Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of the characters. T_T
A/N This story takes place after the final arc. However nobody dies in my version of the final arc, Ichigo wins and the world is saved from the hated undead Quincy. 3 Byakuya. This is my first fan fiction so please R&R. If you want to flame go ahead, but at least throw in some constructive criticism while your at it. Oh and don't worry the chapter get longer later on.
1. Frustration
KARIN POV
I knocked on my brothers door for the third time this week. "Come in Karin." Ichigo says.
I forced a smile and said, "Hey Ichi-nii, you got a minute?"
"Only if it has nothing to do with ghosts, death gods, or my disappearing." He growled.
'Damn, this isn't gonna go well' I thought. "C'mon Ichi-nii, I just want some simple answers. You don't have to tell me everything that's been going on. I just wanna know-"
"No Karin!", He shouted. "This is just your imagination running wild. Let it be. Now I need to finish my homework. You know these college assignments are hard on me." Karin glanced over at the papers on her brothers desk. Seeing the words, hollows, arancar, and pluses saved, in the margin she was willing to bet every penny she had ever saved that those papers had nothing to do with college.
Sigh. "Ichi-nii, between you and Otou-san I feel like I don't belong in this family anymore." I shut the door to his room. I was getting tired of this whole situation. It's been a trial for not only me but my sister Yuzu as well. She knows things are happening around her, but she can't see things like I can. I swore that after Okaa-san died, I was going to be a pillar of strength for this family, but lately it feels like I've only been getting in the way. Even though I've seen Ichigo change into a shinigami, and I can sense Otou-san has a spiritual strength to him. I can't seem to get either one to explain anything.
"That's it, I've had it with all of you!" I shouted, grabbed my school bag, and stomped outside slamming the front door.
This has been going on for months, even years now. I argue, I get frustrated, and I leave. So far it hasn't changed. I am Kurosaki Karin, 16 years old, I can see spirits, and my family thinks I'm stupid...Well that is going to change tonight. Either I am going to get the answers I want or I'm never going back to that stupid house. "Sorry Yuzu, I will come back as soon as I can. I will let you know what's up when I find out for myself." I whispered, seeing the light still on in our room. Then turned and walked away.
I wandered over to the nearby park and sat down on the swing. The sun was setting, and the vibrant colors brought back memories. Upon entering junior high and high school after that, I found out that there were no girls' soccer teams. I wasn't about to be a trophy girl manager so I decided to join the kendo team and archery club instead. I still managed to hit the field on Sundays, but since my friends were able to join the school teams they rarely had the time to play with me. I found I was a natural at kendo. I had gone to the national championships my third year of junior high and placed third. The captain of Karakura High's kendo team found out I was enrolling after his last year and I was given the captain position two weeks prior to my first day of high school. The first day of kendo practice had gone about the way I had expected. I was shunned by my seniors and worshipped by my fellow freshman. It took about three hours to thoroughly beat my resolve into those that disrespected my position. So far so good. I loved going to the archery club, it was my time to unwind from kendo. A place of peace without the pressures of being the captain. I was actually pretty good at it too. It was now summer vacation of my first year in high school and a time for answers.
I stood up after the sun had completely set. The street lamps were flickering on one by one. I picked up my school bag and set out.
I found myself walking toward Urahara's Shoten. 'If anyone knows what's going on around here, it's definitely Urahara-san. I mean he sells me anti-spirit spray. He has to know something.' I thought to myself. That is where I am going to start.