Chapter 6: Bonds Deepen

So far, the weeks had passed peacefully. The Legendz left in the world had been settling into society quite well; surprisingly well, if you asked some people. It seemed there were Legendz filling jobs everywhere, from construction workers, to restaurant owners, to managers and even teachers!

So it was no surprise to him, when Shiron found out that Ranshiin was working with Halca Hepburn at 101 Grade School.

He wandered in one day, while Shu and the others were in class at the nearby high school. He had just wanted to stop by and say hello to Halca, the 'cute girl'; he hadn't really expected to see Ranshiin already there.

Shiron had managed to squeeze into the doorway of the small building, when he heard Ranshiin's voice cutting through the air:

"...And so the tiny fairy flew allllllll the way over the mountians to save the princess from the clutches of the evil troll. She flew all day, and all night, until -finally- she found the tunnel that would lead into his secret underground lair…"

Shiron looked up as he squeezed the rest of his body through the doorway. Ranshiin was sitting in cross-legged position, in the center of a circular rug marked like a clock. A neat row of young children surrounded him in a semi-circle formation. They tilted their heads up at him as he read, their round eyes wide in awe, almost entranced, as Ranshiin's voice got lower towards the climax of the story.

Shiron was almost afraid to interrupt, as the children seemed so engrossed in the tale; but his large movements didn't go unnoticed by his twin.

Ranshiin looked up over the rimless, ovular edges of his glasses. He glanced at Shiron for a moment, showing that he recognized his presence, but chose to ignore it, as he displayed by continuing to read on. Shiron snorted and crossed his arms. The action, of course, easily caught the attentions of the children, who twisted their necks around to stare at him.

Before the windragon could even blink or register what was happening, the children were upon him, climbing his tail, hanging onto his arms, clinging to his legs; types of things children do when they see something stable and big. Shiron held as still as he could out of fear of accidently squishing the small humans between his heavy girth and the space surrounding him.

Ranshiin chuckled as his twin was preoccupied with trying to get the children off of him. He closed the book as a bell rang outside.

"Recess, children. Shiron has to go," He called. The children let out sounds of dismay and protest as they dropped off of the white windragon's frame and slowly shuffled out the door. Ranshiin waved to them as they passed into the courtyard. "The story, at least, will still be here. I'll continue reading as soon as you come back."

Shiron watched them leave before he turned back to his twin. "I figured you would hate children," he said with a slight tilt of sarcasm in his voice.

Ranshiin snorted and took off his glasses. He hung them by the folded collar of the plain white button-down shirt he wore, which was neatly pressed and ironed so there were no wrinkles. Over these, he wore a fine pair of black slacks; Shrion wondered where he got his wide array of outfits, and how.

"I find children much more tolerable than their older counterparts." He said flatly.

The white windragon broke out of his thoughts and blinked up at him. His eyes roved over Ranshiin's clothes again. "I see; so what's with the get-up? Trying to go for the 'humble substitute teacher' look?"

"I felt that my usual attaire was inappropriate for interaction with such an easily-perturbed audience." Was the answer, again, in a flat tone. Ranshiin yawned as if Shiron was boring him, and this small chat was just wasting his time.

"As if he had anything better to do," Shiron thought tersely.

"Where's Halca?" He said instead. He searched the room for her with his eyes. Ranshiin yawned again and looked at the clock on the wall.

"Ah, yes, Miss Hepburn. She's in the Library, performing more of her Legendz research."

Shiron sighed in relief. Ranshiin, upon noticing this, grinned at him with all of his sharp teeth. "Was that a silent exhale of relief, dear half of mine? What is the matter? Were you afraid that something...Unfortunate would befall lovely Miss Hepburn?"

Shiron growled at him. "What are you hinting at, Ranshiin?"

Ranshiin looked at the book and flipped through the pages with an absent-minded air. He put his glasses back on and adjusted them. "...Nothing, Shiron. What is it you are hinting at? Are you trying to start up a conflict?- If so, that would be rather unwise."

Shiron huffed through his nose and rubbed his forhead, suddenly feeling a migraine coming on. "...It seems the only one trying to start something here is you. Are you trying to make me look a certain way?"

Ranshiin gave Shiron an arch look over his glasses, in a manner that made him want to slap them right off his face; he couldn't explain why.

"Are you trying to make me look a certain way?- It seems ever since I've returned, you've been nothing but hostile towards me; why? I've done nothing but shown amicable behavior towards all, but you've made me out to have some sort of ulterior motive, as if I'm truely not trying to turn over a new leaf, and atone for my past actions. You've made me out to be some sort of villain! Tell me Shiron-" He was standing now (as best as he could, in the small space) and had a genuine look of distress and dejection on his face; Shiron was actually shocked, when he could feel Ranshiin's emotions tightening in his own chest, causing him to have to take a step back as Ranshiin continued: "Do you really hate me so much? Do you?!" Ranshiin's voice was cracking now, and Shiron swore he could see tears in the black windragon's eyes.

Shiron was shocked; this change in demeanor was so sudden, so fierce and unexpected, that he was unsure what to believe; Ranshiin's emotions were so strong, they were meddling with his ability to think with clarity; he needed to get away, calm down...but...Was Ranshiin actually being sincere?

Ranshiin rubbed his eyes under his glasses and sighed. "...I suppose I deserve it, after...everything I've done...But Shiron, please…" Ranshiin looked up at him, and Shiron could see black and purple smears around Ranshiin's eyes. "I swear, I do want to make a change in myself; Our saga...before, I couldn't feel guilt! I couldn't understand the wrong in my sins! He gave me a heart, and for that...I...I'm grateful to him. To you."

Shiron blinked at him, stunned. Ranshiin nodded and rubbed his eyes again, smearing the black and purple substance more. "...I know how I sound right now...but please, please believe me...give me one chance, to prove I'm not who I was three years ago. I've changed."

Shiron couldn't speak for a long moment; the entire situation that had just unfolded before him hadn't yet registered in his brain; had it even happened? Or was it...was this…some sort of illusion?

He cautiously reached a gloved claw forward and wiped one of Ranshiin's eyes. Ranshiin sniffed and looked away, covering his face with a wing as Shiron studied the wet droplet on his finger; it smelled salty, and was tainted with thick makeup: eyeliner and eye shadow, Shiron presumed. He looked back up, and realized that the muffled, snorting sounds Ranshiin was making from behind his wing was him trying to prevent himself from crying.

Shiron sighed and placed a hand on Ranshiin's shoulder. Ranshiin tensed up for a second, but slowly relaxed. Shiron sighed.

"...I'm sorry. I should have at least given you a chance before I judged you. But I ask that you stop being so damn devious all of the time." He said the last part with a joking tone and slight chuckle.

Ranshiin turned to him and smiled lightly. "...I will. Thank you."

Shiron nodded. "...You said Halca was at the library, right?"

"Yes; it's in the back. Just follow the hall."

Shiron chuckled and flicked one of Ranshiin's ears. "Alright. And Ran-Chan?"

Ranshiin sighed in exasperation at the new nickname. "...Yes?"

"...Your makeup smeared."

That's it for the new chapter, y'all! More plot will follow, but I've been feeling kinda down lately and felt like writing some wholesome filler! This will affect the plot though, I swear! Also: thank you for reading this far, but please remember to leave a comment so I know where I may improve my writing! It gives me motivation and is very helpful! I also want to know if anyone of you out there has an idea for what should happen in the next chapter! If I like your suggestion, I'll write it in the story!

Thank you all,

TheExiledCyborg