Chapter 5: Ichigo's Doubt and 3,2,1

Prey. Things to be hunted. In other words FOOD. These were the screams that Tatsuki heard from her instincts. But, as her mind seemed to click, it wasn't the type of prey to go for if you're looking for meat. Oh no, it was for something else.

Then, she felt more pressure surrounding the area. The smell was getting stronger. More of them, she thought. Oh, joy. As if she had an inner radar in her skull, Tatsuki realized it wasn't just one that was coming. Far from it. One from the north, two from the South-West, and three from the East…

…And they're all headed for one location: Karakura High.

"Arisawa-san?" Michiru, the second to try and snap her classmate form either shock or fear, said with a worried face. She's thinking that the girl she was referring to might have snapped, but seeing that Tatsuki wasn't on a rampage, Michiru assumed it was safe to shake her white-haired classmate a little.

"Ni-nigero…" was all Michiru heard after that.

Now a little confused, the girl now shook Tatsuki again to see if she's really back in reality. Apparently, she was when the said girl turned around to face her classmate. Tatsuki had a look of pure fear on her face, yet she did not fear for her own safety. She had remembered the last encounter she had with Hollows, and after seeing what had happened to other people when those vile things attacked, well, let's just say that it was enough to cause her to start pushing Michiru towards safety.

"Nani? A-arisawa-san what are you doing?" Michiru said, trying to stop both of them from moving.

All the other girls stared. They had no idea what was going on. Well, two of them know. Rukia moved towards Orihime, breaking the ice. "We need to move theses girls out of here! Six hollows are coming and this could get pretty ugly from the looks of things!" she whispered.

Orihime nodded in response and said "Tatsuki is right, there will be an attack soon and you should all head to safety." The three of them then started herding the girls towards the rooftop. Tatsuki was behind, and then she noticed Chizuru still knocked out. Sighing to herself, she grabbed the girl and then made her way up the stairs.

Boy's side of P.E.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Of course, the commotion at the girl's side couldn't go unnoticed. But, this doesn't mean that the guys haven't stopped playing, yet. Keigo served the ball, but Chad caught it. He turned to Ichigo and Ishida, who both nodded. Now that the volleyball had stopped hitting Uryu—I mean, the players' faces, they could now concentrate on bringing the boys to rooftop as well.

"Hey, what's going on h—" the new teacher was knocked out by Ichigo, who found it easy.

Ichigo then rubbed his hands together, making them clean. "Now that he's taken care of, I guess we should drag the guys up?"

Chad and Ishida nodded. "Everyone, there's a little problem that will arrive soon and we have to make our way to the roof top to get to safety." Ishida calmly explained.

A boy, clearly having a bully reputation to uphold, stepped forward and asked them in the eye. "And what if we don't follow?" He was then punched by Ichigo on the right side of his face, knocking a few teeth out in the process.

"That'll happen. Any more rebels?" Ichigo said, the tone in his voice serious and threatening. All the others just cowered like wimps and shook their heads, then they started following the three to the rooftop.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Girl's Side Again

There was silence if you count out Tatsuki's footsteps. This gave the girl time to think. Assessing the situation, there were six enemies, but there was more than one that was really strong. Let's see: There's Ichigo and his Zangetsu, that's one. Orihime with her Shun Shun Rika, that's two. Rukia with Sode no Shirayuki, three; Yasutora and his Demonic arm, four; and Uryuu and that bow of his would make five. Tatsuki thought to herself, now knowing that the odds of her friends being able to win the battle without any casualties were close to nothing. She then began to smirk as only one thought approached her. Then I'll raise those odds. I may not be of much experience in battling holed monsters, but I think I can land a punch or two. Besides, I feel exceptionally strong today. I don't think I can get in the way. I'm gonna tell them that. No more watching from the sidelines for me.

"Hiiiimeeeee…." Chizuru, who had started drooling on Tatsuki's shoulder, said. Apparently, the girl's having a hallucination again.

Tatsuki sighed. Dealing with this eccentric classmate of hers everyday prevents her from getting rusty in the martial arts, but is sure it a handful. The last time Chizuru had one of these nearly got her expelled. Luckily, before anything bad happens to either of them, they had reached the top of the steps. Tatsuki stepped out into the rooftop, where the other girls already there. She dropped Chizuru beside Ryou and then headed towards Rukia and Orihime, who were chatting about what to do.

"Anyway, after we beat those Hollows, I'll get out Memory Chikan and replace their memories. Hopefully, no one will get hurt after this attack." Rukia pointed out.

"Yes, but we're outnumbered. I don't think we can stay in this area and protect our classmates…" Orihime said. Ichigo, Chad, Ishida and the other boys form their class had arrived with the three said boys leading them.

"Then, why don't you let me help? Six on six should be even?" came a voice from behind. The two girls looked back and saw a grinning Tatsuki, her tail partially wagging.

"W-what?!" Rukia stammered, shocked that the white-haired girl had wanted to start fighting with her powers already, whatever her abilities were.

Done with organizing their classmates and propping their unconscious PE teacher against the wall, Ichigo, Chad and Ishida walked up to the three girls, immediately sensing that there will be a heated debate about something. The situation showed a stuttering Rukia, a wide-eyed Orihime and a curious Tatsuki. "Er…What's going on?" Ichigo asked, hoping that the topic of discussion won't be anything girly.

"Ichigo talk some sense into her! She wants---" Rukia was cut off by Tatsuki, who now had determination in those red eyes. "I want to fight those things with you guys!"

Ichigo was taken aback by this. He doesn't know what to say. Ever since he had become a shinigami, he didn't even think that one of the 'normal' people would ask if they could join in the hollow kicking, but then again, Tatsuki wasn't normal anymore. "I don't know Tatsuki, we haven't seen any of you powers besides you doing flash step. And that's not even an offensive move…" Ichigo said.

"But it's five against six! If I join in, then at least I can even out the numbers! Even though I don't know what else I can do besides go fast and grow one of these ( Tatsuki points at her tail, which was now hanging limply on her backside.), I think my body still has a few more surprises!" Tatsuki said, almost smiling.

"Numbers don't matter here Tatsuki! What matters is skill! We don't know what will happen to you out there. Whether you can help us or not, I think it's best that you stay here." Ishida, who has been silent until now, spoke up.

"So? I have skill! Uryuu, don't you dare forget the fact that I'm a black belt!" Tatsuki growled, insulted. Feeling angrier and angrier by the second, she felt her hands grow hot. Tatsuki, along with the other five, looked at her hands and arms. She now had white, bladelike spikes coming out of her lower arm. Her hands were now fully covered with fur, but still retained its hand-like shape.

This time, another word appeared on Tatsuki's mind: Claws. I need claws now. To show them I mean business. Tatsuki focused on that thought. She closed her eyes, feeling a weird energy flow to her fingers.

Ichigo and the others could only watch. He was surprised that Tatsuki had figured out how to control her reiatsu. Slowly, white particles of light had gathered around Tatsuki's fingers. They slowly got together and formed little rods on each finger.

Tatsuki, unaware of what was happening, opened her eyes. She first looked at her hands, which now had grey claws on them. She smirked, happy that she changed on her own will for once. She flexed her hands. The claws didn't break off.

To test it, Tatsuki had walked to the nearest wall. In one quick movement, she attempted to slash the wall. The slash was like a chainsaw going through butter. In other words, the wall, which now had three very, very deep marks on it, would break apart once someone blew lightly at it.

All of them, except for Tatsuki of course, gaped at what damage Tatsuki's newly acquired weapon could do. Rukia then walked up to Tatsuki, then, using a Kido technique, she sorted what material made up Tatsuki's 'claws'. After a few seconds, she found out the result. Rukia's eyes widened for a moment, but then she calmed down. Taking a step back, she faced the curious crowd of five. "Hollow-bashing material. About the same type that makes up Chad's arm, but it's a little….strange."

They all fell silent, each in his or her own thoughts. Tatsuki had come to join them. Five minutes later, Ichigo looked up and asked "Are you sure you're ready for this?"

Tatsuki thought about it for a brief moment. Did she really want to do this? To put her life at stake just because her friends had done so as well? She was beginning to doubt herself when she remembered that time. How she hated seeing everyone with fear in their eyes, and the fact that she could do nothing about it. Now that she's been given the chance to actually prevent that, she couldn't have been any happier. She looked at the five, her eyes filled with certainty. "Yeah, I'm guessing that these things (Tatsuki looked at her arms, and wagged her tail) were given to me, I should at least use it for something good right?" She smiled.

Ichigo smiled in response. Separating himself from his body, he then smirked "Then let's go down and warm up then. An unprepared welcoming committee won't be good for the guests." He then began to go down the stairs. The two boys soon followed suit.

Rukia had separated herself from her gigai. Once more, she turned to Tatsuki "Are you sure you can hold out in that body? I can separate you from it to keep it unharmed." She offered.

Tatsuki shook her head. "No, Rukia. This body is my weapon. And I don't think Michiru and Mahana can handle the stress when they see me looking like the dead." She joked.

Rukia smiled back and went her way down the stairs. Tatsuki was about to follow when a hand grabbed her own. She spun around, and saw Orihime with a worried face. Concern painting her face now, Tatsuki asked. "Orihime, what's the matter?"

"Are…" Orihime paused a bit. "Are you sure you're one of us?"

Tatsuki was taken aback by that question. "What do you mean? I don't think I understand."

"I'm sorry Tatsuki-chan, but I have to make sure. This morning whenever we had eye contact I keep seeing another being in those eyes of yours…"

"Another being? What do you mean?" Tatsuki asked, now incredibly confused. This couldn't be another one of Orihime's daydreams, could it? No, this was far too serious.

"Like there's…like there's a monster in you…"

Tatsuki gaped. This was certainly unpredicted. But, she had to agree with her friend. "Well…there have been voices in my head causing me to act strangely….but they're just voices…."

"See? Those voices were the ones telling you to growl!"

"Um, I don't know….those growls were rather…involuntary."

"That's my point! How can we be sure that you won't loose control of yourself and the monster will take it away from you? How can we be sure that you won't join sides with the hollows? How can—" Orihime stopped short, her tears now brimming in her eyes. She was about to speak when Tatsuki beat her to speaking first.

"I've been sane for this long, haven't I? These voices have been talking to me after I got bit by that dog last Friday. If these voices aren't here to help, then why didn't they take over my body yet? Besides, I think this ability was born with me. It just needed a little push."

"But, I just can't help worrying! I'm worried that you'll get hurt! I'm worried that you'll push yourself too much! I'm worried that you'll be overwhelmed by your powers and hurt yourself!" Orihime shouted, tears running full force down her face. She then buried her face into Tatsuki's shoulder.

Tatsuki then knew that she needed to remove her claws, and her body responded. Her arms and hands then back to normal, she pulled the other girl into a tight embrace. Running her hands gently through the other girl's hair, Tatsuki decided not to say anything until Orihime had calmed down.

After a few minutes, Orihime had stopped crying. She then faced Tatsuki, her face still had a worried look. Tatsuki then spoke "Do you trust me?"

"Of course I do, silly." Orihime said, giggling a little.

"Then I take it that you trust me with my own fighting skills then?"

Orihime paused before answering. "I guess so. But call for help when you need it, alright?" She said with a smile.

Tatsuki nodded. Then, an idea came to her mind, causing her to smirk. She then thought: Feet. Then, a white light covered her feet. After the glow had gone, Tatsuki looked at her own feet, fur-covered and with claws too. Suddenly, she grabbed Orihime, put the girl on her back…

…and jumped down from the rooftop to the field where the others were.

Orihime screamed all the way, but she knew she didn't need her powers to break the fall. Tatsuki had prepared for landing. Tatsuki then landed on her feet, which to her surprise, didn't hurt at all. She let Orihime go and both of them started laughing.

Ichigo, on the other hand, didn't find that funny. He had used flash step to get there and tried to catch the two, but Tatsuki had it under control. Now, he was gaping at the two, half embarrassed and half relieved. "Tatsuki, you baka! Never do that again!" then he ran off to the others, who had also seen the whole thing, but tried to hold down their laughter. They were silenced when Ichigo glared at them.

Ichigo looked once again at the rooftop, checking if Kon, in his body, was there to keep things under control. Well, all seemed to be in order. As they waited, the Hollows drew closer, thus giving them an idea of how powerful their enemies will be.

Looking back at his companions, he realized they were preparing themselves for battle. Rukia had drawn her Zanpakutou. Orihime had her hands on her Shun Shun Rika. Ishida had summoned his bow. Chad had already formed his Demonic Arm. Of course, he had noticed that there has been a new recruit in their hollow butt-kicking team, who now called upon her claws again. Tatsuki's eyes had gotten even redder due to her power. Her hair had gotten even spikier. She was getting bigger and leaner by the looks of it. All of her limbs were now covered in white fur. Once again, Tatsuki growled, summoning more spirit power. Ichigo shuddered at the amazing amount she was excreting.

Realizing that the Hollows were going to arrive any second, Ichigo then realized he needed to prepare as well. Gripping his Zanpakutou, Ichigo smiled to himself. Now that Tatsuki had proven herself to be the master of her powers, she was one of them. Also, Ichigo thought. Maybe six on six won't be so bad after all…

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Yeah, finally done! I felt bad for not updating for a few weeks, so I decided to post the next chapter in advance. I still don't own bleach, though, Oh, well… Merry Christmas!!