Broken Wings - BokuAka

Chapter 5

- Akaashi

My sandals clacked softly against the stone that led up to Bokuto's front door. When I got there I walked right up and knocked, not even having to wait ten seconds before the door swung open, Bokuto's smile warming my heart.

"Keiji!" he exclaimed, wrapping me up in a giant hug. "You're just in time, c'mon!" he said, stepping outside and closing the door before grabbing my wrist and racing back down the path, dragging me with him. We had only passed the front gate when Bokuto let go of my wrist and spread his giant wings, and I couldn't help but be amazed. At thirteen years old, he had a wingspan of twelve feet, and they were only supposed to get longer and bigger. However mine are the same size, so I really can't complain, I thought, spreading my wings as well.

We took to the skies, Bokuto laughing as we slowly circled each other before straightening out, Bokuto taking the lead since he knew where we were going. We flew for a good ten minutes or so, our tiny town fading further and further away. Finally Bokuto started to slow, and he began to descend as the sun sunk deeper into slumber, turning the sky the color of a pure red rose.

Our feet touched down on soft grass, and giant trees surrounded us from every side. Bokuto folded in his wings, and I followed his example before he turned to look at me and grin.

"Close your eyes," he ordered, and I did as I was told. I felt his warm hand slip into mine, and he began to lead me somewhere in the forest. The only sound that I could hear was our footsteps, and Bokuto's steady breathing.

"Where are we going?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

"Somewhere special," was my only reply, and I let it drop. We walked in silence for a few minutes, but I heard Bokuto stop, so of course I did the same.

"Can I open my eyes now?" I asked.

"Yup!" Bokuto responded happily, and started to slowly open my eyes, but what I saw made them snap open and small gasp to escape through my lips.

Hundreds, if not thousands of tiny lights hung from the trees, illuminating the dark night sky above us. They emitted a soft light, not too strong, not too dim. As I continued to watch them, I noticed the lights seemed to be pulsing, as if each one was a tiny heart. The light seemed to make the trees fade away, so it seemed as if each light was floating, guiding the way to the stars above them.

"Oh, wow. . ." I said softly, looking at Bokuto. "Did you hang all of these up?"

"Nope! They're natural," Bokuto responded.

"How. . . how did you even know about this?" I asked incredulously, returning my gaze to the lights.

"I was just flying around and happened to spot this place," he answered, and I glanced at him yet again. His golden eyes reflected the light perfectly, and I could even see my reflection in those golden eyes of his.

"Oh, Bokuto-san. . . thank you. . ." I whispered, causing the owl boy to blush and smile at me.

"Oh! Keiji, look! The best part is about to happen!" Bokuto pointed, and I returned my gaze to the lights. Nothing happened at first, but suddenly, I let out a soft gasp as every single light began to unfold, and blossomed into beautiful white flowers, the pedals glowing softly.

"They're beautiful. . ." I exclaimed, not able to tear my gaze away from the sight above me.

"These are special flowers that only bloom on one night a year, and that's December fifth," Bokuto said softly, and I looked at him.

"My birthday. . ." I said, and he nodded.

"Happy birthday, Keiji!" Bokuto yelled, throwing his hands up in the air. Just as I was about to say something, I stopped when I felt something cold drop onto my nose, and when I looked up. Snowflakes were drifting down from the sky, dusting the forest with white.

"Oh, snow!" I exclaimed. I had only seen snow a few times, and I had always found it extremely beautiful.

"Well, would you look at that," Bokuto said with amazement, smiling up at the sky as the snow started to fall faster and faster, already starting to coat the ground in a cold blanket.

"If anything the snow just makes it more beautiful," I said, and Bokuto nodded.

"When was the last time we had a heavy snowfall?" Bokuto asked, but I shook my head.

"I couldn't tell you, it's been so long."

Bokuto laughed. "It's like Mother Nature knew today was your birthday and decided to make everything perfect for you."

"Maybe so," I said, letting out a laugh of my own.

"So, do you like your present?" Bokuto asked, looking at me expectantly.

"I love it," I answered, making Bokuto grin.

"Hey, hey, hey! Aren't I awesome?" he asked me, and I sighed, chuckling to myself.

"Yes you are, Bokuto-san," I said, giving into Bokuto's ego.

"Well anyway, let's go back," Bokuto said, and he spread his wings. "The sooner we get back, the sooner we can eat cake!"

"Is food the only thing you think of?" I grumbled, but nevertheless spread my wings as well as Bokuto and I took to the sky once again, our feet making light indents in the fresh snow.

~~~

When we got back to our village, Bokuto and I landed on the same street my house was on.

"I'm going to sneak around the back and see if my father's home," I whispered to Bokuto, who nodded. "If he's not, then my mom can give me the present now since I'm not coming home tonight."

"Okay," Bokuto whispered back, grinning. "I'll wait for you out here. But if your dad's there and he starts giving you trouble, you run as fast as you can, okay?"

"Oh, I'll be fine," I answered, rolling my eyes. "Alright, see you in a few minutes."

"Okay," Bokuto said again, and I walked softly to the back of my house, being careful to watch my footing. When I got to the back entrance, I used only one finger to pull back the heavy cloth just a tiny bit, so that I could peak inside undetected. My eyes scanned the dark room, which was odd. Normally my mother would be home. I squinted harder, leaning in just the slightest bit.

But then I saw the real scene that had been hidden by the darkness, and my stomach dropped.

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;)