Ultrabross's Vision
CHP30: Search Postponed
Kurumu and Tsukune stayed close as Gin came at them with unyielding speed. At times they were torn apart avoiding his speedy strikes. Ivy herself couldn't believe what she saw from her enslaved victim. The way he maneuvered and overall speed was at levels most would consider super human. Just thinking about it got her all pumped and excited for what he might do next. More than confident she could eliminate the two coupled with the police on her own there was something about watching someone else do her dirty work that got the blood flowing. For Tsukune and Kurumu it was hard to decide how to go about things. Gin was a friend, yet wasn't in his right mind.
"Tsukune watch out!" Kurumu grabbed at his shoulder throwing him to the ground away from Gin's kick blocking with her left wing. Before he could make another move she sliced at his chest using the blades from her finger nails, "I don't want to hurt you, but you aren't leaving me a choice."
Much as she hated fighting against a friend the circumstance could be worse, looking down beside her. Had it been Tsukune in Gin's shoes she wouldn't know what to do, unable to stomach the idea of him being under someone's control and having to fight him. Harming the man of her dreams was inconceivable and thankful it wasn't so. While dozed off she didn't notice Tsukune pop off the ground until the last instant and surprisingly darted passed Gin. He was in fact headed for the plant woman but was just as quickly struck down by Gin zipping into his path. Kurumu knew exactly what was on his mind; take down the plant lady and in theory Gin would regain control of himself. Even so neither was positive.
The police unit surrounding Howatt Park didn't know whether or not to move in paying close attention to what occurred. Aside from the Arkham escapee Pamela Isley they didn't recognize the others, assuming two were metas. Some of the officials looked to the commanding officer for guidance on what to do getting nothing. It was an awkward situation to say the least; only thing good was two of the unknowns looked to be against the Gotham villainess. Speculation of what might happen next quickly spread among the officers.
"Why are we doing this dammit! It's our job to contain the crazies in this town, not sit back and watch them rip each other apart! Such actions are ludicrous each and every one of em needs to be locked away in a cell!"
"That girl over there with da wings…think she might be associated with him?" He looked to the bright signal in the sky.
"Doubtful, never seen that one around. The bat's got allies and stuff but she aint one of them I'm sure." Someone nearby responded.
Tsukune wiped at the side of his sore cheek standing upright. He didn't want to fight Gin if it could be helped but was looking unavoidable. There was the option Kurumu kept Gin busy while he took down the plant woman but didn't like the idea of Kurumu taking on the upperclassman on her own; not only that it was still a question as to how powerful and what other abilities the plant woman hadn't yet unleashed. To him and Kurumu's disgust the woman in green rubbed her face against Gin's coming up on him from behind.
"I'm growing impatient dear. Kill these maggots this instant along with the police and I promise a reward I know you will jump at." Ivy playfully pinched at his cheek.
Gin dialed in focused on his enemies a lot more than before. He advanced toward his classmates, eyes looking elsewhere. Kurumu took notice of it realizing it was the sky that had his attention or more precisely the moon. The last thing they needed was a full moon and that's exactly what presented itself in the sky. Kurumu hoped for one thing and that one hope was shattered right before her eyes, Gin transforming into werewolf form! The moon's light put him at full power or somewhere near.
The situation went from bad to worse. Doubt crept into the back of Kurumu's mind. She and Tsukune alone wouldn't stand a chance on their own facing off against Gin in true form. Werewolves were S class monsters something a succubi of her level would have a rough time handling. Tsukune's confidence wasn't a whole lot better, "Its times like now Moka San excels." Tsukune clutched his fists wishing they had Ura Chan on their side. In Gin's current state he feared she might be the only one capable of taking him down.
"So which of you wants to die first?!" Gin snapped drooling from his fangs.
Kurumu positioned in front of Tsukune shielding him from a potential attack.
"Kurumu Chan you don't have to do that. If we're going to succeed it's gonna have to be together. Either of us alone is sure to fail."
The succubus looked back, "I'll try and hold him off while you go after the plant woman." Kurumu replied in almost a whisper.
"And if that doesn't work what then?"
Gin launched himself tackling Kurumu to the ground before she had the opportunity to reply. Ivy was wide eyed at lost for words even. When taking Gin under her control she never imagined he'd turn out to be more than what she thought; a normal individual like any other Gotham citizen. Instead she obtained something so much more. It was almost like receiving a superior toy to all others and not quite sure how to go about using it. Having such a puppet in her clutches was more than satisfying.
Kurumu tried fighting Gin off as he continuously forced the back of her head into the turf. Tsukune came at him from his blindside but the werewolf simply threw out his arm forcing Tsukune several feet the other way falling face first into the grass some feet away. Gin's left palm covered much of Kurumu's face forcing her head further downward.
She drove his hand away throwing her arms around his torso taking off into the air. Gin moved around attempting to break free of her tight hold. She elevated taking them higher and higher, her wings flapping up and down. Tsukune watched from below knowing there wasn't much he could do in his current state and felt hopeless. Gin eventually powered out taking a bite into her left shoulder. She screamed kicking him off and on his way down a couple vines erupted from the ground catching the werewolf and setting him down on his feet. Kurumu hovered in place grasping the injured shoulder. The more he thought about it the more Tsukune hated the predicament he and Kurumu were in. Fully unaware and taken off guard by his speed Tsukune didn't see the attack coming until after he was hit.
He didn't know how or what Gin did but was out of breath soaring through the air. The werewolf seized Tsukune's hair and spun him around before throwing him into a nearby tree resulting in more pain throughout his body. The right side of his ribs took the most punishment. That coupled with his trouble breathing prompted him to stay down. From the beginning she'd been holding back, but after what she saw with her own two eyes things were about to change. Infuriated was an understatement, anyone hurting Tsukune regardless if it was a friend or enemy didn't matter. Kurumu was ticked off and ready to unleash her anger on the one responsible.
She dove down flapping her wings coming at him as fast she could. Before long they were engaged in close combat, Gin having the upper hand. One advantage she did have was her wings using them for offensive attacks and blocking. Tsukune forced himself off the ground knowing he needed to do something before things got worse. He took off for Ivy stopped short by vines rising from the turf just beneath his feet. The plant wrapped around his ankles throwing him opposite of her. Amused as she was the villainess giggled taking pleasure in what went on around her.
XXX
Zanpakuto in hand Ichigo flew around avoiding the flames of his fire breathing opponent. It had been a good day in terms of the mission eliminating dozens of hollows. How many were left he couldn't say but great progress had been made, the process moving a lot faster than in the Youkai realm. The academy, school work, friends, and so much more all played roles in that far as he saw it.
The hollow opposite of him had a long neck similar to that of a giraffe, long claws like a beast. Its body was like that of a dinosaur made up of scales and wings identical to a dragon. Thus far the one before him gave the best challenge taking on a defensive approach daring the death god to come at it. Ichigo sort of enjoyed the change of pace finding it refreshing.
"Your move Shinigami quit playing and come at me with all you got! My thirst for your soul grows the longer you camp out, what are yah afraid, ahahahaa" The fiery eyed hollow blustered eyes rolling around.
"Camp, are you serious?! Between us I'm the only one doing anything and what's with that weird stuff going on with your eyes?! Cut it out, it's really freaking me out!" Ichigo pointed at the hollow. Part of him wondered why he was conversing with a hollow to begin with, all that needed to be done was slice through its mask and be done with it. Ichigo blitzed the hollow again dodging from side to side changing his approach strategy.
The hollow in question was thrown off by the changeup and as Ichigo got in close sliced its head off, but like it had done previously regenerated. It wasn't the first time Ichigo separated parts of the enemy's body. Such resistance resulted in headaches but not this time. He enjoyed letting the fight drag for awhile but also knew he'd kept Moka and Kon waiting long enough. By that time it was safe to assume they might even have started worrying.
"Nice change up shinigami what else you got? Drooling over here just thinking of devouring you whole, you shinigamis are the supreme treat yum yum. Enough play though time to enjoy the feast of all feasts yeah yeah!"
Ichigo scratched at his hair not knowing how or if he should reply at all. Some of what came out the mouth of hollows could leave someone baffled. For the first time since coming face to face with the lost soul it let down its guard laughing aloud. Ichigo didn't understand why, and with hollows there sometimes was no reason. All that aside, he took advantage of the opportunity slicing through the chalk white mask watching the hollow disappear.
"That was more work than usual." He lifted the Zanpakuto up over his shoulder.
Regardless of how it ended the day and night proved a success with the number of hollows eliminated. He keyed in locating his physical body that was only three blocks away and on the move. At a steady pace he took off into the air over the building tops spotting both Ichi/Kon and Moka hanging around a light post. Ichigo swerved down over the two re inserting into his body without their knowledge.
"Dammit," He bowled over grasping at his left side, "What the hell happened while I was gone?!" Ichigo complained feeling sore around his ribs.
"Hhhmm that's what happens when you leave a pervert in control of your body," Moka threw her hair back crossed arms, "I warned him hands off and after the third time well…let's just say he had it coming."
"Damn you Kon," Ichigo mumbled tightening his grip over the mod soul pill, the pain in his side burning. Swinging around and shoving the pill into his pocket Ichigo faced the vampire, "Why the hell did you hit me that hard! Kon made advances on you my ass! You did this on purpose didn't you? Yeah you're pissed with how I've ran off at times without mentioning where to! I already told you it's my business!"
Ichigo removed his hand from the sore area contemplating what she did. It had to be that signature kick of hers he guessed.
"You calling me a liar?" She looked him in the face.
"What if I am?"
The atmosphere intensified resulting in a stare down. Neither Ichigo nor Moka looking away from the other, those blood red eyes having no affect on him nor his on her. This lasted nearly a minute before Moka finally looked away, "You said we were out to find Tsukune and if you haven't noticed we've been at that since this morning. Hours ago, hours!" She hissed making a point.
"And you're blaming me for that; you forget your boyfriend could be anywhere in town. Sheesh it's not like I'm the idiot that jumped through an open portal having no idea where it lead to. Had the two of you not done that we wouldn't be standing here having this conversation"
"Idiot," Moka frowned marching toward him, "I thought we were your friends?! And correction…it was Omote and Tsukune that came after you. Had it been up to me it would have been bye bye Ichigo, good riddance, so long, farewe…"
"Yeah I get the picture you can stop already."
"I'll stop when you start being straight with me. You've run off dozens of times throughout the day missing for long periods during some of those trips. How are we supposed to work together finding Tsukune when you're obviously hiding things? Simply put I don't trust you and the sooner you start coming clean maybe we can work towards some stability."
What she said was true and if their positions were switched he wouldn't trust her either. Regardless he had his reasons for going about doing things a certain way and would stick to it no matter what.
"I understand how you feel, however you already know what I stated earlier. The less you know about me and what I do the better. I'll have you and Tsukune home soon if all goes well. If you don't trust me fine, and for whatever it's worth you really shouldn't feel that way."
Ichigo made his way down the sidewalk, Moka following close behind. It was in that moment Ichigo wished he had memorized Tsukune's energy signature back when they were in the youkai realm. At the time it didn't seem all that important but would really have been useful now. As they turned a corner down the block a man approached them pushing a cart filled with different flavors and colors of ice cream.
"How are we doing on this lovely evening? Don't answer cause the answer is dull but not after you try one of these! Flash the green and tell me what you want and it is yours. I'ma feeling extra cherry tonight so might even give you kidos out a discount." The individual looked to be in his late to mid fifties.
"Sorry neither she nor I are carrying cash." Ichigo notified.
The older individual scratched at his nose grinning, "Than take it upon me to try out the chocolate banana swiss vanilla combo for free! It is one of the best."
"Thanks for the offer but we really don't have time." Ichigo said.
"Of course we do, we'll take two of them." Moka smiled knocking Ichigo off to the side using her body.
"Now that's the spirit."
The annoyance clearly showed on Ichigo's expression no matter how hard he tried hiding it. One after another the cones were handed to them thanking the older gentleman for the late night treat. Moka was the first to take a lick going far as moaning showing her appreciation for how delicious it was, Ichigo doing the same moments after. He shook his head in approval.
"Not bad." Ichigo took a second lick.
It was the only time all day he wasn't thinking of hollows or finding Tsukune. The peaceful thought came to an end as they made a left down the block with two persons running right at them, seven others chasing after him carrying knives and other sharp objects. Before anything else a black van pulled up appearing from down the street, the side door sliding open. Having a pretty good indication of what might happen next, Ichigo snatched Moka's wrist taking off with her into an alleyway. She squealed losing hold of her cone in the process watching the ice cream splatter all over the pavement.
"What are you doing?!" Moka questioned trying to pull away, Ichigo not letting go.
Just as predicted gunshots were fired from the van taking down all nine of the individuals that ran down the sidewalk, "That takes care of the loose ends." The driver grinned whilst the four gunmen slid the side door shut. The vehicle left behind tire tracks speeding around a corner down the road. Ichigo removed his hand off her wrist, "Sorry about that, it all happened so fast I didn't have time to explain or give a proper warning."
"It's ok." She spoke softly.
For the most part through the day they didn't come across many gang members or criminals, but the incident did remind them of what the particular part of town was like. Ichigo started to wonder if there was such a thing as a good part of town in Gotham. Shrugging the idea off he went for another lick of the chocolate banana swiss vanilla and to his shock and fright his tongue came within only inches of Moka's! His heart skipped a couple beats jumping back!
"What the hell are you doing, this is my cone not yours!" Ichigo yelled.
"If it hadn't been for you rushing me back there I wouldn't have lost mine, no need to be such a baby." Moka replied.
"You just licked my cone!"
"Yes, and you're crying about it because?" She crossed her arms.
Ichigo jumped forward to say something but instead kept quiet thinking of how to put his thoughts into words, "Finishing this would be like kissing you now that your tongue was all over it!"
"You make it sound like that's a bad thing." Moka smirked.
Ichigo's mouth dropped open not believing the words that came out of her mouth. If there was such a thing she was the ultimate tease, and got the feeling she enjoyed doing that to him. She'd done a lot of that since being awakened.
"Sorry I'm not Tsukune, you'll have to wait on that one."
It was now Moka finding herself partially at lost for words biting at her tongue, but at the same time wouldn't let him have the victory, "You might not admit it but deep down you care for and want me, otherwise you wouldn't have been capable of removing the Rosario. Lie to yourself all you want Kurosaki San."
"Where is all this coming from, and yeah I'll admit I like you but nothing more than Kurumu, Tsukune, Mizore and everyone else. It's called friendship and I'd protect any of you if in danger. Don't start getting the wrong idea believing it's more than just that.'
"Is that the whole truth?"
"Here just take the cone, and in return this conversation is terminated." Ichigo implied handing her what remained of the ice cream. From there she followed him out of the alleyway, Ichigo staying alert for any hollow activity and thinking of some realistic way Tsukune could be tracked.
XXX
Not much had changed since the beginning of their battle with the werewolf and Arkham criminal known as Poison Ivy. Some of the surrounding police officers tried getting involved but were easily taken down, strangled by vines others dropping to the brute strength of the S class beast under Ivy's control. Rounds of bullets were fired in the beast's direction, most of which he dodged only being nicked a couple times.
Kurumu tried taking advantage of the distraction but instead had her tail grabbed in the process being spun around and thrown into Tsukune. The two tumbled over each other coming to an eventual stop just beside a bush. Gin slowly marched toward them, both standing ready to fight him off together. Kurumu was the first to make a move launching herself clawing away at Gin but didn't land a single blow. His reflexes and speed were far too for her to handle, Gin grabbing hold of her wrists and head butting her back.
Tsukune jumped out of the way of her body just in time throwing out a punch of his own which Gin caught lifting him off the ground, "Gin Senpai you've got to snap out of it we're your friends! I don't want to hurt you and I know you don't want to hurt us either. You must dig down deep and find some way to overcome whatever it is she's done to you."
With his free hand Gin delivered a couple punches to Tsukune's stomach knocking the breath out of him before throwing him beside Kurumu. It became apparent they were running out of options. It was something he tried avoiding but to that point knew it was their only option left at having a real shot staying alive and succeeding. Tsukune pushed of the ground situating in front of Kurumu.
"Tsukune what are you doing?"
"Stay behind me Kurumu Chan I'll take care of this on my own. You're better suited to go after the plant woman since you can cut through her constraints."
"But Tsukune there's no way you can go toe to toe with Gin on your own!"
"That is yet to be seen." Tsukune took a deep breath removing a single seal off the holy lock. Right away he could feel a change in his senses and strength in addition to the same eyes as Ura Chan.
Kurumu got up off the ground noticing the change in Tsukune and much as she hated turned her attention to Ivy. A loud jet like sound ripped through the sky getting the attention of everyone. Ivy was the first to react cursing under her breath. Police officials applauded as the flying vehicle passed by, a dark figure diving from out of it gliding and touching down no further than twenty yards from the main activity, "It's him." Kurumu uttered.
6'2, golden utility, pointy ears, covered in silver armor, bat symbol over the chest, black boots, gloves and cape was definitively the face of Gotham.
"Batman!" Ivy grimaced.
To Be Continued