Karasufurai
Chapter 3: Kazoku
The next morning, the two Humans return, and the crow is shocked.
He is not shocked by the fact that they returned, however, but by the fact that he found himself expecting them to return.
They approach him and his Banner warily this time, staying a safe distance away. The tall one (the king, he thinks to himself) is glaring up at him with caution in his eyes.
Fool grins.
He holds up a plank of slightly soggy wood. On it, carved in childish kanji, are the words, THAT FLAG IS A SYMBOL OF THE ONLY FAMILY WE HAVE LEFT. MAY WE TAKE IT PLEASE?
King rolls his eyes and crosses his arms as if he doubts the crow can read. Yeah, right. Fool is staring up at him with a pleading expression, lips pouting slightly.
Family, the crow thinks with an odd sense of longing. He can only ever remember being alone.
Just to see the look on King's face, he shuffles to the side, away from his Banner. King's mouth drops and his eyes widen for an instant, before he regains his composure and shoves his hands in his pockets. Fool sets his sign down as trots up to his Banner gleefully, and then he jumps and grabs the corner.
The crow can only stare.
Not only is he a fool, but he's a freak! The tiny Human just sprang right up, higher than the crow had ever seen anything jump before. Then, as if it is an everyday event, Fool holds out the Banner proudly to King, who proceeds to yank on Fool's hair harshly.
Eventually, the two wander away through the mass of Grays, still bickering silently.
The crow gazes around at his nest. The crumbled stone and plaster of the old school around him seems bare without his Banner.
The crow wonders if his Banner was a part of his non-existent family, too.
Without another thought, the crow slights from his perch and soars after the two Humans.
He doesn't look back.