His master was a fool, but he was Kotaishi's fool, and he wouldn't want anyone else as his master.
Kairo Namori had kindly fashioned a new, royal violet sheath for him out of spiritual pressure. The leopard purred in gratitude. The boy dashed from the Squad Ten barracks all the way to the Thirteenth, Kotaishi gripped firmly in his hand.
Kotaishi no Kori paced the forests anxiously, wishing the boy would just shunpo and get their quicker. His master needed him!
Eventually--through what seemed like an hour--Kairo arrived at the Thirteenth barracks. He briskly tread through the barracks to the dorms and to his room. Kotaishi felt his master's weakened spiritual energy grow closer and closer with each of the boy's steps.
Finally, he arrived and opened the doors to his room. Tsukiro was inside, laying on the futon in the bedroom, snuggled warmly underneath several blankets. He shivered slightly. Kairo stepped lightly, careful not to wake up Kotaishi's sleeping master. He gingerly placed the zanpakuto by Tsukiro's head. Instantly, Kotaishi materialized from the sword in his leopard form. He padded around his sleeping master until he stopped behind him. He leaned his head down and sniffed at his head. Tsukiro shifted, but remained asleep.
He was weak, but alive and resting, just as he should be. Satisfied, Kotaishi settled down next to his master and curled up to him, warming him with his fur. Tsukiro sighed in his sleep, as if sensing the leopard spirit's presence. Eventually, he stopped shivering and fell deeper in to the calmness of sleep.
"Fool," Kotaishi said softly. "Don't set me down so carelessly next time. Always keep me next to you and never let anyone stab you in the back, literally or figuratively."
One thing was for sure. Whether his master forgave his captain or not, Kotaishi would not hold back anything if they crossed paths again, even if his master did hold back.
Kotaishi would not let this go unpunished.
He drifted into sleep next to his master.
