Hinoe glared at the angry cat then looked worriedly at Natsume. "What did the Master of Death wanted from you?"

"Er… he was just taking a vacation," Natsume said, almost regretting telling the woman ayakashi about their encounter with the green-eyed teen.

"Oh," Hinoe blinked.

"You know him, Hinoe?" Natsume asked curious, well ignoring the indignant shouts of Nyanko-sensei that was telling him that he doesn't trust Harry.

Hinoe hummed in contemplation, "Not exactly but I heard rumors about him of course."

"Rumors?" Nyanko-sensei twitched interested himself. He knew about the existence of the Master of Death but he never knew much. Even then he knew that it was one being he can not devour.

"He was said to be a god, or a being powerful enough to rival one. As Death's master, he has the authority over souls and Death itself. It's not wise to anger such being."

Natsume nodded. While Harry-san looked docile and harmless, the green-eyed teen felt powerful to the human boy.

Ageless and timeless even

"He liked Natsume though," Nyanko-sense grumbled.

At that Hinoe laughed maniacally, "Eh, so Madara is just a jealous prick!"

"Hey!" Nyanko-sensei hissed in annoyance "I'll have you know that even if he is the Master of Death, this is my turf!"

Natsume sighed, wondering if he should feel insulted or touched by the sentiments. In the end, he decided to be both.

The three never noticed that an old being was hiding from the shadows observing them and their interactions. It slowly moved away to check up on its master, thinking how amusing and interesting the beings who helped his Master was… especially that human boy.

I wonder dearest Master if that boy reminded you of yourself back then, it thought fondly remembering how his master had been as a human.

Reckless with a heart of gold

Which was why Death was glad for having him as a Master.