Ultrabross's Vision
CHP45: Clashing
The scuffle went on longer than either believed it would from the beginning. Gin breathed heavily, both he and the caped crusader suffering minor bruises. They could almost get the sense the opposition was merely toying with them, and that didn't sit well with the werewolf. They had Tsukune in captivity somewhere but would not say why and the whole situation just didn't add up. Gin clutched his fist again going on the offence and despite Batman's efforts to try and get him to stand down he wasn't going to hear any of it. They were going to return Tsukune or get beaten and forced to comply.
"Gotta say didn't expect you to last this long wolf boy, you're quite the persistent one, but you've taken a beating. The bat over there appears to be just the opposite, but at the end of the day it really doesn't matter. This battle is ours to win and you have no chance at victory."
"Yeah yeah keep running your mouth but I guarantee that won't result in a win."
Gin again was on the move and to that point it had been him VS Feyaglia. Qisk and Batman had not yet got involved. Bats sustained a few blows from Feyaglia but nothing serious. For a quick instant Batman and Qisk even exchanged glimpses, but outside of that did nothing. The Dark Knight at some point believed he might have to jump in. For the past couple minutes however he elected to stand back and study the enemy. Plenty was put on display concerning Feyaglia but Qisk had yet to throw a punch.
"Why're yah just standing there looking pretty when you could be over there immobilizing our bat friend?" Feyaglia directed the question to her partner ducking beneath Gin's kick.
"Immobilize haha, doesn't look like he's interested in fighting if you ask me. But hey you should worry more about yourself and quit toying around with the wolf, we aren't here to have fun in case you forgot." Qisk replied.
Feyaglia hissed as a response giving no eye contact. Qisk sighed running a hand through his hair, "Much as I hate clashing with someone unengaged I have no choice. We have orders to bring you people in and bring you in we will."
Qisk leaped into the air unsheathing one of the two swords; Batman blocking the first strike using the blades upon his gauntlets.
XXX
The light died down with Ichigo situated in the same position he'd been in moments earlier. His clothing had changed to a degree but more so than that was the blade he carried. None from the group were sure what to make of it, but intended to stay out of the way as Ichigo requested. His direct orders were for them to runaway, but with Moka's verdict not to no one else was having any of it either, "Leave them out of this, your fight is with me." Ichigo looked back and forth between Morrigan and Ulquiorra.
Morrigan's eyes grew in size at the change in Reiryoku present within Ichigo. It had taken a magnificent jump compared to what was on display moments before. Not only that but there was something else that had her attention and that was the words he spoke right before the flash. Bankai! If memory served her right and all the reports she read through about only a captain level shinigami possessing a bankai…then how on earth could a part timer substitute have one! She couldn't wrap her mind around it, "Just who are you Kurosaki Ichigo?" She thought silently.
"Leave your friends out of this you say. Sorry but we aren't the ones calling the shots and even if we were we wouldn't listen to a word you say. Anyhow we have a job to complete and when I set out to do something it doesn't go undone. Oh yeah before I forget to mention we've got something of yours, something I know you want real badly." Morrigan smirked.
Ichigo raised an eye brow wondering just what she was getting at.
"Do you find it wise to reveal such information master never authorized." Ulquiorra questioned.
"You worry too much, at this stage it really doesn't matter whether they know or not," The succubus looked to Ichigo and his friends. She displayed a deceptive look in her eyes, one that Ichigo didn't like one bit, "If you're wondering about Aono Tsukune look no further than here. Yes that's right we've taken your little friend prisoner."
Morrigan snickered loving the reactions and expressions each of them gave off, but none more satisfying than Moka's. The vampire instantly took off positioning beside Ichigo.
"What the hell did you just say?!" Moka shouted.
"Did I stutter?" Morrigan replied crossing both arms.
Ichigo grabbed at Moka's wrist keeping her from charging forward, "Are you trying to get yourself killed, these guys are out of your league. Leave them to me I can handle it."
Moka snapped forcing her wrist away from Ichigo.
"Did you not hear what she said?! They've got Tsukune, and I'm not about to stand by and leave everything in your hands. We shall fight against them together all of us, who's with me?" Moka's eyes fell upon the rest of the group.
A long moment of silence ensued without a word from a single of them. Yukari slowly took two steps forward, "If Ichigo insists we stay out of this maybe we should. I mean we really have no idea the full power of those two like he probably does."
By looking them in the face Moka was sure the rest of the group was on the same page as Yukari. She bit back looking in the opposite direction of them, "Fine if the rest of them want to sit back like cowards I will fight alongside Ichigo myself." She sighed getting into a fighting stance. The situation became worse by the minute it seemed; the last thing Ichigo wanted was any of them jumping in.
"Where are you keeping Tsukune and what about Gin-senpai, do you have him as well?" Moka demanded.
"Aren't you full of questions, but that's the fun part sweetheart we don't have to tell you a thing. Why don't you come over and beat what you want out of us, now that sure would be amusing." Morrigan taunted daring Moka to come at her.
The vampire took the bait rushing forward but was grabbed from behind and thrown backwards. She rolled over ending up on her side, Ruby and Mizore taking a knee to check on her.
"What part of stay back did you not understand? This is my fight and my fight only." Ichigo partially gazed over his shoulder.
Moka immediately popped up from the ground running at Ichigo but was held back. Ruby, Mizore and Haiji held her tightly, "I'm a vampire do you even know what that means?! A true warrior of the Shinso bloodline that has no equal so what makes you think someone like you can come along and toss me around like that and in front of everyone! Who the hell do you think you are?!"
"Yeah, yeah whatever just keep quiet and stop complaining before I get a headache." Ichigo replied paying her no attention.
"What did you just say!" Moka yelled trying even harder to break free.
"We've delayed this fight long enough and I think I'm correct in saying you won't give Tsukune up freely. And if so then there's no point in talking, I'll just have to beat you both into submission and force you to give us the location of your headquarters." Ichigo implied.
"Hhhmm talking like you actually have a chance, haha I love that about you Ichigo; a true fighter spirit. Unfortunately talking will only get you so far and frankly you've failed miserably up till this point protecting your friends so what makes you think anything will change? You're just a chore boy for the Gotei Thirteen and nothing more." Morrigan smiled.
"Time for chit chat is over, time to put up or shut up."
Ichigo shoved a foot into the ground blasting off. He swung his zanpakuto but at the last instant the tip of his blade was met by another stopping his attempt. He quickly realized it was the blade of Ulquiorra, bouncing back and touching down over the surface.
"So you had your eyes set on taking me down first, didn't know your attraction for me was so great. But it should come as no surprise since I'm practically a magnet to men." Morrigan snickered.
"You know what they say, ladies first." Ichigo replied.
He took another step back revaluating the situation thinking up a strategy. It would be a difficult task to complete but was the only way they'd get to Tsukune. As for Gin could be figured later, the only thing on his mind was taking care of the situation in front of him.
"Morrigan I will deal with Kurosaki, you take care of the girl."
"Sure whatever you say, but are you sure you can handle him on your own?" She replied.
"Girl?! What do you mean?" Ichigo questioned.
Neither gave an answer in which Ichigo turned looking back the other way. There was Moka, Mizore, Yukari, Akua, Ruby and Kurumu. He had a hunch they referred to Moka but couldn't say for certain. Just as he looked to face back the other way his jaw was met by Ulquiorra's elbow sending him several feet into the air before colliding with a tree out in the distance.
"Ichigo!" Kurumu, Moka and Yukari shouted at once.
Before Ichigo had time to collect himself Ulquiorra was already in face, "Wait hold on, time out!" Ichigo called out but the Arrancar aggressively stayed on the attack. Due to Ichigo's focus, reflexes and training he was able to block each swing that came his way and initiated a counterattack of his own. They took to the air trading blows and steadily picking up speed. Moka and everyone watched from down below amazed at the battle taking place. The sheer power and speed was something out of the world!
They had no way of explaining it and unsure if what they saw was really happening. The impact of collision after collision was spectacular and unlike anything they'd seen. The ground beneath their feet shook and were even knocked off balance. Not only them but Morrigan couldn't believe what happened before her eyes, not just Ichigo but Ulquiorra. In the couple months she'd been a part of Ultrabross's organization didn't pay much attention to other members throughout. She never imagined someone with his strength had been present the whole time. Entertaining as it was to watch she had a job of her own that needed completing.
"We've been sent to carry out a task but Ultrabross never said we couldn't have fun while doing it." Morrigan grinned steadily making her toward them.
Haiji was the first to notice her from the corner of his eye, jumping into a fighting stance. Everyone took notice of his actions placing their undivided attention on Morrigan.
"That's as far as you go lady, take another step and I can't guarantee your safety. Just a moment ago your pale partner said something about take care of the girl. Now which of them did he refer to?" Haiji only slightly looked back.
"Curious are we, but too bad for you I'm not one to kiss and tell so you'll just have to come over and pound it out of me. Honestly though I go rough so it won't come easy karate boy." Morrigan giggled.
Haiji tightened his fists running straight at Morrigan with Kurumu not far behind. Above the battle between Ichigo and Ulquiorra waged on going back and forth. Ulquiorra knocked the shinigami clear out of the sky with a backhand of his left fist. Ichigo quickly recovered and was back in the Arrancar's face in seconds. Their blades collided varies times over, Ichigo taking a small slash to his right cheek drawing blood. A couple instances later Ichigo managed to land a couple swipes of his own over Ulquiorra's chest.
Ichigo backed up putting space between them raising his blade.
"Getsuga Tenso!"
Ulquiorra dodged the massive dark energy ripped through the sky destroying much of the turf down below. For the next couple seconds the two floated in place staring each other down. It was just as it had been the first time they fought against one another. Ulquiorra lifted his left finger aiming straight at Ichigo but eluded the powerful beam at the last instant speeding around and appearing behind the Arrancar.
Their blades again collided as Ulquiorra reacted soon enough blocking the death god's attempt, following up with an elbow to the stomach. The attack slightly knocked the breath out of Ichigo but nothing that would hold him back for long. Ichigo swung his Zanpakuto, the blade's tip barely grazing Ulquiorra's shoulder. Ichigo immediately backed up putting additional space between them, lowering his blade as well.
"I do realize now probably isn't the time to ask questions but…how are you back? I watched you disappear into nothingness our last encounter. You were working under Aizen then, so my question is how have you returned to the world of the living and who's dirty work are you foreseeing now?!"
A long pause followed.
"You haven't changed Kurosaki Ichigo. How and why I'm here are irrelevant, the only thing that matters is the completion of my mission which you just so happen to be standing in the way of."
Ichigo raised his blade readying himself for the continuation of their fight but at the same time focused on what happened below. Haiji and Kurumu looked to be engaged with Morrigan whilst everyone else stood off to the side. There was no doubt she intended on taking off with someone from their group while Ulquiorra kept him busy, but intended not to let that happen. Without warning Ulquiorra blitzed forward knocking Ichigo out of the sky forcing him into the ground down below.
"Ichigo!" Moka yelled observing the whole thing unfold.
She tried running to him but was held back by Ruby. As the debris disappeared and Ichigo pushed up off the ground Ulquiorra stood before him, "If you don't take this seriously you will die Kurosaki Ichigo."
Alert as ever Ichigo zipped out of the way as Ulquiorra fired off another powerful cero. If things weren't already tough enough his vision began to go blurred, and his brain spinning as the headache from before returned. Something was definitely not right and if he didn't put an end to the fight soon as possible there was no telling what might happen.
"There has to be some way we can help Ichigo, but how…" Yukari shivered observing the back and forth exchange between the shinigami and arrancar.
"The best we can do is stay out of his way. Just look at them, they're in a league of their own; if we really want to help let's lend our assistance to Haiji and Kurumu-chan." Mizore suggested.
"Agreed." Ruby added getting her Talismans ready.
Even Akua couldn't believe what she saw and was as if she was dreaming watching the two go back and forth. Their speed and strength was unlike anything she'd seen and at times couldn't fully keep up with them. Someone of her strength and abilities didn't get surprised easily so spoke volumes in regard to the level they fought at.
To Be Continued