Dreary and cold. Just like his heart and soul. Darkness hung over the city below him and he gazed down at the feeble lamp lights shining thru the darkness. It would rain tonight, he could taste the acid on the air. He wasn't immune to it, same as the others, but he couldn't bring himself to enter his abode just yet. He had to make sure they were safe from the rain.
Irritation at these feelings rose in his chest and he growled low in his throat at the weakness their existances brought to him. Mahoghanny eyes swung downward to his belt, where hung seven white adult feathers. Feathers that should have been impossible. For they came from his own jet colored wings. Wings that blended darker then the night sky. The white should have been impossible, but somehow, upon seeing each of the seven, he had discovered the next day that he had sprouted a white feather in his wings.
She had been the first he had spotted. He had not known what had drawn him to her. He still didn't know. He had followed her from a distance, hiding in the shadows that dark night. He had followed her home and then realized he had been waiting for her to get home safely. He had pushed her from his thoughts after that and had returned to his home, sleeping fitfully. It had been to his horror the next morning to find the single white feather in his wings. He had torn it from himself, and the preceeding thirty somthing after that, and tossed it into the fire. Finally he had given into it and although he had not allowed the feather to remain in his wings, he had clipped it to his belt. It did not grow back.
Then he had seen another, a tall doctor, a rarity in this city. Another feather had appeared and he had cursed and ranted and glared at the offending white proof of innocence in his hands before tucking it with the first one.
Next had come his purple haired, fragile one. Then the brash fighter who tried to not draw attention to himself as he fought for money for his siblings, who lived seperately from him, to get enough food on their table. Then there was the son of a wealthy merchant, one had obviously had money for protection. After that, the youngest of his protected, the young scholar who had attracted the attention of those he should and shouldn't, with his knowledge. Then, as if knowing there was only one left, he had seen him. The red head. His spitfire... A smile slipped onto the man's lips as his final protected came to mind and he fingered the one feather that was fairer then the others. This was the one that had come from finding Genrou Kou. He had known instantly what it meant, although he refused to accept or act upon it. For now, he would guard them, like he was doing.
The sting of acid pricked his nose and he sniffed lightly, noting the rain was drawing closer. With a quick move, he plucked his enchanted cloak from the hook and swinging it on, it melded past his wings, allowing them to float thru the fabric, as the enchantment demanded, and he lept easily onto the ledge of the balcony and spread his wings, leaping with ease as he caught the breeze and went in search of them.
He flew with ease, the only figure in the skies. His people were not suppose to be able to fly, but he had the ability. A twisted smile tilted his lips. His flying caused terror in the hearts of the people, just how he preferred. His flying also made looking after his protected easier.
He winged towards Genrou first. As he landed lightly on the roof, he didn't even need to extend his ki to know his spirited one was safely protected for the night. He must be arguing with his siblings again. Relief stirring slightly in his dark heart, he rose into the air and continued on his path. Dokun was just arriving home, arm full of books as Houjun passed over head and the youngest met the eyes of his protector and gave a small smile before ducking into his house. The young man in the air did not return the smile but continued on. Myojuan was in his office, safely indoors. Ryuuen and Saiheti were also in their respected abodes. That only left Kishiku and Miaka. He winged towards her house and frowned when he didn't sense her ki. With a shake of his wings, he lifted into the night, urgency moving him faster. He extended his powers and found her blocks away.
Foolish girl, what was she doing out? It was dark for one and she should be able to smell the acid in the air, even above the stench of the city. He quickly winged down towards her, catching sight of her hurrying along the empty streets. He landed before her as the drops of the acid rain began to fall. Pain shot through his being as he heard her soft cry of pain as a drop hit her bare arms and he strode toward her. He caught the fear in her eyes as she raised her eyes to him, having realized someone was there.
Then the most amazing thing happened. Most amazing in his eyes. She did not turn and run, she did not scream and shrink back. She ran for him. "Houjun." The darkness in his heart seemed to lift for a moment at her relieved cry and he opened up his arms, allowing her to enter the safe enclosure of his enchanted cloak. "Foolish child."
She sniffled and nodded as he gathered her in his deceptively muscular arms and took off into the air. "We are too far from my home, Houjun."
He nodded as he winged down towards Kishiku's house. "You will stay with another of my protected till it is over, then go straight home. He will see you there. Don't disobey me." His voice was cold as he set her on her feet before Kishiku's house and knocked once, then pushed the door open.
He caught Kishiku's shocked face as the door opened and the soft lamp light fell into the doorway. His cold mahoghanny held the warm brown of his male protected as he pushed Miaka into the room. She stumbled a bit and then caught herself. She turned to him, as Kishiku came around the table in the middle of the room.
Not a word was spoken between the three as Houjun leveled a dark gaze at Miaka first, then Kishiku. With a soft nod, he turned and lifted instantly into the sky, winging back towards his own shelter.