Captured Hearts

Chapter Six: The Wounded

Hibari woke softly at the sound of voices, but he didn't get up, for he didn't want to disturb Basil, who had fallen asleep by his side. Hibari just listened, and began to wonder at what he heard.

"Mukuro, I understand how you feel, but its not right. He's a monster, remember?"

"I came to you because I know how you feel for them... for all of them. I know how much you like these animals- you must know how serious I am."

"Yeah, but this is what we meant to happen. If those two become mates, the Science Department will more than likely be able to learn about their reproductive habits, and we'll be able to prevent the deaths of vampires who are simply protecting their loved ones."

"And what if I don't care?"

The voices began to rise, and Hibari moved slightly to cover Basil's ears. If the younger vampire woke up, without a doubt, those two would stop their extremely intresting situation. "D-don't care?" Dino's paniced voice made Hibari's intrest rise. He could tell that they were discussing his growing bond with Basil, but he didn't understand what much of Mukuro's words meant.

"I'm sorry, Dino, but I... I gave him blood, all right?"

"Mukuro!"

"Yeah, I know! I know! I couldn't help it! He said he was starving, and I couldn't resist those eyes... have you seen his eyes? Those gorgeous, steel-"

"This isn't like you to break the rules, Mukuro, you know we aren't allowed to give blood, and that's final! What if he bonded with you, too?"

"That's the point! I don't want to let Basil have him! Look, he's a monster, I know that, I'm fully aware. But if our feelings are... mutual?"

"You're crazy, Mukuro! Insane! Look at him! Do you see the muscle beneath his skin? He's a vampire! He could tear you apart in moments."

"I know, already!" Mukuro shouted, making Hibari flinch.

"All right, all right, let's lower our voices. Vampires are really deep sleepers, but if we scream, it won't do any good. Look, I need to go let the centaurs into the grazing area. Help me lead them down the ramp and we can continue to discuss this. If you don't, I'll assume you've dropped these ridiculous feelings."

"... I won't go," Mukuro murmured. "But it'll take a while for me to accept that this is the only way."

"Just keep telling yourself, Mukuro. He's a monster. They all are. You're a hunter, so you should know it, too. Why, just yesterday, Bel and Gokudera almost killed me."

"How did you escape?"

There was a pause.

"That's irrelevant. I'm going to let out the centaurs."

"Fine."

"Can I tag along, Dino?" Hibari asked, sitting up and easing Basil on to the ground.

"Ah, Hibarin! How long have you been awake?" Dino asked, eyes wide.

"Not long," Hibari replied, standing. "But I'm really hungry... and I wouldn't mind hunting while the centaurs are around."

"Well, okay, I guess," Dino said, unlocking the cage. "You're a curious one, aren't you?"

"Love to learn," Hibari said with a shrug as a leash was clipped onto him.

"All right, but you have to go back in when its the werewolves' turn. Okay?"

"Yeah."

"Later, Mukuro," Dino said, "lock the cage for us."

"Sure," Mukuro sighed. Dino and Hibari walked up several stairs, before they came out to the pasture that Hibari had seen before with Mukuro.

"Hey, since you're here, do you want to help me lead them down the ramp?" Dino asked.

"Ramp?" the vampire repeated. He looked around, and soon saw a large walkway that led into the wide, feeding area. "Oh. All right."

"Haha. Just watch me, Hibarin."

Dino leapt over the fence and whistled, before saying, "Hey, Byakuran! C'mon, big boy, you're coming first."

The white halfbreed began to walk over, even though his eyes were sharp, and he beat his wings several times in an offensive sort of way. Dino took a step forward, knelt down, and held out his hand, making Hibari wonder what the hell was wrong with him. After all, Byakuran looked like he wanted nothing to do with the tamer, and he also had perfect potential to smash the blonde's head. But then, the centaur reached out, and obediently took his hand, his wings tucking back in towards his body. Dino stood upright, nodded, and opened the gate to the enclosure, before giving the following appaloosa a glance. Kikyo pawed the ground with a forehoof, his arms crossed. He clearly didn't want Byakuran to be lead out without him.

"Hibarin, think you can take Kikyo?" Dino asked. The vampire hopped the fence and took a few steps towards the spotted centaur, then knelt down, his hand extended. He could just barely see the centaur stepping forward with the position he was in, and he sighed with relief when his hand was taken. Hibari stood back up, but immediately, Kikyo reared up, kicking out with his forelegs. "Back, Hibarin!" Dino shouted. The prefect leapt backwards, barely avoiding the hooves.

As the centaur continued to kick in the air, he shouted, "Are you kidding me? That's a freaking vampire!"

"Kikyo, calm yourself!" Dino said, releasing Byakuran's hand and getting his whip. "Down! Get down!"

"Get that thing away from me!" Kikyo yelled, "I'm not touching that vampire!"

"Kikyo."

Even though the voice was calm, it was just loud enough. Kikyo tried to settle down immediately, looking at the hybrid who had turned around and glared at him. "I want to go eat," Byakuran said, his amethyst eyes stern. The appaloosa with long teal hair looked worriedly at Hibari, and was about to say something, when Byakuran cut him off. "If your so scared, the vampire will lead me, and Dino will lead you. Is that okay?"

"... Yes, Lord Byakuran."

Byakuran walked over to Hibari and held out his hand, which the ravenette hesitantly took. Meanwhile, Dino took Kikyo's hand, and said, "Okay, Kyoya, now just help them down the ramp. Going downhill is difficult for centaurs."

Hibari nodded and walked through the gate, Byakuran by his side. He couldn't help but wonder how the centaur's pelt could stay so sleek and white, when they all galloped around a huge, dusty pasture. The swaying horse body was right beside him, so he didn't have much choice on what to think about. "I'm half pegasus," Byakuran murmured.

"Hn?" Hibari grunted, glancing at the serious-eyed halfbreed.

"That's why my hide is spotless," Byakuran said. "My kind have a purity trait. You'll never see a dirty pegasus."

"How did you know I was wondering?" Hibari asked. The hybrid smirked.

"Everyone does."

The two continued down the ramp until they reached level ground, and Byakuran released the ravenette's hand, gave a short bow, and galloped into the cave where the vampires, werewolves, and centaurs all fed. Kikyo soon followed, and Dino started back up the ramp. "Takeshi and Ryohei are going to be easier to deal with. But I'll take Ryohei, because he's a little hyperactive, and likes to take the ramp at a trot. On the other hand, Takeshi is really mild and friendly, so you can help him down."

"All right," Hibari replied, looking out into the pasture. The silver centaur was galloping around the field, shouting something that Hibari couldn't even clarify. "That's Ryohei, right?" Hibari asked.

"Yeah...," Dino sighed. "Ryohei! Calm down, I'm going to take you down to the grazing area, all right? Come on!"

Ryohei slid, literally slid to a stop, and turned, before trotting up to the blonde with a huge smile on his face. "I'll race you down the ramp!"

"Oh, no, we can't run," Dino insisted, "Nothing more than a trot. Go get Takeshi, Kyoya, he's in the back!"

Hibari walked to the back of the pasture to see the ebony centaur, lying down in the grass and trying to stand. He grunted with pain, and reached a hand out, brushing it over his left foreleg. "Man, I shouldn't have lied down in the first place. Ugh..." Hibari reached out and took the centaur's hand.

"Here, I'll help you up, just try and get-"

"No, see, my leg is..." Hibari looked at the limb more closely, and brushed his hand down it, pausing when he felt dampness in the fur.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Well, Ryohei was galloping around and he kicked a rock up, and it just smashed right into my leg here... I tried to sleep it off, but now it hurts to try and get up."

"I understand," Hibari said, coming around the other direction and bending down. He moved his hands beneath the centaur's body and lifted, muttering, "Just try and get on your feet, Takeshi..."

The centaur groaned, shifting as Hibari pushed him up, before unsteadily getting on to all fours. "Woah, you're strong!" he announced. He then saw Hibari taking off his tie, and asked, "What are you doing?"

"That needs to heal," Hibari said, indicating to the injured foreleg. Takeshi picked the leg up as Hibari knelt beside it, and watched as the vampire wrapped the cloth around the wound, before tying it in place. "There," he said. "The smell was bothering me, anyway."

"Woah, thanks, uh... Hibarin, right?"

"Yeah," Hibari answered. The centaur then wrapped his arms around the vampire's shoulders and hugged tightly.

"Man, you're the best," he said in a cheerful voice. Hibari gently pushed the halfbreed back, before taking his hand.

"Okay, come on, you want to graze, right?" Takeshi smiled, and the two headed back down to the grazing and hunting enclosure. Dino sighed with relief when they got to the bottom of the ramp.

"What took you two?" he asked. Takeshi lifted his injured foreleg.

"Hibarin helped me out with a little injury. I'm okay now, thanks to him!"

"Really? Well that's...," Dino trailed off, for the dark-pelted centaur had already trotted into the enclosure. "That's nice," he sighed. "Thanks, Kyoya."

"Anytime," Hibari replied. "Like I said... I really like to learn."

-End Chapter

Wow. All the way to chapter six, in one day! Hehehe~

More reviews, please~! I'm really enjoying myself. :)