A/N: We're still on the turn-back chapters. Remember, Mikio is prel (previous life) Ichigo; Maiyuki is prel Rukia; lieutenant Kuchiki is prel Byakuya; Hanako is prel Hisana and Daiken is prel Hitsugaya.

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The Heir Apparent
Chapter -199: Like a Falcon, Struck from the Sky

Coming out of the darkness of the space between worlds was a relief, but a bit of a shock to suddenly be hundreds of meters above the ground. He started to fall, but then remembered how to stand in midair. It was different to doing so in Soul Society, easier due to the fact that the air was spiritually less dense, but there was a knack to it.

Shunsui looked around, at the bright blue sky with soft fluffy-looking clouds floating at intervals. The ground below was divided into square fields, some dictated by the lay of the land. There was a small town filled with wood, straw and mud brick houses. He could just make out the people walking around, from this distance they looked like toys.

'Somebody's going Bankai,' said Mikio, catching the butterflies that had brought them and putting them in a small box then in his inside pocket. 'I'm pretty sure it's Kuchiki. Shunsui, follow me.'

Shunsui could feel it too, the massively expanding spiritual pressure. It was hard to believe that the people down below didn't. They set off at speed towards where they'd felt it, flash stepping from point to point. It was slower going than it would have been on ground, since they had to solidify places to land on. They were just coming within sight range, Shunsui could see the mass of pink blades that he supposed must make up the Bankai, when the lieutenant's pressure suddenly plummeted; all the pink faded away. Something dropped from his grasp and started falling towards the ground.

'NO!' cried Mikio, 'Bankai, Tense Zangetsu.' He blazed with power and surged ahead.

Shunsui was just close enough to see what was going on when Mikio reached Kuchiki. He was pulling him away from the solid figure that had been gripping him, Shunsui thought he saw a spray of blood. Mikio then swept down to catch the falling figure, who he now recognised as his captain; Mikio's wife Maiyuki. Had they all arrived before them? Was she dead too, and was that her sister Hanako he saw lying in the broken ground far below? This was fast turning into a tragedy.

Shunsui reached the man-shaped figure that had hurt lieutenant Kuchiki, and stopped short. The thing facing him was like nothing he had ever seen before. It was definitely a hollow, it had a hole in its torso. But most powerful hollow were huge, this one was barely taller than him; although far broader across the shoulders. It was covered in some type of armour that spiked and protruded in odd areas. It was like someone had draw a line down it, bisecting its nose and groin, and decided that the left side should be white and the right; black. There were thick lines of red all over it, depicting demonic designs. Its eyes were pupil-less, and glowed yellow.

'What the-' said Shunsui, his eyes widening. This… thing had defeated lieutenant Kuchiki, in Bankai form no less. He was the most powerful lieutenant, besides Shiba Sensei of course. It had also beaten Captain Shiba. What was this monster? The reitsu it was emitting was terrifying!

As if answering his thoughts, the hollow leered and said, 'So, now you see the true power of a Vasto Lorde,'

Shunsui had no idea what that was, he'd never heard of anything like it before. One thing was certain though, he wasn't about to let this thing kill valued nobles and members of Gotei twelve and get away with it. He was terrified, but he'd faced fears before and dealt with them. He drew his daisho sword pair.

Mikio flash-stepped in front of him. 'This is my fight, Shunsui,' he said with his back turned to him.

'Sensei,' he said, 'This hollow has already defeated two captain-class fighters, we'd stand a far better chance if-'

'He killed my brother-in-law,' Mikio growled, gripping his sword so tightly Shunsui could hear it grind, 'And wounded my wife and sister badly. Remember what I taught you about why we fight.' He dived forward to attack.

Shunsui did. The two types of fight, for pride and for life. The hollow had sullied Mikio's pride through killing lieutenant Kuchiki (he couldn't for the life of him remember his first name) and hurting his wife and sister. He had to fight it in order to reclaim his own honour, and the honour of his family. Shunsui's intervention now would leave it forever tarnished.

He watched as Mikio attacked again and again, almost too fast to see. He was more serious that Shunsui had ever seen him, and absolutely furious. Any normal opponent would have been slaughtered in seconds. The hollow was fighting back strongly though. He couldn't match the Soul Reaper's speed, but his defense was solid. His attacks looked devastatingly powerful, of course none of them could touch Mikio. The only thing that seemed to work was when the hollow raised his left fist and roared, energy blasting out all around him. That knocked Mikio back, but he was attacking again an instant later, snarling with his teeth bared.

Seeing as his teacher had things reasonably under control, Shunsui dropped down to see how the women were doing. Both were out cold, Maiyuki must have been hit by an energy blast for the front of her clothes were singed. But they weren't in any immediate danger. Lieutenant Kuchiki though was definitely dead, he lay limp at an odd angle. His spirit was leaving his spirit body too, even if they'd had the equipment and time to repair him he was already beyond it. Shunsui sighed, and wished for a moment that he believed in a higher power so he could pray for him.

Then he noticed a broken section of buildings not too far off, there were bodies lying there as well. Only these were human bodies, they must have been the reason why Hanako had been called out in the first place. He flash-stepped to them, and quickly assessed the situation. There were about thirty in all, give or take a few, it was hard to make an accurate tally when so many were ripped into pieces. They were all dressed in white. A group of monks perhaps? No, that five-pointed line star symbol on their backs was familiar, he'd seen it in the dispatches. They were Quincy! What were they doing in Japan?

From the reports he'd seen, the Quincy were a German order. Had they spread to the other side of the globe this quickly? There were so many of them. Daiken was right, they really did have to monitor these humans. What had they lured into the world of the living, either by intent or ignorance. A hollow that could defeat captain-class shinigami was unheard of. The most powerful they'd ever faced before was the Menos Adjunchas, and that was only the equivalent of an average lieutenant.

A loud roar up above drew his attention back to the fight. Mikio had opened a terrible wound in the creature's side. It flailed angrily, bellowing its frustration. Mikio used the opening in its defense to open another cut before dodging a vicious energy blast.

Shunsui, deciding that the fight up above was more interesting than anything he could find on the ground, started hopping up in stages. It would have looked to the casual onlooker like he was jumping up a series of invisible blocks. In actual fact all he was doing was solidifying reitsu under his feet, it wasn't too dissimilar to using flash-steps.

He reached a place a bit above the combatants, close enough to see what was going on but far enough that he wouldn't be caught in the fray. He started watching for the hollow's style. At first it didn't make any sense to him, then he realised by the way Mikio was manoeuvring around it and it was trying to counter. The black right half of it seemed almost impervious to blows, it tried to absorb as many of Mikio's attacks on that side as possible, using right-forward fighting stance. The pates on its arm looked like a shield too. The attacks from it though were weak. The left side was the opposite, incredibly powerful attacks but weak defense. Mikio had no problem cutting that side and was constantly breaking its defence to do just that.

Watching them, it occurred to Shunsui that Mikio had possibly the best ability to be facing this "Vasto Lorde" hollow with. Most Bankai were an explosion of power, this hollow's combination of attack and defensive power meant that he would most likely be able to absorb any attack thrown at him and retaliate instantly. He'd already defeated two people with Bankai as proof. Mikio's though was a compression, greatly enhancing his speed and through that; indirectly; his attack power as well. In all of Soul Society his was unique. The hollow was by no means slow, it was as fast as any quick captain, it only seemed slow in comparison to Mikio; who was literally running circles around him to strike his softer left again and again.

There was a flash of blue streaking upwards, and then another. A third hit the hollow on the hand and hissed against his armour. Shunsui shot his gaze down. At the site of the dead Quincys at least a hundred live ones had arrived, and were forming their bows. More were arriving all the time. But he'd been down there just a minute ago, how had they got there so fast? Impossible, unless they had a human flash-step equivalent. Then the barrage really started.

It seemed as though the air was suddenly filled with hissing blue arrows, all aimed at and around the hollow. Shunsui immediately found himself in danger, even as far away as he was, and started backing away while deflecting shots that came to close with his zanpakutou. He quickly released it, just in case. Mikio was in trouble, caught in the thick of it. He was deflecting arrows as fast as they came, but that was about all he could do. He'd had to abandon his assault on the hollow.

The hollow had simply turned so that his right face the ground, and raised his arm to defend his face. The arrows hissed as they struck him, but did no perceivable damage. He growled at Mikio, and started charging up energy behind his back in his left hand; which began to ooze inky blackness.

'Sensei,' Shunsui cried a warning, but it was lost in the roar of the barrage.

The Vasto Lorde fired, but not at Mikio. At first Shunsui thought it was at the Quincy, then he realised where the epicentre was located. Maiyuki and Hanako. Before he could do anything Mikio was there, putting his body in between them and the huge ball of energy. Two arrows pierced his back, he didn't flinch and started sending moonfang after moonfang into it, slowing and diminishing it. All the while taking more and more stray shots in his back. Some of them were starting to pierce right through him.

Just when the blast was almost on top of him, one final attack split it and it exploded in midair. Mikio was flung backwards, all movement faded from him and he started falling towards the ground; the tailcoats of his Bankai uniform folded back like a pair of wings.

'No, this can't be,' said Shunsui softly, his eyes wide with horror. Mikio-dono was the next captain, and everyone knew that captain-commander Yamamoto considered him a strong possibility to take over after he retired. He was invincible, how could this be happening?

The hollow leered, and charged towards the Quincys. They were firing bigger bolts now, but those did no more damage to it than the others. Shunsui knew that he should probably protect them, but after what they'd done he didn't feel the slightest bit inclined to help them. He was also scared of that creature. There was one other thing he could do though. Flash-stepping around the barrage, which was becoming more concentrated with the hollows charge, he reached the two unconscious women and lieutenant Kuchiki's body. At the very least, he could protect them. He owed his teacher that much.

With the hollow almost on top of them, many of the Quincys gave up their attacks and started fleeing. In an instant it had turned into a rout, with only a few still doggedly firing. Only a few seemed to be able to use their Quincy flash-steps, whatever they were, to get away. Shunsui watched grimly, waiting for his chance to flee with the two women. Just as soon as the killing began.

'Inazuma Shigetsu,' cried a familiar voice.

It happened so fast Shunsui had to replay it in his head to realise what had happened. One moment the hollow was charging at the cowardly Quincy, mere meters above them, the next millisecond Mikio smashed into him driving his blade into its side. The hollow was thrown off course and flew out of sight. Many of the Quincy stopped running and milled around in confusion.

Shunsui could feel both their life forces fading, and flash-stepped to where they lay. Mikio was lying across the hollows chest, his blade piercing its tough right side under its arm and penetrating right through; so that the point stuck out on the other side. Both were trying desperately to breathe, coughing up mouthfuls of blood with every gasp. With failing strength, Mikio grabbed the hollows throat and pulled them chin to chin. Shunsui couldn't hear his whisper, but he knew the other mans words to those he killed by now. Though you die in violence, may you be reborn into peace.

The hollow tried to respond, then it shuddered and relaxed, the light fading from its eyes. Shunsui raced up to them. When he got there Mikio was already dead, he must have died within a few heartbeats of the Vasto Lorde.

'No,' he moaned, knowing even as he said it that it was useless, 'No, Sensei, don't go. Don't leave me, don't leave your Maiyuki-taicho, don't leave us here.'

He could feel power signatures form up around him. Many of the captains and lieutenants of Gotei twelve, including captain-commander Yamamoto and his best friend Daiken. Some of the Quincys too. His vision went red, they had done this, these fools and their stupid arrows. Mikio-dono would have won easily if they hadn't interfered. Shunsui wasn't a man prone to rage, but he wanted to kill them. He wanted to rip their silly heads off their shoulders.

But then his Sensei had put so much into his last attack, even as he was dying, just to save them. Hopelessness came crushing down on his anger.

'You bastards, you absolute bastards,' said Daiken, drawing his sword and narrowing his eyes vengefully at the nearby Quincy, who quickly reignited their bows.

'Stand down lieutenant,' barked Yamamoto.

'But-'

'STAND DOWN!'

Daiken sheathed his blade, and turned to Shunsui. 'You coward, why didn't you help him. Were you afraid?'

Shunsui didn't know what to say. How could he explain the question of honour, and how the Quincy had come and interfered so quickly that he hadn't had time to help. There was no way, he hadn't been there.

'A coward is no friend of mine,' said Daiken, turning his face away from him.

Any other time Shunsui would have grabbed him by the collar and made him see reason. But he was still in shock at Mikio's death. Daiken was dealing with his pain a very different way.

Daiken had been taken into the Shiba household at a very young age as a talented retainer, and trained from entry level. Shunsui by comparison had only started training with Mikio after he'd joined the academy and become friends with Daiken. The two of them had been like brothers, and Mikio their father. Now it seemed that relationship was in pieces.

Even through his emotional pain, Shunsui noticed that something was very wrong with Mikio's body. He shouldn't be crying, not in death. Looking again, he realised that his eyes were melting.

'What's happening?' he cried. He flash-stepped to the nearest Quincy, grabbed him, and flash-stepped back. 'What did you freaks do to him?' he said, pushing the terrified man's head close to his teacher's body.

'His…his spirit… it's breaking down,' the Quincy explained.

'What!'

By now the skin on Mikio's face was starting to sag.

'That means he won't be able to be reborn,' said Daiken, 'It might already be too late!'

'We cannot know that for sure,' said Yamamoto, drawing his sword. 'If we destroy his body with pure Shinigami energy he might just have a chance. Stand back children, I am going to consign his body to the flames.'

He swung his blade over Mikio's body, and fire burst out of both him and the hollow. Somehow the heat didn't spread further. The members of Gotei twelve formed up around, bowing their heads in tribute. Silently the Quincy moved to join them, and unprompted fell to their knees in a ripple. Shunsui wanted to hate them for what they'd done, but as he watched them he found he couldn't. They were fools, it was true, and fools with dangerous weapons at that. But they had erred while trying to protect people, which had always been his Sensei's greatest goal. They had pride, honour and respect. He couldn't hate them. He watched the man he'd loved like the father he'd never had burn in the bright blaze.

Then he saw Daiken's face amongst the others, furious silent tears running down his cheeks. His narrowed gaze was fixed on the bowed Quincy. And Shunsui knew with cold certainty that Daiken would never forgive them for what they had done. He wouldn't be content until every man and woman bearing the Quincy cross was exterminated. After what had transpired, he would have a lot of support, especially among the nobles.

Mentally he sighed. If Mikio-dono had been here he would definitely have defended these humans, just as he had done moments before his death at their hands. Since he couldn't anymore, Shunsui would have to take his place. For both of their sakes. It meant that he would lose any chance of repairing his relationship with Daiken, from now on they would be sworn enemies. He stared at the young man who just hours before had been his best friend, his brother. It was a difficult idea to get used to.

Daiken raised his eyes, and locked his gaze with Shunsui's. It was as though they'd both been thinking along the same lines, and a silent understanding passed between them. One day they would cross blades, and one of them would die. The knowledge chilled him to the bone.

And thus the Pendulum swings back to the present.

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A/N: Mikio's attack, Inazuma Shigetsu, means lightning death-moon. I tried to follow Kubo's style for naming attacks, and the fact that Ichigo's theme seems to be the moon. How it works: It's basically a instantaneous sword charge, greatly magnifying his already impressive speed and attack power. However, once he starts it he can't change direction; his sword has to be held to stab otherwise it would simply be ripped out of his hand; and it takes a moment to charge up. So if his enemy were to take just one step to the right of where he was aiming and hold their sword out there, well…

If you were paying attention, you probably realise who the hollow was. I'm not going to say now, and spoil the surprise for those who didn't. Lets just say that'll be mentioned in the next little bit.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the short turn back arc. As you probably guessed, there's a lot more to this story that hasn't been told yet. We'll be going back again at a later stage. Until then it's back to the present. So, as always, all input is greatly appreciated. KotW out.