The Heir Apparent
Chapter 24: Beach part 1 - Now You're Really Livin'

Rukia's excitement throughout the journey was infectious, despite their tiredness at getting up so early. She chatted animatedly to the other girls in the back seat of the minivan, laughing at intervals.

'It's so nice to have Kuchiki-san and Kurosaki-kun with us again,' said Orihime, for the umpteenth time.

'Look at that,' said Rukia, distracting her by pointing out a tall silo, probably for storing rice.

'Ah, it must be where they hide the giant robots that defend earth from the three-headed aliens!'

Rukia laughed, while the rest of them sighed.

'Rukia-chan is in a good mood,' Keigo noted.

'Bit loud,' said Ishida, who was sitting beside him. He had dark circles under his eyes, must have had a bad night.

'Whatever,' said Ichigo.

Seeing Rukia truly happy and relaxed was a new experience for him. His stomach started moving in new, strange, but not entirely unpleasant ways. He adjusted his waist, the four skinny boys were jammed hip to hip in the seat behind the driver, while Chad sat in the front passengers seat. An entirely uncomfortable experience, he was tempted to throw Keigo out of the window just to create some more space. Or Ishida, he could probably keep up with the car with his Quincy abilities anyway. Though that would look rather odd to any passers by.

When they came in sight of the beach, Rukia immediately squealed with delight, and started pointing out perfectly normal things like the sea and dunes. Ichigo smiled indulgently, turning to look out the window so that the others wouldn't see his expression.

'Give it up, Kurosaki,' said Ishida, leaning forward to whisper in his ear. 'Just tell her how you feel.'

'Shut up,' he said, pushing him away.

'I'm proud of you, Ichigo-san,' said Mizuiro, while still playing on his psp. He would be, older women fetish mother-chaser. Ichigo growled, if he hadn't been on the other side of seat he'd have received a push as well.

'Hey, what are you guys talking about?' said Tatsuki, leaning forward.

'It's nothing,' said Ichigo, startled by her intrusion.

'Eh?'

'Nothing,' Chad backed him up.

'How can you talk about nothing?'

Ichigo quickly changed the subject.

Fifteen minutes later they had arrived, and were pulling out the stuff in the boot. Rukia had wanted to rush into the sea immediately, but they needed to unpack to get to the swimming costumes. Ichigo had to help Ishida with some heavy speakers.

'Exactly why did you bring these?' he groused, balancing the fifteen kilo dead-weights.

'Because we're going to have music, and karaoke' said Ishida in his insufferable, know-all way.

'Hmph,' said Ichigo. He noticed that Ishida was only carrying a small laptop.

'We also have drinks,' said Keigo happily. He was carrying a two big cooler bags, Tatsuki following with two bigger ones.

'We're still underage,' Chad pointed out.

'So, we're all alone here. You don't have to drink if you don't want to, Chad-o, but for those of us with girlfriends-'

'Wait, you have a girlfriend?' Ichigo interjected. Tatsuki blushed slightly.

'Don't say it like it's impossible!'

'We got together a few days after you left for your promotion,' said Tatsuki. She looked pleased with herself.

Ichigo nodded and went back to carrying the speakers to their beach-camp. It was their decision, and Keigo did seem to be acting more mature than he remembered. He had no doubt though who would be the `man` in the relationship.

When they had finished unpacking, and the car had left, they stood in their campsite with all the bags, tents, sound equipment and other stuff laid out before them; while Ishida ticked off all that they had on his list.

'Uh, Uryu,' said Tatsuki, 'I've just noticed, we've made a mistake.'

'What?' he said.

'When you said there would be eight of us, I organised four two-man tents. But there's three girls and five guys.'

'Well, we could always-' said Keigo snidely to Tatsuki, but was cut off by her side kick slamming into his face. He flew a meter before falling limply to the ground.

'Hmm, true,' said Ishida. 'Any idea's, anyone?'

'Ichigo and I will share,' said Rukia.

They all turned to stare at her, Ichigo's mouth dropped almost to the floor. 'You don't have to, Kuchiki-san,' said Orihime, breaking the silence.

'It's fine, we've done it plenty of times in Soul Society.'

Again there was silence, punctuated only by Orihime's sob. Then she turned tail and fled. Tatsuki gave Rukia a hard look, then set off after her.

'I guess it's settled then,' said Ishida, in an awed tone.

Ichigo grabbed Rukia's arm and pulled her away to behind a nearby dune, his face red with embarrassment.

'So forceful, Kurosaki-kun,' she said in her little-schoolgirl voice when he'd let her go. 'I could almost think you were planning to do something awful to me.'

'Shuttup,' he vented, 'You know what those idiots are going to think now? And why did you do that to Orihime, you know she's sensitive about that.'

'Fool,' she said, crossing her arms. 'It's not like they're not thinking that anyway. And if you haven't noticed, Inoue has been trying to get your attention the entire time. She's got her hopes up at seeing you again, even after what you said to her. I don't think you want to worry about not giving her the wrong impression the entire weekend.'

He scratched his eyebrow, that did sort-of make sense. 'Still, you didn't have to make her cry. I thought you were her friend.'

'I am. But even friends draw boundaries with each other. I'll make it up to her later.' Her expression brightened, 'More importantly, lets help the others get unpacked so we can go swim!'

x

Hitsugaya was getting frantic, he'd searched almost everywhere where she could be, and yet Hinamori was nowhere to be found. That was unlike her, even on the days where she'd had no focus at all she'd still turned up at the office, if only to stare into space the entire day.

He poked his nose into the seventh division office, one of the few places he hadn't checked yet. Renji and Matsumoto were there, going through paperwork. It was strange to see Matsumoto getting down to work, Abarai must have some way of motivating her. But Hinamori wasn't there. He turned to leave.

'Taicho,' said Matsumoto, looking up. 'Are you spying me again?'

'No,' he said, going red.

'Aw, I thought that was a pretty good reason,' she pouted.

'It's Hinamori, isn't it?' said Renji, getting up. He had dark shadows under his eyes, and a distinctly haggard look. His hair hadn't been tied properly, it hung at an odd angle and there were strands loose. Hitsugaya thought he could smell sweat on him.

'How did you know?' he said.

'Because you look like Ichigo does when one of his nakama goes missing.'

'No way I look like Kurosaki.' He flicked his gaze to the doorway to the other offices, 'You haven't seen her, have you?'

Renji shook his head. 'I'll help you look. Hinamori is my friend.'

'Me too,' said Matsumoto, 'And I'm sure we could persuade Kira-kun to come along.'

'No,' said Renji, 'Three's enough. With Kuchiki-taicho away he's got to run the whole of the sixth division, which he's only just transferred to. He's got enough on his plate, we'll deal with this.'

'Then let's go,' said Hitsugaya. 'But fix your hair first.'

'Oh, well if you really think it would look better in a different style…' said Matsumoto, palming her long locks.

'I was talking to Abarai.'

x

Rukia had never been to the beach before. The sand was so hot and crunchy under her bare feet, she had to dance to where the waterline began. The sand there, while still warm, was wet and bearable. The sun was bright on her pale skin, she could almost feel it burning. A small wave splashed over her foot.

'Ah! It's cold,' she exclaimed.

'What did you expect, shortness?' said Ichigo, coming up behind her with a bottle of something in his hand.

'Idiot,' she said, turning her head to look at him properly. 'Wha…' Her voice trailed off as her breath caught in her throat. He was in baggies, and topless. She'd seen him like that a few times in battles when the material had literally been slashed off his body. But she'd had other concerns at the time, and had never been able to… admire. He was so ripped, so cut, every muscle in his lean frame perfectly defined. Was there any fat on him? She'd seen men topless before, but none that she would consider this beautiful.

He misinterpreted her look. 'Oh, it's just suntan lotion. You've got fair skin, so you've got to apply some. I guess that isn't a problem in Soul Society huh?'

'N-No it isn't,' she said breathlessly, trailing her eyes down his defined abdominal pack. There were two ridges running down it which disappeared into his pants. Her face reddened as she realised what they pointed to. Her mouth was no longer dry; it was very, very moist.

'You see, you're already catching the heat already. Come, lets go to the shade.'

Numbly, she allowed herself to be led. There was no sign of any of the others, good. She didn't want them intruding, or any half-witted comments from them. Ichigo took her to a lightly grassed patch under a leafy tree which provided dense shade. How this one could survive so close to the sea when there were only palms beside she had no idea. It became suddenly cool when she stepped under its branches.

'Aren't you going to swim?' said Ichigo, pointing to her dress. 'You should go and get changed.'

'I have,' she replied, and unzipped the back so that it fell to the floor. She was in a black two-piece that Yuzu and Karin had helped her to choose. Rukia would never have worn so little clothing in public in Soul Society, but the rules were different in the material world. Such exposure was accepted, expected even.

'Well, what do you think?' she said, and caught him staring with his mouth slightly open. He looked away guiltily, and Rukia felt a rush of elation. He liked what he'd seen.

'It-It fits you well, Rukia,' he said, still looking determinedly away. Wordlessly he held the suntan lotion to her.

Applying the stuff was moderately disgusting. First it made a very rude noise when squeezed out its tube, then she had to spread it over every inch of exposed skin. It was oily and made her feel slick, as though she could slide over a concrete surface with it lubricating her. Not a nice feeling. There was also the problem that she couldn't easily reach her back.

'Here,' said Ichigo, reaching over to take the bottle and squirted some onto his hand. Then he began rubbing it into her back with his big, calloused hands. Rukia could feel the gooseflesh rising, she had to bite her lip to prevent a sigh of pleasure from escaping. He worked his way down to her panty line, then back up to her shoulders. She could feel herself relax, tensions she'd held for decades finally easing away. She trusted him, more than she'd ever trusted anybody in her life.

'Okay, done,' said Ichigo, bringing her back to reality. She immediately missed his hands.

'Um, do you need as well?' she said.

He shook his head. 'Nah, Taskuki helped me out there. Come, let's go get wet.'

She swallowed her disappointment, they were here for a few days; there would be other opportunities to lotion his back. Impulsively she grabbed his hand, and led him in a run towards the waters edge, already bracing herself against the cold.

x

Renji was tired. He had been running all over Seireitei, and even districts of Rukongai, all day. He had spoken to the heads of every division, and a good many seated officers. What more could he do? The evening was darkening, fast approaching night, and there was still no sign of Hinamori.

He found Hitsugaya and Matsumoto at the seventh division headquarters. By the looks on their faces, he could tell that their searches had been just as fruitless as his. What had happened to her, had she just suddenly decided to desert Gotei thirteen without word to anybody? But Hinamori was like the rest of them, the protection squads were her life. There were, of course, other possibilities.

'She could have gone to the material world,' he said aloud, when Matsumoto voiced similar thoughts.

Hitsugaya immediately flinched, and opened his mouth to deny the possibility. They all knew that if that was the case she could only be there to track down Ichigo. And with his powers docked, as they would be for all captain and lieutenant level shinigami, it would be the best opportunity for her to murder him.

'She could have, taicho,' said Matsumoto, 'I found out from the fifth division that there was an unauthorised Senkaimon gate created last night that led to Karakura town. It was a minor incident, so they handed it to the second division. But they've come up with nothing so far.'

Hitsugaya was obviously struggling with his emotions, but his tone was flat when he said, 'She could also have been abducted.'

Renji nodded, 'True, but unlikely. She's a lieutenant class shinigami, there aren't many people who could capture someone that strong. And we know most of them.'

Hitsugaya stood up from the chair he'd been sitting in. 'Hinamori Momo is a Kido specialist, she could easily disguise her reitsu if she didn't want to be found.' He started towards the door.

'Where're you going?' said Renji.

'To pension the captain commander for time off in the material world to look for her.'

'No you're not.'

'What?'

'I'm going to the material world,' said Renji confidently. 'I know it the best, I know Ichigo and his friends the best, and someone needs to look for Hinamori here.'

'That's debatable,' Hitsugaya muttered, but didn't raise any real objections.

'When will you go?' said Matsumoto.

'First thing tomorrow, I'm scheduled to have off anyway,' said Renji.

'Fine, I'll take my leave now,' said Hitsugaya, and left without bowing.

Renji went back to his chair, and looked at the small pile of papers still lying there. Those would have to wait, he wasn't prepared to do them now.

'You're just going to check out the girls, aren't you?' said Matsumoto.

'No,' he said, a bit too quickly. He never should have told her about his favourite pastime when he was stationed in the material world. Being invisible to ordinary people did have its advantages. Though since there was no fear of discovery the thrills were few and far between.

'I don't mind if you do,' she said, 'Just promise me you won't get in their way.'

'Huh?'

'You know what I'm talking about.'

He sighed, 'I've already accepted it, Rangiku.'

'I don't know if you have. In you mind, yes. In your heart, probably not.'

Giving a forced smiled, he said, 'I'm a big boy, I've learned to take disappointments like a man.'

'I know you are,' she purred.

He went bright red, then realised that she was yanking his chain.

'Do I have your word?'

Renji groaned inwardly, he hated binding himself to such promises. But he couldn't wriggle out of this one. 'Yeah, you have it,' he said, trying not to sound as forlorn as he felt.

x

Nights on the beach were as eventful as the days. Their camp was all set up, four small round tents that looked like half an egg sticking out the ground. They were spread around the communal area, where they had tables and chairs assembled. That was were they had all congregated now. Ishida had a generator providing power for their lights, as well as his computer and sound system.

Ichigo sipped on his mixer, the third of the night. Compared with Soul Societies alcohol its effects were almost non-existent. He could probably have about ten of them and still be alright, not that he would risk it. It tasted reasonable, more importantly it made Keigo and Mizuiro's singing bearable.

'You guys sound like a pack of wild dogs,' said Tatsuki when they'd finished their number.

'Let me have a go,' said Rukia.

Ichigo furrowed his brow, he'd never heard her sing before. Could she sing? Or was had she just had too much. But she'd been with him the entire time, she couldn't have drunk much more than he had.

Rukia took the microphone from Mizuiro, and went to Ishida's computer to select a song. Hang on, did she know any songs? She might have learned a few over the months she'd been in the real world, but well enough to sing?

The music started, and Ichigo groaned. It sounded like the music one would expect from a nursery rhyme, no drums no base and a very basic tune. Then she started to sing.

'Little bunny Foo-foo hopping through the forest-'

It was a nursery rhyme. And trust her to pick one about a rabbit.

'-Scooping up the field mice and bopping them on the head. Along came the good fairy, and she said-'

Ichigo clenched his fists, trying to endure. It was torturing him, the evil bunny lyrics. He couldn't take it, how long would this go on for? She finished the first bit, then it repeated, only this time the fairy was giving two more chances. He groaned, he was going to suffer even more! Two more repeats was more than he could bear.

Finally it finished, and he breathed a sigh of relief. He'd been this close to pulling the cable. Rukia sat down beside him, 'Well, what did you think?'

'Um, it was good,' he said in a strained tone.

'Fool,' she said, lightly punching his shoulder. 'Well done.'

'For what?'

'For controlling yourself.'

He gritted his teeth. That had all been a test to see if he'd crack or not. He turned to shout at her, but at that point the music started Orihime began singing

'Hanging around, I can't get through my day. Thoughts of you keep consuming me.'

Her singing voice could possibly be decent, but it was far too high for the song. He only recognised it because he knew the backing track, Your Love is Wicked, which had been a song he'd quite enjoyed. Not any more, he didn't think he'd ever be able to listen to it again. Suddenly he missed the bunny song.

'Wish you could stay with me another day. Wish I could change your mind and make you stay.'

'You think she's singing to you?' said Rukia suspiciously.

'I hope not,' said Ichigo with a shudder, it was awful enough without any added creepiness. She wasn't staring at him at least, that would have been a sure sign.

Tatsuki joined in, singing the lower female voice, and it improved from atrocious to relatively awful. At least it didn't burn the ears anymore, and he wouldn't have to gnaw off a foot to survive.

'Damn Ishida for bringing the set,' he muttered under his breath.

'What was that?' said Rukia.

'Never you mind.'

'Well if you don't like that number, why don't you sing?'

Tatsuki and Orihime finished their song early, and the second half of Rukia's statement fell upon a silent audience. The others all turned to them, he flinched.

'Yeah, sing for us Ichigo,' said Tatsuki.

'Hell no,' he said.

'Are you afraid, Kurosaki?' said Ishida.

Ichigo's cheek muscle twitched. 'In your dreams,' he said, and strode forward to snatch one of the microphones from Tatsuki's hand.

Choosing his song was difficult, Ichigo had never been much of a singer and knew full well that any attempt at a demanding one would only result in his humiliation. It had to be easy to sing. Still, he wanted one that meant something to him. Scrolling down, he stopped at one that fulfilled both criteria. He pressed the play button, and immediately the words displayed themselves on the screen. He didn't need them though, he knew this song well.

A simple, catchy rhythm began, and he started. 'Do you know what it's like to fall on the floor, cry your guts out 'till you got no more. Hey man, now you're really livin'.'

They were all looking at him, was he doing well, or was he that bad?

'Now you're really giving everything, and you're really giving all you gained. Now you're really living what this life is all about.

'Well I just saw the sun rise over the hill, never used to give me much of a thrill. But hey man, now I'm really livin'.'

There was a short instrumental piece, Ichigo used it to catch his breath and assess if his friends were enjoying the song. If their rapt expressions and swaying heads were any indication, they were. Rukia gave him a double thumbs-up, he was looking at her as he sang the next section.

'Do you know what it's like to care to much, 'bout someone that you're never gonna get to touch.'

He almost stumbled over his words when he realised what he was saying, but managed somehow to continue. When the music finished, everybody applauded. He didn't know if he really deserved it, it had been a very easy song. But one that he felt spoke to him a lot.

'Not bad, Kurosaki,' said Ishida, taking the mike from him. 'Now see how the masters do it.'

Ichigo made a noncommittal noise, and went to sit back by Rukia. She handed him back his drink, and together they watched Ishida's routine; which he'd clearly practised. As the music began he undid every button on his cotton shirt with one swipe of his hand, so that it hung loose on his scrawny frame. Then he started singing, the old Justin Timberlake special Sexy back.

Ichigo leaned back on his chair, trust Ishida to be desperate to better his performance. But he wasn't concerned, he was the hero of the Winter War, the one who'd defeated Tousen, the captain of the thirteenth division. He didn't need to prove who was superior to the dark-haired boy. It was obvious. Let the kid have his small victory.

'That was good, Ichigo,' said Rukia.

'Ishida's better,' he shrugged.

'You didn't spend hours and hours rehearsing,' she said, and pointed to what Ishida was doing. Some of the moves he was making looked perfectly choreographed off the music video.

'True,' he said, pleased that she had noticed too.

She put her head against his shoulder, and when he looked down at her she looked back, then closed her indigo eyes serenely. Ichigo felt his chest constrict at seeing such a peaceful expression on her face. The night sky was clear, and the three-quarter moonlight softly illuminated her face, making her look like an angel. He looked up, taking in the millions of sparkling stars.

As he turned back to the over rehearsed number, he felt a wave of contentment wash over him. Were he was, right here right now, he was happy. There was nowhere else he'd rather be, nothing else he'd rather be doing, no one else he'd rather be with. Well, maybe to the last Shunsui and his shinigami friends would have been an almost equal substitute.

Yeah, he thought to himself, now I'm really living.

x

A/N: I know, a bit slow. But there's still a bit more storyline that needs to happen before it picks up again. It'll be worth it, trust me.