Chapter Seven: Bankai

Urahara stood in front of Karin in the training ground underneath his shop. He held the white human shaped Tenshintai that was used on Ichigo to force Zangetsu to manifest. This would allow the user to achieve Bankai as long as they had resolve and forced the spirit of their Zanpakuto into submission. It's only expected that ones Zanpakuto wouldn't allow such quick learning unless in a grand emergency where the will to fight and win was strong. Karin would have to step it up and all this worry swimming around in her head made her a little nervous, to say the least.

Urahara put a smile on his face before speaking, "Bankai is the final release of ones Zanpakuto. To achieve this it normal takes several hundred or more years just to get you Zanpakuto to manifest or in Toushiro's case a good twenty years for manifestation," for some reason that gave Karin the giggles, "and another ten just to master it."

On the other hand, Toushiro, who was floating above the two, was more than annoyed after the comment made by the ex-captain. He had decided to keep a good eye on what Karin was doing. He found himself being way over protective of her. This caused a few spats between them during hollow alerts and training but the two weeks they had spent together were rewarding, both opening up to eachother more and more each minute.

Urahara continued, "We'll be doing this in a matter of days. Now, unsheathe your Zanpakuto and ram it through the Tenshintai," he pointed to the white humanoid figure, "So we can bring forth Zanhoshiko."

Karin nodded doing as told. She took out her Zanpakuto and was about to ram it through the thing when her wrist was grabbed by Urahara who gave her a stern warning, "Just remember… You will die if you fail…" Karin looked at her teacher. She breathed in deep and nodded proceeding with the impaling process.

The long sword turned into a lazery yellow, disappearing with a flash. Next to Karin Zanhoshiko appeared in all her red and beautiful glory. The manifested Zanpokuto looked around and sighed, "I figured I'd give her a millennia until she was able to figure this out, compared to last time…" She looked down at Karin. "Or was this forced?"

Karin sweat dropped. She looked to the two men in the room for help but was disappointed to find them gaping at Zanhoshiko's figure. Men. "Ah, guys? What now?" She asked trying to get them out of their daze. Needless to say Karin was a bit jealous of the looks Zanhoshiko got from Toushiro. She glared daggers at him until his cell phone went off witch knocked him out of his fascination with the women next to Karin.

"I'll be back… It's a hollow, maybe more." Toushiro announced. He took one last look at Karin and then took off.

Urahara regained his composure after Toushiro left. He stepped up to Zanhoshiko, "You must be Zanhoshiko. My name is Kisuke Urahara and may I say that to have such a beautiful women in my presents is an honor."

Zanhoshiko simply smiled and gave thanks for the compliment. Karin couldn't believe it. Is he flirting with my Zanpakuto? What the…

After a brief conversation between the two, Urahara bowed to the red clad women and made to take his leave of them, "I'll leave you two to it… It's been a pleasure Zanhoshiko."

Zanhoshiko gave a slight nod, "Indeed Kisuke."

Karin was even more stunned. Oh, on a first name basis are we? She simply rolled her eyes and waited for Hat and Clogs to leave before turning to the incarnation of her Zanpakuto. "What was that all about?" Karin asked blinking and trying her best to stare daggers at the taller women. Well, not that much taller.

Green eyes bore right back into Karin, she almost flinched, "You'll learn when you get your figure."

Karin shook her head in disbelief. She was dragged into the whole Bankai thing and really didn't think she was ready. She needed to find her resolve. This, she could tell, would be a long session, "What ever, lets just get on with it…"

Zanhoshiko nodded, "Very well… In order for you to prove to me that you are able to carry my immense power, you must show me that you are… Invincible." She spoke in a calm and collected voice painted with a serious tone. Karin's eyes went wide. "This means one thing," Zanhoshiko continued, "You must face your worst fears…"

The fears came in three stages. The first one was insanely easy, at least Karin thought so. She had to defeat enemies that took hostage, or threatened her family and or friends. She didn't even have to release her Zanpakuto once in that whole confrontation.

The second challenge was much harder. It was difficult enough for her that she had to use Ka Tengoku numerous times and bring forth Zanhoshiko's true Shikai form at least once. She had fought a contingent of Arrancar and powerful Hollows, out numbered the whole time.

Karin wondered the whole time what was creating these enemies. It has to be Zanhoshiko because none of these enemies are physical even thought they inflict damage on me. I'll worry about it later.

The fight that day left her exhausted. Being out numbered and losing loved ones was on the top of her list for fears, but what Zanhoshiko had in store next… she would never forget.

Karin stood before the human form of her Zanpakuto, "So what do I have to kill today?" She asked with a smirk, arms crossed.

"Something new," Zanhoshiko was also smirking.

"Bring it," Karin put simply. Zanhoshiko Turned back into her sword form and was replaced on Karin's back.

Something sent Karin's senses awry. Something wasn't right, it was to quite. Her instincts told her to protect her back and so she did buy pulling her sword half way out of her sheath. She had meant to get the whole thing out but the sound of metal on metal stopped that process. She turned her head to see who or what the assailant was. Her wyes went wide when she discovered who it was. Toushiro.

Karin shunpoed away from Toushiro and stopped within talking distance. This can't be… That's not really Toushiro… it's can't be, he would never hurt me.

"Good," Zanhoshiko's voice echoed in Karin's head, "At least you can tell the real one from an imposter."

Karin shook her head as if to get rid of the voice. She moved into a battle stance ready for the White haired Shinigami. "Sit upon the frozen heavens Hyourinmaru," Screamed Toushiro. A huge ice dragon came flying at Karin, ready to strike. It was not that different from Karin's attack. It stunned her to see such a similarity, such a connection to Toushiro, that she was caught completely off guard.

Karin flew back as she was struck. Ice starting to cover her body, but It melted for some reason. She quietly thanked Zanhoshiko for being heat based.

Toushiro tried the same attack again as Karin flew backwards in mid air but she was ready. "Ka Tengoku!" She yelled sending a crescent solar flair at the dragon cutting it down the middle. She was surprised to see it so effective and began to celebrate mentally. That celebration ended quickly with a sharp pain in her back. She turned to look at waht she could of her back, blood dripping down her leg. She bit back a scream as another sharp pain entered her senses. She looked back at Toushiro who was spinning a crescent shaped blade in a circle. It was attached to his Zanpakuto's hilt by a long chain. He had a smirk on his face.

She was mad now, but for some reason she still held back. Something inside her couldn't let Toushiro get hurt even though it wasn't the real him. She shook the thought from her head. I have to give it my all… no holding back, what would Toushiro think if I did? He'd call me a coward, "Rise Zanhoshiko!"

Molten lava and heated rock formed Zanhoshiko's dragon before her, just like before. She sent it flying at Histugaya who had quickly reformed his own dragon to block it but Karin's dragon plowed right through the other, evaporating it. Toushiro went flying to the ground with an eruption of dirt and rock, creating a small crater and receiving a few cuts and burns.

Regaining himself, Toushiro mad his way back up to Karin's height. He smiled evilly at her, sending a chill through her bones. Zanhoshiko spoke up in Karin's mind, "You're getting the hang of this, but do you really want to kill him… You're not done yet." A flustered Karin got in a stance and tried her best to ready herself for what ever came next.

At that moment, The fake 10th Division Captain said the most dreaded word at that moment…"Bankai!"

Karin's eyes grew wide as she complained, Toushiro's transformation almost complete, wings forming, "So not fare."

Zanhoshiko's voice then echoed through her head, " All is fare in love and war."

Karin shook her head, "I don't see how you can replicate him… I've never seen him in his Bankai."

"Ah, but you've touched him," Zanhoshiko responded. Karin narrowed her eyes and the Zanpakutou continued, "I have a power to read ones mind if in physical contact and so do you. You can use it even in human form. It's a very rare ability. There is a catch however… you must teach you're self how to use it."

Karin couldn't believe those words, she wanted nothing more than to ask a thousand questions at the moment but the completion of Toushiro's Bankai brought her back to the challenge at hand. Toushiro tilt his head to the side saying a new name, "Dai Guren Hyourinmaru."

Karin thought it was beautiful, the wings, Ice flow, and the three pedals. She noticed the crescent blade and chain were gone and thought her troubles were over. She would have to just keep fighting, but the thing was. She was too slow.

In less than 30 seconds she was pinned to a mountain by steaming ice, it was more powerful and regenerated every time her inner flame tried to melt it away. How did I get here? There was a sharp pain in her chest as Toushiro's blade ripped into her again and again. No mercy, just complete carnage. She breathed in sharply every time the sword ripped a new gash in her upper body. Blood was forcing its way to her throat, threatening to choke her. It seemed like she would die after all… before she could help her brother, or impress Toushiro.

"Giving up so soon?" Asked a disappointed Zanhoshiko who was now leaning on the part of the mountain next to her. Only visible in Karin's mind for the sword was still glued in her hands by ice.

"What else can I do, I tried everything you taught me so far," Karin said in a whisper, she acted near death, blood running down her lips, "Toushiro is too powerful."

Zanhoshiko narrowed her eyes, "So… It's not really Toushiro. You're too damn scared to lose him. You're also scared he won't love you back." Karin looked over at Zanhoshiko, her eyes a bit wider, "Don't be afraid to confront him, to tell him. Your love is your strength and your fear is your weakness. Such things as fear do not belong in battle. If you're no longer afraid of Toushiro, you will be able to kill him. Confrontation, do not be afraid of it."

It all made sense now. Karin loved Toushiro, and always had. She was to afraid to tell him the truth or even get too close. She would use that love, and accept that love. That was the secret to her power and her resolve. Her spiritual pressure began to sky rocket and the fake Toushiro knew it for he had stopped his attacks.

Karin's eyes shot open. They had turned a fire engine red. Her hair began to give birth to streaks of red, growing by the second. She whispered one word.

"Ban-kai…"

The real Toushiro entered the training chamber searching for Karin. When he found her she was lying on the ground unconscious, bruised, battered, and bleeding profusely. Her sword had remained in her hand as she laid in a heap in the dirt of the training room. He worried that she was dead as he rushed over to her still, lifeless, form but was reassured by her spiritual flame, weak yet burning. The thought was calming.

He picked her up bridal style, noticing ice fall off her arms and that she was oddly cold to his touch. She was usually warmer. He only knew this because of the occasional arm caress before they spoke or a good whack across the face because she thought he was begin an idiot. He made note to ask her about it later.

Her face was so serine, like angles, that is was irresistible to look at or to want to touch. Her hair so soft and shiny, and in that moment, when he carried her up to a bed roll and began his silent vigil over her, is when Toushiro Hitsugaya realized he was in love with a 12 year old human.

A/N: Okay, I had remembered that when Ichigo began his Bankai training that it seemed Yoruichi could see Zangetsu. So I incorporated that. It also seemed later on that Ichigo could see the manifested form of Zabimaru, being a Baboon with a snake for a tail, so I incorporated that whole thing to add some comedy in here. I also fixed the spelling in Karin's Solar flare type attack, thanks to Tolidoshi. So thanks for the reviews from last chapter. Sorry you didn't get to see Karin's Bankai yet, I'm saving that surprise for later. I think there'll be some KarinxToushiro fluff next chapter so get ready. R and R.