AN SPOILERS AN

Alright I lied.

I couldn't ressist.

VioTanequl set too good an example for speed.

Woo hoo! Welcome to the next chapter!

Um preface, let me explain. I wasn't going to write about Karin and Sado because, hell, I didn't know they existed. I stumbled across Karin/Hitsugaya pretty early on in my Bleach reading (I found them before I found HitsuHina) and I thought they were okay. Then I found HitsuHina and I was all "oh hell yes this rules!" so I was going to put Karin in as kind of an obstacle.

Then I found Karin/Sado and I was hooked. Seriously there are so few fics about them but they are such a sweet pairing. I'm a sucker for pairings like that as anyone whose read my Naruto stories knows (GaaMatsu 4 ever!!). Since I have much love for pairings like that I decided to throw them in here!

Oh and Grimmjow/Soifon get a little, uh, naughty at the end of their sparring match (like you didn't see it coming). It's nothing too citrusy (yet, oh just you wait...I did it again. Damn it! Must stop teasing you all) but if you're a kid or you clicked on this K+ story because you don't like that kinda thing then look away! The middle part of this story isn't for you!

Oh and I promise that Ulquiorra will be back in the next chapter! I'm not all mean and tease you with little glimpses and then he vanishes for lots of chapters! Yeah, so what the hell is with that?! He pulls out his sword and then it's all "Beauty is Strength". Not that I don't LOVE the Vice Captains owning the Fraccion but I'd much rather know what Ulquiorra's Zanpakto is!

Anywhoo...

Once again a massive, huge thank you to VioTanequl whose a kick ass awsome Beta Reader!!

AN SPOILERS AN

Visiting his grave was just about the strangest thing that Sado had ever done. But there it was; his name, the date of his birth and death, all written out in the stone. It wasn't a lot, hell there wasn't a lot to say, but it was enough for him. He had always been a man of few words; he supposed that it went with the fact that most people didn't particularly care what he had to say. Under the dirt he knew his physical body was decomposing. Over it he stood in his spiritual one, looking down at the last proof that he had once lived.

"Hey."

He turned his head more out of courtesy than actual need. Karin had always had a very distinct voice, one he could have recognized from a mile away. Admittedly he first noticed it because it always seemed to be yelling at Ichigo for something or another. After all he had first known her as 'Ichigo's little sister', the black haired half of Ichigo's twin sisters. He knew she was the tomboy, the one who could kick like it was nobody's business, the one who had sworn she would never cry after her mother's death. He knew she didn't cry over his grave and for that he was very glad. He would not want to be the one to make her break her promise.

After all, he remembered her so there wasn't a real point in shedding tears. She walked forward calmly coming to stand next to him. She was dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, her black hair barely brushing her shoulders. In one hand she held a black box by her side. Though she had not expected to encounter him there she was not one to hide away from her goal. Except of course when it came to her brother but, then again, Sado had seen Ichigo fight and had no desire to take his orange-haired friend on because he happened to be madly in love with his little sister. He had doubt though that both Kurosaki men would find a way to kill him all over again if they ever found out.

He was dead now though, and even if he had no doubt that in a few years he would see Karin running in and out of gigais the fact was that she was still young and he was still old. He was her 'brother's best friend' and she was 'Ichigo's little sister' and despite being told that it didn't matter he couldn't help but feel that it did—whenever he wasn't with her. When he was with her nothing mattered but her and him. As she stood close to him, close enough so that he could feel her body warmth, the numerous reasons why this was a bad idea fell silent as she looked at the grave with him. At his grave.

"Here," she said holding out the box.

"Thank you," he said softly accepting it.

"Don't thank me yet, you haven't even seen what's inside," she said, her eyes darting to his face almost nervously.

He said nothing, just worked the box open. The coin his grandfather had given him had been lost in the chaos of the battle. By the time he had found it, it had been broken and he had been about to die. Now, lying in the box on a velvet cushion was the coin. He couldn't even see the cracks in the metal. Karin shifted her weight, waiting for his reaction.

"Karin—"

"Lame, I know," she said hurriedly, "but I'm not really a flowers kinda girl and I knew how much that meant to you," she continued in a rush, "the mortician asked if we wanted it buried with you but I told him no and I got it fixed and I just though you'd want to have it—"she stopped as one of his arms wrapped around her shoulders.

"Thank you," he repeated.

"You're welcome," she said with a smile as he ran a finger down the coin, remembering the man who gave it to him.

"Karin maybe you should—"

"Don't say it," she cut him off.

"That you should get a living boyfriend," he stated, his voice not making it a suggestion.

"Yes that," she rolled her eyes, "I'll tell you right now, I'm going to ignore it when you say stupid shit like that."

He said nothing about her copying her brother's line; she hadn't even been there when he said it the first time. Maybe it was just a Kurosaki thing. Now that he knew Isshin had been a Soul Reaper he thought that perhaps all members of Ichigo's family were just as crazy. He liked Ichigo well enough and he really liked Karin so he didn't think it would be such a bad thing. He had always been painfully aware of their age difference but she was so 'off limits' for being Ichigo's sister that it had been a secondary concern. But now as he looked at her didn't know what to think, after all he had always imagined having children, grandchildren, a family. He wouldn't do that now, especially not with her.

He didn't know how to say that, how to tell her that. Instead he simply tightened his arm around her shoulders and hoped his strength would be enough.

Break

Five minutes into their impromptu sparring session, people had started to trickle in, lured by the powerful bursts of Reiatsu.

Ten minutes in and pretty much all of the 11th and 2nd Divisions were packed into the training room.

Twenty minutes in, and they were both much closer to being shirtless, chests heaving and sweat stark on their bodies, but neither was willing to give the other the victory.

Grimmjow was starting to have trouble concentrating. It didn't matter that the petite spitfire across from him had already climbed over him, that they had already technically kissed, it just mattered that she was standing there, breathing hard with her chest heaving and his eyes were having trouble focusing on the moves she was throwing at him. Still he was unwilling to give in; he would have thrown some insults her way but at the moment he was already a bit too preoccupied with breathing, so insulting was out. They were well matched, he and her. Their strength, their speed, they were formidable partners both when they fought together and when their anger was directed a certain elsewhere.

Suddenly Soifon appeared in front of him, he barely had time to smack her hand away and jump the foot that came dangerously close to making him a bit less of a man. Without any visible effort she altered her course mid-air, her other hand wrapping around his wrist. Before he had time to react the hand he smacked away came around so her arms were behind her back, locked around his wrist. He reached up to shake her off which was apparently what she expected since her feet slammed into his knees, disabling them before she landed and he all but impaled himself on the elbow she threw backwards as he fell.

She turned around with a confident smirk, obviously assured of her victory only to have him swing his leg around, hitting her left ankle into her right, his other leg locking around her right ankle. Unbalanced she tipped backwards, but before she could fall she twisted so her weight landed on her outstretched hands. She used the leverage to swing her legs up and, on that alone, threw him onto his stomach. Before he could come up with any other attacks he felt her knees land on either side of his hips, her hands locking around his forearms. He felt her breath on his neck and smirked. She may have thought she won but he was bigger and when they were on the ground he had the advantage. He shifted his hips and extended his arms, breaking her hold and flipping them so she was under him and he was on top, straddling her.

"Sorry, I like to be on top," he purred, smirking, his eyes drunk on the battle and the woman underneath him.

She proved she was far more flexible when she slammed her knee into his chin, hooking a leg around his shoulder and flipping them once again, effectively pinning him under her weight. One of her knees slammed into his stomach, blowing the air from his lungs and dug in, hindering his ability to take another breath. She may have been more flexible but he was taller and bigger and when grappling on the floor, that gave him the advantage. He slid his hand up her leg—a little higher than was necessary, but hey—and pulled, disabling her center of gravity. She rolled onto her stomach automatically but he had already covered her body with his own. She turned her head and glared at him, her eyes promising all kinds of pain.

His eyes promised something else entirely.

Ignoring the heat that rose in her body, Soifon lowered her elbow fractionally before thrusting it backwards with as much momentum as she could muster. He loosened his hold enough for her to kick out and send him farther back. She rolled away and shoved herself to her feet where she knew that the advantage would once again be in her favor. Grimmjow smirked and stood as well, ignoring the muscles that protested the action. Both hesitated for a fraction of a second, their eyes searching the other's weaknesses out. Then, like two tidal waves they raced at each other. They collided with equal force, slamming into each other. Arms and legs locked, chests pressed against each other. Grimmjow smirked, confident of his victory but Soifon had been fighting against those who underestimated her for a very, very long time. That was why she didn't use a flash step. As they collided, as their arms locked she dug her heels in and turned, using their momentum to her advantage and literally throwing Grimmjow over her back.

He hit the ground with a thud, dust rising around him. Soifon stood over him breathing hard and felt her lips quirk up in a smirk.

"That wasn't so—" he brought his leg around, knocking hers out from under her before catching her in the stomach, slamming her into the ground with equal force. Soifon hit the ground with the same cloud of dust.

The two of them lay there breathing hard, waiting for their hearts to stop pounding and their heads to stop spinning. Finally Soifon pushed herself up. Grimmjow did the same. Both sat on the training ground as people waited for them to keep fighting.

"Draw?" she challenged.

"Draw," he accepted finally.

People filed out of the room, leaving the two alone, grumbling about money, bets and the such. Soifon smiled and pushed herself to her feet, extending a hand down. Grimmjow raised an eyebrow but accepted it none the less, straightening to his considerable height. Soifon looked up at him, her eyes dancing and shrugged.

"We'll have to use Zanpakuto's next time," she said finally.

"No! No way in hell," he snapped.

"Scared?" she challenged, arching an eyebrow.

"Not on your life," he smirked before glaring again, "But having been stabbed—many times—by your Zanpakuto I'd like to avoid the experience again."

"Are you afraid of my Zanpakuto?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with unconcealed delight.

"Am I what?!" he demanded, "Hell no! I'm not afraid of your Zanpak—"

She stabbed him.

In the cheek.

He didn't even see it coming!

He let out a sound somewhere between a snarl and a growl before slamming her back against the wall in retaliation. It was somewhat ill placed because between being stabbed and slamming her into the wall he lost his balance he pinned her there with his body. She looked up at him, Suzumebachi dangling from her finger and her crest blossoming on his cheek. For some reason in that moment, watching her mark spread across the skin that Orihime had wiped clean, Soifon felt something almost, well, possessive roar to life. She had marked him with her crest though their battle was over. She hadn't minded his skin all scarred, it wasn't like her own was unblemished. She didn't like the smooth skin of his cheek anymore than he did. It was like someone had taken away a prize, a trophy and he seemed to feel the same way.

She was very aware of the cool wall at the exposed skin of her back and the very warm body at her front pinning her there, his hands locking her wrists to either side of her head. Her feet dangled off the floor, throwing their height difference into sharp relief. She could feel his labored breath on her face, coursing down, down past the exposed skin of her neck, down past the opening of her robe. Her grey eyes found his dark blue-green ones and she found herself suddenly unable to look anywhere else. They had been here before, of course, but she had been drugged and he had been far more focused on saving her than anything else. She felt drugged at the moment but this was a different kind of drugged entirely.

So when she opened her mouth to take a breath, it gave him the only opening he needed.

He crashed their lips together with enough force to send waves coursing through her jaw. She didn't care. Hell, he could break her jaw and she'd still be kissing him. His hands let go of her wrists to brace his body against the wall, and her, more effectively. He didn't kiss her like he imagined Ulquiorra would have kissed Orihime. He kissed her like he fought her, like she was a warrior. He heard Suzumebachi transform into its normal sword form and the blade clatter to the ground as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, her fingers digging into the muscles in his shoulder blades.

He felt her push away from the wall and all but slam him into the ground, bracing her weight on her forearms and straddling his hips. She pulled back and put her face close to his ear. Apparently he wasn't the only one who could purr because he swore that was what she did when she whispered.

"Looks like I'm on top tonight."

Break

Halibel's eyes narrowed fractionally at the door where the fight had taken place before her features smoothed out. So Grimmjow and Soifon—the relationship might be pushing it at this point but there was obviously a lot of mutual respect between the two of them and that was probably the best way to start out. Ulquiorra and Orihime were matched up as well. She sighed, thinking of how she chided Apache for getting involved in that ridiculous betting pool. She had been on the losing side though, believing in Ulquiorra's abilities to control Orihime.

"Spying, Bel-Bel?"

"If you insist on acting like an adult, you should call people by their names," Halibel stated coolly.

"Yeah, but then we'd rhyme and that would be weird," Nel argued, half-pouting.

Halibel said nothing, she did, after all, have a point.

"Where are Dondochakka and Sun Sun?" she asked.

"Talking to Urahara," Nel answered, "Apparently there's still more guilt to go around on the part of Soul Society 'cause they're trying to figure out a way to help them."

"That's ridiculous," Halibel said.

"Helping them?" Nel demanded, arching an eyebrow and looking vaguely insulted.

"Feeling guilty," Halibel continued smoothly, "Though it was not their intention, Soul Society gave Aizen the means to our creation. We were created and we followed Aizen," she said, and even though Nel opened her mouth, she continued on, "It was, it was wrong of us to do so," she said, "The fact we didn't know any better is not an excuse, we did attack Soul Society. Now we are Shinigami, thanks once again to Soul Society. Whatever wrongs they have done us, we must try to forgive, for however guilty they are, so are we."

"I know," Nel said looking down momentarily before looking at her again, the sparkled back in her eyes, "So are Grimmjow and Soifon really having sex in there?"

"I wouldn't doubt it," Halibel said before grabbing the back of Nel's robe as she started forward, "Leave them."

"We shouldn't leave people behind, Bel-Bel."

"Nel, stop being a pervert," she said, "If you're so desperate to see it, why don't you go and talk to that Vice Captain with the tattoos?"

"I am not desp—what do you mean go talk to Renji?" she narrowed her eyes.

"I was unaware that statement had multiple meaning," Halibel said.

"You think—you really—" Nel sputtered indignantly, "That's impossible," Halibel raised an eyebrow, "I mean, I'm a former Espada, that's kinda weird, I was a kid when I met him too. And besides," she raised her chin, "He's still in love with Byakuya's little sister."

"Do you still think about Nnoitra?"

Nel's eyes widened in surprise before narrowing in anger. Her fingers twitched though she kept them away from the scar that was where they really wanted to go. Finally she crossed her arms under her considerable chest and looked down unhappily.

"Sometimes," she admitted.

"Do you still love him?"

"No," she said with a shake of her head.

"Well then," she crossed her arms, "what makes you think Renji doesn't have the same thing? Just because Rukia broke his heart and not his face doesn't mean your situations are all that different."

"He did not break my face!" Nel cried indignantly, "the scar looks cool."

Halibel smiled faintly before nodding her consent.

"I've been summoned to the Central 46," Halibel said finally, "I'm late," she turned to go, "Nel."

"Mm?" she turned around.

"You could have killed him," she said after a moment, "If you were in your real form, you would have won."

"Thanks," Nel said softly.

Halibel inclined her head and walked off. Nel hurried back to her room. As soon as she got inside, she dropped all her cloths and walked over to the mirror. Assorted scars and marks from battles she survived decorated her skin. The most obvious was the scar that cut across her face, right through the pink mark that stretched under her eyes. That and the odd, molted outline of the 3 on her back. She didn't know why it didn't go all away but it was there and she didn't like that. The one mark she liked, the pink one, was ruined because of that asshole Nnoitra.

He double-teamed her. The bastard had fought her two against one. She was supposed to be stronger than him! Stronger than both of them but in the end they had won. She hated that. She had analyzed every second of the too-short battle, every move and every flaw. All she could see was that she had been too horrified about Dondochakka and Pesche to react properly. Her mistake had landed them in a lot of trouble. But he had deliberately attacked her Fraccion, her precious friends and that was truly unforgivable in her eyes. Up until that moment, she would say that a part of her had hoped he'd come around, that he'd see her for what she was and accept that. He never had. For him, it would always be about being the best, she just hadn't realized that the only one who he truly saw as ahead of him was her.

She supposed in a way she should be flattered that he considered her such an obstacle. Their relationship had been a strange one, to say the very least. After all he may have thought of her as an obstacle and she may have thought of him as an asshole but none of the other Espada dared to insult her in his presence and if they fought him they knew that if the day came when she did decide to kill him it was her that would strike the final blow, no-one else. The only time he would get truly angry was when she would tell him he was not a warrior. He had miles of pride and that, in his eyes, was the worst insult of them all. She had called him that in their last battle, was that why he had done what he did? No, no she had called him that before and he certainly didn't attack Fraccion then. It was kind of ironic though because he didn't consider them warriors. It would seem that in their private battle, everyone was a player.

Neliel knew she should have kept a better eye on them. She shouldn't have lost sight of them so soon after her battle with Nnoitra. But she had and they had and there was little to be done about it now. Nel pulled her robes up again and hurried out of her room, she had things she needed to do. Like thank Dondochakka. Once she had lost her status and mask, he and Pesche had no obligation to protect her. But they had, they had kept her safe from Las Noches, from Nnoitra, from everything they possibly could.

She found Dondochakka and Sun Sun in Urahara's lab talking to him.

"Ah, Nel," Urahara smiled, "here to see Dondochakka?"

"Uh huh," she turned to Sun Sun, "Bel-Bel had to go meet in the Central 46 but she'll be here soon okay?" the Arrancar smiled faintly and nodded. Nel led Dondochakka to another part of the room and threw her arms around him, "thank you!"

"Nel?!" he cried, his eyes wide.

"You kept me safe, you protected me, you didn't have to do that. It was my fault that this happened and I'm so sorry for everything—"

"No, no, no," he shook his head, "it was that bastard's fault, not yours. Pesche and I agreed that it was his fault," he looked at her with seriousness she vaguely remembered in his eyes, "so you don't apologize okay?"

"Okay," she said finally.

"I gotta go talk to Urahara now," he said.

"Be careful! If you need anything call me!"

He gave a half-bow and hurried over. Nel smiled and quickly went on her way, there was one other thing she need to do at that moment. She went to the Sixth Division but couldn't find him there. Apparently no-one had seen him all morning. She frowned and walked out of the building feeling rather downcast. She needed to see him now and she couldn't find him.

"Well, well, well. It's the former Espada," a Shinigami, one who had obviously been injured glared. Nel turned her head.

'I'm a Shinigami now," she said stepping back, not wanting to fight him.

"Well not to us you're not!" he snarled, a few other men coming out. Nel's hand went instantly for Gamuza, "Gonna attack us, little Shinigami—"

A throat clear was all it took for Captain Hitsugaya to get their attention. He stood behind Nel, looking at them all with cold eyes. Nel turned her head to see him. His head barely came up to her shoulder but she had no doubt that he would kill them all in a heartbeat. Nearby him stood Hinamori, her fingers resting near Tobiume's hilt. The men glared but said nothing. They didn't move away either. It was like a standoff.

"What the hell are you doing?" Hitsugaya demanded, his voice cold as ice.

"This Esp—"

"This is a Shinigami," he snapped, "the Espada are no more and you'd do well to remember that."

"You're defending her?" he demanded.

"Defending me?!" Nel cried, "I don't need him to defend me! I'll kill you myself!"

"That's enough, Vice Captain!" Hitsugaya cut her off.

"Huh?" Nel was so shocked she froze, one foot in the air. Hitsugaya regarded her coldly, obviously waiting for something, "I mean—uh—yes, Captain," she said putting her foot down and bowing.

"And next time don't leave without your badge," he said pulling it from his sleeve and pressing it into her chest, "As for you three, I suggest you leave before I give my Vice Captain permission to murder you where you stand."

"Y-yes," they all ran off very quickly.

Hitsugaya turned to face Nel who quickly extended the badge back towards him, knowing that he was helping her out.

"Thanks for your help," she said. He made no move to take it back, 'This is—"

"It's yours if you want it," he said, "My Division needs a Vice Captain."

"B-but," she stuttered, "But what about everyone from your Division?"

"Everyone who was so quick to want to replace Matsumoto?" he asked before shaking his head, "I won't elevate someone like that. I know you've decided to stay in Soul Society. You're a more than adequate fighter and I need someone like you in my Division," she looked at the badge then back at him, "If you need time to think about it—"

"Nope," she said shaking her head and holding the badge, "Uh, which arm—"

"Left," Hinamori supplied helpfully, a smile coming to her face.

"Okay," Nel said tugging it up.

"I expect you at the division at 5pm, we have to discuss things," he said with a nod of dismissal.

"Yes, Captain Hitsugaya," she said respectfully.

"See?" he turned to Hinamori, "She calls me Captain Hitsugaya."

"Yes, Toshiro," she rolled her eyes, "But she's not dating you is she?" he shook his head, "That's what I thought," she grabbed his hand, "Come on."

"Grr, where are we going Momo?"

"It's a surprise!"

"Momo!"

Nel watched them go before turning her attention to her Vice Captain's armband.

"Vice Captain?" Renji let out a low whistle, "Under Captain Hitsugaya? Well that guy's got taste."

"There you are!" Nel cried.

"Here I am," he said crossing his arms, "what's up?"

"I need your help."

"My help?" he frowned, "what's going on?"

Nel squared her shoulders.

"I want to get a tattoo."