Ultrabross's Vision
CHP46: Taking Its Toll
Ichigo moved around eluding every attack Ulquiorra threw his way making no attempt to counterattack. From time to time gave the others a look. Battling against the arrancar while at the same time keeping an eye on everyone was proving more challenging than he originally thought. Still the way he was able to avoid each and every strike with minimal difficulty with his focus not dialed entirely on the opponent was a plus. Things could only go on that way for so long however and had to make a choice. He took his eyes off Ulquiorra for another split second paying the price as he took a fist to his left jaw knocked out of the air again!
He smashed into the ground creating a decently sized crater. Pushing off the grass and dusting off, Ichigo's eyes fell over the enemy floating above, "I take back what I said moments earlier. You've grown weak, indecisive and lack killer instinct like you once had. Possibly times of peace, or another reason entirely; that however is irrelevant." Ulquiorra emphasized.
Ichigo bit back with clinched fists knowing things needed to be altered and fast. He needed to take action on what his gut told him and trust Moka and the group could hold off Morrigan until he was finished. Ulquiorra almost instantly saw a change in Ichigo's demeanor and posture but more intriguing was the look in his eyes.
"Follow me." Ichigo said before taking off clear into the sky.
The arrancar had no idea what Ichigo had in mind but followed without question. They ripped through the sky and wasn't long before Moka and everyone were out of sight. It wasn't until they covered over three miles before he came to a stop. Before anything observed the location below spotting a lake, a few trees here and there and a couple hillsides. Finishing his inspection of the area, Ichigo touched down over the grassy surface.
"Not that I care what goes on inside that head of yours," Ulquiorra touched down a couple yards from where Ichigo stood. "The point to this all?"
"Isn't it obvious…to get you away from everyone. Now that we're secluded I can take you on without worrying about the others. If you thought for even a second I gave full effort back there you're sadly mistaken. The outcome of our first battle has lingered long enough; it's time we put that to rest."
"You speak with such confidence Kurosaki Ichigo, but lack the strength to back it up. As before you're challenging an enemy you cannot defeat. Yet again proves your incompetence to see that and go into battle bli…"
"Shut up! You don't know a damn thing about me a lot has changed since the last we fought. But aside from that answer me one thing," Ichigo paused for a couple moments, "I watched you vanish with my own two eyes so how is it you're here?"
Another period of silence followed as the two stared at one another.
"Such details are trifling, all that matters is the here and now. There is nothing different about our last encounter and unless you somehow awaken that inner hollow of yours or whatever it was, this will only end one way. I highly doubt such luck strikes in your corner a second time." Ulquiorra said.
"Luck huh…if there is such a thing it is you that'll need it this time. I don't know who you and Morrigan are after or what you plan to accomplish but none of it will succeed long as I'm standing here. I'm guessing you aren't interested in telling me who your new boss is. That's fine it'll come out soon enough. But Enough about that, it's time to put up or shut up!"
Ichigo positioned the blade of his Zanpakuto out in front of him raising it slightly. A familiar blue energy took shape around his body and just like that his Reiryoku increased at an alarming rate. Great as he was maintaining a calm and collective disposition Ulquiorra couldn't help but grimace somewhat. Shortly after his eyes broadened as both Ichigo's Reiryoku and reiatsu climbed to levels above anything he expected the shinigami might possess. He watched in shock knowing his task was about to become just that much more difficult.
A grin taking shape on the left side of Ichigo's mouth, he planted a single foot into the ground blitzing forward. Ulquiorra only became aware of it at the last second but by then was already too late. Ichigo's fist smashed into the side of his face knocking the arrancar face first into the ground rolling several times over before eventually coming to a stop. He pushed up but was immediately kicked into the air as Ichigo appeared from his left side. And even before he could stop his own force the death god appeared from behind kneeing him in the back of the neck. The blow sent Ulquiorra soaring fifty ft from out of the sky smashing into the rocky surface.
Ulquiorra again stood but that time rubbed a fist over the right side of his jaw, "What is happening here, this power…why didn't I sense it before." The arrancar thought to himself. The question of how much time elapsed since his death in their first battle came into question. Ichigo's Reiryoku had jumped significantly since then, to levels mind bobbling. Just how long had it been and how many battles did Ichigo endure during that time. Moments ago none of that mattered and was funny how quickly circumstances could change.
In a flash Ichigo was up on him again managing to block the shinigami's blade, but lost handle of his blade in the process. It dropped to the ground but was the least of his problem aiming not to take his focus off Ichigo. Aiming the index finger of his right hand directly at Ichigo charging a green cero! He fired the blast but unlike times previous Ichigo didn't dodge. He knocked the blast off to the side using his left hand. Ulquiorra couldn't believe how easy he made it look and almost felt like the whole thing was a dream. Of all possible miscalculations or something that might go wrong never expected the death god in question would be one of them.
He didn't have time to think much of it as Ichigo came at him again, head butting him at full force! Following the hit Ulquiorra was sent back through a boulder and even smashing through a couple trees back the other way ending up on his side once again. As he rolled over Ichigo again stood over him. Ulquiorra never imagined would play out the way they did upon he and Morrigan's arrival.
"Did you really think it would be the same as last time, that I'd be the same guy? Well you were sadly mistaken if that's what you thought," In his left hand Ichigo carried his downed foe's Zanpakuto. He took a couple steps tossing it to the arrancar, "If you truly intend on defeating me then isn't it about time we pick up where we left off. This will continue on as a one sided battle if you remain in your current form."
"Hhhmm I see…" Ulquiorra stood.
Even from back then he was a hard one to figure and that hadn't changed. If the death god believed he could strike him down as is, than why give him the chance to transform? It seemed apparent he would never fully understand what went on inside Ichigo's head and frankly didn't care to. The main objective was holding him off giving Morrigan the time needed to make off with the vampire. Ultrabross wanted Ichigo alive for the time being so kept that in mind going forward. Without further ado Ulquiorra took to his second Resurreccion form right before Ichigo's eyes. His appearance changed drastically having black wings, a slender white torso. His hollow hole grew somewhat in size with a black liquid like fluid dripping from it. His waist was covered in something comparable to black fur, blanketing his arms and legs as well. His fingers grew claws, and his feet talon like. The marks under his eyes increased in size and turned black, with two large bat ears.
Ichigo tightened his grip over the Zanpakuto's handle knowing things were about to get a lot more serious. Without a word they jumped into action going after each other. Ulquiorra threw out his tail but Ichigo disappeared re appearing behind him with a slash to the back, followed by a punch to the back of his head. Ulquiorra soared plummeting face first into the ground. He pushed up going aerial and was met by Ichigo up high.
They went back and forth trading blow for blow, the force of their blows devastating much of the area down below. Ulquiorra used his wings as an offensive weapon slashing away at Ichigo but had a rough time landing hits. He also used the wings as a defense for blocking the blade of Ichigo's Zanpakuto.
Ulquiorra fired off three ceros, two of which Ichigo dodged and the third he took head on. He powered through the blast taking limited damage smashing an elbow into the arrancar's stomach forcing him out of the sky. Just before contact with the ground Ulquiorra managed to put a stop to his own momentum. In a flash Ichigo appeared from behind slashing away at his back before kicking him into a nearby tree.
As he pulled out the death god was already in his face with swing after swing. It wasn't just his power and speed that had taken such a substantial jump from their past encounter but anticipation and precision as well. During the skirmish Ulquiorra managed to get behind and wrap his tail around Ichigo's neck, swinging him around. He eventually tossed him into the ground cutting at him with his long sharp claws. Ichigo threw out his head connecting with Ulquiorra's sending him up high. He took to the air following after the arrancar, slashing away at his body before elbowing him back down to the surface.
He flew down after him with another set of moves in mind and that's when everything went blurry. He slowed up a little as a splitting headache emerged from out of nowhere, his reiatsu and reiryoku jumping all over the place as well. He slowly touched down over the ground taking a knee feeling numb all over. He could feel himself tremble as his hands twitched losing hold of his blade that fell to the turf. His vision got worse by the second and at that point couldn't move a single muscle, "Damn it, what's happening." He thought silently.
Those were his last thoughts as everything went black falling forward and losing consciousness. Ulquiorra approached from yards away, stunned at the sight of the shinigami lying there out cold. He had no explanation for what happened and in fact was certain Ichigo had the upper hand in the affair. Within seconds a strange orange energy appeared around Ichigo's body before fading just as quickly. He stood there for over three minutes and nothing changed.
Ulquiorra had no clue what happened and seemed apparent Ichigo could no longer fight and wouldn't be getting up anytime soon. There was no explanation for what just happened and didn't bother thinking it over. If anything it was the perfect opportunity to complete what they were sent to do. The arrancar returned to his normal state, giving Ichigo one final look. Moments later he took off in the direction where he'd left Morrigan. If everything played out the way he hoped Moka would be in their possession already. The group as a whole came into view down below and by the looks of it nothing changed since his quick departure.
He touched down beside Morrigan standing opposite of the group. Moka's heart jumped at the appearance of Ulquiorra having a bad feeling of what might have happened. She looked around in all directions but saw no sign of Ichigo. She bit at her tongue taking a deep breath, trying not to think about what might have happened. Still with the enemy standing tall and Ichigo nowhere in sight wasn't a good thing.
"What the hell happened to Kurosaki?!" Haiji directed at Ulquiorra somewhat shouting.
The arrancar paid him no attention and instead faced Morrigan, "Why haven't you completed your end of the mission? Trash such as them should pose no problem; I bought you more than enough time holding off Kurosaki Ichigo."
"Maybe so but you can't blame a lady for wanting to have a little fun. Speaking of which, what happened to him?"
"Irrelevant; we take the vampire and return to base quickly as possible. This has dragged out long enough." Ulquiorra replied.
"Answer his question! What did you do to Ichigo?!" Moka snapped.
"None of that is of importance and if you value the lives of your friends you will come with us Akashiya Moka. If you do not comply I can't guarantee the well being of your friends." Ulquiorra said.
Silence fell over the group trying to make sense of what he said but couldn't figure why they wanted Moka. Everyone including the silver haired vampire had been under the impression Morrigan and the other beside her only business was with Ichigo. A little while ago said something about capturing the girl but none of them had any idea who they referred to and if to take it serious or not.
"If you think for a second we're just gonna stand by and let you take Moka you've got another thing coming. I'm not exactly sure who you people are or your motive but you'll have to go through us first if taking Moka-chan is your plan." Haiji tightened his fists.
Kurumu didn't like things one bit. Back in the Yokai realm she and everyone else stood no chance against Ichigo and to top it off was holding back. With that in mind and the likelihood Ichigo was taken down by the person standing next to Morrigan put them at a huge disadvantage. Not to mention they were already having a difficult time just trying to deal with the succubus.
"Yes he's right; we will protect Moka-chan no matter what! You people can't have her." Yukari added.
"Your friends talk a big game but are you willing to put their lives in jeopardy by defying us? I think by now it should be pretty obvious you stand no chance against us so should make the smart decision and step aside."
"Step aside are you serious? Not in a million years would we do that, Moka-chan is our friend and we will protect her no matter what." Mizore made clear.
Haiji jumped into action running straight for them with his eyes set on the succubus. He was struck down in blinding speed and happened so fast they weren't sure what happened. Morrigan chuckled and was obvious she wasn't the one to deliver the blow so turned their attention to the other.
"Were any of you able to follow what just happened because I sure couldn't?" Yukari shivered.
"It is futile to fight against us, there is only one outcome that will come out of this. Save you and your friends the misery by surrendering." Ulquiorra looked directly at Moka.
"Stop talking like you actually have the advantage here!" Kurumu yelled.
Though she knew he was right anger took over, "Of all times for Ichigo not to be here! Dammit he should have listened and let us fight by his side. What chance do I really have if Ichigo was unable to stop this guy and put down Haiji-san with a single hit?" The young succubus gulped and though her chance of taking him down seemed unlikely felt she had to at least try.
Her wings flapped taking off into the air and zooming straight at Ulquiorra.
"Foolish girl…" The arrancar threw out his left arm planting her face first in the ground.
She was completely motionless and quickly determined out cold! Mizore's mouth dropped open losing her lollipop in the process. Moments ago planned to spring an attack of hers but became hesitant. With clinched fists Moka marched forward before taking off at full, "I will not stand idly by while you hurt my friends. I think it's time you know your place!"
Ulquiorra blocked the attempt with his right hand while simultaneously grabbing at her leg and slamming her to the ground. She rolled over a couple times before coming to an eventual stop grabbing at her sore ribs. It was more than enough to set Akua off! Ulquiorra watched her approached from the corner of his eye.
"I don't know who you think you are, but I won't allow anyone to knock nee-chan around like that!" Akua yelled.
Ulquiorra flicked a finger out at her and was taken off guard as the vampire went intangible. Her aim was to slice him in half using the dimensional blade by way of the Jigen Tou technique. But as her body particles returned to the current dimension, Ulquiorra had already alertly moved out of the way. And with a single strike to the back of the neck fell unconscious just a couple feet away from Kurumu. Moka slowly pushed up; her hand pressed against her ribs. There was only one way things would end the way things were going and seemed to be nothing that would change that. With that in mind it made her decision that much easier.
"That's enough! No one else needs to get hurt if I give myself up without struggle you'll no longer hurt anyone further right?" Moka asked.
"Well of course, that's why we're here." Morrigan replied.
"No Moka you must not! If you leave with them there's no telling what they mig…"
"It's ok Ruby-san. If going with them means putting you all out of harm's way then I'm all for it, and we can't forget they've got Tsukune. This is goodbye for now but we will reunite down the line sometime, just have faith." Moka said walking to the enemies.
Yukari tried running after her but was held back by Mizore watching as Morrigan took off in the air with Moka in her grasp, Ulquiorra following close behind.
To Be Continued