Journey of Natsume Takeshi

Chapter 11: Mysterious Power

"So you have come," Matoba smirked. "Of course. To the world's greatest exorcist, who is said to have such power, who wouldn't?" the guests replied. "And who is that, Master Matoba?" said one of the guests, noticing Natsume behind Matoba. "He certainly looks familiar, but I can't recall where." another replied. "Gentlemen of the Kiria Clan, please calm down. This boy right here has nothing to do with what we are about to do, so can you please be so kind as to ignore his presence?" Matoba settled himself opposite the guests. "Of course, but his identity begs our curiosity." said the leader of the clan.

"That symbol...you belong to the Kiria Clan?" said Natsume quietly. "Yes, of course, boy." replied the man next to Natsume. "Who are you?" "I...I am Natsume Takashi." replied Natsume softly. Only Matoba and the man next to him was able to hear his words. "Did you say Natsume?!" he screeched. "Calm down, Kiria Ren." said Matoba. "You've been hiding such power within your clan, Matoba?" said the Kiria Clan leader. "I never said he was the source of my clan's power. He doesn't even remember his own ancestor's name, let alone his power." said Matoba. "I don't believe you." said Ren. "Then, what do you want me to do about our deal?" said Matoba.

"Will you join our clan?" the Kiria Clan leader bowed before Natsume. "How ridiculous. What I said was the truth, but you chose not to believe. Well then, suit yourselves, but this boy is off limits." Matoba rose and left with Natsume. The guests glared at Matoba as he dragged Natsume out of the guest room together with him.

"What were they talking about?" Natsume asked. "Don't bother asking them. They only wanted your power." replied Matoba. "My power?" Natsume looked up into the sky. "Don't try to fake it, Natsume. Faking it once won't make it work twice." said Matoba. "But I don't even know how to use it. What if I have been using it unconsciously? Won't everyone will be a slave to that power then?" said Natsume. "True," said Matoba. " But you know it well." As they were staring at the sky, the tree shook. "What?" Natsume was shocked. The guests pop out from the bushes. "What are you doing there?" said Matoba. "Can you just help us by sacrificing a bit of your power?" they pleaded. "We don't have a power source," said Matoba. "Can you?" they asked Natsume.

"I don't have such power," said Natsume. "Really? Then tell me how did your clan half-obliterated the world?" they replied.  They kept grabbing onto him and pulling him. Natsume's head begun ringing and started getting headaches. Ouch! What is this pain? Ouch....

Natsume's consciousness drifted away and his other half took over. "Leave. Leave at once and never come back." The guests suddenly forgot their reason and walked away. "I hope they don't come back." said Matoba. "I knew you had the power, but since when did you become two beings in one body?" "We were originally one, because of that incident, Natsume couldn't tell between reality and his consciousness, he forgot everything. Until now, I have all the memories he should have." "All because of that incident?" said Matoba.

"And you have captured him, even if he wanted to leave, he couldn't. He couldn't bear to leave you alone in this mansion with only Nanase and the demons." said the 'demon' Natsume. "Oh?" Matoba wasn't surprised at all. "Don't lie, Seiji. You knew about his feelings long ago. In fact, you used to be his childhood friend." said 'demon' Natsume. "But he forgot everything. I couldn't do anything." said Matoba. "He will. Bring him back to the Natsume Clan Headquarters. He is the last head. He will know what to do once he regained his memories."