A/N: Wow, I think we topped a new record with the number of reviews for the last chapter. Over 400 now, the popularities going up. I had so many people nudging me for this update. Nice to see that my good and faithful following has remained too. Not to treat reviews as a number, because I value each and every one, but it would be great to reach 1k before I finish.

I had someone PM-ing me to point out that I'd totally called Tousen's mask. Well, we don't know if that's the case yet, but it does seem likely with the end of last chapter and all. Some other things I called if you remember are: Kyoraku's owning of Stark (though I got the two other espada fights wrong), Kensei vs. Wonderweiss and Byakuya and Kenpachi's sort-of friendship. Remember that I started writing this at the end of the Lust/Ash chapters. When Ulquiorra kicked the bucket, doncha know? I'm wondering here if Tite is getting inspiration from this story with all the similarities. Kubo-san, if you are reading and taking notes, then I want some kind of royalties dammit! lol.

Without further ado, here's the next chapter; hope it lives up to the expectations I know you have.

x

The Heir Apparent
Chapter 25: Beach part 2: Strangers

Rukia smiled and breathed in the salty morning air. Sitting draped on a deckchair, smeared with suntan lotion, wearing a hat and sunglasses that were far to big for her; this was the life. She knew that she probably wouldn't be able to put up with this for too long, she needed a bit more structure generally. But for a once in a while treat, this was just perfect. She lay back, and sipped on her ice cold fruit juice.

'Heads up!' came Ichigo's wild cry.

Rukia looked up just in time to see the rugby ball collide with her, knocking her drink all over. Instant, shocking cold. Then she saw red. 'ICHIGO!'

'Hey, it was Ishida who kicked it,' he said, backing away quickly as she stormed after him.

'I DON'T CARE.'

'Uh, Kuchiki-san, actually I was-'

'You keep quiet,' she said, pointing at Ishida as she went past him.

'Yes mam,' he said quietly.

'Rukia, why… AARGH,' said Ichigo, as she kicked him in the shins. He doubled over, and she grabbed him by the ear. 'I'm innocent dammit, don't hit me again,' he yelled as she raised her hand.

'I don't care who did it, you started that stupid game,' she hissed, and pointed at her front. 'It's your fault that I'm like this.' The juice had evaporated on her skin, leaving her uncomfortably sticky.

'Just wash it off,' he said, waving his arms helplessly, 'And it's not a stupid game.'

'Please, you run at each other. How stupid can it get? I'd never play something like that.'

Fifteen minutes later she was opposite Ichigo in a touch rugby game. The idiot had somehow talked her into it, making it a personal contest. All the others were playing now, even the two girls. The teams were Ichigo, Tatsuki, Keigo and Ishida versus Rukia, Orihime, Mizuiro and Chad. They were playing simple rules, three touches and the ball went to the other team, one point for tapping down past their opponents try-line. In addition to the normal rules, none of them were allowed to use any spiritual powers.

'You ready?' said Ichigo.

'Of course,' she replied.

Ichigo passed the ball back to Tatsuki, and the game was on.

Rukia ran at her; the other girl feigned a pass, drawing her to the side, then sprinted past. It was difficult keep up with the main pack, they were all so quick, all with longer legs than her. Tatsuki passed to Ichigo, who couldn't go anywhere with Chad in his way; so he passed to Ishida, who got tapped by Orihime. They paused to restart, then the game continued.

Two taps later, and Ichigo's team had to surrender the ball. But they had made good ground, and Rukia's team were almost back at their try line. Then disaster happened, Orihime passed badly and it bounced out of Mizuiro's hands onto the sand. Quick as a flash Ishida was in the gap, and scooped up the ball. Then he was away, none of them could change direction fast enough to catch up. The score: 1:0 to Ichigo's team.

'Whoo-aah!' Ichigo celebrated, embracing Ishida in an unlikely display of affection.

'You better start scoring too, Kurosaki,' said Ishida, but seemed not to mind the half-hug.

'Don't worry, I will,' he laughed.

Rukia scowled, and tried not to admire his muscles.

They restarted from the centre, Rukia taking the ball early on. Because of her small size, she could weave under the extended limbs trying to touch her. It didn't stop Ichigo though, he closed in on her like a homing missile. They made little progress in the next two restarts, and when Ichigo's team took the ball again they wasted no time in scoring, Ichigo touching down over the line with a spectacular (and pointless) leap.

'Well done, Kurosaki-kun,' said Orihime happily.

'Who's side are you on?' Rukia complained.

'Why don't we swap?' said Tatsuki, coming up to them and indicating at Orihime.

'Good idea,' said Rukia. By now it was obvious that she was better than her friend. 'That will balance the teams a bit.'

It turned out that it made all the difference. Tatsuki solidified their team, and they let no more points through. The combination of her and Rukia proved just as formidable as Ichigo and Ishida, and Chad and Mizuiro were better support than Keigo and Orihime. As Rukia got the hang of it, they scored once, and then again. She was the one who dotted the ball down the second time. The other team wasn't making it easy for them though. After half an hour, the scores were level at 2:2.

'Last point wins,' said Ichigo, wiping the sand and sweat off his brow.

'You're on,' said Rukia. Playing in the hot sun was tiring, and she was still sticky. A swim now would be heavenly. A swim with Ichigo even better.

Her team had the ball, Mizuiro passed it to her. She dummied past Keigo, but was then almost on top of Orihime. She gave a long pass to Chad, but Ishida was marking him. He drop-kicked it over the other boy's head, and immediately set off after it.

Rukia could tell immediately that he wouldn't make it, he wasn't fast enough, and Ichigo was haring off to get under it. They would lose the ball, and possibly the game. Hell if she let that happen. She set off after him, pumping her legs with all her might.

Ichigo had judged where it would land, and had positioned himself under it just in time. She leapt as high as she could, and got a hand to the ball punting it to the side. Ichigo wouldn't get it. Then she crashed into him.

A moment later, he was on his back, and she was on top of him; her arms and legs wrapped around his body. He looked a little dazed, and squinted up at her with slightly crossed eyes. She couldn't help but burst into a fit of giggles.

Meanwhile Tatsuki was dancing around in victory. She'd managed to get the ball Rukia had deflected away, and run unopposed to the other side to score. Largely because everyone else had been too distracted by the collision.

'Damn… it,' he groaned.

'Looks like we beat you,' said Rukia happily.

'Whatever, get off me midget.'

'What if I refuse?' she said, crossing her arms defiantly. He was asking to be punished by calling her that.

In one movement he seized and flipped her, she yelped in surprise. Now she was the one lying on the sand, Ichigo was on top of her, with her legs still straddled around him.

'Ichigo!' she gasped.

He made no move to disengage, so she looked up at his face. His expression had changed, his hand ran up her bare side. Rukia felt her cheeks heat up, and not in embarrassment.

'Erhem,' said Ishida.

Rukia looked up, the others were all staring at them. She quickly kicked Ichigo off, got up and brushed herself. Trying to act as though everything was normal was difficult with her face as red as a tomato.

x

Ichigo couldn't shake the feeling that he'd had holding her, it played on his mind the entire afternoon. Something had happened, but he wasn't entirely sure what.

'Bullshit,' he muttered.

He knew exactly what happened. But to admit it… it was pathetic. He was pathetic. Refusing to admit how he felt, even to himself. He would be seventeen in less than a month, that was plenty grown-up. More to the point, he held a position of great responsibility. He had more riding on his shoulders than any of the great world leaders. Simple things like his own emotions and relationships should be nothing. Not that he was admitting that he was in a relationship or anything.

'Aargh,' he cried aloud, clawing at his hair.

'Something wrong, Kurosaki-kun?'

He turned to see Orihime. 'Ah, Inoue. You startled me.'

'Sorry. So, what's making you all like "Aargh"?' She made a fairly decent imitation of him.

Ichigo wasn't sure if Orihime was the best one to be talking to, particularly since she'd had a crush on him not so long ago, and he wasn't sure if she was over it yet. But he needed a willing ear, and talking about it did seem to help. Orihime didn't have anything really to add that he didn't already know or suspect, getting it out in the open though allowed him clarity in his thoughts.

'Thanks, Inoue,' he said as he walked off. He knew what he had to do.

'Anytime Kurosaki-kun,' she said, waving gaily. When he was out of range she looked down, and said sadly, 'So that is how it is.'

Ichigo found Rukia sitting on the side of a deckchair just on the beach, watching the sunset. He took the seat conveniently next to hers. She was wearing that cute black bikini that showed off far too much skin, he felt embarrassed to even look at her. When he forgot himself the opposite was true; he was all too comfortable staring. Her long long legs, curved thighs and porcelain white skin. Her toned belly, he had never actually seen it before this trip. She looked fit for a girl, something that Ichigo could respect as a martial artist and athlete. Her muscles were just perfect for her, neither too defined nor too large. What really caught his attention though was her tight little… He shook his head to clear it of perverted thoughts.

He struggled to get the words out his mouth. 'Hey, Rukia-'

'Ichigo, I-' she said at exactly the same time.

They both stopped and looked at each other awkwardly.

'You go first,' he offered.

'No, you go first.'

'I'd rather you did.'

'You want me to hit you?' she warned.

'I'll go first,' he conceded.

Clearing his throat, he started again. 'Ah, Rukia. I… I dunno what's gotten into me this last little while. You've been driving me even more nuts than usual-'

'Hey!'

'-but in a good way. Rukia, I think I…I…I…' His voice started wavering at the worst possible moment.

'What?'

'I li… li… like… yo… yo…'

'You like me,' she said slowly, looking at him with raised eyebrows. 'Ichigo, we've been friends for ages, was that all you had to say?'

His anger stirred. 'Dammit Rukia, I'm freaking nuts about you!'

She stared at him, open mouthed. Then she frowned again, 'What do you mean?'

Oh for the love of… Ichigo wanted to hit his head against something really hard. 'I'm trying to say I think I love you!'

Fortunately, or unfortunately, he only froze up after the words were out of his mouth. Terrified, he raised his eyes to see her reaction. She had also frozen, and was blushing profusely. Then, to his relief, she tentatively met his gaze.

'Ichigo, I-'

'Kurosaki, Kuchiki,' cried Ishida, running into view.

Ichigo's face darkened. Of all times to interrupt him, this was probably the very worst he could have chosen. Ishida's face was grim, so he decided to hear him out before murdering him. 'This had better be important,' he growled.

'It is,' said Ishida, 'You'd better get into Shinigami form, we've got company.'

Perfectly on cue, two figures appeared in front of them.

x

To say that Rukia was peeved to be interrupted would be a severe understatement. Her anger though wasn't directed at Ishida, rather at the two that had just appeared. They were definitely spirits, and emitting such weak spiritual pressure that Rukia was surprised that Ishida had felt them coming. But then his sensor abilities had always been acute. What was up with them, there was no sign of their soul link or chain; they weren't hollows or shinigami.

The man was slightly shorter than Ichigo, a stockier build comparable to Ganju. He had a scar running down the side of his face. The woman was about Ishida's height and build, in contrast with her partners deadpanned expression she bore a sneer. They both wore white long-sleeved shirts and slim pants, their boots were white too. Each wore a different colour armband.

'What are they?' she said, swallowing her anger with some difficulty. If this was going to lead to battle she had to be cool.

'I don't know,' said Ishida, a bead of sweat running down his cheek, 'They must be Souls, but their energy is remarkably similar to that of a Quincy.'

'Wow, undead Quincys,' said Ichigo in a half sarcastic tone.

'If they are, we might be in trouble,' Rukia warned. 'Remember, we've had our power's limited, we're only at a fifth of our normal strength.'

'Oh yeah,' said Ichigo. 'I forgot.'

'So, Captain Kurosaki and Lieutenant Kuchiki of the thirteenth I presume?' said the woman, then flicked her eyes towards Ishida. 'And this must be the remnant of the old order.'

'I am Ishida Uryu, last of the Quincy.'

'Last huh? I guess you are, the rest of us have moved on to greater things. But to have sunk so low, to ally with Shinigami, that is unforgivable.'

'What are you talking about, who are you?' Rukia shouted.

'Silence,' the woman snapped. 'No questions. We were ordered to kill you two, but I think we'll add this traitor to our list.'

Orihime and Chad ran up behind them. 'What's going on,' said Chad.

'Stay out of it,' said Ichigo, 'Inoue, we might need you to heal us after. Chado, keep her safe.'

'Understood.'

Rukia couldn't help but admire the way he was giving out the right orders as though he'd been doing it for centuries. Having all of them attack at once would be very confusing. Inoue had no fighting spirit, and Chad wouldn't be much help against opponents that were almost certainly speed specialists. Besides which, it would be plenty of paperwork if they took off their reitsu-sealing armbands.

'Let's go, Hibiki,' said the woman, glancing towards him. He bared his teeth in response. As one they unbuttoned their cuffs, allowing the chained crosses to drop and hang. Their were two flashes of blue light, a whiney high pitched noise, then it died down. The man had a bow that looked much like the first one Rukia had seen Ishida with. The woman held twisting and pulsing blue spirit energy in her hand.

'Amateurs,' snorted Ishida, pulling his five-pointed star from his pocket, 'Guys, let me deal with this one.' When he put it around his wrist though, nothing happened. He stared down in shock.

'Who's the amateur now?' said the woman. 'You haven't fought someone with your abilities before, have you?' She continued without giving Ishida a chance to answer. 'I suppose since you considered yourself the only one you refined your technique to fight hollows, and possibly shinigami. Let me educate you in some of the basics.

'When your opponent is drawing is power the same way you are, there are ways to block their conduct. Our power isn't determined by our latent spiritual energy, like the shinigami, but rather our efficiency in drawing power out of the surrounding area. And if you can't draw any, you are entirely powerless.'

Ishida's face went white. 'No way!'

'Just sit this one out,' said Ichigo, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

'There's two of us and two of them,' said Rukia, 'Fair odds. Time to switch.'

'Yeah.'

If what this strange woman said was true, Chad might also be a disadvantage if he got involved. He too drew his power from the air around him. Though since his was hollow-based power he might just be immune, or at least resilient. It was a theory worth testing if they got into a pinch.

Rukia pulled a small waterproof container of her hair. She had kept it with her all the time, just in case a hollow had shown up. And after the mixed-up mods incident, she kept them firmly separate. She took out the Chappy one, on the side marked with a small bunny sticker, and passed the container to Ichigo.

Rukia separated from her body, Ichigo a moment after. 'Chappy, Kon, get back to the camp and make sure the others stay safe,' she ordered.

'Hai,' said Kon, and leapt away in Ichigo's body, with Chappy in Rukia's gigai close behind.

'I'll take the big one,' said Ichigo.

The woman, who had been tapping her foot impatiently, said, 'Can we begin already?'

'Anytime you're ready,' said Rukia. 'By the way, the big guy's being rather quiet.'

The man, Hibiki if Rukia had heard right, opened his mouth wide. She winced, his tongue had been removed.

'Eargh,' said Ichigo. 'That's gotta hurt.'

'Yeah,' said Rukia.

'Enough talk,' cried the woman, and attacked.

x

Ichigo had wondered ever since his match with Ishida what it would have been like if they had actually fought. Within a minute of battling his curiosity had been more than sated. He had wanted to concentrate on the man, but Rukia and him kept on having to swap opponents and even fight in tandem at points.

The man was firing spiritron arrows with the speed of an automatic rifle, while the woman hurled glowing light blue spheres at them; which exploded with tremendous force. Those at least came slower, but were far more deadly. Ichigo blocked three arrows on the side of his large released zanpakutou, then flash stepped to cut a sphere in half before it could explode. The man appeared behind him, and started firing at nearly point-blank range. Ichigo immediately swung Zangetsu behind his back to deflect. Then the two halves exploded, closer to his enemy than him, forcing them both to defend. When the smoke Rukia flash stepped beside him.

'Are you alright?' she said.

'Yeah,' he said, noting that his uniform had been torn up a bit by the blast, and was smoking. Good thing he'd left his captain's haori back in Soul Society.

'That's good,' she said, and fired a wave of ice at their enemies; who had just regrouped. There was a large explosion in front of it, and the ice shattered before it reached them.

Ichigo gritted his teeth. He hated this, fighting at a fifth of his true power. The worst part was that since they hadn't predicted this there hadn't been any arrangements made with the institute of technology and research for limit removal. And they couldn't remove their limits without approval, even if they died. Rukia had paged them, but they'd had no reply so far.

'Rukia, I hate to say this, but we're losing.'

'Oh really, you think?'

'I'm gonna go Bankai, do you have any special power that might help?'

'I do, but it wouldn't work with the limit in place.'

He was tempted to ask what it was, but now wasn't the time. 'Just use your Kido then. Bankai, Tense Zangetsu.'

The sensation of pushing through to Bankai level was comparable to pushing through the mental limit during intense physical training. Only on a much greater level. Like the mental limit, the more times you did it the easier it became. That had been the case every time before, but now it was at least as hard as the first time he'd done it. In the end only knowing what he was aiming to achieve allowed him to reach it. Then there was no huge rush of power, only an increase. The wind barely moved at all.

'So that's what happens when a Shinigami tries to use his ultimate at a greatly reduced power level,' said the woman, 'Interesting.'

'Shuttup,' said Ichigo, and flash stepped towards her. She blocked his now narrow blade with a fistful of blue energy, and shot the other hand's load at his chest. Ichigo's eyes widened, she was as fast as him. He dodged the ball, dodged again as Rukia's blue fire spell came crashing in. Then the man swooped at him, firing with increased ferocity. Ichigo weaved and blocked, he couldn't possibly get close enough to this bowman who was matching him turn for turn attacking all the while. Further away Rukia wasn't doing any better.

There was a cry of 'Howl, Zabimaru,' and a long snake-sword shot towards the man, who dodged easily. 'Shit, almost had him.'

'Renji,' said Ichigo, eyes wide with surprise. He wanted to ask what he was doing on earth. Instead he said, 'Have you got your limiter on?'

Renji pulled his top open slightly to reveal his Iris flower tattoo. Ichigo grimaced, he would be far too slow to keep up with these guys. 'Go help Rukia,' he said.

'No need, she's got help,' said Renji, and pointed.

Chad had just joined the battlefield, though he only had his right arm covered in the hollow armour. He must also be suffering a lack of energy, though whether that was due to the drain of these Quincys that weren't Quincys or the simple fact that there wasn't all that much spiritron around here to begin with; Ichigo didn't know. At least he'd been able to form his basic weapon, unlike Ishida.

'Looks like their numbers doubled, Hibiki,' said the woman, 'More fun for you and me.' The man leered in response.

The odds were now better, they might just pull it off. 'Alright Renji, go Bankai already and lets get this show cleaned up.'

'You don't have to tell me smartarse,' said the redhead.

'Whatever. You ready fruitcake?'

'Always.'

As one, they charged forward with a roar on their lips.

x

A/N: A few notes about Rugby. If you don't know what it is, you either live in a closet, or America (lol). If that is you, look it up on Wikipedia. Wonderful source of general information.

I am aware that it isn't a mainstream sport in Japan, because it isn't an old British colony and the general populace is of small stature; especially compared to the (Chad-sized) giants in most national teams. But it is a sport that is growing in popularity there, the Japanese have been in the last few World Cup's, and are more serious competitors each time. It's played in many large schools, and I think it's fair to expect that Ichigo and Co would have had some exposure to it. It was even featured in the anime Full metal panic Fumoffu.

That's all I guess, please remember to review.