The Sankeimon gate opened and Karin had to close her eyes to the bright sunlight, she could feel its warmth on her skin and she reveled in the smell of fresh air. Karin had a look of pure joy on her face that brought a smile to Hitsugaya's face, he was happy that the hell she had suffered for the past three years was finally over.
"Karin!" she heard Ichigo's voice yell to her as he and Rukia walked towards her and Toshiro. Ichigo grabbed his little sister in a uncharacteristic bear hug, so tight Hitsugaya thought her eyes would pop out of her head. "I missed you so much Karin, you have no idea how much." Ichigo said as he let her go from his hug. Rukia could not help smiling at how happy Ichigo was to see his little sister, and the smile he wore on his face spoke volumes about how much his sister means to him.
Karin was just happy to be outside in the sunlight and fresh air, for the past 3 years her life had consisted of her little cell and the few visits she was allowed to have with her family. Karin was convinced that she would have gone insane if not for Toshiro's frequent visits to her cell, and his support meant more to her then she could ever hope to tell him.
"So Karin do you know where you will be staying in the Soul Society?" Rukia ask as they started down the path away from the gate.
"I don't really know yet, I thought I would be living at the Academy, but I was executed six months earlier then I thought I would be." Karin said as Rukia and her brother looked at her with expressions that told her they had already found her a place to stay.
"Well you have a choice between your brothers rooms at the Third Division barracks, or you could stay with your brother and I at the Kuchiki manor." Rukia said with a smile.
Karin thought about it for a moment before she decided.
"I want to stay with you and Ichi-nii." she said as the older girl place a hand on her shoulder, reminding her that here she was safe and loved.
"Good I know Nii-sama will be happy to see you, and he'll be glad to have you living with us from now on." Rukia said as they approached the Kuchiki manor.
Karin was amazed to see it again, it was just like she remembered it in her dreams. For a moment Karin expected to wake up back in her cell on death row, but as the smell of the sakura trees filled the air she knew this was real, she knew she was home.
The door to the house opened to reveal the Sixth Division Captain, and head of the Kuchiki clan, Byakuya Kuchiki waiting for them to enter. Karin walked up to Byakuya and wrapped her arms around the normally icy nobleman. Byakuya looked down at her with a look of fondness that would have shocked anyone who only knew him as the cold captain of the Sixth Division.
"Welcome home" he said with an uncharacteristic warmth.
"Thank you for letting me stay here Byakuya-nii" she said as she released him from the hug. He just smiled at her and told her that in his eyes she was a Kuchiki as well.
Later that morning Rukia was escorting Karin to her new room at the Kuchiki house, and the girls were busy catching up as their brothers had been called to an important captain's meeting.
"You know I was really surprised when you said that Ichi-nii was living here too, I thought your brother hated him." Karin said as she started unpacking the bag that Yuzu had given Rukia to give to her.
"Nii-sama never really hated Ichigo he just found your brother immature and irritating,. "Don't we all?" Karin said with a slight smirk
"You know they have both changed over the past two years, Ichigo grew up a lot after he became the Third Division captain, and Nii-sama has opened up a lot more." Karin's smirk changed into an expression of pride at how far her brother had come over the years, as she looked at the woman who made it possible. "You're the reason he grew up so much Rukia, you gave him a purpose" Karin said causing Rukia to blush at the mention of her place in Ichigo's life.
"Well you know that you are part of the reason Nii-sama opened up, you and Yuzu are like the daughters that he and Hasana never had." Rukia said as she helped Karin unpack. "I shouldn't tell you this, but the night of your execution I found Nii-sama crying in his room, he loves you like a daughter Karin" Rukia told the younger woman in a low tone.
Karin took in what Rukia told her and wondered what else had changed over the years she was away.
First division headquarters, Soul Society
As Ichigo and Byakuya were walking out of the meeting they were chatting about Karin, and how they needed to help her adjust to life in the Soul Society. Three years ago no one would have thought that these two men would ever have a civil conversation, let alone count each other as valued friends.
"A tour of the Seireitei would be helpful for her, so that she may find her way around and feel at home here." Byakuya suggested as he and Ichigo walked though the First Division grounds to the gate.
"Good idea. I can give her a tour in the morning, right after…." Ichigo trailed off as they were approached by a special messenger from the Second Division.
"Sirs I have urgent news, a group of Menos class hollows have entered the Soul Society in the West Rukongai District, the Second Division captain is on the scene and requesting assistance from the Third and Sixth Divisions." the messenger stated as he knelt before the two very concerned captains. They dismissed the man who shunpoed away, glancing at each other with a nod they both shunpoed to their Divisions.
After about twenty minutes Ichigo arrived at the scene with his vice captain Izuru Kira and ten other officers. When they arrived they found that captain Kuchiki was already on the scene and had assumed command after captain Soi Fong had been severely injured and was taken to the Fourth Division.
As the two men took stock of the situation it became clear that it was far worse the expected, at least thirty Gillian class hollows were being lead by five Vasto Lorde class hollows. To make matters worse a large number of standard hollows had come through as well and were using the distraction of the battle to slip deeper into the Soul Society almost un noticed.
Seeing the situation Ichigo ordered his men into teams of two, and to attack the Gillians as he and captain Kuchiki engaged the Vasto Lordes.
After about five minutes the Gillians were completely destroyed, and Ichigo and Byakuya were both forced to release their Bankai to combat the Vasto Lordes. Ichigo swung Tensa Zangetsu through the neck of his first opponent just in time to see Byakuya attack his second, who along with the other two remaining Vasto Lordes declined combat in favor of retreat.
The battle had been short but costly, the three divisions that engaged the hollows had suffered many casualties and the Fourth Division relief teams arrived on the scene to treat the injured.
Kuchiki Manor, Soul Society
Rukia and Karin were in Karin's new room still unpacking and talking about how Karin and Toshiro needed to go out soon, they had not been on a date since the night Yuzu was raped three years ago.
"Hey I hate to change the subject but I have to ask you something." Karin said as she and Rukia put what few cloths she had in her closet, she hated to admit it but she really should go shopping.
"Ok." Rukia replied waiting to see what the other girl wanted to know.
"I was wondering if I can go to the living world for my funeral?" she ask looking a little worried.
Rukia was not completely surprised with Karin's question, after all she and Ichigo had gone to their own funeral, they even chose how and where their bodies would be interred. Rukia looked at the younger girl for a moment before she replied.
"I don't see why not Ichigo and I can come with you, and we can stay in spirit form so we aren't seen" she said with a sisterly smile.
A loud roar interrupted their conversation, and an alarm went off " RED ALART, RED ALART, INTRUDERS IN THE SEIREITEI, ALL DIVISIONS REPORT TO BATTLE STATIONS"
Karin looked at Rukia who became very serious as she retrieved her sword , and was about to shunpo to her Division when four large hollows landed just outside of the Kuchiki manor.
Rukia moved to attack the first but it dodged just in time to avoid her attack, forcing Rukia into a prolonged battle with it.
As Karin watched the battle she wished she had a sword even her wooden one, she had killed many hollows like this before but now she was unarmed and this left her one choice, her kido. Karin started the chant for hado 33 and she was so distracted that she did not see the hollow attack her from behind until it was almost too late. She dodged its attack, but its claws still drew her blood and she was forced to the ground as it grabbed her. Karin's vision became blurred and she felt like she was slipping away, great just great, I get to die again lucky me she thought to herself as she blacked out. Karin awoke in a strange place that reminded her of the park she used to play soccer in when she was young except it was very windy.
"Is this what its like to die again?" she said to herself.
"Not quite little one." a tall, green haired woman with piercing ice blue eyes said.
"Who are you?" Karin ask.
"My name is… "
"I didn't hear that last part." Karin said.
"I thought that would be the case, Oh well it was worth a shot. I guess you are not ready to know it just yet, well plenty of time for that later." the woman responded.
Karin just looked confused, who was this woman anyway?
"Don't worry about it now little one, when you are ready you will learn my name. Until then use me well Karin" the woman said and with that Karin felt herself waking up.
Karin took stock of the situation, she was still in the garden of the Kuchiki manor, and Rukia had frozen her first enemy and was battling the one that nearly re killed Karin. As things became clear she noticed a sword was in her lap, it was a beautiful Katana with a deep green silk wrapped tsuka, a deep blue saya, and the tsuba was in the form of a coiled dragon.
"I wonder where this came from?" she said as she was looking over the sword in her hands, it was so light that she felt as though it wasn't real at first.
It must belong to one of the Kuchikis, it's the most beautiful sword I have ever seen. She thought to her self, and she was surprised to get an answer to her thought.
"Thanks." she heard the woman from earlier say in her head. I must be crazy Karin thought as she stood and looked at the other two hollows. She chose the one with its back turned to her as a target. She drew the sword in her hand and charged the creature, her body and mind instantly remembered all of the Kendo lessons and training she and Yuzu had done with Toshiro. She jumped and with a yell she sliced the hollow's mask clean through as it turned to attack her. Rukia killed the fourth and final hollow before she resealed Soda No Shirayuki and ran to Karin's side.
"Wow that was intense." Karin said as she and Rukia set down by the koi pond to rest after the battle.
"It was, and congratulations Karin." Rukia said trying to catch her breath after all killing an Adjuchus and two regular hollows was exhausting work.
"For what?"
"For summoning your zanpaktou, its beautiful by the way." Rukia said as she looked over the sword in Karin's hands.
"This is my zanpaktou?" Karin said, looking doubtful.
"Of course, who else could it belong to?" Rukia responded with a smile at the look of realization on the other girl's face.
"So what is its name?" Rukia continued.
"I don't know she said I wasn't ready to know it yet, what ever that means." Karin said with a shrug.
"Oh well when you're ready you'll learn it, and then you can unlock your first release." Rukia said.
"My what?" Karin said looking slightly confused.
"Just like your brother, here let me show you." Rukia said as she stood up and walked a few feet away, she drew her sword and said, "Dance Soda No Shirayuki!" and with that her sword transformed into shikai, causing Karin to look at her with utter amazement,
"You mean I can do that when I know her name?" Karin said looking at her own sword now.
"Something like that, every zanpaktou is different just like every soul is. Your sword is a part of your soul." Rukia explained smiling at the understanding in Karin's eyes.
Karin was about to ask Rukia if she could help her learn her swords name when a loud growl interrupted her thoughts. "Are you hungry Karin?" Rukia ask as Karin became embarrassed. "Yeah, I haven't eaten since yesterday" replied a sheepish Karin.
"Come on lets get some lunch, I'm kinda hungry too." Rukia said as she got up and she and Karin headed to the kitchen.
The next day Toshiro Hitsugaya was setting at his desk trying and failing to concentrate on his paper work, when he heard a knock at the door..
"Enter." he said with a bored sounding voice.
"Hi Toshiro." Karin said as she entered his office.
"Hi Rin." He responded with a smile, he was happy to see her so soon.
'Want to go for a walk?" she ask
"Sure." he said glancing at the sword in her belt.
"So is that your zanpaktou?" He ask
"Yup, but I don't know her name yet" She said looking a bit sheepish.
"Its beautiful." he said.
"Thanks." she said her cheeks turning a bit pink.
" I can help you with training if you like, so you can find out her name before you enter the Academy." He offered.
"Thanks Tosh" she said as she wrapped her arms around his right arm and leaned on him, prompting him to free his arm and wrap it around her shoulders.
They walked in comfortable silence, and he couldn't help but notice that in spite of being confined on death row for three years she had maintained her athletic body. He was busy admiring her curves and the sweet beauty of her face when she stopped walking and looked at him for a moment.
"Tosh I have a question for you." she said looking solemn.
"Ok" he said
" Will you come with me to my funeral tomorrow?" she ask looking at him with a hopeful look.
"Of course I will Rin." He said as he place an arm around her waist and lead her to a bench. As they sat down, he leaned in and gently place his lips on hers in a soft warm loving kiss. Karin closed her eyes and let herself melt into his arms, oh how she had missed this. After a short time Karin laid her head in his lap and began to fall asleep, as he stroked her hair.
After a few hours the young couple returned to the Tenth Division offices, where Karin said she would see him later. When Karin was gone he walked to his desk, as he sat down he opened the top right drawer and took out a small box. Toshiro cradled the box in his hand as he opened it and looked at the ring he wanted to give her that night three years ago. He closed the box and placed it in the drawer. He would ask her soon, but she still needed time to adjust to her new life before he causes even more change. Maybe after her brother's wedding he would do it, after all Ichigo and Rukia will be getting married in just two weeks. He restarted his neglected paperwork, but he still had trouble concentrating on it. After an hour he gave up and allowed himself to daydream, Karin Hitsugaya has a nice ring to it was his last thought before he fell asleep on the couch in his office.
Karakura, the Living World.
The soul of a young girl ran through the streets of Karakura trying and failing to escape the hideous monster that was chasing her, it was large with a body that resembled a rhinoceros with arms and a white mask covering its face. The creature seemed to enjoy the chase and its victim's fear more then the prospect of catching the poor girl. The hollow was just about to grab her when a flash of movement caught its attention. There in shadow of a building stood a young human woman with sandy brown hair and soft but determined amber eyes. She was wearing a black overcoat with grey cargo pants and a black tee shirt, in her hand was a wooden practice sword. The hollow looked at her with amusement and moved toward her ready to strike.
"So you want to take her place do you?" the hollow said in low and threatening voice.
The young woman said nothing as her wooden sword began to glow with orange spirit energy, she raised it in a high stance and with a burst of speed she shunpoed and sent a wave of energy through the hollow's legs. The hollow fell and she jumped up and kicked it so hard it flew into a nearby wall with a thud. As the young woman approached the hollow her whole body was glowing orange and her eyes flashed with energy as she place her sword on a low stance.
"Who or what are you?" the hollow screamed, its once threatening voice now filled with the same fear it inflicted its would-be victim.
"My name is Yuzu Kurosaki." she said and raised her sword as it glowed with energy. She pointed it at the hollow and yelled shakaho! A fireball flew from the tip of her sword and smashed through the hollow's mask killing it.
When Yuzu entered the Kurosaki house her father watched as she placed her sword and coat on the rack, she entered the kitchen and started cooking. Yuzu needed to relax and think, and cooking always helped her do just that. The more things change, the more they stay the same. She thought to herself as she started chopping the vegetables for her famous curry. Isshin watched his daughter work on the food she was making for sister Karin's funeral tomorrow and he wondered when their happy life went so wrong. He went to his wife's poster and sat down remembering when it was only one memorial poster on the wall. "Masaki what do I do?" He ask. "Yuzu is our last living child, she used to be so sweet and innocent but life has robed her of that. I worry so much for her, she took Ichigo's death hard but now she seems so lost. Karin was her anchor her other half, since Karin's death Yuzu has gotten as reckless as her siblings were, attacking any hollow she can regardless of how powerful it is. She goes out of her way to fight the neighborhood bullies like Ichigo used to. Masaki I can't have her get hurt, I don't want loose her too." He said as a few tears started in his eyes, and ran down his face. "I don't want to put up anymore posters on this wall." he said with a broken voice.
Kuchiki Manor, Soul Society.
Karin woke up early the next day, even though it was hard for her to leave the nice comfortable western style bed she was given. Karin had slept in a hard lumpy prison bed for the past three years and now all she wanted was to stay in bed for as long as she could, but today she was too exited to do it. Today Karin and those close to her in the Soul Society were going to the Living World for her funeral, sad as it was supposed to be she was still looking forward to it. Karin hopes to see her sister and father there, maybe she can even hug them if she is lucky. Karin had not touched her father or sister in three years and oh how she missed them.
She heard a knock at her door and Ichigo asking her if he could come in, she walked over and opened her shoji door. Ichigo walked in and smiled at her. "Are you ready to go Karin?"
"Yeah." She responded, Rangiku had taken Karin shopping after she left Toshiro's office yesterday and Karin had to admit that it was kinda fun, even though she usually hates shopping with a passion. Karin was wearing a light blue kimono with a white and pink sakura branch pattern on it, that she found yesterday, Karin couldn't wait for Toshiro to see her in it.
They left the Kuchiki Manor and walked to the sankeimon, when they arrived Karin saw that Toshiro was there with Rangiku, and Byakuya was waiting with Rukia. At the sight of Karin Toshiro was mesmerized by her, she was breath taking in her light blue kimono. He thought she looked like something out of a dream, after a few moments both he and Karin were starting to blush and Rangiku tapped him playfully on the shoulder.
"That is one beautiful girl you found your self captain" She said with a hint of amusement in her voice. Toshiro walked up to Karin and place a gentle kiss on her forehead before taking her hand in his and interlocking their finger. She said nothing but the look in her eyes told him all he needed to know, and with that they walked through the gate.
Ichigo looked at Rukia who was stunning in her violet kimono, he smiled at her as he followed Toshiro's example by interlocking his fingers with hers and kissing her on the cheek. Still holding hands Ichigo and Rukia followed Karin and Toshiro through the gate to the living world.