-1A/N: This is the beginning of the end, folks. The part I've been longing to write for AGES. The first chapter of the last arc, the way I see it the real meat of the story. Of course, this is probably going to be the longest arc yet, at least twice the length of any other; with another mini-arc inside; so don't fret about it finishing soon. As for sequels, and I have had a few contacting me about that, lets just say that we'll look into that possibility when I get closer to finishing.

By the way, is there anybody out there with a working knowledge of German? I need a few translations, and if I don't get anyone to help me I'll be forced to resort to the online dictionary, which isn't ideal. Please let me know.

New Arc name: Those who would challenge Gods

x

The Heir Apparent
|Chapter 30: The Day of Reckoning

'Ichigo, ICHIGO!'

He woke with a loud voice in his ear and two small but strong hands shaking him violently.

'Ow,' he said, putting a hand to his throbbing head and peering out of bleary eyes. Rukia was looking down at him crossly.

'Time you got up, sleepy-head.'

'Jeez, what time is it?' he muttered, trying to mute the pain by massaging the sore spot.

'Late,' she said sharply, 'And we've got lots to do today.'

'My head hurts,' he said.

For some reason Rukia's cheeks immediately went pink. 'It's your fault for having too much to drink last night.'

'Feels more like I got kicked by a horse,' he said, feeling at the tender; swollen spot. 'What happened?'

Rukia went red. 'Well, you deserved it, you pervert,' she said, and stormed out, slamming the door shut behind her.

What had happened? He remembered having drinks with Kyoraku and Nanao after dinner, maybe they'd had a little too much but it had been fun. Then they'd gone back their separate ways to their sleeping quarters. But saying goodnight to Rukia in their somewhat inebriated state had led to a goodnight kiss, which led to a squeeze, which led to a deeper kiss, which led to him slipping his hands under her clothes… and that was as much as he could remember.

'She could've just told me I was going too far,' he muttered aloud.

'What was that, taicho?' said Kiyone, sticking her head into his bedroom, 'Anything I can do to help?'

'Nothing,' he said, waving her off. She gave a brief crease-fallen expression before disappearing.

Ichigo had just instituted a new system. The basic idea was that Kiyone and Sentaro would take turns to attend to him. It stopped them from fighting so much. The only drawback was that now he had to evaluate at the end of day who had been the most useful, and the winner would invariably gloat continuously the next day. They were incurably competitive; those two. Still, this might actually work well, they were becoming quite productive now. The system would need some fine-tuning though before it was perfect.

After a quick breakfast (which Sentaro had prepared, and well enough that Ichigo made a mental note that he'd taken an early lead) he found Rukia in the office, sheathing Sode no Shirayuki in her sash and preparing to move out.

'Where're you going shortness?' he said.

'Idiot, you've forgotten already. Our friends from the material world are coming, we're going to greet them.'

Ten minutes later they arrived at the entrance gate at the fifth division. There was already a small crowd gathered, and some quite highly ranked. Captain Shiba Kukaku, lieutenants Ganju and Iba, and a solid man Ichigo recognised as Kyoraku's third seat (the one who'd had his ass handed to him by Chad). Towering over them all was the massive gatekeeper Jidanbou.

'Hey guys,' he said as he walked over to join them.

'You're just in time,' said Kukaku, as the gateway flickered into activity.

It was a bit weird to think that he was related to both the Shibas (hell, he was their ancestor!), so too was Rukia for that matter. But he wasn't part of their family anymore. Nor would ever be again, even in subsequent rebirths. For he was part of the royal family now, and that took precedent even over the great noble families. Still, like it or not he would always have that link to the Shibas, just as Rukia would always be connected to the Kuchikis. He should probably take the time to get to know them a bit better.

A flash of light nearly blinded him, and a second later three people ran through. Chad, followed by Ishida and Orihime. Chad had exchanged his usual t-shirt and longs for a suit, and Orihime was in a pretty pink dress with frills around the edges. Ishida though was in his Quincy garb.

Ichigo sighed as he walked up to them, fists on his sides. 'You do know that this is a Soul Reaper gathering, don't you?' he said, raising an eyebrow at Ishida.

'The Quincys should be represented,' he said, adjusting his glasses in his annoyingly superior way.

'That dress looks so cute on you, Inoue,' said Rukia, pushing past him to grab Orihime's hands excitedly.

'Ishida-kun made it,' said the girl, blushing mildly.

'Ooh, really?'

'Hey you, big guy,' called the third seat, cutting through the conversations. 'I've been training every day since we last met. I want a rematch, first thing after the ceremony.'

Chad mumbled his asset, gazing at him calmly and inclining his head.

'Idiot, don't ever interrupt a get-together of friends for your personal vendettas,' said Kukaku, slapping the man across the back of his head with her sheathed zanpakutou. 'Especially when they're your superiors and betters.'

'Sorry miss, I mean mam, I mean Captain Shiba,' said the offending party, ducking out of striking distance.

The gateway, which had died following the three's entry, suddenly came to life again. Orihime jumped with fright and started babbling general weirdness, the rest just took a giant step back. A few seconds later three more figures emerged from the shimmering mass. Ichigo's eyes widened as he took in his father, in Shinigami uniform. He was wearing a robe over it, not unlike the captain's haori, except that it was purple. Yuzu and Karin were in matching blue kimonos, with a purple sash at the waist.

'Pops,' he said softly. 'You look, well, nice.'

'Like it?' he said, spinning around once. 'We only get crowned once, gotta look the part eh?'

'What's with the purple?'

'Didn't you know, that's the royal colour. Here, you get to wear it too.' He held out another sash.

Ichigo looked at him, then at Rukia. She smiled and nodded once. He sighed as he put it on, it would probably clash horribly with his hair.

'Oh, and I have another one for my beautiful third daughter. Or should I say, future daughter in law!'

'Shut it,' Ichigo barked, but his voice lacked the usual fierceness.

x

Hitsugaya woke with a throbbing headache and burning eyes. He'd only got to sleep just before dawn, despite going to bed hours earlier. Worry about Hinamori condensed in his mind the longer she was gone, playing on his thoughts without end. It had been the same for weeks now. But he was late, he had to get to work. There were important papers to sign, and he had the feeling that there was something else important today.

Why was there a cup of hot tea and rice balls beside his bed?

Deciding that it must have been Matsumoto, worrying about him as usual, he quickly freshened and dressed. He didn't have time to eat, and could go without food until lunchtime. It was coming back to him, it was the crowning ceremony today. He still hadn't briefed his division on their duties. And it wouldn't hurt to groom a bit more than usual.

'Yoohoo, taicho,' said Matsumoto, poking her cheerful face and large assets through the doorway, 'You're gonna be lay-ate!'

'I know that,' he retorted angrily. He had to look good today, his division's reputation depended on it. 'How's my hair.'

'Wait just a moment,' she said. She went over to him and ruffled it messy. 'There, perfect.'

'Matsumoto, I'm serious!'

'So am I. You look so good even without trying, nearly all the girls in Soul Society are in love with you. Imagine if you went further, you'd be crushed by woman trying to jump you.'

He let off an annoyed huff. 'Yeah right. And by the way, thanks.'

'For what?'

He indicated with his eyes towards the bedside table. 'That.'

'Wasn't me.'

He frowned, who else could it have been? But it was already getting late, so he brushed it off, said his goodbyes to Matsumoto and headed out the door.

x

The ceremony was just outside the walls of Seireitei, in the large open market square of the first district, which had been cleared for the event. Security was tight, with Shinigami from every division forming a living barrier around the guest area; which seated five thousand; while others patrolling outside and inside. The guests were by invitation only, and were all prominent nobles and members of Rukongai. Outside their area, a few paces back from the Shinigami standing guard, a much larger crowd had formed.

'Wow, I never knew there were this many people in Soul Society!' said Ichigo, standing at the end of the line of captains and lieutenants in the front row, who were graded by division.

'Please, there's plenty more,' said Rukia with a casual glance back. 'Still, this is quite a good turnout.'

Ichigo had no idea what was expected at this type of event, but he was pretty sure that there were well over a hundred thousand souls gathered outside the main arena. The entire district was packed, and people were still streaming in from far and wide.

'It's to be expected, Ichigo-kun,' said Kyoraku, who was standing a bit further ahead. 'There hasn't been another crowning ceremony in living memory.'

'Also there hasn't been any big event for the people since Aizen's fall,' Nanao added. 'That was a terrible time for most souls in Rukongai. Naturally information leaked through about what was happening, there riots and lootings happening almost daily. We tried our best, but we couldn't keep up with the lawlessness. These people you see here are looking to your father as a symbol of hope, and stability.'

'Do you mind not talking over me?' said Hitsugaya who, as the captain of the tenth, was situated between them. Along with Kensei, Kenpachi and their respective lieutenants.

Ichigo looked up at the podium, where Isshin was busy speaking to Yamamoto and three other men who would be senior members of Central 46; which would be reinstated after today. The other members were seated on the right side of the stage. On the left was all the special guests, including Ichigo's human friends and two sisters in the front row. It was hard to believe that his crazy father would from today be the king of heaven. A title he might someday have to inherit. But not anytime soon.

He turned back to the crowd. 'So, they just want their lives to return to how they used to be, huh,' he said. He glanced at Rukia and smiled, thinking about his own situation. 'How dull.'

'Not everybody wants an exciting, albeit dangerous life,' said Rukia, 'We should honour that wish.'

To his left Kenpachi coughed loudly. Ichigo and Rukia immediately stopped talking, thinking it to be a signal to be quiet, but it appeared to have been a real cough because seconds later he was hacking away. When he pulled his hand away from his mouth there were droplets of blood on it.

'Heh, whadya know. I didn't get hit, did I?' said the eleventh division captain. Then he wrenched violently, blood bursting like a fountain from his mouth.

'What the… KENPACHI!' Ichigo cried, aware that people were crying out with horror behind him.

'Nani,' said Hitsugaya, staring wide eyed as the big man fell to his knees, blood flowing freely from the sides of his mouth.

'Huh, this is no fun,' said Kenpachi, as blood started to trickle out of his nostrils and eyes.

'Taicho, what's happening?' cried Sentaro, running up to with Kiyone at his side.

Ichigo shook his head blankly.

'Everybody stay back,' said Unohana, running up with surprising haste with her lieutenant at her side. 'We don't know if it could be contagious. Let me and Isane deal with this.'

A huge roar of collective noise had risen up in the crowd, most of it mindless terror and shouting. Surely they shouldn't be reacting this badly to a captains illness?

'What's going on?' Yamamoto bellowed from the podium, where judicial members were milling around in fright.

'WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!' Kyoraku cried, drawing his swords and leaping onto the stage.

Ichigo swung 'round to scan the outside crowd. People had started screaming and fighting in their haste to escape, clawing and knocking each other to the ground to be crushed under the collective weight. Buildings and were toppling with the weight of those pushing them. Insurgents had pulled out swords and bows, and were attacking the Shinigami guards. The swords mostly seemed to be like zanpakutou, the bows though were disturbingly similar to the Quincy ones. Energy blasts started flying in all directions.

'Ichigo, Rukia,' Kyoraku shouted, blocking three blue shots in short order, 'Come help me. We've got to get the Royal family and Central 46 to safety.'

Ichigo took a firm grip on himself, now was no time to be standing looking stunned. 'Gotcha. What about the special guests?'

'We'll stay and fight, Kurosaki,' said Ishida. He looked as stunned as Ichigo felt. Then again, he'd just seen his fellow Quincy -or whatever they were- start a war with the Shinigami; his allies.

'Good. Inoue, you'd better come with us.'

She shook her head fiercely, fire burning in her eyes, 'No, I want to fight. I'll fight alongside Ishida-kun.'

Ichigo knew that was a bad idea, but he had no time to dissuade her. 'Fine, but don't leave him.' He didn't say anything to Chad, he knew what he would do, and trusted his abilities.

Nanao and Rukia were meanwhile hastily gathering together all the other special guests; including Ichigo's sisters. Isshin and Kyoraku were blocking the shots directed at the podium, it seemed they would be fighting the rearguard. So Ichigo turned to the men that would have been Central 46 in a few hours, and instead were just another group of frightened people.

'Right, form a line and run like the wind,' he ordered. 'I'll keep you safe, you have my word on it.'

x

Bismark surveyed the attack as it happened from atop a tall tower. As expected, the crowd panicked as soon as it began, making things a lot more difficult for the Shinigami; who were trying hard not to hurt them. Their low ranked soldiers, disparagingly known as the Aussen Kreis -Outer Circle-; meaning that they weren't really part of the true Circle of the Rache; had no such qualms. They hacked and shot, uncaring if it was Shinigami or innocent bystander they killed. They were gutter scum, recruited from the worst districts of Rukongai. Useful though, he reflected.

Even through the chaos, he saw the seated officers spring into action. Most weren't making a discernable difference, but then there were the captains and lieutenants. All of them were organising units or fighting back strongly, or both. Rache near them were falling in droves, even more the powerful ones scattered among the trash. None could match the power of the Shinigami captains, and only a few the lieutenants. There were also two others making an impact, a tall beige skinned boy with armoured arms; and a Quincy. Was this the Quincy that had fought on the Soul Reapers side during the last war? It must be, he bore the 5-pointed star. At his tender age, what a prodigy!

As expected, the Shinigami had immediately taken steps to safeguard their judiciary members, and their royal family. Bismark wasn't concerned about them though, their real strength came from the backbone of thirteen powerful captains. Once that back was broken the rest would be easy. Above all he was determined to break the formidable Wind of Death, Kyoraku Shunsui. But only once he knew the despair of imminent defeat, the way that Bismark had known it long ago.

Then a white haired captain keeled over and started vomiting blood, Bismark recognised him from Marxs' holo-machine as Muguruma Kensei. He was followed moments later by Hirako Shinji. It was hardly surprising, the poison was activated by high expenditure of reitsu. The fourth division captain and lieutenant appeared by their sides and carried them away from the frontlines. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that the red-haired human girl was doing some kind of healing technique on the fallen captain Zaraki Kenpachi, who had been the first affected.

'That could be a problem,' said Marx, who was standing just behind him.

'What?'

'The girl's abilities.'

'You said that the poison couldn't be healed once it was in their system,' said Bismark accusingly.

'I did, and it is. But she doesn't heal, from the information I've acquired hers is a time-reversal technique.'

'Kill her,' Bismark ordered, 'We can't have any of these captains recovering.'

'As you wish,' said Marx, bowing once before exiting the tower.

Bismark turned to the three remaining members of the Prime Circle. 'Kill all the captains down there. Takumo, I want you to also capture the Quincy boy.'

'What about you, milord?' said his former second-in-command.

Bismark decided that the question wasn't insolent, they needed to know what he was doing to effectively orchestrate their actions. 'I'm going to kill Captain-commander Yamamoto.'

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