Wow. So this chapter... took less time than I thought to write, and is longer than I intended, but I like it. A LOT of stuff is happening, and we're introducing TWO new characters to the story. I'm excited for you to read their parts in this chapter; they're going to be regulars in the story...if you like them that is!
You guys have really made my week brighter with your support for the last chapter! I hope you like this one. Special thanks to Reviewers/Readers:
Garnet-AsianAngel (Karin's adjusting pretty well, but Byakuya is being a bit mean to her. Then again, he hates her brother, so that's only natural. He may warm up to her...if she proves she's different than Ichigo to him), Meresdreams (Thank you! I hope you like where it goes this chapter!), Casunny123, StormCrowley (Karin will be getting some help with her uniform "problem" soon. As for Leta and Layla, they have an interesting relationship. I look forward to writing about Layla, and their family as a whole!), and theloverofanime (Byakuya and Karin will learn more about each other as the story goes. As for Shou, just WAIT 'til we get to the Summit Ball...oh, and as for Lyall, you'll see soon enough. Hitsugaya jealousy? Where? ^_-)
On a final note, I have some fanart for the upcoming Noble Summit Ball Chapter. Let me know if you'd like to see it!
Enjoy the chapter,
Romania Black
Chapter Thirty-Four
We Rush into Danger
Because we Cannot
Rush towards the Truth
Karin glanced at her wrist, wishing it had a watch attached to it. Then, she'd be able to tell when today's Soul Reaper Combat class would be over. She sighed, no matter how hard she tried, no watch would materialize on her skin.
Leta hadn't been teaching class the last two days. Apparently, the Noble Summit Ball required all nobles to attend at least a few days of the planning. Luckily, Leta had been able to train Karin another day with Yoruichi before she was summoned. The cat woman hadn't been called yet, but she said it would only be a matter of time before she was. The Ball was only a few days away.
They hadn't accomplished as much zanpaktou training as Karin wanted, but considering that they hadn't figured out how to fully explain what her sword did, they had to put off further exploration. Instead, Yoruichi had taught Karin a few basic flash steps, while Leta had instructed her in a few of her favorite Kido. Karin didn't quite grasp the concept of Kido, but she learned that if you placed yourself like you were staring into a dark circle, it made the spells easier to cast.
"You'll be learning that next semester!" Leta had cheerfully added.
Karin couldn't wait. As for Leta's replacement, Karin couldn't stand him. He was a buff, muscled man with white spiky hair and dark beady eyes. He practically yelled every word he said and was a show off, constantly pulling out his own sword to demonstrate. Karin hated everything about him; she guessed he might have been a gym teacher in his former life.
The only saving grace to keep Karin from going completely mad in the class was the student she'd been partnered with to help get ready for the combat examinations that would be in the late fall and early winter. Her partner hadn't been too eager to work with her, but they didn't really have a choice. He had joined late as Karin had, and now they were the only two not fully caught up with lecture notes in the class.
He was a little taller than Karin, with a very loose fitting uniform that overwhelmed his stick thin frame, bony elbows, and scrawny arms. He had a nervous habit of scratching his side whenever he was startled, which was almost everytime Karin said hello to him. She wondered how he even saw her in the first place; his pale orange hair was a frazzled shag that hung over his eyes, making them completely invisible. In fact, all Karin could see was the very edge of his nose and his mouth, which was always a frown or solemn expression.
What a serious guy, had been her first thought about him. He seemed to take his studies seriously though, so she was happy they were partners. She knew she wouldn't have to pull more than her own weight with homework.
After class, Karin gathered up her books and met her partner outside the door. He was neatly arranging his textbooks in a navy knapsack he carried around with him.
"Hey," Karin smiled, satisfied when she saw his hand reach involuntarily to his side, "Enjoy class, Hisoka?"
The boy's frown was set deep, "I hope you're joking, Karin." His voice was soft, but seemed to always have a hint of cynical sarcasm behind it. Karin found it unique, and pretty enjoyable.
"I can't stand it in there, are you kidding?" She huffed, "He's the worst."
Hisoka's frown let up slightly, "I could think of worse," He sighed, "But he's fairly full of himself." He adjusted the knapsack to lay across his shoulders, "Are you busy this weekend? We should work on our project for when Madame Kamaguchi returns."
Karin smiled sincerely but shook her head, "I'd love to work on it but...I'm kind of booked up this weekend." She thought it better not to mention the Ball. "Is that okay? We can work on it next week if you want."
"Sure," Hisoka's face had fell a little, but he didn't seem crushed. "I'll catch you later in Kido Class, Karin." He turned and started to walk slowly down the hallway. Hisoka didn't seem to be the one to pry into matters that weren't his business, an aspect Karin couldn't have been more grateful for this weekend.
Karin's classes went fairly quick, to her liking, and in no time at all she was heading back to Squad Six's barracks. As she topped the hill leading up to the Division's entrance gates, her mind was filled with several ideas and questions.
I wonder what we're eating tonight? Last night was pretty good...hmm, I wonder if those new robes are in my room yet. Renji promised he'd get me a couple more pair. Speaking of which, I wonder if he told Rukia-
"Yo," Renji called out from the bottom of the hill, his hand cupping to make his voice louder. Karin waved with a smile and ran down the hill to catch up to him. He lowered his hand, giving the young Shinigami a pleasant expression. "Class okay?"
"Yeah," Karin caught her breath with a grin, "I was just thinking about you."
Renji gave her an awkward expression, "Eh?"
Karin chuckled, "No, no, not like that. I was wondering if you found out anything from Rukia yet." She straightened, stretching her arms over her head.
Renji gave the young Shinigami a very satisfied smirk. She knew the answer before he even said it, "You bet!" Earlier, Rukia had asked Renji to go to the Summit Ball with her. Apparently Vice Captains were not typically invited; only Captains. Rukia was related to nobility by marriage though, so she was more than obligated to go, and needed a date, so... "She's wearing purple, in case you were wondering."
Karin tilted her head in confusion, "Why would I?"
Renji looked somewhat speechless. "Erm, girls just usually want to know that kind of stuff." He scratched his neck with an exasperated expression. "Then again...you don't strike me as the girly type."
"Never have been," Karin shrugged and the two walked inside the Squad Six gates.
Rikishi was quick to meet them. Karin liked Rikishi a lot; unlike almost everyone else with the exception of Renji, Rikishi was very fun-loving and an open-minded guy. He wasn't snobby at all, in fact, Karin was sure had he been alive in the Real World, she would have loved to have him amongst her friends and on her soccer team.
"Hey," Karin smiled.
"Hey," Rikishi stumbled quickly towards them. His clumsy nature was pretty funny to the young Shinigami. It was great having someone that seemed so...normal, like her. At least, closer to her age in personality and maturity.
Rikishi brushed his long, straggly black hair out of his eyes, along with the braid of three beads; each of them a different primary color. "Karin! Uhm," He eyed Renji with slight nervousness, "Can I talk to Karin?" His tone implied alone. Karin didn't know what to make of this urgency in his voice. It was kind of unlike his nature. Nonetheless, Renji nodded his head, a suspicious look still gracing his features.
"Sure. I'll leave you two," He gave a suspicious look to Rikichi, then grinned subtly, "I'll see you around, Karin," The lieutenant called back, heading towards the Mesh Hall. I didn't think she was his type, Renji thought casually to himself as he walked away.
Rikishi waited until Renji was out of sight before turning back to a very confused looking Karin Kurosaki.
"What's wrong, Rikishi?"
"I heard some rumors around the barracks today," Rikishi said, not looking directly at her, "You went off with Miss Kamaguchi a few days ago didn't you?"
Karin felt her body freeze. Does he know? She thought frantically, How could Rikichi know about my zanpaktou? Did Byakuya find out? Did Leta tell anyone? Yoruichi-
"She fought the Captain, didn't she?" Rikishi interrupted her thoughts. Karin decided not to make assumptions too soon.
"Uhm, no," She answered, trying to pretend like she was recalling the past, "Actually she broke up a sparring between the Captain and...," What was his name? The other captain? "Uhm, the other Captain who was visiting." She smiled nervously.
Rikishi nodded, understanding, "Ah, I see. So the others were lying a little. They said she fought the Captain too. Oh well," He leaned towards Karin, as if telling her a secret, "The truth is, I heard she made a bet to fight Captain Kenpachi Zaraki on her own squad's grounds."
Karin smiled, a sigh of relief escaping her. So he doesn't know about Yakyuu. It was harmless rumors being spread around the Division. "Yeah, she promised that captain she'd fight him if he'd leave the barracks."
"Well, I figured I'd let you know, since you seem closer to her than the others here," Rikishi whispered, "She's fighting him today apparently."
Karin's eyes widened. Had it already been a week? Surely not... "Really? Today?" After meeting for the Summit Ball naturally.
"Yeah, in about an hour if they were telling the truth. I was hoping you'd get back here before it started," Rikishi gave Karin a serious look, "You wanna go watch?"
Karin didn't have a clue this was coming. She stared at him with a blank expression. "What? Can we...do that?" She was certain the Captain would not approve. Not one bit.
"We're not supposed to," Rikishi's face was grim, "But a couple of us have snuck out before to go watch Squad Eleven battles. This would be about the same."
"And you know where this other Division is?" Karin raised an eyebrow skeptically.
"Oh yeah," Rikishi nodded with a little more enthusiasm, "It's near Squad Nine and Squad Eleven's. It's not hard to find. If we left now, we could get there in about thirty minutes, watch some of the fight, and be back in time for dinner."
"And why would I want to watch?" Karin was being enticed by this entire scheme, but she didn't get why Rikishi was so deadset on seeing the brawl.
"Oh, well," the young Shinigami gave her a bashful glance, "I figured you wanted to see your teacher fight...and...I really was hoping the Captain of Squad Seven would show up. I've never seen him before, and I've heard...he's someone worth seeing." His eyes didn't look at Karin's.
Karin mulled it over. Rikishi didn't look much like a risk-taker or a trouble maker, but this action was sure to get them in trouble. Her knees shook a little at the thought of Byakuya in their faces if they were caught. Then again...to see Leta in action...
You only live once, right? "Okay, let's do it."
Rikishi actually looked surprised, "Really?" His face broke into a childish grin.
"Lead the way," Karin smiled back.
The run there wasn't a bad one. The grass seemed to grow shorter as they grew closer to the Squad Seven barracks. The clouds were white against the gray-blue sky that was starting to grow pinker as the sun sank into the West. Karin and Rikishi made it to the outer edge of the grassline, ducking into a group of trees and looking to where Karin assumed the gates were to the Seventh Division barracks.
"What now?" She turned to him, since he'd had more experiences sneaking onto battlefields.
"Usually, the battle arena is towards the back," Rikishi noted, pointing towards the gates to the Seventh Division. "We can follow the gates and hopefully find a way to get on top and sneak a peek at the fight."
Karin nodded. The two followed the treeline as far as it would lead them, then made their way quickly across to the outside of the gates. There seemed to be no one on duty watching them.
"Are they all watching the fight?" Karin asked, mostly to herself.
Rikishi didn't notice that, "I don't think so. They're probably eating. Come on," He motioned her to follow him alongside the gates as they ran towards the back of the Division walls.
Karin suddenly felt the air around her grow tense. The spiritual pressure was thickening around them. She had known that feeling before; when Byakuya and the other Captain had been battling. "We're close," She said with an eager expression. Rikishi nodded, but he didn't look as eager as before. In fact he was looking rather sick. "You okay?" She asked him, but he nodded smiling nervously.
The white walls around the Division were smooth as stone, without anywhere to really grasp ahold of to climb. Luckily, Rikishi spotted a way in.
"We'll climb these trees and jump over if no one's watching." He pointed to the cluster of dark green trees near them. Their branches hung over almost touching into the barracks. "In any case, we'll be able to see the battle."
"Good idea," Karin smirked as the two quickly leapt into the thick branches of the nearest tree. Rikishi let Karin go first, so she could see better. The two nestled on top of a large branch that was jutting out just enough so they could get a look into the arena. Karin was glad that they hadn't gone further.
Leta was standing face to face with Captain Zaraki, which was an almost funny sight considering she was so much shorter than him. Their spiritual pressures were equalized at the moment. Karin shuddered; his was a yellowish skull looking like death itself. Hers was a light blue, in the shape that Karin noticed appeared to be a wolf. The pressures almost seemed like entities themselves, bouncing off one another as the two Shinigami faced eye to eye. Karin realized she could hear what they were saying; the sound was echoing well enough off the arena walls.
"I've wanted to fight you for a while now," Kenpachi grinned murderously, his visible eye gleaming. "The infamous combat instructor."
"It's a shame," Leta gritted her teeth into a grin, "I didn't have you as a student."
"A hundred years too late on your part," Kenpachi snapped in reply, with a harsh laugh.
"I didn't think you were that old," Leta's grin widened devilishly.
"I thought you were a Kido user," The Captain countered evilly, intending to strike a nerve.
It didn't seem to, at least not on the surface, "That department I leave to my siblings."
"GO KENNY!"
Karin nearly jumped and fell off the tree at the voice. Sure enough, at the edge of the arena Karin could spot Yachiru sitting on the sidelines, her pink hair sparkling in the fading sunlight. She wondered how such an energetic little girl had come in contact with such a fearsome man.
"Leta Kamaguchi, third seat," A rumbling voice grabbed Karin's attention. "Captain Kenpachi Zaraki. Are we set to begin?"
It belonged to a humongous, towering figure standing at the side in between the two combatants. It wasn't his threatening size and deep voice that made Karin stare with her mouth gaped open though. It was his face. The tall man had the face of a tan dog. Or a wolf? Was it a fox? His face certainly didn't appear human.
"That's him!" Rikichi was just as wide-eyed as Karin, "That's the Captain of Squad Seven, Sajin Komamura!"
Karin stared. Leta's taking him to the the Ball? I wonder what the nobles would say about that? She guessed that men with dog heads weren't considered a "sophisticated" sight, and realized perhaps why Byakuya had been disgusted earlier at Leta's mentioning of her guest.
"Clean fight, basic rules. No zanpaktou Shikai release," Captain Komamura continued with an eye on Leta, his dog ears twitching in the wind, "No outside interference." He looked directly at Yachiru with contempt, who stuck her tongue out at him.
"A good clean fight," Zaraki looked down with a twisted smile.
"A good clean fight," Leta repeated, smiling with sudden intensity.
The air broke out into almost a war cry of its own as their swords struck. The ground shook and Zaraki and Leta's swords seemed to be screaming at one another, a high pitched squeal in the air. Leta took the opportunity presented to leap up off the ground and spin to the left. Kenpachi seemed to sense the move and tilted his sword to connect with her, but she blocked the blade with her own and kicked him straight in the face, her foot colliding with his nose.
There was a violent crack as Kenpachi backed up, holding his face. Their swords swung at each other again, and when Leta backed up, he let go of his face and gripped his sword with two hands and swung at the earth. A violent wind of pressure knocked Leta backwards to the ground. She quickly rose to her feet.
Kenpachi's nose was bleeding, "I think you broke it." He didn't look angry though; on the contrary his twisted smile had become wider.
"Sorry," Leta grinned, "I'm more of a hand-to-hand lady than a swordsman."
"Ah no," He licked a dribble of blood from the corner of his mouth, "I love it."
He flew himself towards Leta and their swords danced, clashing against one another. Kenpachi reached to grab Leta's uniform, but she ducked under his reach and went to strike his knee. He blocked her attack with his sword, forcing her to use hers in defense.
Their parry back and forth went on for several minutes. Karin couldn't believe that Leta was keeping up so well with the Captain. Despite her size, she was moving fluidly with his movements. Her size gives her leverage with speed, Karin noted. She looked back to Rikichi and gave him a pitiful frown.
He looked green in the face, and she could sense that his limbs were shaking. Maybe he can't handle the spirit pressure...But then Karin wondered how she could if he couldn't.
"Are you okay?" She asked him after a moment.
"Are you?" Rikichi said through chattering teeth.
"Yes," Karin answered with a frown. Another slash of the two swords send out a shock wave of pressure. Rikichi flinched,
"Maybe we should go back," He said after a moment. It was clear he thought they were in over their heads now. "Captain Kuchiki will be mad if he finds us gone."
Karin couldn't argue with him there, and she certainly knew he couldn't last too much longer in the tree. But...I want to see who wins! Karin thought with a frustrated sigh.
"Listen, Rikichi," Karin gave him a serious glance, "You go back. I'm going to stay here."
The young Shinigami stared at her, "What? No! We go back together."
"I want to see the rest of the fight," Karin protested calmly.
"We're going to get in trouble! I took you out here, we saw them fight, now let's go back." Rikichi looked agitated at Karin, but she didn't care. He'd get over it.
"You're not going to get into any trouble," She started softly, "Because you're going back. I'll be right behind you," She looked into the arena. The dust was flying left and right. "They'll be done in a little bit." To be honest though, she didn't know if that was true or not. They could end up fighting all night.
"No they won't!" Rikichi seemed to be thinking the same thing she was. "Karin, look, I didn't take you out here for you to get-"
"Just go!" Karin had enough. Can't he see I'm not going back no matter what he says? "I'm happy you took me here, but I'm not ready to leave. So go back before you get in trouble. I can take care of myself!" She yelled, agitation eating her voice.
Rikichi stared at her for a long moment, his face formed into a deep, angry frown. "No," He glared, "You can't, Karin." But he didn't say anything else. Rikichi jumped out of the tree and took off into the Western setting sun; back to Division Six.
Karin sighed, turning back to the fight. She knew he'd be mad at her the next couple of days, but she'd deal with it. Rikichi has the best intentions, but she didn't need his overprotectiveness now. I'll apologize after the Ball, Karin thought to herself, He'll have let off some steam by then.
Rikichi ran through the cluster of dark trees, getting ready to hit the grass when the Seventh Squad gates were out of sight.
She's so stubborn! He thought angrily as he ran towards the edge of the woods, When Captain Kuchiki finds out she's gone, he's going to be so mad. And then he'll blame Renji, who'll blame me! He groaned at the thought, Vice-Captain Abarai will never let me talk to Karin again...he'll probably never talk to me again! Why did I take her there? Why didn't I just sneak out on my own and leave her behi-
Rikichi's thoughts were abruptly silenced when he exited the treeline and collided straight into a person at the edge of the clearing.
"OW!" Rikichi let out a yelp as he fell to the ground. The figure he'd ran into didn't budge, but gave him a startled, surprised expression.
It was Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya.
The young Shinigami felt chills rush all over his body. He'd only seen the young Captain once before, but the image of the icy teal eyes still made the boy freeze. The captain of the Tenth Division was young, but terrifying to Rikichi.
"Um, um, um," he stammered.
"You're...from the Sixth Division," Toshiro narrowed his gaze. "I felt a presence in the woods and decided to investigate." He tilted his head as he looked down at Rikichi, "You're not exactly what I expected to find. Why aren't you at your barracks? It's almost sundown."
"I-I-I was going back now." Rikichi knew this wouldn't end well.
"Where were you coming from? And why were you running?"
Damn, he's onto me, Rikichi felt like he was being pushed into a corner, Do I tell him about Karin? What do I say? Um...
"Hello? Are you going to answer me?" Toshiro gave him a grim look of impatience.
Rikichi didn't know what else he could do, but tell the Captain the truth. I'm dead if I lie to him...and maybe, maybe since he's not good friends with Captain Kuchiki, he'll let me go easy! Yeah...that's it!
"I was coming back from Squad Seven barracks," Rikichi answered bluntly.
"Why were you there?" The Captain asked with a serious curiosity.
"Karin Kurosaki and I were watching the battle between Madame Kamaguchi and Captain Zaraki." There. It's out now. Nothing I can do about it now...
Hitsugaya gave Rikichi a blank, cold stare. The young Shinigami had no idea what the captain was thinking, but it didn't seem like a pleasant thought process.
"What?" Toshiro finally said with an almost dead tone. "Where is she?"
"She," Ho boy, "She didn't want to come back yet, so she's still at the barracks watching."
The captain gave Rikichi a look of disbelief, "You left her there? Is she with Captain Komamura?"
Shit. "Um, she's actually in a tree watching outside the arena. No one...knows she's there." It sounded even worse when he explained their situation verbally.
Toshiro looked at Rikichi as if he'd just tried to tell him the sky was purple, which oddly enough it was starting to look that way in the setting sun. After a moment of silence and a moment of Rikichi looking utterly red-faced from embarassment, Captain Hitsugaya finally let out a heavy sigh.
"Return to the Sixth Division, Shinigami," He said firmly, "I'm going to retrieve Miss Kurosaki."
Rikichi blinked, "Oh! Um, Okay." He quickly bowed his head and started to take off into the West, towards his Division, "Thank you, Captain Hitsugaya!"
Toshiro's back was turned to the young Shinigami, "I'm still telling your Captain."
Rikichi didn't make it three steps before falling over.
"What?" I told him all that for NOTHING?
"Let me ask you a question," Toshiro glared at him, his back still turned but his head tilted to see him, "And I won't tell Captain Kuchiki."
Rikichi would have gave his left leg for that not to happen at this point, "Anything. Ask me anything."
"Was it Karin's idea to go see the battle?"
Rikichi didn't understand why the question was important, but before he could think about the answer he blurted out, "No, I told her we should go." Suddenly, he realized what he was saying and slammed his hands to his mouth. Whhhyyy? Why didn't I say it was her fault?
"Huh," Toshiro actually smirked, "That's a surprise." He turned away, "Go. I won't tell your Captain." And with that, he took off into a sprint and was out of sight.
Rikichi stared at the dust the captain had left, looking utterly dumbfounded.
I...I...I'm not in trouble?
Well, Rikichi isn't, but Karin might be! I'm sorry I had to cut off this chapter, but it needs to stop now, otherwise it's going to be 15,000 words! haha, next chapter is the LAST CHAPTER before the Noble Summit Ball! I'm really excited for you to read it! It'll be up in a few days.
Thank you so much for all the support! I'm so happy to have great readers like you!
-Romania Black