Captured Hearts

Chapter Nine: The Winged

"Hibarin! C'mere, I've got something for you," Dino said, opening the cage, a leash in his hand. Hibari allowed the chain to be clipped around him, and Dino led him out of the enclosure. "Listen, Byakuran has healing powers, and I'm going to have him treat your hand. I know he's a bit... indifferent. We never do this, either.

Byakuran and you have already formally met, so I'm assuming you and he will be all right. Just make sure you bow upon approaching him. A pegasus is a very proud animal, and he has that blood in him."

"Okay," Hibari said as they started up the stairs.

"Just state your purpose, and more than likely he'll be all right. Don't look into his eyes, if anything, watch the hooves," Dino added.

"Okay," Hibari repeated. They came up to the pasture, and Hibari saw that most of the centaurs were resting. Ryohei was rearing up and taking uncertain steps on his hind legs as Takeshi watched and encouraged him, and Byakuran and Kikyo were beneath the large tree in the center of it all, quietly talking to one another. Hibari hopped the fence, the leash slipping from Dino's grip as he made the move. The entire pasture fell dead silent as the vampire made his way towards Byakuran, and Kikyo, as if still fearing him, stood and practically sped-walked away from the area. Byakuran also stood, but he waited, his eyes sharp. The ravenette immediately remembered what Dino had said, and his eyes darted to the ground, and he walked until he could see the light, skin-tone hooves, then bowed. Once he came back up, Byakuran pawed the ground once and bowed again, but only slightly as if to acknowledge the move.

"Is there... something you want from me?" Byakuran asked.

"My hand was broken by a fierce vampire, and I was hoping you could heal me," Hibari said.

"... Look up, vampire, I've given permit," the hybrid replied. The vampire hesitantly looked up, and met the halfbreed's eyes, almost startled by the stunning, amethyst eyes looking straight at him. Byakuran held out his hand. "You healed Takeshi. You helped me into the grazing pasture. Come, vampire, I'll give you back what has been damaged."

Hibari took the hand with his injured one, and Byakuran pulled him close, then took off the cast, making the vampire wince. He then sat down, and quietly told the vampire to sit beside him. Hibari did so, and immediately, a large, soft, white wing lied over him, almost cradling his body. "Clear your mind. Relax," Byakuran murmured. The vampire closed his eyes as the feathery limb started to glow, and he could almost feel his body recovering from fatigue, hunger, and injury. As the pleasant feeling overcame him, he began to doze...

Four hours later...

Slowly, Hibari woke up. He could feel something like a blanket lying across him, but he quickly realized it was Byakuran's wing. He glanced up at the hybrid, then, seeing that he, too, had fallen asleep, tried to move his hand. He was very successful, in fact, he accidentally brushed against Byakuran when he moved. The amethyst eyes snapped open, but Byakuran quickly calmed himself, and murmured, "You all better, vampire?"

Hibari nodded. "Thank you," he said. Byakuran nodded and lifted his wing, before tucking it into his body.

"You owe me one. Next time you see me, don't have that bloodlust in your eyes. It's quite intimidating." The vampire smiled, and hugged the centaur for a brief moment, but Byakuran pushed him back. "Don't," he said. "I prefer not to be touched."

Although slightly crestfallen, Hibari backed off, and stood, then bowed at the hybrid. "Thanks again."

"Mm hm. Bring some snacks next time, healing gets boring after a while," Byakuran called as the vampire began to leave. Hibari hopped the fence, then suddenly realized something. No tamers were around, he was outside his enclosure... he was free! A burst of liberation enlightened the vampire, and he turned back to the centaur enclosure, and whistled for them. All four came up to the fence, and Hibari opened the gate. "We're free," he breathed. Immediately, Byakuran reared up and spread his wings, then ran from the enclosure at full speed, Kikyo close behind. They leapt down from the ledges and ran, and soon, Ryohei was following. Takeshi just stood there, stunned.

"Why did you do that?" he asked.

"C'mon, Takeshi... imagine, freedom!" Hibari said, leaning over the fence. "I've got to go... I don't want to miss out!"

"Wait!" Takeshi shouted. Hibari stopped, and looked at him. The centaur shyly patted his back. "Want a lift?"

Hibari grinned. "This'll be new."

The vampire walked over to Takeshi and climbed on to his back, and the centaur smiled. "Hold on," he said. He started at a trot, then ran at full speed, before leaping down from a ledge. Hibari held on, and then pulled on the centaur when he heard someone shout his name. Takeshi stopped, and glanced behind him. "What?"

"Fran," Hibari murmured, looking at the merman who had thrown himself out of the water, without changing form.

"Damn this tail," Fran muttered, climbing over the rocky ground. "The hell are you doing while Mukuro and Dino are away? They trusted you with the centaurs, but now..."

"Well, why be caged when you can be free?" Hibari asked.

"Why? Because the humans are our friends!" Fran shouted. "Damn it, I know they're annoying, I know what they do! But... when it comes down to stay or leave... I would expect you to stay!"

Suddenly, Takeshi looked really guilty. "Merman's got a point," he mumbled. "I don't want to leave that badly."

"WHY WON'T THIS DOOR BREAK?" shouted something from up the stairs. "I can't put a dent in it!"

"Lord Byakuran, might I suggest using your hind legs..."

Takeshi reared up, sending Hibari on to the ground, and galloped in the direction of the voices, looking serious. Meanwhile, Hibari turned back to Fran. "Are... you all right?"

"Hibari, you must understand that that leg thing doesn't always work. Its a charm that a merperson must put on themself in order for it to work. I haven't done it. That's why I didn't come to save you yesterday. I couldn't." Fran slapped the ground with his tail to emphasise his point, and Hibari immediately saw the red stains bleeding into the dirt.

"Fran, you're bleeding!" he exlcaimed. The vampire lifted Fran and eased him against a wall. "Do you need to get back in, now?" he asked. The merman shook his head.

"I breathe air, and I wouldn't be in trouble unless the sun was out. Underground, my skin stays moist," he explained. "You should put down this dumb rebellion... before those two get back. Just consider... the humans want to learn about us so that they can treat us better. They're nicer than you think, Hibarin." Fran looked like he had more to say, but at that moment, Hibari could hear Takeshi calling for his assistance.

"Stay here," he ordered. He stood, and was about to hurdle himself into the fray when he realized that Byakuran was probably insanely strong. He turned, and walked into the werewolf enclosure. "You two! I need your help!"

"Is this about those hideous noises outside?" Belphegor asked, his wolf ears lying flat. Hibari walked over to the cage, and grabbed the lock, taking his knife from his jacket.

"If I free you, will you help me get the centaurs back into their enclosure?" Hibari asked.

"What's in it for us?" Bel said immediately.

"Hayato, I'll work hard to get you to see Tsunayoshi. And I'll also... give you both my full name."

Bel grinned widely, while Hayato thought for a moment. After a while, however, he couldn't resist. "Che. If it means that much to you, I guess I can help out."

Hibari picked the lock with his knife, and both werewolves joined the fight. Knowing Basil would become a rebel, Hibari didn't go to unleash him. The three came out to a set of stairs leading up to an enforced door, which Byakuran was bucking at with his hind legs. "Damn thing!" he shouted. "I have yet to even crack it!" Bel ran to tackle Kikyo, and Hayato dashed out and leapt at Ryohei. Meanwhile, Hibari decided that he would have to take on the hybrid. He made his way up the stairs, then stopped before Byakuran, and bowed. "What are you doing, vampire?" Byakuran asked. "I'm busy, can't you see?" Hibari stood back up, and met Byakuran's sharp stare.

"I was mistaken to free you guys! It's better here; we need to get back into the enclosures." Byakuran snorted at the words, and kicked the door again. This time, it was dented. Frustrated, Hibari put a hand on Byakuran's back and leapt up on to the centaur, his legs pinning the white wings to his body. Byakuran grunted at the weight on his back, then reared up, trying to throw Hibari into the door.

"Get off me!" he shouted, turning his human body to glare at Hibari. The ravenette reached forward, and fisted the hybrid's hair. His vampiric bloodlust was kicking in.

"If you don't listen to me, I'll bite," he murmured.

"Why the hell are you doing this after setting us free? Do you have any idea how long I've wanted to get out?"

Hibari rested his head on Byakuran's shoulder. "I won't hesitate to kill you once my fangs pierce your skin. I don't give a damn about science, I've heard pegasus blood is delicious, and I don't have an ounce of fear for a stupid horse like you."

Byakuran stared, his eyes wide, then, when Hibari's lips slowly drew back into a snarl, he leapt down the flight of stairs and began to run, before stopping at the steep steps back up to the centaur enclosure. Hibari pulled on the hybrid's pure white hair, directing him towards the observation area into the hunting and grazing enclosure, which had somehow been opened. Byakuran trotted into the place, looking disappointed, and Kikyo was fast to follow, being chased closely by Belphegor. Ryohei was next in, an impressive bite mark on his flank. The two werewolves ran out and closed the observation door as Hibari came back out, and the vampire smiled at them.

"Hibari Natsu Kyoya II. That's my full name," he said.

"Sweet!" Bel said, grinning widely. "Hibari Natsu Kyoya, bow to the prince!" Hibari stared, arching a brow, and the blonde tagged on, "The second!" Simply from his joy at having put down a rebellion, Hibari bowed to Belphegor, who bounced up and down like he'd won the lottery.

"Ugh..."

The trio turned, to see an injured merman lying on the ground. He had his head in his arms, and his chest was heaving dramatically as though he'd just swum a marathon. Bel walked over and knelt down beside the teal-tailed mammal. "You're that merman," he commented, "Fran, right?"

Fran looked up, blushing lightly, then nodded. "What do you care? I'm just a snack for your kind, right?"

The princely werewolf looked offended. "Me? Eat merpeople? Hell no." There was a moment of silence, as if both creatures were considering what the next chat would be about, when Bel reached an arm beneath Fran's tail and around his back, and lifted him up.

"What are you doing?" Fran asked immediately.

"You look pale," Bel replied. "I'm going to get you back in water."

Hayato glanced at Hibari, but looked away when there eyes met. "Che! You're pretty brave for a vampire."

"And you're pretty tsundere for a werewolf," Hibari replied with a smirk. "Sorry about biting you the other day."

"Don't worry about it. I've got the upper hand on you, now," Hayato answered, grinning, "Hibari Natsu Kyoya II."

"Heh. Careful. I can still bite at any moment."

"Doesn't matter," Hayato answered. "Hey, when were-"

"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?"

Bel dropped Fran out of shock, who groaned and slapped his tail into the blonde werewolf's weak spot, sending him down as well. Hayato and Hibari stared, shocked, until Mukuro walked out quite close and grabbed Hibari by the collar. "Is this what a vampire does with trust? Throws it away and does whatever? Huh, Hibarin? There's a dent in the door, why don't you explain that?"

"Che! Calm down, stupid hunter!" Hayato snapped. "It wasn't his fault!"

"Y-yeah, he did what any of us would do," Bel groaned, before filling the rest of his lungs with insults towards the smirking merman beside him.

"I almost died," Fran said, overrunning the blonde's foul language.

"Fran!" shouted Dino, shoving past Mukuro and rushing to the merman's side. "Are you all right? Poor boy, what happened?"

"Well, first, Hibarin set the centaurs loose." Mukuro cuffed the vampire upside the head, so Fran quickly smacked the ground for attention. "And then he tried to hitchhike on the ebony-colored centaur, and then I leapt out of my tank to stop them. I was successful, and Takeshi and Hibarin went to stop Byakuran, Kikyo and Ryohei from breaking your really expensive door. Hibari got the puppies for assistance. Then I, the hero of this story, crawled on my stomach over to the computers and opened the observation area so that Hibari could get Byakuran back into the grazing enclosure. Which he did, and then the werewolves got the other two inside. Huh? Where'd Takeshi go?"

"In here..."

The weak call seemed to have come from the werewolf enclosure, and Hibari was fast to run over there. "Takeshi!" he called, seeing the centaur lying on the ground, a horseshoe-shaped bruise on his chest. "Oh no..."

"I'm okay, just a tad sore," Takeshi said. "I'm lucky Byakuran didn't bother with me. This is from Ryohei... I think he just got worked up- he's my friend, after all."

"Sorry... this is my fault... its all my fault," Hibari murmured, hanging his head. He chuckled dryly. "I haven't felt this guilty in a long time."

Dino walked over and helped Takeshi up. "Mukuro's getting Fran in his tank... he looks pretty bad, though. You guys are lucky you didn't get hurt too badly."

Takeshi smiled. "But we did it!" he laughed. "We really took on three centaurs at once! One half-pegasus! That's pretty amazing, ne?"

Hibari nodded. "It is... it is!" he said, starting to get excited himself. He then thought for a moment. "Well... we did gang up on them."

Dino sighed heavily, starting to walk Takeshi away from the werewolf enclosure as Bel and Hayato were led into it by Mukuro. Hibari followed Dino, then walked over to the merpeople's tank. Fran was sitting on a rock, his back facing Hibari, saying something Hibari couldn't hear. After considering the previous circumstances, he decided against talking to Fran about it.

He instead walked back to his own enclosure.

-End Chapter

Wooooah, long chapter! Please... review it!