Born Of The Gods

III: Taste of Adulthood

After they had shared information for writing, they did it as often as they could. If loneliness crept upon them, a simple letter filled with treasured words always helped. They wrote about anything and everything. They shared their taste in music, talked about their families, about nothing at all, sometimes they just wrote teasing words. They wrote, anticipating the next event, when they could meet one another. They had been writing for months, when Misaki one night received a saddening letter. Saruhiko had to accompany his family to a trip to the human realm, and he was supposed to stay there for a couple of years. Misaki was saddened, not being able to see the boy one last time before his trip, but no matter how sad he was, he still wrote a letter back.

Dear Saruhiko,

I wish you luck at the trip to the human realm, and I hope you will learn many new things. But, I am also
saddened, for the pause of our friendship. To make it short,
I will miss you, Saru. And if you don't return soon, I will never forgive you.

P.S Bring me something from the human realm and I'll forgive you.

After signing the papyrus and letting the ink dry, the Erote neatly rolled up the message and with a soft stroke to the head, gave his messenger crow it's treasure and opened the window to let it out into the night sky. With a heavy sigh, Misaki breathed in the fresh air into his lungs, and after closing the window headed out of his room to go and play with his little sister, who at this time would be already fed by Tatara. He played with the small girl for a couple of hours, rolling small red marbles around her equally red floor. When it was time for sleep, Tatara came inside, picking up his daughter in his arms, placing a gentle kiss on the sliver head, before placing the child into it's bed. The child never fussed and the sand colored hair man opened his mouth to sing a soft melody - the same melody he had sang to Misaki, whenever he was sad. A song the Erote knew by heart. As he was ready to leave the mother and child alone, Tatara turned towards him and stretched out his hand, asking his oldest child to join him. And he did, harmonizing with his mother to lull the child asleep.
After Misaki had woken up, he heard soft tapping at his window. Raising his eyes, he saw the black as night crow with a message in it's beak. He rushed to the window, opening it and letting the messenger inside, grabbing the papyrus and letting the bird rest on it's stand. He unrolled the paper recognizing the neat handwriting of his friend.

He explained in the letter that he would depart today at sundown and had left a small teasing remark about his neediness, which made the reader turn red. He promised he would return as soon as possible and that he wished to meet him as well, wishing he didn't have to go at all, expressing his hatred for sharing his time with his wicked family. He also promised to bring something back to symbolize their friendship, if it would last until his return.

Misaki thought that that last part was unnecessary, Of course he would never forget about his best friend.

Come back soon, Saru. I already miss you...

_________________________

Days slowly turned into weeks, week turned into months, months into years. Time flew by and as everything that was living, changed. There were born new god-borns, there were new parties, plants grew and gave new harvest. And of course, the inhabitants of the realm of gods aged.

Years had passed and the small 10 year old Erote had grown into a handsome and brave 17 year old. His small stature still remained, but the way he presented himself in society had changed. The boy had matured, his wings had grown larger, his voice had broke and had shaped itself familiar to a crows song. His fiery personality had remained and his loyalty was as strong as ever. He had become a strong guardian and example to his smaller sister and he was still beloved by his eternally beautiful mother and father.