Ultrabross's Vision

CHP33: Split Again

Frozen in place Moka and her closes friends stared at one another, Kurumu blinking a couple times. Gin scratched at the back of his hair trying to make sense of what he was seeing his eyes falling over Tsukune, "When you and Moka separated I was under the impression it was the other side. The way you talked and were so worried about her, if we'd known inner was running the show we wouldn't have needed to be put in so much work on our end. When did you pull the Rosario from around her neck, was it sometime before you were separated?" Gin asked.

Though she didn't say anything Kurumu was thinking the same. Tsukune never discussed the details what led to he and Moka being drawn apart and now didn't matter but was just as, if not more surprised than the succubus and werewolf to see Ura-chan. Tsukune slowly took his eyes off Moka looking Gin in the face, "I never removed the Rosario from Moka-san's neck, the last we were together it was Omote and I."

All the attention fell back on Moka receiving different looks from three of her closes friends, her throat closing in. She took a step forward thinking how she wanted to put her thoughts into words and explain what transpired during after she and Tsukune were apart, "After escaping the criminals that falsely claimed to be friends of Ichigo I soon reunited with him. Omote was chased after by some sort of beast and that's when he showed up. I don't know how he did it but Ichigo found us."

"Yeah that's nice and all, but doesn't explain how you're awakened." Gin pointed out.

Moka went silent removing a strand of hair from her face.

"It was…Ichigo." The vampire bit at her tongue.

The looks on their faces said it all, they couldn't believe what they heard, all three staring at each other. Moka fiddled with her fingers realizing just how awkward the situation became, all of them aware what was required for an individual to be capable of pulling the Rosario from around her neck. No one more than Tsukune tried to make sense of it and from what he could tell through the time being around Ichigo, his relationship with Moka was completely innocent. There was nothing out of the ordinary that suggested they'd be more than just friends. Was it possible Ichigo had hidden feelings for Moka, and if so for how long? If it turned out true Tsukune didn't know what to think of it.

"You said Ichigo found you right, if so where is he?" Tsukune asked with a lot less energy than she was accustomed to.

It wasn't only Moka that perceived this but Kurumu and Gin as well. He was obviously jealous and the thought of it made Moka feel warm inside holding back a smile. She recollected herself looking and pointing to the sky, "He's battling against Nagirrom-san or as we all now know Morrigan, the succubus that's got us in this mess.

"Succubus…was it necessary to bring that up?!" Kurumu grimaced.

"Don't get offended I was just stating the obvious; enough about that, what are you and Kurumu doing here? I felt sure it was only Tsukune and I that went through the vortex after Ichigo." Moka asked.

"Kind of got dragged in because of her," Gin pointed to Kurumu before folding his arms over one another, "I tried pulling her back, the dimension hole much too strong so forced us both in. And here we are now, so I take it Ichigo can get us back to Youkai Academy hopefully?"

"We never really talked about it but I'm sure he can. Once he settles things with Morrigan, Ichigo will get us back no problem." Moka said.

What she worried about was if Ichigo would return with them when it came time. Far as she knew it was because of them he left in the first place; if that was the whole truth she couldn't say for sure, "Well if there's a fight going on what are we all standing around for?!"

The instant Gin tried taking off Moka pulled him back by his arm, "Ichigo specifically told me not to interfere and wanted to handle it himself. He seemed confident he could take her on his own, and was serious about me not getting involved. We'd only piss him off if we go against his decision, much as we'd all like to get our hands on her."

"Cool, but I'm at least getting a front row seat!" Gin shouted darting into an alleyway jumping off two buildings advancing to the rooftops.

"Gin Senpai wait!" Kurumu called out.

"Let him do what he wants," Moka placed a hand over Kurumu's shoulder, "Long as he doesn't get involved there will be no problems. As for us let's find someplace to rest up till it's over."

Kurumu and Tsukune agreed letting Moka lead the way. Lucky for them the particular area was empty of Gotham residents, Moka almost certain that wouldn't last for long. What she'd seen of the city in her short time was it might be safe for one instant and the next gun fire and screams. Tsukune brushed past Kurumu situating beside Moka, "Where's the Rosario and how was Ichigo able to remove it?"

"He just did, there's nothing more to it. The Rosario itself is right here." Moka partially lifted open her shirt.

For the next couple seconds they walked in silence but there was something else on Tsukune's mind bothering him. He wasn't sure if it should be asked but would eat him up if he didn't, "Moka san can I…I ask you a question?" Sweat ran down the side of his head.

She knew something bothered him by the way he spoke nodding her head. They continued walking for numerous seconds, Tsukune's arms dropping by his sides, "Do you like Ichigo?"

The question brought Moka to a halt resulting in Kurumu and Tsukune stopping as well.

"What do you mean by that?" Moka asked

Tsukune thought for a couple moments before answering, "We're all friends but do you see Ichigo as more than just that?"

"Of course not, why would you ask something like that?!" Moka snapped walking straightaway.

The reply was immediate and even seemed rushed, but was good enough for Tsukune. Kurumu on the other hand believed there was more to it wondering if something sparked between Ichigo and moka during the time they were together for the past twenty four hours. From her point of view they were nothing more than friends back at Youkai Academy. Eyes out in front Moka looked for someplace where they would be mostly hidden but could still see the action above.

Jumping over two rooftops, Morrigan and Ichigo were now in his sight. The battle was more intense than he thought it'd be, continuing forward whilst trying to get in closer, "Hey Ichigo!" Gin called out.

Ichigo dodged to the side elbowing Morrigan back the other way, "Gin what the hell!" Ichigo could barely believe his eyes. Morrigan took advantage of the distraction throwing out her left leg planting him into the sidewalk more than forty feet below. Ichigo easily pushed up sustaining little damage hovering and touching down beside Gin on the roof.

"How and when did you get here, was this the work of the headmaster or something?" Ichigo questioned.

"No it was nothing like that, Kurumu-chan and I arrived here through the same portal you did. We appeared in different parts of town from you, Tsukune and Moka for some unknown reason."

"Kurumu is here as well, wow! Are you certain no one else came through after you guys?"

Gin looked to the sky a smile taking shape over his face, "That I cannot say, but I wouldn't worry about it too much. Kurumu is the only reason I'm here, tried stopping her from going through and was pulled in with her."

"Hey Kurosaki the fight's over here!" Morrigan shouted.

Gin's eyes shifted from the sky falling upon Ichigo, "I'm sure you've heard it from Moka but I'd like to take this opportunity to apologize for our attack on you back there. Had no idea we were so badly manipulated into believing you killed Ts…"

"That's in the past, time to put it behind us." Ichigo cut him off before he could finish.

"I thought you might say something like that," Gin again smiled, "Do you by any chance have a way of getting back to the Youkai realm? We've got no way back unless something is figured out from the other end with the headmaster." Gin said.

"Sure thing but not until after Tsukune is found, Moka claims they lost each other in this crazy city. We can only hope he hasn't come across any of the many lunatics in this town." Ichigo said knowing just how many of them there were by experience.

Morrigan's mouth slightly dropped open, her fists tightening at the reality she'd been completely shut out. She cursed beneath her breath heated with anger.

"Tsukune is with Moka and Kurumu-chan as we speak, I picked up his scent a while back and he's been with us ever since. They probably went someplace to hide until you finished up, Moka said you didn't want any help."

"That's good to hear, another thing on the agenda to be marked off the list of things to do."

Showing great awareness both Ichigo and Gin moved away from each other, Morrigan's fist smashing into the roof between them. Ichigo's eyes broadened holding his blade in front of him, "What was that all about, you know it's rude to interrupt someone when they're in the middle of a conversation!"

"Oh excuse me but weren't you and I in the middle of a fight when he showed his face! I don't recall calling for a recess and there are no breaks in real battle! You fight until one side is dead or unable to continue on. You're a childish idiot Ichigo Kurosaki." Morrigan stood from her leaned position.

"I'm the idiot, really because there's only one of those here and I'm staring at her." Ichigo lowered his blade.

Morrigan clutched her fists prompted to attack Ichigo but held back having something else she wanted off her chest.

"Tell me something Ichigo don't you find it strange your friends are capable of seeing you in your current state? If you think back to your initial registry and first day at Youkai no one was able to see you in shinigami form except a select few."

"Shinigami! Did she just call you a shinigami!" Gin turned to Ichigo.

"Bitch," Ichigo's grip tightened over the handle of his blade, "Say one more word and I swear I'll cut your tongue out followed closely by the rest of your body parts."

"Oh did I hit a soft spot? Good. Anyhow as I was saying your friends were unable to see you in that form until the night of the opening dance. Those caught in my allusion weren't the only ones infected but anyone else that was in a two hundred yard radius of the illusion was as well. As you both know a succubi specializes in spirits. The particular technique allowed me to reach into the individual soul energies of everyone in the set radius and alter each ones structure."

"In other words you made so I was visible to them, so they'd come after me and I'd eliminate them. Yeah I know the rest of the story so you can stop talking." Ichigo said.

"I'll stop when I feel it necessary shinigami. Here I was under the impression you'd have shared such information with your friends, after all that's what friends do isn't it. You've done nothing but keep secrets from them. Did you think they'd look at you differently or were you afraid of being rejected? Now that we've set things on the table, why not tell your werewolf buddy about the Gotei Thirteen and your real purpose for attending Youkai Academy."

"Shut the fuck up!" Ichigo charged her.

She said far too much pushing him over the limit. The only question her story didn't answer was how the one donning the cape and cowl was able to see him when no one else in the city could. The thought vanished just as quickly, his anger for the succubus clouding all thoughts. His hand was around her throat before she had time to react, Ichigo slamming her into the side of a building. She forced his wrist back kicking him the opposite way.

Gin watched carefully but at the same time thought about what Morrigan said. True she was a liar and would say anything to help her agenda, but the way Ichigo reacted is what really got him thinking. It suggested there might have been truth in her words, but then again the same reaction could be brought forth in a lie, "Ichigo a death god…that's just crazy." Gin had a hard time wrapping his mind around the thought.

Ichigo and Morrigan tussled back and forth in the air, Morrigan using her bladed wings as offence and defense against Ichigo's Zanpakuto. One thing he noticed was her wounds from their past encounter were fully healed, which was insane had she been human but wasn't the case. Morrigan blitzed forward throwing her head at Ichigo's chest forcing him through the window of an office building. He smashed through desks and into a copy machine in a far corner of the room.

"Please don't hurt us we'll give you whatever you want." One out of the several office workers raised his hands stepping back as Morrigan touched down over the carpet.

"Still holding back are we Ichigo, how disappointing. If that's the case then I'll go right ahead and put you out of your misery."

"Da hell she talking to?" Another office worker spoke.

All of them looked to the destroyed copy machine where her eyes appeared to be. Unlike Morrigan they could not see Ichigo, "Like I need to put full effort to handle your sorry ass, it wouldn't be as fun if I wiped you out in ten seconds."

"Oh my feelings are hurt," She stuck out her lower lip, "You're dreaming if you think you could down me in less than five minutes."

"How about we put that to the test?" Ichigo stood, both he and Morrigan smirking.

Ichigo charged cutting at her stomach and head butting her out the same way they entered. While airborne he elbowed her in the chest propelling her into the street over eighty feet below. All through the office workers discussed what just happened, finding it to be just another night in the city of Gotham where random criminal acts were a given. Morrigan pushed out of the street spitting at the ground, dodging just as Ichigo's blade came down on her.

"A second slower and that would have been your head." Ichigo uttered.

"Good to see you're finally picking up the pace, for a moment I thought you weren't going to take this serious."

He came at her again only missing by inches, Morrigan zipping high into the air. Ichigo followed appearing from behind slashing at her back three times before she swung a leg around connecting with his jaw. He was thrown out of the air but caught himself before landing on the ground below. In no time he was up in her face again, her finger nails extending into blades cutting away at his torso. Ichigo dodged to the side slashing at the left side of her rib drawing blood.

Re situating she tried cutting at him again but in blinding speed appeared behind her again, left arm around her neck stabbing his blade through the lower part of her back. The blade of his Zanpakuto passed straight through, Morrigan gasping for air.

"Yur finished." Ichigo whispered into her ear.

He pulled the blade out of her body throwing her down over a nearby rooftop. On contact she pushed up only to stumble back, bleeding from the open wound. Drifting above Ichigo looked down waiting to see if she'd make a move at some point, but didn't appear that would happen anytime soon.

"So that's it, you've got nothing else left in the tank? After all the talking I expected more, what happened to I wouldn't be able to finish you in five? That was barely a minute if even."

For the next couple seconds they didn't speak, just staring at each other Ichigo raising the Zanpakuto. He hated the idea of finishing off an opponent that was unable to fight back, but letting her live would only lead to trouble and heartaches he just didn't look forward to dealing with. He took a deep breath thinking what to finish her with.

"What happened, don't tell me you're having a change of heart and are going all soft on me. You're much to remorseful to call yourself a shinigami warrior. Oh wait you're just a substitute chore boy." Morrigan said.

"Really! You're sitting there insulting me when you should be on your knees begging me to spare your life! Can you seriously be more ungrateful, and for your information I was just thinking about how I was going to finish you not considering if I should spare your life or not. I'm ending you now, any last words?"

"Go to hell." She hissed.

"Gee that's funny cause that's where you're headed, be sure to send me a postcard and tell me all about it."

Ichigo raised his blade with an ideal finish that seemed appropriate for the occasion. Something approached from out in the distance; Gin spotting it blast through the clouds but Ichigo far too caught up in battle to notice or care. It looked to be a vehicle of some sort which passed over Ichigo, something or someone dropping from it.

"Getsuga," Ichigo blitzed toward Morrigan picking up energy and power, "Tens…"

He stopped at the last instant someone touching down between him and Morrigan, "What the hell are you doing here?" Ichigo lowered his Zanpakuto, the black energy disappearing from around the blade, "This woman is an enemy and needs to be finished. She's been after my head for weeks now it's killed or be killed!"

"Looks to me she's no longer able to continue fighting, you've won Ichigo. Killing a defenseless opponent serves no purpose."

"This has nothing to do with you Batman, move aside or I'll do it for you." Ichigo glared into the glowing white lenses of the Dark Knight.

Gin watched from a distance getting the vibe Ichigo somehow knew the individual by the way they talked. Interested to see what would happen next, Gin couldn't help but get in close joining them with on the rooftop. Batman wouldn't budge and Ichigo got the feeling it wasn't going to change, "Don't tell me this woman is a friend of yours."

To that point he hadn't gotten a good look at her so took the opportunity to glimpse down at her over his shoulder, "You!"

"What's that supposed to mean, so do you know her or not?" Ichigo asked.

Batman's tone suggested he just became aware who was attacked and likely knew Morrigan, focusing back on Ichigo.

"Yes I've seen her, she was trailing me the other night but I don't know why or who she is." Batman replied.

"Name's Morrigan Aensland, she's a succubus who's out to kill me. She followed me into town when I arrived and have strong reasons to believe she is also linked to the hollows that have plagued Gotham. So when you think about it she's an enemy to us both. Now if you'll excuse me I need to put an end to her."

Ichigo tried walking past Batman but was stopped, "Hold on." Batman turned looking to where she laid, "Is what he says true?"

"And what if it is?"

"See what I mean, I need to dispose of her now."

"I'm afraid I can't let you do that," Batman looked away from Ichigo his eyes falling over the succubus again, "If you are responsible for the beasts then I'm ordering you send them back to where they came from. I won't ask twice, and in return your life gets spared."

"What do you mean her life gets spared?! Easy for you to say, you aren't the one she's so desperately been trying to kill!" Ichigo voiced his opinion.

Morrigan giggled and those giggles soon turned to laughter bringing about a frown over the caped crusader's face. Ichigo became irritated with the fact she was still breathing and to make matters worse was laughing at them, "How very considerate bat boy, but I don't need to be shielded by anyone." She spoke pushing off the ground and standing.

"Her wound is healing dammit! This is why you should have let me finish her." Ichigo repositioned raising his Zanpakuto.

Morrigan tip toed stopping in front of the caped crusader, placing her hands over his armored chest. Ichigo wasn't sure what she had planned, keeping his guard up whilst Batman appeared unfazed by her actions, "It's the thought that matters. You've been an interest of mine since I set eyes on you in that club. Why did you defend me just now?"

"I would have done it for anyone," Batman removed her hands from his chest, "You're leaving now and never coming back. Whatever your business with Ichigo take it elsewhere out of my city."

"Sorry lover boy when I set my eyes on something I want, I get it." She ran a finger over his lips, "And that something is you." She licked her lips, Batman slapping her hand away.

"I don't plan on asking again, leave now or else…"

"Or else what?" Morrigan jumped in.

The succubus and caped crusader stared each other down, neither side budging. Ichigo shook his head marching forward, "Let me get this straight you're giving her the ok to leave, long as she rids Gotham of all the hollows right? And where in all this do I benefit? The hollows will likely be sent somewhere else, not to mention I'll still have this maniac on my tail. So please do explain again how this does anything for me?"

"It doesn't." Batman replied.

Ichigo held a firm grip over the handle of his blade, "And you stopped me from killing her because?"

"Don't act all surprised Kurosaki he's just as hard for me as you are." Morrigan snickered.

Ichigo's mouth dropped open his throat going dry at lost for words, Batman on the other hand having no change in expression. The only thing missing was a bowl of popcorn, Gin enjoying the back and forth banter between the three. Ichigo did his best to block out her comment getting back to his point.

"Basically you don't care if I kill her just as long as it's not on your turf, do you know how stupid that sounds?! Here I was thinking we were pal…nah your just some random guy playing dress up as a bat with a couple toys. Why the hell am I even listening to you anyway, it's not like you could actually stop me from finishing what should have been done."

Ichigo grinned raising his blade sending chills up Morrigan's spine. Before he could make a move a familiar voice caught everyone's attention, but was more of a scream. Upon closer inspection Ichigo realized it was Tsukune being carried away through the air.

"Tsukune!" Gin shouted.

"Morrigan grab the vampire bitch and meet me back at base, our lord awaits us and requested we bring she and Aono. She took a good bite into my right arm so be careful."

It took a couple moments but Ichigo quickly realized who she was, "Feyaglia…so she and Morrigan are associated after all, why am I not surprised."

Moka yelled out to him from down below, Kurumu lying unconscious beside a dumpster. Feyaglia opened a dimension hole similar to the one Ichigo used making the trip to Gotham, "No we can't let her get away!" Gin yelled.

Batman had no idea who the boy was but instinct took over shooting wiring around her ankle from his grapple gun. It was no use her strength and force of the dimension hole were far too much for him to handle. Gin tried lending his assistance, but in the end their efforts were useless as both sucked in alongside Feyaglia and Tsukune. Ichigo tried pulling them out at the last moment but was too late, the portal closing in front of his out stretched hand.

"Dammit this isn't good!"

Ichigo flew down landing beside Moka, "Just stay behind me, I won't let Morrigan take you. We'll get the others back somehow, I promise." Ichigo assured.

Morrigan stepped over the roofs ledge flying above Ichigo and Moka with a sinister look in her eyes. Ultrabross's plans were moving a lot faster then she anticipated, and looked forward to the near future.

To Be Continued