"Lieutenant Kusajishi's been WHAT?" Karin exclaimed in shock and disbelief. She and Renji were seated just inside the Kurosaki Estate and, until that moment, had been playing a game of Hanafuda (a Japanese card game), when Momo and Izuru arrived to inform their Captains of the news. Mai was with her father at the moment. Karin was wearing a green jersey that was a reproduction of the one she'd worn years ago when she, her sister, Jinta, Uluru, Toshiro, Lilynette, Loly, and Menoly played a game of soccer against a team of punks for domination of a local soccer field. Toshiro had it specially made for her by Urahara and had given it to her as a birthday present a year ago. She was also wearing a blue hakama with matching obi sash and her usual sandals along with the jersey.
"It's exactly as it sounds, Captains." Momo said, sadly.
"Among one other charge, she's being charged with giving classified Soul Reaper intelligence to Hollows and attempting to gain Hollow powers on purpose." Izuru added.
"That makes no sense. Kusajishi's no traitor! She may shirk her duty now and then to go on a snacking binge but she's not a traitor." Renji said as the two Lieutenants nodded in agreement.
"We know. It doesn't make sense for her to suddenly turn traitor. It's just not in her character." Izuru said.
"I imagine Kenpachi's slaughtered half his own squad by now." Karin mumbled worriedly, glancing at Hekireki Megami occasionally.
"Actually things have been eerily quiet in Squad Eleven's barracks. Captain Zaraki's been unusually calm." Momo said worriedly.
"Is he even there?" Renji asked.
"Oh he's there alright!"
"Ikkaku?" Renji said as they all turned to see Ikkaku and Yumichika entering the estate grounds.
"We apologize for barging in unannounced." Yumichika said neither him nor Ikkaku smiling.
"But the Captain's got us all worried. He's just sitting in his office, his back turned to the door, not saying a word. We know he's taking the Lieutenant's arrest hard, we just know it." Ikkaku said as they came to a stop just outside the house.
"Then why are you here?" Karin asked.
"We came looking for you, Captain Kurosaki." Yumichika replied, earning a scowl from Karin.
"I'm not a Captain right now. Remember that. But why me?" Karin asked curiously.
"Because you're the only Soul Reaper short of Ichigo that we could think of that could even get close to our Captain and have the best chance of surviving at a time like this." Ikkaku replied.
"Great." Karin said dryly.
"He's got a point, Karin. You're one of the few Soul Reapers that can even keep up with Captain Zaraki in combat and he does seem to like you more than any of the other Soul Reapers who can fight him." Renji explained, earning a sigh from Karin.
"That was when I could use my Hollow mask. Without that, short of using my Bankai, I don't think I could. Besides, I'm technically not allowed into another Squad's Barracks without authorization from a seated officer since Central 46 took my command away." Karin replied.
"Don't worry about that, Kurosaki. We've got ya covered." Ikkaku said with a smirk, resting his sheathed Zanpakuto on his right shoulder.
"And the chances of our Captain attacking you are much lower than if it was someone else." Yumichika said as Karin sighed heavily and grabbed her Zanpakuto off the floor.
"Fine. I'll talk to him." Karin said as she tied her sheath to her sash.
"You sure you want to do that, Karin?" Renji asked.
"I'm sure and they're right. He's not as likely to attack me. If it were Ichigo, he'd attack him on sight simply so he could have a good fight. Anyone else he'd just ignore because they're probably not a good fight or someone he'd have no reason to talk to. My aunt might be a good choice but by her own admission she can't handle him even though he respects her immensely. Given that Yachiru was arrested, there's no telling what his state of mind is right now. Better to send in someone that he both likes and can handle his attacks." Karin said as Renji stood up.
"Alright, but I'll inform Captain Hitsugaya just to be safe." Renji said as Karin nodded in approval.
"I was going to ask Momo to do that for me but thanks anyway, Renji." Karin said as she, Ikkaku, and Yumichika departed.
…
A few minutes later they had arrived at the Squad Eleven Barracks. Virtually the entirety of Squad Eleven was following her, knowing why she was there and hoping she could help. Finally they reached the outside of Kenpachi's office. Karin paused and glared at the squad, allowing her spiritual pressure to spike for a moment, the squad members, save for Yumichika and Ikkaku, getting the hint and scattering. Karin then took a deep breath, hand near her Zanpakuto, and cautiously entered the office. As she did, she found Kenpachi exactly the way he had been described earlier.
"Kurosaki-…" Kenpachi said the second she set one foot inside the door, "…-what do you want?"
"Your squad was worried about you but they were too afraid to come in themselves so they called me in. What about you?" Karin asked, the towering Eleventh Division Captain merely turned to look over his shoulder at her, showing a clearly concerned expression.
"Idiots. I'm not about to raise my sword to anyone right now." Kenpachi said as Karin arched a curious eyebrow and slowly walked in to sit next to him on the floor.
"I'm probably begging to get stabbed asking this but…why?" Karin asked.
"It's a frame up."
"Huh?"
"The whole thing with Yachiru wanting Hollow powers and giving data to Hollows. It's all a crock and I don't buy any of it. So someone out there's come up with this and when the bastard reveals himself, I'm gonna cut loose with everything I've got and make him pay for screwing up Yachiru's life." Kenpachi said with one of his insane grins, the thought of carving up the person responsible making him smile.
"I know what you mean. If anyone ever screwed with my daughter, I'd come down on them with everything I've got. I know Toshiro would do the same thing." Karin said as Kenpachi glanced down at her.
"By the way, Hitsugaya spoke to me before this all happened and he mentioned a petition to get you reinstated. I signed, naturally, but now if those bastards in Central 46 ignore the petition, just let me know. They'll be dead before they can blink." Kenpachi said with a grin.
"You blame them for Yachiru's arrest?" Karin asked as Kenpachi looked straight ahead.
"Right now, they're the only ones I'm blaming. So unless someone else comes along, then they're the ones I'm-." "UGH!" Karin grimaced, fighting off another migraine.
"Damn it." She hissed as she clutched her forehead. Kenpachi simply glared at her with a look of annoyance mixed with helplessness.
"Sorry about that. You were saying?" Karin asked as the migraine subsided.
"You got the gist of it." Kenpachi replied as Karin stood up.
"If you'd like, you can always come over to my place. We can spar, keep your strength up." Karin said but Kenpachi grunted.
"Thanks, but I'll pass. I'm saving every ounce of strength for the one who did this. And if I ever find out who the human was, he'll be next on my list." Kenpachi said, earning a confused eyebrow from Karin.
"Human? What human?" Karin asked.
"The third charge. Giving Soul Reaper powers to a human. If I find out who the human is she gave powers to, I'll kill him for it." Kenpachi replied, not looking at her. Karin thought for a moment then started for the door.
"Take care, Zaraki. I don't want you getting weak on me." Karin said with a smile towards him.
"Yeah, yeah." Kenpachi replied as she exited, closing the door behind her. As she turned back around from closing the door, she saw that most of Squad Eleven had gathered outside the door and were attempting to look innocent.
"You were listening at the door, weren't you?" Karin asked.
"Could you really blame us?" Yumichika asked, his arms crossed over his chest.
"So the Captain's itching to cut into the guy responsible for getting the Lieutenant in trouble. I'd sure hate to be that guy when the Captain finds out." Ikkaku said with a grin.
"Rather I'd like to be a fly on the wall when he confronts the guy." Karin said, before noticing the confused looks she was receiving from the others. She sighed in exasperation.
"It means I want to be there to watch." She explained, a look of understanding sweeping across the others faces.
"Thank you for speaking with the Captain, Captain Kurosaki." Yumichika said as Karin glared at him with a blank stare.
"I told you, I'm not a Captain." Karin corrected.
"Well seeing as how Central 46 is at the top of Squad Eleven's list of people-we'd-want-to-Aizen, we aren't listening to their orders on that one. To us, you're Captain Karin Kurosaki, the Captain of Squad Five." Ikkaku said, slapping Karin on the back, earning a small smile from her.
"Thanks." Karin said to the bald third seat.
"Ikkaku and I also signed Captain Hitsugaya's petition with the promise that anyone who refuses will find Squad Eleven at their door." Yumichika said as Karin chuckled.
"Now there's a threat worth being afraid of." Karin said as she started to leave but then paused and turned back towards them, a curious expression on her face.
"Back in Kenpachi's office, he mentioned something about a human gaining Soul Reaper abilities being the third charge for Lieutenant Kusajishi. Do we know who that human is?" Karin asked but the two shrugged, clueless.
"No idea. Perhaps you should ask the ones who arrested her." Ikkaku suggested.
"I believe Captains Yamashi and your old Captain, Captain Kuchiki, were the ones who arrested her. Perhaps one of them can tell you who it was." Yumichika said as Karin nodded and departed. As she did, her mind started racing…
"I trust Yamashi about as far as I can throw him, so there's no way in hell I'm asking him so I've only one option." Karin thought before she disappeared in a flash step.
…
A few minutes later, she arrived at the Kuchiki estate and was walking through the halls when she finally reached Byakuya's office. She peaked inside and found he wasn't there. She then stretched out and sensed his spiritual pressure coming from within the manor but from a different room. She followed his spiritual pressure and finally found him in one of his private rooms. She was about to knock when…
"Enter." She heard him say. Karin cautiously slid the door open and looked inside to see him kneeling on the floor in front of a display of several different photos. One was of him and Rukia when she made Lieutenant, another of Kaien and Hisana back when Kaien was ten and Hisana was five, one of his late wife, Hisana Kuchiki, and finally one of him with Kaien, Hisana, and Rukia during Christmas a couple years ago. Ichigo was partially in the picture as well but it was apparent that the photo had been cut at just the right position as to cut out most of Ichigo's face. Karin had only been in this room a couple of times, but she had quickly learned that Byakuya came here when he was in a particularly bad mood, be it anger, sadness, or something else entirely.
"Captain-…" Karin said softly, not knowing what to say.
"State your business, Karin Kurosaki." Byakuya said as she entered and knelt down behind him.
"Captain, I understand that you were one of the Soul Reapers deployed to arrest Lieutenant Kusajishi." Karin said.
"You are correct." Byakuya replied.
"I know she's been charged with three serious charges, but one of them particularly bugs me. The charge of giving Soul Reaper powers to a human. I think you know why this topic would hit so close to home with me. I only want to know who the human was." Karin said, Byakuya remaining silent. He remained silent for a moment, Karin starting to wonder what was happening, before he finally answered.
"I cannot tell you anything regarding my mission, Karin Kurosaki. You are on inactive duty on Central 46's orders and as such, any information regarding the details of missions carried out by active Soul Reapers is classified and cannot be freely divulged." Byakuya said as Karin blinked in surprise before sighing heavily.
"I understand. Thank you anyway, Captain." Karin said as she started to stand up.
"You can expect the same response, should you attempt to ask Lieutenant Kusajishi in person in the Penance Cell." Byakuya said, catching Karin off guard. She said nothing but she did grimace in frustration. He had swiftly cut down her second option.
"I see." Karin said softly. She had almost reached the doors when…
"Don't let your current status dull your senses." Byakuya said, causing Karin to turn back towards him.
"Huh?"
"Your Inner Hollow possessing you and the goings on in the World of the Living, including Lieutenant Kusajishi's arrest, are connected. There are several connections but there is only one that binds them together. Find the connection with the most branches and you will have found the source." Byakuya said, not looking towards her.
"Where could I even start?" Karin asked, Byakuya finally turning towards her.
"The answer will come in due time. It's inevitable. You need only pray that its arrival does not come too late to prevent tragedy." Byakuya said as Karin silently turned towards the door, engrossed in thought and leaving Byakuya alone.
Back at the Kurosaki Estate…
Karin arrived home, walking quietly into the estate grounds, still pondering Byakuya's words. It was late evening and the sun had nearly disappeared completely beneath the horizon. As she arrived, she heard laughter coming from inside the estate grounds. She opened the large sliding door to find her father nearly wetting his pants with laughter while her mother politely smiled while holding her hand over her mouth, clearly amused, while Toshiro smirked devilishly from behind a cup in his hands. Karin turned to look at what was causing this reaction and when she saw it, a devilish smile appeared on her face too. Rangiku Matsumoto was holding Mai in her arms but said infant had somehow learned to equate breasts with food and was attempting to nurse from the large breasted Lieutenant who was keeping her kimono pulled closed with one hand while allowing Mai to suckle her chest anyway through the fabric. Rangiku was clearly annoyed with the development as her face was one of absolute misery.
"Captain, please!" Rangiku pleaded, her face a bright red, but Toshiro didn't budge.
"Now Rangiku, you did get your paperwork finished today and getting to spend time with my daughter is your reward for your effort. I'd enjoy it if I were you." Toshiro said with a dark grin. It was a rare moment where Rangiku had been put in an awkward position by her Captain instead of him being put in an awkward position by her. Toshiro's response only caused Isshin to laugh even louder.
"But, Captain she's-…" Rangiku whined. By this point, Mai realized she was getting nothing from her "Aunty Rangiku" and started crying, causing the Lieutenant to panic slightly.
"Alright, give her here." Karin said, entering and taking her daughter in her arms while heading a mini-fridge (once installed by Shunsui Kyoraku to stash his liquor but now repurposed by Karin and Toshiro to hold Mai's baby food and formula) and retrieved a bottle of formula for the crying infant, quieting her quickly.
"I suppose now would be a bad time to inform you, that Karin stopped breast feeding months ago." Masaki said with a blush, causing Rangiku to scowl.
"And that I had a camera." Isshin added, earning a scowl from the Lieutenant.
"Dad." Karin said, warningly.
"What? I'm only kidding." Isshin said as Karin sat down amongst them, Mai still in her arms.
"I understand you paid a visit to the Squad Eleven Barracks today." Toshiro said as Karin nodded.
"Yeah. Kenpachi's taking Yachiru's arrest pretty hard. He's convinced that Yachiru's being framed." Karin replied.
"And you're not?" Toshiro asked.
"No I believe she's being framed too. Now if you started passing around a petition to get the charges dropped on her, then I'd say let's go pull an Aizen right now. I know Kenpachi would be more than happy to cut into them." Karin said as Toshiro sighed heavily.
"There's more to this than you've been allowed to hear, Karin." Toshiro said, confusing Karin.
"Oh? Like what? What evidence is there that Yachiru is guilty?" Karin asked. Toshiro looked away, hesitating to reply.
"The evidence provided is the access card Yachiru used to access the files in the Soul Reaper Institute of Research and Development, and the most damning piece of evidence…" Toshiro said before looking Karin straight in the eyes and saying…
"…her confession."
End Chapter 33.
Soul Reaper Illustrated Guide.
Yuzu had just returned home from Urahara's shop, and unbeknownst to her, there was a certain redheaded man, crouching down behind a nearby street corner, watching her.
"There she is, my goddess! Oh if only there were some way to…wait, that's it!" Jinta exclaimed mentally as he ran to the door, whipped out a piece of paper, quickly wrote something on it, then slid it under the door to Yuzu's house before ringing the doorbell and running away to hide behind the bushes.
"That'll do the trick." Jinta said with a smile. Inside the house however…
"Hmm? Neko, are you alright?" Yuzu asked as Neko walked into the kitchen with a piece of paper in her hand.
"It seems I have a secret admirer." Neko said with a blush.
To be continued…