Hey guys, sorry this chapter took so long. Writers block is a big poop ball.
Here's the Q & A I promised.
Q/A
Q: Why is Isshin a bad guy?
A: Hahaha I'll tell you soon. ;)
Q: Are the Gotei 13 and Chad, Ishida, etc. going to have a part in this?
A: I'll just smile for this one. But here's a little sneak peek, remember how the bad guys in the future had Squads as well? …. :D
Q: What happened to Ichigo, Yoruichi, and Isshin at the battle site?
A: They were left behind. Only Hachi and Urahara came so they were only able to carry two people, the ones that at least looked alive. When they went out, everything was sand, so they had no leads to where Ichigo and the rest were.
Q: Isn't it Vizards and not Visoreds?
A: Few reasons why I'm using Visored. All the info that I don't remember about Bleach I get from a certain website. They label them as Visoreds. Thought I'd be consistent. I also read that Visor means mask. Hence, Visor-ed = mask-ed. I am not saying Vizards is wrong. I just feel more comfortable putting Visoreds… Sorry if it bothers you. :/
Q: Is Isshin fighting the future Shinji or the present one?
A: He is fighting the present one. If he was fighting the future one, he would get his butt kicked. :D
Q: Your style consists of many pauses and separation, why?
A: I feel like a droning on drifts the reader's attention away. For example, Karin's story was broken up into "Present Time" and "Karin's Story." In my opinion, this provides pauses throughout the story so it can be easier for the reader and it prevents the reader from reading a droned on passage. Yes, you can make it one long thing and make it interesting, but what I'm saying is that, I can't do that. XP I'm not skilled enough. :/
Q: I've read all the way here, but I'm curious, why the script type format?
A: Many many many people asked this. First off, I was a co-writer for paramount studios. As an intern, not a staff member. Because of this, I got used to the script style. Another reason is that this style is different than all the other fics on this site. In my opinion, it provides an easy read, as there are lots of pauses and what not. I also think this type of style gives off suspense pretty well, as I always get reviews about how my cliff hangers bother you. :D Keeps you reading right? This style was something I was debating upon, but I found that I can write stories much faster and more efficiently like this, so yes. There is my long explanation. :D
Thank you for your questions! Remember, you can ask all you want. I'll try to answer them as best as I can. Also, if you want your questions to be SUPER private, you can always pm me :D
You guys rock! :D
-AppleSlice
A/N: This is going to be the last chapter (I think) of Karin's story, so just bear one more chapter of explanations guys! :D
Chapter 9 – How She Got Here
-=Present Time=-
Karin stood up from where she was. She dusted off her clothes and stretched her body.
Karin: Well, let's get back to training. Get up Ichigo.
Urahara reached up and grabbed her hand and brought her down.
Urahara: I've still got questions.
Karin frowned at Urahara. She then relaxed and sighed.
Karin: Fine, one more question. I'm really in a hurry.
Urahara leaned back and got comfortable.
Urahara: Why and how are you here?
Karin: That's two questions.
Urahara just looked at her.
Karin paused. She then started her story again.
-=Karin's Story=-
We lived on with our lifestyle for a while, until Urahara finally came out of his lab. We hadn't seen him since. We tried talking to him by knocking on the door, but he would just tell us that he was fine and that he wanted to be left alone.
He gathered all of us around on that one day and told us that he had something important to tell us. After we all gathered, he led us down to the lab and when we walked in, we found an enormous mechanical gate standing before us.
Urahara explained that it was a project that he was working on a while back. He called it the Homonculus Gate. He had stopped the project because he knew how to make the contraption work, except he didn't like the concept. But he felt like he had to as it was a time for desperate measures.
He stepped next to the machine and explained that this machine was able to send us back in time. To the time period before everything happened. His goal was to give the past a warning about the coming destruction of Karakura Town so they had a chance to train and prepare and maybe even prevent it.
The group smiled in approval, until Urahara raised his hand. Urahara explained that there is a huge cost to the machine. He pointed to a certain part of the machine where there was an area caved in to be able to fit a human. He explained to us that the huge cost was… human sacrifice.
We were all shocked and grew rowdy. Urahara waited until everyone calmed down then explained himself.
Urahara said that it didn't mean the person had to die. It was just that there was a big percentage that he or she might die. He explained that the machine requires a ridiculous amount of energy. He said that reiatsu would suffice. But then he went on to say that no one in the world has enough reiatsu to power this machine. That's why the machine had to tap into something else.
Life Force.
He explained that there are two main types of energies in our bodies. The reiatsu, however small or big it may be, and the life force, which is placed in similar amounts in everyone.
He said that even a person with enormous amounts of reiatsu would only power this machine to about half of its potential. He gave someone named Zaraki Kenpachi as an example. I still don't know who that is.
He then stated that after the victim's reiatsu is depleted, that's where the life force comes in. He explained that a person's life force has three times the power of his or her reiatsu. Therefore, even an average person that has no experience with the spiritual world can power the machine with his or her life force alone… with the cost of their life.
Everyone was shocked. They started yelling at Urahara for making such a machine. Urahara waited until he had the chance and he began to talk again.
He said that because of that fact, it was necessary for the person to have a large quantity of reiatsu so the life force needed will be minimal. He said that we couldn't have two people give off reiatsu because there was only room for one person in the cockpit. He pointed to a cockpit next to the gate as he said this. The cockpit had a whole bunch of wires sticking out of it.
He also said that using two different reiatsus causes synergy, making the power unstable. This would be too dangerous for the person using the gate. That threw the idea of using two people to power the machine out the window.
-=Present Time=-
Karin: After more explanations, everyone started yelling at each other. Some were with Urahara and some were not. Shinji and I stood on the sidelines watching the commotion.
Karin looked toward Urahara.
Karin: You probably don't even need to hear the rest do you?
Urahara shrugged.
Urahara: I don't, but there are still some things that I want to know, so I think I'll stick around.
Karin looked toward Ichigo and saw that he was struggling to understand everything.
Ichigo: Ack! This is so confusing!
Karin smiled. She missed Ichigo so much. His personality and everything.
Karin: Sorry Ichigo, but we don't have enough time for me to explain everything. All I can do is continue with the story.
Ichigo: It's okay. I get the gist of it. Go on.
Karin took a deep breath and continued.
-=Karin's Story=-
During the commotion, Shinji popped a ball of reiatsu in his hand and the noise caught everyone's attention as the room quieted down.
Shinji stepped up and said that he agrees with Urahara.
Some of the Visoreds stood up and began to talk but was cut off with Shinji's raised hand.
Shinji then said something that surprised everyone in the room.
He nominated me as the person to go back in time.
Again, the commotion. Shinji had to quiet the room down again with a reiatsu ball, but this time louder.
Shinji said that I was the best off. He said that someone that knows Ichigo very well and is strong enough to train him should go. That ruled out everyone except me, Urahara, and Shinji.
He then said that he himself couldn't go because he had to watch the people in this time period just in case something bad happens. Urahara can't go because he needs to stay back and work the machine.
That left out me.
I was the perfect candidate. I wasn't the only one who thought so. Everyone else in the room got quiet. They all knew that I was the best choice but at the same time, didn't want me to become a guinea pig.
Urahara stepped towards me. He looked at me with a stern face and asked me if I can do it. Not want. Can.
I thought about it for a while and I had to agree. There was no other choice. I told Urahara that I'd do it.
Just then we heard an explosion.
Something blew a hole in the roof of our hideout. After the smoke and debris cleared, thousands of Hollows flowed into the room.
The group quickly got into battle position. Shinji stepped towards my side and stood on guard.
He told me that this was my best chance. I didn't know what he was talking about until I took a look at the machine.
Urahara was already strapped down to the machine with all the wires attached to his body. He waved me over and Shinji grabbed my arm and brought me to the gate.
During all this, I glanced back and I saw all of the Vizords heavily fighting the Hollow.
Shinji grabbed my arms and turned me around so that I can see his face. He told me to be careful and the best of luck.
Just then, Urahara pulled a lever and the gate roared. There was a blinding light coming from the gate.
From what I can see, I looked at Urahara and saw and heard that he was screaming. He was in so much pain that I just froze.
Shinji snapped me out of it and told me that I had to hurry. He then embraced me in his arms.
The warmth of his body comforted me and I suddenly had the strength to do it.
Shinji slowly let me go and again told me to be careful. I nodded, and I walked towards the gate.
I was at the edge of the blinding light. I began to take my first step until I felt someone grab my arm.
I turned to my right and saw a pained Urahara.
He told me that there were a few things that he hadn't told me.
Breathing heavily, he told me that he sent the time limit to 1 month. This meant that I was going to be able to stay in the past for 1 month till I automatically get sent back here. He told me this was possible because of the second thing he was going to tell me.
I was NOT allowed to see or be seen by my past self.
The moment I step into the Homonculus Gate, he said, I leave an avatar of reiatsu behind. This will lead to a reduced amount of power in the past, and most importantly, a portal back home. He said that after the 1 month time limit was up, I would replace the reiatsu avatar in the future with my real body which would allow me to return to my rightful time period. BUT, if I happen to see or be seen by my past self, she instead will occupy that avatar.
Everything was so fast with all of the commotion going on but I understood it. I nodded slowly. Urahara whispered the word "go" and he slump over with his eyes closed.
I took a deep breath and I looked back. There I saw everyone, including Shinji fighting for their survival and for my sake. That's when Shinji took a look back and I saw something roll down his cheek. Shinji quickly wiped his face and looked at me. He nodded and went into the battle.
I turned around, readied myself and I jumped into the gate.
-=Present Time=-
Karin was wiping her eyes as they were accumulated with tears.
Karin: That's when I saw Ichigo, and he brought me here.
Ichigo and Urahara were dead silent for a while until Ichigo stood up. Ichigo stretched and bent over and picked Karin up.
Ichigo: You said you only had a month right? What are we waiting for? 3 weeks passed since you came, we only have one week for me to get my powers back. Everyone in the future is counting on you aren't they? No more slacking. Let's do this.
Karin smiled. She herself stretched and exhaled heavily.
Karin: Yes, let's do this.
-=Present Time (Isshin and Shinji)=-
Isshin had a surprised look on his face. He looked to his left and saw Engetsu lying on the floor about 8 meters away from him. He observed his Zanpaktou and noticed that there was a pure-white reiatsu-shaped arrow in the sword. The arrow then dispersed into particles and disappeared.
Isshin looked down at his opponent and still saw a bloody, beat-up Shinji. Shinji looked to his left and he couldn't believe it.
Shinji: I can't believe I got saved by you, of all people.
Isshin looked towards the same direction and saw two figures standing there. One was shorter than the other. The taller one talked.
Figure: Ishida, take the blonde nuisance out of my sight to safety. Also, stop Ichigo's sister from reaching Urahara's Shop. Go. Now.
Ishida stepped off, grabbed Shinji, and disappeared.
Isshin stood up, straightened himself and looked at the figure.
Isshin: May I ask who you are strong warrior?
The figure took his glasses off, cleaned them, and put them back on. He didn't answer Isshin's question. He lifted up a silver bow in one hand.
Isshin flinched and stepped back and grabbed Engetsu and stood guard.
Isshin: Not saying a word? Che, doesn't matter.
Isshin flashed stepped towards the figure. As soon as he was a foot in front of him, he disappeared and made his way behind the figure.
The victim wasn't fazed one bit. Instead, he turned around and wacked Isshin across the face with the bow.
Isshin fell and slid a good distance. He was on the floor holding his face. Isshin then looked up and saw the white-haired man in a white suit, wearing no-rimmed glasses. He felt a bow lift his chin up. Then he heard the words of his attacker.
Ryuken Ishida (Uryu Ishida's Father): How does it feel to look up to me, old friend?
Chapter 9: End
