Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
Zangetsu and Hyourinmaru stood at the entrance of the pathway. Karin and Toushiro stared down the path, it was smooth without any imperfections along either wall.
"I've never seen any cliff walls like this." Karen commented as she looked up higher along the walls. The cliffs were at least 100 feet tall. But, the path itself was barely fifty feet wide. The dragons could walk but there was no way they could fly or even jump out of the crevice even if they wanted.
"I know. I've seen canyons like this but those were made with naturally running rivers. It doesn't look like there has been any water here ever." Toushiro commented to the group.
"You are correct, boy. This canyon was not made by any natural means." Hyourinmaru answered the humans.
"Then, what did?" Karin asked the dragons.
"Ryuujin Jakka created this pathway shortly after the nest was destroyed." Zangetsu stated as they continued to stare down the path.
"How did he make the path so clean and the walls so smooth?" Toushiro exclaimed just as Hyourinmaru began to approach the path entrance.
"Ryuujin Jakka made this pathway with his power of fire. He is the strongest dragon of us all. After Ryuujin Jakka discovered this range of mountains, he blew one of the mountains apart in his fury and rage. Then, he plowed a single path through the base of the mountain. That is the path we are about to take at this moment." Hyourinmaru stated as Zangetsu stepped up behind the ice dragon.
"So, how are you both going to fit?" Karin asked the two.
"You will ride on Zangetsu as he follows. Ryuujin made sure that this path would only allow a single dragon to travel. There has not been any creature to safely travel down this path ever since it was created nearly 300 years ago." Hyrouinmaru explained leaving Karin surprised.
"Three hundred years?" Karin asked still shocked at their age.
"Yes, how old did you think we were?" Zangetsu asked the girl on his back as he looked back to her.
"Well, not that old." Karin spoke up causing the black dragon to chuckle.
"Sode no Shirayuki would like you." Zangetsu stated.
"Anyway, why do so few creatures survive?" Toushiro asked bringing everyone's attention back to their present situation.
"It is due to the guards at the entrance to the valley. Two powerful sister dragons guard the gate night and day." Hyourinmaru began to explain.
"It doesn't make much sense for there to be only two dragons as permanent guards." Toushiro commented when Hyourinmaru stopped and knelt down.
"I will continue to explain but for now, boy, you must transfer to Zangetsu. No one will survive if you are spotted by the guards." Hyourinmaru stated as Toushiro jumped off, and ran to Zangetsu. Zangetsu gently set Toushiro behind Karin on his back. Toushiro sat behind Karin so he was wrapping his arms around her waist as Zangetsu started following Hyourinmaru down the path.
"Now, about the guards," Toushiro asked trying to gain more information about the dragons they were about to face.
"Yes, the guards are Dokura Katen and Hana Katen. Dokura is a light purple type dragon with a bone crest and a scar over her right eye. Hana is a dark purple dragon with a spiked fan at the tip of her tail. They are telepathic with one another and take shifts guarding the gate: one guard during the day, the other during night." Hyourinmaru answered Toushiro's question as they slowly began making their way down the path.
"So, what are these dragons like." Karin asked as Hyourinmaru began leading the group through the path toward the Ryu-Manako.
"Dokura is the bigger dragon of the pair. She has a short temper and has a tendency to attack when it is not needed." Hyourinmaru paused for a moment so he could form the right words, "Then, there's Hana. Hana is smaller but she is by far the more deadly. Since she is so small, she is able to move swifter and in many more directions than other dragons. Almost every one of Hana's attacks is a kill."
"I never want to meet her." Karin spoke up from Zangetsus back. Toushiro gently put his hand on her shoulder in a gesture of comfort.
"I hope the same thing." Zangetsu echoed Karins words.
"Hyourinmaru, you said that the Katen sisters take shifts guarding the entrance. Who guards during the day?" Toushiro asked the ice dragon as they continued down the path.
"Hana guards the path in the day."
"WHAT? Then, why don't we wait until dark to pass the entrance?" Karin asked in shock.
"If we waited until dark then Dokura would find you without hesitation." Hyourinmaru flatly stated.
"You see Dokura has the strongest senses of smell and hearing, which is why she is the guard in the night. There is no hiding from Dokura. She will find you if she is awake, thankfully she sleeps in the day." Zangetsu kindly informed the humans looking at them over his shoulder, "It is because Hana has the better eyesight, but her sense of smell is very poor. If Hana does not see you, then she will not attack you."
"Hey, Zangetsu, you said Dokura's sense of smell is very good. How good is it?" Karin looked up at his head towering over the humans.
"Her sense of smell is greater than that of Kazeshini." Zangetsu's answer caused Karin to stare up at him. Toushiro looked between Karin and up to Zangetsu.
"Who's Kazeshini?" Toushiro asked.
"He is a black dragon with dark red spikes that tried to attack me." Karin began to explain looking at Toushiro over her shoulder, "He smelled me from under Zangetsu's wings, then he tried to eat me." Karin answered as Toushiro stared in shock.
"He tried to eat you?" Toushiro slowly asked his friend.
"Yes, that's right, but Zangetsu saved me. I thought I told you that." Karin tapped her finger on her chin so she ignored the look of wrath in Toushiro's eyes. He would find Kazeshini and, dragon or not, would make him pay for nearly eating Karin.
"So how do you plan on sneaking us through the entrance?" Toushiro asked the two dragons.
"You will be shielded by Zangetsu's wings," Hyourinmaru looked back toward the humans, "I thought I had already explained that."
"Yes you did, we're just a little bit worried." Karin spoke up trying to look past Hyourinmaru to see further on the path.
"We have a long way to go, child. You might want to take a nap." Zangetsu offered to Karin.
"I'm not sleepy, besides I don't think I could sleep knowing that we're about to walk in a valley of dragons that don't like us one bit." Karin mumbled to the dragon.
"Hyourinmaru, I'm confused over something," Toushiro called up to the ice dragon as it paused to look back at him.
"Yes, what is it?"
"You said that dragons don't kill people because we're not worth your time. So, why are there dragons willing to attack and kill humans? It doesn't make sense." Toushiro asked.
"I see, that is a very good question. And I agree it is very confusing, so I will try to explain it to you as best as I can." Hyourinmaru paused and the humans could hear him sigh in frustration.
"There has been a very unstable peace between dragons and humans for several centuries. The humans feared the dragons so they let them be. The dragons had better things to do besides terrorizing some human village, so they left the humans be. This shaky and unstable peace lasted for several more centuries until some humans realized their weakness during times of war. There were several armies invading the kingdoms of humans in a quest to conquer and destroy. The humans fought bravely but they were no match for the sorcery the armies possessed. So, one by one the kingdoms fell and people were being killed." Hyourinmaru paused again stringing his thoughts together in a clearer explanation.
"It was during one of these wars that wizards of the kingdom proposed the king inquire in the help of the dragons. Naturally, the king was surprised and reluctant to agree, however the wizards changed his mind when it was revealed that the wizards had made a pact with the dragons. The first dragon to agree was Muramasa. The first wizard to make this pact was Soken Ishida. Soken implored Muramasa to aid in destroying the invading armies and he agreed. Muramasa led a flock of dragons to the bases of the army and destroyed the army with their mighty power. So then, the dragons gained the trust of several more humans, but this trust was shaky at best since the humans still feared dragons. This pact kept humans safe for several more years until their fear of dragons created more problems. The humans could not stand the dragons flying over the villages when there were no wars so they demanded the dragons leave. Dragons did not care where they stayed as long as they were safe and their young could be raised in peace. But while the humans foolishly demanded the dragon guardians to leave, they were not aware of armies invading and destroying nearby kingdoms. Finally, the invading army toppled all of the kingdoms except for one: the one protected by dragons. But even with the army nearly on top of the people ready to destroy them, the humans still refused the aid of dragons. It was then the gargoyles were awakened by Muramasa. I believe you saw the results and how that turned out." Hyourinmaru looked back at the humans watching them nod their heads.
"Yes, well Muramasa still sought for peace between humans and dragons. So, he remained in contact with Soken Ishida until the day of his death. When Muramasa was killed, that ended any thoughts of peace between dragons and humans. The humans took up arms against the dragons and the dragons became fed up with the humans. As more dragons were being attacked at night by gargoyles and by humans during day, it is no wonder why they became increasingly bitter." Hyourinmaru paused in his story once again. He remained quiet for several more minutes until Karin began to think he had forgotten them.
"What happened then, Hyourinmaru?" Karin asked the dragon. Toushiro looked on and began to grow more concerned.
"Hyourinmaru, did some of the dragons break the pact and attack humans?" Toushiro asked guessing the obvious outcome.
"Yes, they did." Zangetsu answered so he continued the explanation. "Hyourinmaru was charged with protecting the dragons and became the leader when Muramasa passed on. He has had a very hard duty over these past decades." Zangetsu sadly stated as they continued down the path. Zangetsu knew they were halfway there and he may have to finish explaining their story later.
Hyourinmaru remained silent as the little group traveled on in silence.
………………
Rangiku was walking down the main road going over what she would say to Yuzu.
"Okay, let's try this again." Rangiku whispered to herself on the empty main street of Karakura. Most of the villagers were in their homes enjoying their lunches, so Rangiku felt more free to talk to herself.
"Yuzu there's something I have to tell you – Karin has left the village and Toushiro went after her." Rangiku thought then frowned, that was terrible and she knew it.
"That won't do. I want to reassure the girl, not scare her out of her mind." Rangiku thought some more tapping her finger to her chin.
"How about this: Yuzu, Karin's going to be staying at my house for a little bit longer." Rangiku frowned again, that wouldn't do either.
"If I say that, then Yuzu will want to see her sister or at least give her some clean clothes. Yuzu is such a sweet heart but there are times when it would be nice if she didn't care so much." Rangiku stared at the cobble stone road, she just didn't know what she could say to calm the girl's worry for her sister.
"Maybe I should just tell her the truth. At least, I won't have to worry about lying to her again. I just don't know how to tell a good lie, especially to someone as sweet as Yuzu. It just seems so wrong. If there is a person who could lie to Yuzu with a straight face, then he has to be the most immoral person without the hint of a conscience." Rangiku continued in silence as she walked over to the Kurosaki residence.
"Well, here I go." Rangiku mumbled to herself as she gently knocked on the door. She heard some dishes being set on a table and a chair scraping on the floor. Yuzu must have been enjoying her lunch. Come to think of it, Rangiku hadn't eaten much since breakfast and now her stomach was protesting her negligence to keep it satisfied. Rangiku straightened up when the door opened to reveal Yuzu wearing a small apron over her orange summer kimono.
"Hello, Rangiku. I was beginning to think you weren't coming." Yuzu's statement surprised Rangiku.
"What do you mean? I didn't know you were expecting me." Rangiku stated just as Yuzu grabbed her hand effectively dragging the older woman into the house.
"Well, Captain Kyoraku said you would be coming by later today." Yuzu explained walking into the dining area where Captain Kyoraku was sitting down enjoying some soup and a small slice of bread.
"Hello, Rangiku. I'm so glad you could finally join us." Kyoraku exclaimed causing Rangiku to stare at him in shock.
"Yes, Captain Kyoraku was telling me how Toushiro had taken Karin out to help her archery skills. Karin just can't shoot an arrow straight to safe her life, so I'm glad that Toushiro is helping her. I'm also glad he's helping her far away from the village, now she won't hurt anyone by accident." Yuzu giggled at the memories of Karin's sad attempts at firing the simple weapon.
"That's right he sent a letter to us and said that he would be longer than he thought. Something about Karin needing more help. But he did say he would come back and they are perfectly safe." Captain Kyoraku conveniently twisted the truth to ease Yuzu into a false sense of safety. Rangiku continued to stare at him while he ate his lunch. He just lied to Yuzu: does this man have no morals or even a shred of decency. Rangiku stared even more until she thought a sign popped up pointing to the sitting captain. The sign would have read: no morals and no conscience whatsoever.
"Well," Rangiku paused as she considered telling Yuzu the truth, but she chickened out when she saw the gentle brown eyes staring up at her. Her eyes were so happy and calm that Rangiku didn't have the heart to tell the truth. That Kyoraku was a deceptive man and apparently it was contagious. Rangiku noticed the more time she spent around him, the more loose her morals became anymore time with him and she might be as bad as him. He was a bad influence. She would have to keep Toushiro away from him at ALL costs, that is when he is finally allowed to leave the house in another ten to fifteen years.
"I'm absolutely starving." Rangiku managed a strained smile toward Yuzu. Yuzu beamed back at her running into the kitchen to get Rangiku a bowl of soup to fill her empty stomach. Rangiku walked over to the table and saw across from Kyoraku, neither one of them spoke a word until Yuzu came back with Rangiku's lunch.
…………………………
Hyourinmaru was leading Zangetsu down the slim path as he drifted into his memories. How did you explain a history as complicated as his? He didn't know how so he decided to let the matter drop. If they continued to pester him (*cough*Karin*cough*), then he would show them the history but for now he needed the peace to think.
'I remember that day as if it were yesterday and not half a century.'
***Flashback***
"Hyourinmaru you are as weak as Muramasa!" A green dragon growled up at the towering ice dragon.
"SILENCE SHINSO!" Hyourinmaru ordered the long green snake with wings and four stubby legs. Shinzo looked up at him with dark green with a slit of yellow for the iris. He was a nasty dragon with a liking for torture.
"Oh, am I getting the weak leader angry?" Shinso teased the bigger dragon. Hyourinmaru answered with a snarl and some ice forming on the walls and at Shinso's feet. Hyourinmaru continued to freeze the floor until Shinso was forced to either move back or become frozen to the floor.
"Hyourinmaru is not weak." Zangetsu spoke up from above the green dragon.
"Believe it or not, he is trying to save your hide." Haineko growled appearing on the right side of Shinso.
"How is he saving me by keeping us trapped in this pit of a mountain range?" Shinso growled in frustration. His statement angered several more dragons in the cave, their snarls and growls erupting from all around the group. Shinso looked around at the multi-colored eyes staring from the shadows of the cave.
"If you knew anything Shinso, you would realize this is the safest option for the moment." Zangetsu jumped down to stand on the left hand side of Hyourinmaru, his shielded eyes never left Shinso for a moment.
"Safe?"
"Yes, safe. If you venture out and attack the humans like you foolishly tried, then you would prove their suspicions correct. If a dragon actually attacks any human, do you know what would happen?" Zangetsu tested the snaky dragon as it looked up from the long flexible neck a forked tongue flicked out of his mouth.
"The humans would back down." Shinso supplied causing a red dragon and black dragon to erupt in laughter at his foolish statement.
"WHAT'S SO FUNNY?!" Shinso demanded of the pair as he stared up at them on a ledge just a few feet above him.
"You that's who," Kazeshini answered his red tipped spikes shining in the dark of the cave.
"Are you so foolish to actually believe an attack would cause the humans to back down?" Hozukimaru asked down as his laughter died down. Shinso looked up nodding his snake-shaped head in the affirmative.
"Then you are a greater fool than we first thought." Kujaku spoke up from behind Shinso.
"An attack on the humans would confirm their ungrounded fears and they would send all of their armies to kill us all off." A dark blue dragon stepped up from behind Hyourinmaru walking to the right hand side of the ice dragon.
"Senbonzakura," Hyourinmaru exclaimed in respect and a little surprise. The dark blue dragon had layers of scales hanging from his skin causing many parts of his body to glow and shimmer when he moved. His wings were coated with short faint pink scales that shimmered when they moved.
"You don't know that." Shinso accused the blue dragon as it turned his gold eyes onto the smaller green dragon.
"Yes, I do. It is their nature. Humans will attack what they fear until their fear is no more." Senbonzakura calmly explained.
"I don't see why we should wait here while those humans plot to kill us." Shinso complained again when he heard a couple more dragons speak up.
"I must agree with Shinso, it is not right to sit back while the humans gain their strength." A black dragon with pale white eyes glowing in the dark spoke from behind Shinso.
"Suzumushi," Kujaku snorted in surprise, "do you have to scare us every time you appear?"
The eyes smiled as a large pair of black wings opened up to reveal a layer of white on the underside of the wing. With the white exposed, the dragons could see a slim long body concealed in the darkness with a pair of curved horns crowing the elongated head of the stealth dragon.
"You should have been paying attention, Kujaku. I did not sneak." Suzumushi grinned even more showing a row of shining white teeth.
"You don't have to sneak, you're made for hiding in the dark, Suzumushi." Hozukimaru stated on the top of the ledge.
"Enough of this," Hyourinmaru spoke up ending any argument that could begin.
"Shinso, Suzumushi we will NOT attack the humans is that understood. I will not endanger any more of our kind with the same foolish thoughts as you." Hyourinmaru's deep voice echoed in the cave. Every dragon could tell the ice dragon had lost his patience when the voice echoes through the cave reaching the deepest cavern.
"I still say you are weak." Shinso unwisely taunted. Hyourinmaru growled as a warning but Shinso paid no heed.
"How are we supposed to follow a leader that won't act when it is time?" Shinso queried the group stretching his neck longer to look at all the dragons on the ledges of the cave and leaning up on the cool rocks.
"Now that humans are attacking and killing some of us, it is clear that pact Muramasa made is broken. It cannot be repaired and we should not keep up our end of that foolish deal. The longer we hold out the more of our kind will be killed," Shinso looked around the cave once more as he made his final plea.
"Now who's with me?" Shinso asked the dragons. His question was met with silence and a few whispers from deeper in the cave.
"It looks like you're all alone, Shinso." Dokura chuckled from behind the green dragon her single turquoise eye glowing in the dark cave.
"I'm not alone. Everyone here is just scared of Hyourinmaru." Shinso grasped at reasons for why no one would agree with him.
"We respected Muramasa." Senbonzakura spoke up from beside Hyourinmaru. Hyourinmaru kept his blue eyes trained on Shinso remaining silent during the exchange.
"Muramasa left the care of the dragons to Hyourinmaru. So if you respected Muramasa then that respect extends to Hyourinmaru." Zangetsu spoke up from Hyourinmaru's other side.
"Muramasa always had our best interests at heart it's why he tried to gain the trust of the humans." Haineko agreed with the sentiments.
"We all may not have agreed with Muramasa but his heart was in the right place." Hana spoke up from beside her bigger sister, both of her turquoise eyes staring at Shinso.
"Muramasa left all the dragons in Hyourinmaru's care." Senbonzakura spoke again.
"He would not have done so if he did not believe Hyourinmaru would do the right thing. You may not understand now Shinso, but it is for the best to leave the humans alone." Senbonzakura answered again.
"And I will keep that promise to Muramasa." Hyourinmaru growled his voice echoing louder along the walls.
"My first priority is to protect my kind and see that they are safe. Living in this valley we are safe and when things have settled down on the outside some of the dragons will be sent out to determine the nature of the humans. That is all you must understand Shinso." Hyourinmaru finally stated. The gathering started to feel like a court hearing for Shinso.
"You may be the leader, Hyourinmaru. But, what happens if I do not accept your leadership? What are you going to do?" Shinso's evil smile surprised the surrounding dragons. Hana kept her eyes trained on him as she became more alert with the change of atmosphere.
"You will accept my decision." Hyourinmaru stated again causing Shinso to snort in disgust.
"Follow your decisions. I don't like the tone you are taking." Shinso slyly stated as he started to weave his long and ever extending neck in front of Hyourinmaru.
Hyourinmaru growled again showing his white fangs and the ice fog leaking from deep within his throat.
"So, I'll give you a chance to get on my good side before I take this den by force." Shinso stated his intent to fight as he rose on his hind feet making his head nearly touch the ceiling as he towered over Hyourinmaru. Shinso showed his fangs as they fell from his upper lip and his tail started thrashing in anticipation much like a cobra acts before an attack.
"You would dare to attack a fellow dragon for dominance." Zangetsu exclaimed in surprise and slight disgust.
Shinso answered by lunging toward Hyourinmaru. Hyourinmaru easily dodged but was at a slight disadvantage in the cave. Shinso's long neck made him more difficult to fight, he could attack from a distance and his neck was so quick noone could strike. Shinso knew this and took full advantage of his full mobility. Shinso snapped at Hyourinmaru in multiple directions forcing the bigger ice dragon into a corner. Shinso allowed venom to drip from his fangs as Hyourinmaru appeared to be cornered and not responding to the fight. Just as Shinso stepped closer to the ice dragon and slowly lowered his head to bite, Hyourinmaru tackled him to the ground. In the premature victory, Shinso forgot that drawing to close to an opponint at his full height left him off balance and susceptible to a tackle. As he lay pinned under Hyourinmaru's claws pressing at the base of Shinso's neck preventing the snake from raising his head, he silently cursed his arrogance.
"You let your guard down, Shinso." Hyrouinmaru extended his claws pressing an indent into the sensitive scales of Shinso as he lay helpless on his back.
"You forgot your weakness in your drive to take me down. You're a fool." Hyourinmaru growled in anger as he froze the ground and Shinso with a shriek of pain.
"L-l-let m-me up." Shinso gasped through his frozen lips and quickly freezing chest.
"You wished to challenge me for dominance. Surely you know that the weaker opponent has one of two choices. He can be slain by the stronger opponent or the weaker can be banished from the clan. Make your choice now Shinso before I decide for you." Hyourinmaru quietly growled in fury.
Muramasa was like a father to Hyourinmaru. Hyourinmaru would accept insults and disagreements but when anyone disgraces the memory of Muramasa, the ice dragon was put in such a foul mood that he can barely control his actions. Shinso had insulted and disgraced Muramasa for years. He even went as far as to wish Muramsa had never lived. Through all these years, Hyourinmaru had been patient and let Shinso vent his frustrations – with all that had happened he understood why the snake-like dragon would feel this anger. But it had been two hundred years, enough was enough, even the Zabimaru siblings had outgrown their frustrations long ago (and they never let go of a grudge).
This final attack was the last straw for Hyourinmaru's patience with Shinso, which is why they were in this position. Shinso was slowly freezing under Hyourinmaru's ice powers and it looked like he would die at any moment.
"Hyourinmaru please wait." Suzumushi begged the ice dragon falling down on the floor extending his long black neck out in submission.
"What do you want, Suzumushi?" Hyourinmaru growled as he slowed the growth of ice over Shinso.
"Please set Shinso free and we will both leave and never return." Suzumushi bargained with Hyourinmaru. He stared down at Shinso's iced form and his green eyes that were starting to blank out as more ice paralyzed his system.
"He knows our location." Hyourinmaru stated as he dug his claws deeper into Shinso's neck causing the dragon to writhe in pain when small drops of blood trickled up from under the talons.
"He is unconscious. If you spare his life, then I will take Shinso and we will leave here. I'm sure Shinso would never return or speak of this location." Suzumushi continued to beg from his position on the floor.
"Shinso is no fool. He knows that if any other force found their way over here, then we would know it was him. He would be executed by the Katen sisters if that should happen. He values his life far too much to risk your anger again, Hyourinmaru." Zangetsu reasoned with the ice dragon as he considered his words.
"Zangetsu is correct." Senbonzakura stated as a way to end the fight. At this counsel, Hyourinmaru dispelled the ice from Shinso's form immediately he gasped for breath.
"Take him and go, Suzumushi. And give him a warning," Hyourinmaru waited for Suzumushi to pull Shinso onto his back preparing to leave the valley for good.
"Yes."
"I will no longer accept him in this clan. If he returns, then his death will be assured." Hyourinmaru growled as icicles fell from his exposed fangs sprinkling a chilly rhythm of promised death on the floor.
"I will make sure he understands. Rest assured, Hyourinmaru, you will not see either one of us again. Goodbye." Suzumushi made sure Shinso's unconscious form would not fall from his back before he scurried out of the cave and away from the valley.
Hyourinmaru always questioned whether or not he was too hard on the snake dragon. True to his word, Hyourinmaru never saw Shinso or Suzumushi since that day. Even after that display of power, none of the dragons feared Hyourinmaru because they knew he was doing what he thought best – the attacks on the dragons had declined in recent years. But now with the rise of the gargoyle attacks, the humans went back to blaming the dragons all for what the humans continued to believe. As more attacks occurred against the dragons, the thought of revenge rose even higher and the tension was drawing tighter once again. It was only a matter of time before another dragon like Shinso snapped, and Hyourinmaru wanted to avoid that as much as possible. That was why he formed the group of dragons that he did. His group could stand to be around humans without attacking intent on revenge (except for Kazeshini).
They had learned a lot about the humans and now they had even more information on the gargoyles. If they could find the ones controlling the gargoyles, then they could end the gargoyle existence once and for all. The attacks would end and the dragons would wait for a couple of generations and attempt to live in peace with the humans. It was a gamble and may not be a good plan but it was the safest plan they had at the moment. A safe plan was a good plan even if it was immensely boring.
Hyourinmaru sighed again as he drifted out of his memories walking down the path toward the Ryu-Manako with Zangetsu and the humans following behind. The thoughts of revenge were still fresh on every dragon's mind, and that is what made a dragon wish to attack and kill humans – all to satisfy that craving to do something even if that something would make things worse.
Hyourinmaru sighed for a third time as he continued on in silence ignoring the human's words behind him.
"I guess he's not going to tell us anything else." Karin mumbled as she looked up at Hyourinmaru walking in silence. He seemed so sad and depressed about something.
"He'll tell us when he's ready." Toushiro spoke up from behind her. Karin turned her head and smiled up at her best friend. She was lucky and grateful to have a friend like him. Looking back at him she finally noticed something, turning around so she was facing Toushiro. She took in his appearance he was not wearing his normal blue shirt and pants with the white sash. Now he was wearing the black uniform and a white cloak. Karin had seen Rukia wear the black uniform and Ichigo wore it some of the time, but she only saw the white cloak on Byakuya Kuchiki.
"What's wrong?" Toushiro asked blinking when she continued to stare.
"Why are you wearing that?" Karin asked indicating his outfit.
"Well," Toushiro stared into her eyes, he saw curious and a small hint of dread shining in her eyes. He knew this was coming and he was pretty sure she would not like to know what he chose.
"This is the uniform of the Sereitei army." Toushiro began.
"I KNOW THAT! Why are you wearing it?" Karin asked pleading with him to tell her.
"I was drafted into the army." Toushiro stated with his emotions hidden behind his teal eyes.
"And the white coat?" Karin asked fingering the white material.
"It is for Captains to wear in the army." Toushiro quietly stated looking in her eyes there were several emotions that passed through Karin: surprise, hurt, confusion and that famous anger. Like all Kurosakis, her anger was the first to surface.
"How could you join the army?" Karin furiously asked as she crossed her arms across her chest. Neither one noticed they had stopped moving and both dragons were staring at her. In her surprise, she apparently forgot they were supposed to be 'sneaking' into the valley. Sneaking does not include shouting in anger.
A/N: Okay, here is Chapter 8. I am so, so, so, so, so sorry for this coming out so late. But things got in the way, you know: school, work, life in general the usual things. Anyway, I hope this answers some of your questions regarding the tensions between humans and dragons.
A/N2: I would like to thank all of you for your wonderful reviews and your excellent suggestions for names for the Katen Kyokotsu. Everyone gets cookies.
A/N3: Let me know if I describe the dragons the way their powers would reflect. That would help me a lot especially with the ones that are not shown in the series.
Please review and I'll try to get the next chapter up sooner (I hope). Anyway, the next chapter they will finally get into the valley and meet the other dragons. Wait and find out how that goes.
THANK YOU ALL!