-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
`a`= Phrases with hidden meaning.
*a*=Sounds
[a] =Time and places
(a)=Small side-notes
S/N =Side Notes
Hello guys! Chapter 13 is here at your service. Hope you like it… But first a definition I forgot to make in my previous one and also a small question.
Definition: This is mostly about that small thing I had mentioned in the past about the fact that pretty much whatever I write has a reason. So, since I reached this point, I don't think that it will be a problem to use it as an example.
In chap 5, Yuzu mentioned to Moka something not exactly important (or at least not at first glance) about Ichigo's bad food habits. But there was a hidden meaning to it:
-That resulted for her to go to his school.
-Which resulted in Orihime learning about her and getting jealous.
-Which followed by Moka's trip to Soul Society.
-Which resulted in Rangiku hearing about her.
-Which resulted in her calling Orihime and planning that trip together so she doesn't lose Ichigo.
-Which resulted in Moka searching for a job and get even closer to Ichigo.
-Which resulted in him starting to wonder which his feelings about her are.
In other words, chaps 5-7's purpose was to prepare the right place for finding out Moka's true identity.
As for chaps 8-12, their purpose was to help Ichigo fully understand through his sister's incident, his true feelings about Moka and see her as a person more than just any other girl, fulfilling the right requirements to be considered her lover by her rosario.
More specifically:
-The moment his sisters went on a date with Toushiro and Jinta, it was inevitable for Yuzu to get hurt.
-Which resulted in her hospitalization.
-Which resulted in Ichigo throwing himself into an abyss of sorrow.
-Which resulted in Moka taking deliberately the decision to share her blood with Yuzu.
-Which resulted in saving Yuzu's life and making Ichigo indebted to her.
-Which allowed him to discover his real feelings and also make up with Rukia.
-Which was followed by Isshin accepting her in his mind as something more than just a guest. (VERY IMPORTANT)
-Which was followed later by the fact that Ichigo needed Moka even more since Yuzu left the house and started leaning emotionally on her.
-Which resulted in him developing even deeper feelings for her.
-Which resulted in him rejecting Orihime, making official his feelings for Moka.
-Which resulted in… (Well you will have to read that in the chapter.)
In any case, I hope I gave you a better idea about the way I'm working. As I have said, I like deep, Aizen-like plots and that's exactly what I'm trying to create here. Events that are secretly linked to each other.
(I mean, who would have thought that a simple experiment of Aizen's would lead Ichigo's parents to meet each other. Quite ironic since their son was the one who beat him, don't you think?)
The case with Ichigo showing quick symptoms of attraction towards Moka since chap 3, Urahara's current stay at Soul Society and Yuzu receiving powers from Moka are also some deep plots, but unfortunately, I can't say something now to not spoil. You will see in the future and I'm sure you will like it!
Question: I probably have read it about 2-3 or maybe 4 times until now in my reviews, so I'm very curious to ask...What's the meaning of F.U.B.A.R ?
And that's all for now!
Have a pleasant reading and enjoy!
[Inside Ichigo's room – After he woke up and discovered the girls there.]
''Hey… Can someone explain to me what's happening?'' Ichigo asked of the two girls with a confused expression. ''Why are you two here?'' He asked again, turning unconsciously to Moka. ''Moka…'' He murmured making an attempt to get close to her.
But his attempt was destined to be stopped by a loud scream.
''DON'T GO NEAR HER, KUROSAKI-KUN! SHE'S DANGEROUS!''
''Huh?'' Ichigo questioned turning puzzled to Orihime who was the owner of the scream. ''What are you saying, Inoue? Moka…? Dangerous…? That's absurd! Come on, don't joke around!'' He said to her in a doubtful tone and with a more confused expression.
''I'm not joking at all!'' Orihime replied to him in a serious tone, frowning. Next, she pointed her right index finger at Moka. ''A few minutes ago, this girl was about to suck your blood, Kurosaki-kun and if I hadn't come, she would surely have done it.''
''-Suck my blood?-'' Ichigo questioned surprised. ''Are you serious…? Moka…?''
''Yes! You may find it difficult to believe, Kurosaki-kun, but it's the truth.'' Orihime stated to him in a straight tone and turned her eyes to Moka, piercing her with a furious gaze. ''I will tell you exactly what happened… A little ago…''She started explaining to him while at the same time remembering what took place during the previous minutes.
[15 minutes ago – In Moka's and Orihime's room.]
Everything was quiet inside the girls' room and as for them, they both seemed like they were sound asleep… Until a particular moment at least…
*Crik* * Crak* *Crik** Crak* (Sounds of footsteps on a wooden floor)
From nowhere, some sudden noises of footsteps started being heard across the room. Noises that managed to disturb Orihime's sleep and made her raise slightly her eyelids.
''Hmm…? What's that…? It's morning already…?'' She questioned in a sleepy tone inside her head.
After that, she raised further her eyelids, noticing that she was wrong and it was still night.
''Eh…? It's still dark... If that's the case, what's that nois…'' She was about to question again in the same sleepy tone, but her thought got interrupted by some whispers.
''Can't we leave it for tomorrow?'' Moka's voice was heard whispering inside the dark.
A quite bizarre thing since there was no one else there to speak to. -Could it be that Moka was a sleepwalker?- Orihime wondered and to confirm her hypothesis, she made a slight movement to turn around and see herself what was happening. Then, she witnessed Moka being dressed in a dark-blue kimono the resort was providing to its guests as a kind of pajamas and walking towards their balcony. A sight that pretty much made her hypothesis a certainty in her mind. So, with things like this and being afraid that Moka might hurt herself in her sleep like many sleepwalkers; she decided to get up and wake her… But she wouldn't have the chance… Just when she was about to remove her sheets, she heard something that made her freeze in her tracks.
''Yes, I know that I need to suck his blood, but I feel too uncomfortable to do it tonight.'' Moka whined in a whispering tone looking at her chest.
''Eh?! -Suck his blood?- Whose blood? And why suck it?'' Orihime questioned astonished in her head.
''Ooh… Ok, ok! I'm going.'' Moka continued replying in a low tone to no one after a few seconds and not wasting any more time, she opened the French-windows and got out to the balcony.
There, Orihime saw her performing with ease a high jump, which would be quite difficult for a normal human, and landing next doors where it was Ichigo's room. A fact that together with everything she had just heard made her goggles from fear, getting up next quickly and wearing her own kimono in panic to not lose Moka. Following that, she headed outside to the balcony, grapping as tightly she could the tip of the wall that was separating theirs from Ichigo's. From there, she gave it her all and after some effort, she finally managed in a comical way to climb it and cross to his balcony. There, she noticed the open French-windows and wanting to check what was happening, she approached it turning her look inside… And that moment she became witness to one of the most terrifying sights she had seen in all her life… Moka had bent over Ichigo who was sleeping and opened her mouth enough to reveal two, somewhat longer than the normal, fangs which were ready to bite him. A sight so terrifying as awful… A sight that had truly left Orihime with her eyes wide open and her body trembling… -What was Moka doing? What were these fangs? And when she was speaking about sucking someone's blood, was it seriously Ichigo's?-These were some of the questions that were swirling currently inside her mind endlessly while she was watching this unbelievable event taking place in front of her. Hours ago, she confessed her sincere feelings to Ichigo hoping for a happy future together with him, but unfortunately, she was rejected… She was rejected because he was in love with another girl…A girl who was only a few inches away from burying her abnormal teeth inside his flesh… A girl who was about to hurt him despite the deep love he was harboring for her... -No! She wouldn't!-… After that thought, Orihime's expression changed to a furious one and her feelings of fear became feelings of anger. Anger for Moka's treachery towards her, her friends and most of all, towards her loved one who she lost because of her. -Moka could fool and hurt anyone she wanted, but not Ichigo. Not the man she, herself, adored and owed so much. If she was wishing to do something bad to him, she would have to get through her first!-… With that as her last thought, Orihime strengthened her resolve and taking a determined expression, she touched her usual hairpins (she had changed her hairpins after the fireworks' show).
''Koten Zanshun!'' She chanted unleashing Tsubaki against Moka before it was too late.
[Present.]
''…After that she fell down and a few seconds later you woke up, Kurosaki-kun.'' Orihime concluded finishing her explanation.
An explanation that sounded as something more than crazy to Ichigo's ears.
''Ok… Err… Inoue… I… I don't want to sound like I don't believe you… but… could it be… that you misunderstood something?'' He asked Orihime, muttering in an uneasy and hesitant tone because he was feeling like he was implying that she was lying. ''…Well, Moka is here and I would really like to learn the reason, but…'' He continued in the same tone. ''…saying that she wanted to bite me is kind of …'' He was about to add getting up, but… ''Ackkk!'' …felt an intense pain to the back of his neck the moment he was about to move and stopped. ''Tss… What the hell?!'' He questioned cursing due to the sudden pain and next placed his right palm over his neck's back to check if there was something weird there.
Following that and after confirming that there was nothing there, he started pulling it to his front.
''Damn! It must be that old wound… That thing just doesn't want to close up!'' He commented midway in an annoyed tone.
The same time, the girls started staring at him with their eyes opened to the point of popping out of their heads.
''K-Kurosaki-kun… Y-Your hand…'' Orihime muttered to him with a terrified expression.
''Eh? –My hand?-'' Ichigo wondered puzzled and turned his look to his hand. ''What of i…?'' He was about to ask, but then paused with his eyes opening as widely as the girls'. ''…What… is this…?'' He questioned with a trembling voice and a totally shocked expression.
For a totally absurd reason, the hand he just pulled from his back was covered… in blood! A sight he was clearly seeing with his own eyes, but had difficulties to believe. -Where did that blood come from?-He wondered astonished. He hadn't gotten himself injured somewhere to bleed. He would remember it if he had… -But then why? Why was he bleeding?- He started questioning inside his head when suddenly Orihime's words replayed between his thoughts, making him turn his face like a broken robot towards Moka who was staring at him right now like she was ready to cry. But other than this, there was in addition and something else upon her that managed to draw his attention that particular moment, making his eyes goggle widely. With a better look, one could easily distinguish faint traits of blood over her fangs… His blood from what everything was showing!
''Moka…?'' Ichigo questioned muttering to her with a completely confused expression and many drops of cold sweat over his face.
Then, it struck him like lightning! Everything he had discovered about her until now was quite unnatural if you really think about it... -Her ability to see and confront Hollows, his constant pains to the back of his neck since the attack to his house, the fact that she managed to move around Seireitei for such a long time without getting caught by beings that logically should be superior to her, her fast recovery after coming upon Genryusai's reiatsu, her ability to surpass a team of Hollows in speed (the babysitting incident), the fact that she didn't have any health problems after giving so much blood to his sist…- That moment Ichigo's mind froze. Taking all those into consideration and assuming that Moka wasn't a normal human, then… then… that meant that the reason Yuzu ended up in that state wasn't actually a Hollow's fault… but hers…! Coming into that realization, Ichigo's sweat multiplied and he began trembling whole.
''H-Hey… That can be… It's a lie, right Moka? Please tell me, it's a lie. You can't be the real reason Yuzu changed. It's all a big misunderstanding, yeah? You can't…'' He started muttering to her in complete distortion, rejecting the obvious answers and wishing to hear a convenient lie.
Moka was the first woman he ever loved. He couldn't accept that she was lying to him all this time and in addition, that she was the cause for the second greatest crisis of his family… But unfortunately, his wish wouldn't come true. Not being able to bear her guilt anymore and since they have reached this point, Moka understood that it was finally time to stop feigning and speak to him honestly.
''I'm sorry, Ichigo…'' She managed to say in a low tone as an answer, starting next shedding rivers of tears.
A response of very few words, but under these circumstances, enough to make Ichigo realize that his fears were true and crumble ultimately his inner world, leaving him stoned like a statue…
Something Moka noticed and made her extremely worried about his current psychological condition.
''Ichigo…'' She murmured with a weak voice, attempting to touch him with her right hand as an act of sympathy.
But her attempt was destined to fail. Just when her hand was a few centimeters from coming into contact with his own right, Orihime rushed in front of him, blocking her way.
''What do you think you are doing? Don't you dare touch, Kurosaki-kun! Can't you see that he's already in a terrible state? WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT TO DO TO HIM?'' She asked Moka shouting in a furious tone.
''No… I just…'' Moka tried then to explain her in a slightly frightened and hesitant tone, but was cut short.
''I DON'T WANT TO HEAR! WE TRUSTED YOU…! WE WELCOMED YOU INTO OUR GROUP…! AND THAT'S HOW YOU REPAY US? BY DECEIVING US AND TRYING TO HURT KUROSAKI-KUN?'' Orihime asked her, being more furious than ever.
She was generally a calm and polite person, but Moka's case had truthfully reached her to her limits. As for Moka, with things being the way they were, she was wishing to just find a hole and bury herself inside for eternity. Her secret was pretty much out and she was already experiencing the consequences of her lie. Ichigo was like a soulless body for some time now, making it impossible for her to speak to him and Orihime was confronting her with a look on her face that revealed clearly her anger towards her, as also her desire to punish her for what she did. -Honestly, could things become worse?- She wondered saddened inside her head… But to her bad luck, the answer to that would unexpectedly come in the upcoming seconds.
*Dup* *Dup* *Dup*
''HEY! KUROSAKI! WHAT'S GOING ON IN THERE? IT'S STILL MIDNIGHT FOR GOD'S SAKE!'' Uryu's voice was heard shouting in an irritated tone from outside the room's door while knocking it.
''Eh? Ishida-kun?'' Orihime questioned turning surprised her face towards the door.
''Hey! I think, I just heard Inoue's voice.'' Chad's voice was heard then commenting in a puzzled tone from outside.
''Chad-kun too! They must have heard us and came to check what is happening. I have to go open them quickly.'' Orihime claimed in a slightly cheerful tone.
She had decided to fight Moka alone if it was necessary, but in any case, she didn't know how powerful she was in reality, so hearing her friends' voices made her feel reassured. She might wasn't too strong herself, but Uryu and Chad could surely do something about Moka if she was to attack them.
''WAIT, ISHIDA-KUN…! CHAD-KUN…! I'M OPENING RIGHT NOW.'' She shouted to them and rushed immediately to unlock the door to let them in.
An act Moka noticed and knowing very well its meaning and what would follow for her got up quickly, beginning running towards the balcony in an attempt to escape.
''No! Stop!'' Orihime exclaimed noticing her and touched without a second of delay her hairpins. ''Saten Kesshun!'' She chanted, unleashing Hinagiku, Baigon and Lily.
Following that, the three of them flied like bullets in front of Moka and taking their usual triangular formation, they created Orihime's orange reiatsu shield, blocking that way Moka's escape route.
''Eh? What is this?'' Moka questioned astonished stopping in front of the large energy shield.
''This is my Saten Kesshun!'' Orihime answered her from behind. ''I usually use it as a shield, but it can also be used like that…! Give up, Moka-chan! I won't let you escape.''
''No… I… have to… leave…'' Moka muttered in panic, staring at the large shield.
She maybe had decided that she deserved to be punished for her lies, but not before having the chance to talk one last time with Ichigo. But as things were showing, that would be impossible in the current situation. That's why she had to flee and hide somewhere until she finds the right time to talk to him in private. So, with that in mind, she concentrated her powers on her feet and performed a high jump which allowed her to reach the ceiling where there was an empty space between its surface and the shield. There, she kicked it with both her feet, launching herself to the floor on the other side of her obstacle. Then, with her way totally clear, she started running towards the balcony's edge where she jumped down to the garden, resuming next her running; this time towards the beach.
''Oh My! She got away!'' Orihime commented tightening disappointed her eyelids.
''INOUE-SAN! WHAT'S HAPPENING? WHY AREN'T YOU OPENING?'' Uryu's voice was heard then asking her loudly from outside the door.
Being absorbed in her try to trap Moka, Orihime had forgotten momentary her original purpose which was to open the door to the others.
''Oop! Sorry, Ishida-kun! I'm opening in a second!'' She replied to him goggling startled from his shout.
After that, she turned to the door, opening it at last and allowing like this to the other two members of their group to come inside.
[10 minutes later.]
*Hpdkk*
''Crap! I knew it!'' Uryu growled frustrated, hammering his left fist on the wall. ''I knew that there was something off with this girl!''
''But who would have thought that she wasn't human! She looked so normal.'' Chad commented in a skeptical tone.
Apparently, when they walked inside, Orihime explained them right away the situation to try find a solution altogether.
''That was probably to deceive us. I'm sure that under that normal appearance, she hides something meddlesome.''
''But what? From what Inoue told us, she looks similar to… Well… a vampire.''
''To be honest, her true identity is the last thing that concerns me at the moment. Our main problem is that she is currently out there and God knows what she will do now that she lost her basic blood resource. The guests' as well as every other person's life in the area is in danger as long as she remains free. We have to find her and restrain her.'' Uryu said to Chad and next turned to Orihime. ''Inoue-san… You said that when she escaped, you saw her heading towards the west shore, right?''
''Yes!''
''Then it's settled. We will begin our search from there. Let's go!'' Uryu claimed making a move to head towards the room's door, but got unconsciously a glimpse of Ichigo at the last second and stopped at his tracks. ''Hey, Kurosaki! Didn't you hear me? We have to chase that woman. And by –we-, I mean all of us. I can imagine how shocking was for you to learn the truth in such a manner, but you have to snap out of it fast. Human lives are at stake here. You can't keep mopping forever!'' He said to him bluntly and in a slightly irritated tone.
But his words fell on deaf ears. Despite Uryu's attempt to bring him back to his senses, Ichigo was still sitting on his bed stoned like a statue with his eyes staring to the void. That revelation was a great hit to his emotions and had truly left him like a living dead.
''Kurosaki! Can't you hear me? I said we must…'' Uryu started saying to him again in a more irritated tone, but unexpectedly felt something touching his left shoulder and stopped. ''…Hm?!''
After that, he turned to his back witnessing Chad having placed his left palm over his shoulder.
''Chad…? What…'' He was about to ask him puzzled, but once again wouldn't have the chance to finish.
Before he was able to complete his question, Chad made him a nod moving slowly his head to the right and the left, implying that it was meaningless to talk to Ichigo that moment. He knew Ichigo longer than Uryu and Orihime, so he could understand better than them when his friend wasn't in a state to do anything and needed to stay alone… And this situation was exactly one of these cases.
''Are you serious, Chad?'' Uryu asked him catching without difficulties his gesture's meaning.
''Uhm!'' Chad replied with a positive nod.
That moment, realizing that Chad was probably right since he, himself, could see too the bad state Ichigo was, Uryu closed his eyes for a few seconds and after that reopened them with a determined and serious expression on his face.
''Haa… Very well! We will exclude Kurosaki from this chase.'' He stated sighing and next started walking towards the door. ''Come Chad… Inoue-san… We wasted enough time.''
''Ok!'' Chad replied and began following him.
Something Orihime had qualms to mimic. She wanted to help them catch Moka, but at the same time, she couldn't bring herself to abandon Ichigo when he was in the brick of depression.
''…Err… Ishida-kun…'' She started muttering hesitantly to him.
''Um? What is it, Inoue-san?'' Uryu asked her stopping at his tracks.
''Can I… stay here with Kurosaki-kun…? Since he is feeling so bad, he needs someone to stay with him and support him.'' She asked him in a pleading tone.
''I won't disagree on that, but I think that it would be best to follow us, Inoue-san. I can see clearly your desire to help Kurosaki, but we don't know what kind of powers and abilities this girl has, so it would be pretty reassuring to have a healer with us in case things turn out in her favor... Hope you see my point.'' Uryu answered her in a serious and straight tone.
''But…''
''It's ok, Inoue.'' Chad assured her before she had the chance to say something. ''Ichigo won't be defeated by something like that. He will be alright. It's just that we have to leave him alone for the meantime to think some stuff.''
''Are you sure, Chad-kun?''
''Yeah!''
''…Then… if you think so too, I will come with you.'' Orihime replied to him, lowering a bit her face disheartened.
''Cool!'' Chad commented lifting his right thumb.
''I'm glad we were able to come to an agreement, but seriously, we can't lose any more time. We have to go.'' Uryu stated in an impatient tone.
''Ok, Ishida!'' Chad replied to him.
''Yes! Let's go, Ishida-kun!''Orihime added.
Next, with nothing else hindering their way, the three of them walked out of the room, but not before Orihime look for a last time at Ichigo with an expression full of worry before she closes the room's door behind her… For there, they got out of the resort, heading quickly to the beach in search for Moka.
[At the same time – Somewhere across the shore.]
After her escape from Ichigo's room, Moka headed, as Orihime said, towards the west part of beach and was currently hiding in the middle of some large rocks, resting with her back laid on one of them and crying unstoppably.
''…Uuu…*Sniff*… Uuu… *Sniff*…''
''I thought you promised me that you will get over your feelings for him and you will accept reality as it is. You were aware that at some point he would find out about you. What's the point of crying then?''
''…*Sniff*… But… *Sniff*… But… I didn't want him to learn it… *Sniff*… like this...''
''Even if you didn't, it happened. Nothing can change that. The most important thing now is to think of a way to get away from here without any danger. You saw that girl; She looked totally determined to punish you for what you were about to do to her boyfriend… And it's not only she. We have to take into account his other two friends too. We haven't seen their abilities yet, but I was getting a strong enough power vibe every time we were close to them. If they were to discover us while I'm sealed, we will be in deep troubles. We definitely have to escape to a place far from here!''
''…But… *Sniff*… I have to talk to Ichigo first… *Sniff*… I can't leave without clearing things with him…*Sniff*…''
''Are you insane?! We can't afford to come close to them anymore. We are goners if we do. I empathize with your feelings to tell him that you didn't mean any harm and you don't want him to hate you, but our safety comes first. I showed tolerance and went along with your ridiculous decisions until today because I respect you as my other half and I don't want to have you being grumpy or sad all the time, but enough is enough! This time you will follow my suggestions either you like it or not! It's not only your own life that it's in danger here, but also mine and I absolutely don't intent to sacrifice myself for a stupid cause like your lost love .Am I clear?
''…Yes… *Sniff*… You are…''
[Meanwhile – Many meters above Moka's current location.]
''Heh, heh! That's perfect!'' The well-known cloaked lizard-like Hollow chuckled with a devious smirk while spying on her.
He was following and monitoring Ichigo's group from the moment they left Karakura Town, waiting patiently for the right time to put one of his plans in action.
''I was correct to choose this girl as our target. Kidnapping one of his younger siblings would be pretty hard since there is his father in the middle, but this girl is another story. She has strong influence on him, almost like his family members, and in addition, she has only him guarding her… And not even that at the moment. Abducting her would be a piece of cake.'' He commented satisfied to himself and after that opened a Garganta to go call his comrades to begin their operation.
[Back to Ichigo's room.]
While things were moving on out there for everyone; human, vampire or Hollow; Ichigo was still in his room in pretty much the same state with the little difference that he had changed his stance from seated to lying down on his bed.
''What the fuck was all that…? How can this be true…? Moka is the girl I love… How can I accept that she was lying and using me the whole time…?'' He murmured in a sad tone to himself. Next, he closed his eyes tightening his eyelids as a sign of pain. ''Damn it all…'' He whispered in a tone which was lowering with every letter.
Following that, he lost his senses completely, diving inside the darkness of his inner thoughts and following that, inside his inner world.
[Inside Ichigo's inner world.]
''Mmm…'' Ichigo moaned slightly, opening his eyes in the process and coming this way in front of a scenery of total destruction and turbulence.
He was inside his inner world where he was supposed to be looking at unlimited skyscrapers under an azure sky, but instead, the sight he was witnessing currently was countless rumbles drifting away by strong torrents inside immeasurable masses of water which had covered everything.
''Wow! Talk about a mess! It looks even worse than the time I came here after Ginjo stole my powers.'' Ichigo commented, looking around while his mouth was releasing bubbles.
''…And not without a reason, Ichigo!'' A bass, male voice was heard saying behind him.
A voice he had heard many times and could recognize anywhere.
''Yeah…I can't disagree on that one…'' Ichigo started saying, turning slowly to his back with his eyes slightly closed. ''…Zangetsu - ossan.'' He finished the moment he turned whole to his back, opening his eyes completely to see his trustful zanpakuto spirit staring at him. ''You know, seeing all these I'm feeling kind of guilty. During the last months I'm practically forcing you to live inside a lake with all my problems getting the better of me. If things continue like this, you will end up with arthritis… Oh! Wait… You are a spirit, so this mustn't be a problem, right?'' He said to him with a biased, small smile which was followed by a cold joke in an attempt to suppress his urge to cry and in accordance embarrass himself in front of his spirit-partner.
An attempt that apparently didn't quite succeeded its purpose considering the not so amused expression on Zangetsu's face.
''Making meaningless jokes to hide your real emotions is futile, Ichigo. Your pain can be clearly seen everywhere around this world.'' Zangetsu replied to him frowning and lifting his right hand up to point the awful state of Ichigo's inner world.
A gesture that made Ichigo removes his fake smile and unravels his sorrowful expression.
''Heh! Blunt as always, aren't ya Zangetsu-ossan…? But once again, you are right. Indeed, if I can describe how I'm feeling right now, it would be like I'm inside a typhoon.'' He replied to him turning his look down with a noticeable sadness in his eyes. ''I'm so confused and hurt that I don't know what to do. My chest as well my mind feels like they are gonna explode… Learning that Moka was deceiving me all this time is like a knife stabbed in my heart. Honesty, I still have difficulties to believe it… But it's the truth… She was lying to me despite the trust I showed her. And not only me, but my whole family. Not to mention that because of her Yuzu was forced in a situation where she had to leave our house… Man! Why I didn't notice anything sooner? Ishida tried to warn me, but I didn't listen to him… And now I'm paying the price.'' He added with a voice that revealed his deep sorrow.
''The answer to this question of yours is already known to you, Ichigo. You have feelings of love for this girl and many times love can blind one's own `eyes`. It's not that you couldn't see the truth. The truth was always in front of you, but you were refusing to open your `eyes` to look at it clearly.''
Hearing these words, Ichigo started working them a bit inside his mind, coming next to an unexpected realization.
''Hmm… Yeah… I suppose you probably have a point...'' He replied to him in a low tone. ''Looking at it from a clearer view, it's a fact that in a way I had noticed somehow a few strange traits of hers during the time we spent together, but I chose to ignore them convincing myself that they were coincidental or just part of a strong (in health) person… Heh! What an irony? In the end, the one mostly at fault is I, myself.'' He claimed with a biased chuckle while tightening his eyelids.
''Does this means that you regret falling in love with her?''
''I'm not entirely sure, but what else can I do? She betrayed me, used me as food and ended up separating me from my little sister. What else can I do than regret loving her and start hating her? It's common sense to hold a grudge against someone who hurt you.''
''Then, are you willing to pass judgment upon her for everything she did to you? Are you fine with making her experience pain for her treachery? And finally, are you ready to take her life if you were given the chance? Are you, Ichigo?'' Zangetsu kept asking him consecutively in a serious tone and with a stoic expression.
An act that left Ichigo shocked with his eyes wide open. What Zangetsu was asking him was natural, but at the same time something he wasn't quite ready to hear. -Surely, after what Moka caused him, he had every right to take revenge on her and as a last resort kill her if she was to be proved dangerous, but… could he actually do that? Could he hurt and take the life of the woman who was holding his heart? The woman who made him discovers the true meaning of love and filled his latest days with happiness and joy? Was he seriously capable of such an extreme feat?-… These were his own questions which were currently swirling inside his head like the torrents of water around him, rendering him unable to give Zangetsu a proper answer. Something he, himself, didn't have any problem to distinguish watching Ichigo struggling between his feelings and his logic.
''As I thought… Your resolve is wavering, Ichigo. Your mouth spreads words of denial towards her, but your heart says else. No matter how much you try to hide from your real feelings and cover them with blank logic, you will never succeed. You are well aware of the truth residing inside you and this undeniable truth is that you still love this girl named Moka. Otherwise, you wouldn't be tormented by your efforts to discover hate where there is only love.''
''But…'' Ichigo started saying to him, snapping out of his endless searching for answers. ''…How can I accept that? Moka treated me like a fool. She even infected and drove a member of my family out of our house. How can I forgive her?''
''That is something you have to discover on your own, Ichigo. Myexistence is your existence, that's why my role is to assist you whenever you require guidance, but the final decision is and will always be yours... Think carefully and choose wisely, Ichigo. The decision you are about to make can lead you equally to a happy future or a life of misfortune… So, before you come to a conclusion, take into consideration not only the bad things, but also the good things that girl offered you…Like your sister's life. It's true that she forced your sister into an unfortunate situation, but if it wasn't for her, you maybe didn't have a sister at all right now…'' Zangetsu stated to him in a straight tone and next closed his eyes. ''That's all I have to say.'' He concluded waiting for Ichigo's decision.
A decision that probably needed some time since Ichigo was currently at loss. He knew what he had to choose according to logic, but for some reason he was hesitating. His mind was telling him to hate Moka, but his heart to forgive her. Truthfully, he was feeling like he was being torn apart. –Should he hate Moka and punish her for her treachery or show her forgiveness and look for a way for them to be together?-… Two very difficult questions that had left him trapped inside a void.
''What must I do?'' He started questioning inside him in total confusion. ''What's the right choice? If I pick the first option, I will most likely look right to everyone's eyes and take revenge for Yuzu's sake… but I will lose Moka forever… Should I pick the second then…? But that will make me look like an idiot. She played with me and drove my sister in a state where she might lose her future… AARRRGGG! It's so frustrating! What I ought to do? It's SO DAMN HARD to choose between these two…Even when I had to accept Rukia's powers when I first met her, was a lot easier despite all the consequences. It was a rational and totally illogical decision, but I didn't have any qualms to make i…'' He was saying to himself until he came unexpectedly to another realization after his first one a few minutes ago, stopping with his eyes opening widely.
Thinking back the way he was living his whole life before and after he became a Soul Reaper, Ichigo never really relied to things like logic and rules when it was coming to make a decision... He didn't do it when he decided to fight punks for his own beliefs or when he decided to receive Rukia's powers to fight Hollows or after that where he went to Soul Society to rescue her or the time when he disobeyed Genryusai to go to Hueco Mundo to save Orihime or for the end, when he decided to trust Ukitake despite learning from Ginjo that he had deceived him… Not at all…! In every single one of those occasions where he could easily hear the voice of logic and act accordingly, he chose to ignore it and follow his instinct… Not to mention that as Zangetsu stated if it wasn't for Moka, Yuzu would most likely be dead by now. -Yeah, she had gotten infected by Moka's blood, but what the hell! There's always Urahara for cases like these. Mister Brain will surely think of a solution to her problem.-…A train of thoughts that altogether drove Ichigo to finally come to a clear conclusion of what he had to do, appearing next a satisfied smile on his face.
A smile Zangetsu noticed and shared after opening his eyes, understanding that the darkness which was surrounding his partner's mind had been lifted at last.
''Seems like you found your answer, Ichigo.''
''Yeah! Thanks a lot, Zangetsu-ossan! I don't know what I would have done if you weren't here.''
''I will always be by your side when you need me, Ichigo… But are you sure the answer you made is the right one? If you made a mistake, you will come to regret it afterwards.''
''Well, for the meantime it looks good to me, but even if it's proved to be wrong in the future, I will be sure to change it to right.'' Ichigo assured him with a confident smile.
''I see…!'' Zangetsu murmured lowering slowly his eyelids. ''Now go!'' He added in an intense tone. ''Go to do what your heart dictates!''
''Yeah!'' Ichigo replied to him in a determined tone. ''See you later, Zangetsu-ossan!'' He added closing too his eyes.
[Back to the real world.]
A second after Ichigo closed his eyes inside his inner world; he opened them in the real one, getting out of his deep thoughts and sitting up.
''I have to hurry before the others find Moka and it's too late.'' He claimed and jumped hastily from his bed to go take his badge.
[5 minutes later – At Moka's location.]
''Ok. You rested enough. Time to get moving! We can't afford to waste any more time here. If I'm right, his friends are most likely searching for us as I'm speaking.'' Inner Moka suggested to her outer half worrying for their safety.
''Fine…'' Moka replied to her in a disheartened tone, standing up.
In reality, she wanted to stay there a bit longer since it was so quiet and she had started calming down, but unfortunately, she couldn't go against her other self's orders. She had agreed to listen to her without any objections until they would be completely safe, so she was obligated to follow her words.
*Crik*
But things wouldn't go as smoothly as they wished. Just when Moka was ready to resume her escape course, a small coble slid down the large rock behind her, startling her. Then, wanting to confirm what it was, she turned around unconsciously, coming upon an as familiar as horrible sight… Behind her was standing a large team of Hollows with pretty hostile expressions and their eyes focused on her.
''No… Not here too…'' Moka muttered looking at them with an expression full of fear.
''Shit! At the worst time possible. But there's no point thinking it. Run! Getting punished by humans is one thing, but being eaten alive is even worse.'' Inner Moka commented in a frustrated tone.
''Yes!'' Moka replied agreeing with her while her whole body was trebling.
After that, she turned around starting running as fast as she could to get away from them. Of course, seeing her trying to escape, the Hollows didn't stay with their hands crossed and began running too, chasing her.
[At the same time – Many meters up in the sky.]
''This time you are mine, woman! This time you won't escape.'' Lazarto commented smirking while watching the whole scene that was taking place on the ground under him.
[Back to Moka.]
''WAA!'' Moka screamed startled getting close to falling down while running.
She was trying her best to escape the Hollows, but due to the fact that she was still wearing her kimono and her indoor-sandals, she had many difficulties to keep her balance and raise her speed to its max.
''Ooh! Curses! It's too hard to run out here with these sandals!''
''Well, they aren't designed for this kind of activity, but either way, we don't have another choice. There are many rocks, small and big, scattered around the sand, so you can't throw them away because it would be even worse if you trample on one of them, hurting your feet in the process.''
''I know… But still it's too uncomfortable!'' Moka claimed in a whining tone.
''In any case, you better bear with i…'' Inner was about to reply to her, but felt a strange energy behind them, stopping midway. ''…Huh? What is this?'' She questioned in a puzzled tone.
Then, she sensed that energy approaching them in high speed and realizing what it possibly was, groaned in astonishment.
''QUICKLY, GET DOWN!'' She shouted in panic to her other half.
''Eh? Why…'' Moka tried to ask her, but was cut short almost immediately.
''JUST DO IT!''
''Ok!'' Moka replied shocked and next jumped down.
A wise decision since by doing it, she saved at the last second her right shoulder from a Cero which had been fired by one of the Hollow that were chasing her. A stupid move of course since their aim was to capture her alive, but regular Hollows aren't generally the smartest brains, so they wouldn't hesitate to do anything to catch their prey like injuring it to lose its ability to run away from them.
''Damn it! That was close!'' Inner Moka commented in a frustrated tone.
''What are we going to do? I won't be able to keep running for long in this setup and these beams makes it even worse to move freely.''
''I know… But anyway, get up. They will catch you if you stay like this any longer.''
''Yes!'' Moka replied to her and stood up, resuming her running.
On the other hand, seeing that their prey had begun moving again, the Hollows decided to mimic their comrade's move, starting firing too a series of Ceros towards Moka.
*Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom*
''AAAHH!'' Moka screamed covering her head with both her hands like she wanted to protect it.
Not that it would have a meaning if she was hit by a Cero of course.
''Tch! This can't go on. If we don't do something, we will end up toasted.''
''But what can we do in this situation?''
''I don't know yet, but we need to think of something. Especially something, that will help us handle their beams… Darn it! Not only we don't have the necessary power to fight them head on, but we don't even have a long ranged weapon. If we could just had a way to fire something at them and blast them to piec… Hm!'' Inner Moka was saying when suddenly a thought jumped inside her mind and she stopped.
''What happened?'' Moka asked her confused from her sudden pause
''I think I found it.''
''What?''
''The solution to our problem and furthermore, a plan that if succeeds, we will get rid all of them at once.''
''And what's that?''
''I will tell you and be sure to listen to me carefully.''
''Ok!''
[5 minutes later.]
''Eh?! Are you serious?''
''Yeah! It's our only option.''
''But…''
''-But- what? Do you have a better idea?''
''Err… No…''
''Then, it's settled… Go!''
''Haa… Alright!'' Moka replied to her making a reversion with her body.
Following that, she started strangely running towards the Hollows instead of away from them.
''Hope your idea works, otherwise we will be turned to ashes.'' Moka said to her inner half in an anxious and kind of worried tone.
''It will. Just follow my instructions.'' Inner Moka reassured her in a straight tone.
[3 minutes later.]
Running as fast as she could, Moka managed at some point to close the distance between her and the Hollows in accordance to her inner half's idea, reaching only a few centimeters away from them. As for them, deducing that she was going for an attack, they prepared their Ceros in an attempt to injure her badly so she won't hurt them… Something Inner Moka was expecting for.
''Ok! They formed their energy balls! JUMP!'' She instructed her outer half in an intense tone.
''Right!'' Moka replied to her and without a second of delay, performed a high jump reaching to a particular spot over their group.
After that, she made some maneuvers in mid-air striving to land in their center. A goal she gracefully managed to achieve. On the other hand, noticing that she was in the middle of their group, most of the Hollows turned unconsciously to her direction with the Cero balls still inside their mouths.
''Good! Now for the second step...'' Inner Moka stated again in the same intense tone.
''Ok!'' Moka replied and rushed immediately towards the nearest Hollow.
Next, when she reached right in front of it, she concentrated all her power on her left foot, hammering it later in the Hollow's gut. A move that resulted in it losing its balance and firing by mistake its Cero at two of his companions, reducing them to black bits of energy.
*Boom*
Continuing from there, the Hollows which were close to the ones that got blasted away fired too by mistake their Ceros towards some others sending them to meet their lost comrades.
*Boom**Boom*
''Perfect! Let's get the hell out of here now, before we get blasted too.'' Inner Moka suggested in a satisfied tone.
''Yes!'' Moka agreed and scanning for an opening to their formation began running away from them again to avoid the stray Ceros.
And while she was doing that, behind her a large festival of many crimson explosions a bit similar to the fireworks' show that took place hours ago was in the process of decorating the night sky in its strong red glows.
[In the meantime – In the air above them.]
''Morons! I can't believe they fell for a simple trick like that!'' Lazarto commented watching slightly irritated his troops destroying each other. ''Oh, well… At least today I came prepared.''
[10 minutes later – In a location some meters away from the explosions.]
''Phew! We made it!'' Moka exhaled in a relieved tone, sitting exhausted on the sand.
''Yeah! To tell you the truth, I had a few doubts, but thankfully, you managed to pull it off excellently. Good job!'' Inner Moka replied to her in a praising one.
''Thanks! Can I rest for a few seconds now? I don't think I can start running again or something at the moment. My feet are killing me.''
''Well… In my opinion, it's better to continue with our escape plan, but I suppose you earned it.''
''Thanks again! I appreciate it.'' Moka replied to her with a small smile. ''Now…I think I saw a good spot, perfect for hiding, some meters to the back, so I suppose I will go rest ther…'' She started saying while making an attempt to turn her face towards the direction the spot she mentioned was, but before she had the chance…
*Hpff*
…something slapped her body hard from the left, sending her flying a few meters away on to the sand. ''GUAAH!'' She screamed due to the pain of the slap and the collision of her back with the sand.
''YOU ARE JOKING! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!'' Inner Moka commented shouting shocked.
''Ghkk…What… was… that?'' Moka questioned trying to lift her upper body up to see what hit her.
But when she finally succeeded, she wished she didn't… To her worst luck, she witnessed an ever larger group of Hollows coming steadily closer to her from the spot she was a minute ago.
''No… Not more of them…This is crazy…!'' Moka muttered, trembling with her eyes wide open.
''Fuck! What the hell is wrong today? Why are they so obsessed with catching us?''
''I don't know… but either way… I think I'm going to give up…! I can't keep on… My whole body feels numb from exhaustion and that slap...'' Moka stated in a disheartened and quite pained tone.
''No! Wait! You can't surrender just yet. We have to counter atta...'' Inner Moka started saying to her, but was cut short midway.
''…Sorry… but I can't…'' Moka claimed in a fading and quite exhausted tone and next left her head fall on the sand.
Then, she just stayed there laid down, watching the Hollows walking closer to her and positioning after that themselves around her… She was pretty lucky until now to survive every confrontation with their kind, but not anymore... This time she had reached a point where she didn't have any means to escape or fight back… This time her end was inevitable. And no one would save her… Not even her regular hero…
''In the end, I didn't have the chance to talk to Ichigo… I'm not sure what these monsters are planning to do with me, but I wanted at least to apologize to him… Of course this is impossible now…'' She started saying inside her head with a sad expression on her face. Next, she closed her eyes as a sign of accepting her fate, leaving at the same time some tears flow down her face. ''…Goodbye, Tsukune…! Everyone…! Sorry for not being able to come back home…! And goodbye, Ichigo…! Sorry for everything I did to you…! If I could, I would re-do everything from the start revealing you all the truth about me… and my feelings… But I can't…Goodbye…!''
And with these as her final words, Moka took a deep breath leaving herself free to sink inside the darkness of her misfortune…
''WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING, YOU IDIOT?'' A familiar male voice was heard that moment shouting suddenly from her right.
…But as it seemed, inside that darkness, there was still a ray of hope for her… Hearing the voice and recognizing it immediately, Moka opened hastily her eyes with a surprised expression and following that, she turned her face towards its direction to witness Ichigo flying like a bullet to her place.
''Ichigo…?'' She questioned, not believing in her eyes.
''TAKE YOUR FILTHY HANDS AWAY FROM MY GIRL, YOU FUCKERS!'' Ichigo growled at the Hollows in a furious tone and next shunpoed, appearing in a second between Moka and them.
Continuing from there, he gathered a portion of his reiatsu in his blade and performing a swift, rotary swing, he released it all towards the Hollows, sending them flying backwards for a couple of meters, clearing that way the area around him and Moka... For the end, he turned back to her with an extremely angry expression. A gesture that left her quite astonished, making her start blinking.
''…Ichigo… What are you doing…?''
''I SHOULD ASK YOU THE SAME? HAVE YOU LOST IT? WHY WERE YOU STAYING LIKE A CORPSE WITH ALL THESE HOLLOWS AROUND YOU? WHY DIDN'T YOU COUNTER ATTACK? YOU CAN DO IT SINCE YOU AREN'T A SIMPLE HUMAN, RIGHT?'' Ichigo asked her furiously and with a tick mark throbbing on his forehead's left.
''…Err… Not exactly… It's true that I'm not a human…But I'm not strong enough to fight Hollows like you.'' Moka answered him in a timid tone, averting a slightly her eyes to the right since she was feeling kind of frightened due to his reaction.
''Is that so? Then, consider yourself extremely lucky I know so well your spiritual identity and managed to find you before these bastards lay their hands on you.'' He told her lowering his voice's tone and calming somewhat his expression.
''…But… Why are you here?'' Moka asked him, focusing again her eyes on him with a confused expression.
''-Why?-… Why else? To save your sorry butt like always. That's why!'' He answered her bluntly and next reached his left hand towards her. ''Come! These Blockheads will come back in no time, so I need to hide you somewhere safe firstly if I want to fight them in full power.''
A clever thought since, if Moka remained there, Ichigo would have to hold back to not injure her during the battle and in addition, he wouldn't be able to concentrate because he would have to check on her all the time to see if she was ok and with no enemies near her… But unfortunately, things wouldn't go his way.
''No! You don't have to fight for me, Ichigo.'' Moka stated to him, rejecting his hand and turning at the same time her whole face to the right
''Huh?! What the hell are you mumbling there, Moka? This isn't the time to play around.''
''I'm serious, Ichigo.'' She replied to him with a straight voice without turning back to him. ''I can't hide you that somewhere inside me, I'm happy to see that you came to my rescue, but in any case, I can't accept your help.''
''Yeeeah…Alright…I'm guessing the answer is gonna get me even angrier, but I will risk it and ask anyway… Why?''
''What do you mean by –why-, Ichigo…? I lied to you. I deceived everyone and furthermore, was sneaking every night in your room to suck your blood like you were my personal food resource. And above all, I acted completely immaturely, transferring my blood to Yuzu-chan when I was aware of its after effects, driving her like this into leaving your house... So, how can say that you want to protect me after all the troubles I caused you? It's not logical. Normally you ought to be mad at me.'' Moka said to him, closing her eyes tightly due to guilt.
''Err… Well, I can't deny that I'm kind of mad for all these, but with a little help I managed to get over it. As for what is logical and not… I can't remember a time in my life that I really paid any attention to it, so there's not an issue with that… And anyway, love is beyond logic as they say, right?''
A question that succeeded in making Moka shot her eyes open astonished. –What did she just hear? Did Ichigo honestly say the word –love-? Could it be that she was dreaming?-
''Ichigo… What do mean?''
''Huh?! What do you mean, -what I mean- ? The obvious, what else? Or do you know anyone who could easily leave the woman he loves in the mercy of some crazy-ass beasts without moving a finger?''
''The woman… he loves…? Are you talking about me?''
''Is there anyone else here?''
''…But… Orihime-chan… That kiss at the garden earlier…''
''Oh! You saw that in the end? Well… considering that… I don't have any specific excuse… Inoue caught me seriously off guard with that, but after rejecting her confession, I couldn't bring myself to push her away by force or something. I would feel like a jackass if I did…'' Ichigo started explaining to her scrubbing nervously the back of his neck as a sign of uneasiness while having his eyes rolling to the left and the right. ''…But anyway, the point is that the woman I truly love isn't Inoue…'' He continued focusing his sight again on her. ''…She is you!''
''…Me…?'' Moka asked him totally at loss, turning finally to his direction.
''Yeah! Yo…'' Ichigo was about to answer her, but was cut short.
''HUAAAWW!'' All Hollows which had already gotten up from the sand and were currently walking closer to them howled angrily.
Something that drew Ichigo's attention, making him turns his face towards them.
''Hm! Seems like our little chit-chat has to end here. We will continue later when I will have taken care of these guys… But for the meantime, give me your hand to take you quickly somewhere else.'' He said turning back to her and reaching once again his hand to her place.
But like previously, Moka hesitated to take it.
''Hey, Moka! Didn't you hear me? Give me your hand. We don't have time and I can't have you stay here while I'm fighting.''
''Ichigo…''
''What?''
'…If I accept your hand right now, I will start thinking that I can be by your side once again and I won't be able to handle it if you take everything back later… So, can you promise me that whatever you said is the genuine truth? It's silly, I'm aware of that, but I need to hear it.'' Moka asked of him in the most timid way that was possible, looking at him with the most intense look she had ever made.
As for Ichigo…Unexpectedly, he didn't get so moved by her gesture, but instead frowned irritated.
''Haa…You have to be kidding me…! No doubt… You are kidding me!'' Ichigo sighed in a desperate tone, face palming himself with his left hand. ''We are in this state with the Hollows right at our backs and you are still refusing to accept my help? And especially even after what I just told you!'' He asked Moka, removing his hand from his face. ''Man! Rukia was exactly so annoying when I went to rescue her from her execution…! Honestly, what's wrong with you women…?''
''…But…''
''No! No more –buts-! I got bored of them…!'' Ichigo claimed annoyed and following that bent closer to her, bringing his face next to hers. ''Want insurance about my words…?''He asked her in a straight tone and with a solid expression.''…What about this then…?'' He continued and without further ado caught her head by its back with his left hand, pulling it rashly closer to his own and giving her like this a deep and passionate kiss on the lips.
Her first kiss… A kiss she waited for such a long time to experience… A kiss that wasn't done under the best circumstances like in a romantic location and with the right atmosphere, but in the middle of a battlefield with their enemies approaching by the second… A kiss like no other…Kurosaki Style!
[2 minutes later.]
''Mmm… Haa…'' Ichigo exhaled separating his mouth from Moka's.
''Mmm…Haa…'' Moka exhaled too mimicking him, but also having a huge blush all over her face. ''…Ichigo… You… kissed me…'' She muttered to him totally flustered and kind of in a daze.
''You bet, I did! And I will do it another ten, a hundred or a thousand times later if this wasn't enough for you, but for the meantime we must…'' Ichigo started saying to her in a confident tone, but unfortunately, he wouldn't have the chance to finish his sentence.
''HUAAAW!'' The Hollow's howls were heard again from a distance very close to them.
Something that made Ichigo pull his face immediately away from Moka's and turns to them to watch them displeased having almost reached their place.
''Snap! Looks like we are out of time!'' He commented, staring at them frowning. ''Oh, well! No big deal.'' He added and without wasting a second, he raised his sword, starting gathering reiatsu in his blade for another energy release.
But surprisingly, his idea wouldn't be necessary this time. Just when he was about to swing his blade like before…
''EL DIRECTO!'' …A familiar male voice was heard shouting from his left…
*Boom*
…followed by a powerful, straight, light-azure blast of energy that smashed over some of the Hollows, reducing them to black bits of energy.
''Hm?'' Ichigo questioned surprised and made an attempt to turn to the direction the blast came from, knowing exactly to whom it belonged, but before he had the chance to fully complete it…
*Fsstk**Fsstk**Fsstk*Fsstk**Fsstk**Fsstk**Fsstk**Fsstk* (Sound of arrows being shot)
…A rain of deep blue, energy arrows appeared suddenly in a flash, turning many Hollows to Swiss cheese and reducing them as a result to black bits of energy.
An attack equally familiar to Ichigo which brought a small, happy smile on his face before he turns whole.
''TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH, GUYS!'' He shouted smiling to Uryu, Chad and Orihime who were running towards his and Moka's location. Next, he turned back to Moka. ''Change of plans! Let's go!'' He said to her and reached for a third time his left hand to her.
''Eh…?! Ah… Ok!'' Moka replied to him still in a bit of a daze and then finally took his hand.
''Good!'' Ichigo commented and with a swift move pulled Moka over his chest, entangling her tightly in the process with the same hand.
A gesture that made her already huge blush reach its limits.
''Try to hold on tight for a little.'' He added and focusing his reiatsu on his feet, he performed a shunpo to go close to his friends.
Something Moka had seen him doing many times, but never expected to experience firsthand… In just a matter of seconds, the images of all the area around them began flowing towards her back before even having the time to fully analyze them and in addition, the air in front of them was hitting her face so intensively that she felt like she was inside an open cockpit of a fighter jet which flying at full speed…A truly extraordinary experience!
[At the others' location.]
So, with the use of shunpo, Ichigo managed to close the distance between him and his group in a few seconds, standing currently in front of them. There, Moka was able to witness for the first time his friends' powers in action… Chad's left hand was being covered whole in a bizarre-looking metallic, black clove with a few violet stripes over it and was firing energy blasts every time he was punching the air while Ishida had a small light-gray bow with a thin, blue, horizontal symbol in the middle that looked like two opposite arrows, which was shooting non-stop an immeasurable number of small, blue energy arrows. As for Orihime, she wasn't doing anything at the moment, but either way, Moka had already an idea of her own abilities.
''Glad to see you guys here!'' Ichigo commented smiling to the others.
''Well, with all that Hollow reiatsu spreading around the whole area, we couldn't stay with our hands crossed. We had to cease our search and come here to see to the situation…'' Uryu started explaining to Ichigo, turning next his look to Moka. ''…But I'm glad at least that you were able to get over your momentary depression and catch this girl yourself, Kurosaki.'' He continued frowning.
A gesture that together with his words made Moka move a bit to Ichigo's back slightly scared. Something Ichigo noticed and deduced that he had to intervene before things go out of hand.
''Err… Considering that, the situation changed from earlier. I don't have the time to explain right now since we still have some of these Blockheads to take care of, but for the moment, you don't have to do anything concerning Moka. I fixed things between us.''
''Come again?! What's the meaning of this, Kurosaki? What do you mean by –you fixed things with her-?'' Uryu asked Ichigo in a surprised and somewhat irritated tone, turning again to him.
''I mean exactly what I said, Ishida. I thought of it a lot and decided to forgive her. Of course, she will have to tell us all the truth about her later, but until then we need to get rid of these Hollows first.'' Ichigo stated to Uryu with a straight expression.
An expression that made to Uryu realizes that he didn't have many options to choose on the matter, unless he wanted to start an argument with Ichigo.
''Haa… Like always, I can't comprehend in the least the way your brain works, Kurosaki!'' He said to him closing his eyes and touching his head for a few seconds with his left hand's fingers like he had a headache. After that, he opened them again removing his fingers and taking a serious expression. ''But you are right about these Hollows. First things come first! We will discuss Akashiya-san's case after we clean up this mess.'' He added fixing his glasses.
''Perfect! So, let's get to business!'' Ichigo claimed smirking.
''Agreed!'' Uryu replied in a monotone focusing his gaze on his targets.
''Yeah!'' Chad added lifting his right thumb.
''Then it's settled!'' Ichigo said in a satisfied tone and turned next to Orihime. ''Inoue… Can I ask you a favor?''
''Eh?! Yes! What do you want, Kurosaki-kun?''
''I don't suppose that it will take us long to finish off these idiots, but while we are at it, can you please protect Moka for me. I would be at ease knowing that you are with her.''
''What? Me… protect Moka-san?'' Orihime asked him in shock, looking with the edge of her right eye Moka. (I changed the –chan with –san because right now Orihime doesn't see her as a friend.)
''Yeah! I know it's sort of bizarre after what happened, but I would be totally indebted to you if you do it.''
''But… I… She…''
''Please!'' Ichigo pleaded her with an intense look in his eyes.
A look Orihime wasn't able to fight back and managed in the end to convince her despite her negative feelings about Moka.
''Fine! I will do it.'' She answered him lowering her eyes defeated.
''Ok! I'm counting on you. You're the best!'' Ichigo said to her with a satisfied smile followed by a quick wink.
Next, he made a nod to the boys implying that they should begin their attack and following that, they all rushed against the Hollows, leaving the girls behind.
[With the girls.]
''Koten Zanshun!'' Orihime chanted releasing her reiatsu shield in front of her and Moka to protect themselves from the battle's energy blasts and explosions. ''All set! We will be fine until Kurosaki-kun and the others return.''
''Err… Thank you, Orihime-chan!'' Moka said to her then wanting to thank her for her decision to protect her.
But her express of gratitude wouldn't receive the acknowledgeable it normally would.
''You don't have to, Moka-san. I'm doing this only because Kurosaki-kun asked me to. I'm still too mad at you for what you did.'' Orihime stated without turning her face to her.
''Oh… I understand… And I'm sorry…'' Moka replied to her, muttering in a hesitant tone while lowering her head as a sign of remorse.
''A simple –sorry- doesn't undo everything you did, Moka-san. You lied to us and especially to Kurosaki-kun. Do you even have an idea of how much faith he had to you? And not just that!'' Orihime claimed in a frustrated tone. Next, she placed her right fist over her chest, tightening her eyelids as a sign of pain. ''He also loved you… And he still does from what I saw.'' She added tightening also her fist. ''When we were back at the resort's garden during the firework show, I took him away to confess my feelings to him in hopes that he would return them back, making reality like this the dream I had for two years… But he didn't. He rejected me kindly saying that he was in love with another girl… You, Moka-san…!''
Hearing her words, some tears appeared in Moka's eyes. She could fully empathize with Orihime's feelings since she too felt similar to her when she assumed that Ichigo had picked her as his girlfriend.
''…Next, I decided to kiss him as a goodbye to my feelings, but the truth was that somewhere inside me I was wishing that with this he would somehow change his mind… But it was in vain. Even after that kiss… my first kiss… he stayed loyal to you. That's why I asked him as a favor to forgive me and we end it there… Do you understand now why I'm so angry with you, Moka-san? You won in such a short time something I was waiting and hoping for, for two whole years… And despite that, you betrayed us!'' Orihime said to her, turning near the end of her speech back to Moka with some tears in her eyes too.
A sight that made Moka feel even guiltier than she already did.
''…I… don't think that this will mean anything to you, Orihime-chan… But I'm really sorry for everything… I'm sorry from the bottom of my heart.''
''I told you that a –sorry- won't solve a thing… But if you want to at least remedy for yours mistake a bit, you can answer me something. But this time, no lies! Ok?''
''Yes, of course! I swear you in my life.''
''Very well then…'' Orihime started saying to her closing her eyes. ''…Kurosaki-kun loves you with all his heart, but what about you? What do you feel about him? Do you love him too?'' She asked her with a serious expression, opening and focusing her eyes on her.
A series of three very straightforward questions that caught Moka slightly by surprise. Questions that most likely pained a lot Orihime to ask, but she was very serious about Ichigo, so she had to do it either way to confirm if her loved one would find happiness with his choice. That's why, she, herself, was obligated to answer her honestly and with the same seriousness and straightforwardness as a woman to another woman… So, strengthening her resolve, Moka wiped the tears of her eyes, changing in the process the uncomfortable expression she had until that moment to a determined one.
''Yes! I do…! I love Ichigo. I love him with all my power. That's why I regret what I did and I'm determined to do whatever I have to, to make up for all my mistakes.'' Moka answered Orihime with a straight voice.
An answer that left her quite satisfied taking into consideration a slight loosening Orihime made to her face's expression.
''I see… That's good…'' She claimed as a response wiping her own tears and next turned to her front. ''…For now, I don't have anything else I want to discuss with you, Moka-san, but later I hope you reveal us everything concerning yourself.''
''Ok! I promise!'' Moka replied to her in a serious tone, appearing a faint smile on her face.
She maybe didn't exactly make up with Orihime, but at least thanks to that quick talk, there was a very small improvement on their relationship.
[With the boys.]
While these things were taking place between the two girls, the three boys of their group had already engaged themselves inside a ferocious battle with the Hollows.
More specifically, Chad…
''EL DIRECTO…EL DIRECTO…''
*Boom* Boom* …
…was firing consecutively his blasts towards the Hollows or…
''HMNN!''
*Hpfft*
…punching hard their masks; reducing them either way to black bits of energy. As for Uryu, he mostly…
''These Hollows really never learn!''
*Fsstk**Fsstk**Fsstk**Fsstk*
…kept firing his arrows upon them, filling them with additional holes except their main one, or sometimes…
''WHAA!''
*Hstt*
…sliced them with his Seele Shneider; reducing them in each case to black bits of energy. Ichigo lastly…
''HAA!''
*Hstt*
…was slicing from every possible angle or….
''HAA!''
*Hpfft* *Hktt*
…punching and kicking hard with every chance he found each Hollow that happened to come in his way, reducing all of them to black bits of energy. In addition, one could easily distinguish that his attacks were way more brutal compared to Chad's and Uryu's. Whenever he was swinging his blade to slice a Hollow, he wasn't just cutting it, but more accurately, he was separating it viciously into two halves by smashing his blade, which he dad cloaked in his azure reiatsu, on its body. As for when he was punching or kicking them, it looked more like the Hollows were being hit by cannonballs than simple fists and feet… They had dared to hurt the woman he loved, so he would make them pay for it with everything he had.
*Hstt**Hstt**Hpfft**Hstt**Hktt**Hstt**Hpfft*…
[With Chad and Uryu.]
*Boom*
''Boy! Ichigo is surely on a roll today!'' Chad commented amazed by his friend's performance in battle.
*Fsstk**Fsstk*
''Well, that's without a doubt a convenient thing considering the number of our opponents.'' Uryu replied casually.
*Boom*
''You think it's because of Moka-san?''
*Hsstt*
''Most likely… It's completely absurd after what he discovered, but as it seems, he still harbors feelings for her.''
*Hpfft*
''You think we should forgive her too? She didn't give me the impression of a bad person during this little time we know her.''
*Fsstk**Fsstk*
''I'm somewhat reluctant concerning this. I believe that before we make a rash decision, we must hear what she has to say for herself first.''
*Boom*
''I see...!''
*Fsstk**Fsstk*
''Yeah! Now let's get over with them.''
''Hpfft*
''Got it!''
[With Ichigo.]
*Hstt*
''You bastards!'' Ichigo cursed slicing a Hollow in the middle, reducing it to black bits of energy.
*Hktt*
''How dare you touch Moka?'' He questioned kicking hard another in its face, breaking its mask to pieces and letting it like this share the same fate as the previous one.
*Hpfft*
''You will regret it!'' He claimed punching a third again in its face, sending it meet its fallen comrades.
''You are finishe…'' He was about to growl rushing against another Hollow, but that moment felt a sudden raise to the dark reiatsu in the atmosphere, stopping his sentence midway and turning startled to the direction it was coming from to check what was happening.
There, he witnessed the opening of a huge Garganta some meters over the sea and the appearance of five Menos from inside of it.
''Oh! Just perfect! And I was wondering what was missing!'' He commented in a sarcastic tone frowning. ''I'm really sick of you guys. I came here for vacations, not to play with Hollows…'' He added annoyed and then tightened his grip around his sword's hilt. ''No more games! I'm getting ridding of you all right now!'' He claimed changing his frown to a deep scowl.
Next, he started gathering a small portion of reiatsu inside his blade like earlier and when it reached the level he wanted, he began shunpoing to every corner around the group of Hollows which were close to him, unleashing it bit by bit over them and sending them that way flying towards the Menos' location. That resulted in them ending up altogether in a big mass of bodies gathered below the Menos' legs (or the lower half of their body in any case). Seeing that, Ichigo deduced that his plan worked and it was time for its final stage. So…
''GETSUGA…'' He started shouting, concentrating at the same time a large amount of reiatsu in his blade.
Following that, he shunpoed in a place a few meters away from the Hollow mass.
''…TENSHOOUUU!'' He finished unleashing his powerful reiatsu wave against them.
A reiatsu wave that could easily be described as the most powerful he ever unleashed while in his Shikai form… A reiatsu wave that swallowed in a matter of seconds every Hollow which was in its path, reducing them all with ease to black bits of energy like they were nothing… A reiatsu wave that illuminated the night sky like a mini-nuclear explosion and in the process separated the sea water from the shore until many meters in the deep into two, creating a path in the middle and making Ichigo look like a second Moses. A sight that left quite astonished his group, especially Moka who was looking at him with her eyes wide open, and quite frozen due to fear the remaining Hollows near Chad and Uryu. A fact that made their job a lot easier since it allowed them to exterminate them faster without any resistance… For the end, the sea beneath Ichigo returned to its former state when in the meantime, without further need for them anymore, Orihime deactivated her shield while Uryu and Chad withdrew their weapons.
[With the girls.]
''Wow! Ichigo is amazing!'' Moka commented in an enthusiastic tone after what she witnessed him doing.
''Yes… Kurosaki-kun is without a doubt an extraordinary person…'' Orihime added with a small smile. Next, she turned back to Moka. ''…You can go to him if you want. He fought for you nonetheless.'' She suggested to her lowering slightly her eyelids, implying that what she just said was very hard for her.
Something Moka noticed.
''Really…? I mean… Wouldn't it be better… to wait for him to come to us…?'' She asked her hesitantly feeling sorry for her.
''No! It's fine! I'm guessing that it will please him a lot to have you by his side after this battle. You can go.'' Orihime answered her in a low tone.
''Are you sure? I don't mind waiting with yo…'' Moka asked her again in an attempt to not do something that would hurt her more, but was cut short.
''JUST GO, MOKA-SAN!'' Orihime screamed at her, closing tightly her eyes and tightening her fists.
A reaction that made Moka goggle surprised and realize that Orihime wanted to stay alone and that's why she was trying to send her to Ichigo's place. So, not wishing to anger her further, she nodded positively to her and following that, she began running towards Ichigo. The same time, while Moka was getting away from her, Uryu and Chad approached her from her right side.
''Are you ok, Inoue?'' Chad asked her in a worried tone, stepping next to her.
''Yes… I am…'' Inoue murmured with a voice that betrayed the fact that she was currently suppressing her emotions.
''I don't have the right to judge your choices or tell you what to do, Inoue-san, but are you absolutely fine with your decision to send her to Kurosaki's side before we have the chance to ask her about herself?'' Uryu asked her in a half sympathetic-half serious tone.
''Yes… Moka-san promised me that she will reveal us everything after the battle ends and in addition, I could see clearly her inner desire to go to Kurosaki-kun… And I think that's what he probably wants too... You saw how powerful his last attack was. He was very angry at the Hollows for hurting her… That's why he fought them so intensively… All for her sake…'' Orihime answered him with the same voice.
''Yeah… That sounds logical in a way…But…''Uryu was about to retaliate, but was cut short.
''Please, Ishida-kun! Let it pass… I beg you…'' Orihime interrupted him in a pleading tone, turning to him with tears in her eyes.
A sight that made Uryu feel like he was electrified and understand that it would be better to do what she asked of him, not continuing with this subject to not deepen the knife in her wound.
''As you wish.'' He replied to her lowering his face embarrassed from his lack of tact.
[In the meantime – At Ichigo's location.]
Having finished his job, Ichigo landed on the ground and was now standing still with a skeptical expression on his face.
''What the hell was that, tonight? So many Hollows at once can't be a coincidence. The only other time something similar happened, was about a month ago when they attacked my house… But what's the connection between them?'' Ichigo was wondering inside his head when something was destined to come and interrupt his thoughts before he reaches a conclusion.
''ICHIGOOO!'' Moka's voice was heard from afar, snapping him out of his deep thoughts and making him turns to its direction.
There, he saw her running smiling to his place.
''Moka?!'' He questioned a bit surprised by her act.
''OHH! I'M SO HAPPY YOU DIDN'T GET HURT AFTER FIGHTING ALL THOSE HOLLOWS.'' She shouted to him with a relieved expression, raising further her speed.
''Heh! Silly girl… Like I would ever get hurt by opponents like them...'' Ichigo murmured to himself with a slight smile of his own. ''…DON'T RUN SO FAST! YOU WILL TRIP!'' He shouted at her in a playful tone.
''NO! I WON'T!'' She replied to him the same way, widening her smile.
[At the same time – High in the air]
''Not yet! You haven't won yet.'' Lazarto commented smirking sinisterly. _
[Back to Moka.]
''…I WILL BE FIN…'' Moka was about to add in her shout, but then something totally unexpected took place, forcing her to stop.
*Pbfff* (sound of explosion)
Without a warning the ground beneath her feet exploded, lifting large masses of sand in the air and covering that way the area around that spot in a sand mist. In addition, just from nowhere, something like a beast's hand popped from the ground grapping her left leg and starting next dragging her inside the earth along with it.
''AAHHH! ICHIGOOO!'' Moka screamed desperately in an attempt to ask for help.
An attempt that succeeded since after hearing her, Ichigo jumped forwards, performing right away shunpo to run to her aid. And not only he… Witnessing that sight, Uryu, Chad and Orihime decided to go help too assuming that there was more to this explosion than meets the eye and Ichigo could need support… But unfortunately, they wouldn't have the chance to realize their idea since a few minutes after the explosion occurred, a series of multiple Gargantas began opening across the shore, appearing from inside of them a great number of Hollows. And to make matters worse, not regular ones… Adjuchas-Class ones.
[With Ichigo's friends.]
''This is insane! What are all these Adjuchas-Class doing here?'' Uryu questioned goggling astonished by the terrifying view he was seeing.
''Things are going to get tough!'' Chad commented clothing his left arm in his spiritual clove.
''We have to go help, Kurosaki-kun!''Orihime stated in panic.
''I'm afraid that this will have to wait for now, Inoue-san. We have already many problems of our own to handle.'' Uryu said to her taking his bow and light saber. ''…Or at least, I hope we can handle.'' He added frowning with many drops of cold sweat flowing down his face.
[Back to Moka and Ichigo.]
Using shunpo, Ichigo was able to arrive to Moka's location in a flash and was currently trying to spot her inside the mist of sand.
''MOKAA! WHERE ARE YOU, MOKA? ANSWER ME!'' He was shouting towards random directions while wondering inside the sand mist.
''ICHIGOO! HERE! IT'S DRAGGING ME DOWN!'' Moka's voice was heard then screaming in a pleading tone from his right.
An extremely helpful scream that drew Ichigo's attention, making him pinpoint her location.
''WAIT FOR ME! I'M COMING!'' He shouted at her and without a second of delay he moved towards the place he heard her voice, kneeling next and reaching both his hands towards the unknown in hopes of grabbing a part of her body to pull her to his side.
A smart move that proved to be right since he actually did catch something in the end with his left hand… It was just that it wasn't quite much what he wished for… Instead of a hand or a leg or generally something of that sort, Ichigo grabbed something cold and metallic that felt it had the shape of a cross. –The cross attached to the choker around her neck.- He thought immediately and deducing that this was better than nothing, he started pulling it hard to bring her closer to him so he could grab and an actual body part to raise the chances of pulling her out of the sand… But this time his efforts would go to waste. The moment he applied a sufficient amount of strength (he couldn't pull too strongly because he would choke her), the weight he was feeling from the cross reduced dramatically in an instant, meaning only that her it was removed from its chain. A fact that made Ichigo goggle to the point of firing his eyes out of his head and was the worst thing to happen at the moment.
''MOKAA!'' He shouted desperately and in total panic to the direction where he caught her cross.
''IIICHIGOO…! GHKKGL…'' Moka's voice was heard screaming as a reply, but then suddenly stopped after a sound like something between coughing and drowning.
After that, the sand mist disappeared automatically in a strange way like it was controlled by something, uncovering the area around Ichigo and leaving him there kneeling frozen with Moka's cross in his left palm and his eyes staring at the sand in front of him which looked like it was totally untouched.
''Mo…ka…'' He murmured with a trembling voice.
He couldn't believe… No…! He refused to believe that he allowed something like this to happen when he was so close to her… He made such an effort to discover his real feelings for her; he rejected Orihime for her sake; and he even made the extremely difficult decision to forgive her for telling him lies and infecting his sister…But all for nothing… Just when he thought that he would finally be able to raise their relationship to another level… she literally slipped off his hands. A fact that exploded inside him like a bomb.
''MOOOKAAAAA…!'' He screamed loudly towards the sky, closing tightly his eyes while tightening his grip over her cross.
*Pbfff*
…But once again, another totally unexpected phenomenon occurred in front of his eyes... While he was feeling like he was about to fall apart emotionally, a second explosion took place at the same spot the previous one did. But this time it was a slightly different case. Following the explosion, it wasn't a mist of sand that appeared like earlier, but a large pile of intense, deep-violet energy which was spreading until the clouds. A sight that shocked so much Ichigo as also his friends who saw it completely stunned from their current location. Next, to continue the series of bizarre events, a Hollow was fired without a warning from inside that pile towards the air. As it seemed, it was apparently an Adjuchas-Class which looked like a mole and had his mask broken to pieces, disintegrating slowly to bits of black energy. A sight even more astonishing than the pile, but still not the most shocking of the night... Unexpectedly, the greatest surprise hadn't made its appearance yet… But it would in the following seconds… After the Hollow's launch, a womanly figure jumped quickly from inside the hole the explosion had created, landing right next to Ichigo. A fact that drove him turns slowly while being confused beyond any comprehension towards her to find out who she was… There, he saw a woman with long silver hair to Moka's length, crimson eyes which had a very intimating look in them and a quite well-developed body to the point of being unbelievably sexy, wearing the clothes Moka had last on her. In addition, she was emitting an aura of extreme confidence around her and for some strange reason she was standing in a proud pose like she owned the whole world or something.
''Damn it! Out after such a long time and I'm all covered in sand!'' The unknown woman complained in an annoyed tone, looking at her clothes.
As for Ichigo, he was like he was about to drop his jaw like a nutcracker.
''What the hell?'' He questioned puzzled with his eyes wide open and many drops of sweat appearing over his face.
A question she heard and managed to draw her attention, making her turn to him.
''Hm? Oh, hello Kurosaki Ichigo! We finally meet each other face to face!'' The woman said to him with a small grin the moment she laid her eyes upon him.
''Huh?!'' He questioned then even more puzzled. ''Who… are you?''
''Well… It's a long story… But for the meantime let's go with this…'' She started answering him and after that bent her upper body above him, giving him her right hand for a handshake. ''…My name is Akashiya Moka. Nice to meet you!''
''…Whaaat?!''
A/N: And that's the end.
1: Ok, I'm well aware that many of you were expecting the epic battle between Inner and Ichigo, but the thing is that no matter how many times I thought of it inside my head, I couldn't add it in this chap without messing its flow ,fast-forwarding events or making it extremely long. So, to the ones that I disappointed, I ask you sincerely sorry.
The good news is that from here on we are getting to Inner's part of the story, so we will have the fight in the next chap.
[Extra: I changed my avatar to match the heroine change, so if you would like, please give it a look in my profile and tell me an opinion if you don't mind.]
2: For the ones who wonder why Ichigo didn't try to dig the sand or something when Moka was sucked inside… Well, he was way too shocked to start thinking clear right away and next he didn't have the necessary time since the second explosion occurred.
3: Finally, how did the dialogue with Zangetsu look to you? I tried my best to make him as close to the original as possible… Or at least something equal wise-sounding.
As always, a great thanks to my beta reader saddas74 for his valuable help!
See you next time!
Be well and love Japan! Ja'ne!