Yukiko: Hahahaha, well… um… There's not much to say… asides that it is finally Summer Vacation! Yea, just ignore me and enjoy the chapter.
~Reviewers Response~
BlueFox of the Moon: Of course I remember you. You were like my first reviewer for Returns. Yea, there tends to be a confusion with Shiro. Personally I prefer to call him Hichigo, but for this story I'll call him Ogichi. I was originally planning to put Kon in it in Ichigo's "body" but, I was like, "HELL NO! IT HAS TO BE KAIEN!" You're going to have to read the future chapter to find the answer for that question! :D
Xiang Xian: Do not fear! This chapter is going to all about Toshiro and the Night Fury.
Hotaru Shizuma: I'm actually working on the whole character thing… but I'm pretty sure after this chapter the characters will start acting the way they do in Bleach.
Yami-Taichi: No problemos! I'm just glad that you like the chapter! Like I said before on another reviewers' response, I was planning on using Kon but I decided against it. I'm just happy everyone is liking the twins as Ogichi and Kaien. Hahaha, I kinda giggled when the Night Fury hid there too, it was my little cousin's idea to have it there.
sAppHiRe-hiMe: Thanks for the review, and don't worry, in this chapter; it'll be different from the original chapter. The first two chapters were put that way for those who have not seen the movie get at least a taste of how it all started.
NimayTheAirbender: Hahahaha, I was laughing at that part as well. But I dunno yet, it's still earlier in the story. Sooo things are bound to happen that didn't happen in the movie.
Kuroshiro28: YOUR TEETH WERE PULLED OUT? WAAAHHH! I'm glad that I made your painful day into a brighter one with this story. I hope with every chapter your days will be much brighter! (I can't believe you got your wisdom teeth pulled out… O_O)
BleedingOpal: I'm sorry that you find this story a disappointment. However, there is a reason why I decided to start the story the way I did. As I stated before in one of the other reviewer's response: The first two chapters were put that way for those who have not seen the movie get at least a taste of how it all started. I don't mean to offend you or anyone that has seen the movie, but I am taking into consideration for the other readers. I apologize for not making myself clear in the beginning. But if you were to wait for this chapter, maybe your opinion for this story might have changed. Again, I am truly sorry. *bows deeply*
KAZ IZ AWEZOME: I was thinking of switching roles of Kenpachi and Ukitake, buuuuut it wouldn't seem right. I'm glad you like it.
Namna-dono: Your kind words always fill me with inspiration to write more. I thank you and I'll be anxiously waiting for your reviews! :D
BloodySorrow: Hahahaha, I think everyone is waiting for that scene to show up. But, it won't be here for a while. Sorrys! Hahaha!
Kotaru118: Hahahaha, I tried to make it similar to the movie but different in the beginning. I'm glad you like it.
Days passed as Toshiro continued to attend the Dragon Training along with the other teens of the village. Of course Rukia was the main star of the whole team due to her determination to come on top of the class session. This made Toshiro wonder if he'll ever pass Dragon Training and make his father proud, who is still out at sea in hopes of finding the Dragons' Nest. The white haired teen had not once been to where the Night Fury reside all because Ukitake kept him busy, not only in Dragon Training but also in the Blacksmith's Workshop.
Toshiro sat on a wood stool in front of a matching wood desk studying the drawings he made during his visit to the Night Fury a few days ago.
It's missing its tail wing… so it can't fly.
Suddenly Ukitake's voice rang into his mind with words that he said the night before after their Dragon Training,
Remember everyone, it's the wings and tail you want to go after. Without those it can't fly away, a down dragon is a dead dragon.
Toshiro frowned at the memory, Not all dragons are evil as they say… right?
Shutting his black book, Toshiro hopped off the stool and made his way out of the workshop, only to bump into Kyoraku.
"Where are you going Toshiro?"
The said teen stopped and looked at the older Viking, "I'm heading out… I need time to myself for a little while."
"Don't stay out too late, you may never know what is lurking outside the village," said the man with concern.
Nodding, Toshiro left the workshop and jogged over to the outskirts of the village towards the direction of where the Night Fury is. He picked up a fish on his way as he passed by a house. After a couple minutes of walking in the dense forest, Toshiro found the crater like hole where he found the black dragon attempting to fly away. He looked over the ridge he was on and saw nothing, no Night Fury in sight. Swallowing an imaginary lump in his throat, Toshiro carefully made his way down to the soft green grass. As soon as his feet touched the grass, he held the raw fish in his hand as he cautiously scanned the area for the large black reptile. He walked towards the rocks where he last saw the Night Fury and had this strange feeling that he was being watched. Quickly turning around, Toshiro's eyes widen as he watched the Night Fury in a crouched position slowly making its way over to him. The human froze in place but his face relaxed to a calm expression, but still had a tint of fear.
The dragon tilted its head to the side in curiosity at the fish in Toshiro's hand. Toshiro looked to the fish then to the dragon before extending his hand with the fish towards the dragon. In return, it growled as if saying a warning to Toshiro, it then eyed the small dagger in Toshiro's clothing and growled even louder.
Toshiro eyed the dragon's motives and finally understood what it wanted, quickly, he disposed the weapon into the lake beside him. The dragon seemed to relax some and continue its advancement towards the delightfully looking fish. The Night Fury lowered its head and opened it jaws and Toshiro noted the lack of teeth in the maw of the dragon.
"Huh, you don't seem to have any teeth. But I was so sure you had some before."
As if to contradict his thoughts, the Night Fury extended its hidden teeth and snatched the fish from Toshiro's hand and swallowed it in one go. Toshiro retracted his hand away and watched the dragon in fascination and nervousness. The black reptile looked at Toshiro and began to walk towards him,
"I don't have any more fish, Dragon."
Toshiro took a step back and suddenly the dragon began growling more ferociously and pushed Toshiro to the side. Caught by surprise, Toshiro watch the dragon as it crouched over what seems to be a plant. Looking at it more closely, it seems as if it is protecting the plant.
"A strawberry? I can't believe a strawberry can actually grow here." It amazed Toshiro to see a strawberry fruit grow in a place like the Seireitei. Most fruits and vegetables have a hard time growing in such cold, dense environments. Toshiro watched the dragon as it finally calmed some and shifted its scaly body into a more comfortable position.
Out of nowhere, a loud rumble emitted from the silence and the two stared at one another before Toshiro let out a small smirk as the sound came from the dragon belly.
"It seems like you're hungry." Toshiro got up and picked up a stick off the ground and walked calmly around the dragon, who eyed his every movement. Stepping into the cold water of the little nature-made pond, Toshiro patiently waited for a fish to swim nearby his feet with the stick at hand. He hoped that by giving the dragon food, he would be able to gain some trust with the dragon.
After 20 minutes of standing completely still, Toshiro was able to catch 3 fish and then gave it to the Night Fury who ate it without hesitation.
The dragon was still standing over the strawberry plant and still kept a watchful eye on the human. Toshiro saw that the sun was setting but he felt as if he made some progress with the Night Fury because it no longer growled at him every time he decided to move. The Night Fury fell asleep next to the strawberry plant, but was still aware of the actions Toshiro was making. The white haired teen grew bored at some point and decided to draw to pass the time. The Night Fury woke up to the sound of moving dirt, lifted its head and saw Toshiro, with his back towards it. Curious as a cat, the night Fury left its post at the plant and quietly crawled over to see over Toshiro's shoulder. Toshiro felt a heated breath on his neck and came to the conclusion that the Night Fury was watching what he was doing. What really amused him was that the dragon took a large branch and drew a "portrait" of Toshiro. The human had to suppress a laugh because the drawing was just terrible. The Night Fury pointed to Toshiro and then to the picture and finally Toshiro got what it was trying to communicate,
"I don't look like that, Ichigo."
The dragon looked to Toshiro with a confused, yet amused expression and tilted its large head to the side. As if saying, What did you call me?
"Ichigo. You're name is now Ichigo. I thought it was appropriate to call you that because you're protecting a strawberry and where I live, ichigo means strawberry. Plus it can also mean "One who protects", so I'll call you Ichigo from now on instead of 'dragon'."
The dragon, now officially dubbed Ichigo, let out a snort and rolled its eyes, making Toshiro frown,
"Hey, at least I won't call you dragon anymore and with you having a name makes you less intimidating!"
Again, Ichigo let out a snort and sat on its hind legs. Toshiro contemplated on what he should do next, now that he is the first Viking to ever name a dragon that doesn't sound like it brings death to who says it. Reaching out a hand, Toshiro dared himself to try and touch Ichigo and hopes that he won't get his hand bitten off. Ichigo watched the human with heightened curiosity and alertness as the human struggled to keep himself from pulling his hand away. Letting out a soft growl, Ichigo leaned over to Toshiro's touch and the white haired teen flinched slightly at the feel of smooth scales. Toshiro stared at Ichigo with awe and he smiled to himself and thought aloud,
"Maybe my luck with you has begun to change. Do you think we can start to trust each other, Ichigo?"
Ichigo pulled away from his touch and let out what seems to be a smirk, but it was so poorly done that it looked like a toothless smile. Toshiro couldn't hold back and laughed out loud,
Yup, I think we can work this thing out somehow.
Yukiko: And finished! I'm done! No more writing! Too tired! Going to play Fatal Frame 2 now and scream my ass off. Laters, おやすみ(Oyasumi), gute Nacht, magandang gabi.
~Yukiko Shiroryuu~