Chapter 1

With a swish the wings of a great bird spread across the sky. The snow white owls feathers glisten in the moonlight. The light reflected could be mistaken to be that same moon, for which he was named. Tsuki.

A man with ebony hair stretches his arm to the sky, inviting his friend to return to him. As tsuki lands on his arm he scolds the bird,

"You musnt fly in these woods. A hunter may shoot you down if you're not careful" The man's partner scoffs

"Always speaking to that bird as if it actually understands. You make us seem foolish when you act that way Shiro."

Shiro strokes gently the bird's head, Tsuki leans into his touch. Cooing softly in his embrace. To many the bird may seem to be one of great size, but to shiro the bird fits snugly in his arms. Tsuki hops up shiros shoulder and sits himself nested in the back of his hood.

" oh Kuro, if any one of our men has a problem with me and my bird, i'm more than happy to remind them of my ability to lead "

Shiro was normally careful not to claim possessions with the word "mine" in the presence of kuro. Kuro has this nasty habit of wanting the things that belong to shiro. The one thing he never hesitated to brand as "his" was tsuki. Kuro however, has no interest in animals except as tools. Kuro smiles at shiro's confidence

"Take a look over there shiro" Kuro points a well groomed finger at a palace far below the hill they stand on. "the king's palace. the Final stronghold of the shima empire." kuro presses his thumb to his lip and grins, His eyes full of hunger and bloodlust.

Shiro glances over the palace "it's got brilliant architecture, try not to destroy it too much when we siege the palace."

Kuro guffaws "Ha. you know how i am in the heat of battle!"

"Destructive"

"Yes that dear friend but also. I find happiness in the chaos"

Shiro nods " alright kuro, what's the plan?"

Kuro examines the palace like a fox planning it's hunt on a rabbit.

"I think we should examine the palace up close before we plan our attack."

Shiro kneels to the ground "oh? And just how do you expect we can do so without raising suspicion?"

Kuro grins to himself. " I'm going into town. I'll let you know when I get back."

Shiro rolls his eyes at kuro "try not to stand out this time." Kuro merrily skips down the hill. He turns back to shiro, beaming eerily.

"come now shiro, i'm a picture of subtlety."

Shiro groans unconvinced "and stay out of the red light district!"

As kuro disappears, his subordinate appears at shiro's side. He practically is hopping in place "has master kuro left?"

Shiro nods. "He will return by morning i'm sure, watanabe"

Shiro had always felt uncomfortable in the presence of watanabe. He was a man who was far too eager for battle, too elated at the sight of destruction , and too giddy in the wake of chaos. It's not as if shiro trusted anyone but himself, but watanabe was the one he trusted least of all, an his loyalty was clearly to kuro alone.

"Lord kuro is surely a great man don't you think? We are lucky to work under him."

Shiro was by no means a subordinate of kuro, but he couldn't deny the fact that he did nothing but follow kuro's plans. Instead of correcting watanabe, he set off without another word. Shiro follows the path into the deep woods. The moonlight is almost fully obstructed by the trees. As the path disappears he begins to make his own. Shiro was never concerned with losing his way, he had a good sense of direction and loved to discover new areas. The long grass between the trees begins to increase in height as the trees decrease in frequency. Eventually he finds himself in an open meadow. Tsuki coos excitedly.

"Alright take flight, but stay close"

With his permission the grand bird takes to the skies. Sending a rustle through the grass. Shiro sits and sighs in relief at seeing his feathered friend so happy, so free. A pure spirit of happiness emanating from the practically glowing bird. Though shiro's face was normally stoic, he couldn't help but crack a smile at his joyous fowl.

The smile melts away as he hears a rustling in the trees. His eyes dart to the treelines worried at what he may find, But he sees no sign of another person. However when he glances back to the skies his heart sinks at the absence of tsukui. Fingers trembling, he whistles a signal for the bird, the bird replies with a distant screech. shiro dashes in the direction of tsuki's cry. Brushing through the trees he runs till he sees the reason for tsukis delay.

Two men, hunters, grip a net that holds tsuki, Scrambling in fear. Shiro grips his blade without hesitation, ready to rid himself of the nuisances. He angrily strides to them, but stops at the sudden boom of a voice.

"Release that bird at once!"

The men turn to the voice in surprise but soon grin at its source. A small woman approaches through the trees. As desperate as shiro was to have tsuki returned to him, he couldn't help but be curious at what this woman planned to do.

"Oh it's just a child, a young girl at that"

Unshaken the girl speaks firmly " hunting is illegal in these woods. Release that bird now!"

The men ignore her and Shiro draws his blade ready to intervene. Before he can act the small girl charges the men. They stand and laugh, not threatened by her. Their mistake of underestimating their opponent, is one they soon come to regret. as she strikes the man holding tsuki captive with a controlled blow to his shoulder. he grips his arm.

"What did you do to me? I can't feel my arm?!"

She catches tsuki as he drops. The other man swipes in her direction trying to grab her but she easily evades him and strikes his leg, he falls to the ground.

"I suggest you leave now, or perhaps you would like to crawl home?"

The two men exchange glances. "There's barely any game here anyway…"

Defeated the men tuck their tails between their legs and leave. She shouts at them as they disappear "next time i find you out here i'll do a lot more than numb your extremities."

After they've gone she cuts the net open releasing tsuki. Shirou laughs silently to himself, remembering the look of the men like cowardly dog's, tucking their tails and fleeing. When tsuki is freed he leans into the girls chest hooting. This surprises shiro considering tsuki doens normally like to be touched by others. The girl strokes tsukis head affectionately. In her small arms you could truly appreciate how large tsuki truly was.

"Where did you come from? You're not a native bird?"

She examines his wings and feet, noting the clean shine, and the small marker on tsukis ankle.

" ah! You're a pet. But where is your master?"

Seeing his opportunity to reveal himself shirou approaches from the trees and clears his throat.

"That would be me." He flashes the girl a devilish grin. He whistles for tsuki to return to him.

Tsuki glances at him but nuzzles into the girls arms further. She laughs.

"It would seem he likes me better."

Shiro grins and retorts

"I don't blame him"

The girl moves to shiro and nudges tsuki onto his arm. Shiro feels mesmerized at the sight of her eyes, their pale glow combatting the beauty of the moon itself, and shiro would hardl be a man if he didn't take note of her pleasing figure

"Well i shall take my leave now, if you are hunting it's illegal to do so here. please move on if so."

Shiro calls after the girl "wait! Let me repay you"

"That's not necessary."

She walks through the woods, shiro following after her. "Well at least tell me your name!"

She stops turning to face him.

"It's misa"

Then she continues on, disappearing into the darkness. Even after she has left shiro still feels her strong presence. Tsuki hoots loudly in his ear, snapping him back to his senses.

"Sorry tsuki, no more flying till we are out of the woods."

-

By the time shiro returns to his encampment , the sun is peeking over the tops of the trees. Kuro hurriedly approaches grinning wide.

"Well well, i've been waiting for you my dear. I have found a delicious piece of information"

Shiro brushes past him entering his tent, kuro trots in behind him.

"It would seem the king is expecting a neighboring prince for a visit"

Shiro can instantly tell kuros plan from this piece of information.

"So, when would you like to depart?"

Kuro digs into shiros chest of robes. Raising up one white silk robe with a leaf like patterns.

"Are your hands even clean?"

Kuro flashes his hands at his partner sarcastically, dropping shiros robe in the process

"The prince needs to dress appropriately don't you agree?"

Shiro scoffs saying "and the prince would be portrayed by?..."

Kuro continues to dig through the chest, roughly pawing at each delicate ornate cloth "would you prefer to play the prince?"

Come to think of it shiro wouldn't. Although he himself knew he was more suited to the role. Kuros childish and rude personality was certainly not befitting of royalty. But despite shiro's concerns, avoiding detection was not one of kuros cares. In fact he seems to enjoy himself most when things go awry.

"I think I'll use this one!"

Kuro raises up a black silk robe, adorned with white and red embroidery. It was not the most elegant robe in shiro's collection, but it certainly fit kuro well.

"I'll have watanabe set up a blockade in the border to delay the true prince"

The way his mouth caught a devilish grin when he said "delay" would send chills down anybody's spine.

Shiro snatches a tasteful robe of his own "I'll prepare to depart immediately".

The two men gaze down at the gentle village, it's subjects unaware of the chaos awaiting them.

"Shall we leave then you're highness?"