Chapter Thirty-Five: Learning Something New

Here is the next chapter for you all.

I hope you all enjoy and have a Jesus filled day.

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Previously:

Teal eyes looked at Natsu, "No, I didn't go in with them. Once I showed them the paths that we spotted on our way to the lizards I answered their questions and was free to go. We still have to finish our job here as it is not done."

"Wait, but we did it. The man was the issue."

"No, we were called into take care of the 'dragon'. We still need to talk to the mayor to find out what we are going to do about the lizards. Especially with the mother still having eggs that need to hatch." Was the simple reply as the white haired male stood up to dig through his bag. Pulling out his comb he walked back to the bathroom. Looking at each other Happy and Natsu shrugged and got ready to go to sleep. They would deal with what they needed to do the next day. At least it sounded like all they needed to do was talk to the mayor.

Now:

Toshiro and Natsu walked toward the water where they saw the male aquatic lizard watching them carefully partially out of the water. The ice dragon slayer held out his hand for the father to touch while they turned to the mayor. He ignored the two hunters who were glaring at him and Natsu. Toshiro couldn't wait to get back to the guild and away from them. They were a nuisance more than anything else. "What do you think will happen to them Mayor Takashi?"

The man looked at his hand that was on the darker aquatic lizard's snout, "It seems that it is best that they hatch their eggs on the island. With them already laid it would not due to have them moved. After that I'm not sure." He looked at the Natsu who was playing with the smaller version of the father with a smile, "What about you two? You have to get back to your guild."

Teal eyes locked onto the father aquatic lizard's silver, "We do. We just wanted to make sure that they were in good care."

Altrone snorted and said something to his friend that the two slayers caught onto as well as the father lizard, "If you ask me we should just kick them and be done with them. They are wasting our time and money."

Glaring with his teal eyes the white haired male turned and looked at them, making sure to place his other hand when he moved the first against the father's snout, "These creatures have to hatch their eggs. I'm not going anywhere until I know that the creature won't freak out and they are taking care of. They have been through enough already." He could see that his look was causing a shiver go up their spines. Turning he put his attention back on the mayor. Gently soothing the animal he was next to he spoke, "The counsel knows that they are here and what their situation is. So I'm sure that they can help move them if them being here causes an issue. What I found out is that they are more or less individualistic creatures. The only ones that tend to stay together are the mates. And the young leave them about year after they are hatched."

Mayor Takashi tapped his chin looking at the animals as the father had gotten the bleach haired male's attention. Toshiro was walking over and petting the animal's neck as he came further out of the water. The larger one looking at the hunters as if they were a danger to the young man himself. Deciding to test it out he walked forward getting the father's attention. Holding his hand out he waited for the creature to make the next choice. Behind him he could see the town's folks nervous for him. The large creature got further out of the water getting close to him. He huffed and continued his assessment of the mayor. Altrone and Takamoto looked ready to pull their weapons out, thus causing Natsu to stand in the way of the smaller aquatic lizard.

The large aquatic lizard continued to stare at the mayor for a moment before he let his tongue flick out catching the man in the face and making him laugh. The father then went back and settled so that he was only half way out of the water once more. Takashi smiled at the large creature, "I have no problem with them staying." The hunters looked at him as if he had lost his mind. "So long as we take care of them I can imagine they will take care of us."

"What about us needing to fish? The female got in the way of that after a while."

"You won't have to worry about that." Toshiro replied as he walked around the animal's head and stood near his mouth fearlessly, "They eat larger pray. The man that had caused the mother to act in that manner had plenty of information on them and the counsel made sure to inform me." He patted his hand near the lizard's somewhat open mouth. "This guy here will likely be hunting for her and the hatchlings."

Natsu nodded in agreement, "Yeah, when we were in there the food we was mainly larger animals. The fish she had gathered was only for the two of us." He burst out laughing when the younger lizard jumped on him. Wrestling the smaller lizard to the ground he happily played with him.

"Okay then, why is he still with them?" Altrone growled out pointing at the small aquatic lizard causing the older one to growl angrily.

Toshiro walked over to the smaller one and placed a calming hand on his back. The lizard stilled and looked at him curiously. Teal eyes examined the animal over carefully as he knelt down. Looking at the tail he pulled it over to him and messed with the fins. The father picked up on what Toshiro was doing and placed his own tail close. Walking over the larger's tail he examined the fin. "He's probably got another few months before he is ready to go out on his own. His tail fin is too soft and it doesn't have the muscles to be able to wrap it around his food yet. He is starting to get them but they are not strong enough yet."

Takamoto scoffed, "And how do we know that you are not just making that up?"

"I have no expectation of you believing me." Toshiro stood up walking back over to the father staying close to him to make sure he was calm, "However, for everyone else here I have answered the question you gave. If you don't believe me then get in contact with the council." Teal eyes closed as the father aquatic lizard flicked his tongue out catching the white haired male in the face.

The mayor smiled, "They have taken a liking to you and Natsu. So what we were told was true."

"More or less." Toshiro replied meeting the father lizard in the eye. He knew that he and Natsu needed to leave but there was no doubt that the parent lizards would have a problem with the very action.

"How do we plan on leaving without them freaking out." Happy asked as he landed on the ice dragon slayers head since Natsu was busy playing with the younger lizard.

"I'm not sure." The slayer replied drumming his fingers against the father's snout. Said father seemed to be hissing angrily at what he had heard. "But there needs to be a plan." Turning his attention to his inner world Toshiro made sure to keep what was being talked about around him in case he needed to respond. 'Any ideas?'

'They are animals that have their own young leave at a year's age. You leaving will be no problem. They will not like it but they will deal with it. They only wish to treat you differently right now due to the fact that those two hunters are being antagonistic. If they were not there they would be fine.'

"What if we moved them to the waters near the guildhall?" Natsu suggested getting out from under the small aquatic lizard.

Toshiro shook his head, "Then they would have to be transported and I doubt they would be willing to put their eggs in that kind of situation. The father and son just got away from being entrapped themselves. They likely will see being transported from one location to the next no differently."

"How about if they are still stressed living in these waters we let you know when the eggs have hatched and their young are gone?" The mayor suggested with a wave of the hand. "That gives them at least a year and some odd months to have their freedom. We can make it a job for just you and Natsu to fulfill. That and being away from these waters will help keep them safer from poachers if they know about what the man was doing."

"That might work." Toshiro replied looking at the father lizard in the eye, "If it was just the parents being moved they would feel less stressed during the transport. Their natural waters are also in that specific area even if they can acclimate to other water environments."

"Acclimate?" Natsu asked with a raised eyebrow, Happy looking just as confused.

"Adjust to their surroundings." The two had similar expressions as Toshiro turned his attention back to the mayor, "I feel that could be an idea we can do. Even the animals decide to stay here are indeed stressed out."

"Well then, I'll make sure to specifically make sure that it is you two that I ask to take care of the transfer. The less stressed they are the better they will be."

The mayor smiled as the ice dragon slayer turned his emotionless eyes on the father as he effortlessly moved out of the way of the father's tail. "We can't stay here. This is not our home."

"Damn right it isn't." Altrone replied crossing his arms over his chest.

Takashi turned and looked at the hunters, "You are not helping the situation. Either you can stay there silently or leave so they can go on their way without more issues."

The hunters looked at the mayor as if he had lost his mind then stormed off furiously. Toshiro decided to ignore them as he met the father's gaze and shook his head, "We can't stay here. Our home is elsewhere."

The half soul reaper turned part of his attention to get an idea of what the animal was thinking, 'He's agitated hatchling. He views you as freshly hatched and Natsu as one like the young one he is playing with.'

'That isn't ideal. Anyway I can dispel that?'

'You need to show him that you can take care of yourself. Or if you want I can flex your energy so that he knows that I am here. The choice is up to you.'

'And if other guild mates where around, would that help?'

'It would, however they are not here to help you two out of this situation.'

'Your assessment on how he will react to knowing you are there.'

'It will not be good.'

Toshiro allowed his magic and spiritual pressure to fluctuate around him. The father lizard looking at him in confusion as he moved his head to sniff the air. The town's people behind the white haired male backed up a bit feeling the frigid energy frosting the ground. Natsu sat up and looked at his fellow dragon slayer unbothered by the energy swirling around him. Stopping the frosting of the ground at a good three feet behind Toshiro waited for the lizard to assess the situation before him.

The horned lizard sniffed the ice dragon slayer then at the ice on the ground. The heaviness of the magic and spiritual pressure still present without frosting any more than. The dark metallic blue lizard moved over to Natsu sniffing nudging him with his snout as he did so. Amused the fire dragon slayer fought the pressure the father was trying to push him over with. Toshiro could feel Happy getting comfortable in his hair and not long later almost falling asleep. Picking the blue cat off his head the white haired male held the sluggish cat to his chest while eyeing the male lizard.

Silver eyes looked over at Toshiro once more before settling down on the ground letting out a huff. Going on the instinct he walked up to the lizard standing next to Natsu handing Happy over. The pink haired male happily took his cat and about fell over when the father once again nudged at them, only this time it was telling them to go. Toshiro could imagine that the young lizard would be getting this same treatment when he finished maturing. Toshiro walked a few feet away and looked at the mayor who smiled, "Don't worry, I'll inform you once I see the little ones swimming around. Don't hesitate to help out our town again. We will be happy to have you help us."

"Should I see a request I will see if I am able to help." Teal eyes looked at a boy walking up to him while Takashi handed the reward to Natsu, "Can I help you?"

The boy held his hand out, "I just want to shake your hand, Mr. Hitsugaya. I already shook Natsu's."

Though he was confused Toshiro didn't show it as he took the younger male's hand, careful of the pressure he was using. Happy with the outcome the child ran back to his dad, the fisherman who had helped him and Natsu get to the island. The fisherman smiled with pride as he placed his hand on his son's shoulder.

Happy that they were leaving under better circumstances Toshiro headed back to the to the hotel. He almost stopped when he heard the boy talking with his sensitive hearing, "Dad, I think I want to be an ice mage. That was a really cool display to see."

"Well Chris, whenever you are ready your mom and I will try to find you a teacher. Don't go thinking you will be able to do what Mr. Hitsugaya can do."

"I know." The ice dragon slayer could feel the boy's eyes on him as he continued on his way to the hotel, "I think just being an ice mage will be fine by me. Reguardless I'm going to be a power house just like him one day."

Unable to prevent himself from doing so, Toshiro felt the corner of his mouth tug upwards. A feeling of warmth blooming in his chest.

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Letting a light breath pass his lips Toshiro let his gaze glance go over to Natsu who was walking next to him. Happy perched on the fire dragon slayers head as they made their way down the road. Seeming to feel the gaze that were on him onyx eyes turned his way and the pickette grinned widely. Partially amused by his mission partner the half soul reaper turned his attention to the road before them. Traveling back this way allowed him to think about their last mission.

Part of him was concerned that the two hunters would do something to the aquatic lizards now that they were not there. He knew that the mother and father would be able to take care of themselves and their hatchlings but it was still concerning that they watched the two slayers leave. Toshiro didn't like it and part of him wanted to take a mission out the town's way just so that he could walk through the town again to check on the lizards.

In his inner world Hyorinmaru let out a soft laugh, 'Don't worry about the hunters, Hatchling. The mayor will make sure that the animals are not bothered.'

'I know he will, I just don't trust the hunters. One wrong move from the hunters and that town could be in trouble.'

'Put your trust in the mayor. He knows them well and that will not change just because of the lizards being there.'

Snapping out of the conversation he was having with his zanpakuto Toshiro froze seeing Natsu stopping in front of him, "Is something the matter Dragneel?"

Onyx gazed into teal trying to pick up on what he was feeling, "No, you just had this look on your face."

"I see, don't worry about it." The ice dragon slayer continued walking with the pink haired male keeping up. He could still see the look of concern the other was giving him. It made him wonder what expression he had on his face to cause that amount of concern. Did he show concern and it caused the ever empathic dragon slayer to be concerned as well? Or was it a different expression that had nothing to do with what he was thinking? He'd have to be careful with his masked emotions. He hated causing his comrades to worry more than normal.

The icy male was happy when the cat decided that it was a great time to speak up, "So where are we going to set up camp. It is getting pretty dark."

Toshiro glanced up at the sun that was setting in the sky. Beautiful colors displaying in the horizon as if it was an artistic masterpiece. "If we find a small clearing we should be able to set it up quickly." Teal glanced at his partner, "Have you been out this way before?"

Natsu nodded indicating to their left, "There should be a clearing out that way."

Toshiro let the fire dragon slayer lead the way as he committed the area to memory. Casting his eyes to the tree branches above he asked, "How opposed would you be to sleeping in a tree?"

"Not at all. I generally sleep in trees in this area. There are vulcans in the forest."

"Vulcans?" The ice dragon slayer had heard the word used but never had any time to look the creature up.

"A hairy ape like beast that has the ability of take over magic." Happy explained his tail swaying behind him. "They are very strong too and are able to talk like humans."

"That sounds like trouble."

"Yeah, but you and Natsu can handle them easily. Just don't let them overwhelm you."

Toshiro nodded processing what he had learned. Creatures that can use take over magic. A powerful ability to a beast that had very little to it from the sounds of it. He could have probably been taken by surprise if he had not been informed. Toshiro knew that he needed to brush up on the creatures of this world. 'Hyorinmaru, have you come across a vulcan?'

'No hatchling, they avoided me since I am a dragon. I wasn't even aware that they could use take over magic.'

'Is there any that you think I should be aware of?'

'I'll let you and Natsu settle down and tell you then. I know of quite a few that were daring to come near me.'

Leaving his inner world teal met the onyx of his fellow dragon slayer. "Happy and I end up using this tree a lot when we come out here." Natsu replied indicating to the tree he was talking about.

Examining the tree Toshiro could see why the two of them used it. The thick branches only allowed small people like him and Natsu to be able to fit through, even with their bags. That told him that vulcans had to be a good size if the fire dragon slayer was comfortable falling asleep. "We should get our belongings up there before we set out to get dinner cooked." Natsu shrugged and the two of them climbed up the branches to get where they would prefer to sleep.