Preparing for the Soul Society

"Well, I'm glad that's over with… It is over, right?" asked Urahara with a hopeful look.

"The only people who'd care enough about my living arrangements are gone. And my sister only came to check up on me since I've completely forgot to e-mail them."

"So it's over?"

"The only person who'd bother to see me now would be my aunt. And I can just call her and tell her not to come…even if she is the only one on my Dad's side of the family I can get along with for more than a day."

"Should I repeat myself?"

"Yes…it should be over. If not…well, let's just say I won't jump to stop a Hollow at this point. I'm running low on my sanity pills now. I better get back to work!" said Kari with a sigh.

"Let's hope things will finally calm down…" grumbled Urahara.

"Likewise on that!" laughed Kari.

She went back to delivering packages, and things finally calmed down. Until Menos Grande appeared. Then she had her hands full dealing with all the Hollows that showed up. She didn't want to miss Orihime's awakening…she wanted to see the six-princess protecting flowers appear!

When Ichigo finally caught up with Uryu, she showed up and waited for them to be surrounded by Hollows. Then she drew her Zanpaku-to and began hacking-and-slashing like a video game. She was having a blast…and the look on their faces when they realized she was responsible was priceless! She watched as the scene played out and then went with Urahara and the others to the shop. Things became quiet again…and then Rukia ran away to protect Ichigo. She didn't even bother going; she knew all-too-well what would happen if they caught her.

"So Rukia was captured. I told you that would happen," said Kari calmly.

"Yes you did. So what'll happen next?"

"Ichigo will make up his mind to save her, then you train him and help him regain his Soul Reaper powers, and finally, he learns the name of that puffed-up Zanpaku-to of his."

"What is its name anyway?" asked Urahara.

"Zangetsu."

"All hail the power of the Otaku girl! She knows all and still manages to shock us every now and again," laughed Urahara.

"Want to know why Ichigo just refers to you as Mr.-Hat-and-Clogs?"

"Yeah…what's with that anyway? I told him my name and he decides to call me that!"

"It's because his memory for names and the people they go to are seriously lacking. He couldn't remember your name so he just calls you Hat-and-Clogs."

"What're you going to do when this is going on?"

"I'm going to see if Mr. Yoruichi will teach me some new tricks…like Shun-Po for example."

"But he's training those two other kids. I seriously doubt he'll have time to train you too!"

"If he can't find the time to help me, then I'll just have to spend time packing. There's no way I'm going to the Soul Society only to have my ass handed to me by a Captain!"

"How're you going to blend in? The minute you set foot in there they'll know you're a Ryoka like the others!"

"That's where I'm going to need your help. You know what the uniforms for each division look like more than I do. It'll be easy blending in, but being able to blend in properly requires a decent disguise."

"So you want me to help you to create a disguise? What'd you have in mind anyway?"

"There's one division I know that I'll fit it without any difficulty. And it isn't your old one. Need a hint?"

"If you don't tell me then I can't exactly help," Urahara pointed out.

"I need to make a uniform that matches the ones worn in the 11th division. I can't do Kido or Bakudo yet, and it is known for having the more…violent members."

"So you want to blend in with a group of fighting idiots?"

"Yup. It's the only division that I know I'll be able to fit in."

"It's your funeral then. But what's your plan if you get caught?"

"Easy…I know for a fact that the Assistant Captain, Yachiru, has a similar taste in food. Or more specifically candy. And the captain, well he just wants a decent fight to the finish. So if I get caught, I'll be friends with both of them."

"I don't think Zaraki will fall for that."

"Have you seen their sense of direction?! I can find Ichigo easily…and since Zaraki loves a challenging fight, he'll be less inclined to turn me in."

"I seriously doubt you'll survive that division…"

"Would you prefer I go into your old division which is lead by a sadistic freak?!"

"Fine…I'll help you with the uniform. But only on one condition."

"What?"

"What does Ichigo do in my first Lesson?"

"Heh…he actually says that ridiculous phrase for the equipment!"

"That's all I needed to hear!" laughed Urahara.

Sure enough, she had a uniform to fit it with the real Soul Reapers. She had the attitude, the knowledge, and enough reitsu to really get her point across! As he prepared the gate, Kari got her things packed securely for the trip. In her bag was: vol.11-17 of Bleach, a LOT of her own homemade candy for Yachiru, a pendant that looked like a fox (which she made herself, after a good deal of trial and error), her CD player and some CDs, and a few extra uniforms to help blend in. As she finished her pack, she waited until a day before the gate was complete. Then she remembered something important.

"Shit…I almost forgot about the Cleaner in the gate! I better find something to boost my speed enough to get ahead of the others!" murmured Kari.

That was when the answer hit her. There was one easy way to boost her speed…too bad she couldn't bring it with her. Or could she?

"I've made the fox pendant so Kitsu can appear when I really need him. Is it possible to create a cycle one too? But how to do it without letting Urahara know… I know! I'll use my original bike!"

Kari spent an entire day molding and creating another pendant. It took a lot out of her, but she knew it would be worth it. She tested it to ensure its safety; it was ready in an hour. Now it was time to go to the Soul Society at last! But before they could go, Urahara had to knock out both Ichigo and Kari's soul; everyone was very shocked that Kari had become a Soul Reaper too!

-----

"Wow Kari-san! I didn't know you were a Soul Reaper like Ichigo!" said Orihime impressed.

"Yup…I have been for a few months before Ichigo. And my Zanpaku-to is a lot easier to carry around and use," laughed Kari.

"Where is your Zanpaku-to?" asked Ichigo.

"Right here," said Kari as she held up her sword.

"What the…?! That sword is way too small to be…!" said Ichigo.

"Feh…this coming from someone who can't even seal his Zanpaku-to? I wonder how Zangetsu feels about his wielder…" she snickered.

-----

He's an idiot who refuses to listen to me!

-----

"Heh-Heh-Heh… Zangetsu is highly amusing…he has a better sense of humor and a better memory for people's names than his Soul Reaper."

"What…?"

"You aren't the only one who can hear that old man with glasses," said Kari.

"But…how?!"

"Beats me. But I digress…we need to worry about getting into the Soul Society right now."

As Urahara explained the gate, Kari made sure her things were secure on her back; if she was going to make it out of this in one piece, then she had to make sure her things stayed with her! Finally, Yoruichi showed up. She told them to run, and keep running once they were inside the gate. When Yoruichi was finished, Kari decided to warn the others about what they were about to face inside.

"Guys, whatever you do, don't touch the walls. If you do, then you'll be trapped for good! Oh, and Uryu? I don't recommend having the mantle on when we go in…it makes it too easy for the Cleaner to ensnare you."

"What the…?! Why would you warn him about that? It only comes once a week!" said Yoruichi.

"Because… I know that today's one of the times that you DON'T want to be inside the gate."

"You and your ominous warnings…" snorted Uryu.

"Hey, don't say I didn't at least try to warn you."

They entered the gate and sure enough, Uryu got caught by the walls due to his ridiculous mantle. When Orihime used her flowers, Kari instinctively braced for the fall down. She was the only one still on their feet when they landed.

"I told you that wearing that mantle inside the gate was a bad idea," said Kari in a I-told-you-so tone.

"You don't need to rub it in my face…" grumbled Uryu.

"You're going to put your back-up on now, aren't you?" she snickered.

"How did you know I had a…?"

"She has an annoying tendency to predict things before they happen. Don't ask…and no she is NOT a psychic!"

Ichigo began to run towards the Seireitei. Kari smirked.

"I'd step back if I were you…" she said a few seconds before the gates came down.

"Ouch…"

As Ichigo battled Jidanbo, she waited until he beat the giant before she got directly underneath him.

"Don't worry about the hammers Jidanbo… I'm sure I can find someone who will make you some new ones," said Kari kindly.

-----

She knew that Gin Ichimaru was on the other side of the gate. She waited until he attacked the giant before she blocked it.

"Impressive…you saw the attack before they did," said Gin. (He wasn't as impressed as he claimed.)

"Whatever Snake Face. I dare you to try attacking him again with your Shinso!" she retorted.

"So you know my Zanpaku-to's name…even though you're a Ryoka yourself. But that won't save you!" said Gin right as he prepared to launch Shinso again.

"Shoot to kill, Shinso!" said Kari clearly. The sword reacted in a bizarre manner; it attacked Gin instead of the giant.

"Impossible…how did you…?!"

"There's more to me than just a pretty face, moron."

Gin recovered enough from the shock to attack Jidanbo again. The scene played out as she remembered it…except she did something Ichigo couldn't. She snuck into the Seireitei before them!

XxXxX

Yoruichi…I'm inside! I'll meet up with you and that moron Ganju later! Take care!

You evil little! How did you…?

Ichimaru was focusing so much on closing the gate that he failed to notice that I had slipped in. If you need me I'll be hiding in the eleventh division. Good luck with the cannon!

And what happens when they see you carrying around that knapsack like a fourth division member?

I'm going to hide it in that underground area that Urahara made when you were kids.

Thanks for the heads up.

XxXxX

"You there! What division are you from?" barked one of the Soul Reapers.

"I'm from the eleventh idiot. Or can't you read?" retorted Kari coolly.

"Prove it. I don't recognize you."

"Do you know everyone from the eleventh division?"

"Well no but…!"

"Then what's with the false accusation?"

"I'm sorry! Carry on!" said the Soul Reaper nervously. (She had given him a warning glare.)

-----

"Heh…that was a piece of cake. This is easier than I thought."

"Oh no! If I'm late Unohana-taicho will have my hide!" said Hanatoro upset. He stumbled and tripped. That was when he heard someone come up to him.

"Looks like you could use a hand," said the girl. She offered him her hand and helped him up. He suspected nothing until he realized she was from the eleventh.

"Why did you help me? I thought that everyone from your division hated us…" said Hanatoro confused.

"Not everyone is a heartless jerk. Just don't tell anyone, okay Hana-chan?" she grinned.

"How did you know my name?"

"I'd rather keep that a secret for now. My name's Kari by the way."

"Hanatoro Yamada."

"Don't tell anyone about what I did okay? I get enough grief as it is!" she laughed.

"Okay…and thank you."

"No prob. See ya later Hana-chan!"

-----

"Hey you girl! What division are you from?" yelled the Soul Reaper. She noted he was from the 11th.

"Yours."

"Prove it!"

"Fine…you can tell your friends that you got your ass handed to you after accusing me!" she smirked. (Quickly dealt with him.)

"Alright, have I proven myself?"

"Heh…not many girls can pull a stunt like that. You really are from my division!"