Kananori: Okay, you didn't put this in your review, but ooooh! I'm so flattered that I'm in your little binder thing. (She prints out her favorite fanfiction and puts them in all these binders…ehehehehe….) *feels special*
To those of you who are wondering where the hell I got a name like Miaka…Behind the Name. It means 'cure' in some language other than English, French, or Spanish. Or German. Hm…*thinks* Eh.
A belated thanks to Karen and Kananori for bits of help on the previous chapter…^.^ Just to let you guys know, I'm going to be gone for two weeks in July, so the next chapter might take even LONGER than this…*sigh* I'm slow at chapters as it is, I know. I'll try to use my rest hour to think of ideas. Heh…yeah, they give us an hour after lunch to sleep or read or whatever, it's really nice.
Okay, I'm aware the fifth book has come out recently. I'm sorry to say that I have to omit ALL occurrences in the fifth book from this story, just to avoid confusion.
-----
~Draika~
Chapter Fifteen: Drokaal and Tomonari
"Uh…" Draika quickly shoved all the items back into the box. "Good for you." She would have backed up, but she was already against the wall. Miaka had thick curly red hair, and lots of freckles. Had she been sorted this year? She looked familiar.
"Blaise is right, you really need to work on your people skills." Miaka concluded decisively, standing up. "We try to be nice, you know. He felt bad about you getting in trouble. Blaise says you need to learn to control your anger." She blinked, studying the older girl. "It's no wonder you're miserable all the time, you should ask Blaise--"
"Okay, what is it with you and Blaise?" Draika stood up, beginning to get severely annoyed. "You're mentioning his name every eight words."
"Am not." Miaka sniffed. "And why shouldn't I talk about him, he's my brother."
"Your brother." Draika repeated. "No offense, but I don't really see the resemblance…"
"Oh, that's okay. We have different mothers, but our father is the same." Miaka seemed like a very bouncy person, however odd that adjective may have seemed at the time. "I don't see why he thinks he has to dye his hair…ridiculous, isn't it?"
"Yeah." Draika muttered, sitting down in a now-vacated armchair. "Are you feeling okay?"
"What do you mean? I'm just fine. Do I look pale? Or flushed? Maybe it's just the fire…"
"No, I mean…you're talking to me. Very quickly. And happily."
"Um…yup!" Miaka grinned, resting her head on the back of Draika's chair. "You seem very unaccustomed to social interaction."
"Yeah." Draika mumbled. "I don't plan to get that used to it in the near future." She did appreciate the chatter in a small, far-off corner of her mind, but it was getting annoying very quickly.
"That's really too bad." Miaka sighed. "It's really something, you know?" She watched (silent for once) as Draika stood and left. "Hm…what a nice girl." She mused, flopping into the armchair.
Draika tossed the package onto her bed, suddenly realizing that another trunk was placed at the foot of the next four-poster. Bending down to read the label, she was halfway surprised to see it was named as Zabini, Miaka's. She sighed, looking into the fire. What she wouldn't give for a pinch of Floo powder. After several minutes of completely pointless silent complaining and glowering at the torches, Draika put on her coat. Sraelyth had said to meet him, and she still would. If Ardror wanted to stop her, he would.
Striding quickly out of the common room before Miaka could spot her, Draika tried her hardest to remain inconspicuous. There was a close call with Peeves, but luckily he was too busy drawing glasses and moustaches on statues with permanent ink to notice her.
The cold air of the night was more than welcomed, a relieving change from the stuffy air of the dungeons. With quick and confident steps, Draika made her way through the now knee-deep snow towards the forest. Pulling her hood over her head to keep the snow out of her hair, she grimaced. There had to be some way to keep her feet from freezing…there was probably some kind of charm, but Draika knew she wouldn't ever look it up.
A sound. She froze, listening. Something had crunched particularly loud upon the snow behind her…close enough to make her feel uneasy. Quickening her pace, she passed behind Hagrid's hut into the forest. It wasn't much different, save for the total darkness. Something was now ahead of her…someone was saying something… There was a small light penetrating the darkness.
Draika ducked behind a tree in case someone was coming, but the voices didn't seem to be moving. A pained cry pierced the air. She halted. She was no hero…she didn't want to save anyone. But then again, she wasn't exactly someone who'd want to run from danger. Quite the opposite, really. With a start, she began to run through the snow. It wasn't really a run, more like the large leaps and bounds of an animal. But it worked.
Panting, Draika once again hid behind a tree. She could see the face of neither man. One was standing over the other, who was doubled over in the snow.
"I gave you a warning, Dissendi. Did I not?"
"O.L…what he's doing could ruin LIVES. The school…"
"I don't CARE about the school! There is only his task, and his goals. You have stuck your nose in where it is likely to be blown to bits…"
"You watch it, or I'll-"
"You'll what? May I remind you, I once again have a wand…your wand, in fact? It will do quite nicely until mine is returned…"
"You don't have the guts to kill me."
"Oh, of course not!" The standing man mocked the injured one. "But I don't need guts, as you'll see. Avada Kedavra!" The spell was hissed out almost happily.
Draika shielded her eyes as a burst of blinding green light nearly blinded her. Stumbling, she peered closer. The man shuddered, keeling over. Dead. Suppressing the urge to vomit, she took several deep breaths. O.L…who was O.L? Who had those initials? If that's what they even were…maybe it was something like TJ.
"Who's there?!" O.L. whirled around. His face was obscured by a large hood, the rest of his body swathed in a billowing cloak. "My wand…you have my wand. I can feel it!"
Draika backed away, trying not to make a sound. She could just get back to the castle. Easy.
"Accio wand!" He snarled.
Draika felt a tugging on her coat…for a horrible moment she thought she would fall and be swept into the cloaked man..but then she grabbed the wand, tossing it away from her.
"Ah…" He said, leaving the dead man's wand lying in the snow. "At last." O.L. continued to cast his gaze around, searching. Draika bit her tongue to keep from keening in horror, a sudden instinct. She didn't want to die. Or did she? Wasn't she miserable enough, that she'd wished for death hundreds of times before?
The man seemed intent on finding her, not hampered at all by the cold or drifting snow. Draika flinched.
~Now or never…~ She thought, and couldn't help but roll her eyes at the silly cliché. With a lunge she began to bound forwards, moving around behind the man. It called up a vague memory of predator and prey from somewhere inside her. Letting out a bellow that might have wakened the dead Draika leapt at the figure's unguarded back, digging her claws into the volumous robes.
He stumbled, but somehow managed to remain standing, quickly acting to remove the manic girl from his back. A blow caught Draika on the side of her head, but she only dug in her talons more resolutely, screeching and yelling until her voice was far past hoarse. The world spun, and she found herself staring up at the sky with all her wind knocked out. What had happened?
"You lose, wand thief." The man loomed into view. He obviously favored his right side, but still managed to be a threatening shadow. "Easier to attack than to run, I see.." He sneered, leaning down.
Draika curled her legs on top of her, hugging her knees close. Even then she didn't know if he was set on killing her. Perhaps there would be torture before death. He might get arrogant…but anyone that could kill someone without batting an eye would certainly be intelligent…it took brains to learn to reject emotion.
A wave of anger swept through Draika. She didn't even know his identity, but she was already picking him apart. Time to go. She kicked out with both talons, knocking him off his feet just long enough for her to spring up and dart away. She had rejected death, but still could not fathom why.
Fear once again reached in, taking over. She ran and ran and ran and ran…but not once did the castle come into view. A chilling thought gripped her: What if she was going deeper into the forest? She'd have to double back and get past him before even thinking about getting home…
Home. The word struck an odd chord in Draika. She really DID think the castle was home…just after a few months. Lambaskian's had never been home. Romania had never been home. What was so different about Hogwarts? What was it?
~No time for questions. Silly, stupid, pointless questions that will never have answers.~ Even in a panic, her mind had not lost its trenchant edge. ~Yes. Run!~
Draika glanced behind her. She didn't see O.L…but he would probably catch up fast. Very fast. Hoping that he wasn't hidden in the shadows nearby, she deserted the faint path and began to climb a large softwood pine to get a better view of things.
Something grabbed onto her hair, tugging. Draika bit back a scream, not relinquishing her grip in the tree's soft bark. When the pressure did not return, she looked back down. A horseish thing had a grip on her cloak, probably after deciding her hair wasn't the best way to get her down. Its body was impossibly thin and bony. The eyes were the most unbelievable, though…pure white, without a trace of any pupil or shading. It sported large black dragon's wings, and Draika could see fangs poking out of its mouth.
-You must get away.- It stated, tugging her again.
Draika was so shocked that her grip was loose enough for her to be yanked to the ground. It was always surprising when an animal talked to you first.
"Of course I need to get away! This place is so confusing. I don't know what to think." Draika scrambled to her feet, looking up at the horseish being.
-The thestrals of the Forbidden Forest will be glad to help you.- He said in the same misty tones.
"…thestral." Draika blinked. "You…really do exist, then…."
-Yes. I am Drokaal.-
"Um…shouldn't we hurry?"
-Undoubtedly.-
Somehow Drokaal's simple phrases managed to be calming, and Draika hastily clambered onto his back. With no sound he took flight, and she could hear the frustrated cries of her pursuer.
"I don't care where you take me, I can't go back!" She leaned forwards, trying to steer. "Wait…where are we going?"
-Back.-
"Back? No!" She growled in frustration. "It's too confusing there! I don't know what to think."
-Life is confusing.- The twinkly lights of the castle appeared in the distance.
"No! You stupid animal!" Drokaal turned his head around, and Draika was instantly sorry. "I'm…I mean…I…"
-I know.- He nodded. -But we are going back.- With as much silence as before, he landed lightly in front of the castle. -Use the passage you came in by.-
"I…thanks." She said lamely, scuffing her talon on the snowy ground. "Do I have to?"
-I would advise as much. He still roams the forest.- With that, Drokaal sprang into the air, quickly disappearing among the clouds.
Draika watched him disappear before turning hesitantly into the castle, making her way to bed. Miaka was already asleep, hugging an enormous teddy. Trying not to disturb the girl, she crawled into her own bed.
* * *
It was a chilly morning in the dungeons two weeks later when Draika blinked sleepily, looking over at Miaka's bed. Classes had become steadily harder, and her own problems hadn't helped…stupid school. Then she remembered it was Christmas. Not that she expected anything, really. Hardly wanting to hope, she snuck a glance at the foot of her bed.
A few small packages and a bigger box sat there, as if waiting. Draika's heart leapt, and she bounced out of bed to examine them. Miaka was already up, watching her with an expression of silent amusement. The two girls had become a bit closer…Draika no longer tried to avoid her, and Miaka was steadily improving the annoying bit.
"Go on, they won't bite." Miaka said, laughing. "Look what mum's given me!" She brought out a large box. Upon closer inspection, Draika saw it was filled with candy.
"Wow." She commented, turning to her first package, from Linwe. A beautiful cloak of feathers fell onto her lap, obviously made from the moltings of various gryphons. With a smile, Draika realized that the little gryphon must have made this herself.
"Whoa." Miaka leaned over. "Lucky! I'll bet this'll repel hexes. Here, put it on, we'll try it out."
"Uh…" Draika didn't have time to argue as she was hauled to her feet. She hastily put it on. It dragged the ground, and the hood was nice and big. "How about later?"
"Sure." Miaka shrugged. "Just wanted to try. Open the rest…I love watching people open presents! Oooh…open this one!" She shoved a smallish bag into Draika's arms. "It's from me!"
"…okay…" Draika opened it warily, pulling out a small necklace. From the black cord hung a cat's eye stone held by a talon. She stared at it a moment before putting it on. It fit like a choker. "Wow…" She beamed. "This is…nice."
"Eeee!" Miaka squealed happily. "I just knew you'd like it!"
"I..I didn't really get you anything." Draika admitted. "…maybe I could pay for butterbeers in the Three Broomsticks?"
"Oooh…that'd be cool." Miaka admitted. "It's okay. I know you don't do much shopping. Open the last one."
Draika sighed, but smiled. What an odd duck. The third was actually more of a box than a package…it was unmarked, but she knew it must be from Sraelyth.
"Oh…" With a gasp, she lifted out a cage. In it sat a large owl with inky black feathers. She hooted sleepily, large golden eyes surveying the two girls with interest. "An owl…" She had never really wanted an owl, but it really is odd how you would love any present from someone special, even something like socks.
"Cuuuute!" Miaka hopped up and down. Draika laughed, unlatching the cage. The owl flew out, landing on Draika's shoulder. "What are you going to name him?"
Draika blinked, studying the owl closely. The bird hooted again, fluttering her tail.
"Tomonari."
----------------
So sorry to keep you waiting for this chapter! I had camp for two weeks, and got back Friday! *does camp dance* Thank you very much to Kaeru Soyokaze (Kia!) for the thestral suggestion. So…review, review, review!
To those of you who are wondering where the hell I got a name like Miaka…Behind the Name. It means 'cure' in some language other than English, French, or Spanish. Or German. Hm…*thinks* Eh.
A belated thanks to Karen and Kananori for bits of help on the previous chapter…^.^ Just to let you guys know, I'm going to be gone for two weeks in July, so the next chapter might take even LONGER than this…*sigh* I'm slow at chapters as it is, I know. I'll try to use my rest hour to think of ideas. Heh…yeah, they give us an hour after lunch to sleep or read or whatever, it's really nice.
Okay, I'm aware the fifth book has come out recently. I'm sorry to say that I have to omit ALL occurrences in the fifth book from this story, just to avoid confusion.
-----
~Draika~
Chapter Fifteen: Drokaal and Tomonari
"Uh…" Draika quickly shoved all the items back into the box. "Good for you." She would have backed up, but she was already against the wall. Miaka had thick curly red hair, and lots of freckles. Had she been sorted this year? She looked familiar.
"Blaise is right, you really need to work on your people skills." Miaka concluded decisively, standing up. "We try to be nice, you know. He felt bad about you getting in trouble. Blaise says you need to learn to control your anger." She blinked, studying the older girl. "It's no wonder you're miserable all the time, you should ask Blaise--"
"Okay, what is it with you and Blaise?" Draika stood up, beginning to get severely annoyed. "You're mentioning his name every eight words."
"Am not." Miaka sniffed. "And why shouldn't I talk about him, he's my brother."
"Your brother." Draika repeated. "No offense, but I don't really see the resemblance…"
"Oh, that's okay. We have different mothers, but our father is the same." Miaka seemed like a very bouncy person, however odd that adjective may have seemed at the time. "I don't see why he thinks he has to dye his hair…ridiculous, isn't it?"
"Yeah." Draika muttered, sitting down in a now-vacated armchair. "Are you feeling okay?"
"What do you mean? I'm just fine. Do I look pale? Or flushed? Maybe it's just the fire…"
"No, I mean…you're talking to me. Very quickly. And happily."
"Um…yup!" Miaka grinned, resting her head on the back of Draika's chair. "You seem very unaccustomed to social interaction."
"Yeah." Draika mumbled. "I don't plan to get that used to it in the near future." She did appreciate the chatter in a small, far-off corner of her mind, but it was getting annoying very quickly.
"That's really too bad." Miaka sighed. "It's really something, you know?" She watched (silent for once) as Draika stood and left. "Hm…what a nice girl." She mused, flopping into the armchair.
Draika tossed the package onto her bed, suddenly realizing that another trunk was placed at the foot of the next four-poster. Bending down to read the label, she was halfway surprised to see it was named as Zabini, Miaka's. She sighed, looking into the fire. What she wouldn't give for a pinch of Floo powder. After several minutes of completely pointless silent complaining and glowering at the torches, Draika put on her coat. Sraelyth had said to meet him, and she still would. If Ardror wanted to stop her, he would.
Striding quickly out of the common room before Miaka could spot her, Draika tried her hardest to remain inconspicuous. There was a close call with Peeves, but luckily he was too busy drawing glasses and moustaches on statues with permanent ink to notice her.
The cold air of the night was more than welcomed, a relieving change from the stuffy air of the dungeons. With quick and confident steps, Draika made her way through the now knee-deep snow towards the forest. Pulling her hood over her head to keep the snow out of her hair, she grimaced. There had to be some way to keep her feet from freezing…there was probably some kind of charm, but Draika knew she wouldn't ever look it up.
A sound. She froze, listening. Something had crunched particularly loud upon the snow behind her…close enough to make her feel uneasy. Quickening her pace, she passed behind Hagrid's hut into the forest. It wasn't much different, save for the total darkness. Something was now ahead of her…someone was saying something… There was a small light penetrating the darkness.
Draika ducked behind a tree in case someone was coming, but the voices didn't seem to be moving. A pained cry pierced the air. She halted. She was no hero…she didn't want to save anyone. But then again, she wasn't exactly someone who'd want to run from danger. Quite the opposite, really. With a start, she began to run through the snow. It wasn't really a run, more like the large leaps and bounds of an animal. But it worked.
Panting, Draika once again hid behind a tree. She could see the face of neither man. One was standing over the other, who was doubled over in the snow.
"I gave you a warning, Dissendi. Did I not?"
"O.L…what he's doing could ruin LIVES. The school…"
"I don't CARE about the school! There is only his task, and his goals. You have stuck your nose in where it is likely to be blown to bits…"
"You watch it, or I'll-"
"You'll what? May I remind you, I once again have a wand…your wand, in fact? It will do quite nicely until mine is returned…"
"You don't have the guts to kill me."
"Oh, of course not!" The standing man mocked the injured one. "But I don't need guts, as you'll see. Avada Kedavra!" The spell was hissed out almost happily.
Draika shielded her eyes as a burst of blinding green light nearly blinded her. Stumbling, she peered closer. The man shuddered, keeling over. Dead. Suppressing the urge to vomit, she took several deep breaths. O.L…who was O.L? Who had those initials? If that's what they even were…maybe it was something like TJ.
"Who's there?!" O.L. whirled around. His face was obscured by a large hood, the rest of his body swathed in a billowing cloak. "My wand…you have my wand. I can feel it!"
Draika backed away, trying not to make a sound. She could just get back to the castle. Easy.
"Accio wand!" He snarled.
Draika felt a tugging on her coat…for a horrible moment she thought she would fall and be swept into the cloaked man..but then she grabbed the wand, tossing it away from her.
"Ah…" He said, leaving the dead man's wand lying in the snow. "At last." O.L. continued to cast his gaze around, searching. Draika bit her tongue to keep from keening in horror, a sudden instinct. She didn't want to die. Or did she? Wasn't she miserable enough, that she'd wished for death hundreds of times before?
The man seemed intent on finding her, not hampered at all by the cold or drifting snow. Draika flinched.
~Now or never…~ She thought, and couldn't help but roll her eyes at the silly cliché. With a lunge she began to bound forwards, moving around behind the man. It called up a vague memory of predator and prey from somewhere inside her. Letting out a bellow that might have wakened the dead Draika leapt at the figure's unguarded back, digging her claws into the volumous robes.
He stumbled, but somehow managed to remain standing, quickly acting to remove the manic girl from his back. A blow caught Draika on the side of her head, but she only dug in her talons more resolutely, screeching and yelling until her voice was far past hoarse. The world spun, and she found herself staring up at the sky with all her wind knocked out. What had happened?
"You lose, wand thief." The man loomed into view. He obviously favored his right side, but still managed to be a threatening shadow. "Easier to attack than to run, I see.." He sneered, leaning down.
Draika curled her legs on top of her, hugging her knees close. Even then she didn't know if he was set on killing her. Perhaps there would be torture before death. He might get arrogant…but anyone that could kill someone without batting an eye would certainly be intelligent…it took brains to learn to reject emotion.
A wave of anger swept through Draika. She didn't even know his identity, but she was already picking him apart. Time to go. She kicked out with both talons, knocking him off his feet just long enough for her to spring up and dart away. She had rejected death, but still could not fathom why.
Fear once again reached in, taking over. She ran and ran and ran and ran…but not once did the castle come into view. A chilling thought gripped her: What if she was going deeper into the forest? She'd have to double back and get past him before even thinking about getting home…
Home. The word struck an odd chord in Draika. She really DID think the castle was home…just after a few months. Lambaskian's had never been home. Romania had never been home. What was so different about Hogwarts? What was it?
~No time for questions. Silly, stupid, pointless questions that will never have answers.~ Even in a panic, her mind had not lost its trenchant edge. ~Yes. Run!~
Draika glanced behind her. She didn't see O.L…but he would probably catch up fast. Very fast. Hoping that he wasn't hidden in the shadows nearby, she deserted the faint path and began to climb a large softwood pine to get a better view of things.
Something grabbed onto her hair, tugging. Draika bit back a scream, not relinquishing her grip in the tree's soft bark. When the pressure did not return, she looked back down. A horseish thing had a grip on her cloak, probably after deciding her hair wasn't the best way to get her down. Its body was impossibly thin and bony. The eyes were the most unbelievable, though…pure white, without a trace of any pupil or shading. It sported large black dragon's wings, and Draika could see fangs poking out of its mouth.
-You must get away.- It stated, tugging her again.
Draika was so shocked that her grip was loose enough for her to be yanked to the ground. It was always surprising when an animal talked to you first.
"Of course I need to get away! This place is so confusing. I don't know what to think." Draika scrambled to her feet, looking up at the horseish being.
-The thestrals of the Forbidden Forest will be glad to help you.- He said in the same misty tones.
"…thestral." Draika blinked. "You…really do exist, then…."
-Yes. I am Drokaal.-
"Um…shouldn't we hurry?"
-Undoubtedly.-
Somehow Drokaal's simple phrases managed to be calming, and Draika hastily clambered onto his back. With no sound he took flight, and she could hear the frustrated cries of her pursuer.
"I don't care where you take me, I can't go back!" She leaned forwards, trying to steer. "Wait…where are we going?"
-Back.-
"Back? No!" She growled in frustration. "It's too confusing there! I don't know what to think."
-Life is confusing.- The twinkly lights of the castle appeared in the distance.
"No! You stupid animal!" Drokaal turned his head around, and Draika was instantly sorry. "I'm…I mean…I…"
-I know.- He nodded. -But we are going back.- With as much silence as before, he landed lightly in front of the castle. -Use the passage you came in by.-
"I…thanks." She said lamely, scuffing her talon on the snowy ground. "Do I have to?"
-I would advise as much. He still roams the forest.- With that, Drokaal sprang into the air, quickly disappearing among the clouds.
Draika watched him disappear before turning hesitantly into the castle, making her way to bed. Miaka was already asleep, hugging an enormous teddy. Trying not to disturb the girl, she crawled into her own bed.
* * *
It was a chilly morning in the dungeons two weeks later when Draika blinked sleepily, looking over at Miaka's bed. Classes had become steadily harder, and her own problems hadn't helped…stupid school. Then she remembered it was Christmas. Not that she expected anything, really. Hardly wanting to hope, she snuck a glance at the foot of her bed.
A few small packages and a bigger box sat there, as if waiting. Draika's heart leapt, and she bounced out of bed to examine them. Miaka was already up, watching her with an expression of silent amusement. The two girls had become a bit closer…Draika no longer tried to avoid her, and Miaka was steadily improving the annoying bit.
"Go on, they won't bite." Miaka said, laughing. "Look what mum's given me!" She brought out a large box. Upon closer inspection, Draika saw it was filled with candy.
"Wow." She commented, turning to her first package, from Linwe. A beautiful cloak of feathers fell onto her lap, obviously made from the moltings of various gryphons. With a smile, Draika realized that the little gryphon must have made this herself.
"Whoa." Miaka leaned over. "Lucky! I'll bet this'll repel hexes. Here, put it on, we'll try it out."
"Uh…" Draika didn't have time to argue as she was hauled to her feet. She hastily put it on. It dragged the ground, and the hood was nice and big. "How about later?"
"Sure." Miaka shrugged. "Just wanted to try. Open the rest…I love watching people open presents! Oooh…open this one!" She shoved a smallish bag into Draika's arms. "It's from me!"
"…okay…" Draika opened it warily, pulling out a small necklace. From the black cord hung a cat's eye stone held by a talon. She stared at it a moment before putting it on. It fit like a choker. "Wow…" She beamed. "This is…nice."
"Eeee!" Miaka squealed happily. "I just knew you'd like it!"
"I..I didn't really get you anything." Draika admitted. "…maybe I could pay for butterbeers in the Three Broomsticks?"
"Oooh…that'd be cool." Miaka admitted. "It's okay. I know you don't do much shopping. Open the last one."
Draika sighed, but smiled. What an odd duck. The third was actually more of a box than a package…it was unmarked, but she knew it must be from Sraelyth.
"Oh…" With a gasp, she lifted out a cage. In it sat a large owl with inky black feathers. She hooted sleepily, large golden eyes surveying the two girls with interest. "An owl…" She had never really wanted an owl, but it really is odd how you would love any present from someone special, even something like socks.
"Cuuuute!" Miaka hopped up and down. Draika laughed, unlatching the cage. The owl flew out, landing on Draika's shoulder. "What are you going to name him?"
Draika blinked, studying the owl closely. The bird hooted again, fluttering her tail.
"Tomonari."
----------------
So sorry to keep you waiting for this chapter! I had camp for two weeks, and got back Friday! *does camp dance* Thank you very much to Kaeru Soyokaze (Kia!) for the thestral suggestion. So…review, review, review!