Avian

Missing

The feeling was strong.  Yes, Ava did love him, that was true.  He cared for her so gently as his strong hands cradled her fragile heart.

He looked down at her, noticing her obvious reaction to his kiss.  He brought her close to his chest in a warm embrace.  She pressed her ear to his strong chest.  His heart beat steady and strong.  She closed her eyes and concentrated on the sound.  Then looked up into his eyes.  He watched her closely.

Ava pulled herself onto his shoulder, his eyes followed.  leaning into his ear, she whispered.  "I love you."  And softly kissed the side of his face.  He smiled and turned his head so that his eyes met mine.  The fire in my heart was burning bright.  I held onto this moment, knowing that I could loose him again.

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That morning, Ava woke to the sound of Peter.  She lay snuggled inside Jordan's lap, He must have put me his worn lab coat after I had fallen asleep. 

"Jordan?! Wake up!"  Peter said nervously as he nudged him. 

Jordan must had fallen asleep while on watch.  Ava woke before he had a chance to open his eyes. 

"What is it?"  Ava asked as she tried to unbury herself. 

Jordan rubbed his eyes open and sat up.  "I'm sorry man, I didn't mean to fall asleep."  

"No, Its not that.  Kanza Is missing!"  Peter answered with worry. 

"What?!" Ava immediately climbed to Jordan's shoulder and spread her wings.  Until Jordan's hands suddenly came up towards her in surprise.

"Wow, wow!"  He said.  "What are You doing?" 

"I need to look for her."  She answered, as she tried to pushed his hands away. 

"But Ava?.."  He paused, deep in thought.  "....Just be careful." 

"Don't worry, I will."  I assured them both.  Jordan removed his hands from her view, allowing her to fly into the forest. 

The morning was teeming with life, a good sign.  Ava stopped every now and then, calling Kanza's name.  There was no sound.  She kept searching until she came to a small clearing, landing on a branch over head.  The morning light rested on the damp grass below.  making the dew droplets shimmer like stars.

A small shuffle lurked on the forest floor.  Ava stayed still and watched as a small mouse perched on a rock and ruffled its fur. 

Ava jumped in surprise as an arrow flew straight past her, hitting the poor mouse in the neck, killing it!

"Watch yourself!" Kanza's voice shouted.  she flew down from a few branches behind.  I ran to her and gave her a big hug.  "I thought you ran away?!"

"No, just thought I would catch some breakfast."  She replied.  Ava looked back at the dead mouse... "What?"  Ava was surprised.  She had never killed for food before.  Kanza was a bit different than the Avians back home.

Without hesitation she started for her kill.  She began to cut the mouse open and started ripping out its guts.  I grimaced in disgust.  She then tied its legs together with a cord and threw it on her back.  It was almost as big as her. 

"Ready to head back?!" She hollard.

"Let's go!" Ava replied.  Together they glided back to the cave.

Jordan and Peters face lit up when they saw the two Avians appear out of the thicket.  Ava landed in Jordan's outstretched palms and Kanza headed for a nearby boulder.  she hoisted the mouse off her back and immediately began cutting and skinning it. She cut off big chunks of flesh.  Peter and Jordan's faces were speechless.  "uh..."

Peter looked like he was going to be sick.  That's when Kanza turned to him offering the entire leg of the mouse.  "Here." She said. "Eat."  Peter hesitantly took the tiny leg from kanza, who's hands were coated in fresh blood up to her wrists. 

"Well?" Jordan looked at Peter. "Dig in!"  Ava giggled as Peters face went pale.  Kanza politely waited for Peter to take a bite. 

Not wanting to be rude, he brought it to his lips and nibbled at the flesh making sure not to crunch the small rodent's bone.  Just as Jordan was about to crack a laugh Kanza cut off the other leg and handed it to him.  Jordan bit his tongue as he looked at the raw flesh, taking it from Kanza. 

"Well?"  Ava said.  "Dig in!" 
Jordan's eyes rolled. 

"Ava?" She turned to see Kanza handing her a chunk of meat. 

"No thanks,... I don't eat meat."  Kanza's face was a look of surprise.  She nodded respectfully and started to eat the meat.