The Before Legend

Chapter 3: His Worries

The West.

Unlike the East where winter is bitter, the West is where spring is lovely. The trees and the flowers where always in full bloom, the animals and plants were coexisting in peace.

It is also where the allied kingdom of Nekoma and Fukurodani stand. The treaty between the two kingdoms wouldn’t happen if both of the first princes of both kingdoms weren’t best of friends.

The First Heir of the throne, Kuroo Tetsurou was a good looking man. His black hair covered his right eye and the rest were naturally spiking upwards in which the kingdom nicknamed him as Prince Roosterhead, which Kuroo just laughs off.

The First Born of the Kingdom of Owls was Bokuto Koutarou. Actually, the transfer of crown would be sooner that he thought, since the King had fallen weak because of illness. Koutarou would soon be named as the King of the Owls, and will be guided by the King’s trusted advisor, Akinori Konoha.

Poppies were in season. The garden of Nekoma was filled with blood red poppies and white roses. It was a normal day for the kingdom, but not for the young prince and King.

“I swear Kuroo! You will not believe what I will tell you!” The young king exclaimed. Kuroo gave away his catlike grin and folded his arms. “Pray tell, King Bokuto.”

Bokuto’s face grimaced. “Kuroo! I told you not to call me that!” He stomped his foot on the ground like a child. “Ruling a kingdom is not as easy as you think, Kuroo. I always get these stupid complains and I have to read all these letters being sent to me. Good thing Konoha is always there for me.” Bokuto pulled a seat at the patio where Kuroo is seating. A servant brought them cookies and teas, in which Bokuto didn’t pass.

“Damn Kuroo! The cookies here tastes really good!” Bokuto said after finishing one and sipped his tea. “Well anyway, I have a bizarre story to tell you. It happened few weeks ago. Remember the spirit disturbance that breached our palace?” Bokuto started.

Kuroo nodded. He sipped his tea. His ironed plain white long sleeves and black blazers made him look extra dashing. “And?”

“You see, while I was fighting the evil spirits alongside Father’s high rank knights and mages, a snow white owl with an injured wing landed on my feet.” Bokuto continued. This time, his brows and eyes looked like they were trying to remember each and every memory. Kuroo looked at his friend intently.

Bokuto was never one to think deeply. Kuroo would consider his friend as a simpleton, and would go for whatever rash decision he would think first. He could imagine Konoha facepalming everytime Bokuto would suggest something very irrational. But in battle, Bokuto is as reliable as his favourite summon, Kenma.

The last time Kuroo saw Bokuto think hard like this was when his friend was having an inner debate with why is breakfast called “breakfast”.

“And?” Kuroo encouraged his friend to continue before calmly sipping his tea.

“I heard the owl talk.”

Kuroo gave Bokuto weirded look. “Excuse me, can you please repeat to me what you just said?” Kuroo almost dropped his teacup.

“See! Even you couldn’t believe it! But anyways, after fending off those nasty spirits, I hurried back inside carrying the injured owl, and I let Sarukui heal it. I wrapped bandages on its wing and let it stay inside a cage in the garden for three days since the wound won’t stop reopening.” Bokuto replied. He eyed his bestfriend who was sipping again tea. His yellow orbs met Kuroo’s ink black ones.

“At first, I don’t want to believe it. I thought that it was only my consciousness that spoke “help me” the moment the owl landed on my feet, Kuroo. But when I was going to check on the owl, I stopped when it called me.”

Bokuto couldn’t forget that day.

It was a cloudy afternoon, and Bokuto just got out of the meeting with landlords across the kingdom. His mind was a bit hazy from all the questions the landlords had thrown him and all the possible answers he had to give on the spot.

He remembers the owl that was caged in the garden. He hurriedly ran towards the garden to check upon it. The owl was perched on a branch of the tree inside the cage.

The owl’s magnificent emerald eyes stared back at him. Bokuto smiled. “I’m glad you’re feeling alright. Sarukui is the best of healers here in the Kingdom. Did the wound reopened again?” he asked in a concerned voice.

The owl, surprisingly opened its left wing to show a deep gash. Bokuto winced. “That must be painful.” Bokuto tried to open the cage. He expected for the owl to fly out suddenly, but to his surprise, the owl flew straight to him and perched on his right arm.

The talons of the owl were supposed to hurt right? But this owl’s talons never did. He kept staring at the owl’s beautiful emerald eyes.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Bokuto’s eyes widened. “W-Wha-“

“I owe you, Your Highness. I shall pay you back when our fates will come across once again.” The owl spoke.

“W-W-Wha—H-How?!”

The owl brushed its head on Bokuto’s cheeks. Before flying, the owl dropped a feather and took flight.

Kuroo could not believe it either. He knew about ligers, beasts from the North, legendary foxes and wild wolves of every specie, but he could not believe what Bokuto had told him.

“I am indeed in a state of shock, Bokuto.” He replied. “I have not heard of any talking animals, specifically a talking owl.” Kuroo’s face lit up. “Maybe we could ask Kenma!”

Bokuto’s eyes lit up as well. “Really? You can do that for me? Thank you Kuroo! You’re the best pal ever!”

Kuroo sent him that shit eating grin once more. Kuroo brought out a red card engraved with gold swirls. He bit his thumb and blood trickled down. He drew a circle on the card and flashing light blinded them.

A short young man appeared before them. A white veil covered the man’s stature. His heir were of black roots and yellow strands. Both of his hands have big gold bangles than is designed with rubies. The sleeveless tight fitting violet tee hugged his small frame and loose white pants that was held tightly by a white makeshift belt on his waist made him look of ethereal.

“You called?” The summon yawned.

“Kenma! It’s been a long time!” Kuroo stood up and went to hug his summon. Kuroo was later repelled when Kenma’s hands glowed.

“Kenma! Do you know of any owl species that knows of human language?” Bokuto’s yellow innocent eyes looked at Kenma. The questioned looked at the questioner.

“Your Highness, I didn’t know you were here. But to answer your question would be impossible. I have not yet heard of any owl species that know of human language.” He politely replied.

Bokuto’s shoulder slumped. “Oh, I see. Thank you.” He looked at the summon once again. “But if you recall something please tell me.”

Kenma’s cat like eyes squinted. “Yes, Your Highness.” He looked back at his summoner. “Kuroo, can I go back now?”

Kuroo flashed him a grin. “You can stay if you miss me that much.” In a blink of an eye, Kenma disappeared in a flash. Kuroo laughed.

“You really like to tease Kenma. I am worried that one day he might get tired of you and actually kill you.”  Bokuto told Kuroo. The raven haired prince smiled and popped a small piece of cookie in his mouth.

“You don’t know Bokuto. You don’t know.”