Disclaimer: I own nothing, enough said.
Karin was in a tough spot – pinned down by a mean looking green dragon and watching more dragons gather around. She silently prayed that Zangetsu or Hyourinmaru would come and help her out. However, Zangetsu still had no idea she was gone.
"I have got to start thinking through these plans." Karin mumbled as the green dragon applied more pressure to her pinned figure.
Zangetsu was still sleeping when he heard a loud cry coming from the mountains.
"What's that?" Zangetsu mumbled as he listened closer, hearing the news from the other dragons he shot up in surprise.
"Zangetsu!" Toushiro complained when he slammed his head on Zangetsu's closed wings.
"WHERE'S KARIN?" Zangetsu yelled at him. Toushiro looked to his side and jumped at her absence.
"She was right here!" Toushiro complained when he heard more dragon cries around the valley.
"I told her to stay put!" Zangetsu growled with his eyes opened wide revealing the glowing yellow orbs in the middle of the day.
"Do you know where she is now?" Toushiro asked the black dragon as he heard more dragons. Zangetsu watched Wabisuke fly into the mountains following Gonryumaru and Gegetsuburi.
"I think I know." Zangetsu stated then he spotted Saru flying to the mountains.
"Hold on." Zangetsu exclaimed to Toushiro before he darted through the maze of rocky pathways in the mountains. He zipped through the paths at a surprising speed until he reached the gathering of dragons in a wide circle. In the center of the circle, Zangetsu spotted Hebi Zabimaru holding Karin down in between his claws pinning her to the ground.
"What is going on here?" Saru shouted to the group her wings outstretched in rage and anger.
"I found this human running in this valley and now I can't find Sogyu and Kotowari." Hebi notified his older sister.
"How did a human enter the valley?" Saru roared in outrage. Her pale green eyes smoldered in rage staring down each of the dragons in the circle demanding someone to announce their traitorous act. Karin was still pinned under Hebi but sadly she could not understand a word the dragons were saying. You see, Hebi's paws are lined with small thorns allowing him to grip any surface he comes in contact with, and they also feel like you've been stabbed by a rose bush. Karin knew how sharp those thorns were – when he was pressing down on her body she could feel all of the thorns pierce her skin in hundreds of places at once. Needless to say, Karin stayed as far away from the green dragon as her current position would allow which is only far enough for relief from those thorns. Karin looked up and around all of the dragons circled around – they looked mad and they sounded mad, especially the dark green one with pink wings highlighted in black. Karin continued looking for any familiar face when Zangetsu's proud head rose above the other dragons, she sent up a thankful prayer for at least one friend in the throng of dragons. Now, she only had to find a way to get out from under this green dragon so she could sprint to Zangetsu.
"So who brought the human here?" Saru demanded again. She continued to look around the gathering.
"Zangetsu and Hyourinmaru are the only ones who have come from the outside. Maybe one of them brought her." Gegetsuburi postulated staring down at Karin.
"Zangetsu." Saru growled staring straight into his glowing eyes.
"Does it really matter how they got in when the twins cannot be found?" Gonryomaru reasoned with the enraged Saru. He had brought up a very good point. What is more important at the time – punishing a human or finding the baby twins? Saru understood the children came before punishing some human.
"Human, what have you done with Sogyo and Kotowari?" Saru growled down to Karin. Now, Karin would have gladly answered except she only heard roars and growls, so she remained silent.
"You have no answer." Hebi exclaimed bending down to Karin and started to slowly add pressure to his claws causing her to whimper in pain.
"Zangetsu do something!" Toushiro harshly whispered upon hearing Karin's whimpers of pain.
"Remain calm boy." Zangetsu warned, but Toushiro did not like that.
"If anything happens to her, then I promise to finish you off." Toushiro threatened before he became really angry at Karin's shriek of pain.
"I'm not waiting." Toushiro began gathering his energy in preparation to ensnare the dragon in a kido spell.
"Boy, be patient." Zangetsu growled at the same time he rose up on his back legs throwing Toushiro off balance to sprawl on his scales.
"No answer…" Hebi paused his actions upon spotting two little blue bodies bounding around a wall of rock. Sogyo and Kotowari ran over to Hebi and started pounding on his scale with their tiny paws.
"No (NO)!" The babies called in echo.
"NO!" The cries shrieked in unison as Hebi continued to stare at the youngsters in total confusion.
"Leave human alone!" The twins chirped in unison. Hebi's surprise was evident when he lifted his paw slightly off Karin. It was a small movement but it gave Karin enough room for her to escape.
'Now's my chance.' Karin thought. Hebi's paw lifted with his eyes turned away and Karin scrambled from the ground to sprint straight to Zangetsu. Saru watched her dart in and around the various dragon legs making a bee line to Zangetsu just as he settled back down on all four legs. Karin dashed under Zangetsu to cling to his front right arm. Saru glared hard at Zangetsu when he peered down at Karin safely underneath him. The way he looked at the human, one would think he cared for the girl – this did not settle well with Saru Zabimaru.
"I think the human is confused." Gegetsuburi noted observing Karin's position.
"Indeed, the typical response for humans is to run away from a dragon." Wabisuke commented studying Zangetsu and Karin more closely. Karin seemed to relax more behind Zangetsu's black forearm.
"That human does seem to be taken with you, Zangetsu." Saru growled in a frigidly calm tone.
"That does appear to be the case." Gonryomaru noted watching Karin peek from around Zangetsu's arm. Saru watched them with a deep growl emanating from her throat.
"How could you, Zangetsu?" Saru accused slowly approaching the black dragon. The surrounding dragons moved out of her way when she approached. The twin baby dragons were squeaking up at Hebi but Saru ignored them.
"Saru Zabimaru, please allow me to explain." Zangetsu's gravelly voice pleaded to Saru in an attempt to reason with her.
"I will hear none of it." Saru growled and with a mighty roar she charged Zangetsu.
"Bakudo 63: Sajo Sabaku!" Saru was frozen in her lunge when several cords of bright yellow kido bound her wings and forearms to her chest causing her to collapse on the ground in a roar of outrage. All the dragons stared at Zangetsu when a small white haired boy appeared from under the dragon's folded wings. Toushiro jumped down from Zangetsu to walk in front of Karin at the dragon's arm. All the while Toushiro maintained the strength of the kido with a small band of yellow tightly gripped in his right fist. The other dragon's stared on in silence at the scene. The mighty dragon Saru Zabimaru brought to her knees by a small boy.
"ANOTHER HUMAN!" Saru roared from her bound position on the ground. "You bring two humans to attack us! Have you no sense of honor, Zangetsu? Do you wish ill will on us as well?" Saru accused up to him but was surprised when the boy spoke.
"I don't believe this to be an attack." Toushiro exclaimed leaning up against Zangetsu's arm. All dragon eyes stared down at the boy's calm tone among the herd of dragons.
"I have merely restrained you and I have no reason to attack you, yet." Toushiro commented toward the group. Gegetsuburi was closer to the ground so he was the first to approach.
"So what brings you to this den of dragons, human?" The pale dragon slowly approached pausing just a few feet in front of the boy. The dragon noted how the white haired boy watched him with fierce teal eyes almost daring to attack.
"We don't come of our choosing." Toushiro began but was interrupted by Karin.
"Yeah, believe me we wouldn't be here unless it was absolutely necessary." Karin exclaimed quietly walking around Zangetsu but keeping in contact.
"Then what was the reason for your attack?" Gonryomaru asked as he calmly approached the trio. Everyone seemed to have forgotten Saru since she had grown quiet listening to the humans speak.
"The only reason I even ran out was to destroy a gargoyle." Karin explained earning snorts from the dragons in the group.
"That is impossible, child." Gonryomaru reassured the girl glaring down at her almost accusing her of lying.
"There is no way for a gargoyle to enter the Ryu Manako. The Katen sisters would never allow it." Wabisuke stated when he heard the baby dragons screech again.
"Human killed a stoney." The baby dragons screeched running up to the adult dragons in front of Zangetsu. Karin stared at the babies in confusion.
"Zangetsu," Karin tapped his arm so he was looking down at her. "What's a stoney?"
"That is what the twins call a gargoyle. They don't know what a gargoyle is and they've never seen one." Zangetsu explained looking down at her.
"So why did they call it a 'stoney'?" Karin smirked up at him.
"It is because they have never seen a gargoyle but they recognize the beasts are made of stone." Zangetsu answered her before turning his attention to Gonryomaru.
"We have neither seen nor heard any signs of a gargoyle." Gonryomaru exclaimed holding his head up higher in the air.
"Those gargoyles were constantly screaming. Can you dragons really not hear them?" Karin stared up at the dragon heads towering above her.
"There was nothing screaming in this valley." Gonryomaru exclaimed again. Karin stared up at him in surprise - they didn't believe her or the baby dragons. The baby dragons looked around at the adults and nodded their heads to one another. If the adults would not believe their words, then the babies would have to show them. Sogyo and Kotowari ran around the adults toward the cliff edge. Approaching the cliff, Sogyo nearly fell off but was rescued by Wabisuke. Wabisuke held the baby dragon by the tip of his tail while his brother looked on.
"Down there." Sogyo pointed down to the floor several dozen feet below them.
"Look down there." Kotowari pointed from his perch on the cliff edge.
"Go ahead and look, Wabisuke." Gegetsuburi complained to the dark grey dragon. He was getting tired of the whining children.
Wabisuke rested Sogyo safely on the ground before he walked toward the cliff, looking down the ledge he carefully scaled the wall disappearing from the edge. The other dragons watched Wabisuke disappear down the cliff.
"This matter will be settled swiftly." Saru spoke up glaring at Toushiro continually restraining her from movement. She growled menacingly at the white haired boy but he returned the glare equally angry at Saru. Toushiro could forgive many things but any attempt to harm or injure Karin was unforgiveable in his book, simple as that. The group waited for Wabisuke to return after a couple of minutes.
"It appears that the child has lied to us." Gonryomaru growled from deep in his throat fixing his gaze on the humans. Zangetsu growled with equal fierceness catching the other dragons by surprise.
"You side with these humans, Zangetsu." Gegetsuburi stated glancing between the two dragons towering over him.
"I can vouch for the humans. They are able to hear certain things that we dragons cannot." Zangetsu began to explain.
"Such as?" Gonryomaru asked the black dragon never taking his eyes off Karin. Hebi became bored with the adult talking so he settled for watching Sogyo and Kotowari stare down the cliff in search of Wabisuke.
"The humans are able to hear a whistle Hyourinmaru, nor I, were able to detect. The human girl has helped as well. She had destroyed two gargoyles on the day that I first met her. She is willing to help our kind . . . and she has gained my trust." Zangetsu responded but became more defensive when Gonryomaru prepared to approach. Zangetsu moved so that his body was defending Karin as well as bending down in order to better protect her.
"Now, now is there really any reason to fight?" Gegetsuburi asked shaking his body to remove some of the flies that became comfortable on his scales.
"Ye-" Gonryomaru was interrupted when Wabisuke silently reappeared from the cliff gently holding an object in his mouth. Wabisuke approached the group in front of Saru and allowed the contents of his mouth to rest on the ground. Saru screeched in rage at the sight – a pile of rocks with a white mask glaring up at the dragon. Toushiro released Saru allowing her to stand growling at the stone remains of the gargoyle. She cried again her call echoing off the valley walls in all directions.
"You see, she was telling the truth." Toushiro exclaimed to the dragon staring down at the humans.
"You led this beast straight into the valley." Saru accused now even angrier at the sight of the gargoyle. She growled again her fangs showing in a menacing snarl scaring the twins into hiding behind Hebi.
"What!" Karin yelled holding onto Zangetsu even tighter than before.
"You all will pay." Saru craned her head back opening her mouth wide – Karin was able to see a white light grow from the back of her throat illuminating her sharpened teeth increasing in size from the back to the extended fangs at the front of her jaw. Saru took a deep breath but paused when an eruption exploded from the tallest mountain at the far end of the valley.
A column of fire erupted from the peak of the mountain as the fire dispersed all could see a serpent-like plume of fire suspended in the air. With a mighty roar shaking the ground the plume of fire turned toward the group and flew straight to the group circling above them. Karin closed her eyes in fear clutching Zangetsu even tighter as the temperature increased from the fire dragon's circling above. Saru smirked at Zangetsu then glancing at the fire dragon. The group of dragons all backed away from Zangetsu clearing an area large enough for the fire dragon to land. The dragon spiraled down to the ground until he touched the ground his long tail circling Zangetsu blocking any chance of escape. Toushiro ran back to Karin and placed a hand on her shoulder she opened up her eyes to look over at Toushiro. He gazed into her eyes willing some of his courage to pass onto her; Karin swallowed hard then spared a glance at the red dragon. It was larger than any dragon she had ever seen, easily twice as big as Zangetsu and Hyourinmaru. His red hair spurted with flame in alternating rhythms along his back from skull to the tip of his tail. He breathed flames erupting from his nostrils with a deep growl shaking the ground under Karin's feet. Karin stared at the red dragon until she heard another body land beside Zangetsu, looking over she sighed in relief at seeing Hyourinmaru. He stood beside Zangetsu looking down at the humans then transferred his sight to the red dragon. Hyourinmaru bowed deep to the ground and Zangetsu mimicked the behavior.
"These are the humans I spoke of, Ryuujin Jakka." Hyourinmaru humbly exclaimed.
…...
Rangiku was smirking at Captain Kuchiki tapping the map on her shoulder. Since she had a map and knew the area better than anyone, Captain Kuchiki had no choice but to allow her on the search, and he knew it. Captain Kuchiki looked at the map then at Rangiku.
"Well, what do you say?" Rangiku asked with a smirk gracing her lips.
"Very well, you may assist in the search for Captain Hitsugaya and Karin Kurosaki." Captain Kuchiki sighed. Rangiku beamed in triumph, now there was nothing stopping her from finding Toushiro and everything would be set right again.
"I knew you would see things my way, Captain Kuchiki." Rangiku smiled then turned from the sitting captain replacing the map in her robes. She would keep hold of it just in case he tried to change his mind.
"One question: what will you tell Yuzu?" Captain Kuchiki questioned Rangiku's back. Rangiku froze in mid step as this information was brought to her attention.
What will she tell Yuzu? Rangiku told Yuzu that Karin was staying at her house yesterday. Then, today Captain Kyoraku lied to her by telling her Captain Hitsugaya and she were training far from the village. It would look suspicious if she knew there was a search party for the two. This had the potential of blowing up in all their faces.
Rangiku calmly turned around facing Captain Kuchiki, her elation replaced with confused worry.
"I believe Yuzu was informed that her sister and your charge were out training far from the village. Am I correct?" Captain Kuchiki watched Rangiku nod her head in agreement.
"Would it not look odd if she found out that there was a search party for the two? What do you think Yuzu would think?" Captain Kuchiki pounded the nail on the head not once but twice.
Rangiku stared at Captain Kuchiki calmly sitting at his desk. She opened her mouth but no sound escaped her mouth. Yuzu had no idea what was going on, and that's the way Rangiku wanted to keep it - a happy oblivious Yuzu.
"How will you explain this to Yuzu?" Captain Kuchiki asked again in his monotone voice devoid of emotion.
"There's nothing I can tell her." Rangiku mumbled under her breath.
"It is normal for the army to be sent out in the forest. There will be no questions regarding our purpose." Captain Kuchiki stated then after a pause he continued, "you on the other hand. There will be questions and those questions will require answers. Since this is a small village and everyone knows what's going on. Those answers will circulate the village when Yuzu discovers them will you continue to lie or will you speak the truth?" Captain Kuchiki quietly asked the strawberry blonde woman. If she didn't know better, Rangiku thought she heard a bit of sympathy in his voice. She was sure this wasn't the case but still he made some very good points so she remained silent.
"With everything that her family has gone through – the loss of her mother, Ichigo fighting for his life in the medical cabin – can you really put her through the disappearance of her twin sister?" There was the invisible undercurrent of sympathy hidden in Byakuya's noble voice.
"No, I can't put her through that." Rangiku finally responded staring at the floor feeling the guilt of her selfish ambitions rise inside her chest. Toushiro wanted to shield Yuzu from any worry so the girl can go on with her life and he needed Rangiku to make sure Yuzu remained oblivious until they return. Rangiku knew what she had to do taking the map from her robes she cradled it in her hands staring down at the key to finding her young charge and bringing him safely home.
"Rangiku, I give you my word to bring Toushiro Hitsugaya and Karin Kurosaki safely back to Karakura." Captain Kuchiki stood from his desk to walk up to Rangiku and stand before her.
"There are still some areas of the map which you won't be able to decipher." Rangiku reminded him. She looked up to him when his hand touched hers containing the map.
"Then teach us how to read it and I will remain in contact with you should we ever get lost." Captain Kuchiki offered to Rangiku as she reluctantly handed the map over to him.
"How will you be able to contact me from the forest?" Rangiku asked Captain Kuchiki. Rangiku watched his eyes glance over the map before rolling it up once again.
"The high ranking officers in the army are taught several types of kido one type is strictly for communication purposes." Capt. Kuchiki explained looking into Rangiku's stormy eyes.
"So can you let me know what you find?" Rangiku asked with a small hope echoing her voice.
"Yes, that is correct. You have been made a lieutenant therefore you are entitled to the whereabouts of your captain. But, you must stay in one place, this kido requires the recipient stay in one general location or else it will not work." Captain Kuchiki finished explaining and turned from Rangiku to sit at his desk placing the map in a drawer for safekeeping.
"I guess that's all, then. It looks like I joined the army for nothing." Rangiku complained turning toward the silent Kyoraku and Rukia.
"Your induction is not a waste of time, Rangiku." Capt Kuchiki spoke up from his desk, she half turned at his words. "You are a most trusted villager in Karakura and you will be better able to determine the mood of your fellow neighbors. I am content with your addition to our ranks." Captain Kuchiki expressed his personal opinion, but no one would be able to tell his real emotion behind his mask of indifference.
"Thank you, Captain Kuchiki." Rangiku politely bowed to him.
"If that will be all, Rukia would you kindly show our guests out of the manor." Captain Kuchiki requested of his sister.
"Yes brother," Rukia bowed to her seated brother then turned toward the guests, "if you will kindly follow me." Rukia motioned for the two to follow with a sweep of her arm.
"That will be fine, but I would like to speak with Captain Kuchiki in private if you please." Shunsui addressed Rukia looking to her brother; Byakuya nodded his head for Shunsui to remain in the office.
"Very well, Shunsui." Byakuya nodded watching Rukia lead Rangiku down the hall and out of the manor.
…..
Karin stared up at Ryuujin Jakka. He was bigger than she ever imagined - his body wrapped around Zangetsu and Hyourinmaru with more than enough room to spare. Ryuujin snorted a long trail of fire erupting from his nostril. Karin watched when Saru Zabimaru skirted around Ryuujin she was smirking at the humans and the two dragons.
"You are in trouble now. Ryuujin will not treat you kindly." Saru crowed. She even licked her lips in anticipation of the justice she was certain Ryuujin would bestow on them. Karin heard a deep growl from Ryuujin accompanied with spurts of fire along his back.
"What?" Saru shrieked in surprise, "What do you mean it's alright?" Ryuujin's mane spurted with fire accompanied by several deep growls. Saru continued to speak with Ryuujin when Karin tapped Zangetsu's leg.
"Hey, Zangetsu, why can't I understand him?" Zangetsu looked down at Karin to answer her question.
"It is because Ryuujin speaks telepathically to the other dragons." He answered turning his attention back to Saru complaining to Ryuujin.
"Why do you permit this? This human sneaked into our haven and the girl attack within the valley." Saru complained outloud.
Karin ignored Saru for now; it seemed that no matter what Karin said the dragon would not believe her. She heard the baby dragons speak up in her defense to the annoyance of Saru. Saru continued to complain to Ryuujin until he roared loudly with flames erupting in single file from the skull to tip of his tail. With this roar Saru became silent apparently Ryuujin had become fed up with her complaining. Saru bent low to the ground and silently receded into the crowd of her fellow dragons. Ryuujin then turned his attention toward Karin and Toushiro. He growled softly with fire spurting unevenly along his back while staring at Karin.
"I don't understand him." Karin answered looking up to Zangetsu to ask what to do.
"I will translate for you." Zangetsu spoke then paid close attention to Ryuujin as he began growling again.
"Human, is what the young ones say true?"
"Yes sir it is. I heard the gargoyle in the valley and I ran after it when none of the other dragons seemed to notice it." Karin answered.
"There are dragons here who disagree with you." Zangetsu translated for Karin.
"I don't know why the evidence is laying at your feet." Karin answered. She quietly waited as Ryuujin peered down at the rubble of rock Wabisuke carried over. Karin looked too but she noticed something was missing – the mask was gone.
"There was a mask there just a few minutes ago." Karin whispered staring at Ryuujin sniffing the rubble carefully and looking closer at the pile. Ryuujin lifted his head with several soft growls.
"I do see it was a gargoyle. This pile reeks of black magic." Zangetsu continued his translation.
"Human you are able to hear these? What is the sound these creatures make?" Zangetsu translated again.
"Well it sounds like hundreds of people screaming in different pitches at the exact same time." Karin explained. Her explanation resulted in several mumblings from the dragons outside of Ryuujin's circle.
"I see." Zangetsu translated watching Ryuujin look down at Karin then squint at the girl. "Dragons have excellent hearing. There is no sound that escapes our hearing. However we are not able to recognize all the different sounds in one single cry." Zangetsu explained for Ryuujin. Karin's eyes grew wide at this pronouncement. This explained why the dragons didn't react to the gargoyles.
"May I ask how you plan on keeping the dragons of this valley protected?" Toushiro asked from beside Zangetsu. Ryuujin transferred his gaze to Toushiro. He paused before answering.
"You have an interest in the protection of our kind?" Zangetsu translated.
"Yes we do." Karin answered for Toushiro. The fire dragon glanced between the two humans.
"Why does this interest you?" Zangetsu translated. Ryuujin appeared to be confused with his fire spurting in erratic places along his spine.
"I wasn't always like this – there was a time when I wanted to kill dragons along with the other humans. But that all changed when I met Zangetsu – he had a chance and every reason to kill me but he didn't. Your history was shown to me by Hyourinmaru and it was then that I learned my mother was killed by a gargoyle. My brother was also attacked by a gargoyle and he barely escaped with his life. I will not sit back while my friends and family are placed in danger from these creatures. Your powers are great but there are more gargoyles every day and their attacks are becoming more frequent and more deadly. I am interested because destroying the gargoyles is a way to protect my family, and the dragons are stronger and better able to destroy the gargoyles than humans." Karin finished explaining her reasons. Hyourinmaru looked down at Karin and smiled at her. He glanced toward Toushiro and noted how the boy also gazed at Karin with respect, awe and admiration. Ryuujin nodded his head then transferred his gaze to Toushiro with gentle growls and spurts of flame he was questioned by the fire dragon.
"And you boy, what is your interest?" Zangetsu translated for Ryuujin.
"My reasons are the same as Karin: destroying the gargoyles. An alliance with the dragons can be made to increase the total destruction of the gargoyles." Toushiro answered watching Ryuujin carefully as he looked between the humans. Ryuujin transferred his gaze back to Hyourinmaru.
These humans are all that you said, Hyourinmaru. They have done well to earn your trust. Ryuujin spoke to Hyourinmaru in his head. Hyourinmaru responded with a bow to his elder.
By their answers I believe they will help in destroying the gargoyles. Perhaps an alliance can be reached with the humans or perhaps not. I will rest assured knowing these two humans are willing and able to aid you in our mission. Ryuujin's mane and nostrils flared gently with spurts of flame as he finished speaking with Hyourinmaru. Zangetsu was purposely leaving the humans out of the conversation to the annoyance of Karin.
"Thank you, elder Ryuujin Jakka." Hyourinmaru bowed low again.
You are welcome. I am grateful for the report you have sent to me. I will ensure the other scouting dragons are aware of this new development and take the necessary precautions. Now what do you plan on doing with the humans? Ryuujin calmly asked transmitting his voice into Hyourinmaru's head.
"The humans will be returned to their village and we will do our best to remain in contact with them. Hopefully, the humans will be able to assist us further in this war." Hyourinmaru answered with a bow of his head. Ryuujin nodded his head toward Hyourinmaru then transferred his gaze back to the humans.
"I wish you well on your journey home, humans. Zangetsu and Hyourinmaru will ensure you arrive safely at your village. Farewell, humans." Zangetsu translated for Ryuujin. Ryuujin roared then opened his wings and left the cliff edge to return to his cave.
A/N: WOOHOOO! ANOTHER CHAPTER FINALLY FINISHED! *Wipes sweat from forehead.* No updates because work, papers due, and writer's block. Mostly due to writer's block. Hopefully the next chapter will come sooner, but sadly no promises.
Inspired by Dreamworks' How To Train Your Dragon.