Two weeks had passed rather quickly with Natsume enjoying the summer break with his friends. Though, the date of departure was like a dark cloud constantly looming over him, and it was upon him before he was sure if he was ready for it.

When there were no more days to pass, the only thing that he could think of was what his first flight experience would be like. Touko buzzed around the kitchen, wrapping containers excitably. She threw out little bits of chatter to Natsume who double-checked his carry-on to ensure he had everything.

The doorbell rang and startled him.

"Can you get the door, Takashi-kun?"

"Alright!" He called back to Touko, before hurrying toward the front door. When he opened it he saw Natori on the other side, dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved tee, his usual winning smile painted on his lips. His outfit wasn't too out of place since, while it was still August, it was the last few days and the weather had been dropping in temperature. He also took note of the bouquet of flowers cradled in his arms.

"Natori-san?"

"I hope you packed some longer sleeves than that. It will be cold in the mountains." The older man gestured toward the boy's short-sleeved t-shirt. Natsume let him know that he had packed adequately enough. Touko had also helped, and Shigeru had regaled some of what he had recalled from his own adventure in the mountains.

Touko popped her head out of the kitchen at the sound of voices. Her smile brightened when she saw Natori standing in the entranceway.

"I packed some lunch boxes for your travels." She lifted the wrapped containers further up in her arms to bring attention to them.

Natori thanked her for her kindness, holding up the flowers he held in his own hands. Touko's eyes glittered upon taking in the sight.

"Oh my, they're beautiful."

They made the switch of items, Natori taking the containers off her hands while he handed the flowers over.

"The florist also mentioned that they were easily transplantable if you'd like to add them to your garden."

"That's a wonderful idea."

"I'll take these to the car then." Natori took Natsume's bag without prompt and dismissed himself to load the items into the vehicle. Natsume watched him go before his attention was once again drawn to Touko when her hand gently cupped the side of his face. A gentle smile settled on her features. "I'm very happy that you've made such a wonderful friend in Natori-san, Takashi-kun."

There was no scarf or high collared shirt to duck his face behind in order to hide, but he lowered his head a bit as a flush tinted his cheeks. Touko grabbed his hand and he looked to see her press a couple of yen notes into his palm.

"Touko-san."

"Go and have a great time." Touko's eyes radiated nothing but warmth and adoration. It was hard for Natsume to even think of refusing such kindness, but it also reminded him of the lie he was in the midst of weaving.

Natsume nodded at her words, and said his goodbyes.

"I-I'll bring back souvenirs."

The two waved at each other before he went to meet Natori in the car.

The two spent half of the fifty minute drive in relative silence, Natsume watching the scenery pass by in a blur outside of the window.

"This silence is killing me!"

Nyanko's voice erupted loudly from between the front seats making both Natsume and Natori jump. Natori's hands gripped the staring wheel a little tighter. Natsume held a hand to his heart.

"Natsume," Natori began, but Nyanko cut him off waving his stubby paws around wildly.

"Tell us more about this case, shady exorcist!" He hit Natori a few times, catching his shoulders and head. Natori's gaze grew darker with each hit before Natsume called his cat's name in warning. The imitation cat huffed but stilled his movements regardless.

"Were you able to find out anything more, Natori-san?"

"As I mentioned earlier, the mountain seems to be cursed. It could be the work of a powerful spirit."

Nyanko huffed once more, grumbling about "useless exorcists that couldn't gather proper information."

Natori looked at him in the rear view mirror, his glasses glinting in the reflected sunlight. "Since you're a kitty after all, how about we check you in with the rest of the luggage at the bottom of the plane?"

"How dare you suggest such insole?"

Natsume sighed and spoke over his bodyguard before the silly argument escalated further.

"Do you have any idea what kind of spirit it might be?"

"From what I've gathered so far, there are a few options on what it could be. Until we get there and I can investigate further, the certainty of what that spirit is, as of now I can't be certain."

Natsume looked a bit perplexed over the information. He leaned further back into his seat and mulled over everything that was said, his own mind recalling the various spirits he had encountered- there really were a vast number of them that existed.

The rest of the car ride devolved into silence with the occasional interruption of the gps giving them directions.

When they got to the airport, Natsume's mind reeled with the reality of him getting onto a plane. He whispered to Nyanko, reminding his bodyguard to remain still since he was meant to be a "stuffed toy." Nyanko served his role better than expected as Natsume held him tightly within his arms when the plane had taken off into the clear blue skies. The only time he'd given his bodyguard a break was when he and Natori had eaten the lunch that Touko had prepared- though most of it had secretly gone to Nyanko since Natsume found it hard to stomach much. Natori rubbed soothing circles along Natsume's back as the boy made use of the paper bags stuck in the seat pouches.

Colour didn't come back to Natsume's already pale complexion until they had switched their mode of transportation to the train system.

"Do you think they'd have souvenirs?" Natsume asked as the train rumbled softly along the tracks, his head resting against the window behind him. He absently rubbed soothing strokes along the top of Nyanko's head- the lucky cat nodding off in a fitful doze. The question came as a bit of a surprise to Natori only because he hadn't thought of something like that in the first place. "I told Touko-san that I would bring some back."

"I'm sure we can find something on our way back." Natori tried to reassure him now knowing why he had inquired in the first place. As the train rolled further along, and crude cement buildings gave way to endless miles of lush trees, Natsume's silence weighed heavier.

"Is something wrong, Natsume? You can tell me if something is bothering you."

Natsume turned to look at the older man, before casting his gaze into his lap, his finger momentarily stilled upon Nyanko's round head. The cat twitched, but didn't wake. Natsume stayed silent another moment, giving Natori time to come to his own conclusion.

"Is it about the Fujiwaras? And this trip?"

Natsume's shoulders slumped as if he'd been deflated, "We told them that we were going to do a temple stay, but- you said this could be dangerous- What if something happens and it makes them worried? They don't know what's really happening." He took a breath that shuddered on the inhale, and his eyes clouded over the further he got stuck in his own head.

"Natsume. I won't let anything happen to you. I'll protect you." Natori's words were filled with conviction- he would do everything to make those words true.

Natsume didn't speak, didn't do anything to show that the words had truly registered to him. Natori knew what was really bothering the boy though, it was a conversion that they'd had before.

"We can't always be truthful. But know, Natsume, it's to protect the ones we care about."

"I know," The boy's words were as delicate as the trees swaying in the gentle wind, "But how long will I have to keep lying to them…" The words were a trigger Natsume accidentally pulled against himself at times- words that sent him into a spiral of the past. He could recall with unwanted clarity those who called him as such.

Liar.

Natsume could see their faces screwed up in disgust and anger over his lies- lies of things he claimed to see that they couldn't.

Liar.

Lies they claimed were his unjust cries of attention.

Liar!

Natori rest a hand on Natsume's hand making him jump, but the fog cleared from within his soft golden eyes as he looked toward his companion.

"I don't think that Natsume is a liar." Natori chuckled, the sound tinted in self-deprecation. "Sometimes people don't know what they ask for. What if one day others saw what we could see?" He looked around the train car, there weren't that many people present- they had an entire bench for themselves. Natsume's gaze followed Natori's, "What would they say then? They would only find new reasons to blame you then."

Natsume turned to look back at the exorcist and saw a dark cloud gather in his eyes. He caught himself staring longer than he should, not for the first time wondering about the events that took place in Natori's past that shaped his present.

The man felt Natsume's gaze and looked toward him. Natori schooled his features into his fail-safe smile, and Natsume frowned. "I'm sorry, Natsume. Try not to think too deeply about the matter. You're doing the best you can and I'm sure the Fujiwaras would think so as well."

The next stop is God's Valley Station. The exit will be on the right. There is a gap between the train and the platform. Please mind your step.

"Alright then. This is our stop." Natori stood during the announcement before the train made a complete stop, effectively cutting Natsume's chance at any questioning short.

When they got off the train and covered a bit of ground, Natsume looked back and gasped. There was a large mountain looming in the distance but it would be hard to know it was there without prior knowledge- a thick, dense fog covered it from all wandering eyes.

"That's High Field Mountain." Natsume's voice was filled with both wonder, and apprehension.

"Yes, that's where we'll be staying."

"I'd not recommend that." A voice called out to them, getting clearer with each word. They turned to the sound to see a man in loose clothing, his pants rolled up above his shins, a wide hat covering his face from the sun, and a towel wrapped around his shoulders.

"Is there a reason you'd advise against it?"

"I hope you're not one's them thrill seekers lookin' fer their next scoop. Leave that mountain alone, nuthin' good'll come from it otherwise."

Natsume looked between the two, sharing a look with Nyanko in his arms before giving the mountain behind them another glance. As the conversation continued, more people seemed to gather around to see what the fuss was about.

"You're going up into the mountains?" A girl, probably a few years younger than Natsume, sounded excited over the idea.

The ones who gathered seem to share something between two emotions- excitement and apprehension, with a few showing some worry.

"Karen. Father. Is that any way to treat guests?" Everyone turned to see a woman with a kind smile; it set Natsume's heart at ease. The woman turned to address both Natsume and Natori, "I apologise for the behaviour of my father and child. We don't get much visitors in these parts, and when we do, it's usually from monks or clergymen or the sort."

Natori bowed to the woman. "I'm afraid I'm no different." He smiled at her but the information only seemed to sadden her.

"You don't look like no clergyman." The woman's father spoke with nothing short of disbelief. No one else voiced their thoughts but their faces showed that they were also skeptical over the information.

"I'm an exorcist."

The father scoffed, but he didn't get to say much more before his daughter shushed him.

"You're quite young. Why don't you stop by for some tea. I can tell you what I know, if you wish."

Natori thanked her for her kindness, as she shooed the other villagers back to their own business, and followed behind her. It would be useful to get information from the people closest to the issue while not exactly being involved. Or so he thought.