Black Wings

"Ah…. about…—- there’s 11 - no 12 - of us all together. Including myself." He said with a small nod. Not alot to some people, but enough for them. If there were to many of them, who knows who would track them down to experiment on them. And it was a comfortable enough number for them to not be so lonely. 

That sounded like a lot of people in a small area. But thinking about it, they were probably all different and unique. Dak assumed none of them were like himself, as Keane here still seemed curious about him. As curious as Keane was about Dak, Dak was just as curious about Keane      and this group of beings he lived with. 

Looking down at the cat he felt something hit him and this caused  him to stop a moment in trying to think of how to personally respond to this. Without really thinking much into it, Kangin took time to lean in and placed a gentle kiss on top of the felines head. A small smile planted on lips after doing so. Intensely proud that he had actually done something like that; something that has been needing to be done for some time. It was small, but never really considered on showing the other any type of affection before like this. Maybe like kissing him on the head, but as some other form —- this did not bother him. Going back and doing it again even grinning in attempt to show that he was trying to be happy in this situation in which either of them were actually in pain in some way. 

The cat made a slight sound. A cute little meow. There wasn't even an actual word in it. It was just a simple meow when the other kissed his head and he covered his face with his paws, or at least tried to.      His paws weren't as big as his face.

The plants  and herbs on his wounds were not meant to be there or hurt him but he flinched when touched by leaves. Why did Dak always feel the need to heal him when he got into his own rut? With this, feeling a little bit useless and guilty, the red haired would walk toward the other when knowing he shouldn’t be moving at all, but what it’s worth he didn’t really want to stay anywhere near here. Still staying in his human form — due to the fact that he assumed it was just easier to walk and move this way for right now. Transforming anymore at least would reopen wounds that would already probably be beginning to heal.  So, he knew he had to stay in this form and nor did he mind it too much. He’d quietly as he could, walked toward the resting feline and picked him up, cradling Dak within his arms. Oddly enough, this was one thing he always enjoyed about this form — humans were such an odd species but he felt like it was one of the reasons he understood many animals and understood how things were always inspired by them. How arms like these could hold an injured animal and feel the need to constantly protect. It was also a form in which he was allowed to be affectionate with Dak and possibly other animals because if Dak had transformed back human as well it’d be difficult to do this. 

Dak opened an eye to look at Kangin as he spoke. 

They fought for awhile and Kangin kept getting his teeth sunked into a wolf that was going after Dak. In which case, there was no saying as to what was going to happen now. Yet, after another wolf tore into the red wolf’s hind leg there was numerous yelped heard from the young male as he would kick and scream and the pack had seemed to have backed off when Kangin suddenly turned back into his normal form — human, curled up with teeth marks present along his upper arms and back leg gushed blood from a chunk of skin being torn from his thigh. The wolves, they all seemed to suddenly scatter from the situation as if they knew exactly what kind of creature Kangin was after all — nor did they technically deal with humans very well knowing what they could do to their home land. 

Once the wolves ran, Dak panted, standing there on shaky paws. He could feel blood seeping into grey fur. They were both covered in bite marks and gashes. Seeing Kangin limp, Dak Ho ... hurt. He couldn't stand Kangin like this, hurting, feeling horrible. Once the other fell to the ground, the feline limped his way to the other, soon rubbing his cheek against the side of his friend's head. He was trying to help him      feel better.

The night passed on and the two slept soundly by the fire. Hours passed and not really anything drastic happened, the night of the forest seemed peaceful, the owls watched over the two in the night and the moon basked the sleeping wolf to a heavy slumber. 

Dak slept soundly that night. He continued to sleep away before he heard a yelp. His ear twitched and he immediately raised his head. Even in his sleep, he knew Kangin's voice. Looking around, he noticed a certain wolf missing from their camp. The gray cat shoved himself off the ground and looked around before spotting footprints.

Wolves fur was so warm and near the fire it was twice as such, curled up like he was in the canine stance, not at all feeling the need to change back into regular form only because of how much one could be comfortable currently. When being talked to, the wolf finally lifted his head to stare toward the urn then back toward the other who had been sitting there staring at him for some time. It was then did he go back to rest his head on the ground, paws itched way into the ground while wet nose pressed toward the thing he should be drinking. There was no use on turning back to normal form in order to drink something he wasn’t thirsty for or do something he was far too lazy to do. Comfortable enough to stay like this, deciding to go back to laying down and ignoring the water completely. 

Dak Ho sighed out a bit. Kangin wasn't going to take it. Fine. He wasn't going to force the other to drink. He then reached up to rub his forehead above his eye then laid down on the ground, He watched as the sky darkened and stars began to dot the sky. Kangin seemed tired, and honestly, Dak didn't blame him. This was the first time they'd been able to stop and rest for more than an hour.      They'd been on their feet all week.

He smiled softly as the other said he would teach him if he could. “The fact that you would is nice enough. It’s okay though, I understand. I wouldn’t want to accidentally insult anyone.” He gave a small nod. He was fine with how things were now. Living in the forest among every one of these creatures was fine for him.

The mention of other +Animas intrigued Dak. The shapeshifter sat up and tilted his head to the side. His head tilted so far, it looked      more like a bird's head tilt. 

The question is unexpected to say the least, but he ends up shaking his head. “No, No we can’t.” It’s a little sad, considering how close his clan was with nature. But it couldn’t be helped. Even if some of the tribe were +Anima, that’d be as close as they would get.

                      "I suppose my father was correct                                  about that one then ... that's unfortunate."

That seemed so cool. Keane wouldn’t mind being a +Anima forever, learning how to go through metamorphosis and control it (unlike Leon). It would be amazing in his eyes, but sadly it wouldn’t happen. Some day, his anima will leave him. He knew alot of people in his tribe who kept their animas into their elderly years, and he hopes at least that his situation is like that. He wants to hold onto his wings as much as possible.

Dak cleared his throat a bit.

Feel the animal? Keane could only just barely grasp that concept. Since getting into his +Anima state was a similar feeling, or that of being in danger then the spirit would come to the rescue. “And you can do that for the rest of your life?” He mumbles softly. “Normally +Animas done stick around for a very long time, at least for people outside of my tribe…the spirit stays with you until it deems you safe enough to live on your own….” 

                              "Yeah. Once we learn how to harness                                              our abilities, they never go away."

Keane takes a deep breath, curling up on the branch slightly. Years of practice as a child, and a fair while of being a bird related +anima, helped him not lose balance and fall. What could he possibly ask first? Carefully he selects the first few questions.

He watched as the other balanced himself on the branch. Keane looked as if he was thinking for a moment or two before he finally spoke. Dak sniffed lightly before reaching up and scratching his cheek with a fingernail.

He had to grab onto the branch he was currently sitting on as well as the trunk of the tree when the animal suddenly changed into a human. He blinks, wondering if he was dreaming for a few moments but then the other started to introduce himself. Keane relaxed ever so slightly and pulled his arms back to his side.

Dak leaned back against the tree trunk, watching Keane. The other gave him his surname, however, Dak refrained from giving his own out. A bit interesting. He made a slight note of it in his head, but he      was sure it wouldn't really effect much of anything.

He nearly jumped when the animal spoke again. He wasn’t used to animals speaking clear words like this. He takes a deep breath and waits for the next words, only to blink. 

                       "Well, I don't know about being closer to them, but ... " 

How could this situation get any more surprising and strange? The animal talks, in a way he could actually understand. His jaw drops just slightly before he’s flying up to sit on a branch next to the other after it had shifted again. This was so strange, then again—- he was one to talk. When he was seated carefully enough on the branch he pulls in his wings and his +Anima completely disappears for the time being. 

How was he able to do that? Dak was have thought it was obvious by now, but then again, Dak Ho was the son of the tribal leader, he had been raised to replace his father. Not everyone knew as much about other tribes as he did. He licked his paw for a moment, moving to wipe off his ear a bit with the paw.      He did this a few times, before choosing to finally speak.

If it was possible to stumble in mid air - that’s what he did. Seeing the other transform in front of him was even more surprising the second time, if that was possible.  He watches the animal fall below the tries and the hawk carefully followed after him. He landed on a tree branch, flapping his wings to get stuck leaves and twigs out of them before looking around. Now where the hell—

As soon as the other got to the hiding place, Dak moved, about ready to jump to a new tree, however, the tree that was nearby, there was a hunter's trap in clear view. He wasn't about to get caught in one of those again. It would be extremely dumb to get caught in one of these for the second time in one day. 

He’s walking back to the animal and about to speak again when the bird took off into the air. He smiles and is about to bring out his own wings but that smile changes into a look of shock as he sees the bird change into another in mid air. His eyes widened and he simply stared for a moment before seeing him take off. It reminded him of stories he was told as a child. But those were just stories—

This reminded him a lot of when he was younger and used to play this with his childhood friend, Kangin. He would fly ahead, while the other followed and tried to keep up. Of course, Kangin preferred land animals, so he would often be running on the ground while Dak flew overhead. It was actually fun. Time to make things a bit more      challenging.

He tilted his head curiously, wondering why the bird decided to land in front of him and not simply leave. He smiles before knelling down, smiling at the creature. “You’re welcome to go you know.” He said with a hum, reaching up to shift this hand through his grayish locks. But then he’s standing up, rolling his shoulders back.

That proved it. He'd seen the symbols. However, all the stories he'd heard of this tribe, said they were savage and were barely able to      tell animals apart and such. Seems the stories were false.