He was so beautiful. That was the only thing that Yuki could think of as he gazed into the surprised eyes like fierce twin flames. Slender fingers, a soft shade of brown and ending in fine black claws, had stopped just short of taking the food offerings left in the small shrine. A single strand of midnight black had escaped from the high ponytail of similar curls and was tempting him to brush it away from this creature's face.

Yes, a creature. No mere mortal man could be so captivating. And the black feathers still glistening from the morning rain revealed his nature. A tengu. Yet he looked nothing like the paintings of these winged youkai. The tengu were always depicted with long noses and ugly visages. There was no usual crude armor or ascetic robes either – this one wore a most beautiful deep blue kimono.

The tengu suddenly grabbed the front of his simple robes and dragged him out of the small shrine. "You are trespassing, monk," he stated in an icy tone. "This mountain is my domain. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"

"I was bringing the offerings and only stopped to wait for the rain to stop!" he hurried to explain himself. The tengu were known to be very protective of their territory and not particularly fond of humans. If they had known that their "god" was one, they would have most likely thought twice about the offerings – at least, if not for the fear that they would offend one capable of calling a devastating storm or rockslide on them.

Oh, who was he kidding? Even without threats he wouldn't have hesitated to offer everything he owned, no matter how little it was.

"And fell asleep while waiting. I see," the tengu sneered. Then he let go of his robes. "Run along then. Your offering has saved your life. This time."

~*~*~

He simply could not forget the tengu he had met. Every time his master ordered him to take the offerings to the small shrine, he'd linger around a few hours longer than necessary in hopes of seeing him again. But all for naught.

There was one way. If he became a tengu himself, then that beautiful creature would have to acknowledge him. It was possible. He had been warned about powerful priests overcome by their pride so many times – about the path of tengu. It was eternal damnation, with no chance to ever enter heaven, but he did not care.

He had spiritual power. He was being trained by one of the best monks ever known. Yet, it was not enough. It took too long. Far too long, endless months and years with his heart and mind filled with nothing but burning yearning.

Then, one night he sneaked into his master's quarters, took his shakujo – the staff had accumulated a considerable amount of master's spiritual energy over his long life – and used it to slay the kindly old man. This way...he could obtain all that power and wisdom in an instant.

~*~*~

His new wings, white as freshly fallen snow, swiftly carried him to the mountain. He had taken both his former master's shakujo and his finest robes. His hair had started to grow back too after being shaved for many years. Now, he would be good enough to notice.

He found the object of his longing near the shrine where they had first met, guided by his newfound sense to locate youkai energy. The tengu was tense, his arms crossed, and an ornate feathered fan held in one hand.

Yuki touched the ground a few feet from him.

"It's you," the tengu stated coldly. "I expected some kind of competition when I felt unknown energy."

"I don't want any kind of competition, Lord Tengu, and I'm honored that you remember me." He bowed deeply to assure the other of his intent. "I only want to be by your side."

"I don't want you anywhere near me."

"But...why?!" He took a hurried step forward, only to be pushed down to his knees by an immensely strong presence. The tengu hadn't even moved. Was there still so much difference between them? "I killed my beloved master for you! I burned seven days in the fires of hell for your sake!"

"I don't care. I hate white tengu." He turned away. "Never let me see you again."

Yuki didn't stand up even after the tengu flew away and the overbearing presence faded. The person he loved – needed – more than anything hated him. He had thrown away everything in his life for this.

What a fool he was.