AN:
A key:
bold: The voice only Karin can hear
bold and italic: Karin's dreams/anything not happening in "reality"
Normal: her average thoughts and actions
Do you people think I really own Bleach? Really? Well thanks, but... Sadly, I don't! All things Bleach belong to the wonderful Tite Kubo
Another night of utter darkness, and yet the sheer brightness is blinding. It has always been a very confusing place to be... I feel as if my senses had gotten used to it, though. It is, after all, my dream right? If I can't get used to it there is no point in sleeping at all.
The bright darkness surrounds me, I feel many sensations at once; warm, cold, pain, heartache, and apathy. I feel it all, and more, but there is one sensation that screams the loudest as the voice breaks the deafening silence.
Fear.
"When shall you see me, Karin-chan...?"
The fear... It's all becoming too much! I can't handle this!
I'm going to break...
"Breakfast is ready, Karin-chan." Came Yuzu's voice; not her usual, "too-bubbly" voice, but the more empty one she's had since Ichigo returned.
A little over seventeen months... He was gone all that time, and he returns just like his old self. Except, he can't see spirits anymore. He isn't a shinigami. He feels like he can't protect us anymore, but what he doesn't realize is... I don't need protecting. I can take over for him. I'm a big girl now; I know all of this spitit junk isn't as plain and simple as I thought it was. There are things I don't know, and sure as heck things I never want to learn, but... With Ichigo out of commission, and dad taking more and more "business trips", I need to be strong. For my sister, and for Ichigo.
"I'm on my way down now, Yuzu-chan..." I sigh, and stand up.
A sudden chill, then the sun shines bright into my room. Why does this all feel so... Familiar, and yet so new? It's just a plain old spring morning, nothing to get worked about. Everything for me has been so complicated since Ichigo left, but it feels like now that he's back... I'm going to have so much more on my plate. I really don't mind taking care of things. If it's to keep my sister safe, I'll do anything.
"Anything...?"
Where did that voice come from...?
"Kurosaki-chaaaaan, just open your eyes! That's all you need to do!"
What is this feeling...? I'm so cold, but I'm sweating. I feel alone, yet claustrophobic as if in a vast crown of people. I am... Afraid.
"Karin...!" Yuzu screams, "Dad! Dad, Karin's passed out...!"