Upper block, middle block, front kick, groin kick.
Upper block, middle block, front kick, groin kick.
Elbow strike, palm heel strike, knee strike.
Again!
Karin had Hakuda and Houhou lessons today with the stern captain of the second division. Under Soi Fon's disapproving glances, Karin striked again at the air in front of her.
In contrast to Yuzu and Shibata's efforts though, she was doing exceptionally well. Karin's other teacher, Yoruichi, purple haired and jovial, was working with the two, leaving Karin with Soi Fon.
Soi Fon's voice suddenly echoed through the air "Yoruichi-sama, Kurosaki has managed the basics, we should change pupils," Yoruichi waved in response and Soi Fon disappeared. Karin stared expectantly for a few seconds.
"Well?" Yoruichi grinned from behind her succeeding in making Karin jump feet in the air. "Nobody told me you could fly,' Karin scowled in response which made Yoruichi grin harder.
"Just like Ichigo. Anyways, Houhou is used in all of the other arts taught to shinigami. For example, you need good Houhou skills in Zanjutsu, to move at the same rate as your opponent. If they have better Houhou skills than you, you would be dead before you unsheathed your zanpakutō," Karin nodded to show that she understood.
"And think, if a specialist in Kido or Hakuda didn't have good Houhou skills then they wouldn't be able to attack,'
Houhou is important, got that, now how do I do it?! Karin thought snidely.
"I trained your brother in a move named "shunpo", it is one of the core parts of Houhou and we can have some fun with it because one of the best ways of getting into the mindset of shunpo is …To play tag!" With these words Yoruichi leapt up and flash stepped off into the distance.
"Yoruichi-san!" Karin yelled, the scowl more than evident on her face.
"Che. I forgot to tell you how to do it," she said flash stepping back and forth from Karin's flailing arms. Yoruichi gave a mock sigh. "Ok, I'll give you a clue. Reiatsu," Flash stepping backwards again.
Reiatsu. Now that Yoruichi mentioned it I can sense a focus of reiatsu on her feet. Karin tried to focus reiatsu on to her feet. Which only succeeded in making her feet tingle.
"Try again, Karin," Yoruichi said from behind her, deliberately goading her. Karin turned- and saw nothing.
She looked at Yoruichi again and realized her mistake.
Idiot, idiot, idiot! You only focus your reiatsu on your feet when you're about to step. You dumbass.
Enlivened by this, Karin focused her reiatsu, took her first flash step and…Promptly fell over. Into the arms of the on looking tenth division captain.
'Toushiro!" Karin said, mortified. Mortified and very aware of the hot flush creeping up her cheeks.
"Kari- Kurosaki." He said trying to keep his voice level and extremely conscious of the warm weight in his arms. "You're learning shunpo"
"Yeah, I'm quite good at it," Karin said lying through her teeth.
"Sure you are." Toushiro snorted "If you ignore the fact that was your first actual flash step and that you froze yourself to the ground earlier, fell over and that Yoruichi is over there,"
"You mean you saw earlier?! How long have you been here?" Karin shouted.
"Long enough to know that you're quite good at Hakuda, Kurosaki"
'That lon- Wait, you think I'm quite good at Hakuda?" Karin sidetracked, while glancing into Toushiro's eyes. Internal sirens went off at the sight of pure aquamarine coloured eyes. She glanced down quickly.
"You seemed fairly good at the basics," Toushiro replied seriously. She smelt nice. Sort of fresh, like mint, but with something else that was entirely Karin. She also had a faint underto-
"AWWWW! You two are just toooo sweet together! Look at you, Karin! All cuddled up in taichou's arms, just too cute," Matsumoto gushed. (She would just have to pass on this titbit of gossip onto Kyouraku-taichou, he would love it. Oh and Ukitake-taichou. She couldn't wait!)
"They are sweet. Incredibly so. But Karin, you need to continue learning Houhou. Yuuichi and Yuzu are finished with Hakuda now," Yoruichi replied with a smirk spread across her face.
Toushiro and Karin leapt apart as quickly as if they had been scalded by the other. Their faces both wore similar looks of severe embarrassment. It was Karin who spoke next.
"Yes, Yoruichi-san. Oh and by the way…TIG!" Karin yelled triumphantly, only to find that Yoruichi had flash stepped into the branches of the tree above. "DAMN!'
"Oh, so close, Karin," Yoruichi said mockingly.
"I have to continue with lessons now, Toushiro," Karin murmured, turning from her teacher.
"Kurosaki,"
"Toushiro," Karin replied with a false smile on her face.
Even if I think of him that way- and I'm not saying I do- he doesn't..l- he doesn't l-…He doesn't love me in that way.
"Kurosaki?" Toushiro suddenly asked.
"Yes, Toushiro?" Karin sighed confusedly.
"Never mind, I'll tell you tomorrow,"
BLEACH BLEACH BLEACH BLEACH BLEACH BLEACH BLEACH BLEACH BLEACH
"So, like, there they were, outside the training ground and -this is the important bit- SHE WAS IN HIS ARMS, It was so cuteeeeee,"
"Oh my GOD, you don't mean little Shiro-chan with Kurosaki Ichigo's sister?'
"I do! Could you pass the sake please?"
"Of course,"
"I think we should initiate Plan Winter Lion Summer Pear, after all Plan Seventh Strap and Spring Water worked,"
Shunsui looked at his two drinking companions in confusion. After last time Jyuushiro had ganged up on him with someone, he had learnt that it came with mixed consequences.
"Keep your secrets Jyuu-chan, I'm drinking sake,"
Sorry about the wait for this chapter ; Its been a hectic week of meeting up with the family, sleepovers and lack of inspiration.
Plan Winter Lion Summer Pear? Look at character name meanings, although its extremely obvious.
Have I ever said how much I love you guys for reviewing? I love you reviewers XD
This chapter was a killer to write….groans
We have hit the 3000 hits mark squees
Anyone who reviews gets to poke Ichigo, kill one character they hate kills Mayuri or glomp… One of Urahara's crew…Including Urahara and Yoruichi
