"Height?" Ran repeated and the other nodded. "What in the world is going on? Just a moment ago we... you were..." He shook his, refusing to believe this.
Height shrugged himself. "I'm not clear either, but if I have an important thing to say", he dropped his head, tilting up slightly. It was an exact movement to a bird's where its head just remained cocked. "You will be hunted down."
The redhead stared at the other, jaw slightly open.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Your target got away didn't he? Not only you, he also saw me. He tested me, and now that he is clear I exist I will be tracked down too."
"Stop. You're utterly confusing me..." Ran groaned, fisting his hands by his head. "I don't get a word you're saying..."
Height gave a sighed and retreated, turning his head away, looking to the ground. "I don't expect you to digest everything at once, but you'll understand soon enough. For now, trust my words and excercise caution where ever you are."
Ran kept silent, not really knowing how to answer, but chose something else to say.
"Why are you always by me?" He asked softly.
"Why? But of course I-" Height paused. "For a certain reason. You'll also know later when the time comes. For now, let's get you home, shall we?" He stood up and stretched his hand out.
The assassin glanced up at the hand first, before the person with white wings. For once in his life, home seemed to be the best place ever... Ran reached out and took the hand. Height gave a smile and pulled him up with more than the required force, sending the redhead against him. Immediately he hooked his free hand under Ran's arm. The one which pulled let go of the hand and grabbed Ran's middle, causing the redhead to gasp in surprise.
Height crouched a little, doing his usual pick-up stance. The wings on his back spread half-open and he jumped. Ran yelped when Height was acting like a clamp, and also for the sudden ascend. He was totally stunned as the vision before him blurred vertically. The trees and branches were passing downwards. It was dark at the same time so it made him nervous as well. He shut his eyes and his hands reluctantly wrapped themselves around Height's neck.
The crossbreed took no notice to this. He was a little busy making the ascent. Cutting through the canopy wasn't as easy as when he was small, so he had to make do with a little twisting and turning. The pressure on his wings were tight; he was to lift double the weight and beat vertical at the same time. It wasn't simple but he adpated quickly and burst out the thickness of leaves and twigs, hunching to break them for an access to the skies.
Upon freeing himself, his head raised up and holding the redhead close, he outstretched his legs, feeling his back concave even more than the norm. With a single, concentrated control, he gave his wings a strong beat. They gave a flap sound; whistle of the wind. Seeing no problem now, he opened the wings to their fullest, now gliding.
"Ran, it's okay now", Height said, nuding the person he was holding. He wasn't sure if Ran had heard him though. "You can open your eyes."
The redhead caught a word or two, but suddenly felt chilly so he didn't reply. He did it slowly, however, open his eyes. The first thing he saw was a deep shoulder blade, which was obviously not what he wanted to see. He tilted his head up and blinked at a dark blanket with shiny spots. Was that... the sky?
He glanced over his shoulder and almost yelled and struggled. He was high above ground level. Heck, he couldn't even see any ground since all were trees. But the trees were really tall, and to him now, they seemed tiny, so they must be up really high. He didn't have a height phobia but this was too sudden for him to do anything.
"Don't worry. You're in good hands", Height chuckled.
Ran was tempted to roll his eyes but he had something else to worry about. "What are you doing?"
"Bringing you home... "
Ran's mouth open to say something when he noticed that in the horizontal distance was the city. It wasn't clear, but he could tell from the sparkling ranbow lights. They were going the opposite way.
"Height! Where are you bringing me?" Ran growled. "You're going in the wrong direction!"
"You don't think I would allow you to go back looking like this, do you? Further more, it'll be better if you have a change of mind and accept the sooner fact that the city will not be your home anymore."
"What are you... Where are you taking me?!" Ran shouted, pushing Height's chest.
"I'm bringing you to where I stay! You'll be safe there!" Height hissed. "Stop fidgeting or I'll lose-"
It was too late. Ran practically pushed himself out of the crossbreed's hold and his eyes went wide. Yes, he forgot that he was probably fifty feet or so from ground level. For some reason though, a hidden instinct kicked in and he flipped around, his brown wings spread open. He heard a soft yell of his name, but his mind was telling him one word.
Fly.
The wings on his back beat once, then another. He was facing the canopy which seemed to get bigger by the second, but at the same time, the view went slower.
It was only when he heard a large shout of his name did he look up, staring at a person diving towards him. He lost totaly concentrated and dropped onto the top of the canopy. The top of the trees were too weak to support his weight so he just plummeted through. It was only two second later he felt a hand grab his wrist and pulling him.
"You idiot! If you enjoy falling through trees at least do it some other time when you're experienced!" Height barked angrily, keeping his hold tighter on Ran this time.
"Was I... flying?" Ran asked, his vision totally spaced.
Height snorted. "Yes, close to. More like hovering, but you lost your rythme nevertheless. Nice try though, better than the last one..."
The redhead tilted his head up. "But why was I able to? I mean, I never felt that way before..."
"Time, Ran. Time. Chicks can't fly when they're born. They can only do so after they've matured."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It's your time to become one of us."
aww yay cliffies are fun lols. sorry for errors i don't care la la la.. thanks for readin though. i'm sure you can pretty much tell what pairings they are.. but aha! the story has yet to end i have loads of magic up my sleeves!