YEAR ONE 7/8 Risking Imminent Peril
You have to risk going too far to discover just how far you can really go. ~TS Elliot
Hajime Iwaizumi keeps his gaze focused on the contrasting pairs of wings ahead of him.
They've been flying almost nonstop since they left the rookery and he can't be certain he hasn't been spotted as they'd made a beeline for the coast before turning south when they'd hit the ocean. They'd stopped in a dingy inn overnight along the roadway, leaving before the sun was over the horizon this morning. He's nearly lost them several times in his efforts to remain undetected, but they've picked up speed today; it makes Hajime think they are closing in on their destination— and stars willing, maybe he will finally get a break in his search for the avian prince.
The two foreign avians had spent four days in the rookery, surrounded by family and close friends of the former first unit. They'd never been without an escort whenever they'd ventured from the Nishinoya residence with either Saeko or Momma Yu or one of the others always with them, so he'd had no opportunity to casually approach.
He'd been torturously conflicted about reporting them to the Grand King. An interrogation might have gotten some answers… but it would have lost them the opportunity to possibly gain more through simple surveillance. Since everyone they met with had ties to the former first unit, Hajime was positive beyond doubt that they knew them, would have any amount of information on the heir and his unit, the least of which would be their location. But it might have taken time to obtain that during which the former first unit could easily be spooked by their absence and slip through his fingers once more. And no matter how much it felt like a betrayal, Hajime couldn't do it.
Here was the first tangible link to Kageyama and the others he'd had in over a year. Here was his first real chance of finding them that was more than just a story or rumor. He didn't know when or if he'd get another like it. So he'd returned to the rookery leader's study and asked for a few days' leave to chase down a lead that seemed promising. Although surprised, the Grand King had been nothing but amenable to the request.
And as the two head into a dive over a small beach town ahead of him, Hajime feels his limbs shiver in anticipation, because he feels like he's this close. This close to finding Kageyama and the first unit. This close to unraveling the riddle of their disappearance and solving the question of their location. This close to succeeding in something that had turned zero results for over a year.
He briefly loses sight of them as he skims the treetops at top speed to close in from where he'd been hanging back and he wants to curse. He's come too far to fail now, and as he crests the treeline before the wash of buildings, he catches sight of pale wings. He double checks with slight annoyance to make sure that it's not a gull; he'd nearly lost them more than once yesterday after they'd hit the coast and the other white winged avians were everywhere.
After following them for five days, he's gotten to recognize their shapes from a distance and they've just landed outside a small shop where a man that reminds him oddly of Saeko Tanaka with his banded blond hair and black crow wings, has stepped out to meet them with an easy grin. He doesn't recognize this person at all, but the two definitely know him; they've both been pretty antisocial this whole trip and the freckled crow chatters to him far more than simple greetings would require while the blond nods and answers when addressed. Hajime frowns slightly.
Another contact point?
The man laughs and asks something else and nods after a moment… and then his eyes cut up and straight to him. Hajime goes as rigid as his gliding wings allow.
Shit. They definitely knew he was tailing them.
It makes his blood chill in his veins, his entire being uneasy. He'd thought that maybe he'd gone undetected… but he was wrong. And in an instant, he's furious with himself. He's probably just lost the chance to find the Grand King's stupid kid, probably won't get another shot like this, and he's probably being watched now, too.
Just freaking peachy.
He should have reported it to the Grand King— or at the very least, initiated some type of contact when the two were alone en route here yesterday. The shop owner nods once more and turns to head back inside, the two following without a backward glance.
Hajime debates on his next action for several moments as he drops down onto the main street running through the small fishing village. Everyone seems to stare at him and he wants to curse this aspect of small towns; everyone knew everyone else, and anyone not from there was an instant curiosity. If the former unit were here, everyone would likely be aware of them… but questioning them on it might make them suspicious. If they've taken a liking to the former first unit, he could be facing a potentially dangerous situation if they decide he's a threat.
He agitatedly runs a hand through his hair in indecision.
A pair of grey wings drift by him and he blinks as he recognizes feathers the hue of a thrush's— like the one that had been part of Kageyama's unit. He scowls.
Well, they know he's here at this point, might as well try to figure out what he can. He resolves to forward a raven back to the rookery before he leaves in the off chance things go south. He eyes the shop they entered speculatively, before heading for the one across the street, the village eyes following his movements. He has to shake off the crawling feeling of being observed, trying to remind himself that they are all probably more curious than anything. He steps through the doorway and blinks as he's assaulted by the smell of fresh fish.
Well, it is a fishing village, he surmises.
A single gull works behind the counter, the only other person he can see. When he throws a leering gaze his way, Hajime has to force his own expression into a flat look. The gull pauses his task of deboning the filets of a large fish long enough to grunt something over his shoulder.
Nice guy, Hajime muses cynically as a small woman with speckled wings emerges from the back room. Her gaze settles on him and she offers a polite smile.
"Can I help you with anything?" Hajime blanks for a moment.
"Eh… I'm looking for something I can eat on the fly. Have a couple strips of dried tuna or sardines maybe?" He asks and she shakes her head once.
"Haven't had enough on hand of either of those to dry lately, but we do have some cod?" She offers instead and he nods.
"That will work… you will take rookery currency?"
Her eyes sharpen on him and he wonders for a moment if he's made her uneasy.
"We do." She says, and if he hadn't been paying attention, he'd have missed the glance she throws to the gull altogether. She heads to an aerated bin and pulls out a couple dried filets before heading back to the counter.
"Sentries aren't a common sight in Sheru Bay, what brings you here?" She asks offhandedly as she starts wrapping the fish.
"Passing through. It's a charming little village; you really don't get many of us?"
"Three in the last year, and that's unusual."
"Three, huh? What were they doing here?"
"Same as you I guess; haven't seen any of them more than once." She says with a frown. Hajime's head tilts at the odd hint of disdain and he throws caution to the wind.
"You wouldn't remember what they looked like would you? I might know them." He asks on a whim. Her sharp eyes settle back on his face with consideration and the gull beside her stills.
"And if I did?" She asks, her voice dropping with a touch of annoyance. Hajime can't help but press for information.
"Was one of them grounded?" The gull glances at her, but she keeps her gaze fixed on him with an apathetic stare.
"The redhead wasn't the problem, the black haired one was. Wherever he came from, he had military training, so we assumed he must have been a sentry at least." She says and Hajime sucks in a breath, struggling to keep his instant excitement from his face.
They were here. Kageyama and the shrimp were here. He has a real lead.
His limbs almost hum with the adrenaline of it and he has to work to keep his impatience for more information from his voice.
"Military training? How so?"
"He nearly killed one of my dock runners in no time flat, and grounded him for a good eight months afterword. Every move was calculated and precise." She says crisply, her eyes snapping with irritation.
"Did he? You wouldn't know where he and the shrimp went?" He asks, not quite able to keep the anticipation out of his voice and she eyes him a little appraisingly.
"Afraid not. They were with the odd group that lives south of town, but I haven't seen either of them since, so I couldn't say what happened to them after that."
"This group, do you know where they are?"
"They are on the beach like a league out or something… but you might want to bring a few more people than just your lonesome if you plan to take that on. There's a fair number of them and I guarantee it won't be what you expect." She says, her eyes dropping back to where she finishes wrapping the fish. Hajime's head tilts.
"What do you mean?"
"They run the gamut, a bunch of dissidents ranging from songbirds to crows to cats. More than one of them are shady in my opinion and the way the girls live there with them is indecent. They even have a sour ibis that shows up in Sheru Bay on occasion."
Ibis.
Hajime instantly connects the dots. He'd puzzled for days on what that stupid blond character might be. Perhaps following them had been the better choice after all. He hadn't known when he'd first noticed those two that they would lead to this. He'd finally struck a gold vein on information. He can hardly contain himself and the itch to find a raven is overpowering; he has to tell the Grand King about this. Even if they aren't still here, the people they'd sheltered with were. He fishes out a few coins for the fish.
"I appreciate all your help. If I have more questions, may I come back?" He asks politely and the woman offers him a leering smile.
"Anytime." She says easily, handing him the package. Hajime nods and turns to leave.
He needs to find a raven.
He's two steps outside the door when a hand drops on his shoulder. He turns to meet yellow umber eyes staring down at him, blond hair framing a haughty smile, and his gut drops.
"So you're the shadow."
Fuck.
He has a moment of complete irritation where all he can think is 'well, this certainly went to hell', before he recovers his composure and levels a flat look back at the ibis.
"I beg your pardon?" He says blandly, hoping he doesn't sound as off kilter as he feels.
"I'm sure you must be tired from your efforts. Care to take a walk with me? I know just the place to put you up for the night." The blond says, holding his other hand out in invitation.
Hajime has no backup; fleeing or fighting these two here would only cause a scene and he doesn't know if they have allies up in the vicinity… perhaps patience and rigid compliance would be prudent at the moment. Still, he's most definitely not comfortable with this.
"I think I can find my own accommodations." He murmurs a bit stiffly even as he reluctantly allows the blond to lead him forward, the freckled crow hanging off his other elbow with wide eyes.
"Don't bother, we've got it covered. Gotta hand it to you, though... you picked the one place in town that wouldn't have covered for us." The ibis says conversationally, as if they weren't still in the middle of the little village.
Hajime blanches just a bit at the aggressive remark that is unnerving given the blond's calm exterior. His blunt confidence makes his gut curl in dread...and another block and the town ends. Hajime eyes the road that leads to nothing more than a path winding into the undergrowth with misgiving. The ibis' hand leaves his shoulder and grips a length of rope coiled over his arm that the sentry hadn't seen at first and his unease redoubles.
Perhaps he should make a scene.
"What do you want?" He asks, his eyes narrowing.
"That's really the question you want to start with? Not 'where is the avian prince and his annoying shrimp'? Not 'how did they manage to slip past every sentry and escape the rookery'? Or perhaps more critically, 'are they even still alive'?"
Hajime jars slightly. He's never really considered that possibility. His gut twists with dread at the answer, but he has to know.
"Are they?" He asks, sincerely trying to cover the tension spidering through him from his gut. He sincerely hopes they are, the alternative is the last bit of news he wants to bring back for the Grand King. His son disappearing nearly broke him; Hajime's positive his son being dead would destroy him.
"They are." The freckled crow says from his other side, a grin spreading across his face and it makes Hajime frown. This guy seems far less malicious somehow and it's difficult to read them both with their contradicting demeanors. The sentry leader jolts when the blond's hand catches on Hajime's shoulder again.
Hajime abruptly feels most uneasy, and he notices for the first time that they've left the town behind. He hadn't even realized they'd entered the forest. The plant life has closed in around them with very little sunshine reaching the moss beds amid the brush and trees.
Pinfeathers, these guys move fast on foot— and they're freakishly silent, too… like cats. For avians they're frighteningly comfortable on the ground.
He knows they're entirely capable in flight though, because they just covered a hell of a jaunt in the last two days to get here. Perhaps cooperation was another poor choice; there's no one out here to help if they decide to off him the way the ibis insinuates.
"We'll give you the answers to all the questions you have about your little princeling. Seriously— anything you want to know. But make sure you find out everything you can, because I can't promise you'll still be around in the morning." The ibis says with a nonchalant shrug, but his umber eyes snap with more dangerous promise when they slide his way.
"Whoa, Tsukki! Okay, don't worry, he's kidding." The crow says quickly, his hands outstretched. The blond huffs in dark amusement.
"No, no. Do worry. He's delusional. It seems to be a standard for nearly every crow I've met. That and idiocy."
The blond's arm shifts to drop across his shoulder in a bizarrely cordial gesture, almost as if they were old acquaintances. Hajime has to wonder how such an easygoing action could possibly feel nothing but hostile.
"See, the thing about crows is they all seem fascinated by the simplest things. Take my wings for example— they're obviously not black. Doesn't matter if it's a kid or an adult or if they are sheltered or traveled, all crows seem to react the same. We'd only been in the rookery five minutes and I'd lost a feather to some little girl with creepy black eyes, about this high." He says glancing to where he measures out an approximate height with his other hand.
"Know what?" He asks looking back at him, that smirk back in place, "You are never going to find that kid. So…" The ibis spreads a pale wing in front of him with a flourish.
"Would you like a feather, too?" He asks, a predatory glint tinting his arrogant smirk.
Hajime stares at him, getting the distinct impression the blond is sincerely enjoying himself.
These guys killed off a child?
"You're insane." He says thickly, feeling slightly sick.
"A side effect of being surrounded by black winged morons for a year, I assure you. Now we still have a ways to go. Still good to walk or your legs stop working?"
Hajime glares back at the ibis, his mind snapping with brittle anger and nerves; he'd never noticed that he'd stopped. He's a sentry and has full combat training and they are two random strangers. Chances are good that he shouldn't have too much issue besting them in a fight or at the very least, escaping. And if Kageyama and the first unit are indeed close by... everything he's worked for is just out of reach, but he feels like he's brushing it with his fingertips.
Perhaps he can stick around a little longer; it will be worth it if he can get more information. He starts forward mechanically, and they fall into step beside him once more.
"Where are we going?" He asks sourly.
"I thought you knew already. A league south on the beach?" The umber eyes slide his way disdainfully. "You did want to meet your former comrades again, right?"
Hajime has no idea how the blond seems privy to the conversation he'd had with the woman in the fish shop as if he were there. It's radically disturbing his peace of mind, but the taller avian's question prods his attention.
"They are there?"
"For the moment." The ibis responds amiably. Hajime sucks in a breath.
They're here. He really is that close.
"Hey, what's your name?" The freckled crow asks and his eyebrows rise in surprise.
"Eh… Iwaizumi." He says and immediately regrets his candor. He was basically accompanying them under voluntary duress; why would he be foolish enough to offer any information about himself?
"I bet you have a bunch of stories about Kageyama and the others. Hey Tsukki, this is the perfect opportunity to gain blackmail material for those two." He looks up at the ibis with a grin and a glint of admiration.
"An excellent plan, Yamaguchi. If he survives till tomorrow, I'll look forward to it." The blond says flatly.
"I'm expected back at the rookery in two days. I don't check in, they will come looking." Hajime says sharply and the umber eyes fix on him skeptically.
"No one knows you're here do they?" The blond drawls and the sentry freezes, his reaction a dead giveaway.
"Wow, Tsukki, you were right! How did you know?" The freckled crow asks with awe.
"He was following us. He didn't know our destination so he wouldn't have known how long it would take to reach. No reconnaissance agent would lay out a deadline like that for such a wide open mission." Hajime's tension heightens as the blond calls his bluff with immediate certainty.
This guy is perceptive… and this just got more dangerous.
The Grand King had known he was taking off to chase down a lead, but Hajime had told him nothing more about it. Not even his unit had been told much beyond expecting his absence for a few days. The situation is rapidly devolving into potential peril and the sentry leader feels his shoulders bracing.
Staying was a mistake. They now know he can be removed at any point and if they're careful, no one will ever find out what happened to him. He's over his head. He'd been careless in his obsession to find out anything he could, had given in to impulse and pushed too far.
He needs to leave now.
If he can land a blow and stun them both for just a moment, he should be able to use that lapse to escape. Hajime's eyes dart between the two before he snaps his wings at both, every muscle tensing for an explosive takeoff. He's confident he's faster than either, he can do it.
He can make it back alive. He can—
Hajime falters as he only feels one wing connect.
He may have caught the crow off guard, but the ibis has sidestepped the arc of the heavy longbone. His body jerks into action regardless, his entire being in a mad dash to leave the ground. He's already blown the element of surprise, he won't get another chance to get the jump.
His feet leave the ground and his confidence sparks. His wings beat cleanly, and he's already covered several feet. He'll be able to make it, they won't have a shot of catching him.
He'll make it out.
Hajime's world spins sharply as one of his wings jerks.
He scrambles to stabilize himself, but the one is caught and he's left flailing. With belated dread, he realizes he's lost control.
Shit!
There's another tug on his wing and he's sent into a plummeting careen the ten feet to the ground. The world goes watery when he hits hard, his shoulder jarring and his face quite literally planting into the dirt before he can get an arm up to stop it.
He struggles upright, adrenaline moving his limbs. He has to get back to the Grand King.
Has to.
He looks up and meets yellow umber eyes, slitted in unbridled fury. There's a flash of pale wing, and then nothing.
A/N: So, Iwaizumi just couldn't leave it be. I wasn't sure if this came out very well. A subordinate Iwa is just freaking hard to write.
Also. Nyx went snowborading today. Nyx does this a lot in the winter and is adequate at snowboarding. Enough so that Nyx can get down pretty much any hill, avoid the trees and children, and NOT die. Nyx can even ride switch, land small jumps and jibs, and even pop a 180 once in a while. What Nyx cannot do is a 15 ft jump. Nyx now has a hyper extended elbow. Today has been fun. Fortunately, I don't need my elbow to type. Or play volleyball... or keep snowboarding, lol ^.^
I shall reserve the rest of my complaining over my poor life choices for my SO; he's good at ignoring me when I'm whining XD Have a spectacular night guys! :)