A/N: I did have a comment that things were moving a bit slowly. Well, at the moment this is still pretty much the beginning. Things will be heating up soon, next chapter is the first fight. And we'll soon be seeing the new antagonists. By the way, did anyone realise that in my story Tousen is still out there?

Don't forget to review. That is all.

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The Heir Apparent
Chapter 6 - Two new captains part 1: The pledge

'ICHIGO!'

'WAAH,' he cried, springing to his feet, instantly awake. Years of early morning attacks by his father meant that he was ready to fight immediately. Only, his father wasn't in Soul Society at the moment, who had woken him? He looked around to find the culprit leaning against the door with a smug expression on her face.

'It's your promotion ceremony today,' Rukia said, looking away and throwing him his shinigami attire. He caught them mutely. 'You mustn't be late. When you've finished dressing you can join us for some breakfast.'

Then she left, and Ichigo found himself staring at the closed door. Then he looked down at the clothes in his hands and realised that he'd once again been in only his boxers. His face heated up so quickly he wouldn't have been surprised to see smoke pouring out his ears.

He travelled with Byakuya that morning to the captain's meeting place, they ended up having a small speed contest going there. He was pleased to find that he could keep up with the older man even without using his Bankai, in addition to gaining that and his hollow forms he had gotten stronger. His last battle with the sixth squad captain had been a contest of equals, if they were to fight now he was sure he would wipe the floor with him; even if he didn't go hollow.

They were among the first to arrive, only Yamamoto and Toshiro had beaten them there. The other captain's arrived soon in ones and twos, with Kyoraku and Urahara the last to come. The others lined up in two parallel lines of five, except for Yamamoto who was separate to them and stood at their head.

He tapped his staff once. 'In the time honoured manner of Soul Society, we have gathered here to accept another brother into our ranks. Kurosaki Ichigo, you have been nominated for captaincy by your predecessor, Captain Ukitake Jushiro. You have been vouched for by every captain present, more than fulfilling the requirements. This is your last chance to withdraw. Will you accept this honour?'

In that moment, Ichigo could almost see the events of his life leading up to this moment. His ability to see spirits, his mothers painful passing. Rukia's coming into his life, his battles with hollows; including his mothers killer. Rukia's abduction, and his wounding. His training and entry into Soul Society, his battles with Ikkaku; Renji; Kenpachi and Byakuya. Aizen's betrayal and escape. His loss of control of his inner hollow and subsequent training with the Vizords. His fights with and eventual defeats of Grimmjow and Ulquiorra, and finally Aizen. He could see faces flash in front of his eyes, the people who had had such a massive impact in his life, many of them in the room. Of course, the one that featured primarily wasn't.

Why was he becoming a captain? He'd asked himself that question last night, when he'd woken up in the middle of the night and been unable to sleep for a few hours. He'd told himself when had first accepted that it was because Byakuya didn't want him to be one, but that wasn't true. The man had vouched for him after all. So why? The answer was that there wasn't any single reason that sealed it, but rather many reasons that added up to his final decision.

A big one was that he wouldn't have been able to suffer anybody giving him orders (well, besides Rukia, but she was an exception; and he just put up with it he didn't like it dammit). He wasn't adverse to being the leader though, he'd always been the de facto leader of the Ryoka, which had later been extended to include Renji and Rukia. He'd respected and liked Ukitake-taicho, and if he'd felt he was the best man for the job he was prepared to follow his wishes. And if he was here anyway, he might as well be doing something with his free time. Okay, that was rather a lame reason.

There was something else, something deeper that he felt in his heart of hearts, that drew him to Soul Society far more surely than the mortal realm. It had nothing to do with his standing in the two places, or the difference he could make in each. What was it?

'Kurosaki Ichigo, what is your answer,' said Yamamoto, cutting through his thoughts.

'I accept, with gratitude,' he said, bowing. Rukia would be pleased, they'd spent a long time practising this ceremony. He didn't want to break tradition, not this time anyway.

'Good,' Yamamoto said, nodding. 'We must now turn our attention to complications that may arise as a result of your appointment. You are aware that as the first son of Kurosaki-ousama you will be required to take the throne should anything happen to him?'

'I am,' said Ichigo carefully, this hadn't been part of the rehearsal.

'Should such an incident occur, you will have to resign your commission immediately and take his place. Do you understand?'

'I do.'

'Barring that, there are no other obligatory requirements attached to your position as the heir apparent. We have done away with those in light of your new responsibilities. All save one.' Yamamoto paused for a breath, 'You are required to produce a male heir.'

'A WHAT,' cried Ichigo, totally forgetting protocol.

'A legal heir is preferable, bastard children make the waters a bit murky, especially with your sister also in line.'

'And when would I need this "male heir" by?' he said in a strangled tone.

'Within the next half century,' said Yamamoto forcefully.

Ichigo felt like laughing. That was ages, he wouldn't have to worry about that for years. Thank goodness Soul Society had a different perception of time to earth. He contented himself with a inward chuckle and said, 'I understand.'

'Good. You may now state the pledge.'

This was the part he had to remember, the thing that they had spent the most time practising. The captain's pledge, an extended version of the shinigami's pledge. He drew Zangetsu, held it point-down in front of him, and knelt. Then he began to speak.

'I swear to protect Soul Society as long as there is blood in my body.

I swear to defend all souls from hollows and others that would do them harm.

I swear honour and obey the edicts of central 46 and the spirit king.'

That was a rather odd vow at this time, since they were still reforming the one and his father was the other. Wait, did that mean he actually had to listen to the crazy old man when he told him to marry Rukia?

'I swear live by the code of the shinigami and to lead my division in accordance to it.' He had to get Rukia to explain exactly what that meant.

'I swear to maintain the balance between the living and the dead world.

To protect and serve is my oath, as a shinigami and captain of Gotei thirteen.'

'You may rise, Kurosaki Ichigo,' said Yamamoto. 'Captain of the thirteenth division. Please come forward to receive your haori.'

He did so, and looked into the faces of the other captains. They were nodding and smiling approvingly. Kyoraku tipped his hat at him and winked. Even Byakuya had his frozen mask off for a change. Only Toshiro wouldn't look at him, why was that?

'Before you take your place besides your fellow captains,' said the captain-commander as he finished pulling on his new white cloak, 'the thirteenth division is also short a lieutenant. Have you chosen one yet?'

'I have,' he replied confidently.

'Please state their name for the record.'

'Kuchiki Rukia.'

'You are sure that she will be able to handle this responsibility, and work with you in divisional matters?'

'I am.' She was undoubtedly responsible, though he was sure she'd have her own way as often as not when working with him.

'Has she reached Shikai?'

'She has.'

'I now require at least three other captains to vouch for Kuchiki Rukia,' said Yamamoto gravely. 'I have met the young lady in question and I personally believe she is more than capable.'

That's one, thought Ichigo.

'I vouch for her,' said Renji immediately.

Two!

Kyoraku sighed. 'Jushiro was like a brother to me, and he wished for her to become the lieutenant of his division. Since he is not here to vouch for her, I will in his place.'

'That's enough,' said Yamamoto. 'Are there any other's who would like add their vote?'

'I will,' said Yoruichi, then Urahara.

'I guess I'll vouch,' said Kensei.

'Whatever, me too,' muttered Kenpachi.

'Yeeah, I'll put in mine as well,' said Shinji.

Yamamoto waited for a moment, and when it was clear that nobody else would speak he said, 'Let the records show that Kuchiki Rukia was vouched for by eight of eleven captains. She is the lieutenant of the thirteenth division. Kurosaki-taicho, you may conduct the ceremony at your division later today.' He handed him a long piece of the same material that made up his cloak, and what he recognised as a lieutenants badge. It had both the division number and the symbol, the summer snowdrop. Fitting, for a woman with an ice-type Zanpakutou.

'Thank you, captain-commander,' he said, bowing low. He'd have to get used to the suffix attached to his surname. He did notice that Byakuya hadn't vouched for his sister, even though he'd allowed her nomination. He'd have to ask him why later.

'You may take your place.'

He did so, standing at the end of the right hand line, next to Urahara and opposite Byakuya. Urahara grinned in his cheesy way, Ichigo hmphed. He owed a lot to the crazy shinigami storekeeper, they had a great deal history together. Come to think of it, he had a great deal of history with many of the current captains.

'And now we will conclude this meeting and convene at the first division training grounds,' said Yamamoto. 'There we will witness the test for another new captain. Dismissed.'

The captain's broke formation, leaving him confused. Another new captain, he'd never heard anything about that. He followed the others out, thinking who it might be. Ikkaku? No, he wasn't the right temperament, he probably didn't have ban release, and even if he did he was too devoted to the eleventh to leave. Kira? He was the right type of person for the job. No, no bankai again. In fact, he was pretty sure with Renji's promotion that there were no lieutenants left who'd reached that level. So who could it be?

A hand gripped his shoulder, he turned his head to see the flamboyant captain Kyoraku come to his side. 'Walk with me, Ichigo-kun,' he said.

Ichigo wasn't sure if he should be offended by the level of familiarity that the captain, who he barely knew, was assuming with him. 'Uh, sure,' he said. 'Do you know anything about this new captain, Kyoraku-san?'

'Please, call me Shunsui,' laughed the other. 'All my friends do. You're my friend, aren't you, Ichigo-kun?'

'Um, sure,' said Ichigo. 'About this new captain…'

'You'll find out soon enough,' said Kyoraku, adjusting his flowery kimono. 'I don't want to spoil the surprise.' Then his entire manner changed, he stood up at his full height (which was noticeably taller than him, especially with the hat) and his casual gait shifted to a sort of march. 'The captain-commander has asked me to speak to you.'

He was taken aback, 'About what, and why couldn't he have done it himself?'

'Because it isn't a major issue,' there seemed to be a silent yet following that line. 'As the next most senior captain, I offered to take it up with you.'

'So what is this issue,' said Ichigo. He felt as though his back was up against the wall.

'You can't use Kido, and your sword is in a constant released state. As a captain, you need to set a good example to your subordinates. Besides which, a mastery of Kido would make you a far more effective fighter.'

Ichigo felt like making an angry retort about the other not setting a good example, but thought better of it. 'I'll see what I can do,' he said, grudgingly respecting the man's fair bluntness. 'I'm sure Rukia would be able to give me a few lessons.' He wasn't sure about sealing his sword, but it would be cool to be able to use Kido.

'If you like I could help.'

That was unexpected. 'I…thanks Kyo…Shunsui. I'd like that.'

'It is no problem,' said the other, raising his head and putting his hand to the tip of his straw hat as he looked at him out the corner of his eye. His eyes twinkled, and his serious expression faded. 'The thirteenth and eight divisions have had strong ties for years, and I see no reason to break that tradition yet. And I was serious about being your friend.'

From there their talk turned to trivial matters and story-swapping. It occurred to Ichigo that the older man was probably lonely, with his best friend who he had known for centuries suddenly taken from him. Many of his other companions had also died, and there were now an abundance of new captains. He was good company, Ichigo decided. Far more laid back than by-the-book Byakuya. And he could also be a great help in teaching him how to lead a division, which he had done successfully for many centuries now.

They made their way to the first division barracks. Ichigo took note of the journey to get there for future reference. When they reached the training grounds, he found somebody he hadn't seen for a very long time. Someone who he would have thought to be the last person he would expect to find in shinigami uniform.

'Ga-Ganju,' he said, pointing a shaking finger.

The man turned, 'Yo, Ichigo.' He looked different without his green bandeau, his hair hanging long and loose.

'Don't you "yo Ichigo" me, it's "good morning Kurosaki-taicho",' he said, closing his eyes and pointing back at himself. It felt good to be able to exercise his new authority, especially on this lump. 'Anyway, why are you dressed like that, have you joined the protection squads?'

'It was nee-chan's idea,' he said, shuffling his feet. That was an affirmative, he supposed.

Ichigo's eyes shot wide open. 'You mean Kukaku-san is here, where?'

'There,' said Ganju, pointing.

She was standing in the centre of the training grounds, also in shinigami robes. There was something else different about her, but he could lay a finger on it.

'Don't tell me that-'

'She is,' Ganju confirmed, more than a little awe in his voice.

'Hmmm, I was wondering when she'd come back,' said Kyoraku.

'What are you talking about?' said Ichigo.

'Yoruichi, Urahara and Kukaku were the best of friends back in the day,' the older captain explained. 'Three peas in a pod, so to speak, even though Urahara was a few years back from the other two. They graduated at the top of their classes, and were cited as the most likely to become captains. They all would have, had Kukaku not lost her arm.'

That was it, she had both arms now!

'How did she get it back?' said Ichigo. 'Or is that just a prosthetic.'

'No, it's the real thing,' said Ganju. 'We went to see Orihime-chan, her healing was able to restore it!'

'You visited Inoue in the real world?'

Ganju leaned close and whispered to him, 'Don't tell her I said this, but her cooking is horrible.'

Ichigo laughed, 'That's Inoue.'

There were more people entering the arena, making their ways to the stands that had been set up all around. He recognised some, but most were strangers to him. After seeing a few of the people he knew as lieutenants come, he realised that they must all be seated officers. Surely though not every one of them could come, with twenty seats in the thirteen divisions that was, um, um, two hundred and forty; no; two hundred and sixty people. But as more and more kept coming, he began to suspect that they would.

'Hey captain,' said a familiar voice beside him.

'Hey yourself,' he said, not bothering to look at her. 'Sneaking up on me, as usual.'

'Too easy,' said Rukia. She moved to stand in front of him, and looked him up and down appreciatively. He needed to see how he looked in his new haori.

'Like what you see, Rukia-chan?' said Kyoraku slyly.

She immediately flushed, probably more because of her bad manners than his words. 'Captain Kyoraku, I'm so sorry sir, I didn't see you.'

Ichigo didn't know how she could have missed him, with his height and pink kimono. He smirked, it was amusing to see Rukia squirm for once.

'Call me Shunsui,' said the captain, 'I have the feeling we'll be getting to know each other well in the next little while. Have you met my Nanao-chan yet?'

'I haven't, sir.'

'Please, just Shunsui when we're among friends. You're my friend too, right Ganju-kun?'

'Er, right.'

They were all introduced to Kyoraku's lieutenant, a serious faced young woman called Nanao Ise. In Ichigo's opinion she looked like a pretty secretary, with her glasses and ruthlessly restrained black hair. She was quiet, and didn't say much more than her name and a polite greeting to them all. He knew the type, likely she would only come out of her shell when she was comfortable with the people she was around. That wouldn't be happening today, so it was useless trying to talk to her.

The people had finally stopped coming. Captain-commander Yamamoto tapped his staff to the floor, and began to speak.

'We have confirmed Kurosaki Ichigo's selection. As of today he is the captain of the thirteenth division.'

There was a massive applause. Officers were clapping and cheering, pointing at him. He felt his face go red, honestly this was embarrassing. He noticed that there was a particular area of the seating that was going mental. Kiyone and Sentaro were in the front row there. Oh; it must be the seating area for the thirteenth division. Unsure of what to do, he turned to Rukia for guidance.

She beamed up at him, 'Acknowledge them, Ichigo,' she said, and took his nearest arm and forced it into the air. The applause swelled momentarily.

When it began to die down Yamamoto held up his hand for silence. He waited for calm before speaking again. 'I am pleased to announce that today we will be witnessing the trial for yet another captain. This person has received formal training from the academy, and has long achieved Ban release. She was unable to join our ranks due to a disfiguring injury. Recently the injury has been healed. However, after such a long absence it was felt that she needed testing before taking up such a position.'

Yamamoto was continuing on the same vein in some long-winded explanation of the captains trial, and the history behind it. Ichigo couldn't keep track of what he was saying, he seemed to be quoting a lot of law, history and cases that meant nothing to him, so he asked Kyoraku what it was about. The older captain had been falling asleep on his feet beside him, he'd probably heard that speech many times before.

'Basically, the prospective captain has to beat the strongest lieutenant,' he explained. 'They can use any and all means, but must hold back from fatal shots. The lieutenant though doesn't have to, they can go all out.'

'That's it?'

'That's it.'

'Strongest lieutenant huh,' he said, then turned to Rukia. 'Isn't that you?'

'Me?' she said, flabbergasted. Then she smiled. 'Ichigo, I'm not a lieutenant yet, you haven't promoted me. But I'm glad you think so.'

'You are, no question,' he said. He wasn't flattering her, it was obvious. She'd defeated an Espada. The only other ones to duplicate that feat were people who had been or were captains. Even Renji and Ishida hadn't managed to take down one together. 'So, if not you, then who will Kukaku be facing?'

'Well, Renji had to fight Hisagi.'

That surprised him, he hadn't realised that Renji had taken the trial. Then again, knowing the three methods of becoming a captain he thought it unlikely that Renji would have had enough captains vouching for him. And he'd taken over a leaderless division, making the last method impossible. 'How did that go?'

'Badly,' she sighed, 'don't talk to him about it. They were evenly matched on Shikai, but Hisagi had a better command of Kido and Renji had to go Bankai to win.'

At that point Yamamoto concluded his speech, and somebody stepped out to join Kukaku in the middle of the arena. His eyes widened, it was Hiyori! She was stronger than Hisagi and the others? Then again, she did have the Vizord mask; but would she be allowed to use it?

Either way, he had a feeling this would be an interesting fight.

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Mayday, mayday, we have a crack in our engines!

(Ashido is fighting hollows in the Menos Forest)

Ashido: I will defeat you all, and return to Soul Society. Because…I promised Rukia!

(Renji appears out of nowhere)

Renji: HOWL, ZABIMARU.

(Kills all the hollows.)

Ashido: I remember you, you were with Rukia's group. Have you come to rescue me?

Renji: In your dreams. I just haven't had enough screen time recently, my star quality is beginning to dim. I thought I'd make an appearance here.

Ashido: So you're not going to take me to Seireitei to participate in the main storyline?

Renji: (quietly) If I do, our universe would implode.

Ashido: What?

Renji: Don't you get it, YOU'RE A NON-CANON CHARACTER. You don't exist outside the realms of the Anime! That means you can't do anything meaningful. Hell, even that pervert girl from Ichigo's class has more bearing on the plot than you.

Ashido: So then what am I?

Renji: A random alternative love interest for one of the main characters.

Ashido: WHAT!

Renji: Where did they find you anyway, you look so weird.

Ashido: (stiffly) I think I look perfectly normal.

Renji: That's the point. In Bleach, NOBODY looks normal. Where did they find you anyway, the Rurouni Kenshin reject characters bin?

Ashido: I refuse to answer that.

Renji: Just disappear already, you never existed in the first place. Leave me to flex my muscles, adored with perfectly symmetrical tribal tattoos, in front of the camera in peace.

Ashido: A non-canon love interest. You mean I'm like Lirin and-

Renji: DON'T SAY IT!

Ashido: (already committed) Senna.

(The two appear.)

Lirin: Did you call?

Senna: Yay, a party! Can I have fizzy red drink?

Renji: (running) That's it, outta here!

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