Chapter 2 - The Crow

As a kid, Kurama never experienced love or getting loved. The idea was never brought to his mind. As a kid he was abused, yelled at, and got bullied. That is, until one day he met a kind tengu named Shuiro, who taught him how to love again. Day after day, Suiro took care of the small tengu. One day, Jirou was so outraged by the smaller tengu's un-ability to fly, he sent him to the crevice where the Raijiuyuu slept. He was cornered, the Raijiuyuu baring it's fangs at the small, shaking tengu. He suddenly heard the voice of his saviour, light and gentle, a hint of concern in it.

"Kurama, be careful!"

"Nii-chan!"

Kurama couldn't say continue since the deafening sound was heard. Kurama closed his eyes, awaiting the pain but he never felt any. He cracked an eye open, what he saw triggered his fear. Lying at his feet was Suiro, wings sizzling with flames, blood was splattered on the floor and on his clothes, tears slowly streamed down his face.

"Go Kurama" The old tengu told the smaller tengu with a small smile on his face, before passing out. The Raijiuyuu was no where to be found. He took the chance and ran away, tears streaming down his face. He climbed the rocky surface, rocks embedded into his hands causing blood to ooze out from his pale skin. He was close to the top, but his feet didn't find a opening, he slipped down the surface, rocks scratching his feet and hands. He climbed up to the top successfully this time. He saw Juiro carrying Suiro in his arms. He ran to the big tengu, ignoring the pain the blood from his feet.

"Suiro-nii! Suiro-nii!"

"Shut up Kurama. This is all you're fault. This idiot had to help you when you can't do anything"

Kurama stood still, more tears flooding from his eye's, feet bleeding, hand's bleeding, staring at Suiro. Some slaves led him to his room where he could be bandaged. He never fought back like he usually did, he complied and followed the slaves, bandaging his own wounds since no one was bothered to do it. That night, he could hear Suiro weeping in the room next to him. Slow tears started to travel down his cheeks as he fell next day, he was woken up by a kick to the stomach, he woke up to see Jirou staring down at him, anger evident in his eyes.

"Atone for you're sins, useless tengu"

Kurama winced a little at the older tengus harsh words.

"Leave this place and never come back. Come and we will have your head"

Kurama looked at the tengu, eyes wide with fear. He quickly scrambled out of the small room he had shared with other tengus. They laughed behind his back, causing him to run even faster, even if his wounds are still fresh. He reached a small forest, panting hard while tears stream down his face.

"Why couldn't it be me? Why can't I be the one who got struck? Why was I born in the first place?" Kurama yelled at the sky above him. He crouched down and cried until he fell asleep. The god's were looking down at him, pitying his fate. It was not their choice to give the small tengu bad fate, but it was fate itself that was giving the small tengu unfortunate fate. For years, Kurama has lived in the forest, and traveled out of the Kurama Mountain. He stumbled upon a village, the villagers were nice enough to give him food and clean clothes before telling him to go somewhere else. As Kurama traveled, he learned how to fly for the first time in his life, so he decided to fly around instead of walking. He was flying one day when he saw a big lake. He decided to take a sip of the water before continuing his journey. He apparently accidently fell into the water, as he was in the water, he saw a small shrine. He decided to go to the shrine to seek help. Once he entered the small shrine, he looked around to see if there was anyone there. He walked around the shrine until he found a beautiful plum blossom.

"Such beautiful blossoms" He placed his head on the bark of the tree,"Who could have taken care of such a beauty alone?" A lone tear slipped out from his eyes.

"Suiro-nii! Can you play my favorite song for me!?" Kurama beamed at the adult tengu perched on a tree holding his flute.

"The Plum Blossom song?"

"Yes! That one"

"Sure" The older tengu replied before playing a sweet melody on his flute.

"Suiro-nii, why don't you be the fourth order for Kurama Mountain?"

"Me? Kurama, I am not fit for that role" The older tengu smiled gently to the smaller tengu.

"I beg to differ" The smaller pouted at the older tengu. The older gracefully flew down to the ground and cupped the smaller's cheek,"Kurama, it takes a lot of responsibility to be the fourth order"

"But you have beautiful wings!" The smaller argued.

"It's not only about wings" The older reasoned. With that the smaller made a small huff and walked away while the older jus chuckled at the smaller's childish actions.

The tengu decided to wander around a little more before arriving in front of the plum blossoms. He was quite tired so he decided to take a quick nap under the plum blossoms.

Once he woke up, he realized there was a blanket lying on top of him. He was confused at first, wasn't he slumped against a tree? Why is he lying on the ground then? He suddenly heard a small whimper to his left.

A god? What's a god doing here?

"Lady Yonomori, please don't leave me..." The pale man whispered, a lone tear sliding out of his eyelids.

A familiar then, I guess I should wake him up. He looks cute though...

He decided to wake up the poor man from his nightmare.

"Hey, wake up. You're having a pretty bad dream"

The man's eyes fluttered open, causing black orbs stare into bright jade orbs. They stared at each other for a second, taking the view of each other before they could break the calming silence. Kurama was about to say something but the familiar beat him to it.

"Who are you and what are you doing at Lady Yonomori's shrine?"

"I am of a lowly tengu and I asked for a place to shelter for the night and some food to eat" Kurama pleaded, praying the man was kind enough to give a warm place to stay for the night.

"A tengu huh? Tengu's cannot be trusted" Was the man's sharp reply. Kurama winced a little at the insult. The familiar frowned a little at the tengu's pathetic impression.

"I am sorry but I am here to stay for one night" Kurama pleaded the pale man. Kurama saw a spark of sympathy pass the familiar's eyes but as fast as it came, it was gone.

"One night, if more, I won't let you out alive" The pale man threatened the already frightened tengu.

"Excuse me, what is you're name? I'm Kurama, Kurama Shinjirou"

"Mizuki" Was all the pale man said before walking back into the shrine.

Mizuki huh? What a fitting name? The tengu chuckled as he look at the pale figure entered the shrine.