I know, I know. I'm starting another story. But I'm excited for this one! It's going to be a series of one-shots that I update when inspiration strikes. You can read it as a chronological story, but it isn't going to have an overall plot, just a warning.

It will center mainly on Natsume's relationship with the Fujiwaras (so lots of fluff), but Natori, Matoba, Tanuma and Taki, Nishimura and Kitamoto, and a few ayakashi (canon and OC) will also make appearances.

Please excuse any discrepancies between my stories and the manga or anime; this is simply my take on the series.

A huge thanks to the wonderfully talented harunekonya for inspiring many of these one-shots and letting me borrow a few of their ideas!

Natsume Yuujinchou is not mine.

Chapter 1: Of Names

For the first week after Takashi-kun moved in with them, he called them both "Fujiwara-san".

Touko knew it was a bit much to expect of him so soon after coming to live with them. It was plain to see that he was unused to the familiarity with which they referred to him, and Touko wondered a bit spitefully—something very much uncharacteristic of her—if any of his previous guardians had even tried to make him feel welcome. Or wanted.

But she supposed that was where she and Shigeru were different.

Almost from the moment Shigeru had seen him, they'd wanted to help him. Meeting him herself had only reinforced that desire. The pale, thin boy who was faultlessly polite and sported a painfully fake smile.

They wanted to give him a chance to put down some roots. A home that she doubted—after their following meetings—he'd had since his father died.

They hadn't taken him in blindly, of course. But the reports they heard from his past guardians seemed directly in opposition to the boy's sweet, quiet voice and withdrawn behavior. They'd been expecting an attention seeker, not necessarily of his own error. But the Natsume Takashi that now took up residence in their (formerly) extra bedroom was quiet and considerate almost to the point that it seemed he wanted to fade into the background. He was always well-mannered and if she or Shigeru drew him into a conversation he replied promptly and politely. But his responses were just as flawlessly fake as his smiles.

If she hadn't seen the way his real smile lit up his entire face, she might have believed in his false ones. But she had, just once or twice. When he's said that he'd like to come live with them. When she and Shigeru bickered good-naturedly at the dinner table the second night and Takashi-kun thought they hadn't caught it.

She wanted him to feel comfortable with them, and she thought this was as good a way to start as any other.

Shigeru whole-heartedly agreed. He also agreed that perhaps she should broach the subject, as Takashi-kun seemed more comfortable with her. And Shigeru knew he wasn't the best talker.

The dinner table was quiet as the meal commenced with a quiet "thank you for the food" from Takashi and a louder chorus from Shigeru and herself. It hadn't escaped her attention that Takashi always waited for his guardians to begin eating before he even picked up his chopsticks.

"Takashi-kun."

He startled slightly at being addressed. His eyes flickered up to her face before falling back to the food in front of him.

"Yes?"

"Would you rather we called you Natsume?"

His head rose at the question, and his face was faintly inquisitive.

"I don't mind either. Whatever you'd prefer Fujiwara-san."

"The familiarity doesn't bother you?"

"No. I don't mind."

"Takashi-kun then." She said with a satisfied smile.

It was subtle approach, but Takashi was a smart boy.

The rest of dinner went smoothly, with Touko keeping a steady buzz of chatter going.

As Shigeru excused himself, Takashi-kun rose as well. He turned in the doorway to look at her for a moment, worrying his lip.

"Thank you, Touko-san."

The smile that accompanied the phrase of gratitude was real, and it was beautiful.

The first week passed, weeks turned to months, and Takashi-kun continued to call her Touko.

So tell me what you think! Reviews really help me stay motivated, but followers are just as great!

Next Time: Natsume thought it was just a cold, so he didn't bother the Fujiwaras with it. It wasn't just a cold.