Chapter Three- Memories Shared

=3 days later=

Karin's ribs had been set and she was ordered onto nothing but bed rest for 8 weeks.

"Two whole months of boredom….why when I try to be the good guy do I always get screwed?" Karin said to herself frustrated. "On top of that Hat & Clogs had to burst my bubble by informing me that he had to tell Soul Society about Muramasa."

I apologize for any trouble I may have caused you Mistress.

Muramasa you aren't causing me any trouble. You saved my butt back there and you get repaid by that jerk playing tattle tale.

My previous crimes against the soul reapers and their zanpakto were quite high. I will not be forgiven so easily even with you as my mistress and Ichigo to vouch on my behalf.

Muramasa please call me Karin…Mistress is just too formal. I want to be friends not Master and slave. You aren't just some tool to be used. You have a soul all your own you just borrow a little from my soul is all.

Very well Karin. If that is your wish, I will obey.

You don't have to be so submissive. Jeez Muramasa feel free to speak your mind whenever you want. I kinda like having someone to talk to aside from goat face and my oblivious brother.

You care for my opinions? Also should you really call your father a goat face? I won't argue about Ichigo's oblivious ways though. He may have strength of the body but he isn't very observant.

Goat face is something that me and Ichigo both have called Dad since I can remember. As for caring about your opinions, yeah I care. I like hearing you speak you always talk about things with such wisdom. I could never get the kind of experience you achieved in my lifetime. It's cool to learn from someone who has been around a while and knows what their talking about…rather than guessing and risking everyone's hide but their own like Urahara.

I am not all that wise, I have made many mistakes of my own which you are unaware of. As for the stranger name for your father where did it originate? Also what did you mean about Urahara-san.

Urahara has a nasty habit of coming up with insane theories and using my brother's need to protect his friends and loved ones against him in order to do ridiculous tasks to test his theories. A lot of times Ichigo ends up injured sometimes close to death. To say I don't trust Urahara would be an understatement. The only thing he is good for is gigai and mod soul candy.

I see I shall remember that when the time comes to address him if ever necessary. Karin I believe your father wishes to speak with you so I will leave you to him.

Alright Muramasa, I still want to see our inner world later. I hope to learn a lot from you if you're willing.

I will teach you anything I am able. I have to say you are a breath of fresh air. So eager to learn of me, and all I can show you.

This Muramasa is the start of a beautiful relationship.

I…believe it can be.

Karin looked up after she felt Muramasa leave her mind, "Hey Dad what's up?"

Isshin just smiled, "Dad? Not goat face? I think I like this Muramasa guys influence on you already." Karin smiled softly, "I think so too... he's pretty cool." Isshin grinned, "Is my little girl falling in love?" Karin just stiffened as she also felt Muramasa's shock, "Goat face! I just met him 3 days ago and we have only just started talking. What the hell have you been smoking?"

Isshin just sniffled as he crawled over to another conveniently placed poster of her dead mother, "OH Masaki my love! Why must our children be so cruel? When will our awkward tomboyish daughter know the wonders of a man's love."

Karin just sat there wanting to simply disappear as Ichigo came into the door snickering, "Alright Old man, I think Karin and Muramasa have had enough of you for now."

Yuzu popped her head in, "Hey Karin, Yoruichi is here to see you." Karin shook out of her shock and nodded, "Okay Yuzu, you can send her in here."

Just as Yuzu left Yoruichi came in, "Hey kid how ya feeling?" Her golden eyes scanned over Karin's ribcage.

"I'm fine aside from my mentally ill goat face of a father. Still sore but that's what happens when someone shatters your ribcage." She looked at Yoruichi carefully, "So what does Soul Society want?" Yoruichi looked shocked before grinning, "They expect you to train in soul society under the watchful eyes of the captains."

"They can burn in hell. I have school and other commitments here… not to mention my twin sister is here. I won't leave her when Ichigo is never home." Karin said clipped at the audacity of the leaders of Soul Society.

Yoruichi just grinned, "I figured you would say something like that and warned them ahead of time. The head captain and three of his favored captains are coming to visit you to negotiate terms on this." She smiled softly, "Between us and Muramasa, I think they are more afraid of what you can become if they don't keep an eye on you."

Karin just smirked, "Haven't they figured out Kurosaki's don't just do what they're told? We do what we feel is right regardless of what anyone else thinks."

"I am more than aware of that, believe it or not Urahara and I are the ones who taught your brother a lot of what he knows." The feline inclined woman stated as she stretched, "So be prepared they should be stopping by to see you tomorrow."

"Thanks for the heads up I will let Muramasa know."

I heard her but, thank you Karin…also now I think I understand the meaning for your rather fitting misnomer for your father.

Ha ha! Yeah he has the unique talent of making any serious conversation into one big joke.

Who was the woman in the painting?

It's my mom. She was killed by a hollow in front of Ichigo and me when we were little…I think I was 3 years old Ichigo would have been 7 or 8 at the time. He was right next to her but I was walking ahead of Dad further away. I still remember how that hollow had disguised himself as a human girl to lure Ichigo and Mom…they didn't know what hit them until it was too late.

I had no idea…I apologize for asking I had no intention of

Muramasa the less secrets we have from each other the better a team we can make. As for bringing up sad memories it's no big deal. Death is just as much a natural thing as living…humans live to die just like any other creature. Just curious, what happened to you? One minute you want to know everything about me and my family and the next you get really quiet like you are hiding from me.

I am not sure I am ready to tell you everything but, I suppose sharing part of my story is only appropriate. My former master was Kouga Kuchiki. He was strong and had no real need of a zanpakto like myself. Without my help he had the power to rule all of Soul Society. He was fine for many years until after he was betrayed. He had worked exceptionally hard for the approval of his clan elders and the head captain. When he finally achieved many victories towards his goal he was betrayed by fellow team members. He was locked away for crimes he had not committed.

He must have been very angry…not to mention upset and rightfully so.

Yes but after that he changed. He took vengeance on the men who betrayed him.

Ok so he got his own justice…sounds reasonable.

It was…but he didn't stop there. He continued using my abilities to murder others by having their own zanpakto slay them.

You have that ability…that is not something I would want to use. Not even at my most desperate times.

It is your obvious reluctance of that ability that gives me peace. I took no pride in my part against those innocent people.

Why was he able to use it if you didn't want him to? If he gets that ability from you…wouldn't you be able to stop him from using that ability? Kind of like having a parental control lock or something.

An interesting theory one we shall have to test one day. As for my stopping him at the time our connection had begun to weaken. I heard his calls less and less and so I was not always aware of the harm he caused.

Whoa…sounds like someone needed a parent to punish them.

Hmm yes, Kouga did need to be punished but, as any zanpakto I plead for mercy for my master. They were not willing to let a murdering man run free. They sealed him in the world of the Living off of a lake island just outside Karakura Town. He had been sealed there for over 50 years before I released him. That's actually how I met your brother.

Wow so you are another friend of Ichigo's that tried to kill him first. That's interesting. I feel like there's more to your story but I will leave it for later. I want to play a sort of game with you.

A game?

Yeah, it's called 20 questions basically we go back and forth answering 20 questions to get to know each other. That way we learn more about each other without getting into the nitty gritty memories. You up for it?

Hmm how about we save the game until tomorrow after we talk to the Head Captain. We may need a game to relax after dealing with him.

Okay I guess it's getting late anyway. Sweet dreams Muramasa.

Rest well Karin, I feel you will need it tomorrow.

Karin just smiled and sighed softly as she lay down for bed.