A/N: I have an apology to make. Last time I promised that this would be the last of the turn back arc. However, after writing it all, I found that it was simply too long, even with my accelerated writing style. So I've had to split it into two. Sorry. The good news is that the next part will be coming in a few days, so there won't be a long wait. And that really will be the last of the turn back series.

x

The Heir Apparent
Chapter -145: Broken Hearts, Broken Bodies

The sky, which had been clear minutes before, was swirling with clouds. They were growing ever larger and darker, a day's worth of precipitation happening in less than a quarter of an hour. This was one of Daiken's abilities, manipulating the weather to invite a storm. Rain would strengthen his already potent power.

It made a fitting atmosphere for Shunsui's emotions.

'Before we begin,' said Daiken, indicating to where Izumi lay, 'Do you mind?'

'Go,' Shunsui snarled.

It was taking every ounce of his willpower to prevent himself from launching at the man this very instant. He needed to cool down, feed the fire into his resolve. There was a saying, the man who fights angry dies angry. Raging would only dull his defense, for no advantage gained in attack. In that sense he needed this respite more than Daiken did. He started his calming ritual of deep, controlled breaths.

Daiken meanwhile had reached his wounded comrade, and spoke to her in a low voice for a few moments. Shunsui saw her nod. Then Daiken stood up, raised his sword, and decapitated her. Shunsui gasped aloud, his ritual shattered.

It was Retsu who spoke first though, 'You murderer,' she cried.

'Not really, she asked me to,' he replied.

'But why?'

'Her husband is dead, even if she waits for him to live out a human lifespan and return to Soul Society, she'll be far older than him. This way she has a chance to meet him in the mortal world, and even if she doesn't they'll be back here in Soul Society after their lives end. I daresay they'll take a while to find each other… again. I don't mind, she's no use to me now anyway.'

As much as he hated the man, Shunsui had to admit that there was something to what he said. Perhaps it would be better for him to die, and then find Shiori in the next life. But not before he exacted his vengeance.

'Now Retsu, if you please, kill Jushiro,' said Daiken.

'Hai,' she said tonelessly.

'Like I'll let you,' Shunsui hissed.

'Don't worry, I can deal with her,' said Jushiro, blood running now from both nostrils, 'You just focus on Daiken.'

Shunsui wasn't stupid, he could tell that whatever Retsu had put into Jushiro's blood was having a degenerative effect on him. It seemed more pronounced when he expended reitsu, meaning that as soon as he started fighting he would likely be destroyed. And Retsu was surprisingly strong for a young captain, not their league but with Jushiro weakened… He had to focus on his own battle, and hope that his friend could hold his own.

'You will be interested to know that both Shihoin's are meeting their end even as we speak,' said Daiken.

'What, Yoruichi, Eiroshi!' Shunsui exclaimed.

'My wife is chasing her, she won't escape. And her father is being ambushed by an unusually powerful group of Quincys. Naturally I led them to him.'

'You bastard, why him, he's doing your dirty work?'

Daiken bared his canines in a feral leer, 'Captains are by far the most prized beings in Seireitei. The loss of every other division member can be overlooked more surely than its captain. His death will mean the full mobilisation of the Shinigami against the Quincy, ensuring that their extermination is utter and complete.'

'That's not going to happen,' Shunsui growled, 'I'll stop you, I'll save them. And we'll work out a new treaty with the Quincy.'

'It's too late,' said Daiken smugly, 'It's far too late for that. The only thing left for you to do… is die.'

And with that he charged.

x

Yoruichi gulped air greedily, trying to regain her strength. She had managed to lose Chizu with a triple double-back manoeuvre and a sudden turn of speed, but the expenditure had taxed her greatly. Soon the other woman would be onto her again, and she had no more strength to keep running.

'Excuse me miss, are you alright,' said a boy.

Raising her head, she took stock of where she was. Judging by the quality of the infrastructure, with good buildings in slight disrepair, it was somewhere between the seventh and tenth district. She'd lost track in her desperate flight. She was leaning against a wall, bits of plaster had fallen off it and a mouse or rat had dug a hole next to her feet.

The boy, she noticed, had latent spiritual power. Given time he would definitely become a Shinigami, a powerful one too. She was surprised that he hadn't been picked up already. His dirty blond hair reminded her of a haystack, his skin was pale. She gritted her teeth when she realised that he wasn't looking at her eyes.

'Get away from me,' she growled. Here she was about to be murdered and he was perving!

He took a step back, 'Um, not to be rude, but you look like you're in trouble. Perhaps I can help.'

Yoruichi gave a low laugh, who did he think he was? 'I'm being chased by a woman who's stronger than me and determined to murder me. I'm worn out, and I don't have my zanpakutou.' She could never keep it with her while she was transformed. 'Can you help me with that, huh, wise guy?'

He thumbed his chin thoughtfully, 'I don't know about the first two, but I can definitely help you get your zanpakutou back.'

Just then Yoruichi felt Chizu's spiritual energy, she was getting closer. The temptation was to run off immediately, but she wouldn't get far anyway. Not in her state. 'This better be good,' she said.

The boy turned and looked in Chizu's general direction, 'That's the one who's chasing you, isn't it. Lieutenant class, if I'm not mistaken. We don't have much time, follow me.'

Who was this boy?

He set off at a run that was almost as fast as Yoruichi could go without resorting to flash steps. He was definitely trained, if not in the classical way. Most likely a self-taught genius who had kept away from Gotei thirteen's recruitment drives. Such people were very rare, but they did exist, generally they used their powers to bully their fellow residents in some way or another. He didn't seem like that type though.

'I never heard your name,' she said as she came alongside him.

'Kisuke. Urahara Kisuke,' he said, grinning at her.

'I'm Shihion Yoruichi,' she said, grinning back.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, she couldn't help but notice how cute he was when he smiled.

x

Unohana Retsu had been fighter ever since she'd discovered that she had spiritual power. Becoming a shinigami had meant an escape from an afterlife of poverty and boredom. She'd joined the academy and, finding that those specialising in swordsmanship were propelled into early advancement, had focused her efforts primarily on that part of her training.

It had paid off better than she'd ever feared, landing her a position in the eleventh division. She'd been the only woman there, and the men were incredibly rough, all determined to be the toughest in the bunch. Naturally that meant she became a target, and to protect her very life she had to become stronger than anyone.

Always fighting, fighting and killing.

Three times she'd even been forced to kill her own division members, despite her efforts to win every fight by wounding. Such things were overlooked in the eleventh, the way they had always been. Finally, when there was no-one above her except Captain Nagai Kenpachi, she'd become the lieutenant. And from there, only days ago, been promoted to being the captain of the fourth division.

Now, thanks to the conspiracy she'd largely been drawn into, rather than joined, she was in another battle. It shouldn't be different from any of the others.

Yet it was.

Ukitake Jushiro was a kind man, a man who cared deeply about his subordinates. As an unseated Shinigami in the eleventh she'd used to dream about being transferred to his division. Of course, if she'd ever tried to put in a request she'd be ratted out and murdered on the spot. So she had wisely reframed. But the dream had remained. He was the opposite of everything her captain had been. And now she had to kill him, sick as he was. Sick because of the horrid poison she'd been ordered to use.

Jushiro coughed, a wad of blood splashing onto one of his blade's prongs.

Retsu was sick too, but her sickness was in her heart.

She clashed swords with him, again and again, her blade seeking an opening. Blood was streaming out his nose, his eyes were red, and every now and again he would hack up blood. Those coughs were becoming more frequent, and she could see orange droplets begin to run out his eyes. He kept on fighting, desperately holding her off. Now he wasn't even pretending to try and attack her, defense was all he could manage. It couldn't be long.

He coughed again, bloody lumps coming up. She took the opportunity, slashing his wrist open and knocking his other blade away, hard. He cried out, and his connected twin swords went flying into the air, landing on the grass way out of reach. She held her blade to his neck, like she'd used to do when she'd won a fight with a divisional member.

'Good,' Daiken called out, his own duel stalled, 'Now kill him.'

She turned her head towards him slowly.

x

The rain had just started to fall, tiny, cold droplets. They ran down his forehead, picking up the salty sweat, and into his eyes; stinging them. Shunsui brushed them away, not for first time he wished he'd been wearing his straw hat. The hat that was his silent tribute to Mikio-dono ever since that fateful day. Perhaps he'd disgraced his memory too much to ever wear it again. Perhaps if he lived through this he could keep wearing the kimono, as a tribute to Shiori, though he didn't know how he would fit it with his uniform and haori.

Thinking so far ahead was meaningless now, he realised, hefting his scimitars. Daiken and him were superbly matched, yet it was fairly obvious that the other man had the edge. Using games wasn't working, he'd worked out most of his Shikai's abilities with Daiken's and Mikio's help, so his opponent knew well how to turn them right back at him. Katen Kyokotsu was so inconvenient.

The same wasn't true for Daiken's Hyorinmaru, he had learned new abilities since that time. And even the ones Shunsui knew had become far more potent, especially with so much moisture in the air. Fighting him on Shikai was akin to facing both of his subservient captains on Bankai. Shunsui already had cuts on his shoulder and thigh, both numb with cold.

They had reached a lull in their fighting, both districted by the other battle, with Jushiro held at sword point by Retsu. 'What are you waiting for, kill him,' Daiken said again.

Shunsui watched with growing horror as she drew her blade back. He couldn't move to stop her, Daiken would intervene. The only other way would be to release his Bankai, sucking both Retsu and Daiken with him into its power. But in the second it took to manifest, Jushiro would die. He was entirely helpless, he felt like he was stuck in a nightmare. Shiori was gone, not Jushiro too!

Then he noticed her eyes, and the way she was flexing her hand on her blade. 'She won't do it,' he said, suddenly confident.

'Yes she will,' said Daiken.

The seconds ticked by, and Retsu stood there.

'DO IT!' Daiken roared.

Retsu raised her blade again. Then it fell from her hands. 'I… can't,' she said, a touch of defiance in her voice.

Daiken's spiritual pressure rose like a tsunami, crushing down on her with glacial weight. Retsu tried to keep her feet, but in moments was forced to her knees. Shunsui's eyes widened, it was significantly more he could summon. He drew as much as he could, using his power to lighten the load on Retsu, enough that she could bear the onslaught.

'Hey, don't mind me, I'm your opponent here,' he said.

Daiken gritted his teeth, and turned to Retsu for a moment, 'I'll deal with you later,' he promised.

The young woman shivered visibly, and not from the rain, which had become a serious downpour while they talked.

So, there was dissent in the ranks of Daiken's pet captains. Or captain, since she was the last one left. If she wasn't supporting Daiken wholeheartedly, perhaps she could be swayed. 'Captain Unohana, I'm guessing that you were opposed to whatever it was you put into Jushiro,' he said.

'It lacked honour,' she confirmed.

'Then could you see if you can help him, I don't want him dying before we can get help. Don't worry, this won't take long.' One way or the other, that was definitely true.

She considered for a moment. 'I'll do what I can,' she promised.

'That's it,' said Daiken coldly, 'When I'm done with him, you're next.'

Despite the fact that things were just as bad as they had been before, Shunsui felt better. Daiken wasn't infallible, his plans could be undone. He could still set things right, once he beat him. A semblance of his old self was returning to him.

'It's time we took things to the next level,' said Daiken, raising his blade. 'Bankai, Daiguren Hyorinmaru,'

As he said the words the storm thickened. The heavy rain formed visible sheets as gusts of wind took it, lightning crackled in the distance, followed shortly by rumbling booms. A dragon of ice had formed on Daiken's body, the head encasing his sword hand, the tail its chain and sickle. The wings surrounded him protectively. He seemed to be channelling the rain towards him, it froze as it struck his wings. Incredibly, as Shunsui watched, a second pair of wings grew over the first, even larger than them. Before they were even finished forming a third set started. He stood in awed silence. The third set of wings was over thirty meters long, each!

Then the air temperature dropped sharply. Before it had been unpleasantly cold, now Shunsui could feel the damp on his kimono freeze. The raindrops froze in midair, falling and hitting his head and shoulders like tiny pebbles. Meanwhile the soggy ground became hard and white, the trees also were covered in a thin layer of ice. It looked somewhat like a winter scene, yet disturbingly wrong. Winter never froze over this fast, ever.

'This is the true power of Hyorinmaru, the most powerful ice-type zanpakutou in Soul Society,' said Daiken, 'Now release your Bankai, killing you as you are would be too easy.'

'Yada yara, that's strong,' said Shunsui, 'Even old man Yama would be impressed. Guess I have no choice, do I.' He swung his released blades to his sides, then crossed them above his head, 'Bankai, Onikamishiai Katen Kyokotsu.'

The world around both Daiken and Shunsui faded, the colours melding into each other and darkening. In less than a minute it was totally black, except for their bodies, which were lit up clear as day by some unseen source.

'What did you do?' said Daiken, his eyes darting from side to side, though there was as yet nothing to see.

'I'm sorry,' said Shunsui, though he wasn't, 'We are now in the plane of the demon-god games, and only one of us is leaving here alive.' A drum boomed loudly. 'Now it begins.'

x

Jushiro could hardly believe it, he'd passed out for a moment and when he'd woken up Retsu was tending to his hurts. She seemed to be using her zanpakutou to aid her.

He said, 'So that's-' he coughed, then continued, '-why you never showed your Shikai before. You're-' he coughed again, '-embarrassed.'

He was lying spread-eagled on the ground, his sheathed zanpakutou next to him. Someone must have retrieved it. The grass felt warm against his back, compared to the cold rain from up above. The downpour seemed to be slowing, which he was grateful for, because his front was damp; cold and getting colder with every drop. Some of the liquid on his face though was warm, meaning that it was his own recently shed blood.

Retsu didn't respond, but kept her head down while she worked, confirming his suspicion.

'Why are you helping me?' he wheezed, before exploding into another fit of bloody coughs.

'I've been forced to do things that go against my nature since I joined Gotei thirteen,' she said in a low voice when he finished, 'Terrible things, some of them. This is worse than any of them, all of them; put together. I can't be a part of it anymore, even if it costs me my life.'

Jushiro smiled and nodded weakly, too drained to speak. Although he couldn't empathise with her completely, he understood where she was coming from. Fresh blood was running out the sides of his mouth.

She saw it and winced, 'I never should have continued on with this for as long as I did. Following orders becomes a habit as a subordinate, but it's no excuse. I've damaged you beyond repair, Ukitake-taicho.'

He could feel his stomach sinking, he was going to die. There were so many things he had wanted to do. Yet he couldn't find it in his heart to be angry with her. 'It's alright, Retsu, I forgive you,' he said softly.

Was she crying? It was hard to tell in the aftermath of rain. 'Don't, please, I don't deserve your forgiveness. If we survive I'll find a way to cure you, I swear I will.'

Jushiro had seen this before, where people who had committed a wrong couldn't let go of their guilt. Sometimes that guilt would define the rest of their lives. 'How's Shunsui?' he said, changing the subject.

'He's with Daiken in the dome,' said Retsu, pointing.

He'd never seen his friend's Bankai before, and despite his condition was desperately curious. Could it possibly match up to Daiken's power? The half-ball sticking out of the ground was clear, and he could see figures inside, though it was like looking through clear water. But the way he was lying made it almost impossible for him to turn his head towards it. 'Retsu, can you tell what's going on in there?' he said.

'NO, if you get excited you could die!'

'This might be the only chance I ever get.'

'I'll tell you after, if we live,' she said, but he could feel her weakening.

'Since you're my doctor, I'll call you Sempai,' he offered.

'…Fine.'

And so, as she healed him, Unohana Retsu gave him a play by play of Shunsui vs. Daiken in the realm of games.

x

'Well, I'm glad your crazy machine worked,' said Yoruichi, looking at her sheathed zanpakutou, which had been summoned by the strange lights and wires box on Kisuke's table, 'But I don't understand why I had to take off all my clothes to get it!'

'Um, it's just that's its very precise, and the Reitsu that people leave when they touch clothes, especially if they're new…' he trailed off, red in the face.

'Whatever,' she said, putting on her other shoe, 'I think you're just a pervert and you wanted a look.'

He looked down, mumbling.

She had to laugh at his innocence, 'I don't mind, it's a fair trade.' Then she felt Chizu's spiritual force, almost on top of them, and her good mood faded. 'Thanks for your help, but I've got to get out of here. I can't let you get involved.'

Then she noticed that he had a sword in his hand, but not just any sword, a zanpakutou in it's released state. What an odd shape, such a tiny guard and no point at all! It suddenly occurred to her that the machine that he'd used to retrieve her blade might also be used to summon his own, possibly long before he was powerful enough to handle it.

'I'm already involved,' he stated.

'Don't be foolish, you said it yourself, she's lieutenant class. Why throw away your life.'

'Because I feel like it,' Kisuke said.

'It was a rhetorical question.'

'Oh.'

She snorted, 'Jeez, you're impossible.'

He smiled, 'Well, to be perfectly honest, I don't want to do this. I'd much rather hide in a corner. It's weird, but I feel like I'm meant to stand beside you. It's the first time since I've come here that I haven't felt restless, the first time I've felt peace.'

Yoruichi had been staring at him through his entire speech. The boy definitely had some screws loose. Before she could respond Chizu flash-stepped in front of them, puffing and staring murderously at her. 'Ok, save that thought for later, crazy boy. Right now we've got a lieutenant to kill.'

x

A/N: Kyoraku's Bankai Onikamishiai Katen Kyokotsu means, literally, Demon-God Game Flower-Heaven Crazy-Bone. The story contains an explanation for the first effect of it, and the final one has already been hinted at, but I'm not going to give a full explanation for it until I have revealed it completely. It's worth the wait, believe me.

Daiken's Bankai, as I'm sure you've realised, is Hitsugaya's with a serious power-up. Remember how Kyoraku said that in a hundred years he might be more powerful that him, well, this is what he was talking about.

On a side note, you know how I mentioned in the last chapter that I had no idea why Yoruichi was known as the goddess of flash? Well, to quote Jumper Prime, "Yoruichi isn't known as the Goddess of Flash because of her SPEED, she's known as the Goddess of Flash because of her habit of running around butt naked. I wouldn't be at all surprised if what happened in this episode will result in her gaining her infamous title."

That had me in stitches, lol. Maybe it could be a plot point…

Anyways, next chapter will be out in a few days, and that's a promise. Until then, read, enjoy, digest and review. Preferably in that order.