A Birds Love
The still river began to ripple as a young teen stepped onto his skiff. The moon outlined his carved dragon-like face when he came out of the cover of the canopy. He gazed at a girl that is only a little younger than he is. Her short brown hair currently hidden under her green silk turban. He saw her brown eyes fill with worry; she knew it would be some time before they saw each other again…if they did.
"You will be carful, won't you?" Her voice betrayed what she knew her eyes told.
The teen smirked, "You sound so calm, but your eyes show that you're worried. But to answer your question, I will be as carful as I can be."
He surprised himself. Why did he promise this? She was nothing to him, just his former sister from the temple. Did he think 'former sister' because of this new confusing feeling? No. She was just someone who kept helping him for unknown reasons.
She looked at the water and closed her eyes as it began to drizzle. Was she crying?
He looked up at where the moon was just moments ago. He sighed. He reached out to her with his hand, resting it upon her cheek. Tears or rain, he couldn't tell what he felt.
"Hok," He began "I know this is hard, but now that the white jade armor and swords are with their respectful owners I must go.
That way I can be strong and protect those that have become close to me."
The girl, Hok, raised her head to look into his eyes. Slowly she covered his hand with her own and spoke a single word, "Ying,"
Ah, his name sounded so good coming from her. You would never guess the horrible things that he did.
Ying gazed at Hok with pain in his eyes, he knew what he felt. This feeling towards Hok that has only grown since he first saw her captured by that traitor Tonglong.
Ying put his other hand on the opposite cheek and brought her towards him and spoke, "Hok, I promise you that I will return just as the moon will return from a rainy night."
Hok stared at him with unblinking eyes, "It's not like you to make promises."
Ying mumbled a quiet 'shut up' and kissed Hok. She did not reject it, but she embraced the dragon with a bird's name. Hok and Ying, the names matched like Crane and Eagle. This was their love, and it will never die.