The Bird Tamer

18

You sighed as your feet stepped on the dry leaves as you walked on the trail. You had returned to the scene from yesterday, Now that you were traveling with two extraordinary looking people. You needed a way to travel and keep them hidden.

You finally reached the cage in which Tokoyami had been traveling in. You were planning your magic could work on changing it. Making it a more comfortable form of transport without making them feel trapped. Taking a deep breath You raised your hands a staff appearing, you grabbed it and began. Small orbs began gathering around the cage changing the bars for wooden walls. Removing the lock for a trap door.

You'd make it the best travel home, for them. Making them feel as if you were returning them back into that horrible place wasn't in your intention. As everything settled into place you stepped back to admire your work. It just needed horses and you knew a good place, but for now you needed to rest.

For a mage using magic it came from their mana or energy. You however were special you didn't exactly have mana but your magic still relied on some sort of energy to feed off. And which better than you physical energy. You fell to the floor coughing up blood. Aizawa reprimed you of using to much but in this case you needed to use whatever you had to get the mission done.

When night finally fell you returned to the inn. The inn lady was at her desk when you walked in.

"Come here",she called you over

You did, taking notice there weren't others around. You stood opposite of her from the counter.

"Here",she placed a small pouch on the counter top, it was money from the sound of the coins hitting each other

"Why?",you asked, she'd only mentioned Aizawa but hadn't given details

A soft smile spreaded on her face,"My dear son was a blacksmith. One day a group of men arrived they wanted the best swords my son could offer",she paused and continued,"my son agreed but when he heard what those men were going to do he refused and they..."

"..killed him..",You finished the sentence for her as she nodded slowly

"They found his body in his shed",she said as her voice cracked,"I want to help you put a stop to them, to stop them from taking more lives so, please."

Your throat tightened as you took the pouch, you silently nodded and headed to your room. So many people were suffering thanks to them, to you for raising the man who lead them.

"(Y/n) you're back!"

"Welcome."

They both greeted you as you walked in. You wanted to sleep for a while and forget everything that was happening. However you couldn't do that, they needed a leader and you were the leader. So forcing your tired body to keep standing you faced them.

"Time to go",You said with a smile as you explained to them where to go.

You said your goodbyes and received a small blessings from the lady. When you arrived at the forest the moon was up and the streets were empty. You'd managed to borrow two mares which were attached to the wagon.

"Time to move on",you mumbled as the wagon began moving down the empty streets heading to the exist of the town. The two boys in the back, they hadn't argued but it still felt wrong.

"(Y/n)",tokoyamis voice next to you made you jump,"Sorry I didn't intend to scare you",his face sunk slightly

"No, I just didn't hear you approach",you quickly explained not wanting him to get the wrong idea,"Don't you want to rest?"

"At night I feel rather energetic",he said as he turned to face the sky

"Tokoyami..how long were you with them?",you managed to ask

He stayed silent as he looked for an answer,"Not long about an year."

It explained why he seemed more stable and unbroken. Unlike Keigo who'd spent years Tokoyami was lucky to have been found faster. You reached and patted his head out of habit.

"I'm glad we found you",you said

His eyes widened slightly as a small smile crossed his face,"I am thankful, but if I may ask. Are you injured?"

"Injured? No, why?",you asked confused

"Nothing in particular I just couldn't help but sense a small aura of death",he spoke and stopped,"(y/n) are you alright? You've gotten pale"

"I-I have?",you stammered out,"Oh it must be stress but don't worry I'm perfectly healthy."

You grinned Bullshit your health was deteriorating each day. The reason you were so hurried on this mission was simple, you were running out of time. More like he was running out of time. You forced the smile to stay on your face as you continued talking.

Tokoyami had later on retired back inside the wagon as you continued staying up. You paused giving the mares some water and time to rest. You sat on the ground a sword at your side in case wild animals approached. You massaged your head feeling your stamina decreasing.

You needed to stay strong and continue, even if you didnt believe in your skills others did. The elderly lady believed you'd avenge her son and so many people out there who'd also lost someone to those bastards.

The sudden soft touch on your face had you tense up. When a familiar set of red wings appear in your vision.

"Keigo",you sighed out in relief

"Songbird, what's wrong you look pale",he spoke softly as he crouched down infront of you.

"I'm just tired, but nothing I can't handle",you grinned at an attempt to lighten the mood

"Songbird rely on me, use me. I'll end this in seconds, I'll kill anyone you want",he spoke making your expression falter

His words were laced with nothing but the pure truth, knowing he'd kill anyone at the slightest command from you made You nauseous. With each word you could see the empty void that filled his eyes. He truly believed he wasn't more than a tool. He saw his worth in his killing skills, but that only angered you. Did he really think you saw someone based on their use? You felt mocked, as you stood up brushing him aside.