The Heir Apparent
Chapter 34: Battle Royale 4, Standoff

Kyoraku arrived just in time to see Hitsugaya burst into flame. He stopped short, gaping, his mind reeling. These Quincy hybrids were powerful, too powerful to be taken lightly. He drew his released blades from his sash, and wondered if he should intervene.

In the past he'd always quietly maintained his distance from Hitsugaya because of his history with the boy's previous life. In their few necessary interactions he'd been cordial, an attitude that the boy-prodigy had reciprocated. Most believed it was because Kyoraku had been the strongest opposition to his promotion to captaincy, and the bad feeling created there had lingered. Only a few knew the truth. The fact was he couldn't stand to look at him, seeing that hated face made his blood boil.

And now, if he just did nothing for about a minute, he'd never have to look at that face again. Ever.

If there were Gods, they must be laughing at him right now. To put him in such a predicament. The loss of a captain at this stage would be a massive blow, and could cost them the war, but at the same time he just couldn't let go of what had happened. He still wanted the revenge on Daiken's soul he'd been denied centuries before. Ironically, this predicament had most likely been brought about largely by Daiken's actions at that time. Now his soul might just pay the unwitting price.

There was an element of justice in that.

But Kyoraku's hands weren't entirely clean either. And Hitsugaya was innocent.

There were two options here. Save him, or let him die. No middle ground, one or the other. Life or death; mercy or vengeance; good or evil…

'DAMN IT,' Kyoraku cried as he surged forward, 'Bakudo no. 64, Completely encasing silken strands.'

The spell, meant to disable enemies by sealing their movement in a cocoon not unlike a silkworm's, wrapped around Hitsugaya. It covered all of him except his mouth, smothering the flames instantly. The red-cloaked man who burned him turned in surprise. Then his mouth widened in a sneer.

'Kyoraku Shunsui. So I will be getting Bismark's prize.'

He recognised that name, but didn't stop to contemplate it. As the man took fighting stance, he took a small step back, a terrible mistake when fighting against him. For Katen Kyokotsu was ready to play. 'Kageoni'

He appeared in the shadow of the shorter man, stabbing his blade once through his back. Then, as per the rules, backed away seven meters. Kageoni didn't allow you to finish off your wounded opponent.

'Gaah, you…you coward,' spat the quincy-hybrid, a thin trickle of blood running down the side of his mouth. He stumbled and nearly fell.

Ignoring him, Kyoraku flash-stepped to Hitsugaya. He appeared to be unconscious, since he wasn't screaming anymore. Since only his mouth was exposed it was difficult to tell, and no way to know how badly he'd been hurt. So Kyoraku made a small incision in the encasing material and peeled it back. It came off with a good portion of skin, Hitsugaya groaned aloud. Wincing, Kyoraku replaced it and sealed the break with Kido. He'd never imagined the damage could have been so great in a few short seconds, his spell seemed about the only thing holding the boy captain together.

'I'll kill you, shinigami! Remember my name: Ajmer Khaan.'

Now he felt bad for even contemplating leaving him. As it was his life hung in the balance. Perhaps the split seconds he'd spent thinking might end up making the ultimate difference.

Then the man who called himself Khaan motioned with his axe-blade, the fires that had been floating above Hitsugaya's head soared to surround him. He started pointing at various spots with his scythe, and they burst into flame; creating stationary fires in midair. Kyoraku had no idea what they did, but it was obvious that Khaan was about to get serious.

'So you don't understand. Very well, Irooni, white,' he said, and charged forward.

Khaan immediately threw his axe blade at him. It passed through the blue flame before striking his back, Kyoraku had twisted in mid-stride so it struck his pink Kimono. It detonated with roaring impact, most of it reflected off the wrong colour, a tiny portion burning through the white decorations and singing his skin. Then he was through, he shot through the smoke, noting with some satisfaction the other man's shock.

Khaan couldn't draw back his axe blade in time for another throw, so as he reached him he swung with his scythe. Kyoraku had thrown off his kimono and came at him in his white captains haori. He ducked under the wild swipe, and slashed. Khaan leapt away, but not fast enough. What would have been a wound ripped his leg off at the thigh. He screamed, blood streaming into the air as he fell.

'Yada-yara, you've ruined it,' said Kyoraku, contemplating his fallen kimono. Then he turned his head towards Khaan, who was writhing on the floor. 'That's what happens when you take on someone too high above your level, haven't you ever heard of the power gap?'

'I'LL KILL YOU, I'LL KILL YOU,' the wounded man howled, clutching his bleeding stump. His fusion release faded into a sealed zanpakutou and a Quincy 5-pointed cross.

'That's interesting, you also lose control of your release when you're near death,' he said, and shrugged, 'Time to finish this.' He moved forward, swinging his blade in.

And struck another, just in front of Khaan's neck.

Kyoraku jumped back immediately, eyeing the newcomer. He was noticeably taller than him, a rarity, and more solidly built. Judging by his bearing and golden cloak he was the leader of this group of insurgents. He was holding a great sword in front of Khaan, something about the weapon tugged at his memory; he couldn't place it.

'Let me guess, Bismark?'

'How did you know?' said Bismark suspiciously.

'This one mentioned your name. I presume you're the leader.' Kyoraku raised his twin falchions calmly.

He nodded, 'We could fight, but let's not do it now. We both have wounded men we need to defend. There's been enough killing for one day, I'll call off the attack for now.'

Kyoraku knew that the shinigami desperately needed time to regroup. Likely so did these Quincy. Even still, this wasn't an offer he could pass on. 'Call off your attack, and I promise there'll be no reprisal raids tonight.' Not that they would have been able to attempt that anyway.

'Agreed,' said Bismark, and ignited his bow. Then he placed his sword across the shaft. 'Light is my strength, shine through the darkness; Herrlicher.'

Bismark beamed with power, but his glow was vastly outshone by his weapon, which rivalled the sun in brightness. His weapons merged, forming a composite longbow as tall as him. The arms though were blades. Then he drew back and fired into the sky. Then again, the second arrow flying faster than the first. When they collided there was a bright flash. When that subsided a glowing ball stood suspended, a second; weaker sun.

Kyoraku guessed that this must be their predetermined withdrawal signal. 'So what do you call yourselves, Bismark-san, I doubt the name Quincy could still apply to you.'

'We are the Rache, the revenge for our fallen brothers and sisters.'

He nodded, 'You could have tried to kill me when I was about to finish your man there. Why didn't you.'

Bismarks pale eyes were cold as he turned to him. 'It's too soon for you to die, Wind of Death. You haven't yet suffered and despaired like we did.'

Kyoraku sighed, he'd figured it was something along those lines. 'It was you who killed Yamamoto, wasn't it?'

'Yes.' He moved to Khaan's side and started tying up his bleeding stump with a torn off piece of the other man's cloak.

'Then I too have reason to kill you. The next time we meet, it will be to the death.'

Bismark looked back at him. 'It seems you don't understand everything.' He pulled out a piece of paper from his front and wrote something on it, folded it and flicked it to the ground. 'Read this after you've got your friend some help. It should help with your… motivation.'

Then he hoisted Khaan over his shoulder and flash stepped away.

Kyoraku watched them go. Then he pocketed the note and went to retrieve Hitsugaya. The fourth division would have their work cut out with him, he had to get him to them immediately.

x

'Is time up already?' said Marx, glancing up at the sky.

'What're you babbling about, eh?' said Ikkaku. He was panting heavily, his once fearsome Bankai so badly damaged that it looked like it would be difficult even to cut grass.

He gave a shrug, 'Until next time, shinigami,' he said, and fired into the ground. There was a rumble, then it exploded out, showering them all with pebbles and creating a dense cloud of dust.

'What the hell… wait…' Isshin cried between coughs.

'It's ruining my hair!' Yumichika wailed.

'Che,' said Kenpachi, still standing; somehow.

When it had settled Marx was gone. He had taken Orihime.

x

'Che, we'll have to postpone this,' said Takumo, indicating at the glowing orb.

'The hell we will,' Ichigo growled, charging again at him.

Takumo waved his javelin in a strange shape, and suddenly the air around Ichigo seemed to thicken. It was like moving through water, but not quite the same. Stationary nothing was different, but the quicker he moved the greater the air resistance.

Takumo flash-stepped away, to Uryuu's side. With one yank he removed the spear in his thigh.

'Nnggg,' the boy groaned.

He took a tube of stored spiritual energy and used it to create bonds around Uryuu's hands and feet. Then he hoisted him over his shoulder. Ichigo dropped down at them, slashing with his blade, and hit thin air. Takumo had flash-stepped away at the last instant, leaving Ichigo to slash through his afterimage.

Ichigo turned, intent on pursuit. Even if he was being slowed, his hollow mask should make him fast enough to catch him. As he was about to move though someone small latched onto his side.

'No, let them go Ichigo,' said Rukia.

'The hell I will,' he cried, and tried to push her off. But she just held on tighter.

'Idiot! I'm not going to let you die, you dolt.'

'I won't die, I'll catch him and kill him for what he did to Chad; and take Ishida back.'

'You'll die,' she insisted, 'Don't you get it, this attack was well coordinated with a lot of research done into our character and abilities. They know what you're like, they want you to come after him.'

'I'm not letting him get away with this!'

'Then don't, but you've got to hold back for now.'

'NO!' He pushed her away bodily. He could still feel Takumo's presence faintly, enough to follow him.

'Sorry, Ichigo,' said Rukia, and raised her hands. 'Bakudo no. 63, Locking bondage stripes.'

Ichigo had only an instant to realise that she was using Kido against him, then the thick chains wrapped around his body, completely immobilizing his arms. 'Dammit Rukia, what the hell're you doing.'

She kicked him to the floor, and pulled a leg back so he was effectively pinned. 'I'm going to hold you here until you see sense.'

'Let me go.'

'NO.'

'You helped me when Aizen took Orihime,' he snarled, 'What makes this different?'

'You really have no idea what's going on, do you?' said Rukia. 'When we went to go rescue her, I was unranked and you were a shinigami representative. Now we're lieutenant and captain. Then all the captains were alive and well, now we've lost half of Gotei thirteen!'

That caught his attention. 'Huh, wait, WHAT! You mean all the other captains-'

'There's only you, Nii-sama, Unohana-san, Kyoraku-san and Kukaku-san.' She cocked her head. 'They're out of range now,' she said, and got off him. With one swipe of her sword she broke through the chains, which fell away and dissolved into nothingness.

Ichigo's head was down as he got up. She was right, he couldn't feel the other captains anymore. Were they all dead? 'Rukia, I can't like for what you just did,' he said, 'But I understand.'

'I don't like me for what I had to do,' she said, and hugged him from behind.

Rain started dripping onto the ground in front of him. That did not make sense, the sky was clear. 'I couldn't do anything to save him, Rukia. He's gone, Chad's gone. He's really gone-' It must be cold, for his shoulders were starting to shake.

'I know,' she whispered soothingly.

'He took Ishida.'

'I know.'

'I'll make him pay,' he promised through clenched teeth.

x

A/N: Herrlicher, Bismark's fusion, translates roughly to Glorious; or Glorious one.

As for Kyoraku's abilities, I'm cutting and pasting part of the section from Bleach Wiki on him.

"Katen Kyōkotsu is to "make children's games real". The Zanpakutō makes the rules and anyone who steps within the boundaries of its spiritual pressure is forced to play by those rules, including Shunsui himself.

Irooni (艶鬼, Colorful Demon): This is a color-based game where you say the name of the color you want to cut with your sword and you cannot cut anything the color that you call does not exist on your body, the damage is minimal, even if the attack would normally inflict a much more severe wound. The opposite is true; by calling out a color you're wearing and attacking, the damage given is proportional to the amount of that color on you. To maximize damage, you have to use a color that maximizes the risks to your person as well as your enemy. For example, by wearing black robes and calling "black," one would inflict massive damage on a enemy if struck even if the actual blow itself was minimal or minor, but the caller would also suffer serious damage if he/she is struck by the enemy in return.
Kageoni (影鬼, Shadow Demon): The rule of this game is that whoever gets their shadow stepped on "loses."The game itself allows competitors to manipulate shadows to their advantage. For example, Shunsui has demonstrated the ability to hide himself in shadows by using this technique, and he can also control the shadows and use them to attack an opponent by attacking the shadow they are currently standing upon."

Back to me.

That's the last of the Battle Royale chapters. Short, I know, but I didn't want to move onto the aftermath before I'd resolved the conflict. As to the grudge Kyoraku has against Hitsugaya, the coming turnback arc should explain things. Until next time.