Chapter 7

Ichigo launched himself at Ulquiorra with such a force that the Blade had to take a few steps backwards until his back hit the wall. Nevertheless, the attack was successfully parried and returned with a kick. Ichigo evaded it and swung again making Ulquiorra jump into the air to get out of the way. Swing. Dodge. Swing. Dodge. The same sequence continued without either opponent gaining the upper hand.

Then, Ichigo noticed Ulquiorra changing his approach. He decided to use the same technique with which he defeated him in the previous fight. Ichigo saw the knee, but before it was able to connect with his stomach, he successfully blocked it.

"Hm, you're able to block that attack now," Ulquiorra observed, "You have gotten stronger. Is it because of the training or because of her?" He tilted his head stealing a glance at Orihime.

"That girl," He continued, "has no loyalties to the Reapers anymore. Even if you manage to convince her to go back with you, nothing will change."

"That's not for you to decide!" Ichigo spat back.

"Perhaps, but Aizen can be very persuasive."

Orihime felt strange as she witnessed the conflict in front of her. She should've been worried about Ichigo, but she wasn't even a little bit. She wanted to believe it was because of her confidence in his strength, but her gut feeling told her otherwise. She looked at the two in front of her. They were so different. Ichigo was panting and sweating, his expressions changed with every move. But Ulquiorra's remained the same. He continued swinging his sword with a look of indifference, hiding his left hand in his pocket. Orihime wondered how he could do it, pretending to be so calm in a situation like this. Yet she had a nagging feeling that he wasn't. Could it be because I never told him…?

There was something strange about this fight. Ichigo immediately noticed the difference after he blocked Ulquiorra's knee. It felt like Ulquiorra wasn't even trying, or was he? I can see him. I can respond! Ichigo saw it all: every swing, every dodge. Just because he's drawn his sword doesn't mean he is fighting any differently. He was actually able to predict Ulquiorra's moves before they happened! What the hell was going on? He grabbed Ulquiorra by the wrist slicing against his chest. The swing wasn't very powerful, but it cut through the fabric of Ulquiorra's school uniform leaving a bloody trail. Orihime gasped. Ulquiorra jumped back in surprise.

"You're pretty tough." Ichigo said, "But, it looks like I can read your movements better than before."

"What do you mean?"

"That other time, I couldn't read you at all. You were completely unpredictable. Your attacks were mechanical, emotionless. It felt like I was fighting a machine. But now is different. I wonder, is it because I've gotten stronger? Or something is distracting you?" Ichigo glanced at Orihime.

"Something is distracting me…?" Ulquiorra followed his gaze, "I see."

He turned his attention back to Ichigo. "You must really feel good about being able to keep up with me, even at your skill level."

Before Ichigo could respond, Ulquiorra swung his sword at him. Orihime noticed a sudden difference in his movements. Ulquiorra's expression changed from apathy to a scowl. His movements became faster, angrier. One moment he was in front of Ichigo, the next he suddenly appeared from behind.

Orihime gasped. Oh no! Don't!

"Ichigo! Behind you!" she yelled.

Ichigo reacted immediately, turning around and parrying the attack. Orihime saw a flash of anger across Ulquiorra's face, then he suddenly stopped attacking and looked at her.

"What are you doing?" he asked. And although his composure remained perfectly calm, Orihime could not take her eyes away from his. They were livid.

"Wha-..?" she murmured in response.

"I am asking you." Ulquiorra pressed on. "Why did you help him? Why?"

"I…"

"Because he is your friend? Then why didn't you do anything from the beginning? You were clearly hesitating."

Orihime watched him in puzzled bewilderment.

"You don't know? Then I'll tell you why. You…"

"Shut up!" Ichigo cut him off. "I don't wanna hear none of that. Stop talking and fight me!" What's with him? The guy just can't stay focused!

"Inoue!" Ichigo turned to her, "Thank you for trying to help me. But it's not safe, so stay back."

Orihime nodded and moved backwards giving Ulquiorra a quick glance. Even though he had his back to her, she could've sworn she heard him curse under his breath.

Ichigo went after Ulquiorra again, trying to hit him with the sword. Ulquiorra immediately picked up on the familiar technique and dodged it.

"Swinging head on again, Kurosaki? Haven't you already figured out that it doesn't work against me?"

Ichigo ignored him, quickly changing positions and delivering a back kick. Ulquiorra did not flinch. Now he is trying to use that martial arts technique together with the sword again. Clever, but still not good enough.

"I see you have a new plan. But apparently you've forgotten that it did not help you defeat me the first time. This is all useless."

Ichigo glared at him. How dare he mock me? He was doing his best at trying to bring Ulquiorra down, but the guy just won't budge. And what was worse, he was talking down to him! Ichigo's just about had it. Take that you bastard! He launched at him again.

Orihime was getting restless. There was definitely something going on between those two. She heard their voices from a distance but she couldn't tell what they were talking about. But, something that Ulquiorra said clearly made Ichigo angry. She nervously hugged herself. What was Ulquiorra trying to do? Why would they even be talking during a fight? Whatever Ulquiorra said must've really ticked Ichigo off because a second later he furiously attacked him again.

Their movements were so fast and erratic, that it was impossible to keep up with them. One moment they were several dozen feet away, and the next they were right in front of her. Orihime tried to get out of the way but it seemed like they were following her. Ichigo was kicking and swinging with his back to her, Ulquiorra was dodging. He was all around, and Ichigo just couldn't hit him. Orihime finally backed into a wall and had nowhere else to go. Apparently, Ulquiorra noticed the close proximity and tried to pull away. But Ichigo misunderstood his movements thinking he was preparing to go around him.

While jumping backwards Ulquiorra anticipated Ichigo to come after him, but instead, Ichigo moved around swinging his sword at Orihime. She cowered in fear expecting to be hit. But before Ichigo's sword was able to strike her, it was intercepted by Ulquiorra.

"What are you doing?" Ulquiorra glared at him. The fool didn't even see where I was going. What kind of a pathetic fighter is he?

"I.." Ichigo was trying to recover from the shock, "Inoue, are you alright?"

"She is fine." Ulquiorra answered for her.

"Move!" Ichigo was trying to get past Ulquiorra to see for himself.

"Before you go anywhere else, you have to defeat me first."

"Shut up and get outta my way!"

"We were wondering where you ran off to."

Three heads turned to the location of the new voice.

"Ishida! Wha-?"

"What? Questions during the fight? A bit reckless, don't you think?"

Ichigo gave him a puzzled look.

"What, confused?" Ishida continued, "The competition has already begun. Sado went first against Nnoitra and lost by a small margin. I went next against Szayel and won. That idiot Grimmjow refuses to fight anyone other than you. So, here I am wondering why you're still at it with this guy. Any more questions?"

"I never had any in the first place." Ichigo grumbled back, "You're the one who wouldn't shut up."

Ishida was a bit baffled by his response.

"Anyway, now that you're here, take Inoue back with you. She isn't safe here."

"I would've done it even if you hadn't asked." Ishida's gaze switched to Orihime, "Let's go, Inoue."

Orihime didn't want to leave. She was worried that if she left Ichigo and Ulquiorra alone, they might actually try to kill each other. Both of them already looked exhausted. But, she did realize that, after what happened, her being there was still a bad idea. It wasn't safe and she was distracting them. Orihime slowly got up and followed Ishida. As soon as they turned around the corner, Ichigo's attention went back to Ulquiorra.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Ulquiorra. Let's continue."


They were walking back in silence. Orihime's head was occupied with the thoughts of Ichigo and Ulquiorra. There was something bizarre about that fight. It was constantly interrupted by them stopping and talking. At the end, one of them would get angry and ignite even more animosity. It didn't even seem like the fight was about the competition anymore.

"Inoue…."

She did not hear Ishida say her name.

Dimmit, she is still thinking about that fight. What should I say to her? "I'm glad that you're ok?" It doesn't seem like she even wants hear it.

"Don't worry. Kurosaki will defeat him."

Orihime nodded without looking at him.

"If you're worried about the fight," Ishida continued, "I'm sure it will…."

"You don't have to say it." she cut him off. "I am fine, really." I don't want for either of them to win. I just want them to stop and leave each other alone.

Ulquiorra was behaving oddly. She knew very well that he was capable of beating Ichigo, since he knocked him out the other time. So why won't he fight him for real? Instead, Ulquiorra was just jumping around and dodging the attacks. It looked more like taunting than anything else. Orihime had a bad feeling about it.

"Ishida, I'm sorry, but I have to go back."

I should've known she'd say that. Ishida cursed to himself.

"Please tell Rukia not to worry!" She turned around and started running back.

Ishida stood for a moment blinking in her direction. I think I'm gonna regret this. Then he took off after her.


"Come at me again with your best attack."

Ichigo smirked. "You asked for it."

He ran up to Ulquiorra trying to use the attack combo again. Ulquiorra easily dodged it and came back punching Ichigo in the face. Then he suddenly appeared from behind slamming his knee in his back. Ichigo went flying forward crashing to the ground. It took him a few moments to recover before he spoke again.

"What is going on?" Ichigo asked panting, "Before, you didn't do much but jump around and dodge. What the hell's just happened?"

"That's your biggest problem, Kurosaki. You underestimate you opponent by showing all of your strength at once. You are too sure of yourself. That is why you are weak." Ulquiorra answered coming around him. "During this entire fight I was holding back." He leaned over him. "But not anymore."

Ichigo starred at him in confusion. "What the hell are you talking about?

"Should I show you my real power now? Get up!"

Ichigo complied moving a few feet away from him. What is this freak talking about?

Ulquiorra raised his sword pointing it at Ichigo. "Don't break your stance. Stay aware of your surroundings. Don't let your guard down for a second. I will not go easy on you."

"You're bluffing!"

Ulquiorra responded with swinging his sword at him. Ichigo was barely able to dodge it before he saw Ulquiorra's fist again. But this time he was able to partially stop it by crossing his arms in front of his face.

"You have impressive reflexes." Ulquiorra said, "if you hadn't blocked that attack, you would've been laying there unconscious."

Ichigo couldn't believe it. One minute he was having everything under control. The guy couldn't seem to deliver one single attack without defending himself, and right now he was winning! Why is he suddenly so fast? This is impossible! What the hell is going on with this guy?

"Even though your skill has noticeably improved, and you can withstand some of my attacks, I can still easily shatter your offense." Ulquiorra raised his sword, "Too bad!"

Ichigo desperately tried to defend himself barely escaping Ulquiorra's sword. Ulquiorra was a completely different person now – too fast, too strong, too brutal, completely devoid of emotion. Ichigo felt desperation starting to build up. Was he really going to lose?

"What are you waiting for?" Ulquiorra frowned at him, "Hit me now! Use your best techniques! Or are you giving up already?" I'll show you how much stronger I am.

Ichigo tried attacking again with a series of kicks and swings but to no avail. Ulquiorra was impossible to hit.

"Just as I thought, you're nothing but a second rate fighter with delusions of grandeur. This is over for you, Kurosaki. Let me show you a trick I've learned during the Blade training."

Ichigo braced himself expecting a full frontal attack. However, Ulquiorra ducked swinging his leg and knocking Ichigo off his feet, then coming in front of him and slashing him on the shoulder. However, it was just a superficial cut. Ulquiorra did not intend to severely injure him, but he did want to teach him a lesson.

Ichigo gave out a yell.

Ulquiorra was standing over him, looking at him in disgust. "Do you get it now? No matter how much you train, or how similar your techniques are, the difference between us is like night and day."

Ichigo dropped on one knee flinching in pain. He knew Ulquiorra purposely did not cut him deeply, yet it hurt. He couldn't believe what was happening. The guy completely overpowered him with just one move. He felt rage building up. He didn't train for so long just so he could lose to him, this skinny prick who had more arrogance than anyone else. Ichigo slowly got up raising his sword again.

"I'm telling you it's useless!" Ulquiorra yelled punching him in the stomach.

Ichigo fell backwards hitting his head on the ground. Ulquiorra approached him grabbing him by the collar and forcing him up.

"Why don't you let go of your sword?" Ulquiorra persisted, "You can see the difference in our strength. Do you still think you can beat me?"

Ichigo's had enough. So what if he was stronger? Real warriors do not give up that easily.

"Do you honestly think I should give up just because you're stronger?" Ichigo laughed. "So fucking what? Nothing I see here changes my mind. I will still defeat you, Ulquiorra!"

Ulquiorra's eyes widened for a second before Ichigo saw the side of his mouth curve in a rueful smile. So it has come to this. Now I have to completely crush him.

"Those are just empty words, Kurosaki, of someone who's never seen defeat or despair before." Ulquiorra finally let go of Ichigo watching him fall on his knees, "So let me show you… the true meaning of despair."