A/N: This part marks the last of the day that began with chapter 30, The Day of Reckoning. Long day huh? Especially if you consider that the whole second turnback arc was told during that time too.

Infinite Dragon has worked his magic on this chapter as well.

x

The Heir Apparent
Chapter 39: Choices of Consequence

Ichigo had just finished gathering the Judicial members and special guests. They were all outside the Soukyoku tower where they'd been sheltering. Then there was a bright flash and a resounding boom, shaking the earth suddenly. Those outside had to steady themselves to keep from falling, while there was a crash of a thousand windows breaking. The storm cleared in a matter of minutes, and when it did he saw a mushroom cloud of dust; flickering with flashes of lightning; rising from the southern sector of Seireitei. Ichigo couldn't help but compare it to the one created during Kukaku's captain test, yet it was so much larger than that time.

'What the hell-' he began.

'The battle's over,' said Isshin, who had been standing guard since the fighting began. Ichigo suspected he'd done so mostly because he was worried about his daughters. Kyoraku would be pleased that he hadn't got involved.

'But who won?'

'Ichigo, you've been learning this stuff,' said Rukia crossly, 'Why don't you tell us?'

His eyebrow twitched with annoyance, but he did as she suggested. Closing his eyes, he felt for spiritual threads. At first he couldn't feel anything from Kukaku, then he remembered what Kyoraku had said about staying to observe and if necessary; help. So he felt for his reiatsu. Kyoraku was moving towards the fourth division, carrying a smaller signature that was nearly unidentifiable in his overwhelming presence. Ichigo didn't know Kukaku's signature well enough to be certain it was her, but couldn't feel anything from her opponent. He let out a relieved breath.

'Kukaku won, but she was badly wounded and Shunsui is taking her for medical attention,' he said.

Rukia nodded, and smiled proudly, 'Well done.'

'He should have let me take over, or done something himself,' Ichigo said angrily, 'Now she's hurt, and it's all his fault.'

'Son, I'm not going to argue with you,' said Isshin, 'But he's the captain-commander now, it was his call. It might still turn out for the best.'

Then Nanao flash-stepped to them. 'Kyoraku-taicho said, sorry, Kyoraku-soitaicho said we should take everyone and meet him by the White Road gate. He's going to organize us a way to open the gate after he's dropped Shiba-taicho off.' The White Road gate was the west gate out of Seireitei, guarded by Jidanbou Ikkanzaka.

'Taking them outside Seireitei, has he lost his mind!' cried Ichigo, gesturing wildly, 'The Rache are out there, they're probably waiting for us right now.'

'Quietly, Ichigo,' Rukia muttered under her breath.

'Why?' he said, shooting a glare at her.

'You're scaring them.'

It was true, those within earshot where looking at him with terrified expression. Unfortunately this also included his sisters, Karin looked horrified while Yuzu had started to cry. Nanao was busy trying to allay their fears. Isshin had joined her, shooting a disapproving frown at his son.

'We've got to trust that Kyoraku-soitaicho knows what he's doing,' said Rukia.

'Oh yeah, well look how well his plan worked out for Kukaku,' he said, making an effort to keep his voice down.

'Well, what would you suggest we do then, charge the Rache's base of operations, when, may I remind you, we have no idea where it is; and just hope we win?

He clenched his teeth. 'That's too far, Rukia.'

The worst part was that she was right, he didn't have any idea what to do in the situation; and that was just about the only plan of attack he could think of off the top of his head. It had worked for him in times past, yet somehow he had the feeling it wouldn't this time.

'Ok, I'll stop. You have to realize though, we have to be unified right now, and that means taking Kyoraku's orders.'

'I get it,' he said, 'But I don't have to like it.'

She nodded, 'If it makes you feel any better, I don't agree with what he's doing either.'

Actually it did, knowing she felt the same way. He turned to the Judicial members and special guests, whom Nanao and his father had just managed to placate enough to be controllable. Isshin was carrying his daughters, one on each arm.

'Let's get going,' he said, and grabbed the nearest two people. Walking them to the wall would take a whole day, and then they didn't have any time to waste. They would have to carry them all, like they'd done in the heat of the battle.

x

'Please, Kuchiki-taicho, you need to stay the night for observation,' said Hanatarou, fiddling with his clipboard.

'I have decided I will leave now, that's all there is to it,' said Byakuya, adjusting the sling on his arm. It had been healed, but was still tender and probably would be for another few hours.

'Can't this wait for tomorrow?' said the medic timidly.

Byakuya's eyes were hard as stone as he said, 'No. There are traitors in Seireitei. I executed some of them, but there are others, scattered in all the other divisions.'

'But can't someone else find them?' Hanatarou made one last effort.

'The captains that are still well have to concern themselves with the safety of the city, as do the lieutenants. They also have to lead their divisions through this time, and get enough rest to be able to function tomorrow. No, there is no one else.'

While he'd been talking, Unohana had entered the ward. Although she looked the same as always at first glance, the liberal amounts of makeup she currently wore couldn't quite disguise the deep purple bags under her eyes, nor the paleness of her skin. She was doing as much work as she'd ever had to before, all while suffering the after-effects of Quincy poison. Truly, Byakuya thought to himself, she was their greatest hero. The woman warrior who fought quietly for life on the sidelines.

'If Kuchiki-taicho wants to leave, we can't stop him,' she said with a soft smile, 'But please come back and let me check on you when you're done.'

'Very well. In return, can you tell me where I might find your twentieth seat.'

'Of course, but why him?'

Byakuya's voice was as cold as the grave. 'Because the twentieth seat in every division is the one in charge of the Hell butterflies.'

x

True to his word, Kyoraku arrived just as they were bringing the last people to the White Road gate. He had so much blood on his clothes that his front was almost drenched. Rukia clenched her teeth silently, and tried to take Ichigo's hand, but he pushed past her and grabbed Kyoraku by the collar, slamming him into the nearby wall. No mean feat, considering that he was both shorter and slighter.

'This is your fault,' he snarled, 'If we had done it my way-'

'Kukaku-chan would still be well in body,' said Kyoraku, making no move to defend himself. He made no mention of how her spirit would have been affected, yet all who heard knew.

'How is she,' said Rukia, putting a hand on Ichigo's arm and trying to make him let go. But Ichigo wouldn't budge, his limb as hard as steel.

'Not good, she's lost a lot of blood and the medics are struggling to stop the bleeding,' said Kyoraku sadly, 'It'll be a while before she's well again, but Unohana-san believes she'll make a full recovery.'

'No thanks to you,' said Ichigo.

'No thanks to me,' Kyoraku agreed.

'So what's this next hare-brained idea, getting these people out of Seireitei? The hell are you thinking?'

'We'll take them to a safe house. As I told you, the enemy can infiltrate our walls, so we have to have them somewhere the Rache can't touch them.'

'Do you mean there?' said Isshin.

'Yes.'

'You do realize what could happen, don't you?'

'If that happens, we'll have lost, so it won't matter anyway.'

'What am I missing?' said Ichigo, finally letting Kyoraku go.

Rukia was equally confused, but kept it to herself. She glanced across at Nanao, who had been silent the entire time. 'Do you know anything about this?' she asked.

Nanao looked at her, 'I wasn't told, but I have a pretty good idea. You should too, you've been there recently.'

Rukia frowned at that, but didn't follow up with the obvious question. She'd find out when she got there. She glanced across to Ichigo, who was now with his twin sisters. Yuzu was hugging and crying into his side, and even the normally stoic Karen had balled her hands into fists. They were frightened. Rukia couldn't blame them, she was too.

She noticed Kyoraku was talking into a headpiece, a contraption similar to the material world's cell phone. Then he nodded once and turned it off. A second later there was a massive grating sound, and the ground seemed to vibrate. Rukia put her hand on her sword hilt and spun around. Then she saw what it was, the west gate was moving, eight massive fingers had appeared under it. Slowly it went up, and up.

'Alright, everybody through,' Kyoraku ordered when it reached his chest height, 'Move it, run, or the gate might drop on you.'

It was still being raised as they ducked underneath it, Shinigami in front; except Nanao who stayed back to make sure everyone went. Rukia didn't need to duck, and was waiting for a half witted comment from Ichigo to punish him for, but his attention was elsewhere.

'Oi, hello Jidanbou-san,' he called to the massive gate-guardian.

'Ichigo,' said Jidanbou between breaths, 'I heard - Orihime-chan - they took her.'

'They did. And Ishida.'

'Get them - back.'

'I will,' said Ichigo, and turned to Rukia, 'That's Jidanbou, I met him the first time I came to Soul Society.'

'Ichigo, I've been a Shinigami for fifty years longer than you. Do you really think I wouldn't know who the Gate Guardians are?'

There was a group of second division ninjas waiting for them. The lead one pulled down the black cloth covering his mouth, and Rukia blinked. It was Ganju, she'd never seen him in special ops uniform before. 'Captain-commander Kyoraku, we've finished the scouting,' he said, saluting smartly.

'Anything to report?' said Kyoraku.

'Nothing besides a few watchers. We took care of those weaklings,' he hawked and spat.

Nanao cleared her throat loudly. Ganju looked at her in confusion, and she glanced at the damp patch. One was not supposed to spit in front of a senior officer, but Ganju had only been a Shinigami for a month and old habits died hard. He flushed as he realized his mistake, and stammered an apology.

For his part, Kyoraku took no notice and continued as though nothing had happened. 'Then the way is clear?'

'Yeah. Did nee-chan win?'

Ganju was Kukaku's younger brother. 'She won, she's just at the medical bay getting patched up-'

Rukia mouth dropped. The way he made it sound was like she'd had some minor scratches. Instantly though she saw Kyoraku's reasoning, he couldn't let Ganju get emotionally compromised at this vital point. He had to lead the second division still, and wouldn't be able to do anything for his sister anyway. She had a feeling that Ichigo wouldn't realize this, and as she glanced at him she saw him open his mouth angrily. Quickly she stamped on his foot, he yelped and looked at her, and she shook her head.

'-you can go and see her when we get back,' Kyoraku finished.

'Understood. Alright team, we're taking over the security of Seireitei until the captain-commander returns, let's move in,' Ganju said, and the ninjas raced under the slightly raised gate, just as Nanao led the last of the Judicial members and special guests out.

'You can let it down now, Jidanbou-san,' said Kyoraku.

Almost immediately the gate fell with a resounding thud. Jidanbou then leaned against the wall and started stretching his back, taking deep measured breaths.

'Let's move out,' said Kyoraku, 'This first time, I'll go slowly to show you the way. Whatever you do, don't stray off the beaten track.'

So once again the five of them started ferrying people to the new location. It would be, by far, the farthest they had taken them.

x

Kyoraku stood outside the gates of the old Shiba manor, the midnight wind blowing through his sweaty hair. Finally it was done, they'd brought everyone without incident. Some of the Judicial members and special guests had started the arduous task of cleaning the long vacant dwelling. They were grousing and complaining, but it had to be done if they wanted to inhabit the place and not die of asphyxiation. Ichigo's sister Yuzu and a few others were preparing refreshments for when they'd finished. The rest had formed a line, passing in supplies that the second division had left outside the manor for them. Fortunately, since Ganju was a Shiba, they'd been able take them inside the walls and hadn't had to leave them where thieves could have taken their pick.

The Shiba manor had been a legendary monument in centuries past, but was now largely forgotten since no one had lived there for four hundred years. It was surrounded with a wall of Sekkiseki, the same material used to make the walls of Seireitei, and was said to be the inspiration for the latter. The gate was the only entrance point, and the Shiba family, using their zanpakutou, could open it. That was why they'd brought them all here, the Rache couldn't enter it. Not unless they stole one of the Shiba's blades, or Ichigo or Rukia's. Possibly not even then, the theory had never been tested, and hopefully never would.

Ichigo had opened it for them when they'd arrived, he'd finally stopped grousing but wasn't saying else either. Kyoraku felt bad about the strain their friendship was currently going through, but at the moment he had more important concerns. The fate of heaven was riding on his shoulders, he could not be found wanting.

One of those concerns was Isshin. He couldn't allow him to be involved in any of the further fighting. He'd come up with a simple plan. Simple ones, he'd found, normally worked the best. He started by ordering Nanao and the thirteenth division pair to check for stragglers, while he took Isshin aside.

'You haven't been inside before, have you?' he said, knowing full well the answer.

Isshin shook his head.

'Come with me then, there's something you should see.'

He led the soon-to-be Spirit King to the fountain in the middle of the old koi pond, the one that depicted a past life Ichigo and Rukia in joyous movement. Naturally Isshin would be curious about it. Kyoraku talked about it a little, subtly inducing the other man to speak, then released two Kido spells simultaneously.

The first made him invisible, and masked his reiatsu; the second left an image of himself behind so that he would not be missed. Kyoraku had tweaked it a little, so it would mimic his power signature and give short responses at intervals and silences; the type one would give to show they were listening. But any attempt to engage the doppelganger in conversation would expose it for the fraud it was.

There was one flaw in his plan, releasing any spell caused ones reiatsu to flare. Kyoraku was highly skilled at such manoeuvres, but even he couldn't entirely avoid the telltale sign at such short range. So what he'd done, while ferrying people, was caused his reiatsu to fluctuate; as though he were very tired or drunk. Of course he was neither, but it meant that a small release while he was resting would be taken for normal.

It worked, he got Isshin into a long monologue about his son just as he was leaving. Kyoraku was halfway to the gate before he felt Isshin's reiatsu spike. He was onto him, the ruse had been discovered. Kyoraku immediately let go of his invisibility and set off at full speed, he'd had to go at jogging speed before to maintain the spell. Being faster, and with such a head start, he made it back before the other man.

'Sorry about this,' he called, and pulled the gate shut. It locked automatically as it closed.

A second later he heard an angry slam against the other side. He breathed a relieved sigh and turned around, to where Ichigo, Rukia and his Nanao-chan were staring at him with wide eyes. The expression on all of their faces was the same: You've got some serious explaining to do.

x

Ichigo was so tired when he finally stumbled into his bedroom that he had barely enough energy to remove his clothes. He had no idea what time it was, but they must be in the wee hours of the morning by now. Kyoraku had been right about moving the Judicial members, he had decided, and was probably right about trapping Isshin with them as well. They had all of Soul Society to consider now. Though his old man would probably not see it that way.

He pulled on his boxers, fell on his pillow and pulled his sheet over. He was asleep instantly-

-To find himself in his inner world. The ground was the same as always, skyscrapers on their sides, the sky though was different. Grey clouds were releasing ridiculous amounts of rain for their size, but these were perfectly matched with spaces of clear blue, through which the sun shone strongly. The contrast couldn't have been stranger.

'Ichigo,' said a deep voice.

Ichigo turned sharply, covering his eyes as the sunlight hit them. 'Zangetsu, and… you.'

Zangetsu was balancing on a thin pole, as seemed to be his preference. Ichigo's inner hollow was sitting against it.

'Yo, partner,' said the hollow.

Ichigo could feel his frustration threaten to bubble over, the last time they'd called him into his inner world had been for him to learn to kill. Which, today, he'd finally done. 'I suppose you're very proud of yourselves,' he said, his eyes hard.

'No, we're proud of you, Ichigo,' said Zangetsu.

'For what, for taking someone else's life?'

'You know, Ichigo, that woman of yours speaks good sense,' said the hollow, 'You should try listening to her sometimes.'

'Alright, fine,' said Ichigo, 'I know that it was something that I had to do, sooner or later. But that doesn't mean I have to like it.'

'Wuss,' his hollow muttered.

'What was that!'

'Ichigo, you should never learn to like killing,' said Zangetsu, 'It is a terrible thing, taking the life of another person. But sometimes it is necessary.'

'Very well, I can accept that,' said Ichigo, 'And that it's necessary for Takumo to die.' After what he'd done to Chad, nothing less would appease his need for vengeance.

'Yes, he does,' Zangetsu agreed, 'But because he is a threat to the safety of Seireitei, not because of your personal vendetta.'

'Who cares,' said the hollow, 'The result is the same.'

'The motivation behind your action is as important as its results,' said Zangetsu.

There was something about those words. Ichigo had a feeling he'd never forget them, no matter how much time passed. 'I guess,' he said.

'We will teach you a new technique. It will help you in your coming battle. See that you use it well.'

They practiced for what felt like hours; Zangetsu demonstrating against his hollow, then making Ichigo take over while he watched and advised. Although the hollow was sardonic as always, it struck Ichigo that he was behaving differently. He seemed to be truly committed to helping Ichigo to learn. Perhaps because his very existence was threatened by the Rache, and he didn't like the idea of being eternally dead.

Ichigo hadn't fully mastered his new technique when he felt something tugging at him. He paused, looking around.

'She is trying to wake you,' Zangetsu answered his unspoken question.

'You're in for a treat, King,' his hollow laughed, shouldering his white Bankai blade.

'Ichigo, do what you know is right,' said his zanpakutou spirit.

'What! You fool, she-'

Ichigo didn't hear the rest of what he was saying. The pull grew stronger; he closed his eyes and allowed himself to be drawn-

-Back into his body. There was a firm weight on him, it wasn't unpleasant. The soft feminine scent of lilies filled his nostrils, awakening something inside him that defied description.

'Wake up, Ichigo,' Rukia breathed.

His eyelids snapped open. The dark skies above Seireitei still crackled with static, creating dim light that streamed through his window; he'd forgotten in his tiredness to shut the wooden panels. His eyes quickly adjusted to it, taking in her flushed features and violet eyes.

'Rukia, what-'

She cut him off with a kiss. Her warm lips and slick tongue, her flowery aroma. Of their own accord Ichigo's hands ran down her smooth arms and onto her body. Hot damn, what was she wearing! It was even softer than silk, his mouth would have been dry had hers not been keeping it wet. He could no longer tell up from down.

'Ichigo,' she gasped between kisses.

In seconds he had almost completely lost his self control. Yet as much as he wanted this, wanted her, he had to know why. With an effort that seemed every bit as difficult as every battle he'd ever fought, he pulled his mouth away from hers, and when she reached up to reclaim it he held her back.

'Why, Rukia,' he said, as softly and tenderly as he could.

Her eyes seemed to reach into his very soul. 'Because I love you.'

The temptation to kiss her swollen lips again was nearly overpowering. If he started though, he wouldn't be able to stop. 'But why now,' he pressed.

She raised her upper body with her arms. 'Don't you feel it? This could be our last night together, Ichigo, our last chance to be together.'

'Don't think like that, Rukia,' he said, 'I won't lose.'

'But what if I do?'

'Huh?'

He could hardly believe his ears when she told him about her learning to use Bankai.

'-Kyoraku-soitaicho knew about it all along, knew about my training. He told me a few minutes ago. He wants me to fight one of the four Rache leaders.'

'Why you? He has no right!' Ichigo exploded, his anger coming to the fore.

'It's simple, there's only enough healthy Ban-release fighters to match them one-to-one. There's you, him, Ikkaku and me.' Since his fight, everyone knew about Ikkaku's Bankai.

'Then he shouldn't have locked my dad away!' He knew the reasons, but putting Rukia in such serious harms way; when he was just coming to realize how much she meant to him; was a sacrilege.

'This is bigger than either of us,' she said, 'We have to fight, for the sake of everyone. Don't hate Shunsui, Ichigo, he's just doing the best he can in a desperate situation.'

And there it was again, a reminder of why he loved her so much. Her selflessness, the way she reminded him constantly to look out for others. Her consistent voice of reason. She made him a better man than he'd be on his own accord. On impulse he captured her lips with his, sliding his hands down further. Her kisses were the nectar of the Gods, he felt both invincible and absolutely in the moment. Underneath the silky nightgown her skin was cool to the touch, firm muscles giving evidence to years of training taut beneath the surface. Ichigo's mind nearly exploded when his fingertips touched the top of her panties.

He pulled away again, 'Rukia, I love you so much.'

'And I love you too,' she said, her lips just above his. She took his hands in hers and pulled them lower.

Ichigo gasped aloud, 'Rukia, we can't do this. Not now.'

'Yes, now.'

'I can't, I can't take advantage of you.'

She paused, then smirked, flashing her pearly white teeth before she kissed him again. 'Who's to say I'm not the one taking advantage of you!'

'I'm serious, Rukia, we can't do this.'

Only then did she stop, she looked down at him with an unreadable expression. 'But why?'

'Because,' he said, hating himself, 'Our first time should be special. Not forced by some half-arsed Quincy.'

'Ichigo,' she said softly.

'I love you, Rukia, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Short and annoying as you can be, you're the one I want to be with. And I won't let anything get in the way of that, get in the way of us.'

She sighed, and laid her forehead down on his cheek. 'You always were stronger than me,' she said, 'And I'm not short. Everyone else is just oversized.'

He chuckled at the last. To the rest, he took it to mean she agreed with, or at least accepted his decision. But having her so close, in their barely clothed state with just a sheet separating them, was distracting; and was causing certain bodily reactions. He wouldn't be able to control himself if she stayed, yet to let her go now would be physical agony.

'Rukia, I think you should go,' he said.

'I don't want to,' she whispered.

'I don't want you to either, but I think it would be safer.'

She kissed him lightly on the lips, 'I'm staying, Kurosaki Ichigo, you can't stop me.' And she rolled onto her side beside him, her chin lightly touching his shoulder and one arm draped across his chest. And he found he could summon no more arguments.

Ichigo had difficulty getting back to sleep, and it was a constant battle not to lean over and restart their kissing game. But her close presence was a comfort to him after the terrible day, and when he did finally nod off it was as deep and peaceful a slumber as he had ever known; despite it all.

'Damn it, King, why'dya spoil your chance!' a voice seemed to sneer into his unconscious mind.

'Ichigo, I'm proud of you,' said another, deeper one.

His nose twitched in his sleep, he sighed and snuggled closer to Rukia.

x

A/N: Ever get the feeling that the character you're reading (or writing) about is a better person than you?

Asian girls all have cool skin, I don't know why this is so, only that it is. I could give you a few more interesting facts about them, but this is a teen rated story lol.

Not much more to say, except that Kubo better pull out something major in the current plotline. It feels redundant, like Bleach should already be over and he's just stretching it out for the sake of his wallet.

Last thing, don't forget to review!