|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:06 pm
 A bit far off from the shoreline stood a tall, steady tree, a thick, lush canopy gracing its top like how the silky black hair geisha were graced with flowed from their heads. It had many friends, banded together in peace, and this part of the rain forest seemed to have seen no harm for many generations. The guardians of this particular section held up their duty well.
It was under that tree that laid a blue, white, and black marked kuniku, who had been searching for birds that his own appearance took after. His efforts were fruitless, and he had stopped to rest, entertaining the thought of stealing a ride back to his main island, if it would be too tiring to fly. It had been very humid the further south he went, and though the weather was not insufferable, it was more pleasant back home.
His head tilted upwards, and his eyes expressed a half-lidded concern over the lack of presence nearby.
It had been a long day, and just a few minutes of rest would be suitable. The male yawned once and tucked his wings in, hoping another rainstorm wouldn't come, less he find somewhere dry to take shelter in until it blew over. The rain would not combine well with his feathers, especially if he was going to return to Honshu in the foreseeable future for lack of one of the few things he very much enjoyed in life.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:25 pm
 Dirt path roads or just paths, leads to an endless nowhere as the place was surrounded by beautiful, tall, graceful trees. Little paws pounded the dirt path with mighty force. Either out of anger or out of something else. The legs of the creature began to weaken as if it wanted to fall straight to the ground, however it had carried on. Trailing along this dirt road, to where. It did not know.
This 'creature' was a Kuniku, a graceful yellow,gray and black female. with long wings stretching across her back. panting and eyes struggling to look ahead. She was not on her island. She already knew that. Instead. Tenka went little too south for her taste. The heat is only making her fur and feathers stick together. If anything, she would want it to rain. The last thing she cared about was her wings, she didn't care if they gotten wet. A little rain doesn't kill anybody.
Straggling along, Tenka came to a halt and lean against a small tree. Her body was weak and tired, and she couldn't fly if she wanted to, even though she hasn't flown anywhere in a long while. Paths only taking her south or somewhere she isn't suppose to be. She know that she is now... Lost.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:49 pm
Ears shot up at the sound of little pit-pattering coming through, and while the normal reaction would be to immediately stand in caution, the male remained on the ground, simply angling his head to the direction of the origin. No oni had any business here, especially in the heat and moisture of the rather hot day, and that rationalization was what kept him relaxed. The owner of the sounding movements would soon be visible.
And as he expected, something came out of the brushes to his side -- a rather bright yellow kuniku, seemingly weary from travelling. She had suddenly bent herself over on the smallest tree in the vicinity, and didn't seem to be very observant -- unaware of his own presence as it was.
"Hey, what are you doing?" he asked flatly, almost in a bark.
While he could have asked how her condition was, the situation didn't seem that dire to offer support in any way. He wasn't expecting company, and did not usually delight in companions, and perhaps she was the one who frightened all the wildlife away in her run.
But upon closer inspection, he realized that she had wings along her back, small and folded as well, and he stood up in surprise; it was rare to see one like him that shared the ability to wander in the sky.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:57 pm
Confused, she looked up from the ground and just stared at the other Kuniku. She could not speak as her mouth was craving for some liquid to touch her tongue. All she did was cough and try to lean forward, but only failing at the attempt and lean against the small tree once again. She didn't know if this male was much a threat to her. The only think that she could do to protect herself was to shield her body with her wings.
The only thing she could say was,"What does it look like I'm doing?", she snapped at him.
She is usually that good nature type that doesn't like to be bitter. But when heat strikes, she will not tolerate anyone. Especially some random male that came from the blue. She didn't care that he had wings like her. She met another like herself, so she already knew there had to be a few others. All she cared about at the moment was water, ice cold water. And the male isn't doing anything to help her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:32 pm
Well, he didn't expect that cold tone, to say the least, especially after her coughing. But something different every so often wouldn't hurt, now would it?
He offered a light chuckle, truthfully amused at her reply, and said, "Scaring everything away from you, it seems. I'm no harm to you, if that's what you're thinking."
He smiled humorously at her, taking the few strides towards her despite her apparent anger. With a closer look, he realized how tired and hot the female was, and felt a touch of compassion in his heart for her. He motioned behind the tree he laid under with a wing, attempting to get her attention.
"There's a small pond behind there, if you'd like to come. There's more trees surrounding it, so if you don't mind that, the water's pretty cooling. You're not going to collapse on me anytime soon, are you?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:48 pm
She didn't think that she was scaring everything away from her... Even though a couple of things did look at her and gave them a god awful look back. This isn't like her at all. If she could even get up and just get something, she would be happy. Like she is normally. However, all she could do now is small movements with her head, trying to keep it up.
"I have no idea if I'm going to collapse anytime soon....I....", Her sentence was interrupted by her dry coughing and she shook her head. "I just need water. Is it nearby by any chance.", She said with a weak voice.
She gives herself another push up but only landing on her belly on a small patch of grass, resting her head on her forearms and looking off into the distance staring at nothing. Either she was losing it or she is just tired. She didn't know herself, but all she know is that the ground felt very soothing to her stomach and she had no clue why.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 12:12 am
As soon as the female dropped to the ground, the blue kuniku was at a loss of words. He saw it coming, and he had hoped she found the strength to carry on, but to no avail; this female was bad news! He cursed his luck, as the responsibility was in his care, seeing as no one else was around. He should have left her alone when her head had started to quiver!
"I just said water's near," he stated with comedic irritation; had the girl's fatigue rendered her deaf to his words?
A sigh came, followed by a closer approach in hopes that the girl wouldn't claw at him or recognize him as a foe. He leaned over, staring back at the female's vacant eyes, and felt unsettled by her zombie-like gaze. This kuniku hadn't much interaction with others, as he kept it that way ever since he grew into adulthood. But this required much effort in interacting on his part, and he frowned at the prospect.
"Come on, then, girl," he said, placing his head down near her belly to push upwards, wondering if she was light enough for him to support the weight--all the while praying that she wouldn't make any sudden movements.
"I hope you don't make everyone that crosses your path do strenuous things like this. You would cause a lot of trouble if you did, you know," he began to scold, now confident in his capabilities of her carriage -- now, if only she'd cooperate with him, they'd be able to make it to the water before she fainted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 12:29 am
All she could do is chew softly on his fur, still looking off. At what? Who knows but it wasn't really anything as her eyes were mostly zombie-like either way. She wiggled off, landed face forward into the dirt and sneezing everywhere. Coughing and rubbing her eyes.
"AHHH... My eyes~", She cries while keeping them close yet still walking beside the male.
She was still wondering how 'near' this water is. Is it a tree away? a couple of miles away? Near to him could be hundreds of trees away for her. But now that it seems like she got the dirt from out her eyes she open them back up and starts to stare off again. She haven't met someone new in the last year or so. So she was thinking that she lost her 'friendly spark'.
Shaking her head and body, with her wings flaring out, she looked at the male. With a semi straight face with a very faint smile. "Well.... I'm Tenka..." Still the weak voice, very dry and could barely hear her own self.
"And who are you stranger?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 2:10 am
A shiver went through his body when the girl began chewing on him--it wasn't an action he thought anyone would be accustomed to. The sensation made him want to bristle, but he disregarded it, as she was obviously out of her normal state of mind. Or maybe he liked it just a little...
"Hmph," he grunted--what was he now, a caretaker who's supposed to clean her off now?
But she was so helpless... He blinked sorrowfully, keeping his eyes on her all the while on the short walk, in case she were to trip or something--he couldn't tell with this clumsy one. Suddenly, he lifted a wing to clear the dirt off of her face, and almost as a reaction, flinched at himself; he never thought he would like being so gentle and caring for another - but was this what would be labeled as caring? If he were not there, would the outcome of the female's fate be bad, if she had been alone at that moment, or left alone?
The two had passed several paces past the tree he had been at, and he saw the calm, sparkling ripples of the quaint pond that was hidden amongst the forest. Don't fall on me again, he thought to himself, trying to quicken the pace. They were just nearly there...
Then, the blue kuniku was fairly surprised when the girl shook and spread her wings; he almost jumped back, but knew to keep his body next to her for support--he didn't wish to pick her up again from the floor and get started all over. He didn't know what to say to her expression, for it was a bit off, but...
"Aoka," his reply came short and sweet. He was wordless for the moment, and concentrating on the task at hand; the longer the wait came for the retrieval of water, the more... worried he got, which was a strange feeling to say the least for Aoka.
"Listen, Tenka," he began, bringing forth another wing to finish brushing off the dirt on her that she had gotten earlier, "We're here, can you see?"
He hesitated. Was he to help her draw the water into her own mouth, as well? Surely she was capable of refreshing herself on her own. But who knew--Tenka had certainly astonished him right from the start.
"Should hurry so you stop acting like this," he said with a huff.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 12:37 pm
She poke the water with her paw gently and flop herself into the cool water. Her body weight almost made her sink however it wasn't really that deep. At the same time, she has forgotten where she is. Washing her face with the water to get any reminding crumbs out her face and just letting the water soak into her fur. Even though she knows that this isn't good for her wings. Her coat was heavy from all the water soaked in, she know that it's time to come out. However, it was a struggle. Almost like carrying 3 of herself on her back.
Finally reaching land, water falling everywhere as she was done shaking most of the water off her. She smiled with a grin on her face with her eyes as bright as the sun. She felt better and refreshed and now that her mouth isn't dry, she can speak clearly this time.
"Well it's nice to meet you Aoka.", She paused, "You saved me back there. I could have died from this heat you know?" All she could do was laugh and twirl around in her place.
Slipping her arm-warmers back on and placing her goggles on her head. She looks around for her bag, that she always had on her hip. It had a water bottle so if she gotten thirst again, all she had to do is get a drink of water from that. A small frown appeared on her face when she remember that she had left it on her home island. Now what is she going to do? She would hate to worry such a nice guy to find another pond so she can get a small drink of water.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 1:36 pm
Aoka was once again, surprised to see that instead of bending over to lap the water up, his ward dropped her entire body into the small spring. Possibly a waste of clean water, he thought, plotting himself beside the edge where water met land to watch over Tenka. The water was clearly rejuvenating her, allowing her to function more actively and normally. At least she didn't try to pretend to drown or something, or else Aoka would have had far too much trouble from her for the day.
As Tenka crawled out onto the rain forest ground, soaking the area around her, Aoka took a short moment to bend over the water and dip the front part of his head in, realizing that it probably did feel relaxing, if not for a moment, to stick his whole body in. But he turned back to see Tenka shake the water droplets out of her coat, splashing some on him. He had to recoil a little at this liquid attack, closing his eyes momentarily.
When he opened his eyes again, he found a beaming Tenka looking directly at him, and hoped her gratitude wasn't enough to make her follow him around--especially back to his home island.
"I doubt you could have died like that," he stated plainly, "Unless you have a lot of near-death experiences like that... You know, from acting foolish."
Aoka waved off her excitement and got up, ready to leave the area, until he looked back at Tenka and frowned. It looked like she was searching for something lost... But he didn't see anything drop loose from her body since he first saw her.
"What are you doing on this island anyways, if you can't take the heat?" he inquired, looking back and forth to Tenka and his exit. "Someone like you shouldn't travel alone. You should find someone to go with you, if they can."
It was an honest suggestion, as it did seem like the girl needed help a lot--it was as if she got lost often, or situations like these weren't out of the ordinary. Well, he would tame his curiosity before heading off from the poor girl, and he hoped she knew how to get out of the rain forest they were in -- it shouldn't be too hard, considering they weren't exactly in the dead center of it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 7:06 pm
"Actually this was my first near death experience..." She said quietly. Still puzzled that she left her bag at home, knowing that she might travel down south. "And I don't act foolish. It's just mistake is all. This usually doesn't happen to me. Well... Because I usually don't visit this island."
Now that she was all refreshed, she was now ready to leave this little spot of the rain forest. However, she doesn't come here that often. Therefore, she has no idea where she is. Her frown got even bigger as she looked around the forest. Trying to figure out which way is the way up north to her island. Maybe if she followed Aoka a bit, she could probably find her way back home. Then she heard his question and thought of a good answer.
"I love to explore and since I barely come down here, I thought I should take a look at the island. But I was silly and forgotten my bag on my home island. Or I probably would have made it through this heat." She said while looking up at the sky. "And I don't have any friends... So I don't have anyone to travel with. Well... Friends with wings anyway." Shrugging.
"I just want to go home. I just don't know my way out. So do you happen to live up north? Maybe you can help me find my way home." A small smile appeared on her face.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:44 am
"To make a careless mistake when you're not home..." Aoka remarked, shaking his head. "It gets very hot this season; you should have felt the gradual change when you went down Honshu." Well, maybe not everyone paid attention to crucial things like that.
A fret came over Aoka as he noticed Tenka's tension and frown. She now definitely looked lost. Her expression told him that she wouldn't be able to get out of here on her own, but he prayed that his observation was false, and that he would be able to go back to his solitude again. Until her next words, Aoka mumbled in his head continuously, don't be lost, don't be lost.
She sounded so forlorn, which had an additional effect when she looked to the skies. While Aoka desired very much to comment, he refrained out of courtesy, for they were things Tenka probably would not want to hear. Instead, he let out a big sigh, and closed his eyes out of mild frustration.
"It's a burden to travel alongside someone... I..."
He opened one eye at Tenka, wishing it could stare in disdain, but Aoka could no longer convince himself to ditch the poor little girl he had supposedly just saved a minute ago.
"I-I didn't mean myself!" he retorted in exclamation, snorting himself that he was also the only one in the area to guide her, "I... am from Honshu, although that is not an invitation to come home with me..."
He sighed again and rolled his eyes, finally beginning a walk out of the thick trees in the direction he knew the shore to be. Well, he might as well get her out of the rain forest to a boat or something. He should find, especially, a boat with someone already on it to be Tenka's companion in his stead.
"I'll take you to where boats usually go back and forth. No promises after that. You did take a boat here, didn't you?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 4:53 pm
"No... I flew here... It was really fun too!" She said with excitement. After she heard that he also lives in Honshu, she became even more excited. "So you live in Honshu too? Well that's great then!", She paused and wiggled, "I live in Honshu myself. Near Shikoku island."
She felt that this was a great opportunity to not just get to know Aoka better but to also find her way back home. Also, maybe can learn more about this island before she has to leave. It is nice but at the same time, very hot. It probably wouldn't have been as bad if she had her bottle of water. She could have learned her way in no time.
Her head tilted down and she looked at the pond and then Aoka with a smile on her face. "Thank you for being so nice to me today Aoka. I really do appreciate it." She said with a gentle voice.
"I don't think anyone has been this nice to me before." She thought about it for a second and was right. First time anyone has actually been nice and helped her out for once. Instead of her helping someone else out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 10:16 pm
Aoka was slightly astounded to hear that Tenka had flown to the island--especially if she had done it on her own. He only had this impression to go off of from her, after all--a girl who needed constant care and attention, and one who couldn't keep herself from trouble.
"Great?" he questioned, raising an eye; that didn't seem to be the right adjective he was looking for, when relating where the two resided.
Aoka did not expect to go back all the way home with her, much less see her again after this prolonged encounter. It was a good thing he wasn't near Shikoku himself, else he could have bumped into her easily. Waving the thought away with his wing, he started a walk again, hoping Tenka would actually keep up with him, or else a guilty conscience might weigh in on his mind later.
"Don't thank me, just take... better care of yourself, alright?" he stated.
And if her other comment had been correct, then, well, Aoka must have been quite the altruistic today! It was a puzzling and slightly disturbing notion, for he didn't think he did much to help, other than an attempt at curing foolishness in the lands. All he desired today was to bask in solitude, as usual.
"Tenka, walk this way. You wouldn't want to faint again from staying in the sun for this long, would you?"
It was an honest question, for the girl seemed to be taking her idle time staying on the island when she should, for her own safety and health, leave it.
"Do you have the strength to fly back, also?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
