Warnings: this and that.
Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Bleach and Transformers.
'This was a bad idea.'
That thought repeated itself in Ichigos head as he slinked towards the hunter camp where his sisters were held. It wasn't the idea itself that was bad, no, this was something that Ichigo usually did when someone he cared was in trouble.
What was bad was that he left the tight group of Autobots consisting of Prowl, Ironhide, Sunstreaker and Sideswipe, and Ratchet. Without telling them what he was doing. After waking and telling the others about the fate of his sisters and being told that they were aware and not to worry. Ichigo had waited until he could get away and do exactly what Kisuke wanted to do to him in the first place and what Prowl and the others didn't.
No doubt that once everyone found him missing. There will be hell to pay in the form of a very angry healer who would bring down holy wrath on Ichigo's scaly ass. That's also not including what the twins and Prowl would do to him once they caught up. But to him the risk was worth it, his sisters are worth it, and he had no intention of being capture again.
It had taken awhile, having to backtrack back to where Kisuke's camp was and then following the almost non-existing trail. He finally caught up to them and had detoured so not to be seen. He could hear Kisuke and another talking, and he recognized it to belong to one of the Captains that he had met in his early years. What worried him was that he couldn't hear nor smell his sisters.
"where are they?" he whispers.
He had to think about inching closer. This felt too much like a set up and if he was still human. Ichigo would have been able to sneak into the camp and search for his sisters, but now that he was bigger and more noticeable. The orange youngling slowly retreated and would wait out to see if his sisters were truly there.
He heard his uncle and the others raise their voices in anger and was going to see what was wrong when a heavy claw pressed into his shoulders.
"Ya like courting death there youngling." Jazz's smooth voice asks. There was no hint of the light amusement and Ichigo shivered a little at the very serious tone the silver dragon used. "Prowl is seething, and your mates aren't any better. Ratchet…well best not to repeat what he's saying." The smile given was cold. "So, why are ya here, hmmmm?"
Ichigo twists his neck to get a look at the other. Fighting not to shrink back. "They're my sisters." He said as if that explained everything.
"And I get that, but ya shouldn't have come. Your what their gunning for." Jazz said with a frown then sighs. "I'm sending ya back to Prowl. I ain't happy that I have ta send away one of my-
"If Prowl was the one over there, wouldn't you be doing everything you can to get him back?" Ichigo interrupted. "Would you stop Sunstreaker if Sideswipe was the one being held?"
Jazz frown deepen. The youngling did have a point. "There is a big difference between me and Sunny doing a rescue then you doing one."
"What difference?" Ichigo challenged head fins raised as his agitation and worry grew.
"Aw come on Jazz let him help." Another smaller dragon slipped out of the shadows. "Primus knows that if Prowl was the one over there you be going on this solo." The yellow mini smile up at the silver dragon.
"I have to agree with Bee." Another cheerful voice came from Ichigos left.
"I think this won't end well." another more cultured voice drifted out of the foliage. Ichigo couldn't see who the owner was but he felt the unseen movement on his right. "but, forcing him away would be a waste of time. I would do the same if it was Hound."
More voices came and Ichigo was trying his best not to turn himself into a tizzy trying to find all the owners. 'How did he miss them. they had been right on him the entire time.'
Jazz was arguing with Bumblebee and Ichigo had only caught the last half of it.
"-may be Bee, but we know our limits. He…" He points to Ichigo. "Hasn't been a dragon long enough to know what he can and can't do. If he was human, then it would be a different story."
"what better way for him to learn then then now." The yellow dragon said.
"Bee."
"if the little idiot wants to let him. your no better."
"Raj." Jazz warned.
"I'll watch em." Bee said with his most winning smile.
Jazz seeing that he was outnumber and was wasting time sighs. "Fine, he's your responsibility." The silver dragon steps closer to Ichigo. "you follow my orders without question. If I tell ya to run you run. If I tell ya to stay you stay. And If I say to start heading back to Prowls group you will turn around and keep on stepping. Do I make myself clear?" Ichigo nodded. Jazz wasn't totality convince. "I don't care if ya spot ya siblings. I don't care if ya hear them screaming you will stay were I tell ya too and only move where and when I tell ya. I won't have any of my mechs nor you capture or kill because of stupidity."
Ichigo scowled at the taller dragon. He glared in some sort of respect mixed with defiance, but Jazz could tell that his orders would be obey. Unless the hunters were killing the little humans, then Jazz could see the orange youngling ignoring everything and everyone to charge in. he knew that Prowl, Bluestreak, and Smokescreen would do and have done the same thing at time or two.
Bumblebee amble over to Ichigo smiling. Ichigo wasn't really fooled that the small dragon was all that innocent as he made himself out to be. If he was part of Jazz's group, then he could probably take Ichigo down should he do something to warrant it.
Jazz growled the last orders and flicked a claw at Ichigo and Bee to follow him. "there are no small female humans here. but we tracked them back a few miles and are keeping an eye out. but it seems that the head man there is smarter then he looks. There are several camps scattered; I have sent out teams of three to check every single one and we're one." Bee and Ichigo nodded. "Alright, we have three camps to scout…that way."
The direction he points in was nothing but high hills connecting to mountains. Ichigo groans when he sees it. Its all rough terrain and where Bee and Jazz could fly over most of it, Ichigo however, didn't have that option. He was pretty sure of his stamina, but with the pace he would have to set to keep up with Jazz and Bee. He would be lucky not to drop dead at the end of the day.
"Having second thoughts?" Jazz asked.
Ichigo glared. "No, I'll keep up with you no matter what pace you set. I won't return till I save my sisters."
"Right. Let's fly then I want to make to the first peak before nightfall." With that jazz and Bee launched into the air Ichigo waited and gave Kisuke and the hunter camp one last look before he leaped and used his stronger muscles to run after the two dragons.
Back with Prowl's group, Sunstreaker and Sideswipe were being held back mostly with Ironhide literally sitting on them. Ratchet was pacing back and forth cursing and growling about how he was going to keep the young upstart from ever sneaking off when he wasn't fully healed. Prowl sighed though he was slightly irritated that the youngling had snuck off though he was glad that Jazz had found him. he would not be telling the others that said mate had let Ichigo stay with him instead of sending back. They would never be able to keep the twins then.
: Sorry love, but there were very interesting points made that couldn't be argued.: Jazz voice tinted with apology.
: I am sure…just bring everyone home safe. Including you.: Prowl sends back.
: No problem sweet-spark. We'll be back before ya know it and hopefully with two little humans.:
: Bring yourselves back to the clan holdings. Optimus has given permission for the humans to be there.:
: Good to know. gotta go love. Ichigo's keeping up with us but I can see that he's about to drop.:
: Safe skies Jazz.:
: ya too lover.:
Prowl turns to the others in his group. "Pack up. we're leaving." As expected his orders with met with shouted angry protest. All of it from the twins.
"What do you mean we're leaving; Ichigo isn't back yet!"
"We're not going without him!"
"Just point us in the right direction and we'll go to him-
"That is enough!" Prowl shouted. "Ichigo is fine and well return once Jazz and the others do. I will not have any more wild cards screw up the rescue plan. Now can it or I'll have Ratchet sedate you or Ironhide will drag you back." He growls at the two dragons. "so, you either fly under your own power or you'll be carried back like infants."
The twins somehow shanked into the ground as Prowl loomed over them. Sunstreaker stubbornly glared back but it was Sideswipe that squeaked that they'll fly back. Prowl nodded, turning back to talk to Ratchet he had taken his eyes off the twins who were inching backwards until they bumped into something.
A shadow covered them, Sideswipe looked up to a smirking Ironhide. It was Prowl though that spoke.
"Don't think I don't see what your little plan is. Infants it is." Prowl turned frowning at them. "Ironhide; Ratchet if you please."
The healer cackles as Ironhide pressed the two protesting dragons down. A steaming bowl of something held over their heads. By the smell, it was not going to be pleasant. However, Ratchet did make them drink. To Sunstreakers horror, the healer poured it on them leaving a miserable coughing mess.
"No, my clean scales!" he cries. "I just got them shiny."
"Augh what is this stuff…bluh Ratchet your trying to poison us?" Sideswipe tries to get the smell and gunk out of his nose and eyes. but he starts to feel woozy. "wwwhhaaa ddiiiidd youuuu dooo?"
Ratchet snickers at the swaying twins. "Oh, nothing really. Your going to feel a little drunk for a while though."
"Soooo not fairrrrrr, meeeaannniiieeee."
The two hit the ground with a soft thud. Prowl eyed them then slowly stepped away from the healer. "I hope that you will only use that on them and not on anyone else."
Ratchet gave Prowl one of his looks. He only smirks and lets the very viable threat hang in the air. Prowl made a mental note to not get in a position that would get the bowl of unpleasantness dump on him. once the two happy drunks were secured to Ironhide the three sober dragons headed back towards Autobot territory.
oOooOooOooOo
Ichigo was sure that he was going to die. He had fallen spread eagle on the ground panting hard his heart felt like it would burst out of his chest as his limbs rebelled against any movement. When Jazz finally let them stop for the day it was well past midnight, Ichigo was very thankful that the moon wasn't full, or Jazz might have pushed them further. Jazz and Bumblebee were smirking down at the exhausted youngling.
"ya know, ya can rest better if ya come a little closer." Jazz said. "Its going to get a little cool tonight, and after running like ya did ya need to cool yer body slowly or ya get bad cramps."
"Come on Ichigo, lets get cha up just a few more steps." Bumblebee cheered.
Ichigo tried, he really did, but he was only able to take two more steps before collapsing. He then tried to drag himself the rest of the way, but he looked so pitiful that Jazz and Bee couldn't take watching him. so, with care, they picked him up and carried him over to where a make shift nest was waiting.
It was basically a hole in the ground under a tree and surrounded by large rocks. It gave them cover without inclosing them and blocking their sight should anything try its luck. It was lined with dried leaves and sweet moss. Ichigo was placed in the middle and was instantly asleep before his head hit the moss. J
Jazz snorted. Bee looked at the silver dragon, but he knew that there was no ill will behind it. "Well, at least he made it until now to drop dead on us."
"True, but special ops he is not."
"Not like he was even if he outpaced us. too loud." Bee said. "Are we going to try to get him to eat?"
Jazz sighs watching the unconscious youngling dead to the world. "It would be best if he did eat something. But I hate to wake him." he runs a talon behind him head just behind his long horns. "But Ratch would threaten to shove it down his throat if he was here."
"Very true. I'll go fine something then. You wake him up." Bee said with a smile before disappearing. Jazz stared at the stop the little yellow dragon use to be and cursed.
With another snort he marches over to Ichigo who hadn't even twitch. Jazz frowned at that, normally all dragons were sensitive to another being's approach. Even when they were near dead to the world, yet here was Ichigo sleeping away without a care in the world. It was something they would have to rectify sooner rather then later.
With an evil smirk, Jazz decided to use the method he used a lot on Prowl. his mate, despite what rumors said about his work ethic, loved to sleep in and Jazz was the early riser. So, when they had to go to a meeting or join one of the early morning hunts Jazz found that this method works. And Prowls reaction was very funny every time.
He slunk low to the ground and crept over to one of the few blind spots dragons had. he waited for Ichigo to inhale, then he pounced. Ichigo let out a mixed whoosh of air and a squawk before he flipped him and Jazz swinging his tail at the one who woke him. it was an ingrain reaction from the times his father woke him, so he wasn't aware that he had swung at Jazz until he found himself with the silver dragon on top of him laughing.
Ichigo groans, "Whyyyy." He did not whine, it was a close thing, but he would never whine. Nope not him.
Jazz fell off the wingless youngling still laughing. "Man, are ya sure that you and Prowler aren't related; that was the same reaction he gives but it's the expression." He breaks into another round of laughter.
"Ha ha very funny," Ichigo said groggily. He didn't care right now to know about Jazz's weird sense of humor and was back on his way to going back to sleep. But Jazz excessive shaking kept him from drifting off to sweet oblivion. "Whaaaa." Okay that was a whine, but he was tired and no longer cared.
Jazz snickers. "Thought ya would like something to eat first before we lost ya to dream world."
"te la-ter," Ichigo mutters snuggling down in the moss.
Jazz laughs but continues to shake the sleepy youngling until Ichigo gave in and crawled out of the comfy nest. He kept himself awake, when he rather do the opposite, by helping Jazz walk the perimeter while the silver dragon chatted. Sometime later Bumblebee showed up dragging behind him three large deer. Not the huge bucks that Ichigo could consume but big large young deer that just had their first antler growth.
Ichigo was wide awake then as his stomach just realized how hungry he was. Jazz and Bee ate at a slower pace, but Ichigo was done with his deer and trying not to fall face first in its carcass. Somehow, he didn't end up in his food but back in the warm comfy nest with a smaller body next to him. the last then he heard was that Jazz was taking first watch before he was back in blissful darkness.
All too soon Ichigo was woken again and quickly shut his eyes from the harsh morning sun. groaning it took him a few minutes to figure out that where he was and another few to get his legs under him and doing what he wanted them to do.
Jazz and Bee gave him that small bit of privacy before going over what the plan for the day. They were close to one of the three Sereitiei camps and Jazz had switch from his playful self to something that Ichigo would have associated with Prowl. the small yellow dragon still had his cheerful smile but Ichigo could also see a visible change.
"Alright, this is one of the larger camps but none of those with the white coats are station here. so, I don't think that yer sisters are here, but this could be that's what they would want any would be rescuers ta think." Jazz had pointed to his crude drawing of the camp in the dirt. "So first we're sending little Bee in to scout out that area. If ya sisters are there then we'll refer to one of Prowls plans to extract them. but all this relies of Bee finding them. if they're not there, then Bee's job is to get as much info as he can before we move on. all this without being seen of course."
Bumblebee snorts. "yeah, put on the pressure boss." but he was smiling. "And what will you two be doing."
Jazz casted a grin at the two dragons. "Why Bee, who else would make it an easy stroll for ya. Prowl said that I could do anything to improve ya chances."
Ichigo had an uneasy feeling but Bee just gave his friend and ops leader a look. "You going to cause a lot of chaos, aren't you?" Jazz's grin got wider and Bee sighed. "Just wait till I'm in the camp before you start your fun."
"Will do little Bee."
Ichigo looked confused. "What?"
Bumblebee shook his head. "I'll let you explain, I'm going to get ready."
Jazz gave to small dragon a wing wave before turning to Ichigo. "Basically, ma new little helper. We're going to raise hell."
'this is the dumbest plan I ever been on!' Ichigo yelled in his mind.
He was jumping spitting fire and just making the hunters after him run in circles. It was sort of fun, but even he didn't see how this was part of an organized plan, even when he stormed that castle to save a friend wasn't this chaotic…well it was a little. But not by much. this…this was something that remined Ichigo of sugar high kids in a tiny space with nothing to distract them.
They were tag teaming the group that was after them. Somehow Jazz had gotten them to think that there were more than just two of them and another half of the camps hunters were somewhere else. They would keep doing this until they got a signal from Bee.
The hunters that the Sereitiei left to guard this camp, where laughable. From the brief interaction Ichigo had with the ones chasing years back, these seem to have no skill. They were either newbies or so low ranked that they were considered cannon fodder. Which didn't settle Ichigo's mind at all. Thoughts of traps filtered in his mind and Ichigo wanted to tell Jazz, but the silver dragon was a few feet ahead of him.
Or was he to the side of him? Ichigo couldn't remember.
"What's on yer mind little Ichi?"
The orange youngling felt like he jumps out of his skin as Jazz came galloping up besides him. Ichigo answered him with a scowl. Though he relaxes his face once seeing that his scowl had no effect on the silver dragon who was so used to Prowls level of scowls and glares.
The orange dragon huffs. "Did it ever cross your mind that this is some sort of trap?" he asks instead.
"hmmmm, yep. But don't worry Prowl planned that too." Jazz said. "and my Prowler already stated that the chances of this being an elaborate trap are only 30 percent. But it climbs higher in the next two campsites."
They dodged some arrows and magic circles before Ichigo spoke again. "So, the possibly that they are trying to wear us down until we meet the big guns is high." It was more of statement then a question.
"That's one way of thinking it, but its simpler then that."
"oh," Ichigo raised one horn ridge waiting for the other to continue."
Jazz paused a little before answer, it was one the few fun things he could do and Ichigo was easily annoyed. "Ya save that best guardians to guard the treasure."
Ichigo stopped dead in his tracks. Jazz slowed down when he noticed that Ichigo wasn't following. He raised his own eye ridge in questioned at the youngling.
Finally, the orange dragon groans. "You mean that we might have to face their highest-ranking members. The ones that the twins and I had already faced and just barely got out alive?"
Jazz tilted his head and grin. "Possibly."
Ichigo would have gone on about his poor fortune in life when they saw three rapid fires burst in the sky.
"Wow, some signal. Bee sure knows how to get yer attention." Jazz pull out a small, for a dragon, ball. "Cover yer nose Ichigo and keep on my tail." Was all the warning he gave before they were engulfed in a foul-smelling cloud.
Ichigo had seconds before he lost sight and smell of Jazz. He ran in the last direction he had saw the silver gleam shine off the others scales. He had only managed to get some of the smoke in his nose and the smell nearly caused him to purge. It was so bad.
But thankfully, it was a short dash until they were away from the area and Bumblebee soon was flying above them.
"Hey guys!" he shouted. Jazz returned the greeting and joined him up in the air leaving Ichigo running alone on the ground. Now the wingless dragon was jealous of not having wings.
"Ichigo!" Jazz called to him. "See that ridge over there; that's were we'll meet up. try not to get lost." A slew of cursing followed the two dragons as they left the youngling to chase after them. Ichigo's cussing was overshadowed by their laughing.
When Ichigo finally caught up with them it was to find that they had been waiting for him and had food already laid out and had already eaten their share. The glare Ichigo gave would have scared most into cowering babbling fools. It was death itself that shown through the youngling's eyes as they flashed, but again Jazz ignored it since he was immune to those types of looks. Bumblebee also had some immunity, but he did inch closer to Jazz.
"Hey Ichigo, want some?" he pushed some of the carcass towards the panting dragon.
Ichigo huffed, he had quickly realized that no one could stay mad at Bee for long. He was grateful that they had left some food for him and not make him hunt for his dinner. While he ate, Jazz and Bee started going over their next set of plans.
"Bad news first, your sisters weren't there." Bee said. Ichigo stopped mid-swallow.
Jazz piped up before Ichigo choked on his food or the lack of air. "Good news is that we know where they are and which camp it is." He was smiling and Ichigo didn't like it one bit. "It's the camp up there." he pointed one claw towards one of the most rugged and highest peaks around.
Ichigo stared slack jaw at the mountain. "I'm gonna die." he groans.
"Psshh come on man. buck up, you'll live long enough for the hatchet to get a hold of ya." Jazz teases.
"Why couldn't I get a form with wings?"
"Now now I'm sure you'll be able to climb that just fine. And anyway, if ya want; we could get one of the others to join us and carry ya—
"No! I can do it no need to bring anyone else." Ichigo quickly answer.
The two others shared a knowing look. Though they would be calling in the others anyway since they knew the location of the missing humans. The small group of dragons would converge on the mountain top and keep the hunters busy while another would exact the little humans.
Just as Jazz was about to speak on the matter, he froze as a message from Prowl came over their bond. Soon, Ichigo and Bee got to watch the usually calm dragon stomp around and cursed the names of the twins. Ichigo glanced at the yellow mini but Bee shrugged his shoulders. He had no idea what the twins had done but it must have been something big if it sent Jazz into a fit.
When he stopped, he whirled around and faced Ichigo. then he slowly stalked towards the youngling and Ichigo matched him when he tried to back away.
"Your two mates, somehow outwitted not only Prowl but Ratchet and Hide. Somehow, they weren't as effected by one of the hatchets concoctions and bolted. With Prowl and the others in pursue and they were last seen by once of my men heading towards us." he caught Ichigo before the youngling could backtrack anymore. "Now I could send some of my men out to corral them but that would leave us short clawed and I need everyone I can get. So, against my mate's advice, I am letting them catch up with us at the mountain. Your job." He made sure Ichigo was looking at him in the eyes. "Will be to keep them busy and out of the way until I have need of you. Ratchet and Ironhide will be further back while Prowl and the twins catch up with us. once your sisters are free you and the twins will get out. am I understood?"
Ichigo knowing better then to argue nodded. No need to make Jazz unhappier. Happy Jazz was a friendly and fun Jazz. The silver dragon saw that his orders will be follow and let Ichigo go.
"Now finish eating, we'll be getting an early start and you'll have a rough climb tomorrow."
Ichigo nodded again. Took what was left on the carcass and quickly finished eating then went to curl around Bee. Jazz sighs but doesn't apologize for his actions, Ichigo will learn that there were two sides to him and that he couldn't show favoritism. When they got back to Autobot territory, he'll have a sit down with the youngling. Primus knows Prowl saw the wingless dragon as one of his own.
Another sigh, and Jazz was settling down for another night of sentry duty. If Ichigo didn't need all the rest, he could get then Jazz would have him one sentry rotation. But he needed everyone fully aware for the upcoming operation. They would be going up against the Sereitiei's heavy hitters and it would be bad if one of his went down due to a lack of strength.
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Chapter Ends.
Thank you for reading.