UPDATES!!!!!! So sorry this took kinda a while, but it's updated! It kinda goes through a lot in this chapter, but we get some hard core IchiRuki! We meet the vizards and Rukia begins to suspect Aizen. I think you'll like this. :D

And I still dont own bleach :(

Chapter 9: Confronting The Inner Hollow

"High Guys!" Orihime waved as she ran towards Ichigo and the gang at lunch. She was pulling Ulquiorra along with her.

"Orihime what the hell!" Ichigo shouted as he Renji and Rukia quickly turned around.

Of all the days to need blood why today! Renji thought as they 3 vampires tried to cover their features that had came about from eating. They didn't want the new guy to find out!

"It's ok guys, Ulquiorra already knows I'm a succubus, what's a few more secret's gonna hurt? I figure if he knows a little he may as well know everything right?"

"I suppose," Ichigo sighed as he turned around. Ulquiorra pretended to be shocked when they turned around with their obvious vampire features being exposed.

"You're vampires?" Ulquiorra stated. He had to pretend to be shocked, even though he already knew. They nodded their heads and proceeded to explain.

After a short handed explanation, in which they decided to leave out the part about Rukia being a demonic princess, Ulquiorra seemed satisfied.

Lunch finished and they went back to class. They noticed that Soi Fon seemed a little down and decided that they would have Yoruichi come cheer her up later. The rest of the day however was uneventful.

After School let out Orihime took Ulquiorra, Chad, Renji, Uryu and Tatsuki to the mall. She asked if Ichigo and Rukia wanted to go, but they declined and said that they already had plans. She nodded and then decided to ask Soi Fon since she was feeling so down. She began crying and hugged Orihime, saying what a wonderful child she was and accepted. Rukia and Ichigo were going to visit Kisuke and Yoruichi. Rukia was the only person Ichigo let know of his reason and decision, and Rukia had promised to back him up 100%.

"Urahara?" Ichigo questioned as he opened the doors to the Shoten.

"Ah, finally come to us about your little problem Ichigo?" the black cat on the table asked. Ichigo sighed.

"Ya, I don't think I can put this off any longer." He bent his head down and Rukia placed a reassuring hand on his back.

"Well unfortunately Ichigo, there's nothing I can do for you," Kisuke sighed. "However, I do have a few friends who can probably help you."

"The vizards?" he asked. Kisuke nodded his head.

"You're inner hollow will consume you eventually Ichigo, especially now that were in the midst of a ration, you need to confront it now while you still can." Ichigo sighed and nodded his head.

"Mr. Urahara? Why does Ichigo have an inner hollow?" Rukia questioned. Kisuke shook his head.

"I have no idea Ms. Kuchiki. I can only guess that it has something to do with him being human before and being a vampire now. The exact details however I'm not sure on." Rukia nodded her head.

"So where are these vizards?" Rukia asked.

"You'll find out, you will be accompanying Ichigo to his training." Kisuke smiled. Rukia threw a shoe at him.

"Wait what!" her and Ichigo shouted.

"You didn't think we'd leave you unattended did you Ms. Kuchiki? Ichigo was appointed your caretaker so you're going to go with him!" Rukia threw her other shoe at him but realized where he was coming from. He sat back up and rubbed the spot on his face where her shoe made contact. "Pack your bags; you're leaving tomorrow at dawn."

"Ichigo?" Rukia mumbled from her closet. She couldn't sleep, and from the noises Ichigo was making he couldn't either. She opened the closet to find him facing her.

"Ya?" he sleepily questioned from his bed.

"Are you gonna be able to control your inner hollow?" Ichigo could tell Rukia was genuinely concerned for him. Even though they had only known each other for a short time, they're bond was unbreakable, and the trust they shared was as well. Ichigo sat up in bed and pulled off the covers. His shirtless body became exposed as he swung his legs over the side of the bed and rubbed his eyes.

"To be honest" he yawned "I have no idea. I'll tell you something though, I'm gonna give it everything I got." Rukia got out of the closet and slowly went over to Ichigo. The look of confusion on his face only grew when she slowly pulled him into an embrace. Due to her height they were practically at the same level. She laid her head on his shoulder facing his neck. He relaxed and pulled her closer, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"Please promise me Ichigo," she whispered. He could feel her hot breath on his neck, and a single tear running down his back. "Defeat your inner hollow so that we can hold each other like this again. I'll be there supporting you every step of the way, so please defeat it!" she practically shouted. She dug her nails into his back as she tried to keep herself from crying, but it wasn't working. Ichigo could feel the blood and tears running down his back. They're fangs extended from the aroma and their eyes transformed. He pulled her from his neck and looked her directly in her vampire eyes. He placed his hand on her cheek and wiped away her tears with his thumb.

"I promise Rukia, that I will come back to you." He pulled her in a delivered a passionate kiss, to which she responded rather quickly. They maneuvered their tongues around each others fangs for a moment before breaking the kiss. Rukia then became aware of the blood on her fingers from where she had clawed Ichigo's back.

"Ahh! I'll go get you some bandages!" she sighed as she ran to the bathroom. The ration had affected their healing abilities greatly. The injuries were small, and normally would have healed already, but lingered due to his lack of blood intake. In the bathroom, Rukia licked the blood off of her fingers as she searched for the bandages. She couldn't help but think how sweet his blood tasted compared to the blood she usually drank. She finally found the bandages and ran to the bedroom, where Ichigo had wiped some of his blood off onto his fingers and was licking it.

"What, I'm not gonna waste it" he smiled at her. She laughed and walked over to the bed. He turned to his side as she placed her knees on the bed. The scratches were small but deep, and located on his upper shoulder. She could feel the drool forming on the corners of her mouth from seeing the scratches on his shoulders. She found herself wrapping her arms around his waist, and began licking the blood from his injuries. His body shivered when he felt Rukia's tongue working its way up his shoulder. He let out a small moan from the sensation. Once she had finished she looked up and placed her mouth by his ear.

"I wasn't gonna waste it," she whispered as she began on the other shoulder. His tasted wonderful, and she couldn't get enough of him. She felt herself move towards his neck, her fangs ready to pierce his flesh. She had never drunk from a person before. She realized what she was doing and quickly pulled herself out of her trace. Rukia wrapped the bandages around his shoulders and scurried off the bed to place the bandages back into the bathroom. Upon returning to the room Ichigo had finally fallen asleep. She crawled into her closet and quietly slid it shut. After snuggling into her blankets, sleep finally came.

Rukia was slowly waking up, to a bright light. She pried her eyes open to find Ichigo standing at the closet entrance, running his fingers threw her raven hair. She smiled and sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep out of her vampire eyes.

"Morning Ichigo" she smiled.

"Morning Rukia" he replied. She wrapped her arms around his neck and lightly kissed him. He moved so that she could get out of the closet. They were both starving and decided to go get breakfast since they would be at the training ground during their usual lunch feeding. The walked downstairs, vampire features still visible and quickly, upon seeing no one was there ran to the fridge. The found the 2 containers of blood they desired and placed them in the microwave. Karin had just woken up and was making her way downstairs, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes when she heard conversation and decided to listen. She snuck into the kitchen and hid, listening, and watching the backs of Ichigo and Rukia as they waited for something in the microwave.

"I don't know how much longer I can hold out on this ration" Ichigo growled. His thirst plagued him constantly and the urge to pounce on someone and drain them only continued to grow. It was becoming harder and harder to resist the urge, especially with his inner hollow trying to take over.

"I know. I was downtown the other day shopping with Orihime when I smelt blood. My fangs grew out and I felt ravenous. Orihime grabbed me and took me to the bathroom to calm down after I tried to lunge at him. He was a 7 year old boy who had scrapped his knee on the bench at the mall. I almost attacked a 7 year old boy because I'm so hungry!" she gulped while fighting back the tears at the monster she was becoming. She needed more blood than most vampires, and felt it was only a matter of time until she snapped when no one would be around to stop her. Ichigo wrapped an arm around her comfortingly and she leaned on his shoulder. The microwave soon beeped and Ichigo grabbed the 2 bags and Rukia grabbed 2 glasses. He cut them open with his fangs and poured them in the glasses. The smell began to drift threw the air and Rukia and Ichigo could barely stand it. The drool was forming at the corners of their lips and they began licking their mouths. Karin was frozen in fear.

That's, that smell, it's…it's blood! What they were talking about? What is in those glasses, are, are they vampires? I've been living in the same house with 2 vampires? What if they get hungry and attack us? Why haven't they if their so hungry? Do I have a right to be this afraid though? It's Ichi-nii we're talking about. It can't be true though it can't! Almost as if on cue, Ichigo and Rukia turned around to go upstairs and enjoy their breakfast. Karin's mouth dropped when she noticed their eyes, and most of all, their fangs. She began to feel herself shake and sweat. She was scared, of her older brother. She was biting down on her lower lip, when she noticed that it had begun to bleed. She began to panic. They were vampires, they could smell blood. Ichigo turned around, sniffing.

"What's wrong?" Rukia asked before she too smelt it. They scanned the kitchen, sure they were alone.

"It smells like Karin's, but she's still in bed. Why does it smell like it's down here?" he went to go investigate, Karin trying to hold back a gasp of fear, when she saw Rukia grab his arm.

"It's probably just her soccer uniform. Yuzu probably hasn't washed it yet and she probably got hurt last night. I don't know why we didn't smell it before but come on, I'm hungry and I know you are too. Besides, we don't want your family finding out." Ichigo nodded.

"Ya, you're right, let's go." Ichigo went to walk upstairs, and Rukia handed him her glass. "What?"

"Go on, I'll be up in a sec, I gotta go to the bathroom." Ichigo nodded and went into his room. Rukia stood at the top of the staircase, and turned her head to point downstairs. "I know you're down there Karin. My senses are more finely tuned than Ichigo's. I can smell your fear." She laughed. "Don't worry; we won't hurt you, or anyone else for that matter. Please don't tell anyone, especially your brother. If he knew that you knew his secret it would hurt him deeply. He would think that you were scared of him, and I don't know if he could take that. We're leaving today, for how long we're not sure, but please come up with an excuse, as we're leaving after we eat. Ichigo loves you and your family, so please don't worry" she smiled as she turned to go to Ichigo's room. Karin could feel the tears start falling down her face.

"Rukia" she cried. It was soft, but Rukia's senses allowed her to pick it up. She turned around and made her way back over to the staircase to listen to Karin.

"Please, take care of Ichigo. I feel like shit… fearing my own brother. Can you forgive me? Do you think Ichigo would forgive me?" she cried.

"Ichigo doesn't need to know for now, but I know he would forgive you in a heartbeat, I'm afraid he wouldn't be able to forgive himself. And as for me? I've already forgiven you. I know you're a sweet girl, and you're fear is natural. And I promise that I'll take care of Ichigo." Rukia smiled at the girl and entered Ichigo's room. Karin was still shaken from all that had transpired, and decided to go upstairs and go back to sleep.

About an hour later Ichigo and Rukia quietly snuck out of the house. They each had a small bag and their zanpaktou. They sighed and nodded, knowing that this needed to be done, and made their way to the location.

"I don't know about this place Ichigo," Rukia sighed as they stood in front of an old warehouse on the outskirts of town. "It feels eerie."

"I agree but if these people can help me then I think it's worth it," he glared at the warehouse. Rukia took his hand as they slowly walked into the warehouse, and were greeted by a blinding bright light. "OUCH!" they shouted upon seeing the light.

"Well well, we've been expecting you Ichigo Kurosaki, but we weren't expecting you to bring such a lovely young lady with you," A blonde haired man stated from the middle of the room. They looked up through the bright light and found 8 vampires looking at them.

"So, you guys are the ones that are gonna help me?" Ichigo smirked.

"Only because Urahara asked us too," The middle one replied. He jumped down to Ichigo's level, much to Ichigo and Rukia's relief since they wouldn't have to look up into the light anymore. "So I know who you are, but who's this pretty young lady?" he asked looking at Rukia. "We can't have humans wondering around," Rukia bared her fangs at the man and let out a low growl. "Oh, well then it's a pleasure to meet you Ms?"

"Kuchiki, Rukia Kuchiki." The other vampires looked up at the mention of her name.

"So, you're the demonic princess we've been hearing about, well follow me." He led Ichigo and Rukia to the basement. The other Vizards all introduced themselves and followed. The basement looked like the underground training ground at Urahara's, surrounded with rocks. "All right Ms. Kuchiki, you're gonna go sit with Hachi," Shinji directed towards the large man with pink hair. "Ichigo, go stand in the middle of the room." Ichigo made his way over there and Shinji followed. "I know we haven't known each other long Ichigo, but you're gonna have to trust us alright?" Ichigo nodded and looked over to Rukia, who was staring at him with worry written all over her face.

"Don't worry Rukia, I'm gonna beat this." Shinji began chanting and placed his palm over Ichigo's face.

"Now Ichigo, you have to defeat it. Do not let it consume you, do not let it intimidate you; do not let it fool you. You must defeat it." And with that, Ichigo blacked out.

"Ahhh, What the hell?" Ichigo said as he stood up. He didn't recognize where he was, or the man standing next to him. "Who the hell are you, and where am I?"

"This is the inner depths of your soul Ichigo, and I am Zangetsu," A tall dark haired man in his mid-40's calmly replied. He was wearing a long black cape, and had small beard.

"Your not Zangetsu, Zangetsu's a snake!" Ichigo retorted.

"This is my appearance inside your soul Ichigo. Besides, it wouldn't be as easy to help you in the form of a snake now would it?"

"Help me with what?"

"That would be me, hehehehee." Ichigo's body froze. The voice was spine tingling. He slowly forced himself to turn around only to find an exact copy of himself standing behind him. The copy was pure white, with black sclera's and golden irises. His face perfectly exemplified his inner intentions, to kill all those weaker than him, and to drain them of their blood.

"You must be my inner hollow," Ichigo scoffed trying to hide the fear in his voice.

"Maybe you're not as weak as you look," the hollow replied with a half cackle. With that, the hollow pulled a white Zangetsu out from behind him and held it up to Ichigo. "Let's begin."

Ichigo barely had time to draw his Zangetsu before the hollow was upon him. He remembered what Shinji had said, and he knew that he had to win, if not for his sake, for Rukia's.

Rukia and the other vizards had been watching Ichigo's body run rampant for some time now. Lisa was currently fighting his body while Ichigo's soul fought with itself. She sat on the edge of a nearby rock hugging her knees. Kensei soon picked up on how nervous she was when the smell of blood began to drift through the air. He turned to find Rukia unconsciously biting her knees. She wasn't even bothering to lick up the blood running down her leg. She wasn't even aware that she was doing it, she was to busy worrying about Ichigo.

"Are you alright Rukia?" Kensei and Mashiro asked in concern.

"Hmmm?" she shifted her gaze to look at them and realized the blood running down her leg. "Oh Shit!" Kensei gave her a towel to wipe up the blood and Mashiro ran off to grab something. "I'm so sorry she sighed."

"It's not your fault, you're just concerned, which is understandable" Kensei reassured. "When we did this the first time Kisuke, Yoruichi and Tessai about pissed themselves every time. Honestly I'd be more concerned if you weren't worried." Rukia was grateful that he understood. Everyone knew of the vizards. They were a group of Vampire Lords and Demi-lords that mysteriously gained the power of hollows about 400 years ago. The Vampire council initially banished them, but after discovering that they didn't willingly transform, they forgave them. The vizards decided to stay independent of the council, and they usually left each other alone. Kensei had been the lord of the 9th clan, and was among the first to gain his hollow powers.

"But everyone survived, so that means that the hollow isn't that hard to defeat right?" Rukia asked the former lord.

"Well, if you really want to defeat it, it's not that hard. But I don't know what Ichigo's mental state is, or how his body and soul have been affected by the ration, only time will tell." Rukia nodded and she noticed Mashiro running back towards them.

"Here Rukia, you have to be starving," Mashiro smiled as she handed Rukia a bottle of blood.

"Where did you?"

"Were independent of the council," the smiled as she began to drink her own. "We don't follow their rules or laws, so we haven't been affected by the ration."

"It probably wouldn't kill you and Ichigo to drink more regularly while you're here. The last thing we need is for you 2 to lose your minds." Kensei sighed as Rukia began to drink.

"What are you talking about?" Rukia questioned with a curious look on her face.

"If a vampire can't eat like they need to for a long period of time, they'll lose it and grow insanely hungry and attack the first person they see, draining them completely. Or worse still, they can fall to the level of a hollow." Rukia's eyes shot open. Could this be the plan Yoruichi and Kisuke thought Aizen was behind? To turn the vampires into mindless, human killing hollows?

"Wait, Yoruichi and Kisuke seem to think that Aizen has something to do with the ration, but they don't have any proof to go on. Do you think, no, it's a stupid idea." Kensei and Mashiro's eyes grew wide. Lisa came into the conversation when she swapped with Hiyori.

"Wait, did you say Aizen?" She stammered as she sat down to enjoy some of the blood Mashiro brought out.

"Why are you guys…"

"We were all unconscious when we were attacked and turned into hollows, Shinji stayed awake the longest. And he swears by his life that he saw Aizen standing over his body smiling when he went out. Of course nobody believed him, but."

"But I know what I saw, and it was definitely Aizen." They heard come from behind. They all turned around to find Shinji staring at Ichigo. When you guys leave, tell Urahara we're gonna help him." Rukia nodded and they all turned their attention back to Ichigo, who was now completely hollowfied.

"BANKAI!" Both the inner hollow and Ichigo screamed. After the demonic energy vanished, both Ichigo and Hollow were now carrying normal swords, with long overcoats, one white, and the other black. They disappeared with blinding speed and reappeared with swords clashing. Ichigo and his hollow fought fiercely, but the hollow eventually found an opening and impaled him in the chest. Ichigo began to see his world go black when he remembered the words Rukia had said to him,

"Defeat your inner hollow so that we can hold each other like this again. I'll be there supporting you every step of the way, so please defeat it!"

Ichigo! Ichigo! You're the only friend I've ever had, please don't leave me ICHIGO! This thing took me sister, and it took your mother, I WON'T LET IT TAKE YOU!

HAHAHAHAHA I'm evil arnt I? Well, you probably want to know what the end is about. Well, you'll find out, but it's gonna be spread out. A little info in the next chapter, then more and more detail as it goes along. Cuz im evil like that :D So I totally have a question. Should the vizards have masks, or should only their eyes change. Im open to suggestions. Please Review :D Also I have a poll, If its the poll about my other story up wait a day or 2 and go back, cuz i need the results from that one for the next chapter in my other story. The poll for this story will be up and needed in a chapter or 2 so please vote on it and if its not up wait a day or 2 and check back. YOUR OPINIONS MATTER TO ME :D TTYL and thanks for reading. GO RED WINGS!