The challenge in shunpo training today was for Karin to keep her hair tie away from Byakuya and Senbonzakura. If she was able to do it continuously for 30 minutes before training was over for the day they would increase the time and difficulty for their next training session. So far she was able to keep it away from both of them for 28 minutes and this was her last shot.

Go left now. Karin heard Muramasa instruct and did so immediately trusting his judgment without question. The 29 minute mark was reached now only one minute to go. She felt two signatures closing in and instead of using shunpo she chose to launch herself in the air in a backflip to avoid the partners attempt. The hair tie remained even as the timer went off.

Smirking Karin said, "Looks like we pass this time Byakuya." The sixth captain gave her a blank look before nodding in confirmation. He was inwardly pleased at her progress and impressed at the pure skill and potential he saw displayed by the pair with mid-challenge communication. He was shocked when Karin was able to change her shunpo directions so quickly and easily to avoid capture at a moments notice.

"Well done Kurosaki...your partnership with Muramasa is much better suited than I would have anticipated. You have a bond that is stronger at this early stage in your training than any I have seen before. I noticed you change direction to avoid me earlier, I assume Muramasa had told you to go left at that moment?" His dark eyes met hers and he felt pride when she smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Yes he did...I trust Muramasa even more than I trust myself!" She grinned her emotions laid bare in her eyes and they reached down even to Muramasa who still struggled with the open bursts of emotion and trust she displayed. He closed his eyes in their inner world as Senbonzakura stood beside him unnoticed for the moment. 'Such blatent faith...have I truly done something to have earned this trust, her admiration even?' He opened his eyes startled to see Senbonzakura standing before him.

'You should never doubt Karin's faith in you Muramasa..." the samurai stated firmly. Muramasa stared back at him, "It is not her I doubt...as you are aware my previous master though I remained loyal to him never saw me as anything but a tool. I remianed loyal to him to the point in which I almost destroyed the relations of all zanpakto."

The samurai remained silent for a moment more, "Muramasa," he started hesitant, "You made a mistake as any zanpakto in your position would have. You longed to save your partner and be acknolwedged by him." Senbonzakura sighed, "I have admitted to myself, Byakuya, and the Head Captain that in your shoes I would have done the same."

Glass green orbs gazed in shock, "You would have?" He relaxed as his fellow zanpakto nodded in affirmative.

It wasn't long before they heard the young voice of the eager new mistress of Muramasa. "Hey you two! I hope we aren't interrupting anything." Karin said with a smile as she admitted herself and Byakuya into their inner world. Senbonzakura said chuckling, "No Lady Kurosaki, you weren't interrupting. Nice teamwork by the way to both of you." He nodded to Muramasa subtleybefore moving closer to his master's side.

"Rest well you two. We have more training tomorrow." Byakuya stated firmly. Karin quickly motioned for him to wait, "Actually I wanted to know if we could move our training to tomorrow afternoon." Muramasa and Senbonzakura stared in shock at the young Kurosaki's boldness as Byakuya motioned for her to continue explaining. "I mentioned a theory to Muramasa a while back that I wanted to test out tonight and I don't know how long it will take."

"What sort of theory? I must admit you've made me curious." The noble inquired. "I believe Karin is referring to her theory that a zanpakto may place a for of lock on more dangerous abilities in the event of the shinigami's mind becoming unstable. To prevent the harm to themselves or others around them I believe she called it parental lock." Muramasa explained, Karin smiled at him nodding furiously, "Exactly! I mentioned it when he told me about his previous partner. It would be nice to know that he could stop me from hurting anyone if I ever went nuts or just lost control as a beginner."

Senbonzakura nodded intrigued, "A decent theory...if you were able to prove it true it wqould reassure the people that rogue shinigami may be less trouble if their zanpakto can lock away some more fatal or threatening abilities." Byakuya gazed at the young woman impressed she would come up with such a theory at her young age. 'The more I get to know your younger sister Kurosaki, Ichigo...the more I realise that while similar at times. Your sister has a power unrivaled even by you.'

The noble nodded hiding his complimentary thoughts, "I suppose that is fine but, you should bring your idea to the Head Captain's attention. He may even lend his assistance." Karin blanched gathering a curious glance from Senbonzakura. Shaking her head she replied, "Not if by lending his assistance he sends us to Kurotsuchi...that man is sick!"

Muramasa chuckled, "I'm sure Yamamoto is aware and wouldn't dare especially after you destroyed the entire base of squad 12 operations." Senbonzakura gasped at Karin, "You did that and got away with it?"

"Only on the grounds that Captain Kurotsuchi had disobeyed the Head Captain's direct orders. He was ordered only to observe our training session in shunpo and hand-to-hand combat without our partners. He began draining her reiatsu which to living shinigami can be dangerous...fatal even." He glanced at Karin in concern. "Her reiatsu flared explosively in response destroying the labs and barracks. Kurotsuchi had no one to blame but himself."

Muramasa sent an amused glance to Karin with a smirk, "I see that our theory may come in handy." Karin blushed before pouting with a playful glare. "Masa-kun thats mean!" Muramasa stiffened in suprise, "Masa-kun...really Karin. Where did you come up with that nickname?" Karin covered her mouth shocked she let her secret nickname for her crush slip past her lips. Byakuya amused by the mistake smirked at Karin distracting her with a small game of cat and mouse as Senbonzakura whispered to Muramasa, "Can't you tell? Karin has only grown more fond of you the longer you've worked together." Muramasa shook his head in denial. "Suit yourself." The samurai stated while shrugging.

Karin forced her blush to fade before asking, "Muramasa are you up for testing our theory tonight?" Muramasa nodded with a small smile, "Yes, tonight we can test it." He kept his small smile while thinking, 'I hope this works...people might not treat Karin like a child anymore if it does.'

Byakuya paused in his run causin Karin to run into him and fall on her butt ignoring her glare he looked at his partner curious about Muramasa's reaction to Karin's slip. "He doesn't realise she romantically interested yet. He'll put it together eventually." The samurai added quietly in concern while his master shook his head, "I suppose Kouga did more harm then we first thought." Senbonzakura asked afterwards, "What will happen if she confesses and Muramasa doesn't feel the same?" The nobleman shook his head in hesitance, "The best case she simply accepts it and moves forward as his friend...worst case the heartbreak will be too much for the both of them."

Muramasa watched Karin closely as she muttered, "Stupid, stupid, stupid," under her breath. 'Could she really hold such feelings for me? Is that the odd sense of warmth I've been experiencing from her?" He cleared his mind deciding he would pay even closer attention to her in the future. He knew of his own fondness for the young woman but, he wouldn't dare act on it unless he was almost certain she would reciprocate.

Karin was muttering, "I'm so stupid! What the hell was I thinking...if he noticed ah man!" The blush had returned to her face as she thought to herself. 'Could I have made it anymore obvious that I like him geez.' She came out of her furious thoughts as she was tapped gently on the shoulder. Turning with pink dusted cheeks, Karin timidly met the glass green eyes of her partner who made her heart race unlike any other.

"Are you alright Karin...you don't want to hurt yourself before we can train tonight and test that theory." Muramasa said with a small smile as he noted her pink cheeks 'Normally I would assume she was shy but, we've been partners for almost a year now." He looked at her, "How long have we been partners?" Karin did something not very characteristic of her unless aimed at Muramasa or Yuzu, "10 months." She answered him softly as she laid back and looked towards the sky of their inner world almost purring in content as Muramasa's clawed fingers lightly traced her hairline and scalp. "Hmm...you seem to enjoy having my fingers through your hair." He spoke softly not expecting a response. Karin's smile never left her face as she gently replied, "It is a comfort I've never had. No one ever saw me as a girl, I was always considered 'one of the guys' or a 'tomboy'. No one ever just treated me like a girl without trying to get me in a dress or make-up."

Muramasa's gaze softened at the peaceful and happy expression on her face but frowned slightly, 'It must be difficult to find someone who can see the woman inside who wants to be treasured as a woman while also being respected for the warrior she is.' He traced he cheek lightly, "Well what do you enjoy that other girls do?" He saw her smile change to somewhat forlorn expression he almost regretted asking her, "Well its never happened to me yet but, I'd like for a guy to take me to dinner or give me a single flower rather than a dozen," she opened her gray eyes, "I'd like a guy to tell me I'm beautiful and actually mean it. Not say it just in hopes that I will kiss them or sleep with them." She looked up at him and almost laughed at his shocked face her voice filled with mirth she added, "What you think guys in the world of the living care about formal courtship? They only want one thing and sadly most girls get their first boyfriend and get stars in their eyes or they plan a dream wedding that almost never happens...unless they do something stupid and end up pregnant."

Muramasa watched as Karin returned her gaze to the sky, "It's sad but true. I just know that it won't be me." She finished gently. "Karin you should get some sleep before this evenings training." Karin let grey meet green and nodded before saying, "See you soon Muramasa." He nodded before letting his mind wander. "I guess men do not have the upbringing with respect for women like they use to." He muttered softly before he smiled towards his thought on Karin's face and honesty as she explained her wants of a romantic partner to him. 'I suppose I will keep those in mind until I am certain of what Senbonzakura said was true and act accordingly.'

=Several Hours Later=

Karin took a step out to the training field Byakuya would usually reserve for them outside the squad 6 barracks. She sat down for a slight moment to meditate. She needed to calm down after overhearing her friend Rangiku talking with Momo, Tobiume, and Haineko.

*Flashback*

After leaving her inner world with Muramasa to go eat and relax with Rangiku before training that evening. As she was about to enter the restaraunt she heard some laughter with a comment, "It's no wonder she doesn't have a boyfriend. She has no feminine charms or girlish interests." Momo said mockingly while Tobiume shook her head, "She spends far too much time with Muramasa and not enough time with any of her own race."

Rangiku nodded, "It is a shame but, she has no interest in any of our guys. Byakuya and my captain both treat her like a sibling which suits her just fine. I know for a fact her feelings focus on one guy and that's Muramasa." She laughed drunk, "I wish she's let me dress her up. She would turn out so cute!"

Tobiume commented, "Even if she did like Muramasa he's so mature and handsome he wouldn't look twice as a tomboy like her." Karin glared and walked up to the table meeting the eyes of the three gossipers after giving Haineko a sorry smile and said a simple, "Go Fuck yourselves." Before storming out.

*End Flashback*

"Stupid girls...I hate them!" she muttered angrily not realizing Muramasa had materialized infront of her. He looked at the angry and tense posture noting the hurt and confused look in her eyes. "Karin...is everything alright?" He asked softly so as not to startle or upset her. She opened her eyes before shaking her head, "Muramasa?" she inquired. "Do you think that I should change...be more girly?"

"No! Whay would you think that?" He asked mortified. "Karin you are perfect the way you are!" He pulled on his hair slightly uncertain of how to deal with her sensitivity to the topic. "What brought this on?" He prodded gently. Karin smiled sadly, "Just some things I heard from some girls when I went to meet up with them for some food before training...I like someone but, something they said bugged me." She moved into a relaxed meditation closing her eyes.

"What did they say exactly?" Muramasa inquired irritated and slightly angry at the offenders, "They said that the guy I liked was too mature for me and wouldn't look twice at a 'tomboy' like me." She looked a little suprised by his irritation. "If it were you...would you date me anyway?" She held back her blush as she watched his reaction, 'I am taking a huge risk but, I'd like to know what he thinks.'

Muramasa hid his smile, 'She really does care for my opinion...I suppose he was right after all.' He gently touched her cheek making sure she looked him in the eye. "If you did want to be with someone like me...I would be the luckiest soul ever to exist to have someone with true moral values to want someone like me." He could only pause and watch the face of his heart's desire as she stiffened her eyes wide before her blush bloomed on her face and her breath quickened.

'He really thinks that way! He likes me, Yes! Take that Tobiume, Momo, stuck up nobodies!' She smiled before launching her arms around his waist as she buried her face against his chest. "Love you...Muramasa" she mumbled softly against him as she trembled with joy.

He heard her words and smiled openly, "And I you...My Karin." he whispered back softly as his arms wrapped around her gently. Neither of them noticed that Byakuya and Senbonzakura were watching from a distance at the soft moment. Senbonzakura looked at his master, "Byakuya I believe this means Captain Unohana won the bet."

Byakuya glared at the samurai, "Senbonzakura," he paused as his partner asked. "Yes, Master?" The noble shook his head, "You talk to much."