The news from Hueco Mundo was welcome, but for captains Kurosaki, Kuchiki, and Hitsugaya, it only alleviated some of the stress and worry they were under. Karin had been in a deep coma for more then a week now and they simply had no idea why or what to do about it. Tests had shown that her spirit energy was being interfered with and that some of her internal organs were damaged and from the looks of it they had been for some time. Unohana had said that she believed Karin had been poisoned and that it had occurred before she entered the Soul Society. The question was how to heal her, and who had caused it, if they couldn't figure out how to heal her then she would likely die, and even if she survived her health would be destroyed.

Everyone was concerned about Hitsugaya as well he looked like a wreck, Hitsugaya had not really slept or eaten since Karin lapsed into this coma, he spent almost every free moment at her bedside. Rangiku was worried that he would end up in a coma as well if they didn't do something, he needed to rest and eat. Rangiku decided that if she had to she would enlist Ichigo and Rukia to help her save her captain from this despair that was slowly killing him. The three of them would force him to rest and take care of himself even if it rekilled them.

Rangiku intercepted her captain as he was walking from his office to the Fourth, she fell into step with him and waited for him to notice her. After about five minutes or so he sighed and stopped.

"Yes Rangiku?" He ask sounding exhausted and annoyed.

"Captain you need to rest, you aren't going to do Karin any good by killing yourself. Imagine when she wakes up only to find that you starved and exhausted yourself into a coma, she'll be heartbroken." She said hoping he would listen to her.

Toshiro sighed again, he knew she was right, but what if Karin wakes up and he isn't there, or if she suddenly died. If she dies and he isn't there with her he could never forgive himself, the scary part of it is that Unohana had made it clear that unless they can help her she will die, and worse it could happen at any time, there was no way to know. The simple fact was he couldn't sleep if he wanted too, and as for eating well he was trying at least.

Toshiro Hitsugaya, captain of the Tenth Division of the Gotai Thirteen and hero of the winter war had known fear, but nothing like this, for all of his skill and raw power he was completely unable to save the woman he loves, that and the fear that he will lose her had been eating away at him all week. For the first time in years he felt tears forming in his eyes and he just didn't have it in him to stop them. Hitsugaya collapsed to the pavement and let his tears fall, Rangiku was at his side in an instant, she wrapped him up in a sisterly hug and let him sob on her shoulder.

"I can't lose her, I can't do it." He choked out between sobs, and she held him a little tighter.

"I know captain, but Karin is a strong woman, she survived so much I don't think she'll let something like this take her out." Rangiku said with a confidence that she was surprised to find she really felt, yes Karin would pull through, Rangiku fully believed it.

Rangiku helped him stand and they started making their way to the Fourth, they would visit Karin together then he would go home get some food and then sleep. Rangiku would stay with Karin and call him if their was any change.

Rukongai, Fifth District West, Soul Society.

The day was hotter then it had been in awhile, the young blond man had seen hot days in the three years since he came to the Soul Society, but this one was one of the worst. He was wondering around looking for a shop to buy some water in, but most seemed close to sold out, he had spent much of his time here doing odd jobs to earn a living, and he had finally found a steady job working in a little shop that sold local art to the richer members of the Soul Society's Rukongai residents. He had been told that Souls don't get hungry unless they have spirit pressure, and considering how hungry he felt during his first year in Rukongai he figured he might have a lot himself. The young man had considered going to the Shino Academy, but he wasn't sure he wanted to become a Soul Reaper, they weren't exactly liked in Rukongai, and he did have a pretty good life here, a steady job, a nice clean house and a lot of friends. He had even managed to form a soccer team, not as well equipped as the team he lead during his life, but hey still pretty good. He continued to walk along looking at the shops, he cringed when he though about that last night of his life, sometimes he could swear he still felt the knife that killed him, and he still felt guilty for not being able to protect Yuzu. He had spent the better part of his first year just trying to survive, but any chance he got he still searched for her, he was sure the man that attacked them had killed her as well, but after three years he figured that maybe she got lucky and somehow survived the attack. He walked a little further up the road and finally found a shop that had enough clean water to still be open, he bought four jars and laid down half the Kan for them, he told the shop keeper that he could have the rest when the water was delivered. He started for home, determined to live in the here and now and let the past go, the same vow he made every day, and still couldn't keep it.

"Well Yuzu, where every you are I hope you're safe, happy, and with people who love you." Ryu Honda said as he walked home so he could get ready for the soccer match his team had later that day.

Kuchiki Manor, Soul Society.

The past week had been hard for everyone who cares about Karin, Yuzu had spent so many sleepless nights and shed so many tears that some of her family were afraid that she would collapse, Renji had stayed by her side as much as his duty and captain Kuchiki would allow. Rukia was sure that if it hadn't been for Renji Yuzu would have lost all will to function, as it was he had to talk her into eating and she slept leaning on him more often then in her bed. They were all scared that they would lose Karin, but she and Yuzu were twins and connected on a very deep level, it seemed that when something was wrong with one it affected the other badly. Ichigo was sure that if he didn't have Rukia he would have gone crazy, he hadn't felt this helpless since just before Rukia returned his powers to him, but now there was nothing he could do. Captain Unohana was doing everything she could but at the moment all they could do was wait, to make matters worse Zangetsu, Soda No Shirayuki, and Hyorinmaru had all tried to talk to Kazeryu and see if she knew what was wrong, but it seems that she had fallen into the same coma as Karin. Byakuya was busy going over the records to see if there had been any other cases of a Zanpaktou falling into a coma when their master did, but so far he had found nothing. Ichigo as always seemed to be trying to horde all of the guilt, he had spent most of the week moping and beating himself up for failing his sister again and Rukia was getting tired of it. There were too many questions and no answers to this puzzle, the only thing that was certain was that Karin was fighting for her life, and at the moment it seemed like she was losing.

Thirteenth Division Offices, Seireitei, Soul Society.

Sentaro and Kiyone sat with their captain over breakfast enjoying a peaceful moment in their busy lives, after captain Ukitake forced them to face each other and work it out they had finally confessed their feelings for each other. So now the young couple had decided to thank their captain by making him breakfast, and though they were officially a couple now it didn't stop them from trying to out do one another. Their playful arguments were refreshing to captain Ukitake after weeks of awkward silence between them, well that is until he walked in on a heated argument turned make out session. They had never been happier in their lives then they were right now, and it seemed as if nothing could go wrong. As they were relaxing over their tea Kiyone suddenly became pale and rushed out of the room. Sentaro stood to go after her but a hand from his captain stopped him.

"I think it would be best to let her have her privacy at the moment." Ukitake said, as an odd thought occurred to him. Sentaro looked like he wanted to argue the point but sat back down anyway. Kiyone returned a few minutes later the color had returned to her face and she seemed fine now.

"Sorry about that, it must have been Sentaro's cooking." She said giving him a playful look.

"My cooking? What about the eggs you cooked?' He responded in an equally playful tone.

"None the less perhaps you should visit the Fourth Division anyway, Sentaro would you walk her there? Just in case it happens again." Ukitake said.

"Yes sir, come on Kiyone lets go." He said taking her hand, for a moment Kiyone looked like she wanted to protest but thought better of it.

"I wonder, hmm." Ukitake said to himself after they left.

Kurosaki Clinic, First District West, Rukongai.

Isshin Kurosaki sat in the little lab he and Urahara had built in his clinic, he had spent most of the week going over the tests he had run on Karin before he sent her to the Fourth Division. The results had shown what he already knew, she was dying, but what was causing it was still a mystery. Karin had been fine after her execution, she had suffered some emotional trauma from the experience, but otherwise she was fine. In the back of his mind he wondered if her current condition was tied to her execution in some way, it seemed unlikely that the drugs had affected her soul as well as her body, normally drugs and other substances from the living world would not have enough spirit particles to affect a soul, but if the drugs were tainted then maybe. It seemed to Isshin that such a contamination was not very likely, but it was possible. He decided that he would have to send word to Urahara and see if he could check and see if the company that made the drugs had suffered any recent contamination, something like a hollow attack in the area might have caused enough spirit energy to be released into the area to contaminate the factory or labs.

Urahara shop, Karakura, Living World

Kisuke Urahara sat in his lab going over the date Isshin had sent him, he was trying his hardest to remain detached and analytical, but somehow he couldn't stop the worry for Karin that kept eating away at the back of his mind. In truth he was also a little hurt and angry that she had been in a coma for over a week and they just now thought to tell him. Karin was his student yes, but she was more then that, he felt that she was a part of his little family. Urahara had never been one to let his emotions get the better of him but right now he felt a deep sense of dread and there was no way for him to get past it, and he wasn't even sure he wanted to. One thing he was sure of was that if someone had done this to Karin deliberately then they would pay for it in this life and the next, he would make sure of that. He felt a new determination fill him as he continued to work on the problem, he would do everything he could to save Karin, she had suffered so much already he would be damned if he let her die again.

Fourth Division, Seireitei, Soul Society.

Toshiro Hitsugaya sat at Karin's bedside, she looked so weak and pale he couldn't believe she was still alive. As he sat holding her hand he noticed that her skin was cool and clammy, her breathing was shallow and ragged. In a heart stopping moment he realized something was really wrong, her breathing was becoming more labored and her lips her were turning blue. Hitsugaya called for a nurse who came and checked her vital signs, they were growing weaker, her spirit energy was dropping rapidly, in short Karin was dying. Captain Unohana came in and began trying to infuse spirit particles into Karin's system, but her breathing was becoming slower and more labored, they started Kido treatment and even tried CPR, nothing seemed to work. Hitsugaya began to panic when she stopped breathing all together and the color drained away from her face, it was just like her execution, she was dead, and there was nothing Unohana could do to save her. Hitsugaya almost collapsed as Unohana came over to him.

"I'm so sorry captain Hitsugaya, there was nothing that could be done for her." Unohana said looking like she was ready to cry. Toshiro ran over to were Karin's body lay, she looked like she did just after her execution, she was pale and clammy, he took her hand and started shaking her.

"No, no, no, Karin wake up, please wake up. Don't leave me, I can't lose you." He sobbed. "Karin, Please, wake up, Karin, Karin !"

"Karin!' He screamed as he sat bolt upright in their bed, he took a moment to look around, he was home in their bed, the clock said it was just before midnight.

"It was just a dream" He said with relief. He got up and got dressed, he needed to see her, to make sure she was still alive. As Hitsugaya was getting dressed something clicked in his mind.

"Her execution." He whispered as realization set in, he rushed out of the manor and flash stepped to the Fourth as fast as he could.

Kuchiki Manor, Soul Society, Five Hours Later.

Ichigo was woken from a deep sleep by a Hell butterfly landing between him and Rukia with an urgent message, he and his family were needed at the Fourth Division as soon as possible. Panic sat in as he woke Rukia and tried to get dressed as fast as he could, Rukia got up and tried to act calm for her husband's sake, but icy fear and dread were working their way through her gut as well. Ichigo and Rukia finished getting dressed and ran out to the courtyard where Yuzu and Byakuya were waiting for them, without a word the four of them flash stepped to the Fourth, dreading what they would find when they arrived.

Seireitei, Soul Society.

Isshin and Masaki made their way to the Fourth Division hoping beyond hope that Karin was still alive. Isshin had a working theory about what was wrong with her, he just hoped he was wrong, if he wasn't then they had far bigger problems then they knew. They ran into Renji as they were running through the streets of the Seireitei.

"You too?" Isshin ask as Renji fell into step with them.

"Yeah, I got a Hell butterfly from captain Kuchiki telling me I needed to get to the Fourth Division as fast as possible." Renji answered, he hoped Karin was okay, but if she wasn't he was determined to be there for Yuzu. The three of them ran through the gates and into the main hospital building as fast as they could. They ran into Ichigo, Rukia, Yuzu, and Byakuya. Renji looked over at Yuzu, she looked very pale and worried, he had to resist the urge to hold her.

"Where is Toshiro?" Ichigo ask as they made their way to Karin's room.

"He's already here." Said a nurse as the walked down the hall.

The near panicked family walked into Karin's room and found the shock of their afterlives.

"Hi guys." Karin said setting up in her bed, she looked a bit worn and her voice was weak but she was awake and eating real food. Toshiro was setting next to her bedside holding her hand. Relief flooded the room as everyone sat down, Yuzu felt Renji's arms snake around her and tears of joy and relief filled her eyes. Karin was okay, she was awake and okay, at that moment nothing else mattered to the Kurosakis. Isshin still wanted to know what had happened and how they had saved his daughter.

"Capt, er, ah Isshin, can I have a word with you." Hitsugaya said looking uneasy in spite of Karin's recovery.

"Sure Toshiro." He said and the two men left the room, Unohana was waiting for them.

"Ok, what did you need?" Isshin ask.

"We know what happened to your daughter." Unohana said.

"It was her execution, someone spiked the drugs with spirit particles. It looks like they wanted her soul to die with her body, but they didn't use enough particles and it didn't affect her until she started taping her spirit energy." Hitsugaya said.

"After we knew that it was easy to trace the drugs still in her system and remove them, but there is still may be permanent damage. She will have to watch how hard she pushes her heart and lungs for a while," Unohana said.

"How do you know it was deliberate, is it possible that the drugs were contaminated somehow?" Isshin ask.

"No the particles were engineered to blend into the drugs and mimic their affects, but like I said they didn't use enough so it only affected her after we started training and she had to use more spirit energy." Hitsugaya answered in a cold calm voice, but on the inside he was boiling with anger, someone was going to pay very dearly for this.

"I'm afraid there is more, Karin will never be able to have children do to the damage her body has suffered." Unohana said.

"Does she know that some one tried to kill her?" Isshin ask.

"Not yet, she only woke a little while ago, I'll tell her about that and the damage after she rests, that's not something to tell her lightly." Hitsugaya said.

Isshin felt a wave of ice water run through his gut, he was right it had been the drugs and worse someone had tried to kill Karin. Isshin could only think of a few people who would and could do something like that. One thing was sure, he needed to get a hold of Urahara. Isshin now had the answer, but that was causing more questions. He had to wonder if someone had it in for his family, were they after Karin specifically or was it his whole family, he could only think of a few people still living in either world that would have a motive for doing this, and none of them had the means.

Urahara shop, Karakura, Living World.

Kisuke received a communiqué from Isshin and felt both relief and anger, relief because Karin was OK, and anger because someone had tried to murder her. Kisuke had to wonder who could have pulled it off and why, he would have to look into it. One thing was sure, they were going to pay, and he hoped for their sake that Ichigo or Hitsugaya got to them before he did, because if not he was going to do things to them that would give Mayuri Kurotsuchi nightmares.

"The piper will have his due, I promise you that much." He said as he put out a call to Yoruichi, she was going to be livid when she finds out. Now the hunt was on, and may Kami-sama have mercy on their pray because they won't.