Chapter 2

What Will You Choose?

Last Chapter

Karin Kurosaki, eleven years old, fell to the rough dirt below.

Karin laid in utter darkness, not knowing where she was nor how long she had been laying in complete darkness for. Her head throbbed and her mouth felt dried, what led her to this black abyss, she didn't know. They only thing she wanted at the moment was to find a way out.

It wasn't like she wasn't totally alone though. She could hear voices around her, talking in hushed voices. "...she wouldn't be in this mess at all if it weren't for you, Kisuke Urahara."She didn't recognize the feminine voice, but she did however, know the next person who spoke.

"I was only playing around. How was I suppose to know she would run away like that?" It sounded just like the booming voice from earlier.

Slowly the raven-haired girl opened her eyes, allowing light to finally swallow up the darkness. Her hand immediately went to her aching head. She felt heavier somehow, like she had something weighted on her chest. Her eyes, now used to the blazing light, glanced downwards. She couldn't believe what she saw. What lay embedded into her chest was a long metal chain.

"Maybe because I don't know...you threatened her? How could you tell a girl her age, that you were going to kill her for sneaking around down here? And look what happened? She's now dead!"

Her eyes widened as she took in this information, how could she be dead? Karin Kurosaki? The girl who was going to grow up to be a world renowned soccer player? A girl who had a loving family? The young girl started hyperventilating as she sat up and took notice of a body that laid only a few feet away. Blood caked the head of a young girl with raven colored hair. Her chest started to hurt as she took it all in.

She looked up at the woman that stood before her, tears in her eyes, threatening to take action. But no, she wouldn't allow them to do what they wished. The man across from the two, tilted his hat to block his eyes from view. Of course he felt bad, but she could be useful somehow. Without looking at the spirit of Karin Kurosaki, he spoke, "Karin Kurosaki, I am sorry. I truly am. But what's been done, has been done. Now, you must make a choice."

The girl eyed the blonde haired man with suspicion. How could she have a choice when she was already dead!

"I can send you to Soul Society, a place that could classify as heaven of sorts, a place where you can start anew, leaving the old you behind. Or I can help you become a soul reaper. Which will you choose?"

"Is that what my brother, Ichigo, is? A soul reaper?" The young spirit inquired.

"Yes," he replied simply.

She thought for a moment. Maybe she could be of use to her brother, of course he would totally be against the idea of her becoming one, but why the hell not? She was already dead after all! "Urahara, I want to become a soul reaper!"

The shop owner grinned widely, "The life of a soul reaper isn't easy, Kurosaki. In fact, you will be in danger constantly. Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Alright, let's begin." The man reached into his pocket, withdrawing a circular metal object. It wasn't very big, only the size of his palm. On it, she noticed small numbers, what they were for, she had no clue.

"What's that, old man?" She eyed the thing suspiciously.

Although it went unseen, his eye twitched at the name. "This, my dear Karin, is what I like to call Taimukipa or timekeeper. It slows down time. You will have two years to train, Karin Kurosaki but don't fret. While it will seem like two years in here, out in the real world it will only have been a week. Thus, giving us more time to hone your skills."

"Is that what you used to train Ichigo?"

"No, I finished it right before they left," the man's eyes glowed with excitement. He got to try out his new toy! Urahara pressed a few buttons on the small device, "There. I will tell you again. You have two years to prepare yourself. Yoruichi and myself along with a few others will be training you." He yelled towards the hatch that led to the small shop above. She heard the shuffling of feet and she watched as eight feet touched the ground. "Kurosaki, I'd like you to meet Shinji. He will be one of the few who will be teaching you."

A man with short blonde hair and a stretched smile step forward, extending his right hand. She took it, shaking his hand. "I hope you aren't a wuss."

After all of the Visored introduced themselves, Karin turned her attention to Urahara, "When do we begin?"

"Now," and without a warning the man with the blue apron she had saw earlier, lifted a large axe, slicing her chain in half. "Welcome Karin Kurosaki, to lesson one."

Hey! Long time no see! I'm sorry for the wait, but I have been busy with finals and whatnot.

Just to clear some things up – Karin was passed out for a couple of days, allowing Urahara to gather the Visored. Keep in mind that this is my first story including them, so I don't know how well I will portray them.

Also, I made up the timekeeper device. I don't even know if I got the name right, (I tried!) so if it's not correct let me know. The timekeeper device was made by Urahara, allowing him to slow down time in the real world (i.e. the world of the living, soul society, etc) giving Karin more time to hone her skills. If you have any questions on how that works, let me know.

I promise a longer chapter next time, and I'm sorry for the slowness of the story so far, it'll pick up pace within the next few chapters.

Anyway, enjoy!

(Thank you to all of you who added this story to their favorites/alerts and also to those of you who reviewed!)