So…

Here is the chapter I have somewhat been dreading…

I hope it's not as bad as I think it is…

Thanks for the revies, favs and follows!

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Chapter 6: All going to sh*t

Karin ran down the streets in a panic.

Something was wrong.

Very wrong.

Kon was in her bed stressing himself to death no doubt. He had grown attached to Rukia calling her Nee-Chan all the time. She ran down the street but didn't find anything. She skidded to a stop when she felt a spike of Reiatsu in the opposite direction she was heading in and cursed while she turned around and sped off like a bat out of hell.

Meanwhile back with Rukia who was frozen in terror looked at Renji who was standing on the telephone line looking down at her. Her heart sunk when she realised that if Renji was here then her brother was too. She hung her head and bit her lip.

Renji looked at Rukia seeing the defeated stance his friend and secret love held and his heart panged with pain. Nothing bad per se would happen as she didn't do something overly wrong but her brother would never let her live it down most likely. The heartless bastard.

"Don't make this hard Rukia." Renji spoke while he lowered himself into a crouch.

Rukia just nodded her head.

"Hey!" Rukia's head shot up in surprise when no one other then Ishida Uryuu himself stepped into the light with his fingers shoving his glasses back up his nose.

Rukia yelled out. "You fool! Leave! This has nothing to do with you!"

Uryuu ignored her; no way would he just stand by while it was clear that someone was in trouble.

Besides if he could defeat this Shinigami his pride as a Quincy would be soothed after the bashing Karin gave him.

"Listen buddy this is official Shinigami business you have no say in this. Just leave before you get hurt." Renji said while Rukia's heart clenched in fear. "Ishida-san just please leave!" Rukia yelled

In a second Byakuya shunpo'd into view just past Ishida and in a horrifying few seconds Rukia watched as Ishida's blood spewed into the air before it landed on the ground with patter like noise. She gasped when his body landed harshly.

"Brother!" She said looking at Ishida's fallen form in horror.

"Pointless." Byakuya said looking at Ishida as well.

"What the fuck?" The loud exclamation came from behind them. Rukia's heart dropped.

"Karin you need to get out of here! NOW!" Rukia yelled as Byakuya turned around to look at the girl. Something about her face made him think of Kaien but it was very faint.

"So this is the human you gave your powers to?" He asked but Rukia didn't answer as she knew it was a rhetorical question.

"Please nii-Sama please don't hurt her, please." Rukia pleaded in a small voice.

"Nii-sama? He's your brother?" Karin asked with a blank face. This got both males to look at her curiously. "Yes I am her brother, what of it?" Byakuya asked narrowing his eyes when he saw Karin grip her sword tighter while her head bowed.

Out of nowhere she darted forward with a rather emotional yell that startled the three.

"Older brothers are supposed to protect their little sisters and brothers! What the hell are you doing making Rukia feel like shit!" as she yelled, as she attacked Renji who had intercepted her attacks. He gritted his teeth at the force behind the swings.

He could see this girl was emotional for some reason and with a harsh push he shoved her back before he spoke.

"What the hell got you so worked up?" He asked but was surprised when Rukia answered with a pained voice.

"Today is the tenth anniversary of her mother's death where after shortly her brother committed suicide. Her older brother would have been nineteen this year." Both Byakuya and Renji's eyes went wide. A nine year old had committed suicide? It was unheard of.

That paired with the knowledge that suicide and murder victims mostly turn into hollows due to an overflow of negative emotions made it all sink in that this girl knew that her brother was a hollow no doubt made the men feel a little sorry for her.

Karin was glaring at Byakuya with such hate he flinched mentally.

"It is out of my hands. I have been ordered to bring her back." Karin gritted her teeth but before she could move Byakuya was behind her and Rukia was yelling out her name. In a few moments she felt nothing before blood erupted from her chest making a faint spray of blood land on the ground. Numbly she fell to the ground. Renji looked down at the girl and saw that his captain didn't give her a killing blow.

"Come. Rukia's powers are now freed." Byakuya said and opened a Senkaimon. Rukia looked behind her to lock eyes with Karin. "Live. Please for my sake. Just live." She knew that her powers were now freed out of Karin's body.

The Senkaimon closed with Rukia meeting the eyes of blood red. Her eyes went wide she spun around only to be too late to yell out. Renji looked at Rukia only to see she was petrified. More so than what she had been while standing in front of her brother.

"… Karin…" now she looked utterly worried.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Urahara looked at the unconscious body of his friend's daughter. The Quincy had gotten up himself and said he didn't need assistance which was fine with him as he didn't like the younger man's attitude.

As he and Tessai got closer to aid her they got a shiver down their spines and a sudden urge to look around, they did but saw nothing as the rain slowly started to rain down. Urahara heard a small voice in his head telling him to look up. So he did and saw a pair of blood red eyes looking down at them.

Ichigo was masking his reiatsu so well that he only felt him now.

"I…" Urahara started but froze when Ichigo looked him in the eye. A sneer made its way onto Ichigo's face. "Tch, I see now why Shinigami have such bad reputation." Urahara and Tessai shared a look as Ichigo jumped down the street lamp he had been balancing on without a sound.

"As I understand it she gave her powers to a human so she could save her family. So now she's being punished for it? Shinigami are full of shit." Ichigo sneered. Urahara gulped as Ichigo walked closer to Karin. He crouched near her fallen form with a blank face.

"So… what will you do now Kisuke Urahara?"

Urahara went stiff as he looked at Ichigo to see the man looking right at him. Ichigo rose and looked him right in the eye.

"We need to talk."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Karin groaned as she opened her eyes only to scream when she saw a man with cornbreads, thick glasses and a moustache leaning over her. Tessai quickly leaned back startled as well.

"I apologise. I didn't mean to frighten you I was merely checking your bandages." Tessai explained hurriedly, Karin looking down saw she had bandages around her torso. She knew she had to be mad that a man saw her naked chest but it was clear that the man was like a doctor as he had the same look her father had when he was dealing with a patient.

"T-thanks." Karin said as she tried to sit up some.

"I wouldn't advise that~." A cheery voice sing song-ed. Karin looked to the side to see Urahara standing at the doorway hat, cane and fan at hand.

"You need more rest before we start your training."

Karin frowned as she glared at the ceiling. "What training? Didn't that prissy ass say that Rukia's powers were gone now?"

Urahara smiled behind his fan.

"Oh your own what else?"

Karin looked at the blonde man like hew grew another head. "Are you insane? I'm human how could I have my own powers?" Urahara smiled knowing he would have to lie for now. "Ah you see Rukia's powers have seemed to awaked you own that would have no doubt awaked when you died. The reason your sword was longer than a normal sealed sword as it should have been was due to the fact that it wasn't YOUR sword and power you were using but borrowed. I have a way to activate your dormant powers." Karin was now looking at him with a look of pure determination that reminded him of the previous night when he spoke to Ichigo.

Ichigo had the same look on his face.

"Okay. I'm in if it gets me the power to save Rukia."

Urahara smiled more genuinely lowering his fan. "Good, but for now rest." Karin nodded and got more comfortable so she could rest better.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Renji walked along the wooden floor to Rukia's cell. The girl had refused to say a word after she set foot in Seireitei and that worried Renji al little. She wasn't going to get executed or something just a mild punishment at best but it seemed like something else was bothering his friend and secret love.

The doors opened showing Rukia in her white yukata facing away from the door, her head was hanging low as she clutched her hands together in what could have need a praying gesture.

He sighed and looked at the one set to tend to Rukia's needs.

He was a scrawny fourth squad unseated officer but looked nice enough.

Nodding to the jumpy one he looked back at Rukia. "Guard tells me you haven't eaten your food."

Rukia shrugged a shoulder.

"I don't need it."

Gritting his teeth Renji sighed. "Why the hell are you being so stubborn?" Rukia looked over her shoulder. "I feel sorry for Karin." Renji arched a brow in a way of asking why. Rukia sighed sadly.

"When you got me, well it was still on the day her mother died. A few days later her brother Ichigo… like I said committed suicide." Rukia stood up and walked to the bars looking Renji right in the eye. All he saw was a haunted look.

"While I was staying with them I was told amazing stories of a nine year old boy that would have grown up to be a really good kid and brother. I saw the hurt in a father's eyes for failing to protect his son. They have posters of both the mother and the boy. I have seen what real family love looks like. I was so envious until the day of their death anniversary. I saw… a hollow… an Arrancar that looked… like him." Rukia said her voice shaking with emotions.

"I have been adopted by the Kuchiki clan but I am nothing to them. I see that now." Rukia looked down and walked back to her chair. "Please leave."

Renji stood shocked.

"Ruk-"

"Leave!" Rukia shouted her shoulders hunched as she curled into herself.

Renji sighed dejectedly and left as ordered. He walked out the doors only to miss his captain standing just a little away from the door. He heard it all. He lowered his head in shame. He had failed Hisana, his deceased wife of the promise he made her on her deathbed.

Frowning he sighed.

What else could he do?

Straightening he walked to his division.

A day passed before news came that shocked him to his core.

Rukia was to be taken to the Senzaikyū in a few days where after she would be executed.

Renji couldn't hold his anger in and stormed out of the room, Byakuya just watched not knowing what to do even though he looked perfectly calm on the outside.

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"Are you fucking kidding me?" Karin asked as she looked down at the very… deep hole.

"Ah good job Ururu-chan~!" Urahara said waving his fan in a lazy fashion. The brunette gave a cute smile and faint blush.

Karin who was still looking down the hole didn't see Urahara behind her but the next thing she knew she was outside her body with chain of fate connecting them. Well they were until Tessai suddenly slammed an axe like weapon that severed the chain. Karin looked at the severed chain in shock.

"WHAT THE HELL?" She yelled but all answer she got was being pushed off edge and into the hole. She landed harshly with a thud and groan. She got up and glared at the sheepishly smiling Urahara.

"Ah my apologies, Kurosaki-chan~."

Karin huffed annoyed before she sat down crossed her arms and looked to the blonde for an explanation.

"You see… the reason I had your soul chain or chain of fate cut was due to the fact that you have to die in a sense to gain your own true powers." The blonde then went into a more detailed explanation where Karin just got angrier.

She wanted to snap at the man but her mind told her that she didn't have time for this.

Sighing she went into a meditate state to try and reach her… mindscape as Urahara called it.

She didn't see Urahara's slightly worried look. He knew she was strong but… he had to wonder if she was strong enough. Somehow he knew Ichigo would have been strong now as well but after meeting the man personally he knew that becoming a hollow had made him sharper than he would have been, not by much probably but there were some things he could link to being a hollow.

One was the distrusting look those red eyes held, second was the fact that he had amazing instincts if what he gathered on his own was anything to go by and lastly the red eyes themselves.

They were a shade of red impossible for a Shinigami or human to have. The colour of liquid blood, they were so predatorily that he got the shivers just from remembering the last glance he got from Ichigo before he went back.

The long Nodachi blade was rather intimidating as well. His red eyes, the orange hair and lighter shade of orange obi and strip on the hilt of his sword made him look like some sort of fire guardian, a small smile made its home on his lips.

Guardian.

It was odd that the red head would make guarding the state of the three worlds his job, a true protector.

The four on the top of the hole looked down at Karin as she breathed deeply trying to gain the ability to enter her mindscape.

Sighing he went to the ladder to get some tea going.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hours later and half the chain gone Tessai had to enter the hole and restrain Karin for in case she failed. More time passed and Kisuke could see that Karin was starting to get angsty. The chain only had a few more links left.

Tessai had added more precautions but was getting worried himself.

At the last moment however everything seemed to freeze for Karin. The world lost its colour and she looked around in a panic before her world became cloudy and as the seconds ticked by the clouds consumed he whole world before she blanked out.

She woke up with a feeling of falling before she hit hard ground.

Opening her eyes she gasped as she looked around. She was lying on a large circle piece of ground with cloudy skies above her, wind was blowing strongly against her skin. Looking around she saw dark brown circle pillars all around her, some so tall they went beyond the clouds. Sitting up with a ground she looked around confused.

Was this her inner world?

Her eyes went wide however when the pillars all seemed to fall apart.

"What the hell?" She whispered in horror.

"Karin."

An airy voice stuck between a man and a woman's spoke out to her making her jump to her feet. Who was that? Her sword's spirit?

"Correct. I am your Zampactou's soul. I am part of your soul. Find me. Claim me." The voice said shifting between a woman and man's voice.

"How?" Karin yelled as the pillar next to her fell to the ground with a loud crash. "You know how, search yourself." The multi-gender voice spoke.

Cursing she racked her brain.

Ishida's voice came into her head; she had asked him how he knew she was a Shinigami after the fiasco of the challenge between then died down.

"Easy. I looked at your soul ribbon." He then went on to show her how to do it.

"That's it!" She said focusing on the ribbons that formed once she concentrated enough on the reiatsu and reiryoku around her. A mass of white ribbons exploded around her but she kept looking for the red one, the red one was the one she needed.

She saw it after a minute of looking. She darted for it discovering she was rather fast in this mindscape of her as well as agile as she easily jumped from the falling rubble.

The red ribbon was leading towards what was most likely the largest pillar in sheer size making Karin wonder if it was the centre of her mindscape. Shaking her head to clear it, she followed the red ribbon; it was lodged in the very pillar itself that was slowly tumbling down around her.

"Be quick. Grab me and claim me, call out my name!"

"But I don't know you name!" Karin yelled as she gripped the red ribbon and yanked hard, the ribbon and the brown ground it was attached to broke away leaving her with the hilt of a sword. Releasing the ribbon she gripped the hilt of the sword and yanked on it. Just as it came free the multi-gender voice spoke.

"Call out my name! My name is…"

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

Outside the world it was all but silent. Karin's soul chain was one link away from entering the last stage, Tessai got himself ready to do the last Kido but Karin's body started to glow a faint purple before a large explosion of power made Urahara jump back and shield the kids from the falling pieces of rock.

Junta looked over Urahara's shoulder to see something coming out of the cloud of dust. "Hey something just came out of the hole." Urahara looked around to see a figure in the cloud of dust. As the dust settled he smiled when he saw Karin clad in Shihakusho wielding a rather pretty sealed sword. She breathed out and looked around her.

Looking down Karin saw the blade in her hand and raised it to her eye level. It was a standard katana but the hilt was pretty to her. It had a grey cloth wrapped around it with a think purple cord running the opposite way making an odd criss-cross pattern. The hand guard was an oval while the pommel of the sword had a small silver chain with a bell at the end to it.

"Kazekarasu huh?"

"Wind raven?" Urahara asked as he got closer. Karin nodded as the multi-gender voice confirmed it.

"Yeah it confirmed it just now." Urahara arched a brow. "It?"

Karin looked at Urahara. "It keeps changing gender in its voice." Urahara looked slightly shocked and amused at the same time.

"Ah well now we train!"

Karin grinned, pumped to get stronger so she could save Rukia.

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Yoruichi looked at the two teens before her. Karin trusted these two and they were strong now that they had their own powers activated.

"Are you two sure?" the cat spoke after the two teens got over the fact that they were talking to a cat. Orihime had squealed and gushed while Chad barely held back from glomping the black kitty.

After Karin helped them after the incidents with Orihime's brother and Chad with the bird well they felt that owed her something.

That and Chad that held a flame for the older Kurosaki twin.

They both nodded and so they went to an abandoned factory to train. They had just returned from asking the Quincy boy to join then but he said he had his own training to do.

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In Soul Society things were looking gloom. Rukia had refused to eat or even talk now that she knew she was going to die. It didn't matter.

She deserved it.

After all she was the one who killed Kaien; she got Karin into dangerous situations that taught her that her brother was more likely than not a hollow and all because she wasn't strong enough.

It was the last day she would be in her cell before she would spend the rest of her days in the tower of solitude.

Looking up at the barred window she wondered if Karin was alright. If Yuzu made that dress for her or what perverted things Kon was up to. She wondered what odd things Orihime had eaten, if Chad had finally asked Karin out.

She wondered if Mr. Kurosaki was feeling better…

Her vision started to blur as tears formed at the rims of her eyes.

She released a shuddering breathe before the barriers broke finally and all her pent-up sadness slipped through, as it they were a waterfall her tears cascaded down her pale cheeks, she hunched over placing her face into her hands at her knees. Her whole frame shook as she cried softly while whispering 'I'm sorry' to no one and everyone.

Hanataro stood at the bars with the tray of food he knew wouldn't be eaten; he was near tears as well looking at Rukia as she cried to herself all alone. He sighed and placed the tray down softly never making enough noise to be heard. He left the room and walked back to his division as his duties were officially finished with the delivering of Rukia's last meal.

Renji was suddenly in front of him. He quivered as the man looked down at him. "Did she eat?" Renji asked him and for a few seconds he was lost at what he was asked before his mind clicked.

His whole face turned so miserable that Renji was shocked, at the shake of the smaller man's head he frowned. "When I came into her holding cell she was… crying." The smaller male whispered gaining unshed tears in his eyes before he walked around Renji clearly upset at what he saw.

Renji decided that he would go see Rukia for one last time. It hurt his very soul that it would be the last time; there was nothing he could do. He was after all unable to even get a scratch on his captain.

He was standing in front of the door but he could already hear the heart wrenching cries of the woman he loved inside. He gently laid his head against the door.

"Damnit." He whispered to himself. He was unable to face Rukia. After she yelled at him to leave she had asked Hanataro to keep all people away till he was done with his duty. Even Matsumoto was shown away. Now he was unable to find any words of comfort for her and Byakuya was taking this all with that damn icy persona that he hated so much.

Clenching his jaw Renji turned and made his way to the sixth division training grounds. Training till he passed out was all way he could get some sleep in now. Again he missed his captain that was standing an end away. He too was on way to speak with Rukia.

Once Renji was gone he made his way to the door only to freeze. He heard what his lieutenant heard. Rukia was crying while softly saying sorry over and over.

Lowering his head he turned and left knowing that Rukia wouldn't want to be seen. On his way back home he was stopped by Gin who had his ever annoying smile. "Mah mah some cryin ther' how sad ne? Makes one wondah wha pain she been throu. Afta all she had ya as a brother. She musta felt lika failah mos tha time wif ya as a brother." Gin said with a tilt of the head, he walked around the noble as if he hadn't just insulted him.

"How dare you say such things to me?" Byakuya said turning around only to see a very serious Gin looking at him with open eyes. "Someone had to say it to your face. You think acting cold and aloof will save you from getting hurt but you will only hurt yourself the most in the end when you're all alone on the day you stop breathing." Gin hissed out before he walked briskly away.

Byakuya was so shocked he allowed his eyes to go wide.

He had never heard Gin talk properly or so seriously and up front that it was rather scary.

The next day Rukia was taken to the Senzaikyū led by her own brother. She didn't look up once, didn't speak but that was due to her throat being sore from her crying herself to sleep. She even had a bruise on her cheek and shoulder where she fell and landed on the floor when she passed out from crying too much. Her eyes were dull and almost lifeless yet still red rimmed and puffy.

It pained Byakuya to see his adopted sister, sister of his wife so… broken looking.

Once inside the tower she didn't look behind her when the guard spewed harsh words at her, she didn't even flinch when he said she would die in fifteen days.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ichigo was in the common room with Akira by his side reading a book he had nabbed when he was in the world of the living. Ichigo was busy shining his sword, it was a rather odd thing to do as they didn't need actual care but Ichigo did so anyway.

Whenever he did he could feel the happiness from the sword.

His sword was his weapon, a part of him so why not take care of it? That was what he believed.

Grimmjow and Nnoitra came in with their Fracción in tow; they saw Ichigo sitting crossed legged with his long Nodachi resting over his knees. The blade was beautiful bright silver with a pattern of flames on it but one had to look closely to see it. Ichigo was busy polishing after sharpening it. He did it with such gentleness that the two men and the ones who followed them were surprised at how gentle those hands could be but two of the men watching knew how gentle those hands could be in bed.

"What the hell are ya doin'?" asked Nnoitra as he took a seat on the largest couch. Ichigo didn't even look up as he spoke. "Giving my sword a pampering." He said it all in a 'Duh what else would I be doing?" kind of tone. Nnoitra shared a look with Telsa.

"But our swords don't need shining an all that shit like Shinigami swords." Nnoitra said while the rest watched, as they watched and waited for Ichigo to answer the rest of the Espada and their followers joined them and watched as Ichigo balanced his sword on both palms to hold it eye level.

The long blade shined and almost seemed alive to those watching.

"Our blades are a part of us just as much as the Shinigami blades are part of them. I bet if we try hard enough we would access to an inner world like them too." Ichigo said never taking his eyes of the blade that was now held close to his face broad side facing him.

"Why would we want that?" asked Szayel, they all knew that Ichigo had been spending a lot of time with Gin and Kaname for some odd reason. Ichigo sheathed his blade and patted it gently before looking up. His red eyes looking bored and his frown there in its usual place, they always wondered why the man frowned as much but soon discovered that he just frowned.

"How do you think Shinigami get so powerful so quickly? Their swords are part of them. They can't grow stronger if they don't grow stronger with their blades. Their swords are part of them as much as it counts for us. Without our swords we can't really fight at full strength, without our swords we cannot go into Resurreccion."

Everyone nodded thinking more about it.

"Wonder if we have an inner world like the shinigami have…" Harribel wondered out loud looking up at the ceiling deep in thought.

Ichigo was wondering it too.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"What…the…fuck… talking cat… okay…" Karin said looking at Yoruichi in slight aw and suspicion.

"Huh I expected a bigger reaction." Ishida said as he pushed up his glasses. Karin looked at him like he was an alien.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" she asked with a heavy frown. Ishida looked a little to the side flashing Orihime a quick glance before looking back at the brunette. "I have a dept to pay and I will never decline an offer to take down a few Shinigami in the process." Karin hummed before she shrugged.

She looked at Orihime who smiled at her in her ever cheerful way. Karin just smirked back.

Making eye contact with Chad made her stomach made odd flutter like motions that she ignored for the moment. "Thanks Chad for helping." She said with a softer smirk. Yoruichi noticed the darkening of Chad's cheeks due to her better vision in night. She failed to hide the smirk.

"Ah we're all here good. Now follow me if you will~!" Urahara said smirking behind his fan as he led the group down into the training basement.

Orihime gasped and clasped her hands together.

"Oh this is so wonderful! How cool!"

Tessai grabbed her hands and thanked her for her kind words with tears in his eyes making Karin smirk at the funny picture.

After that Urahara led then to a rectangular frame that looked to made out of a bunch of papers stuck together, the blonde man started to go into explaining but Karin was angsty and wanted to get a move on. "Oh can it for later will ya?" she barked making the blonde jump. He smiled and nodded his head. "Alright Kurosaki-chan~!" along with Tessai's help they opened the gate and with one final warning for the cleaner they rushed through.

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

Okay so there is a lack of two parts of the story that I no doubt you have noticed.

Karin did help Orihime with Sora and Chad with the bird. The stories will be told just not now.

Also if I translated incorrectly with Karin's word please tell me the correct way and I will be happy to change it. I couldn't find other words, I didn't use Google translate as I know they are iffy with Japanese translations. So please if it is wrong; don't bite my head off, just tell me the right way and I will fix it!

So in regards to the next chapter I want you all to forget what happens in Bleach as this won't work quite like that.

Thanks for the support! You guys rock!