I do not own Bleach, or this shizz would have been some serious canon along time ago...with that being said, I did get A's and B's back in high school which was in 1999-2003...I write here and there but I know I do tend to have run-on sentences and I try and know their, there, and they're...I don't think this is a train wreck, so this is the story that goes along with my Picture also tilted 'After Life' found here: art/After-Life-462604391 It's a medium progression of their relationship but you will have to see it through Karins POV.
"talking"
'Thinking'
and go!
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The soul candy fell down the drain and even Karin can't see where it had disappeared as the lightning lit up the darkness. Rain pouring down over her face and pony tail that fell over her right shoulder as she was leaning over the gutter. It was late August and the rain in Karakura town was freezing, and when your now stuck in a gigai with Urahara's shop clear on the other side of town and with out your Zanpakuto; life seemed to be getting shitter by the second.
The roar from the Adjuchas bellowed across the street.
"Shit!" I muttered as I picked up off the ground and picked up momentum down the street. I have to remember what they taught us at the Academy. Zig-Zags, Zig-Zags, Zig...
"Hell with that!" the huge claw swiped right where my head use to be. This was looking grim even for me. I remember Lieutenant Hisagi's story whenever he went out to the real world from the Academy. I'm not against scars or anything like that it's just this hollow was out for revenge so I'm pretty sure it wouldn't leave more than a little puddle of what I use to be on the ground.
"Kurosaki!" I hear from above me. In a flash I see the back of our blonde team leaders head standing directly between the hollow and myself.
"Renny! Where have you been all my life!" 'or afterlife since he was about four hundred years older than me.' Renny is our team leader for this mission, Sensei at the Academy, and the bain of my existence! His tall broad figure had his Zanpakuto clutched between both hands ready to strike down said Adjuchas. A powerful glow of read beginning to form infront of him; With myself behind his fat ass; this some how seems familiar.
The Adjuchas sliced cleaning in half disappeared into the darkness. Lightning lit up the sky causing an eerie shadow of Renny's back.
"And that's Renny Senpai to you Kurosaki!" he grumbled while turning to face me.
"What the hell happened back there? And do not tell me shit happens or I swear to Kami I will fail you from going on into the Gotei 13."
I ran a wet hand threw my already impossible soaked hair and sighed. "I was wondering around town in the gigai when a Adjuchas appeared. The unexpected approach scared the hell outta me so I ended up dropping the soul candy down the drain. I started running and you know the rest."
"Where's your head at? This mission was so you could get use to entering and exiting the gigai during combat!" I face the ground and follow my sensei back to Urahara's shop. No sense in arguing I don't want extra lessons or detention to add to this mishap.
After getting out of the gigai and headed back to soul society with the rest of the class. I flopped on my bottom bunk bed and fell asleep pretty fast. A cold breeze went past my face and I when I opened my eyes I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Water everywhere! I start to panic and try to swim to the top; what I think the top to be. Wherever the bubbles float right?
I reach the top and start pounding on...what was this...ice? What the hell? A new set of panic sets in and I start screaming.
All of a sudden I am staring at my roommates face and her onyx eyes and her calm voice begging me to calm down that's it's just a dream. I beg to differ as I look at my completely soaked still in my academy robes. Sitting up I stair at my room mate as if it was the first time seeing her, ever!
"Karin it's ok, you can tell me what happened." Blossom sat at the desk in our dorm room. Her shoulder length cherry red hair swaying back and forth as she bounces her one leg on top of the other in the chair. Even in the chair it didn't do anything for her short skinny stature. Then her small round face gave me one of her famously cute smiles, everybody knows the one where you smile so big your eyes close and teeth are all you can see.
"I'm not entirely sure myself" it's all I can say.
"Oh My! Water? Where'd that come from?" using her hands to talk like she always does. My eyes follow where she was gesturing with her hands. The floor had a huge puddle under the bed and the bed sheets where adding the volume that seemed to increase by the second. 'Well shit'
"I remember being soaking wet in the living world, so I must have soaked the bed before I came in and passed out." that was the only logical explanation I could think of. Turning to stair out our dorm window I realize that it is well after sunrise. My class came back right after midnight.
"Are you not excited? This week you'll have your finals and the week after that you get to go to the divisions and see which you would succeed in for the rest of the after life" the way she sighs and that dreamy look in her eyes where really depressing me. Blossom sits up and bounces as she continues her rant. "You'll miss me Karin won't you? I mean in two more years when I graduate I can pick the division you pick. Just don't pick the eleventh; the Captain is so scary and violent. The twelfth division is creepy too, so I'll follow you if you don't go into either if those two. Oh and..."
"Calm down killer...breath between sentences your gonna cause me to pass out from the lack of oxygen in the room. "Blossom starts to tear up. 'Oh no...Not this!'
"Don't cry blossom I swear we will see each other after I leave. You'll get another room mate to replace me and I am sure you'll both get along smashingly!"
Blossom flings herself into chest and I instantly feel the heat enter my cheeks, but some how comforting her feels like second nature. Almost sister like, well she is as close to a sister as I can get here. I don't remember anything before I arrived in the 34th Rukongai district, dirty and in scraps fro clothes a little over 17 years old if I were to guess. Blossom was born here which I guess is rare in soul society.
Patting her back awkwardly she pulls back to smile again. "Thanks Karin" she wiped her eyes and headed off towards our bathroom. I on the other hand need to get these sheets and mattress out into the sun and dry, hopefully by night fall!
As I wring out the sheets over the banister outside our second story dorm railing. I hear a yell from under me and immediately stop.
"Oi" I bend over the railing and instantly knew that green short curly mop of hair anywhere.
"Sorry Manny I didn't realize anyone was there!"
"Are you blind? I've been out here for over an hour reading, well was reading..." holding his book out letting the water fall from the soaked pages. He shunpoed to where I was continuing to ring my pillow out.
"Wow what the hell did you do?" a smirk crossed his face. "you didn't sneak in any alcohol from the living world and throw a party without inviting me did you?"
"Ah, get the hell outta here, you know I wouldn't, after what happened last time" I shoulder bump him and look up at his face. Green hair to green eyes is captivating especially with a jaw line like his. Too bad he was dating a woman already in the gotei 13.
I see Blossom stick her head out of our dorm. "Hey Manny...oh no..." she started to giggle into hysteria. "I see Karin has gotten you" eyeing her wet hair and uniform.
"Har Har...little woman...why are you unscathed?" patting her head affectionately; after all they knew each other before the Academy, living across from someone usually would end up as friendship in the Rukongai districts, well Maybe. She shoves his hand off of her head and her cheeks are burning red as she slams the door behind her.
What's gotten into her?" he asks.
"PMS probably..."
"HEY! I heard that!" We both hear her muffled screaming from the other side of the door.
I snorted and turned as I'm finally done ringing the water out of my top comforter. I turn to face Manny but his face was scarlet and he was scratching his right cheek.
"What's gotten into you?" I asked , kind of worried that his head might actually explode off of his shoulders.
"Um, Karin you should really go and...change...your clothes." 'what?' that's the only look I give him as he turns to shunpo away, but before he does says. "Your uniforms white remember that!"
"You Perv!" I scream as I hear his laughter bounce off the buildings. 'That jack ass' I murmured as I head in to get changed for the beginning of the exams. Ugh...this is going to be a ruff series of tests. I don't even want to think about Kido.
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The After Math
As the teacher was passing out our envelopes with all our test results the back of my neck sweat started to collect. 'gross'
"Kurosaki" the teacher called out. I stepped forward out of line where we all currently waiting those nasty yellow envelopes. The Great Renny handing me my envelope shaking my other hand. Gripping the envelope for dear life made it feel as if it weighed eight tons.
We were to open them and get into groups of whichever division(s) we choose to go for the tour that day.
"Let's see" I ripped off the side of mine.
3rd
6th
7th
10th
13th
'Well damn' I guess I should go down the list. 5 divisions to visit 5 days to do it and 12 days to put down which one you'll be attending for the rest of your life; of course promotion is about the only way you cab get out. Well I don't want to think about the others ways; I shutter as I got in line with all the other students heading to the 3rd division.
We all were in 3 lines as we made our way up the small hill. There was a Man with sandy hair standing there with a clipboard. His blue eye that are piercing and that's when I spotted it; his lieutenants' badge with the three stripes on it. Oh ode to joy for I can feel the sparks flying as he scrutinized every single one of us. Holding his clip board and pen he made sure we were all accounted for.
Our group of thirty or so stood at attention waiting for him to say anything to get this started. I was already bored out of my mind and I just got here. Well I was watching the other Shinigami running around going about today's business.
"I am lieutenant Izuru Kira" and that lady's and gentlemen was all I wanted to hear. My attention was elsewhere as I spot the Captain of the third division. His hair long, blond, and with waves. I believe his name was Rojuro or Rose, well could be. He was talking to one of his subordinates. I turn to follow my fellow students to a training area, cafeteria, and a few offices.
As I headed back to my dorm Blossom was already passed out. Kido always took a toll on here and today was one of her tests before passing to year 5. I really will miss this spunky fire ball. Like me, she hasn't talked to her Zanpakuto. Well they did say most people here won't until after graduation and some may never.
I'll never forget the day Manny got to successfully talk to his. Half way threw 3rd year during meditation class. He stood up cussing and screaming holy shit! I of course burst out laughing, that day we both had to sit out of Meditation class and for that whole week after that. We both wanted start a petition paper stating they needed to mentally prepare the students to handle the shock of actually getting to talk to your Zanpakuto, but that became a distant memory when Manny became better at it.
I look down and noticed my bed was made. I have to remember to thank Blossom in the morning.
Here I am again swimming in this water pounding on the frozen Ice above my head. 'Why in the hell can't I get threw.' all the air left my lungs and I believe death was knocking at my door. As my lungs burn for oxygen I finally give in and take some water in. I take another breath of water. I'm breathing water? I didn't think it was possible! I turn my attention back to this ice ceiling above me. I hear cracking, good I'm almost out. It was getting lighter above me. Or was it below me. I look down and wish I did not, I belt out a scream as a pure blinding white light rushes from beneath my feet in the water. The light was all I could see...
I sat up in bed panting and...Soaking freaking wet again! This time I look at my hand and noticed ice at my fingertips. The ice didn't seem cold to the touch. Could it be I'm going insane? If it was a Zanpakuto; shouldn't I have seen someone or something other than water, ice, and light?
I look out the window; dawn was approaching as the red hues arise. I stand up and to look at blossom still passed out.
"Well better get crackin!" I lift the blanket and drag it outside with the rest of my sleeping attire.
After well deserved shower and a new Shino uniform before I walk out the door. Manny and Blossom both outside waiting for me so we all could walk together.
"You know Karin, people are going to start calling you a bed wetter."
"Can it Manny!" I snarled.
"Someone's touchy this morning" Blossom intervened. All I could do was cross my arms and keep walking along side them.
6th division was a nightmare Lieutenant Abri was giving me the creeps looking at me as I were a new specimen. The captain had a stick so far up his ass I thought he was using his Zanpakuto as a tooth pick, my mistake though!
So the 6th is out of the question.
Besides waking up in a completely wet mess again yesterday visiting the 7th division was interesting but I probably would be compelled to want to pet the captain and more than likely I would end up suspended.
This time I learned my lesson. Blossom helped me construct plastic covering using trash bags to cover my bed, we stuffed my pillow in another, and I covered up with my real blankets on top of the bag I was using. I just had to mop up the floor using every towel we own. I owe Blossom for all she helped out; she said she was going to wash the towels today while I visited the tenth division. And here I am in-front of the most exposed woman I've ever seen here or anywhere without it being poverty related. The guys were drooling and most of the girls tried not to pay attention like I was.
There was a rumor saying the tenth had a cut off for how many guys were allowed in, and now I see why! I huffed my bangs out of my face as the bouncy lieutenant showed us the cafeteria.
Everybody here seemed pretty busy doing something. I saw a tall black haired man take a humongous stack of papers down the hall where we were once at. The training area was empty as we ate our lunch outside. She said something about it being too gloomy to be inside. I like that logic but I also like to stay busy too. "Maybe I can work on the lawn or something like that."
I took another bite out of my supplied bento box.
"Oh we have plenty of men around here for that!" I look up to see the bouncy lieutenant talking to me.
"Oh, sorry...I didn't realize I said anything out loud." wrapping up the box getting ready to get back into line. Wiping my Shino Academy robes off from the dust.
"You look familiar!" she said. I just looked at her and blinked a few times.
"I doubt it." was all I came up with as stood behind my fellow classmate ready to head to more exciting things here at the great tenths division.
We walk to where the barracks are to see what the layout looked like. 6 bunk beds and one bathroom with three sinks and three shower stalls along with three toilet stalls. Just like all the others. So twelve people are cramped into this one room; the after life is looking bleaker by the minute.
That night I couldn't wait to meet my plastic bed. Blossom was reading at the desk in our room when I rolled in.
"Hey Karin! How'd it go~!
"Same as all the others I guess, but defiantly better than the 3rd and 6th. I still have the 13th to go tomorrow then I can start weighing the pros and cons of each and break it down before next week."
"Wow I'm sure you'll pick an awesome one too, make it good because that's the one I'll be joining too." Blossom smiled her famous smile again.
"I hate to burst your bubble but don't you have to be best matched with a division before you can decide you want to be with me?" She put her finger to her bottom lip and closed her eyes. 'What a brain overload or something?' I decided to get into my sleeping yukata while she turned around to finish reading. The silence was eerie until I pulled the make shift plastic covers up. The loud crinkling sounded throughout the dorm room. Blossom started to giggle and I of course burst out into one of my laughter fits.
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The dream was the same as ever, and so accompanied by the moping of the floor the next morning. 'I'm pretty sure my new roommates will hate me if I flood them every night.
The thirteenth division was pleasant. Lieutenant Kuchiki and Captain Ukitake were really nice. The only thing that got me was Lieutenant Kuchiki looked as if she was going to cry the whole time.
A few different people were whispering about it too, so I know it wasn't just me. I tried a few times to ask a question but was ignored in the sliest of ways. She even excused herself to the bathroom and ran away. The only thing I could think of is that maybe I looked like a girl her boyfriend cheated on her with. Dumb, I know, but what other reason would you avoid someone like the plague? I'm not really good with all the emo girly things. I huffed and went back to my dorm early. A shower was due and I need to be by myself for awhile. Blossom is still in classes and I have a date with a pen and paper.
I scored a line directly
In the center of the paper. My hair was dripping onto my sleeping yukata as I was in thought.
Over one of the sections I wrote 10 and 13 over the other.
10: Pros: nice lieutenant maybe too nice! Everything seems orderly. Everybody seems to be busy doing something. They have some jobs I can apply for.
10: Cons: never met the Captain. 'Even if all the girls babble at how hot he was. Bla bla bla, I'm only interested in keeping myself busy and maybe moving up the ranks a little.'
13: Pros: Lieutenant is weird but nice and the Captain is very nice as well. They do have the most jobs I can pick from. Some of the best cafeteria food out of all the divisions too!
13: Cons: everyone almost seems too relaxed, I might get board fast, but I am sure I can find something to do there.
Ok I think I made up my mind. Even though it might be a little boring; I have to go with the thirteenth.
I write 13 in the space saved for choice number one. And 10 for choice number two and 7th for choice number three. The Academy saves three choices just in-case ones too full or they actually reject you. Which makes sense because they supposedly reject half the males that apply at the 10th division and need to be filled with some females.
I hit the sack early and when I woke up I was very surprised I wasn't dripping every where like usual. I look over the side of the bunk bed to the floor to make sure. Nope, nothing, but I am sticky from sweating. Gross, time for a shower!
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It had been a week since I turned in my paper and still no signs that I got accepted by any of the three divisions I qualify for. What got me out if my slump was three loud bangs on my dorms door. "I'm coming!"
I pulled the sliding door open and stair Manny in the face. "Yo, what's up Manny? You're never usually this doom and gloom!"
"I didn't get in." I scratched the back of my head.
"Come in and sit down over there" pointing to Blossom and mine desk chair. After he slowly made his way into the chair I had to tease. "So, what the hell are you talking about that 'you didn't get in'" oh yes I used quotation fingers!
"My girlfriends division, I mean"
"Oh the 5th is too full or what, I thought you were a shoe-in?" now I was curious but I bet ya I could guess!
"There was no explanation, just a letter and a uniform welcoming me to the 6th division."
"Well at least your close to her, I mean you could have been put into the 11th or 12th."
"I qualified for the 11th." after he said that I visibly shuttered. I knew his Zanpakuto was powerful but damn, only the roughest of the rough get into the 11th.
"Well if you got your shit, then where is mine?"
"Oh yeah, I guess that's the little package in front of your door." I jumped up and pulled the door open and sure enough, a paper brown tied bag sat there. I pulled into my arms and walked over to Manny and smacked the back of his head.
"Owe woman, what the hell was that for?"
"For being forgetful, did you walk on it too while your at it?" he just sat there rubbing the back of his head. I unwrapped the package and finger the new material. I've been waiting six long years for this uniform. Then the letter caught my eye. Fumbling to open it I knew Manny wasn't stupid enough to say anything while I was entranced.
Dear Kurosaki,
We went threw your choices and would like to welcome you to the 13th division.
Signed board of directors of Shino Academy.
A crooked smile was plastered on my lips." Oh hell yeah!" was I said before walking out the door leaving Manny behind. I reached the railing and screamed at the top of my lungs "Oh he'll yeah!"
"Kurosaki, detention, no profanity and you should be well aware of that fact!" I stared at Renny-sempai and just smiled. One week until graduation, what the hell can he really do to me this time?
I sigh as I fold the three hundredth new school uniform for the next new class; I officially regret my actions from yesterday. Note to self; never curse randomly in the ear shot of any one higher in the food chain than yourself!
I look up and realized as I finished folding my last uniform. I was about to walk away for some fresh air but was caught off guard by Renny sensei himself.
"Where do you think your going Kurosaki? You have to pair them in threes then tie them together, has it been that long you've forgotten what it was like to be a noob?" As he cackles I pick up the long skinny spool of rope and begin the new task at hand. I can still hear him grumbling and talking to himself about me and how I'm just gonna love the drills they give us. Bla bla bla. I have shit to fold and the faster I do it the faster I can get away from him.
By the time I'm ready for sleep Blossom is already passed out. I just hope her next roommate is good to her or so help me, I have to stop my thoughts right there. Blossom is a big girl and can take care of herself.
As I drift I can hear humming and then the rush of water around my body as I open my eyes. Same thing all the time, the humming is pretty new though. I decided to stop digging threw the ice and I'm just waiting for this white light to emerge. To see if there's anything besides the light; hopefully this is for my sanity sake my Zanpakuto then I want to hear it. The humming seems to com from the light underneath of me. I take a huge leap of faith and try to swim closer to the light. I'm squinting and moving closer than I ever have. My eyes focus a little bit more and I can see...scales? What the hell is this? It's swimming and moving in circles; Playing almost. I look for a head and sure enough I see it, a huge serpent type thing.
A faint whispering and murmuring I could hear as I open my eyes to the light of morning. I hear an echo of the word "dragon" or that's what I thought heard. I noticed that I'm not wet when I wake up this time. I rub my eyes and sit up completely. I hear Blossom Humming to herself in the shower. I get up and toe over to where my Shino uniform hangs. Lazily I pull the much worn cloth on and it fits perfect, but now that they are completely comfortable I would be changing into something I've been dying to get into, literally I guess!
Blossom comes out with her Shino uniform on and stairs at me.
"What?" I ask incredulous.
"Why didn't you tell me you got accepted into the thirteenth division?" she put on her best pouting face on.
"And I so would have, if i wasn't made to fold every piece of cloth at the Academy" She busts out laughing and it is refreshing to my ears. "Come on, let's go get Manny and head to class." I pull her and she grabs her shoes protesting she needs to wear them. I kind of miss having my toes in the grass. In Rukongai district I never had shoes. For four years I had no shoes and then the little old man Gurdy who took me in begged my to try out for this Academy, said it would do me some good. I hesitated for three weeks whether or not to come here until finally I heard little kids talking about all the Shinigami and play sword fighting each other in the streets. That's the very same day I got my reiatsu tested with a new package with my uniforms and shoes in it. The old man was so proud I never seen him get teary eyed before that!
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That had to be the slowest week of my life. I'm now standing next to Manny in the many lines they had to receive our certificate of completion, or Diploma some were calling it. I was nervous but not for graduating, I was nervous at what awaits me at the thirteenth division.
"If they don't start this thing now I am leaving" I whispered to Manny.
"Shh, do you want to get in trouble? Where are to wait until all the Captains arrive so they can help pass out the certificates of there new division members." Manny whispered back rather harshly if I do say so my self, but he usually is the spastic one out of our click of three. This is going to take all freaking day!
I really wasn't paying attention until they announced the Captains one by one. A few I haven't seen before and the captain of the second division looked like an executioner to me. Note to self, stay far, far away from the second division. Check.
And hour passed more names were being called Manny was now standing in the row behind his new captain.
The captain with the white hair started to call names. One by one people started getting behind him. After he finished the last name from his list he put the paper at his side. He must have felt my eyes on him because grey met turquoise for the first time and I notice his eyes open a fraction wider than what they were. Then he moved his eyes away from me to look straight forward.
I moved my eyes to the eleventh Captains line and saw five people behind him. I wanted to laugh at the suicidal individuals but I held my tongue.
Of course I would be sixth to last in the whole freaking graduating class. As I walked to get my diploma/certificate I noticed everyone quieter than usual. I glanced over to the tenth division Captains face and it was his eyes that seemed to be screaming in panic. I looked up to the eleventh Captains face, huge mistake, he was grinning ear to ear and I wanted to find a hiding place. Now that I glance around everybody seemed to be giving me looks. Most I couldn't place and will ignore for now but, I now have a job to do. I look up to captain Ukitake and his warm smile reassures me and welcomes me into his division. I knew right then and there that I chose the right division.
"Welcome Kurosaki-san"
