Yes! Writer's bloc over and I am back to finish Blood Secrets! Sorry to leave you all hanging on that but Internet was hard to come by and you hardly have time when you are rowing twice a day for two hours-_- I forgot how I did it over the summers. Hmmm I think I found my strength in the reviews you all gave me so thanks a lot!
So here we're back to the Fellowship of Operation Rescue Toshiro hahaha that sounds cool. But I hope you don't get bored with these kinda chapters since they seem like fillers but they are VERY important to the development of the main plot so please please read them and review, review, review^^
Plus, I just realized that I LOVE Yoruichi and Urahara since they not only make a cute couple but an awesome duo in fighting and stuff. So question everyone, should I make them a couple by the end of this story? NEED TO KNOW PLEASE
Other than that, heeeerrreee'ssssss *drum roll* chapter 10!
Yoruichi quickly swivels around and her hand automatically lands on the hilt of her dagger. She scans her surrounding carefully, her eyes flicking from one spot to the other like a cat hunting for its prey. For a minute there, she had a strange feeling that they were being followed but she had ignored that up until she heard the snapping of a twig behind her. She had immediately gone into attack mode when she turned around to catch the culprit but she had found nothing and nobody. She then feels a hand on her shoulder and her first instinct is to slash out at the person but she's glad that she didn't when she sees it's only Kisuke.
'Something troubling you, kitten?' he asks in concern.
Her eyes show a flicker of annoyance at the pet name before she casts her eyes back at the cluster of spruces standing like solitary sentinels hiding some dark secrets about their depths.
Eerie Forest is a green vastness of mysteries, secrets and lurking dangers. Nobody would dare enter it save the warriors of Karakura in order to reach other villages on the other side. But then again, very few came back and even fewer remained sane enough to tell the tale of their adventures. It's a dark age and being happy with life seems almost impossible, like a dream. Yoruichi sometimes wonders what it would feel like to wake up every day and not wonder whether you'll live or die today. But right now, she has to focus on the mission and dangers at hand.
'I thought I saw something,' she murmurs, not wanting to raise panic among the others. Then again, there weren't many with them.
As much as Yoruichi would have liked to have left Momo behind, the little girl had insisted on coming along. In order to make sure that she stayed safe, Yoruichi had performed one of her herbal rituals that night by pounding some herbs together and then burning it while chanting spells under her breath (she didn't believe in animal sacrifices in rituals. Too barbaric) and had also given Momo a talisman the shape of an eagle.
'It will protect you from harm,' she had told Momo who had inspected the charm in interest. She had then given her a serious look. 'Sister Hinamori, I hope you know what dangers you have gotten yourself into. You will encounter monsters that will not hesitate in killing you, beasts that will rip you to shreds and feed on your blood. So please, for your sake, think this over before you join us on this quest.'
Without hesitation, Momo had smiled melancholy and patted Yoruichi's hand gently.
'It's Toshiro, Sister Shihōin,' she had said softly. 'I don't need to think twice. I would go to the ends of the earth and beyond for him.'
And that was it. Yoruichi, Urahara, Momo and Ikkaku left at first light by horseback that morning while it was still lightly drizzling and nobody looked back for fear that they might change their mind. They had been travelling all the day through the forest, where the rain seemed to barely penetrate its leafy canopy so everyone stayed comparatively dry through the trek. Right now, they had stopped to give the horses some well deserved rest so they could feed while they themselves sat to eat. Yoruichi had gone to the edges of their camp to get more firewood when she had heard the noise. Thinking about it now, she feels that she must have imagined it.
Urahara raises an eyebrow and follows her gaze to a scrawny bush between two trees. His hand rubs the handle of his cane which cleverly conceals a sword in it.
'As much as I would love to say that it is all in your mind, darling,' he murmurs in a faraway voice. 'But this is Eerie Forest. Expect the unexpected. So we should warn the others to stay on their toes. Though in my opinion, Ikkaku seems to be getting restless and would do anything to get into a fight right about now.'
They both roll their eyes and with a final smile of reassurance, Urahara retreated to their camp, leaving Yoruichi to her thoughts once more. She gives the forest one last glance of uncertainty before following Urahara.
'This is so boring,' Ikkaku complained loudly as he lay back on a log to stare up at the green roof of foliage which showed just glimpses of the blue sky that is slowly darkening as the day comes to an end. 'I thought we were going to have to battle to the death with beasts and dirtbags but this is more like a nature hike! Where's the action, damn it!'
'Patience, Brother Madarame,' Urahara says pleasantly as he joins the group. 'We still have a long way to go before we encounter the other kind. So we best get a move on. The vampire's castle is still quite far away.'
'When we get there, those bloodsuckers better watch their back 'cuz I ain't gonna stop till I'm bored,' Ikkaku mutters moodily as he gets up to prepare his horse.
Urahara can't help but smile at the comment. After all, with what all of them are going through right now, to smile seems like a rarity and should be done more frequently so as to relieve the tension and fear that seems to be gripping them with every step they took.
And speaking of tension and fear, Urahara checks on Momo who is sitting on the edge of her log seat, stoking the fire with a stick she had found.
'You alright, Sister Hinamori?' he asks gently. She looks up at him and he can literally see the fear and worry in her eyes.
'I don't know, Brother Urahara,' she finally manages to say in a very tired voice.
'Maybe we should rest for a longer period of time. For your sake.'
'No!'
She stands up quickly, her hands balled into fists. She seems quite upset and angry, which surprises Urahara so much that he takes a step back when she gets to her feet so suddenly. Just a second ago she had been tired and soft spoken and now, out of the blue, she is radiating energy and frustration.
'I'm tired of people treating me like I am some kind of weakling!' she blurts out angrily, her large innocent eyes kindling a fire that had been hidden for so long. 'I'm not a frail child that cannot fend for herself! I am as strong as anyone! If I was a coward, I would never have volunteered to come! I admit, I can be frightened at times. I am afraid right now. Very much so. But I can't imagine myself sitting in the comfort of my home knowing that Toshiro can be in some kind of horrible danger and I didn't do anything to save him when I could! If I have to save Toshiro, I would swallow my fears and try to help him! I don't have to be the one to save him; I need to be the one to save him! I can't let my dream come true! I just can't, Brother Urahara!'
Urahara's mouth was slightly open. He cannot believe the emotions pouring out of this small girl. Adults can be such finicky creatures, putting their needs before others because for them, it's all about survival and ensuring that they are content with their lives. But here is a child who doesn't care if she dies, doesn't mind getting into danger and all because she cares so much for her friend. Sometimes adults tend to think children are just immature beings who need guidance but maybe it's the other way round. Adults can learn a few things from children about sacrifice and love. Love is, after all, in its purest form when experienced at an adolescent age.
But Momo last lines perturbed him. He frowns. What does she mean when she says she can't let her dream come true? Did she have a dream about Toshiro dying? People have dreams all the time but it is slightly unusual for Momo to dream about death and especially Toshiro's. That gift is only reserved for seers but Momo is only a child. She can't possess that power, not at such a young age.
'Sister Hinamori,' he asks slowly, choosing his words carefully. 'What was it about your dream that frightened you so-!'
'Werewolves!' Yoruichi hollers as she bounds towards them, her dagger clutched tightly in her hand.
Urahara's shoulders tense as he unsheathes his sword from his cane and assumes a stance for attacking. Momo turns ghostly pale but she fumbles with her belt to get her own dagger out of its own scabbard.
'About time!' Ikkaku barks and rushes past them to the oncoming danger while twirling his double bladed staff so he can get a piece of the action before any of them.
When Momo finally manages to get her weapon out, she looks at her enemies and almost drops her blade because she's shaking so badly at the sight. She has never seen a werewolf before. And she wishes that she never had.
They are enormous. Their paws are the size of her face and the smallest comes up to her chest while still on all fours. They are all coloured in dark hues, each as vivid as the next and giving them a terrifying aura. Their eyes are like two pits of blackness shining with a light of their own and seem to be boring a hole into her. And there are like carving knives as they snarl and bare them threateningly at them. Momo feels like her legs are made for jelly and if she takes one step she knows that she is going to collapse.
But at least Yoruichi and Urahara are ready to fight. Urahara follows Ikkaku but not before one lungs at him with full intent of ripping his throat out. He plunges his sword all the way to the hilt into its chest till it sticks out from the werewolf's back. The werewolf gags a little before going limp. Urahara casts the corpse aside and runs forward to kill some more.
Yoruichi, on the other hand, prefers to use her hands for combat rather than her dagger. She strides forward and somersaults onto one before she twists its head to the side at a painful angle. It gives a strangled cry before its limbs gave way and it comes crashing to the ground. She then jumps off to come face to face with another. This one grins maliciously but the smile is quickly gone as she thrusts her hand straight into its gullet, piercing the soft spot with her nails. This one dies a bit more slowly but she doesn't stop to watch her enemy die but quickly moves onto the next victim.
Momo just stand there stupidly, not knowing what to do. The others seem to be doing just fine. They didn't look like they needed her help. Maybe she should just go and hide behind the horses just to stay out of their way. She just might be a bother to them, being so helpless…
She shakes her head violently.
No! She isn't weak! She must help them! She doesn't want to be the weak one in the group. But before she can come to a decision, a particularly large werewolf saw her just standing there and decided to take advantage of the opportunity. Flexing its claws in the soft earth, it bounds forward, teeth bared, eyes locked onto its prey and mind hell bent on killing the lost girl.
Momo hears the thumping of paws on the ground for the ground trembled with the weight of the werewolf as it made its way towards her. She sees him coming and her throat tightens, preventing her from screaming for help. But even if she had, she highly doubted that anyone would come to her rescue. They all seemed busy with their own opponents. She's all on her own this time. So she did the first thing that popped into her mind.
The werewolf was only mere inches away from her but she quickly dives to her left, taking the werewolf by surprise. It lands on one of the horses, which gave a neigh of surprise and tried to buck the beast off. Annoyed, the werewolf chewed the horse's neck until it could no longer kick. Once done, it kicked the dead animal aside and tried to find its previous target. It finds Momo getting up slowly while trembling like a leaf. It growls deeply and Momo freezes. The monster tenses on its haunches, preparing to pounce and determined not to let her escape this time.
With a blood-curdling howl, it advances, picking up speed. Momo's mind goes blank. She doesn't know what to do. Her hands are trembling and her palms are so sweaty her dagger is slipping from her hand. The werewolf is now only a few feet away. So is this how she is going to die? A chewed up corpse left in the forest to become food for scavengers? Failing to save her one true friend? Toshiro's face swims across her thoughts. What would he say to her if she didn't try to save herself or even try to put up a fight?
The werewolf takes flight, claws stretched out to reach her. It's so close she can feel its breath on her face. It smelt of decaying meat and she almost throws up at the stench. Then, without thinking, she throws her hand out at if she can stop the werewolf with one hand. However, the werewolf misses her as it lands behind her with a howl of agony. Surprised, she turns around to see why the werewolf had not taken its chance to kill her sees blood dribbling from the werewolf's jaw all the way across its chest to its belly. Without knowing it, she had sliced his entire underside with her dagger.
The beast vomits a cascade of blood before collapsing in its own waste. Momo's heart is thudding loudly in her ears as she looks from the creature to her bloodied knife. Did she just do that? She giggles nervously, adrenaline drugging her senses. She just killed her first monster and it thrilled her. She had never done anything as risky as that and it had given her an amazing feeling. Like can't wait to do it again.
But that chance comes instantly when she is suddenly knocked to the ground by a heavy creature. This werewolf howls loudly to the skies, its paws on either side of her head. His fur is a vibrant red and ripples as he growls at her, his fangs hanging from his mouth like twin blades of death. Her dagger had skittered away from her and she has nothing to defend herself. Her adrenaline high suddenly drains away as she realizes that she is in real danger right now. This might just be it. She's going to die and nobody is going to able to save her.
'Why are you in our forest!' the werewolf growls furiously in her face.
Momo blinks in surprise. Did the werewolf just talk?
'I asked you why are you in our forest!' the beast now roars, it's claws now extracting from his, or so he sounded, paws.
Momo feels her fear subsiding but not completing vanishing. She opens her mouth to say something but all that comes out is a squeak.
'I will rip your throat out if you don't-!' the beast starts once more but that's when Urahara shows up and is about to plunge his sword into the werewolf from the back when suddenly, an enormous black werewolf with a crown of bright orange fur on his head blocks his path while standing up on its hind legs. Its paws curl into fists and his lips pull back to reveal deadly fangs.
'Your kind is not welcome here!' this one roars at Urahara. 'Leave before we rip your pack and leave it for the grindylows to feast on!'
Urahara isn't surprised that the monster is capable of human speech like Momo. He is calm, revealing no emotion, but he has not lowered his weapon from its attack postion.
'We didn't come here to fight you,' Urahara explains calmly. 'We mean your pack no harm. We only want passage to the vampire castle.'
The werewolf laughs harshly, throwing his head back to the skies. He looks back down, his mouth twisted in a sick grin.
'So you'd rather die by having the blood drained out of your pathetic bodies than be pulled apart by us?' he sneers. 'As much as I hate those bloodsuckers, I'm no lover of humans. If that is what you want then I grant you the right to cross us unharmed.'
He growls at his pack which immediately retreat from Yoruichi and Ikkaku and the one on top of Momo stands on its hind legs too to join his leader, for the orange-haired beast seemed to have some control over the others.
'Aw man! Are you kidding me?' Ikkaku wails as he trudges reluctantly to Urahara's side.
'Thank you,' Urahara says politely as he recaps his sword. He is about to turn away when the pack leader growls menacingly.
'Though I am curious,' the werewolf says thoughtfully, frowning. 'Why would you want to go to your death? You humans are a bothersome lot but you aren't masochistic.'
'I suppose it won't hurt to tell you,' Urahara says coolly and tilts his hat over his eyes. 'We are on a rescue mission to retrieve one of our own who had been captured by the vampires just yesterday for reasons unknown.'
The orange-haired beast grunts in surprise.
'That is unusual,' he murmurs and the other werewolves growl and yap lowly to their fellow pack members. The red werewolf roars at them to be quiet so their leader can speak. 'There have been some weird occurrences in the forest for the past few hours. I wouldn't have noticed them if they hadn't been so out of the ordinary.'
'Oh?' Urahara exhibits some curiosity.
'The banshees are wailing more frequently now,' the orange-haired werewolf growls lowly. 'The dragons have finally left their caves to enter the forest once more. Fairies are finally using their magic to make the flowers glow after at least a decade. And I would have continued to think that hippocampuses were extinct if I hadn't seen one surfacing today from Eerie Lake.'
Urahara raises and eyebrow and the wolf leader grunts.
'I wouldn't be telling you this if I didn't think it more than a coincidence that it all started with the kidnapping of one of your pack members,' the beast says gruffly.
Urahara strokes his chin and looks to Yoruichi, who is just as perplexed. She and Urahra share a look of concern and she knows that he is thinking the same thing as her: what if there is more to the kidnapping then they thought? Toshiro had never been an ordinary child. His past has always been a mystery to everyone, even himself. What if the vampires knew something they didn't about the child genius? Whatever it is, they need to find Toshiro more quickly than ever now. They now seem to be running against an invisible clock and if they didn't hurry, who knows what might happen if they failed. All they know is, it won't be pleasant.
'Thank you once again,' Urahara finally says. 'You have shed some light on our problem. We will be on our way now. And do not worry. We will not attack your kind.'
'A moment, human.' the leader stops him once again. He tilts his head to one side and his ears twitch in thought. 'For years, our forest has been the same and we have accepted it and listened to it when it would call for our help. It's voice has been dormant for years up until now. It is crying for our kind to help it for something has returned to it that can either save us or destroy us. I didn't know what it meant until now. Heed my words when I say that this has never happened in the history of our kind but I would like to offer my help on your quest. Do not think I am doing it to help save your friend. I am merely doing it to save my home and my pack.'
Urahara looks thoughtful for a moment. Then, he nods and rests his cane on one shoulder while cracking a grin.
'Welcome aboard, mate,' he chuckles and Ikkaku stares at him in amazement.
'You're making friends with a pack of furballs?' he says incredulously. The werewolves growl in unison and flex their claws, looking at their leader to give the command to attack. The orange-haired beast ignores the comment and strolls over to Urahara until they are face to face.
'We know the way to Las Noches,' he grunts and gets down on all fours so now he only comes up to Urahara's neck. 'I and my right-hand lieutenant will accompany you.'
The scarlet werewolf also goes down on his limbs, growling at Ikkaku. The bald warrior just sneers at him, not knowing the meaning of fear.
'This is turning out to be quite the adventure,' Urahara muses as he walks began the orange-headed werewolf. The werewolf then stops and looks at him over his shoulder.
'I would like to know who I am travelling with if you care to introduce yourself,' he says icily.
'Kisuke Urahara, healer of Karakura village.'
The werewolf seems to smirk.
'I have heard about you,' he chuckles. 'You have quite the reputation I must say. It's an honor to have met you. And the others?'
'Shihōin Yoruichi, fortuneteller of Karakura village.'
The werewolf nods to her.
'Aye,' he says gravely. 'You are well known in our forest. The sirens sing about you occasionally.'
Yoruichi merely smiles.
'Madarame Ikkaku, warrior of Karakura village.'
The lieutenant snarls at him. Ikkaku thrusts his weapon forward as if daring him to attack.
Momo licks her lips nervously.
'Hin-Hinamori Momo,' she says softly. 'I am of no importance in my village but the person the vampires have captured is very close to me and I just can't stand by and watch him die.'
'Everyone has importance,' the wolf leader growls at her but not menacingly. Rather, more like in a reassuring way. 'You are never born knowing what is your purpose in this world. You either discover it or you make something out of yourself. But you are very brave to enter this forest. A child like yourself must be very special.'
Momo can't help but glow at the compliment. Urahara claps his hands together.
'Well let's not dilly dally,' he says merrily. 'We have a long way to go. And just by the way, dear wolf, what may your and your companion's name be?'
The werewolf smiles craftily.
'Kuarasaki Ichigo of the Kurasaki clan,' he says proudly. 'And this is Renji Abarai. Pleased to meet your acquaintance, Urahara Kisuke.'
Dum dum dum! Hahahaha well this is getting along splendid wouldn't you say? Sigh! I'm actually loving this story too now! I usually don't like my stories after I have written them since I think I can do better but this is quite interesting hehehe. Not trying to seem egotistical here! Alright! Thanks for reading this and wait patiently for the next! I promise not to disappoint if you promise to review! Haha fair trade, wouldn't you say?
Till next time amigos!^^
P.S. sorry if there are any mistakes! Please let me know if there are any so I can fix them!