The Heir Apparent
Chapter 29: Countdown to Crowning

The Sun shines bright, dispelling night
The Moon floats along the day sky
Peace brings life, inviting strife
Soon will be time to die

Returning to the routine of the office was a relief for Ichigo after the turbulent last few days. Honestly, one was supposed to take leave to relax, not return to work for it. He still had no idea what that attack by those strange Quincy had been about, and not knowing was gnawing on his mind, distracting him even whilst signing important documents. Ganju and the special forces were on the case, since Yoruichi was in the material world with Renji and Urahara. He doubted that they would find anything new.

Things were far better with Rukia, ever since Kyoraku had told them about their past lives. He couldn't like being forced to make the decision regarding their relationship, but he had to admit that now they were over that particular hurdle things were far better. She was a ray of light in his life, a simple smile from her would brighten his day. Although, since they were in close proximity all the time, invariably they got on each others nerves and started fighting. It would generally be resolved by her hitting him.

Kiyone and Sentaro were as strange as ever, but after a few hours of extra creepiness on the first day they seemed to calm down to just generally weird. Certainly they helped to make the routine a bit more lively. They had returned their hair colour to normal, thankfully, but Sentaro's had lost its frizzyness and now hung sleekly on his neck, shining with what looked like liberal amounts of oil. It made Ichigo's scalp feel itchy just looking at it.

At the end of the day they had a visitor. Kiyone came running in to announce that one of the gate guardians was there to see him. By the look on her face, it wasn't common for one of them to be visiting a captain.

'It must be Jidanbou,' said Ichigo, thinking back to his first attempted entrance to Soul Society. None of the others had any reason to see him.

'I'll come with you,' said Rukia, rising from her seat and stretching her back.

It turned out not to be Jidanbou, but a fierce looking man nearly as tall as him. Ichigo vaguely remembered him as one of the three turned against Soul Society by Aizen's hypnosis. 'Uh, who are you?' he said, staring up at the giant.

'I am Kaiwan,' said the colossus, 'It's good to finally meet you, Kurosaki-taicho.'

'Thanks, I guess,' said Ichigo.

'Why are you here,' said Rukia. She didn't seem nearly as intimidated by his height. Then again, being as small as she was she must be used to everyone towering over her.

'Hinamori-fukutaicho gave me a message to give to you if she died or disappeared.' Kaiwan held out a huge hand with a tiny note in it, 'Since there has been no sign of her for days, here it is.'

Ichigo took it, and held it out for Rukia to read with him. Their eyes widened, and they looked at each other.

'I think we should take this to captain Hitsugaya,' said Rukia.

'Good idea,' said Ichigo.

x

Hate brings fall, to us all
It brings a solid reminder
Of loss and pain, when none would gain
And good men were that much blinder

Kyoraku stood silently in the training grounds, gazing into the sky. Ichigo and Rukia hadn't come, they must have not forgiven him. He sighed, feeling the weight of loneliness settle on his shoulders. He'd never been one to have scores of friends, sure; he was courteous and familiar with everybody; but there was only ever one close brother. First had been Daiken, then Ukitake, and now Ichigo. Except they didn't seem to be friends anymore.

'Captain, Captain!'

Kyoraku brought his focus back to the present. 'Yes, Nanao-chan?'

His lieutenant sighed, and gave him a half-hearted thump on the shoulder. 'Nothing. We should get going, its getting late.'

It was true, night was deepening and bats were replacing the birds in the sky. He remembered how Daiken had hated bats, and would shoot them down with Kido just out of spite and boredom. He'd never said anything about that particular habit, but it had always saddened him to see an innocent creature die unnecessarily.

'Captain,' said Nanao, sensing that his mind was wandering again.

'Let's go,' he said, and started to move. Then he stopped, sensing a familiar reitsu. A moment later Ichigo flash-stepped into the area, followed instantly by Rukia. Kyoraku's heart did a back flip, but he kept his face impassive.

'Yada yara, you kept us waiting. We'll have hardly any time to train tonight,' he said as they approached.

'Sorry, we got sidetracked,' said Ichigo.

'We had a visit from Kaiwan, who had a note from Hinamori,' Rukia added.

'Explain,' said Nanao.

They did, and at the end Kyoraku thumbed his chin thoughtfully. 'So she didn't just have a breakdown. I wonder, who took her.'

'It must be one of our enemies,' said Ichigo, 'Or one of hers.'

'Obviously,' Rukia snorted.

'Hinamori Momo doesn't have any personal enemies,' said Nanao, 'The only reason why anyone would do anything to her would be to get at captain Hitsugaya, or the Shinigami in general.'

'That leaves us with four distinct possibilities,' said Kyoraku, 'Either there are some Arrancar that we missed, the remaining Vasto Lorde are moving against Soul Society, those Quincy that attacked you in the material world are up to something, or there's some new unknown enemy.'

'But how would any of them have access to Soul Society?' said Rukia.

'None of them should,' said Kyoraku gravely. 'Whatever the situation, we should report this to the other captains, it could turn serious. For now though, all we can do is wait and see.'

'What!' cried Ichigo, 'The enemy is out there, and we're just going to wait for something to happen?'

'And what exactly should we do?' said Nanao. 'We have almost no idea what to look for, and none where to look for it. They could be in Soul Society, the material world, or even Hueco Mundo. That's a lot of ground to cover. In the meantime, we've got a crowning ceremony happening in less than a week.'

'I guess,' said Ichigo, 'But still…'

Kyoraku put a hand on his shoulder, 'I understand how you feel, but unfocused effort isn't going to get us anywhere. We'll just have to keep our guard up and our eyes open.'

'Yeah,' said Ichigo, looking away, 'Sure.'

Kyoraku gave a small smile. 'Well, it's a bit late for training. Why don't I treat us to dinner, I know the perfect place.'

x

The air is grim, stench of old sin
Love blooms within unknowing
Jubilant Sun and Moon as one
Every hour peril is growing

Byakuya gasped as he hit the ground. He leapt back to his feet, but not nearly as quickly as he should.

'C'mon Kuchiki, we've only been at this for ten minutes!' Kenpachi complained.

It was true, they'd only just started. And yet Byakuya was already drained, every muscle in his body burned. Kenpachi of course hadn't even broken a sweat, or taken a nick. If they had been fighting for real, Byakuya would be long dead.

'One more time,' he said.

Kenpachi grinned widely, 'That's the spirit!' he said, and charged.

Byakuya charged back the last few meters, swinging his sword from his hip. He caught the other man's attack on his blade, but couldn't hope to match his awesome strength. So he dodged aside and stabbed, Kenpachi knocked the tip away negligently. They traded blow after blow, Byakuya desperately trying to keep up.

He jumped back and cried, 'Scatter, Senbonzakura.' He nearly fell to his knees with the small but sudden energy drain of releasing his Shikai.

His blade dissolved into tiny metal slivers, which reflected pink when the light caught them. With a thrust of his handle he sent them flying at Kenpachi. The big man slashed the air, blasting them away with sheer raw power. Byakuya's eyes widened as the tip of his sword touched under his chin.

'Not bad, not bad,' said Kenpachi, 'That's it for today, you're getting weak and slow. But it was better than yesterday.'

Byakuya released the breath he didn't know he'd been holding when Kenpachi removed his sword. He straightened and bowed stiffly, 'Thank you for your assistance today. May we continue again tomorrow?'

'Damn, why do you have to do this every day,' Kenpachi complained, 'Yeah, sure, whatever. Be sure to rest so you can use your pretty Shikai properly. It's no fun beating you when you're like this.'

Although he wasn't happy with his current level of strength, his recovery did seem to be speeding up. That was something to be grateful for. He might even be at lieutenant level strength in time for the crowning ceremony. But there was still a lot of work to be done in the meantime.

x

Day brings light to our sight
Yet it is but a subtle illusion
For enemies strong have plotted long
Working in secret collusion

On a raised platform, overlooking the assembled thousand members of the Rache, Takumo stood silently beside his lord. It was dawn, a special time for them, when they would start their day with exercise and recitals of obedience and vows for vengeance. Today was extra-special, for it was now only twenty-four hours until A-Day, 'A' for annihilation. Every member of the order stood in attendance. All except those working frenetically to complete the last preparations to ensure their victory on the glorious day.

'Brothers, Sisters,' Bismark's voice boomed, 'The day we have long awaited is finally upon us. For all our murdered comrades, we will repay the Shinigami in kind.'

Takumo had been only twelve years old when it had happened, but he still remembered the day well. The sudden attack on their high council by one lone Shinigami in the middle of their peace talks. He could still hear the man's screams of rage, and his victims wails of despair. Takumo had hidden in a manure heap, and prayed quietly, only coming out when it had been silent for hours.

Bismark had gathered the survivors. During the chaos of the extermination that followed, they had captured some weak Shinigami and forced their way into Soul Society. By that time the war was lost, so they had gone into hiding. There had been about forty of them then. Looking around, he could only make out a few faces of the original survivors. All of the others had been recruited after.

'-And we will smite them into the dust, and make them lick the dirt off our boots-'

Takumo had lost his entire family to the Shinigami, every last one. He'd heard a rumour of a surviving cousin once, but had never been able to confirm it. So he had reason to hate them. But honestly, he had no idea who had actually killed them, they'd all been hunted down after the initial attack. Taking vengeance against the organisation was largely meaningless, but still, to be able to stand at the top of heaven…

'-They will weep and cry with despair as we crush them with our iron heel of Justice. Do not pity them, for they have brought it upon themselves. They would think themselves gods, to dictate all-'

Takumo had heard the rhetoric dozens of times before over his centuries with Bismark. There was no point in listening to it anymore, he could almost recite what was about to be said. Would there be any way to ensure their victory while still unseating Bismark? It might be possible, but he'd have to play it by ear. He had an ally in Serena, he was sure. And all the members of his inner circle. Khaan was unpredictable, that made him a wild card. As for Marx, Takumo knew for certain that he was also aiming for the top spot. But his power was far below that of Takumo's or Bismark's.

Bismark was reaching the crux of his speech, people were clapping and cheering. Takumo joined in, he couldn't be seen not to be paying attention. '-And now, let me hear you say it in one voice. Vengeance is mine.'

'VENGEANCE IS MINE,' the crowd roared.

'Vengeance is mine!'

'VENGEANCE IS MINE.'

'Rest now, brave Rache. For tomorrow, we make our dream a reality.'

Takumo said his goodbyes and waited until most of the crowd had dispersed before he moved. He re-entered the fortress and went down the long flight of stairs that led to the basement, and the dungeons. Marx was already there, mixing fluids with what looked like a chemistry set.

'You missed Lord Bismark's address,' said Takumo, 'Hardly behaviour befitting our new second in command, don't you agree?'

'I discovered that my dosage wasn't strong enough,' said Marx, not looking up from his work and pointing an arm to his right. 'Take a look over there.'

Takumo did, and took a double take. 'Is that lieutenant Hinamori?' He took the other man's silence as asset. 'What did you do to her?'

'I gave her a captain's dosage about two days ago. As you can see, she's still alive. Which is a problem.'

By the looks of it, barely. She lay in her cell, unchained, a pool of bloody vomit beside her face. Her breath came only in short staccato gasps. His memory flashed back, and he was transported back to that horrible day; seeing another woman with her side ripped open lying in a similar position; also fighting to stay alive. He clenched and unclenched his fist, now wasn't the time to be feeling pity for these murderers.

'I underestimated their durability to this kind of attack,' said Marx conversationally. 'It doesn't matter though, I'm busy refining our current stocks. They'll be more than enough even for their strongest captains.'

'How long will it take for the effects to set in?' said Takumo.

'About eight hours. Before then they shouldn't notice anything more than a slight drop in their spiritual pressure. As soon as they exert themselves though the effects are… violent.'

Takumo glanced again at Hinamori, and shuddered. 'It won't make for much of a fight if all of them are like this.'

'Oh, I'm sure we'll miss one or two,' said Marx with a slight smile, 'Things could still get interesting.'

'Interesting is not what we want, it should be a clean and quick takeover,' said Takumo sharply. That was the sentiment he was supposed to express. But honestly, a bit of confusion served him perfectly, it was just the situation in which he would excel.

'We have to make allowances for those we miss,' said Marx soothingly, 'We'll have to play it by ear though, according to how many there are.'

Soul society was already short of three captains in the material world. It would be ideal if they dealt with at least five in their initial attack. That would leave enough to make trouble, trouble to use as a smokescreen to unseat Bismark, but not enough that they could possibly lose control of the situation. Takumo was certain that Marx was attempting a similar thing, but his ambitions would only serve to further Takumo's cause. For while Marx was the supreme strategist, Takumo was the best at swift reaction. And there was no way that Marx could plan for all the potential outcomes of tomorrow. Right?

One thing was for certain, tomorrow would be the beginning of the end.

x

Night comes swift, their hands to lift
The roaring banner of vengeance
Sword and bow, all will know
The cost of receiving repentance

Yamamoto didn't bother to hide his irritation as he surveyed his guests. He'd issued a formal invitation for all captains to dine with him tonight, the night before the crowning ceremony. Of all of them, only five had come. Kensei and Shinji, Kenpachi and Byakuya, and Unohana. Where the hell were the rest of them?

As if answering his thoughts, Byakuya said, 'Captains Kurosaki and Kyoraku send their apologies, but they have planned a night out with their lieutenants.'

Yamamoto growled. That accounted for those two. Captains Urahara, Abarai and Shihoin were currently investigating in the material world. Captain Hitsugaya was still searching frantically for his lieutenant. But what about Captain Shiba, what was her excuse?'

'Never mind,' he said, 'Lets just get started then.'

Servants came with trays of food, and the meal began. There was an air of formalness to the occasion which Yamamoto enjoyed, even Kenpachi didn't attempt to violate it. The food was, of course, superb. He'd hired the top chefs to make it possible, and was pleased to receive compliments from everyone (except Kenpachi) about it. It was only later, when the sake was flowing freely, that things started getting a bit raucous.

Yamamoto excused himself from the table, where Kenpachi and Kensei were singing loudly while Shinji beat the table in time. Byakuya was making a show of looking mildly annoyed, but the pink flush on his cheeks and the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth gave him away. Yamamoto sighed and walked out to the balcony, leaning against the railing. Everywhere he looked he could see similar parties happening, large bonfires had been lit at each of the divisional barracks' and shinigami were crowded around them.

'A successful night, wouldn't you agree, captain-commander,' said Unohana, joining him at the railing.

'Perhaps, but no great success,' he groused.

'Ah well,' she smiled.

The moon was full, bathing the tops of the buildings with an ethereal, ghostly glow. It would have been magical, had those buildings been silent and still. 'You always were my most faithful,' he said after a moment.

She smiled, 'I have worked in contrary to your wishes on many occasions, I've just never openly disobeyed you. Like Kyoraku-taicho or-' her smile faded, '-or Ukitake-taicho.'

'What happened to him wasn't your fault,' he said sharply.

'But if I hadn't done that to him, he could have won when he fought Ichimaru, he wouldn't have died.'

'Hindsight is always perfect sight. But remember that at the time he was an enemy, you were only following orders.'

'Knowing that doesn't make me feel any better.'

They stood silently for a while, feeling the cool breeze and listening to the muted drunken singing and laughter from inside. Finally Unohana said, 'I suppose things will be stabilising from tomorrow, what with a new king and government.'

'It was simpler when I made all the decisions,' said Yamamoto, 'but it had to happen. Perhaps I'll finally be able to retire,' he added wistfully.

'You've been wanting to retire since before I became a captain,' Unohana laughed.

'Hmph. This time I really want to. Even I'm not immune to the effects of time, these last few decades have taken their toll on me. My scars never stop aching these day.'

'Are they still breaking open and infecting?'

'Yes.'

'You should come and get some more salve.'

'It doesn't work anymore, I need something stronger.'

By the sharp glance she gave him, that couldn't be a good thing. But since she didn't keep at the topic he happily dropped it. From there conversation turned to more menial matters, mostly revolving around the organisation of the events.

One thought was heartening though. After tomorrow, they would have finally put the whole Aizen incident to rest. It was the beginning of their bright, new, and hopefully peaceful future.

The sun shines dim, who will win?
The moon is nigh to cry
For war we fear draws ever near
Soon will be time to die

x