Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. That being said, please enjoy. :)
Zangetsu growled as his wing brushed up against another tree branch. Hyourinmaru had returned shortly after dropping the humans off at the neighboring kingdom nearly seven days ago. Due to his injured wing, Zangetsu and Hyourinmaru were forced to walk through the woods. This was not a very easy task for dragons of their size. The tree limbs kept itching their legs and their wings were starting to cramp from holding them so close to their bodies. However, there was nothing that could be done. All they could do was grin and bear it, easier said than done.
"Ah!" Zangetsu hissed when a branch swung onto his injured wing. "This is becoming annoying." Hyourinmaru paused in front of the black dragon and glanced back.
"I agree, but we must travel this way to accommodate your broken wing." Hyourinmaru calmly explained.
"These trees aren't helping one bit," Zangetsu gingerly extended the wounded appendage to inspect the iced brace. The bumps and scrapings had weakened the ice causing the brace to slowly crumble.
"Looks like that wing needs to be reset." Hyourinmaru sighed looking around the woods surrounding them.
"We can't care for it here, there's no room."
"You're right," Hyourinmaru sighed with a stream of frosty air flowing through the air. "If my memory is correct, there should be a clearing just big enough for me to reset your wing." Hyourinmaru motioned for Zangetsu to follow with a flick of his tail. The dragons walked through the woods for a couple hundred feet before reaching the clearing Hyourinmaru had spoken of, but it certainly was a tight fit. Zangetsu was able to angle his body along the edge of the clearing with his left side resting in the trees of the edge. Hyourinmaru edged alongside the other side of the clearing, even though he was as far from Zangetsu as possible there was barely enough room for him to extend his wing. Hyourinmaru looked over the joint and slowly melted the crumbling ice of the brace. The wound was looking better, the swelling had gone down and the irritation was slowly healing with the color now being a pale pink as opposed to the fire red from the day before.
"It looks like your wing is getting better, slowly but surely." Hyourinmaru commented. Zangetsu remained silent while Hyourinmaru rinsed the wound to clear off any twigs that could have embedded from their travels in the forest.
"How do you think the humans are doing?" Zangetsu quietly asked watching Hyourinmaru tend to the wing.
"I have not had a chance to speak with Toushiro since I left him at the kingdom." Hyourinmaru slowly answered, continually inspecting the wing.
"Do you think the girl is still alive?" Zangetsu asked. This question had been bothering him over the past week. Hyourinmaru paused to study Zangetsu with a clear blue eye. He was aware that the black dragon was very worried for Karin. He felt responsible for her injuries.
After a lengthy pause to gather his thoughts Hyourinmaru answered, "Yes I believe she is alive."
"I will be more assured when we reach the kingdom and I can see the girl with my own eyes." Zangetsu returned to observing the ice dragon. Hyourinmaru calmly rinsed the joint to dispel any remaining leaves and twigs. Another rinse and Hyourinmaru expelled a strong blast of ice wind to freeze the joint in place then allowed Zangetsu to draw his wing up to his eyes.
"We should continue on," Hyourinmaru led the way as they moved out of the clearing continuing in the direction of Kingdom Rukongai.
"Do you suppose we will be seeing any forest dragons around here?" Zangetsu commented as he looked between the trees surrounding the two large dragons.
"I am not sure. There could be some but I doubt there are many considering how close we are to a large population of humans." Hyourinmaru casually answered leading the way toward the kingdom.
Zangetsu cast one more glance around the forest before continuing after the ice dragon.
...
Karin calmly followed Ururu thinking back to the talk through the kido portal.
"I can't believe I just spoke with Yuzu all the way in Karakura." Karin whispered under her breath.
"Yes, Kukaku is a most skilled individual." Urahara answered glancing back toward the young girl.
"Are you sure we should have left Toushiro back at Kukaku's?" Karin asked thinking back to Kisuke hurrying the group from the small house leaving only Kukaku and Toushiro.
"I'm sure, consider this a part of his training. He should be able to find his way back to the shop after all of his deliveries." Kisuke pointed out glancing back to the young girl pulling his little fan from his sleeve. More than once Karin was curious about where he hid that fan.
"That's right," Ururu supplied and the group continued on in silence.
...
Toushiro completed his very detailed report on the exact details of the past week. He took in a deep sigh waiting for the two captains to make any comment toward his story.
"I see," Kyouraku pushed his hat above his head looking back up to Toushiro. "Thank you for the report now we have one more question for you." Kyoraku looked to Byakuya as he pulled a small cloth from his kimono.
"Captain Hitsugaya," Byakuya unfolded the sheet and presented the image into the kido portal for the young captain to see. "Have any of the gargoyles you encountered looked like this?"
Toushiro took a step closer to study the image. He saw a black fox with red eyes drawn onto the canvas. The creature looked as if it would jump from the page any second.
"I have not seen this specific creature, but all of the gargoyles we have encountered displayed white masks on their faces. I have learned that the white masks allow them to travel during the day."
"I see, just as Rukia described." Byakuya glanced to the floor then back up to Toushiro Hitsugaya. "That means it was most certainly a gargoyle that attacked Rukia's group that killed Kaien Shiba and put Ichigo Kurosaki into a coma."
"Captain Kuchiki if I may," Toushiro calmly interrupted. "Kaien Shiba is the older brother to Ganju Shiba and he is unaware of Kaien's death."
"Don't worry Captain Hitsugaya, I'll make sure Ganju is made aware of his brother's passing." Kyoraku tipped his hat toward the young boy.
"Thank you, Captain Kyoraku. There's something else: how is Ichigo doing?" Toushiro studied the faces of the elder captains watching for any signs of bad news.
"Rukia has been sitting with him ever since the attack. She informs me that most days Ichigo is doing well but there have been a couple days when Ichigo has come down with a small fever. Dr. Unohana has escorted Rukia from the room on these days."
Toushiro looked down to the floorboards in deep thought as a sudden realization hit him. Ichigo was attacked by a gargoyle which could mean that he could be going through the same symptoms as Karin.
"Karin had similar symptoms when I brought her to Kisuke. He may be able to help with a remedy for Ichigo's injuries."
"That would be very interesting, I'll let Dr. Unohana know about him." Shunsui tipped his hat once again.
"Thank you," Toushiro bowed to the two captains standing on the other side of the kido portal. "I will speak to Kisuke but I'm afraid he won't have news until tomorrow morning."
"That should be fine. I look forward to speaking with you again." Shunsui calmly answered.
"We should be going. I'm sure that Captain Yamamoto would like his cabin returned to him." Byakuya ended their conversation with his terse comment.
"Very well, I bid you good day captains." Toushiro bowed low and waited for the kido portal to dissolve into the markings on the floor. He breathed in a deep sigh and was eternally grateful that this meeting was finally over. But, he will need to be back tomorrow and speak with everyone once again. At least this time, Rangiku would not be as irritated with him.
Toushiro stepped up to the ladder and climbed out from the cellar. He rapidly blinked his eyes once he walked up into the living room.
"I see you've finally finished." Kukaku stepped up to Toushiro with a large grin on her face.
"Yes, thank you." Toushiro bowed to the older woman, "but I may need to come again tomorrow." Kukaku frowned down to the young boy then a shrug of her shoulders.
"Sure, but just know I'm going to start charging you for the use of my portal." Kukaku stated walking away toward the kitchen area of her home. She did not see Toushiro's eye twitch at the thought of the total cost for the communication system. Kisuke did say she had fair prices but if he was going be using the kido portal on a daily basis for the next few weeks, then that would be a lot of money taken from his pocket. Money that he would need to make up with more deliveries or staying longer than the original period of 6 weeks. It was with these disturbing thoughts that Toushiro walked out of the cabin into the early afternoon with a call of farewell to Kukaku at the door.
...
Karin sat down on the couch in the living room when Kisuke crept up on the unsuspecting girl with a cup of red liquid in his hand.
"Karin," said girl jumped at the sound of the voice and paled at the shop owner. "It's time once again," Karin darted from the couch aiming for the hall when Tessai blocked her escape.
"Now, Ms. Karin, this is for your own good. This medicine will help you get better." Tessai gently directed Karin from the hall to stand before Kisuke.
"I'm feeling better, I don't need it anymore." Karin tried to reason but she was in front of Kisuke with the vomit juice in her hand before any more excuses could be formed.
"Yes you do, Karin." Kisuke watched as Karin glared but his gentle smile undid her glare and she was obliged to drink the concoction. She quickly handed the cup to Kisuke once she finished and shivers ran up her spine.
"That stuff gets nastier everytime." Karin grimaced. It was that moment that Toushiro walked into the house and couldn't resist the small smile with Karin's complaint.
"Regardless of the taste that stuff is making you better." Toushiro walked up to Karin as she still stood before Kisuke who still had the cup in his hand.
"The young captain is correct." The shopkeeper happily cheered. Toushiro spotted the glass swinging in Kisuke's hand which reminded him of the questions.
"Kisuke," said shopkeeper looked down to Toushiro from underneath his hat. "Karin's brother, Ichigo, was attacked by the same creature as Karin, and I want to know if you could share the antidote with the doctor in Karakura."
"Ah, so this Ichigo was also attacked by a gargoyle, interesting." Kisuke ignored the way both Toushiro and Karin stared wide-eyed at this sudden news.
"What?" Karin squeaked.
"Oh, that's right I never spoke with you. I guess I got too excited with the prospect of training Toushiro I forgot." Kisuke shrugged his shoulders ignoring the looks.
"What else do you know?" Toushiro recovered with a shake of his head.
"I know everything: the true nature of the dragons, the awakening of the gargoyles, and how the gargoyles have been the ones behind the attacks over the past three hundred years." Kisuke smiled, tossing the glass to Jinta before pulling out his annoying fan.
"I suppose I should introduce you to someone. Follow me," Kisuke turned away gesturing for the pair to follow with a flick of his fan.
Toushiro warily followed with Karin at his side. They walked out the back door and headed straight for the string of trees a ways behind the shop. When Kisuke stepped in between the trees, Toushiro pulled Karin nearer stepping faster to keep Kisuke in view. They followed the shopkeeper for several more minutes. The distance in the woods began to make Toushiro uneasy. The shopkeeper was keeping too many secrets.
"Toushiro where are we going?" Karin quietly asked.
"I don't know but if we don't get answers soon, then I'm going to have a very violent conversation with our 'host'." Toushiro growled under his breath as Kisuke pushed farther ahead. He finally stopped in front of a large barn settled in a cleared field. Toushiro stared at the barn when they met up with Kisuke.
"What are we doing here, Kisuke?" Toushiro demanded making sure Karin stayed behind him.
"I believe you asked me how I was aware of the gargoyles and dragons. Now, I want you to meet someone." They stood back as Kisuke opened the wide barn door. The two peered into the barn from a safe distance, Toushiro was too cautious to approach the barn any closer. From their distance, Toushiro was able to barely make out a large body curling within the center of the barn. Snorts and puffs of air urged Toushiro to retreat from the door making sure Karin remained safely behind him.
"What's in there?" Karin asked staring at the open space beside Kisuke.
"The correct question is: who is in there?" Kisuke stepped from the door to approach them. As he drew nearer, he pulled out two red cloths from his robe extending one to Toushiro and the other to Karin. "Take these and everything will make sense in a moment." Kisuke urged the two with a nod of his head. Toushiro gingerly took one cloth and studied it in his hand. The cloth was red with a leathery feel and red tufts of fur lining the edge. Looking over to his left, Karin had a similar cloth but where his had red tuft lining, hers had black tuft lining.
"Kisuke it is unusual for you to bring visitors to my home." A gentle, feminine voice echoed from the confines of the barn. The hairs on the back of Karin's neck rose up in shock, she knew that voice. She heard that voice just before she woke up on the operating table at Kisuke's shop.
"Toushiro . . ." Karin gripped his sleeve with her eyes growing wider.
"So I see you are recovering child," the voice spoke echoed louder indicating the creature was moving toward the exit. In the next moment, a dragon's sleek head drifted from the barn preceding a long neck and two forearms pressing into the hard earth.
"Toushiro, Karin allow me to introduce Benehime." Urahara waved his fan in a wide arc accompanying a sweeping bow. "Benehime, this is Toushiro Hitsugaya and Karin Kurosaki." The dragon nodded her head in a single fluid motion.
"Wow," Karin mumbled watching in a trance as the dragon completely exited the barn where she slept. Once in full view Karin could only gape at the beauty and sleekness of this dragon. She was a ruby red with slender wings extending from the shoulders. She had tufts of black fur lining her wings and a collar of red fur surrounding the base of her skull. She had long talons tipping the paws of her forearms and hindlegs. Karin was also surprised that each scale looked like a small ruby resting in the skin. What was most striking, in Karin's view, was the small crown of black horns adorning the top of Benehime's skull.
"I am glad to see you well, Child." Benehime gently stated lying on her belly with a stretch of her wings. Karin could only stare on in shock.
"I suppose she is the reason you know of the gargoyles?" Toushiro questioned a smirking Kisuke.
"That is correct. I ran into Benehime many years back. At the time she was injured with a rather long slash along her side. I was able to nurse her back to health and we've been good friends ever since." Kisuke finished his explanation as the ruby dragon nodded her head to affirm the story.
"Yes, all he says is true."
"So how are we able to hear you speak?" Karin asked once she finally recovered from meeting the dragon.
"Yeah, I was under the impression that dragons could only converse with humans when there is a physical connection between the two." Toushiro asked noticing the dragon over a dozen feet away from them.
"You are correct, but you see those cloths in your hands?" Benehime nodded toward the pieces of fabric, "that cloth is lined with my fur. As long as a human is in contact with some type of a dragon, be it a strip of scales, a claw or a tuft of fur, you will be able to understand our speech no matter the distance between you." Benehime calmly explained.
"This means that the strip of dragon scales which was given to Karin will enable you to understand dragons." Kisuke summed up while pulling the black scales from a pocket within his robes.
"I never knew that," Karin answered looking between Kisuke and Benehime.
"So tell me child, what are the names of the dragons you travel with?" Benehime looked the two humans through a shining golden eye.
"The dragons are named Hyourinmaru and Zangetsu." Toushiro answered. Benehime blinked her eyes in surprise then a smile drifted onto her lips.
"I have not seen them in years."
"You know about them?" Karin asked the dragon.
"Yes, I was once a part of Hyourinmaru's clan, but I was attacked and lost all contact. I suppose he thinks I'm dead." Benehime lamented.
"They should not be very far from here," Toushiro exclaimed as the dragon turned her attention to the boy. "Hyourinmau left us at the gates of Rukongai one week ago. We were traveling from the Ryo Manako when a troop of gargoyles attacked us. It was their attack that caused Karin's injuries."
"Gargoyles near the Ryo Manako?"
"In the Ryo Manako to be more accurate." Toushiro's news surprised Benehime who had knowledge of the defenses at the nest.
"I never dreamed that gargoyles could penetrate the defenses." Benehime exclaimed.
"So we've been told, however unlikely it did happen."
"Wait so how come I heard you in my head? Was all that just a hallucination?" Karin asked diverting the conversation from gargoyles.
"Ah, so you've come back to that have you." Kisuke adjusted the hat on his head with a sheepish grin. "I was beginning to wonder when you would get around to asking about that." His eye caught Benehime's and she nodded her head at his silent question. "You see, Karin, as you know a dragon is the only creature powerful enough to destroy a gargoyle."
'Until a week ago,' Toushiro thought glancing over to Karin whose attention remained focused on Kisuke.
"The reason is simply a dragon has stronger spiritual pressure than any human. I have discovered that the gargoyles are drawn to high spiritual pressure such as that a dragon possesses. As it turns out the venom of a gargoyle is drawn to the blood of a dragon."
"What are you saying?" Karin asked blinking with the confusion flying through her head.
"I am saying that the blood of a dragon draws in the venom of a gargoyle and as a result sterilizes the venom."
"Wait don't tell me," Toushiro asked staring up at Kisuke with a mixed look of irritation and nausea. "Don't tell me that the liquid you give Karin is dragon's blood." Karin's hand went to her mouth with her eyes growing wide and the other hand went to her stomach.
"Of course not," Karin breathed a sigh of relief, "the antidote I give Karin is tea mixed with a concentrated state of dragon blood." That did it, Karin ran to the side of the barn and heaved the contents of her stomach into the bushes.
"No wonder that junk makes me sick." Karin whimpered from her bent over position at the barn side.
"Well, it is the only way to remove the poison. Once the blood is in your stomach the venom is drawn in where it is rendered harmless, then you naturally expel the venom and blood when you puke." Kisuke explained the treatment with a wave of his fan to emphasize his answer.
"Is there no other way to remove gargoyle venom from a victim?" Toushiro turned from watching Karin retch into the bush.
"Not that I know of, is this about Ichigo?" Kisuke asked and Toushiro sadly nodded his head. "How long ago was the attack?"
"He was attacked before we left for Karakura," Toushiro glanced back to Karin seeing her still hunched over the corner of the barn. "Actually, it was the attack which caused Karin to leave the village. The creature was described as a black rock that moved like water wearing a white mask with glowing red eyes. That was also when we first encountered the dragon, Zangetsu. Karin injured his wing with a kido infused arrow."
"I have seen those arrows, I must say they are most powerful and effective." Kisuke commented, then pulling his fan out to tap on his chin. "I will see what can be done to get the remedy for your brother." Kisuke watched Karin recover and walk up to stand beside Toushiro Hitsugaya.
"Thank you," Toushiro nodded. "Dr. Unohana is the head medic for our village and she has been taking care of Ichigo. Will you be able to share a remedy with her?"
"I'll see what I can do," Kisuke concluded adjusting his bucket hat on his head. Karin looked back over to Benehime reclining on the grass when an idea struck her.
"Excuse me, Benehime."
"Yes, Karin."
"Zangetsu and Hyourinmaru don't know how we are doing, so is there any way you could go tell them we're okay?"
"Of course, do you know in what direction they would be heading?" Benehime asked the child.
"They should be somewhere West of this kingdom." Toushiro answered for Karin.
"I will do my best. I'll go this evening to locate them. It will be very good to see them once again after such a long time." Benehime explained.
"Now that that's settled, I think it's time for Karin to go get some rest." Kisuke waved his fan toward Karin, "Benehime this has been a great visit, but it is time for us to go."
"Of course," Benehime stood from her reclined position and stretched. Her wings stretched straight from her back, reaching the upper levels of the trees. "It has been a pleasure to meet you."
"It was a pleasure for us as well." Toushiro answered. He and Karin watched Benehime return to the barn to sleep.
"Do you stay in there all the time?" Karin asked comparing the dragon's size to the over-sized barn.
"Only during the day, I travel through the night. This kingdom is not very friendly towards dragons, so I must take care of the time I venture from my home." Benehime answered, curling up inside the barn and pulling the door closed with the tip of her tail.
"Good night, Benehime," Kisuke bid her, he was answered with a tired grunt from the feminine dragon. "Come along," Kisuke ushered the pair away from the clearing and back toward the shop.
Toushiro followed Karin and Kisuke in complete silence. He had a lot to think about, so much had happened over this past week. It seemed like forever since they had a normal day, and it looked like they would not have another "normal" day for a long, long time.
A/N: Oh my gosh. This has been a very, very, very long break from writing this story. I love writing for this story, but I kind of wrote myself into a corner and I've been trying to get myself out. Looks like I FINALLY found myself out. I have not, nor will I abandon this story.
On a side note now I have to update my other open stories. Maybe I can get to work on those and have updates by the end of this week. Cross my fingers I get my inspiration back.
A/N2: This story is inspired by Dreamworks' "How to Train Your Dragon." I do NOT own this movie. Maybe I'll revive my inspiration by watching it, again.
Please let me know how this story is progressing so far by leaving a lovely review.
Till next time.