New arc name: The Hunt for Tousen

x

The Heir Apparent
Chapter 12: The Hunt Begins

Hueco Mundo was much like he remembered, sandy and cold with the strange crystalline trees poking through the ground. The skyline continued seemingly endlessly in all directions except for the massive silhouette of ruins of the fortress Las Noches poking up in the distance. Unlike last time though, there was no guarantee that their quarry would remain there.

'Whew, it's big,' Ganju whistled.

'Really, you think?' said Kensei.

'Cut it out guys,' Ichigo ordered. 'Nel, where exactly did you see Tousen.'

'Not me,' she said.

'WHAT!' She hadn't mentioned this before.

'I had an informant,' she said simply.

She put two fingers in her mouth and let out a piercing whistle that seemed to reverberate into the distance. At first nothing happened, then they spotted something moving towards them at speed. As it got closer, Ichigo recognised it as Bawabawa. Was he the informant? It seemed unlikely. But then Nel's Fraccion Pershe and Dondo Chaka would likely be riding him; they could have been the ones who'd sighted the traitor.

'They're friends,' Ichigo told Iba, who had taken up a battle ready stance. He immediately dropped it and stood up straight, managing somehow not to look awkward.

It didn't take long for the large eel-like hollow to reach them. As soon as he stopped, the two Fraccion jumped off to jump on Nel, who pounced back. Soon they were in a three way wrestling match, which collapsed into a giggling heap. The assembled shinigami looked on in dismay.

'Good to see you again, little sister,' said Pershe from the bottom.

'We was worried the bad guy's would get you, don'tcha know,' Dondo added.

'BWA,' said Bawabawa, the only one who hadn't joined in.

'Aw guys, I missed you too,' said Nel from the top.

'You know, she was only in Soul Society for a day,' said Ganju, pointing at them from the sidelines.

'That's true,' Iba agreed.

'They probably aren't separated very often,' said Nanao.

'That's also true,' said Iba.

At that point another figure sprang from Bawabawa's head. It soured high, flipping as it went over their heads. It landed with its back turned to them, the bare torso with the hollow hole through the abdomen catching Ichigo's attention immediately. There was a scar next to the hole, and on his head a shock of pale blue hair. There could be no doubt as to the identity.

'Grimmjow,' said Ichigo.

The former Espada turned with a feral smile on his lips. 'Shinigami.'

x

Kenpachi came in hard, swinging low. Rukia gritted her teeth as she defended desperately. She didn't know which one was scarier, the man's reitsu or the maniacal grin he had plastered on his face. They had only been fighting for a few minutes, but already she was reaching the end of her strength.

'First dance, Tsukishiro,' she cried.

Captain Zaraki evaded her icy pillar easily. 'Come on, you're not trying,' he goaded as he slashed at her head.

In reply she caught his blow and tried to push his blade back. But he was too strong, even with one arm against her two, and sent her rolling and bouncing backwards. She ended up in an inelegant heap with no strength to continue.

'Che,' he muttered, 'Pitiful. My sixth seat fights better than you. And you're supposed to be one of the strongest lieutenants, the one who killed an Espada in the war. The others must really be up to shit.'

His sixth seat was likely a macho manic with no Kido skills and a combat based zanpakutou. But it would be useless to point that out. Kendo was her weakest skill, which was why she had to practise and improve it if she was to reach Bankai. She didn't see though why it had to be with the craziest captain of them all, even if Urahara had thought it a good idea.

'Captain Zaraki,' she said as she got up, wincing at a new bruise on her thigh, 'why are you doing this for me?' Why are you doing this to me, more like.

'Why, cos I feel like it, that's why.'

'I know,' she paused, thinking of the best way to word what she was trying to say, 'I know that you put off the opportunity to chase down Tousen with Ichigo. Was it just to train me.'

'Nah, it's jest boring to fight the same opponents twice.'

'But there will be other Arrancar there, and Wonderweiss. He's strong.'

'You talk too much,' Kenpach growled. 'I'm doing this for Ichigo, he'll owe me a big favour for this, so he'll have to fight me when he comes back. After he's properly rested up,' he added as an afterthought.

Was this man obsessed with fighting her…captain. Of course, it would be his second time fighting him too. Something else was bothering her, 'Why did Urahara come to you in the first place?'

Kenpachi glared at her. She guessed that she was coming close to an answer he didn't want to reveal, and said as much. At that point, he let out a short barking laugh.

'You've got big cahones, not many would dare talk to me in that way. And you're smart, little woman. Use those both when you fight.'

'Little woman,' she repeated, a nerve on her forehead twitching dangerously.

'You ready to be serious now,' he said leering.

He was still just as big and terrifying as before, but suddenly the task of duelling him didn't seem nearly as insurmountable. 'Lets go,' she cried as she charged.

x

It was difficult to keep track of time in Hueco Mundo, since it was always night. To combat this Ichigo had acquired a very specialized piece of equipment, a silver chain watch, from the research and development institute. Not only did it tell the time, it kept track of the date, and even had a satellite image map of Hueco Mundo and marked where they were; on the inside of the cover. If only it would also show where Tousen was, but then that would make it too easy.

By the watches reckoning, they'd been travelling for around twenty-six hours. Most of the lieutenants appeared ready to drop, and Nel's Fraccion was beginning to annoy him with their frequent complaints. Bawabawa had to be steered to keep on course now, he must be suffering the most since they were all riding him. Ichigo was tempted to dump them and keep going, the other captains seemed fine and he wasn't suffering any ill effects, neither were Grimmjow or Nel. But Nel would probably stay with her friends, and he didn't know how well he'd be able to work with Grimmjow without her.

So, as much as it annoyed, he conceded that they would have to have a rest. 'We stop for seven hours starting now,' he told them. He'd never had to bother with this when he'd come with Chad and Ishida.

'Thanks, Mr boss-man,' said Pershe tiredly as he flopped onto the sand.

'Grateful, don'tcha know,' said Dondo as he flumped next to him. Bawabawa curled up around them. Within seconds the sounds of their snoring filled the area.

Ganju and the lieutenants made camp in a more orderly fashion, marking a perimeter before pulling out their futons and blankets from their packs. Iba, who was carrying the medical kit, was having his bedding carried by Ganju. Kensei offered to take up first guard-shift, which was much appreciated. They then settled into a circle to eat a small meal of dry field rations and water; not the most appetising. But at least it filled the stomach.

He noticed Nel look over her Fraccion fondly, then move off to stand by Grimmjow, who was sitting on top a slightly taller dune overlooking Las Noches. He remembered the conversation they'd had at their reunion.

'Grimmjow,' he had said, reaching for his blade. The bastard had nearly killed Rukia twice, not to mention him.

'No, Ichigo,' Nel cried out. 'He's a friend.'

Ichigo looked at her in dismay. 'Him? Why would he want to help me.'

'Because he wants Tousen dead as much as you do, in fact probably more.'

He stared at Grimmjow in surprise. 'Really?'

The muscular Arrancar couldn't hold his gaze. 'Yeah I guess, enemy of my enemy's enemy, something like that.'

It was difficult to think of the blue-haired Arrancar as an ally now as opposed to a rival. Well, still a rival Ichigo decided, since he had insisted that he be allowed a rematch as payment for his services; just not an enemy any more. He hadn't had much choice but to agree. Why wouldn't his defeated opponents go cry in a corner or something rather than coming after him again. Grimmjow was now an ally just like Kenpachi was an ally, and with people like that on his side; who needed enemies.

Ichigo walked a little way off from the group to an unusually large tree, and jumped up to the top of it. Like Seireitei, the spiritual density was high in Hueco Mundo, which meant it would be difficult to solidify the air under his feet without exerting himself. And doing that could alert Tousen to their presence. He'd hoped that higher up he'd get a better view of where they were going, but they were still too far away and it made no difference.

He couldn't shake the feeling of aloneness that he'd first noticed when they'd come to the hollow world. He was the one in charge, set apart from the rest of them. Okay, when they'd invaded Soul Society and Hueco Mundo the first time he'd been sort-of in charge then too. But this was different, formal, cold. And the team he was with he barely knew, with the exception of Ganju. But there was a divide between them now, he was the captain charge of the expedition and the other man was a potential lieutenant being assessed for his competence. They both had to play their respective parts.

He missed his friends, now more than ever. He missed Chad and Inoue, he couldn't believe he was admitting this but he missed Ishida and Renji too. Kyoraku as well. Most of all, he missed… wait, what was that cricking noise, could it be-

CRACK! The branch under him gave way.

'Waah,' he cried out, THUD, he ended up back on the sandy ground. He quickly checked around, good, nobody had seen him fall. No-one except Byakuya.

'Waah,' he cried again, looking up. The man was almost on top of him. He quickly remembered the expectations on him and jumped to his feet, brushing himself off. 'Ah, don't mind me, I was just…ah…'

'Don't act like that,' Byakuya sniffed. 'It doesn't suit you.'

'Ah, right,' he said, not sure how to react. 'What brings you here.'

'I felt like a stroll. And it appears you felt like a climb.'

Ichigo flushed. 'Yeah well, that didn't exactly go according to plan.'

'It's lonely at the top, isn't it.'

Ichigo was pretty sure that he wasn't referring to the top of the tree. But now that he thought about it, there were few people who could understand his situation as well as Byakuya, who besides being the captain of the sixth division was also the head of the Kuchiki clan. He didn't appear to have many friends. Ichigo wanted to walk his own path, and preferably not a lonely one. Still, it was comforting to know at least one person knew how he felt.

'How's Hinamori?' he said. He hadn't heard a peep out of her, but had noticed her talking to Byakuya and Nanao at one point.

'Apparently her captain warned her to avoid speaking to you. But watch your back, she's been staring at it the entire day.'

So that was where the uncomfortable twinge had come from. 'I will, thanks.'

'Lieutenant Ise told me something interesting. Apparently you are learning to do Kido, and her captain wanted her to continue the lessons while we're here.'

'We haven't made a start yet, we only just moved past sealing my zanpakutou. And I think she's a bit tired.'

'If you like, you could practise with me when she isn't available.'

That was an incredibly generous offer, and would certainly speed his learning. One thing though didn't make sense in his mind. 'Why are you doing this, Byakuya.'

'Doing what, Kurosaki Ichigo?'

'Ichigo. You're being so nice to me, and now you're offering to help train me. What's the deal, where's the catch.'

Byakuya gave a rare smile. Admittingly it was tiny and so quick if you blinked you might have missed it, but it was there. 'As the head of the noble Kuchiki family it is important to foster good relationships with the royals. As a captain I need to be on at least amenable terms with my brother captains. Besides, any work I put into you I consider an investment.'

Ichigo understood those first two reasons, but couldn't make head or tail of the last. 'Alright, whatever. Lets get started then.'

x

Serena Rommel had always liked the rain, especially short showers like the one that was falling currently. Only the last of the water would ever be cold, since the first to fall would invariably be warmed up by the ground. Her clothing she had modified to be waterproof so it was only her hair that would retain the wetness.

As the last of it slowed and stopped, she wrung her long green-blue hair like a sponge and tied it behind her. It wasn't a natural colour, but she'd been dyeing it for so long that few of her colleagues had seen it any other way. She left her hood down, and spent a moment watching droplets run down her blue cloak. She was a tall slender woman with well defined cheekbones and thin lips. Despite her features being near perfect, she couldn't be described as beautiful as much as severe. Her best feature was her very blue eyes, but they held no warmth, and seemed more liquid than crystalline.

There was a rustling in the trees behind her, she whipped out a katana from her hip and pointed it in the direction the noise had come from. 'Come out of there, nice and slow.'

A man stepped out, a man dressed similarly to her in that his clothing was also unadorned white, his cloak though was sleek and silvery. He was half a head shorter than her, but carried himself as though he were far taller. His hood covered his hair and eyes, but not the scar that split the centre of his nose, running down to the bottom of his right cheek. His skin denoted the fact that he was the only one of far eastern ancestry in the Prima Kreis.

Serena lowered her blade. 'What are you doing here, Takumo?'

'Is that any way to greet your brother Lord, sister?'

Serena scowled slightly, she hated those family affiliations Lord Bismark insisted the Prima Kreis use. She had no family, not since they had been stolen from her. She only had the people she was allied with in order to achieve vengeance for that which could never be replaced.

'Why did you draw the sword anyway?' he continued conversationally. 'Your bow would have been a better choice. Have you no faith in our ways?'

'What if you were a Shinigami?' she said. 'A sword is easier to explain.'

'If I'd been Shinigami, you'd have killed me for sure.'

'I've held back recently,' she argued, 'I haven't killed a Shinigami for nearly five months now, and no ranked ones in over a year.'

'Good. We don't need any more annoying investigations right before we make our move.'

'Why are you here,' she said bluntly, sheathing her weapon.

'There's been another development,' said Takumo, 'They have sent three of their captains to track the last member of Aizen's Triumvirate.'

'We should have allied with him when we had the chance,' she muttered. 'Or attacked while they were still fighting. Then we would have definitely won.'

'I know you feel that way, but he went too far. We don't ally ourselves with hollows, that goes against everything we stand for. And if we'd joined in just then, it could have been the hollow that was the eventual victor.'

'And then all life in the material world would be consumed,' she said in a sing-song tone. 'So?'

He ignored her comment. 'Actually, regarding this incident, I'm quite surprised they moved so quickly.'

'They'll be back in time for our assault?'

'Probably.'

'Good. Then I get to kill more.'

'These aren't the same low-level Shinigami you're used to slaughtering, Serena,' he warned. 'These are captain class. They have all achieved Bankai, and some of the new ones are half hollow.'

'All the more reason to kill them,' she said savagely.

'We can't fight them all at once,' said Takumo, lifting a leg to retie one of his white boot laces and balancing perfectly on the other. 'At that level, they outnumber us three to one.'

'There's over a hundred in the Kreis,' Serena argued. 'And a thousand in the Aussen Kreis.'

'Most of those are trash and you know it. There's only a handful in the Kreis that I would trust to beat a lieutenant, and perhaps one or two that could take on their weaker captains. The best the rest could do would be to slow them down for a bit. No, the important battles will be the ones fought by us five.'

'Even still, Marxs' tactics are cowardly.'

'That may be true,' he said, 'I too don't like them. But they will ensure our victory. At least have faith in that.'

'The only things I believe in,' she said, pulling back her cloak to reveal her sheathed katana, 'Are this,' She raised her left hand, letting the five-pointed cross fall to hang free. 'And this. I'll see you at the next meeting.' And she walked off.

Thirty-five days, and a few hours, until the long awaited moment. She could feel the anticipation rise in her. With luck she would be the one to kill the Wind of Death, but likely Bismark would want that one for himself. Still, anything could happen. June the 27th would be a day the Soul Reapers would long rue. She gave a short laugh, provided there were any of them left to rue it. It would forever be known as the day of the Rache.

x

A/N: First a few translations. Prima Kreis is german for Prime Circle. Kreis - Circle. Aussen Kreis - Outer Circle. Rache - Vengeance. Why german? Well, all Quincy terms are in german. As are the names Rommel, Bismark and Marx. Famous germans, for those who didn't know. One a brilliant general, another a chancellor, and the last a man who devised the most evil system the world has ever seen.

Yes, evil, I don't care what you've read about communism in theory being good. Apartheid also was good in theory, but read between the lines and you can see it for the evil it is. Even in Karl Marx's writings he admitted that a military takeover was essential. Naturally that pushes the worst of men to the top, if you don't believe me then study some history. Of course Stalin's were going to appear. In Apartheid the idea was that each race group developed separately. Of course, guess who had all the money to develop themselves… the whites. So it was just a way to justify leaving the others with a pittance. Evil, and evil. Read between the lines.

Back to my explanation of terms. Quincy means destroyer, Rache means Vengeance. All the leaders of the Rache (neo-Quincy movement) are now revealed, even if we haven't yet met the main one. I hope everybody picked up that they are part of a head governing group called the Prime Circle, and that there are five of them. 5 is a Prime-number, There are 5 Primary colours, get it? There are more reasons. No, it's not based on the band, it was only pointed out to me that there was a group of that name after I'd already chosen it. What are their abilities? Well, I've hinted at them already but we'll get to that later.

Sorry for the long wait for this part, please be rest assured that I used the time to write ahead. And remember to review, reviews inspire me to work even in my sleep-time.