The Adventures of Azalea and Twig (book 5)

Chapter 7

The three of them left the grove, heading into the forest, as it got darker and darker.

Poppy and Pansy both lit their hair up, so that they could see easier.

"Where did you leave him?" Poppy asked, looking around for Branch.
"He was just up here a bit more," Pansy said.

As they walked, Poppy suddenly saw a lump on the ground up ahead.

"What is that?" Pansy asked, noticing it too. Poppy looked closely her eyes widening, as she gasped, realizing what it was.

"Branch!" she yelled, running towards him.

He heard Poppy's voice, and tried to push him self up, but he was too week, and just ended up falling back down.

Poppy dropped down next to him, rolling him onto his back.

"Ow," he whimpered, a sharp pain shooting through him.

"You're going to be ok, Branch," Poppy cried, rubbing his cheek, gently.

Even though it was dark, she could see that Branch was covered head to toe in buses.

Pansy ran over, dropping down beside him. "What happened?" she asked, concerned.

"Hunters..." Branch said weakly, as he struggled to hide his pain.

     Poppy touched his arm, and he winced in pain, Poppy pulling her hand away quickly.

     "I'm fine," he assured, not wanting her to worry, but she knew he wasn't fine.

"Uueeka!" Pansy called, her voice shaking.

Quickly, Uueeka ran over, looking at Pansy.

     "Ooshima," she said, pointing at Branch. Uueeka nodded, and then slowly approached Branch.

     He put his beak down onto Branch's chest, gently, trying not to hurt him in the process. Then he closed his eyes, beginning to glow.

     Branch looked up at Poppy, as she cried.

     Slowly, Branch began to glow as well, before levitating up into the air.

     He hovered there for a few seconds, and then slowly floated back down to the ground.

     His bruises began to fade, as he slowly stopped glowing.

     Finally, he sat up, looking at his hands, as he sighed with relief.

     He  looked back at Poppy smiling, and she smiled back, hugging him tight, as she cried.

     "I'm sorry, Branch," Pansy said, quietly, feeling ashamed. He looked at her.
"It's ok," he said. "It wasn't your fault. But... That's not important right now."

     He stood, looking at the two of them in fear.

     "The hunters are looking for the grove," he said. "And they're not going to stop until they find it..."