Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. I am merely borrowing them to let out some imagination. For a treat, here is an extra-long chapter.
Zangetsu and Hyourinmaru crouched at the line of trees overlooking the gates of Rukongai. Each couple of people who passed through the gates was closely inspected.
"Do you know when they'll come out?" Zangetsu asked Hyourinmaru. The other dragon just looked on and shrugged his wings.
"I am not sure." He calmly answered sparing a glance to the black dragon. Hyourinmaru noted Zangetsu was getting a little anxious. He had become close to the humans, Karin especially, since he met them. Dragons will bond with other dragons and form attachments that last a lifetime. Because of this, it is no surprise they are monogamous creatures, mating for life with one dragon. Since there have been no relations between humans and dragons, this was the first time a dragon has become attached to a human. It was entertaining watching the bond form between Karin and Zangetsu. However, this made the future muddy. The humans would need to return to their home and the dragons would return to their den. As of now there was no place for dragons and humans to exist in peace. Then again, 2 months ago Hyrouinmaru believed humans would never get close to dragons, Karin and Toushiro proved him wrong. So maybe there would be a chance for the two species to co-exist. Time would tell how this all plays out.
. . . . . . . . .
"We'll be leaving today, Rangiku." Toushiro spoke into the portal to his guardian on the other side.
"That's good to hear." Rangiku answered with a large smile brightening her stormy eyes. "How long do you think it will take for you to return?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe a week, that's how long it took Ganju to return and set up the portal. By the way how has he been?" Toushiro asked noting he hadn't heard about the Shiba male in over two months.
"He's doing better since he heard the news. He took it pretty hard," Rangiku looked down and frowned at the thought. Hearing news of losing a family member was never easy to hear, and Ganju proved that to be true. Captain Kyoraku took Ganju to his home the night he set up the portal and explained what happened to Kaien. Shiba cried out in anguish, denying his brother's death and lashing out at the captain. He was so angry he wanted to attack Rukia for his death, but Shunsui successfully calmed the boy down and explained it was nobody's fault. Besides it was Kaien that died protecting Rukia's life and the lives of the scouting party. This eased Ganju's sorrows but he lost his spirit and fell into a depressive state for nearly a week. He would have stewed in his depression longer if not for Yuzu. She hung out with him, gave him comfort and her gentle spirit healed Ganju's hurting one. He still mourned his brother, but he had started smiling again, even laughing at Isshin Kurosaki's jokes. The depression certainly left, and he stayed on in Karakura. He assured everyone he wasn't moving to the small town, but he had been there two months now and showed no interest in returning to Rukongai. Everyone thought it best to leave him be, he'd return when he felt it was time. Kukaku certainly didn't mind how long he stayed, as long as he checked in with her once in a while he could stay as long as he liked.
"Do you think he'll stay in Karakura?" Toushiro asked to his guardian. Rangiku burst out in giggles and hid her laughs behind her hand.
"He keeps saying he'll leave tomorrow, but there have been a lot of tomorrows and he still hasn't left." Rangiku giggled again, and looked over her shoulder to a voice nodding her head to answer their question. "I need to go Chief Yamamoto wants his cabin back. I'll see you when you get back. You stay safe, Toushiro," Rangiku waved to her charge as the light faded into the floor.
"See you Rangiku," he answered the cellar wall and turned to head back up to the top. Upon opening the cellar door he was greeted with Karin speaking with Kukaku on her couch.
"So I hear you'll be leaving us today." Kukaku looked over to Toushiro from across her shoulder.
"That's right." Toushiro answered walking around the couch to join the pair. He nodded his head to Karin and she stood up walking over to her best friend's side.
"Can't say I'm too happy to hear that," Kukaku standing as well with a small frown to mar her features.
"It's time to get back home I miss my sister and brother. I'm even missing the goof-ball father of mine." Karin replied.
"We should be leaving." Toushiro motioned for Karin toward the door.
"It was good to meet you Kukaku." Karin called over her shoulder as they moved to the door.
"Likewise," Kukaku waved to the pair as they walked through the door. "Take care of yourselves." She whispered as the two kids left her home.
Kisuke met the two outside carrying a small sack in his right hand and a leather bag heaved over his left shoulder.
"Looks like this is where we part ways." Kisuke handed the sack to Toushiro. Holding the small bag, Toushiro found it to be filled with gold coins. "Your payment for all of your errands, as promised, I've also taken the liberty and packed a few items for you from my shop." At this, Kisuke swung the leather bag to his feet and opened it for the two kids to see. "Here is some of the ointment for Karin's arm it will keep all swelling down and help prevent infection. I've also included some food stuffs and some maps of the nearby area. I mean no offense to Kukaku but my maps are slightly more detailed than hers; after all I have the advantage of viewing the land from the air." He waved his hand around in a small circle, to anyone else it was a sign of his lunacy but to Karin and Toushiro it meant he had flown on Benehime to map the forest.
"Thank you, Kisuke," Karin stated and gave him a hug. Once released, Toushiro offered his hand and the two shook.
"One more thing, Kisuke," Toushiro stepped toward the shop keeper. "You haven't released my power I still have 80% locked up. It needs to be released before we leave." Toushiro explained hoping to convince the odd man to his request. Kisuke gave the boy a calculated look, his eyes taking on a shine that seemed to look through to Toushiro's very soul.
"I could do that, but I won't." Expecting the angry rant from the boy, he placed a hand on his shoulder. "You are going to need to be very wise on how you use your power, Toushiro. You've seen what happens when you've used up too much." He cast his eyes to the ground at the memory of the final test barely a week ago. "I'll give you the spell to release it, but I urge you to only remove the spell when it is absolutely needed. Remember what happened and remember all that you learned in your training under me." Kisuke leaned down to the boy and whispered into his ear. Karin was too far away to hear the words, but she assumed it was instructions on removing the seal.
"I understand," Toushiro stepped back and released Kisuke's hand. "Thank you for everything."
"You're welcome, both of you." Kisuke answered letting go of his hand and walking the two children out of the house.
Karin and Toushiro stepped away from Kukaku's house and walked toward the gates. Kisuke followed them until they reached the mammoth doors, here Kisuke stayed behind and waved to the two as they walked toward the woods hiding their dragon friends.
"It's time to go home," Karin stated and Toushiro nodded his head in agreement. They looked along the land and nearest to the tree-line searching for any sign of their new friends. Karin looked into the trees and thought she saw a flash of white for a moment but it disappeared. She scanned the area once again and saw it again, but this time there was a shake of the trees. "There they are." Karin pointed to a strand of trees. Just as she was about to shoot for the woods, Toushiro gripped her hand slowing her run to a walk.
"We should walk there," Karin gave him a questioning look but he tilted his head to the back of the gate where some pedestrians had stopped watching the two as they left. They were probably fascinated that Kisuke had taken them in and was letting them go. The people of Rukongai were most certainly an odd group, they honestly believed that Kisuke would capture children and put them under a spell of some kind. So it appeared odd, in their minds at least, for Kisuke to be waving a group of kids out of the city much less out of his home. "We don't want to make a scene."
Karin nodded her head and, still holding Toushiro's hand, headed for the line of trees at a moderately fast pace. Once they stepped through the first tree, Karin ran deeper into the woods until she came to the clearing where the two dragons were waiting for them.
"Zangetsu, Hyrourinmaru." Karin cried going up to hug the powerful forearm of one dragon, and then the next.
"Child, it is good to see you well." Zangetsu answered her curling his neck around her small form and allowing her to rub her hand along his powerful muzzle. Toushiro was still standing a ways off so he wasn't able to understand the grunts and growls of Zangetsu as he became reacquainted with Karin. From Karin's side of the reunion, she was giving a riveting and overly detailed explanation of their adventures of the two months. While he watched the two become reunited, Hyourinmaru stepped toward the boy and extended his tail to communicate.
"I see you are far more reserved than your dearest friend." Hyourinmaru exclaimed with a small chuckle resounding in his throat.
"Yes, I've never been very outgoing when greeting others." He looked over as he caught Zangetsu laughing at what Karin had told him. "What was it like seeing Benehime again?"
"It was good. I am glad that she is doing well. The last time I saw her, she had been attacked by a fleet of gargoyles and I believed she had died. I was greatly surprised to see her and happy. Since her time here, she has become attached to the shopkeeper and chooses to stay with him even though she could leave any time she wishes." He calmly explained looking down to the boy and turning back to Zangetsu with Karin. "I knew she would not leave. Dragons will form bonds with others fairly quickly and so I am not surprised that she stays with her human friend."
"How quick do those bonds form again?" Toushiro asked as Zangetsu lets out a laugh from Karin's words.
"But that is not your true question is it boy? If the true question is: has a bond formed between Zangetsu and Karin, then yes a very strong one has formed. It can take mere days for bonds to form, especially if the two have a common goal." Hyrouinmaru explained giving a small chuckle at the serious expression on Toushiro's face. "There is no need to worry, young one. Bonds between dragons are strong and very faithful. Bonds once formed can never be broken." Toushiro nodded his head and watched as Karin stepped back to wave over to him. Releasing Hyrouinmaru Toushiro walked up to Karin and greeted Zangetsu with a nod of his head.
"Toushiro, are you ready to go?" Karin asked looking down to the bags he still held in his hand.
"Yes, let's go back home." Toushiro answered.
"Alright, come on Zangetsu," Karin cheered and jumped onto the black dragon's back with a laugh and rubbing her hands along the slick scales at the junction of his neck and shoulder. Hyourinmaru lowered his head and shoulders to allow Toushiro to ride on his shoulders. "Okay Toushiro: which way to Karakura?" Toushiro pulled a map from the pack he threw on the dragon before climbing on.
"It looks like we should head to the South West." Toushiro pointed in the direction and held on as Hyourinmaru traveled in the direction indicated. Zangetsu followed Hyourinmaru in a single file, still being very careful of his wing; although his wing was mostly healed, it would continue to be sore for many more days. The two dragons disappeared into the woods away from Rukongai in the direction of Karakura leaving no trace of their presence.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
"Yuzu," Rangiku ran into the Kurosaki residence to find the fairer twin in the kitchen, as expected considering it was lunchtime. "They're on their way home." Rangiku couldn't hold the good news in any longer.
"Really? They're coming home." Yuzu asked and with the nod joined the older woman in laughing with joy and relief. Rangiku was so caught up in the good news she started to twirl Yuzu in the kitchen and laughed even more than before, if that was even possible. Once the two stopped spinning around, Yuzu chose to get more information from the older woman.
"They'll be back in about a week." Rangiku smiled to the younger girl once again.
"I'm so glad. It'll be nice to have Karin back in the house again." Yuzu stated and Rangiku couldn't help but agree.
"I know what you mean it has been too quiet in my cabin these past two months. I guess I never realized just how much having Toushiro around livens up the place."
"Well, looks like your place will have more life when they get back in a week." Yuzu laughed again, appearing to be drunk on the good news even though she's never had a drop of alcohol. "You should stay for lunch." Yuzu invited Rangiku. The older woman would have declined but having known the younger Kurosaki twin all her life, when Yuzu "invites" you it was a nice way to order one to stay while making it a choice. She would never "force" a person on purpose or out of meanness, but when a person is denied she becomes sad and her light brown eyes become so sad you feel like a heel for rejecting the request. It also helped that Yuzu was an amazing cook and would never allow a person to leave her home on an empty stomach.
"Sure, I'd love to stay." Rangiku stated punctuating her acceptance with a nod of her head. "I'll set the table while you finish."
"Okay, dishes are in the cupboard." Yuzu pointed to the wood cupboard along the far wall to her left while she returned to the stove and pot threatening to boil over.
Pulling the appropriate dishes from the cupboard she kept thinking about Toushiro and Karin's return in one week. It was then that a stray thought popped into her mind, 'I hope they don't get lost.' She glanced up to the ceiling, then shrugged the thought off continuing her task.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"I think we're lost." Karin pointed out as she looked up at the same tree (or she thought it was the same tree) they had passed for the fifth time.
"We're not lost," Toushiro adamantly argued returning his gaze to the map and finding the coordinates. Kisuke was right that his map was far more detailed, however he did not take into account one tiny detail: the map was for an aerial view, while they are traveling on forest floor well below the canopy of trees.
"So you know where we are?" Karin challenged him and Toushiro focused on the map with more concentration than was needed.
"We are South of Rukongai," Toushiro explained then looked at the map in the top corner and saw a small compass painted in the top left. He let out a strangled gasp at the marking, because as he was reading the map the marking was written upside down which could only mean one thing . . . they're lost. Toushrio let out a loud groan and slapped his hand on his face. The dragons paused in their walk to watch the boy's distressed behavior.
"We're lost aren't we?" Zangetsu kindly pointed out. Toushiro simply rolled the map up and put it back in the bag, doing a stellar job of controlling the urge to rip the parchment to shreds in frustration.
"That map was upside down and all of the markings are from an aerial view, so as of this moment our current location is unknown." Toushiro calmly explained through gritted teeth.
"In short, we're lost." Karin groaned as well and fell over on Zangetsu's neck suddenly too tired to be mad.
"Let's find a place to camp then we can figure out what we'll do." Hyrouinmaru remained silent as the two humans discussed their predicament. The white dragon was focused on his surroundings and taking in all of the scents. Closing his eyes the dragon began taking slow, deep breaths shutting out all noises of his companions. Taking a deep breath he noted the scents surrounding them. The strongest being the bark of the woods, sap and various fruit that the dragon could not name by scent. Beneath the scent of the wood, he noted the scent of small animals drifting in odd directions. Further beneath the animals, the scent of water filled his nostril and he moved his head in various directions to find the location of the water. Turning his head to the right, he caught the direction the water was coming from.
"Hyourinmaru what are you doing?" Karin watched the dragon's odd behavior as he moved his head side to side and took in several deep breaths slowly exhaling only to repeat the pattern.
"He is getting a lay of the land." Zangetsu answered for the two humans.
"How?" Toushiro asked as he felt the dragon's strange movements intrigued that he seemed to have blocked out the rest of the world.
"He is taking in the scents of the area and listening for other creatures. I venture a guess that he is looking for water and food so we can rest for the night." Zangetsu explained as Hyourinmaru seemed to finish his inspection and focused on a direction to the right.
"Follow me," Hyrouinmaru ordered making a path and leading the group to the water. They walked for several minutes when they came upon a clearing with a large lake, the waters catching the setting sun's rays to reflect a true work of art only nature could create. "We will rest here for the night." Hyourinmaru knelt down for Toushrio to jump off and easily grabbed the packs as he slipped from the dragon shoulders. Karin followed easily sliding down Zangetsu's forearm and moving toward the water. Zangetsu followed her as she approached the water, peeking over the side she watched her reflection, and that of the dragon, mix with the setting sun. She squinted to see if there were any fish in the water, but the sun was too bright for her to tell.
"I would love to take a bath." Karin whispered, and dragons having their keen hearing that they have heard her wish.
"Is the water safe?" Toushiro placed the packs on a patch of dirt before joining Karin and Zangetsu at the bank.
"It appears to be safe," Zangetsu stated and leaned his head down to sniff the water. There are many things you can tell of a body of water by the scent: mostly if there was moss or any fungus to contaminate the water. The water smelled clean but he turned his head back to Hyourinmaru who joined the small group. He bent his head down and took a gulp of water.
"It's safe."
"How can you tell?" Karin asked turning back to the watching the water as the sun finished its descent and the moon take its place.
"I know what good water tastes and smells like. You said you wished to take a bath," Karin blushed not realizing the dragons had heard her.
"That might not be a bad idea. I can check your arm after you're done." Toushiro answered and Karin smiled at him and gave him a quick hug. Before she ran to the clearing and pulled a change of clothes along with a drying cloth from the pack Kisuke had given them.
"Thanks," Karin darted off to the far edge of the lake.
"Karin wait," Toushiro called out to her.
"Where are you going?" Zangetsu asked the girl who had already moved halfway around the bank.
"I'm going to the far edge. We may be best friends, but I'm not going to take a bath where you guys can see me." Karin explained causing a small blush to rise to Toushiro's cheeks.
"At least let Zangetsu check the area before you jump in." Toushiro pleaded and Karin nodded.
"Come on," Zangetsu followed her. She led him to a small corner of the lake where there were several stones making a small pool separated from the rest of the lake. There the water was shallow and stones allowed one to get in and out in a safe manner. To ensure there were no threats, and so Karin could relax, he breathed a powerful heated blast of air to boil the water. Zangetsu and Karin watched the water boil then slowly cool to a gentle steam drifting from the water surface.
"Thanks, Zangetsu," Karin smiled up to him and the dragon nodded his head.
"We will not be far away just cry out if anything comes around." Zangetsu instructed her and headed back to the main camp.
"I don't have to worry about that." Karin watched as Zangetsu walked off a few more steps before she prepared for her bath. She moved her towel and spare clothes on a rock closest to the pool, before shedding her dirty clothes and stepping into the steaming water. She relaxed in the water and looked up to the night marveling at the stars dotting the black sky. As she looked up, her mind wandered back to the first time she flew with Zangetsu (or second if you count the time she fell in the den) and she was amazed with the stars. Focusing more on the stars, Karin came to a realization that the night sky would never look as beautiful on the ground as it did in the air. She raised her arm to reach toward the dots when a twig snapped behind her head.
"Who's there?" Karin gasped turning toward the woods, frantically searching the tree line.
"Zangetsu I thought I told you that I was fine." Karin called thinking the black dragon had sneaked back to check on her. No answer and she began to feel a small pool of fear to fill in her belly. The only sound to return was a branch swaying in the wind.
"Hyourinmaru is that you?" Still no answer returned her call.
"Toushiro?" No words and no sounds caused the puddle of fear in her belly to grow.
She took a deep gulf of air to calm down when she heard some male voice state "so pretty".
"AAAHHHH" Karin screamed at the top of her lungs and leaped from the pool. A shadow came out of hiding from the bush and jumped when two dragons landed at the edge of the pool and scanning the area.
"Karin where are you?" Toushrio jumped from Zangetsu's shoulder and ran to his friend who was getting dressed in the woods.
"What are those?" The shadow cried and Zangetsu lunged toward the creature and snapped the animal into his powerful jaws.
"Zangetsu don't eat it!" Hyourinmaru demanded. Zangetsu growled but opened his mouth and wrapped the creature in his tongue as it dangled from his jaw. Karin finished dressing and stumbled out of the woods behind Toushiro and stared at the thing dangling from Zangetsu's mouth.
"What is that?" Karin asked amazed that the creature grew and shrunk into different sizes. It grew large as a deer, then small as a rabbit, a thin snake, and finally a small bear.
"It's a fawn." Hyourinmaru exclaimed in surprise.
"What's a fawn?" Toushiro asked glaring at the creature who dared to threaten his best friend.
"It's a small shape shifter, harmless but annoying." Hyourinmaru answered the humans.
"Please don't eat meee!" The creature put his hands together in a prayer and wailed to the small group. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
"What were you doing?" Hyoruinmaru questioned the fawn causing the creature to squeak and nearly faint when the dragon neared, baring his fangs in frightening snarls.
"I thought I saw a nymph and wanted to get a better look." The creature hoped a compliment would placate the protective dragons, but only served to irritate them further given by the black dragon growl and inch the tongue toward his mouth. The fawn cried again and curled up into a ball.
"Wait," Karin stretched her hand out to Zangetsu before he could draw the fawn fully into his mouth. "Maybe he can help us."
"WHAT!" Toushrio yelled and Hyourinmaru echoed, Zangetsu would have cried in outrage but he had the whimpering fawn hanging from his tongue.
"How can that thing help us?" Toushiro pointed up and glared at the girl.
"We're lost and maybe he knows the area." Karin brought up a very good point, "besides we can't keep wandering in circles. Can you help us?" She yelled up to the fawn and the creature frantically nodded his head and cheering while clapping his hands.
"YEAH! YEAH! I lived in these woods half my life. I can get ya wherever you want to go. Just one condition," the fawn put his paws together in a pleading gesture.
"What's that?" Toushiro asked glaring in frustration that they would be getting help from such a lecherous creature.
"Please let me down!" The fawn pleaded and Zangetsu simply rolled his golden eyes.
"Fine," the fawn cheered and Zangetsu growled until, "when we get back to camp." Toushiro explained and so the group walked back to the clearing. Upon entering the camp, Karin saw that a fire had been lit and what looked like rabbits and deer were cooking over the fire.
'I could not have been gone that long.' Karin wandered at this but remained silent as Zangetsu lay down on the far side of the fire. Hyourinmaru was the last to enter the clearing and lay down behind Karin and Toushrio facing the fire.
"Are you going to tell him to let me go?" The fawn gulped loudly and pointed up to the dragon.
"Zangetsu let him go." Karin asked and the dragon obeyed setting the fawn on the ground. Once the creature touched land he ran away from the dragon, intending to run out but the tail of Hyourinmaru blocked his escape on one side while the head of Zangetsu blocked his escape on the other. Finding he was trapped, the fawn slowly walked to where Karin and Toushiro sat and plopped down in front of them. It was far too tired and far too scared to argue or complain at his predicament.
"What's your name?" Toushiro demanded not showing any kindness in his voice.
"It's Kon." The fawn answered and in the firelight they were able to get a better look at him. The fawn was about the size of a small teddy bear having gold fur, but a brown, scruffy mane circling the face. It could be confused for a stuffed lion, but he stood on two legs and talked.
"I've never seen one of you, before," Karin inched toward Kon and ignored the growling of her male companions (both dragon and human). Sadly Kon could not ignore such anger and shivered in his hooves as the girl inched toward him. "When Zangetsu was holding you, you changed size. How did you do that?"
"I'm a fawn; all fawns can change their form." To point this out, Kon morphed from his lion form to a deer with small antlers, a large dog, a wolf, a horse and back to his normal form. In all of his transformation, he kept his pelt color: light brown fur and dark brown mane.
"That is so cool!" Karin answered. "Can you turn into a human?" Toushiro glared at Karin from the corner of his eyes. Hyourinmaru could tell the look meant: 'Karin you want to encourage him to change'.
"Yeah," Kon answered then changed to look exactly like Karin. Or, it would have been an exact copy if the skin was not brown, and the dress was not a dark brown to match the dark brown hair. Karin sat back in amazement and smiled at the creature. Kon then looked over to Toushiro and changed to look like him. As with Karin's copy, this copy had brown skin and dark brown hair with a dark brown shirt and pant set. Toushiro glared a murderous look and Kon returned to his animal form scratching the back of his head with his paw.
"Don't do that again." Toushiro slowly growled keeping his arms tightly crossed to prevent any harm to come to the fawn.
"Sure," Kon gulped once again trying to inch away from the irritated male.
"Can you turn into a dragon?" Karin pointed over to Zangetsu and Kon's eyes grew to saucers nearly popping out of his head.
"Do I look like I can turn to a five ton dragon?!" Kon's answer earned him a snap and snarl from Zangetsu.
"I do not weigh five tons. I am no larger than 4 and a half." Zangetsu snorted.
"Anyway, I have limits to my size I can only morph up to 5 times my normal size, and I can't fly. I am strictly a land fawn."
"There are more kinds of you?" Karin asked in surprise.
"Of course there are, like there are more kinds of the dragons." Kon pointed to the white dragon behind her. Karin tilted her head and blinked in confusion. "What I mean is these dragons are mountain dragons. There are forest dragons and water dragons. There have even been a couple of diamond dragons but those guys disappeared centuries ago."
"Hyourinmaru is this true?" Karin looked back to the dragon and he nodded at her.
"So what are a couple of mountain dragons doing traveling with humans in a forest? Or really traveling with humans anywhere?" Kon asked feeling much calmer and safer now that the dragons have stopped snarling at his quivering form.
"We are on our way back home to our village but we're lost. We don't know the area and got turned around a couple of times." Karin easily answered, making friends with Kon despite Toushiro's disgust with the creature.
"Who don't you just fly?"
"Well," Karin looked over to Zangetsu and he sighed then motioned his head for her to continue. "My friend behind you became injured and he isn't able to fly, so we have to walk back."
"Oh I see," Kon looked back to Zangetsu and nodded his head in understanding. "So, how come you're so far from home?"
"You're asking a lot of questions for nearly having been a snack not an hour ago." Toushiro stated and giving a glare to the fawn effectively shutting the creature up.
"Come on Toushiro," Karin looked over to him and his expression softened into an annoyed acceptance.
"Fine," Toushiro stepped up to Kon and the fawn tried to run away. "You're going to help us get back to our village." He stated giving Kon no room to argue so the fawn simply nodded his head. "Give me your paw," Kon let Toushiro take his right paw with no questions. Toushiro took in a deep breath and stretched his hand over the paw. Kon remained silent as Toushiro started mumbling some words, a spell perhaps, then a golden glow burned into Kon's paw.
"OOOWWWW!" Kon screech and began running around in circles holding his right paw. On his second pass he leapt into Hyourinmaru's fur and sighed in relief. A waft of steam floated from his right paw where he had it submerged in the dragon's cold fur.
"Ahem," Hyourinmaru cleared his throat and threw the creature away with a swipe of his arm. He left Kon to slide onto his back just in front of Toushiro, where he started. Karin may have forgiven the creature and allowed him to travel with them - it would take much longer for the dragons to offer forgiveness.
"What in the world was that?!" Kon demanded looking down at his paw. He gasped at the fur, there was now a five point golden star burned into his fur and skin. He blinked at the mark and morphed into various forms. As he changed each time, the mark stayed in the exact place. No matter the form, from cat to horse to deer and rabbit, there was a golden star ingrained into the skin. "What did you do to me?" Kon put his paw into Toushiro's face. Toushiro folded his arms and leaned back on his heels.
"I branded you with a mark that will bind you to our group." He answered in such a calm manner. Kon blinked up to him and opened his mouth, closed it and blinked some more. The shock rendered him silent and paralyzed for a moment more, when the inevitable explosion erupted from his small form.
"WHY WOULD YOU DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT?" Kon screamed jumping to get Toushiro's attention.
"I am going to make sure you do not try to leave us stranded and lost. Also, I am going to make sure you don't disappear when you morph." Toushiro easily explained, then opened his right palm and a similar star shone in his right hand. He closed his hand on the star and the star on Kon's paw glowed a faint red. Kon stared at the change and felt the mark grow hotter, until it was burning his skin once again.
"Ow, ow, ow stop it. Please." Kon begged jumping in place as the pain continued to burn. Toushiro opened his hand and dispersed the star in his palm this ended the spell to revert the glowing star back to its cold gold. "That wasn't necessary." Kon complained clutching his small paw to his chest as tears started to stain his cheeks.
"Toushiro, did you really have to do that?" Karin asked crawling up to Kon and looking at his paw. Kon looked up at the girl and blushed, for the moment forgetting all pain. The dragons could see the fawn became transfixed on the small girl, her face and hair to be specific and small stars to shine in his eyes. The pair growled a warning, but the fawn was too engrossed in Karin's care to pay any heed. He snapped back to attention when Toushiro coughed and showed a glowing star in his right palm coupled with a cold glare. Kon gulped and stared at the ground not daring to look up at the small girl.
"Did you say something?" Karin asked having heard the small "eep" of distress. Kon rapidly shook his head in the negative. Karin set his paw down and looked back to Toushiro waiting for his answer.
"Yes, Karin. I did have to brand him." Toushiro answered her question, returning his hand to fold them in front of his chest. Kon sighed and sat down to faintly rub his paw with his left. "We should have dinner and get some sleep."
"Oh that's right," Karin looked over to the fire where the food was still being cooked.
"I also need to check your arm." Toushiro walked over to a pack at Hyourinmaru's side and retrieved a jar of balm and some bandages. Once he had the items in his hands, Toushiro walked over to where Karin sat near the fire and began to tend to her. He rolled the arm of her red shirt up to the shoulder. Before they had left Rukongai, Kisuke made sure to give them a pack of clothes for their journey. Karin was given clothing in a red color, since that seemed to match her skin tone better than the others at his disposal. Toushiro was given some clothes as well, but his were mostly pale blues and greens, as well as his Sereitei uniform, but that item was hidden in the bottom of the pack. Once the sleeve was rolled up he saw the black strip of scales, Zangetsu had given her on the day she was injured. Now it explained how she was able to understand Zangetsu when he was clear across the lake. Carefully, he pulled back the scales lying to the side of his leg he removed the bandage to get a good look at the scar. Toushiro was not able to care for her arm, that job was left to Tessai so this is the first time he got a good look at the scar. There was a large scab where she was injured. It did not seem to be very thick, but it was dark black. Toushiro took up the cream in the jar and placed a patch over the scab. While Toushiro was tending to Karin's arm, he failed to notice Kon wander over to where they were standing.
"What happened to you?" Kon asked at the sight of Karin's arm in the bright firelight. Karin looked to Kon, she barely registered how Zangetsu seemed to growl but she watched the fawn shrink away and plop down on the ground with back facing them crossing his arms.
"I was injured by a gargoyle, that's why we had to go to Rukongai." Karin answered since it seemed that none of her other companions were going to respond.
"A gargoyle, huh," Kon turned around and looked up to Karin. "Those things are deadly, how did you survive?"
"You know about the gargoyles?" Karin asked blinking her eyes in surprise.
"Sure, I've seen them around here and there. There hasn't been any in these woods, which is why I've lived down here." Kon explained only making Karin more intrigued with the little creature, to the annoyance of her male companions. "Now how did you survive?"
"I went to Kisuke Urahara in Rukongai and he was able to remove the venom from my blood." Karin continued her explanation.
"Interesting," Kon responded and looked back toward the dragons.
"If you're done with your interrogations, there is still food cooking at the fire. You're welcome to what you want." Toushiro exclaimed with a hint of annoyance coloring his tone. He finished tending to her arm and was wrapping it up with the black scales making sure to press the edges together and sealing the wound again. Kon looked to the fire and saw the rabbits and deer still cooking over the flames.
"I'm really a vegetarian, so I'll just eat some grubs or berries." Kon carefully stood up and was inching away from the pair toward the end of the clearing.
"Don't go off too far," Toushiro stated in warning while he replaced the cream and bandages back into the pack. Kon looked from Toushiro to the gold star on his paw and sighed in defeat.
"Don't worry, I won't be too long." Kon answered walking into the edge of the woods. Toushiro kept his eye on the fawn as it disappeared. He didn't like the creature, but he would have to trust it especially if they wanted to get home.
"I'm starving." Karin exclaimed standing from her spot on the ground and walked toward the fire. She carefully picked up a piece of rabbit from the fire and offered some to Toushiro as he sat down beside her. "What about the dragons?" Karin looked over to the dragons seeing as it looked like they hadn't eaten. Hyourinmaru extended his tail so it pressed against Toushiro's back so he'd understand.
"I gathered food for myself and Zangetsu before we left Rukongai. We will gather food again in the morning." Hyourinmaru explained as the humans continued their meals. Karin ate her fill and let out a big yawn accompanied with a stretch of her arms.
"I didn't realize how tired I was." Karin exclaimed rubbing her eyes. It was still June, so there really wouldn't be any worry on camping out. Toushiro pulled out some blankets and made a small pallet not too far from the fire. Karin watched his actions and noted only one pallet was put down. "What about you?" Karin asked once she settled down.
"I'll stay up and keep a look out." Toushiro wandered over to Hyourinmaru and leaned back along his forearm. He sat up watching Karin drift off to sleep and Zangetsu laid his head down closing both of his eyes in sleep. Sparing a glance behind his head he spotted Hyourinmaru looking around the woods and listening for strange sounds.
"Are you concerned about any creatures wandering in the area?" Hyourinmaru looked down to Toushiro at the boy's question.
"We are in a strange land and do not know the people. It never hurts to be cautious." Hyourinmaru answered. "You should get some sleep."
"Aren't you the one walking?" Hyourinmaru couldn't resist the chuckle slip from his throat.
"Yes, but you are the human. Sleep, or would you rather I put you to sleep as Zangetsu has done?"
"You can do that?" The boy asked.
"All dragons can, it is merely a series of calming tones sung from our chest. It comes in handy when baby dragons refuse to go to sleep on their own. Now, how would you like to get some rest?" Hyourinmaru asked again implying he sleep by choice or sung to sleep.
"Let me stay up a little longer. I'll sleep when I get tired." Toushiro answered. The pair heard a rustling from the woods and spotted Kon walking back into the clearing. He looked around and spotted Karin sleeping on the ground beside Zangetsu, also sleeping soundly. Looking to his right he watched Toushiro and Hyourinmaru watch him.
"I think I'll just curl up right around here and get some sleep." Kon whispered then turned into a domestic cat with a golden brown fur and curled up on the ground. Giving out a large yawn, showing off small fangs, Kon dropped his head on his paws and fell asleep.
Toushiro watched the group as they slept in the night. He looked into the fire and thought more on the past two months. Everything they had been through and all the things they had learned. Also the current seal on his powers, absently he touched the tattoo on his skin. Kisuke told him the release spell and he was tempted to release it. Having 80% of his power shut off, he felt tired and weak – even though he knew he was far from weak. He did not like feeling weak, even if it was all in his mind. But, he also knew he couldn't use up all his energy and risk his life. He was a genius, so he knew the smart thing would be to leave the seal and only release it when it was absolutely necessary. So annoyance or not, the seal would stay.
"Toushiro, sleep," Hyourinmaru ordered and the boy allowed his head to fall back and close his eyes. Hyourinmaru watched as his breathing started to even out and fell into a deep sleep for the rest of the night. The dragon looked around the clearing and lake once again and rested his head on the ground closing his eyes for his own rest.
A/N: CHAPTER FINISHED! I finally finished this chapter! Despite my silence on this site for the past *cough* year *cough*, I am still writing. I am working on finishing my open stories. I apologize a hundred times for not updating sooner (especially when I said I would), but my desire to write just went away and now it has come back. I assure you my other stories will be completed.
Happy Holidays!
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