Owl glides through the night

Silent wings seek prey's demise

Freedom in the hunt

"Will I ever see you again?" That's the first thing Ogiwara says after Tetsuya told him he'd be far away from Fushogane, possibly for many years. It depends if he succeeds with his plan. Of course, he didn't share the latter information with his friend, for he is nought but a cupbearer. Unlike him, Ogiwara has no hidden duty. He is the purest human a human could ever be.

 Tetsuya turns to face him, his loosened hair flowing down his back. In the role of an Eye, shorter hair would have been more practical, but in their kingdom, long hair is a tradition and a must, no matter how the blue-eyed demons might scorn it. Besides, why should they listen to outsiders' opinions?

"I will make sure of it. Do believe me, Ogiwara. I will not permit our destiny to never cross again." He lets himself smile. It's another lie, but he does not dare shed a single tear. To indulge in sorrow will only hinder his ability to fulfil his duty for he is barely holding himself together, especially now that he is about to move away from the only family he has left. The pain he feels at saying goodbye is too much.

Ogiwara's oiled hair fans out against his grey robe. To Tetsuya, the robe seems to shimmer with an ethereal whiteness. How befitting, he thinks. It is as if his sworn brother is already grieving for him.

I might not make it back alive.

"The cold winter of Fushogane is one thing. The harsh summer of Shoyen is another," Ogiwara blurts out their shared worries.

He has read countless tomes about the difficulties a northerner might encounter in the southern kingdom. Fortunately, the palace of the Azure Dragon enjoys a unique climate, seemingly immune to Shoyen's oppressive humidity.

Maybe they are indeed blessed by their cardinal god. He shakes his head mentally. What a ridiculous thought...

"I still do not understand your real reason to be there. You will stand out for the very first time, won't you?"

With that, Tetsuya slightly laughs. His light, almost white hair had been the topic of the Palace's gossip when he first came here. It did not help that he has light blue eyes too, just like the blue-eyed demons who have been desiring a piece of their Empire. He may still look like a typical Fushou, but those odd features of his have made him a pariah among the other slaves who cannot help but regard him with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. Nonetheless, Tetsuya has no ill will towards them, knowing all too well the human tendency to fear the unknown. Those who have seen the blue-eyed demons, however, do not fear him. They say that the outsiders are merely humans, albeit taller, with elongated limbs and pronounced facial features. He concealed his disdain upon learning that these strangers have infrequent bathing habits, often emanating a distinctive smell. So much so that the slaves they acquired had to teach them proper hygiene practices.

"There is no reason for you to worry. Do you remember how I learnt to blend in? Or rather, to disappear?"

Ogiwara tilts his head to the left, his eyebrows scrunching. Whenever he makes that face, it only means one thing: he is about to agree, but it does not mean he likes it. "I am still asking myself how you have learnt to do that. How do you lessen your presence? How is that possible?" His voice is slightly higher than usual; the words roll off his tongue as if he's rehearsed them.

"Easy," Tetsuya says. He picks up the comb Ogiwara used to untangle his hair. Without saying another word, he tosses it behind Ogiwara.

His brother turns his head, his gaze following the trajectory of the comb. Such a sweet, precious second. That is all Tetsuya needs as he silently rises from his seat like a soaring owl.

🥀

 "What was that for?" Shigehiro asks as he turns his attention back to Kuroko. Or, more precisely, the empty spot where his brother had been just a few moments before.

Shigehiro clumsily stands on his toes, craning his neck as if that will help him locate his friend. One would think with his striking white hair, Kuroko would be easy to spot.

"Where are you?" he asks, his voice echoing in the almost empty chamber of his. His copper hair rustles as he jogs, looking under the single table. It is silly, but with Kuroko, anything is possible. When he finds no one there, he searches behind the wardrobe. Inside the wardrobe. Even the top of it.

Kuroko, however, remains unseen.

With an irritated sigh, he sits down on the floor and waits for Kuroko to return.

"It seems my brother is having such a hard time locating me."

Shigehiro jumps, his heart racing in his chest as he swivels. And there, on the floor cushion, is Kuroko. He is sitting on his knees, his green smock remains flat, and his hair is still smooth. It's as if he'd never left that spot.

"How did you..." Shigehiro's mouth falls open. He then closes it when a quick glint in Kuroko's eyes tells him asking will be useless. The Dancer doesn't talk. He just dances until the nobles are satisfied.

Kuroko motions for him to take a seat. With a sigh of resignation, Shigehiro complies, his robe sleeves fluttering. "It is not fair, though. You could tell me your secret if you wanted to."

"Even if I told you, you wouldn't understand."

"That doesn't make any sense." He shakes his head. "Enough with it. We should not be arguing. This is our last night together. "

"Mayhaps. If you can catch me before I leave the Palace, then we might have another goodbye."

It is then that Shigehiro's heart decides that it is time to break into pieces. With him as a cupbearer, there is no guarantee that his lord would permit him. It is not a job one could be proud of. If he's being honest, it's barely a job. Nonetheless, he is still property. The only reason he has his own chamber is because of his brother, who persuaded his lord.

"You know it's impossible," he says, his head hanging low in disappointment. He senses a gentle, little hand caressing his shoulder.

"Let's make this night memorable, shall we?"

Shigehiro finally smiles as he nods. "How about we go to the lake? I've heard the Moonleaves are gossiping again."

"They are just leaves, Ogiwara. Pray tell me...What do you expect them to say?"

"I know your lack of belief, but I do swear, Kuroko. When the wind blows, the leaves rustle together, and when they do, they sound like whispering women. I was terrified at first, of course. Why, I had almost soiled my robe! Please do not laugh at me."

Kuroko shakes his head. "You do know I do not do that ."

 "Your lips may not show it, but we've been brothers since we were little boys. I know you well; you're laughing inside!"

"Well, then. Please do go on with your story. I promise I won't laugh," Kuroko says, chuckling.

Shigehiro clears his throat before he goes on. "I lie to you not. The more I visit the lake, the more I understand what they are telling me: Pray and ye shall be saved. That's what they always say."

"They should be called the Whispering Leaves, then. Or the Praying Leaves."

"Ah, that is what I thought so, too! However, they only rustle under the moonlight. The other leaves do so under the sun, but them? No. They are very still. My lord is creeped out by them that he once asked the king to let them be gone."

"But the king refused."

"Yes. No one knows why. What I do know, though, is that I will pray with them tonight."

"With them? I believe you mean you will pray to them."

Shigehiro scoffs. "Ah, I am not like that! I do not pray to another person...or a thing, or whatever they are. Perhaps they are Kang'e's messengers. Honestly, Kuroko..."

"All right, I apologise. What will you be telling them, then?"

He tucks his hands inside his sleeves, feeling the night's chill seep through the fabric, pumping into his veins. Shigehiro does not allow himself to shiver. If he shows an ounce of discomfort, Kuroko Tetsuya will refuse to allow him to be out there.

I need this. I want this.

"I will ask them to tell the Goddess to allow me."

Kuroko's left eyebrow quirks for a second. That's the only indication he needs.

"I would like to go to Shoyen with you."

If his white-haired friend is surprised, he does not show it. "You may not."

"Then at least tell me the real reason why you are being sent there."

"I have already told you. The king wants me to teach their Dancers how to move like us. I am also going there with half of our Dancers. Sometimes, pleasure costs as much as gold."

"That's not a good reason. I do not accept that. I will go with you. I'll beg the king if I must!"

"Ogiwara—"

"I have dark skin like them. I will blend well. I will protect you. No, I must protect you."

"Ogiwara, your skin has darkened due to the nature of your work: you retrieve water from the steam at the top of the mountain, which might burn anyone's skin if done every day. You are not like them."

 Kuroko always knows what he's saying, and Shigehiro is sure that this time is no exception. He understands he should drop this; he understands he should spend the rest of the night without arguing. But he can't help himself. His heart is in a state of despair. He is too crushed by the thought of losing his only brother.

It's a strange sort of fear—not physical or emotional, but something deeper than that. Something spiritual. As if his soul will turn into ashes if Kuroko isn't with him anymore.

"I am sorry, but this time, I will do as I wish."

He can't bear to think about it for one more second, and he just can't sit still anymore. He stands at once, avoiding those melancholic blue eyes. Shigehiro knows that the rumour that his brother is the son of a blue-eyed demon is not true at all. The gods must have made a mistake. Surely, they couldn't be perfect? Kuroko is too kind to be one of those demons. He saved him from dying when they were nothing but two little, hungry boys.

"Are you that determined to go to the lake? Even though you are shivering?"

Is he? He did his best to hide it, but what did he expect? Nothing can escape Kuroko.

"I shall wear a warmer robe, then."

"You do not want to get cold, brother. Surely your lord would not be pleased."

He will scourge you, is what Kuroko dares not say. Shigehiro is not insane. He fears punishment. But for their wishes to be granted, every man must make a sacrifice or two.

"Kang'e will understand. She will protect me." He dares not say another word as he slides the door of his chamber open. The cool air whips against his face and for a second, he thinks he hears someone crying.

Shigehiro does not dare to look back as he begins his way towards the lake.

Looking up, the moon is shining tonight. So bright, that he does not need anything to light his way. With each breath, he inhales the crisp night air, heightened by the symphony of sounds enveloping him. The gentle fluttering of birds' wings and the occasional soft rustle of leaves dancing in the breeze.

It is a good night for praying.