A/N: Longer part this time, I'm going away for nearly a week so there'll be no updates and no replies until then. This marks the last chapter before the next arc. Please be sure to let me know what you thought.

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The Heir Apparent
Chapter 11: The Hunters Gather

'At last,' said Kensei with obvious relief. 'Now we can go and get him.'

Ichigo had just finished explaining to the assembled men and women exactly what he had learned late last night from Nel tu, who had entered Soul Society just to inform him of her sighting of Tousen Kaname in the ruins of Las Noches. A general captains meeting had been called first thing in the morning, not even giving them enough time to do the days paperwork. Apparently there was a high priority attached to taking him down, already the captains had starting discussing the best ways of doing it.

'I didn't expect this would be dealt with so quickly,' he muttered to nobody in particular.

Kenpachi, who was standing besides him, cocked his head and said, 'It's politics boy, you'll get used to it. Central 46 is comin' back, we wanna be able to say that we took down the last traitor without them. Might give us a bit more freedom.'

Ichigo frowned. 'Aren't they in complete control, doesn't Gotei thirteen follow their orders?'

'Well, yeah, but we don't want them freakin' poking their noses into our business all the time. The last bunch would never get off our case, if we overspent on the divisional budget even one ryo we'd have all kinds of assessors and accountants crawling up our arse. They were forever causing shit with us. I had a good mind to do to them what Aizen ended up doing; he did us a favour there.'

'So this time you want a bit more space, huh,' Who would have thought that those sorts of power plays existed in Soul Society too.

The sound of his name drew him back into the greater discussion. '…would be the best candidate,' Kyoraku was saying, 'He has spent a great deal of time in Hueco Mundo, and has a good relationship with the informant. At the very least he should be part of the strike team.'

'Hmm, I agree,' said Yamamoto. 'Any objections?' When it was obvious there were none, he said, 'Very well, Kurosaki-taicho, you will head the team that will track down and kill the traitor Tousen Kaname.'

'What!' Ichigo exclaimed in surprise.

'I would also like a further two captains to accompany him, captains that believe themselves powerful enough to take down the traitor on their own. Bear in mind that he is possibly accompanied by the Arrancar Wonderwice Margera, who is a deadly opponent in his own right.'

'Didn't you call dibs on that last time, Kenpachi-kun,' said Kyoraku.

'Che, something's just come up.'

Ichigo turned to him in surprise, he wasn't the only one. Zaraki Kenpachi, turning down a golden opportunity for a fight against strong opponents, was it winter in hell?

'Captain-commander,' said Kensei, 'I respectfully ask that I be included in the team. I have a score to settle with the son of a bitch,' he added under his breath, his eyes cold and furious.

Yamamoto nodded once.

'Domo arigato.'

'Then we just need one more,' said Kyoraku. 'How about you, Shinji, then it can be the three Vizord captains.'

'Sor-ry, not interested,' said the blond man. 'It was just Aizen that I wanted dead, his lackeys mean nothing to me.'

'I will go,' said Byakuya. His words were soft but audible throughout around the room.

Ichigo looked at him doubtfully. When he had first fought Byakuya he'd thought him to be one of the strongest captains in Gotei thirteen. Since then he'd learned that the man was only average strength among them, and there was no way someone on that level would be able to take on a captain class shinigami with hollow powers like Tousen Kaname. But how could he say that tactfully?

'I appreciate the sentiment, Kuchiki-taicho,' said Yamamoto, 'But I do not believe you to be strong enough to defeat him.'

Ichigo breathed a sigh of relief.

'Sou-taicho,' said Kenpachi loudly, 'He has been training with me recently and has learned a new ability that would be very effective against the traitor.'

Coming from the only man to have defeated Tousen, Ichigo knew that his recommendation would be very strong. But what was that new ability? Senbonzakura was destructive, sure, but even its power would be little good if he couldn't see where he was hitting; fanning the blades out enough to damage everywhere would do next to nothing. Hopefully it wasn't just friendship talking there, but knowing Kenpachi that seemed unlikely.

'Very well, I'll allow it,' said Yamamoto.

'Your Arrancar friend said that Tousen had gathered the remainder of the Arrancar, didn't she?' Kyoraku asked him.

'Yeah, she said he had seven,' said Ichigo.

'And this "Nel" will be helping you?'

'I'm sure she will.'

'Then you'll need four more in your group in case you have to face them all at once. We don't need more dead captains.'

'Are you implying that we would lose to low level Arrancar?' said Byakuya coldly.

Kyoraku didn't even bat an eyelash; and Ichigo felt his respect for the man swell, even if what he had said could be constituted as an indirect insult to his skills. 'You know as well as I do that anything can happen in two on one fights. You need support, and I propose we send four of our lieutenants with you.'

'I know Hisagi is dying for a shot at Tousen and his minions,' said Kensei.

'No, he can't go,' said Kyoraku, 'Not if you are. There's no telling how long you'll be gone, it could take weeks to find him, and someone needs to run the ninth division while you're away.'

'Then who will run the sixth division?' said Renji. 'I mean, there's no lieutenant there.' True, now that he'd been promoted.

'I could lend you Kira,' Kukaku offered.

'Thank you,' said Byakuya, inclining his head.

'He's too prissy for me anyway,' she sniffed, 'You can keep him.'

So, Kensei couldn't take his lieutenant with. That would mean that he'd have to leave Rukia behind. Damn, she'd have been his first choice. He knew none of the other lieutenants, except Matsumoto, and she would be the last one he'd want to go on a mission with.

The meeting continued for ages with them debating the merits of sending the different lieutenants. In the end it was Yoruichi's suggestion that they send the lieutenants who didn't get a chance to fight seriously in the war that won the general consensus. It seemed a reasonable idea, Ichigo thought, giving them all battle experience. Renji nominated his lieutenant Iba, and Kyoraku; Nanao. None of the other captains spoke up though, leaving them two short.

Yamamoto then cleared his throat, 'Hinamori-fukutaicho will accompany this expedition as well.'

Hitsugaya stared at him in stunned disbelief. 'Captain-commander, you can't make her do this. You know well her current state.'

'It is precisely because of that that I am sending her,' Yamamoto replied sternly. 'There will be no arguments, my decision is final.'

An oppressive silence followed, nobody looking in the child geniuses direction; who was staring at the floor.

'Well, we still need one more,' said Kyoraku quietly.

More silence followed, until Kukaku raised her head. 'I have an idea,' she said, 'Why don't we send my younger brother Ganju with them.'

'He's not a lieutenant,' Kyoraku reminded her.

'I am considering taking him as mine,' Yoruichi interjected.

'But you already have one!'

Apparently there was some deal going on between a good few of the captains around shuffling around their lieutenants, making better matches. While none of them would be demoted, it meant that Yoruichi would be the only captain left without one.

'Very well,' said Yamamoto, 'Kurosaki-taicho, I charge you monitoring his performance to make sure he is a suitable candidate.'

So he would have power over Ganju. Suddenly this mission was looking quite enjoyable. 'It will be my pleasure, sou-taicho,' he said with a wicked grin.

There were a few more formalities to go through before the meeting was over, a few reports that various captains had been asked to give to the captain-commander. Most just concerned the state of their respective squad and its earthly jurisdiction. Yoruichi's report he took careful note of, there had been no Arrancar sighted outside Hueco Mundo, which boded well for the low level shinigami in the real world who wouldn't have stood a chance against them.

Urahara's report was also interesting, he believed that the purified souls of the Arrancar killed in the war would still contain traces of the Hougyoku's effects. He was given leave to investigate, but only after Ichigo's team had returned would he be allowed to conduct field research. Something about there being a limit on how many captains could be out of Soul Society at any one time. Ichigo didn't ask, by now his stomach was telling him that it was past lunch time, he didn't want to drag out the meeting any longer.

'Kurosaki-taicho, a moment,' Yamamoto called out to him after he'd finally dismissed them.

Ichigo waited as the other captains went out, Kyoraku clapping him on the shoulder as he went past. It was hard not to feel nervous, being held back to speak to the Captain-commander. He was sure it was about the mission, but that didn't stop his gut from knotting.

When the last other captain had left and closed the door behind, Yamamoto turned to him. 'Hmm, I do believe this is the first time I've spoken to you like this,' he said.

'It is, sir,' Ichigo replied, standing ill at ease.

Yamamoto nodded and strolled towards the window, Ichigo followed him. 'Hinamori Momo,' the ancient man said as they walked, 'Do you understand the situation with her?'

'I think so, she worshipped Aizen, who was her captain; even after he tried to kill her. I heard she got really depressed since he died.'

'You killed him,' Yamamoto reminded him, 'and she hates you for it. She spends most of her days now wallowing in self pity, or obsessing about taking vengeance against you.'

'She's hasn't even seen me,' said Ichigo. Well, exempting the time when he'd arrived to that massive reception.

'Captain Hitsugaya has seen to that. He's also restrained all of her attempts to go out and find you. She does no work, and needs constant supervision. In other words, she's no longer an asset to Gotei thirteen. The normal procedure I'd follow with anybody else would be to incarcerate them for a few decades, then return them the protection squads in a lower rank. However, I worry that this would negatively affect captain Hitsugaya, who has a strong bond with her.'

'So you're sending her on this mission, with me and no Toshiro.'

'Yes. She has two choices, either she recovers or she doesn't, in which case she will attack you. I advise if that happens that you apprehend her and bring her back when the mission is over so that we may follow the normal procedure, but I understand that accidents do happen.'

Ichigo could hardly believe what he was hearing, he was being given leave to kill her. Perhaps it was even being suggested that he did that as soon as soon as they were out of Soul Society, he wasn't familiar enough with the older man's ways to know for sure. 'I understand,' he said, not trusting himself to say anything else.

'Good,' said Yamamoto, and stared out the window for a few minutes while Ichigo fidgeted restlessly. Finally he said, 'I hear you are spending a great deal of time in Shunsui's company.'

'I am,' said Ichigo carefully. Why was old man Yama inquiring into who he was seeing socially?

The captain-commander stared at him with half-closed eyes for a long moment before nodding once. 'You have a lot you can learn from each other.'

It was obvious the interview was at an end, so Ichigo excused himself (politely, like Rukia had taught him) and left. Somehow, he'd lost all his appetite for lunch.

x

'Come out, Shunsui,' Yamamoto ordered, still staring out the window.

Kyoraku stepped out from behind a large pillar near the doorway. 'Yada yara, what gave me away. I thought I'd got away with it for sure.'

'You always were too inquisitive for your own good. Jushiro told me that you were caught spying on the women's change rooms in your academy days on multiple occasions during your first year.'

'Ah, those were the days,' the younger captain said, thinking back wistfully to those carefree years. He hadn't stopped, he'd just learned how not to be caught doing it. 'So how did you know I was here, I thought I hid perfectly this time.'

'You did,' Yamamoto confirmed, 'But I know your nature. There was no chance you weren't going to snoop.'

They stood side by side at the window in compatible silence, watching the clouds and the birds. Finally Yamamoto got tired of it, and turned away with a humph.

'I'm glad you approve of my friendship with Ichigo,' said Kyoraku as he followed him.

'He will benefit from your experience and patience,' said the older captain, 'As you will from his vigour and audacity.'

'You make it sound like a business transaction,' he laughed airily. 'Are you going to tell him?'

'No, we'll give him a few years to settle into his post. It will only be in about a century, that's plenty of time to adjust.'

'I hope we can still remain friends if we end up on the opposite side of the fence,' said Kyoraku in a worried tone.

'He has with all his other opponents,' Yamamoto pointed out. 'And he might not even try for it.'

'True. Of course, Toshiro could be strong enough by that time; he is a genius after all,' Kyoraku laughted airly, 'So, which of us three will it be?'

x

Rukia was cross by the time Ichigo got back. She'd specially made lunch for him like she'd promised, even after getting all the days work done with the help of the two third seats as well as a portion of the backlog. He was late. She knew for a fact that the meeting had been finished for some time now, her brother had stopped by for a short visit to enquire how she was doing in her new post. It hadn't been the easiest of conversations, since he'd been constantly advising her on ways to better serve her captain. Ichigo hadn't been there to support her through it. No, she wasn't cross, she was furious.

'Where have you been,' she snarled. 'I've been waiting for ages, all the food's gone cold.'

'Sorry,' he said.

He had that pathetic expression on his face, the one she normally saw when he'd failed to protect someone close to him. Her anger faded, something was up.

'Alright, what's wrong,' she said.

That prompted a long explanation of what had transpired at the meeting and after. By the end of it, she could understand the look. Despite showing a tough exterior, Ichigo was sensitive by nature. That was why he acted the way he did, to protect his heart from the pains of living. She knew because, deep down, she was exactly the same. What he had been told to do to Hinamori had hurt him deeply. It was a pain she knew he wouldn't dare reveal to most people, perhaps only to her.

'That won't happen,' she said confidently.

'How do you know,' he retorted.

'Because you're stronger than her. Even if she does fight you, you'll be able to beat her easily. Remember, you knocked out three lieutenants with your bare hands!' That was one of the many events on the day she'd been scheduled to be executed that she'd never forget, even though she'd only seen it at a distance over Renji's shoulder.

'Yeah, I guess.'

She grabbed his hair and pulled him down so that he was at her eye level. 'Don't say "I guess", say "Yes".' she shouted in his face. 'You're not one to doubt yourself, Ichigo, that's not the kind of man are. That's not the kind of man you've always been to me.'

At last she saw his facial muscles relax. 'You're right. Thanks, Rukia.'

She let go of him and turned away. Staring into his eyes for too long could give her strange thoughts. 'What for, you idiot.'

'For believing in me.'

The blush that she'd been fighting to contain burst into full bloom. 'Idiot,' she said again. Why did he always have to make her say such pathetic things. 'Are you hungry?' she said, more to change the subject than anything else.

'Starving.'

'Well, I'll have to reheat the food, since somebody was late.'

x

Hitsugaya Toshiro knew that he ought to return to his division soon. But he couldn't bear facing her yet, and the dreaded explanation of the mission she'd been assigned to. So wandered around Seireitei, going wherever his feet would lead him.

He was surprised when they stopped in front of the fifth division headquarters.

'Aizen's old division,' he reminisced.

Hirako Shinji was the captain there now, or rather again. He wondered vaguely how the underlings there were holding up. He was about to move off when a shadow sprang over the rooftop and landed in front of him.

'Matsumoto,' he said, wide-eyed.

'Taicho,' she said happily, 'You came to visit me, I'm flattered,' She put a hand to her mouth and flapped the other. 'It's almost like I have a stalker, my old captain missing me. How romantic!'

He turned his head away, one eyebrow twitching. 'Can't a man walk where he chooses? It's not like I knocked.'

'Ooh, so it was meant to be a covert operation. Were you going to spy on me? Come on now, captain, don't be shy.'

'Matsumoto,' he said warningly, his shoulders shaking.

She smirked and seemed to calm down. 'Hmm, I thought those were pretty good reasons.' Here smile faded, leaving her expression neutral. 'It's about Hinamori-kun, isn't it.'

'Hai.'

'Would you like to talk about it?'

x

It was evening by the time they had all assembled outside the east gate, the three captains, three lieutenants, Ganju and Nel. Nel was in adult form and sitting cross legged with her eyes closed, seemingly resting. Ganju was in Shinigami uniform, with the gauntlets and butt-pouch Ichigo recognised from his infamous battle costume.

There was also the farewell committee, every captains lieutenant and every lieutenants captain as well as family members. Shiba Kukaku was giving her brother a long rundown of what was expected of him, while he sweated profusely. Renji was with Iba, Kyoraku with Nanao; they were holding hands. Kensei had his hand on Hisagi's shoulder, they seemed to be engaged in a serious discussion. Hinamori was with Toshiro, both looking worried and pressing their foreheads together. Byakuya meanwhile was being formally wished well by his sister Rukia.

He stared after them, hoping that she didn't take too long. It really sucked to be the only one alone in a send-off. All he had to do was shift his feet in the meanwhile.

'Yo, Ichigo,' said a gruff voice behind him.

He turned in surprise, 'Kenpachi! What are you doing here?'

'Che, I just felt like coming.' said the big man.

Probably he'd come to see off Byakuya, but had also been left in the lurch with him talking to Rukia. 'So, what was it that you had to stay behind for?'

'None of your friggin' business.'

'Oh. So, any tips on fighting Tousen?' He already knew how the traitor's Bankai worked, but he'd rather hear it again than be stuck in an awkward silence.

'Yeah,' said Kenpachi after a moment. 'This battle will be unlike any you've ever fought, Ichigo.'

'In what way?'

'I'm not talking about summing stupid like his abilities will be different. I mean, no shit. But what have all your opponent's had in common?'

Ichigo thought about it. Most had used swords, but Grimmjow hadn't in his released form. Most had been melee fighters, but both Byakuya and Renji had had an element of range in their attacks. In the end nothing really stood out in his mind. 'Okay, I give up.' he conceded.

'Don't be so dense, think about what was going on up here with them,' he said, pointing at his temple.

He did, and suddenly it made sense. 'All of them believed that they were going to win.'

Kenpachi grunted. 'That's not quite it, but close enough. Tousen is different, Ichigo. He knows that even if he beats you or evades you, more will come after him. He's the last one of his cause, they've already lost no matter what he does now. All he has left is to die. That makes him a man with nothing to lose.'

'I understand,' said Ichigo. He'd never met anyone like that, but he knew the concept from TV shows in the real world. Such a man was said to be extremely unpredictable and dangerous. He understood now why Yamamoto was sending three captains when it only took one to do the deed.

'You'd better come back,' Kenpachi said warningly, 'You still owe me a rematch. If you don't, I'll kill you.'

'Right,' said Ichigo. The only reason why he wouldn't come back was if he lost, in which case he would most likely be dead. Was this Kenpachi's way of wishing him good luck?

'See ya,' said the big man, and strolled off in Byakuya's direction; who he noticed was no longer with Rukia. Where was she? He glanced around.

'Looking for me, strawberry?' her voice came from behind him.

'N-no,' he flustered as he turned. 'And don't call me that.' She seemed to like sneaking up on him.

'Come with me,' she said, grabbing him firmly by the collar and dragging him behind the nearest wall, despite his protests and struggles. For such a tiny woman she was surprisingly strong. He could feel the eyes of the others on them. When they were out of sight, she pushed him against it firmly.

'Ow, hey, what's the big idea?' he cried.

'Shut up and listen,' she growled. 'I heard what you two were talking about.' Ichigo's eyes widened. 'He's right, Ichigo, you'd better be careful there.' Her voice softened, 'I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you.'

He smiled, 'Heh, are you worried about me?' Imagine that, the Kuchiki Rukia, worried about him.

'Don't you dare underestimate that traitor,' she shot back, her face reddening. 'Finish the job and come home.'

'You're really worried, aren't you?' said Ichigo, looking intently into her eyes.

'Sh-shut up,' she said, looking away. It seemed to be her automatic reaction when she wanted to hide something.

He put a hand to her cheek and gently nudged her face back. 'I'm not Shiba Kaien.'

'How did you-'

'Ukitake told me when I was still recovering after Aizen's betrayal. How do you think I knew where to find you?'

'So you knew?'

'Not the whole thing,' he admitted. 'Just-'

BOOOONNNNNNNGGGG, somebody struck a gong nearby.

'We'll talk about it when I come back,' he promised. That was the signal for them to go.

'Wait, Ichigo,' she said as he started to move, and flung herself onto him. It took a moment before he realised that she was hugging him, and another to remember that they hadn't ever done that before.

'Rukia!'

'Don't say anything,' she murmured into his chest. 'Just hold me.'

He wrapped his arms around her body, his chin scraping the top of her head. She was warm and soft, that he understood, but not why that feeling was spreading over his entire body. It was a new sensation to him, this softness and warmth and rightness.

Pure unadulterated bliss.

'This isn't a gift,' she whispered, 'I'm giving it this to you on loan.'

'What's the interest?' he whispered hoarsely back.

He felt her smile. 'A hundred percent a day.'

At that point a loud and very unwelcome voice resounded through the area. 'ICHIGO, WHERE ARE YOU. WHERE ARE YOU, great and glorious leader.'

They pulled away quickly, Rukia immediately set about adjusting her clothing. Ichigo turned away, trying to quell the surge of disappointment that the moment was over, as well as the irrational surge of hatred towards Renji.

'I've gotta go,' he said quietly.

'Come back to me,' said Rukia, looking up at him with tender eyes.

He gave her a brief smile, then started moving before he lost the will to do so. He found the team waiting for him, Nel had woken up and was tapping her foot impatiently.

'Where've you been,' said Renji as he walked past him. 'Bathroom?'

'Yeah,' he replied, not trusting himself to say more.

'Where's Rukia?'

'Beat's me,' he shrugged, willing his face a normal shade.

'Yeah, well, good luck man.'

'Kiss my arse,' he muttered, leaving a very confused pineapple in his wake.

'You're here finally,' said Nel when he came, then her face broke into a childish smile, 'Itsygo.'

'Whatever,' he said, not in the mood for her games. 'Let's do this.'

'If you insist,' she sighed, and clicked her fingers, opening a small Gargantua portal.

'Everybody follow me, Nel comes last,' he ordered. The portal would close as soon as she went through.

'So cruel,' she sniffed, but fell into formation with the rest.

'Yosh, let's go,' he cried, and ran into the blackness.

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