Chapter 32: I might cry too

"Friends?" Michael repeated the words as if the concept was alien. "With you...?"

"Yes," Kalandra said with growing agitation.

"But aren't you Clover's girl?" Michael dismissed. "Should you be making friends with Clover's greatest enemy?" he added mockingly.

"Don't flatter yourself," Kalandra smirked. " Clover's branching out, making new friends, why can't I?"

"Well you've given me some things to consider," Michael replied drily.

"Well don't think too hard," Kalandra smiled, "I'm not a patient person,"

"I'll keep that in mind," Michael answered with a smile and retreated into his room.

---------------------------

Later that evening Ace went to check on Bird. As Michael had said, he found the door locked. Ace knocked and called Bird's name. For a while there was silence, then the door rattled and the lock turned.

As Ace entered, Bird returned to his bed. He returned to sit at the head of the bed against the headboard with his knees tucked into his arms. Ace wondered how Bird managed to pull himself in so tightly and small considering his long limbs. Only his curly flaxen hair popped out like a nest. Ace almost let out a chuckle but immediately felt bad seeing Bird's expression.

He appeared to be close to tears. Ace sat down on the bed beside him.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Bird blinked back tears, "No,"

Ace put a hand on Bird's back, "It's going to be okay. I promise you, nothing's going to happen to you. You didn't do anything wrong,"

Bird suddenly unravelled from his little ball and sat up with both feet on the ground.

"No, I did!" Bird exclaimed. He suddenly turned to Ace. "You wanted to leave. I stopped you. Do you remember? I'm the one who asked you to help us in the first place!"

Ace shook his head, "At that time, you were right Bird. I was only trying to leave because I was scared. Even if things aren't what we thought, our intentions were good. Your intentions were good,"

"Ace," Bird interrupted. "Stop it, please,"

Bird came to a stand and dashed his tears away. He turned to Ace and swallowed uneasily.

"Last time, we made you go to the demon world. I knew you were scared but I just let you go because...I didn't want to die. Before that I let Michael take your necklace because I was scared about what would happen to me," Bird said slowly, "And now...I can't sleep. There was a demon banging on my door earlier. I was too scared to answer. All I can think about is myself - all my disappointment, all fears. I'm a selfish coward. I know it. That's the simple fact. If I wasn't maybe I wouldn't have bought into Michael lies,"

Ace listened but didn't speak. Bird went on:

"That's why you shouldn't be here comforting me. I don't deserve it. I know you're in an even worse position than me. I told you I cared about you, but what have I done to help you? I'm the worst. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," Bird's voice trembled, "So don't worry about me anymore. Just take care of yourself, "

Ace stood up with a blank expression. "Are you saying you don't want to be my friend anymore?"

Bird's eyes widened, "No! Of course not! I'm not saying that. I...I don't know what I'm saying," he threw a hand over his mouth as the tears started to pour again.

Ace let out a sigh, "Then shut up, okay?"

Bird looked surprised.

"Stop blaming yourself. I'm telling you that I don't blame you at all. So what are you going and blaming yourself for? Michael's the one who you should be blaming right now,"

Ace patted Bird on the back. Bird let out a whimper and nodded as the tears rolled down his cheeks.

"Okay?" Ace said softly.

"Okay," Bird replied faintly.

"Then we're friends?" Ace added, "And we'll figure this out?"

"Yes," Bird answered with more conviction.

"Good," Ace let out a breath, "because if you say that you don't want to be my friend right now, I might cry too," he said softly.

Bird turned to Ace with red eyes, "I'm sorry,"

"No more sorry," Ace answered, "but you need to be strong. I know you have it in you. You need to find it right now. This isn't a place where we can cry, Bird. They prey on the weak here,"

Bird seemed to calm and he nodded along resolutely.

"Okay," Ace breathed, "Then come with me. You can stay with me until Yashtara leaves,"

"Alright," Bird inhaled. His tears stopped and he wiped his face.

He followed Ace out into the hallway. They were halfway across the hallway when a figure towered over them.

"Where are you going?" Yashtara smiled eagerly.

She was a foot above either of them. Her muscles didn't seem to be for show. Her red eyes appraised them with what seemed like amusement. Yet there was something sinister, almost predatory in her gaze.

"We're going upstairs," Ace answered.

"Is that so?" Yashtara's smile didn't leave her face, "It's almost lunch. Why don't you come and eat with us?"

Her words made it seem like an open invitation, however, her eyes were only on Bird.

"We're not hungry," Ace answered again. He tried to sidestep out of the way, but Yastara tilted her head to the side. Her hair, which was cascading from the ponytail at the centre of her head, fell over her shoulders. The sides of her head were shaved. There were markings similar to those along her arms. Her fingers were always close to the swords at each side of her hips.

Once more her eyes feasted on Bird hungrily. They kept returning to the markings on his arm.

"Where are you from?" Yashtara asked enthusiastically.

"We're from the human world," Ace glanced at Bird apprehensively.

Yashtara reached a hand toward Bird. However, Ace stopped her. He gripped her hand lightly. He remembered what Clover had said last time.

"He's shy," Ace smiled, "Beautiful women make him tongue-tied,"

"Oh really?" Yashtara let out a giggle.

"Come on, Bird," Ace released Yashtara's hand gently and gestured quickly.

Yashtara stepped to the side to let them pass. Ace slowly started walking, keeping his eyes on Bird. Bird followed him timidly. However, the moment Bird passed her, Yashtara grabbed him by the arm. She held up the white ruins on his arms. Bird froze in place with a restrained expression.

"What does it say?" Yashtara peered into his eyes. Her red eyes settled on Bird with lethal resolve.

Bird swallowed, "I'm not sure," he lied.

"Well, how did you get it?" Yashtara interrogated.

Bird forced a smile, "I can't remember,"

"And where are you from?" Yashtara questioned.

"I said we're from..." Ace started.

Yashtara held up a hand to his face. It flew up with such speed Ace flinched. She turned back to Bird with the same intensity.

"I'm asking him," she said in a low voice.

"The human world," Bird answered reticently.

"Do you think I'm an idiot?" Yashtara growled.

"No, I don't," Bird's voice wavered. He could feel the strength in Yashtara's grip tighten. He blinked slowly trying not to break under her gaze.

"Then, where in the human world do you come from?" Yashtara's aura was enough to make Bird's skin crawl.

"I come from the Empire, in the west," Bird forced out the words.

"Ah, I see," Yashtara smiled, "I was just curious. The human world is a big place." In an instant, her whole demeanour changed. She released Bird's arm. He withdrew it quickly but remained frozen in place.

"Okay. Okay," Yashtara gave Bird a playful tap on the shoulder, "I can see you're too shy to talk,"

Bird nodded gratefully and started to walk.

"Ahhh, wait," Yashtara turned back, "You didn't tell me your name. You can at least do that right?"

Bird glanced at Ace then back to Yashtara.

"Bird," he swallowed uneasily.

"Bird," Yashtara repeated thoughtfully, "What a pretty name. See you later, Bird,"

After the encounter, Bird and Ace hurried up the spiral staircase. Once they reached Ace's room, they locked the door behind them.

"Shit," Ace said under his breath.

"What is it?" Bird asked.

Ace hesitated, "Demon lords are different from ordinary demons. They have power like you wouldn't believe."

"I know," Bird reflected, "Michael told me about them. He said they fought against a demon lord during the war. He said they were really powerful,"

"Are you talking about Clover?"

"No, a different demon lord. I don't their name,"

"Right - well," Ace said flatly, "that women, or at least the palace she comes from, they're notoriously brutal, Bird. You should stay as far away from her as you can. I've heard horrible things about what they do to humans there,"

"Why is she so interested in me?" Bird asked anxiously.

"I don't know," Ace exhaled, "I'll try to find out, but for the time being we should stay out of sight."

"No arguments here," Bird laughed nervously.

"Well," Ace's eyes came up slowly to the wardrobe," While you're here, maybe there's something you can help me with,"