A/N: This is from Faerylark, based on the end of the last chapter. I thought it was funny so here it is.

Rukia: Nii-sama, why does Ichi-chan look like he stuck his finger in light socket?

Byakuya: ...

Rukia: Nii-sama?

Byakuya: I might have advised him from going beyond his abilities...

Rukia: Nii-sama! You might have killed him, what were you thinking?

Byakuya: ...

Rukia: Nii-sama?

Byakuya: I will not repeat myself again.

Back to me. Now that I look back on my notes I've discovered that Byakuya has taken up a much bigger role than I originally intended for him. I'd say he's taken the fourth main character position, leaving Renji and Toshiro to fight over fifth. I wonder, do you know yet who is the third?

Sorry about the late update, it wasn't because I was slacking. It's because I was determined to finish the battle sequence before posting part of it. So I've finished up to the end of part 18. Hope you find it suitably epic.

x

The Heir Apparent
Chapter 16: Traitors Stand

The blades clashed, Rukia ducked under the counter and stabbed at Shirayuki's body. The sword spirit though had already flipped over her head, Rukia had to fall flat on the ground to avoid the blow aimed at the back of her neck. She rolled and came to her feet, ready to counter the expected follow-up attack. After fighting Sode no Shirayuki for nearly three full days she knew her fighting style well, and had even started imitating it at bit.

The attack never came. The deactivated Tenshintai fell to the floor with a dull clunk. Rukia's eyes widened, it was the end of the third day, and she hadn't subdued her sword. No, that couldn't be right.

Urahara jumped down from his perch to near where she was standing stock still. 'Rukia-chan,' he said wearily, 'I'm afraid that's it.'

'No, no, it can't be,' she said, imploring him with wide eyes.

'I'm afraid it is,' he said.

'Just give me a bit longer,' she pleaded.

'We've already run two hours overtime. I'm afraid I simply cannot maintain it any longer.'

Her shoulders slumped, and she stared at the floor. She couldn't believe it, she had failed. After all that training, the time she'd taken off when by all rights she should have been watching her division. It had all been for nothing, she hadn't reached Ban release. She was a failure. She could feel her eyes growing moist. She gritted her teeth, no, she would not cry. She wouldn't shame herself.

'You did well, your soul cutter wasn't holding anything back on the last day,' said Yoruichi. She looked up to see the dark woman now standing beside Urahara, who was leaning against her.

'I wa-' she stopped herself. Nothing she said now would make a difference. 'Thank you for your instruction; Urahara-taicho, Shinion-taicho,' she said with a bow before turning away. She had to salvage what little dignity she had left.

'Do you think we should, Kisuke?' said Yoruichi.

'It is a gamble,' he replied, 'But waiting won't make it any safer.'

Rukia wasn't listening, and had started walking away when Yoruichi called her back. 'Oi, where do you think you're going?'

She turned in surprise. 'But I failed,' she said.

'Not yet you haven't. Listen, the reason why we gave you three days is that if you continue this training any longer it starts to become dangerous; the risk multiplying every hour you go over. It's enough that four days is risky, and five; suicide. But if are you prepared for the danger, we can give you one more day.'

Hope returned in a sudden rush.

x

'Alright is everybody ready?' said Ichigo loudly.

There seemed to be a general affirmative response, although he noticed Ganju was still checking his fireworks and stuffing them back into their pouch. Today it was all going to end. Today was the day they would bring down the traitor Tousen.

'Yosh, then lets-'

Byakuya gave a polite cough.

Ichigo's eyebrow twitched with annoyance. 'Something you wanted to say?'

'Perhaps a few words of encouragement?' said the noble captain tonelessly.

He thought about it. It did seem a good idea, but what to say? Then he remembered Renji's little ceremony. He'd said something about it being an unused tradition. Well, it's not like he had anything better. He ordered them all into two circles, one comprised of himself and the other captains; as well as Grimmjow and Nel, the other made up of the lieutenants, Ganju, Pershe and Dondo. He was the first to put his hand in the centre, ignoring Grimmjow's this is lame expression. In both circles the others followed suit, covering each others hands, even the blue haired former Espada.

'Alright,' he cried out, 'Now we head towards the battlefield. Believe, our blades will not shatter. Believe, our souls will not be cut. Though the paths we take are separate, our iron will beats as one. Swear, even if the earth is torn asunder, we will return to this place alive!'

With that they collectively pushed their central hands down, and broke the circles, speeding off in the direction of their intended targets.

x

Lieutenant Ise Nanao was one of the first to reach her opponent. He was waiting for her in the shade of a ruined tower, a stocky man with flame red hair cropped in a square military style. A typical Arrancar with a hole through his chest and a zanpakutou at his side, his hollow-mask remnant was shaped like a theatrical half-mask; with teeth decorating each side of the eyes. Nanao released the breath she didn't know she'd been holding, she was glad she wasn't the one to run into Tousen.

'Aargh, that's a Numerous, an Arrancar dontcha know!' said Dondochakka, waving his arms above his head.

Nanao gave him a piercing glance, one she had perfected over the years that sent all but the bravest cowering in terror. She hated having to put up with this fool, and that so little had been thought of her skills that she had to be saddled with him. 'You're in the way,' she said, 'stay back.' And she walked forward, drawing her zanpakutou from its sheath between her elbow and shoulder underneath her robes .

The Arrancar got up and stretched, yawning widely. Then he let out a loud belch, which made Nanao wrinkle her nose. 'What's this?' he said, 'This is the one the shinigami sent to me,' he sneered, 'A petite woman with a tiny blade.'

'I'm Ise Nanao, lieutenant of the eighth division,' she said, flushing angrily at his words and moving into a stance.

He looked past her, 'Hey, if it isn't Dondochakka. How are you, Dondo-kun?'

'Oh no, this is bad,' wailed Dondo.

'What is?' said Nanao. Plainly these two knew each other.

'This - my old friend Nurvan from when I was Adjuncas, he stronger than me like a grasshopper to an earwig. I can't be fighting him, dontcha know.'

'It's not like I wanted your help anyway,' she shouted. She turned back to her opponent. 'I didn't get your name, Arrancar.'

'Why should I tell you?' he said.

'He's Stil'ecras Nurvan, Arrancar no. forty-one dontcha know,' called Dondo.

'Che,' said the Arrancar. 'I was going to let you go after this, Dondo-kun, but now I'm going to have to kill you too.' Dondo started wailing, hitting the ground with his overlarge fists.

'Forget about him, I'm your opponent,' said Nanao.

'You're going to fight with that' he said incredulously, pointing at her stiletto blade.

'This is my swords sealed form,' she said, 'I keep it this size for transporting purposes. I despise having a sword hitting my legs when I walk.'

'Hurry up and release it then,' said Nurvan.

'You don't have to tell me,' she said, and made a shallow cut on one of her fingers. Wincing slightly she ran the blood over the side of the blade. 'Willingly I give, Ryuuseiken.'

Her blade lengthened and thickened to the size of a one-handed double edged long dagger. It had a guard that wrapped around protecting her hand, and a black line running down the centre to the tip. She held it in her left hand.

'That's a Kido-based zanpakutou if I've ever seen one,' said Nurvan, scratching his cheek just below his mask. 'It's far too small for effective fighting.'

'Then come and get me,' said Nanao, swinging her blade in arcs above, below and around her body.

The Arrancar charged in, stabbing at her chest with extended fingers. As soon as he got within range though, he was immediately blocked. He pulled back and tried again, with the same result. This time he followed up with a kick, but that was stopped as well. He sent in a flurry of punches, all of which were blocked the instant they came within the daggers range.

He withdrew. 'Ha, fast with that knife of yours arentcha, pretty woman,' he said.

'Did you think I became a lieutenant for my looks?' said Nanao. She could almost hear her captain's half witted comeback at that remark.

He laughed. 'It doesn't matter how good you are though, you don't stand a chance against me. From now on, I'm fighting with everything, and I am a master martial artist!'

He leapt high. Nanao sent a shot of white lightning at him, which he knocked aside effortlessly before coming down at her head. The blows rained in at her from all his arms and legs, but every single one of them were blocked with almost a negligent effort on her part. In the end he was forced back.

'H-How,' he said, staring down at his hands; which were smoking from friction. 'That was like hitting an invisible wall. I'm one of the fastest Arrancar, how could you be so quick? Even the Espada wouldn't have been able to deflect my attacks that easily.'

Nanao moved her dagger in a half circle in front of her. 'Anything that enters my reach is within Ryuuseiken's domain.' It wasn't quite as simple as that, but to explain more would be to expose her zanpakutou's weakness.

The Arrancar's eyes narrowed. 'In that case-' he said, and moved with his equivalent of flash-steps behind her, punching at her back. Nanao turned to block it, her blade drawn to it the instant it entered her reach. She flash-stepped away to avoid the low kick aimed at her calf.

'Did you think I wasn't aware that my lower leg isn't within my radius of defense, and that I can't defend behind my back?' she said scornfully as she moved her blade in lazy arcs. 'I've trained with one of the strongest captains Gotei thirteen has ever seen. All my weaknesses are well studied.'

'You can't defend forever,' said Nurvan angrily, 'That knife of yours can't cut through my heirro, and I haven't even released yet.'

'Go right ahead,' she said. 'Because I'm about to get serious.' She pointed her cupped right hand at him. 'Hado 32, Orb of Yellow Fire. This is how I attack, Arrancar,' she said as the golden sphere shot towards him.

x

'HEEYA-HAHAHA,' the Arrancar screeched as it stabbed at him with its spear.

Ichigo blocked, and tried to swing back, but his blade hit the wall. He had to move his head away quickly to avoid the next stab.

'You see, you see,' chanted the Arrancar as he danced on the spot. 'I'm so clever, so very very clever. You can't use swords here, stupid shinigami.'

Ichigo growled angrily. His opponent was right though, he'd chosen his battleground well. They were in one of the more intact parts of Las Noches, in a narrow passageway. There wasn't enough space for him to swing without hitting a wall, leaving stabbing as the only option. But the Arrancar's weapon was a spear, much more suited to that use, and he was probably more used to such a fight anyway. He was beginning to think that he might have to overwhelm this enemy with pure power, but he didn't want to be forced to resort to his Bankai or hollow mask.

'I didn't hear your name,' he said.

'It would be fine, if I told you mine,' the Arrancar sang, 'But since we crossed swords, first tell me yours.'

Ichigo scowled. His opponent's weapon could hardly be called a sword. Actually, come to think of it, how come he had a different weapon to a sword? 'Kurosaki Ichigo, captain of the thirteenth division,' he said.

'Ooh, a captain coming to get little old me, I'm so flattered,' said the other. 'Arrancar no. thirty-six, Rumonic Pelos; the lancer, the dancer and the prancer.'

He looked as strange as he acted too, with pointy turned-up shoes and puffy pants that looked like they came out of the seventeenth century. His chest was covered with an expensive looking jacket, and his neck with a frilly ruff. On the top of his head, the remnants of his hollow mask were separate ribs splayed outwards, creating what looked like a jester's hat. His hollow hole was situated where his mouth should be. How he could talk, Ichigo had no idea.

'Since you're a captain, I don't suppose I can't hold back,' said Pelos, serious for the first time since Ichigo had met him. He raised his spear above his head. 'Penetrate, Conquistar.'

'I guess using Shikai is alright,' said Ichigo as he watched his opponent glow and change shape. He poured power into his sealed blade, like he'd seen his hollow do in his inner world. He'd never tried before, Kyoraku had told him that since he'd achieved Ban release he could use his Shikai without a vocal command. It was a small mission to make it form successfully, apparently it needed quite a stable input of reitsu. He was sure though that it would become easier if he practised it.

Zangetsu solidified at the same time as his opponents true form.

x

Neliel tu Oderschvank stood silently, feeling the pulsing energies of the various battles. Most seemed to be going well for them. There were two that were in trouble though. One was whoever it was facing Tousen, now that he was fighting she could easily discern his reitsu. But that wasn't her battle, it was shinigami business and she shouldn't get involved. She probably wouldn't be able to defeat him anyway.

'Uuuh,' her luckless opponent groaned nearby. Bone fragments from her shattered release lay all around her. 'Do it,' she whispered. 'Kill me, Nel-sama.'

Nel shook her head. 'The war is over, there's no reason for us to keep fighting.' The other woman was no danger to her anyway.

Grimmjow appeared next to her using sonido. He was splattered with blood, not his own, especially around the mouth. Nel knew that even though he'd taken up a human form he still sometimes liked to rip out his opponent's throat with his teeth. She found the habit disgusting, but so far hadn't been able to put a stop to it.

'You didn't kill her,' he said, gesturing to the female Numerous.

'You know why,' she replied.

'Figures,' he shrugged. 'So, what now? I'm not just gonna wait till this is over, I've only had a starter. I want my mains.'

'We stick to the plan, we help those in a pinch, except if they're fighting Tousen.' She felt a strong burst of reitsu and turned towards it. 'That girl who hates Ichigo is in trouble. I think her opponent is that Privaron-Espada Mosqueda.'

'He's too strong,' said Grimmjow with a sadistic grin, 'We can't leave him alive.'

Nel sighed, as much as she hated killing; in this instance he was right. 'Fine, I'll let you have him,' she said, and the two sonidoed towards their new target; the defeated Arrancar left lying wounded in the sand.

x

Kuchiki Byakuya stared down at the body of his opponent as he flicked the blood off his blade. The Arrancar had only one wound, a deep stab through his heart that had come when Byakuya had flash-stepped past him.

'Be proud that you died by my blade,' he said before sheathing Senbonzakura.

He felt the power signatures around him, noting that lieutenant Hinamori was in trouble. But so was someone else, and they were fighting the traitor Tousen. Wasting no time, he flash-stepped towards them.

x

Ganju was panting heavily, his released zanpakutou held low. Blood was running down a deep cut above his brow and obscuring his right eye's vision. He also had a long cut along his ribcage, which was soaking his robes and sapping his remaining strength.

His opponent though was untouched. 'I applaud your ability to survive this long, and resist the knocking-out effect of my release,' said Tousen, 'But this is the end.'

'He heh, I've been told I'm tough to kill,' said Ganju.

'You are a cockroach that exists only to be stepped on,' said the other man. 'But that is not the reason why you will die. It is because you denied Justice when you helped prevent the execution of Kuchiki Rukia.'

'You set the whole thing up,' Ganju growled.

'Do you really think that the true chamber 46 would have pronounced any sentence other than death? I must admit I'm surprised that you helped at all, considering that it was she who killed your brother.'

Ganju laughed aloud, 'You think I don't know it was Aizen who created the hollow that possessed him? You're so full of shit it's not even funny.'

'I see it is no use trying to make you understand,' said the black man. 'Very well. Smash his limbs, Suzumushi second form, Benihiko.'

Tousen's zanpakutou vibrated for a moment, making an almost musical note hover in the air. Then he swung it in an arc in front of him. An instant after, long sharp blades appeared in the swords path, and with its gesture they launched at Ganju.

The big man hefted his zanpakutou -a square headed axe with three sharp sides that looked somewhat similar to a spade- and struck the ground, crying, 'Stone Rage!' The sand heaved up in a wave and blasted towards Tousen, but the blades shot right through and dispelled it without slowing. Ganju's eyes widened as he realised that they were coming in too large a clump for him to avoid, and too fast for him to dodge. At the last possible moment he pulled his axe-head in front of his face, gritting his teeth in anticipation of incredible pain.

It didn't come. He lowered his weapon to see a thin wall of pink holding the blades suspended in the air. Then it disintegrated and they fell to the floor noisily.

'Stand down, Shiba Ganju,' said a voice behind him, 'This fight is too much for you.'

He turned. 'C-Captain Kuchiki,' he stammered. The same man who had come the closest ever to killing him was now his saviour.

Byakuya said nothing, and walked past him. 'For adult's to fight children,' he told Tousen, 'is meaningless.'

'Children?' Ganju puzzled, pointing to himself.

'I have no wish to kill you,' said Tousen. 'You are perhaps the only man with a sense of Justice equal to my own.'

'Comparing my justice and yours,' said Byakuya coldly, 'Is like grouping a good and faithful hound with a rabid wolf. You are nothing like me.'

'Then it is unavoidable,' said Tousen.

As one, the captain and the former captain raised their blades and charged.

x

A/N: A few notes on Ise Nanao's zanpakutou. When Yamamoto fought Ukitake and Kyoraku she reached inside her robes, presumably for her weapon. Which means that it was definitely small enough in sealed form to fit in there. That's all we know about it. As for the released form, Ryuuseiken means 'flowing water blade'. That is entirely my own creation. It is a long dagger that has the power to defend anything that comes within the radius of her reach and negate its power, but it's not quite as simple as that; there are conditions. We'll get back to that later. It creates a nearly perfect defence, but there are weaknesses. As the Arrancar realised, her lower leg and her back aren't within her defense, her weapon isn't long enough for that. Those aren't the only ones, but we'll also get back to that later. Why does it require her blood to release? Why indeed. The full extent of her abilities will be made apparent in the next 2 chapters, I'll give a full explanation for them at the end of chapter 18.

On Shiba Ganju's zanpakutou. His weapon is in the SS arc is practically a chef's cleaver with a guard. He barely uses it, relying rather on a combination of fireworks and his weird stone magic. The odd thing is that Ganju isn't particularly gifted at Kido, I can't see him inventing spells. The alternative is obvious: it is his soul's power. That's a bit weird, since he doesn't use his zanpakutou for it, it's one of many improperly explained things in Bleach. For the purposes of this story I'm going with that theory. His cleaver is his zanpakutou's sealed form, the square headed battleaxe that resembles a spade its Shikai. Naturally by releasing his sand techniques get substantially boosted.