Kind of short chapter but I finally uploaded! First chapter of Kings and Thieves, here ya go!

Chapter 1: Natsume's Cursed Book of Friends

"Sensei! Hurry up!" he called to the cat.

"Natsume! You're walking too fast, and this hill is too steep, and I'm hungry!"

Natsume stopped at the top of the hill.

Sensei panted as he finally reached him, "Besides, I didn't even want to come," they started walking again, "Getting help from that spoiled, arrogant, pretty boy…"

Ever since he was small he has sometimes seen strange things. As it seems other people cannot see them they are most likely what you would call ayakashi.

"And I don't even care if it's cursed! At least you'll stop giving away names!"

Natsume stopped once again, but this time sensei ran into his ankles.

Looking a bit stunned for a second, he shook his head vigorously and raised his fist. "Oi! Watch where you're-" Only to stop at seeing fresh squid held out in front of him.

Sensei looked up and now saw the food stand. "Oh…" and then proceeded to gobble it down. Natsume shook his head and smiled.

One full belly later, they reached their destination. Natsume knocked on the door, which was without a note, and waited. A piece of paper slid out from under to door briefly, and Natsume stepped back in surprise, but the little doll pulled itself back inside, and the lock clicked.

It opened and Natori stood in the frame, smiling weakly.

"Hmph…" pouted Sensei.

"Natsume, what brings you here?" He looked tired, and even his bishie sparkles seemed duller.

"Well I wanted to see you could help me," he paused, "Are you alright, Natori?"

"Yes, yes," he said waving his hand, "I'm fine. What is it you need help with?"

Natsume didn't buy it completely, but decided that if Natori didn't want to talk about it, he wouldn't press the issue. "Well," he began, "we were wondering if you knew anything about curses."

Natori's eyes lit up. "Curses? Who is it that's cursed, or what?"

The boy and his cat looked at each other. Natsume had never told Natori about the Book of Friends.

"What's wrong? Can you not tell me?"

"It's an object," Natsume jumped in quickly.

"What is wrong with this object?"

The two looked at each other once again. Natori would not be able to help them without being told. Natsume felt his stomach drop as he realized he would have to tell the truth. Maybe because he didn't trust him completely, maybe because he didn't want to involve him in things he didn't need to be involved with. Whatever the reason, it gave him pause.

"The object was my grandmother's. She collected the names of youkai and put them into a book that I inherited. It's called the Book of Friends."

Natori did not look angry or upset or shocked, like Natsume had expected. Instead he tilted his head curiously. "And… do these names give you power over the youkai?"

Natsume glanced at Sensei, who did not return it as he expected, but instead stared at Natori as though deep in thought.

"Yes, but I have to know their name and face."

"And it's been cursed. What is the curse?"

For the first time since arriving there, Sensei spoke. "If Natsume tries to return a name to it's owner, the youkai dies. They turn to ash." Natori, already paler than usual, seemed to turn another shade whiter and the whole time the cat stared down the older man, looking for betrayal.

"What is it?" Natsume asked worried.

Ignoring his question he wiped his face of the expression and asked, "Do you have it with you?"

Hesitant to comply, Natsume pulled the Book of Friends out of his bag at Sensei's nod, and handed it to him.

Natori grabbed it, and a mild shock ran through his body. He inhaled sharply.

Natsume leaned forward in worry, but Natori waved his hand again. He opened it and flipped through the pages. The names had no meaning to him, but he could feel the power radiating off of some of them.

"This is quite a curse. The exorcist who did it must be very talented to say the least. Is there anything else you can tell me, anything that would help me?"

Once again, Natsume had the choice of telling him something he should probably know. The one who did it was Matoba… he thought.

"No, that's all."

Sensei didn't waver from the lie.

"Alright. Well I'll take a look at it. Seeing how powerful this book is I'd understand if you wished to stay the night. The Fujiwaras are just a quick phone call away." He smiled, which only succeeded in making Natsume feel uncomfortable.

"No it's fine. I don't want to impose

"I insist, perhaps you could even help me."

And they ended up staying, much to both of their chagrin.