Chapter Text
To his surprise, Kaname has visitors that afternoon.
“Your friends are here,” Dad says, very pleased about it, and escorts in Sasada, Nishimura, and Kitamoto. Nishimura and Sasada glare at each other, then both smile at Kaname along with Kitamoto.
“We heard you and Natsume both got sick again,” Kitamoto says. “We thought we’d see how you’re doing and give you your homework.”
“Did you get another headache?” Nishimura asks. “I said if your head hurts, the last thing you’d want is homework.”
“I brought your homework and your books,” Sasada says, and takes Kaname’s schoolbooks out of her bag, the ones he left behind yesterday. “And study notes for the material you missed.”
Nishimura glares at Sasada again, but she ignores him and happily offers out the books and papers.
“Thank you,” Kaname says, accepting them as well as the duplicate homework Kitamoto gives him. They obviously didn’t plan this together, but that only makes them showing up like this more meaningful. “This was really thoughtful of you. I did have a headache, but it’s better now. But I’m still kinda sick.”
“We won’t stay long,” Kitamoto says. “We’re bringing Natsume his homework, too.”
“And his books,” Sasada adds.
“What did you guys get up to yesterday?” Nishimura asks. “We heard you went exploring and fell into a pond?”
Word travels incredibly fast in this town. Natsume was already the rumor mill’s favorite topic, Kaname’s involvement must be fuel to the fire.
“Yeah, after that tour you gave us, we wanted to try going out on our own,” Kaname says, sticking to the story his dad told the Fujiwaras.
“It was smart to leave your books at school,” Kitamoto says.
“Yeah, if anything can go wrong with Natsume, it usually does,” Nishimura says, resigned but fond. “Did you hear about his fever? It’s the worst one yet.”
“I did, yes,” Kaname says, and tries not to show how hearing that makes him even more worried about Natsume. His dad might be okay letting Ponta and the Fujiwaras handle things, but Kaname doesn’t think he’ll stop worrying until Natsume’s fever breaks. And maybe not even then. “If you’re going over there next, I’m coming, too.”
“But you’re sick,” Sasada says, concerned.
“It’s just a cold,” Kaname says. He pushes off his blanket and stands up. He does still feel bad, but it’s nothing compared to how he felt last night. And the euphoria of his migraine being gone still hasn’t worn off. “Let me go tell my dad.”
His dad, of course, was lurking just around the corner, and probably looked very pleased with himself for Kaname having all these caring friends. But when Kaname sees him, his expression is concerned.
“I need to see him,” Kaname says, determined. He’s not really up to a walk, but if he has to—
His dad’s resistance melts immediately. “Go get changed, I’ll take all of you over.”
They all pile into the car.
Despite their obvious worry and stress, the Fujiwaras are delighted to have all of them visit.
“Takashi-kun is still very sick,” Touko-san cautions. “But I’m sure it will cheer him up to see you. Especially you, Kaname-kun. He’s been very worried about you. But you’re feeling better?”
“He’s still a little sick,” Dad tells her. “But he’s been worrying about Takashi.”
Touko-san and Dad exchange very parental looks. Kaname hopes his remaining fever hides his blush.
The four of them go up to Natsume’s room.
Natsume looks like Kaname felt last night. His eyes are glassy with fever, and his cheeks have an unhealthy flush. Ponta is sitting beside him, eyes watchful.
Nishimura presses a hand to Natsume’s forehead. “You’re really burning up,” he says, immediately hitting his Natsume heart attack quota.
“Sorry,” Natsume whispers, clearly too tired to talk.
“We brought you your homework, but don’t worry about it until you feel better,” Kitamoto says. “We’ll help you with everything at our next study session, yeah?”
Natsume musters a smile for that, and despite his feverish exhaustion, it’s genuine. “Thank you. That’s very kind.”
“I brought all your books,” Sasada says, even more visibly worried than Nishimura. She glances at Kaname meaningfully, but the presence of Nishimura and Kitamoto keeps her from asking the obvious question.
He gives her a short nod, silently answering. Her eyes widen, then she looks resolved.
“If there’s anything we can do to help, just say it,” she tells Natsume. “Anything at all.”
Natsume’s expression grows warier, but then softens. “Thank you. I just need to rest. I’ll be fine.”
It’s obvious that even though Natsume really is happy they’re here, he isn’t up for much conversation. Sasada and Nishimura and Kitamoto all tell Natsume to get well soon, that they’ll stop by again tomorrow, that he shouldn’t worry about anything.
When they head downstairs to walk back home, Kaname stays behind.
“I did what you said,” Kaname tells Natsume at last. He’s been ready to burst with the news. “I went to the shrine in the temple and it worked!”
Natsume’s glassy eyes are confused.
“You said shrines are safe,” Kaname reminds him. “You have no idea how many crazy ideas my dad has had me try. I knew it was a long shot, you didn’t say anything about shrines having healing power, but—“
“What are you rambling about?” Ponta asks.
“Spirits give me migraines,” Kaname says, trying to keep his voice low despite his excitement. “I slept in the shrine last night, right next to the shintai, where the spirit-feeling is strongest? And it healed me! It took away the migraine!” He pauses, taking in their expressions. “Don’t you— Didn’t you know about this?”
“Why should I care if a human has a sore head?” Ponta says, defensive.
“I must be dreaming again,” Natsume murmurs.
Kaname rests his palm against Natsume’s forehead. “You really are burning up.” His determination grows. “Ponta, we have to bring him to Yatsuhara.”
“He doesn’t have one of your headaches,” Ponta dismisses.
“No, but the spirits gave him this fever, right?” Kaname challenges. “They give me fevers, too. I know I’m still sick but I was so much worse last night. The shrine— I don’t know, I don’t know how any of this works. But I know it’ll help him, too. We just have to get him there.” He turns back to Natsume. “Are you sure we can’t explain everything to the Fujiwaras? If they knew the truth—“
“No!” Despite Natsume’s feverish confusion, he immediately reacts, sitting up even though the effort makes him tremble. “You can’t tell them. Please!”
“But if they don’t know the truth, they won’t understand,” Kaname says. “Even if they take you to the hospital, there’s nothing the doctors can do, right? That’s how it’s always been for me.”
“I’ll be fine,” Natsume says, though he looks about to collapse and maybe pass out. “Just need a few days. It’s fine.”
His resigned expression hurts Kaname’s heart.
“You’re his bodyguard,” Kaname tells Ponta. “Protect him. Change like you did yesterday and fly him out of here.”
“No!” Natsume says again, glassy eyes full of fear and determination. “If I disappear— I can’t cause them trouble!”
The effort is finally too much for him, and to Kaname’s alarm, he does go limp, passing out for a few long seconds before his eyes struggle open again.
Kaname doesn’t understand why Natsume’s being so stubborn. The Fujiwaras are already extremely troubled by Natsume being dangerously ill. Surely they’ll be thrilled to find a real treatment, no matter how strange it is, just like his dad.
Kaname and his dad have told plenty of people that he can sense spirits. Admittedly most of them were monks, but he has a good sense for who’s safe to tell and who isn’t. He thinks the Fujiwaras would be skeptical and confused, but ultimately accepting.
Kaname realizes that Ponta is staring at him rather intensely. Then Ponta sniffs him.
“Interesting,” Ponta says, considering. “You were in the shrine all night?”
“Right next to the shintai,” Kaname says. “It took a while to work. But nothing has ever helped like this.” He bows his head. “Please. I’ll get you dango or squid or whatever you want. Just help him.”
Ponta narrows his eyes at Kaname. “Fine. But you’ll owe me big for this.”
“Sensei, don’t,” Natsume protests. “The Fujiwaras—“
“They won’t suspect a thing,” Ponta assures him. Then he stares intensely at Natsume.
“What are you—“ Kaname asks, then startles as Ponta disappears in a puff of smoke. And then the smoke clears.
A second Natsume is standing there, identical to the first down to his pajamas and fever flush and glassy eyes. Except for his expression, which is completely unlike Natsume and looks exactly like—
“Ponta?!” Kaname gasps.
“Sensei?!” Natsume gasps.
Natsume-Ponta inspects himself, then gives them a thumbs-up. “How do I look?” He turns around and then poses dramatically. “Aren’t I perfect?” He poses even more dramatically. “Tell me I’m perfect!”
“That’s amazing,” Kaname says, stunned. “Can you turn into anyone?”
“None of your business,” Natsume-Ponta tells him. “You get him to the shrine. I’ll stay here, take lots of naps, and eat Touko’s soup.”
“Thank you,” Kaname says, bowing again in gratitude. He turns to Natsume. “Dad drove us over so we just have to get you to the car. But we have to sneak you out. Can you walk?”
Natsume is still staring at his double, transfixed. Then he looks down at himself. “Am I going to turn into a cat?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Natsume-Ponta says. He sighs. “He’s been like this all day. Absolutely useless. And he already tried sneaking out earlier, so the Fujiwaras will be watching closely. Give me an extra squid and I’ll get him to the car.”
“Done,” Kaname agrees. He definitely understands how Natsume could end up spending his entire allowance on Ponta. But it’s worth every yen. “Thank you, Sensei. This is going to help,” he promises. Then he leaves Natsume with his double.
When he gets downstairs, he finds his dad sitting at the kitchen table with the Fujiwaras.
“Kaname-kun,” Touko-san greets, and waves him over. “Come have some tea with us.”
Kaname’s not sure how long Ponta needs to get Natsume into the car. Probably at least a few minutes. He sits down at the table and politely accepts a tea cup.
“It’s was so thoughtful of you to come over, even though you’re still sick,” Touko-san tells him. “But you mustn’t push yourself too hard.”
“I’m okay,” Kaname assures them. “Thank you so much for the soup. It definitely helped me get better. And thank you again for last week. I’m sorry for all the trouble.”
“It’s no trouble at all,” Touko-san insists. “But you boys must be more careful. I’m glad you’re settled in enough to go exploring, but you both have such delicate health.”
“I guess we do,” Kaname admits. “We’ll be careful, thank you.”
“At least your migraine ended quickly this time,” Touko-san says. “Your father was telling us how difficult your migraines have been for both of you. But he thinks you might be starting to grow out of them now? One of those childhood diseases. They’re so unfair. It’s cruel that some children have to miss out on so much, when you should be happy, running around and exploring everything wonderful about the world.” She says it with restrained but passionate belief.
Kaname realizes his dad must be trying out a new cover story. After all, everyone knows about Kaname’s migraines, if they suddenly get better it’ll be suspicious. Not that anyone would ever imagine the truth. Kaname barely believes it himself. But people get uncomfortable when things don’t have an explanation. And his dad brought him here to stay.
“I hope so,” Kaname says. “I have missed out on a lot. Being sick is, uh, it’s really hard.”
“It’s hard for Takashi, too,” Shigeru-san says, with understanding. “I’m glad you two are friends now. Did it help him, to see you?”
“I think so,” Kaname says. Should he give Natsume and Ponta a cover story? Hopefully Ponta will be convincing enough to not need one. But given what he knows about Ponta— “He said he was a little hungry. That’s a good sign, right?”
“A very good sign,” Touko-san says, happy.
“He’s pretty tired, too,” Kaname adds, very much hoping that Natsume does get better and they don’t have to bring him back in the same terrible state. If he could sweat right now he’d be sweating. “He’ll probably sleep a lot.”
“If his fever is going down, his sleep should be more restful,” Touko-san says, with the wisdom of experience. “I’m sure seeing you will help him very much. He was so worried he tried to go see you!”
“He did?” Kaname asks, surprised. Is that what Ponta was talking about, when he said Natsume already tried to sneak out?
“It was lucky I came home when I did,” Shigeru-san says. “He was in no condition to be out of bed, and certainly not wandering around.”
“You should be resting, too,” Touko-san says. “Thank you so much for coming over, Kaname-kun, Kousuke-san.”
“We’ll come by again tomorrow, once Takashi’s things have dried,” Dad says.
They say their goodbyes. As soon as the front door closes behind them, Kaname leans over and whispers, “Natsume’s in the car.”
“What?” Dad says, stopping and staring at him.
“Keep going,” Kaname says, with a tug to his dad’s sleeve. “Look natural.”
They resume their walk.
“Kaname, I know you’re worried about him, but I don’t think this is the answer,” Dad whispers, alarmed. “The Fujiwaras—“
“Ponta’s covering for us,” Kaname whispers. “He turned into Natsume, just like he turned into Reiko.”
His dad is so astonished that he walks right into the front gate wall. Then he hurries to the car, and Kaname hurries, too.
Natsume is lying in the back seat, unconscious.
“May the Buddha forgive us,” Dad mutters, and starts the engine.