Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Rosario + Vampire. They belong to their respective owners.-
a=Narration and descriptions
"a"=Dialogues
a=Inner voices or thoughts
a=Intense dialogues
Not anything worthy to mention up here, so…
Have a pleasant reading and enjoy!
9: Responsibilities and Understanding!
Thanks to Ichigo's valuable efforts, the crisis concerning the snakes' invasion had been successfully avoided, yet, it was still too early for him to relax.
Following the battle, the young warrior had another mission to accomplish now, that being the confrontation of the person responsible for that mess, to secure the antidote for his friends. Moka's and Tsukune's lives were hanging from a thin thread, and if they were to stay poisoned for long, even their Shinso abilities wouldn't be enough to keep them alive.
Being fully aware of that, the Soul Reaper didn't hesitate for even a second to head to where he was instructed, rushing into an obvious trap. Before the main event though, he would have to handle some extra surprises along his course.
A number of poisonous snake darts, fired at him from inside some tree bark; a large snake that surfaced from a pit in the ground, squirting jets of poison; a group of zombie soldiers, controlled by magic snakes residing inside their skulls—those and various other mini traps Ichigo countered and destroyed one after another using his superior skills while maintaining his steady pace.
He failed to comprehend the meaning behind all that, since it was the mastermind who called him out, but he didn't actually care. Whatever that maniac threw at him, he would seize his goal, and nothing would stop him.
Many minutes later…
Clearing every single one of his obstacles, Ichigo finally arrived at his destination, finding himself at the center of a spacious glade.
Cautious, he surveyed the area around him. ''Okay! I'm here like you asked! How about you reveal yourself already? I know that you're hiding nearby."
Just as he said that, a rustling sound was heard from some bushes to his right, prompting him to turn toward it. There, he witnessed a tall figure clad in a white cloak, the head hidden beneath a large hood.
''I see that your skills aren't restricted solely on power. I thought that I had concealed my presence perfectly, for anyone to sniff me out so quickly,'' the cloaked figure responded with a creepy, manly voice.
''Whatever… Can't we please skip the any small talk and get straight to the point? I wasted much time because of your pestering toys, and I can't spare any more,'' casual expression switching to a dead-serious one. ''You mentioned that you have the means to cure Moka and Tsukune, so show some good will and hand it over because I can't afford to play more games.''
''Very confident of you! What makes you think that I will comply so easily?''
Ichigo pointed his sword at him. ''Call it a hunch.'' He charged at the figure.
On the other hand, his target remained still, letting out a subtle chuckle. The reason would become apparent soon.
When Ichigo reached two meters away from the figure, the cloaked man's eyes glowed with a green light, and instantly a dozen hard-scaled snakes popped out from the earth, entangling various areas of the teen's body like ropes.
''The hell!'' Ichigo grunted, displeased.
''Like I said, it won't be as easy as you expect. You may be a capable man, but I'm no pushover myself. I'm considered one of the best assassins of this realm. Act carelessly, and you will come to regret it.''
''That so?'' Unfazed, the Soul Reaper burst his reiatsu, blowing the snakes holding him to smithereens. ''I'll try to remember it from now on.''
''Wise decision,'' the cloaked man stated, and snapped his right fingers, making a green ring on his thumb glow.
Automatically, twenty black portals opened behind him, releasing a team of bulky, dangerous-looking, humanoid snake mutations with large, sharp claws and long fangs dripping purple poison.
''You are unlucky, boy. I'm a pro concerning my work, and I absolutely despise failure. Both you as well as your two friends are going to die before I leave this place.''
''I'm afraid I must disagree.'' His resolve unwavering, Ichigo tightened his grip on his sword's hilt, and resumed his assault. The cloaked man answered by making a signal to his new troops to attack.
Another fruitless tactic, nevertheless, as Ichigo leisurely evaded every incoming hit by using his shunpo, ultimately slashing the mutants one after another like helpless pieces of meat.
Despite that, their leader didn't allow his composure to slip, bringing out a medallion with two glowing, dark green gems in the shape of a snake's eyes on it and a silver button in the middle. He clicked the button and threw the medallion toward Ichigo.
Briefly after, the amulet exploded into a massive dark green mist that quickly assembled together, materializing a huge, roaring hydra with nine heads.
Noticing it, Ichigo impaled the last mutant in the head, shattering its skull to pieces, and next turned to the beast, his blade rapidly glowing in the azure of his reiatsu. Yuzu was a fan of fantasy stories, making him aware of a hydra's ability to grow more heads after the old ones were simply cut off. Hence, upon fuelling his weapon with the necessary amount, he raised it up and fired his trademark energy wave at the multi-headed monster, reducing its vast body to dust.
What followed were six steamy, snake-like slimes, originated from the thick, green content of a bottle the man poured on the ground. Grass, plants and everything else rotted instantly after their touch.
Ichigo's counter specifically for them was his sword's force, which he released at them viciously, with his blade equipped with his Getsuga*. Due to that, he successfully severed the ties between their liquid molecules, dispersing them to immeasurable drops of ooze that steadily disintegrated into nothing.
Pissed, his stare darted toward the cloaked man. ''Hey! Are you going to keep this up for long? I told you that I don't have the luxury to fool around!''
''And I told you that your and your friends' fate is the path toward doom,'' the cloaked man replied, and continued pulling out various magic artifacts, which he used to summon new challenges for Ichigo.
Naturally, that was nothing but a speck of difficulty for the Soul Reaper's level of power, yet it was an inconvenience that ran his patience dry.
Some additional minutes later…
Time passed since that point, and the same circle of events repeated itself again and again. The assassin kept sending multiple threats against Ichigo, and the orange-haired fighter crushed them with the comfort of a champion.
Like that, it didn't take long for the entire glade to be filled with a great amount of different snake remains, with Ichigo standing among them like a war god in the middle of a massacre. His clothes, head, limbs and sword were drenched in blood and other fluids of the things he destroyed.
''Seems that beating Ophis wasn't out of pure luck or coincidence. It's a first for me to watch someone surviving and more so obliterating my minions. It's really quite questionable why you aren't inside the assassination list of my employers or any other similar list,'' the cloaked man pondered, rubbing his chin beneath the shadow of his hood. ''Regardless, I can't walk away without taking care of you. My pride doesn't allow it.''
Ichigo scowled. ''That's your problem! What I want is the cure for my friends' condition, and honestly, I'm too sick and tired of your tricks!'' He glared at him in an intimidating fashion. ''Here's some advice: Do yourself a favor and give it to me before my patience runs out entirely.''
''Unfortunately for you, threats of that sort don't work on men of my caliber… Although I have to admit that this situation has indeed dragged on long enough.'' With a rapid movement the cloaked man threw his cloak off, revealing his true nature.
It was a slim, tall Snakeman with clear green scales, a nasty facial expression, golden serpent eyes, an indigo tongue, and long, sharp fangs extending out of his upper jaw. Furthermore, from the waist and below, his body didn't consist of legs, but rather a large snake tail.
''Huh? What the heck are you?'' Ichigo asked, on guard.
''My name is Typhon*, and I'm called Master of All Serpents,'' the Snakeman introduced himself, displaying his body with open arms. ''And you, boy, are a dead man as of now.'' He aimed his right palm at Ichigo. That moment, the flesh inside it split open, and a big serpent eye with a weird green rune for a pupil appeared.
''More tricks?''
''This will be the last.'' As Typhon pronounced his last word, the eye shined with a bright green light in Ichigo's direction, illuminating a thin fog inside his lungs.
Astonished, Ichigo's eyes went wide. ''You've got to be kidding me! What's this?'' he questioned, yet he wouldn't have the chance for anything else as, out of the blue, he felt an intense burning sensation overtake his chest.
Additionally, his breathing became heavy and his sight gray, forcing him on his knees, while supporting his upper half with his sword pinned in the ground.
''Ghkk… What did you… do?''
''What else? I poisoned you! It's one of the oldest tactics in the book of assassinations. If your target is stronger than you, the best method to kill him is to weaken him beforehand… The traps you encountered and every single one of my tools you killed contained a transparent poison gas, part of a special, manually activated poison curse that entered your body through your respiratory system. This is my trump card against extremely dangerous foes. Usually I tend to trigger it with less the amount, but I couldn't take any bets with an exceptional opponent like you.''
''You… bastard…'' Ichigo trailed off, feeling his lungs on fire.
He never imagined that his opponent would hide such an ace up his sleeve, and that came back to bite him. Still, he ought to figure out a way out of it soon, otherwise he and the Shinso pair were goners.
''You were a worthy target, boy, but it's time to say goodbye. It would be unprofessional of me to delay my report to my employers.'' A satisfied grin decorated Typhon's face.
''Screw… you…'' Ichigo responded with a muffled voice.
''So long…'' Typhon bid him, and increased the light's density as a means to complete Ichigo's execution. Little did he know, his plan wouldn't proceed so smoothly.
When the Snakeman had his full attention focused on Ichigo, a swift shadow jumped out of some bushes behind him, kicking him to the side while it simultaneously chopped the arm with the eye off with a lightning speed strike, a little before positioning itself besides Ichigo. Its identity was none other than Akua, in her usual outfit.
As the light of the fog faded away, Ichigo took a deep breath.''Guhaa!'' Continuing, he turned to the Vampire. ''You…What are you doing here?''
''Saving your sorry ass, apparently,'' Akua answered bluntly.
''Don't give me that! No one should be aware of this meeting. How did you find out?''
Akua gazed at him, crossing her arms in front of her chest. ''It wasn't very hard. I was coming to ask you some stuff about what you did during the battle, and then coincidentally I saw you storming outside your window, flying toward the forest like a madman. Therefore, I summoned a bat familiar, and sent it to spy on you, to check what's going on. I'm not as good with familiars as Kokoa, but I'm still a Vampire. I can do that much at least.''
''I see…'' Ichigo mumbled, and stood up with a small effort. ''Thanks!''
''No need! Moka would be sad if something happened to you, and I can't have that.''
Ichigo let out a small chuckle at that. Akua was actually a good person at heart; she just had to tone down her stubbornness in his opinion.
''Hmm… I didn't predict this development,'' Typhon commented, pulling his body up from the ground, his sight currently shifted to the uninvited guest. ''Shuzen Akua… The assassin once known as ''Black Devil,'' who demoted herself into a school baby-sitter…What does a disgrace like you wish to accomplish by interrupting my work?''
Akua switched to him. ''What else?! To rip the scum that hurt my little sister to shreds!'' Her voice more furious than ever.
''Interesting!'' Typhon hissed, looking intrigued.
''More like unnecessary,'' Ichigo deemed in contrast.
Hearing him, Akua jerked her sight back to the Soul Reaper. ''Excuse me?!''
''This fight is my responsibility! There's no reason for you to be bothered with it.''
''Brave words… coming from someone who was about to kick the bucket without my help.''
''And I'm very grateful for that; still I can't allow you to risk your life by facing that freak.''
''I don't remember asking for your permission.''
''I never said you had to. But do you honestly think that Moka will be pleased to learn that her sister got injured for her sake?''
''The same applies for you!''
''Even so, I have a debt to repay to Moka and Tsukune for all the things they did for me. If I step down from this fight, it'll be like trampling all over my principles.''
''Then it goes double for me! I'm her big sister, and I have a duty to protect her. Are you suggesting that I should place my duties below your principles…? Sorry, but no way! I'm going to punish that standing worm, and neither you, nor anyone else will stop me from doing so!''
No retort came from Ichigo this time. Rather, he settled on staring deeply inside Akua's eyes. They were brimming with resolve and conviction. They were the eyes of a person fully set on fulfilling her role as a guardian. Most likely, no matter how many attempts the Soul Reaper would make to change her mind, it would be utterly pointless. It was something he could easily distinguish, as he felt the same.
Akua's desire to avenge her beloved sister was most understandable, and somewhere within him, Ichigo knew well that he would act accordingly if someone were to lay harm on Karin and Yuzu. It was the elders' obligation to take care of their younger siblings.
''Okay, fine! Suit yourself,'' he told her, crouching on the ground.
''Of course… I mean… really?!'' Akua asked, taken aback by his sudden one-hundred-eighty-degree turn in behavior.
''Yeah. You're right. You're Moka's sister, and the privilege of fighting for her belongs to you more than to me. So… do what you want. As for me, I'm gonna sit here and observe the fight quietly. It's probably a good idea to rest a little after the strain that curse put on my lungs.''
Upon that speech, Akua could do nothing but blink, at a loss. Normally, that Ichigo guy would bicker with her endlessly, yet that time he forfeited. Automatically, a question flashed in her mind: ''Why?'' She wouldn't have the chance to find an answer, though.
Without a warning, something flew toward her, alerting her Vampiric senses. To dodge it, she quickly spun around, landing a few centimeters back from where she witnessed that the object was a ball of noticeably thick, steamy, green liquid that melted the earth's surface like acid.
''What the—!'' she grunted, and raised her eyes to Typhon.
She discovered that the crook had somehow spurted a new type of limb in place of his lost arm. It was a large-mouthed snake, aimed at her like a shooter.
''I'm not fond of people ignoring me…'' Typhon declared, frowning.
Becoming annoyed, the Vampire headed to his place.
''Good luck!'' Ichigo wished her.
Akua titled her head back momentarily. ''I'm Shuzen Akua. Luck is useless to me.'' She kept walking.
The Soul Reaper reacted to that with a small smile. Taking into account Akua's skills, he could trust in her victory without too much worry. Moreover, her pure desire to be by Moka's side was a crucial factor that would prevent her from being too reckless.
''I dare to say that there were many times I had the urge to compete against you, to determine who's the best killer. I'm certainly delighted that I finally got the chance,'' Typhon confessed to Akua as she approached him.
''You won't when I'm finished with you.'' Akua expression had currently evolved into a highly aggressive one.
Typhon aimed his snake weapon at her. ''Let's confirm it.'' Not a second later, a barrage of acid balls flew at her like shotgun pellets.
On her part, Akua performed a series of rapid maneuvers that resembled a war dance, causing every shot to be wasted on the ground. At the same time, her keen eyes were searching for an opening. When she finally spotted it, the Vampire escaped the pipe cage with a diagonal leap, placing herself in an appropriate position for an assault. Promptly, she activated her Jigen-Tou on both arms, and charged toward Typhon like a bullet.
The cunning Snakeman had no intention of letting her land a hit on him, though. To counter her, he opened his mouth and breathed a light green gas toward her.
Upon its sight, Akua cut her course off instantly and dived inside the ground, using the necessary Jigen-Tou technique. Not long after, she resurfaced behind Typhon, going for a stab right into his spine.
''You wish!'' Typhon commented, and produced two rows of sharp, poison-dripping spikes on his back, which he fired at her immediately.
''It's futile.'' Retaining her cool, Akua sliced to pieces with multiple chops. Next, she drew her right hand back, fingers stuck together and stretched. ''This is for Moka!'' she exclaimed, and threw it at him.
''Not so fast!'' Typhon responded, and intercepted her strike by hammering his regular arm on her attacking hand. The result was the expected one, with the limb being brutally severed from the main body, yet it was still better for its owner than losing his entire mobility by having his spine damaged.
''Sneaky vermin!''
''Well, I'm a snake…'' Typhon claimed mockingly, and grabbed his opponent by her waist with his tail, launching her at a large tree.
However, before the collision she was fast enough to rearrange her body's position to avoid the imminent crash by pushing her feet hard on the wood, torpedoing herself back to Typhon.
''As if that would work on me!'' Akua declared, crossing her arms in front of her, implying a cross slash.
Typhon opened his mouth, adjusting it in her direction. ''I know…'' He started sucking air, appearing signs of his gas inside it. Using his poison shots would be ineffective, since she would most likely dodge them by maneuvering in midair, but by releasing a widespread attack, his win was most assured. Too bad he was up for a surprise.
The instant he was about to breathe the gas, something small flew at him at high speed and hit the area below his left eye, breaking his concentration and causing him to delay it. With that, Akua gained the time she required to reach him, mercilessly cross-slashing his body in the middle.
A cry escaped Typpho's mouth as the two separated parts of his body fell on the dirt. ''GUAAA!''
As for Akua, she landed on her hands, pushing herself up, performing a vertical spin, and ultimately adopting her regular upright stance with her arms extended to her sides; everything so elegantly executed like she was a gymnast.
Reversing, she approached the Snakeman's upper half. ''You lost!'' she exclaimed, her eyes as scary as a wild beast's. ''You foolishly overestimated your power, and that's the price you're paying… Now hurry up and tell me how to cure my sister!''
Typhon smirked. ''I overestimated…myself… you say…? Heh... It's you… who's… underestimating me…''
That moment, Typhon's lower half, consisting mainly of his tail, rose up from the tip, that hardening like steel and becoming as pointy as a spear.
''You have… a reputation of… looking down… on others… and… this will… cost you…''
His tail jolted like lightning toward the back of Akua's head.
''Don't bet on it!'' Akua swiftly grabbed his tail from behind her, a centimeter before it penetrated her skull. ''It would be utterly shameful for a Vampire to fall victim to such a puny sneak attack.''
''Really…? How about… this?!'' Typhon asked, and fired a new snake extension he spurted from his wounded arm. It was a snake with a broad mouth, owning four rows of razor sharp teeth.
Not fazed in the least, the female fighter countered that using her free hand to skewer it upon entering her reach, ripping its flesh from the main arm. Typhon's smirk got wider at that, with him pointing his other snake weapon at her, ready to shoot her with an acid ball while both her hands were occupied.
Thankfully for her, Akua's senses were sensitive enough to alert her to the danger, without her having to see it. Reflexively, she tilted her head to the side, and let Typhon's tail resume its assault, to ultimately pierce its master's neck, beheading him.
''Tch! This is bad. I acted on instinct, and killed him before he spilled the beans about the antidote…'' she murmured, staring at her opponent's corpse. ''I should have held back.''
''Yeah, you should!'' Ichigo remarked as he closed in on her from behind. When he arrived beside her, he focused his attention on Typhon. ''Apparently, we have to forget about asking him for the cure.''
Akua became silent.
''Um? What?'' Ichigo's look turned curious.
Her eyelids tightened, Akua burst from frustration. ''Don't ''what'' me! Did you assume that I wouldn't notice that pebble you threw at him?''
''Ah… that…''
''Of course that! You promised to leave the fight to me, didn't you?''
''Not quite. I only said that you have more rights to fight for Moka, and that I would observe you sitting down quietly. I didn't move an inch from my spot, nor did I speak during your match, alas I kept my word. My hands' actions were another case.''
A series of twitching veins popped out of Akua's forehead, but before she managed to state her complaints, Ichigo resumed his speech, preventing her.
''Anyway, no reason to cry over spilt milk. We might not be able to hear the answer directly from him, but at least we can take his head back to the school, and use that as an alternative solution.''
''What do you mean?''
''Well… I'm no expert in anti-venom production; still even I know that to make an antidote, first of all you need a clear sample of the original material. If we take that guy's head to the school nurse, she might work out something.''
With a new ray of hope shining upon her due to Ichigo's explanation, Akua loosened her angered facial expressions. The important thing currently was to save the two Shinso, hence, lectures could wait for later.
''Very well,'' she replied bluntly, and moved above Typhon's head, leaning down to grab it.
It was then that out of nowhere, the Snakeman's chest burst like a lotus bloom, unleashing a black snake that landed on Akua's right thigh, granting her a painful bite.
''Ack!'' she gasped, and grabbed it, pulling it off her leg and battering it on the ground viciously.
Following that, the area she was bitten turned slightly blue, and her leg lost all its strength, causing her to collapse.
Ichigo's eyes went wide in shock witnessing that. Hastily, he kneeled beside her, and tore off a piece of his kimono, wrapping it tightly around an area a lot higher than the bite marks, to prevent the poison from spreading through her body.
''What the hell are you doing?'' Akua asked him, irritated.
''Returning the favor from earlier,'' Ichigo answered, and right after that bumped his lips on her thigh, starting to suck the venom out and spitting it to the ground.
''AAAHH…! ARE YOU NUTS?! YOU'RE GOING TO DETACH MY FLESH!'' Akua barked with a cry.
''Better than ending up dead!'' was Ichigo's retort before going back to sucking.
Akua's mind was filled with puzzlement. ''Eh?'' Then it suddenly struck her.
That blue color on her thigh's skin was identical to Moka's and Tsukune's. Could it be that Ichigo figured that out, and that was why he was doing his best to remove whatever that snake inserted in her? On that thought, the Vampire's demeanor mellowed once again, as a sense of awkwardness overwhelmed her being.
Through the passing of years, that was the first time someone cared for her well-being aside from her family. Usually, everyone around her avoided her, as they found her terrifying. Compared to that, Ichigo, someone she only met recently, was striving to save her life. He didn't have anything to gain from that, nor did he have an obligation to help her, yet that didn't stop him. Putting aside their rivalry, he was pulling her back from death's doorstep, small amounts of venom at a time.
Not expecting it, her heartbeat increased, and her cheeks were painted a faint red. Was it because of heat? But it wasn't hot. Was it because of anxiety for her life? But she had experienced many other life-threating situations. As much as she struggled to, she couldn't explain it.
''This should be enough,'' Ichigo estimated, drawing his head away from Akua's leg after one last spit.
After that, he stood up and fetched Typhon's head, placing it in the back of his cloth belt. He attached his sword on its chain and turned back to Akua, where he slipped his arms below the Vampire's outstretched body, lifting her up bridal style.
Flustered, she threw out a small, yet cute whine. ''H-Hold on a second! Who permitted you to hold me like this?''
''Sorry, but please bear with it for a little while. You can't walk, and this way we'll travel to the school a lot faster.''
''But—''
''Let's go,'' Ichigo called, and disappeared with Akua pressed against his chest.
Their business there was over, thus next in line was to see if they succeeded in their goal; something they both hoped with all their might.
A few hours later…
Following Ichigo's and Akua's return, the school nurse got right into working on the item they brought, assisted by Ruby and Yukari. Two intelligent witches were certainly a great asset for speeding up the antidote's development.
Upon completing it, they rushed to supply a sufficient dose of it to the two unconscious teens as well as a smaller one to Akua, through the use of IVs.
Eventually, they switched to Ichigo to extract the poison gas from his lungs in fear that it might cause him harm in the future. Its creator was dead, but it would be thoughtless to be left there.
One additional hour later…
Given the necessary time, the two Shinso finally opened their eyes, inviting a torrent of joyous and reassured cheers from most of the people there.
More specifically, Kurumu, Mizore, Yukari, and Fong Fong surrounded Tsukune's bed from all sides, declaring loudly how glad they were that he was okay, while Kokoa dived on her sister's bed, burying her teary face into Moka's chest.
Ruby and Ichigo retained their composure, satisfied mainly with observing their friends' heart-warming reaction as a happy smile decorated their faces; the first standing in front of the beds, and in the meantime the second sat on the school nurse's desk due to a brief daze. The anti-venom was enough for Akua on its own, yet, concerning Moka and Tsukune, they were in need of some strong sources of nutrients to recover from the poison's effects without any complications, hence the warrior volunteered to provide them with his blood. He wasn't arrogant, but he was aware that his blood's properties were valuable.
''Mmgm… Please, calm down, Kokoa. You don't have to cling to me so tightly. I'm fine,'' Moka told her little sister, since she hugged her to the point of suffocation.
''I don't want to! I was so afraid that you would never wake up! I will never leave your side ever again!'' Kokoa replied in a childish fashion.
Moka lowered her eyelids tenderly. ''My gosh… What am I going to do with you…''
''Just let her be for a bit. She didn't even budge from your side while you were unconscious,'' Ichigo mentioned to the silver-haired Vampire from his seat.
"Didn't you in accordance?'' Moka replied with a sweet expression. ''My eyes were shut, but from a point onward I could hear the sounds around me.''
''Can't deny that, but a sibling's a sibling. Plus, I would feel bad to interrupt this family moment.''
''There you go again with the understanding talk… though sometimes it's mainly empty words,'' a sulking Akua grumbled from her own bed.
Ichigo shifted his attention to her. ''Come on! You're gonna hold that stuff with the pebble above me forever?''
''I could evade that gas with one of my techniques, so there was no need for you to interfere! You made it look like I won because of you. Do you realize what a blow that was for to my pride?!'' She crossed her arms in front of her chest.
''Don't be harsh on him, Akua-neesan. Ichigo had good intentions.''
''This and the fact that he underestimated my abilities are two different things, Moka. You know the high importance of pride for our race.''
''I do, but I also know that besides pride, our race values courtesy highly. Ichigo's decision to help you was noble, and aimed to ensure your safety. As a well-educated Vampire, you ought to give him at least a 'thanks' for his concern about you.''
Hearing that, Akua wore a skeptical expression. The truth was the she acknowledged the kindness in Ichigo's actions, yet it felt sort of unnatural to her to express gratitude because someone intervened in a battle of hers. Until that day, she relied on no one. Furthermore, she still hadn't settled down from the incident with him sucking her thigh. She deduced that she had shaken off her identity as a woman long ago, however that event proved to her the total opposite.
''Nee-san!''
''Aahh…. All right! If you insist so much, I will do it!'' Hesitant, Akua turned to Ichigo, her face displaying much uneasiness. ''Look… I will say it only once, so you better pay attention…'' Her eyebrows tightened and her cheeks turned pale pink. ''Thanks for being worried about me…'' Instantly her right index finger pointed at him, and her expression changed into a stubborn one, painted with an idea of cuteness. ''But, hey, don't get the wrong idea! I'm doing this because that's what proper manners indicate! Don't you dare get full of yourself and think that now I owe you or something!''
Before reciprocating, Ichigo gave her a cheerful stare. ''You're welcome! And don't fret; I never considered it. I would rather compromise for a ceasefire and maybe us starting to get along.''
Like that, Shuzen Akua, the hardcore Vampire assassin, came close to the borderline of exploding from embarrassment. ''L-LIKE I WOULD EVER WANT TO BECOME YOUR FRIEND… IDIOT!'' she yelled at him, flustered,and lay down, covering her whole body with her sheets.
''Well, I tried…'' Ichigo mumbled casually.
''Hehe! Don't worry, Ichigo. She doesn't show it, but Akua-neesan is a shy girl…''
''I'm not!'' Akua retorted, midway beneath the sheets.
''…I'm certain she is as grateful to you as Tsukune and me; no, the entire Youkai Academy! You are our hero,'' Moka finished, gazing at him, full of gratitude and admiration.
''You're exaggerating, Moka. I'm not anything so grand. I simply did what every other person would have done in my place.''
''Going against an army of oversized snakes and their deity leader to save the lives of hundreds of people, and singlehandedly jumping into a trap for others' sake isn't something every other person would do, Ichigo.''
''I'm of the same opinion,'' a bass, male voice was heard that moment from the room's entrance.
It was a voice Moka as well as everyone there—Ichigo excluded—knew perfectly, and could recognize anywhere. The voice of someone that hearing him Kokoa to pulled away from her beloved sister and Akua uncovered her head to look at him properly.
''Err… What wrong, guys?'' Ichigo asked, puzzled, moving his gaze here and there.
On the other hand, Moka shifted her eyes toward the man standing on the doorstep.
''Father…'' she called, blinking in astonishment.
A/N:
1=
* Getsuga alone is when Ichigo equips his blade with his reiatsu, increasing its destructive properties, without releasing a wave. Something like that happened in Bleach's episode 268, during his fight with Ulquiorra. (if I happened to misinterpret it, simply consider it an additional technique)
* Typhon's name exists in both Greek and Egyptian mythology. Here I used the Egyptian version, where he is the lord of serpents.
2= As I mentioned last time, here's the type of dere Akua will be for this story. The reason? Yandere wouldn't work on Ichigo, and the other two didn't suit her.
3= About the anti-venom's production, I searched about it, and I know it requires much time, but we're dealing with a fantasy world here, so… you get my point.
4= Just to prevent any possible misunderstandings, Ichigo could have beaten the snot out of that assassin if the fight was fair, and if later he didn't back down as respect to Akua's feelings. I didn't downgrade him or something.
Once again, my thanks to my beta reader mrtysh for her great help with this chap!
See you next time!
