A splitting headache was the first thing he noticed when he woke up. It felt as if a nail was driving into his brain. Possibly migraine, but he hoped not. Groaning, he shifted his suddenly aching shoulders, hoping to ease them from discomfort. His right was hurting more yet numb at the same time; he deemed dislocated.

Using his free left hand, he intended to push himself up when it just slipped. It was either that he was clumsy or the trees were awfully slippery.

Opening his eyes, the first thing he saw was sand/soil. Had he fallen to the ground already? He blinked a few times to notice that his eye view was different. His vision was wide; a little too wide in fact. They had adjusted to the surrounding darkness almost immediately and yes, he was still in midst of the forest area.

Once more, he tried again to push himself up without the help of one arm and peered down, seeing something extremely wrong. It looked like a wing; brown curved-patterned feathers at the corner before long streaks. It also seemed to be following his intended movements.

Oh hell no…

He cried out for his teammates, calling their names. As he dreaded, they didn't come out the way he wanted it to. Instead, a high pitched cry of a falcon echoed.

Of all times and things…

He shuffled to his feet as fast as he could, toppling over one too many times just to balance. Unwillingly, another cry cracked out. He used his left hand, or more like wing, to support his body for its new features.

Somebody help…

And help you shall get. A voice said in his head. He lifted his head up, wondering where it was from. The only person he knew who could talk telepathically would be Schuldich…

A crack of a twig behind him caught his attention. He looked over at that direction, just in time to see another white falcon gliding down to his side.

Admiringly, he was staring in awe. Judging by size, it was only a tiny bit bigger in body size but the wingspan had probably won his. The feathers were as white as snow, untainted by any other color. Only his feet were pale yellow with the silver-grey talons.

It landed gracefully, bringing its upper body vertical as it flapped horizontal to slow itself down. Its claws with exceptionally long talons extended wide open and landed on the ground, wings still wide open for a little bit of balance.

Who are you? Ran growled and attempted to shift back at the same time. However, a bird's foot is not smooth like a humans and he got his claws jammed into the soil instead.

Don't you recognize me, Ran? The other white falcon paused. Yes of course not. I had taken form of another bird instead-the ivory pigeon which sat by your window just about every morning. The larger wings were kept nicely by his side. He took a step over.

Ran hesitated to move. Up close, the other falcon was about a head taller, standing two feet the least. That… was you?

That's right.

He noticed something. The stranger's eye color was similar to Omi's, but a little of a darker shade. But that wasn't the main thing. He was looking at him straight in the eyes which were looking awfully sad.

Why am I in this form?

I don't know myself… When you plunged to the trees below, I tried to help… But something small like me can't help someone that big… Two, further more. The white falcon gave a soft 'cack' noise and turned its head away.

When you landed on that very branch, I was beside you. I didn't know what to do. We were still heights from the ground; I couldn't push you off. Your teammate came to look for you so I thought I could wake you up. Who knew, when I touched you, you turned into what you are now.

I was so shocked I moved too quickly, sending your sword off the branches. A minute later some thin, whiny object grabbed the branch we were in and it pulled, breaking it. I did what I could do now -grabbed you and flew off.

Ran couldn't believe his ears. It was totally outrageous. This was reality, dammit. You can't have people changing into birds and running about going 'tweet, tweet'. He had to find a way to go home. But first he had to change back.

Bring me home, now. He ordered.

If your teammates see you, some wild animal sitting in your room, what would they think? The white bird asked with a slightly pissed tone.

I have to get home to at least be sure Omi's alright!

He is alright. I saw the brown hair one take him. You're injured, Ran.

Ran? How do you…

I sit by your window everyday. I listen to you speak to me everyday… What I don't understand is why I can catch every word you say but when other humans speak, they're foreign.

Which direction is my home? Ran cut in, totally intending to cease the previous topic.

The other cocked his head to the right.

Then I'll walk home, with or without your help. I do not intend on staying here.

The humans will catch you and god knows what they'll do to you! The white bird jumped and landed in front of Ran, wings open. I will not let that happen.

And I will not let you stop me from going home! He hissed, which came out as a literal noise. Size didn't matter. It was the wits.

The other looked pissed enough and hissed back in warning. But even before he was done giving it, the brown bird had already charged, colliding him straight at the chest.

Two cries echoed followed by a loud thud.

Ran groaned as he pushed himself up; he succeeded in doing so. Hi felt warmth in his so-called wing. However, it didn't feel like a wing anymore. A slight movement and he realized they were fingers. He questioned himself if he was back to normal.

Opening his eyes wide, he stared down into very familiar blue eyes. This time, it was not the face of a bid. It was a person.

The redhead yelped and shifted back, shuffling on his uninjured hand and feet. In a partial state of shock, he stared at the stranger before him.

First off was the face. It was pale, but slightly bronze. His hair was soft grey and so long they were pooling about on the floor messily. His fringe was random, slant lengths but draped over his left eye like a curtain.

Second, his clothes: a sleeveless top with a deep 'V' cut. Around his neck was a thin black tattoo-like ring, like a permanent choker. Around his waist was a band, cutting off the top with its lower half which had splits at the sides. His pants were low, sort of hip-hugging. That left his middle pretty much naked from the side views. He had a white cloak which was long, but to what length he wasn't sure because he wasn't standing up.

Ran's eyes reverted to the pair of white wings on the stranger's back. They were similar, but the feather patterns were different. It was more unique.

The other got up to sitting position, moving as if invisible strings were the ones who pulled him up. As he hunched over, he glanced down at his hands before looking over at the redhead.

"I'm human… again…" He mumbled.

"'Again'?" Ran repeated, still in half-shock.

The stranger peered over at him and just stared; it crept the redhead out.

"I'll explain everything later. First…" he mumbled, pointing to the redhead.

Ran cocked his head in puzzlement and looked down. He gasped when he realized he didn't have any clothes on. He shunned to a side, keeping his wings close like a barrier and embarrassingly whimpered a little.

The grey-haired individual stood up and pulled off his cloak, walked over and draped it over him.

The redhead was a little too shy to say even a 'thank you'.

"Who… are you?" Ran asked softly, glancing up a bit.

The other gave him a smile and knelt by the redhead's side.

"My name is Height."

Oh yeah!! next chapter!! getting exciting isn't it?? apologies for errors and thankies for reviwers for liking this story when i ge the time to i'll even draw Height and Ran together(if possible) and i'll link em to yas. toodles and have fun waiting