A/N: Sorry for the late update. I got a bit busy, and then I found that my original idea for this chapter was leading to unnecessary complications. So I scrapped it, and started again. That's how I work.

As for the newest chapters of Bleach, Shunsui is the MAN, totally owned Starrk without his Bankai! I knew that he'd be the one to kill him, I just never thought he wouldn't have to go all-out to beat the Primera. So AWESOME! But I thought that Hiyori's zanpakutou was lame, it looks like one of Ichigo's training weapons. My idea for it was better. Lisa's was okay, Love's and Rose's were the worst so far (Is Tite running out of ideas? I'd lend a hand if he asked nicely). Okay, personal rant over. Thank you for listening :takes a bow:

Whew, I'm almost falling over myself with idea's for this series, if I'm not careful this will turn into a 200k word monster. Hope you're enjoying so far. As always, reviews are much appreciated.

*Apologies to Star Trek

x

The Heir Apparent
Chapter 20: Shunsui's Sensei

A whimpering sound cut through his dreams. Ichigo felt vaguely annoyed as he woke, he was so warm and comfortable, he didn't want to have to get up now. His arm was across something moving up and down slowly, breathing. Wait, was there someone in bed with him?

'WAAAAAAAA!' a woman screamed.

He sat bolt upright, his eyes quickly adjusting to the light. Kiyone stood there at the doorway, her eyes wide and her mouth working soundlessly. Ichigo looked from her to Rukia, who was sitting up next to him in her pyjamas, looking just as guilty as he felt. Oh yeah, she'd shared his bed last night.

'You idiot, you'll wake the captain!' cried Sentaro, running into view. 'I'm so sorry cap-cap-cap-' he'd just noticed Rukia.

For a long moment everybody stood (and sat) like deer caught in the headlights, nobody wanting to make the first move. Then Rukia jumped out of bed in her pyjamas, ran past the two third-seats and into her own room, slamming the door behind her.

'I'm sorry…you were sleeping late…please excuse us,' said Kiyone haltingly, she grabbed Sentaro and made to leave.

'Wait,' Ichigo said quickly, 'Nothing-' Nothing what? There was no way they'd believe that nothing had happened, and it didn't really matter if they believed or not. What mattered was that this didn't get out. 'Say nothing about this to anybody, or I'll kill you.'

'Hai, taicho,' they said in unison, and ran out.

'Jeez,' Ichigo muttered as he got out of bed. What a way to start a day.

x

Ichigo and Rukia's first day back at the office was interesting, to say the least. They received a pleasant surprise first thing to find that the last of the backlog had been completed in their absence by Kiyone and Sentaro. Rukia impulsively hugged them both, to the embarrassment of Sentaro. Ichigo was gruff in his thanks, but she could tell that he was very pleased.

There was still the days paperwork to do, but between the four of them it went quickly. By lunch-time they were finished, despite their late start. So they finally had time to do some of the other duties of captain and lieutenant, including the ones that should be done on taking over a division; starting with the general inspections of the premises. They sent the third seats to the academy to scout for potential recruits.

Doing the inspections though proved to Rukia what she'd suspected before, because of the previous captains frequent illnesses; most of the divisions officers were used to getting on with it without a captain. And where they did need higher authority they would habitually turn to the third seats. It meant that they didn't have to do much besides the paperwork, but she couldn't help but feel that they would have to start asserting their authority or they would be sidelined in their own division.

They'd just returned to their office when a familiar redhead stormed in with all the grace of a charging baboon.

'Ichigo, well done man,' said Renji, grabbing her captain's hand and shaking it vigorously. 'You really did Tousen in eh.'

'I guess,' said Ichigo, looking away.

To his credit, Renji picked up the other mans mood and didn't pursue that line of conversation. 'So, great to have you back and all. Kyoraku-san's been ambushing me every evening to go drinking, telling me about how worried he was about his Nanao-chan, I'm sure he's happy you're both back safe. Rukia, where've you been?'

'What are you talking about?' said Ichigo, frowning a bit more prominently than usual.

'She took a couple of days off just before you came back. I couldn't find her anywhere. What, you didn't have a hand in it?'

'No.'

Both men turned to stare at her.

Rukia felt her face go hot, they were onto her. She wasn't ready to tell them about her Bankai training, well maybe Ichigo but certainly not Renji. And she could hardly tell them "none of your business" or they'd get even more suspicious.

'I did some training with Urahara-san, he felt he owed me for the whole Hougyoku incident.' She'd learned over the years that telling part of a truth was a good way of concealing the points she wanted to keep hidden.

At that moment, Matsumoto's strawberry-blonde head stuck through the doorway, effectively distracting them all from the topic at hand. 'Hello hello, can I come in yet?'

'You!' said Ichigo, pointing in half-horror as she stepping through. 'What are you doing here?'

'I came with my captain to see you two,' she said happily, 'Since you're friends with him, lets be friends also!' With that she grabbed Ichigo bodily and hugged him. Only she pulled him down as she did so, so that his face ended up squished between her ample breasts.

'Matsumoto!' Rukia squawked.

'No fair, you haven't done that to me yet,' Renji protested.

'Eh? What about the party when these two were promoted,' said Matsumoto, pulling a struggling Ichigo in closer.

'Hey, we were drunk then, it doesn't count.'

'Yes it does, you still enjoyed it.'

'No it doesn't, I barely remember.'

'Aw well, too bad. I only do this once per guy, unless I get a good reaction.'

Then Ichigo pulled out of her lock with a visible effort, gulping in air desperately. 'ARE YOU TRYING TO MURDER ME?' he shouted, his face a literal strawberry.

'Now that is a good reaction,' said Matsumoto appreciatively.

'Wait, where's Shinji?' said Rukia, thinking back to what she'd said about coming with her captain.

In response, Matsumoto pointed to the lieutenants badge tied around her waist. Instead of five, the number there was seven, topped with an Iris. 'I've transferred,' she stated proudly.

Rukia and Ichigo stared at her, then at Renji. 'Who's idea was this?' said Rukia.

'Mine,' Renji admitted sheepishly.

'Why? You said you were doing well with Iba-san.'

'Shiba-taicho was happy to swap at the last moment. But there were other considerations,' said Renji.

What was he talking about, thought Rukia, Shinji had been Matsumoto's last captain.

'Two big ones,' Matsumoto piped in.

'-like the fact that I need someone who'll attract better recruits. I'm having difficulties getting quality ones.'

'That's odd,' said Ichigo, 'We've never had trouble with that here.'

'You wouldn't,' said Renji darkly.

'Huh?'

While Ichigo might be clueless as to what was going on, Rukia had a fair inkling of what he meant. Recruits were largely attracted by the reputation of the divisions captains, and Ichigo was already a legend, the hero of the war who'd slain Aizen. The thirteenth was currently the most desirable division to join. On the opposite end of the scale was the seventh, with a new captain who was commonly known as the weakest.

'So, where did Iba-san go?' she asked.

'Didn't you get the list of new appointments?' said Matsumoto.

'No, they must have missed us.'

'Those hell-butterfly operators really need to get their act together,' Renji muttered, pulling a sheet out his haori and giving it to her. Ichigo craned over her to read it, annoying her but not enough to make her do anything. She skipped the introduction, explanations and legal stuff, flicking her eyes to the promotions and division-moves.

Promoted: Lieutenant: Shiba Ganju to 2nd division
Transferred: Lieutenant: Iba Tetsuzaemon to 3rd division
Transferred: Lieutenant: Sarugaki Hiyori to 5th division
Transferred: Lieutenant: Kira Izuru to 6th division
Transferred: Lieutenant: Matsumoto Rangiku to 7th division

There were a few other appointments mentioned on the list, but none higher than fifth seat and she'd never heard any of their names before.

'So, now that that's all settled, everything should run smoother,' said Renji, sitting down on Ichigo's seat.

'Off the chair,' Ichigo growled. Renji jumped up smartly.*

'Things should calm down around here,' Rukia agreed.

Crash! Zaraki Kenpachi burst through the paper and wood door, which he could have just as easily opened, startling them all.

'Oheio, ichi-ichi,' said Yachiru, popping her head over Kenpachi's shoulder.

'Kenpachi!' said Renji and Ichigo together, with identical expressions of fright.

'Yo,' said the big captain, leering horribly. 'You look well rested Ichigo, lets fight.'

'Not a chance,' Ichigo cried, leaping out of the open window and running off as fast as his legs would carry him. Rukia shook her head. At the rate he was going he'd end up in the eightieth district of Rukongai before he came to a halt, leaving her to close the day by herself.

'He ran away,' said Kenpachi. He turned to Rukia, 'You didn't tell him that he owed me, did you?'

'Um, no, sorry.'

'Figures,' he shrugged. 'I guess I'll have to find someone else.'

'Ken-chan's got no-one to play with,' said Yachiru sadly.

'Perhaps you could train with my captain,' Matsumoto suggested.

'WHAT!' Renji cried.

'Well, you were saying just yesterday that you needed to get stronger,' she reasoned.

'Yes, but-'

'Good idea,' said Kenpachi in a low growl, 'I've wanted to see how strong you really are since I heard you got Bankai, Abarai.'

'It's perfectly alright,' said Renji, sweating freely.

Kenpachi grabbed him by the front of his robes and pulled him close. 'Are you going chicken on me?'

Renji nodded vigorously, a sickly expression on his face.

'Then I'll just have to beat that cowardice outta ya!'

And he dragged the redhead out, kicking and screaming.

'I guess I'd better make sure he doesn't kill him,' said Matsumoto, waving as she followed them.

Rukia sighed and sat down at the desk. It was kind of quiet with everybody gone, and she had nothing really to do. Then Ichigo poked his head through the window frame.

'Are they gone yet?'

She smiled and nodded.

x

Kyoraku picked them up at the end of the day and took them to the eight division training grounds. Ichigo stood with him in the sandy arena while Rukia and Nanao watched from a distance.

'I'm not really feeling up to Kido today, Shunsui,' Ichigo told the older captain. After Byakuya drilling him for so long, he was well and truly sick of it. Besides, he deserved a bit of a break.

'Okee then, Ichigo-kun,' said Kyoraku, 'Let's spar!'

Ichigo smirked. He'd been wondering how he compared to his friend for a while now, and was quite looking forward to this. Even if Kyoraku had beaten the number one Espada, he'd defeated Aizen. He didn't have any doubt that he could win. 'Cleave, Zangetsu,' he said, drawing and quickly releasing his zanpakutou.

In response Kyoraku drew his sealed pair.

Ichigo looked at them and frowned. 'How does that work? I mean, aren't they both your zanpakutou, two parts of the same weapon?'

'They are,' said the other man.

'But those two separate things are one… Wait a minute, how does Urahara have his sealed form as a cane and Yamamoto a stick?'

'You really are clueless,' said a female voice behind him.

He turned. 'Rukia, why are you sneaking up on me?'

'Because you're taking so long to get started! I'll explain it so even you will be able to understand.' And to his horror, she pulled her sketchpad out of her top. How she fit that thing in there he had no idea.

'Nearly all the shinigami that join Gotei thirteen do so by first training in the academy. When they are there, they are given a nameless blade known as an Asauchi,' she explained, holding up a picture of what looked like rabbits and bears running around and casting spells. The rabbit in the forefront was holding a katana.

'Asauchi's are not normal weapons,' she continued, 'They are specially made to act as a focal point for Shinigami energy.' She flipped to a picture showing the same rabbit holding a sword with lightning bolts and fireballs emulating from him.

'When a Shinigami reaches Shikai for the first time, their Asauchi will turn into it,' The next picture showed a bear holding a blade that looked suspiciously like Zangetsu. 'So, when it comes time to reseal it, the Shinigami owner will normally just return it to katana shape; because that's what they're used to. In actual fact a sealed zanpakutou can take almost any shape and form.' There was a picture of rabbits holding umbrella's, walking sticks, batons, and all sorts of weird and wonderful objects, 'Understand?'

Ichigo tried to remember what had been going through his head when he'd first sealed his zanpakutou. He'd been concentrating on making it a katana, but why had it turned out black? Maybe because he was so used to Zangetsu's shading. 'I would have a bit better,' he said, 'If I hadn't been distracted by your scribbles.'

Whack! He took the sketchbook full on the face, knocking him off his feet.

'Hmm, those were quite pretty pictures Rukia-chan,' said Kyoraku, scratching his chin thoughtfully.

'Don't encourage her,' Ichigo groaned from the ground.

'Why thank you, Shunsui,' she said in a girly voice, shooting him a dirty look as she walked off, and kicked him in the shin as she went past for good measure. 'Now get training!' she called over her shoulder.

'Ah, young love,' said Kyoraku sagely, 'It's so… physical.'

'WHAT!' Ichigo cried as he got up. A quick glance at Rukia's retreating form was enough to confirm that she was too far to hear. He dusted himself off quickly. 'Whatever, lets get at it.'

The flamboyant captain tossed off his hat and raised his blades, 'You ready to lose?'

'That's my line,' Ichigo growled, and charged.

They traded blows thick and fast. Ichigo had expected his opponent to have difficulty blocking his massive sword, especially with the shorter blade. Kyoraku though had no trouble stopping his heavy blows with either weapon, and kept countering instantly, forcing Ichigo onto the defensive quickly. An experimental moonfang was deflected easily. Kyoraku then switched to full-out attack, and try as he might Ichigo couldn't defend against the blade that stopped millimetres away from his throat.

Ichigo's eyes were wide when they broke apart. 'That's a first, I've never lost on Shikai, especially to somebody who hasn't even released yet.' Good thing he hadn't run into him when he'd been trying to rescue Rukia.

'Yama-jii and I are on a different level to every other captain in Gotei thirteen,' Kyoraku told him. 'Though you might be able to beat us if you used your hollow forms.'

That implied that he wouldn't otherwise. 'Oh yeah?' said Ichigo, 'How about this. Ban-kai, Tense Zangetsu.'

The air exploded around him, creating a sudden sonic boom. When the dust settled his blade had thinned, and shinigami robes had changed; although the white haori that went over remained untouched.

In response, Kyoraku raised his wakizashi into the air, pointing it towards the ground. 'The petal storm swirls, the flower god sings.' He spun it upwards, and caught it so it was facing the sky. Then he crossed his blades. 'The dark storm rages, the sky demon smirks.' The blades glowed and grew into massive scimitars, each nearly as large as Zangetsu in Shikai. 'Katen Kyokotsu.'

'You're going to fight my Bankai with your Shikai?' said Ichigo incredulously.

'Lets just try, for fun,' said Kyoraku with a faint smile.

'I'm not gonna hold back,' he warned.

'I'll try to survive.'

Ichigo dived in his, his sword low and lancing at the other man's body. At the last possible moment one of Kyoraku's blades swept down to glance it aside, and Ichigo had to duck low to stop the other from decapitating him. He pulled back and attacked again, with a similar result. Except that Kyoraku's counter came even closer. Two movements later and the other man scored a shallow cut on Ichigo's ear, he was lucky not to have had his head split through the eye.

As Ichigo fought, he considered the situation. He was faster, there was no doubt about that. But not by the significant margin that he would have expected, his opponent was far quicker than even Byakuya. Kyoraku was also ambidextrous, and seemed able to use both of his blades for attack and defense simultaneously. His defense was rock-solid, his reflexes instantaneous. Despite these skills, Ichigo knew that he should have the advantage from the power-gap between the releases. So why was he losing?

'You're still holding back, Ichigo,' Kyoraku said, as though he'd heard his thoughts. 'You're not fighting like yourself.'

'What are you talking about,' Ichigo cried, and grunted as he caught the other captains blades on his own.

They broke apart. 'You're a aggressive fighter, you attack on instinct and push through your mental and physical barriers. Fighting the other way goes against your nature, and only weakens you.'

'It's a bit hard,' he complained, 'I mean, hell, we're sparring.'

'Then you'll just have to learn.'

For the rest of the lesson Kyoraku goaded his true power out of him at intervals, while Ichigo tried to sustain it. But even during his bursts of full strength, he still never managed to cut the other man, though he came close twice. Kyoraku was a frighteningly proficient swordsman, like a Zaraki with two swords and access to his zanpakutou's abilities. Ichigo became certain after a bit that the other man was holding back his Shikai's true power. He must have trained for centuries to get this strong.

'I never stopped learning, Ichigo-kun,' said Kyoraku when he asked at the end of their session.

'So who trained you, Yamamoto?'

Kyoraku put his straw hat back on, and plucked a grass stalk to put in his mouth. 'Ol' Yama was one of my instructors in the academy, but only one of many. I suppose Jushiro was my longest standing training partner, we honed our skills together since before were both captains. But if there was any one person I could thank for helping me reach my current level, it would have to be Mikio-kun.'

'Mikio?'

'He was ah- the eighth division lieutenant when I joined Gotei thirteen.'

'Oh,' said Ichigo. What was with the 'ah', had Kyoraku intended to say something else? The name didn't mean anything to him, and he would have suggested they go somewhere else had he not noticed that Rukia was in deep conversation with Nanao; and sporting a wicked grin. He hoped they weren't talking about him. He glanced back at Kyoraku, perhaps it would be worth something; learning about his history. 'So, did he have a last name?'

Kyoraku looked away, his expression troubled. 'Shiba,' he said softly.

He knew that name. 'So, he was related to Kukaku and Ganju?'

'Something like that.'

Ichigo had a feeling that the other man was holding something back, something important. He tried a different tack. 'So, what was he like, this Sensei of yours?'

Kyoraku gave a sad smile. 'Jushiro modelled his behaviour on his, especially after he died. He wore a few of the noble trappings, and upheld the law most of the time. But he would never hesitate to break the rules if he felt people were being hurt by them.'

'Heh, sounds like a good guy,' said Ichigo.

'He was married to his captain, he brought both her and her twin sister into the Shiba clan.' Kyoraku gave a low chuckle, 'That caused a stir back in the day.'

Ichigo found himself becoming quite interested in this 'Mikio' guy. 'What did, marrying his captain or taking them in?'

'Both. Actually, they were both lieutenants when they married.'

'So she'd reached Ban release and he hadn't?'

'No; Maiyuki, his wife, just got there first. Mikio reached that level before I finished at the academy, there just wasn't a vacancy in the captaincy for him to take. And besides, he liked working with his wife, though he'd never admit it.'

Rukia and Nanao strolled up to them, and Rukia put her hands on her hips. 'How long are you going to stand there, it's getting cold!'

She was right, night was setting in quickly, and the light was becoming abysmal. 'Alright,' he said, 'lets go.'

Nanao walked up to her captain and linked her arm with his. Ichigo wished she hadn't, he felt like suddenly there was a standard to meet.

'Kurosaki-taicho, Kuchiki-fukutaicho,' called Sentaro, running into view. 'Oh, Kyoraku-taicho, you're here too.'

'What is it?' Ichigo said quickly. It was long past working hours, so it must be important.

'I thought you should know, Abarai-taicho has just been admitted to the fourth division emergency wing.'

x

A/N: Just to jog your memory, Ichigo hasn't actually lost on Shikai yet in any canon battles. His losses came before learning his zanpakutou's name and after achieving Bankai, and all of those times he was using it when he lost.