Karin stared at Ichigo's body for he still hasn't returned. She was starting to get worried. Ever since the battle with Aizen came to an end and he first lost his powers, Karin wanted to help him. Now, he's out there risking his life and she can't do a thing.

"Uh, I hate this." Karin moaned. "Ichigo is fighting some bad creature or whatever and I'm waiting for him to come home. It's just like that time he went up against those guys after he lost his powers. He was struggling and I couldn't help him. He's always protecting me and Yuzu. I should be able to return the favor."

"Karin, is everything okay?" Yuzu called out.

"Yeah." Karin said as she went downstairs. Outside their house, someone was to the side and was looking up to Ichigo's window. It was a girl about the same age as Karin. She had long, light brown hair. She wore a lime green shirt and a dress of the same color with white flowers all over it as she held onto a katana.

"So this is where that substitute soul reaper lives." She stated. She used the flash jump and was right next to the window. She stayed quiet and opened the window as she snuck in. "It would Susuke was right, as usual. He can separated his soul from his body, but if I strike the body's vital spots before he gets back, he'll be dead when he returns and he won't have a body to return to." She pulled out her katana and held it to Ichigo's chest. "Wait, if I strike from the back, he won't even notice when he returns." She held the sword to his heart from the back and was about to strike, but a soccer ball hit her in the head before she could do anything.

"Who the hell are you and what are you doing with my brother?" The girl looked to the door and saw Karin.

"If you don't want to get hurt, leave."

"Not until you tell me who you are and why you're here." Karin said. "If you think I'm going to let you hurt my brother, you've got another thing coming."

"Okay, I warned you." The girl said and went to attack her, but Karin moved out of the way and ran down the stairs. "I can't have any witnesses." She went after her and was faced with her and Yuzu.

"What's going on?" Yuzu said.

"Now there are two of them?"

"Leave her alone. If you want to fight someone, come and get me." Karin challenged.

"I'm fine with that." The mysterious girl used the flash step and got in front of a surprised Karin.

'How did she do that?' Karin thought. The girl hit Karin in the gut with her sword's hilt and kicked her through the door and into the night. "How did you move like that? Are you a soul reaper?"

"As if."

"Then, who are you?" Karin said.

"You can call me Kimika. When it comes to soul reapers, I want them dead."

"Is that why you're here? Are you trying to kill my brother?" Karin said.

"If you and that other girl promise to keep you lips shut I won't kill you." Kimika said.

"That's not going to happen. I won't let you hurt him." Karin said. She looked around for something to use as a weapon and found a pipe just lying on the ground. She picked it up and held it like a sword.

"Karin!" Yuzu shouted in concern.

"Just stay there Yuzu. This girl is after Ichigo. Just get in his room and make sure his body is safe." Karin said and Yuzu nodded in agreement as she ran up the stairs.

"You must be kidding if you think you can beat me. You don't seem to have any power and you're using that rusty old thing to fight me." Kimika said.

"Come and find out. You'll see that I'm dead serious." Karin said. She tried to swing the pipe, but Kimika was able to block it. Karin kept swinging the pipe, but Kimika was blocking her without any problem.

"You call this fighting? I call it playing." Kimika said. She sliced the pipe and it broke in two. "You got in way over your head."

"Who cares? If you want my brother, you'll have to go through me first." Karin said.

"How brave of you, but also stupid." Kimika said as she tried another slash. Karin ducked and swung the broken pipe at her and she left a cut on Kimika's face. "How dare you!" She grabbed Karin by her ponytail and tossed her to the ground. To finish it she kicked her under the chin.

"Is that all you got?" Karin said as she tried to stand up.

"I'm not going to waste my time with you." Kimika said as she raised her sword.

"Karin!" Kimika looked up and saw Ichigo coming down with his sword ready to attack. She jumped back.

"Ichigo." Karin said.

"Karin, are you okay?" Ichigo said.

"Yeah, don't worry." Karin said and Ichigo stayed focused on Kimika.

"Who are you, do you work for Masara?" Ichigo said.

"You can say that. My name is Kimika Hina. I came here to kill you, but it looks like I'll have to do this the hard way." She looked like she was about to release her shikai, but Girusei came out of nowhere and stopped her. "Girusei, why are you here?"

"Masara requires your presence." Girusei said.

"What about the substitute soul reaper?" Kimika said.

"He will have to wait for another time." Girusei said as he used the flash step and the two of them managed to escape.

"What the hell was that about? Karin, are you sure you're okay?" Ichigo said.

"Yeah, don't worry. What is going on Ichigo?" Karin said.

"Nothing you need to worry about." Ichigo said, but Karin couldn't accept that. Ichigo had to save her again. She wants to gain the power to help him.

…..

The Next Day

Ichigo was on his way to Urahara Shop. Rukia and Renji had to report about Masara and her comrades to the Soul Society. While he was walking, he failed to notice that both Yuzu and Karin were following him.

"Karin, I don't know how I feel about this." Yuzu said. "Why are we following Ichigo around again?"

"There's something going on and Ichigo is trying to keep us out." Karin said. "Not this time. This time, we're going to help him whether he likes it or not." Ichigo arrived at Urahara Shop and the others were already there.

"Glad you could join us Ichigo." Kisuke said.

"I don't understand why Rukia or Renji can't open the Senkaimon right now." Ichigo said.

"It's because of your friends here." Kisuke said. "These three aren't soul reapers and it would take some time for the soul society to modify it on their end for them to get through. If we use the one I have, it will be quicker."

"We better get going. The head captain needs to know what is happening." Rukia said. "Maybe squad four or the Department of Research and Development can find a way to restore Orihime and Chad's power."

"Let's get a move on." Kisuke said as they went down to his underground training grounds and got the Senkaimon ready. "Alright, remember that you only have a limited amount of time to make it through."

"We know that. Why are you telling us something we already know?" Uryu said.

"Oh, no reason." Kisuke said in a playful manner. "The Soul Society should know of your arrival." He and Tessai got it opened up. Ichigo was getting ready to go through, but saw Orihime still seemed upset.

"Orihime, you don't have to go if you don't want to. It will be dangerous until your powers come back." Ichigo said.

"No, it's not that Ichigo. I just have a lot on my mind." Orihime said.

"You should get going now." Kisuke said. Ichigo was worried Orihime would fall behind so he grabbed her hand and pulled her through the Senkaimon.

…

The Soul Society

The Senkaimon on their side was opened as Byakura was waiting to greet them on the other side. He saw they emerged.

"Brother." Rukia said.

"Captain Kuchiki, we have important news to share." Renji said.

"I am aware of that. Head Captain Yamamoto is awaiting to hear your report." Byakura said.

"First Byakura, our friends, Orihime and Chad might have to go the squad four barracks or the Department of Research and Development." Rukia said. "There was… an incident and they lost their powers. It involves a new foe that we faced while we were there. We will explain all at the captains meeting."

"Very well." Byakura said.

"Wow, so this is the Soul Society!"

"This place looks amazing." Ichigo and his friends looked behind them to see Karin and Yuzu.

"Yuzu, Karin?! What are you two doing here?" Ichigo said.

"Hi Ichigo. Wow, so is that what a Soul Reaper looks like? You look amazing, but why are you carrying that big sword?" Yuzu said since it was the first time she ever saw her brother like that.

"Ichigo Kurosaki, who are these two young women?" Byakura said.

"They're my responsibility, they're both my little sisters." Ichigo said. "Now answer me, why are you two here?"

"Whether you like it or not, we're here to help you." Karin said.

To Be Continued…