Hey! So, since the response to my first chapter was so underwelming (zero follows, favorites, and reviews), I am going to try to get a response again with this chapter. Please, please please tell me whether I should continue to focus on this story or move on to some of my other ideas.
Disclaimer: If you don't think I own it, I don't,
3/25/14: I have reworked this chapter. I've made some important chages, so if you already read this chapter please go back and read it again. I could really use a Beta!
Captain Ichigo Kurosaki of squad 8 had grown very tired of paperwork. For the first time, he could understand why it was the source of so many arguments between Toshiro and Rangiku. Ichigo was a warrior, a doer, not a paper-pusher. He prefers to be out in the field fighting Hollows, instead of sitting at a desk reading reports. Doing captain's work in peacetime was boring.
Ichigo yawned and turned the page on the report he was currently reading. It covered a short skirmish that had occurred on the edge of the Rukon District. A few Hollows had come out and started attacking the souls in that area, but luckily there where some Soul Reapers on patrol nearby, so there where very few lives lost. It was just an everyday occurrence, something Ichigo had already seen plenty of even though he had only been a captain for a couple of months.
There was a light knocking on the door to Ichigo's office. "Come in," Ichigo replied, already pretty sure he knew who it was.
Lieutenant Kaname Himura stepped in. Previously the 3rd seat of squad 3, he had been promoted to fill the void when Nanao had transferred to squad 1 with Head Captain Shunsui Kyoraku. Ichigo was really grateful for having his Lieutenant around, since he lessened the burden of a Job Ichigo was relatively new to.
"I've got a budget report for you to sign off on, Sir." The Lieutenant explained.
Ichigo took the form from his subordinate and started reading it thoroughly. Lieutenant Kaname stood off to the side and waited for his Captain to finish. Ichigo knew that it would be quicker and easier if he just signed anything that was handed to him, but he wanted to make sure he did his job right. Even though nobody actually said it, Ichigo knew that a lot of people weren't all that happy with the fact that a Substitute Soul Reaper had been given a Captain's position. He was determined to prove to everyone he was up to the task.
When he finished checking over the budget report and had signed it, Ichigo handed it over to Kaname. "Here you go! And how many times do I have to tell you to just call me Ichigo?"
"As many times as it takes, Captain," Kaname replied.
As the Lieutenant started to leave, the squad's third seat Miroku Maki came barreling in. He was a very rambunctious officer, and for some reason had decided that Ichigo was a god and should be idolized as such.
"Captain! Captain! Lieutenant Kuchiki had come to see you!" Miroku announced.
"Oh, Rukia is here?" Ichigo was secretly excited to see her. "Please send her in, Miroku. Kaname, you better get back to work."
Both of them bowed and left to complete their respective tasks. Rukia's timing couldn't have been better. Ichigo had just been hoping for something to give him an excuse for a break from the paperwork.
Rukia entered the office without knocking, something Ichigo found uplifting in comparison to most of the officers.
"Hey Ichigo! How are you doing?" Rukia asked.
"Ok. What do you need, Rukia? Did Ukitake send you?"
"Can't a girl bop on by to check on an old friend?"
Ichigo smiled. "Of course you can."
Karin made the tea while Urahara started to explain what Soul Reapers, Wholes and Hollows were to Suzaku. Urahara tried to get everything across, but since Suzaku was pretty clueless it wasn't until Urahara had basically said everything twice that it finally sunk in. When he finished the fundamentals, Urahara then went on to explain how he, his employees and Karin fit into everything. Karin felt a little pang of sadness when he mentioned her brother and everything he had done, but tried not to show it. Urahara even mentioned that there were other people who also possessed some abilities to destroy Hollows, but since the Quincy and Fullbringers weren't covered in his brief overview of the supernatural and Suzaku wouldn't be able to recognize Uryu, Chad and Orihime's names anyway, he didn't get into specifics.
When he finished explaining, Urahara took a long sip of tea.
Karin had to give Suzaku credit, he was taking it all very well. He had no problem accepting the fact that there were terrifying monsters that go bump in the night. But then again, almost getting eaten by one of said monsters probably helped.
"So... what now?" Suzaku asked.
"What now indeed," Urahara closed his fan, suddenly turning from a lazy shopkeeper into the scheming former captain of squad 12. "The fact of the matter is, the number of Hollow attacks on Karakura town are still very high, even though most of those who fought them are either gone, going to leave very soon, or busy. In fact, the number of attacks have only increased as of late. This is causing major problems for the souls of this town, especially for those with higher spiritual energy like you two."
Karin grimaced. What Urahara was saying was undeniably true. Uryu was going to leave for college soon so he could get into Medical School and take over his father's hospital. Orihime would also be going to college about the same time, and Chad was busy with his Job all the time. And even though Karakura town was losing these crucial players in the war on Hollows, the creatures still kept coming back. This was undoubtedly a problem, but Karin couldn't think of a solution.
"Well, after watching you take on that Hollow Karin, I was reminded of an old saying," Urahara continued. "It goes something along the lines of 'if you give a man a fish, he eats for a day. But if you teach a man to fish, he will eat for a lifetime.'"
Both Karin and Suzaku blinked, not able to understand where the crazy Shopkeeper was going with this.
"I'm going to teach you the techniques necessary to destroy Hollows! " Urahara exclaimed, clearly happy with his plan.
Karin and Suzaku synchronized spitting out their tea in surprise. "What?!"
"How could you expect me to fight things like that?" Suzaku gasped. "I didn't even know they existed an hour ago!"
"You know I don't have any offensive power against Hollows!" Karin exclaimed. "All I can do is see them; my dad and brother are the only ones with Soul Reaper powers! "
"Do you really think that is true? Even after what just happened?" Urahara countered. "Shakkaho is a common Kido spell. It's a Soul Reaper technique."
Unfortunately, Urahara was right as usual. As much as Karin hated to admit it, she remembered Rukia being able to speak certain incantations and then explosions happening. And even though she hadn't had a clue what she was doing at the time, the destroyed Hollow and the tattered remains of her soccer ball were proof that she had performed the spell.
"But, Urahara, I don't have a sword. And besides, aren't Soul Reapers spirit beings? I clearly have a body." Karin was holding on to her last hope of what remained of her relatively normal life.
"Hmmm, that is a good point." Urahara considered. "Soul Reapers are able to reside in a temporary body, called a Gigai. In the case of Ichigo, he stayed in his own body and used his combat pass to exit it and access his powers in battle. I wonder what would happen if you were forced to leave your body?"
Karin knew better than to let him continue contemplating future experiments. "And what about the sword?"
"Well, a Zanpakuto is acquired when a part of a Soul Reaper's soul attaches to an Asauchi, the empty shell of a Zanpakuto. It doesn't exist when the Soul Reaper is in a Gigai, so I wouldn't worry about it. Soul Reapers have many other abilities and powers that don't need a Zanpakuto."
"Ok, I guess you're right." Karin muttered
"But, Mister," Suzaku cut in, "I still don't see how I could be of any use. I don't have any special Soul Reaper powers!"
"That is true, but you can still learn how to use certain weapons I keep in this shop, just like Ururu and Jinta." The shopkeeper explained.
Karin sighed, admitting defeat. "So, when do you want us to start?"
"Oh, considering how late it is, we probably should wait till tomorrow. Go home and get a good night's rest. Come by after school tomorrow, and we'll start then." Both kids stood up to leave, but Urahara stopped Karin on her way out. "You probably ought to tell your dad about what happened. He is a former Soul Reaper Captain. He might be able to help you with your training."
Karin certainly did NOT want Goat Chin training her, even if he was really good. "I'll tell him, but I don't want him training me unless it is absolutely necessary."
Urahara smiled. "I figured you might say that."
Karin started to go, but realized something. "Oh, I almost forgot." She pulled out the knife Ururu had given her. "This is yours. I don't think it would be much use for me."
Urahara looked surprised. "Oh, I'd almost forgotten I had that. Thank you. It's a remnant of an old experiment that I haven't developed much of a use for." He took the knife and went to the back of the shop, probably to put it where it belonged.
Karin and Suzaku walked together for a while in silence. They eventually reached a fork in the road and Suzaku started walking in a different direction from Karin.
"Hey, wait! Didn't you want to come with me and find out where I live? "Karin asked.
"Well, it's really late and I'm tired. I know that you and I will be spending a lot of time together learning how to fight Hollows. I can follow you home some other time."
Karin smiled and waved goodbye to the guy. Only time would tell whether or not they would be able to work well together, but right now Karin was pretty optimistic.
It was already dark outside by the time Karin got home. Yuzu had already gone to bed, but there was a plate of cold dinner waiting for Karin. She took it over to the microwave, hoping just a minute on high would be enough to make the cold food edible again. Even if she had no talent for housework, Karin could at least be trusted with a microwave.
By the time her food was done, Karin could hear steps coming from the clinic. It seems her dad had been treating a patient, and was just now getting ready to turn in. Karin sat down to eat just as her father came into view.
"My beautiful daughter! You've finally returned!" Isshin Kurosaki tried jumping Karin, but was faced with a punch in the face for his effort.
Karin sighed. "Hey dad, can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Of course, Karin. What do you want to talk about? Is there something going on? Is it boy troubles? You know to tell any guy who so much as looks at you that your dear old dad would be more than happy give them a taste of his fists!"
"I'm pretty sure I can take care of myself in that department, goat chin." Karin grimaced. "But seriously, something happened today..."
She told him all about the Hollow and how she destroyed it. She briefly mentioned Suzaku, but didn't explain why exactly he had been following her. She then went into what Urahara wanted from her and why.
Her father listened to her story intently. When she was finished, he sadly looked at his hands. "I am sorry, Karin. I'm sorry that this destiny has been thrust on you. I know that you didn't want this; you didn't like being able to see spirits in the first place. But remember, no matter what, I am proud of you. And I will always be here if you need anything."
His face suddenly changed from being serious and somber to the light and easy-going dad Karin was most familiar with. "I just can't believe my darling daughter has finally unlocked her true powers!" He tried to tackle Karin with a hug again, but ended up on his back with Karin's foot planted firmly on his stomach.
Thankfully, there were some things that would never change. Such as Isshin Kurosaki's personality.
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