Chapter 19

Second Fight for Control

By Demon-of-Cats

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, the Tite does. I own my OC's and OOC's

Warnings: This is AU and has some spoilers.

No Flames please, but constructive criticism is welcome.

Ichigo was once again in his inner world. He was facing his inner hollow, who was gloating like normal.

"Well King? We gonna go at it again?"

"Not sure," Ichigo said, "But if you want to fight I'll kill you again."

The hollow grinned and then said, "I'm not here to fight you this time King. I'm here to help. Ulquiorra caused a problem here when he put the hole in your chest before you fought Grimmjow. He left something behind that Orihime didn't get rid of, because she couldn't sense it. It had already fused permanently with you and me, King."

Ichigo narrowed his eyes, "What was it?"

"Me," a new voice said and attacked the two of them. Its voice was a lot like Ulquiorra's and it looked a lot like Ulquiorra's second release with one major difference though. His face looked just like Ichigo's.

Kai fought against his grandson as he watched the child rage against him, slowly turning into a hollow.

"Ichigo," Kai mumbled, "The fight is different this time. It isn't one on one. It isn't two on one. It isn't even three on one. The hole that Ulquiorra put into your chest left two pieces behind in your soul. One piece was purified by Zangetsu and the other was corrupted by your inner hollow. Your inner hollow wanted to use it against you and Zangetsu wanted to use it to protect you.

"The problem is that the one your hollow corrupted has turned against him and now he needs your help and Zangetsu's. But that isn't all. He also needs help from what Zangetsu purified. Ulquiorra himself is your ally now!"

This place is so strange, Ulquiorra thought as he looked about, and yet . . . I feel at peace here for some reason. I don't hunger any more either. Do I no longer need souls to survive? I wonder . . .

Ulquiorra sat down on one of the sideways buildings of Ichigo's soul not knowing that it was Ichigo's soul. He looked at his body, wondering what seemed different now though not quite understanding. His hand touched his chest and he looked down in shock.

He was whole.

He felt the heart pounding in his ribs.

Not only that.

His skin had color now. He was still very pale but it wasn't a pure white. It was more the paleness of someone who had never entered the sunlight.

I don't understand, Ulquiorra mumbled, am I human now? Or am I a soul reaper?

"Ulquiorra?" Ichigo cried out in surprise as he crashed into the building next to the former fourth Espada.

"Ichigo?" Ulquiorra mumbled and then noticed an albino version crash into the ground on his other side, "And another?"

"Long story," Ichigo said, "What are you doing here?"

"I'd like to know that myself," Ulquiorra mumbled, "What or who are you fighting?"

Ichigo pointed as his inner hollow stood up.

"That looks like . . . me but . . . not . . . like a mix of you and me," Ulquiorra mumbled, "What's going on?"

"You tell us," Ichigo said, "You were the one to leave a piece of yourself behind inside of me."

Ulquiorra frowned and looked up. Yes he remembered now. He had tried to kill Ichigo and then Grimmjow intervened, sending him to that strange plane of existence. Then he and Ichigo had fought. Ichigo had won and yet . . . he didn't feel angry toward the soul reaper.

"I'll help you fight if you will allow it," Ulquiorra said and drew his own blade.

Just as Ulquiorra drew his blade Zangetsu appeared and grabbed the hilt.

"Old man Zangetsu?" Ichigo said in surprise.

"Well hello there," The inner hollow said.

Zangetsu and Ulquiorra regarded each other for a moment and then Zangetsu spoke, "Your power is a part of this soul from this point on. We are all in this together now," here he turned to glare at the albino Ichigo, "I would remember that if I were you, as you are part of the cause to this."

Ichigo turned and glared at his albino counterpart.

Zangetsu said nothing as he vanished into Ichigo's blade.

Ichigo nodded and held his blade out to release bankai as his inner hollow did as well. They released and so did Ulquiorra.

Kai knew how long it had taken so far. Five minutes left and counting.

This second battle had to be much faster. It had to be over within ten minutes.

He didn't want to kill his grandson but, if he completely hollowfied then there would be no choice.

Just as he was about to lose hope, cracks appeared in Ichigo's hide and exploded outward.

The hollow form screamed in pain and then stopped moving. The hide slowly fell away piece by piece, revealing Ichigo in a new form. His mask had changed a little to resemble Ulquiorra's a bit, with two horns that curved up. On his back there were wings like a bat's. Ichigo turned his head to look at the wings and then watched as they disappeared. His mask returned to how it usually was as well.

He then collapsed, and was caught by his grandfather.

"Gramps," Ichigo mumbled as his hollow mask broke apart, "Did you go through that as well?"

"Yes," Kai said and pulled Ichigo onto his back, "There are three parts to becoming the heir to the throne. One is the crown, which is the orange hair. The second is becoming hollowfied, which you have done. The third and final part is a bit tricky at times, there has to be a second hollowfication that is caused by an arrancar that was of the level of vasto lorde. The second hollowfication is usually a while after said arrancar causes a major injury to the chest, near the heart. Only a vasto lorde can cause it as well, because they often leave parts of themselves behind in order to protect themselves. An adjucha won't work as they don't do that."

Ichigo nodded as his grandfather carried him toward the dining room. He understood and Ulquiorra confirmed the statement.

Kai sat Ichigo down in a chair outside the dining room and then went in. Ichigo heard him call for Aura and then he exited the dining room again, followed closely by Aura.

Aura shook her head and then created an energy field around her grandson. His injuries disappeared quickly and he stood up slowly, testing his body.

"Better?" Aura asked and touched her grandson's face.

"Yes grandmother," Ichigo said, "Thank you."

End Chapter 19