Hello, and a big thank you to all those who read and reviewed my first ever Tactics fic.." Dance of the Fireflies."
This story takes place around a week or so after and mentions the lake scene.
It is in response to those of you who asked me to please write more that has bought this story to light and I hope you all enjoy it.
Although I have strived to keep Haruka and co in character, I may have made the odd mistake or two in which case I apologise for in advance.
Disclaimer: Well, much as I would love to claim the gang of youkai busters for my own, they are not mine.
" Because Hawks and Wolves mate for life."
Chapter One: Storm warning.
Story: Tora Macaw
If there was one thing Kentarou loved doing, it was watching the hawks at sunset as they sailed effortlessly on wide wings. The young man smiled wistfully as he observed them wheeling on the shifting air currents and listened to sounds of their high pitched cries drifting on the breeze. Starkly outlined against the thick grey storm clouds of the thundery twilight, the pair of raptors weaved lazy patterns as the tired sun broke through the gloaming; to slant towards the earth as it waited with baited breath for rain.
For weeks without end the land had suffered in the grip of drought, causing the people to moan about the wrath of angry spirits and keep one Kentaruo Ichinomiya... folklore scholar and part time exorcist rather busy. But as a third winged shape sailed into view, the silver haired youth smiled and chuckled at the lack current of active youkais, undeniabley proving that it was merely nature itself at its fickle best and not the work of rampaging monsters.
Now, with the air heavy from moisture and thunder muttering ominously in the distance, he knew he could relax and soon enjoy a respite from the oppressive dryness. But the impending storm and long awaited moisture wasn't the only reason to bring a warm curve to the young man's lips and a tender look of yearning to his large amber eyes as he turned his gaze southward.
Catching a thermal and riding it in a steady glide was the dark form of a slender man. Long black hair streamed out from his skull and huge wings like those of a great raven stood wide from his shoulders to carry him easily among the clouds. Lifting his wings, the male swooped low to soar over his admirer then swung about and landed close by bringing a lump to the scholar's throat as Haruka turned his regal gaze onto the one who had freed him.
It had been only a few months, yet to the former ogre eater it felt like years had past since the faithful day his tamer had broken his seal and their partnership had begun. True he had been somewhat reluctant at first, but as the weeks had rolled by time itself seemed to melt into a blurred puddle and he ceased to ponder on the distant memories now forgotten. But from that tentative acceptance of his situation, it had turned into an approval that quickly blossomed into friendship. Briefly glancing at the flying birds as he shoved his hands deep into the pockets of the human clothing he now wore, Haruka let his mind wander to his churning emotions.
He hadn't at first had any desire to physically contact with Kantarou, yet in those brief moments when he had wrapped protective arms around his young master to spirit him out of harms way as they battled evil youkai; he had felt the stirrings of something that he was no longer certain he could deny. Was it just a driving need to keep his tamer unharmed, or was it more than that? It was a question he had asked himself many times over and not a single answer had been heard. On the one occasion he had worked up the courage to ask Sugino, the white tengu had snorted with open derision.
" Humans and monsters can never be friends." Cuddling the small blue creature sitting in his lap, the long haired youkai had then fixed his fellow Tengu with a severe stare. " Ogre eater, there is a wall between you and Kantarou that is too high to breach and you know yourself that humans can be fickle. He could still turn on you."
" And if he never did?" replied the dark winged male as he studied the roof tiles at his feet. " I think I may have feelings for him."
" Then you are a fool." growled Sugino has he pushed to his feet. " A human and a Tengu could never be lovers." Tenderly stroking the smiling bundle held against his chest, the green-eyed avian then informed his somber companion; " I have Muu chan. What if you were to meet a monster you liked hmm? A Youkai like us?"
Switching his gaze to the stars twinkling high in the heavens, stony silence had been his only answer.
Abruptly realizing that Kantarou was speaking, Haruka jerked himself back to the present. " I'm sorry?"
Amber eyes shining with admiration, the silver haired youth once again pointed upwards. " I said, the hawks are so graceful." Sighing, he then turned his large, expressive orbs to meet stern eyes so dark they were almost black. " I wish...Haruka, what's it like? you know...to fly?"
For a few heartbeats, the Tengu considered the question then cocked his head alittle to one side as he quietly spoke. " It's...nice."
Kantarou laughed and playfully dug his friend in the ribs with an elbow. " It's nice? Is that all you can say?"
" Then what should I say?" asked Haruka in genuine puzzlement. " For me, it's as natural as walking and I have never heard you describe the act of walking."
" Then maybe I will!" Folding his arms, the young man stared dreamily out over the landscape laid out before them. " I enjoy the freedom of easy movement and the way the grass tickles at my feet. And if I walk through mud, I love the squashy feeling as it oozes between my toes. If I'm wearing warm socks on a cold night, I like the way I can slide on the floorboards." Chuckling, he then turned to gaze up at his partner. " Your turn Haruka chan!"
" Very well." Collecting his thoughts, the proud youkai slowly shook his wings as he described the sensations of flight. " The wind feels cool and supports me when I soar upon it. I enjoy the rush of it passing through my feathers, and it can be amusing when the currents lift me up or let me down." Tipping his head back, Haruka closed his eyes then spoke as if asleep. " But the best thing is seeing the land spread out like a multi coloured cloak below me...and holding you in my arms..."
Snapping his jaw shut, the Tengu realized with shock the words had carelessly tumbled out of his mouth and turned nervously toward his tamer, but the young scholar didn't seemed to have heard the last part as he stared at the clouds with a wistful yearning.
Covering his sigh of relief with an exaggerated stretching of his large wings accompanied by a lot of noisy, heavy flapping, Haruka fled to the refuge of the silent sky as he muttered; " I'm going for another ' walk' "
Smiling gently, the earth bound Kantarou could do nothing but watch him leave as the sky became steadily darker. A hot breeze sprang up to tug at his loose clothes, then the first of the warm, fat drops of rain began to fall as the rumbling thunder rolled throughout the lowering clouds and the circling hawks cried out in reply. Somewhere in the distance, a lonely dog howled as though its heart was braking causing the solitary youth's lips to curve sadly.
" You sound like a wolf, little dog." he thought as he gazed longingly at his gliding Tengu. " Do you too wish you could fly and long for a hawks embrace?"
.-.-.-.-.-.-
With the full onset of night, the threatening storm ceased to merely grumble and launched all out attack on the defenceless keep of the cowering earth. Rain fell in punishing torrents as lightening played joyfully through the stratosphere and thunder roared its strident message of triumph as it became the undisputed master of all it surveyed.
Hiding from the violent clash of the elements, Kantarou lay safely in his bed as he listened to the turbulence raging above his house. Lighting flashed and struck a nearby tree with a deafening crack that briefly lit up his room like a search light making him gasp in sudden fear at the angry sound and clutch his blanket tight about himself. Eyes wide, he stared into the semi-darkness as his breath heaved in and out as startled pants and his heartbeat pounded in his ears. Jumping at the sudden sound of his bedroom door sliding back, he almost bolted from his sanctuary as something dashed across the floor to hurl itself under his bedding then lay there in a huddled, quivering lump.
Recognizing the warm furry form, the youth relaxed as he breathed out his tension and lifted one corner to smile at the two wide brown orbs staring back at him.
" It's alright Yoko chan, it's only a storm."
Blinking, the red furred fox chuckled nervously as a large sweat drop beaded on the back of its head and it crept on its belly toward its friend.
" I know Kan chan!" she said brightly, then flinched as the thunder snarled again. " It's just...emm...can I stay here?"
Laughing at the Kitsune's pleading expression, Kantarou pulled out a spare pillow from under himself then placed it a short distance away from his head. Giving the fluffy object an inviting pat, he then welcomed his guest and hoped she would be comfortable. Sighing gratefully, Yoko curled up with her bushy tail over her nose and mumbled a contented goodnight.
" Good night Yoko chan." the amber eyed scholar said pleasantly as he resettled himself to sleep. Turning his head he grinned at his little room mate, but in his minds eye the snoozing fox morphed into a lean, muscular body topped by a handsome face framed by beautiful black hair. Twin orbs of dark iris opened to gaze lovingly into his own, then the man was leaning over him; kissing him with unbridled passion and running strong hands over his naked body.
Just on the verge of falling asleep, Yoko's triangular ears twitched in response to a soft noise that sounded like a quiet sob in the darkness making her wonder about the young man's sudden sorrow.
In a different part of the house those very eyes from Kantarou's fantasy stared first at the ceiling, then lowered to gaze moodily at his own bedroom door. Tipping some sake into his treasured old rice bowl, Haruka trembled; not from the violence of the storm, but from how very close he had come to blurting out his true feelings. " But Kantarou is still a mere human." he firmly chastised himself as he raised the vessel to his lips and swiftly drained it. " A human, AND a male!."
His bowl empty, the Tengu carefully laid it aside then lay on his back; his hands behind his head and stared up at the too-familar ceiling of his lonely room. He had lain awake for many nights during the past turn of the moon; as the burning ache of a strange need kindled just over a week ago, when his tamer had discovered him bathing, slowly grew from a flickering ember to an unquenchable fire that filled his blood and quickened his loins. Yet try as he had done so to relive himself of such ridiculous desires that he knew could never be, his own soul had betrayed him by longing to take Kantarou in his arms as he had done so in the lake and pleasure him in way he had not so much as dared to think on that lovely and magical night.
He had come close, oh so very close to kissing the human when he had seen those tears then held him so long, but the youth was drained both physically and emotionally from his outburst and Haruka had ended up gently carrying him home then leaving him to sleep peacefully...and alone.
" Why alone?" he asked the rolling thunder, but it's incoherent answer gave him no comfort as the raven-haired male wondered just how on earth to deal with his perplexing situation. " Tell him" whispered a voice in his mind, but Haruka snorted and stubbornly refused to yield.
Turning onto his side, he closed his eyes and wished that sleep would come and, at least temporarily, relieve him of his torment. Had Kantarou come to him the following day, he firmly reminded himself, but the young man had been strangely shy and he himself had withdrawn in confusion as he realized he had no idea of how to cope with the unexpected development.
A sudden loud crash at the rear of the house followed by several heavy bangs brutally cut through his musings and caused him to leap to his feet; weapon in hand and wings extended as his body tensed for combat.
Also hearing the clamour, Kantarou scrambled to his feet as his head snapped about and his wild eyes sought out the cause. A heavy deluge of rain hammered down in a fearful torrent as thunder roared and his bedroom door was thrown back to reveal an anxious Tengu baring down on him as he voiced a worried cry of " Kantarou!"
" I'm alright Haruka, so is Yoko." he answered with an absent minded wave in the terrified kitsune's direction with one hand, while curving the other over his friends shoulder to hold it tight. Briefly covering the limb with his own, Haruka told the youth to stay close as the pair strode out to investigate.
Dodging around the two male bodies, Yoko in her human form swiftly crept up to the back door and with a firm nod she slid it back.
Driving rain instantly invaded on invisible war horses of howling wind as a freezing torrent of moisture that momentarily drove the trio back, then they moved forward to challenge the assaulting forces and step out into the storm.
" Look kantarou!" cried Yoko as her keen night vision picked out a dark shape slumped along side one wall. Leading the way, she leaned down then jumped back with a squeal of surprise as a dazzling claw of lightening lanced down to light up the unconscious figure.
Two large wings of midnight shade lay in a sodden tangle along the muddy ground and long hair of coal darkness was plastered to the back and neck as it obscured the owners face in a soaking mass. Stepping forward, Kantarou yelled for Haruka to take whatever the youkai was inside, then froze to the spot; gasping in pain as agony shot throughout his chest. Doubled over, he waved aside his Tengu's concerns then trailed after him as he entered the house and carefully lay his burden on the main living space floor.
Yoko quickly lit some lamps, then drew in a startled breath as her hands flew to her mouth in shock as the stunned trio clearly saw the injured monster for the first time.
" I don't believe it!" exclaimed the Kitsune as she looked first to a chest clutching, eye glazed Kantarou then to a clearly thunderstruck Haruka.
Lying on the floor at their feet, her face pale and her lungs barely working to breath, was a strange Tengu!
To be continued...
