Secrets
It was somewhere near noon and the city was already buzzing with activity by the time Vegeta got back to the Commoner's Qtr. of Sei-an City. His first stop was to get Ichigo and Toushiro. When the saiyan ran up to their house, he saw Ichigo putting up a sign on the door that said "Closed: Out Getting Supplies" and Toushiro was just drawing in the dirt with a stick. Vegeta's suspicion that Issun liked Toushiro was confirmed when the Poncle bounced over to the boy. When Ichigo saw the little bouncing green light in front of his son, he knew that Vegeta was only just a few steps away and he turned around to see the saiyan prince coming up to him.
Ichigo: "Hey, Vegeta. So how'd it go?"
Vegeta: "I'll fill you in as we head over to the border."
Ichigo: "Ok. Just give me a few more minutes. I still need to close up."
Vegeta: "No hurry. I still need a moment to let everything sink in anyway."
Ichigo: "Wow, you're usually the one on the ball in most situations. Sounds like you've got your hands full."
Vegeta: "You have no idea."
Vegeta laid down on the ground next to Toushiro and Issun as the Poncle showed the boy some of his artwork. The saiyan took the few minutes to rest his eyes. He couldn't believe everything that was happening to him. A week ago he was happily living a peaceful life with his family, and now he was on this incredible quest that he still couldn't figure out how he was apart of. It seemed that whenever he solved one question, two more would take its place. It was enough to give someone a headache. But Vegeta knew that at some point all of his questions would be answered. How soon or how well they would be was the real question. A few minutes past and Ichigo was ready.
Ichigo: "I'm ready Vegeta."
Vegeta: "Well then, let's go."
Issun: "What's with the huge sword, Ichigo?"
Ichigo had his Zanpakuto, Zangetsu, with him. The sword was so big that he had to carry it on his back.
Ichigo: "It's my Zanpakuto, Zangetsu. I always carry it with me when Toushiro and I go to North Ryoshima Coast. Just in case."
Issun: "Now I understand why you didn't want Hoodhead Benkei to find out. He'd gut you for that sword!"
Ichigo and Vegeta: "Exactly!"
Toushiro just laughed. With Vegeta in the lead, Ichigo walked behind him and Toushiro walked next to Ichigo. As they walked to the border gate, Vegeta filled Ichigo and Toushiro in on the situation.
Ichigo: "Dragonian Domain?"
Vegeta: "Heard of it?"
Ichigo: "A little. All I know is that that's where the Water Dragon resides, when its not eating a ship."
When they got to the border gate, one of the soldiers stopped them.
Soldier: "No one is allowed passed this point by order of the Queen."
Ichigo: "Dude, you know me."
Soldier: "Don't care. No one passes."
Vegeta: "Maybe this'll change that."
Vegeta showed the soldier the Border Key.
Soldier: "Hm? Hey, that's a Border Key! A permit from Queen Himiko for crossing the border! What on earth are you doing with something like that?"
Vegeta: "What on earth are you doing still standing here?"
Soldier: "Rules are rules. Anyone bearing that is allowed to pass here. You must be on some very important business, I suppose. I'll open the gate straight away."
The soldiers opened the gate and Vegeta crossed the border to North Ryoshima. But when Ichigo and Toushiro tried, they were stopped.
Vegeta: "They're with me."
Hearing that, the soldier let them go. North Ryoshima Coast was beautiful. The sea stretched for miles and the air was rich with the sea scent. Vegeta was enjoying the ocean breeze when Issun ruined the moment for him.
Issun: "Now then... Where's this Dragonian Domain? Sounds like something that might be under the sea."
Toushiro: "Uh, duh."
Ichigo: "Toushiro!"
Issun: "But I'd rather not have to get wet if I could help it. And it's not 'cause I'm afraid of that pesky Water Dragon! It's just you swim so slow that you practically put me to sleep!"
Vegeta: "At least I'm faster than you, Issun."
Issun: "Hey!"
Vegeta: "Enough talk, let's get going!"
They were just about to get going when an unwanted face appeared.
Waka: "Bonjour, Vegeta!"
It was Waka again. Vegeta growled at his and Issun hopped up and down in a rage. Toushiro didn't understand why these two were acting this way to this strange man. He looked up at Ichigo and even Ichigo was irritated. He had only met Waka once, but already he had decided that he was not on to like.
Waka: "I trust you enjoyed your "little" adventure through that hole? The city's air has sure cleared up thanks to you."
Issun: "Just ignore him and maybe he'll go away. C'mon, Geta!"
Waka: "Why so grumpy today? Didn't you notice the view?"
Ichigo: "Yeah so?"
Waka: "It used to be one big cursed zone out here. But yours truly pulled off one of those Great Divine Interventions!"
Issun: "What?"
Waka: "I really wanted to wait for you two. But I couldn't stand leaving the sea in such a cursed state. Ah... The sea off Ryoshima Coast is back to its beautiful self. Is this what they mean by prettier than a picture, my little friend?"
Issun: "... ... What's that suppose to mean, pretty boy?"
Something alarmed Vegeta. The way Waka had said that last part and how Issun reacted to it... It didn't seem right. It was almost as if Waka knew something about Issun that the Poncle didn't want anyone to know. Was Issun hiding something from him?
Waka: "Oh, just a little something I overheard somewhere. So, my little bouncing friend. You're a wandering artist, no? I want to see how beautiful your paintings are. Just one would be fine. Pretty please?"
Issun: "Huh? My art's none of your business! Why should I show you anyway?"
Waka: "You really are in a bad mood today. You're not one of those impostors who claim to be an artist, but could not paint a picture if his life depended on it, are you?"
Come to think of it, Vegeta had not seen Issun paint a single piece in the entire time he's known him.
Issun: "What!"
Then Waka got bold.
Waka: "Little boy, Toushiro Kurosaki wasn't it?"
Toushiro: "Huh? Me?"
Waka: "My little bouncing friend here was showing you some of his work earlier, right?"
Toushiro: "Uh, yes..."
Ichigo: "You were spying on my son!"
The young man had his hand on his sword, ready to draw it.
Waka: "Tres bien."
The orange haired young man knew what that meant. Yes. Ichigo drew hi sword in anger and pointed it right at Waka!
Ichigo: "Why you little- Give me one good reason why I shouldn't cut you in half right now!"
Waka: "Toushiro... Did Issun here ever draw something in front of you?"
Ichigo: "I wasn't done talking to you, you bas-!"
Vegeta: "Ichigo! Calm down!"
Vegeta stuck his arm out in front of the young man and Ichigo lowered his sword.
Vegeta: "Answer him, Toushiro."
Toushiro: "... ... No."
Issun: "Just what are you implying!"
Waka: "Oh, nothing... It is just something some old man mentioned. His grandson, who was also his apprentice, ran away from home. And he took the old man's painting of a wood sprite with him."
Ichigo and Toushiro looked over at Issun. Their faces were that of both confusion and as if a very tiny part of them already knew. Vegeta just gazed at Waka. His expression said nothing, but there was indeed a part of him that was truly questioning Issun's legitimacy.
Waka: "Do you think he might claim to have painted that masterpiece? I mean, there are so many unscrupulous people out there. Sometimes it is hard to spot an impostor in the wide world of art. But you wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"
Issun: "I don't know what the heck you're talking about! Now make like a tree and leave! Or you can stick around if you'd rather get sliced and diced!"
Waka: "Excusez-moi! You do not to get all hot under the collar! It would appear I have struck a raw nerve. Well, since I have no prophesies or anything for you this time, I suppose I'll just be on my merry way. Au revoir, baby!"
And Waka disappeared just like that. Needless to say, Issun was in a real tizzy. Vegeta nocked him off of his head and to the ground. The Poncle did not like that.
Issun: "What's the bid idea, Geta! Huh?"
Issun looked into the saiyan's expression. Vegeta stared at him with a blank face.
Vegeta: "Is there something you're not telling me, Issun?"
There was something Issun wasn't sharing with him and Vegeta knew it. The only question was, what was it?
Issun: "I have no idea what you're talking about, Geta!"
Ichigo: "Uh, guys. We've got company!"
Vegeta looked up just as a demon appeared! It was a demon called Earth Nose which was a big nose attached to a wheel. It was a fast moving demon, fast enough to give even Vegeta a challenge. Ichigo pulled Toushiro behind him and stood ready to fight, but he was counting on Vegeta to be the main defense. Sure enough, the saiyan protected them both. This wasn't their fight after all. As the Earth Nose wheeled around him, Vegeta waited for it to make its move. When it did the saiyan almost didn't have time to react. As it came towards him, the prince used the Mist brushstroke to slow it down. When he did, Vegeta was stunned at how close it was to him. It was literally an arms length away from him! Just as the Mist brushstroke faded, the saiyan prince slashed at it! It went down in one hit. Because of the demon, the issue with Issun was forgotten. It was better if they kept moving.
Vegeta: "Hey, Ichigo. Where are these herbs that you need?"
Ichigo: "Some of them are on this coastline, just a little further ahead of us. But most of them are sadly on the small islands that are scattered just off shore. I'd normally use a boat but unless you've got a high speed motor on you, I'm not going to even dare it with that Water Dragon around."
Issun: "How'd you normally get to the islands with a boat? You'd row?"
Toushiro: "No, we have a motor but it's in a repair shop."
Ichigo: "Right before the mist appeared, Toushiro and I were coming back from one of the islands and the Water Dragon attacked us. It hit the propeller. We are some of the lucky survivors."
Vegeta: "Don't have a motor on me, but who knows what's laying around."
Toushiro: "You think we'll find something out here?"
Vegeta: "Kid, you're talking to a guy who got eaten by that Water Dragon and woke up on shore in one piece. Hop on you two!"
Toushiro climbed onto Vegeta's back. Ichigo was a little bit more hesitant. After some insistence from Issun, Ichigo climbed on right behind Toushiro. Luckily for Vegeta, Ichigo wasn't an adult yet.
