Chapter Text
There is always clan business to attend to, but it’s not unusual for the head of the Matoba clan to pursue a promising bounty by himself. Unbeknownst to his fellow exorcists, Matoba Seiji has even undertaken several jobs off the record over the years. But for all the times he has spent information gathering, there must always be decidedly clear results. Matoba can’t afford to have the other exorcists questioning his trips or decisions; he intends to return with something beneficial.
Matoba dutifully waits for enough time to have passed from this Eastern Forest incident before he makes his next move. He studies maps of the areas near Takashi-kun’s home and selects a forest that is nearby, but likely far enough away to be free from the boy’s influence.
Before leaving, he stops by Nanase-san’s room at their current base of operations. The older woman is in the middle of arranging a complex bouquet of flowers, but she glances over as he stops in the doorway.
“There are rumors of a powerful ayakashi residing in a forest not far from Tsunagi,” he states.
Nanase-san hums thoughtfully, but when she doesn’t comment any further, the Matoba clan head turns to leave.
“That’s not far from where Shuuichi-san and his young friend reside, is it not?” She phrases it as a question, but Matoba knows her well enough to know it’s more of an observation.
“Yes, I suppose it is. I think it unlikely that either will attempt to seal or protect this creature, however.”
Nanase-san smiles slightly. “Yes, it is unlikely indeed that they will pursue an ayakashi whose bounty has not been posted.”
The words hang in the air without a response before she adds: “Learn whatever you can about this Natsume Takashi and his grandmother. No doubt any knowledge gathered will benefit clan Matoba. And if you happen to capture a worthy ayakashi while in Tsunagi, all the better.”
Matoba allows himself a small smile as he walks away.
It’s a clear, beautiful day when the argument breaks out.
“The human is very powerful – I hear it can flatten a mid-rank with a single punch!” The first voice insists.
“No way! No human could be that scary!” The second, nasally voice retorts.
The two flower yōkai carry on, taking no notice or enjoyment of the weather and relative quiet (if not for them) of the forest around them. If there are other yōkai nearby, they have doubtless retreated to more secluded areas of the woods. While incredibly small, the intensity of their bickering makes the two friends’ voices seem much louder.
“Ehhh? Do you really think that kappa lied to me?”
Their complete absorbency in their debate likely explains why they did not notice the human earlier.
“Excuse me, but may I ask who you’re speaking about?”
The two flower yōkai spin around at the same time and cower at the sight before them. A human wearing a covering over one eye and holding an umbrella stands in front of them – and he can see them! It’s smiling, but the warmth doesn’t quite reach his eyes and it carries itself with such a calm stillness that the flowers know, without a doubt, that this human is powerful.
“Please don’t be alarmed. Yes, I can see you but I have no intention of starting a fight.” The human crouches down to better see the small ayakashi.
“I’m not from the area, but I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation.” In reality, it has taken hours for Matoba to stumble upon such a useful lead, though he would not ordinarily regard these two beings as useful at all. “Is there truly a human who can stun a yōkai with one hit?”
Reminded of their argument, the two weaklings overcome their earlier fear.
“Of course there is! I heard it from a kappa a few towns over,” says the yōkai with red petals and an authoritative voice.
“Well I should hope to never encounter someone so powerful! Even though he’s human, he could be a danger to his own kind.” Matoba’s smile would be wholly unconvincing to a human, but the flower yōkai are not well-versed enough in human expressions to be able to tell. “Did the kappa give you the name of this fearsome human?”
The flower with the nasally voice sniffs disdainfully. “Well if you trust the word of a water-dweller and want to believe its tale, by all means go ahead. My friend here has heard that this ‘Natsume’ human is extraordinarily strong and can challenge the toughest of yōkai. What’s more, it apparently steals the names of any yōkai it encounters.”
“What’s so hard to believe about that, huh?” The red petaled flower is already engaging its friend in the argument again. Neither creature has noticed the way the human’s visible eye widened and then narrowed in a manner of seconds.
Matoba clears his throat to get the ayakashis’ attention. “I see…. I’d like to hear everything you’ve heard about this… Natsume.”