Fire Bird

12

Dedicated to @dappervillage

Akira turned, but Kai had already struck the monster down

It didn't get back up. It was dead

Akira: How are the villagers?

Tokagawa sighed: Most are weak. We need to get them back and have both doctors and priests see them. The ones that came tonight are fine, just sleeping, but some.. They haven't made it

He looked crestfallen

Akira sighed, it couldn't be helped

Nagisa: I still feel bad for her.. She was chased out of her home, then had to take care of her children, her method was wrong, but she was trying to provide for them

Akira sighed: There were other ways..

Tokagawa still looked bad, she moved next to him

Kai beat her, he cupped the young man's shoulder: Don't blame yourself. There was nothing you, or any of us could have done

Akira: He's right you know, and don't start about how we could've come earlier. You didn't know, none of us did

He managed to smile weakly at her

She sighed, she knew it wasn't her company and comfort he needed and would seek

Akira: You take them back. I will take care of the villagers

She gestured with her head towards the duo

Nagisa was already there, comforting him. Akira couldn't watch

Kai gave her a sympathetic smile

Akira: Don't.. I don't want, nor need your pity

He sighed: I've already told you. It's not pity. It's sympathy, if not even empathy. I would have felt what you do now, once. I still feel a little bit of it

She dropped her gaze to the ground, her eyes were misty..

They both shifted to their original forms

Tokagawa and Nagisa helped them load the villagers on their backs

They flew back to the village, Akira keeping distance, so she wouldn't have to see them leaning against eachother

When they landed, she felt drained. That fight didn't even cost her a lot of energy, but her emotions did. She felt defeated, she hurriedly deposited the passengers and took off, she trusted Kai to do the rest, she didn't want to, it meant she needed him, but she had to

She flew around the woods, letting out high cries, only a couple, she didn't want to scare the villagers, too bad she can't get away, if she could, she didn't know when she would come back, if she ever did

She felt like burning something, destroying anything, but she couldn't..

She missed being a near a volcano, there, her fire won't be a threat, she could let out how many flames she wanted

She screeched again, she tried to stop, but it was too agonizing, she needed to let out some steam

She flew around in circles, as fast as she could, she wanted to burn her own frustration, maybe if she got tired, it will numb itself out, just like her body would

She flew around and around, it was getting her dizzy, she still felt suffocated

Suddenly she heard a voice: What are you doing? The villagers are scared, stop screeching

She whirled around to face him, but said nothing, she couldn't

When he didn't speak again, she began circling around again

He sighed: Akira, stop!

She wouldn't listen, he tried again, to no avail. He was going to have to stop her himself

He lunged at her, she felt the blow, but she hit back

He tried to avoid, but she hit him again, and again, relentless, till he had to fight back in earnest, they were soon exchanging blows

She used her fire, he used his water. They were almost evenly matched

Their fight was really engaging, if anyone had been watching, they would not be able to stop, despite their horror

It was a long, tiring fight. He hasn't fought like this in ages

They were both losing energy, and couldn't fight anymore

He landed on the ground, battered and panting

She landed as well, still wanting to fight, inspite of her dreadful state

Kai: Akira.. Stop.. No more.. I can't

He was breathing heavily, and had morphed back into his human form

She changed back as well, and collapsed to the ground

Kai: Akira!

He caught her, she lifted her gaze to his, and his heart almost broke for her

Her eyes filled with tears, she started to sob openly. He hugged her, rubbing her back: Sh sh.. It's ok.. It's going to be alright, I promisse.. You are not alone..

They sat there, for god knows how long, with her crying her heart out, in his arms..