Ultrabross's Vision
CHP 3: First Hollow Sighting
With his chin rested in the palm of his hands Ichigo leaned forward paying no attention to what was happening on stage. He had come to fulfill a mission and in that moment accomplishing it seemed tougher than imagined when first agreeing to attend Yokai Academy. The head master had since given the opening ceremony speech with the remainder of the scheduled events commencing. On stage were several performers executing tricks using fire and other items. Zoning into his thoughts Ichigo lost track of time noticing the substitute badge giving off a strange sound, "Wonder what that could mean." He spoke silently.
What Toshiro had told him then came to mind, but still didn't see how it would affect the way the badge functioned. He looked on stage in time to see the particular act come to an end, "This is worth checking out." He had a feeling one if not several hollows were nearby; likely lurking somewhere off the academy's premises. Toshiro had informed him the hollows in question might have been altered and or changed by a supernatural being, giving them abilities superior to any typical everyday hollow. With the use of the badge Ichigo separated his soul from his body hoping no one around could see him. Unlike attending classes back in Karakura town with humans the expectations of things were different.
Propping his body up straight Ichigo looked to the nearest exit, seeing that it was closed. Looking around for a better option he noticed one of the large doors in the back was left wide open, "Perfect." He inquired grinning. Making certain not to step over anyone or make his presence known, he leaped upward exiting from the large space with relative ease, "Time to investigate." He couldn't say for certain, but had a hunch the upgrades to the hollows was the reason to the lackluster function he got from the substitute shinigami badge. Down the hall he bypassed several individuals none of which were able to see him. He made a few turns coming to a stop in front of a door, taking a few moments to confirm no one else was around.
After validating he was in fact alone, he quickly turned the doorknob stepping outside, "One of them is close…I can feel it." It was different than other times, a strange sensation/energy was near but he was unable to pinpoint its exact position. The further he got from the building the stronger the feeling became. In another couple steps he stopped under a tree, "This is where the energy signal is strongest," Ichigo gazed in all directions, "But I don't see a thing."
It was then the turf beneath his feet erupted! In sheer strength the beast showed itself breaking through the ground below, "Well well what do we have here," The hollow licked its lips. It stood around nine feet tall, "I never thought in a million years I'd get so lucky to meet a shinigami in this realm. What a pleasant surprise in deed I will absolutely enjoy feasting on your soul and take pleasure in it for as long as possible. Medium rare is the way I like it." The hollow licked its lips for a second time.
Ichigo pulled out his zanpakuto, "Sorry but I'm not on the menu," He went silent for several moments contemplating whether or not questioning the hollow would be a good idea. He had a feeling he'd just be wasting his time; not to mention there was a good chance the hollow knew nothing. Ichigo was almost positive that if someone was using the hollows as puppets, none would be aware of it, "How many of you are there?"
"It doesn't matter…all that matters is you will soon be in my belly. Cherish these moments shinigami, for they will be your last."
"Should have known talking would be useless, anyway what do you say we get this party started? I'm about as anxious as I'm ever going to be."
The hollow jumped back lowering its shoulders, "I prefer my meal not to fight back, but the more I think about it the more I realize just how much I've craved fast food for the past week hahaha." In a flash Ichigo was knocked to the ground, "What the hell!" He looked over his shoulder realizing the hollow was now behind him, "Whenever did a hollow have such freakish speed," Ichigo rubbed at his jaw standing upright with a grin, "This should be fun." Now that he had encountered one for himself he was convinced of what Toshiro had told him was true.
"Good now that you're in the mood," The hollow turned away from Ichigo, "Tag you're it, let's see if you can catch me shinigami." Laughing aloud the hollow leaped into the trees running away. Ichigo's mouth dropped open while his eyes widened, "What are you doing running away, come back and fight coward!" In a single bound Ichigo went after it, listening to its excessive laughter up ahead.
"Surely you've got more speed on you than that shinigami, I've seen turtles move faster haha."
"Yeah yeah just keep talking we'll see who's laughing in a moment."
Inside the theater the assembly continued on, with one event taking place after another. The entire space was packed and due to everyone focused on what took place on stage not a single person noticed the motionless Ichigo. Luckily he situated himself in an almost perfect position before making the jump from his body. Within the mid section a couple rows back Moka leaned to her left resting her head over Tsukune's shoulder, "Oh Tsukune," She whispered rubbing up next to him.
"What do you think you're doing?" Kurumu grabbed hold of Moka's arm pulling her away from him, "Quit cuddling up with him like he's your lover!" Kurumu tightened her grip over Moka's arm.
"Kurumu Chan that hurts!" Moka pulled her arm away from the succubus.
"Keep your hands off Tsukune and we won't have any problems," Kurumu pressed her cheek against Moka's frowning, "You think you're so slick trying to make moves on him while the rest of us aren't looking don't cha?"
"Come on guys I thought I already made it clear that I didn't want you all getting angry with each other because of me."
Kurumu looked to Tsukune still with the frown on her face. He gulped as she reached forward grabbing hold of his tie pulling him in close, "You're just as much to blame, if you had chosen one of us we wouldn't be going through this!"
"You know there are other guys besides me." Tsukune mumbled hoping none of them would hear.
"Wanna say that a bit louder, I don't think any of us caught that." Kurumu pulled him in closer.
"Don't worry about it Kurumu Chan, it really isn't that important." Tsukune fell back into his seat as she removed her hand from his tie. Though she sat between them Moka decided it best not to get involved. Mizore paid no attention to the three, having her eyes on what took place on stage.
XXX
Ichigo lost sight of the hollow trying to figure which way it went, "Either my eyes are playing tricks on me or that hollow just used something similar to flash step. There is no way a hollow should be able to move around like this. No way am I going Bankai for some simple hollow!" Ichigo thought to himself jumping from one tree to the next. Finding the chase pointless, Ichigo came to a stop looking in all directions, "It has to be around here somewhere."
"Giving up already Shinigami? How disappointing. Here I was thinking we could have some fun before I devoured your entire life force. Silly me what was I thi…" The hollow appeared from behind but Ichigo was able to anticipate and dodge its attack, "Nice moves shinigami that little trick of mine usually always works."
Upon speaking the hollow made it seem as though it was in a separate location to where it actually was, "You don't seem in the mood to play my game, no matter we can skip the appetizer and get straight to the main course!" The hollow charged him at top speed but was tackled through mid air taken to the ground below. It all happened so fast Ichigo was unable to see who or what was responsible.
"His soul is mine to feast upon not yours!"
"You fool! I found him first so he's mine!"
Ichigo scratched at his hair realizing it was another hollow that took down the one he was engaged with. And from what he could tell, they looked to be fighting over which of them would be the one to consume his soul, "Just when you think you've seen it all." Ichigo uttered.
"Get off me you simpleton I told you the shinigami is mine! Tell you what if you agree to let me eat his soul I'll let you devour ten extra students…huh how's that sound?"
"No deal! You don't get nearly the same rush as munching on a shinigami."
With a raised eye brow Ichigo couldn't believe what he was observing before his eyes. But at the same time when it came to hollows nothing surprised him, "Enough of this," Ichigo leaped out of the tree lifting his zanpakuto up over his head, "Getsuga tenshou!" Both hollows moved away from one another dodging the attack, "I missed them." Ichigo landed over the turf below looking to first to the right and then left, "Guess that makes it two against one ah fellas?" Ichigo spoke looking from one hollow to the next.
"The fact they're at odds might give me a slight advantage…not that I need it or anything." Ichigo murmured.
The arguing commenced between the two hollows disregarding Ichigo entirely as if he weren't even there. They went on like that for a little over a minute going back and forth, "Are you guys goanna go at this all day or are we going to fight?!" Ichigo shouted becoming irritated with the banter between them.
"He's right…after we've taken him down, then we can discuss the details of who gets the pleasure of feasting on his soul. How's about we split it half and half. Sound like a deal?"
The other hollow was reluctant to agree; knowing it was the first to encounter Ichigo which meant it should have him to itself. Additional arguing broke out amongst the hollows, "I didn't come here to chat!" Ichigo dashed forward targeting the closes of the two swinging his zanpakuto at the enemy. His blade connected with the side of its head only to watch it immediately regenerate from the blow, "Toshiro was right." Ichigo implied sliding away from the hollow. With nothing else to say both hollows went after Ichigo, "Looks like I've finally got their attention."
Ichigo eluded numerous strikes from both hollows using the blade of his zanpakuto to block others of them. He simultaneously slashed at both their throats only to have them regenerate straightaway, "There's got to be a specific spot on their masks where they won't be able to survive or heal." Ichigo figured jumping over the top of them, cutting into the back of their heads. As his previous attempts the hollows revived themselves.
Both charged Ichigo at the same time bumping heads, "Watch where you're going!"
"Take your own advice!"
From above Ichigo came down over the two stabbing the blade of his zanpakuto into the face of a hollow. The particular hollow ceased to exist in a flash of light leaving only one. The remaining hollow opened its mouth unleashing a large fire blast which Ichigo sliced in half. Jumping back Ichigo put some space between them, "Not bad, you're the first hollow I've encountered to do that." He became more and more interested with who might be responsible for the advancements to the hollows.
"Dinner time; say goodbye SHINIGAMI!" The hollow opened its mouth charging straight at him.
"Wow never thought you'd make it this easy," Ichigo stepped forward slashing through the hollow's mask as it got in close. Just as the hollow previous it disappeared in a flash of light, "Almost feels as though this one let me destroy it on purpose. But why would it do that?" Ichigo thought aloud.
Not thinking much of it, he began searching the entire area for any other hollows that might have been hiding out. After a good ten minutes he decided to call it quits returning to the theater. Upon entering back into his body the lights flipped on. All students throughout applauded those that were on stage.
"Looks like I made it just in time for the conclusion, my timing couldn't have been better." He reached down lifting his bag pack and schedule, "Room 315 Advanced Mystery Art One." He read off seeing that his launch period followed at the conclusion of the class.
All students began exiting the large space with some headed to their next class and others to lunch break. Mizore and Moka stood on both sides of Tsukune comparing their class schedules with his, "Oh no Tsukune won't be in the same science class with us this year," Moka dropped her head with obvious disappointment. Kurumu, Mizore and Moka were all headed to the same class, "Advanced Mystery Art One…I've never heard of such a class!" Tsukun complained.
"Must have gotten added this year, I don't recall ever seeing it myself." Mizore added.
"Oh come on it really isn't that bad," Kurumu wrapped her arms around him from behind, rubbing her chest against his back, "All of us have the same lunch period and Math together right after that."
"I'm sure you're right Kurumu Chan. Well I guess I'll see you all later." Tsukune replied.
The moment they entered the hall they went their separate ways. Tsukune traveled up a set of stairs advancing down a hallway and was the third student into the classroom. But as it was with first hour the instructor had not yet arrived. As time passed the seats all around were being filled. Tsukune looked to the entrance setting his eyes on a familiar face, "Hey that's the new guy from earlier…if I'm not mistaken his name is Ichigo."
Ichigo took a seat in the first row/last seat. He had no clue what they'd be doing in the class so pulled out a notebook in case they were instructed to take notes. Many of the students engaged in conversations not related to class. None of it bothered Ichigo; he had plenty of friends between the human world and soul society.
Tsukune had his eyes on the clock realizing six minutes passed since the class was set to begin. Other students around noticed it as well, "Awesome the teacher is totally not going to show. Anyone know of anything fun we can do to pass time?" One student asked.
In that moment someone marched through the front entrance causing everyone to go silent. Various mouths dropped, followed by heightened blood flow. All feasted their eyes on what looked to be a living goddess! She stood around 5'8 wearing long black boots, a sky blue skirt, and white sleeveless shirt with the top three buttons left unbuttoned giving them a decent view of her chest. They were even able to see the color of her bra. She had long green hair that extended to her waist and a pair of striking green eyes, "Sorry I'm late," She set a couple folders and books next to her desk, "For those of you who aren't aware my name is Nagirrom Katsura…It is my first year teaching at the academy and hope to have a good time with you all."
Before continuing she closed the door, "I'm the kind of girl that likes to have fun," She walked over taking a seat atop her desk spreading her legs wide open, getting an immediate reaction from all male students.
"This class is going to be so amazing I just know it! Our instructor is such a babe!"
"You can say that again, she's making my rock so hard!" Another of them added.
Ichigo's eyes broadened to some of the comments being said, "What a bunch of perves." He mumbled face palming. If it weren't bad enough she pulled herself further up onto the desk lying out on her side in a seductive pose, "I like to be entertained, so hopefully while you're in my class you will get just that from me and I expect the same back. Sound fair boys?" She winked at them all.
She grinned as the class got loud with each student trying to speak over one another to ask questions.
"Oh I can entertain you sweet stuff, but I'd so much rather be doing it somewhere secluded with just the two of us."
"Hey watch your tone that's my future wife you're talking about."
Comment after comment followed causing Tsukune to place both hands over his head, "What sort of class is this aaaaahhhh!" If things continued the way they were, he felt certain he'd soon go mad, "Wait hold on a sec," He looked around the classroom noticing something odd, "There isn't a single female student in this place aaaaahhhhhh!" The idea only scared him more.
After things settled Nagirrom removed herself off the desk, "Seeing that it is just the first day I won't start the official lesson until tomorrow. To start things I want all of you to get into groups of two." They did as she asked leaving only two students not paired.
"You two are a group." Nagirrom pointed to both Tsukune and Ichigo.
Gathering their belongings Ichigo and Tsukune put their desks together, both unsure what to make of the class thus far, "I'm Aono Tsukune, nice to meet you Ichigo." Both shook hands.
"How do you know my name?"
"You probably didn't notice but we're in the same first hour."
With a simple nod, both then focused entirely on Nagirrom giving further directions.
To Be Continued