Ultrabross's Vision
CHP16: Malicious Plot
Deep in sleep a tap at the window resulted in his eyes opening. First thing coming into view was the plain white ceiling. His focus went to the window spotting Kon standing beside it punching at the glass, "Look Ichigo it's a falling star! Hurry and look before it's gone!" The stuffed mod soul jumped up and down. Ichigo grabbed hold of Kon tossing him off the bed with a simple flick of the wrist, turning on his side. The clock showing it was a little after two AM in the morning. Rubbing at his eyes Ichi rolled over on his back staring out the window catching the last of what Kon was so excited about. It vanished out north; colors of purple, blue, orange, yellow and even red all at once.
"Next time you wake me out of nowhere like that it better be important." Ichigo glared looking at Kon pushing off the carpet. The plush lion dusted himself off climbing back into the bed, "Well excuse me for trying to share a sight you don't see every day! Sometimes you can be so ungrateful!"
Taking his eyes off Kon, Ichigo laid back looking to the ceiling, "Think you might be talking about yourself." As expected Kon followed up with various insulting comments during which Ichigo smiled closing his eyes. Arguing with Kon was pointless, and knew rarely would the mod soul change its stance on anything. Soon Ichi dozed off sleeping peacefully through what remained of the night. The next morning he went through his usual routine, washing his face, getting dressed etc. Gathering supplies needed along with Kon, he exited the room.
Soccer club was set to have its seventh game played. In all were twelve teams but with the way new members had been joining it would come as no surprise if the number went up to fourteen. A clock plastered over the wall let him know there was a little over seven minutes before class was set to begin. Doing as he did most mornings bypassing students he made his way down the main hall, "Kurosaki San?!" Ichigo stopped abruptly at the mention of his name. Realizing who it was turned out to be quite a surprise.
"Toujo Ruby…" He uttered beneath his breath.
What could she possibly want with him? With a bit of thought he couldn't think of a single reason. Shrugging it off, he walked down the hall stopping in front of her, "Whatsup?" He asked. Through the first couple weeks attending Yokai he'd only spoke to her on occasion. From what he could tell she served as hall security but had other duties. She helped out wherever needed by instruction of the headmaster.
"I'm sure by now you're aware the opening dance takes place tomorrow night."
"You mean if it doesn't delay for the sixth time. What about it?" Ichigo asked.
She took a deep breath running a finger through her hair. Soon her cheeks turned red in addition to a wide smirk. That alone was enough to make Ichigo nervous hoping she wasn't going to ask him what he believed to be on her mind, "Well I was wondering," She put both hands together taking a step. Ichigo stood his ground preparing for what she might say, "Would you like to go with me to the dance? I was planning on asking Tsukune but he's probably already taken." Her head dropped in dismay.
"Wait hold on," Ichigo jumped back situating his hands out in front of him, "Are you even eligible to go, you're like the headmaster's errands girl. Isn't the dance reserved for students only? And why me, couldn't you ask Gin, Haiji or any of the other thousand guys around?! I'm not in to this sort of stuff!" He implied.
Ruby couldn't help but giggle at his nervous/panicky manner. She found it rather cute, "I may not be a student but there's no rule against me going. I am still a member to the academy and have access to all events." She took his hands into her own, "Could you at least think about it Kurosaki San?" Sparkles filled her eyes with hope.
In that instant Ichigo felt a sharp bolt of electricity travel up his spine followed by the hairs on his back standing. He slowly pulled away not knowing what to say or do, not realizing the zipper on the side of his bag opening on its own, "Like I said this sort of stuff just doesn't suit m…" He bit back perceiving her death glare, "Ok I'll think about it." Ichigo put on a forged smile.
"Good let me know your decision tomorrow morning. Later Ichigo." She walked the opposite way waving as she turned the corner. Ichigo wanted nothing more than to pull at his own hair but didn't want to look like an idiot! How would she react if the offer was rejected? His mind was already made. Perhaps he could break the news with a bundle of flowers and chocolates; ladies loved sweets, especially chocolate.
"Here's an idea! How about you let me mingle with your body tomorrow night and I'll take that pretty girl to the dance. Please Ichigo do me justice for ONCE!" Kon yelled from the unzipped portion of his bag.
Straightaway all students within the area focused on Ichigo, "Must this idiot always make me look bad!" Ichigo thought zipping the bag shut. All eyes were on him the whole time he journeyed down the hall. Without thinking much into it he figured Kon must have gotten a perfect look at Ruby moments ago. The gaping part of his bag made certain of it, "I'm begging you Ichigo! I haven't done anything exciting since we got here."
"If I allowed you to accompany Ruby San to the dance you'd be incapable of keeping your pervy hands off her or any other pretty girl for that matter. Just forget about it and don't ask again."
"Wait aren't you being a bit harsh?!" Kon went on to remind him of the many times he took control of his body in the past and didn't cause trouble. Ichigo was about ready to reply bumping into someone as he turned the corner. He looked down seeing it was Tsukune, "You don't look so good. Everything ok?" Ichigo asked.
"Couldn't be better." Tsukune retorted bypassing him as fast he could.
Something about him seemed off. The bags beneath his eyes suggested limited sleep and the way he pushed passed him without a proper hello was also very strange, "What's his deal." Ichigo murmured. Placing some things inside his locker around the corner he headed for class afterward. To his surprise it wasn't just Tsukune. Kurumu, Mizore and even Moka seemed dispirited. He was almost afraid to ask if something happened the night before.
"Hey if you guys are interested the official fall elimination tournament for soccer club begins today," Ichigo went on trying to start a conversation, "It begins at about si…"
"Later Ichigo, none of us are in the mood." Kurumu said almost harshly, causing him to bite at his tongue. He had never before seen her like that.
With that alone he was assured something happened. As curious as he was Ichigo understood asking questions in that moment wasn't a good idea; so instead focused on Shizuka Nekonome up front. Two minutes still remained before class officially went underway giving him time to review. Moka, Tskune, Kurumu and Mizore all had the same thing on their mind. Nagirrom Katsura! Kurumu was the first of the three knocked out cold during the encounter missing the huge reveal.
Discussing it between themselves in private; Tsukune, Mizore and Moka elected to keep certain details from Kurumu's attention. The first being Nagirrom's name. She used it only to gain access to the academy; her rightful name Morrigan Aensland. The second was her true form, which turned out to be exactly as Kurumu. An S class Succubus warrior and ruler of a kingdom called Makai. Each pondered bringing it to the Headmaster's attention, but just like before with the Gin incident would turn into a he said she said type affair.
Something else they promised was to keep the entire thing between them. Not a word of it would go out to Fang Fang, Gin, Kokoa, Yukari or any of their friends. They believed doing so might put others in danger. The first hour went a lot slower than usual. Not a single of them could take their mind off what happened the night prior. Assignments of different types were given all through class. At the conclusion of the hour they were the first ones out.
"Alright now they've really got me interested." Ichigo gathered his belongings exiting beside everyone else.
Tsukune, Kurumu, Moka and Mizore speed walked down the hall in route to room 315 Advanced Mystery Art's One. Subsequent to regaining consciousness all of them agreed to confront the woman together. They had no idea what they'd do or say figuring everything would play out on its own. Ichigo however didn't get far, stopped by a hand over his shoulder, "Gin…" He exclaimed turning.
"So I hear you might be going to the dance with Ruby San. I was taken off guard when she first told me. Honestly didn't take you as being a dancer or party person."
"Yeah about that," Ichigo grazed at his hair, "I'd like to ask a big favor. How about you take her to the dance in my place, I've got a lot of studying. You'd be a life saver," Ichigo lied crossing his fingers. He got the feeling Gin saw through his fib, but might have been something else entirely. Judging by his facial expression it was hard to say for sure.
"You know I'd love to help, but I've already got a date sorry bud," He patted Ichigo over the shoulder, "It might not be your sort of thing, which is understandable for some. Give it a chance…you might actually have fun."
Gin began his way, "Which of your ten girlfriends you plan on taking to the dance?" Ichigo questioned. Gin couldn't help but chuckle stopping in place, "Aren't you exaggerating a bit?"
"Oh I'm sorry was it twenty?"
"Good luck on your game later, I'm sure you guys will do fine. I might even be there so keep a lookout." Gin informed ignoring his question. From there they went their separate ways.
All at once Tsukune, Kurumu, Mizore and Moka walked into room 315. To their surprise there was no Nagirrom. Instead was someone else sitting at her desk, "Excuse me sir would you happen to know where Miss Katsura is?" Tsukune asked the gentleman that appeared to be in his mid to late forties, wearing glasses, a brown suit and red tie, "I'm sorry to say she will be out for a couple days. She called in this morning claiming to have come down with the flu."
"Flu my ass." Kurumu murmured.
"If you're students of hers and have late work to turn in just leave it in the basket. Whenever she returns it will be put into the grade book." He notified sitting back.
Having no reason for being around the three girls stepped out of the class with Tsukune, "Just because she isn't here doesn't mean she isn't planning her next attack. I think we can all agree she isn't sick and is using this opportunity to keep a closer eye on us. When she will attack next is the question. Unless you guys know more than me I don't know why she attacked us in the first place." Mizore implied.
Not a single of them had answers to the really tough questions, "Guess we'll see you later Tsukune." Moka said departing with Mizore and Kurumu. If they waited around too long there'd be a chance they wouldn't make it to class on time. Tsukune however stepped back into the classroom taking a seat in his usual spot. Ichigo and the remaining students that weren't present entered through the front entrance taking a seat soon after. After the sounding of the bell the substitute first introduced himself and then passed out the first assignment of the day.
"Pssst hey Ichigo," Hearing his name called Ichigo looked over at Tsukune, "Sorry about earlier, last night was rather crazy. I'm feeling better now though." Tsukune informed.
"Good to hear, honestly didn't like that depressed side of you very much."
Aside from them most other students were disappointed not to see Nagirrom. She made the class worthwhile, adding to the excitement tenfold. For the remainder of the day things went as they did most days. Ichigo exited the music room which happened to be his final class of the day. Next he headed for the locker room changing into his soccer attire. The rest of his belongings were properly stored inside his locker. On his way out the side doors he came across a familiar face; fiery orange hair tied in pigtails wearing her usual outfit. The only thing off was that she carried a dustpan, and stick of some sort with the function to easily pick up trash.
"Kokoa Chan," He paused for an instant raising an eye brow, "What are you doing?"
She gazed at him with a hint of annoyance rolling her eyes, "Can't talk right now! I'm in the middle of community service for getting in a fight."
"Really, how'd that happen?" Ichigo asked.
"This girl insulted my body and just when I was about to walk off she pulled at my hair and wouldn't stop. You should know what happened next!" Kokoa snarled looking away from Ichigo.
"That's too bad, so what happened to the other girl? Did she receive some sort of punishment as well?" Kokoa simply pointed. Around sixty yards away paced another female student carrying with her a dustpan and stick similar to that of Kokoa's, "Sorry you have to go through all this but I'm sure you will finish soon." He said trying to sound encouraging.
"Easy for you to say." Kokoa grumbled.
Ichigo couldn't help but smile; she was the complete opposite to Moka far as personality. Well at least the Moka he'd grown most accustomed to. He had only once spoke with the one referred to as Ura Chan, so didn't know a whole lot about her. What he and Kokoa didn't know was they were being watched from the academy roof, "Yes I've got him in sight as we speak." A woman spoke to someone through a small mechanism installed within her ear.
"Good, and keep in mind however you go about challenging him you must first give him a reason to hate you. This Shinigami in particular is at his best when protecting family and friends and or enraged. I will leave the rest in your hands; you're free to go about doing things your way for now." The other spoke through the ear piece.
"Sounds like fun, I've got just the idea. Catch up with you later." The woman pressed at the piece inside her ear ending the conversation. Her long green hair blew back and forth with the little wind surrounding the area. A giggle escaped her lips thinking up something destructive and painful; maybe not physically, but emotionally and spiritually.
Little by little more details of her plan came to mind getting her even more excited, "I will reveal your true nature as a Death God, then destroy your image and turn all your friends against you. They will want nothing more than for you to be dead after my work is done. Then after everything is wrecked beyond repair, I will let you in on the truth Ichigo Kurosaki. At that point you will want nothing more than to destroy me!" She laughed aloud pleased with her brilliant plan, "Deception is so sweet. Aono Tsukune will be the perfect sacrifice"
Throwing her hair back Morrigan stood dressed in a yellow skirt and white tank top, "Tomorrow night should be very interesting. With all the excitement surrounding the dance they will never see it coming." Morrigan laughed some more.
Ichigo stepped onto the main field joining the rest of his teammates. The bleachers were filled a lot more than usual. He couldn't believe his eyes upon seeing Yukari, Tskune, Moka, Kurumu, Mizore and even Fang Fang. The thought Ling Ling was somewhere near came to mind. His squad was first up; scheduled to go against team E. It would be another thirty minutes before the game would begin, so each of them engaged in team stretches.
To Be Continued