
Takashi sat up from where he had slouched against Riou's side. He blinked up at the other, Riou smiling as he rested a gentle finger on the boy's sandy locks. Takashi's eyes fluttered at the soothing touch, struggling to keep his eyes open as he yawned. He looked up again when the youkai let his hand fall back into his lap. "Um, Riou-san?"
The youkai hummed in response, "Yes, Natsume-kun?"
"Would you like your name back?"
Riou paused for a moment, obviously caught off guard by the question. He stared down at Takashi, tilting his head a little before he replied, "I would certainly appreciate having it back. Why do you ask, Natsume-kun?"
Takashi fidgeted a bit, knowing within his heart that he could trust Riou but always hesitant because of Madara's warning. He wasn't supposed to tell unfamiliar ayakashi about the Yuujinchou. But telling Riou would be fine, right?
Takashi mentally nodded, confident in his decision. "Can you meet me here again tomorrow?"
Riou's wing curled a little tighter around Natsume, feathers ruffling with soft sounds. Riou smiled reassuringly. "Of course, Natsume-kun. If that is your wish." They both looked up when they heard a faint call of 'Master?' in the distance. Riou chuckled, "It seems my followers are missing my presence. Till tomorrow, Natsume-kun. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Riou-san."
And with that, Riou gracefully rose to his feet, wings already spread as he began to take flight. Takashi stayed where he sat for a few moments longer, watching as Riou's figure disappeared within the distant treeline. He heard Madara's footsteps, then a gruff sigh, feeling the small burst of breeze the huff caused against the nape of his neck. He rose from the ground, dusting off his yukata and turning to Madara with a bright smile. He stepped forward, bumping his forehead against Madara's snout, giggling when the large wolf-youkai bumped him back affectionately, nearly knocking him clear off his feet.
Madara grumbled in mock irritation. "Damn brat. Giving away more names." Takashi only giggled louder, threading his fingers through white fur. Madara closed his eyes at the pleasant feeling, a low rumbling growing in his chest before shaking off Takashi's hand, grumbling louder. Takashi merely hid his smile behind his hands, trying not to laugh at Madara purring like a kitten; he knew Madara wouldn't appreciate it, probably sulk until morning and pretend to be mad at him.
Takashi yawned again, eyelids fluttering for a moment before he peered back up at the youkai. Madara's golden gaze had softened a touch with fondness as he sniffed delicately at his charge, making sure that other youkai hadn't somehow managed to place a curse on the boy when he wasn't looking.
Satisfied that Takashi was unharmed, Madara lowered himself onto the ground, picking the boy up by the collar of his robes as usual, and setting him on his back. "Alright, brat, time to go back home." Madara stood when he felt Takashi grip some of his fur to secure himself. With a gallop, Madara launched himself and his passenger through the trees and into the sky, making his way back to the cave they called home.
When they reached back, Takashi had been crowded inside by Hinoe, while Madara followed behind at a more sedate pace. Takashi was seated in her lap, eating a few berries as she brushed his hair. He told her about his day and about the new youkai he met. Hinoe hummed in interest, asking a few questions here and there, but generally letting the boy talk himself to sleep.
...
When Riou arrived back where he met Natsume, he was greeted by the sight of the boy slumbering against the belly of a large beast youkai, with said youkai curled protectively around the boy. One golden eye opened to focus on Riou before closing again, obviously dismissing him as a threat. This must have been the scent he kept picking up on when speaking with the young human yesterday. Riou smiled at the thought. Good to know the child has a guardian to keep him safe.
He let his wings take him across the river just like the day before, settling some feet away from the other youkai, not wanting to provoke a possible fight.
The wolf-youkai merely huffed, raising his head from his forepaws, and nudging the boy's chest with his snout. Takashi blinked dazedly for a moment, amber gaze drifting around his surroundings before landing on him. The boy immediately sat up, a small smile on his lips. He patted the youkai's side, said youkai huffing good-naturedly, before making his way closer to Riou.
Riou smiled gently at the boy, enfolding him in his wing's embrace as he did the previous night. Takashi settled against his side, before pulling a green book out from his haori jacket's sleeve. Riou wasn't surprised at the sight of the yuujinchou, having expected it when the child asked about returning his name. But that didn't stop his amazement as he watched the child work.
He opened the book to a random page, setting it on his lap, before whispering 'Riou'. Pages turned rapidly as if buffered by an unfelt wind before stopping suddenly, a single page sticking straight up. Takashi plucked free the offered page, pressing the paper to his lips and clasping his hands as if in prayer. With a deep exhale and a surge of spiritual energy, he could feel the power he once had return to him along with his name.
Riou breathed deeply, adjusting to the new energy. He looked down at the boy when he felt Takashi slump more heavily against his thigh. Riou let a fond smile cross his lips, stroking a finger over the child's hair in gratitude. "Thank you, Natsume-kun. You didn't have to do this."
Takashi sluggishly lifted his head to face him, blinking tiredly after releasing the name of a powerful youkai. "I did. It's your name. 's not mine to keep..." Takashi's blink got longer and slower, until his eyes closed entirely, head landing with a light thump on Riou's thigh. Riou let out a chuckle, the poor boy completely tuckered out. Riou let his hand rest on the child's back, appendage nearly dwarfing the boy, and cradling him. He glanced up at the white youkai only to find a golden stare locked on him in turn.
Riou smiled amicably, "A precious child he is."
The wolf-youkai just huffed in agreement, raising to his feet and shaking out his fur. He strode closer. Riou tenderly picked Takashi up, cradling the sleeping child to his cheek in silent farewell, before handing the boy off to his guardian. Takashi, even when dangling by his robes from between the youkai's teeth, still remained fast asleep. The child must have exhausted his energy returning his name, and Riou felt infinitely more grateful.
Before he left, the beast youkai narrowed his gaze at him. "The boy will want to see you again. Don't disappoint him." That was all he growled out before taking to the air, obviously returning to their dwelling to let the child rest comfortably.
Riou smiled to himself. That human child was a special one. To have completely wrapped powerful youkai such as himself and the wolf-youkai around his little finger is a testament to that. Maybe that little human could bridge the gap between their species one day. He was certainly looking forward to watching how the years played out.
------
Benio made her way through the trees, on her way to the cave she knew Madara took a liking to. A hand-painted lacquer box cradled securely in her arms. She hadn't seen Madara for quite a while now, not even at the celebrations. And that worried her. For what reason would Madara miss out on the opportunity to get free liquor? She shook her head. It was simply inconceivable.
That's why she was going to find out.
Now standing at the mouth of the cave, Benio paused. She tilted her head. Was that...giggling she heard? Now she was really curious.
Stepping further in, she walked until she saw the great youkai lying on his side, probably dozing. She took a step forward, about to call his name when she paused again, a shape wiggling free of the long white strands of fur. Then the thing made a sound, the giggling she heard earlier, she realized. That's when she caught that faint scent of human, buried almost entirely under the musk of Madara's own scent.
It was a child, and a human child at that.
She froze, the box nearly slipping from her fingers. She knew that Madara tolerated Reiko, but a child? Oh, she must find out more.
"Madara-sama?" The wolf-youkai huffed irritably, obviously having known she was there but paying her no mind. The child looked up at her with wide amber eyes, merely observing her since Madara hadn't growled and deemed her a threat.
"Alright, kid. Get off." The boy complied easily, sliding off the youkai's belly and onto the ground, turning back to wave shyly at Benio. Benio waved back without thought, confused as to why Madara had a child with him and why said child wasn't afraid of them. Madara climbed to his feet with a grumble, shaking off any dirt from his fur before facing her, the child standing patiently at his side. "Benio. Why are you here?"
Benio opened her mouth to answer when another's presence caught her attention. Hinoe strode past her, picking up the child and setting him on her hip before greeting her, "Ahh, Benio darling. It's been awhile, hasn't it?"
Now Benio was even more confused. Hinoe was also involved? How very odd. "Yes, Hinoe. We haven't met up since the Fall celebrations. I see you have been busy?" She raised an eyebrow, hoping Hinoe or Madara was willing to elaborate.
Madara remained quiet, settled on his haunches as he watched them, content to sit back and listen to them talk.
Hinoe merely hummed in acknowledgment, pressing a kiss to the child's crown, nuzzling his cheek with her own. The boy giggled and hugged her neck before leaning away again, still curious about their visitor. "Hinoe-san? Can you put me down please?"
"Of course, my child." Hinoe did as asked, setting the boy on his feet, before straightening up.
The boy approached Benio, stopping a polite distance away and giving her respectful bow in greeting. He peered up at her through his wheat-coloured bangs. A small smile graced his lips, and she could feel one tug at her own lips in response. "Hello, Benio-san. My name's Natsume Takashi."
Benio's eyes widened at the name. Natsume? Now that she looked closer, the child really did favour Reiko greatly. She glanced up at Hinoe, getting a nod. Benio let out a small breath. Knowing how short human lives were, that could mean that Reiko was already gone. She looked back down at the boy. She crouched to his level, that smile tugging at her painted lips again without her consent. "Hello, young Natsume."
"Why are you here, Benio? Did your master send you?" Madara asked again. Benio straightened from her crouch, Takashi retreating back towards his guardians. She furrowed her brows, her lips downturned with a frown.
"My Master?" Her eyes widened a bit as she connected the dots. "Oh, so this is the little human my Master has been fawning over. But no, that wasn't the reason. I haven't seen you at any of the celebrations and wondered where you disappeared to. And since it seems to have a lot to do with him-" She cast a quick glance at the child before locking gazes with the other two youkai. "Will you at least tell me why you have a relative of Reiko's with you?"
Madara huffed and turned to go deeper into the cave. "Might as well get comfortable. This might take awhile. The other three followed behind, settling on some floor cushions that Hinoe had brought back on one of her earlier trips. Takashi had settled in Hinoe's lap as they talked, her long painted nails tenderly carding through his hair. Madara started off first, explaining where and how he found the child, and just why he brought the child back with him.
Benio could understand that. If it was up to her, she may have taken in the child as well. A relative of Reiko, and a fragile child that wasn't receiving proper care. She may not be fond of many humans - will even eat them on occasion - but even she isn't that heartless.
Then Madara let Hinoe continue off from when she first met the boy. Takashi piped up every once in a while to add his own two cents through the retellings, but mainly stayed quiet. He was eventually lulled to sleep by their voices and Hinoe's fingers massaging his scalp. Once he was asleep, Benio opened the lacquer box she had nestled on her lap. And to Madara and Hinoe's delight, it held a sealed flask of sake - some of the good stuff - and some saucers to drink from.
After a round or three, Benio could admit to herself that the kid was pretty cute. Tucked up against Hinoe's chest, face pressed to her shoulder, cradled with one arm while the woman's other hand held her saucer. Takashi breathed steadily, long sandy lashes delicately brushing his cheeks, lips slightly parted with each breath.
Yeah, definitely a cute kid. And so well-mannered too. She could see why her Master certainly seemed to be so captivated.
She wouldn't mind seeing what this one would grow into.