Tsukiro thought quietly for a few minutes before taking a deep breath and saying, "Okay, the best way to get through to a zanpakuto is through the master,” he stated, thinking aloud. “However, we have to assume Hitsugaya-taicho is...” he hesitated then said, “incapacitated as of right now. With that, how can we get through to Hyourinmaru to let him know that we only want to help?” he cried out in frustration. A moment later, he added, almost as if in an after thought, “If one of us could calm him down, maybe he'd let us in.”
At that moment, Kotaishi chose to speak up again. "Zanpakuto can communicate with each other,” he announced in his smooth voice.
Tsukiro looked at the leopard in disbelief then glanced at Kisuke.
He nodded. "Yes, they can.”
Tsukiro turned back to Kotaishi, fixing him with the infamous “why didn’t you tell me this before” look.
“You didn’t need to know,” the leopard huffed, rolling his eyes. Yawning, he continued, “I can go through my inner world to Hyorinmaru's and speak to him. Of course, since we are both ice zanpakuto, it will be easier than if I were to do this with another zanpakuto type."
Kisuke frowned. “You could send Kotaishi out to where Hyorinmaru is with Toshiro….” Lowering his hat over his eyes, Kisuke shook his head. “However, I believe it could be dangerous in this case. There is no guarantee Hyourinmaru will speak with Kotaishi. There is a great difference in power between the two.” Kisuke looked over his hat to Juushiro where he was sitting healing his arm. "What do you think of this idea?"
Looking like he wanted to bite and/or maul Kisuke, Kotaishi eased up from underneath Tsukiro. "It doesn't matter what anyone thinks,” he growled lowly, “I'm going whether you all agree or not. If my master forbids me from going, then I'll stay, but otherwise, none of you have any input on this,” he snarled.
Lifting his hat, Kisuke smirked. "I think I hit a nerve with fluffy here."
Tsukiro only laughed as best he could, considering that he was still cold. "Kotaishi, be good.”
Chuckling shortly, Juushiro halted his healing Kido over the deepest gash. "I agree with Kisuke. It would be dangerous for Kotashi to approach Hyourinmaru in this state. However-" He started and coughed for a few minutes. "However, if Tsukiro is willing to allow it, he may learn something from the dragon before Hyourinmaru expels him, and we need that.”
The captain rubbed his throat before expanding further. "Hyourinmaru's actions are congruent with my few past experiences with a violent zanpakuto. When something drastic enough has occurred to give the zanpakuto life of their own to protect their master or themselves. Unfortunately, I don't know how - and I don't want to - but it may be important to theorize why Toshiro would be incapacitated..." he paused and forced himself to finish, "or worse."
He took a deep ragged breath. "If Sousuke had managed to create the gate before us and laid in waiting, he would have attacked when we were weak from Hyourinmaru's assault. If, however, he decided to do what he has done before, strike and watch the breaking, ... Many nearly died from that manipulation the first time.
"Even if it isn't him, we have to be cautious from here on. Hyourinmaru doesn't know friend from foe. Anything that's not his master is a threat and he won't stop at injury if we press him too far."
“Still, we need this opening.”
Juushiro looked to Kotaishi. "If Tsukiro decides to send you, good luck."
Kisuke turned to Tsukiro. "It's your call. The worst that could happen is Hyourinmaru pummeling Kotaishi. I doubt he would kill him, but if your zanpakuto pushes him too hard, he just may." He fixed his eyes on Kotaishi. "Don't press your luck with Hyourinmaru. If he won’t tell you anything, then walk away. Don't upset him any further than he already is."
Kotaishi and Tsukiro looked at each other. "The moment Hyorinmaru becomes more trouble than he's worth, you get out of there immediately,” Tsukiro ordered firmly, well, as firmly as he could with fatigue and cold. “If you can't handle him, get out of there."
Kotaishi transformed into his human state and knelt to his master. "Yes, Master." Then, before disappearing completely, he sent Kisuke an ice-cold ‘if looks could actually kill’ baleful glare. "I'll show you 'weak and fluffy,” he ground out.
With that, he was gone.
-----
