chapter 21
Karakura Town-Urahara's shop-3 days later
Everyone is sweat dropping after they saw the news on t.v. that had "witnesses" that said that because of the explosion in the sky, it spooked the animals so much that they have escaped and went on the rampage on the city. Still others witnessed a freak tornado touched down in the middle of the city, did it's damage and then dissipated immediately. Depending on who the news people interviewed had a bizarre account of what actually happened 3 days of the gang in the room were scratching their heads but Kurumu and Yukari were actually enjoying all the ridiculous notions that the news has come up with and were laughing so much that they were in the verge of tears.
"So if Toshiro-san had everyone's memories replaced, how come everybody's account is so far off?" Moka said confused.
"Well I can't really choose what memories to change as that is caused randomly so that's why all the "witnesses" as it were had conflicting accounts that's why." Toshiro answered.
"Oh I see..."
"That figures, it's what happened to Yuzu and Karin when that Hollow attacked our home. Stupid memory displacer or whatever you call it made them think a truck....or was it a rhino that crashed into the side of our clinic." Ichigo said to her while looking at Rukia.
"Hey that wasn't my fault, I couldn't help it if the damn memory replacement made them think like they did!" Rukia protested.
"I didn't say anything...." Ichigo said innocently.
"Now will you'll please stop messing around so we can get started!" Yoruichi told everyone.
Everyone all fell silent with an occasional snickers from Kurumu and Yukari.
"So now that things sort of calmed down, we have very important things to discuss! Namely, the early Hollowfication of Tsukune and his aforementioned Bankai training, is that correct?"
Tsukune who is still bandaged up from all his injuries looked her in the eyes and nodded.
"Yes, Yoruichi-san you are correct!"
"Oh my why so formal, I've known you for 3 days so why don't you call me Yoruichi, alright?" she told him.
"If that makes you happy, uh Yoruichi then I will be more that honored to do so!"
"That's really cute of you!"
"Why thank you, you don't look so bad yourself, in fact I think you look absolutely a knockout!"
"Oh my are you trying to hit on me, good sir?"
"No ma'am just giving you a compliment!"
"Heh, I think we're going to get along just fine!"
Tsukune would have said something witty but he got a bad feeling and he turned around and sure enough 5 sets of beautiful eyes were glaring at him. Each girl had pretty much the same scowl, a knot or two that started to twitch in annoyance and one could surmise a deep seated jealousy that they felt they were being slighted and cheated upon with an older woman! Tsukune quickly turned around sweated profusely and gulped and quickly told Yoruichi.
"T-that's good, ma'am I am looking forward working with you!"
Yoruichi sensed that the girls were giving him death glares and smirked and laughed out loud. She hadn't had this much fun teasing such a fine young man ever since she met and started training Ichigo. She had buckets of laughs messing around with him! Still just to get another cheap thrill she couldn't help but escalate the whole drama even further....
"Oh really, that's good! I'll mold you to do the right things and teach you properly the skills you need!"
"I-I am glad to hear it...."
"TSUKUNE...why are you messing around with an older woman?" Kurumu said with acid dripping in her voice and her razor sharp claws suddenly unsheathed. "When you know you have me?"
"Yes, I find that it's rather disturbing that you would think such a thing!" Ruby said rather annoyed.
"I hope that you don't get into a habit of looking at other girls while were here hmmm?" Mizore said quietly while she formed her ice claws
"Tsukune why are you being such a frickin cheater!" Yukari said rather loudly.
"....."
Moka didn't really say anything but the death glare that she gave him said exactly what her feelings are in this matter. The air in the room suddenly became tense that you could actually cut it with a knife. Tsukune curses inside now of all places his bold streak suddenly comes out and messes around with while the other girls are present. Tsukune looked around for help and but everyone else were having so much fun at his expense! Finally Ichigo butted in to save him the hassle.
"Yoruichi, stop messing around will ya!"
"What I was only making a friendly conversation with my new student here!" she said smirking. "Why you jealous that I'm paying attention to him now and I'm ignoring you?"
"Ha, you wish...stop screwing around and talk about the more important things and get with the program!"
"So does that mean that our time together when I was training you didn't mean a thing!" Yoruichi pouted. "I'd rather enjoyed being naked around you when it was bath time you know!"
Ichigo blushed and remembered how she mercilessly teased and played jokes on him; namely surprising him butt naked in the baths! Although as a healthy, growing, adolescent young man, he can appreciate how truly magnificent Yoruichi's body is to behold. However, with all these females present, he didn't want to give them an impression that he's some kind of sick individual trying to get easy prey! And especially with Inoue present but he was too late as her intense glare, although it was rather cute, is already trying to bore a hole through him.
"I see I didn't know that Kurosaki-kun is that kind of person...."
"Inoue it's not what you think!"
"Yoruichi will you be serious for a change and stop making trouble for our guests!" Urahara finally interrupted. "I apologize for my associate here, she tends to get carried away when she's having her particular kind of fun!"
"Aww Kisuke you're such a party pooper!" Yoruichi told him. "But seriously I think we should get things rolling now or we're not going to go anywhere!"
"So anyway Tsukune-san it is your wish to learn Bankai correct?" the shop keeper asked to get things going along.
"Hai, Urahara-san...." Tsukune said relieved of the change of subject.
"And why did you want to learn it all of a sudden?" Yoruichi added. "Once you learn Bankai what are you going to use this power for?"
"It is because I want to become stronger so I can protect all those people who are dear to me...." He told her while looking each and everyone of the Rosario gang in the eyes. "I have come this far, I won't go back to Yokai Academy until I learn it even if it costs me my life...."
"Aww that's so cute..." Yoruichi complimented him. "And very courageous of you but I won't sugar coat this so as you know. This training is extremely dangerous and you may lose your life. Should you succeed an extra 10 years of further training is required so that you can wield this colossal power. But from what I gathered of your abilities, in my professional opinion, you might not need this decade of training at all, just like Ichigo. IF you survive the training that is!"
"I'm ready, when do we get started?"
"Shouldn't you try to heal all of your injuries first?"
"Believe it or not, I feel 100 percent better than usual!"
"Oh really, show me...."
"Much obliged Yoruichi-san...."
Yoruichi's eyes widened as she heard those words from behind her as Tsukune flashed stepped behind her. She has never seen anything like it as she was only watching him a minute ago and suddenly he is behind her in a flash! From the looks of things, he is telling the truth and he is ready as he will ever be at this point. When she turned around and he was gone and is sitting where he was sitting not moments before. She's quite impressed actually, as she has never seen anyone recover so quickly. It's almost like he and Ichigo are similar in that respect as Ichigo's recovery time is incredibly efficient and quick to booth.
The reactions in the room were also in great awe of how quickly he healed from his injuries in just 3 days. The Rosario gang were especially impressed as they all have different degrees of surprise. Kurumu, seemed relieved and loving at the same time. She was the one who hit him with one of her attacks and it made her feel better that he has recovered quite well. With that said her stock of him has risen even further and she felt that despite her disadvantage at this point in the game, she is determined to win his heart and become her mate of fate. Yukari and Ruby were wide eyed and very analytical. They actually have kept a record of how much Tsukune had become stronger overtime and according to their results, his power has grown exponentially ever since he became a vampire/shinigami. With that said, their own impressions of him have also risen and with the way he has surprised Yoruichi with his blinding speed. It would seem he is almost as fast as Moka and Ichigo in some respects but for purely legitimate reasons, he has yet to surpass them in that category. However, in time he will surely match those two in speed and strength provided that he didn't get himself killed while training though. As usual, Mizore didn't say a word as she bit into her lollipop. But her eyes betray her excitement at the prospect of bearing a strong child that would save her kind! Like her rivals, her estimation of him has also risen and to her it is the most beautiful thing in the world. Moka sat looking down and she couldn't help the deep blush that suddenly appeared on her delicate face. She knows how strong Tsukune is because after all she is the one who turned him into a vampire and also the one who fought his Hollow form to stop his rampage. She of all people knows as she experienced his strength. Her other half on the other hand is buzzing with excitement at the prospect of fighting another very strong and overwhelmingly powerful opponent. The two agree though that they couldn't imagine loving someone so much other than Tsukune. In him they think that they have finally found their equal. The Outer Moka knows this and she displays this love for him openly and freely. Her Inner side, her true self has a hard time grasping and understanding why her surface self could openly announce to the world how much "she" loves him so. There are principles that needed to be addressed and Inner Moka with her great pride cannot seem admit that she also loves him....or at least she is beginning to do so anyway. Still, she is an S-class vampire and as such, a status quo must be upheld because vampires does not and will not admit to weak sentiments such as love, she has a reputation to keep after all! But it would seem Inner Moka too is impressed with how far Tsukune has come along and he is only using his Shinigami half of his powers!
"Very impressive Tsukune, I see that you have recovered substantially enough to begin training today!" Yoruichi said who recovered quickly.
"Thanks, Yoruichi. If it wasn't for Inoue-san's healing though, I'd probably still be out of commission right now!" Tsukune said seriously. "Thank you. Inoue-san you were a big help in my recovery. Your efforts are very much appreciated!"
"You welcome Aono-san." Orihime blushed.
"Well now that matter is settled...." Ichigo began. "Why do you think he Hollowfied so quickly? I don't remember ever having that problem after I learned Bankai, so why did it manifest so early and so suddenly?"
"Ah but if you must have forgotten Ichigo that your Inner Hollow has been with you from the beginning." Urahara told him. "Did you forget that you yourself was wearing the very same Hollow mask when you first turned into a Shinigami?"
"Or the fact that your Hollow mask has appeared out of nowhere to save your life when you fought Renji the second time in Soul Society?" Rukia added. "Don't look at me like I don't know about it because Hanataro once mentioned that little tidbit to me when I chose to stay at the Soul Society for a brief time."
"Ok I get it, ones Inner Hollow is with a Shinigami but the question is why?"
"Remember Ichigo the process that we have used to turn yourself into a Shinigami." Urahara explained. "You were not a death god in the beginning and the transition from one to the other has tied you to your Inner Hollow forever more in more ways than you realize."
"So the question is can I tame this Inner Hollow of mine just like Ichigo did with his?" Tsukune asked.
"In theory yes, I used the same method to turn you into one a Shinigami remember?" Ichigo said to him. "So in theory, you could do the same thing that I did, but you have to see the Shinji Hirako about that one. Once your ready, I'll take you to him if you want."
"Still we haven't cleared up why Tsukune has Hollowfied at all!" Kurumu said.
"Umm, I think my other half can answer that question Kurumu-chan!" Moka told her.
"Oh ya that's right, Moka did explain a few things to me when we were trying to contain Tsukune." Ichigo told them. "I think you'll should hear this and see what you guys think!"
With that said, Tsukune removed the Rosario and with a burst of light, Inner Moka has appeared. Ichigo quickly explained a few things to her and asked her to tell the what she has told him 3 days ago.
"Before Tsukune was turned into a Shinigami, I have turned him into a vampire to save his life...." Moka began. "Since then, his desire to protect everyone including the school and especially our friends has forced him to make a difficult choice of turning himself into a death god as the vampire power prove to be unstable and hard to control. Ever since he turned to a Shinigami though, the vampire blood has steadily strengthened and I do not have proof but I believe that the vampire side and his Inner Hollow may fused into one entity. Again I do not have the evidence to back it up. Although, some outward appearances like his eyes are like my own and unlike Ichigo's when Tsukune dons his mask may suggest that my theory may be true. And perhaps it took the two of us to stop him is a testament to how powerful this Hollow/vampire hybrid entity has become. The "Hollowfication" then is this fused entity's attempt to take over Tsukune body. If it succeeds it will be nothing more than a mindless killing machine. And if Tsukune is able to succeed in taming this creature, he may surpass myself and even Ichigo in terms of power unlike we have never seen before!"
"And Tsukune tell everyone what you told me 3 days ago when you turned back to normal..." Ichigo urged him.
"Oh that, I think that "she" won't interfere for awhile as if she's been contained at least for now but don't ask how I know that because I really couldn't tell you and I don't remember what happened."
"Do you see now why he needs to learn Bankai now Yoruichi?" Ichigo told her. "If Tsukune is to succeed taming this new creature what ever it is, then he will need all the help he can get!"
"I see then if we're done talking each other to death then it's time to do this!" she said. "Tsukune are you ready?"
"As ready as I can ever be!"
"I apologize Tsukune but your training will have to be slightly delayed for a little bit!"
"Why, Moka what's the matter now!" Ichigo asked her.
"Did you not promise me that you and I are going to spar once we are all healed?" Moka answered him. "I believe with our uncanny healing abilities, we are sufficiently recovered enough to fulfill the bargain."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, I did promise her and you know I don't back out on a promise." Ichigo sighed.
"Well if this match is unavoidable then we should head downstairs shouldn't we?" Yoruichi said. "I myself am curious as to the extent of both of your powers....professional curiosity understand?"
Moka and the other girls were a little confused at this...
"Oh you didn't know, there's a training facility underneath the shop." Urahara explained. "It's were we conducted Ichigo's training once before. Come on, you ladies might get a kick out of this because I am rather proud of how it turned out."
Everyone then followed Urahara to a room with a door on the floor. As the others went down the stairs, he motioned to Tessai come to him and told the other to perhaps quadruple the barrier surrounding the training grounds just in case things didn't go quite so well. When he opened it, the passage led to a stairs that went down to an enormous space that is littered with huge rock formations here and there. The ground itself is rocky and uneven with hardly any flat surface. Uncannily the interior looked like it had an open sky and the bright light that filters through the space made it seem like it is a sunny day even though they were several hundred feet underground! Moka and Ichigo then went in the middle of the vast space and stared at each other. Everyone looked on in anticipation of a very good match.
"Alright Moka this is your show, what are the rules?"
"There is none, other than we don't kill each other but everything else is fair game!"
"Fine, let's get this over with then!"
Moka then gathered all of her power and she began to glow an eerie crimson aura. Doing so has caused a strong tremor within the underground facility and the ground she stood on seem to melt away as she sank several inches into the ground from the sheer power of her yoki. Cracks begin to form underneath her and loose rock and the debris begin to rise steadily up to the sky. Electricity seems to crackle here and there as Moka gathered all energy she can to make this worthwhile for her. When she finally finished she is surrounded by a dark red aura that seemed to come out of the vampire.
"What are you doing Ichigo, why are you not powered up yet?"
"I just wanted to experiment and try to confirm something that's all."
"Suit yourself..."
As she said that she has traverse nearly 50 feet in a blink of an eye and surprised Ichigo and barely blocked the lightning fast side kick that sent him traveling backwards but he is able to plant his legs fast enough that he travelled 15 feet, gouging tracks that made debris fly upward as he slid on the ground. When he stopped completely, he knew that Moka is following him in pursuit so he fired a Getsuga Tenshou. The enormous blue wave raced forward carving it's way towards the vampire. However, Moka didn't stop and she simple upped her output and literally sheared through the attack causing a massive explosion. Still her momentum kept her going and Ichigo finds himself face to face with her.
The sparring match wasn't even 1 minute old and it would seem that she is enjoying herself tremendously as she has a wide grin that showed her long sharp fangs out to him but not in a menacing or hostile way. All of a sudden she disappeared and Ichigo not knowing where she is shunpo to the North side face of a hill. He then tried to locate her but it seems her sheer might is somewhat confusing and overwhelming his ability to locate her as Moka's power is literally blankets the entire underground facility. Ichigo's head darted here and there and out of nowhere the beautiful vampire appeared and attacked him. However, Ichigo anticipated her move fast enough that he shunpo far away enough for him to gather himself quickly and counter attack. She missed him and her fist hit the medium sized hill and leveled it to rubble in one devastating blow.
"Hey Moka, I thought that we weren't trying to kill each other?" Ichigo called out. "That looked like a killing blow to me!"
"And that rule stays in affect!" Moka answered. "But other than that everything goes, understand?"
"I guess, just wanted to know that's all."
"Shouldn't you be using your Bankai and your mask?"
"As I said earlier, I am conducting a little experiment whether or not my Shikai is enough to defeat opponents. I should be conserving my power for when I need it the most you know, but don't worry though I'll give you what you want in a minute just be patient Moka geez!"
"If you don't want to use your power then that's fine...."
Moka is standing on the remnants of what used to be a hill and Ichigo is perhaps 65 feet away from her. With a blink of an eye, suddenly she is behind him and Ichigo didn't move as he is too shocked to comprehend what happened. She was so far away and he thought that he got away from her far enough so that he can get his bearings together and figures some things out but apparently that's not the case. Ever since she has released half of her vampire powers, she has gotten noticeably stronger, faster, more aggressive, and more ruthless to booth. He can only imagine what she can do at 75% let alone releasing her full might against any dumb ass who is stupid enough to challenge her!
"But I would seriously think of using them now or there won't be nothing left of you when I finish....." she continued whispering in his ear. "Don't worry though I won't get too rough since you're my friend and all!"
When she finished she kicked him in the back of the head that sent him flying towards a tall column of solid rock and crashed 1/4 of the way at the top. The impact was such that he demolished the surface leaving nothing more than rubble. Ichigo then realized that this time Moka is taking this match way too seriously enough that she is willing to use brute force and it seemed that she isn't really pulling her punches anymore. Then perhaps he to shouldn't hold back anymore either!" He is then surrounded by a blue spiritual pressure that blew the loose outcropping of rocks away and he sank 4 feet as he gathered his energy into himself.
"BANKAI!!!"
The blue reiatsu suddenly turned black and the force of Ichigo's power blew what was left of the top. With Tensa Zangetsu in hand, he searched for Moka but couldn't find her. And then he realized that a very strong power is coming towards him...from up above! He quickly ran some scenarios in his head, all of them resulting in catastrophic injury! And to make matters worse, Moka upped the ante and focused the power on her attacking leg and to his surprise she glowed an ominous blood red glow and her downward velocity increased even further! If he is to survive then he has no choice but to use it. At the last possible moment, he raised his right hand over his face and pulled downward and as he finished that motion, Moka's attack connected and a devastating explosion that literally shook the large 80 foot cylindrical mesa and break it into millions of pieces while the two combatants completely sheared through the middle and crashed on the ground that shook the entire training ground and causing slight tremors up above the city. When the voluminous smoke cleared there was nothing left but rubble and chunks of rock and a very deep and large crater.
Ichigo finally donning his mask just in time didn't seem to have taken any damage except for some tears and rips here and there on his Shinigami uniform. He has also raised his right hand with Tensa Zangetsu in a blocking position while Moka's right foot rests lightly on the sword's blade. She too didn't seem too damaged and the only thing that is amiss is that her jacket had a huge gash in the back. Moka then jumped up and gracefully landed not far from him. She then dusted off her skirt and took off her jacket and let it drop.
"Ah, it's about time you took it out." Moka told him. "Did you know it's rude to keep a girl waiting?"
"Moka, if I didn't know better that looked like a killing strike to me...."
"But your still alive my dearest Ichigo!" Moka told him coyly. "So you really can't say that was a killing blow if you still stand before me now right?"
"So now that we are in equal terms, do you still want to spar?"
"Yes, until I am satisfied!"
"So be it then!" Ichigo said seriously. "GETSUGA TENSHO!!!"
A huge black wave that cleared nearly 40 feet made it's way to Moka who is somewhat astonished to say the least. She has seen this move often enough that she is at awe at how it has evolved ever time he uses it. When the beam is half way towards her, she decided to try and deflect it as it is going way too fast for her to get away and not escape uninjured. However, her eyes widen as she sensed Ichigo behind her and fired another Getsuga.
"That's impossible, is he that fast that he outran his own technique!?"
As she completed that thought both of the waves met and a tremendous explosion occurred that threatened to take entire facility and the shop with it. However, Urahara's perceptive thinking anticipated this very situation and averted would have been a great disaster indeed. The barriers held albeit barely as it strained to contain the tremendous power that is contained within it's confines. Still tiny cracks were beginning to form and it won't last for long.
When the smoke cleared, Moka is in the middle of a 100 foot wide crater and about 25 feet deep. However, it seemed as she withstood the simultaneous attacks with her sheer brute might alone as she too was holding back and unleashed all the power that her body could take. She glowed an eerie crimson glow and electricity seemed to randomly jump here and there.
"I see that you were holding back on me as well, shame on you!"
"Heh, I guess I got caught...."
"So shall we finish this, Tsukune is trying to learn Bankai you know!"
"Yes, I think I'm almost satisfied, let's give it one more go!"
Thus the two titans clashed, with every hit causing a tremendous tremor. One of the hills that peppered the place literally turned to dust from the sheer force of the shock wave that they caused. With every clash sparks of blinding light burst forth like fireworks bursting in the night sky but the only difference is it looks like it's coming from the ground. They moved faster than the eye could see and moving ever faster still that they almost look like phantoms dancing to a deadly beat. Still the two were so evenly matched that they couldn't find an opening in which to attack. Sensing this they opted to stop with substantial room between them and gathered all the power that they had left. But before they could even do so, Ichigo's mask broke into tiny pieces and he went down to his knees before he fell face down and Moka having reached her limit as well, collapsed and fell to the ground. The titanic battle finally ended in a draw and everyone ran towards them with great concern on their faces.
Tsukune who is carrying Orihime suddenly appeared and when they arrived, he quickly put her down and she ran towards Ichigo while he shunpo to Moka. Having arrived, Tsukune is relieved that she wasn't too badly injured. It seemed that she is just exhausted from what seemed to be a very nasty and brutal match. Moka opened her eyes and when she saw him, all the pain and the exhaustion seem to evaporate away and she smiled which is a very rare and an occasion unto itself! He looked into her beautiful crimson eyes and asked her.
"Moka are you ok?"
"Why yes, I have never felt this exhilarated in my life!"
"I see...can you get up?"
"I think I can manage although..." Moka said blushing. "It wouldn't hurt for you to help me if you want."
"Moka, I would be more than honored to help you."
As she took his hand to try to steady herself but she underestimated how weak she was and stumbled and was about to fall before Tsukune caught her in an embrace and breaking her fall. Both of them, blushed and didn't move for awhile. Having Tsukune so near that Moka felt intoxicated with his presence. Then she noticed a vein on his neck and her sharp eyes saw that it throbbed and it beckoned her to bite it. Suddenly she felt hungry but she hesitated where in the past she would taken anything she wanted. Moka then asked him...
"Tsukune I'm hungry and I haven't had your blood in awhile so may I..." she said shyly.
"Moka for you I will do anything and yes you may!"
He then turned his head so she has better access and immediately bit him. A wave of unimaginable pleasure began to course through Tsukune's body. Moka on the other hand felt that her strength is being replenished with every drop of blood that she sucked out of him and his blood tastes even more sweeter than she has last remembered. She has forgotten how intoxicating and how very addicting his blood is and began to aggressively take more. In a way she too felt an unfamiliar and rather pleasant sensation that electrified her body and made her ever stronger the longer she drinks that she closed her eyes trying to savor the feeling and the sweet, sweet blood that she is taking. She then realized that she is taking far to much and opened her eyes and abruptly stopped and felt a little dismayed that Tsukune looked flat and drained like a prune!
"Tsukune I'm so sorry...your blood tasted so good that I couldn't help myself!"
"Didn't I tell you that I will do anything for you and that this is nothing just as long that I know you are happy."
"Aww, that's sweet of you my dearest Tsukune but don't get too cocky because I still haven't forgiven you for flirting with another woman!"
"Alright, I think I deserve that but from the way your acting says another thing all together!"
Moka blushed, when she was sleeping deep within her surface self, she was awakened from the cacophony that her other half was making and when she saw what was going on she was seething and literally seeing red! She would have given him a few choice words or three but seeing him so close and then letting her drink her fill somehow blew out the sails from under her and she really quite forgotten about it. That he could read her so well is somewhat amazing and rather disturbing and she wonders was she so transparent before? Still, she hates putting on airs especially if its with him but she is a vampire and she cannot in good conscience let her growing sentiments get out of hand.
"Baka, don't presume you know anything about me!" Moka said glaring. "As much as I appreciate that you let me have my fill of your blood do not let that get into your head and you should learn and know your place!"
She then kicked him hard enough that he flew in an arc towards Ichigo and Orihime. Moka then stood up strait, dusted herself and smiled. As much as she didn't like hitting Tsukune, she had no choice as she had a reputation to keep. It was rather fun showing a little of herself to him though and then she laughed at herself as maybe her Outer self is having a bad influence on her. She then made her way towards Ichigo and Orihime and she is rather concerned what the Shinigami's condition. However, Moka knew that he is a very fast healer, very tough, and very resilient. She wouldn't be surprised with Orihime's help, he would have recovered in no time.
Meanwhile....
Orihime ran to Ichigo and she tried to contain the fear that is threatening to drive herself to tears. Every time she sees him beat up and bloodied, a little part of her aches and wants to protect him from all the hurt in the world. That is the only reason why she wanted to be stronger for his sake and nothing more! She saw that he is getting up although a little too slow for her comfort. Orihime then took a deep breathe as if to prepare herself for the worst...
"Kurosaki-kun, are you ok?" Orihime asked him.
"Inoue, what are you doing way out here? Ichigo asked her stumbling a little.
"I-I ask Tsukune-san to take me with him. He is with Moka-chan right now to see if she's alright."
"Oh I know she's alright,she is one of the strongest people I know, she will shrug this off as if this is nothing. Something like this won't make her wilt like a delicate flower as this flower has some thorns on them, you know. So if I'm not worried then you shouldn't be either!"
"But I know that Kurosaki-kun, I know that she is the strongest person in her world and in many ways even ours, so you are right, I shouldn't worry. But what I'm more worried about is....you..."
"Thanks Inoue I appreciate that." Ichigo said blushing. "But I'm really not that injured..."
"But you are exhausted, I would rather have you lie down so I can heal you."
"But Inoue I said that I'm...
"But nothing! You do as I say and lie down NOW!"
"Yes ma'am!"
Ichigo did as she said and laid down the ground. Actually it was a good thing he did as a wave of disorientation hit him suddenly. But as Orihime's Shun Shun Rika healing abilities bathe him in it's light, the feeling soon disappeared. He felt a rather peculiar tingling throughout his body as Orihime's healing did it's magic. With every minute passing he felt stronger again and fatigue and exhaustion begin to drain away leaving only relief.
"Kurosaki-kun what am I going to do with you!" Orihime chided him gently.
"Actually, nothing coz I rather like being babied by the most beautiful woman that I have ever seen!"
"Kurosaki-kun stop saying inappropriate things!" she said blushing.
"But Inoue, I'm only telling the truth after all." he told her. "I wouldn't trade being with you right now for anything even if it's all the money in this world or the next..."
"Now you're just being silly!" Orihime said frantically. "Do you imagine how much banana covered with mayo and ketchup I can buy with all the money in the world?"
Ichigo sweat dropped and wondered where that came from. But this is Inoue we are talking about though. The totally weird is on of her quirks and believe it or not, that's one of the reason why he adores her so much....
"I'm sorry Inoue..."
"What are you talking about Kurosaki-kun?"
"I'm sorry that I couldn't spend time with you because I was so busy with the Hollows and all this training, and fighting enemies or whatever, but still that's no excuse!"
"But we're spending time now am I right? As long as that I see that you are safe and I can hold you in my arms and hear your voice for only a brief time...that is all fine with me!"
"I promise, that I will make an effort at least to hang around and do stuff together or whatever you know? So how about it Inoue, do you have anything to do tomorrow because I'd rather spend the whole day with you with the circumstances as they are you know."
"A-are y-you asking me out on a date Kurosaki-kun!" Orhime said shocked.
"Hmmm, now that you mention it...Ya I think I am. So how about it, will you go out with me tomorrow?"
"YES...I mean yes I would love to go out with you!"
"Good, so I'll pick you up at noon at your house tomorrow and we'll take it from there, so is that cool with you?"
"T-that's fine....Wow, a date with my Kurosaki-kun. I can't wait for tomorrow to get here!"
"Ya, I know it's last minute but with all the crazy stuff been going on and we haven't been attacked by the enemy yet. I might as well do this now because I have a feeling I won't be able to hang out with you for long, with the Winter War fast approaching."
"It's ok just as long as I'm with you, I don't really care."
"Thanks Inoue..."
"Anytime..."
Their lips were dangerously close as they said these words. Their moment was ruined however as Tsukune whom Moka kicked earlier crashed landed about 8 feet from them. From the looks of things, he wasn't injured because as soon as he landed, he was up and about and dusted himself off from all the grime he wore on his uniform. Then suddenly Moka appeared and she too looks as if she has been revitalized but to Ichigo she still didn't have the pep in her step that she usually shows everyone.
"Are you alright Ichigo?" Moka asked. "I hope that I wasn't too rough on you?"
"Ya I'm good, Inoue is making sure to that. So how do you feel, you still look a little worn out!"
"I should be fine, I drank enough of Tsukune's blood to keep me running for days!"
"Ah I see that's very good." Ichigo added "So did you ever discover what you were seeking?"
"Yes, I discovered that my body is getting accustomed to the high levels of power that my vampire blood is capable of. I think I just need more intense training to access half my powers without draining myself too badly and I hope that you are more than willing to volunteer in this little endeavor?
"Sure why the hell not, If I train with you I might be able to keep wearing the mask longer."
"That's good to know Ichigo...."
To be continued....
A/N I will apologize now for the grammar mistakes now because it's way past my bedtime and I have work tomorrow at 4 am...I'll just tweak it later when I'm awake...heh...So anyway what do you guys think....I wanted for Tsukune to train Bankai in this chapter but as usual the story had a life on it's own...Oh well it has to be the next chapter then....Anyway I have a very good idea of what the Bankai will look like but if any of you have any other ideas then please pm me and give me some of your input of what you like to see...I might be able to keep my options open but I think you'll will like what I have in store...Anyway read and review as usual and I'll cya kiddies in the next chapter....And I don't own anything so there...heh