"Too slow," a taunting voice called playfully across the rocky landscape.
A flash of color. "Or not," another voice joined the first. Yoruichi's yellow eyes narrowed as she sensed a presence behind her. The littlest bit of reiatsu gave the kid away.
"Not quiet enough." Another flash of clothes, and the woman was gone, on the other side of the training room. "Mask yourself better."
"I'm trying," Karin grumbled from her side of the room, perched atop a mass of rocks. So far, she had several bruises, from her teacher. They weren't bad, just reminders not to let her guard down. The lessons for controlling her reiatsu had progressed to fighting and using some of her spiritual powers in dangerous situations.
It had become a daily thing to meet Yoruichi for lessons after supper. After a while of only learning to control herself, Karin had become bored and asked to be taught shunpo, her teacher was only too happy to show her. The young girl had progressed quickly, emotionally and physically.
Yoruichi watched patiently as her student tried to block up her over pouring power. This would be much easier in soul form. The thought just passed through her mind, it wasn't even a direct one. But for some reason, she found herself in front of the raven haired girl, shoving her spirit out.
Karin gasped in surprise as a jerk rippled through her whole being. One second she was staring at a blank eyed Yoruichi, the next, her own lifeless body. Oh no she didn't. A scowl fell into place, ready to let the woman have it.
But, looking down, the teen felt her heart stop. Black robes billowed around her petite form, something strapped to her back, like Ichigo. No, no, she was not like her brother. Karin's mind rejected the idea. Ichi-nii was a shinigami, a hero, a protector, a liar, a deserter, not her, never her. Karin was just the little sister who gave snarky comments, nothing else.
Anger flared through Karin as stormy eyes rose to her sensei's.
"Interesting," a voice cut through the charged air. Both females' heads shot to the ladder. Urahara was next to them in a flash, literally. "You didn't even need interference from shinigami powers. Hmmm," the man hummed as he stared at the young girl.
"Put me back," Karin ground out, eyes aflame. "I told you, I'm not my brother." And then there was that shred of doubt again, but it was different this time. The middle Kurosaki felt more comfortable in her spirit form than her own flesh and blood. It felt like she was meant to be that way, not the other way around.
That's because you're supposed to, idiot. Karin jumped at the little voice whispering at the back of her mind. Great, now she was going crazy.
Kisuke kept a steady eye on the girl. "Are you sure?" he finally asked, expression hooded by the hat sitting on his head.
No, the teen thought.
"Karin," Yoruichi spoke up, voice soft. "I apologize, but my curiosity got the better of me." A beat of silence. "Just remember, this decision is yours, and we will be there for you the whole way." The hard woman smiled gently at her pupil. It seemed like the two had been biding their time until this one moment, until Karin was ready to face herself.
"J-Just let me think about it, okay?" a quiet voice whispered from under a shadow of a face.
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White pieces of a mask clattered to the ground. Karin panted slightly. Another thing to add to her pro con list, it would be easier to defeat hollows in spirit form. Especially with a sword. Katana, whatever. Seriously, they needed to just give weapons a general name, it was really annoying memorizing all the differen-
A whimper came from behind the out of breath teen. Whipping around, Karin realized she had a guest. A young girl stood before her, light brown eyes filled with tears, two blond pigtails hanging from her head, a chain sprouting from her little chest. The small child looked no more than seven. Karin's heart ached.
"Th-thank you," the tiny spirit stuttered out. The playground backed her, a jungle gym empty, swings creaking ominously. Creepy much? "Are you a soul reaper?" The question caught the raven haired Kurosaki off guard. "Other spirits keep telling me about them, saying they help us to heaven." A hopeful looked spread across the girl's face.
"I'm sorry, I'm not." Karin's heart hurt worse as the small face fell.
"It's okay," the child assured, "it just gets lonely sometimes and I want to see Mama again." The admission was whispered and sad.
Karin felt something jerk at her emotions. "What's your name?" she asked gently, trying for the natural kindness of Yuzu. It didn't work.
The kid perked up slightly, though. "Mai," she responded happily.
A smile spread across the elder's face. "Pretty name, I'm Karin." She paused, thinking for a second. "How about this Mai, right now I'm working on becoming a Soul Reaper, but I don't have many friends that can hang out this late. Why don't I come by after training and we can play?" A lump formed in her throat as Mai beamed joyously. Maybe this was why Ichigo became a shinigami.
"Oh that'll be so much fun." Like a child, the kid forgot her worries, content with a new friend."Thank you Karin." Mai kept on chattering away about the fun they'd have. A warm feeling spread in Karin's chest, apparently she wasn't immune to maternal feelings, or maybe it was that other half of Yuzu that was always linked. Either way, it felt good.
A smile spread across the new soul reaper's face. But a beeping interrupted the happy moment. Karin glanced at her watch, it was half past ten, that was probably old goat face calling. Sighing, the raven haired teen said farewell to her new friend and headed home.
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The next day, the middle Kurosaki arrived at the shop early. Skipping greetings, Karin walked up to Yoruichi and bowed. "Please teach me, sensei." Urahara had never seen his friend so excited. Oh Kami, help the poor kid.