Yourichi secured the last stitch to the shoulder wound she was working on and sat back on her heels, letting Rukia to finish cleaning the small cuts at the woman's scalp and throat before turning toward where a basin of warm water, a towel, and a jar of healing salve that Kisuke had helped Ururu carry in before leaving the back room to watch the shop. Or, more accurately, to go and help Tessai guard the shop against the fighting outside from spilling inside. Still, she tensed as she heard Urahara jokingly chide what sounded like an idiot who couldn't read the closed sign on the shop until she heard the childlike voice that answered him, the words carrying strong and clear over the sound of fighting outside.

"Hat 'n Clogs, have you seen Ichi-nii or Rukia? I need to find them. Something bad just happened and Dad is going to need Ichigo to help kill whoever hurt Masumi-san this time. Are they here? Are they all right?"

Rukia's head snapped up sharply as she set down the cloth that she had been washing the cuts with. "Karin? Why is she -?"

The injured shinigami began to stir restlessly as she began to regains and Yourichi got up to cover her with a blanket. "Go take care of whatever it is. And bring back more warm water on the way back. I want to get started on her feet."

Rukia bowed and strode into the main body of the shop. She could see Karin, standing, ready to square off against the shopkeeper, still wearing the knee socks and cleats from soccer practice.

"Now, Hat'n Clogs, hand over my big brother from wherever you are hiding him!"

"You have your brother's timing. Urahara is not hiding Ichigo, Karin." Rukia replied, standing with her arms folded.

Karin turned and looked up. "Rukia! Why are you wearing - never mind, that's a stupid question. You wouldn't be wearing shinigami robes if you weren't shinigami. But I need to find Ichi-nii. I need to tell him about Masumi. I felt something hurt her, something really, really strong and she's worse than the boy inside Chad's parakeet was. Where is he?"

Her voice was so sure, so matter of fact, that many people might have missed the demand hidden in Karin's words. Then again, many people had not taken up the position of permanent guest in the Kurosaki household either. Rukia looked levelly at the girl, trying to find the words to answer Ichigo's sister. She certainly deserved the truth about what was going on, and Rukia had no doubt that Kurosaki Karin was strong enough to handle it. But strong or not, it did not change the fact she was a ten year old girl, and telling her just how likely it was for her brother to be hurt or killed in the war they were fighting would be cruel. "Ichigo is fighting some of the monsters that have been showing up lately about a street over. He will come here as soon as the fight is finished. He was in one of the first groups to arrive today, so it shouldn't be too much longer. There will be other people coming in, since this is where we are coming to regroup, so you might be told to stay out of the way. Please don't argue, especially if whoever tells you is wearing a white haori or a rank badge on their sleeve or waist. I - We are going to have to have a long talk about shinigami and some recent events after this is all over. But right now, I need to get that water for Yourichi-san to get the bandages off."

Karin followed at Rukia's heels. "Then, I'll help you. And don't tell me I can't. You know that Ol' Beardo let's me do more than that helping at the clinic."

Rukia looked over her shoulder as she grabbed a basin off the shelf, and then reached up and grabbed another, handing the second to Karin. "I wasn't going to. Anyway, there will be less of an issue for you to stay if you're being useful."

The other girl nodded solemnly as she handed the empty basin to Rukia. There was a momentary pause as Rukia turned off the spigot and hefted the other basin up out of the sink.

"Good. This should be enough water to start with. This way, then." As she gestured with her head for Karin to follow her into the back.

"Bring them over here," Yourichi called, waving them over to where she was sitting in front of the now conscious shinigami, her robes invisible, wrapped as she was in a blanket which might have once been navy but had faded to a truly hideous shade of purple over the years. Rukia did so, taking care not to hit Yourichi's hands by accident as she moved one of the bandaged feet in her hands, looking for hidden breaks and sprains. She had just turned to take the second basin from Karin when she heard a gasp behind her and a startled hoarse whisper call out softly.

"Karin-chan! What is- why are you here?"

"I'm waiting for Ichi-nii to show up. But, Masumi- san, you're -"

"I'm fine. You worry too much about a little mouse like me."

"But you promised Ichigo and dad that the next time one of your boyfriends hurt you!"

"It wasn't my boyfriend. Just - just a couple of gang members who broke into my house. They roughed me up a bit before realizing that there wasn't anything there worth the effort. Honestly, Karin. I'm not hurt. Just a few stitches to the shoulder and sore feet. Nothing to worry about. I'll be fine."

"But-"

"Karin. Listen to me. I am fine." Even injured, there was something behind the young woman's last few words that carried, defying anyone to argue otherwise. She looked up at Karin as Yourichi began trying to loosen the tops of the bandages from where they were crusted, stiff against her ankle. "Rhoysin-rudd, you don't need to worry about me. If you start, however am I going to tell you apart from Eira-gwin?"

Karin forced a smile and shook her head. "Masumi, you see more stuff that I do. If you can't tell the difference between me and Yuzu, then it's pretty bad."

"I know that, Karin-chan, and I wouldn't remember enough of what Granny Davies taught me to tease you in Welsh if it were that bad either, now would I?" the older girl retorted with a weak smile. Rukia was touched by her attempts to keep Karin from worrying about her, but even as she watched Karin rub her eyes and smile back at Masumi, Rukia knew that the younger girl had not been fooled by the act. No one there had been, not even Masumi.

Yourichi looked up at Karin and then turned to Rukia. "Hmm. These bandages are not coming off as easily as I thought. Can you go get scissors from the cupboard? And some of the medicine that Kisuke keeps in the blackened glass bottles? I think we can manage in here for a few minutes."

Karin looked up. "I can go get them."

Yourichi nodded. "All right. Ask Urahara for the medicine. He's the only one who can find it on those shelves. Remember, the little blackened glass bottles. Got it?"

"Yes, Yourichi-san," Karin squeezed Masumi's blanketed hand softly before turning and running out of the room.