I am so sorry this has taken me so long to get up. The new semester started, and 20 credit hours have been kicking my arse. But things have finally started to calm down, so I should have a new chapter every weekend now. Unless something major comes up, if so I will let you all know.
I do not own Bleach or any of the characters from it.
And with out further ado, here is chapter 8. Hope you enjoy.
Chapter 8.
'Hyourinmaru speaking'
'Toushirou's mind speaking'
A little before Karin gets her zanpakuto
Toushirou's POV
As all of us (everyone in the search party groups) were rushing through Seireitei, almost to the academy, a massive explosion on reiatsu cam pulsating from the direction of the academy. Instantly I knew it was Karin. I glanced to my left to see Ichigo, or sometimes known as the death berry, speed up. Deciding it wouldn't be good to be left behind I quickly moved to catch up with him.
Then as quickly as the blast of reiatsu started, it cut off. I couldn't feel any of Karin's reiatsu at all, something that scared the hell out of me.
By the time we got to the academy entrance, an unconscious Karin was being carried out on a stretcher by members of the Forth.
Deciding now was the best time, I stopped a ways away from Karin, letting Ichigo run over to her. It would look weird if I was the first one to her, and the first one to show care fore her. Yes, all of the Taicho's knew I met Karin in the real world once, but no one knows of the other times. And I want to keep it that way too.
"What happened?" An anxious death berry asked.
"We are unaware as tot he reason this has happened, Kurosaki-kun," relied Unohana-taicho as she was walking out of the academy. "All we know is that Karin-san was in the zanpakuto storehouse for much too long when her reiatsu exploded in a burst of fire. The staff was hard pressed to get in and safe both her and the students that passed out as a result of the oppressive reiatsu."
I could feel my breath catch in my throat. She could have died today. 'No!' I forcefully scolded myself, 'Don't think that.'
'And you say you don't like her like that,' Hyourinmaru commented.
I ignored his comment because I was more interested in hearing the rest of what was going on outside of my mind.
"Those who are interested, you may follow me to Forth Division where we will not only make sure young Kurosaki-san here is alright, but also hear from the teacher's point of view as to what happened here," Unohana-taicho said while addressing the assembled crowd of on- lookers.
All of whom were fukutaicho class or higher. Even Byakuya had come to see what all the commotion was about.
When we arrived at the Forth, I took note of all the Shinigami in attendance. As far as I could tell only Seventh's taicho, First's fukutaicho, and all of Twelfth were not among the group waiting to find out what happened.
What shocked me the most was even Sotaicho was here; he must really be interested to see what Karin is like to have come all the way here, just for some academy problem.
'Anyone that goes near Karin is interested in her. It's more then obvious she is special, Master,' Hyourinmaru spoke.
Knowing it would be awhile before we were allowed to see Karin, I let myself fall into my inner world.
'Nice to see that you are willing to talk to me know, Master.'
'What do you mean she is special?' I ask.
'I can't tell you that now, but I can promise you will find out soon enough.'
I hate it when he's so cryptic. It never bodes well for me when he is.
'Fine. Then tell me why you keep saying that Karin is special to me? I like her yes, but just as another worrier, though.' It baffled me that he thought I liked her more than that.
'Master, you can lie to everyone, but me. I know the things in your soul that not even you know about. If she isn't someone special to you why did you go see her every time you were in the real world?'
I was about to answer that when.
'And don't tell me it's because you wanted to see how strong she had become. I know better remember.'
'Then if you know so much, why don't you tell me why I went to see her when I was in the real world.'
'You need to answer that for yourself. I can't do it for you. I already know why, it's you that needs to figure it out.'
With that pointed remark he kicked me out of my own inner world. Though it was good that he did, for the academy teachers were just walking in.
After about an hour of explanations and questions, the teachers left. They had told us all that Karin was in the storehouse for over an hour when they felt her reiatsu spike, then explode. Causing almost all of the normal first years, and a few advanced students, as well as some upper class men pass out from the presser. Those students were in beds here in the Forth being attended to. There were some that had yet to wake up.
Unohana-taicho walked in and all of us stood up to greet her, and to hear what she had to say about Karin. She had been tending to her for the last hour.
"Karin-san is going to be fine. She's just extremely worn out. Right now she is asleep, and will be for a few more hours. Those of you who do not want to wait here for her to wake up I will contact you when she does, those that want to wait here I will allow you to wait in her room with her as long as you promise that you will be quiet." She made a point to look at all of us to make sure she was understood.
There was some shuffling in the room until just Ichigo, Kyoraku, Ukitake, Rukia, Matsumoto, and myself were the only ones to remain. Unohana led us back to Karin's room and had members of the Forth bring in chairs for everyone. I chose to sit in the window.
Ichigo was the first to speak.
"I don't understand how we didn't know she had been here for two weeks!" He questioned.
I also wanted to hear this answer, for at least one Taicho must be present at the testing days for souls to get into the academy. All of the Taicho's were informed as to what she looked like. How could she have slipped by their notice?
"Well you see Kurosaki-kun," Kyoraku started to speak, "I wasn't sure if she was your sister. She somewhat looked like the girl you described, but her hair was longer, and she was taller than you told us she was. I didn't want to tell you she was here then find out it wasn't her. I didn't want to hurt you by giving you false hope."
"You knew she was here the whole time!" The death berry all but screamed at the Eighth Division Taicho.
"Like I said, I really didn't know it was her."
"What do you mean you couldn't tell it was her. I see no difference in her than what I told you she looked like." His voice slowly getting louder. I had to admit, I somewhat agreed with Ichigo. She looks just like I remembered her. "Not to mention, if you tested her, you had to know her name, right?"
"Well no, I never asked her. I just gave her the test then took her to the academy. Then left her there with the headmaster. I figured she'd be just fine."
I could tell Ichigo was getting madder with ever word out of Kyoraku's mouth. Again I felt the same as Ichigo. Though I could tell this reaction was just what Kyoraku wanted. I bet he planned it all out this way too. I can only imagine how worse it would be if we found out much later.
"I'm sorry Kurosaki-kun, but if it makes you feel better I kept an eye on her the whole time you were gone. She's very powerful! Not to mention very cute. What type of guys does she like? Do you think she would go for me?"
That did it! Ichigo showed his famous temper. His reiatsu spiked as her pulled his sword off his back and tried to chop Kyoraku in half. If I wasn't a taicho, and expected to act in a seemly manor I would be right there with him!
Kyoraku shunpoed out away from Ichigo's sword, only to reappear behind him. Again I had to hold myself back from attacking him, for he was right in front of me.
"Now that wasn't very nice Kurosaki-kun," remarked Kyoraku, chuckling. The picture of an offended, yet amused man.
That only set Ichigo off even more. He screamed and charged at the man. Because the room was fairly large they actually had a lot of room to move around.
Though I wish I could join in in the violent ring-around-the-rosy game they seemed to be playing, I tried my best to ignore them. So I focused my attention on the sleeping Karin. She had aged a few years. She had gotten a littler taller too, her hair looked as if it would reach the middle of her back. It had a slight curl to it now too. All in all she had gotten prettier.
'Wait! Did I just say she was pretty? No I couldn't have. But in the back of my mind I heard Hyourinmaru laughing. Damn dragon making me think weird things.
I decided my own thoughts weren't a safe place to be anymore so I went back to just staring at Karin.
Did she just move? Yes, yes she did. She's starting to wake up. But then again with all this noise I couldn't blame her. I would wake up too, if I were her right now. I had to chuckle, for no one else had noticed that she was starting to sit up.
At my chuckle she whipped her head around to look at me. When her eyes met mine, I felt at home in them. And by the look of pure elation, she was feeling the same thing.
"Oh!" She squeaked.
At her squeak, everyone in the room froze, then in a split second everyone was in motion to get to her bedside.
Let me know what you think, or if you have any suggestions.
Go to my Deviant art account to see what Hounaryuu looks like.
Thanks for reading.
