Chapter 5: Found
Summary: My name is Kurosaki Karin. 17 months and some after my brother lost his powers I… died. After training so hard in almost two years to become stronger and protect my family back in Karakura, I needed to leave them after a freaking car accident. But I'm not worried. My life here in Soul Society just began. [HitsuxKarin]. Maybe I'll write stories for another partners, too.
Disclaimer: I don't own Tite Kubo's Bleach, and its characters. Some part from the manga is used so that the story is accurate.
We're now entering the Academy arc, and here are the list of teachers and the subject they're teaching:
Gengoro Onabara-Hakuda
Fujita Aoi-Hoho
Izuru Kira-Hailu
Ashikaga Yuuta-Kido
Higuchi Isamu-Zanjutsu
Kuchiki Byakuya-Calligraphy
Previously on Hitsugaya Karin…
A week after they receive the letter, Nanami and Karin stand in front of the gates of the Academy wearing a red shitagi*, white kosode* with red stripes, red hakama*, white socks and sandals.
"Come on, Karin-chan, we have a New School Year Assembly to attend to." Nanami said to the grinning Karin.
Karin and Nanami entered the Assembly Hall. The Academy was so big that they got lost after asking more than five people about the directions. When they arrived, the Hall is already packed. Karin and Nanami cut in through a crowd of people.
"Karin- san. There are free seats on the middle. Come on."
Karin and Nanami went to the seats and sit down fast before someone else can claim them. They were getting comfortable when the taichos and fukutaichos came in and took their seats up on the stage.
The soutaicho stands on the podium, and cleared his throat. The new students who were rushing in suddenly stopped and the chaos submerged. They quickly found empty seats and sat themselves. When the students were ready, the Captain Commander began his long speech about the history of the school, and Seireitei. "The Academy began two thousand and a hundred years ago and…."
Karin listened carefully at the speech. She found it very interesting and she can't wait to attend her classes. Except those two weird classes I have, everything is wonderful. I don't need to study Algebra and that Literature Ichi-nii really loves. Karin's mind commented before focusing all her attention to the soutaicho.
Nanami focused her eyes on Byakuya. He changed his appearance. No more Kenseikan, no more ridiculously costly scarf… but he's still so handsome. Her eyes traveled to the 13th division lieutenant. Rukia… my baby sister… so big now, she's so beautiful. Byakuya, you did well on her. Nanami shook her head. I can't believe you let them nearly kill her… but I understand. You were always big on following the rules, but you broke them for me. Her eyes traveled back to her husband. She didn't realize that she's staring the whole time when Byakuya's eyes met hers. She gasped.
Byakuya felt someone staring at him, and he opened his closed eyes. He searched through the crowd of students, when his eyes linger on a girl's,, he could see them blush and giggle. Who is this person looking at me? The stare is not murderous and it feels familiar… His eyes met a beautiful violet one in the middle of the seats. The weird thing is that the girl gasped, but didn't giggle or blush, instead she saw panicked on them. Hisana's eyes, but she's… dead…
Toshiro's eyes also traveled, looking for Karin. He couldn't feel her reiatsu but he have a feeling that she's there, but even if he looked and looked he couldn't find her. Maybe she didn't try the entrance exam. (A/N: Have you ever tried to look for something and you already looked for it everywhere, and you can't see it even if it's already in front of you? That's what Hitsugaya is experiencing.)
"…And two years ago, the Gotei 13 went to Winter War against a former student of this school, and one of the geniuses, Aizen, and his followers, and we were saved by a guy named Kurosaki Ichigo of the human world, and a week ago, he helped as again…" The Captain Commander continued. Different reactions came from those who are listening. The students began to talk among themselves, but Karin's mind began to ache.
"Ugh…" she whimpered. She suddenly remembered her memories, and the most vivid are of this last three years. The time when a Hollow attacked their house, trying to find Ichigo, but Rukia changed their memories. The time when she helped Ichigo's friend defeat a Hollow, and the Karakura superheroes. Everything, all of it, and… Toshiro. Karin looked up even though her head aches, and found the white-haired captain. "Toshiro…" Her eyes moved to Rukia. "Rukia-nee…"
Nanami who heard the name of her sister looked at Karin. She noticed Karin's grimaced and pained expression. "Are you okay, Karin-chan? Are you feeling alright?"
The Captain Commander just finished his speech, and Karin tried to smile. " I'm alright, Nanami-chan. You remember me telling you that I have a brother? The girl over there, Rukia-nee, she's my brother's girlfriend."
"What!?" Nanami shouted. All eyes fell on her, and the room quieted. Nanami blushed.
"Karin!" Toshiro and Rukia called. The people watched as the two rushed to the girl who shouted.
Whispers began around the room. "Who is she?
"Why are members of Gotei 13 happy to see her?"
" Is she a noble?"
"Isn't she embarrassed? She created a disruption."
"Quiet!" The Captain Commander commands. "The Assembly is done. Go to your first class." The students shut up and race towards the doors. Karin stayed because she can't stop her Rukia-nee from trying to hug her to death. Nanami can't go because she's waiting for Karin, besides her first class is voluntary.
"Karin, how are you? You remember me? I'm Ruki-"
"I remember you, Rukia-nee. I remembered you a long time ago. You were with Ichi-nii." Karin told the petite girl. "But all my memories came back to me when the Captain Commander talked about my brother and the Winter War." Karin looked at the soutaicho. "Arigato gozaimasu. If not for your speech, I will be clueless until now. And… gomen. I didn't plan to create a gossip."
"No! It's my fault, Karin-chan. If I didn't shout, the people won't look our way, and you'll be on your first class by now. Sumimasen." Nanami said, bowing continuously.
Karin touched Nanami's shoulder and stopped her from doing dogeza. Karin began lecturing her friend about confidence and one sorry is enough if you're sincere, and that she shouldn't kneel down readily because people will see you as weak and can be taken advantage of.
The captains and vice-captains looked at them amusedly. "Karin…" Toshiro called. Why do it feels like she's not noticing me?
Karin looked at him, and gave him a big smile. "Toshiro! Let's play soccer again!"
Hinamori watched as Toshiro's face brightened. She bowed her head when Toshiro hugged Karin, and looked into the girl's eyes before letting her go.
"So, you're Kurosaki's sister! Are you as strong as him like Uruhara said?" Kenpachi asked Karin.
"I want to watch Kenny and small boobs-san play together!" Yachiru added. (A/N: That didn't sound right.)
Karin looked at them. "Ummm…." She doesn't know what to say. And why do this pink fur ball have to state the obvious?
"Nice meeting you, Karin-chan." Unohana said, before smiling at Kenpachi. He backed down.
Interesting. "The pleasure is mine, ah…" Karin automatically replied.
"Unohana Retsu. You can call me Unohan-taicho, Karin-chan."
"Hai!" Karin answered.
Soi-fong walked near the girl. "Can you really catch up with Yoruichi-sama's speed even if you're on your human body?"
"Quit attacking her. Kurosaki Karin, can I asked you something?"
"Of course, soutaicho." Karin answered.
"Why did you enter the Academy when you're already versed on Hakudo, Hoho, and Zanjutsu?"
"Captain Commander, I set my futon on fire days after Nanami…" Karin looked at her friend. "Took me in. She's also the one who convinced me to take the entrance exam. As for the things I'm already versed, I haven't tried to use shunpo as a spirit yet. I haven't practice my hand-to-hand moves in nearly a month, and I haven't touch any sword, too."
"Miss Nanami, what made you convince her about attending here?"
All eyes focused on the girl who has long black hair swept up in a high ponytail with beautiful violet eyes that looked eerily like Rukia's. "Ahmmm… I was trying to enter the Academy for years now, but…I lacked reiatsu. When I felt Karin-chan's reiatsu that morning, I know that she needs to enter the Academy so she could control it. I didn't know that she's already…"
"I understand. Your fast thinking helped us a lot. Hitsugaya-taicho can now concentrate on his work because of you." Yamamoto said. Toshiro blushed and Karin grinned at him. "As for you, Kurosaki-san, do you still wish to attend school, or should I assign someone to be your personal tutor?"
"Ah! That is not needed, soutaicho. I will be attending school with Nanami-chan. Even though we have different classes, I still want to be with her. Besides, I still don't have my shikai."
"Oh, yeah! My first class! Where's Izuru-sensei?" Nanami said. She looked for her teacher but he's not there anymore.
"…He went to welcome his class." Byakuya talked for the first time. He met the violet eyes again.
"Oh no! I'm sorry, Karin-chan, I was planning to go to class with Izuru-sensei, but I wasn't paying attention. I need to go. Nice meeting you all." She bowed and turned to leave.
"I'll walk you to your class..."Byakuya said.
"Kobayashi. I'm Kobayashi Nanami. Please, you don't need to, Kuchiki-sensei…"
"I insist. Don't worry, I'm late for my class, too, and I need to get going." And he led the girl out of the hall.
"So you wished to stay? Then you can go to your class now, Kurosaki Karin." The soutaicho said. He smiled at the child and turn around to leave. The others remaining started to leave too, and then it was only Karin, Toshiro, Matsumoto, and Rukia.
Rukia looked at the two teens and dragged Matsumoto out. "Hey Rukia, what are you doing? I haven't congratulated Karin for passing yet. Why do you need to drag me out of there?"
"Matsumoto-san, do you wish for your uptight captain to loosen up?" She asked Matsumoto. The other lieutenant nodded. "Then let's leave the two lovebirds by themselves." Matsumoto looked at Rukia, and when she realized what the girl said, she grinned.
Toshiro and Karin watched as Rukia pulled Matsumoto out of the room, then he looked at the girl beside him. "Karin…"
Karin addressed him. "Toshiro, you heard the Captain Commander. I need to go to my first class now. Talk to you later." She began walking away but Toshiro tugged on her wrist, successfully stopping her.
"I'll wait for you in front of the school when your classes are finished. I expect you to be there."
Karin looked at him once more and nodded. Toshiro watched as she walked out.
"So, I'm here, Kuchiki-sensei. Thank you for accompanying me." Nanami told Byakuya and bowed.
Byakuya stared at the bowed form before him. "Hn." And with that he left. Nanami watched him go before entering the classroom.
"Ah, Izuru-sensei… Sorry, I'm late." Nanami interrupted Izuru's first day speech.
"You are Kobayashi Nanami, correct? Thank you for helping as find Ichigo's sister. Go on, take a seat."
"Ahhh, you're welcome?" Nanami answered before climbing up the stairs and sitting down on the third center row. She could feel the gazes of her classmates, and there's definitely something wrong on them.
Karin knocked on the door. "Gengoro-sensei… I-"
"Oh, someone is late on the first class already!" The teasing voice of the man was heard. The class laughed, not only because of what their sensei said but also because some are really laughing at Karin.
"Gomenasai, Sensei." Karin said after glaring at the class, especially to those who laughed at her. I could tell the difference, idiots.
"It's okay, Miss. Why don't you come in front and introduce yourself?
Karin stands in front of the class. "I am…" she hesitated. "I am Kurosaki Karin."
A/N: Minna~san, a new chapter again! Thank God for weekends! I just want to thank all whom favorite and followed Hitsugaya Karin. They are: BloodyMe, NaLuNaruHinaluvr23, Libiky, Xingnai, Kagome Echizen Fan, henshin7, finchyyy, KumiTiny, rebel.17, ShadowWolf62400, cris08.1991, Dotted-Daffodil, KorPa, Meganlei, CalaverasandTattoos, and Ziya Hitsugaya. And we have three new followers! They are ArtemisKirara7, CrazyMeowRager, and Didd23. Thank you very much!
BloodyMe: I don't have my own account and I asked my twin sister to post my story in her account. I'm just a reader like you, but then I suddenly have this idea, and I just need to write it. Anyways, thank you for commenting.
KumiTiny: Thank you for commenting and loving the chapter. I came home from school and did my homework before writing the chapter, and I don't even know what I'm typing. It's not planned, I just want to give you guys a new chapter that will be satisfying. Thank you very much again.