"I thought they were only a myth," Byakuya admitted. He was sitting on a large rock beside Renji, his cloak wrapped around him to protect against the cold, even the hood pulled down low. His boots dangled about an inch from the ground.

Kuchiki Byakuya—that was his name. Renji had learned it from Ichigo, who'd asked Rukia while the prince was going through his morning routine. He had asked for a toothbrush, and Renji had silently handed over his own. He hadn't actually told him it was his own … though in his head, he'd pictured the prince showering him with gratitude, awed that a mere commoner would make such an incredible sacrifice. To make things even worse, Renji had noticed Ichigo sneaking Rukia stuff, too, like extra socks and gloves. She just seemed a hell of a lot more receptive when it came to receiving gifts than her brother would ever be. Renji had to admit: he kind of envied Ichigo a little. At least his captive hadn't turned out to be … well, you know. A complete bitch.

Which was pretty ironic when he thought about it.

Renji crossed his arms, his eyes following Ichigo and Rukia as they took the horses down to a nearby stream. "How could you think dragons were a myth? They're a fucking infestation around these parts!"

Byakuya didn't know he knew his name. Renji had a feeling he wouldn't appreciate it very much.

The prince just stared off into the distance, as was his wont.

Renji sighed. "We gotta do something about this shyness of yours. It's like pulling teeth, trying to have a frigging conversation with you."

More silence.

Renji sighed again, more heavily, looking down as he poked at the earth with the heel of his boot.

He felt the prince shift beside him, ever so slightly.

"I'm not shy," Byakuya finally said. His calm, dry voice invited no argument on the matter.

Renji snorted. "Like hell you aren't. I can't get you to say more than five words to me at a time."

"Perhaps I am not in the habit of conversing with inbred mongrels such as yourself," came the prompt reply.

"Hey!" Renji scowled. "I'm no more inbred than you are. Everybody knows about you nobles, always breeding with each other and shit, just to keep the family line intact. Besides—if you hate talking to commoners so much, what about Rukia?"

The thin lips became even thinner. "Rukia is my sister. Do not insult—"

"Sister by marriage, not by blood," Renji pointed out, as if he really needed to. "Why'd you marry a commoner anyway?" He leaned down a little, arms still crossed, trying to see beneath that hood. "Did you love her?"

The thin shoulders stiffened noticeably. "That is none of your business."

That was probably true.

Yeah, well.

"Sorry," he said after a moment, cursing himself inwardly. Asking about the dead wife—not really the number one way to get someone to open up about himself.

"Do you mean that?" Byakuya asked suddenly, the question startling him.

Renji blinked. "Mean what?"

A subtle silence, then the prince's head turned, facing the forest they had just emerged from. "Never mind."

Renji frowned and tried to think of something else to say, but now that he was trying so hard NOT to ask about the dead wife, it was the only fucking thing that kept coming up.

"Renji!"

He looked over to where Ichigo was, his friend's hands cupped over his mouth as he called out to him. Ichigo looked away and pointed back at the forest, and as Renji peered into its depths, he thought he saw movement.

He stood up quickly, positioning himself in front of the prince, his hand on Zabimaru's hilt.

"It's only Ikkaku and Yumichika!" Ichigo assured him. He and Rukia must have had a better vantage point from where they were.

Soon enough, both Ikkaku and Yumichika emerged from the forest, Ikkaku still holding his staff between his shoulders, Yumichika's bow strapped to his back. Ikkaku was grinning from ear to ear, but then, battles almost always had that kind of effect on him. His best friend was usually no different, but Yumi actually had a frown on his face this time.

"Yo," Ikkaku said, nodding at them as they approached.

Renji sat back down, relieved to see them both. "What happened?"

"Ran off," Ikkaku continued. "We got her pretty bad—think it was a female, probably had a nest not far from here. Last year was a breeding year for them, you know."

Renji nodded, then looked at Yumichika. "What's his problem?"

Ikkaku glanced at his friend. "Ehh. Captain got hurt. Nothing serious, but he kept barking at us to follow after you guys. Had to drag this one along most of the way."

Yumi sniffed, arms crossed over his chest. "He can bleed to death, for all I care."

Renji and Ikkaku exchanged looks but said nothing. Yumi and the captain were a weird couple. The captain was always sending Yumi off on scouting expeditions and shit, like he didn't even care about him, and even when they were together, Yumi tended to flirt with just about everybody but the captain. It just didn't make sense to him.

Even now, he felt the bowman eyeing him up, the sudden sparkly smirk on his face making Renji vaguely uncomfortable.

"Well," said Yumi, gray eyes narrowed like a cat's. "Don't you two look cozy."

It took Renji a second to realize he was referring to him and the prince. It took him a second longer to realize he'd sat back down on the rock beside the prince.

He jumped to his feet again.

Ikkaku snickered.

The prince just stared ahead, seemingly uninterested in the conversation. But Renji could've sworn he was blushing.

Fortunately, the return of Ichigo, Rukia, and the horses was enough to distract Yumichika from further torturing him. It was just like that feather-headed twit to pick up on stuff like this… fuck. He sure as hell didn't need the prince thinking he had designs on him or some shit. Geez.

Ikkaku relayed the information about Hisagi and the dragon to Ichigo, who only nodded. His eyes darted over to Yumichika, but the bowman didn't say anything. He was too busy eyeing Rukia, who was calmly stroking their horse's muzzle, smiling a little as the animal kept trying to lip at the braided rope connecting her small wrists.

Ichigo turned away. "Well, shall we mount up?"

"We're on foot," Ikkaku pointed out. "You can toss them up, but there's no way in hell we're walking while you guys ride."

Renji smirked. "What's a matter? Tired? If you want, the prince can walk and you can ride. Just say the word."

Ikkaku looked annoyed, his grip on his staff tightening for a second. But then he blinked, his chin jerking toward Renji's horse. "Too late for that, I guess."

The prince had already swung up into the saddle, his boots pushed snuggly into the stirrups, the reins gathered in his gloved hands.

"Uh," said Renji. He scratched his head. For some reason, Rukia giggled.

"I will not meet this 'Lady' Kuukaku of yours on foot," Byakuya said, turning his head a little as he addressed them, though he did not deign to lower his eyes to theirs. "Neither," he added significantly, "will my sister."

Ichigo scowled. But Rukia immediately started forward.

"Yes, Nii-sama!" she said, hastily moving to the left side of Ichigo's horse and gripping the front of the saddle before vaulting into it. Watching them both, Renji couldn't help feeling impressed. He never figured a couple of pampered royals would know much about horsemanship.

Ikkaku looked disgusted. "You let him talk to you like that?" he asked, jutting his chin forward to indicate the prince—who, by the way, had already heeled his horse forward, apparently pretending for all the world like he knew exactly where he was going.

"Hell," muttered Renji, "I just got him to start talking. No sense being picky." He hurried over, grabbing the mare's reigns and steering her towards the proper direction. "It's this way," he said. "You oughta know better than to just take off on your own like that. Did you forget about the ropes?"

"No," replied the prince. "I didn't." And apparently this was all the response he cared to offer. Renji just sighed and led the way deeper into the forest, Ikkaku and Yumichika stepping before them, since the pair knew the exact path that would take them deep into the outcast noblewoman's lair.