Chapter 11

Winters Warm Breath

- Previously -

That's all he had to say to the small captain, and he fell fast asleep in his arm that he had missed for quite some time. Causing the tall captain to frown softly, 'I don't know when we'll fight each other, but I know we will someday, I'm sorry.'

Toushirou woke up to the loss of warmth that he had throughout the night, so he leaned up against his elbows and looked around. "Kurosaki?" He frowned in a little annoyance before getting up and peeking into the other room. "Kurosaki?" The captain was all alone in the lodge and saw that it was morning, "that jerk…"

It was obvious that the orange-haired man had left him in order to do his duties as a captain, so he should probably do the same. When he bent down to grab his robe, he winced and the pain that was summoned from behind, having him cringe. Why did it hurt hours after their so-called 'play time,' or at least more than it was earlier?

"He could've waken me up." He dressed and took his zanpakuto before heading out to find him. The orange-haired captain at least deserved a punch in the face.

"Ah! Hitsugaya-kun!" Momo called out and scurried to him.
"Where is Kurosaki?" Toushirou demanded immediately.
She frowned. "He wanted you to rest today, he said you were sore."
He refused to blush though, "where is Kurosaki Ichigo?"
"Not here." A colder voice called out, and they turned to look.
"Kuchiki?" Toushirou was surprised at him. "But he's bedridden—"

"An issue in the noble family occurred, though, it is none of your concern." Byakuya stated and continued walking past them. "You do best to stay out of it."

"Why didn't he tell me?" He asked himself quietly.
"Ah… well… several members came to see him." Momo panicked.
"Tch. Tell Matsumoto to watch my division." The captain demanded.
"Where are you going?!" She asked worriedly. "You'll get him in trouble."

Toushirou paused, remembering last night—how Ichigo spoke to him, "…"

This really wasn't fair, how can he stay with Ichigo if he's always going to that stupid little noble girl? Then again, Byakuya said that some sort of issue occurred, so maybe Ichigo wasn't going to the girl; Momo even said some council members or whatever came to get him. That was a little irritating too—Ichigo was a captain and shouldn't really be placed into issues like this, but then he remembered that he wasn't a noble.

He was just Kurosaki Ichigo.

- Now -

Toushirou waited for eight hours in the fifth division, waiting for the orange-haired captain to appear, and it was already coming to midday. He was approached by a couple of the older captains who told him to not worry about the taller captain of his interest. His body was rather sore, so he went to the lodge and leaned against the railing as he kept watch and grew angrier. Then sunset began to grace his features and he saw the captain walking down below without passing him a glance.

"Kurosaki!" He called out, but he seemed to have went unheard, "Kurosaki damn it!"

Ichigo must have heard him but just didn't care that he was being called out to so the small captain jumped down in front of. Angry turquoise eyes stared upwards at unreadable brown ones, and he didn't expect to see this. Toushirou expected either sadness or anger, something—anything, but nothing was showed to him. This had only angered the little one in more and he brought his hands up and shoved at him.

"Don't ignore me!" Toushirou demanded.

Ichigo closed his eyes and demanded sternly—far more darkly that Kuchiki Byakuya no less, "I will kill you if you lay even so much as a breath on this taichou."

'What?' The little one then felt some other reiatsu.
"Yes sir." Four men replied, pulling back from him.
Ichigo opened his eyes, "did they not tell you to rest?"
"We need to talk." Toushirou stated sternly. "Now."
"No." He replied. "Forgive me, but I am busy."

Toushirou was about to retort but he remembered how he was told that the day had involved nothing but the duties of the clan that he lived under. So it was only fair that he would let the fifth division captain take a bit of a break to get it out of his system, but something wasn't right. If he was going to go and relax after all of this, then why wasn't he heading over to his lodge—where else would he possibly go to? It was taking him a while to contemplate what to do or say, but Kuchiki Byakuya took the spotlight as it drew darker in the night, and he just watched.

"It seems that you have not become a stray." Byakuya practically sneered.

The orange-haired captain retorted with equal passion, "for now I will still lead the Kasumiouji-clan. Though it seems that Shu also agrees that I keep this position, he worries on the behalf of Lurichiyo." Ichigo spoke from noble to noble. "Things are to be crashing soon if council cannot find logic in this. It appears to be in the hands of Lurichiyo to decide the future of the clan which is understandable."

"You would have no grudge against them if against you?" Byakuya asked amusedly.
He began to walk off, "I would not." For a moment he stopped, "Hitsugaya taichou."
"Y-Yes?" Toushirou accidentally stuttered—surprised he was recognized finally.
"Perhaps you should rest." Ichigo stated and began to walk away again.
"I'm not some little-" he cringed when he was suddenly interrupted.
"Go… rest…" were the strict words he heard from the orange-haired captain.

Byakuya saw the real hidden words beneath it and spoke out, "you should not let an attachment take a toll on you, even now, we all are aware of this." He watched as the fifth division captain stopped in place. "This boy is nothing more than a taichou, and it is the same for you and I. Do not let your emotions take over you so willingly."

Toushirou looked at Byakuya, '…what?'

"You have nerve to say this when you yourself had a wife, and because of her do you share your roof with Rukia, if anything she is your attachment." Ichigo stated darkly, trying to remain calm. "Emotions guide everyone to quit or go on, stop or go, and mine is more visible than you allow yours too." He turned to him, "I'm fine."

"You are the only taichou that is unstable now." Byakuya retorted.
Ichigo then glared at him, "do you wish to see how unstable I am?"
"Rash as always," he grabbed the hilt of his zanpakuto so easily.
"Especially when I am angry." His hand waved, sending his men away.
"Your sin upon him is your own issue, and that which will be taught."
He grabbed his zanpakuto now, grinning, "you're pissing me off now."

Toushirou called out, "what are you two doing, you're not allowed to fight here."

"You heard your pet." Byakuya poked the word in Ichigo's face tauntingly.
The orange-haired captain glared evenly with him, "should I strike that nerve?"
"It would be the last thing you ever do." He stated instantly—obviously defensive.
His grin widened and chuckled, "angry now? You know you will die if we fight."
"Ichigo!" Toushirou yelled at him angrily, not liking this argument of theirs.

The stoic captain also began to chuckle, "how sad," he mused, "you will make him cry if you do not obey his whining." So Byakuya asked, "so who is the man in your-"

In a flash, Ichigo thrust his sword downwards at Byakuya who managed to use a flash step to avoid the attack. So just as Ichigo was about to jump forth to give him a much more powerful attack, Toushirou grabbed his sleeve. It angered him how the small captain was trying to have him back down from the challenge thrown at him. Just as the orange-haired captain was going to press forth at the black-haired one, the white-haired wrapped his arms around one of Ichigo's.

"Let go of my arm." Ichigo demanded slow and sternly. "Now."
"You're not allowed to fight with a zanpakuto, and you'." He retorted.
His arm ripped out of the small one's grasp, "I said now!" He jumped-
Toushirou grabbed him at the waist, "you're still wounded!"
"Getsuga tensho!!!" Roared the angry captain, striking at Byakuya.
The stoic captain dodged and unsheathed his zanpakuto, "humorous."
"For the moment." Ichigo stated with an equal tone.

"This has gone far enough!" Soi Fon yelled at the two. "You know better."
The two captains that were fighting had looked at her seriously, "…"
Shunsui came walking over casually and looked at Byakuya, "you know better."
"To attack the next sotaichou in line, he might not like you," chirped Jyuushirou.
"My, my, is this how nobles argue?" Shusuke asked curiously. "Seems dangerous."

Toushirou saw how every captain was there, and so—out of embarrassment, he let go of the orange-haired captain. Instantly Ichigo used his flash steps and attacked Byakuya head on as he always did, and so it was blocked. But it was a fake attack and he used a flash step to go behind him, barely grazing his arm as the stoic one tried to dodge. Their reiatsu was enormous and heavy on everyone's soul, but they were all trying to deal with it. Since Soi Fon was the first to appear before the others, she turned and looked over at Toushirou while yelling in annoyance.

"Why are they fighting?!" She yelled.

Toushirou didn't spare her a glance as he retorted boredly. "How should I know. One moment I talk to Kurosaki, the next Kuchiki comes to view. They talked about some nobility issues and began to fight." He left the parts out where he was involved in it.

"Hn." Soi Fon returned her gaze to the two that were fighting.
Sajin looked at her, "does this mean anything, Soi Fon?"
"It's best if we don't interfere." She replied. "It's for dominance."
Toushirou finally glanced at her for this, 'dominance?'
"Will you please care to explain?" Retsu asked softly.

"There's four clans that belong to great nobles. Sometimes leaders fight with another to gain some superiority." Soi Fon stated. "Ichigo is a threat to Byakuya's position as the strongest clan at the moment because Yoruichi-sama backed down." She frowned at this, "but to fight right now doesn't make sense."

"If we don't stop them, they might interfere with Seireitei." Jyuushirou frowned.
"Or destroy it." Mayuri added as they blew up a section of a wall.
"It's night already and their breaking things," Kenpachi chuckled.
Satoshi watched boredly, "Kurosaki seems to have an advantage."
"Kuchiki 'pissed off' Kurosaki." Toushirou stated quietly.
"Then it should be over soon." Yamamoto spoke out.
Everyone turned to the old man in surprise, "…'

"Kurosaki Ichigo." The old man called out and the two stopped fighting. "Finish it."

Everyone's eyes widened and turned to the match above them, only to see blood spill from Byakuya's form. Ichigo then yelled out the incantation for a binding spell to restrain the stoic captain's body and had him thrown into the ground. Byakuya was now fighting for consciousness, but he lost terrible and passed out from the impact along with the immense blood loss. They all watched as Ichigo stepped down on the flooring and looked at the easily taken down captain, and thrust his zanpakuto into the ground next to his fallen face.

In a blink of an eye, Byakuya was defeated.

"Good." Yamamoto called out, and Ichigo knelt down obedient. "There is no penalty."
"Thank you, sotaichou." Ichigo replied quietly. "I wish to retire now, if allowed."
"It is granted." The elder then began to walk off, leaving everyone to be.
He looked to Retsu with an apologetic look, "I'll take him to your unit first."
Her head bowed softly in gratitude, "thank you very much."

Now then, Ichigo turned to Toushirou, and he looked fairly angry.

The small captain swallowed a little nervously, "what is it?"
He grabbed him by the collar, "don't, do that, ever, again."
"You two shouldn't have been fighting in the first place." He glared.
Ichigo bitterly chuckled and released him, "you better get to your unit."
This made him a little annoyed, "why should I bother to listen to you if you won't—"
"You're pissing me off too." Walking over, he picked up Byakuya, "get outta here."

Toushirou was about to retort angrily but Soi Fon raised a hand before he could even think of what to say. Soi Fon barely glanced at him, glaring at him sternly while she placed her hand down and followed after the orange-haired captain. Ichigo obviously knew that Soi Fon was at his side, and didn't care that she placed her hand on his back. Shunsui came over and placed a reassuring hand on Toushirou's shoulder to help him with the cold attitude of the now distant captain.

"He may have chosen a full life at being a shinigami, but his duties are not at all any easier." He tried to explain. "The King even declared that Kurosaki Ichigo should be the next sotaichou because of his determination and strength." His lips curved down towards a frown. "He's a noble for the Kasumiouji clan, a lover for you, and a taichou for Soul Society." Shunsui went to the point, "he will have to lose something soon."

There was something hidden in that tone and looked at the captains, noticing that they were all still there, "you people are plotting something," he watched as some snorted and others looked away. "Are you saying you don't believe he can do it?"

"Ichigo can do it." Kenpachi stated in annoyance. "We all know that."
"But we've come to the conclusion that he's too emotional." Mayuri added.
"Emotional?" Toushirou glanced at everyone, "if this is about me and—"
"Don't get riled up." Jyuushirou called out worriedly. "We just need to see."
"See what?" He became a little defensive, not knowing what he meant.

"We need to see the potential of Kurosaki," Sajin stated sternly, "because we finally had you release your zanpakuto on him, and now that you know the truth we have been hiding," his full attention went to him, "it's his turn to show his true strength."

"Then I'll help." Toushirou stated, causing three of the captains to chuckle. "What?"
Mayuri, one of the three that chuckled, and looked to him, "boy, you're the bait."
"Our job is to relocate you and put you somewhere he can't find you." Satoshi stated.
Kenpachi struck Toushirou in the face with his blade, "and we have to fight him."
"But it seems that to do so, we have to get him angry." Shusuke frowned.

"That's suicidal," Toushirou looked at them, "he has powers that can't be easily be-"

"The powers of a hollow?" Mused Mayuri. "We're aware of his ability."
"We hope that it won't consume him." Sajin added lightly.
Jyuushirou smiled, "hopefully he won't kill any of us though."
"He needs to defeat us all in order to become sotaichou." Shunsui stated.
"Which is why we need to go to sleep soon." Satoshi informed.
Kenpachi chuckled at that, "why? You think you're going to last?"
"Not really since he took Kuchiki out with a blink of an eye."

"Which is why we too are on the mission." Rangiku's voice called out.

Everyone turned around to see the orange-haired lieutenant, along with the other eleven that stood behind her, plus Rukia, Ikkaku, Hanatarou, and Yumichika with them. Toushirou frowned angrily at this, they were actually going to use him to get to Ichigo, but would it actually work against the shinigami who possessed the ability to become such a threat. That's why the eleventh division captain cut his face with his zanpakuto, his blood now staining the ground which was most likely to convince the orange-haired captain that he was attacked. Didn't everyone notice that they were treading on very thin ice when dealing with this type of situation when they all had witnessed the power of Ichigo when he was told to finish it.

"Nanao-chan, did that old man put you on this mission?" Shunsui frowned worriedly.
"We heard about this plan and wanted to help." Renji stated sternly.
Rukia tried to explain, "he's close to a lot of us, and so if he gets outta hand…"
"When can somehow calm him down." Rangiku finished her sentence.
"I want to smack him around a few times." Ikkaku smirked widely.

"Is this a party that I'm not invited to?" A voice asked out sternly.

"T-Taichou!" Momo quickly brushed through everyone and clung to his arm. "We were just talking about how you took down Kuchiki taichou! It was amazing!"
"It was so fast that we didn't even see it!" Marechiyo called out with a thumbs up.
"…" The orange-haired captain glared at them with a hint of suspicion.
'He's not buying it.' Toushirou thought to himself instantly, wondering what to do.
"Kurosaki taichou…" Rangiku called out cheerfully, unsure what to say though.
Shunsui smiled, "well, with that done with, how about we all go to sleep."

As everyone agreed and turned, Ichigo called out, "do you think I'll buy that lie?" He had everyone stop to look at him, most lieutenants worried. "The fukutaichou were running here except for Hinamori." So he now asked, "again, what is this about?"

"T-Taichou, we—," Momo was looked at, and she kept quiet. "I'm sorry."
"All fukutaichou and underlings, return to your divisions, now." Ichigo demanded.
Soi Fon, still being the woman at his side, she looked to them, "you heard him, do you all want to end up like Kuchiki Byakuya in the healing room barely breathing?!"
With that, they all fled so Ichigo observed the remaining captains. "Who was it?" Now everyone looked at one another confusedly. "Who scratched Hitsugaya Toushirou?"
Toushirou's eyes widened after this was mentioned, "it's nothing, I did it."
"I did it." Kenpachi chuckled. "I was gonna kill him, but the others said not to."
"Do I have to send you all to the fourth division, unconscious?" Ichigo glared sternly.
"Ichigo," Soi Fon called out, "you're tired from being with the nobles, I'll take you—"

Angrily, the fifth division captain shrugged the woman off, "I'll take myself." He felt her grab his sleeve slightly with worry, so he stopped and looked at her, "I'm fine Shaolin, really, it's best that everyone here goes to rest as Kyouraku-san said."

What a fine idea that was. Everyone then split up and went to their separate units so that they all could get some well deserved sleep. Toushirou on the other hand just stood there for a while in confusion because they didn't say when they would do this to the orange-haired captain. His attention went up to the lodge that belonged to the man and wondered if he should tell him, or if he should really let everything continue on and find out how powerful he was. No, it didn't matter to him right now with him being so furious at him for some reason, so he walked up the stairs and went to the sliding doors and knocked on the softly.

Ichigo slid the doors open and looked at him sternly, "what is it."
"Did I upset you?" He asked weakly by accident, so he cleared his throat.
"You interfere in my fight with Byakuya," he glared, "and lied right to my face."
The small captain looked to the ground, "I didn't want you to fight," he whispered.
"Keeping balance is a task that I have to do sometimes." He closed the doors.
Toushirou called out from the other side, "what's more important to you? Pride?"
"It has nothing to do with pride." The tall captain retorted in annoyance.

He didn't want to argue anymore, and just asked out, "can I sleep with you tonight?"

"Your division needs you Toushirou." Replied the still irritated man.
His eyes closed, "may I please sleep with you. I'm worried," he added.
Ichigo slid the doors slowly and looked at him, "worried about what?"
"You." The small one answered. "You're really angry right now."
"All the more reason to stay away from me, isn't it?" He glared.
"Just tonight. No more—I promise," Toushirou stated.
"Stop lying to me," Ichigo stepped aside.
"I know that you're mad, but…"
"What is it?" He growled.

Toushirou stepped in and nervously gave him a hug in hopes of calming down the angry captain somehow. He wanted this man to calm down as much as possible, but he didn't know how to do that because he didn't please him. His ears heard the doors slide shut and his gaze went upwards towards the receiving distance brown eyes that wouldn't look at him. The small captain was removed by the taller one and he could only watch as Ichigo went to his room, change, and lay on the futon.

"I thought you wanted to sleep." Ichigo called out.

He looked at the ground, "I want you to talk to me first."
"There's nothing to talk about." The tall one stated.
"Now look who's lying—" Toushirou stopped talking.

Ichigo had sat up at this, glaring at him angrily before grabbing the smaller captain and throwing him against the sheets and crouched over his body, "If you're that slow at the moment, I'll tell you that I'm pissed off right now." He placed Toushirou's soft hands against the pillow over his head, "you're not helping my frustration by trying to get it out of me, and I don't want to harm you." His grip slacked and added, "it's best if you go to your division and sleep Toushirou, you'll be safer that way."

"I want to be with you," frowned the smaller captain, "I'm safest with you."
"What did the others discuss in my absence?" Ichigo asked sternly.
He couldn't tell him, he couldn't, and so he asked, "can I kiss you?"
"You have never kissed me, Toushirou." Replied the captain. "You're scared."
His eyes closed before they could widen in surprise, "I don't want you to be angry."

He sighed at the boy avoiding the subject and called out, "go ahead."

The small captain was given permission to kiss him, but he was so nervous about making the first move, so he just stared at Ichigo. His cheeks reddened when Ichigo leaned down to his neck and bit him a little harshly, but he didn't cry out in pain. If anything, he deserved to get bit by him since he had bit the tall one awhile back when he was at the Kasumiouji mansion. Thoughts about what the captains and lieutenants were going to do to the orange-haired captain made him frown softly and wrap his arms around his larger body for his own support. This act alone made Ichigo release the small one and looked at him eye to eye—something was wrong, and it had to be something big in order to upset him so much, so he had to say it.

"Tell me what's wrong Toushirou." Ichigo demanded.
The small one looked away, "I can't… really."
"If you don't tell me, I'll kill Hinamori."
He snorted, "no you wouldn't Kurosaki."
"…" Silence was the reply given.

Toushirou knew that meant he was serious, but that shouldn't be possible—he wasn't the type that would kill based on a petty reason. "The others taichou…" he paused, "they said that they need to know what your full potential is, and they noticed that they can tell only when your mad." His face leaned over against Ichigo's neck. "Their going to do something—their going to use me as bait to get to you…"

"Fools, they want to be killed then?" Ichigo asked with amusement.
He turned his attention upward to him, "you'll really kill everyone?"
"If the order is given," the orange-haired man got up, "let's go."
"Go?" Toushirou looked at him confusedly and sat up. "Where?"
"I'll take you to your division so they can kidnap you easily."
"Y-You're going to go through with this? You idiot!" He glared.

Ichigo placed is white long sleeve haori on and opened the sliding doors to leave his room and grabbed his zanpakuto and opened the last sliding door to peer over the side, "old man," he called out, "ya know stalking pisses me off faster than anything."

"I am aware of that." The general called from below, "come down here."

He growled and heard Toushirou behind him, and so to save him from the old man's hassle, the orange-haired man leapt down and bowed. Toushirou had fixed his haori as he came to the railing to see how Ichigo was being controlled by the old man. This was enough for him though so he turned around to close the door and turned back to the railing. With only a few seconds of turning away, the small captain witnessed Ichigo kneeling at the general. Something caught his attention and he looked to the side, only to see that woman Yoruichi standing a few feet away.

"I'm sorry that it has come to this, Kurosaki." The old man said, "but to see just how powerful you are, we have no choice but to test you." He looked at him sternly, "do whatever is necessary to retrieve your tenth division captain."

Toushirou heard this—it was happening already?!

Yoruichi then dashed off to grab the small captain, only to be halted by a very angry orange-haired captain who began raising his reiatsu. "Toushirou." Ichigo said darkly as he pulled his zanpakuto out, "do you want me to fight, or stand down?"

Toushirou was taken back by this, "why do you want me to decide?!"
Soi Fon came from behind the boy and Ichigo punched her in the stomach, "sorry."
The female captain wince, "I-Ichi…" she fell unconscious and he set her on the floor.
"I only became a taichou for you," Ichigo stated, "do you think I'd listen to him?"
"Don't be selfish Kurosaki!" Toushirou yelled angrily. "You have what it takes!"

"Toushirou." Ichigo called even darker, "do you want me to fight, or stand down."

The small captain swallowed as he wondered why this was all up to him, was it because Ichigo still didn't fully care about Soul Society? Ichigo could become a great person by showing everyone his full power, but isn't that wrong to do? True, there was a small desire to see Ichigo succeed, and the desire to see how powerful he was, but was that going to make him selfish? Already he was aware of how he would be the one who would plea and beg as Ichigo obeys every command. How could Ichigo be so dominant over everything and yet be so submissive as to obey Toushirou?

"I want you to fight." Toushirou whispered as he stared at the ground.

There was a very long silence before Ichigo vanished and everyone looked down to where Ichigo kneeled on the grounds down below, just two yards away from the old man. Slowly he raised his arm to the side and called forth his bankai in which his entire body was engulfed with a black aura as his reiatsu tripled if not more than usual that, before the lighting of the aura died down, fierce static appeared. Already he was surrounded by the all of the lieutenants, including his own, and the remaining captains other than Toushirou and the general; and they all caught glimpse of his eyes that easily yelled—no—that screamed to everyone how he found his resolve. Toushirou then clung to the railing as he tried to keep an eye on the fight that was just about to happen, that was, until his eyes widened when watching the orange-haired captain placing a hand over his face which mean that he was not going to give them any mercy. Gusts of painful winds struck all of those around the masked captain who merely roared his defiance to those who opposed him; all of the lieutenants and lower ranks that just came over began falling backwards at the reiatsu that increased tens times even more.

Even Zaraki Kenpachi just realized what they got themselves into.

"Don't kill them!" Toushirou demanded immediately from the railing.
The masked captain replied coldly, "that's for if they touch you."
"I mean it Kurosaki!" He repeated angrily. "Don't kill them!"
His attention went to the boy and answered, "understood."

Kenpachi laughed, "ya kidding me right?" He quickly added, "you're gonna listen to that kid when you reek with the resolve to kill us?! Ya can't tame a demon!!!"

Blood then flew in the air immediately.

"Stop talking." Ichigo stated with an echoing tone.

Not one person saw what had just happened, and just as everyone stared at the man who was just now wounded, Jyuushirou, Kyouraku, and Retsu were all knocked down unconscious. The old man kept a stern watch as he knew that this wasn't his full potential and that he was only playing with them, and so in seconds with step flashes did he manage to bring Toushirou down by his side by the hem of his collar. Mayuri now had a few dislocated bones and his sword thrown aside, Satoshi and Shusuke were laying on the ground unconscious with heavy bleeding due to Ichigo using his newest attack with Zangetsu. Sajin was then placed in a tight restraint with kido and fell to the ground as well as all of those in front of him, and all left that tried their best to resist was the laughing Zaraki Kenpachi, and to end his happy time, Ichigo punched him in the stomach harshly. Hearing the painful grunts from Toushirou had him stand up and turn towards the old commanding captain with his fierce eyes as he threw away Toushirou casually to the side and drew his zanpakuto from his staff and his reiatsu beamed down on everyone nearby which had no affect on Ichigo.

"I don't care if you're angry at me," the orange-haired captain stated his voice darkly echoed due to the mask, "I'll fight when I want to and not when I'm told to." With a movement of his hand, the mask vanished and he reverted from his bankai, "I may be a taichou, but don't forget that I am also an individual. Not to mention that I have no reason to kill the others yet." He walked over to the old man, "you know that I can go even further than this, and yet you really want to test me that badly." The elder went into a ready position. "Toushirou, I know you can't bear the weight of this all, but please go to my lodge and stay there, the others will no longer go after you.

With that said, the two vanished with a flash step and Toushirou could only obey.