Chapter 8 - Confessions of the Heart
That evening...
Amethyst flew steadily through the city, flying through the dying light. He had had a long, tiring day. Rak had helped him learn to fly, and Amethyst was now quite capable. Rak also showed him many of the different things that he could eat, and Amethyst had practiced hard to catch his food. Besides, when anyone is as hungry as Amethyst was, they would have worked quite hard to feed their hunger. Now, satiated from his hunt, Amethyst flew to the Royal House. He landed at the door. He knocked lightly on the door with his beak. A minute later, the gatekeeper, Haru, came to the door.
“Oh, Amethyst, it's you! Come on in, brother!” said Haru, opening the door to Amethyst. Amethyst stepped inside, clacking beaks with Haru. Haru closed the door behind him.
“Good to see you.” Amethyst said happily. “Man, I've sure had a long day. I've learned a lot about being a crane today. I can fly pretty well now, and I can catch my own food.”
“That's excellent! You're well on your way to becoming a full-fledged crane, Amethyst.” said Haru. “Keep up the good work.” Haru touched his wing to Amethyst's shoulder. “I must return now to my post. Have a good evening.” With that, Haru left Amethyst and returned to the gatehouse. Amethyst turned and faced the left corridor. He flapped his wings and flew down the corridor carefully, heading for the guest quarters.
Amethyst landed tiredly in the room. He walked over to the bed and sat down in it. It felt even more comfortable than previously, now that he fit in the nest perfectly. He curled up in the bed, burying his head into his breast. He fell asleep almost instantly.
* * *
Later, in the wee hours of morning and night...
“Amethyst?” Amethyst opened his eyes. “Amethyst?” He raised his head and looked over at the doorway, where the voice was coming from. In the dim light, his eyes made out a familiar crane. He rubbed his eyes and looked harder. It was Kani who was standing at the doorway. He began to get up from his nest.
“No, don't get up, Amethyst.” Kani said softly. “I didn't mean to disturb you, but...”
“What's wrong, Kani?” asked Amethyst.
“I...I can't sleep. I have been trying to get to sleep all night, and without success. I thought maybe a change of rooms would do me good. You wouldn't mind if I bunked here tonight, would you?”
“Why, not at all, Kani. Whatever I can do to help.” replied Amethyst. He gestured to the nest next to him. “Here, take this one.”
“Thank you, Amethyst, I appreciate it.” said Kani. She walked over and curled up in the proffered nest. She smiled at Amethyst, then curled up in the nest. Amethyst's heart skipped a beat. Ever since he became a crane earlier that day, he hadn't really seen Kani at all due to his training with Rak. Now that she lay in the nest beside him, he got a chance to see her again. It seemed as if her beauty had increased two-fold; she seemed even more beautiful to him now than she had yesterday, when he was still human. Then, he had felt something for her. Now, the feeling was stronger. He listened to her gentle breathing as she fell asleep. He was tempted to go over and be even closer to her.
“Now, don't go scaring the girl.” he said quietly to himself. “She may freak out on you if you do that. Besides, how does she feel about you?” Amethyst curled up again in his nest, getting ready to fall asleep again. He lowered his head and closed his eyes. A few minutes later, he opened them again. He was unable to fall asleep again. He looked over at Kani. “Girl, look what you've done to me...I'm losing my heart to you.” he said quietly. The whole situation seemed so fast. He had these feelings for her, and they had only known each other for a little over a day. Could this be happening? Could I...could I be falling in love? Is this what it means to have love at first sight? He looked over at Kani again, his heart crying out.
Despite what his mind said, his heart was determined to go against it. He got up from his nest, and moved over to Kani's nest. He looked at her slim, beautiful figure. His knees grew weak as he stared at her. He drew close, careful not to make much noise. He stood next to her, spellbound. He craned his neck in close, and he gently nuzzled her. She stirred slightly, and he pulled his head back, afraid she might wake up. She muttered lightly, and adjusted her position in the nest. But, she did not wake up. Soon, he heard her deep breathing again, and he watched her breast rise and fall. He lay next to her nest, closing his eyes and listening to her gentle breathing. He had no trouble getting back to sleep this time.
* * *
The next morning...
Kani opened her eyes as the first rays of light poured in the through the open window of the guest chamber. She yawned, opening her beak wide. She looked over to Amethyst's nest, and was surprised to see he wasn't in it. She looked down, and much to her surprised, saw him sleeping next to her nest. She smiled at him. This could only mean one thing...
“He must...he must have feelings for me, too.” she said quietly, with a smile. She reached out with her wing and stroked his head feathers. He smiled in his sleep. “Yes...I know it now...he likes me.” Amethyst stirred at the sound of her soft voice. He lifted his head, shielding his eyes from the sunlight as he awoke. He turned to look at Kani, and saw her smiling back at him.
“Good morning, Kani.” said Amethyst.
“Good morning, Amethyst. I see you must have had trouble sleeping as well?” she said, gesturing to his empty nest.
“Oh, yeah...after you showed up, I had trouble getting back to sleep. That is, until I lay next to you.” he replied with a blush. “Your warmth and gentle breathing helped to lull me back to sleep.”
“Aww...I didn't realize that I had that affect on you.” she said, lying.
“Uh, yeah, I guess you do.” he said, blushing. He stood up, stretching his wings and legs. He sang out a few notes happily. Kani sang the same, brief song as well. Amethyst turned to Kani. “Heh...I didn't even realize I had done that. It just kind of came out.”
“That's a song that all cranes sing.” said Kani. “It seems to be hardwired into our brains. We call it 'Morning Delight'. It's something we often sing as we awake...especially when we are next to someone we care about.” Amethyst blushed when he heard her say that. Does she know? Does she know how I feel? Is it possible that she feels the same about me?
“Well...” Amethyst began awkwardly. “I think I should probably go out and practice my flying and hunting.”
“Do you mind if I come?” asked Kani.
“Uh...” Amethyst began, caught off guard. Yes! His heart cried out. Yes, don't leave my side! “Sure...why not? Maybe you can help me practice.” He flapped his wings and flew out of the guest chamber, Kani following closely behind. When they flew by the Queen's personal chamber, Kani spoke up.
“Hold on, Amethyst. Just let me go ask Queen Saria before I go. I'm sure she'll have no problem with it. But, she may need me.” Kani landed and went into the chamber
“Alright.” replied Amethyst, waiting for her. He heard voices within the chamber: Kani's and Queen Saria's. A minute later, Kani emerged from the chamber.
“Yep, it's fine. She doesn't need me for anything, so we can head off for some breakfast together.” Kani said happily. She flapped her wings and left the Royal House, Amethyst flying after her. As they left, Saria had stuck her head out of the chamber, watching them go. She preened her feathers thoughtfully. She began to talk as if to Kani, even though she was wasn't there.
“Kani...I thought I would never see the day when you found someone to care about. Now, it seems everything is moving so fast. I mean...I am happy for you, my sister. But...I also feel as if I'm losing you.” said Saria. A tear rolled down her face and her beak. But then, her sad face became a happy one. “Kani, you're a lucky crane, that's for sure. Go get him.” She stood looking out at the sun, which shone brightly into the Royal House. Then, she turned and returned to her personal chamber.
* * *
That afternoon...
Amethyst and Kani waded silently through the marsh together. They had been together all day so far, neither leaving the other's side for very long. They had flown and hunted together, and they had talked and gotten to know more about each other's past.
“So...you've been to many lands?” Kani asked.
“Yes...many lands. My parents move a lot, from job to job. We just moved here a few weeks ago.” replied Amethyst. Suddenly, he remembered his parents. He had been so caught up in being with the cranes that he had forgotten about them. “My parents must be worried sick about me. I've been gone for two days.”
“Why don't you go see them?”
“I don't think I can do that. I'm a crane now. Besides, I'm not sure how safe it will be outside of the marsh. Besides, they might get scared if a crane just starts talking to them.
“Oh. You've got a point, there.” replied Kani. Amethyst just sighed sadly.
“Besides, I really like being with you, Kani.” said Amethyst. He nuzzled her affectionately. “You're very special.”
“Amethyst...you're so sweet. You're so kind and...and affectionate. I'm so glad you're with me. Plus, I feel safe having a wonderful male like you around.”
“Why thank you.” replied Amethyst. “Hold on...I hear something.” His ears had caught a rustling sound coming from the trees at the edge of the forest. He looked at them and saw the glint of light on a metal object.
A gun! |
Submission Name: Story of Amethyst, Ch. 8
