A/N: I didn't plan to write this but one reviewer suggested I make a sequel to my first fanfic, Pace. A plot bunny grew and ended up as this. While not a direct sequel, it is correlated as it is about Natsume's side of the story (rather long story) though it is not first person. As such, expect some added changes for the characters involved, plot, etc. For those who haven't read Pace yet, you don't really need to read it for these early chapters but I will give a heads up when you do. There will two OC youkai but hopefully, that does not deter anyone.

I was almost not going to post this because this chapter, along with some future chapters, somehow got deleted on my phone (I swear I did not hit the delete button). I was quite discouraged until I saw a couple of users who followed my previous fanfic despite it being a one-shot and there being no claims from me writing this follow-up when I posted it. So special thanks for those who favourited, reviewed and/or followed my previous story (because you're the reason why I managed to rewrite this): Alex Penedo, Ko-pia, Anon, Krylancelo, The Uncute Kouhai Illusionist, Kage-Hikarai, Tenshi-Oujosama and Blue Element.

This fanfic is for all you readers and I hope you guys will enjoy it. K+ for the light swearing. This story takes places in the manga's continuity (as it contain spoilers from manga verison of the Eastern Forest Arc).

Disclaimer: I do not own Natsume Yuujinchou.

Natsume bit the end of his pencil. He was unusually home on a weekday morning. That's because his school had given a week off for his grade to visit their parents' workplace. He had already gone with Shigure yesterday, now writing a seven page report about it. Probably why they were given the holidays.

While Shigure had already left for work, Touko was staying at her friend's place for the week. It took much convincing from both Natsume and Shigure before she accepted the offer to some relaxation. Still, she made a list of what needed to be done and almost pre-made a week's work of food until Shigure and Natsume had to make her leave early.

"And don't anything dangerous, ok?", Touko warned Natsume before looking at Shigure, who was guiding her out of the house, "You too, Shigure-san"

A soft smile crept on Natsume's lips from fondly remembering Touko's ever-worrying concern. With Nyanko-Sensei sleeping off to the side and a half-finished bowl nearby of what the cat referred to as an "attempt at food", it was awfully quiet. It had been a long time since Natsume felt this type of silence. It was nice…peaceful…

Until a large banging noise had interrupted him from his thoughts. Startled, Natsume looked outside to see three youkai on the other side of the window: two of them were the middle-class youkai but the other was a nameless and looked rather stoic.

Natsume was about to send them away but seeing their expressions had stopped him.

"Please open up. It's urgent." the ogre mouthed while the ox just bobbed his head once.

Nodding in understanding, Natsume got up and opened the window, stirring the cat out of its slumber. His ears twitched before peeking out with one of its eyes. He saw the two familiar youkai and the other new one entering in. "He better not be giving another name away" the cat muttered to himself before getting up and approaching the group, catching a bit of their conversation.

"Fukkatsu Springs?" Natsume had asked.

"Yes, it's a place where-"

"I've never seen you before" Nyanko-sensei suddenly interrupted.

The addressed youkai looked away un-cooperatively before saying "I don't need to give my name to a human and his lowly pet"

"Chimeu!"

"Lowly pet?! I'm neither lowly nor a pet! Just who do you think you are-" Natsume grabbed the cat before he could pounce and claw the youkai out.

"Sorry about him", Natsume apologized while struggling to settle down the cat, "Go on"

The ogre nodded before explaining "The Fukkatsu Springs is a place where youkai can rest and heal themselves. It purifies the water by its special gem which the water runs through before it flows into the basin"

"Unfortunately, an exorcist has intervened and stolen a part of the gem" the ox continued, while the third youkai twitched slightly.

"Please, Natsume-sama. We need your help", both middle-class youkai pleaded and bowed, "Several youkai have been severely hurt from the attack and now are unable to heal themselves"

"Why should we help you?", Nyanko-sensei piped up before he slipped out of Natsume's arms and approached the three, "Too often does this kid get too involved in too many things that I have to pointlessly babysit him for. Besides, he has school work to do and-"

"Since the water does not flow anymore, the sake-well is also dried up" the ox added.

"What?!", the cat questioned, "That's it, we're heading there right now!"

"Wait, Sensei-" Natsume called but the cat had already transformed, using its tail to sweep the boy and place him on his back.

"You and your stupid sake" Nastume grumbled before the beast zoomed out of the window.

A/N: Yes, this will be a multi-chapter fanfic. I will try to upload the next chapter next week, two weeks tops. I'm sorry that the chapter was short. As much as I hate reading and writing them, short chapters are the only way for me to write a story without so many obvious grammar mistakes everywhere. Still, I will try to have at least 500 words or one page/per chapter. I hope you guys enjoyed this so far and please leave feedback or your thoughts in the reviews (I want to write better for you guys). I promise shorter authour's notes.