Thank you very much for favorite-ing/following my story! I'm glad that you are enjoying it! Please continue to do so! Sorry for the wait, I'm trying to fix grades and finishing group projects by myself. It isn't easy T.T
What do you guys think about the new cover? Which one do you like more, this one or the old one? Tell me, and what you think of this story, in a review! I enjoy reading them! Also, if you like my drawings or want to see the unedited current cover, go to my DA. I'm LarayiaHunter there, too! And Tumblr… and what ever XD
Randomness-sama I just don't like plain Shiro. I mean, isn't Ichigo's inner hollow called Shiro and/or Hichigo? Meh, I feel like Toshi is more childish. Like Kitty and Doggy, you know? LOL!
I still don't own bleach
"You're a soul reaper, we think." Rukia finally replied with. Karin's wide eyes stared down, looking at the huge, wrapped blade that Rukia carried with some struggle. "This is your Zanpukto, Karin." Rukia added, holding out the heavy sword for Karin to take.
The hit itself was a bright blood red color wrapped with black cloths. The cloth had a silvery tint to it. The guard had to be at least 1 and a half feet by one foot to support the weight of the blade. The blade was wrapped with torn and ripped dark grey cloth. It was shaped like cutting knife.
Karin reached out and gripped the handle. The bandages came undone, seeming to shorten so the floor wasn't completely covered in cloth. The metal was as black as an unlit night sky; the sharpened part was a dark grey instead of light silver. "I'm going to guess this is my Shikai, right? Ichigo told me about Shikai."
Rukia shrugged. "Perhaps, Ichigo was able to keep his zanpukuto released at all times because of his amount of spiritual power. Perhaps you can, too." She stared at the menacing sword. She could definitely believe that Karin's powers matched her older brother, maybe even surpassed them! "Do you know your sword's name?"
Karin shook her head. "That's the confusing part. I don't know its name." She thought back to the guy before, in the darkness. "What does a zanpukuto look like? Like, the spirit or whatever."
"Every zanpukuto is different." Rukia answered, her hand reaching to her side, her hand gliding over the hilt. "Some look like humans. Others look like animals. Some just look like monsters." She closed her eyes, smiling.
"How do I learn his name?" Karin asked, face determined.
Rukia's eyes opened, flashing with a small light of confusion. "'His'? Have you met your zanpukuto?"
Karin nodded, letting her fingers skim across the dull part of her blade. "Yeah, I think. I was in a dark place. There was a man there. He had long black hair and a long black coat." She explained. Her memory was a bit fuzzy, but she could remember some things about the strange man.
"That sounds almost like Zangetsu." A male voice said from the doorway. The two females turned, looking to the newcomer.
"Ichigo! When did you get here?" Karin asked, placing her sword on her bed before standing up and walking over to him.
Ichigo looked to Rukia. Rukia nodded. "Well, uh, I just wanted to see how you were doing. It's the weekend, too, over in the World of the Living." He was a substitute soul reaper and a college student. Collage required a lot of time for classes and homework. Being a soul reaper meant that you had to be fighting monsters at any time of day, even if you're still in the shower. "How are you feeling, Karin?" Ichigo asked.
Karin shrugged. "Fine, I guess." She looked down where her wounds had been. She now realized that she was wearing simple white clothing. I wonder if I got some awesome scar or something… She thought, her hand moving over where the blow that had most likely had killed her used to be. She looked to Ichigo. "How is…how is Yuzu?" She asked, the air becoming tense.
A shadow slowly crept down over Ichigo's face. "She's…" Ichigo tried to think of a word. Yuzu was hurting. She was always crying or staring blankly into nothing. She locked herself in her room for hours. Yuzu was taking a break from school, unable to function correctly. She couldn't even cook, which was her favorite thing to do. "…she's fine."
Karin suddenly became eager to change the subject. She put any thought of Yuzu in the back of her mind. "Anyways, what is Zangetsu like?" She asked Ichigo, sitting down on her bed as she stared at her sword, thinking of the dark haired man from before.
Ichigo thought for a moment. "Uh, well, there's more than one Zangetsu." He started with, unsure of what to say. "He's quiet, usually, and he tends to push me around when I want something from him." Ichigo leaned against the wall, standing in his classic "bad boy" pose.
Karin waited for a little bit, but Ichigo said nothing else. "That's it?"
Ichigo nodded. "Yeah, pretty much."
Karin looked to Rukia. "On a scale of one to ten, ten being the dumbest, how dumb is my brother when it comes to actually knowing how to be a soul reaper?"
"I give him a solid 9.5." Rukia answered quickly, her face blank. It was almost as if these two rehearsed.
"EEEEHH!?" Ichigo grunted, standing up and pointing at Rukia. "That's not fair! I had to practically teach myself every damn thing I know because you wouldn't help me out!"
"Excuse me?" Rukia asked, raising and eyebrow. "What do you mean I "wouldn't help you out"? That's all I ever did, you fool!"
"Name one thing you helped me with!"
"Giving you soul reaper powers! Restoring them! Healing you! Introducing you to Kisuke!"
"None of those counts! Besides, Orihime heals me and Hat-and-Clogs does nothing but mess with my head!"
"Oh yeah!?"
"YEAH!"
Karin stared at the two, eye twitching. She sighed, turning and picking up her zanpukuto. "Man, you two are practically married. When are you gonna put a ring on it?" She asked, closing an eye, the opened one staring at the Rukia and Ichigo.
"W-what the hell are you talking about, Karin!?" Ichigo asked, suddenly blushing.
"Yeah! W-we're not together!" Rukia added, unconvincingly. Her cheeks were too hot. "I would NEVER-!"
"-Put a towel in it, you idiots. It's clear you two are at least dating. Seriously, you guys suck at keeping your little relationship a secret." Karin grumbled, walking past the shocked couple, not like she knew where she was going. "And make sure you two stay protected when-"
"KARIN, STOP TALKING!" Ichigo shouted, blushing furiously. How the hell did Karin find out? What the hell was she getting at?!
Karin walked down the hallway, her "sheathed" sword was strapped across her back with damaged dark grey wrappings. She wasn't really sure how that happened, and how her sword had rewrapped itself, but it was nice that she didn't have to spend eternity doing it herself.
Suddenly, a dark haired shrimp boy bumped into her. He dropped a small bag he had been carrying. "Oops!" The boy said, bending down to pick up his bag. "I-I'm very sorry, Miss!" He said automatically, bowing. "I didn't see you there!"
Karin stared at the boy, somewhat shocked by his reaction. The kid had somewhat long, black hair and droopy, dark blue eyes. His skin was pale, and he looked really weak, like the kid who always got picked on in gym class. "It's no big deal," she paused for a moment, shaking her head at him, "hey, can you show me the way out of this place?"
The boy looked at her. "Hey, I remember you! You're Karin Kurosaki! Are you feeling alright? You shouldn't be up yet…" His voice trailed off as he felt Karin's glare burning into his soul. "O-or I can just show you out. I'll finish the re-release papers late, I guess."
Karin hit his shoulder, grinning. "Thanks, uh…" She didn't know his name, she let the thought hang as she waited for him to introduce himself.
"Oh, I'm Hanataro Yamada. I'm the one who has been healing you and making sure you were okay." He said, again, bowing to Karin. His shoulder felt a little sore. She sure was strong, just like Ichigo!
"Thanks, Hanataro." Karin beamed, correcting herself. He nodded and quickly led her away to the exit. After a few minutes, he opened the door, letting the warm, fading sunlight into the barracks. Karin stepped outside, using her hand to shield her eyes from the light as she took a few steps out into the Soul Society.
"Oh, Miss. Karin! I forgot, this is yours!" Hanataro quickly said, holding up the sack that he had dropped before. "It's your clothes and your uniform!"
Karin turned around, taking the small bag from him. "Thanks, Hanataro." She repeated, turning away from him.
"Where are you going to go?" Hanataro asked, his small hands moving to the strap of his medical bag. He shuffled his feet.
Karin shrugged, smirking. "Who knows." She responded, looking up at the sky. Even though she had just woken up, The sun was already setting. "See you around." She muttered, leaving the wimpy looking, but kind, kid behind.
Yeah, she didn't know where she was going, but she'd figure it out sometime.
Slightly cheesy chapter ending. Sorry. Now, for an extra….
Rukia was glaring at Ichigo. "Did you tell Karin that we're together?"
"No! I swear, I didn't! Like she said, everyone guessed that it would happen sometime!" Ichigo replied, waving his hands in front of his face, defensively.
Rukia rubber her temples, head hurting. "What are we going to do? If my brother finds out, Ichigo…" She looked to her boyfriend, eyes wide with fear for him.
Ichigo did everything in his power to make sure he wasn't trembling. That didn't stop the sweat drop from making its way down his forehead. "If Baykuya finds out, then I'm as good as dead." He stated, terrified.
"If I find out what, Kurosaki?" A deep but calm voice said from behind the orange haired 20-year-old. Ichigo and Rukia jumped a little, turning and looking to the Kuchiki head.
"Nothing, brother!" Rukia said, greeting Baykuya and moving towards him, making sure Ichigo was somewhat behind her. "Are you looking for me? I'm sorry that I caused you any trouble." She apologized obediently.
"There is no need to apologize, Rukia," Baykuya said, glancing at the cowering Ichigo Kurosaki, "I came here to inform Kurosaki that the Head Captain requests his presence." He was just a messenger boy. How disgraceful.
"That's it?" Ichigo asked. Baykuya nodded once, before turning away.
"Kurosaki," The Kuchiki said in a calm tone, "how long did you think it was going to take before I found out that you are in a romantic relationship with my sister?" Rukia and Ichigo instantly blushed, again.
"B-brother! It's not like we wanted to keep it a secret, it's just-" Rukia began before she was cut off by a cold look from her adoptive brother.
Ichigo stared at Baykuya, still blushing. "We knew that you'd figure it out sooner or later." He said, smirking.
"How long have you two been together?" Baykuya asked, giving Ichigo a cold, cold look. He noticed Ichigo's smirk. What did that mean? His hand went to his zanpukuto's hilt.
"About two years," Ichigo said, crossing his arms, suddenly feeling bold, "and you just figured it out?" Baykuya's eyes widened, before he turned away. It took him that long to have Vice Captain Abarai inform him of this? So shameful!
"Scatter," Baykuya began, grabbing the hilt on his sword.
The sounds of Ichigo jumping out the window, screaming rang throughout the Soul Society. Karin looked back towards the 4th division's barracks. "Eh? What the fuck…is going on?"
