Lingering On..

Author's Note:

Hey there ya'll. If you're reading this. You'll know this is the sequel to GPS System and the 2nd book to success Hello Professor. If not, I emplore you to go back and read the last two books, starting with the first, Hello Professor. Then GPS System, and so forth. For those of you readers that are returning. I thank you for taking your time to return to this story even though it has a slightly different location...I am assuming all of you readers remember what happened in GPS System so I will not waste your time and recover it :P. And as for those of you who need some refreshing, review at the bottom of this chapter and ask me to catch you up on what happened in the story. I do accept anonymous reviewers, so it's not problem if you don't have an account. ^.^

Thanks,

Rukia


Day 2

"What are we going to do? Doesn't she expect us to do something within the next 30 days? So..Why aren't we doing anything!" I asked, infuriated. I..Hated being hopeless.

"We're not going to sit around and do nothing," Yourichi stated.

We where back in Karakura. There was no reason now for me to stay at the cave. But seeing as Toshiro was being search for because of the incident with Momo, he remained at the cave and kept constant watch with Toshiro #2 to see if anyone or any wolf would come back with more information on what we where supposed to do.

And as Urahara, Yourichi, and I sat at the low table, with our tea still steaming from this morning, Urahara finished Yourichi's sentence.

"We're going to bring her back."


Day 5

"Karin!" Rukia said in exasperation, "It's been too long!"

"What's up squirt?" Ichigo asked, fumbling with my hair.

"Karin!" I heard Yuzu cry from inside.

I was at the clinic, the place I had failed to visit for year because of my situation...And finally, my twin saw me for the first time in ages. Her chocolate eyes started to tear innocently as she ran up to me and gave me a hug.

"I was," She huffed in a breath, "So worried!"

I stroked her head and shushed her quiets, looking up seriously toward Ichigo and Rukia.

"I need your help."


Later that same day

"So we're gonna give Aizen an scare, huh?" Ichigo said pounding his fists together.

"Who's this Rose character?" Rukia asked.

"She was my trainer for the past few months..She left us a message after she was kidnapped," I began, "It said that we had 30 days..And after Urahara did this weird coding thing, we figured out the message also said, Conceiving.."

"But we still haven't figured out what all that means.." Toshiro says, "Aizen also seems to be manipulation Momo. I am now being wanted for assault..And because of that, we can no longer request the soul society's help in this matter.." He explains.

"So now, we're just going to have to use the man power in Karakura, huh?" Rukia catches on quick.

"We should go tell Orhime and the other," Rukia suggests to Ichigo.

"We haven't talked to that bunch in years..." Ichigo said, scratching the back of his head, "I wonder if they'll even remember us.."

"I can round up Jinta and the Uuru too..." Urahara says.

(Author's Note: For some reason Uuru spelled the correct way with and R between the first to Us is being auto corrected on my computer to Uruguay..So until I can get rid of that auto correct I will be spelling her name Uuru..)

"I'm sure if I really wanted to I could get Soifon to come along as well," Yourichi suggests.

"No, no one from the soul society, we just can't risk it." I say.

"Well then..Is that everyone we can thing of?" Toshiro asked.

"Isshin should be able to help as well...But that's only if he'll leave Yuzu alone..Which I doubt would be a good idea. There are also a few students in Karakura high that would also be of help..And then there's students that Karin might have met at her new school and Ichigo's graduate class." Rukia deducts.

"There aren't really any people in my class that could," I stop suddenly in my sentence...Ruka..He...He's the only one who could be of use and..He betrayed us..

"I think I might have one person," I say, flapping open my phone.

"Hello?" I hear him on the other line.

"Hey Roka, it's Karin," I began.

And immediately he hangs up the phone. My head hung low for a second. I suppose it's to be expected, I'm the one who triggered his mother into being help captive anyways..

Held captive..

Suddenly I remembered the note I'd gotten inside my Kimono so many months ago. Why did I remember it now? Perhaps because it was so scary? No..Because of the person who admitted to writing it.

'stay away from Toshiro' does that note still apply? I wonder if..He's number is still active.

When I scrolled threw my contacts, his name was still there in the R section. When I punched the dial number..I'm surprised to see that the number patches through! I hold the phone up to my ears and wait a moment.

So one picks up the phone,

"Allo?" They asked.

What type of hello was that? Wait..Allo is...French for hello!

"Ah..I'm sorry, wrong number!" I say, hastily reaching to hang up.

"Arret! I mean, wait! That voice..Karin?" And I suddenly hear that very familiar voice again.

I press the phone to me ear again, "Roka! Why are you speaking french?"

"Well I'm in France, sweetheart. Why did you call?"

"I..Ah.." You idiot, you can't ask him to fly all the way over to Japan to help you fight the man who created him.

"So ah..You broke away from Aizen or something? Or is he just letting you go on a vacation," What a stupid question, what was I doing?

Everyone in the room now stares at me, recognizing the name I muttered. Toshiro gave me a cautious look as if to say, "you better not," but I continue.

"If you want to make small talk, I'll have to do it later, I'm kinda busy," I can hear the fumbling as her pulls the phone away from his ear. And prepares to turn it off.

"No wait!" I began, "Truth is...My friend she..Was kidnapped by Aizen and I was..Wondering if you could help me get her back.."

There was silence over the other line. But after a long while he sighed and began faintly, "I'll fly back to Japan and I'll be there by morning,"

I light up with a smile and begin, "Thanks so much!"

"But don't think my services are for free," He starts, "No, you'll have to give me the royal treatment when I return," He laughs.

What was that supposed to mean? But before I could ask he hangs up.

I shut my phone and stick it back in my pocket.

"Alright, Roka's gonna join in the Rescue." I said.

But when I look up, everyone's staring at me with wide eyes.

"Roka betrayed us," Rukia began.

"Don't be so selfish you guys. There is such things as a second chance. And I saw first hand how he tried to mend the stitches he tore. Momo's wedding, for instance." I directed what I said to Toshiro, who was the most distressed.


Day 7

After all the meetings where over with and explaining having to do with who Rose was was finished, this was it. The moment we showed out skills. Everyone who was called over was to make a line and when they reached the "judges"(Yourichi and Urahara) they'd present their skills. And from there, the two would place them in teams with people who corresponded to their needs, as well as those who they benefited.

First up was the woman named Orhime. I had heard a bit about her and I remember remotely that she used to be in my brother's high school class. But I remember her most from the cat fight that happened a few years back. She'd begged Ichigo not to get engaged to Rukia because..Well she was in love with him. And Rukia, obviously being friends with Orhime, ended up having to crush Orhime. But in the end, Rukia really..Never got over the fact she made Orhime cry.

The lady had strawberry blond hair with two identical blue flower hairpins on either side. The flower pins looked like snowflakes. They had 6 petals to a flower. She wore a yellow dress that complemented her slim figure. But it was apparent she had no consciousness of her huge breast which she somehow managed to squeeze into the top of the dress without showing her cleavage or anything else. He huge innocent gray eyes seemed a bit wiser this time around. And when she met Rukia a few minutes ago, it was the first reunion they'd had since their fight. Immediately then, Orhime apologized to Rukia and introduced her husband, Uryu Ishida. Strange..I think I remember his name from somewhere too..

The way Orhime demonstrated her powers was quite weird. She put her hands on her hair clips and chanted something..

"Soten..." I couldn't hear the rest.. But I do remember when she used to train with Rukia sometimes at Urahara's shop. After chanting that weird stuff, she's say "I reject!" In that girly voice of hers and this healing bubble would come up.

But this time around, what she said was different, "Release!" She said. This time, her voice was serious and unhesitating. And what came from the dust, was not an orange healing film, but a bow. And I don't mean the type that you put in your hair, I mean a bow, with a quiver and arrows strapped across her shoulder and waist. And then that same orange film was made into a string that had tied her hair up into a pony tail.

She smiled a bit oddly and began, "I learned this one from Uryu!" She a laughed, "I'm a pretty good aim, too."

"Then let's give it a shot," Urahara said.

She took a deep breath and took out an arrow, loaded the bow, and pulled it back.

"Tsubaki!" She says. And suddenly the arrow is not just made of an orange transparency, but is enveloped in a red sparkling light.

She aimed for someone in the crowd. And everyone stood watching, a few of them gasped because they thought she was going to shoot them.

"Death in and instant," She whispers to herself as she lets the arrow fly.

It swishes past Urahara's head and since we were in and open dirt field, it continued past us and the red light expanded as soon as it past the last person in line. It looked as though it was a sheet of red rather than an arrow. That sort of power over such a large distance..

"Stop." She commanded. And in a instant. The light was no longer there, and what fell to the ground and evaporated was the orange arrow from before. It rematerialized in her quiver and a petal in one of her hair pins returned.

"You've gotten a lot stronger, Orhime. But we both know from the winter war that you're better suited for healing," Urahara explains, "That's why, I will ask you to be the defensive and stay behind to protect the injured."

Orhime drew another arrow and released it a lot faster. This time, without saying and word, it pierced the wood behind where Urahara was sitting. When the arrow lodged into the wood, it gave off a light spark, "Being a healer in that war is precisely the reason why I'm willing to be on the offense this time around. I'm sick of being helpless. That's why," She looks up with and intense, serious stare, "You can't make me sit back and watch."

"We're not going to war yet, Orhime. This is a rescue squad. If we succeed we will hold off another war this Aizen. But since your ability allows you to turn back time, we may need it." Yourichi began.

"We don't know the details, but whatever the message Rose left for us meant, it included the coded word, Conceiving..It could possibly mean conceiving a child..And if we arrive..And she is pregnant...We'd have to ask for you to turn back time so that the child does not exist," Yourichi admits.

It was a possibility..But no one wanted to think of it. Rose..Pregnant with Aizen or someone else's child...That would definitely make sense. And 30 days would be the time limit in which she can hold him off...But in the end, no one wanted to think that's what her message was saying..

"So would you please, we're not saying you can't fight.." Urahara began.

Orhime darted her eyes away and walked off. She sat in the shaded area in the bleachers. Our skill test was being taken in the old soccer field that was wrecked by Toshiro's Zanpakuto years back. The field was clear, and there where actually places to sit so..We decided to conduct everything here. This field was so..Nostalgic.

Next up, Jinta. His abilities where the same as always. An amplified swing of a bat. It was a lot more powerful than when I last saw it..But it wasn't too surprising. He was stuck in a separate team from Orhime. Then came Uuru..She didn't change much either. When her life is put in danger, something of instinct would kick in and she'd become super human. She went with Jinta in their group which was classified as the "backup" who'd watch when we entered Las Noches for wandering hollows, and also who'd keep the gate back to the human world open. Obviously then, Urahara's muscular helper..You know, the weird guy with glasses and black braids, would stay behind as well to keep the gate open.

Uryu then. This man, who should really be call "Mr. Ishida" was the husband of Orhime. And man did he look like a dork. Glasses, almost dark blue looking hair, and surprisingly enough, a muscular facade. At least, his arms where buff. I remember the last time I saw him, he was wearing this nerdy cross outfit, now he's wearing a t-shirt with a tiny blue cross on the pocket and beige pants.

"Well I suppose you've already seen my ability," He began, "Not much has changed since then,"

"You never know..5 years can change a man," Urahara laughs and flaps open his fan, "Now hurry up, people are waiting!"

It was the same as Orhime's ability except for his bow and arrows where blue and he materialized his arrows from the atmosphere. When he shot one, it was more like a comet that shot straight down the field, it didn't stop and I wondered where it'd end up as my hair shifted in the breeze. Uryu was put on a separate team from the others before him.

Now I was even interested in this one. Roka stepped up from the line next. He bowed and looked at the ground as he began slowly, "I am sorry for my past actions. But I intend to make it up with one blow," He says.

Toshiro was in line behind me as he muttered softly to himself, "That prick, he's going to use that same technique he used on me at the hotel.." That was when I was changing and Roka had forced him in a bathroom so he could change in the main room...I was interested to see how Roka forced him into submission.

He took a deep breath and began once more, "Do you have any sort of dummies?"

"No, but I'll gladly volunteer," Urahara says, standing up.

"Wait!" Yourichi began, "You don't know what he'll do to you."

"And neither do you. Like Kurosaki Jr. said, we should try giving people second chances." He winks in her direction. So now I'm Kurosaki Jr.?

When Urahara reaches him, he stands in front of Roka and begins, "Alright now wh-"

But we're all stopped. Because when I blink and open my eyes, Urahara's suddenly..Somehow..In his boxers..(white with red polka-dots by the way)And the only thing that remains is his cane that is still swung over his shoulder. And when I blink again, all of his clothes are back on.

"Though it's apparent Aizen can use his Zanpakuto to fool me, my ability is to stop time for a maximum of 2 minutes in order to do whatever needs to be done over a 10 mile radius. Please use my ability to your advantage," He bows and walks over to meet the others. Everyone stared at him wide eyed. And he wondered for a minute if he'd done something wrong as suppose because he said, "I'm sorry," Immediately.

Urahara, without commenting, sticks him in a group with Uryu.

Next was Sado. Or as I liked to call him, as my brother did, Chad. This guy was the uncool giant who helped me when I was in grade school. There was a hollow that he couldn't see and he gave it a big whack with this monster demon arm that appeared out of nowhere. I remember it so clearly because it was the day I saw the sky rip open in small black holes. It was the day the sky was not visible, covered with hollows as far as the eye could see...

His ability did not change in the least. He did, however, have a white demon arm that had a shield now. And his attacks where a lot more powerful. He was put in the group with Roka and Uryu. It was labeled, Team 4.

Next was Ichigo and the moment he stepped in front of the two, Urahara burst out, "Alright Ichigo, everyone know about your bad ass powers to there's not need to show them off, go ahead and start a new team next to Sado."

Rather shocked Ichi-nii pouts like a child, "What! That's not fair!"

"Just go, Ichi-nii. Before you embarrass yourself..And me." I say.

Reluctantly, Ichigo slides his feet to where Chad stood.

"What's up," Ichigo asked, when he made to to where he stood.

"Hmm.." Chad responded. What was that supposed to mean? The giant's grunt of emotion, I suppose.

Next was Rukia, who stood in front of Yourichi and Urahara for awhile.. Then she finally decided, "My abilities are exactly the same as they where in the winter war. Though I will admit I have achieved banki it is not yet perfected and I do not wish to show it at this time. Now then, I will be joining Ichigo in his group regardless of what you are planning to stick me in, thank you very much." She strolls over to where Ichigo is and stands beside him.

Urahara mumbles to himself, "Ok?..."

And finally then, my turn. Urahara grinned slightly.

"Well Hat n' clogs, you already know my abilities so should I just-"

"Everyone needs to see, Kurosaki Jr." He flaps his fan out.

Is that my new nick name? I take soul candy from my pocket and pop it in my mouth, when I'm out of my body and Rukia successfully takes it away. I draw my sword.

I sounded like a total dork...

"Time to shine, Akahanahime." I whispered, unsheathing my sword.

And in the same sparkle of light my shoes where blown off. Dang it! I just bought those too...And where replaced by those same pink and red boots. And then in my hand, once again, was the lipstick. My hair still, was put up in two pig tails. I'll have to talk to Aka about that later.

"Red Rose Princess of fire." I say, writing my name in the cursive with the lipstick on my arm. When I whip it off and set it ablaze I glance around to see everyone's reaction. Ichigo has burst out laughing, Rukia is squealing, Toshiro staring at me like "How did you pull that off while I wasn't looking?", Jinta is rolling his eyes, Orhime is clapping cheerfully, Uryu is adjusting his glaces while he stares at me, and the others are kinda just..staring or trying not to.

"So then umm..This is my ability.."

"You're with Ichigo, for sure," Urahara and Yourichi say simultaneously.

"Reign over the frosted heavens, Hyorimaru." I hear from my side. And I turn instinctively to meet a blade oozing with frost. The sky, by now, has changed and it's clouded. I immediately stiffen the whip to a sword and meet his icy sword with my fire.

"What in the hell.." I say as he forces me back with his sheer strength.

"You're blade didn't freeze from the contact..Interesting.." He pushes of me and jumps back.

"I want to see just how good you've gotten. A little ability like that happened right under my nose and you didn't even tell me about it. So as punishment," He raised his blade so that it reflected the sunlight, "You're going to match your shikai with mine. Or else you'll die trying."

Is he...Joking? With all these people watching? We don't have the time!


Rose's POV

I swished around a bit in the chains. My neck was bound to the ground by two rods, and my arms and legs where cuffed by chains also linked to the ground, and as I waited for someone to come with food, drink..Something.. I began to sing that little tune..The one from so long ago.


Flashback

After I had lost my eye to revive Urahara, we steadily began to grow closer. Until one day, he just stopped talking to me..And in time, he completely ignored my existence. And as an alternative, he began to hang out with Yourichi more so.

Confused and hurt, I turned to my only friend that was not one of the two. Her name was Seth. She had short black hair that was cropped just below her ears. Green eyes two, huge and innocent. He Zanpakuto's ability, was actually to see the future. So as I came to her more and more often..One day..

She dropped to the floor, panting furiously.

"What is it..What's wrong?" I asked.

"We're going to fall apart.." She began, "Betrayal.."

"Another reading?" I asked, getting down and holding her shoulders.

"No, this one is different. It's a huge memory...What is this man?.." She held her head in pain.

She didn't eat then, for several days, and her small body, even shorter than mine, looked to frail and pitiful as she lay in bed.

"It's over.." She mumbled to me one day.

I tighten my grip on her hand, "Did you finally get through the premonition?"

The way her readings worked was like this: she lives through the worst case scenario and then finds a way to fix it. But this premonition must have been..Terrifying..She'd lived in her own filth for days now.

She tightened her grip on my hand and said carefully, "The traitor," She takes a deep breath, "Is squad 5's lieutenant, Sosuke..Aizen."

My eyes widened, what? What did she just say? That guy? Or more specifically..My fiance?

"If you don't hurry and tell Urahara-taicho...Or any other captain...He'll get away with it.." Hey eyes started to dim as she began softly, a little tune, with a weak voice, "So we're bound to linger on...We'll drink the fatal drug...And love until we bleed...Then fall apart in all..."

"What's that?" I ask.

"It's the way to defeat him. Keep it..Safe."


Flashback end

And when I'd rushed to tell Urahara, I'd figured it all out. He and Yourichi planned to run away because of the hollow experiment and also because they knew Aizen was watching. They planned to leave me squad 2 and hoped I'd figure out why they left and catch Aizen. But as it stood, I just wanted to leave as well. And so I did, but I didn't tell Urahara, because he'd surely force me to stay. And I settled in western Okinawa. There, I stayed for the next 10 years.

I looked at my nails which where chewed down to the stubs, And then I scanned over my filthy legs..

And in the darkness of this large gray room, I sang that tune that echoed ever so softly. The tune which Seth proclaimed as the way Aizen will fall. The tune Seth gave me..Before she died herself.

"So we're bond to linger on,

We'll drink the fatal drug..

And love until we bleed,

Then fall apart in all..."

"What's that?" Gin mutters from the light of the doorway.

"It's...It will be, Aizen's downfall.." I say.


Karin's POV

"You ready?" I ask Toshiro while tying my hair back into a pony tail.

"We're gonna bring down the house," Ichigo says, cracking his knuckles.

"Aizen," Urahara began.

"Is going down," Toshiro finished.


Author's Notes:

Hey there! I expected this to be a lot longer but..Oh well. How'd you like it? Oh and welcome back my readers! I missed you!

Hey, sorry for the late update but I got a bit sick and didn't feel like writing for the past couple of days...You can expect an update next Saturday once again! However, I must inform you next week that I am heading on a two day vacation and that might push things back..I'll probably find time to write and everything will end up find but..Just in case, gotta let ya'll know the deets.

Thanks for reading,

~*RukiaRocks*~