AN: This is my first entry of a story, and I am very excited to get this started. I hope you all enjoy this as much as I do, and I apologize if I spoil anything for those who aren't caught up with the Bleach series! ;~; Future references:
Inner Hollow/Hollow
| Thoughts |
Chapter One: "Introductions are in order."
"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"
The known voice of the orange haired male was heard, a load groan following afterwards. Ichigo Kurosaki, the seventeen year old substitute shinigami was walking along with two familiar others. These two being recognized as Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki, also being Shinigami. The smaller female had sighed before glancing up at the tall male. "Would you shut it? You were the one that wanted to get stronger, and this was the best idea at the time. So stop complaining!" The red haired male nodded along with her. "Yeah moron, you want to beat Yhwach after last time, right?" Ichigo kept quiet at that comment. After nearly killing the Soul King due to his hidden Quincy blood, he wanted to find a way to not be controlled by the head of the Quincy once again. Flashback!
Ichigo was walking towards the shop owned by Kisuke Urahara, whom had sent him a mysterious letter requesting him to be at the location by six o'clock sharp. Not wanting to face any consequence, he had began to walk that way. He found himself showing up a few minutes early, to which, he was standing outside with the doors to the shop locked. "Are you kidding me right now? He literally meant six?!" Groaning, he sat down on one of the wooden steps to wait. After a moment or two, he heard the familiar sound of the Flash Step technique, turning his head to see two old friends. "Renji? Rukia? What are you two doing here?" The two looked at one another before returning their gaze to him. "We're curious to that too. Byakuya said we were told to come here for an important meeting."
"Ah! It seems the gang is all here." All three turned their heads to see the once exiled captain of Division 12. He held his fan close to his face, concealing his usual sly smile. Tipping up his green stripped hat, he showed his eyes before jerking his head back slightly. "Come inside, we'll talk more."
The four sat at a round table before Kisuke began to speak. "I know you're all wondering about why I asked you to gather here. Well, Ichigo I think I found a solution to fixing your small situation." This had caught the Strawberry's attention. "What? How?" A smile appeared on the man's face before continuing on. "Well, I was searching into Yhwach's ability to control the blood of Quincy. And I was searching for a possible energy source that could counteract that. Reiatsu is not the only energy that can be obtained by a Shinigami." This had caused curious brows to raise, which also brought a voice from Rukia. "What are you talking about? You mean there is something else?" Mr. Hat 'N Clogs nodded, his face shifting to a more serious look. "I've been digging around. There is a realm that we stumbled across not too long ago.. It gave off a strange spiritual signature that we had not picked up before. We started to look into it, and saw that this realm held Yokai." Renji and Ichigo glanced at one another, then back towards Urahara. "You don't mean monsters, do you?" The lieutenant piped up, causing a slight nod from the other. "That is exactly what I mean. The myths of old actually exist. Witches, lizard men, you name it they exist in this world. It is cut off from the human world entirely with a special barrier made for that purpose. What I was thinking is that, if Ichigo could go in and possibly merge his Reiatsu with that of the Yokai energy, then maybe it will create some sort of defense mechanism that won't allow the control of his Quincy blood."
Ichigo had glanced downwards towards the floor. How would this be possible? Absorbing a different source of energy to strengthen his immunity to the abilities of Yhwach? "Wait a second." Ichigo now spoke up, causing all of the eyes in the room to focus on him. "I feel like you're not giving me all the details here. You have focused on a certain part of me, but you have left out the others. What would happen to my Shinigami abilities?… Or my Hollow." Those words lingered in the air for a moment before a sigh escaped Urahara's concealed lips. "That is what I was getting to. You should grow exceptionally stronger in the terms of your abilities. As for your Hollow, I don't know. Those could increase as well."
| That could mean a possible chance to be taken over by him… | Ichigo had thought to himself for a moment, getting lost in his thoughts before Renji spoke up. "Okay, so you want him to get stronger, fine. What does that have to do with Rukia and I?" The sudden serious look that Kisuke bore shifted to a smile. "I want you two to keep an eye on him for me." Both of the other two deadpanned while Ichigo slammed his hands on the table. "What the hell does that mean?! I can take care of myself!" Renji looked at him. "You get your ass beat by your own dad..." Ichigo turned his attention to him. "Shut it! I don't want to hear that coming from you!" "What does that mean, Strawberry?!" "You know exactly what it means, you walking pineapple!"
As the two got into a small fistfight, Rukia continued talking to Urahara. "So you want us to monitor the effects of the Yokai energy on Ichigo, right? That's what i'm getting from this." A slight nod was given to the girl. "Exactly. I've given a few upgrades to Ichigo's Soul Badge. It'll track how much energy he is taking into himself as well as keep me informed on any changes that occur within him."
After the two settled down, an annoyed Kurosaki looked at the old man. "Alright, fine, but how are we even getting in to this realm?" That brought a sly smile to the lips of the shop keeper. "Just leave that to me, kid. I'll get you three in… I mean come on, who do you think you're talking to? Also, one last thing… The school has had possible Hollow sightings. So I suggest taking Kon with you in case of an emergency." "Oh great..."
In current time, the three were walking towards the old gothic castle school known as Yokai Academy. The name was basically a dead giveaway on what the three were to encounter, but they were oblivious to that fact. Each of them were dressed in the uniform that the school provided, that being brown kaki's (except the brown plaid skirt Rukia wore), a white button up, and a green blazer. They each wore black dress shoes to match. Ichigo had not been fond of the current uniform, so he had removed it and replaced it with a long sleeved button up and a red tie that hung loosely around his neck. Renji caught the glances of a few girls, who would giggle, while the others focused on Ichigo. They were either shrieking in awe or backing away due to the feeling he gave off to them. "What's with them?" The teen asked, causing the other male to chuckle. "Maybe laughing at your hair." "I wouldn't say that. You're the one who has flaming red hair and tattoo's on his face." A snarl was on the lips of the Abarai. "What was that?!" Rukia got in the two of them, who caught the attention of a few males. "Shut up, will you two? We have a mission to do."
Shifting to another group, a young male was walking towards class before hearing the cry that always brought his attention to the front of what he was doing. "Tsukune!" Turning his head, he saw the familiar pink haired vampire that always brought a smile to his lips. "Moka-san! Good morning." She smiled and nodded her head. "Good morning. Mind if I wa-" She was interrupted by a girl with electric blue hair tackling the boy. "Tsukune! It's so good to see you!" The head of the boy was caught in the large breasts of the girl. "I missed you sooo much! Can't you tell?" All that came out were muffled words before Moka was yanking on the girl. "Kurumu, he can't breathe!" The purple oculars of the girl widened before pulling away. "Oh crap! Tsukune! Are you okay?!" The male had inhaled deep before coughing a bit. "I'll never get used to that..." He muttered to himself before watching an ice kunai land in the forehead of the succubus, anime swirls occupying her eyes before a small spurt of blood escaped the wound. "Mizore?" The boy glanced back to see the purple haired snow woman, adjusting her lollipop. "No need to be groping him, you big breasted cow." Kurumu looked at her with anger rising in her voice. "What was that, snow skank?!" A large washtub had appeared from thin air before landing on both the succubus and the ice wielder, a small witch smiling before walking forward. "That'll keep 'em quiet!" Yukari giggled before grabbing the boys arm. "Now, how about we all get going to class?"
All but Yukari were sitting in their homeroom, Kurumu and Mizore glaring at one another with killer intent while Moka kept her eye on the boy in front of her. She held a small smile as she watched him attempt to calm the two down. She had held a small crush on the boy for the longest time now, since they first met actually. And she imagined many times in which they were together. But when she glanced at the lock on his wrist, she would wince a bit. It was because of her that he held that item. Ever since her other form had injected their blood into him to save him, that built up, and the result was Tsukune becoming a ghoul. She hated that it was because of what she thought was best for him, and it always haunted her.. She was just glad he was human still.
"Alrighty, everyone!" The upbeat Shizuka Nekonome smiled, her tail swishing a bit as her cat ears twitched. Everyone had looked towards the front. "I believe introductions are in order! We have three new students entering our class today!" That caused a small chat amongst the students to occur. So late? It was a few months into the first semester. "Now, I think they can speak for themselves, but could you three introduce yourself?"
The three walked in, the tall one with the orange hair speaking first. "I'm Ichigo Kurosaki." Next went the red haired male. "Renji Abarai." Finally, the short girl on the right speaking up. "My name is Rukia Kuchiki." Shizuka looked around as she heard the squeals and annoyed exclaims come from the class. The girls were all over the two new girls, except for the girls who had sinked their interests in Tsukune, while the males of the class groaned due to the fact that there would be more competition for any girl in this entire school. Ms. Nekonome had called for order before deciding their seats. "Okay, well here we go! Mr. Kurosaki, please find your seat behind Ms. Akashiya, Mr. Abarai to the left of Ms. Kurono and Ms. Kuchiki in front of Mr. Komia. Raise your hands so they can find you, please!"
Tsukune had focused on the orange haired male, as did the other girls in his small harem. Moka raised her hand, along with the other two who were called on, and one by one the three found their seats. Ichigo sat back as he caught Kurumu and Mizore looking at him before Renji. The two kept their attention up front while Tsukune glanced back at Moka, whom gave a slight look of worry. Who exactly were these three new kids? But that wasn't all their troubles. An old adversary of Moka and Tsukune had his eyes set once more upon the pink haired girl. And this time, he wouldn't lose.