Zodiac Circle

Chapter 98: Bonds

Everyone was shocked at Getsuryuu's words. Riza trembled in dread. Tiger and Tamie got worried - if she showed too much emotion, Getsuryuu might have suspicions on her.

"What's wrong with you?" 

Indeed, Getsuryuu now gazed at Riza in surprise. Scott noticed the tension, so he prepared to defend Danielle's daughter again if need be.

"It is nothing..." Riza muttered. 

Getsuryuu could easily guess something was up. He grabbed Riza's chin and looked deep into her eyes. He was able to read her thoughts since he was the supreme dragon of the Moon.

"You are Marvin Wagner's daughter?!" 

He growled and burst into the Blue energy. He grabbed Riza by the throat and slammed her against a wall. Tamie and Tiger got terrified. Scott and Edmund jumped in between Riza and Getsuryuu, pushed this latter back and freed the girl with their Zen attacks. Getsuryuu wanted to charge at frightened Riza and the two men when Tiger dashed at him:

"Stop!"

"Get off me!" Getsuryuu snarled.

"Please!" tears fell down Tiger's cheeks as she had clutched his arms, "Yes, Marvin Wagner is her father, and so what? It is not like Riza could choose her parents! Didn't you say the Water is the element of the Heart? Then you must be a dragon that can understand one's feelings better than anyone! How come you can't understand how she feels? Marvin Wagner wasn't only bad towards other creatures but to his own kinsmen too! You have no idea how Riza... has suffered..." 

Getsuryuu heaved a sigh. He caressed the tiny maiden on the head. Tiger looked up at him with tearful eyes, to see his benevolent smile.

"Sorry. Sometimes I am too impulsive, just like my twin brother," he turned to tearful Riza: "I am sorry to you too. I understand how you might feel. After all, the only true bonds are the ones created by the rules of Kokoro, and they can be formed with anyone and anything".

Tiger and Kokuyo got astonished:

"How do you know about Kokoro?"

"Oh, I assume you are a Blade Warrior?" Getsuryuu noticed Kokuyo's ring and sword, "Well, I'd know about Kokoro since it is I who taught the rule to Yoko-chan".

Kokuyo was shocked - "Yoko-chan"? He referred so to none other than Lady Yoko Matsumoto - the founder of the ancient Blade Warrior Order?!

"Unbelievable!"

"We, twin brothers, were worshipped not only in the New Land but in Kenshin too. Those were the times when humans still lived in harmony with other creatures and nature".

"Well, let's kick the Council's ass and get that harmony back, my lord!" Fireball grinned.

"You said it," Scott smiled.

"You're right. This time, we must cooperate in order to win. And, as we speak of cooperation," Getsuryuu turned to Tiger, "I'd like to be bonded with you as your new guardian dragon, Tiger Braun".

Tiger gasped - her very own dragon?!

"Oh my, thank you so much!" 

She squeezed Getsuryuu in her hugs. Getsuryuu laughed and embraced her back. The friends noticed how both Tiger and Getsuryuu glowed with Getsuryuu's Blue energy. A Moon Seal appeared on Tiger's right arm.

"That is my seal," Getsuryuu said. "From now on, we are bonded".

"Hurrah!" 

Tiger jumped in happiness. Scott instead raised an eyebrow and turned to Fireball:

"Hey, you didn't give me a fancy tattoo like that!"

"Because I don't possess such powers, dumbass! I am nowhere near Lord Getsuryuu's level".

"Oh? Well, good that you admit your weakness".

"Ugh, you!" now it was Fireball's time to get enraged over his master's sarcastic remarks.

Getsuryuu took Riza's hand and gave her an apologetic smile:

"I am sorry for the pain I've caused you. I hope we too can form a bond of friendship".

"Since you are my sister's friend, I can accept your offer".

The two dragons retook their dragon forms and put the friends on their backs. They flew out of the Temple, headed to the Zodiac Palace - the place where they knew Byakuya had gone to and where fierce fights awaited them.