Ch3 "Substitute"
Karin tossed and turned and shuffled and then jumped up as the birds were chirping. She looked around and found her sister sleeping soundly as if nothing happened. Karin raised a brow and rubbed her head {"It was as if it was a dream…."} She laid back down then shot up.
She rushed downstairs and found her adoptive mother and father standing in front. Of where a giant hole was the night before. Karin blinked, confused , Rukia then whirled around and hugged her. "Oh my god! Are you okay?!". Karin was left confused and speechless as her adoptive mother checked her over.
"Some kid from your school said a truck slammed into the house, I rushed home as fast as I could." Rukia continued. Karin blinked {"That Shinigami had to have something to do with this."}. Yuzu came downstairs in a daze, "Oh Yuzu…are you alright?" Rukia asked as she rushed toward the blonde haired twin.
"Yea…I just feel dizzy." Yuzu replied Ichigo approached her and sniffed her and shook his head as if repulsed. Rukia elbowed him in his rib cage and checked her face and forehead. "You're pale…and running a fever." Yuzu then collapsed into her arms, Rukia rubbed Yuzu's head. {"Spiritual draining….I'm still confused as to why Captain Hitsugaya didn't recognize me….I will worry about it later."}
Rukia escorted Yuzu back up the stairs and made sure she was comfortable. She then walked back downstairs and called her manager letting her know she wasn't coming in. Karin then left for school and a strange feeling came over her. {"Something isn't right…..kaa…Rukia-san is acting over the top."}
Ichigo watched her from afar he felt something strange, a feeling of familiarity that he hadn't felt in a while. He was then distracted by the opening and closing of a Garganta and then Sonído to the direction of the portal.
Karin entered class after pausing and she swore she heard a clap of Thunder. She looked up and noted the sky was sunny, not a cloud in sight. She shrugged then entered the building. She did feel worried for her twin sister. {"I'm pick up her favorite ice cream on the way home."}
She then entered her class and sat down at her desk. When the teacher arrived he cleared his throat for several minutes trying to get the class's attention. When he finally did so he moved to his right and Karin's eyes popped out of her skull when she saw who came in behind him.
"Today we have a new transfer student…so everybody please welcome…errrr ehhh what was your name again?" the older teacher asked as he adjusted his glasses. The silver-haired male sighed and yawned before addressing the class. "My name is Tōshirō Hitsugaya. I hope we will all get along."
The teacher then told Tōshirō to sit where he likes. Tōshirō scanned the room and his eyes landed on Karin who panicked and looked around and then realized he was walking towards her. Tōshirō then sat in the seat in between where Karin and Yuzu sat.
Karin went back to the lesson and tried to not look at the silver haired Shinigami. {"Why the hell he didn't go back to that soul place Shinigami live….Rukia-San said that's where Shinigami live….come to think of it how does she know?"} Thoughts raced through her mind as she heard the soft rustling of paper and found a balled up note on her desk.
Karin blinked and looked around. Everyone, including the Shinigami, was paying attention to the lesson. Karin scowled and opened up the ballad note and read it, and her left eye twitched as she did so. Note: "Meet me up on the roof of the academy building during lunch".
The bell rang for the next class and Karin made an annoyed glance at the Shinigami as she rushed out of the class before he could catch her.
Lunchtime
Karin made her way to the roof passing by several classmates and her soccer teammates. She walked onto the roof top and stood on her tippy toes looking for the Shinigami. "Over here." Karin turned and saw
Tōshirō walked out the shadows and put his hands in his pockets.
Karin crossed his arms as he leaned back "So…" Karin began. Tōshirō coughed into his hand and decided on how to best approach this situation. "Shouldn't you be gonna go back to your Soul Heaven or whatever the hell you call that place." Tōshirō's eyes widened and blinked and he blurted out "How do you know about the Soul Society?"
Karin placed a hand on her hip and sighed and decided to tell the truth. "My adoptive mother told me and my sister about it being a safe place for souls to go to." Karin said and Tōshirō nodded "I take it you also know about Hollows and Shinigami." Karin nodded in response.
"Hmm I see….to answer your earlier question I'm unable to return to the Soul Society as most of my power went into you." Tōshirō explained In straightforward manner. Karin nodddd seemingly following along. "Okay and what does that have to do with me?"
Tōshirō gave a sideways glance towards a random skyscraper. "I need you to perform my Shinigami duties until I regain my strength." Karin was taken back and her eyes widened at that. {"Rukia-San warned me to never get involved with Shinigami….."} "I…I…don't know….." Karin replied with a stutter which was so unlike her.
Tōshirō sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I see….". Without warning he rushed forward and slammed a fingerless gloved hand into Karin's body. Karin Shinigami form was ejected from her body and landed on her but. She stood up and dusted herself off. Karin was wearing a sleeveless black shihakushō and a fingerless white tekkō on one hand. Her dual Zanpakutō rested in an x-shaped pattern on her back.
Karin looked dazed and confused, and noticed her body lying lifeless on the ground. "What the hell!" She shouted, Tōshirō didn't answer her, instead opting to drag her along the rooftops and throughout the city until the two landed in a small park not far from the Kuchiki household.
Kuchiki household
Rukia sat beside the sleeping form of Yuzu. She dozed off once or twice, then jolted awake when Yuzu breathed hard. Rukia got to work placing a damp cool cloth over Yuzu's forehead. She sighed as she felt Yuzu's forehead. "Good, her fever is going down slowly but surely." She said as she sat back down after rubbing Yuzu's forehead.
Rukia then looked out the window once and back to Yuzu's form. Then she sensed two signatures. {"Captain Hitsugaya…and it can't be I thought I specifically forbid that girl!?"} She stood up only for Yuzu's body to start shaking rapidly. Rukia gritted her teeth and went to attend to her adoptive daughter.
{"Damn it…what is this this isn't normal spiritual draining….it's almost like she is regaining Reiatsu…"} Rukia got up and went to the house phone and sighed as she dialed the number. It rang for thirty minutes as Rukia tapped her barefoot onto the wooden floor. "Come on come on you stupid shop keeper pick up the damn phone…." She grumbled beneath her voice.
Finally the phone was picked up by a young girl. "Uh…hello…Urahara Shop" "Hi this is Rukia Kuchiki is Tessai in?" Rukia waited as the girl fumbled for a few minutes before a male voice answered "Hello?" "Hi Tessai…I have a problem I need…" she was cut off by Ichigo appearing behind and apparently irritated by something. "Hold on a minute," Rukia said as flipped the phone the other way as she placed a hand on Ichigo's chest in an effort to calm him down.
"What is it? I'm on the phone about Yuzu's condition!" She hissed. Ichigo backed down and lowered his head in submission as he kept growling and making animalistic noises. Rukia's eyes widened as that same feeling came again. {"I have to deal with her later right now, Yuzu is a priority"}. "Go get Yuzu dressed we're going to Urahara's something isn't right with her.
Ichigo nodded and nuzzled Rukia much to her protest as she had to stifle a moan. After swatting and kicking him he left her alone. Rukia straightened her dress and recompose herself before picking up the phone to continue her conversation.
Back with Karin and Tōshirō
Karin's eyes widened at the scene before her. A small boy was huddled on the ground as a giant spider like hollow was delighting itself with terrorizing him. Karin gritted her teeth angrily as the scene reminded her of her sister getting bullied when they were toddlers.
She gripped her dual sword as Tōshirō stood a ways back. "This is the essential duty of a shinigami…purifying hollows and performing Konsō on human souls." He instructed, Karin felt her resolve growing and nodded in understanding.
Karin moved forward and protected the little boy from the hollows spiked like legs. The hollow hissed in annoyance "Daaaaammmm Shinigami!" It shouted in annoyance. "Yea yea yea shut the hell up would ya?" She replied as she performed a dual strike to the hollows midsection. The hollow collapsed as Karin whirled around with both blades slashing it across its face in a V shaped pattern.
The hollow cried out as it faded from existence. Karin resheathed her swords and turned to face the crying boy. She knelt down and rubbed his head "Heyy don't cry now your safe that big ugly bug is gone" she said in a soothing tone. The boy hugged her and sobbed "Thanks" every now and then.
Tōshirō watched the scene as he approached slowly. He tapped Karin on her shoulder indicating it was time. He then turned to the boy and knelt down beside him. "Don't worry like she said it's safe now. The Soul Society is a wonderful place and I'm sure you will like it." Tōshirō instructed Karin on how to perform Konsō to which she did so as the boy glowed bright blue and slowly started ascending upwards.
Both watched the scene as Karin turned to the silver haired captain. "Heyy….Tōshirō….let me stay being a Shinigami a little while longer." He eyed up and nodded.
"Sure"
Rukia knelt down by Yuzu as the girl laid on a futon with a cloth on her head. She registered the sliding door opening as Ichigo entered with two cups of tea. She took one cup as Ichigo sat down beside her and she shifted to sit on his lap. She leaned back into his chest as she examined his hollow hole.
She spotted someone leaning in the door frame. "So…how is she…Tessai-San." Said person entered and nodded to Ichigo and rubbed his head to which he purred in response. Tessai then sat down across from them as he re-examined Yuzu. His large hands carefully poked and prodded her small frame. He then looked back at Rukia and Ichigo.
He readjusted his glasses and sighed "I don't know how to say this…." He began but Rukia beat him to it "J…just say it." She said as she felt Ichigo placing her into a protective embrace. Tessai nodded and continued "Have you ever heard of a group of Spiritual aware humans called Quincy?"
Rukia and Ichigo looked at each other {"I'm not ready to reveal the truth though most likely Urahara-San already knows that smudged bastard"}. Rukia released the breath she didn't know she was holding and answered the large man.
"No, I never heard of them up until you just told me the name." Tessai "hm'd" in response and then after a few moments continued. "Well you're probably wondering what this has to do with poor Yuzu-Chan here." Rukia nodded, and he continued "I believe she is awakening Quincy abilities." Rukia pretended to be shocked and confused while Ichigo just sat there trying to figure out how to hold the tea cup properly.
Rukia took Yuzu's hand into her own. {"I know Isshin-san was a former Shinigami captain the only person who could've been a Quincy was there mother….that would explain why Grand Fisher targeted her."} Tessai then asked what Rukia feared in her heart "Was one of their birth parents a quincy?" Rukia swallowed the lump in her throat and looked at her husband, and then back to Tessai. "No…not to my knowledge I never met their parents actually." Tessai nodded at that and stood up and led the two out. "I think it's best for her to stay here for now, Urahara will be back tomorrow." Rukia thanked him as she rode on Ichigo's shoulder back to their house.
Later on that night
Karin opened the door cautiously. She had since removed her shoes and socks and peaked in left and right. She inwardly cheered as she saw no one {"Tou-san probably went hunting again."} She thought as she snuck into the house careful to not make a sound, she recalled her adoptive mother was A) Heavy sleeper, and B) Drinks with her co-workers every night after work. She made it into the living room and to the base of the stairs when the lights flicked on and blinded her. "Gah!" She cried as she dropped her shoes and rubbed her eyes.
"Went somewhere?" came a voice and Karin gulped and slowly turned around and came face to face. With her adoptive mother sitting in Ichigo's lap and drinking a can of sake, "Your sister is extremely sick…" Rukia began as her purple eyes flashed over Karin. Karin looked down and clenched her fist. "I…I know that…I..I.." "You were with a shinigami weren't you?" Rukia finished for Karin who backed up as Ichigo growled his eyes turned from pitch black to fiery yellow. Karin looked down and sighed as she had no choice but to reveal the truth. "Y…yes..yes I was…he gave me his power to save Yuzu from a Hollow."
Rukia and Ichigo then stared at her like she was crazy and then looked at each other as they shared the same thought. {"That's like what happened to us…."} Rukia sighed but stood up and placed her hand on Ichigo's head to calm him down. She walked over to Karin and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I thank you for telling us the truth. I understand we are not your birth parents." Karin was about to reply but Rukia wagged a finger indicating she wasn't finished talking. "However…" She breathed in before continuing "I specifically told you…no forbid you and Yuzu from having anything to do with Shinigami, Hollows or whatever!" Rukia raised her voice.
Karin flinches and just takes it as she can't bring herself to look her adoptive mother in her eyes. Rukia grabs Karin's shoulder "look at me.." Karin refused "I said look at me!" Karin flinches and does so as tears fall from her eyes. Rukia's eyes soften as Ichigo places a hand on her shoulder and reaches over to wipe Karin's tears. Rukia sighs and lets go of her shoulders and then decides to continue. "Karin…honey…I'm sorry I'm just upset and stressed over your sister's condition." "H..h..how is she?" Karin asked after a few minutes of speaking, she looked Rukia in her eyes.
Rukia sighs and looks back at Ichigo who nods and nuzzles his mate. "She is stabilized for now. A friend of mine is an expert in her condition so she will be staying there for a while." Karin nods and replies "Ka..R..Kaa-san…I'm sorry for the way I've been acting..I know I'm probably grounded now but I just wanted to apologize beforehand." Rukia takes Karin's hands into her own. "I understand…like I said we're not your birth parents but we try every day I promised your family I would give both of you a normal childhood. And yes you are grounded, I don't want you anywhere near that Shinigami."
Karin nods and then Rukia patted her head, "Now head to bed…you have school tomorrow." Karin proceeds up the stairs and then pauses before continuing "Kaa-san…." Rukia looks up as Karin turns to her and blushes before continuing "W…w…were you a former shinigami?" Rukia complicates the answer to this question, "You both deserve answers…we haven't been transparent. When the time comes I promise you I will answer." Karin nods at that "I will hold you to that" she smirks as she heads up the stairs to her room. Rukia collapses into Ichigo's arms.
"We will need to prepare here for invading the soul society…I have a feeling what happened to me will happen to Captain Hitsugaya…I wonder if Aizen's plan would go through." Ichigo growled at the mentioning of Aizen's name and Rukia chuckled as she lightly elbowed her mate's chest. Ichigo growls playfully and then opens his mouth a long blue tongue exits and licks Rukia in her face causing her to moan. "N..N..Not now…we can mate later…." Ichigo had none of it and pulled her close to her. "O..O..okay we can mate just lets wait a minute." Rukia pulled away and looked away, her face bright red. "I Can hear you guys!" Karin shouted down the stairs. Rukia's face turned an even brighter shade of red as she buries her face into Ichigo's chest.