The Chronicles of Hototo, The Blood's Hearth

Chapter 6

Hototo and Aiyana were huddling together in a corner of the library. They had just gotten out of morning class so they had some free time.

"So, do we tell someone?" Hototo whispered. Aiyana was looking at her feet, clicking her beak.

"I don't know. They might not believe us."

Hototo tapped his talons. "But they must! The ravens are spies for the crows. That's big news! Unless there's that chance it was an owl."

"I told you, it wasn't an owl!" Aiyana insisted.

Hototo agreed quickly to avoid her wrath. "Okay then... let's tell the king."

Aiyana hissed quietly. "No, he won't believe us. We need to tell a guard, or their superior, they'll keep an eye out for ravens."

Hototo blinked. Why didn't I think of that?

Aiyana looked around. "We need to act quickly, before-"

"Before what?"

They turned, startled. Hototo exhaled. It was Nukpana. "Hey," Hototo said, smiling.

Nukpana smiled back. "I saw you two talking and I was curious. You said to meet again in the library, so I wasn't sure when you wanted it to happen." Aiyana looked at Hototo with confusion. 

"Oh, right," he said, turning towards Nukpana. "this is Aiyana, Aiyana this is Nukpana."

Nukpana's eyes widened for a second before going stiff. He breathed out and stood up straight. Aiyana looked at him with caution.

"Oh, right the... uh," His eyes darted around. "the friend of Hototo's."

Something didn't feel right, but Hototo couldn't pin it, so he ignored the strange look Aiyana and Nukpana were giving eachother.

"Anyways..." he said, looking around the library. "this isn't your usual spot, Hototo."

"Oh right," Hototo looked at Aiyana for a brief second. "I just wanted to go somewhere new. See some new books."

Nukpana looked at him and then the bookshelf. There were no books by him. "Hototo, you're not even reading-"

"No! He's not. He was before, but I pulled him back because I just wanted to talk to him," Aiyana said quickly.

Nukpana widened his eyes. "Yes, about the thing you need to tell someone right away?"

Aiyana faltered. "Yes," she said slowly. "my...uh...I needed to talk to him about my mom's...bug meal recipe."

Nukpana's eyes narrowed.

"Yes! And it's really good. It's... bugs. It's pretty good. That's why we needed to tell someone, because uh... it's so good," Hototo hastily sputtered.

Nukpana closed his beak and looked at Hototo like he had grown an extra wing. "Barn owls are carnivores, though. Not insectivores."

Aiyana gave a feeble and awkward laugh. They fell into another awkward silence.

"Well," said Hototo. "I'll meet you outside, okay?" He looked at Nukpana to Aiyana. Aiyana nodded.

"Yes, you two go outside and chat. I'll just go... spread my mom's recipe."

Hototo met Nukpana at his post. He flew up to his perch and smiled at Hototo.

Hototo looked around at the moon rising slowly. "Sorry about that," he muttered.

Nukpana exhaled, like a weight had been lifted. "I know! Can you believe her? I'm sorry that you had to deal with that Other Lover trying to force her views on you. Don't listen to her, okay?"