Help from Hidden Writers

Memories and Bonds, Part 1

Requested by venusaura; Prompt: Shutendouji alters Natsume's memories so she will stay by his side;  Set after Help from the Shadows

Sounds of running footsteps echoed through the dark night as Amano Natsume, member of the Youkai Tanteisha and reincarnation of Shuka, former Youkai Queen of the Youmakai, rushed to her school in Sakura New Town. 

Natsume groaned out, "Ah, why did I have to forget my textbook at school?! It's bad enough that I was left out of so many lessons because of Mister Movien kidnapping me, Touma, Akinori, and Keisuke, but to forget something like a textbook is just too much!" 

That was a true point. After they had been rescued by Ayame and her best friends plus some others from Mister Movien, their kidnapper, they had returned to their hometown, where they managed to tie up the loose ends that they had left open before. 

It's been a week since they left, huh?

Natsume's footsteps began slowing down as she thought of the 4 adults who had helped Ayame in rescuing them, but who had to go home shortly after the final battle. 

Those 4 had managed to purify Jorogumo, Shutendouji, Douketsu and (indirectly) Rasen, and gave them a second chance which none of them had ever thought of doing. 

We were too focused on fighting them. We never believed that they deserved a second chance. Natsume reflected.

None of them would like to admit it, but those 4 had impacted them greatly despite having known them for only a few hours. What they had done was something that none of them had contemplated at all. 

No wonder Ayame-chan likes them more. Natsume mentally chuckled. 

Suddenly, she heard someone walking towards her from behind. 

"Hime, what are you doing out here so late?" a VERY FAMILIAR voice called out from behind her. 

Natsume stifled a groan, mentally begging in her head that it was NOT who she thought it was. 

Unfortunately, it was, "It's 8 p.m., Hime! You should be at home now!" 

"Sakami-kun, what do you want?" She tried to keep her tone neutral, but she couldn't help but feel an ENORMOUS headache coming because of her self-proclaimed servant, Sakami Haruya AKA Shutendouji. 

"I felt your presence and wanted to escort you."

She turned to tell him off- 

Pain suddenly exploded from her head the moment her eyes met Haruya's blue ones, which were glowing for some weird reason. 

"AHHH!!!!" Natsume screamed out in pain as she fell to her knees. 

The world began to spin. Her vision began to blur. She could only hear chanting from Haruya. She tried to fight it, but it was too strong.

The only thing she could see clearly was Haruya, regret deep in his eyes.

"I apologise for this, Akino-san, Rau-san, Choiseung-san, and Chenhua-san, but I must ensure the Hime's safety." were the last words that Natsume heard before she blacked out.