Changing the page URL and get first two letters

How can I change page url query and get first two letters . in .htaccess or php

http://127.0.0.1/site/flowers/index.php?query=Bird
http://127.0.0.1/site/flowers/index.php?query=eagle

Like this :

http://127.0.0.1/site/flowers/search/bi/bird.html
http://127.0.0.1/site/flowers/search/ea/eagle.html

Htaccess code : 127.0.0.1/site/.htaccess

RewriteEngine on 
RewriteRule ([^/\.]+)/?.html$ index.php?query=$1 [L]