A/N: Here's where things start to get interesting.

December 23, 2 days till Christmas

Disclaimer: Do I even need one of these on every chapter?


Ulterior Motives

"Hichigo! What do you want?"

"It's not what I want with you; it's what you want with me." He replied cryptically.

"What are you talking about?" Ichigo questioned impatiently.

"You asked for a solution and so here I am." he announced, gesturing with his hands for emphasis.

"What makes you think I…"

"How do you think you beat Ulquiorra?" Hichigo cut in. "I helped you." He said folding his arms across his chest. "Without my help you would have been killed in your first true battle."

Ichigo thought back to when his mask had protected him in his battle with Renji in the Soul Society. He shook his head trying to clear his thoughts.

"But that doesn't change the fact that you nearly killed Uryuu!" Ichigo shouted.

"Listen…" Hichigo said, stretching his hand out in a friendly manner. "It has never been my intention to hurt you, your friends, or your precious Rukia." At this Ichigo smacked his hand away. "However," he continued. "When you fail it's my job to fulfill your goals, even if that means removing certain… obstacles." He finished carefully.

Ichigo stared, scrutinizing his inner hollow and grudgingly coming to the conclusion that he had no other choice, but to trust him.

"Why should I believe you?" he asked, still indignant.

Hichigo stared off before replying. "Awhile back, when you first arrived in Hueco Mundo…" he began, still staring off. "Rukia said she wasn't here just to be protected by you."

"That may be so…" he looked back at Ichigo now, "but we're always here to protect her."

"…Ok." Ichigo said finally after a moment of silence. He flung Zangetsu at Hichigo so that it stuck in the ground in front of him.

"I don't know what you did last time, but It worked." He stated flatly. "Just don't overdo it again; save your wrath for the hollows, make sure everyone is safe, and… Don't. Harm. Rukia."

Hichigo reached for the hilt of Zangetsu which began to turn white in his grip. "whatever you say, King." He replied with a smirk and walked off spinning Zangetsu by the chain.

00000

Ichigo's eyes opened again, an eerie yellow pupil shining out of a vast pool of darkness.

"Play time!"


A/N: A different take on his inner hollow and yes I called him "Hichigo" because it's the most straight forward title for him. By now I'm assuming you've already watched the battle with Ulquiorra, otherwise the next part will be really confusing and a huge spoiler. Needless to say all the action happens in chapter 5. See you tomorrow for the closer.