AN: I am so sorry. I've been really busy lately and every time i tried to write, it was crap. In exchange for your forgiveness i will give you a chapter, that good? Okay, here you go...
fan girl 666: thank you!
Every shadow has its twin: Gracias and tadah!
Disclaimer: Nom nom nom...yeah, that was reality nomming any of my hopes of working on Bleach.
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Life passes so quickly. One moment you're crying in a crib, the next, laughing with friends in hallways of knowledge. For Karin, it seemed even faster.
A few weeks ago, she was a regular teen. Just starting high school with Yuzu. Dealing with an AWOL brother and insane father. Oh, and let's not forget those damn skirts perverts at school liked to look up. Of course, those perverts were quickly hospitalized. I wonder if their faces are back to normal yet?
Who cares? An annoyed voice hissed. Please focus. If we become the laughing stock of the Eleventh, I'm gonna-
Karin rolled her eyes, ignoring her zanpakuto's irritable narrative. Zeroing in on her opponent, she assessed the severity of this situation.
A mad grin of glee greeted a roving gaze. That, and a blinding glare from a bare head. Did he shine it in the morning or something? If so, what type of wax? So…shiny, it'd probably distract a squirrel…
Wouldn't put it past the bastards…Hi no Shinzo grumbled. Stupid butt head is more interested in sleeping, though…
The young shinigami smirked. It was a bit refreshing knowing another zanpakuto could get under her partner's skin. Apparently, Hozukimaru was a bit of a lazy ass, and, well… Hi no didn't like him, let's just leave it at that.
A loud, exasperated sigh cut through the quiet courtyard, dust still settling from the last collision. "Can you two get this over with? It's not beautiful to fight in such a public setting, gorgeous days like this shouldn't be marred wit-."
"Shut it, Feathers," someone growled. "You'll wake up Yachiru with your whining."
Yumichika pouted. Poor man was still sore from his own defeat at the hands of the small Kurosaki. The fifth seat might be more enamored with looks, but even he could have his pride hurt. Being downed in five minutes by such an opponent was disgraceful. Really, who would have thought such a tiny girl could pack such a wallop? Not Aysegawa, obviously. Karin hadn't even had to unsheathe her shikai. Embarrassing. Also, his beautiful hair was still a bit singed, making the inky locks look uneven. That bitch…
"Yeah, shut it feathers!" A voice shouted from the gathered crowd, standing in a small ring around the Eleventh Division barracks. Several jeers followed, only paused when the little lieutenant shifted. As quick as they spread, words were silenced. No one wanted to wake a cranky vice captain, especially the pinkette one.
Zaraki Kenpachi nodded in satisfaction. The man was so proud his little girl could inspire so much fear in their subordinates. "Good, now get your asses in gear and someone draw first blood," a booming voice commanded, the last part grumbled out.
Yamamoto had ordered certain limits on the newest shinigami's training. Even the old man didn't want to deal with three angry Kurosakis.
Feathers sighed.
Karin turned back to her opponent. Madarame was still grinning maniacally. Not. Comforting.
Kami, they're not even worth the sweat! Hi no Shinzo whined. It's just first blood, let's hit 'em a few more times, then make this place a shooting range. Huh? Whattaya say?
…That's probably the smartest thing you've ever said.
Thank yo- Hey!
Smirking, grey eyes locked with brown, tuning out the mental rant going on in her head.
Ikkaku's grin widened, seeing that familiar determination of finality lighting in the girl's eyes. He'd seen it three times this week, each time quickly snuffed out by quick attacks from himself. You'd think Ichigo's sister would be a bit more patient than her brother, but no, she just kept coming back for more. Oh well, Ikakku'd just have to give her what she wanted.
Shrugging, the man raised his spear-like zanpakuto. "You ready for this, princess?" he called across the arena.
The young woman just gave a cocky grin, reaffirming her grip and stance.
Third seat Madarame Ikkaku charged, on offense yet again. A quick flash step (because after their first match, he knew the midget Kurosaki really was the Goddess of Flash's little protégé) and he was barely a foot away from the girl. She was still rooted to the spot.
Right as the spear came down, a blur shot through the air. Just as he predicted, the kid was gone in a flash of black. No one had even seen her take a step. That strategy had destroyed hundreds of Eleventh Division combatants, but even Karin knew she was in higher ranks, with smarter fighters who didn't give up and have a unpredictable strategies. Kinda sucks.
Turning quickly, 'Baldy' spotted the Kurosaki perched atop a wall. It was all the way on the other side of their courtyard. Right where Ikkaku had just been.
"Stop playing cat and mouse, Kurosaki! Dammit!" Seriously, it could get really annoying. The Eleventh Division had actually witnessed one match where the girl made a man run back and forth about a hundred times. Now, that was a bit funny, but when each of them experienced it, the hilarity vanished.
Karin smirked. Sitting on her wall, the young woman swung tiny legs, like a child. Yachiru and her had sat up there for hours, once, watching as Yumichika tried to coax the lieutenant down for her bath. They'd only come down when Kenpachi arrived with a basket of candy. The man knew them too well.
Only cause you're a sucker for chocolate pokey…
If I remember correctly, you were the one who made me steal some caramel for you.
Hey! Hi no exclaimed. You never feed me!
A pause. Zanpakutos don't need to be fed, they're spirits. You feed off my spiritual pressure…moocher.
…Can we just torch this guy?
No, you're a moocher!
I don't wanna talk about this anymore!
Moo-
I said good day!
The smallest of smiles fell over Karin's face. Alright, alright, let's do this thing. You ready?
…No, I have to go to the bathroom first? What do you think? A double edged voice drawled sarcastically.
Rolling her eyes, the Kurosaki tuned back into her surroundings. It had only been a few seconds, Ikkaku still standing there, head tilted back, waiting for a response. His patience was beginning to wear thin, though, obvious by the way fingers were jittering over his spear's hilt.
Karin grinned down. "Hey, Cueball, what type of wax do you use for your head in the morning? My sister uses the same for our floors, I think."
Ace in the hole.
Anger flared in third seat's eyes. "You little brat!" he yelled, taking a dangerous step forward.
But, before black could blur and a spear slam down, the little imp disappeared. Ikkaku growled in exasperation, already knowing where the midget had gone. Spinning, his eyes narrowed onto the petite figure on the opposite wall. Ignoring jeers from the peanut gallery, the man charged.
Heart pounding, Karin quickly knelt on the thick stone. Okay, gotta move fast. Madarame was already half way there, obviously deeming flash step unnecessary for his flighty opponent. It was how he got her the last few times, catching the younger shinigami off guard by putting on disjointed bursts of speed and erratic attacks.
Those first battles had taught her much. Tight guard and unpredictability were the main ideas Ikkaku seemed to be drilling his opponent with. Karin would probably have to thank him some day. Probably when one of them was dieing, she didn't think her pride could take dealing with years of jokes and jibes about it.
Another yell ripped through the air as Ikkaku neared the opposite wall.
Karin stuck her left arm out, katana poised, straight up while her left held the single sai of her zanpakuto. The center blade of the smaller weapon brushed the midpoint of the larger blade, creating a side ways T shape.
All this was done in barely a millisecond, almost as if Karin had applied flash step to her hands.
Back straight, the young woman quickly breathed. Once, twice, three times. After the third breath, she quickly whispered a single phrase. "Hi no Shinzo, Scream."
Kenpachi's brow rose.
Atop the wall, a giant mass of spiritual pressure expanded, pulsing. Tightly caged reiatsu set free, loose tendrils reaching out. Like lighter fluid, a bonfire was lit. With a burst of heat, an inferno spread from the tip of Hi no Shinzo's sai, encasing the katana and their partner. Soon, the small Kurosaki was ablaze, inky hair twisting in dancing flames.
Ikkaku grinned, still charging. "Bring it, midget!" he called up, spear at the ready.
Karin returned the expression, both pumped with the adrenaline at the prospect of it all. "Oh, don't worry, I will, Cueball!"
Madarame let out a growl, speeding up. He was only a couple yards from the wall, now.
Shifting her position, Karin pulled her left arm back smoothly. Strings of fire followed the sai, creating an drawn bow of heat. String tense, the girl shifted once again. Using enhanced soccer muscles, she pushed off from the wall, shooting into the air. That was unexpected, as was her quick combination of mid air flash step. Lesson learned.
In the blink of an eye, the girl was behind Ikkaku once more. But this time, she didn't even wait for him to turn.
With narrowed eyes, Karin let her projectile loose. The single, flaming sai flew through the air at blinding speed. As it passed the katana, something akin to an explosion occurred. With a burst of heat, the firey mass grew larger, becoming gigantic in scale.
Ikkaku only turned in time to see what looked like a giant beast, twisting as elegant wings burst out, blotting out the sun. The shinigami was confronted with it's full visage. Slowly, Hozukimaru was lowered. It was a dragon. A dragon made of flame. Something only legends and myths spoke of. A creature of destruction, chaos, rebirth. So… beautiful…
That's when Madarame's world crumbled away. Red and blue licked everywhere, roars filling his ears, screams burning sweaty pores, pain pulsing like a heart, sadness dripping down his throat. Those screams…they were so…inhuman. They made him want to hunch over and cover his poor ears.
An inferno of nothing almost overwhelmed the warrior as something pierced his skin, blood trickling through black fabric. Well, damn, the midget finally drew first blood. Maybe she really is Kurosaki's.
Quick as it began, the chaos melted away.
"I win, surprised, Baldy?" Karin stood before her opponent, katana at his neck, smirk in place.
Ikkaku shoved the weapon away, standing up from his position on the ground. Apparently, that last attack had more blast than he thought. Reaching out a hand, the shinigami let fingers brush his arm. A light throb came from the fresh wound created on finely toned biceps. Crap.
Glowering at the second Kurosaki to defeat him, Madarame scowled at her pleased expression. "Shut it, I want a rematch-!" Something solid slammed into the singed man.
"Stop being such a sorry loser, Baldy!" A newly awakened Yachiru exclaimed, little arms strangling her favorite subordinate. "Leave Rin-rin alone, she won fair and square! Right, Kenny?" Wide eyes turned to a single one.
Kenpachi nodded, standing in front of his rowdy division. Apparently, the whole Eleventh had bets riding on this match…some were not very happy while others hooted in glee. Suffice to say, a mass fight broke out. "Brats right," he growled. "Mini Kurosaki beat you, Ikkaku. It just took a few tries."
Karin scowled.
"Anyways," Zaraki continued. "Now she just has to defeat Yachiru, then it's me and her. Mano y mano." A blood thirsty smile spread across the captain's face.
The young woman paled slightly, she was in deep shit. "Oh yeah, that match…" Matsumoto better have been lying about all that stuff. Kenpachi didn't really take his opponents eyes for trophies? Right? Right?
Karin felt a small hand take hers. Turning her grey eyes to the ground, she spotted a pink head.
"Don't worry," Yachiru consoled, patting her friend's hand. "I'll go easy on you."
The Kurosaki sweat dropped. Ikkaku cackled. And Yumichika, well, he was extremely distressed over his partner's burnt to a crisp uniform and sooty head. He'd just gotten the man to wax yesterday, dammit.
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Thank you for reading, I'll try to get the next chapter out soon. Hint: it'll continue the adventures of Toshiro and Karin, I just wanted to get this out of the way, her training was nagging me.
R&R if you like, thanks!