#umaa

The moon shone brightly overhead casting faint shadows on the forest floor. The air was still and the only noise that could be heard was the soft crunching of leaves as they were stepped on. The male walked briskly through the trees, his path long since memorized, and his black cloak bellowed behind him. He hugged a black leather shoulder bag close to him as if he was afraid it was disappear if he let go.

As he came upon a small clearing, he slowed his pace before coming to a complete halt. He looked around the space, red eyes barely visible through the lenses of the mask he wore. It was a deep gray plague doctor mask. Other always questioned why he wore it when performing rituals and the answer was always the same: for protection against evil spirits. He knelt down quickly, his cloak floating down around him. Setting the bag he held onto so dearly on the ground, the male began to remove it contains. First was the small glass jar, then powered garlic, catnip and powered jasmine. He knew he probably shouldn’t have ground the garlic or jasmine earlier that day, but he didn’t honestly believe it would make a difference in the end.

Finally he pulled out a small silver knife. The blade was no bigger than the palm of his hand and the handle was made of pure obsidian with feathers etched into it. Sitting cross legged now, the male started to chant in latin. His voice was barely above a whisper. He opened the jar and gentle put the ingredients into it. Then he picked up the knife. He brought the tip of the knife to his left pointer finger. Slowly and carefully, he pushed the tip into his skin just enough for a bit of blood to be drawn. He held to finger above the jar and let a drop of blood fall in. The male screwed the lid back onto the jar as he finished his chant.

He sat back and waited. Minutes ticked away. Minutes turned into an hour. An hour turned into two. Two turned into three. Nothing happened.

With a sigh, the male stood up. He placed the jar and knife back into his bag. Pulling his cloak tight around to block out the chill that had settled, he made his way back to where he came from. What a waste of a perfectly good full moon…

The classroom was full of noise as everyone waited for class to start. Most people were discussing what spells they had cast, how the had set out items to be cleansed and purified under the moon, and how they felt an energy increase from it.

One student sat at his desk, sulking. No one seemed to take notice. A dark aura clung to him. He slumped over and hid his face in his arms. He tried to tune out just how successful everyone had been last night. His failure weighing down his mood.

“Toko~! What’s got you down, mon amie?”

The male looked up slightly through his black bangs at the owner of the voice. He simplify huffed and went back to hiding in his arms. He didn’t want to talk about it and tried to make that very clear through body language. Though the other didn’t seem get to the memo, or maybe he did and didn’t care.

“Fumikage Tokoyami.”

The raven haired male finally lifted his head properly at his full name, “What do you want Aoyama?”

“To know what’s got you so upset,” Aoyama’s purple eyes stared down Tokoyami’s red ones. It was a silent threat that the Frenchman would get answer out of his friend one way or another.

“I tried to summon a familiar last night and it failed…” Tokoyami looked off to the side. He rested his head on his hand, “I wasted a perfectly good full moon…”

When Aoyama began to laugh, Tokoyami couldn’t help but glare at him. The blonde tried to stifle his laughter to no avail. After a few minutes passed, he finally stopped, “Je suis désolé, mon amie. But that’s what you’re sulking about? I thought it’d be something more serious. Just because you’re spell didn’t work out doesn’t mean it was a waste.”

“Oh, really?”

“Listen Toko: so what it didn’t work. Figure out what you did wrong and try again another time.”

“When did you become the smart one?”

Aoyama scoffed, “How dare you, I’ve always been smart.”

“Yeah su-” Tokoyami was cut off as the teacher walked in. Quickly everyone ran to their seats and fell silent as class started.

After school, everyone poured their way out of the building eager to leave. Tokoyami waited for the frenzy to die down before exiting. All he wanted to do right now was go home and catch up on the sleep he lost last night.

But fate hated him as he heard his name being called loudly the second he stepped foot outside. He looked around and saw Aoyama waving him over. The raven haired male rolled his eyes as he walked over to his friend, “What’s up Aoyama?”

“Écoute, I know you’re upset about last night still, so I thought we could go do something fun!” Aoyama wrapped his arms around one of Tokoyami’s and started to drag him off without an answer. Tokoyami didn’t bother resisting. He knew that it would be pointless. Besides, he had been relatively snappy all day and he did feel bad about it. He needed something to distract himself from his failed summoning.

Tokoyami allowed Aoyama to pull him along, not paying attention to where they were going exactly. Instead, his red eyes stayed focused on the sky. A small smile graced his lips as he noticed a raven flying over head. Most only viewed the bird as a symbol of death, but Tokoyami also knew they represented knowledge and secrets. They were highly mysterious, yet had so much wisdom.

He snapped out of his thoughts as he pulled into a building. Once glance around and he knew that it was Café d'infusion, Aoyama’s favorite cafe. The place wasn’t bad- actually they were quite good. Their coffees always tasted great.

Aoyama released Tokoyami’s arm and turned to face him, “Go find a seat. I’ll go order.” Tokoyami nodded as Aoyama went over the counter. Making a beeline for the second floor of the cafe, Tokoyami found an empty table next to edge of the indoor balcony. He peered over the edge, down at his blonde friend who was paying. Aoyama glanced up and waved at Tokoyami before moving over to wait for their orders.

Since the cafe only had a few customers currently the wait wasn’t long. Aoyama was sitting across from Tokoyami, drinks in hand, in no time. He handed Tokoyami his drink and took a sip of his own. The first few minutes were filled with silence.

“Did really get you that down?” Aoyama broke the silence.

“I just… I don’t know…” Tokoyami shrugged, “I thought it would work…”

“Don’t worry about it. Just view it as a learning experience,” Aoyama waved a dismissive hand in the air before changing subjects to take the matter off Tokoyami’s mind.

Five coffees each later and the two left the cafe. The sun was sinking low on the horizon. Oranges, peachy pinks, and yellows painted the sunset. Aoyama held Tokoyami’s captive again as they walked along. The pair continued to talk about this and that, one thing than another. Tokoyami focused on Aoyama this time. His crimson eyes never leaving the blonde except for checking that he wouldn’t walk into anything. He nearly missed the raven perched on a railing they passed by, but the creature still caught his eye momentarily. Just for a brief second before his focus was back on his friend.

They were slowly making their way to Aoyama’s place since it was closer. The two cut across a park for a short cut. A gentle breeze blew through the leaves and sent a chill down Tokoyami’s spine. Aoyama noticed the shiver and pulled Tokoyami closer without a second thought. The raven haired male blushed lightly and stumbled over his words. Aoyama giggled, but made no comment on it. After Tokoyami recovered, he continued on with what he was saying. He could hear a bird cawing in the distance, but tuned in out in favor of Aoyama’s reply.

By the time they reached Aoyama’s home, the sun was almost completely gone. They stopped at his doorstep. Aoyama let go of Tokoyami and walked up the few steps. He turned around and waved to his friend, “Adieu, mon amie! I’ll see you tomorrow at school!”

Tokoyami waved before Aoyama turned back around and disappeared inside. He waited a few seconds before turning to head to his own home. A raven sat in front of him, staring at him curiously. Taken back a bit by the bird’s seemingly sudden appearance, Tokoyami took a step back. He quickly nodded his head at the animal in respect before heading to his home.

His walk was brisk and he was home in only a matter of time. Pushing open the front door, he was greeted with his mother calling out his name, “Fumikage? It’s dinner time. Hurry up.”

After Tokoyami finished eating, he went up into his room. Upon entering, he instantly knew something was wrong. The air felt thick and the shadows seemed darker than usual. He flicked the light on and had to hold back a scream.

A giant shadow loomed in the center of his bedroom. It’s shape appeared to flicker under the lights before reforming. Tokoyami could make out the bird shaped head and arms. It’s hands appeared to have long claws. He couldn’t tell where the shadow ended exactly as it merged with the shadows under his bed.

Tokoyami’s mouth felt dry and he struggled to find his voice. When he did, it came out in a hoarse whisper, “Wh-what are you? What do you want?”

The shadow pouted, “I’ve been trying to get your attention all day since you’ve gotten out of school and this is what you say to me first?”

“I don’t… I don’t understand…”

“Listen, you summoned me last night right? Don’t you think I deserve a little more respect than this? I came all the way to this realm to answer your call. But what do you do? Ignore me.”

Tokoyami’s head spun, “You- you’re my familiar? But familiars don’t come from another realm…”

“You messed up the ritual kid. I ain’t your familiar. I’m a shadow demon. Big difference. So congrats kid, you messed up big time,” The shadow looped around behind Tokoyami, “You look pale. Sit down.”

He tried to make sense of what was going on as the demon lead him to his bed. He fell against it. Realization suddenly came to Tokoyami, “Wait. Are you the raven I’ve been seeing all day?”

“Yep.”

“Oh… Well listen here demon-”

“Dark.”

“What?” Tokoyami sat up and looked at the shadow demon quizzingly.

“My name is Dark. I already know yours is Fumikage Tokoyami as no need to introduce yourself, but it would have been polite,”  Dark crossed it’s arms.

“Oh… Okay…” Tokoyami shook his head to recollect his thoughts, “Listen Dark, I was trying to summon a familiar, which you said you aren’t so you can go back to where ever you came from.”

“No can do! You used your blood to summon me so we’re bonded buddy!” Dark smiled as Tokoyami groaned. He knew he wouldn’t be getting rid of Dark anytime soon. It would be breaking witch law. “Don’t worry kid! I’ll act as a familiar! I can’t maintain this form during the day so I’ll look like a raven! No one will ever know!”

Tokoyami heaved a heavy sigh, “Fine… But only because I can’t get out of this…” But the male couldn’t help thinking that maybe, just maybe, this would work out in the end. Dark might be more useful than a normal familiar. I can make this work…

French to English translation:

Mon amie- My friend

Je suis désolé- I’m sorry

Écoute- Listen

Café d'infusion- brewing coffee