AN: Well my course is over and it's back to normal for me which means hopefully updates will be faster now. This might be a little shorter but I felt it was long enough, next chapter will most likely be longer and have more plot.
Bleached Vampire
Chapter 13: Strengths
Since the run in with the student police things went back to normal, although many had seen what had happened and the rumors also went flying. There were tales of Ichigo and Chad taking on a gang that had been harassing Orihime, to Ichigo looking facing off against the Student Police, to Ichigo and his friends with the Newspaper Club fought the Student Police and a gang of Yakuza. The rumors went wilder after that, although many of the key points did remain the same and how Ichigo went in to defend Orihime was quickly growing.
This had a few odd reactions, first was that many felt that Ichigo was going after Orihime or that they were already seeing each other. Many felt that any opening they might have with the new 'Princess of Yokai Academy' as Orihime was being nicknamed, that she was off the market. Many men felt let down at this rumour. But at least those that felt outrage didn't do anything against Ichigo, he was already feared in the Kendo Club and this whole event made others even more wary of him.
It didn't help that Ichigo didn't know and his usual scowling face was scary as usual. When he looked at people who were talking about him, his face made them think he was going kick the crap out of them so they quickly ducked out of sight. This was actually something Ichigo was used to and didn't think anything of it anyway.
For the past week they hadn't heard of the Student Police, although Hollows did continue to show up but strangely they were in smaller numbers than their last major push. So the two groups continued to train together while also going out into pairs hunting down any Hollows that showed up. Rukia didn't like how the Hollows seemed to be lessening; she felt that something was up. Ichigo called her paranoid, which started a small fight of course, but still Rukia made her reports to Soul Society about the events. She also had to put in how their covers were discovered but since Ruby vouched for her friends she hoped she was able to convince her superiors that this was okay.
She did get a replay from the Twelfth Division about her cross training with the Witches and their magic abilities. She was asked to make detailed reports which would be collected for further study. Rukia just hoped that the Captain of that division didn't come in person, she wasn't sure if he wouldn't try to experiment on any of the students. Then again, Kido wasn't really something that she felt was in his realm of interests.
As the days of the week went on there was another person that was trying to get stronger, this was the young Kokoa. Ever since her sparing with Ichigo she had tried to improve herself, she still wanted to prove herself to her sister but now she had another goal in life. To beat Ichigo Kurosaki, so she trained when no one was around, trying to push herself more than ever. Every time the two groups would get together to train, Kokoa went after Ichigo right off the start. Of course she always was beaten and worse yet, she knew that Ichigo was not using his full strength against her.
She knew this mainly from when Inner Moka was let out as she too went after Ichigo, mainly because she felt that he was the only one that was any kind of challenge for her. Currently the two groups were training in the clearing in the woods again, although the clearing was a little bit bigger and damage was shown all over the place too.
In one corner Mizore was fighting against Rukia, both ice users were pushing the other into their use of their common element. Although Rukia's swordplay and kido did make up for her lack of variety in her ice abilities against Mizore, whose ice abilities were much more varied to Rukia's.
Orihime was up against Yukari, the little witch was trying to get around Orihime's shield but the older girl was one step ahead of her.
The others were taking a breather as they watched what many considered the main event, Ichigo and Inner Moka facing off against each other. Kurumu rested against a tree watching as the young man was facing against her largest rival for Tsukune. Ruby wasn't with them today as she was busy with something for the school so she was the only female on the sidelines this time. Chad was next to her being quiet as usual, Uryu was studying the whole thing with only half interests. Most likely she figured because he knew the outcome already.
Tsukune was beside Kokoa, as the young girl was watching the whole thing with a much focused look on her face.
Moka kicked out once more at Ichigo, looking for some kind of hole in his defence. He blocked with the flat of his sword as he took the shot again. She noticed how he hardly budged and it irritated her. Most monsters wouldn't be able to stand up to her kicks but this boy, even if he claimed to be part human, could take her blows and give just as powerful ones back. Although what truly irritated her was that she knew he was holding back.
He hadn't released this 'bankai' of his once while here. She wanted to see this power, plus there was something else about him. Something about his power was different than Rukia's and not just in size and intensity. There was something under it, something dark that felt somehow familiar. Like her own powers, something dark lurking inside of him.
But no matter how hard she pushed him, he refused to go any further.
She kicked out again and when he went to block she kicked out with her other foot. Launching herself into the air she brought the other foot in an arc aiming for his head. Ichigo used one hand to block the foot as he had to wince at the impact. She was really trying to hit him hard with that one as he lost his footing for a moment. He locked eyes with Moka again as the vampire stared at him with those killer red eyes. They were the eyes of a predator at the moment and one that was getting angry.
Ichigo smirked knowing it would piss her off even more. It must have been a very long time since she actually had a challenge he figured. Well if she wanted to fight Hollows she needed to know just how powerful they could get. The Espada were gone but from what Rukia said there were plenty of Arrancar left. No one knew just how many Aizen made before he died but there were also the small number of natural ones to deal with. So far it had only been the usual Hollows but if any of the Menos class came in, this school would be in for some major trouble.
Moka gritted her teeth in anger and frustration and she couldn't make this half-human hybrid go down. If it wasn't for the boy's attitude she could consider him a worthy opponent but his attitude ran against all her nerves. She wanted nothing more than to pound that defiant look out of his eyes. The fact that someone that wasn't even a Yokai was giving her such a hard time treaded against her pride. She jumped back as she felt her anger coursing through her veins. She would do whatever it took to give the boy a hit he couldn't block.
The others noticed the pause and not only that but the dark aura that Moka was starting to exhibit.
"Uh oh," Kurumu said taking a slight step back from this. "She's really mad now."
Uryu shivered a bit feeling the Yokai energy coming off Moka. It was a dark aura that reminded him of powerful Hollows although not as powerful, although it was certainly potent.
Moka rushed forward and threw everything she had into her kick, she normally didn't have to push herself this far but she was too determined not to. Her foot found the flat end of Ichigo's blade but to her joy he force of her kick was more than he had expected. Ichigo was actually thrown back from the force of the kick, slamming him through the trees.
Moka stood there panting but grinning. Everyone looked to where Ichigo had been sent flying and soon her emerged from the trees. His uniform was ripped in a few areas as he stumbled out and back into the area.
"Maybe no you'll stop holding back," Moka told him.
Ichigo rolled one of his shoulders he had to admit that was a good hit. He didn't know if that was her full strength or if he had pushed to her to dig that deep, whichever it was it was a good start. "Maybe if you could do that more often then I might consider it."
The grin fell from Moka's face as he said that. "Maybe if you'll show me this bankai of yours then I might. I want to see this power of yours, show me you bankai."
'Show me your bankai, Byakuya!'
Those words in Ichigo's own voice came back at him as he looked at the scene before him. He was back on that hill with Byakuya, only it had been him demanding that Byakuya show him his bankai. Now Ichigo found himself in Byakuya's position as Moka was in his. It was kind of odd and a bit ironic that he nearly broke a small grin at it all. It would seem that fate had a sense of humour.
Ichigo knew what she was going through and in all honestly, he really didn't want to play the part of Byakuya in this drama. Plus there was just no way was he going to be like that man, so he decided to give Moka what she wanted. Besides he knew that she would never be satisfied until he did it anyway. He planted his feet as he thrust out his sword, his left hand clamping onto his forearm.
Everyone that knew Ichigo knew what he was about to do.
'What the hell is that idiot thinking?' Rukia thought as she watched Ichigo. 'He's overdoing it again, he better control his power better, we don't need a lot of attention.' She looked down at Yukari and moved closer to the girl.
"Stay close," Rukia warned her as she hoped that her own reiastu would be able to shield the young girl from what was going to happen. Yukari wasn't used to high level spirit powers, looking around Rukia noticed the others were doing the same.
The dirt around Ichigo started to swirl as his power seemed to climb rapidly.
"Bankai!"
There was an explosion of power as a maelstrom seemed to erupt out of Ichigo, no one could see him at first but they could feel his powers. His friends knew that he wasn't going all out but the Yokai were taken aback a bit by the drastic increase in power. They could literally feel the air about them getting heavier. They felt their bodies being pressed down by Ichigo's power and it was harder to breath as well but they were managing.
Moka gritted her teeth not wanting to show any kind of weakness as she felt Ichigo's power wash over her. She had never felt a power wash over her like this in her life, it was immense and it hit her like a tidal wave but she didn't buckle. Her pride wouldn't allow it but this was what she wanted, she wanted to see the kind of power he could bring out. As the dust settled she could finally make Ichigo out now, she was disappointed.
He stood there in some kind of tattered black coat now and his sword looked like a normal katana, only that it was now pure black with a little chain on it.
"This is your Bankai?" Moka said dryly not at all impressed. "You made this out to be some sort of great ability but it looks like nothing." Although she certainly could tell he was more powerful she didn't see anything major here.
"You're the second to underestimate this," Ichigo said to her as he held up his blade. "This is Tensa Zangetsu."
'Tensa huh?' Moka thought about the name. 'So it gains an addition to the name? Going from Slaying Moon to Heavily Chained Slaying Moon, is there something about the name to imply his new power or something?' Moka wasn't sure although the chain on his blade did go with the name she noticed.
Whatever the new name and look it didn't look as powerful as his old blade she was about to attack when she heard the chains noise, only this was right in front of her. She looked shocked as she was now staring right into Ichigo's eyes only a foot from her own face. She couldn't believe it, how had he gotten there so fast? Teleportation maybe was that his power? She had actually lost sight of him and the next thing she knew he was right in front of her. Even when he used that flash step of his, she could follow slightly at times this seemed to be instantaneous to her.
"How the hell...how did he do that!" Kurumu shouted out seeing or not seeing, what had happened.
"Ichigo in that form can move at extreme speeds," Uryu explained to her.
"Wait you mean to tell me he just moved? As in he ran at her and he was so fast we just didn't see it!" Kurumu couldn't believe that anything could move that fast. She couldn't see anything, one moment he was over there and the next he was fight in Moka's face pointing his blade at the vampire's throat.
Ichigo jumped back taking a bit of pleasure from her expression, he hadn't enjoyed that kind of look since his fight with Byakuya and it felt good to remind her that there were others out there that were stronger.
Moka however was anything but amused. After she shook off her surprise she charged again, she jumped up into the air bringing down one leg into a falling axe kick to Ichigo's head. He blocked it with his blade but then Moka's other leg came down, smashing into the sword with a double axe kick. Ichigo's didn't budge from the attack but then he pushed off and her with it. Moka landed gracefully as she glared back at him.
That last kick should have worked but the only thing that happened at make her feet feel slightly numb from the impact.
"I won't lose to you," Moka said to him locking eyes with him.
Ichigo stared at her for a moment his face unreadable, "Let's test that then." He started to unleash his powers. The air around Moka seemed to nearly solidify as she could hardly breathe. The pressure she felt was nearly crushing her. She fell to her knees as she placed her hands onto the ground trying to not fell face forward. She could feel the sweat starting to form all over her body.
Ichigo stepped forward as she felt the pressure increase on her body.
"What the hell is he doing!" Rukia yelled out as she felt the strain on her own body but from this distance she was okay. She was used to this kind of power but Yukari looked a little dizzy from the pressure being put on her young body.
Orihime had her shield out helping Tsukune and Kokoa to withstand the forces, the human boy was already on his knees even with Orihime shielding him. The power that Ichigo was giving off felt like he had on weights all over his body and it was a struggle to just sit there. Mizore and Kurumu were better off he noticed but the strain was getting to them as well. Kokoa looked like she was having trouble just standing there.
Back with Moka she was using all her power to try and stand up, she wouldn't give in to him not like this.
Slowly she pushed herself up, her knees felt like they might give at any moment, but she didn't allow it. She gritted her teeth so hard she might nearly crack them from the force she was grinding them against each other. She finally got to her feet but she was a bit wobbly trying to keep herself up. She let her powers fuel her body like nothing before, trying to gain more and more power to face Ichigo.
"I...won't...lose..." She forced out.
Ichigo started at her as a small grin formed on his lips. "Good, as long as you get back up then you won't lose. Even if you're beaten in a fight you can still say that as long as you never gave up, you didn't 'lose'. You can be defeated but the only way to really lose is to just give in."
Ichigo knew this all too well, he had 'lost' before, he had given up a few times and the feeling of despair was a crippling one that could get you and others killed. He did this to see her resolve and at least he wasn't disappointed in that, she didn't back down when faced with a tougher opponent. Something she might need to later on if it came.
Ichigo let his powers drop as everyone could literally breath a bit easier now.
Moka straightened herself up looking at the boy, she thought about his words and she was cleaver enough to see the meaning behind them. They stood there facing each other, there seemed to be a bit more respect between the two of them for moment.
Moka moved some of her white hair out of her face, "You shouldn't say such cool things with a face like that, it's out of character for a low class boy like yourself."
And the moment of respect was broken.
"What the hell did you just say to me!" Ichigo yelled back at her.
She crossed her arms as she turned her nose up at him, "I don't feel inclined to repeat myself."
"Why you!" Ichigo was about to say something when a rock hit him in the back of the head. "Ow! What the hell!" He turned to see an angry looking Rukia stomping her way towards him.
"Ichigo you idiot what do you think you were doing!" Rukia yelled up at the much taller boy. "You know that the others aren't used to that kind of power yet."
Ichigo looked up at the others, he had honestly completely forgotten about them as he rubbed the place in the back of his head where the rock hit. "Oh...sorry about that."
Rukia kicked his shin as hard as he could, hearing a very satisfactory yelp out of him as he hoped on one leg holding his shin. "You'll have to do a lot better than just sorry."
This started a full three way argument between Rukia, Ichigo and Moka.
"One moment they're fighting seriously and the next they're arguing like this," Kurumu sweat dropped. "This is kind of surreal."
"I fear this will become a standard for us," Uryu cleaned his glasses.
-Student Police HQ-
Deep in the darker parts of the underground facility that made up the student police head quarters the leader of this group, Kuyou was in a private session. Ever since last year, he had been trying to increase his powers, to become strong enough to face Moka and Tsukune. For the entire summer he had trained nearly non-stop. The room around him was a reinforced room specially made so he could train to his fullest. Thick metal walls lined the entire place as there were various heavy weights and other things. There were tree trunks cut up and placed around the area, one had rope tied around it that he would punch and kick. The rope was so frayed from use that it was nearly cut in half, some of the other logs he had punched through shattering them.
Metal plates were set up as he used them for martial arts practice, one hung off the ground that he would punch until his fists bled. He pushed himself to his limits as he would need to be much stronger in order to defeat his enemies.
"Kuyou-sama." Came a female voice.
Kuyou was irritated that someone came into the dark room to bother him. He turned to see a second year student with long red hair standing by the doorway. If he remembered she was Deshi Deshiko, someone that had only joined just last year.
"What is it?" He asked harshly.
"Forgive me but Keito-san has someone that might interests you, a new recruit she found." Deshi said timidly.
"Fine," He personally didn't care much but they needed to rebuild the Student Police with more people. Tsukune and his group had become too powerful since last year. They needed more powerful monsters to join in order to overpower not only the Newspaper Club but to also smash any new opposition. He placed on his shirt and followed the short girl to another training area.
This training area was more generic, wood walls with mats on the floor, it resembled that of a dojo if only underground and only the candle light giving any kind of light in the room. As he entered he noticed immediately everyone straightening themselves up. That was good, discipline was something that they all needed all the time. He refused any lack in it as he took his place at the head of the room. There were a few of the regular members there with Keito and someone in a regular school uniform.
"So this is the new possible recruit." It was more of a statement then a question as he looked the boy over. Nothing stood out except for those piercing eyes of his, Kuyou liked the look in them, ruthless but controlled.
"What's your name?"
"Tatsuo Ikari," the boy said in reply.
"You know before you can be admitted we need to test your strength." Kuyou explained.
Tatsuo nodded, "She explained it all."
"Good it saves me time," Kuyou waved his hand towards him. "Fight him and feel free to transform."
The others grinned as they took their real forms, the group was varied, not one monster was the same as they turned. The odd thing was that Tatsuo looked around and just grinned as he himself started to change. At first no one really took notice as what he was until he was finished. There were a few confused looks given that with so many different monsters it was hard to keep track of them all.
Kuyou only grinned, "Well looks like you found a surprise Keito, I didn't think any of these types of monsters were even found in Japan."
"You know what he is?" Keito said surprised.
He only nodded still grinning, "This should be very interesting indeed."
-Hueco Mundo-
In her quarters Septima Vizroy lazed about in her large couch. The room had actually once belonged to Tia Harribel's but since she was dead they were hers. In fact this room had once been hers originally when she had been the previous Third Espada, but then she had been replaced by Nel. It was nice when she heard that Nel had been taken care of by Nnoitra, she only wished she could have seen it. The place was all white of course like everything else in this dome, not that she minded.
Given all the changes that Aizen made at least the place wasn't a wasteland anymore. But she was bored, their new lord was still sleeping. After feeding on lesser Hollows he always slept for a long time, apparently if they could get some Yokai and feed on them not only would he not need to constantly feed, they could have powers that would rival the old Espada.
She hated waiting and as she lay there bored maybe it was time to get more proactive. So far they were only sending the grunt Hollows, maybe it was time to step it up a notch. "Baudelio!"
"Coming Mistress!" a voice hollered as an Arrancar ran into the room. He was a thing looking boy with a hollow mask covering his head like a helmet. He was her fraccion and servant. "You called."
"Do we have any Hollows in my ranks that are good at stealth and capture?" She asked him while not even looking at him.
"I think we have a few," He said thinking about it. "Maybe Silent Stalker, he can paralyze his victims."
"Good," she told him, "Send him to that Yokai area immediately and tell him to get me a sample of a yokai or two."
"B-but we aren't we supposed to wait Mistress?" He asked her nervously.
She glared at him, "you dare question me? Get him there now!"
"Y-yes Mistress!" Baudelio jumped and ran out of the room.
She sat up irritated now as she walked across her room, she wanted to know firsthand if these Yokai could do what their new master promised. She wanted to taste this Yokai power and if it could increase her own power than all the more reason to do this. Sure their lord might be angry but if she could gain a few samples when he woke up, she was sure he would forgive her. But there was one question that bothered her.
How did their master know about the Yokai? She nor anyone else seemed to know about them but he did. Was there some kind of link or maybe he was just so old that he knew about them from before, back when he was a simple Hollow? She couldn't even remember those days no one really did once you got out of the Gillian stage. So maybe it was after that he had met them, or maybe he had eaten one and that was how he had gained that kind of power. If that last one was true, then she would definitely get one before the others did.
Next up Chapter 14: Silent Hunter
I'm thinking of making this M rated but I'm not sure. Should I keep the rating as is or make it M?