Forgiving Light

Chapter 10

Kuro soars overhead while Mizuki and I walk to school. I reach inside the pouch and hold out a handful of seeds. Kuro looks down and, his now sharp eyes catching the sight of food, swoops down, lands on my wrist, and gobbles down the seeds.

"Greedy little fucker," I chuckle.

"Hey, why do you still have your markings?" Mizuki asks. "Don't you have to hide those?"

"To you, they're clearly visible," I explain calmly, watching as Kuro picks and swallows the seeds. "That's because you're now half Dark Number. These markings are easily seen by the Light Agents and generally any Astral Being. Not to humans, though."

We walk in silence for a while before Tsukumo and his group of friends come in sight. Tsukumo looks behind him, and he smiles. He waves us over, and Mizuki and I make our way to them.

"What's up, Kasai?" Tsukumo greets, holding up one hand.

I plaster on my fake smile and slap his hand lightly. "Nothing much," I respond, altering my voice as usual.

Tetsuo spies Kuro, who has finished the seeds and is preening his feathers. "What's with the bird?" he asks, pointing at my raven.

"Kuro?" I lift up Kuro. "Oh, I found him outside and injured," I lie. "We got a sort of bond. He doesn't want to leave."

I spot Cathy, and I give her a mental poke to see if she reacts. A secret smirk curls around my lips as she stiffens. She shoots a glare at me.

Takashi inspects Kuro closely, making my raven caw menacingly. He backs away. "How did you manage to tame this raven?" he asks, nervously eyeing Kuro.

"I guess I have a way with ravens," I reply with a fake smile. "Just like Cathy has a way with cats."

Cathy looks over to me with a skeptical look. I just smile innocently. One of her cats glares at me and hisses. In turn, Kuro gives a low, menacing squawk.

"Well, they don't seem to get along, do they?" Cathy states. She stops, reaches down, and strokes the feline's fur.

"I never imagined that they would," I counter with a shrug. "After all, they are enemies in a way." I give her another mental poke. "Just like you and me, Cathy." I smirk secretly.

Cathy shoots me another glare. "Yeah. Just like you and me."

"Wow," Tsukumo breathes in complete and utter awe. "I had no idea that ravens could be tamable!" Such a hopeless idiot.

Just then, Astral appears outside of the Key with his loyal feline companion on his shoulder. He looks my way, and we hold each other's gaze for the longest of moments until Mizuki claps her hands loudly.

"Kasai, just what are you staring at?" she demands.

"I believe you've met Astral before," I hint. "He and I were just having a playful game to dominate each other."

"Through stares?"

"Hey, wolves do it." I shrug innocently.

Mizuki sighs.

We make it to the school, and the day drags by as usual. The only exciting time is dueling period, where I completely crush Tsukumo in a duel. No, I didn't cheat! Unfortunately, I couldn't use my Number 96 card because that would clue him in that I am in fact Black Mist. Sucks.

When we walk back home, Kuro flies back to me. He lands on my shoulder and preens his feathers.

"Where'd you go, Kuro?" I whisper, stroking his beak.

"Jusssst around, Masssster," Kuro hisses. "Assss usual."

I pull out some seeds. "You must be hungry."