Ultrabross's Vision

CHP14: Hollow destroyer Identified

Three weeks passed since that night, and since then Tsukune hadn't felt the same whenever in Advanced Mystery Arts. Just as he promised he confronted her the next day in class but she simply laughed him off playing the innocent role, seemingly having no idea what he was talking about. The following days were no different so eventually dropped it. He sat side by side with Ichigo and only halfway through the given test found himself gazing at her.

"You ok?" Ichigo whispered looking at him from the corner of his eye.

"Yeah sure I'm good." Tsukune replied.

His overall manner wasn't convincing but Ichigo ignored it resuming his test with only three questions to go; the final being a four paragraph essay question. Without warning she looked up from the front desk catching glimpses with him. He looked back to his paper lifting his pen off the desk. Ever since that evening whenever he was around her the tension was high. Tsukune decided not telling Ichigo about anything was the best route seeing he arrived shortly after the battle. It would complicate what was already an uncomfortable situation.

Focusing as best he could under the circumstance Tsukune finished what remained of the test being one of the last to do so. Less than five minutes remained in class which each student used to talk. Tsukune however just tapped a finger over his desk. Ichigo was tempted to say something but that time let it go. Something bothered Tsukune and it appeared he didn't want to talk about it. Before long the bell rang dismissing everyone from class.

"Have a good day everyone, and be sure to read chapter twenty two and take notes." Nagirrom waved cheerfully at each student exiting through the front entrance. She especially had her eyes on Tsukune flaunting a mocking grin. There was nothing he could do so continued on. Once alone she positioned her legs over the desk, "I'm beginning to get bored, I hate doing things ahead of schedule but I can't help it."

A grin developed with an idea coming to mind, "It is time I put the vampire's strength to the test. It'll have to be some time after nightfall so not to attract attention," She snickered evilly feeling more stimulated than any time since starting at the academy, "After I've done that he will be next. Ever since the first day he set foot in my class I could feel it. There is something very special about that one, and I intend to push him to the limit. He might even prove to be a worthy opponent but I won't hold my breath." The thought of battle and competition fired her up.

Down the hall Ichigo stopped by his locker switching out a couple things, heading to the lunch room. Not having much of an appetite he exited through one of the side doors stepping outside for some fresh air. Coming into view out in front of him walked Moka. There'd been something he wanted to ask and was now ready to do so. He would have questioned her sooner but didn't feel it his place nor business. His relationship with her and everyone grew over the last couple weeks and was ready to finally ask.

Ichigo partially jogged calling out her name which she turned around, "Ichigo." Moka said joyfully. In no time Ichigo was by her side leading them to a bench. He didn't know how to ask or where to begin so didn't think too much.

"I've wanted to ask you something…"

The long gap of silence lifted her curiosity, "Go ahead, you can ask me anything."

"It's about that night over two weeks ago," He went on thinking back to the night he witnessed her true vampire form. A lot was different about her including appearance, the way she talked and demeanor. It was as if she was an entirely different person, "I'm confused. When you were in vampire form you referred to someone as Omote, telling me to ask her about…"

"Oh I see," Moka giggled knowing exactly where he was going with the conversation, "Ura Chan and I share the same body. In a way we're one in the same but have separate personalities, likes and dislikes."

Ichigo's expression instigated another giggle from her. He understood fully what she said but took some time taking it in. Her situation in some ways was like his. He and Zangetsu shared the same power but it wasn't exactly the same as with Moka. They were two different individuals, and were united as one through battle. The thought her current form was nothing more than an artificial personality created by her mother came to mind. For a moment Moka felt cold and lonely knowing she could never tell him the small detail.

"Wow I never knew," Ichigo spoke breaking the silence scratching at his hair, "That's actually kind of cool." He smiled seeing she needed some cheering up.

"You think so?" Moka asked grinning.

"Yeah I'd never lie to you about something like that. You don't have to tell me anything else about yourself. Honestly that had been on my mind for the last couple days, so thank you."

Moka nodded and for the next few moments they sat without speaking a word. Not long after Haiji darted past them with terror in his eyes, "She's really going to kill me this time!"

Not even ten seconds later Kokoa came into view carrying a bat covered in silver spikes, "Get back here Lolicon!" She yelled but spotted Moka next to Ichigo slowing down, "Hi Neesan. Wish we could talk longer but I'm in the middle of something. Let's do something together later k." She said taking off after Haiji. By then she had lost sight of him intending to get back on his track.

"What are you two talking about all alone over here?"

Both Ichigo and Moka jumped at Mizore's head peeking in between them, "Nothing really, you're welcome to join us if you'd like." Moka answered.

Inside the main building Tsukune grabbed himself a tray getting served one out of the two daily specials. With his utensils in hand he found an open spot. Not long after Yukari and Kurumu took a seat across from him.

"Glad you guys found me, I was just about to look around and see if I could find you along with Moka San. Speaking of which, have either of you seen her?"

Kurumu and Yukari looked at each other and then at Tsukune, "I think she's outside somewhere, her and Mizore both. After we're finished eating we can go and find them." Yukari spoke.

"Sounds good to me." Tsukune replied.

Off to the side of them approached a familiar face taking a seat at the table's end. Unlike everyone else he didn't have a tray of food, "Gin Senpai," Kurumu voiced looking directly at him, "Aren't you going to get something to eat?"

"Perhaps later, I'm here to talk about the paper. As the president and Editor of the club I need to know what you've got. The deadline is just two days away and you guys are usually good about getting everything sorted before then, but not this time obviously."

Tsukune chuckled rubbing at the side of his head, "We'll have it done in time; don't you worry about it. We've got just one more story to finish and we'll have everything in."

XXX

Sitting in sheer darkness he thought hard and long about his plans. He could almost see it becoming a reality; so close he felt it was in reach that he could almost touch it. The only light within the dark space came from the single monitor left on. The particular view captured most of the Seireitei from an upper outlook. Through other monitors he had the option of zooming on any specific location of his choosing. So far things had gone well; it had been a full month since he started spying on the Gotei 13. With that thought on mind he knew one slip up might alert them of his hidden Ovazxs.

Ovazxs were made from pure energy un seeable to the eye and worked like any ordinary security device. Constructing them was difficult to say the least; especially the variation spread throughout the soul society. Had he put too much energy into them any single shinigami would sense them no matter the rank. If not enough energy the quality of each visual through his monitors would be distorted. His systems and tech were ions above anything in the human world and could even be classified as alien.

Waiting was not something he enjoyed, but required for execution of his prophecy. All had gone according to plan except for one small detail. A knock at the door interrupted his train of thought, "Come in." He spoke huskily with his back to the door.

"Sorry to bother you sir, but Ulquiorra has returned claiming to have information of interest to you."

"Bring him in."

"Yes my lord." She bowed marching down the hall.

Sitting back with two fingers to his masked chin he was surprised to hear of Ulquiorra's return. He expected the assigned mission would drag a couple days longer or even a week. Not thinking much into it Ultrabross waited patiently for his pupil to arrive, anxious to see what he discovered. Thinking what the future might hold got him excited but held himself in check knowing there was so much more work that needed to be done. Resonance of footsteps soon came to ears and the next instant swung open the door, "I've been told you've returned with information. That's great… close the door and start talking."

He did as told pacing back and forth for some moments. He picked up quite a bit of information thinking where to begin, "I located the one responsible for the destruction of the hollows you dispersed. I must say it wasn't what I expected going in."

"How so?" Ultrabross repositioned becoming interested.

"He is quite the peculiar individual. A man amongst boys…or more like a demon amongst men. Through observation I watched him beat down, crushing bones of the city's criminals. Some gossipers consider him a ghost in the shadows or strange variation of cowboy eliminating all evil doers. Others branded him vigilante."

Ultrabross leaned back crossing both arms, "What does any of this have to do with why I sent you?"

"Did you not just here what I said? He is the one that eliminated six of the thirty hollows you sent. I witnessed him destroy one with my own two eyes. How he did so is still a mystery but used some strange beam from a flying vehicle. It was similar to that of my cero but another element entirely; I can almost say it wasn't energy based. A human shouldn't possess such technology."

"Did I not hear correctly? A moment ago you said it was a beast amongst men."

"That's how it appears on first sight, but I'm more than convinced he's just a man. His arsenal of weapons and gadgetry are mildly impressive, but I saw nothing physically special. His conditioning, speed and strength fall around peak human at best. But he is quite perceptive. Not even five minutes after I began following him from afar he became aware of my presence. And before you ask; no he did not set eyes on me. Man or not his greatest strengths seem to be detecting and deduction."

The dark king grew impatient with the excessive information Ulquiorra gave; a lot of it having nothing to do with the appointed task. Still he found bits of it intriguing electing to go with the flow, "What do you mean by deduction?"

"Within the city he's considered the greatest de," He paused for a moment as if to correct himself, "More precisely the world's greatest detective. I located his base of operation but never attempted to engage him in accordance to your instructions. Even if I followed him in I doubt I'd have got in undetected. His surveillance is extreme, from security camera's to motion detectors and even lasers. The various secret passageways he used to get there made it difficult to find the place. He's got an unruly fixation on doing away with all crime; such a childish fantasy."

Becoming more fascinated Ultrabross leaned forward putting his hands together, "With all that said just give the order and he's dead. A simple snap of the neck or blast from my cero would demolish him completely. He is nothing more than an ant to my level of abil…"

"Enough Ulquiorra!" Closing his eyes with a long sigh the dark leader crossed his arms. For over a minute neither said a word; Ultrabross thinking things over, "You still have yet to tell me how he did it. You mentioned a blast from some flying vehicle, but you don't know where he acquired the power source. Remember I created these hollows so that only the blade of a shinigami should be able to destroy them, not a cero or anything else! Does this ghost of the shadows have a name?"

The agitation was apparent in his tone, and for good reason, "Aside from world's greatest detective he is also known as the Caped Crusader but more commonly Batman the Dark Knight." Ulquiorra reported.

"Interesting…"

"What do you plan to do about him?"

Ultrabross spun around facing the opposite way, "Thanks for your gathered info. At least now I've got some idea what's been going on. As for this Batman…I will keep him alive for now. I will send another in your place to figure how he did it. Don't take it the wrong way, it's just I'll need you here for more important matters. If you've got nothing else you're free to go. Report to dock eight right away."

Turning the other way Ulquiorra departed from the dark space letting the door close behind him. Turning his attention back to the monitors Ultrabross switched on a good portion of them. His eyes focused on a particular screen, "Ichigo Kurosaki," He mumbled observing the orange haired individual sitting between two girls. Just as with the Seireitei and soul society, he generated numerous Ovazxs throughout much of the campus, "You've done well Ichigo…in the past three weeks you've eliminated almost all hollows inside the Yokai barrier. Very impressive for a substitute shinigami; very impressive indeed."

He watched Ichigo stand and walk down a set of stairs with the two female students; one with long pink hair and the other purple sucking on a lollipop, "What will the Gotei thirteen's next move be," Ultrabross rubbed both hands together, "I can hardly wait!"

To Be Continued