The orphanage rooftop came into view as Kuro descended through the night air, his massive wings beating steadily. Damian slid off his back the moment they touched down.
'Finally,' Kuro's voice came through the mental link, shaking out his feathers. 'My back is killing me.'
Damian rolled his eyes, but before he could respond, the air around them shifted.
Whoosh
Four figures materialized out of nowhere.
"Where the hell have you been?" Vash's voice was loud, but the concern underneath was unmistakable. "Months, kid... Months without a word."
Damian let out a long breath, running a hand through his crimson hair.
"It's... a long story."
Gregor's expression softened slightly.
"We have time."
****
The Phoenix bottle sat empty on the table between them.
Well, the first bottle anyway.
Bam
Vash slammed his glass down and pointed at Kuro, who had shifted to his small size and was perched on the edge of the table with his own cup clutched in his talons.
