The Heir Apparent
Chapter -148: Branded a Traitor

The air was heavy as Yamamoto read the verdict of chamber 46 to the assembled captains.

'After the actions of one Kyoraku Shunsui, captain of the eighth division, peace between us and the Quincys is now beyond hope. Their government is destroyed, making further negotiations impossible until the establishment of a new one. Since a diplomatic solution to their destroying of hollow souls is no longer possible, it must be resolved by military means. The thirteen protections divisions and the Onmitsukido are herby ordered to exterminate the Quincy, down to the last man; woman and child.'

There was a collective gasp from the captains as they heard the pronouncement. It could only have gone that way, but even still, after centuries of tension to finally hear the fateful words spoken- Most looked relieved that they were finally taking decisive action, even if it was in this direction. Jushiro was shocked, of all people, Shunsui! His action had not only ensured war, it had also destroy the credibility of their voice of peace and reason. There was no way that he or Eiro could possibly give any objection now without being systematically shouted down.

He glanced at Daiken, whose face was too calm, too impassive. Jushiro felt hate swell in his chest, he must be feeling well pleased right now. His followers didn't have his sort of restraint, Nagai Kenpachi and his wife Izumi were smiling broadly and casting glances at their leader. Daiken flicked his eyes sharply at them, they took the hint and stopped, but continued smiling. Doing so changed the shape of the tattoos on Ken's face, giving him a truly demonic appearance.

Yamamoto continued his reading. 'Furthermore, we have deemed that the actions of Kyoraku Shunsui were unlawful and against the interests of Seireitei. We deem him a traitor. We strip him of all his rank, noble title and lands. He is to be brought for trial and judgement as soon as possible.'

Silence greeted his second pronouncement, and although Daiken's crew were evidently struggling to contain their glee, the rest of the captains looked mournful. Shunsui had been a popular and respected captain, it was difficult to think of him as a traitor

Yoruichi had told both him and her father about what had happened, so they knew that Daiken had set it all up. But even still for Shunsui to react so rashly- Regardless of his personal tragedy he never should have gone so far. They hadn't reported what Yoruichi been told by Kukaku, it was hearsay and not enough to convict anyone. All it would do was put the girl's lives in danger. And, unless they found something more substantial, it would remain that way.

'I assume that the Onmitsukido will be charged with doing the exterminating,' said Eiro.

Yamamoto nodded. Jushiro frowned, what was he doing?

'My men are well trained in techniques for disabling and killing them. But in all honesty they've bred like flies over the last half century, there's far too many of them for my division alone to deal with. I humbly request support.'

'I have anticipated such a request and made the necessary arrangements,' said Yamamoto, 'You may have four captains, who will act as your subordinates for the mission, and their entire divisions.' Five captains out of Seireitei at one time was two more than allowed by law, and that many divisions in the material world at once was unheard of. He must have made some serious arrangements with chamber 46.

'Might I request that the captains be allowed to volunteer?' said Eiro.

Aha, that was it. By anticipating the natural orders following the pronouncement, Eiro had put out a lure for Daiken's followers, who naturally would be dying for a shot at the Quincy. He wanted them away, so Jushiro could help Shunsui unhindered.

'Granted,' said Yamamoto.

Would they take it?

At first it seemed they would, Nagai Kenpachi's eyes lit up and he opened his mouth. Then Daiken let out a very loud, and very fake cough; catching the other man's eye and shaking his head ever so slightly. His other followers took the hint as well, and none volunteered. In the end it was four captains from the neutral camp who chose to go, and more than one had to be prodded into it. Daiken's camp did a lot of the prodding, they even insinuated that Jushiro should go to finish the job his friend started. He fought back, but weakly. Trying to get them to volunteer now was a waste of time.

'Before we conclude, there is one thing I need to make clear,' said Yamamoto, 'All captains are to subdue the traitor if they find him. But don't work alone, be assisted by at least another captain. Value your life, Shunsui is a deadly opponent, and we still have no idea what his Bankai is.' He glanced back at Jushiro, who shook his head. Even he'd never been told or shown. Yamamoto grunted and continued, 'That said, I expect all captains remaining in Seireitei to double-up and search for him.'

Soon after the captains were dismissed. They made their way their way out of the building, many of the others giving Jushiro pitying glances. He quickly sought out Shihoin Eiroshi, but as he walked to his side words seemed to dry up. What was there to say?

'Thank you for what you did, what you tried to do,' he said awkwardly, under his breath.

'It didn't work,' said Eiro, equally pointlessly.

They looked at each other, and sighed.

'I'll do what I can to help him,' said Jushiro.

Besides the tracking report that Shunsui had returned to the Soul Society, it didn't make sense for him to hide out anywhere else. He must be feeling terrible about forcing the war with the Quincy's, and wouldn't want to stay in the material world to observe their destruction. And it was all but impossible to get to the hollow plane, the only way was to follow a fleeing hollow, and then there was no way to get back. No, he'd be hiding somewhere in Rukongai, waiting for an opportunity to get back against those who'd set him up. Potentially Rukongai was large enough that he should be able to hide away indefinitely, but Gotei thirteen was notoriously good at flushing out those who would wish to remain hidden.

'Good luck,' said Eiro, holding out a dark hand, 'I wish I could be there to help you.'

'I wish too,' said Jushiro.

The farewell had an air of finality about it, both sensed that this might be the last time they saw each other. They had been comrades for the better part of two centuries, united by a common friend and cause. Now Eiro had to lead the destruction of the very thing they'd been sworn to protect. Regardless of whether they could help Shunsui or not the Quincy were finished, they couldn't stand against five full divisions and hope to survive. And the peace movement was utterly defeated.

'Help my daughter if you can,' said Eiro, before squaring his shoulders and walking away. Jushiro blinked, then remembered that she was now the highest ranked officer in the eighth division, with its captain and lieutenant gone.

What a fine mess they were in.

x

What a day it was!

At the second division's headquarters the atmosphere was festive. Drapes had been pulled across the outside and inside of the walls, most brightly colourful, some bearing slogans; such as "Death to the Humans,", "Now we kill them," and "Hang, draw and quarter the Quincy,". Parties of shinigami with brushes and black paint were inscribing more kanji on the virgin drapes, as well as simplistic pictures of people being stabbed, they seemed quite determined to cover them all.

Outside the unseated officers had lit big fires, and were cooking and dancing around them, heedless that they were inside the walls of Seireitei and it was still early evening. Inside were the officers from Daiken's second division, Ken's eleventh, Izumi's tenth and a few from Retsu's fourth. Naturally since she'd just been promoted many of her officers didn't see today as a huge victory. Everyone seemed to be having a grand time together.

But not Shiba Kukaku.

While she was honestly glad that there'd finally be no more worries about the Quincy, destroying captain Kyoraku was too much. She'd always respected him, if from a distance, he was a good man who deserved far better. She couldn't in good conscience continue serving captain Daiken. Manipulative, evil Daiken and his despicable toadies. But it wasn't enough to simply remove herself from his service, she had to exonerate Kyoraku and prove Daiken's guilt. Only then would her conscience be clear.

Fortunately, with everyone celebrating their great victory, they were distracted enough that she'd been able to slip into the captain's office unnoticed. Something even she, the third seated officer, was not allowed to do unsupervised. Most other divisions didn't have this rule, although snooping was frowned upon, so Kukaku was naturally suspicious. What did her captain have hidden here that was so incriminating?

If he was hiding something, this would be the place to hide it. Daiken, like many of the other captains, lived at his divisional headquarters. So the only two places he could easily keep an eye on and commute to were his room and his office. And he would want to have his information close at hand at all times.

It was here, she was certain of it. But where would he hide it? She gazed over the desks where her captain and lieutenant worked, the neat piles of papers and files on each, the assorted stationary. Chizu had been redecorating recently, putting in a red dragon-patterned couch against the wall and hanging up pictures of various carnivorous beasts. She had a strange taste that Kukaku couldn't even begin to understand. Why, if it were her she would have pictures of nigh skies with amazing firework displays.

Rummaging through her captain's personal files proved fruitless, as did checking behind the picture frames. For twenty minutes Kukaku searched high and low, nothing. Frustrated and tired, she sat down on Daiken's chair.

'My name is Shiraken Daiichi,' she said to herself, 'I am the captain of the second division, and an absolute bastard. I need access to my evil plans at all times, but I also need them hidden from prying eyes, no one else must know what a low-life I really am. Where do I hide them?'

She gazed around the room, but nothing came to mind. Then she looked down at his desk. Most shinigami desks were a standard issue shape and size, and made of pine. This one was made of oak. It wasn't unusual for the captains to commission their own desks, but normally they added their own personal modifications, such as extra ink-well holders or an angle for the writing pad. This one had none. Kukaku immediately started feeling for hidden latches and shelves.

It turned out that there were three latches she had find and undo, then a section of wood beneath the table loosened. Kukaku slid it out towards her, pushing the chair back. She now noticed that there was conveniently enough space to allow for one to sit and examine the contents of this hidden shelf. There was a loose assortment of papers, she started sifting through them. Most meant nothing to her, or had little significance to the grand-master plan. She needed something that in itself would prove Daiken's guilt.

Then she found it, a record written in Daiken's own hand, relating to how he'd destroyed a high ranking Quincy called Bismark to nurture a hatred of Shinigami in his powerful son. There were other peoples reports clipped to that, flipping through them she quickly got an idea how he'd been used. Daiken had set the boy on the path of destruction, his attack on Shunsui's wife had without a doubt been orchestrated by her captain.

This was it, this was the proof she needed. Once she got this to the captain commander-

The door opened, and Daiken stepped inside.

Kukaku's jaw dropped. What was he doing here, why now, how had he known? No, that didn't matter now. She'd been discovered, somehow she had to get out of here. There was nowhere to hide, and he'd already seen her. If she could just get somewhere where there were witnesses who weren't his cronies he couldn't touch her. Daiken appeared just as shocked as her, and ran a hand through his porcupine locks.

'This is unexpected,' he said, his wide eyes giving him the appearance of one much younger. 'I came here to find- I suppose that doesn't matter. How much do you know?'

'Enough,' Kukaku snarled, 'You've been manipulating all sides in this, forcing this war upon us.'

Daiken nodded, seeming to regain his composure. 'Would you believe me if I told you that I bear Shunsui and his friends no ill will, and I did this to save the material and spiritual worlds?'

'No.'

'In your position I can hardly blame you. But that is the truth. Perhaps it is because much of our duties entail protecting them, Gotei thirteen has always had a soft spot for humans. Most would have been prepared to sanction talks right up until the eve of our destruction. Hmm, you're probably wondering what I'm talking about. Let me ask you something, have you been into Rukongai recently?'

'You sent me there yesterday,' she said.

'That was in the better districts, where people naturally flock. But the poorer districts, which used to be teeming with life and laughter just centuries ago, are now only filled with sad and lonely souls. If you don't believe me, just go and see. The Quincy have almost destroyed the back-up supply of souls, there's barely enough to keep the mortal world afloat. I needn't tell you what a catastrophe it would be if there was a child born without a soul to fill it.

'The damage they've done goes even further than that. Say for example a Quincy destroys a hollow that has eaten four souls. All those souls are destroyed, utterly. They'll never again be part of the flow of souls, and their soul partners if they live will be destined to eternal despair, never knowing why but being constantly aware that something; or rather someone; is missing. And they'll never create more new souls to add to the flow.'

'Stop it,' Kukaku said, 'How many times do you think I've heard this, eh?' But her voice wavered, and she was struck with a terrible fear. What if her own partner had been lost.

'Already the damage is such that the flow might never recover.'

She took a breath, 'Alright, what if I believe you. What happens to Shunsui?'

Daiken looked away, 'If I could acquit him, I would. But genocide doesn't come easily to Gotei thirteen, we need a sacrifice to salve our consciences. I regret it, truly I do.'

'Blah blah blah. You talk too much,' said Kukaku, 'I see a simple solution, I hand these pages to Yamamoto, and you be the sacrifice.'

'Sadly, that is not an option,' said Daiken calmly, drawing his sword, 'For you will not be leaving with them. I presume those are the ones about our dear friend Franz.'

That must be the name of the Bismark boy. Kukaku stuffed them into the front of her shihakusho, and drew her zanpakutou with her other hand. 'Killing me will look suspicious,' she said.

'I'd rather not,' he said, 'My actions towards the Quincy were in tribute to my Sensei, Shiba Mikio. I'd prefer not to finish them by slaying one of his lineage. But we are a military organisation, and accidents do happen on the training field. Why don't you just give me the papers?' His voice was kindly and persuasive, with no hint of the threat his words held. How easy would it be just to believe him. She'd fallen for that tone far too many times.

'Not a chance,' she shot back.

Daiken sighed. He closed his eyes, when he opened them again they were hard, cold as pieces of blue-green ice. 'Then I have no choice,' he said, and lunged at her.

Kukaku had learned the majority of her swordsmanship from her captain, only now it occurred to her that even in their most heated battles he'd been purposefully holding back. Certainly he'd never displayed such ferocious strength. She dodged and blocked, a single slash she managed to aim at him he turned aside with negligent ease. They circled in the small room, avoiding the desks and couch. Then he attacked again, stabbing and slashing with murderous precision, ripping open the couch with on recoil.

She felt like a kitten trying to evade the jaws of a mastiff.

There was nothing for it, she had take it to the next level. She grabbed Chizu's desk with one hand and threw it at her captain. 'Weave, Inazumaitokuri,' she cried, electricity dancing on the surface of her weapon as it glowed and morphed into a staff.

Daiken though was giving her no time to release, he kicked the desk so hard it shattered. Sharp pieces flew everywhere and pieces of paper fluttered down like leaves. He slashed at her belly in the second that she was defenceless. Kukaku tried to pull back, but he was far to quick. She gritted her teeth, but he had only cut through the material of her shihakusho. With nothing to hold them the vital papers fell through. Kukaku caught them.

'Last chance,' said Daiken, holding out his hand, 'Give them to me.' This time his voice was deathly serious.

'Never,' she spat.

'Then I will take them,' he said, and slashed at her neck.

Kukaku ducked under it, and immediately found herself with an opening. She stabbed at him one-handed, drawing up all the pitiful charge she could. Daiken caught it with his right hand, somehow using Kido to negate her power. It was a trap, she realised, just as his blade slashed up. Shock, the sudden sensation of being cut, and not knowing where. Something fell to the ground with a meaty thud.

'Sorry,' said Daiken, and reached down to pick up the papers; now flecked with red. Kukaku could feel hot blood running down her side. Then he crossed the room and gathered the rest of the secret papers. He exited without a backward glance at her, or his ruined office.

Only then did Kukaku look down. There, lying in a growing pool of blood, was her entire right arm; right up to her shoulder. She fell to her knees in front of it, placed one hand on her bleeding stump, and stared.

x

Jushiro sat in his garden, sipping on a cup of green tea. The peace and tranquillity of the setting helped to settle his troubled mind, letting him plan rationally. It was a given that he'd have to go look for Shunsui, but nobody would believe that he would to it to bring him to justice. So he'd likely be declared an outlaw as well soon after he left. Perhaps if he could find his friend without leaving. The best situation of course would be if Shunsui contacted him, but he was likely grieving at the moment and incapable of thinking that far ahead.

So many problems, not the least that he had no idea what Daiken's crew were up to. They might be out to kill him, though they'd have trouble explaining that unless he went looking for Shunsui; which was another reason why he was putting off his departure.

What if he just left him to his fate, the course of events seemed to dictate that Shunsui would die soon, and nothing anybody did would stop it. All anyone who helped would do is share his fate. But Shunsui was his friend, he couldn't abandon him in his hour of need. He was certain that he would do the same for him. That was the kind of person he was.

But what to do?

'Captain Ukitake sir,' cried a dark young woman, flash stepping to his side and panting.

He blinked and lowered his cup, 'You are, Shihoin Yoruichi, Shunsui's third seat,' he said, 'What can I do for you?'

She looked up at him with eyes brimming with tears, 'I'm sorry, I didn't know who else to turn to. It's… it's…'

'Lead the way,' he said briskly, getting up and pulling on his haori.

Fifteen minutes later they were at the eighth division medical bay. Shiba Kukaku lay in the bed before them, her shoulder stump bandaged up but still leaking blood. She appeared unconscious, every now and again she would moan something unintelligible. On the table beside was her severed arm, still with bloody fluid leaking from the clean cut. Someone had the sense enough to cover the open end, but really they should have incinerated the thing already.

'Is there nothing we can do?' said Yoruichi, her tone pained and pleading.

Jushiro shook his head. 'In theory it should be possible to re-attach the nerve endings. But no-one has been able to do that successfully yet. All that's happened in the attempted cases was that the severed limb went bad, and the doctors had to take even more flesh to save the patient. We daren't even try it with her, she's got no more arm to lose. Any infection that spreads to her body would surely kill her.'

'But we can't just give up!' cried Yoruichi.

'Shhh,' said a medic, who was checking on the patients.

'The most important thing right now is to save Kukaku-chan's life.'

He took the weeping girl out of the room and quietly ordered one of the eighth division shinigami to make them some tea. He needed some to sooth his nerves, and Yoruichi certainly needed it even more. He took her to the patio where he and Shunsui had spent so many pleasant evenings watching the sun go down, when he'd been the other man's lieutenant and even after his promotion. They sat in silence for a while, until the tea was served. Only when Yoruichi had taken her first sip did Jushiro broach the question.

'So what happened?'

In halting sentence, Yoruichi explained what her wounded friend had told her. At the end of it Jushiro drained his cup, and stood up.

'Without those papers, it would be Kukaku's word against Daikens,' he said. There was no doubt who chamber 46 would side with. 'He's probably going to make his move now, and I wouldn't be surprised if his first act would be to silence the both of us.'

'But why us?'

'Because we're Shunsui's allies. Daiken will be wanting to put this whole incident to rest with no loose ends to bite him later. Even if he's prepared to leave us alive his allies certainly will not.'

'What about Kukaku, and my father?' said Yoruichi.

'He's probably the safest of all of us at the moment, Daiken won't touch him until he's done his assignment and eliminated the Quincy. As for Kukaku, if he'd wanted to kill her he'd have done so already. For now, let's just worry about ourselves.'

'So what do we do?'

Jushiro sighed, 'I'm sorry Yoruichi-chan, you're just not powerful enough to make a difference in this. Go hide in Rukongai, I'll see about sending you a message if we win.'

At the moment that seemed extremely unlikely. They were outnumbered by Daiken's force, and outmatched. Not to mention they'd be enemies with the whole of Gotei thirteen. They might be able to face Daiken's loyal captains alone, but Daiken himself was a genius. A prodigy who had put soul-rending training on top of his natural ability. He was reputed to be only slightly short of Yamamoto's power level. Jushiro couldn't see anyone, not even Shunsui, prevailing against him.

'And what about you, what will you do?'

He pulled off his haori and threw it onto the porch. He wouldn't be needing it, for from now on he would also be an outcast. 'I'm going to find Shunsui.'

x

Unohana Retsu looked questioningly at Daiken as he paced in front of them, running his hands through his snow-white hair. They had all assembled, his three loyal captains. Chizu was there too, fidgeting nervously. Nagai Kenpachi stood behind his wife Izumi, with his arms around her middle, just under her large breasts. Izumi hadn't had time to do up her reddish hair and it hung loose. Privately Unohana thought it looked better that way.

'So what are we going to do?' she said. Daiken had just finished explaining what had happened with Kukaku. He must be growing soft to not have killed her.

'I say it's time to drop the guillotine, once and for all,' said Ken, making a chopping gesture. He'd been in stationed in France during the time of the French Revolution and found the contraption inspiring. Perhaps fortunately, none of his attempts at replicating it in Soul Society had proved successful.

'That's not cute,' Izumi sniffed. 'But I agree, we should deal with them.'

'So do I,' said Retsu. She was beginning to doubt the righteousness of her cause, there were quite a few things that didn't add up, but she'd thrown her lot in with Daiken. Until such time as she decided she could no longer serve him she would give her 100% support. She wasn't one for half measures.

Daiken stopped pacing, and pulled his front straight. 'Very well, we'll finish it tonight, just the five of us. There'll be an enquiry about Kukaku's injury, I'll have to make sure they reach the right conclusion. Kenpachi, Izumi, can I trust you to take care of Shunsui?'

'It will be a pleasure,' said Ken, leering horribly.

'Our powers augment each others like no one else's in Soul Society,' said Izumi, 'You could say that they're a perfect fit. He won't stand a chance.'

Daiken nodded, 'Retsu, that leaves you to deal with Jushiro. He's been a captain longer than you, and will have the advantage. Do you remember the research assignment I gave you?'

She stiffened at the implication that she was weaker, 'Yes,' she grated.

'Use it,' he ordered, and turned to his wife. 'Chizu, you'll have to hunt down the Shihoin girl. She'll have plenty of tricks, but I trust your abilities to be more than capable.' Then he addressed them all. 'I'll try to reinforce you as soon as I can. I don't expect any of you to lose, but please do not get complacent. These men, and woman, are competent fighters.'

'Duh,' said Ken, picking at his tattooed nose.

Daiken's eye twitched, but he didn't comment. 'You all have your orders. Make your preparations and go.'

For most of the others they only had to send a message to their respective lieutenants via hell butterfly. For Unohana she also needed to go back to her lab and collect. She could feel the fierce anticipation swelling inside her chest. By this time tomorrow, one way or another, it would all be over.

x

A/N: A few things I hope you picked up on. Reattaching severed limbs is currently a flawed technology in our world, you'll never get the same use out of the limb. In Bleach they seem to have perfected it, however, this is two hundred years before and there is no 4th division medical office or 12th division research facility. So I think it's fair to assume that they wouldn't be able to work such medical miracles.

Also, this is my explanation why there's practically no married people in Soul Society. A combination of souls having to be pushed into the material world faster since there's not enough left, and so many people have had their soul partners destroyed. All the Quincys fault lol.

And if it's not clear to you why Daiken didn't kill Kukaku, he considered Mikio (Ichigo's previous life) as something of a father. So naturally he felt a kinship with her. Didn't stop him crippling her though when she disobeyed.

Well, that's all for now. The turn back arc is winding to its end, but you can be sure that there are more surprises and revelations to happen before then. Till next time, KotW out.

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PS: Don't forget to review, I do want to know what you thought. Questions are welcome too.