I... LIVE. And I have written a new chapter. To all those anonymous reviewers... the reason I don't reply is because... I forget. I have a lot on my plate. That's why I tend to write only to those who have an account because PM's help remind me what I was even talking about in the first place. It's convenient. However, I don't want to ignore other fans who, for whatever reason, don't have an account. So I'll be replying to your messages at the very end of the chapter. Good? GOOD! Now, let's get this bus underway!

Sorry about the short chapter, still getting things underway.

XxXxXxX

Kurumu was glad everything had been settled. She had been worried that Ichigo might've done something drastic, but so far the girl was still alive. Seeing him pull out his mask, and basically torture the girl unsettled her. The feeling was alleviated now that Ichigo didn't seem to have so much anger written on his face. In fact, she was very glad he seemed to have normalized.

She didn't, however, like the fact that the Vampire he had spared was now ogling at him, looking at him with eyes she knew anywhere.

"Ichgo~" Kurumu tried sounding sweet and as normal as possible, but she was still a little worried and if truth be told, jealous, "Why is she with us?"

Ichigo turned to said girl momentarily. Kahlua waved at him with an effervescent smile before Ichigo turned back to Kurumu, grimacing, "I'm taking her to the headmaster. He'll know what to do with her."

Kurumu was relieved to hear that. "Ah, so she won't be hanging around with us?"

"Nope." Ichigo said with ease. Ease that erased any more potential worries inside of Kurumu.

Until the topic that was being discussed opened her mouth. Not only that, but Kahlua had the gall to run up to Ichigo's seat and grab him from behind. At first, Ichigo thought this was an attack. But it was actually something much, much worse.

"Hey, you never let me have food. I'm starving! Just a quickie!" She licked her lips. Ichigo backpedalled, reliving the days where his neck was nothing but a juicebox to a hungry Vampire. At least Moka tried to trick him.

However, the action was stopped as Kurumu pinched Kahlua's ear and yanked her off to the side. "Ow ow ow ow!" She complained as Kurumu held on to the Vampire's ear.

"Ichigo is mine." She nearly growled. "Don't forget that!" Kurumu finally let go of the ear once the girl was sitting properly in her seat.

"Eh? I wasn't told you already had a girlfriend." Kahlua rubbed he ear as she said this. "I don't mind sharing though."

Kurumu gaped. "Who asked you if it was alright with you?"

"I'm sure Ichigo wouldn't mind!" She sing-songed. Ichigo turned briefly, but immediately responded with a, "Actually, I do mind."

Kahlua pouted. Kurumu looked victorious.

"Well that's one less Vampire to worry about." But as soon as she'd said those words, Kurumu clamped her mouth shut with her hands. She peeked up at Ichigo, who looked downcast.

"Sorry." She hurriedly apologized. Her hand reached out to soothingly stroke Ichigo's arm.

What he said next was very Ichigo-like, Kurumu thought pleasantly. "I'll get her back." His eyes had a hardened resolve she was used to seeing him with. She smiled with relief.

"Yes. Yes you will." His strong words reassured her own heart that everything would turn out alright.

"Mah... I'm jealous. I wish I had Ichigo as a lover." Kahlua frowned, her voice high and whiny.

Kurmu's happy expression fell. The Vampire had just ruined her and Ichigo's moment. She turned around and began to argue with the girl regarding proximity to Ichigo, what she could and could not do, and to not ever try to seduce him.

Their voices faded out of Ichigo's mind. Somehow, he had to find out where that floating fortress was. That's where Moka was being held captive. Going there would be the only way to get her back. But what if she didn't want to go back? The boy looked at his fist. His scowl deepened, and the fingers clenched, but his resolve didn't waver.

He would have to fight her if it came down to it.

"What!" Kurumu and Ichigo yelled. The headmaster didn't even bat an eye. Not that they were sure he even had any. They'd never seen him blink.

"I'm a busy person. I have no time to babysit and question little girls such as she." He continued writing, not bothering to even look up at their disgruntled looks. "If you wish to get information from her, you ask her. She's your problem."

"Oi! What do you mean she's our problem?" Ichigo slammed his hand on the desk, a move that no other being would've had the gall to do. The Headmaster had to control his smirk.

"Yeah! I'm not a problem!" Kahlua stated with a rather confident tone.

Kurumu face-palmed.

"As I've said. There have been things that have been set into motion. I cannot help you at this time, nor any time in the immediate future." The Headmaster allowed for a pause, knowing they were waiting for him to say something else. "I can, however, enroll her into your class so you can keep an eye on her at all times."

"Where will she sleep?" Kurumu asked, hoping that she wouldn't be put in her room... or even worse... Ichigo's room.

"I will make accommodations for her." He made a tapping noise with his pencil. Immediately Ruby came to his side.

"Yes Headmaster?" She hadn't noticed Ichigo because she had bowed, but when she raised her head, her eyes brightened up considerably.

"Ichigo!" She greeted with a smile.

"Ruby." The Headmaster called. Ruby apologized and took the paper. She looked at it, and Kurumu could visibly see her trying not to frown.

"Ah, sorry, I have to do work." She did her best to look happy, but truthfully, she had wanted to stay and talk for a few more seconds.

Kurumu leaned in towards Ichigo. "See, I wouldn't mind if there was something between you and her. She's nice."

Ichigo sputtered briefly, but didn't have time to reply as the Headmaster's words sounded, "If there's nothing else you need, I'm quite busy. Classes will start up soon. Be sure to study hard."

His light sockets shined brightly and once more, Ichigo and Kurumu felt like they were at the butt end of a joke they will never comprehend.

"Wahh~" Kahlua was amazed by the sheer amount of people...

Not trying to kill each other. It was so peaceful.

"You act as if you've never seen a school before." Kurumu noted, eyeing the girl that was taking in the scenery. Her face plastered with a genuinely curious look, though Kurumu had to wonder how much of it was just an act.

"Mm. I haven't. All I've ever been taught is etiquette and how to kill." She replied so easily that it took Kurumu a moment to register the weight of her words. She shifted a little uncomfortably at that. She was still very dangerous.

"Urgh... scary." She said aloud before leaning towards Ichigo and asking, "Are you sure it's safe for her to be free?"

Ichigo looked over at Kurumu before turning towards the ditzy Vampire. He remembered her promise. "I'm sure we'll be alright."

Kurumu looked at his stern face. He looked so sure. Well, that was that, she supposed. "If you say so Ichigo, then I'll believe it!" She grinned up at him. Ichigo replied with a grin of his own.

"Awww. You two are flirting. How cute!" Kahlua gushed, interrupting the moment. The two split, not because they were embarrassed, but because the girl had squished herself between them.

"Yeah, it's what couples do." She emphasized to the girl, hoping that she would get that Ichigo was unavailable to her.

"Oh! I see." She nodded, taking it all in and mentally writing notes. Kurumu couldn't tell if she was serious or not. "How much sex do you guys have?"

"Oi. That's private." Ichigo replied tersely, his eyebrows knitting into a scowl even as his ears began to burn a little. However, Kurumu took this as a challenge of their love and replied in kind.

"So many times that I often get too sore to walk." This wasn't entirely an exaggeration. It had happened a few times, but they'd made love so often that she didn't get sore anymore.

Ichigo's ears now burned bright, clearly able to be seen by anyone that happened to look his way. Kahlua's eyes widened as her face registered surprise. "Wow, that's awesome!"

Kurumu couldn't help but feel a little pride despite having exaggerated a little. "I know right?"

Kahlua vigorously nodded. "I'll be sure to prepare myself for that!" Then the bell rang and before either Kurumu or Ichigo could say anything, she darted off ahead of them saying, "Last one in is a rotting packet of blood!"

"She did not just say what I think she said..." Kurumu muttered darkly, leering towards the retreating form of the Vampire.

Not for the first time in his life, Ichigo wondered what wrong turn he'd made in his life that got him into situations such as these.

X

There were new whispers floating around the school. While Moka's disappearance had indeed started off the main set of rumors, the one on everybody's lips was the blonde-haired beauty that sat next to Ichigo. No one paid any mind at the fact that Ichigo wasn't all too happy about being lavished with such attention, especially by the blonde.

It didn't help that Kahlua was sitting in Moka's old seat.

"Waaah~ Isn't this great! We're in the same class together!" She hummed, her body bouncing to a tune inside her own whimsical mind. It didn't help that her breasts jiggled ever so slightly, making the boys of the class drool. She had yet to change into another outfit since fighting Ichigo, but at the very least, she had managed to clean this one up. She would have to go shopping soon if she didn't want to look drab, she thought to herself.

"Yeah... great." Ichigo reiterated not so confidently. He turned towards Kurumu, who seemed to be glaring rather furiously at Kahlua. He found it a little strange though. He understood why she was upset, seeing as that Kahlua attacked him, but she was usually a very forgiving person. Why did she seem particularly angry towards Kahlua?

Class finally got underway as Nekonome finally arrived, five minutes late. Despite being a ditz, she was usually on time. However, one could surmise why she was late as she came in smelling like fish. Everyone sweatdropped at that. After all, today's lunch was a tuna casserole and Nekonome loved anything related to fish. She probably begged the lunch lady for a bite until she capitulated, and then ended up eating an entire lunch menu herself.

"Good morning *hic* class!" A couple of people went wide-eyed at that. Was she drunk off fish?

"ToDAY! Err, oops." She apologized after having inadvertently shouted. "Today... we have another girl after Ichigo. Can you please stand up Kahlua?"

A few people laughed at that. Everyone knew Ichigo was quite the chick magnet, though, some people ended up staring rather angrily at the orange-haired boy. Ichigo only hoped that this didn't lead to another wave of assaults. He already had had enough of them with Moka and Kurumu. As far as he knew, if they wanted Kahlua, they could have her.

"Haii!" She immediately stood up, but her bubbly tone belied the practiced elegance of such a simple action. She got up without her chair making the slightest noise and her posture had been straight, her hands folded neatly in front of her. "My name is Kahlua Shuzen and I will be attending this prestigious Academy from now on!" She smiled brightly, which instantly had the effect of making a fanclub for her.

The class got rowdy soon, and it didn't help that Nekonome was in a world of her own. In fact, she was still 'teaching' the class despite no one paying a lick of attention to her, instead, the boys had surrounded Kahlua and were bombarding her with questions. Unlike Moka, Kahlua seemed elastic and not easily confused by the many voices that surrounded her. She answered each individual question in a timely and orderly manner.

This didn't settle well with Ichigo. She was too confident and not a thing went by her. She was vigilant despite her attitude. He didn't realize he'd been staring at her until she had managed to slip a wink towards him seemingly without breaking eye contact with the person she'd been talking to. Flustered, Ichigo turned away only to find Kurumu looking at him with a pout.

"Don't tell me, you want her of all people?" Kurumu's violet eyes were searching and doleful.

"No." He bit back more than he had intended. That pout made her look too cute despite her obvious discomfort at seeing him stare at Kahlua. "Something feels off about her and I was just trying to figure out what it was." He replied honestly, which made Kurumu breathe out with relief.

"That's good. It seemed silly that out of everyone, you would choose her. Heck, even Yukari would be a better fit." It wasn't until she saw the rather disturbed look on his face that she withdrew he words. "Err, I mean, because she's at least a friend." It still didn't seem to relieve him. She grinned at him before ending her downwardly spiraling chat with an, "Oops."

"Yeah. 'Oops.'" He responded dryly. At the very least, he saved himself from wrecking his mind by not thinking about it too much, lest a very inappropriate image spring up in his mind.

"But seriously, what do you think of her?" She propped her chin on her hand, her elbow resting on the table as she focused her attention on Ichigo.

Ichigo rolled his shoulders, taking one quick glance at Kahlua. "When I fought her, I felt like she was just following orders. She's not part of this messed up plan that took Moka away." His face darkened, but he took hold of himself when his girlfriend brushed the back his hand with hers. "Anyway, she was the enemy, and now she's not." He let himself sink slightly into his chair, letting himself relax. He was still worried that she might hurt his friends, but she seemed like the type to stay true to her word. That's what he thought as he returned the affection by clasping her hand momentarily.

"Well, whatever happens, I'm still here!" Her voice betrayed no worry and in fact, held the utmost confidence in her statement. Then her expression suggested a promise of something a bit more sensual, "By the way. I believe we haven't 'studied' in a while."

Ichigo's ears immediately turned red. He still got embarrassed when she surprise attacked him with such bold words out of the blue. If he was eased into it, he wouldn't be so bad. But judging by the lascivious look she was giving him, he would have to worry about easing into other things before anything else.

Not that he minded of course.

X

"Oh man. You were really stressed out weren't you?" Kurumu's flushed face and cheeky grin hovered right over Ichigo's own face. Her body, sweaty, lay on top of Ichigo's, both regaining their breath.

"I guess I was." He admitted, bringing his hand to her face and stroking her cheek. She let out a purr as she took the opportunity to kiss his fingers when they ran over her lips.

"Maybe I should stress you out more often!" She chimed happily, wiggling her body in order to tease him. Ichigo tensed slightly, before flipping her over. Now, on her back, Kurumu let out a squeal that was accompanied by a moan as his lips nibbled on her neck.

He pulled away, saying brusquely, "Don't start anything you can't finish." He grinned viciously at her when her expression seemed to suggest she was taking that as a challenge rather than as a warning. She brought a finger and languidly ran it over his battle-hardened chest.

"I never do." She replied saucily. His brown eyes stared so lovingly towards her that Kurumu's heart thrummed pleasantly in her chest. She smiled, before diving up for another kiss. She pulled away, a blush on her soft cheeks. Then she realized a certain dampness coming from the bed.

"I feel sorry for your sheets though. That was quite the... tumble we had there." She picked up the stained material, knowing full well that much of the sweat and... other smells wouldn't come off so easily. Heck, he might have to replace them.

"I can always get new ones." He got up. He reached for his clothes, but a light touch to his forearm stopped him.

"Hey." She sounded perky, much like the rest of her body, he noticed with a certain pleased feeling. "Why don't we bathe together? We're sticky and naked anyway, might as well!" She beamed at him, her eyes telling him that yes was really that only answer he could reply with.

"Sure." No sooner had Ichigo replied before Kurumu sprang up from the bed and ran over to her bath. A few minutes later, they were both submerged to the chest in comfortable, steamy water. Kurumu situated herself in between Ichigo's legs, leaning backwards onto his chest. His strong arms were wrapped around her waist, where she twined her fingers with his.

"This is niiiice." She moaned pleasantly. The warmth generaged by the bath and by Ichigo's body made her feel safe, like nothing could ever be wrong. Then she added as an afterthought, "And hey, we'll be clean too!"

"2 for 1 huh?" Ichigo pitched in. Then he remembered Kurumu's dire expression earlier. He decided that now was as best a time as any to ask.

"Hey, why are you so angry at Kahlua?" He paused when Kurumu tilted her head to give him a strange sideways glance. "Aside from the obvious?"

At this point, Kurumu seemed to sink further into Ichigo. Her tone was even, indicating that she was struggling with something. "Well, I mean... she's not gonna replace Moka right?"

She couldn't see from where she was, but had she turned, he would've seen a genuinely surprised Ichigo. "What do you mean?" He asked as he stroked her knuckles gently.

"Well, Moka, despite what she did, was our friend. I mean, I kind of felt that you would eventually... give her what she wanted." She sunk her head into the water, lightly blowing bubbles in order to ease her troubled thoughts.

A kiss planted to the back of her neck at once comforted her and sent a pleasant ripple through her.

"Everything will be alright." He whispered confidently into her ear, holding her a little bit tighter. "I'll rescue Moka and take down Fairy Tail."

Kurumu felt her spirits lighten. "That's my tiger!" She gasped before giggling when Ichigo suddenly poured a bucket full of water over head.

"I can't believe you just did that!" She tried to sound mockingly angry, but all that came out were giggles of surprise and playful delight. Now her hair was draped over her eyes and she couldn't see a thing.

Ichigo didn't say anything, but instead was preparing another volley of water. He was about to toss another bucket of water over her when he realized that Kurumu had acquired her own. It splashed into Ichigo's face, some of it going up his nose.

"Hey! Are you trying to drown me!" Ichigo growled as he tried snorting out the water. He rubbed his face furiously, the stinging feeling of soap and water burning his nostrils.

"Don't be silly! If I drowned you, who would I love?" She replied oh so sweetly. Ichigo wanted to glare at her, but the tenderness in her words had beguiled Ichigo to let that action go with a huff.

"Fine." He stated with the cadence of a child losing a fight. All that he had needed to do complete the image was to cross his arms angrily. Not that he realized this of course, which made Kurumu smile at him.

She proceeded to wiggle closer to his body, but upon her wiggling she felt something that was... poking her. Her body warmed and her skin tingled as she whispered huskily, "So... is that your Zampaktou or are you just happy to see me?"

Ichigo wanted to face-palm at that. He couldn't believe she'd just used Zangetsu as a sexual reference. Not only that, but phrases like that only work when you had clothes on? But when she didn't get an answer, which made her wiggle more, he couldn't resist. He capitulated and began counter-fire in the form of stroking her stomach, sinking lower under the wave of water into the uknown.

In the end, Kurumu decided that bath sex was excellent and it could only be made better if they had a bigger tub.

X

Kahlua closed her eyes. So his persuasion was the kind of girl that was loyal to the end, girlish, a little headstrong, and slightly dumb. A sly smile crossed her features.

She could do that.

X

"So, what do you think is going to happen?" Tsukune asked after being thoroughly beaten down by Ichigo. They boy didn't want Mizore to ever doubt his abilities. He wanted her to believe that he could protect her from anything and everything. This is why he began training anew. Tsukune was panting slightly, but like all previous matches, nothing increased except his skill. If he had been as strong or as fast as Ichigo, he could've probably parried most of his blows.

Ichigo hefted Zangetsu over his shoulder, his relaxed position if one could call it that. He looked off to the side, deep in thought. "I don't know. Everything seems messed up. Kahlua is already making friends with everyone. Yukari seems to be alright with her." He frowned, feeling a bit grossed out as he said, "As long as she doesn't interfere with her 'threesome plan.'"

Both boys blanched at that before shaking their heads.

"Yeah..." Tsukune's voice came out dry." Aside from that, how are you going to treat her?" He followed up.

That seemed to be the question of the day. But he had already come to a conclusion earlier on. "She said she wouldn't attack us. I believe her." His nonchalant tone belied the worry he really felt if she did decide to attack.

"And if she does?"

Ichigo hoisted Zangetsu and slammed it into the ground. The shockwave that rippled from its epicenter nearly knocked Tsukune off-balance. "She won't." His irises had shimmered a twisted yellow briefly. He was still angry over Moka being taken, that much Tsukune gathered. Still, he'd never seen Ichigo issue such a threat.

However, the boy also saw an opening. For once, he was going to land a blow on Ichigo. He ran as fast as his enhanced legs could. While not as fast as Ichigo, a surprise attack was still a surprise attack. They had been a scant meter apart. His knife struck Zangetsu, Ichigo's reflexes being superior. But the attack still managed to succeed within its small window of opportunity. The dagger gleamed off Zangetsu and towards Ichigo's face. Tsukune summoned his ability... and it worked.

Ichigo could not Shunpo out of the way.

Instead, the Shinigami had to act like a normal human would. He rolled out of the way. He climbed his way back to his feet, finding the normally tranquil boy already at his throat. His head moved to avoid the blows, and every time the blade came close to his face, he could himself feel weaker, as if his reiatsu was failing him. Finally, Ichigo grabbed his wrist and twisted it, causing the boy to bend in the direction his wrist was going in order to avoid having it break. He then got a kick to the stomach, which hurled him many meters back. He fell face first.

Tsukune pulled out a tiny white flag. "I... give." Were his last words before he let his hand and the flag fall to the ground. A stunning conclusion.

Ichigo lowered Zangetsu to his side. That had been pretty impressive. "Good job. I'm sure you'll be able to protect Mizore like that."

Tsukune's dirt-caked face looked up at him. "Wait, how did you know?"

Ichigo rolled his shoulders. "I can always tell what my opponent is thinking when I clash blades. I feel like I know what he's fighting for and what his motives are." He wasn't bragging, he was merely replying honestly to the boy. Tsukune was still impressed nonetheless.

"Huh. Maybe Kurumu was right." Tsukune replied as he got up and wiped the dust off his clothes.

Ichigo arched an eyebrow. "About what?"

Tsukune grinned and tried his best to mimic Kurumu's high-pitched voice, especially when she was talking about Ichigo. "She said, 'Ichigo has like, this really huge heart! You can't see it because he looks all grumpy, but he's all heart. In fact, it's sooo big, that he gets all cutely depressed when something doesn't go the way he planned it. He cares so much, but he doesn't like to show it.'"

He continued mimicking Kurumu and the gestures she made when talking about Ichigo. Her hands would flail, press together, and all-around swoon. Tsukune nearly burst out laughing when Ichigo turned away, his face looking a little flush. Then, to his surprise, Ichigo grinned, let out a small chuckle, and then laughed.

"She knows me so well." He replied after that short outburst, a distant sound in his voice. Yet, it had the sun's warmth.

Tsukune lifted up finger, pointing it at Ichigo. "You know, if Kurumu found you looking like that, she'd undoubtedly be trying to strip you right now." He noted like the great observer he was.

Tsukune laughed at Ichigo's reply. "When is she not?" The words had been so matter-of-fact, that it had only added to the hilarity of it.

"True, true." Tsukune mused, but added with a devious grin, "But that's not a bad thing."

Ichigo looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. "No. No it's not."

"You know, I never thought I'd see you be so open about your personal life." Tskune said, his tone indicating to Ichigo of a time long ago.

"Really?" Ichigo hefted Zangetsu, the bandages wrapping themselves around his blade.

Tsukune nodded assuredly. "Yep. You use to be all angry, scowling and stuff. You would barely let Kurumu touch you. Even hugging was something of a bane too you." Then he grinned. "Of course, it was always entertaining to see you fidget. Do you know that your ears turn red when you're embarrassed?"

Ichigo's ears turned the very color the boy had been mentioning. "See! Like that!" He gestured with a finger, but suddenly got the feeling that he might lose it if he didn't retract it quickly.

Luckily his finger wasn't chopped off.

He just got a kick to the face. "That feels better." Ichigo said to no one in particular, canting his neck to the side until he felt something good pop. Tsukue had done something Keigo-ish and that always deserved a kick to the face.

"If that's your version of a manly-hug, I don't like it!" Tsukune pitched out loud. Oh great, now he had a nosebleed. And Ichigo lorded over him, victorious grin plastered all over his face.

"That'll make you think twice." Ichigo said before stretching out his hand. Tsukune gladly took the offered hand.

"But seriously man, you've opened up." Tsukune's eyebrows knit together. He looked stern, but his eyes remained friendly. "So if it's possible... I'd like to know about these... powers and where they come from."

Ichigo took a good look at Tsukune. Those brown eyes of his betrayed nothing but the utmost sincerity. Ichigo mentally scratched his head. He'd already told Kurumu, but that was a given. Still, the boy had done more than enough to earn his trust. And if he could trust Tsukune, then he could probably trust the others as well. His instincts, and for once not the ones related to his Hollow, told him it would all be fine.

Ichigo's thoughtful look opened up to a more positive demeanor. "Alright. I'll tell everyone. Tell them to meet me at the Club room."

Tsukune nodded as Ichigo turned to nod away. The brown-haired boy saw Ichigo scratch the back of his head, and he gathered that Ichigo needed the time to collect his thoughts.

X

Ichigo gauged the looks of everyone in the room. It came as no surprise that Kurumu wasn't the least bit curious being that he told her everything before. Yukari, like any other child her age, stared with awe and wonder. It was this specific emotion that she was feeling that brought out her more childish instincts, whether she liked it or not.

Mizore, unsurprisingly, took it all in stride with a simple, "It all makes sense now." She even pretended to rub her nonexistent beard, posing thoughtfully.

Then, Tsukune's response came. "So you ARE a dimensional soldier!" The boy's triumphant grin nearly made Ichigo facepalm.

"No, I'm not. I just explained it to you." Ichigo sighed when the boy wouldn't let up.

"You said you've been to Soul Society, which is where you go where you die. Seeing as you need this... gate thing... to enter it-or be dead-that technically counts as an alternate dimension." Tsukune still had that stupid grin on his face, and it made Ichigo want to kick him again. The throbbing vein on his forehead desperately pleaded Ichigo to do so.

"No, it's Soul Society..."

"...Which is in a different dimension." Tsukune oh-so-kindly finished for him. Ichigo's hand wanted to cover his own face because at least his hand would be occupied and not be around Tsukune's throat.

And the girls were enjoying the spectacle.

"Don't make me smack you." Ichigo threatened.

Tsukune took pause at this. He didn't want to get hurt...

...But...

"It still means I'm right."

*Thwack!*

Ichigo blinked. Had he somehow used Shunpo unconsciously to smack him? It wasn't until he saw Mizores hand leaving the back of Tsukune's head that he realized what'd happened.

Ichigo snickered.

The look of utter betrayal on his face and the scoffing look on hers was something to delight in.

"So not fair..." He murmured quietly to himself.

"Yeah well, you had it coming." Ichigo told him with friendly derisiveness.

"So, how powerful are you?" Yukari asked. It was a legitimate question. They had seen his monstrous transformation, but they had the feeling that it really hadn't been his full power.

Ichigo became apprehensive at this question, everyone noted. His mood seem to level off, as if strengthening itself to prevent from faltering. "I'm as powerful as my friends need me to be." He said somberly, but there was something subtle detected in his tone: pride. Pride at having successfully done that with his friends and family back home. However, his face fell. No one understood right away save for Kurumu, who knew the reason.

Moka.

"And you'll be powerful enough to rescue Moka." Her ability to read Ichigo's emotions greatly comforted the Soul Reaper. He only got this way when the topic of Moka was broached, so his change in demeanor was now understood by the rest of the group.

"No kidding. He can rip apart mountains. I don't doubt that he can rescue her." Tsukune leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with confidence for the boy. Ichigo nodded respectfully towards Tsukune

Until the grinning boy said something he really shouldn't have, "After all, he is a dimensional soldier."

*Thwack*

This time, Ichigo had been faster than Mizore. The eraser from the mechanical pencil had been flinged across the distance at near-Shunpo speeds. Tsukune had been knocked out cold.

"He had it coming." Ichigo made no apologies, even when Mizore leered at him.

"Yeah, easy chill-ville. They're just being guys." Kurumu grinned as she came to the defense of her boyfriend.

Mizore could only blink. "'Chill-ville'?" The Snow-girl reiterated.

Kurumu beamed. "I know, I was proud of myself for thinking of such an awesome nickname too!" She was brimming with fact that she had come up with a clever name.

Mizore tilted her head, but in the end, gave the point to her. "Not bad."

Kurumu wiggled happily in her seat, not used to winning so cleverly. She supposed studying with Ichigo really had made her smarter.

"So, how are we going to find out where she's being held up?" This was Ichigo speaking out loud. He turned to gaze at everyone's face, but they all seemed as puzzled as he was.

"I think we'd need to leave the school. I don't think staying here will give us any answers." The corner of Kurumu's lips twisted slightly up into a thoughtful look.

Mizore blinked. "Wow, your brain cells are finally activating."

Kurumu looked at the ice-girl and beamed at the praise. "Hey, thanks!" Then she saw that cool gaze leveled at her and it occurred to her that it might be anything but. "Wait, was that an insult?"

Mizore blinked once more. She raised her hands and made them slowly clap. "Really, what have you been feeding her Ichigo?"

Ichigo didn't feel like replying, knowing this might get the girls into another fight. But he felt a little pride at the fact that everyone was starting to see Kurumu as an intelligent person. "Nothing. I just made her study."

"With sex as a reward!" Kurumu pitched in, unabashed. She was giddy right now, so there were no filters in her mind to prevent her from saying anything and everything on her mind.

Ichigo sputtered, his ears burning even as Kurumu continued to grin. Mizore rubbed her chin. "Hmm. Very useful." She looked down at Tsukune and noticed the notebook sticking out from his shirt pocket.

'No, must resist.' She thought to herself, forcing herself to ignore its existence. After that, a calm silence fell upon the room as Tsukune regained consciousness. They were at a standstill right now. Classes wwere still going on and it wasn't like the Headmaster would just let them waltz on out of this dimension the school was being held in. They all needed permission, aside from Ichigo, but he never learned to use the Senkaimon, what with only being a substitute Shinigami.

So what was it that they could do?

X

Little did they know there was already a plan underway for them. The headmaster's gleaming eyes analyzed the runes and the intricate patterns woven into the barrier. At the same time, it also provided him with sight from multiple Shikigamis laid throughout the human world. Even so, there was a limit to what he could see. There were plans moving, he saw Fairy Tale moving. None of his own agents were even remotely strong enough to handle what would inevitably come... but he didn't need to use his own agents.

His lips lifted, but only so much that one could feel like it was smile, but not seeing it as such. His thoughts went to the orange-haired Shinigami in his own school. They had just returned, but maybe it was time for another summer camp? After all, they did need to relax what with everything that had been going on.

Now he just needed to prepare.

X

Kahlua integrated well with the class. A fact that the Newspaper Group noticed. "She's doing well for herself." Kurumu pointed out with her words and with her finger. A couple of guys sat around her despite the fact that she'd already turned them down. However despite this, they somehow still wanted to be not just in her presence, but her friend. Her words were silly, but with a side of maturity to it that took the group by surprise.

"Oh, I think that guy was part of your fanclub." Mizore pointed to a guy that had basically followed Kurumu around for the longest time before she'd met Ichigo.

Kurumu didn't feel jealous. "Glad he found someone else." Kurumu replied. Then she turned to Ichigo and smiled up at him. "As long as Ichigo is my number one fan, I don't really care about anyone else."

Ichigo turned his head to face Kurumu. After a while of dating, he realized that she was always fishing for compliments or affirmations from him. Especially when she smiled that full-of-teeth smile. He found this curious, but always gave in. "Yeah. I'll always be your number one fan."

Kurumu let out tittering chuckle as Ichigo shook his head good-naturedly.

"C." The group turned towards Mizore, wondering what she'd meant by that.

"L." The group uniformly raised an eyebrow.

"O." At this point, they figured out she was spelling out something and now it was a race to see who could guess it first.

"S." Kurum leaned up close towards Mizore, a fact that made the girl lean back a little. It was as if she was trying to visualize her words... which is exactly what she was doing using her illusionary abilities.

"E."

A light-bulb went off in her head as Kurumu finished the word with a loud, "CLOSET!"

Mizore turned to Ichigo, who regarded the girl curiously. "I'm impressed Ichigo. She went from having the intelligence of an amoeba to that of a normal person. Quite an accomplishment."

Ichigo would've bristled at that, but he long since learned that this was actually the way Mizore and Kurumu seemed to bond. He just let out a sigh when Kurumu played right into Mizore's hands and the two began arguing.

"Isn't it kind of funny that even though they're our girlfriends, they're having lovers' quarrels with each other?" Tskukune's tone was obviously amused if his grinning face hadn't indicated so.

Ichigo took a glance at the bickering girls and rolled his shoulders. "I guess." He replied succinctly.

"Speaking of fights, have you two ever had one?" Tsukune's look melted into a more somber tone; slightly serious, slightly curious.

Ichigo didn't have to think about it. He would've remembered it right away. "No."

Tsukune nodded sagely, a fact that made Ichigo look at the boy with dubiousness because as far as he knew, Tsukune had only been dating Mizore only a year longer than he had. Still, the brown-haired boy proceeded to give him advice.

"The key is to have patience..." His voice trailed off. He had had one finger pointing up, like a teacher teaching a lesson, but then it drooped down as he paled slightly, "and not fall asleep during the fight even if it is late at night unless you want to have your legs frozen to the bed."

Ichigo's incredulousness expression morphed into a blank look. "Did she... really do that?" He found himself asking in an even tone as he glanced at Mizore surreptitiously.

"Yeah, it was terrible. I thought I was going to get hypothermia!" The boy looked stricken as he rubbed his legs. He let out a breathe, regaining his composure. "Thankfully your badge let me pull out and basically break the ice from inside my body."

Ichigo's mouth went dry. He was unsure what to say to that because as odd as the thought of Kurumu doing something bad was... he'd seen her terrify Kon. While he doubted she could hurt him in any physical way, he didn't want to be at the end of that nightmarish illusion either. He hadn't seen it per se, but the ominous feeling had impressed his own Hollow in a sickenly giddish manner.

And Kahlua, seeing the group interact so well, couldn't help but feel a bit... wanting. Sure, she was only two seats away from the group, but that small gap might as well have been a deep and uncrossable crevice. She wanted to blend in with the other monsters here, so that she could potentially use them if need be, but she also wanted more intimate connections with that group.

Particularly Ichigo. Thankfully though, the teacher had yet to come. Probably got in trouble for trying to eat a student again. She saw her chance as the flock had left her to talk to their own friends, more than likely, to talk about her. She closed her eyes, regained herself, and walked over towards the Newspaper club.

"Hey guys, what's up!" She greeted them merrily. The group paused. Tsukune and Ichigo turned their heads to face her while Mizore and Kurumu stopped pinching each other's cheeks.

Ichigo was the first to reply. "Nothing." It wasn't much of an answer, but to Kahlua it was better than awkward silence. She still took it all in stride. She was taught how to communicated with others, no matter the situation.

"Eh? Sounds boring." She settled back into her empty seat, Moka's seat. Her eyes shimmered happily when they rested on Ichigo.

"Mm. You smell yummy today!" She didn't bare her fangs, but tilted her head to look cutesy. It didn't get the desired effect as Ichigo rubbed his neck and seemingly lost a little of his color.

"Is that a threat?" Kurumu immediate rose to his defense, ready to drop her transformation at the drop of a Dorian fruit.

Kahlua backpedalled in her intention, sensing clear hostility from the girl. The last thing she wanted was to get on Ichigo's girfriend's bad side because that could ruin her chances considerably. "N-No! I was just teasing." She waved her hands while offering an apologetic grin.

Kurumu leered at the girl, but set down the rules. Again. "Just so you know, teasing is my thing. Capisce?"

"Oh snap. Now she knows Italian." Mizore followerd her words with an actual snap of her fingers. Kurumu promptly returned the remark by sticking out her tongue before returning to Kahlua.

"So, are we clear?" Kahlua wasn't dumbfounded very many times. She had seen Kurumu as a sort of bimbo, or at the very least, an airhead. Apparently she was quite keen, if not, intuitive. She was also very straightforward.

Kahlua gently sighed. "Alright alright." Kurumu was glad she accepted these terms up until the point Kahlua decided to change the rules. "I'll settle with just making him grope me." Kurumu then noticed that with a slyness that was borderline snake-like, she had already snatched Ichigo's wrists and had proceeded to place his hands firmly on her breasts.

At least, that would've happened if Mizore wasn't the sneakster herself. She had seen the sleight of hand the second it happened. She sent an ice kunai straight for the blonde's forehead, but the girl was trained in the arts of assassination. Using minimal effort, she canted her head to the side, letting the weapon disappear through her voluminous hair before reappearing and embedding itself into the wall.

It was a split second when her demeanor had changed. Her eyes registered nothing but a savage focus before muddling away back to their 'happy' state. She put on a surprised expression as her words were directed to Mizore, "Hey! That's not nice! You could've hurt me!"

The group shared a few glances, unsure what that was about. That kind of behavior wasn't instinctual. It felt... programmed.

Mizore still had a level-head in all of this and replied in kind, "If I hadn't stopped you, milk jugs over there would've tried to skewer you alive."

Kurumu blinked, snapping herself out of her stupor. She crossed her arms as she replied sharply, "That's right! I would've done something waaay worse!" Then the rest of Mizore's sentence filtered into her mind. "Hey wait, milk jugs? Why you..."

They proceeded to pinch each others' cheeks once more. It at least helped to dissipate the strange tension in the air.

"They're they go again." Tsukune stated plainly at the same old waltz.

Ichigo pinched the bridge of his nose and tried to rub the scene away. "Yup."

Kahlua looked at all of this with interested and distant eyes. They were so happy together, weren't they? She saw the boys try to pull the girls apart when one went too far-who went too far, they didn't know-and were now pulling each other's hair. And yet, despite this slightly violent turn of events, she saw the pleasant normalcy of their interactions. Seeing them act so familiar with each other made her he realize her situation as a stranger. It preoccupied her mind until she heard the teacher finally come in.

Ichigo was the only one to take notice when Kahlua moved away. She hadn't even made a noise while getting up. Her back was straight, but it didn't seem particularly filled with confidence. He saw her sit down. Once more, contrary to her bubbly nature, she sat with excellent posture. Not slouching forward and not too rigid. She already had her pen in her hand; the image of a student. Ichigo's brows knitted into a deep, thoughtful look. It seemed that whether he liked it or not, he was going to have a talk wit her.

XxXxXx

Just a little extra humor, I completely forgot how to spell closet for the briefest of moments. I had to look it up just to remember how to spell it. Ever have moments like that?

To my anonymous reviewrs!

Chris Shock: Hey, appreciate your enthusiasm, but when you basically only have 8 hours free the entire week, it's kinda hard to squeeze anything. Still, I will keep it up!

Hero of the end: I'm replying to both your comments. Yes, he did copy EVERYTHING, but Ichigo's Hollow is a part of his soul. I thought about this and when I read it, I realized he copied the surface, such as look, strength, speed, but not the core like thought patterns or even personalities. Seeing as Hichigo is part of Ichigo's soul, he can't really copy that. He's more or less Ichigo's instinct. True, no one can control his power... that's why he didn't last long with it. Yeah, I know Moka's wrong.

Hero of the end (2): Actually, Ichigo cares a lot. He has a mixture of a Samurai's ideal mixed with the hormonal mindset of an adolescent. He can still act like a kid. I know this cuz I re-read and re-watched bleach. It's interesting how Ichigo can be so violent even to strangers occasionally, yet protect them in the end.

The last scene is going to be something special. I've gotten a lot of guesses, including yours, but no one's guessed it. Hopefully, it'll be a BIG surprise! When I included that line, I was basically thinking of how some people can break down quickly. Or how easily thought can get warped. It might not make sense to you, but it makes perfect sense to Moka. You'll just have to wait and find out :)

Kamikaze432: Well, it can't all be perfect can it? I've been writing this little saga for roughly 4 years. I will keep that in mind! Lazy... I barely have 8 hours of free time. What is this lazy you speak of? It's not in my vocabulary.

Anonymous reader: I don't know if it's two different people or the same one. Write a name next time so I can reply properly plox.