Nature's Gift

"... and then my Elder gave me a new name... Nightwing... he who walks the shadows... he who dares go where none else can..."

"You were predicted in ancient legend? That's a lot to live up to!"

"I am simply a man, Kevin. I am in the hands of destiny, guided by the Great Spirit and my totems. I will fulfill my destiny, no matter where that leads..."

"So, what's in Vancouver?"

"I was told in a vision to come to Vancouver. What is there, I don't yet know... but it will find me once I arrive."

"Any clues?"

"Only the words that my totem spoke in the vision... Green fire..."

"That makes no sense... green fire? I've never seen fire burn green..."

"As I said, it will find me. What about you? There is a story beneath those eyes, my friend."

"I'm just searching for my path..." He said softly as he cast his eyes down for a moment.

"You will find it soon, my friend. But you must find the questions before you find the answers... then you must question the answers. Always question... always."

"Ladies and gentlemen... we are now making our final approach. Please secure all carry on bags, place your seats and trays in an upright position, and fasten your seatbelts. All electronic equipment should now be turned off until you have exited the plane. Thank you." The pilot's voice announced over the PA system.

"Tim... Nightwing... er... which should I call you?"

"Whatever you prefer, Kevin." He smiled.

"Well, I have a brother named Tim... is Night ok?"

"Night is fine, Kevin..."

"Well, Night... I was gonna ask if we could hang out some in Vancouver? I know we're both here for our own reasons, but I want to learn... and I think you have something to teach."

"I would like that, if our paths permit..."

"Where are you staying?"

"A small cabin in the country... I like to stay as close to Nature as possible..."

"It wouldn't be one of these cabins, would it?" Kevin produced a brochure.

"It would, in fact, be one of those cabins! Number two..." He laughed.

"I'm in number 5..." Kevin joined the laughter as the plane touched down.

They walked to the baggage claim area together, then through customs and out to the front of the terminal. Kevin had arranged for a rental car, and offered to give his new friend a lift to his cabin, which he accepted. They talked more of Kevin's quest on their way, and Nightwing was beginning to put a few things together in his mind. Could it be that Kevin was the Green Fire his totem had spoken of? He decided that he would have to leave himself open to that possibility and see where the spirits guided him.

Settling in to his cabin after Kevin had left, Nightwing built a fire in the fireplace, stopping to thank the spirit of the Tree for sacrificing itself for his warmth. He stepped out into the cold late December air and breathed in its crispness. He smiled slyly as his eyes fell on the small river right behind the cabin. He went back inside, removed his clothes and replaced them with a black loincloth of buckskin and a pair of black moccasin boots, which he carried with him as he walked to the river. His cabin was secluded, though Kevin's was visible to him as he stood on the river's snowy bank. There was smoke coming from Kevin's chimney, indicating that he had already built his own fire.

Without a second thought, Nightwing removed his loincloth and dove into the icy river. He swam beneath its surface for a time, scanning the bottom for anything interesting, and found a small piece of white quartz. Breaking the surface, he shook the water from his long hair and looked around. He was on the other side of the river now, and the view was breathtaking. Night was beginning to fall, and the full winter moon was on the rise. He placed the quartz between his teeth and swam back across the river. After retrieving his loincloth and moccasins, he walked back to his cabin, dried himself by the fire, and began crafting an arrowhead from the stone. He heard a tapping sound on the window and walked over to investigate.

"Yes, my brother... I see you! Welcome..." He said as he raised the window to allow the large Raven to enter. It flew up onto his shoulder and made itself at home. Laughing softly, Nightwing reached in his bag for some sunflower seeds and offered them to his friend. After a few minutes, he returned to crafting the arrowhead, as the Raven watched intently from his shoulder. An hour had passed when the bird suddenly gave a start...

"I know... he's coming... calm down, brother." Nightwing chuckled as the bird fluffed its feathers indignantly.

He let Kevin in when he knocked a few minutes later. Kevin kept eyeing the bird as he took a seat by the fire.

"I see you've already made a new friend!" He smiled.

"Who? Raven? No... he's an old friend, Kevin." Nightwing chuckled softly.

"An old friend?"

"Yes... brother Raven walks with me every day. He is my totem... my spirit animal. It was he who told me in a vision to come here and to seek the green fire." He explained as the bird flew over and landed on Kevin's shoulder.

"He's not afraid of people?"

"No... he is a wise one... he knows who to trust and from whom to flee. He likes you... here... offer him some seeds." Nightwing smiled, handing the bag of sunflower seeds to Kevin. They chatted softly as Kevin fed the bird, and decided that some dinner was in order.

"Do you want to find a restaurant somewhere?"

"As long as it isn't fast food, that would be fine for tonight. Tomorrow, I'll prepare dinner."

"Hey, its a deal!" Kevin smiled.

"I'll need to change, I suppose..." He said absently as he dug through his bag.

"Ummm... yeah... despite how good that looks on you, I doubt we could get a table if you didn't change. Should I go wait in the car?"

"Why?" He said as he dropped the loincloth and reached for another pair of leather pants as if it were the most normal thing to do. Kevin's eyes were frozen for a few long seconds on his lean, masculine body, and he couldn't stop his gaze from drifting downward to Nightwing's manhood, before he averted his eyes nervously. He was amazed at the beauty of this naked man standing before him, and he felt a familiar stirring in his pants, which surprised him. He had never been attracted to a man before, but this was different. He told himself that he was just fascinated by the fact that he was a real, breathing Shaman. He couldn't possibly be feeling that way about his new friend. Still, there was a tangible thread between them, and he wanted to know why. More than that, there was a sexual tension unlike anything he had ever felt before, and it kept him wanting more time with this man. Nightwing could feel his embarrassment, and he smiled as he tucked himself into the tight leather.

"I'm sorry, Kevin... did I embarrass you?"

"What? No... I've just never seen anyone in such great shape, that's all." He said nervously.

"Thank you. You can look if you want... I'm used to it. Besides, the human body is a work of divine art, crafted by the Great Spirit... there is no shame in casting your eyes upon art."

"Well... I... I didn't want you to get the wrong idea..."

"Wrong idea?"

"Yeah... you know... I didn't want you to think I was gay or anything... not that there's anything wrong with that... but I'm not..."

"Kevin... I am gay. You aren't going to offend me, and I'm not going to get the wrong idea." He said as he pulled on his boots.

"You're gay?"

"Yes... my people call me and my kind 'berdache'... I'll explain it to you in the car."

"You amaze me, Night. You really amaze me!" Kevin smiled, feeling much more comfortable now.

"Well, you amaze me, my friend... but if we don't leave now, we won't make it in time for dinner."

"Yeah, you're right... we'll talk in the car..." Kevin said as he stood. When he opened the door, the Raven suddenly took to the air with a cry, and vanished into the night. Neither of them spoke again until they were pulling onto the dirt road.

"I wonder, Kevin... perhaps you are searching for more than a spiritual path?"

"Huh? I don't understand what you mean..."

"You are drawn to the Shaman's way, are you not?"

"Yes... very strongly. In fact, I was going to ask you if you could teach me more about it."

"Yes... I will teach you what I can, Kevin. But you have to be warned... this quest of yours may open your eyes to things you don't yet know about yourself. You must be willing to face these revelations... as well as your demons... in order to learn and to grow."

"I think I can do that..."

"I hope so, Kevin... I truly hope so..." He said softly as they sped toward town.

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