Me: this is chapter 1 and this is my second story to write! Yes, I am still working on "WAITY" but I suddenly had an idea and it became this story. Also, if you haven't read my first story, then I would encourage you to read it for two reasons. One is because you would understand the "groups" in this story (it's the things such as: Wind, Water, etc. that is found in chapter 6 of my other story…if this is confusing, then just read this story, and it will become clear over time) and two, you wouldn't understand who Stephany and Sterling are. One last thing, this story will be in normal POV, unless I say otherwise, but it will be switching from Karin to Toushirou so at the top, it will say one of their names. Well enjoy! I do not own Bleach.
Death
Toushirou
Rain was pouring down on the boy who was covered in blood and standing right beside the dead body. His white hair, still sticking up even though the rain was pouring down, was covered in blood and grime.
"Well done Toushirou. You have completed your mission. Great job." A man said, standing behind the young boy.
"Thank you." Toushirou said tonelessly, and started to walk off. The man turned and silently followed the young boy.
"Toushirou, we must return back to the base. The others are awaiting your return." The man said.
"Alright, I will be there soon." Toushirou said.
"See to it that you are." The man spoke, and then disappeared.
"Whatever you say, Sterling." Toushirou mumbled to himself and started to head off towards the base.
Karin
At the same time, a young girl with raven black hair was running, hidden beneath the shadows. I really hope I'm not too late. The girl franticly thought.
As the girl came up to the body, she began to cry. "Oh god, why?" she cried out. Then the girl turned to see someone approaching. Quick as lightning and out of reflex, she pulled out her sword and faced the stranger.
"Don't worry, it's just me." A voice called out to her. The girl immediately lowered her sword and ran into the other person's arms, crying harder.
"Shhh, it's okay. You're okay." The voice cooed in a soothing manor.
"W-why did she have to die?" the girl asked through her tears.
"It's okay." The person said, avoiding the young girl's question.
"It is time to go back to the base."
"What about her?" the girl asked. "We can't just leave her!" the person sighed.
"Yes, you are right. I've got her," the person said as they picked up the body, "Let's go."
As they made their way back to the base, the woman started to speak to the young girl. "Well, I know that you are upset, but look on the bright side! You are now our new leader, Karin."
"Yes, but what if I don't want to be the leader?"
"Well then you just simply turn down the offer." The woman said.
"Okay, I guess I will think about it. Thank you, Stephany." Karin said.
Two hours later (Karin)
"So, Mrs. Kurosaki, will you or will you not accept the position of being our leader?" Karin sighed.
"I…I will be the leader. For my mother…" Karin added as an afterthought.
"Alright! From now on, you are our new leader!" one of the chief men said. Karin was on the stage in front of the whole clan, and she had just become their leader.
"Now, we must address some other important issues at hand. Everyone except the royal guards is dismissed." The man called out.
"Yes sir!" many people yelled at the same time and they all left with the exception of Stephany and the guards.
"Mrs. Kurosaki, what do you wish to do about your mother's assassins?" one man bravely spoke up.
"Well, do we know who killed her and for what purpose?"
"Yes ma'am, we do." Someone said.
"Well then, who was it?" Karin asked, getting more and more irritated by the second.
"It seems that the Ice Clan's leader has a son and it was his time of age for the trial. He just so happened to be assigned to…her…" the guard said and then trailing off at the end.
"I see…" Karin said, going deep into thought.
"I will ask again. What shall we do?" the first guard asked. "I…I will do some personal research on this boy, and then I will decide what to do later. Understand?" Karin called out.
"Yes ma'am!" the guards yelled in unison.
"Very well, if that is all, then you are all dismissed." Karin said. All of the guards bowed deeply as they passed Karin, and then left the room. After everyone left the room, Stephany was the only one left.
"So…what sort of "personal research" is this exactly?" Stephany asked. Karin just shrugged and looked down at her feet. Karin's cat had appeared and was rubbing her head against Karin's leg. Karin leaned down and picked up the cat. Then made her way to the chart that had all of the information of all of the clan's listed (I might add some other facts during the story and the animal part is very important…).
Ice Clan: Leader- Jushiro Ukitake
Characteristic- cold and unfriendly
Guardian – Dog
Wind Clan: Leader- Karin Kurosaki
Characteristic- fastest, most powerful out of all of the clans
Guardian- Cat
Fire Clan: Leader- unknown
Characteristic- no sense in any matter, fiery temper, strike without any warning
Guardian – Serpent
Water Clan: Leader- Retsu Unohana
Characteristic- gentleness and calmness, not often angered, healing clan
Guardian – Fish
Earth Clan: Leader- Zaraki Kenpachi
Characteristic- hardheaded, brute strength
Guardian – Bear
Toushirou
"Congratulations, Toushirou. You passed the test, so that means that you will be able to take over tomorrow." Ukitake said to his son.
"Sure." Toushirou said, not really paying any mind to his father. Then a sudden thought crossed his mind.
"Hey, Father, for the test, why do we have to kill people out of everything that we could do?" Toushirou asked.
Ukitake sighed. "Because we have a reputation to uphold." Toushirou gritted his teeth together to stop himself from shouting. He had just killed an innocent woman from the Wind Clan just for a freaking REPUTATION!
"I…see, father." Toushirou managed to say through his teeth.
"Well I better go. Don't forget about the ceremony tomorrow night!" Ukitake called over his shoulder and was gone. Toushirou was alone.
"W-what have I done? I killed that woman without a second's hesitation…I wonder if that woman was a mother or had a family…hmmm. She looked somewhat familiar, but I can't place it…" Toushirou said and walked off into the night. Toushirou stopped walking because he sensed another person's presence. It was Sterling.
"Hey Sterling, can I ask you a question aside the one I just asked?" Toushirou asked. Sterling chuckled and walked over to him.
"Sure kid, what is it?"
"Who was that woman that I killed?" Sterling sighed and looked away.
"The woman's name was… Masaki Kurosaki." Sterling whispered and Toushirou turned to face Sterling.
"Why do you say that name like it's cursed?" Toushirou asked.
"B-because…that woman was the leader of the Wind Clan. That is why you have qualified in becoming the next leader."
"NO!" Toushirou screamed and his knees buckled and he fell over.
"Hey…it's going to be okay…Oi! Are you alright?" Sterling asked, looking down at Toushirou with concern.
"Why do we always have to keep our reputation? What is it to us?" Toushirou whispered and Sterling cracked a smile.
"Ha! I knew that there was something that I liked about you and now I know."
"Oh yeah, and what's that?" Toushirou asked with a grin. "You are very smart and try to think things through before you act. Many of our leaders previously have died because they didn't have a good plan and got them killed in battle. However, when you take over, I think that you will be an excellent leader and you will do what's best for our clan." Sterling said and turned away. "Oh and another thing…don't fall for someone who you can't be with…it is very…dangerous and…well just don't and you will be just fine…" Sterling said and then left.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Toushirou wondered to himself.
Well I hope that you liked the first chapter. The next chapter will explain many things better (such as the chart and its meanings) and it is when Karin and Toushirou meet. But like I said before, if you read my first story, it makes a lot of things less confusing and it tells you some people's relationships in this story (if you don't understand what I'm saying, then send me a review and I will explain it to you better). Well until next chapter! ^.^