Yeah... I know I said weekly, but I was internet-deprived for two weeks. But now it will be weekly. And I want to thank those who favorited this. It's much appreciated.

Crush Two: Hyourinmaru

The popsicle thrown into the air, it was devoured by a giant maw; the boy I had a crush on... was raising a monster! As summer vacation was starting, he called out with resolve: "Keep this a super, duper, forever secret?" We agreed and pinky-promised…

XXX

I gasped as the popsicle was thrown into the air and devoured by a giant, shark-toothed maw.

"Ah, hello Kurosaki." Toushirou greeted blandly, turning his body to look at me. "I was wondering when you were going to announce yourself."

I sputtered in fear and shock as I gawked at the monster that slithered up beside Toushirou. It's piercing, ruby eyes seemed to scrutinize every inch of me as it raised its body like a charmed snake. It's pale blue, translucent body towered over me with ease. Scaly definitions covered its crystalline figure, reflecting the sun magnificently. Its wings were decorated with frigid plumage at its base and were currently tucked away at its sides. It had a flared head with a rigid mane that looked much like what was on his wings, and a long snout. Technically speaking, it hadn't any teeth. Instead, serrated, blade-like protrusions came from its jaw.

"Oh my gosh, it's- it's-" I stuttered helplessly, shrinking back.

"Calm down, he won't hurt you." Toushirou reassured me. He motioned for me to come closer. "Here, come and pet him."

I shook my head as my heart hammered in my chest.

"Don't worry. I know he looks menacing and like he wants to eat you, but he's just not familiar with you yet. Let him smell you and you'll see how friendly he actually is." Toushirou smiled.

I cautiously walked towards the bizarre beast. He lowered his head when I was within arm's reach. I clamped my eyes shut and reached out, my fingertips brushing against its icy nose. I squeaked. It scooted forward and pressed its nose against my palm. Why was his skin so cold?

"See? He's very gentlemanly." Toushirou chortled. I cracked an eye open and peaked at the dragon. He seemed to still be staring at me, if not a little less hostilely. But then again, it was hard to read the emotions of crystal... or ice. Or whatever he was.

"He's so cold. A-and hard," I stammered.

"Bizarre, I know." Toushirou set his hand next to mine. My heart went double time again. I was going to die from cardiac arrest within the next few minutes if this continued...

"What's his name?" I asked my crush without breaking eye contact with the creature.

"I call him Hyourinmaru." He replied. I smiled gently.

"That's a pretty cool name." I said, petting Hyourinmaru's snout. He purred.

"Yeah, he's like a giant cat-dog at heart; playful, cuddly, and demanding as hell." He stroked the beast's nozzle.

"Only he's cuter than any cat or dog. Huh, Hyourinmaru?" I cooed. The dragon purred and nuzzled my belly. I giggled.

"Oi, careful Kurosaki. He's a womanizer." Toushirou warned me.

"Aw, don't worry so much! I'm sure the only female company poor Hyourinmaru here gets are squirrels and the occasional cat or dog." I laughed as the beast rumbled. I pet his forehead.

"That doesn't matter. Fact of it is is that he loves anything with estrogen." Toushirou insisted.

I grinned wickedly.

"Aw, poor Toushy-kun. Are you getting jealous? Well, don't worry, you're the only man for me." I winked suggestively. Toushirou blushed. Gaaaaah, how could I flirt so shamelessly?!

Hyourinmaru poked my crush's head with his nose.

"Yeah, yeah. I got it." Toushirou shrugged off his backpack and set it on the ground. He opened it and presented the beast a colorful temari ball. Hyourinmaru fluttered his wings, lunging several times for the ball and snapping his jaw.

"Whoa boy! Calm down," Toushirou tapped Hyourinmaru's forehead with his three center fingers. The beast calmed and settled back.

"Here you go," Toushirou threw the ball towards the far end of the field. Hyourinmaru immediately went after it.

I followed Toushirou to the shade under a tree and sat next to him against the trunk.

"He is like a dog." I observed as Hyourinmaru snaked back to us.

"I know." He replied as he took the ball. He stood and flung it. It flew and Hyourinmaru darted after it.

"Say, what does Hyourinmaru eat?" I questioned him.

"Frozen meat mostly. He really likes sea salt ice cream though." Hyourinmaru returned the temari ball and Toushirou threw it again. Boy, he was athletic.

"Do you know what he's made of? Like... his body? I mean, he's so cold..."

"I don't know." Toushirou chucked the ball again. I watched Hyourinmaru go after it.

"Is he smart?"

"Definitely. He's smarter than he looks."

"How long have you been with him?"

"You're awfully nosy, aren't you?" He scowled.

"Sorry. I'll shut up..." I murmured bashfully. I could be so impolite sometimes…

"... Seven months." Toushirou answered. My heart dropped. It was right after his parents died... At least he had someone (or something) to keep him company.

He passed the temari ball to me when Hyourinmaru returned. "Go ahead and give it a try. I've seen you play Kurosaki, you're impressive." I blushed at his compliment. I stood and took the ball. I wound one leg up, tucked my arm to my chest, then stomped forward, swung my arm out, and then flung the ball forward. It flew, but not nearly as far as Toushirou's throws. Man, I thought condescendingly as Hyourinmaru happily went after it.

"Whoa, I knew you were good, but I had no idea you were that good!" Toushirou shielded his eyes, watching the beast dart after the ball.

Not as good as I should be, I stewed internally.

Hyourinmaru returned and spat it out at my feet. He nuzzled my belly.

"It seems he likes you." Toushirou chuckled. I blushed and looked away.

"I wouldn't know why." I mumbled as I pet the creature. Toushirou looked oddly at me for a moment. "After all, you said he likes anything that's female."

"Kurosaki…"

I hummed in reply.

"...Nothing, don't worry about it." He looked away. I threw the ball again and Hyourinmaru slithered off to get it.

"Hey…" Toushirou said quietly. I hummed again.

"Keep this a super secret, okay? I can't have anyone finding Hyourinmaru." My crush said firmly. I smiled at him.

"Yeah, okay."

"And… please, come back tomorrow."

My heartbeat increased again and I blushed for the umpteenth time. He wanted to see me again!

"Yeah, I'd be glad to." I beamed as I stuck out my hand with my pinky finger extended. Toushirou looked at me like I was nuts before intertwining our fingers.

"Pinky-swear," we both promised.