"...!" Natsume stumbled back as if he had encountered a great impact. He rubbed his head groaning. It was so much to take in. "Ah, sorry Minori...I walked in on your privacy…"

"It's...alright, Natsume-dono." The girl spoke slowly, rubbing her own temples. "Ahh...what a headache." She looked up at Nyanko-sensei, hesitating to say something. He had his back turned to her. A tension grew and Natsume felt highly uncomfortable. What was he to do? He could tell that Nyanko-sensei blamed himself for Minori's death and tried at all costs to make her forget. Natsume crossed his arms over each other, looking back and forth at the two youkai.

"So…" Natsume tried to begin but his sentence died out quickly. Minori shot him an apologetic look, realizing how he must feel. She walked over and sat down next to Nyanko-sensei.

"Madara-san." She greeted him, dipping her head into a little nod.

"Minori." His acknowledgement made her smile and she patted him on the head.

"You've shrunk. And gotten a bit fatter. But deep down, it's still Madara, isn't it?" Minori closed her eyes and placed the cat into her lap. She rested her chin on top of his head and for once, Natsume didn't hear him complain. "It's been a long time. What kind of journeys have you been on? What kind of people?" She asked him in a quiet voice but he didn't reply. After a long couple of quiet minutes, she gave a small laugh. "Madara...are you upset at me? Don't be such a baby. My death was my own."

"No. No it wasn't. If I hadn't lingered in that place, they would have never killed you. You never would have felt this kind of rage, never have became a lonely and forgetful youkai. You did not deserve this." His voice sounded old and tired although Natsume could not hear any emotion in it.

"If I were to go back and change time, I wouldn't. Nature is unfair and unpredictable. The times when something magnificent happens, we must treasure it with all our hearts because it is a gift. Besides, me becoming a youkai...It has made me quite happy. Even though I've watched people and things die so quickly, I can finally keep Madara company. You won't be alone. Though, I don't worry so much since I see you have Natsume-dono." She giggled, rubbing her face against his soft fur. Nyanko-sensei made a noise, one of disgust, at the sound of Natsume's name.

"Oi...what's that noise for?" Natsume sighed, shaking his head at his childish bodyguard. Minori burst out into loud and bubbly laughter which caused Nyanko-sensei to get annoyed.

"Don't laugh! Natsume is only my student. You make it sound like we are friends."

"My bad, apologies Madara-san! I forgot how silly and prideful you are." She wiped her eyes under the paper mask, standing up now. "Natsume-dono, I have another favor to ask."

"Eh? Oh, ask away Minori-chan."

"Is it alright if I accompany you? I want to stay with you both. I will also protect Natsume-dono along with Madara-san." She lowered herself into a bow which caused Natsume to grow flustered.

"Minori, don't bow to someone like Natsume!" Nyanko-sensei snapped, reaching over to smack her on the head.

"Atata ouch! Don't hit me!" She frowned and smacked him back. This caused them to go at each other and start fighting.

"Ah, Minori-chan, Nyanko-sensei. Please stop fighting both of you guys…" Natsume had to think about her offer. He wasn't too sure how he felt about it. Another youkai coming to live with him and it would be a female youkai too. Catching sight of his expression, Minori pushed Nyanko-sensei off and cleared her throat.

"I assure you I would not become any sort of burden. Unlike Madara, I can be quiet if you need me to. However, I will still talk when I feel the need to."

"Well, when you address it like that you make it sound like you don't need my permission haha. Ah, but what about this forest?"

"Oh, they have decided on choosing a new youkai to take care. He is stronger and younger than I. I am a bit sad to part with it, but all good things must end sometime. They decided on a new keeper since I am quite terrible." She admitted sheepishly. "Please let me go with you." She pleaded, desperation coming into her voice. Natsume glanced at Nyanko-sensei who didn't say anything, and he sighed.

"Alright…"

"Hooray! Thank you! Ah, if I am to go places with you I need a vessel...Here. I'll attach myself to this. You can also protect yourself with it too!" Minori disappeared quickly then appeared again with a blink of an eye. She came back with a traditional and well kept sword.

"I think if Touko-san and Shigeru-san saw I had this, they might be a bit worried." Natsume laughed awkwardly, picking up and examining the big sword closer. "How come you don't go and use a vessel like Nyanko-sensei?"

"Oh…" She looked a bit disappointed but then brightened up again. With a flick of her wrist, the sword shrunk until it was the size of a little phone charm. "Here! This will be better. It's tinier now. And like Madara-san? Uh, well it'd be weird for me since I'm not a beast youkai. I think I'll settle with an inanimate object like this." Natsume nodded and picked it up, placing it in his pocket.

"Thank you Minori."

"Ah, no no thank you Natsume-dono!"

Annd end of the introductions! I will create a sequel, a continuation of Minori with Natsume and Nyanko-sensei. I just don't want to create so many chapters haha so keep an eye out for the continuation guys! Thanks for reading and please leave some reviews