Here's your winner =) Obviously p Next pool contains: Dream x2, Hunter x1, Lust x1, and Tiger x1. Happy reviewing! I'm also going to forewarn everyone now, the next pool may take me a bit to add to... I'm addicted to Ovipets on Facebook ^^; Curse you Facebook! *shakes fist*
Shiro: I gave 'em the idea =D
Ichi: I can believe that.
Vae: So evil... so very evil. T^T
Chapter 4
Ichigo is restless, pacing constantly and climbing tress simply for something to do. Shiro has been appointed his guard for the moment, Yorouchi knowing her youngest well enough to realize there's no way he's sitting still when told. As he races along the trunk of a tree for the tenth time in an hour, the white tiger can't take it anymore. He leaps and pins his little brother to the ground, growling inches from his face while showcasing his dagger-like teeth.
"Just… fuckin'… stop it!" he snaps. "Yer fuckin' drivin' me crazy!"
"I can't help it!" Ichigo yells back. "I hate sitting still! I want to run in the trees, or go fishing in the lake, or chase the antelope, or…"
"Ma said ya gotta stay put!"
"No one wants me here but you and mom, anyway," Ichigo pouts. "Just let me go have fun."
Shiro is caught off guard by the comment, yet pulls himself together quickly. He whaps his littermate on the head as gently as possible, scoffing mockingly before getting off him. Ichigo is about to bolt for the trees, yet Shiro knows him too well and wraps his tail around the younger tiger's waist. With a yelp and a whine of frustration, Ichigo finds himself sitting on the ground again.
"Shiro, please…"
"No. Yer a part a this family, too. I don' fuckin' care what the others say, they don' matter. Yer the cub a the clan leader, yer more important."
"That's not true and you know it," Ichigo mutters. "This all started because of the jaguars, Shiro… why doesn't mom want me around them? That one was like me! I've never met a feline like me before; I want to get to know him…"
"Absolutely not!" the white tiger snarls. "Ichi, dad don' like the leader a the jaguars no more. They had a fallin' out an' no one from this clan is allowed ta have contact wit that traitorous clan! Aizen's tried ta take dad's lands an' kill 'im plenty a times, so you stay away from his cub!"
"… That was Aizen's cub?" Ichigo questions. "Are there more jaguars like him there?"
Shiro ignores the questions, dragging his baby brother along with his tail as Ichigo hollers in annoyance. The youth is only clothed in a loincloth much like the jaguar he met yesterday, the occasional stone skinning his thighs. Shiro sighs and stops long enough for his baby brother to right himself, the two bounding back to the den in a race to see who gets there first. It's not as fun as their usual races, however, as the den has been in sight all day.
"Good afternoon, cubs," Kisuke comments from his perch above the den's opening. "One of you seems highly irritated… and the only just seems in the mood to provoke said irritation. Might I ask what's got you down, Ichi?"
"… Mom won't let me go running," he huffs. "She's afraid I'm gonna go play with the jaguar I met yesterday."
"Will you?"
"Duh. He's just like me, what can't I get to know him better? I don't understand what's wrong with making friends," Ichigo frowns. "I mean… You let me make friends will all sorts of animals; wolves, hippos, monkeys, all sorts. Why can't I make friends with the one creature I've met that looks like me?"
"Hmm… That's a reasonable question," Kisuke smiles toothily. "The answer, however, won't be one you prefer. You see, this clan has been at odds with the jaguars for many years... at least a year before you were born. Aizen' can't be trusted, Ichi. He'll use whatever friendship his cub may gain with you against me, most likely threatening to kill you should I not do as he wants. I won't give up my territory to that greedy bastard, I'm sorry. I let them hunt in my own when their food gets scarce; I see no reason to renegotiate our boundaries now. It would make me very happy if you didn't place me in a difficult position, Ichigo. Please stay away from that jaguar."
Ichigo hangs his head, yet nods anyway. He really wants to learn more about the jaguar named Grimmjow, yet he's aware Kisuke is very worried about his safety. The explanation is good enough, he won't go looking for the jaguar… but that doesn't mean he won't talk to him if they come across one another. After all, that's only civil.
"Go out and play, cub," Kisuke remarks "But if I learn you're running off to search for that jaguar cub, I'm afraid I'll have to restrict your movement once more… and I won't be offering up such free movement until after the jaguars have no need to hunt in my lands."
"I promise, dad, I won't go looking for the jaguars," Ichigo smiles brightly. "Thank you for letting me go out and play on my own again!"
The large tiger nods, dismissing his cub as he turns his cloudy gaze back out over his lands. Ichigo takes that opportunity to racing into the foliage, his brother frowning at their father before moving to follow the youngest of the litter.
"No, Shiro, there's no need to tail him," Kisuke purrs. "He said he won't go after the jaguar and I trust him."
"I don'."
"That's not for you to decide. Go see if you can help Hiyori with the hunt, it's her first and she's a bit clumsy around the bigger animals."
"… Yes, sir."
Shiro sighs and heads in the opposite direction of his baby brother, looking back worriedly before continuing on. Kisuke is never challenged when he gives orders, not even by Yorouchi, so he's not surprised when his wily cub does as told. Ichigo, on the other hand, will often argue with him. He actually loves the little spats with his youngest. When he was told of the jaguars almost causing his death, he was ready to charge into their lands and tear them apart with a vengeance… yet they were saved when Ichigo turned out uninjured. Unfortunately, the news of how that happened only served to send a mixed bundle of emotions through him. He's just glad Aizen's cub took after Pantera and not the colder of the two, as he's positive Grimmjow wouldn't have saved Ichigo if it were the other way around.
Ichigo hums to himself as he plays on the lake, watching the hippos carefully as they swim about. He laughs and jumps onto a log floating about the surface, gasping as it starts to turn beneath his feet and trying hard to find another platform before he gets wet. He loves to swim, just like any tiger, but right now he wants to play atop the waters. He catches another log leading to a stone by the opposite bank, leaping and landing on it heavily. It shudders beneath his feet and moves, a crocodile's head leaning back to grin at him.
"Ah! I'm sorry!" Ichigo shouts as he dodges snapping teeth. "I didn't mean it! I was trying to get to the other side! I'm sorry!"
A hand yanks him away from the volatile beast, the orange haired tiger sighing in relief as he tries to calm his pounding heart. A chuckles that borders on a familiar purr sends a shiver along the length of his spine, the younger looking back to see the jaguar with sky blue hair watching him in humor.
"Are you a magnet for trouble?" he laughs.
"No! I just… what are you doin here?" Ichigo asks off topic. "This is way deeper in tiger territory than the outer ring you're allowed in."
"I wanted to see you again, is that so wrong?"
"Dad said I'm not allowed to be around you, because your dad will use me against him for more territory."
"… Probably, but only if he knows," Grimmjow points out. "And I won't tell if you don't."
Ichigo watches him a long moment, noting that the other is almost pleading with his eyes. The young tiger has always been a bit of a softy, so he can't help but nod in agreement. After all, he told his dad he wouldn't go looking for the other and he technically hasn't lied yet. His father said not to go looking for them, but never said he couldn't be around them at all.
"Well… Dad didn't say I couldn't be around you if you found me first," he murmurs.
Grimmjow beams at the comment, moving swiftly against Ichigo and licking his cheek once more. Like before, the orange haired male wipes his face. Afterward, he pounces on Grimmjow and is surprised when he's flipped onto his back. The other is laughing, jumping into the water to swim for a bit and waiting for the tiger to join him. Casting aside his doubts, Ichigo grins and jumps in as well. They spend the day playing in that area, settled neatly between where they're both allowed to be.
There we have it! Ichigo is going through a logical rebellion! Gotta love those rebellions you can explain away with logic =)
Grimm: Is that where Ichi got it?
Ichi: Oh come on, I didn't tell you Shiro put a bucket of water over the door as a prank because you didn't ask!
Grimm: Am I'm supposed to know to ask if Shiro's trying to drown me? =(
Ichi: ... When it comes to Shiro, I suspect him of everything without thought!
Shiro: I didn' do nothin'!
Ichi: Not yet.
Shiro: ... Fair 'nough. *shrugs*