Back in his own realm, Kotaishi mentally prepared himself for what lay ahead of him in Hyorinmaru's realm. He had never visited or met the zanpakuto, but he knew his reputation for being the strongest of their shared element. Though Kotaishi would never admit it aloud, not even to his own master, he knew exactly how drastic the difference between himself and the ice dragon was. On a scale, Kotaishi no Kori was between Sode no Shirayuki and Hyourinmaru.
Kotaishi decided to leave his sword unseen as he entered Hyourinmaru's realm. He would only use it if the dragon prompted him to. It would be better that way.
Kotaishi raised his hand and flourished it through the air, holding it like a knife. Also like a knife, it sliced a void through space and before him, though the rip in space, he saw the ice covered, barren wasteland of Hyourinmaru's realm. Instantly, ice, snow, and brutal winds cascaded out of the rip in space. It pounded into him with twice the force of the storm Hyorinmaru had generated to force back his master and his friends. But Kotaishi was a zanpakuto, and so this was manageable for him. However, it was still very uncomfortable and difficult to face.
As Kotaishi leapt through the void, the rip closed behind him, leaving him trapped in Hyorinmaru's realm until he gave Kotaishi an opening to create another rip or Hyorinmaru expelled him. Kotaishi threw his arms up in front of him to block some of the storm that was blocking his vision, casting his eyes around the barren, frozen plain. Searching for any sign of the dragon.
"Hyourinmaru!" he called. "It is Kotaishi no Kori, zanpakuto of Tsukiro Ashimitsu, your master's subordinate! I wish to speak to you upon their behalf, my master and his companions! They do not wish to harm you or your master! They only wish to help him!"
A deafening sound was heard in the distance. As it approached closer and closer, the landscape beneath it seemed to be crushed by an invisible force. Strong wind with below zero temperatures accompanied it. As the giant dragon landed before the intruder, the ice below the two cracked and strained. He flapped his wings to balance himself, almost sending the man before him back hundreds of feet.
"Who dares enter my world without permission?"
Kotaishi stood firm. "I do!" Kotaishi shouted to the dragon, "My master and the others only wish to help your master! Do you not remember that it was you who told us he needed my master?!"
"You think that gives a pathetic little being like you the right to invade my world. You even disgrace me by appearing in human form!" He flapped his wings again, sending him into a nearby glacier.
Kotaishi jumped away from the glacier, appearing now in leopard form. "Alright then. How about now? You ready to listen, or do we have to fight first?"
Hyourinmaru lowered his long neck down and around the leopard. "Do you really think you really stand a chance? You are puny. I could eradicate you in one bite." He nipped at the small cat as a warning.
Kotaishi growled low in amusement. "Oh I may not win, but I'd sure as hell put up a fight." Kotaishi turned serious.
"But I'm not here to fight you. Let my master and his friends in. Then, after they've gotten their answers, they will leave. Or, if nothing else, give me the answers they desire and they will leave you and your master be."
"Are you giving me an order?!" Hyourinmaru slammed his tail down next to Kotaishi,, wrapping it around the kitten. Threatening to crush him.
