Hinamori's Apprentice
Chapter Nine
"Ichi-nii!" Karin cried, running to her brother and embracing him.
"Karin, I can still hardly believe it. I was sure I'd never see you again," Ichigo said, hugging his younger sister.
"Oh Ichigo, I'm so glad that you came!" Karin said tearfully, "I was so certain that I'd never see you again! I just felt like…Oh Ichigo I just…I don't know what to say right now!"
"You're safe, that's all that matters to me," Ichigo replied.
"I don't know what to say, but I have so much to tell you!" Karin said, "I just don't know where to begin!"
"Well I'm more than willing to listen. Just hearing your voice makes me very happy."
Karin smiled and began telling him about everything, from her death to being sent to Soul Society to coming to Seireitei. She explained how she had been taken into a new 'family' and what she had been doing while there. She spoke of the hollow attack and how Momo and Izuru had saved her, and how later they had snuck her into Seireitei.
"Hinamori and Kira, eh? I'm going to have to thank those two," Ichigo said.
"Um, Ichigo, can I ask you a question?" Karin asked.
"Sure. What is it?"
"What's going to happen to me?" Karin asked. Ichigo took a deep breath.
"I made a deal with the Captain-Commander. I'm staying here to complete the Captain's training, and in exchange, you'll be allowed to stay. You'll still be living here for a while, but that's only temporary," Ichigo said.
"I like it here, I'm fine with staying. Rangiku is a lot of fun," Karin said.
"Yeah, but it's not practical for you to just live here the rest of your afterlife. Now listen, Byakuya Kuchiki has offered to adopt you into the Kuchiki family if he can arrange it. It's a good deal, and I think-"
"I don't want to," Karin said, "I'm a Kurosaki, not a Kuchiki."
"They're a very wealthy family, one of the most influential in Seireitei. They'll be able to take good care of you and keep you safe. Byakuya is a bit of a snob, but I think you'd like it there."
"No, it's just not me. I couldn't handle living in some noble family. I'm not cut out for it. It would be too restrictive of my personal life anyways."
"You shouldn't be worrying about that," Ichigo said, "We need to figure out a place for you and this is the best option."
"And what if I say no?" Karin asked.
"Karin, don't do this, not when we've only just met again," Ichigo said wearily.
"You said that it was the best option. What are the other options? I want to hear all of them," Karin said assertively.
"If you really must know, the other options were for you to stay in Rukongai's First District or to go to the Shinigami Academy and then join one of the divisions, but as I said, it's really the best option to-"
"I want that last one you mentioned," Karin said, "I want to be a Shinigami."
"What?!" Ichigo said in surprise, "Why would you want to do that?"
"Do you really have to ask? I want to be as powerful as you Shinigami! You're all so amazing, and I want to learn to be one of you! Besides, it will give me something to do while I'm here."
"Being a Shinigami isn't a game Karin," Ichigo said, "It takes a lot of commitment and is a dangerous job."
"I know! That just makes the idea even more exciting!" Karin said, "You probably think I'm just being a dumb kid, but I really mean it! Rangiku told me all about Shinigami, and I'm more excited than ever after having heard what she said!" Ichigo glared at Rangiku across the room, causing her to shrink back with a nervous smile.
"The Shinigami Academy takes six years to graduate. We don't even know if you have enough power to go there, and even if you do, you're probably too young!" Ichigo reasoned.
"That's not exactly true. Captain Hitsugaya joined the academy at a younger age than her. Well, physically younger that is. Also, I think she's more than powerful enough to get in. She has a pretty decent amount of reiatsu," Rangiku said.
"She's only been here a week, she doesn't understand what she's talking about!" Ichigo said, "She doesn't realize what being a Shinigami entails. It's not all fun and games, it's a serious issue."
"I know that! I'm not stupid Ichigo!" Karin said, "I've thought about it for a long time, and now that the opportunity is right in front of me, I can't just let it slip away!"
"When you're older, I suppose you might be able to, but for the time being, I forbid you to enter the Shinigami academy," Ichigo said sternly. Karin looked at him angrily.
"Forbid me? Who do you think you are?" she said, very upset.
"I'm your older brother, and I'm going to keep you safe. I won't allow you to be in harm's way," he said. Karin's expression softened a little.
"Oh, I see what this is about. Don't worry Ichigo, I have no intention of putting myself in unnecessary danger," she said.
"If you're a Shinigami, you won't be able to avoid danger so easily," Ichigo pointed out.
"Well won't I be in danger anyways? Between what Rangiku told me and what I've seen in the past, it looks like hollows will be targeting me for my reiatsu anyways! Why not learn to defend myself at least?" Karin said.
"I…I'm not sure, but-but you can't…I mean…" Ichigo stuttered for a moment, unsure what to say.
"I have a suggestion," Rangiku said from across the room, "Why don't you let me teach her a few things. I can show her how to suppress her reiatsu and how to evade hollows. Nothing too serious, just basic stuff."
"That works!" Karin said. Ichigo was quiet for a moment before sighing.
"Fine. If you promise me that you'll stay safe and won't push this issue further, I'll let you do some basic training with her. Will you accept that Karin?" he asked.
"Sure," Karin said. Ichigo then turned to Rangiku.
"And do you promise that you'll only teach her the basics and won't get her into anything that will put her in danger?" he asked. Rangiku nodded and smiled brightly.
"I promise!" she said, "Now let's go have some fun! We shouldn't be arguing right now; this is an occasion to celebrate!" She put an arm around both Kurosakis and drew them into a smothering hug. Ichigo and Karin both exchanged a knowing glance as Rangiku smiled brightly.
---
"Woo-hoo! This is some party huh guys?" Rangiku yelled, pounding a half-empty bottle of sake on the table. Ichigo and Karin sat in boredom next to her, and empty bottles were scattered over the table. Her idea of a 'celebration' was to get drunk while they waited for her to tire herself out. Whenever they tried to leave, Rangiku would stop them and drag them back in.
"Hey guys, wanna play another drinking game?" she asked drunkenly.
"For the last time no! Both of us are underage!" Ichigo said.
"Ah, don't be such a hard-ass. Learn to relax and have some fun once in a while!" she slurred, "Lighten up! Okay, so here's the game! Every time we smell sake, we take a drink! In fact I smell sake right now…" Rangiku proceeded to down the rest of the bottle at once, letting out a shrill yell of enjoyment before putting it back down.
"This is a party, huh guys?" she said, "You know Karin, you remind me of this one guy I used to date. I think his name was Millard Fillmore…or maybe James Dean…or Hannibal, I get mixed up with names sometimes…well anyways, you remind me of him, he had hair too. Great guy, but he had a really bad taste in clothes. This one time he was wearing this thing but I forgot what it was but it was bad…he kissed nice though, he has this thing he did with his tongue that went like this...are you watching? Well, anyway we broke up after I found one too many goldfish in my bed. He said I was putting them there when I was drunk but I was like 'No way!' So I kicked him out."
"Are you done yet, we've been here for hours!" Ichigo said irritably.
"No, I'm almost at the best part! You see, then I was…"
They listened to her inane babble, hoping to get away as soon as possible. Out of boredom, Karin curiously picked up a sake bottle and sniffed its contents. She was about to take a drink when Ichigo pulled it from her hands.
"Okay, I think we've been here long enough. Come on Karin, we're needed…somewhere," he said. He stood up and was about to leave when Matsumoto grabbed onto the backs of their clothes to hold them back."
"Don't go guys! Come on! Don't leave me alone man, I love you guys! Stay just a bit more!" she whined.
Ichigo was about to turn to yell at her but when he turned he saw that she was now fast asleep. Ichigo rolled his eyes, and was about to sit down when there was a knock at the door. He slowly walked over and opened the door.
"Hello Kurosaki."
"Toushiro!" Karin yelled, running past Ichigo to tightly hug the white haired Captain, "I'm glad to see you, I was hoping I might get the chance!"
"Let go of me. I don't do hugs," he said irritably. Karin immediately let him go, leaving him to straighten out his uniform.
"Sorry," she said, slightly embarrassed, "I'm just really happy to see another familiar face. You know I don't usually do things like that."
"I suppose I'd might as well believe you," he said as he grumpily smoothed out his haori, "Now on to business, I've been sent to request that Ichigo Kurosaki go to the Fifth Division. They want you to stay there for further Captain's training. There's a lot you don't know about Soul Society and the Gotei 13, so the process to make you Captain will take a lot longer than usual. You'll need to resume your training right away."
"Very well then," Ichigo said tiredly, "I suppose I'd better go. Karin, can you handle yourself here?" Karin nodded.
"Yes, as long as you come back to visit, I'm fine," she said.
"Good," Ichigo replied, turning and walking out. He shunpoed away after exiting the door. Toushiro turned to leave as well, but Karin reached out a hand to stop him.
"Don't you think you could stay a while?" she asked, "It sounded like you were just in a battle, can I hear the details."
"No," he said flatly.
"Oh come on!"
"It's nothing important, just a routine elimination of a bunch of run-of-the-mill hollows. There's nothing to tell."
"You're just as grumpy as ever," Karin noted with a small smile. Toushiro rolled his eyes and walked out, shunpoing away moments later.
For a few minutes, everything was quiet.
"Are they gone?" Rangiku murmured.
"Yeah, they just left," Karin said. Rangiku opened her eyes and sat up.
"Phew. Thanks! I thought I was a goner when I sensed the Captain approaching! He hates when I drink too much." Karin noticed that Rangiku seemed considerably less drunk than before, despite the large amount of sake she had consumed.
"No problem," Karin said.
"So, you ready to begin your training?" she asked.
"Now? Sure, I guess we'd might as well…" Karin said.
"What's with that glum tone I hear in your voice?" Rangiku said.
"Sorry, it's just that with Ichigo making us limit it to the most basic things, it takes a lot of the enthusiasm out of the prospect," Karin said.
"Well maybe we could do a few extra things beyond the basics. I know Ichigo wants me to just teach you basic reiatsu control, but I'm sure he'd forgive us if I taught you a little bit of sword combat and Kido. Does that sound fun?" Rangiku said with a wink.
"Well yeah it does, but we promised Ichigo not to," Karin said.
"Well I had my fingers crossed," Rangiku said brightly, "Now if you'll excuse me, it's time for my nap."
"I thought you said we were going to begin training!"
"After my nap. Naps always come first," Rangiku said, standing up and wobbling over in the direction of her room, "Don't worry, I'm just going to sleep for a few hours, and then, I'll totally be ready!" Karin rolled her eyes, but could not help but smile a little.
---
Momo stood in front of a straw dummy, her zanpakuto held up in an aggressive stance. Her feet were spread out and her knees bent, and she circled around the dummy as she would an enemy. She made a short, reserved slash forward, quickly bringing the blade back. She began retreating only to make a slash at the side of the dummy moments later, following up by pivoting on her feet to put herself behind the dummy, at which point she thrust her zanpakuto forward through the upper back of the dummy, sending bits of straw everywhere. Just as she sheathed her sword, she heard someone clapping behind her.
"Very nice work Momo."
Momo turned to see Ichigo Kurosaki standing behind her. Though she knew he would be arriving soon, she didn't expect to find him here in the Fifth Division training grounds. She was quiet for a moment before speaking.
"I would prefer that you address me properly," she said coolly. As in the past, she found herself disapproving of the way her future Captain acted.
"Sorry. Nice work, Vice-captain Hinamori," Ichigo said, "I see that you're continuing with your training."
"This is barely even training. More recreation than anything," Momo said.
"Are you going to argue with everything I say?" Ichigo asked, a slight smirk on his face.
"My apologies," Momo said with a small bow.
"No need for that, I understand," Ichigo said, "Now if it's not too much trouble, I'd like to request that you come with me."
"For what?" Momo asked.
"My Captain's training. Now that I've abandoned it once they're making me go through extra training, and I need your help to get through it."
"You really mean that? You need my help?" Momo asked.
"Of course. You're the Vice-captain of the Fifth Division, but more importantly, you're the person I know I can trust to help me out with this. You're smart enough, skilled enough, and dedicated enough. So what do you say, will you help me out?" Ichigo said. Momo could not help but smile at Ichigo's praise, and despite her reservations about Ichigo, silently nodded in agreement.
Thanks for reading! Thank you to blackwitchkarma, Chillis, war90, Yemi Hikari, .fire333, Thunder Claw03, Photophopic, and Taeniae for reviewing! Not a lot of action this chapter, I know, but hopefully you still enjoyed it. Please review!