Continued from: Vengeance on the Shadows from Las Noches
Juushiro sighed. The cave had become quiet after Tsukiro had relayed his information and had allowed himself to fall asleep as the captain had recommended before. Kisuke and Juushiro hadn't spoken to each other since, though both were still awake, and in the meantime, Kisuke had found the teleportation stone. Pronouncing a couple choice curse words, he had pocketed it.
Kisuke paced the cave, floor trying not to think of the worst possible things that could have happened to Toshiro. If they did, then what of Kita? Was she dead too? Or was this the doing of Aizen and his Espada Ulquiorra and did they take Kita back to Las Noches with them? He paced for what felt like hours.
Finally, he stopped, gazing upwards at the ceiling of the cave and sliding his hands inside his pockets. His fingers brushed against the transportation stone. Pulling it out, he looked at the marble for a few second and then turned to Juushiro.
“What if one of us goes there and talks to Hyourinmaru?”
Breaking from his own dark thoughts, Juushiro nodded in agreement. "One of us should. It is too important to be left as it is... no matter what may lay ahead for who enters the cave." He glanced at the stone. "One person may be less intimidating than three, as well."
"Yes, that is what I was thinking. Also if we show up inside the cave we can see for ourselves what is going on. If Toshiro is hurt badly or….”
Kisuke’s words faded away.
Kisuke drifted off with his words. He did not want to think of the fact that Toshiro might be dead, but it was a grim truth they had better face. He looked to Juushiro.
"How do you want pick who goes?"
Juushiro turned his head to the boy sleeping, sighing once more. "I think you should stay, Kisuke. You've known Tsukiro longer than I have. You're more likely to keep him from doing something foolish when his exhaustion wears off and turns back into his reckless bravery."
Kisuke looked to the Tsukiro, shaking his head. "He needs a good swift kick in the set of the pants is what that boy needs." He faced Juushiro again, adjusting his hat. "Don't take this wrong, but are you up to this? You know what kind of power that dragon possesses."
The captain chuckled, pulling his haori back over his kimono. "If we had learned this right after Hyourinmaru's attack, I wouldn't have been, but now, I have had time to recover enough to handle this.” Juushiro fisted his hand slowly, wincing, and continued. “I don't plan on fighting and there are ways to use my uninjured arm if it does come down to a scuffle before a talk."
Watching, Kisuke nodded. "Well, here’s to hoping," he tossed the stone to Juushiro, "that the dragon is not as hard-headed as his master.” He gave a soft chuckle as he watched Juushiro catch it and walked over to him. Kisuke gripped his shoulder firmly. "Good luck, old friend. And I guess, to let us know it is clear, have Hyourinmaru drop the storm. We will head your way the second we see it give way."
"Take care of Tsukiro," the captain replied, pouring his reiatsu into the stone. It began to glow. Juushiro looked to Kisuke, nodded, and a moment later, vanished.
