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Christmas wasn't always something that Natsume cared about. Not every family he stayed with celebrated, and those that did didn't always include him more than necessary. That wasn't the case with the Fujiwaras. They celebrated with him, celebrated him, and, while he didn't ask for anything, they made sure to get him something they thought he'd enjoy, like a new book. This year, they told him he could invite his friends over to spend time together.
So, here they all were, in the Fujiwaras small home, talking, laughing, and eating together. Having Nishimura and Kitamoto over really livened things up from the general quietness of everyone else.
"If only you could use that big head of yours for something other than knocking into something," Kitamoto teased Nishimura.
"Hey! I'm going to cram school, remember!? I am using my head!"
As Natasume laughed at the two's shenanigans, he looked over to the window to see what was supposed to be an inconspicuous acorn left just outside. He had an idea of who left it there, and knew it probably wasn't the last for the day.
Earlier in the week, he had talked to the Dog's Circle about not bothering him for a few days. He's not sure they entirely understood the situation, but they had seemed eager enough to go along with his request.
"And what is it you do for Christmas?" The one-eyed youkai asked.
"Usually there's a decorated tree, one with ornaments and tinsel and a star on top. We, family and friends, all gather together and exchange gifts with each other."
"Hm, gifts, you say?" the youkai replied, the echoing "Gifts, gifts!" from the bull youkai following quickly after.
"Yes... Just make sure to stay away for a few days, ok? I'll come see you guys after." The youkai agreed, even if reluctantly (Hinoe).
Natsume glanced at Nyanko-sensei and got the affirming huff from the cat. He wasn't really surprised, and maybe a little peeved, but since they weren't really bothering him, then he was willing to let it go. He'd go say hi after everyone had left.
Natsume walked with his friends as they headed home, not wanting the fun to end just yet. After saying bye to Nishimura and Kitamoto, Natsume spotted the mid-ranks at the forest edge.
"Taki, Tanuma. Wait here for a second?" Natsume called out. After getting the two's confirmation, he went to talk to the mid-ranks.
"Hey, you two. What have you got planned this time?"
"We wanted to invite you to come celebrate Christmas with us!" the one-eyed said.
"Christmas, Christmas!" came the bull's echo.
Natsume sighed. He wasn't really surprised, they all always seemed to want to join in on the fun he has with his human friends. "Would you guys mind if I bring some of my friends along? They can't see, but they know about you."
"Hm, we put this together for you, but if you insist on having your friends come along, what can we do? Bring them, if they can follow." Natsume yelped and jumped back as Hinoe dropped down from the trees above. "You're lucky we like you, you know."
"Hinoe!" In the second it took Natsume to calm down, he processed what she had said. "What do you mean, follow?"
The youkai put her fan to her face and giggled. "Come along and find out."
Natsume sighed knowing he wouldn't get much more than that right now. He looked back to his friends and called out to them. "Tanuma! Taki! Follow me," he waved his arm in a 'follow along' gesture. The two glanced at each other, but made their way over without hesitation.
"What's up, Natsume?" Tanuma asked.
"The youkai in the area decided they wanted to celebrate Christmas with me. I know it might be weird, but you can come along if you'd like."
"Oh, I would love to, Natsume-kun! It would be great to see how they celebrate, even if I can't really participate." Taki folded her hands together, stars in her eyes as she thought of all the possibilites.
"Feh, you don't have to worry about that. You can use that circle of yours, you'll be fine for this," Nyanko-sensei huffed as he walked by. "Now hurry up, there's sake to drink!"
The snow crunched under Natsume's boots as they walked through the forest. The mid-ranks and Hinoe continued to talk as they led the way, excited about what they had to show. Tanuma and Taki talked behind him as they followed him. Nyanko-sensei fell into step beside him. It was a clash between his two worlds, but it was also lively. Natsume was glad he could have this, if just for a little while.
"Come, Natsume-sama, just through here," the one-eyed youkai moved some branches on a tree, revealing a path in the brush. Natsume followed the path to a clearing, making sure Taki and Tanuma stayed with him.
"Woah."
In the middle of the clearing was probably the hugest fir tree Natsume has ever seen. It was decorated with just about anything the Dog's Circle could find. Nuts, acorns, flowers, mushrooms, shiny trinkets, anything and everything had been placed upon its branches. There were even some sort of lights placed on the tree. It was beautiful, in its own way. Natsume could tell they put a lot of effort into this.
"Do you like it, Natsume-sama? We all helped put it together, and we even got presents for you!" The kappa, who had been standing by the tree attempting some last minute adjustments, came up to Natsume to drag him over. Behind him, he could hear Taki and Tanuma gasp.
"Is that a kappa?" Natsume looked back to see Taki holding herself back as she stared at the kappa. Tanuma had a look of surprise on his face.
"You can see them?" he asked.
"Of course they can, this place is connected to the youkai world," Nyanko-sensei huffed.
"Oh! Like that mansion with Omibashira," Tanuma recalled.
"I'd apologize for not having anything for you, but I don't really care." Hinoe popped up beside Tanuma, giving the boy a sidelong glance. "But you're welcome to join in anyway."
"Hinoe..." Natsume sighed. "Taki, Tanuma. This is the self proclaimed Dog's Circle. Everyone, this is Taki and Tanuma, two of my friends." He introduced them to everyone, stressing that they were friends.
"If Natsume-dono says you are friends, then you are welcome to join. Come, drink with us as we present our gifts," Misuzu said. Natsume could tell he wasn't particularly happy about it, but Misuzu decided to appear in his more human form. Natsume was secretly grateful; he didn't want his friends to be frightened by his larger horse form.
"Come on, Natsume! We have to get through the gifts. Here, I brought you this!" The little fox dragged Natsume over to sit by the tree and handed him a wide brim hat. The others followed, giving him various gifts. There was a fish (from the kappa), a drought (for the next time he got sick, the mid-ranks said), and more.
Natsume surprised them with gifts of his own, having prepared them before hand as he had a feeling they'd do something like this. It was a little difficult to decide on something for everyone, and crafts wasn't the easiest thing for him to do. But with how Hinoe carefully handled the fan he had painted for her, he could tell they were appreciated nonetheless.
As the youkai turned to the usual drinking party and the little fox cuddled with him as the sun set, Natsume turned to his friends. "I'm sorry, usually by this time there's not much to do but go with the flow." Rubbing the back of his neck, he gave them an embarrassed smile. "No matter what we do, it always ends in drinking for them."
"No, no, this has been fun! It's great to see something like this," Taki reassured.
"Yeah, Natsume. I'm just glad you decided to include us this time," Tanuma continued.
Natsume's smile softened. He was thankful to have such great, understanding friends. They spent the rest of the evening enjoying the conversation and watching the Dog's Circle antics. It was the most at peace Natsume had felt in a while, and he wouldn't have changed anything.
It was a Christmas he'd think back on for a long time, and he hoped the next ones were just as nice.