To the Kingdom

Nobu soared in the clear blue sky carrying the girls and their hopes for answers.

Sachi looked around the sky in wonder. The sun smiled down upon them. The air was fresh and clean. The breeze felt like a warm hug. Flying through the thin small clouds felt like a dream come true. 

As they flew above the islands, Sachi couldn't help but notice the everyday lives of the people. The children playing games, the couples on dates, the quick runs to the market, the detours on the way home, the families on an outing, the friends laughing together, the people making memories. Each person living their own life the best they knew how without knowing what's to come. 

Then they flew over the islands that had been affected by the tremors. Houses destroyed, people crying, children scared, fires being put out, food being picked up from the ground. Only two tremors had occurred and only a few islands affected, but in the near future all islands would suffer the same fate. 

There had to be hundreds or thousands of people within the sky alone. Sachi's chest tightened. She didn't want any of them to suffer. She didn't want to be the cause of others suffering. 

Sachi gazed upon the hundreds of islands floating gallantly above the thick wall of ominous clouds below. What was in that barrier of clouds? What was below it? If there really was a surface below with as many people as there were above the clouds, then if these islands were to fall, the destruction would be catastrophic and the lives of millions lost. 

"Hey Nobu. Have you been to the surface?" Sachi curiously asked. 

The crow's crimson beak did not move. "Perhaps my ancestors have. My people once controlled the land and sky before the humans came about. Now we dwell in the mountains on the edge of this world. The base of our mountain touches the surface and its summit breaches the clouds. We are neither from the surface nor the sky anymore. We are the forgotten outcasts of this world. The humans have forgotten about us Tengu, so we live in solitude out of sight of the humans. I am one of the few that left the mountain to explore the world. But I have only managed to soar above the clouds, for I do not know what's below."

"Your home is a mountain inside the clouds? What's inside the clouds?"

"I do not know." The crow simply stated.

"But you lived in the clouds, didn't you?" Sachi asked confused.

"The mountain of the Tengu is indeed within the cloud barrier. But as you look at the cloud barrier and see nothing through it, that is just how it was on the mountain. No matter where you went, it was nothing but dense grey clouds. Only inside the mountain was unaffected. That is why few leave, for the journey through the clouds is a flight into the unknown."

"If the base of the mountain is on the surface, why didn't you go to the surface? Why did you come to the sky?"

"I'm a Tengu. I'm part bird... It is my desire to fly. On the mountain we cannot spread our wings and go where we please. So, I came to the sky, where I hoped to make my dreams reality."

Sachi's heart fluttered for a moment. Nobu took a risk, to fly through the unknown, all for the chance at making his dreams come true. She wished she had the courage like that.

"My dreams were soon squished", Nobu continued, "when this chubby human child fell on me though." 

Himari who had been quiet, enjoying the breeze, was now very attentive to what was being said. "I was not fat!" Himari stabbed her fingers into Nobu's crow neck, giving it a good tickle.

The crow's body wriggled around, stifling laughter. Sachi hung on tighter in fear of falling.

"You better stop that, or I'll throw you off!" The crow's voice in agony.

Himari's hand left Nobu's neck. "Call me fat again and I'll get under your wing."

Nobu remained silent for the rest of the trip. It seemed the fearsome bird man had a weakness after all.

-

By nightfall the illuminating kingdom was within their view.

The lights glowed brightly from the distance as if welcoming their arrival. 

Sachi couldn't help but remember her last moments before she left her last world. The cool evening breeze kissing her cheeks ever so softly. There was no noise, just the tranquility of the night. The moon and stars that sat in the everlasting sky were granting the kingdom safety with its gentle radiance. For a moment, Sachi felt like everything would be okay. For a moment, Sachi forgot her troubles and the weight of the world. 

Nobu finally spoke. "Where in the kingdom do you plan to go?"

"The ancient library." Himari answered.

"And where is that?" Nobu's voice grew stern.

"That part is a little complicated... It's kind of sort of inside the castle walls..." Himari awkwardly laughed.

"What?!" The crow's anger reaching new heights. "How do you expect us to get in there? We have the destruction child with us, you're supposed to be dead, and I'm a Tengu. We don't exactly scream let us in the castle." 

"You know, I've been trying to come up with ideas on the flight over and I think I have one." 

"And what's that?" Not an ounce of real interest in Nobu's voice. 

"We let ourselves get captured." Himari proudly exclaimed.

"What?!" Sachi was bewildered at such a thought. "You said we should avoid the high-ranking people, so why should we let yourselves get caught by them?"

"If we get caught then we'll be inside the castle. We would just have to escape the dungeon and find the library." Himari explained.

"We would just have to escape the dungeon." Nobu mocked. "As if the two of you would be able to handle that."

"That's why you're with us. Remember, you said you'd protect us." 

"Yeah, protect you not break you out of a dungeon."

"I also don't think it's the best idea..." Sachi added.

Himari pouted. "Well, do either of you have a better idea?"

Sachi fell silent. Who was she to criticize when she had no other input. I probably offended her. She bit her lip, feeling dumb for even speaking to begin with. 

Himari sighed. "But I guess it's not the smartest nor safest idea... I don't know what to do either though..."

"I suggest you find a place to stay for the night at least. Somewhere inconspicuous and where they won't ask questions." Nobu advised.

"Sounds sketchy..." Himari thought for a moment. "I have the perfect place!" She pointed, "Do you see that area with dimmer lights? Fly over there."

Nobu flew towards the direction Himari guided him to. 

- 

Nobu carefully and subtly landed in the dark cover of the buildings. 

The girls dismounted the crow and stretched their legs. The crow transformed into his human looking appearance. 

Himari looked around the corner. The streets were empty. "Wait right here." Himari took off running.

This was the first time Sachi was alone with Nobu. He stood with his back against the wall, eyes slightly peering around the corner, hand on the hilt of his sword. He seemed to be taking his bodyguard role seriously. 

Sachi and Nobu didn't exchange any words, not even glances. Sachi thought being alone with Nobu would be terrifying, but oddly enough she felt no discomfort. 

Soon enough, Himari came running back with cloaks. "Put these on." As she threw one at Nobu's face and gently handed Sachi the other. 

Not even hiding his annoyance. "Where did you get these?"

"Oh, they were just lying around on some table. Can you believe someone just left such cute clothes lying around?" 

Nobu thought for a moment. "These wouldn't happen to be a street vendors merchandise, would it?" 

Himari didn't say anything.

"Would it?" Nobu reemphasized. 

"Himari, did you steal these?" Sachi asked concerned. 

"It's not stealing. We're just borrowing them. We'll return them later. We need the money for the inn and food right now."

Nobu sighed and pulled the hood over his head, covering his crimson eyes.

Hesitantly, Sachi did the same. 

Once they were all covered, they headed towards a dimly lit inn. 

Himari handed Nobu her pouch of money. "You're going to have to speak with the innkeeper since you're a man."

Nobu looked strangely at Himari, but not knowing how the kingdom works he didn't question it.

Upon entering the inn, an old drunk man behind the counter was counting his earnings. 

"What can I do for you folks this fine evening?" The smell of liquor coating his breath. 

"We'd like three rooms." Nobu announced.

"Three? You must have odd tastes lad." Judged the innkeeper. "Usually when a fellow brings his lady guest to visit, he needs only one room. Can't imagine what you would need three for."

A glare crept from Nobu's eyes to meet Himari's averted ones.

Nobu gritted his teeth, sarcasm lacing his voice. "I do in fact have strange tastes. Now can we have three rooms?"

The innkeeper smiled. "Well, we only have one room left for tonight if that'll suffice?"

"We'll take it." Nobu quickly handed the drunkard money.

The innkeeper slowly slid a room key to Nobu. "You three have fun now and try not to disturb the other guests." 

-

It was a small room with one large bed in the middle. It was lavishly decorated and illuminated with the soft glow of floating red orbs. 

"Himari, is this place what I think it is?" Sachi asked embarrassed.

Nobu crossed his arms. Irritation taking over. "I can't believe this is the place you picked out."

"You said somewhere inconspicuous and where they won't ask questions. This was the best I could think of." Himari defended.

"How on earth do you even know about this place?" Nobu questioned.

"Everyone in the kingdom knows about the pleasure district and everyone knows that no one asks questions here. Plus, it's cheap. How do you know what this place is?" 

"I've lived long enough to know the establishments of humans." 

Shyly, Sachi looked around the room. Despite the type of place it was, the room was quite nice and clean. There were even bottles of water and sets of fresh clothes in the closet. 

Himari didn't doubt her decision. "It's only weird if we make it weird. Otherwise, this is a normal inn." 

Sachi nodded in agreement. "You're right Himari, it really does seem like a normal room." 

Nobu sighed and opened the window. "I'll sleep on the roof. See you in the morning." He quickly flew up to the top of the building.

Himari turned to Sachi. "You go wash up first."

The girls washed up and quickly fell asleep. The long day had tired them out and tomorrow was sure to be another long day.