Coincidence Or Fate? Chapter 14: The one who stands above!, a Bleach + Rosario + Vampire Crossover fanfic

-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

Hi guys! The long awaited chapter 14 is finally here full of action and… well… words. I apologize, but this is the shortest version I could write. It's a special chapter anyway, so I needed to develop it slowly. I will try to keep short the others which are about to come later like I did with the previous ones.

Now…Some very important things I would like to mention and I really hope you will find a little time to read before moving to the chapter… So:

1: About the nerfing many of you were worried about, I have to the say that I didn't do it. The opposite! You can say that I boosted (otherwise the main fight would be extremely short and that would be quite disappointing in my opinion).

2: There are 3 specific reasons for Ichigo's performance during his fight with Inner. You will find them inside while you are reading.

3: I read some reviews during my latest chaps that refer to Ichigo's powers using as examples his fights when he was in his Vizard Mode or in Final Getsuga Tenshou. As I have mentioned before, I'm well aware of Ichigo's power level, so you don't have to worry about me degrading him. Kurosaki Ichigo is my MOST favorite male MC so there's NO WAY in a million years for me to do something that would damage his image.

3, 5: Another thing you should also take into consideration is that currently Ichigo is still in his Shikai form. This means that he is using only 1/3 of his actual powers (the other 2 are Bankai and Vizard Mode. I don't add his Hollow Form and Final Getsuga in his standard power levels since they are special cases and considering the first, he can't control it, while for the second, it's a one in a lifetime technique where his power goes momentary infinite and he's unrivalled [Mugetsu=Mugen(infinite) +Zangetsu (which originates from the word zangeki=slash attack). In other words, you could say that Mugetsu means in a way, Infinite Slash]). You don't have to worry if Inner Moka seems like she closes a bit his power level right now since in reality what she closes, it's just his 1/3. Not even his half. ;)

4: Here, I'm using a different approach in starting Ichigo's and Inner Moka's relationship to slightly spice things up and give variation to the story.

5: About how things are proceeding after the starting point until the fight… I did it to create a solid reason for them to fight. I'm not sure if it looks slightly oc, but I'm mentioning this so you are informed in any case about the reason I wrote what I wrote.

6: Finally, something that left me somewhat curious. Lordfaust, you mentioned that I should tune down the comic effect, but the thing is that I didn't add anything comical in my last chapter. The only thing that was close to a joke was Ichigo's cold joke to Zangetsu, but even that, he did it to cover his sorrow. Did something actually other than that looked funny to you? *scratches head puzzled* Or could it be about my sound effects? (I considered this after a talk with my beta reader.) If it's about this, I don't use them as jokes or something of that sort, but as a way to enter more easily in a different scene or action, pause between dialogues when something or someone is about to interrupt, present action between dialogues (like with Uryu and Chad where they were talking but still attacking) and generally help the story flow easier where a paragraph would look unnecessary or could disturb the normal flow of the story like a small wall that would slow you down while reading. If it's something else, I will be happy to hear you and think about what should do from now on.

That's all from me!

Enjoy and have an especially pleasant reading!

[A few seconds after Inner Moka introduced herself to Ichigo.]

''Mo-ka... You said?'' Ichigo questioned, muttering extremely confused.

''Yeah! My name is Akashiya Moka.'' Inner Moka answered him casually.

On her part, she didn't generally have any problem to reveal her identity to him since they had already reached this point and it would be meaningless to hide it anyway, but for Ichigo that piece of information was another cause ofa short-circuit inside his was probably one of his weirdest nights. First, Orihime confessed to him out of the blue, hours later he discovered that the girl he was in love with wasn't a human and now an unknown girl was standing in front of him, claiming that she was his loved one. The word – weird was really an understatement to describe the whole situation.

''Hey! Quit joking! This is serious!'' Ichigo said to her, appearing some signs of irritation on his face.''Who are you? And what happened to Moka? Is she still inside that hole?'' He asked her, turning his sight towards the hole.

''No, she isn't. And the reason is because I'm here… I told you, my name is Akashiya Moka. The same as the one you know. It sounds crazy, but I'm not joking about it.'' Inner Moka answered him in a straight tone, pulling her hand back since she understood that he wasn't in the mood for handshakes or anything of that sort.

''Well, not from my point of view... You just showed up from nowhere and now you are claiming you are Moka. Does that look as something other than a joke to you…? Because to me… It sure as hell isn't.'' Ichigo stated to her with a dubious expression, turning back to her.

''Hmm… You are right on that, but I can't do anything to convince you at the moment.'' Inner Moka replied to him in a slightly thoughtful tone, touching her chin with her right hand. Next, she left it and turned her head to her left. ''Before we cut to the chase about my circumstances, something has to be done firstly about those Blockheads over there.'' She pointed, looking at the group of Adjuchas-Class which was walking out of the Gargantas. ''They can become quite the nuisances, right?'' She asked him, turning back to Ichigo.

''Yeah… But our main issue at the moment isn't them…Is you! You still haven't made it clear to me, on what you mean with what you said. Before everything else, I must find out if Moka is alright. I can always handle these things afterwards.''

''Heh! Quite stubborn as always, aren't you, Kurosaki Ichigo?! But I should have expected it. During this past month, this was one of the most common traits of yours that I was able to learn about.'' Inner Moka commented with a chuckle, closing her eyes.

''Huh? What are you talking about again?''

''Nothing!'' Inner Moka answered him and turned whole towards the Hollows. ''I'm going to give you a small explanation about your sweetheart's and my case later. For now keep in mind that she is fine… As for me, Iowe a little payback to those guys' kind for all the troubles they have caused us for so long... See you!'' She said to him and then started running without a warning towards the Hollows.

A sudden action that made Ichigo goggle surprised.

''HEY! HOLD IT! WE HAVEN'T FINISHED TALKING YET! AND WHAT –PAYBACK-? THOSE THINGS AREN'T TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY! YOU WILL GET HURT…! HEYY! YOU HEAR ME?!'' Ichigo shouted at her, reaching his right hand to her direction. ''Argg! What's her problem?!'' He questioned himself after that with an irritated scowl, pulling his hand back, sitting on the sandand wrapping his arms around his chest in a pissed way.

''We will see about that.'' Inner Moka murmured to herself that moment, continuing her running with a confident smirk.

Ichigo may have been a worthy warrior and an expert when it was coming in killing Hollows, but she wasn't a pushover herself. She had accumulated enough stress over that month they had transferred to his world together with her other half and since she finally had the chance, she was determined to blow off some stream. –She would get hurt… Hah! Well, this was the real joke! Like she would ever lose to small fries like them! - Ichigo could underestimate her as much as he wished for the meantime, but soon she would show him the true value of a proud, vampire fighter. It was time for Mister Scowl to face the fact that there were also other capable fighters than him out there.

[The same time - At the Hollows' location.]

''Lazarto really has a lot of nerve to order us like we are his pawns!'' A Hollow looking like a rhino complained in an angry tone.

''Well, he has Celos-sama's permission. And if we don't obey him, we will most likely be killed.'' A second hollow looking like a slug pointed.

''Either way, he gets on my nerves. When we finish this mission, I say to assassinate him. It will look like an accident during the battle.'' A third hollow looking like a lion suggested smirking.

''Nice idea!'' The rhino-like Hollow commented sharing that smirk.

''Hm? What's that?'' A fourth Hollow looking like a horse questioned, focusing his sight on a female figure a little far from them.

''I'm not sure. It looks like a human.'' The lion-like Hollow stated.

''Hey! She just jumped and disappeared.'' The slug-like Hollow pointed, seeing the female figure performing a high jump and disappearing in a flash from its eyes.

''What the hell? Where did she go?'' The rhino-like Hollow questioned puzzled.

''No idea! She vanis…''The horse-like Hollow was about to say, but…

*Hftkk*

''AAAAHHH!'' …the female figure fell like a meteor from the sky above them, hammering her right foot right over its mask, smashing it to pieces and reducing it whole to black bits of energy.

''Heads up, numbskulls!'' Inner Moka said to them while landing on the ground among the Hollow's remnants with a satisfied smile.

She was keeping tabs on all of Ichigo's battles until now, so she knew well that the fastest and most comfortable way to kill a Hollow was to destroy its mask. Of course that meant that she would exterminate them all quicker than normal, but it was her first time out after so long and as a smart person, she deduced that it wasn't wise to strain too much her body in battle. Muscles can get pretty cramped if someone overuse them after such a long period of doing nothing. But thankfully for her, there were enough opponents to satisfy her need for action, even if she were to beat them all with one strike.

''WHAT?!SHE KILLED BAYOS!'' The lion-like Hollow shouted furiously after witnessing its comrade's death.

''YOU VEEERMINNN!'' The rhino-like one growled next and rushed against her with his horn pointed towards her heart.

''Hm! Interesting! You want a one on one match, Nosey…? Well, alright! Let's see what you got.'' Inner Moka commented smirking amused and next placed her hands close to each other in front of her chest.

''DIIEE!'' The rhino-like Hollow growled again, pushing his horn towards her bosom.

*Hppp* (Sound of hands catching something)

But unfortunately for it, Inner Moka's previous gesture allowed her to grab with ease its horn a few centimeters before piercing her heart, stopping simultaneously its owner at its tracks.

''HUH?! IMPOSSIBLE! SHE STOPPED ME WITH ONLY HER HANDS!'' The rhino-like Hollow shouted shocked with its eyes wide open.

''…And you haven't seen anything yet.'' Inner Moka claimed smirking.

Following that, she concentrated some of her strength on her hands, starting right after lifting the Hollow in the air by its horn until it reached a point over her head.

''NO…! THIS…CAN'T BE!'' The rhino-like Hollow muttered shouting with its pupils trembling inside its eyes black void.

''Oooh, Yeah! It can!'' Inner Moka replied to it in cool tone and next hammered it hard on the ground lie a stick…

*Htcrrkk*

…breaking all its bones, as also its mask, to pieces and reducing it like this to black bits of energy.

''Too easy!'' She commented then with a small grin, turning right after to the remaining Hollows. ''Next!''She said to them in a provoking tone, taunting them with her left hand to attack her

A gesture that together with their comrades' deaths raised their carnage to the max.

''YOU BIIITCHHH!'' The lion-like Hollow howled at her, rushing against her with his mouth open and its claws ready to tear her apart.

''YOU'RE FIIINISHEDDD!'' The slug-like Hollow howled too, following its comrade's example with his round mouth open.

A mouth full of small teeth from its exterior until a point to its interior, looking altogether like a mincer.

''Ha! Two versus one… A bit unfair…'' Inner Moka started saying, closing momentary her eyes. ''…But still fine by me.'' She continued, opening them with an overconfident expression on her face.

Next, she mimicked their action, starting rushing towards them.

''I WILL CRUSH YOU!'' The lion-like hollow growled at her a little before their confrontation.

''I WILL CHEW YOU UNTIL THERE'S NOTHING LEFT!'' The slug-like Hollow growled at her too, being also a little before they make contact.

''Impudent fools!'' Inner Moka said to them as a response and without further ado, jumped in mid-air. ''Know your place!'' She claimed in an intense tone and having arrived right in front of the faces of the two Hollows which were beside each other, she performed a swift rotation with her body…

*Hftkk**Hftkk*

…kicking them right on their faces with two circling kicks before they have the chance to attack her themselves.

A clever move that had quite the effect since it made them crash on each other's body, stopping their attack course and breaking at the same time their masks to pieces. After that, they began disintegrating to black bits of energy, declaring indirectly Inner Moka's undeniable victory.

''Even if you increase your numbers, it's futile against someone superior.'' Inner Moka stated with a serious expression, looking at the bits of black energy while having her arms crossed around her chest.

Then, she turned towards some other Hollows which had seen the whole scene and were currently walking to her location to take revenge for their comrades.

''More volunteers ? Perfect! I accept your challenge!'' She claimed appearing a satisfied smirk and without wasting a second, she started rushing against them.

And thus, a new battle began copying pretty much the previous one's results with Inner Moka crushing each hollow's mask with a series of kicks and occasionally punches.

*Hftkk**Hftkk**Hpftt**Hftkk**Hftkk**Hpftt*

[In the meantime – With Ichigo's gang.]

*Fsstk**Fsstk**Fsstk**Fsstk*

''Darn it! This whole situation is ridiculous!'' Uryu commented tightening his eyelids frustrated while shooting non-stop arrows towards the Adjuchas-Class to prevent them from approaching them and at the same time injure or kill as many as he could (Adjuchas-Class have sturdier bodies than the average Hollows, so it's more difficult to kill them). ''What the hell's going on tonight? Such a massive invasion can't be something coincidental. There must be a special reason… But what?'' He questioned with sweat flowing down his face.

*Boom**Boom**Boom*

''Who knows! Ichigo said that there's a new enemy who controls them. He may want to…'' Chad was replying to him while firing too non-stop his blasts against them when…

*Crakkss*

…a loud noise of something being smashed hard over a rock was heard from a location near them, drawing his attention. ''Hm?! What was that?'' He questioned puzzled and to satisfy his curiosity, he turned his face towards the direction the sound came from.

There, he witnessed to his great astonishment a silver-haired girl fighting another group of Adjuchas-Class all alone and surprisingly, having the upper hand, destroying them one after another.

''Am I dreaming?'' Chad wondered even more puzzled than before.

That moment, with his attention elsewhere, a deer-like Hollow found the chance to slip into their defense zone, coming closer to him from behind and getting ready to skewer him with its antlers.

*Fsstk**Fsstk*

But thankfully for him, Uryu noticed it in time and using his bow, he filled its mask with arrows, shattering it to pieces and reducing the Hollow to bits of black energy.

''What are you doing, Chad?! This isn't the time to lose our focus.'' Uryu stated to him in a half angry-half strict tone.

''Eh? Oh! Sorry, Ishida. And thanks… It's just that I saw that girl over there, killing all those Hollows and I got distracted.'' Chad replied to him pointing Inner Moka's direction with his left index finger.

''Huh? What girl?'' Uryu questioned a bit puzzled and turned to the direction Chad was pointing to see for himself.

And he saw already…A couple of meters away from them was an unknown, silver-haired girl who was fighting singlehandedly a group of Adjuchas-Class Hollows, the same of maybe a little larger than theirs, and for a totally absurd reason was winning over them without looking like she had many difficulties. A sight so shocking that doubled Uryu's sweat and made him open his eyes to their limit.

''What… is this? Who… is she?''

''No idea! But she seems to be on our side… Or at least that she wants to exterminate the Hollows like us.''

''Yeah… But that doesn't make sense. Where did she come from? I didn't sense the reiatsu of anyone else except us, Kurosaki and Moka-san when we arrived here. But she is emitting a completely new type of reiatsu…'' Uryu started replying to him when suddenly realized something and his eyelids twitched. ''Wait…I didn't notice it earlier because we were fighting, but now that I look at it better, Moka-san's reiatsu seems… like it vanished.''

''Hmm… Something must have happened during those two explosions. Maybe we should go check how things with Ichigo are to find out.''

''Unfortunately, we don't have the time yet. We have to keep holding our ground. We can't allow them to head towards the resort by any chance and furthermore, if we leave, Inoue-san will be in severe danger.'' Uryu pointed to him, turning momentary his face backwards to take a glimpse of Orihime who had found shelter between some large rocks, having also her shield released for additional protection.

''Oh! Right !''Chad replied, feeling somewhat guilty for forgetting Orihime for a second.

''It's ok. Now let's continue. If we want to go to Kurosaki's side, we need to beat all these opponents first." Uryu said to him and after that resumed his attacks against the Hollows.

*Fsstk**Fsstk**Fsstk**Fsstk*

''Yes!'' Chad agreed and did the same.

*Boom**Boom**Boom*

[Back to Ichigo.]

''Yeeaahh… Just when I was assuming that things couldn't become weirder…'' Ichigo commented in his head with his eyelids narrowed as a sign of how dumbfounded he was with what he was watching taking place some meters in front of him. ''What's the deal withthis girl? She is fighting those Adjuchas-Class like it's a `piece of cake` job. Where does she find all that power? She looks almost as powerful as a Captain. Can she really be the same person as Moka…? The same gentle Moka who looked like she hated fighting and couldn't face even a single, regular Hollow…! Man! I feel like my brain is about to burst…!'' He was thinking confused, grabbing his head with his right hand near the end of his last thought as a sign of having a headache.''In just one night everything went from normal to totally crazy... I learned that Moka isn't a human; another girl appeared claiming she is her despite having a different appearance and in addition, compare to the weak Moka I know, she has enough strength to beat up a bunch of Adjuchas-Class alone… This whole situation is messed up! I have to learn the whole truth fast or I think I'm gonna go insane… Yeah… That's what I have to do!'' He concluded after some additional thinking and taking a determined expression, he placed Moka's cross inside his kimono and grabbed his sword which he had sheath inside its loincloth on his back.

After that, he stood up and unsheathed his blade, stepping forward and performing shunpo towards the girl's and the Hollows' location.

[At Inner Moka's place.]

*Hftkk**Hftkk**Hpftt**Hftkk*

While everyone was busy dealing with their own problems, physical (Uryu – Chad) or mental (Ichigo), Inner Moka was still in the middle of annihilating Hollows without dropping her pace in the least.

''PREPARE YOURSELF!'' A swordfish-like Hollow with legs growled at her, trying to skewer her with its sword-like upper jaw.

''Right back at you!'' Inner Moka replied to it and using a swift move, she grabbed its upper jaw with her left hand, changing its course's trajectory to her left.

That had as a result for the Hollow to miss its target and walk a few steps closer to her due to its attack's force. Something pretty convenient that allowed Inner Moka to knee hard its mask with her left leg, shattering it to pieces and reducing her enemy to blacks bit of energy.

''HWAA! I WILL OBLITERATE YOU!'' An elephant-like Hollow growled at her next, rushing like a lunatic towards her place to trample over her with its large feet.

''Sorry, but no thanks!'' Inner Moka stated to it and without further ado, high jumped in the air the moment the Hollow reached close to her, avoiding as a result its feet and landing in the process on the back of its neck.''Time for a rough massage.'' She claimed with an amused smirk and entangling her hands' fingers together in a big fist, she raised it over her head and next hammered it on the Hollow's neck with enough force that shattered its mask in a way that looked like an explosion.

Continuing from there, she jumped away from it before it starts disintegrating to bits of black energy to not risk lose her balance due to the quick disappearance of her footing.

''You weaklings bark more than you can bite.'' She stated, looking at the disappearing remnant of her last fallen opponent. ''I had a harder time when…'' She were about to add, but then was unexpectedly cut short by a loud shout from her right.

''DON'T LOWER YOUR GUARD SO QUICKLY, IDIOT! LOOK AT YOUR BACK!''

''Huh?''She questioned a bit startled and following that turned to her back as it instructed to witness the huge mouth of a hippo-like Hollow fully opened and inches away from her body. ''Crap!'' She cursed thinking that she got quite careless after all her easy victories.

She was fast, but not so much to counter an attack from point blank.

*Hscrkk*

But thankfully for her, just when she were about to become hippo lunch, Ichigo shunpoed right next to the Hollow, smashing ruthlessly his clad in reiatsu blade over the Hollow's large mask. An instant attack that pushed its body away from Inner Moka and shattered its mask to smithereens in a matter of seconds.

''Hohoo! Look who decided to come by!'' Inner Moka commented in a slightly ironic tone, crossing her arms around her chest. ''Pretty kind of you to take care of this guy for me, but I think I would be able to pull it off somehow by myself.''

Ichigo had just saved her, but admitting it would be very embarrassing for her since it would mean that she also admits that she made such a crucial mistake during a battle as to lower her guard because of her overconfidence.

''Cut the irony talk. I don't have time for such nonsense right now. And exactly when were you planning to –pull it off-? Before or after it had eaten you alive…? You may be strong, but Hollows of that category aren't such simple opponents. The ones you are currently fighting have intelligence compare to the normal ones of their kind.''

''Oh! So that's why the clear talking… I see...That's a useful tip to know. I will keep it in mind from here on…. Now if you excuse me, I have to return back to my battle.'' Inner Moka told him, turning next towards the opposite direction and getting ready to rush again towards the remaining Hollows.

But that moment, something grabbed her left shoulder, stopping her at her tracks. It was Ichigo.

''What ? Is something bothering you ?" She asked him curiously and faintly annoyed by his gesture, turning back to him.

''Don't play dumb on me! You still haven't given me a good explanation about the whole situation with you and Moka and I'm not gonna wait like a sitting duck for you to enjoy yourself killing these guys at your own pace. I don't care how much you want to do it alone; I'm tagging in!'' Ichigo stated to her in a straight tone.

A statement that made Inner Moka's faint annoyance rise.

''Well, sorry, but I always work solo. And I don't have any intentions of changing it. So, if you don't mind, would you be kind enough to take your hand off me and go occupy yourself with something else. I don't like having others getting in my way when I fight… I will give you your explanation later as I told you.''

''Denied! I want my explanation quickly and I'm not gonna waste time watching you playing around with them. Also, I don't remember asking your permission… However you like to fight is the least I concern myself with at the moment. We are gonna cooperate either you like it, either not!''

A second statement that turned Inner Moka's annoyance to anger... She was a member of the proud vampire clan. Such a manner of speech wasn't acceptable towards her whatever the reason. No one would even dare to talk to her like that if she was back at Youkai Academy… But that man did it without any hesitation like he was talking to someone of the same status.

''Believe me…You don't want to anger me… Take your hand off and leave me alone… I will discuss with you later.'' She said to him, trying to suppress her emotions.

''Nope! Can't do! We will work together. This is the best way to finish them off faster. Deal with it!'' Ichigo said to her in a straight and determined tone.

An act that crumbled and the last `wall` that had been left to keep Inner Moka's emotions under control.

''I SAID NO, OK? AND I MEAN IT!'' She shouted at him in a frustrated tone.

A tone that could easily make most of her former opponents to run away with their tail between their legs, trembling in fear… But not Kurosaki Ichigo!

''AND I SAID, I DON'T NEED YOU PERMISSION. SO, SHUT UP AND GO ALONG WITH THE PLAN!'' Ichigo shouted back at her in a similar frustrated tone, getting also angry by her stubbornness.

Inner Moka was angry because he wasn't showing the necessary respect to her, but Ichigo wasn't in a better state, having to put up with a series of preposterous events one after another and not getting a clear explanation about the one thing that mattered to him the most at the moment. His patience was at its limits, so the only response he could give to a so hardheaded girl was a furious shout…And by doing so, he managed to achieve something pretty much no one had ever done before him… He made her shot her eyes open in utter shock... She was generally a composed character who wouldn't allow her temper to get the better of her, making her lose control of herself and distribute behavior unfitting to her noble kind, but for the first time in her life, she felt like she was near the point of losing it because of her anger. That man behind her didn't only refuse to listen to what she said to him, but to make matters worse, he dared to shout back at her and tell her to shut up. Her other self may love him and doesn't wish to see him hurt, but to his worst luck, he had stepped over some boundaries he shouldn't… And that was unforgivable.

''HUH! TO WHOM YOU THINK YOU ARE SAYING TO –SHUT UP-?! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA TO WHOM YOU ARE TALKING TO? DON'T MISUNDERSTAND THE FACT THAT I TRIED TO BE POLITE IN THE BEGINNING. I DON'T TOLERATE SUCH BEHAVIOR FROM NO ONE! I… ''

''OOH! WILL YOU STOP RUNNING YOUR MOUTH ALREADY?! I'M SPEAKING LIKE THAT BECAUSE YOU FORCED ME! I'M ONE STONE AWAY OF LOSING MY MIND AND YOU STILL REFUSE TO GIVE ME A DECENT EXPLANATION. IF YOU WANT ME TO LEARN TO WHOM I'M TALKING TO, MAKE AN EFFORT TO EXPLAIN ME! UNTIL THEN, I CAN TALK THE WAY I LIKE. GOT IT?'' Ichigo shouted again back at her and next removed his hand of her shoulder, turning towards another group of Hollows which was heading to their place. ''End of discussion! They are coming.'' He stated to her while looking at them. Next, he tightened his grip on his sword's hilt. ''Getsuga!''He exclaimed in an intense tone and right after that jumped against the Hollows.

At the same time he was doing that, the reiatsu which was around his blade became a lot thicker to a point of covering it whole and making it look like a shiny, deep-azure blade instead of the regular metallic grey and black one… From there on, when he finally arrived to the Hollows' place, he started attacking them mercilessly, slaying each one of them with such ease like he was cutting butter. From what things were showing, by using his Getsuga on his blade, he boosted its natural attributes like the sharpness of its cutting edge, making it able to slash through the especially hard skin of the Adjuchas-Class like it was nothing.

''This man really gets on my nerves!'' Inner Moka commented inside her head then very irritated while observing him fight.

Ichigo's words were such a great blow to her, or better her pride, that she couldn't get over them so easily and as a result,she was standing stunned at the same spot he had left her before going against his current opponents, not being able to return right away back to the battle.

''Who does he think he is…? That rude moron…! I tried to be polite when we met earlier for my other self's sake since she loves him, but despite that, there are some things one can't just sprout carelessly when he has to do with a noble vampire... But he did and I can't forgive him for that. It surely won't please my other half, but I can't let this one pass so honor of our kind is at stake here. I have to shake her lover boy a bit hard to make him understand better the difference in our standings.'' Inner Moka concluded in her mind with an intense frown on her face while having her eyes glued on Ichigo. ''Ok! It's settled… But first to take care of these annoying pests.'' She added, rushing next towards Ichigo's and the Hollows' location.

[3 minutes later – To where Ichigo was fighting.]

*Hrstt* *Hrstt* *Hrstt*

''Why the hell can't these dumbasses stay quiet for a bit in their own world and leave us relax and have some fun for once?'' Ichigo questioned frustrated after slicing horizontally in the middle three Hollows with one swing. ''These are supposed to be vacations, but instead it looks like I have more work to do than usually. And on top of that, I have to learn what happened to Moka. I can't waste all my time with these Boneheads and their stupid need to cause troubles.'' He claimed scowling and then turned towards another Hollow which was approaching him from his right. ''Just how much you want to piss me off, eh?'' He asked rhetorically the Hollow, not wanting an answer of course and raising his blade upwards ready for a vertical slash.

*Hftkk*

But to his great surprise, he wouldn't be able to perform it. More specifically, the moment he was about to lower his blade to cut it in half, Inner Moka jumped in a flash against it from nowhere, landing a powerful kick on his mask. A very effective kick that shattered its mask to smithereens, reducing it instantly to bits of black energy.

''Hah! Another weakling! I wonder why they even consider them threats.'' She commented in an arrogant tone, landing on the ground and looking at her last victim's remnants.

But she wouldn't have the time to fully enjoy her moment of superiority for long.

''HEY! ARE YOU COMPLETELY NUTS?'' Ichigo asked her furiously, walking closer to her. ''WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS THAT? ARE YOU REALLY SO RECKLESS OR JUST PLAIN STUPID? IF YOU HAD APPEARED A SECOND LATER, I COULD HAVE KILLED YOU?''

Inner Moka's kick was certainly a splendid attack from a general view, but at the same time it was also one of the most reckless actions she had even done. Luck was on her side this time, getting her out of this unharmed, but if something had gone wrong, she could have ended up lying on the ground in two pieces… And it would have been Ichigo's fault. Due to her immature behavior, he would have on his hands the blood of an innocent person, being forced to bear that cross for all his life.

''Oohh, will you stop yelling like a hysteric old man?I knew exactly what I was doing. And there's no way for you to match my speed and be able to hurt me… Why don't you be honest and admit that you are angry because I was faster and stole your prey? You run around swinging your blade and slaying these weaklings like you are some sort of master killer, but for your information, you are not the only one with exceptional abilities. Like it or not, now that I'm here, you will have to accept the fact that there's competition… And to make my point clearer, allow me to show you what it truly means to be a strong and proud fighter.'' Inner Moka stated to him in an even more arrogant tone than when she commented before.

Next, she turned towards some other Hollows and started rushing without warning against them with a confident smirk. An action that managed to raise Ichigo's irritation than affect him the way Inner Moka was aiming.

''This girl has issues!'' He murmured annoyed to himself, frowning while looking at her rushing to the Hollows.

Following that, he tightened again his grip on his sword's hilt and made a step forward, shunpoing towards the place Moka was heading. She was one of the most hardheaded and arrogant persons he had the bad luck to come upon, but in any case, it would be a problem if she were to be injured or murdered by any chance by one of those Adjuchas-Class. She was strong, but it almost happened once, so no one could guarantee that it wouldn't twice.

[To where Inner Moka was fighting.]

*Hftkk* *Hpfft**Hftkk**Hftkk**Hpfft*

Like she stated to Ichigo, Inner Moka had currently begun pulverizing another group of Hollows in a stylish way, shattering their masks elegantly one after another with her fists and legs. She had assumed that Ichigo's rude and disrespectful behavior was probably a product of his consecutive victories against weak opponents, as she had deemed the Hollows, and that's why his mind was over the clouds. But it wouldn't be for long. No one had the right to behave like this towards her and she was determined to show Ichigo to whom he dared to use such improper language to by eliminating all the foes he mentioned as dangerous without shedding a drop of sweat. -That would most likely give him a good idea of her superior powers and abilities and make him see her greatness.- She thought… But unfortunately for her, she wouldn't have the chance to accomplice her goal undisturbed,

*Hrstt*

While she was thinking that she had the battle under control, Ichigo appeared suddenly in front of her (due to shunpo) slashing vertically the Hollow she was about to attack before she even has the time to realize what happened, making her goggle surprised.

''Hey! That thing was mine to kill!'' She claimed irritably to him when she got over her surprise.

''Oh, really?! Does that mean that you're angry because I was faster and stole your prey? Eh…? Does that ring a bell to you?'' Ichigo asked her in a provoking tone by turning back to her frowning.

A question that took slightly aback Inner Moka.

''Gk… You…What are you implying with this?'' Inner Moka asked him back from inside her teeth.

''I'm implying that we are even.'' Ichigo answered her bluntly. ''And something else… Stop trying to show off. I don't know what you wish to achieve by doing this, but a battle doesn't have room for almost lost your life back there because of your overconfidence. If you want to fight, fight seriously and stay focused. I can't have you die before explaining to me what the case between you and Moka is. Got it?'' He added and then turned backwards. ''Let's go... There are still many of them to kill.'' He pointed and without wasting a second, started using again shunpo, moving with extreme speed himself close to many different Hollows which he was slashing every time within seconds.

As for Inner Moka…She was left behind for a second time, trying to comprehend what took place just now between them. From the look of things, not only Ichigo wasn't in the least fazed by her abilities, but to make matters worse, he scolded her, implying that she wasn't fighting properly. She! Youkai Academy's greatest fighter… The whole thing was truly outrageous.

''Khh…That imbecile! Even after that power show I put up for him, he continues ridicule me. He really doesn't know the meaning of respect… But he will learn it pretty soon. I will make sure of it.'' She declared inside her head while grinding her teeth due to frustration.

Next, she pulled herself up and started attacking the Hollows again,resuming like this her goal of wiping them out to not be in her way.

*Hftkk* *Hpfft**Hrstt**Hftkk**Hftkk**Hrstt**Hpfft**Hrstt*

From there on, a crazy tag team battle began with her and Ichigo trying constantly to add more kills to their personal score; each for his/her own reason. More specifically, Inner Moka was still trying to display her powers by stealing with every chance Ichigo's targets before he had the time to finish them off, while on the other hand, he was so pissed by her immature behavior that he was doing everything he could to steal her own targets as punishment for the irritation she had made him feel. But that absurdness had at least a good result. Inner Moka and Ichigo were fighting pretty intensively for two totally immature reasons, but thanks to that, the number of the Adjuchas-Class had started decreasing in an astonishing rate, meaning that it wouldn't be long before the shore would be safe again.

[In the meantime – With Ichigo's friends.]

''Unbelievable!''Uryu commented goggling astonished, watching Ichigo and Inner Moka fighting.

''You don't say!'' Chad added in the same state, mimicking Uryu.

The situation all of them were in could easily be described as a quite difficult one, having to face all those enemies of Adjuchas-Class, but surprisingly, for an unknown reason, Ichigo had joined forces with that mysterious girl and were currently exterminating together the Hollows in a perfectly synchronized fighting rhythm, not giving them the slightest opportunity to counter-attack or flee. More specifically, every time Ichigo was slashing a Hollow, the girl was rushing without delay against the next one, shattering its mask with her kicks and in accordance, every time she was finishing off her opponent, Ichigo was shunpoing right away in front of the one closer to her, slashing it in two. It was honestly a perfect combination without any flaws… Or not any noticeable ones in any case… Ichigo had cooperated many times with Uryu and Chad in the past, but their synchronization was never in such a great level as his with that girl.

''They look… like… they are dancing!''Orihime muttered stunned from her hideout.

Ichigo's and that girl's performance was so incredibly synchronized that from an artistic view, it would without a doubt look like professional dancing where each one was filling the gaps in the other's movements… Of course, the funny thing that no one of the three teens could imagine that time was that all this synchronization was totally coincidental and that perfect cooperation was in reality a race to steal each other's prey as payback for what took place between them earlier.

*Boom* Boom*

''Wow! Ichigo and that girl are really raising the bar over there.'' Chad stated amazed by what he was witnessing.

*Fsstk**Fsstk**Fsstk*

''Yeah… It certainly looks like it.'' Uryu agreed, having a serious expression on his face while watching the battle over there. Then, he turned to Chad. ''We can't allow ourselves to fall behind...'' He added frowning.''The way things are, Kurosaki and that silver-haired girl will finish with their own share of Hollows in a few minutes. This means that we have to raise our performance if we want to finish too quickly.''

*Boom*

''Do you have any ideas, Ishida?''

*Fsstk**Fsstk*

''I do.''

*Boom*

''What?''

*Fsstk**Fsstk*

''Come! I will explain you and if we are lucky, we will get rid of these troublemakers without draining completely our reiatsu.''

*Boom*

''Ok!''

[5 minutes later.]

*Fsstk**Fsstk*

''What do you say, Chad? Can you do it?''

*Boom*

''Yeah! Piece of cake!''

*Fsstk**Fsstk*

''Good! Let' begin then.''

*Boom*

''Got it!''

Next, with each of them having a different attack pattern in his mind, they started moving away from their current positions, heading towards opposite directions while in the meantime keeping active their consecutive attacks on the Hollows. That had as a result for the swarm of Hollows to be separated in two groups, starting next chasing after them.

[With Uryu.]

*Fsstk**Fsstk*

''Alright! The plan's working.'' Uryu murmured to himself while running away from the Hollows. ''Time for step two.'' He stated and next started changing slowly his course into a circle.

At the same time he was doing that, he was also nailing periodically each of his Seele Shneiders in the ground as the main part of his plan.

[10 Minutes later.]

After some time, Uryu managed at last to place all five of his Seele Shneiders in the ground in a pentagram formation, accomplishing in addition to gather all his opponents at its center thanks to his circular course around them where he was storming them with his arrows to force them back intoa single spot.

''Perfect! We are ready.'' Uryu commented looking at his achievement.

That moment, the five Seele Shneiders began shining and a second later two beams of blue light were shot from the two sides of each one's tip, combining with the other beams and forming like this a pentagram seal around the Hollows.

''You caused us quite the inconvenience, but it's time to say goodbye.'' Uryu stated to them with a solid expression and following that, he pulled a small bottle with reishi inside from his pants' left pocket, removing its top right above the seal's interior. ''Good riddance!' He said to them, turning the bottle upside-down like a boss and leaving like this the reishi fall on the ground inside the seal…

*Pbfff*

…creating a large explosion of blue spiritual energy that engulfed all the Hollows, destroying ultimately their bodies and reducing them as a result to black bit of energy.

Then, with his work there done, he started heading back to Orihime's side to wait for Chad, so they all regroup before going to meet Ichigo.

[10 minutes ago - With Chad.]

Considering Chad's case… Around the time Uryu began putting his plan into action at his place; He, himself, had also started his own part by drawing all his pursuers to his back and forcing them into a single, straight line with the help of his blasts.

''It looks good.'' He commented looking back at them and next, wanting to proceed to the second stage of the plan Uryu had devised for him, he performed without warning a swift reverse, coming face to face with the Hollow which was first in line. ''Brazo Izquierda Del Diablo.'' He exclaimed then, lifting his left arm to the height of his left shoulder, covering it with his white, metallic, spiritual glove with the long straight, red line in the middle of it and the red, diamond marks on his fingertips. ''Here we go!'' He claimed with his weapon now ready and as final act, he rushed to the Hollow. ''LA MUERTE!'' He shouted, concentrating his glove's power on his fingertips and smashing hardly his left fist, right in its gut.

*Tsktff*

A move that allowed him to reduce to smithereens the Hollow's body as also the bodies of three other ones which were right behind it and got caught inside Chad's strike's attack range, leaving afterwards the mark of the devil's face on the ground.

''Ishida surely knows how to think of an effective plan.'' Chad commented looking at the bits of black energy the Hollows had turned into. ''Now, let's keep it up.'' He stated and following that, he rushed again towards the remaining Hollows which hadn't the time to break from their line.

A very convenient fact that helped him wipe them all out with the same method, using only a few times his blasts to gather together some of them which tried to flee away… At the end, having also taken care of his own work there, he started too heading back to Orihime's side for the same reason Uryu did.

[Present – 5 minutes after Uryu and Chad went back to Orihime.]

*Hrstt*

Reaching the end of the battle after all this fighting, Ichigo slashed in the middle the last Hollow which was in front of him while…

*Hftkk*

….Inner Moka was kicking in the face the last one which was in front of her, reducing them both to bits of black energy. It took them some time, but with their combined efforts, they managed to wipe out a number of Adjuchas-Class that if would have been left undisturbed; it could easily massacre the whole coast's population in less than an hour. It was truly a remarkable feat from the two of them. Certainly, Uryu and Chad played an important role to this too, but not as grand as Ichigo's and hers.

''Ok! These were the last ones...'' Ichigo stated, placing his sword on his back where it was covered with its loincloth.

''Indeed!'' Inner Moka replied, walking closer to him. ''Of course, you are aware of the fact that most of them were killed by me…. Fifty-five to be more precise.'' She informed him with a proud smirk.

''You can't be serious! You were counting them?'' Ichigo asked her with a slightly dumbfounded expression which revealed that he couldn't believe what he just heard.

''Why? Is there a problem with that?''

''No, but in any case, you should consider going to see a doctor. We were in the midst of a battle and what was in your mind was to keep account of your kills. What are you? Ten years old or something?''

''Huh?!What did you say?'' Inner Moka asked him, scowling offended.

''I said that you act like a little kid.'' Ichigo answered her bluntly.

Offending or not, what he said was true.

''Youuu…You are doing it agai…'' Moka was about to say to him in a furious tone, but she was unexpectedly cut short before completing her sentence by some shouts from their left.

''HEEYY! KUROSAKIII!''Uryu called out to Ichigo's and Inner Moka's place while running to their place.

''KUROSAKI-KUUUNN! IS EVERYTHING ALRIGHT?'' Orihime asked him then in the same loud tone while doing the same next to Chad.

Two shouts that except interrupting Inner Moka's expected complaint,made Ichigo goggle a bit startled, turning after that his face to their direction.

''Oh! Seems the guys finished on their end too... Cool!'' He commented with a satisfied smile, looking at them while they were coming quickly closer to them.

As for Inner Moka, she kept her eyes focused on him, without paying any attention to his friends who were approaching them and having a very displeased expression on her face. As Ichigo stated a few minutes ago, the fight with the Hollows was over and that meant only one thing... At last, it was time for her to punish him for his rude behavior toward her. In the beginning, she had decided to not strain too much herself, but that belonged to the past right now. That man needed discipline and the one who would teach it to him was her and no other.

[5 minutes later.]

''Good to see that you pulled it off without getting injured.'' Ichigo said to his gang when they arrived close to him.

''Yeah… We were in a quite tight spot, but we managed… And the same applies to you as it seems.'' Uryu replied to him fixing his glasses. ''Your performance back there together with this young lady was remarkable.'' He added, turning his sight to Inner Moka. ''But would you mind inform us about who she is?'' He asked him in a serious tone.

''Yeah… Err… About this… It will sound crazy… But she told me that her name is Akashiya Moka. More specifically, that she is the same person as the Moka we already know.'' Ichigo answered him hesitantly with a slightly confused expression.

An answer that made Uryu as also the others goggle in surprise.

''The same as Moka-san?''Orihime questioned puzzled.

''Things became even more awkward!'' Chad commented also puzzled.

''What? How can this be? Are you messing with us, Kurosaki?''Uryu asked him again, turning back to him frowning.

''Believe it or not, I don't. That's exactly what she told me the moment we met, so that's the only answer I can give you.'' Ichigo answered him casually. ''If you want to learn more, ask her.'' He suggested to him, pointing Inner Moka with his left thumb.''In any case, I would also like to hear a better explanation about her and Moka's circumstances.'' He added turning his face to her.

A gesture the others mimicked, focusing their sights on Inner Moka with an expression that implied that they wanted some answers… Answers that unfortunately for them wouldn't receive just yet.

''Hah! You wish to hear about my and the other Moka's circumstances, you say?'' Inner Moka asked them, crossing stubbornly her arms around her chest. ''Well, the truth is that originally I was planning to explain you a bit our case since the other one didn't have the chance…'' She started saying to them, closing her eyes. ''…but things changed!'' She stated, finishing her sentence while shooting angrily her eyes open.

''What does this means?'' Uryu asked her in a serious tone.

''It means that this man over here…'' Inner Moka started answering him, pointing Ichigo with her eyes. ''…Dared to ridicule me and speak to me in the worst manner possible. And that's something I can't tolerate from no one.'' She concluded her answer with an intense frown on her face.

An answer that made the three teens turn their sights back to Ichigo.

''What is she saying, Kurosaki? What did you do this time while we were away?'' Uryu asked him irritated.

''Me?! I didn't do a thing!'' Ichigo answered him upset. ''I just asked her to explain me better what she said, but she ignored me and ran off to fight the Hollows. And after that, she almost got herself eaten alive by one. Thankfully, for her, I managed to save her before it was too late, but she didn't even bother to say a simple -thanks-. Not to mention that from the get go of our meeting, she acts like she is some princess or something that can beat the whole world with one finger. She even counted the Hollows she killed to show off, because I criticized her way of fighting…! Do you honestly think that it's my fault after what I told you, Ishida?'' He asked him back frowning irritated.

''Well… If what you said, it's true, then I suppose…'' Uryu was about to answer him in a slightly confused tone, but unfortunately for him, he was destined to be cut short midway.

''HOLD ON A SECOND! YOU IMPLY THAT THE ONE AT FAULT IS ME?!'' Inner Moka asked Ichigo, shouting angrily and moving next to him with a frustrated expression.

''WHO ELSE?!''He asked her back with a similar expression and in the same loud tone. ''I'M WORRIED ABOUT MOKA'S CONDITION AND THE ONLY THING YOU DO, IS KEEP ACTING ARROGANTLY AND INSISTING ON LEAVING ME IN THE DARK…I WANT AN ANSWER ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO MOKA AND I WANT IT NOOOWW!'' He demanded intensively from her.

''WELL, SORRY, BUT FORGET ANY SORT OF EXPLANATION IF YOU KEEP BEHAVING LIKE THIS. AND STOP SHOUTING!I'M NOT DEAF!''

''YOU STARTED IT!

''AND THAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO COPY ME?''

''I HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO WHATEVER I WANT!''

''NOT WHEN IT COMES TO ME!''

''YEAH, RIGHT! YOU'RE NOT MY BOSS!''

''NO, I'M SOMETHING EVEN MORE IMPORTANT!''

''YOUR ARROGANCE SIMPLY DOESN'T KNOW LIMITS, YOU KNOW THAT?!''

''THE SAME APPLIES FOR YOUR RUDENESS!''

''IMMATURE SNOT…!''

''IMPUDENT FOOL…!''

And somewhere around that point, a heated argument began between Ichigo and Inner Moka. A comical argument many could describe as the argument of an old, married couple and had left Ichigo's gang with their eyes as also their mouths wide open. These two who looked as such good partners when they were fighting the Hollows, were currently fighting among themselves like chickens.

''Should we separate them?'' Chad asked Uryu in a low tone, coming closer to him.

''No! Better not get involved. We could end up making things worse.'' Uryu pointed to him, looking at the two who were still arguing.

''Oh! I see…''

''Kurosaki-kun…'' Orihime murmured utterly confused and kind of worried about the turn the events had taken.

''AND WHY SHOULD I BE POLITE TO YOU ANYWAY? YOUR BEHAVIOR IS WORSE THAN MINE!'' Ichigo asked, shouting at Inner Moka angrier than ever.

''MY BEHAVIOR IS PERFECT! IT'S YOU WHO FORCED ME TO TALK LIKE THAT! YOU DON'T HAVE A CLUE OF HOW TO TREAT NOBILITIES LIKE ME!'' Inner Moka answered him the same way.

''NOBILITY MY ASS! YOU ARE JUST A STUBBORN, PAMPERED GIRL WITH A BIG IDEA FOR HERSELF! I BET EVERYONE IS DOING EVERYTHING YOU ASKED OF THEM UNTIL NOW. TRUTHFULLY, I'M AMAZED FROM THE FACT THAT YOU ARE EVEN ABLE TO FIGHT ON YOUR OWN. NOT THAT YOUR WAY OF FIGHTING IS SOMETHING SPECIAL OF COURSE!''

''WHAAAT?! AAHHH! THAT DOES IT! I WAITED LONG ENOUGH!''Inner Moka stated to him in the same loud and furious tone and next lifted her right hand, pointing her index finger at Ichigo. ''It's time to put an end to all these once and for all! Since words don't work on you, you will have to realize your mistake with force.'' She told him returning her voice's volume to its regular level.

''What the hell are you talking about?'' Ichigo asked her, lowering too his voice.

''I'm talking about a match. A one on one battle between you and me. And the loser will admit that he was wrong and apologize to the other.''

''A match? Hah!Like I will play your silly game!The only thing that concerns me at the moment is to learn where Moka is and what connection you two have with each other. The nonsense you are blabbering is irrelevant to me... And in addition, who would injure his girlfriend's body deliberately? If what you claim is true, then by fighting you, it would be like I'm fighting Moka… So forget it!''

''Considering the second… You don't need to fret about it. We are the same person, but our bodies' constitution is completely different. Mine is way tougher than hers… And as for the first… They aren't nonsense at all. I'm very serious about this match. And you should be too. If you win by some lucky chance, I give you my word that I will tell you what you wish to hear…''

''Huh? You will tell me, you say?''

''Yeah!''

''How can I be so sure?''

''Because never in my life have I gone back on my promises. My principles don't allow it.''

''Is that so…?'' Ichigo questioned in a skeptical tone.

Then, he lowered a bit his face, touching his chin with his right hand and starting working out her proposal… It was a fact that he didn't have any intention to play her game since he was finding it completely stupid and unnecessary, but on the other hand, if he was to won the match, he would learn about Moka. That girl was certainly quite annoying and arrogant, but she didn't look like someone evil, so it was safe to assume that she was probably saying the truth when she swore him that she will keep her word. Surely, there was always a small chance she was telling lies, but if that was the case, he had a few ways to handle the situation. In addition, he had faced many others and certainly more difficult challenges in the past, so a quick match with an arrogant `princess` wasn't such a big deal. In any case, it could be a good opportunity to teach her some humility.

''Ok! If you put it that way, I will go along with your little idea… If you desire so much a match, you will have it.'' He stated to her in a straight tone.

''Excellent! A wise choice!''Inner Moka replied with a faint, satisfied smile.

After that, she grabbed the lower half of her kimono and ripped it to be able to move more comfortably. Something she mimicked considering also her its long sleeves.

''Hold on a second! Have you lost your mind, Kurosaki?! You shall not fall for her taunts. You have already depleted a large amount of your reiatsu during this battle with all those addition; you don't know what kind of tricks or powers she may hide. Accepting this match is absurd! You have to declin…'' Uryu was suggesting to Ichigo in an anxious tone, but he was about to be cut short before finishing his sentence.

''Ishida…'' Ichigo started saying to him in a low tone without turning back to him.

''Hm? What?''

''Do you honestly believe that I'm not capable of a match like this?You know me… With all, half or even a small portion of my reiatsu, I'm still me! I have fought way more dangerous battles in the past to chicken out in front of a girl like her.''

''Maybe, but…''

''Sorry… No offense, but I have already made my decision, so there's no point discussing it further. She said that she is gonna talk only if I fight her, so there's nothing else to do other than this... You don't have to worry about me. Just chill out and find a place with Chad and Inoue to watch the match comfortably. '' Ichigo said to him and then grabbed his sword, unsheathing it from its loincloth.

Following that, he turned it upside-down with its tip towards the ground and thrust it hard inside it. As for his friends, having no other choice since it was his decision; they started moving away from that location to not get in the way of their fight.

[10 minutes later - With Inner Moka and Ichigo.]

''Ok! They are far enough.'' Ichigo commented, looking at the direction his friends headed. Next, he turned back to Inner Moka. ''Everything's ok! Let's begin already.''

''I agree. But before that, a question...What's the meaning of thrusting your sword into the ground? Are you giving me a handicap…? Please… Don't insult me further than you already have! My pride doesn't allow me to receive pity from my opponent.'' Inner Moka said to him in a slightly irritated tone.

''It's not pity; neither I'm trying to insult you. I'm just being fair. Fighting an unarmed opponent with a weapon will hurt my own pride... I'm gonna fight barehanded too... If you have any complaints, we can always drop it right here.'' Ichigo replied to her with a straight expression.

He wanted to learn what happened to his girl, but that didn't mean that he would trample over his principles to achieve his goal. Leaving everything aside, he was an honorable warrior.

''Hm! Really…?'' Inner Moka asked him a bit displeased.

She was planning to beat him when he was using his full power to show him how superior she was, but under those circumstances, she would endanger to miss her chance to fight him if she were to push it any further, so she was forced to settle for what he was offering her… Oh, well! At least she would finally have the chance to punish him for his behavior towards her.

''…Very well! But don't start whining that you were at a disadvantage later.''

''Better worry about what you will be doing!''

''Ha! You are acting cheeky again… But be sure that it won't be for long.'' Inner Moka stated to him in an arrogant tone.

''Whatever… Just come at me. We don't have all night.'' Ichigo replied to her indifferently.

''Alright! Don't mind if I do!'' Inner Moka responded to him smirking confidently and without further ado, rushed at high speed against him.

Speed so high that allowed her to reach close to Ichigo within seconds, not giving him the proper amount of time to defend himself and leaving him like this open to a powerful, right kick she threw at him without delay, targeting his head.

*Hftkk* *Dkk*(sound of something blocking something else)

But unfortunately for her, normal logic doesn't apply for Kurosaki Ichigo. While everything was looking like it was inevitable for Ichigo to be hit by her kick, he raised suddenly his left hand at an inconceivable speed, blocking her foot with his forearm. A move that saved apparently his head from a big headache, as also allowed the force of her kick blast in the air a great amount of sand and water on his right.

''Nice kick! But I hope that's not your best.'' He said to her completely calm and unaffected by her attack.

''No! That was a greeting.'' Inner Moka replied to him and not wasting time,bent her right knee, giving her foot the chance to continue its course so she could perform a spin in mid-air.

After that, when she was at the position she wished, she quickly kicked him again, this time with her other foot, right on his chest. A kick stronger than the previous one that caught him slightly off guard and managed to land efficiently, sending him flying many meters backwards.

''Now, I'm starting for real!'' Inner Moka claimed smirking satisfied and not wishing to give him time to recover from her kick, she rushed once again at high speed against him while he was still in the air. ''You're mine!'' She claimed arriving next to him while running and getting ready to kick him again to change his course's trajectory.

But things wouldn't go her way.

''You wish!'' Ichigo replied to her turning his face to her while in mid-air and following that used shunpo, disappearing in a flash before she kicks him.

''Huh?!'' Inner Moka questioned surprised by his disappearance.

Then, not having time to even think her next move, she felt something strong crashing on her right rear.

*Hpfft*

It was Ichigo's right fist which he had threw at her, reappearing in front of her as suddenly as he disappeared.

''GUAA!'' Inner Moka screamed, feeling intense pain.

''You're wide open.'' Ichigo pointed to her in a cool tone.

''Gkk… You too.'' She replied to him, tightening a bit her eyelids a sign of the pain she was feeling and threw him a low kick with her left foot.

*Htkk*

A kick he didn't predict and managed to make him lose momentary his balance.

''Woaha!'' He exclaimed falling to his right.

''Take that!'' Inner Moka said to him then and without wasting a second, she struck him hard in his gut with her left elbow.

*Hfftkk*

''Ghh!'' Ichigo groaned, tightening his teeth a sign of his own pain.

Not as intense as Inner Moka's, but still enough to make him feel her hit.

''How did you like this?'' Inner Moka asked him, smiling arrogantly.

''The same as you would like this!'' Ichigo replied to her frowning and next grabbed her elbow with his right hand before she has the chance to draw it back, pulling her over his right side

After that and when she made contact with him, he grabbed the back of her kimono with his other hand and made a swift reversal, lifting her whole using his body for a start and smashing her roughly for the end onto the ground like he was a pro wrestler.

''UAAHGK!'' Inner Moka screamed again, feeling intense pain on her back where she landed. ''…Hgkk… Youuu…'' She muttered, trying to get up next, but unfortunately, she wouldn't be so lucky to do so.

''Not so fast, missy!'' Ichigo said to her and bent over her before she stand up, placing his left palm over her torso and performing a type of palm strike where he fired a small portion of his reiatsu against her body.

*Vbpff*

An attack that forced violently her body onto the ground, creating a large crater behind her.

''GAAKK!'' Inner Moka screamed once again in pain.

''Hmm… That seemed it hurt a bit too much. Probably, I overdid it…'' Ichigo murmured to himself, raising his upper body. ''Hey! What do you say to give up? It's not too late yet.'' He said to her with a perplexed expression.

''Never!''Inner Moka stated, growling at him and following that raised both her legs upwards targeting Ichigo's chest.

Next, she pushed the ground behind her with both her hands, hitting him with a powerful, double kick.

*Hftkk*

An attack that fell straight on target, managing to threw him forcibly some meters backwards, but without making him lose his balance and fall down.

''Whkk!'' Ichigo groaned, touching his chest with his left hand to ease his pain. ''...Wow…! This was… a strong one!'' He commented in an amazed tone with a small grin and a bit of a difficulty in his speech due to the fact that she had hit him in his lungs' area.

''Kkhhk… And there will be more!'' Inner Moka stated to him, standing slowly up. ''…This match is mine!'' She added and rushed against him furiously.

She had fought many opponents, but never before someone's attacks were able to caused her such damage. It was the opposite. Most of their attacks were like mosquito bites to her. But Ichigo's were different… And that was a fact that was angering her further than she already was. Her honor as a pride vampire was seriously at stake here, so she couldn't permit herself to lose to him.

''Sorry, but I wouldn't bet my money on that.'' Ichigo replied to her composedly, mimicking her charge.

From there, both started closing the distance between them at high speed, finding themselves in front of each other in a matter of seconds.

''YOU'RE A GONER!'' Inner Moka claimed shouting furiously and drew her right fist back, ready to punch him hardly in the face.

But she wouldn't have the chance. Just before she throws her fist at him, Ichigo used once again shunpo, disappearing from her sight and making her like this punch the air.

''…Wha…? Where are you?!'' She asked in an angered tone and made an attempt to scan the area around her to locate Ichigo.

An attempt that was destined to be unsuccessful…! More specifically, when she began turning her head to look around, Ichigo reappeared behind her in a flash, locking tightly her shoulders with his arms.

''Eh?!'' She questioned surprised by feeling his arms locking her upper body's movements.

''Yup! Totally open!'' Ichigo commented with a casual expression while restraining her.

''Not that thing again!'' Inner Moka growled frustrated at him.

''If I were you, I wouldn't complain. You were the one who asked for this match! If you don't like how I fight, just give up.''

''I said NEVER! There's no way for me to accept defeat so easily!''

''Haa… You're really making it too hard for both of us.'' Ichigo said to her in a tired tone, sighing. ''But if you are so persistent on keeping this on…'' He continued. ''…Then I probably have to get a little rougher.'' He stated to her and without further ado, performed a quick and high backflip.

A seemingly pro wrestling move that had as a goal to thrust Inner Moka with her front side on the ground. Something Ichigo achieved by pushing her away when he was in the right position, saving later himself by using the force of the push that moved him backwards and a swift flip in mid-air that rearranged his body's stance(from upside-down to normal), allowing him to land properly, uninjured.

*Hffttpp*

As for his arrogant opponent… She crashed like a watermelon on the hard sand, creating a second crater. It was only that this time it was bigger than the previous one.

''Did that make you change your mind a little, or you want more?'' Ichigo asked her casually, walking closer to the crater.

''…Eam… n…'' Inner Moka muttered in a very low tone, grinding her teeth while trying with difficulty to pulling herself up.

''Huh? What?''

''…I… aid… Eam…on…''

''Yeah… Sorry, but I don't get in the least what you are saying!''

''I said… DREAM OOONNN!''Inner Moka answered him finally, shouting extremely angrily.

Following that, she jumped hastily out of the crater, landing in front of Ichigo and starting right away to bombard him with a series of ruthless, quick punches and kicks.

*Hftkk**Hftkk**Hpftt**Hftkk**Hftkk**Hftkk**Hpftt**Hftkk*

This had as a result the sand around them begin being blasted in the air like something was exploding inside it, the air surrounding them turn into vicious torrents that were dancing in a crazy rhythm and a concert of loud noises which were sounding like large rocks smashing onto each , a very frightening scene which would scare to death even the bravest of her classmates back at Youkai Academy…A simple, powerful kick of hers was one thing, but a series of them combined with a great number of punches was a true nightmare no one had ever seen and no one had ever wished to witness.

*Hpp**Hftpp**Hpp**Hftpp**Hpp**Hftpp**Hpp**Hftpp* (Sounds of blocking strikes.)

But once again, Ichigo proved himself to be the exception, not yielding before her power and blocking efficiently all her attacks one after another with his own hands placed to his front like a shield (like a boxer).As for his legs….They were hopping non-stop here and there in rhythm, making it even more difficult for her to aim, slowing down like this her attack speed and giving him the chance to keep countering her kicks comfortably with some of his own.

*Hftkk**Hftkk**Hpftt**Hftkk**Hftkk*

''Well done, but don't think that this stupid defense of yours will protect you forever from my strikes?'' Inner Moka said to him with an intense scowl on her face.

*Hpp**Hftpp**Hpp**Hftpp**Hpp*

''Better say that after you actually land a hit on me.'' Ichigo replied to her with a mocking smirk.

''Oh, yeah?! Let's see you then defend against this!'' Inner Moka claimed and gathering a great amount of her power on her right foot,performing after that a swift rotation and throwing him a powerful kick with his jaw as its target.

Something that, to her bad luck, was exactly what Ichigo was aiming for.

''Heh! Just as planned!'' He whispered, smirking satisfied and without wasting time, he ducked quickly, avoiding her kick and placing himself in a lower level than her.

''Eh?!'' Inner Moka questioned, surprised by his move.

''I got you!'' Ichigo claimed with the same smirk and next raised hastily his body up, striking her in the process with an uppercut.

*Hpftkt*

''OUOOKK!'' Inner Moka screamed feeling like her own jaw was about to break and then back-stepped as a result of losing her balance due to his strike.

Ichigo's plan was to provoke her so she makes a reckless move to give him the opportunity to go on the offensive. Something he succeeded with flying color.

''Now it's my turn!'' Ichigo claimed again to her, frowning slightly and before she has the chance to even restore her balance, he rushed to her, starting punching her continuously like a boxer.

An action that was consisted of a series of strong and swift punches which were targeting either her gut, either her torso, either her joints, either lastly her head.

*Hpftt**Hpftt**Hpftt**Hpftt**Hpftt**Hpftt*

[The same time – With the others.]

''Check this out! That battle is incredible!'' Chad commented amazed, watching the fight between Ichigo and Inner Moka. ''That girl looks like she has great abilities and in addition, being able to fight against Ichigo for so long and withstand his strikes one after another without falling K.O. is quite the feat. She must have quite the stamina and endurance.'' He added, focusing his eyes on Inner Moka.

''Yeah… Well… that might not be exactly the case.'' Uryu said to him in a skeptical tone.

''Hm? What do you mean, Ishida?''

''It's fairly faint, but if you concentrate your spiritual awareness and look more closely at Kurosaki's fists and legs, you can distinguish a very thin, almost invisible to the naked eye, layer of his reiatsu covering them until his elbows' and knees' length. I can't be completely certain, but if my guess is right, he did that to weaken the damage he's causing to that girl during the whole match.''

''-Weaken the damage he's causing to her?-''

''Exactly… It is based on the idea of fighting someone using thick boxing cloves than your bare hands to minimize the impact of your strikes on your opponent. Placing one or multiple layers of a soft material between your bones and your opponent's body's surface, you achieve reducing your strike's power even to 50% sometimes by allowing the material absorb part of the impact. What he's currently doing is very similar to this… You could even say that he isn't actually punching her, but instead, he's pushing her flesh to her interior.''

''You imply that he isn't fighting seriously?''

''Oh, no, he is. As you mentioned, that girl seems that possesses some apparently quite high-class skills, so it wouldn't be wise to confront her half-heartedly.''

''Then, what's the purpose of him lowering his attacks' damage.''

''The most logical reason I can think, is that he is afraid that if what she told him about her being the same person as Akashiya-san is true, it would mean that by fighting her, he's also fighting Akashiya-san… And I'm sure he wouldn't be able to handle it if the girl he loves was to be injured by his own hands.''

''Yeah… This sounds very possible... But in that case, if he doesn't intend to damage her as much as he should, how is he going to win the match?'' Chad asked him confused.

''This… is something only Kurosaki knows.'' Uryu answered him in a serious tone, frowning.

[Back to Ichigo and Inner Moka.]

*Hpftt**Hpftt**Hpftt*

''AACK… GKHH… OUOOHGG… GUAAHH!'' Inner Moka was screaming, receiving non-stop Ichigo's punches.

''Man…! Why can't you simply accept that you can't win and give it up? Ok! I admit that you have potentials… I give you that… But to be honest, beating up a girl isn't my style.'' Ichigo said to her with an uncomfortable expression.

''…GHAAK… NOOO…!GBKL…'' Inner Moka shouted angrily at him as an answer between her screams of pain.

''Stubborn girl!'' Ichigo commented in a slightly annoyed tone as response to her answer. ''Everything would be a lot better if you decided to forfeit….'' He started saying to her with an unpleased expression. ''...I didn't want to resort to this…'' He continued, drawing back his right fist and concentrating a large amount of reiatsu on it. ''…But you leave me no choice…IKKOTSU! (Refer to Bleach Wiki)'' He finished, shouting and throwing a different type of punch at her with his fist turned upwards and his arm fully extended.

A punch that landed in her gut, creating a momentary pit on it, making her spit some saliva from her mouth and sending her right that after flying several meters backwards until she crashed on some big boulders, breaking them to pieces.

''Whoaa…! Seriously, I didn't want to resort to this. I saw Gramps using it during our war with Aizen, so I asked Yoruichi-san to teach it to me, but I never imagined that this would be the first time I would actually use it… Hope I didn't injure her too much.'' Ichigo murmured to himself, touching his head with his left hand and having an uneasy expression like he made a blunder. ''Better check if is she ok.'' He concluded and then used shunpo to go close to her.

[After a few seconds - Near the rumbles.]

''HEEYYY! ARE YOU ALRIGHT IN THERE?'' Ichigo asked loudly towards the rumbles Inner Moka crashed on the moment he arrived at her location.

But unfortunately, he didn't receive an answer.

''What the hell? Was that strike so strong that she lost her senses…? Or it is something worse…? Ok, now I'm getting anxious… I will have it coming from everyone in Soul Society if I happen to injure badly an innocent person… I probably need to get even closer to see what's happening under these rumbles.'' He thought and next walked even closer.

Then, he bent over the broken rocks and got ready to start removing them to pull Inner Moka out, but…

*Pbfff*

…his attempt to rescue her was destined to be disrupted by a massive explosion that was followed by…

*Vszz* (Sound of energy surging)

…a huge pile of deep-violet energy similar to the one that appeared earlier when she jumped out of that hole.

''Woooh!'' Ichigo exclaimed getting pushed backwards from the pile's force while having his forearms crossed in front of his face to protect it.

After that and being pushed some meters backwards due to the pile's force, he lowered a bit his forearms to see what happened... And the thing he saw left him really with his eyes wide open from astonishment. A few meters to his front, Inner Moka had gotten herself out of the rumbles and was currently staring at him with a completely furious expression while her whole body had been covered with a deep-violet aura and her hair were floating slightly in the air.

''This is the end!'' She stated to him, growling. ''I'm not going to let you look down on me any longer. This time you won't have the chance to counter-attack.'' She added and following that, she jolted like lightning from her spot, reaching Ichigo in a matter of seconds and getting ready to hammer him with her right foot.

''Yeah… This… doesn't look so good!'' Ichigo commented, sweat dropping while watching what she was about to do.

''KNOW YOUR PLACE!'' Inner Moka shouted then and not being able to restrain her anger anymore, she lowered in flash her foot, hitting Ichigo right on his left shoulder, tearing like this the part of his kimono which was covering it thanks to the force of her attack.

But that wasn't the only thing her strike was able to do. Because of its extreme force, she also managed to thrust Ichigo's body into the ground, creating a massive crater and raising highly in the air a great amount of sand and small rocks… Later, when the dust cleared up after some seconds, the sole person at the scene was Inner Moka who was standing proudly over the sand prison she had buried her opponent.

[With Ichigo's friends.]

A sight Ichigo's three friends saw and left them unbelievable shocked with their mouths open and their eyes ready to pop out of their skulls.

''KUROSAKI!''Uryu shouted in distraught after what he witnessed.

''ICHIGO!'' Chad shouted second, mimicking him.

''KUROSAKI-KUN!''Orihime followed them as a third.

[Back to Inner Moka.]

''This will teach you some manners.'' Inner Moka murmured with a satisfied grin, staring at the place Ichigo was standing before she buries him.

But to her bad luck, her moment of victory wasn't scheduled to last long.

*Gggrrtsss* (Sound of the ground moving intensively)

Suddenly, the ground below her started trembling without warning like an earthquake was taking place, making her change her satisfied look into a greatly surprised one while her eyes were goggling intensively.

''Eh? What's thaAAA…!'' She was about to question, but before she had the chance to finish her question, the sand under her feet…

*Pbfff*

…exploded, throwing her in the air.

Of course, thanks to her excellent reflexes, she managed to correct her body's position almost right away, landing next on her feet in an elegant way. But her question remained. -What was happening?-… A question that wouldn't take long to get an answer… Following the tremor and the explosion, several beams of azure energy began emerging diagonally from under the sand towards the sky and next its surface started rising, forming steadily a small sand hill. For the end, the hill was blown up, releasing a strong, azure energy wave across the whole area and revealing Ichigo floating in mid-air cloaked in a thick, azure reiatsu aura.

''Impossible! How can you still be alright after my…'' Inner Moka started saying to him shocked, but was cut short mid-way.

''…This…'' Ichigo started murmuring in a low tone, interrupting her while having his face lowered.

''…Eh?!''

''…This is where playtime's over!'' He claimed with a deep voice, raising his face up and revealing under his hair a dead-serious frown.

''What?'' Inner Moka questioned goggling, but unfortunately for her, she wouldn't have the chance to say another word.

Before she even work out in her mind what just happened, Ichigo shunpoed immediately to her place and punched her viciously in her gut with his left fist.

*Hpfft*

''GHUAA'' Inner Moka screamed intensively then, spitting some drops of saliva.

It was a fact that this time Ichigo didn't hold back as much as earlier, throwing at her a punch which had almost all its original power… And the worst thing was that this wasn't the end. Continuing from there, Ichigo threw her swiftly another strong punch with his right fist...

*Hpfft*

…targeting her right ribs.

''WAAA!''

After that, next in line was a strong left kick on her left thigh…

*Hftkk*

''IGKKK!''

…that made her bent slightly towards her left.

A move that allowed Ichigo to move on to his fourth strike which was a vertical chop from his left hand on her right shoulder since she had left it open by bending her body.

*Hpkt*

''GALKK!''

An attack that with its turn forced her jolts her head up, preparing the ground for Ichigo's final strike.

''Chouhigezutsuki! (Refer to Bleach Wiki)'' Ichigo exclaimed in an intense tone and then head-butted Inner Moka with such force that she flew once again backwards, grubbing the ground for some meters until she stops.

[Again with Ichigo's friends.]

''Woaaah… Talk about -turn of the tables-!'' Chad commented totally stunned, watching Ichigo's latest fighting performance.

''I can't disagree on that.'' Uryu replied to him in the same state.

''Kurosaki-kun seems like he finally got serious. He probably wants to end this match fast to hear about Moka-san…'' Orihime thought with her eyes glued on Ichigo and a serious expression.

[Back to Ichigo and Inner Moka.]

''Khgkk… This… is… absurd…!'' Inner Moka muttered with difficulty in an angry tone while being lied down on the sand.

This was the first time an opponent of hers was able to inflict so much damage on her and even bring her to a point where she could barely move her body… And that was so frustrating that she couldn't bear it. She belonged to the proud clan of royal vampires… One of the most powerful and most respected clans of the Youkai Realm… And there she was… lying down on the dirt like a sore loser. –What kind of tasteless farce was that?- She wondered staring at the night sky.

''Hey! Are you ok? Can you stand or you need a hand?'' Ichigo asked her with a serious expression, shunpoing that moment close to her.

''Hah…! Stop joking around…! Like I would ever… ask for help… from my opponent... I haven't fallen… to that stage yet...''

''Oh Lord! Here we go again with the arrogant talk!'' Ichigo commented in a tired tone turning momentary his sight up to the sky. After that, he turned back to her.''Why can't you behave normally and try to not be so stubborn for once…? First, you appear from nowhere not giving me a proper explanation, then you go to fight the Hollows without even listening my warnings and lastly you drag me selfishly to a match for your own satisfaction when the only thing I asked of you was to tell me what the deal with you and Moka is…'' He said to her in a half complaining-half desperate tone.''At least now we got over with this meaningless match, I hope you will keep your word and let us into some information.''

''…Don't make me… repeat myself…I told you… I always keep my word…''Inner Moka started muttering to him, pulling slowly her head up for a few centimeters. ''…But… who said… that this match… is over…?'' She asked him, frowning.

''Huh…?! Wait! Don't tell me you intent to continue?'' Ichigo asked her, being taken aback by her illogical words.

''…Of course…! This is a match…I can't allow my self to lose…'' Inner Moka started muttering to him again. ''…NO-MATTER-WHAT...!'' She claimed to him, raising gradually her voice.

Next, she started gathering together all the remaining power she had left in her body while grinding her teeth as a sign of her intense effort to get up.

''Whoa, whoa! What the hell are you trying to do? You are in no condition to keep fighting.'' Ichigo pointed to her astonished by her recklessness.

''That's… for me… to decide…!'' Inner Moka answered him and following that used all her powers to jolt up, storming in the process against Ichigo with both her palms open like she wanted to grab him.

''Oohh! Give me a break!'' Ichigo complained annoyed seeing that and placed quickly his own palms in front of him as a counter measure.

A clever move that succeeded its purpose, blocking her hands and placing him and her in a state where both were holding tightly each other's hands with their fingers entangled while pushing forward to subdue their opponent…This resulted in them raising their power level to unbelievable heights, unleashing all their remaining energy to help them increase their strength and covering this way themselves with an aura to their powers' color… A truly incredible as well as a frightening sight…! Both the azure and deep-violet energy were colliding fiercely against each other, disturbing the atmospheric pressure around the whole shore, pushing away the clouds in the sky, creating strong torrents of wind towards every direction and raising a massive sand storm over both fighters.

*Tsstssxss* (Sound of energy sparks)

''This is insane! Cut it out! Your body won't hold if you keep straining it like this.'' Ichigo pointed to Inner Moka while holding his ground against her with his hands sparking due to his energy's collision with hers.

''Don't count me out… yet! My body is a lot… sturdier than you think… And there's no way to give up…! I never did in the past… and I will never do in the future!'' Inner Moka stated to him in a determined and stubborn tone.

''YOU IDIOT!''Ichigo shouted at her frustrated from her irritating persistence. ''This can't go on. She tries to act cool, but anyone can see that her body isn't in a good shape… Well, the one responsible for this is me… but what else could I do? Words don't work on her, so what other choice did I have…? Anyway, this match must end here. I can't risk letting her fight any longer. She hasn't told me a thing about Moka yet and sincerely, despite being such an annoying character, I don't want to see her die for an empty reason like pride… No…! I am gonna put an end to this stupid match right here, right now!'' He decided in his head and following that, he raised his power level to its limits.

Something, which made his eyes glow in an azure shine, starting raising the pressure on Inner Moka.

''HAAA…!'' He howled intensively, increasing the pressure on her.

''Gkkrr…!'' Inner Moka groaned then in a slightly pained tone, grinding her teeth as a sign of her efforts to counter Ichigo's strength which was overwhelming her bit by bit. ''What's up with this crazy power? I'm giving it my all, but it feels like it's not enough… But how can this be? Up until now, I was always able to beat my opponents whoever they were. Even Kuyo, who was one of the most dangerous foes I have ever met, wasn't capable to overpower me in the end… But this man… Kurosaki Ichigo… He's someone who stands on a whole different league…''She thought, focusing next her sight on Ichigo's face. ''…Look at him… He seems like he doesn't have a single intention of backing down… No, it's the opposite… His face says clearly –I'm going to win.-…When was really the last time I saw a person have a look like this?'' She wondered inside her head, starting bringing in her mind the faces of her friends.

First it was Tsukune. Then Kurumu, Mizore, Yukari, Ruby, Kokoa and for the end Gin… They were the people most close to her with whom she had faced together many difficult and dangerous situations, being always able to overcome them with their assistance (Tsukune's role was most of the time to pull the rosario.)… But surprisingly, even after all the ordeals they had gone through until now, no one of them had ever made a look similar to Ichigo's… They had determination, no one could deny that, but it was more like they were wishing for them to win over their enemy than being sure that they would win.

''…Probably never…!'' She concluded after her quick recollection. ''… Everyone back home may have guts, but they aren't this confident… I really wonder why he is though… It's because of his abilities…?His experience…?Or it's just in his character…?'' She wondered again in her head with a curious expression, when she suddenly felt something touching her left knee and her eyes twitched from astonishment.

Astonishment that originated from the fact that what she was feeling, was the sand under her. From what things were showing, while she was busy with her thoughts and inner questions, her body had started subduing unconsciously itself to Ichigo's power, until she ended up losing height supporting herself on her left knee… A pretty great shock indeed!

''That's… When did I…?'' She questioned utterly confused, staring at her legs.

''Alright! We almost finished!'' Ichigo claimed above her in a straight tone.

Due to her kneeling, his current position was more like he was above her than in front of her.

''No…! I can't have that…! My pride and honor are…'' She started saying, but was quickly cut short before having the chance to continue.

''What the fuck are you talking about…? Pride…? Honor…? STOP JOKING AROUND! DO THESE TWO SERIOUSLY MEAN SO MUCH TO YOU THAT YOU'RE READY TO ABANDON YOURSELF FOR THEIR SAKE…? EXACTLY HOW LOW YOU VALUE YOUR LIFE DAMMIT?!'' Ichigo asked her shouting furiously.

He knew very well the value of one's life because of his mother's sacrifice, so witnessing someone treating it so poorly was like fuel to the fire of his anger… On the other hand, that last outburst of his had left Inner Moka speechless and with her eyes wide open. –This guy was her opponent, so why did he scold her about how she treats herself? He was worried about the other Moka's condition, so it was logical to be angry since the match had dragged on for so long, but why did he sounded like he was also worried about her? They knew each other for a very short time. His decision to scold her about her recklessness was honestly something incomprehensible. Normally, he ought to wish to beat her to a pulp considering all the troubles she had given him. That was what she would do if she were in his shoes… This man named Kurosaki Ichigo was quite a strange case!-… That's what she concluded in her head after lots of thinking.

''I put up long enough with your idiotic game…!'' Ichigo told her in an angry tone, frowning. ''But no more!'' He stated to her next and raised his power level to its max, going for a final push. ''HAAAA!''

''Ghhhgkk…'' Inner Moka groaned painfully, feeling her hands going completely numb due to the force of Ichigo's push while her body had almost performed a squat.

But the thing was that it wasn't only them that had started reaching their limits…Her energy had too… The same time Ichigo was pushing her down to the ground, his azure energy had surrounded her deep-violet one and was looking that it was about to swallow it.

''HAAA!''Ichigo howled with a voice more intense than ever.

''GAAAHH'' Inner Moka screamed, feeling all her stamina and strength abandoning her in a flash.

A scream which was destined to be her last for today…And the reason was that at last Ichigo's efforts paid off, making her body succumbs completely to his immerse power, causing her to lose her footing and fall down backwards, when at the same time his azure energy absorbed her deep-violet one, fusing with it and causing like this a huge, white energy explosion.

*Pbfff*

An explosion so intense and strong that forced a huge amount of seawater in the deep, expanding the shore's range and blowing in the air a great deal of its sand together with everything else that was being inside it like rocks and other objects.

[With Ichigo's friends.]

''GUAAKK!''Uryu screamed before a sand wave fall over him and cover him whole.

''WOOHKK!'' Chad screamed too, sharing his friend's fate.

''WAAAHH!''Orihime screamed third, being the sand's last victim.

[Shortly later - Back to Ichigo and Inner Moka.]

''Huaa…!'' Ichigo exhaled in a tired tone while having his eyes closed. ''Damn! That was a big one! My head's ringing like an alarm clock!''

''Make it double.'' Inner Moka's voice was heard then saying in a dizzy tone under him.

''Hm?'' Ichigo questioned hearing her and opened his eyes, seeing her laid under his body with her eyes staring at him.

Apparently, the force of the explosion had pushed him over her a little after she fell backwards without giving him the time to react and hold himself up. So, right now the two of them were in a state where Inner Moka was laying on the sand with Ichigo a few centimeters on top of her, supporting himself with his two hands which were touching the ground under her shoulders. In addition, the place where they were currently had transformed to huge and deep crater beside the sea that was blocking the sea water from entering inside it thanks to a high, round wall that had been formed around its vicinity due to the powerful explosion.

''Heh! That was enough to shake even you, huh?''

''Together with the whole area around here, it would be more accurate to say.''

''Yeah… Tomorrow we're gonna have one hell of a commotion when everyone wakes up…'' Ichigo replied to her,looking quickly at the chaos they had caused and returning next back to her. ''…Anyway… Let's get back to our main issue… Can I assume that we finished? You can't fight anymore with your body like this.'' He said to her with a straight expression.

''And what matters to you my body's condition…? Oh, right… It's about the other Moka, isn't it…? Expected, I guess.'' Inner Moka responded to him, closing her own eyes with a small, ironic smile on her face.

Having people worry about her other self wasn't something unusual. On the contrary! Tsukune and the girls had shown clearly many times their anxiety and worry about her whenever she was in trouble due to her weaknesses. On the other hand, she, herself, was the dependable heroine who would always appear when things would get too tough for them to save the day with her superior powers. There was no reason for them to worry about her. She was more powerful than all of them together, so it was meaningless.

''Well… This too… I can't deny it…'' Ichigo started replying to her with his eyes rolled to the right since he was feeling kind of awkward for admitting something like this straight to her face.

Then, after a few seconds of looking away with an uneasy expression, he focused them back to her.

''…But it would be a lie if I say that I'm not worried about you too.'' He finished, reversing back to his straight expression.

''Eh?! Me?!'' Inner Moka questioned surprised, opening hastily her eyes. ''Why?'' She asked him puzzled.

''What do you mean –why?-? You surely are a stubborn and unbelievably arrogant snob, but this doesn't mean that I hate you or something… Ok, I can't hide you that you made me really mad with your annoying behavior, but I'm not such a petty person to hold a grudge against you for this reason… Moreover, you are a girl. I could never bring myself to wish for a girl to suffer just because she made me mad…I'm not that kind of man." Ichigo explained to her with a serious expression.

A series of words that stroke Inner Moka like lighting… This man on top of her just admitted that he doesn't care only for her weak half, but also her. This was a first for her…And ironically, coming from an opponent who beat her. Not to mention that he called her –a girl-. In all her life, she was –the proud vampire-, -the strong fighter-, -the dependable protector-, but never really -a girl-. Tsukune had stated a lot of times his admiration for her, but it was easy for someone to understand that it was directed mostly to her fighting skills than her girly traits. To whatever it had to do with this part, he was busy fawning over her other half to have time to fully notice her feminine side… But surprisingly, Ichigo recognized her as a girl…And without requiring a whole school year, but less than two hours…That moment, having that thought swirling inside her head and without her noticing it, her cheeks appeared a very faint blush on them.

''So… What's your answer? Are we over or not ?'' Ichigo asked her again.

But instead of the answer he was waiting for, Inner Moka responded by closing again her eyes and grinning with a joyful smile.

''Huh? What the…? I didn't say anything funn…'' Ichigo was about to tell her, but he was cut short.

''…Fine… You can have this match.'' Inner Moka informed him, opening her eyes.

''Eh? Really?!''

He wasn't wishing it of course, but somewhere inside him he was expecting her to say something arrogant or stubborn like earlier.

''Are you serious?''

''Yeah! I give up. It pains me greatly to admit it, but… you are stronger than me. Also, as you mentioned, I'm unable to fight any longer.''

''Oh! I see… Cool then… And don't of my friends has healing abilities, so it's alright. You will be in perfect shape before you realize it.''

''Yeah…? That's good to hear… But…''

''What?'' Ichigo asked her with a curious expression.

''...Would it be too much of a problem for you to get off me?'' Inner Moka asked of him as an answer. ''This whole state we ended up feels kind of uncomfortable.'' She claimed, having her blush grow a little.

''Huh?'' Ichigo questioned puzzled after this, but a second later his mind worked out better her words and coming into a realization, he goggled.

He didn't pay so much attention to that since he was concerned about her reply to his question and if she wanted to continue their match, but the undeniable truth was that currently he was on top of a girl with only a few layers of ripped clothing on her and as an addition,with a quite clear view of the top of her cleavage which was visible thanks to her kimono's loosening because of the intense way she was fighting... A very impressive cleavage!

''Oops…! Sorry!'' Ichigo said to her with an uneasy expression together with a faint blush of his own.

Following that, he got off her and stood up, turning to his friends' direction.

''I'm gonna go call the guys, so my friend heals you. You wait here. I will be back shortly.'' He informed her before he leaves.

''Well… It's not like I can go anywhere with this body. I can't even move my fingers.'' Inner Moka replied to him with a small smile, staying unmoved on the ground.

''Right… logical… Anyway, I'm going.'' Ichigo said to her and after that used shunpo, disappearing from her sight.

As for Inner Moka…She remained there laid down since she couldn't do differently, waiting for him and his friends while thinking everything that took place from the moment he met Ichigo... In the beginning, she deduced that he wanted to just insult her because he was a rude asshole, but looking at things from another view, Ichigo's warnings to her during their battle with the Hollows had a base; especially since she almost got in danger to lose her life to one of these. One could say that she was very lucky to be saved by him at the last second. –Probably she ought to thank him for that considering she didn't do it earlier.- She concluded…About their match now, she realized after that last energy confrontation between them that most likely Ichigo was going easy on her. It was pretty shameful and totally disgracing considering that she was a proud, royal vampire, but anyway, probably better than getting killed. It was almost certain that if Ichigo had used his full power from the start and also had his sword, she wouldn't have the luxury to think or better breath that moment. As a great blow as it was to her pride, she had to stomach the fact that Ichigo was superior to would be extremely hard, but there was no other choice... Lastly, his words of concern about her despite the fact that she was his opponent were the biggest surprise for her during the whole night. She was thinking herself as an honorable warrior, but showing concern about your opponent's condition was without a doubt an act that could easily place Ichigo too in this category. And it wasn't only that. His decision to call her -a girl–…This was the most unexpected thing she could imagine that she would hear from someone she fought with such intensity. Labeling a ferocious fighter like her as –a girl- was something that really put her in the procedure to wonder what kind of vicious female warriors Ichigo knew to be able to focus more on her womanly traits than the ones of hers as a fighter… (Like a dark skinned, violet-haired one for example) -Oh, well… In any case, as things were showing, her other half had finally found a quite worthy man to love… Not that Tsukune was generally worthless, but surely not as gifted as Ichigo… And not as straight forward as him too… Tsukune was a good and gentle boy and this part of him was what drew her to him since he was treating her as a close friend than as a scary beast like most of the people around them, but despite this, his indecisiveness was honestly nerve-cracking. Her other half adored him and with one or the other way, she too came to develop feelings for him, but he never responded to neither of was always hesitating to give them an answer and was continuing with that ridiculous circus where he had to endure having all the other girls swirling around him like hungrypuppies...This was another field that Ichigo was above him. Comparing to Tsukune, Ichigo didn't hesitate to confess his feelings to the woman he loved. Not to mention that he accepted her even after learning that she was the cause for his sister's present state. -This required some huge guts…!'' She commented inside her head. ''-…In the end, Kurosaki Ichigo may be the right choice of a partner. - She deduced next, closing her eyes… And then she immediately shot them open in shock, coming into a quick realization. During her last thought, she didn't include the words –for her other half-. And if that wasn't enough; for a strange reason, she noticed that for some time now, she was unconsciously comparing Tsukune with Ichigo, pointing in each case the second's good qualities... But why was she doing that? Ok, her other half was head over heels for him and no one could deny that, but this didn't have anything to do with her. If she had to describe which her feelings for Ichigo were, they would be of course feelings of admiration towards another strong fighter … -Or maybe there was and something else that had begun developing itself inside her after their match without her noticing it...?-

[A minute later – At the others' location.]

After Ichigo left Inner Moka alone with her thoughts, he used shunpo, retrieving in the process his sword from the place he had thrust it and arriving next to his friends side just to find himself playing a scavenger's game in search of them inside all that sand. The bright side was that he could easily detect their spiritual identities, so eventually he managed to unbury them all, wasting only a few , he told them how the situation was and asked of Orihime to go heal Inner Moka…Something she couldn't refuse, rushing almost immediately to accomplish since it was his wish,while at the same time Uryu was in the process of complaining to Ichigo about the catastrophic way he was fighting and Chad was trying to prevent them from starting a meaningless argument.

[5 minutes later.]

At the end, Inner Moka's healing procedure was completed earlier than expected due to her own recuperating attributes that helped Orihime's powers restore her faster and so, wanting to keep her word to Ichigo, she headed to the location of the boys together with her,staring from that point on revealing to them everything about the other Moka and herself… Their true identity… The seal that was separating them… The world they came from… Youkai Academy… Their friends there… And lastly, the absurd reason they ended up in their world… A series of information that left Ichigo's company with their eyes and mouths open. They had come into a conclusion that the truth behind Moka's identity would be shocking, but not to that extend… Concerning Ichigo now… He was surely shocked too from all those he heard from her, but what drew more his attention was one specific word…Or better, one specific name…-Tsukune-…

[15 minutes later.]

''Haa…Vampires…? Other worlds…? A monster academy…? Magic seals…?My Lord! And I was thinking that we had seen pretty much everything with whatever we went through until now.'' Uryu commented in a tired tone, sighing and touching his head like he had a headache.

''I have to agree on that.'' Chad added with a confused expression.

''T-Then… This means that you and Moka-san are honestly the same person?'' Orihime asked Inner Moka also very confused.

''Precisely!'' She answered her bluntly.

''Unbelievable…'' Orihime murmured that moment, lowering a bit her face as a sign of having difficulties to work out all these she heard.

''Maybe, but it's the truth.'' Inner Moka stated to her, again bluntly. Next, she noticed Ichigo's expression which was pretty skeptical and turned to him curious. ''Could it be that you have something to say too? You look like something's bothering you. Was the fact that your sweetheart has two personalities such a great shock to you?''

''Hm…?! Oh…! No… It's not about that… I have a little experience in multiple personalities myself, so it's not something new to me.''

''Then…?''

''Well… You know… About this guy…Aono Tsukune… What's his relationship with Moka…? And you of course… Why is he the only one who can undo your seal despite being a simple human? Is he someone special or something?'' Ichigo asked her, focusing all his attention on her mouth.

With everything she had told them, it was natural for him to stack to Tsukune's name considering that he was the sole male member of their company and the only person who had the power to unseal Inner Moka. He didn't want to sound like he didn't trust Moka, not in the least, but as her future boyfriend, he had to learn what Tsukune's role in her life was. On the other hand, concerning Inner Moka, she had generally prepared herself about this or similar questions. From the moment she began her explanation, she was certain that Ichigo would demand sooner or later to hear about Tsukune. The thing was that despite giving him her word that she would tell them all the truth, she couldn't bring herself to reveal to him hers and the other Moka's actual relationship with Tsukune. This was bound to destroy completely their newly established relationship and that was something she, herself, was wishing to avoid. So…

''About the seal... I have no idea. We don't know much about our seal, so we can't figure out its exact way of functioning…''She answered him casually. ''…As for what Tsukune is…'' She continued, focusing her sight on the impatient look he currently had.

It was totally obvious that he was hanging from her words, hoping and worrying simultaneously. That's why she deduced that it was wise to get over with it as quickly as possible.

''Haa… A simple friend... Nothing more, nothing less...'' She finished her sentence sighing from embarrassment due to the fact that she broke her word to be honest,as also because with that statement she indirectly denied her feelings for Tsukune.

But in any case, it was for the best. No one knew if they would return back to their world, so it wasn't such a big deal if her other half found a good man like Ichigo to love. It wasn't right according to her logic since it looked like two-timing, but under those circumstances, it wasn't so wrong either.

''I see…'' Ichigo replied to her reassured with a faint smile he tried to hide.

He would never admit it because it was really embarrassing, but in reality he was very relieved to hear that this guy, Tsukune, was nothing special to Moka. A quite tragic irony of course since that boy was actually his main rival for Moka's love.

''Alright! So, I suppose the party's over. Thankfully, we won't see more Hollows tonight.'' Ichigo stated to everyone casually and next focused his sight on Inner Moka. ''Also…'' He started saying to her and placed his left hand inside his kimono, pulling out her cross. ''…I think that's yours.'' He finished, showing it to her.

''Heh! It's finally my nap time, huh?!'' Inner Moka questioned after a small chuckle. ''But I suppose, it can't be helped. You're dying to see again my other half, right?'' She asked him casually and fully prepared physiologically to go back into her seal.

''You're exaggerating a little, but you're not entirely wrong either… Sorry…'' Ichigo answered her, feeling sort of guilty for admitting that he wanted to send her back to see again his own Moka.

''It's fine. I understand… And if there's someone who needs to apologize, she's undoubtedly me. I put you through a lot of troubles while I was out… So, I'm sorry.''She said to him with a small smile.

''I'm afraid, I can't disagree on that. At least everything's fine now.'' Ichigo replied to her with a similar smile.

''We undoubtedly made quite a bad start during our meeting with each other, but in any case, it was my pleasure to have a match with you, Kurosaki Ichigo. I can't believe I'm going to say this, but you truly are a tough opponent.''She complemented him, reaching her right hand towards him for a handshake.

The one they hadn't the chance to complete when they first met.

''Thanks! You're pretty tough yourself too.'' Ichigo replied to her, giving her his own right hand and shaking hers.

''Thanks in my own accord.''Inner Moka reciprocated.

Next, they separated their hands, getting ready for the grand moment.

''Ok… It's time…Would you like to have the honor to do it yourself?''

''Yeah, if it's alright with you.''

''No problem.''

''Then, let's do it.'' Ichigo said to her and started moving her cross towards her chain. ''See you later… I guess…'' He bid to her with an unsure expression.

He wanted to be polite to her since she was giving her place to Moka, but he knew inside him that his words were empty since it would be absurd for him to pull the cross deliberately, sending like this away the girl he was in love with. No boyfriend in his right mind would do such a thing… And Inner Moka was well aware of that.

''Heh! Liar!'' She whispered to herself, lowering slightly her eyelids as a sign of feeling a little sad.

Certainly, for her other half to find such a worthy man to love her was something great, but at the same time, it meant that there was no reason for her to appear ever again. Neither because her power was needed, nor for anything else… Her time had ultimately come to an end…

*Hfp* (Sound of a hand grabbing something)

…Or maybe not… Just when Ichigo was millimeters away from connecting her cross with her chocker's chain, something hit strongly his hand and the cross disappeared in a flash.

''Ouch! What in the world?!'' Ichigo questioned confused, goggling.

Something Inner Moka mimicked,feeling also puzzled about what happened before their eyes. But they wouldn't have to wait long to take an answer.

''HAHAHA! I DID IT! I FINALLY DID IT!'' A sinister voice was heard laughing from a long distance above them. ''It's not exactly what I had planned in the beginning, but still better than nothing!''

A voice that made everyone turn their faces to the direction it came from to see to whom it belonged. There, they noticed a lizard-like Adjuchas-Class Hollow floating many meters in the air above them, holding Moka's cross in his right hand and smirking about it.

''HEY! WHO THE HELL ARE YOU…? NO…! FORGET THAT! GIVE ME THAT CROSS BACK RIGHT NOW!'' Ichigo demanded, shouting at it in an angry tone.

''Heh, heh! You really want it, don't you Soul Reaper…? But unfortunately, you can't have it. I overheard something pretty interesting about this cross, so I can't give it back to you. This cross will play a major role in our Celos-sama's great ambition.'' Lazarto stated to him in a mocking tone, snickering.

''WHAT?! DON'T SCREW AROUND WITH M…'' Ichigo was about to shout at him again, but was cut short.

''If you desire so much this cross, you can come to Hueco Mundo and get it yourself.'' Lazarto informed him, widening his smirk while a Garganta was in the process of opening behind him. ''We will be waiting for you at Las Noches.'' He added and next turned towards the Garganta.

''NO! FUCK! WAIT!'' Ichigo shouted at him for a third time and was about to fly to his place, but unfortunately, he wouldn't have the chance.

''Goodbye, Soul Reaper!'' Lazarto bid to him and without wasting a single second, he jumped immediately inside the Garganta, forcing it to close instantly to prevent them from following him.

As for Ichigo and the others… They had been left behind staring at the empty sky in shock.

''Oh my God! This is terrible!'' Orihime commented with her eyes still towards the sky, placing her hands over her mouth.

''That'scrazy. How did it slip so close without us noticing its reiatsu? It doesn't make sense.'' Uryu questioned, frowning upset while staring at the sky.

''Seems like it pulled a fast one on us.'' Chad stated with his eyes also towards the sky. Following that, he turned to Ichigo. ''What are we gonna do now, Ichigo?''

''What…?'' Ichigo asked him back, having his face lowered and a fictional shadow covering his eyes. ''Is there seriously a need to ask, Chad?'' He asked him again, with a deeper voice. ''We will accept that bastard's invitation of course and return back home pronto to figure out a way to go to Hueco Mundo since Urahara-san is absent…'' He started saying to him with his voice sounding more agitated with every letter. ''…And once we go there… WE WILL MAKE SURE TO BEAT THE HELL OF EVERYONE!'' He growled,shouting in an extremely furious tone, raising his face and uncovering this way a very deep and hostile scowl.

A scowl so terrifying that managed to make even Inner Moka twitch her eyelids in astonishment… Ichigo was so close in meeting once again with his beloved girl, but right when everything looked perfectly fine, a cursed Hollow came to crush everything for its master's stupid ambition… And this was something Ichigo wouldn't tolerate. These Hollows had really crossed the line with this last action of theirs and he was more than determined to make them pay for it with all his might… With the worst possible!

A/N: …And that's the end! As you saw, Ichigo's pissed and everyone knows what that means! ;)

Also:

1: I hope you liked the fight between Ichigo and Inner Moka. I rewrote it about 4 times until I reach a point that it looked acceptable to me.

2: Next chapter as you probably guessed, the Kurosaki's will meet at last Inner Moka.

3: About the cross thing, as you all have probably figured out, Celos's plan was to abduct someone important to Ichigo and force him go to Hueco Mundo. But since his sisters were difficult to approach (because there was also Isshin) and Moka had transformed to Inner who is more powerful, Lazarto's only option was her cross. He was spying on them all that time, so it was inevitable for him to learn about Moka's secret.

4: Finally, about Tsukune and his harem, I will most likely give you a chapter about them in my next 3 or 4 chaps if everything goes as I'm thinking.

5:And since it's Christmas, here's something extra: I made some pics about the story and I would be EXTREMELY happy if you decided to check them out. The links are in the bottom of my profile. Honestly, give them a try if you have time. I think you will find them interesting.

As always, a big -thank you- to my beta reader Saddas74 for his help!

See you all next time!

Be well, love Japan and… HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR IN ADVANCE!