Chapter 13: Family Bonding
Shiba Estate, West Rukongai
Karin stares in awe at the sky above filled with unique combinations of colors and shapes the likes of which she's never seen before. Kukaku's voice calling to her from behind breaks her out of her trance. "Bet those fireworks in the world of the living don't compare to these!"
Karin turns to face her cousin, who is looking up at her work with a prideful expression. Karin merely nods her head in response. A few more minutes pass as Karin can't help but admire her cousin's work further.
Karin's thoughts begin to drift on the day's strange occurrences that led to this point.
6 hours ago (Soul Society Time)
"Aw crap! Sis, it looks like we're out of the good stuff!", Ganju remarks after rummaging through a box of various explosives.
Kukaku clicks her tongue, "Shit. Looks like you'll have to go get more materials".
Ganju spins around, wearing an upset expression, "ME?! But I thought you said YOU'D get the materials this time!"
Kukaku snorts, "Well this time is special. I'll be the one to make the fireworks, since I'm better at it than you are! That means you get the materials."
Ganju continues to protest, "But I want to—"
Kukaku punches Ganju on the head, "QUIT WHINING! Or are you saying you want our cousin's first impressions of our fireworks to be third rate?!"
Kukaku points at Karin as she says this, who perks up from the table she's sitting at.
Karin, deciding to take this opportunity to resolve the conflict, speaks up, "Well, I don't really mind. You guys really don't have to go through all the effort—"
"No, you're right… she should definitely see your fireworks first…" Ganju admits, cutting Karin off.
Karin's eye twitches a bit at being ignored, but sighs as she rests her chin on her palm.
Rukia, who is seated across from Karin, smiles at the display of the Shibas' antics.
Kukaku nods at her brother, then regards Karin, "Alright then, Karin, you can go with Ganju to the Rukongai."
Karin raises a brow, "You want me to help him do chores?"
Kukaku shakes her head, "No. I want you to meet the people of the Rukongai. I don't know what kind of Shinigami you plan on being, but I refuse to let you be one who holds no regard for the people she is meant to protect. Most of those Shinigami bastards don't give a damn about the people of the Rukongai."
Karin looks to Rukia for confirmation, who wears a disappointed expression, "She's right about that. Only a handful of us care about the Rukongai… many haven't even been out here. It's the sad truth."
"Well, that's bullshit.", Karin blurts out.
Kukaku laughs, "You don't hold back, do you? That's as sure a sign you're gonna get that you're a Shiba, if I've ever seen one!"
Karin's eyes widen, as she rubs the back of her neck awkwardly, "So that's normal for you guys? I thought the Shibas were nobles?"
Kukaku shrugs, "Eh, not really. Not anymore. Besides which, my parents were very direct too, even when the family was still nobles. And honestly, all these manners and etiquette are a pain—you should just be yourself! To hell with what those high-strung aristocrats think!"
Karin nods, smiling at the woman's words. Rukia on the other hand, gawks, thinking to herself, "That's the worst advise on how to be a noble I've ever heard!"
Ganju decides to interrupt the conversation, "This is all well and good, but are you coming with or not? We're burning day light!"
Karin nods awkwardly, still getting used to being around her cousins.
Rukia follows the two cousins out of the room, before turning to Kukaku, "Would it be alright if I set up a training area in the forest nearby?"
Kukaku shrugs, "I don't care. Just keep the noise down if you train at night."
Rukia bows before exiting the room.
Outside, Ganju and Karin are met by four men, all with varying appearances. Ganju addresses them all, as they look at Karin with curious gazes, "All right gang, this is my cousin, Karin. She'll be accompanying me to the Rukongai today."
Karin gives them all a wave, "What's up?"
The first to speak is a man with a head band and afro, "Hey, she kinda looks like a younger version of Ms. Kukaku."
Ganju snorts, "Are you deaf? I just said we were cousins—of course she'd resemble us!"
Another man with a pointy hairdo adjusts the sunglasses he's wearing, "No way man, she looks too cute to resemble you."
Ganju narrows his eyes, "What's that supposed to mean? All the girls say I'm cute! Just look at these eyelashes!"
Karin's face contorts in mild disgust, as she notes to herself, "Yeah… I definitely don't want to be compared to him based on appearance… he reminds me of goat beard."
The man in sunglasses waves his hands, "Y-y'know I didn't mean it like that, boss! It's just—"
"I'll stop you right there, Top. We all know you can't win an argument.", a man who wears his hair over his right eye stops the argument before it can begin.
The fourth, bald, man, nods his head in agreement, as he strokes a squirrel in his hand.
Ganju sighs, before addressing Karin, "So, this here is my gang. The one with the afro is Fever, he has absolutely no rhythm. The one who tried to start an argument just now is Top… as you've heard, he is pretty bad at arguing. The guy who stopped the argument is Hawk, who is good at cooking. And the last guy is Dumbbell—he's good with animals."
Ganju then starts to strike a pose with the rest of his gang, "And together we're—the West Rukon riders!"
Karin sweat drops, using all the restraint she can muster to suppress her thoughts from coming into words, "Their pose is so lame!"
Ganju breaks out of the pose, "Anyway, I think you guys should stay here for today—Hawk, I'd appreciate it if you had dinner ready for when we come back!"
Hawk nods, "Leave it to me boss!"
Karin seems to be thinking about something, prompting Ganju to address her, "What's on your mind?"
Karin snaps out of her thoughts, mildly flustered, "It's just… you called yourselves riders? What do you ride?"
"Oh right! Here, I'll show you. Bonnie!" the man shouts as he whistles.
Karin hears trotting, her eyes widening as a giant boar jumps over her body and lands directly on Ganju.
The man struggles to push the boar off before mounting it, "Alright, get on!"
Ganju pats the back of the saddle, which apparently has enough room for Karin to sit.
Karin deadpans, still struggling to keep her thoughts to herself, "He's a pig-straddler!"
West Rukongai
Ganju and Karin are greeted by a crowd of curious Rukongai residents, wondering why Ganju showed up without his gang.
Ganju dismounts Bonnie, helping Karin get off too, before addressing the residents, "I need supplies for fireworks."
Ganju pulls out a bag of coins from the sounds of it, "You'll be compensated as usual."
This causes one of the older residents to approach Ganju, "I thought you said Lady Kukaku would come this time. Also, I think I'm asking for all of us when I ask; who is the young lady accompanying you?"
The residents look at Karin, who shifts nervously under their gazes.
Ganju shrugs, "She's my cousin, Karin. Sis sent me to gather supplies and she will make the fireworks. We want our next lot to make a good first impression."
The old man's eyes widen, "Your cousin—?"
The man looks Karin up and down before the vision of an ill-mannered girl who looks identical to Karin, but wearing a tattered kimono, comes to his mind. The man nods, "I see… she does in fact resemble Lady Kukaku in her youth."
Ganju snorts, "You're the second person today to say that… do you have the materials or not?"
The old man nods, "Lee's shop is just down the road. I believe you will find what you need there."
"Thanks. Karin, you stay here. Meet the locals—we'll be coming here a lot over the next couple weeks." Ganju then walks off to gather the supplies.
Karin looks at the residents awkwardly, as they gaze at her wordlessly.
"I'm not sure what I should say…" she thinks to herself.
The old man approaches Karin, wearing a friendly expression, "So you are Ganju's cousin, Karin, was it?"
The girl nods wordlessly.
The old man continues, "I am the elder of this village. We are indebted to your cousins. They have made the hardships living here far lighter for all of us."
Karin nods once more, saying nothing in response.
The elder notices her silence, "Y'know, you really do remind me of young Kukaku when I first met her… she was a quiet child, always choosing to hide behind her brother when meeting strangers…"
"Ganju?" Karin asks, speaking for the first time since arriving at the Rukongai village.
The villagers chuckle around the girl, the elder cracking a smile as well, "No, my child. I am referring to her older brother, Kaien. He was such an upstanding man, one who we all looked up to. Based on your appearance, you seem to be following in his footsteps…"
Karin widens her eyes and glances down at her Shinigami Shihakusho before meeting the elder's gaze, which is now much more somber.
The elder continues, "I'm sure I don't have to tell you this, but please tread carefully. The path of a Shinigami is one impeded by danger…"
Karin's gaze hardens uncharacteristically, taking the residents off guard "Danger is nothing… I will avenge my brother, or my name isn't Karin Kurosaki!"
The elder's eyes widen, "Your bro-? Then that means—"
Karin grimaces, looking away as her eyes start to water, "Just forget about it…"
The other residents whisper amongst themselves about the implications, but the elder calls out to all of them, "That's enough! We owe the Shibas too much to be gossiping about their family matters!"
The villagers all silence themselves at this.
The elder glances back at Karin with a solemn expression, noting to himself, "She must've been through so much to have the resolve to become a Shinigami at such a young age…"
A boy with brown hair, who looks about Karin's age, approaches her, "Excuse me, but did you say you name was Kurosaki?"
Karin blinks, forcing any potential tears out of her eyes, as she faces the boy, "Yeah, what's it to you?"
The boy smiles with a friendly expression, "You wouldn't happen to know a Yuzu Kurosaki, would you?"
Karin's eyes widen at this, "You knew my sister? I should know you if you knew her…"
The boy shakes his head, "No. I didn't know her personally, but she was a friend of Mr. Chad. He helped me pass on. My names' Yuichi, by the way."
Karin gazes at the boy curiously, "Wait, back up. How does Yuzu have anything to do with your passing on? How would you remember her from that?"
The boy nods, "Well, Miss Yuzu helped Chad with his wounds after he protected me from a hollow. She was very nice."
Karin wears a bewildered expression, as her thoughts are racing.
The elder frowns at the boy, "Yuichi, didn't I just say to not pester the girl about family matters?"
Yuichi looks down in a mild amount of shame at this.
Karin notices this and raises her voice, "It's alright. It's good to know that she is taking care of the clinic when dad and I are… gone…"
The girl trails off as many of the villagers look at her with sympathy.
Just then, Ganju arrives carrying the supplies, "Alright, let's get out of… here…"
Ganju notices the somber looks the villagers are giving Karin and turns to the elder, whispering to him, "What happened?"
The elder gives Ganju a serious look, "Watch over this girl, Ganju."
Ganju stares wordlessly at the old man before turning his gaze back to Karin, who is talking with Yuichi, who is explaining some power called Fullbring, which Karin is convinced is made up as the kid also spoke about how he was a cockatiel, which obviously couldn't be true.
"Who do you think you're talking to, old man? Of course, I'll look after my cousin!" the man declares as he whistles for his boar to return to him.
The villagers disperse as Ganju leaves with Karin, the elder watching with a somewhat worried expression.
Shiba Estate
Ganju hands the collection of fireworks over to Kukaku, "That should be all of them, Sis. How can I help prepare them?"
Kukaku goes over the supplies, ignoring her brother's question, as he still stands at attention.
Ganju repeats, "I asked you; how can I help prepare them?"
Kukaku continues to go over the supplies with an unreadable expression.
Ganju doesn't give up, however, "How can I—"
"I HEARD YOU THE FIRST TWO TIMES!" Kukaku shouts as she punches Ganju in the face sending him across the room.
"Ow! What'd you do that for? That hurt!" Ganju whines, rubbing the side of his face.
Kukaku glares at her brother, "A fire-works novice like you would only get in the way! Now, get out of here! I'm trying to focus!"
Ganju is shocked by this and walks away sulking, "I don't think my fireworks are that bad…"
On his way outside, Ganju is handed a bowl of curry from Hawk.
Hawk looks through the door Ganju came from and addresses the man while he starts eating, "I don't think your fireworks are that back either, boss."
Ganju gives his friend an appreciative look, "Thanks Hawk…"
"They're still nothing compared to Ms. Kukaku's, though." Fever blurts out from the table across the room.
The other three of Ganju's gang agree, nodding their heads, which only seems to further sour Ganju's mood.
Ganju looks at the table, noticing a bowl of curry sitting in place, "Where's Karin?"
"She said she wasn't hungry… she went outside, I think…" Top replies before taking another bite of his curry.
Ganju's gaze hardens as he devours his bowl as fast as he can, stunning Hawk.
"Thanks for the grub!" Ganju states to his friend, handing him the dirty bowl before making his way outside.
Once outside, Ganju notices Karin kicking around some kind of checkered ball, wearing an intense expression on her face.
"Hey, what are you doing? Your food'll get cold!" Ganju calls out to the girl.
Karin looks at Ganju, "I'm not hungry though…"
Ganju frowns, "How am I supposed to face my uncle if he finds out I'm letting you skip meals? Please just work with me here, kid…"
Karin bounces the ball with her foot, wearing a careless expression, "That's you and goat beard's problem. I'm not hungry, so I'm not going to eat."
Ganju starts getting agitated by the girl's words but calms down when the girl suddenly strikes the ball mid-air with a mighty kick, sending it to the other side of the field. He then watches her run after it and intercept it before it hits the ground.
"I didn't know she was so fast…" the man thinks to himself as he gawks at his cousin.
Karin looks down at the ball, wide eyed, noting to herself with equal surprise, "I couldn't move like that before becoming a Shinigami. Did I get some kind of crazy speed boost or something?"
Ganju walks over to Karin, "Is that some kind of game in the living world—kicking the ball to yourself?"
Karin shakes her head, "Not to yourself, to other players. The game is called Soccer, and you want your team to score more goals than the other team."
Ganju rubs the back of his head, "So how does scoring goals work then?"
Karin looks back down at the ball, "Usually there are goal posts set up on each side of the field, one for each team. If I kick the ball into the other teams' goal, that counts as a point. The ball then goes to the other team, but it can be stolen by the defending team."
Ganju tilts his head, "Games from the world of the living sure are complicated…"
Karin sweat drops, thinking to herself, "This blockhead… I haven't even told him about the positions yet."
Ganju huffs, "Well in any case, it looks like we'll have to get these goal posts set up so we can play against each other!"
Karin's eyes widen at this, "Are you sure? You know I'm pretty good from where I'm from, I don't want to embarrass you…"
Ganju taunts the girl, "What's the matter, afraid you'll lose?"
Karin deadpans and frowns at her cousin, "Huh?!"
Ganju chuckles, "I perfectly understand, Karin, you're afraid I'll show you up and I'll be the new champion of this Football game!"
Karin points at Ganju dramatically, "First of all, it's Soccer not Football—get it right! (What are you, European?!) And secondly, I won't lose to you, and I'll prove it right now!"
Ganju scratches the back of his head, "Right now? But there are no goal posts…"
Karin shakes her head, "We don't need them to prove my point. Try to steal the ball from me without using your hands. You'll see the difference in our skills, then."
Ganju shrugs, "Should be a piece of cake!"
Ganju charges at Karin trying to kick the ball from under her foot, but the girl instantly applies force on the ball, sending it to the side. Ganju tries to use his other foot to get it, but Karin uses the other side of the same foot to redirect the ball between Ganju's legs, before quickly pivoting around him to intercept her own pass. The end result? Ganju overexerting his kicks and falling on his butt.
Karin casually dribbles the ball back and forth, "What's the matter? Can't keep up?"
Ganju notices a fire in Karin's eyes as she states next, "I'm a Queen when it comes to Soccer—you just lay on the ground where you belong—you're not fit to play on my field!"
Ganju growls as he gets up, "Oh yeah?! Well, I'm gonna knock that ego of yours down a few pegs and then some!"
Karin smirks, "I'd just love to see you try!"
2 Hours Later
Kukaku gives a satisfied nod upon inspecting her work, "Two hours well spent to make, likely, the best damn fireworks in the land!"
She exits the room, followed by Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko, who carry the fireworks.
Kukaku glances at the dining area to see a full bowl of curry that is definitely cold by now, raising a brow.
Her attention is grabbed when she hears noises coming from outside, walking up the stairs to inspect.
What she finds puts a smile on her face—Karin standing over a huffing Ganju.
"You had enough? Or am I going to have to school you some more?" Karin taunts, continuing to dribble the soccer ball casually, although with less energy than before.
Ganju is apparently too exhausted to respond.
Kukaku glances at Ganju's gang, who notice her gaze, "What's going on out here?"
Hawk answers, "Ganju said he could steal that ball from Karin while neither of them uses their hands, but he has been failing to do so for the last two hours!"
Kukaku looks back at Karin, "Interesting…"
Karin becomes quiet when she notices Kukaku approaching.
The woman smirks at her cousin, "You ready to see some fireworks?"
Present Time
Karin returns to the present at Kukaku's call again, "That game you played with Ganju looked interesting. What do you call it?"
Karin simply responds, "It's Soccer."
Kukaku raises a brow, "And?"
Karin looks confused, "What?"
Kukaku sighs, "Are you gonna tell me how it works or not? I assume it's more than just kicking a ball."
Karin shrugs, "Not really. I mean, sure, there are a lot of rules and positions you can take on the field—but at the core Soccer is about kicking the ball and scoring goals."
Kukaku casually smokes from her pipe, "You'll have to teach me sometime. Then we can start making it a game people can play around here."
Karin nods again, "Sure…"
Kukaku raises a brow again, "I know what I said earlier, but are you sure you're a Shiba?"
Karin raises a brow, wearing an anxious expression, "Why do you ask?"
Kukaku smokes on her pipe, exhaling before explaining, "Don't worry, the question was rhetorical. You're just a lot quieter than I expected of Isshin's daughter, is all."
Karin says nothing in response, prompting Kukaku to continue. "I'm sorry if this is a sour topic, but could you tell me about your mother?"
Karin's eyes widen and her posture stiffens at this briefly, which Kukaku doesn't miss. Before Karin can respond, Kukaku continues, "Never mind. I can tell it's a bad subject—it's written all over you. Sorry for bringing it up."
After a few moments of awkward silence, Karin decides to speak up, "Why do you want to know about my mom? She's gone… it's not worth talking about…"
Kukaku snarls at this, "You trying to piss me off?"
Karin flinches at this. Kukaku continues, "Look, kid. The only way you will remember those you've lost is by talking about them. They live on in your memories—meaning they never truly die until people forget about them."
Karin looks down with a solemn expression, "I guess… but I'm sorry to say, I don't know much about my mom. All I know is that she was a kind woman who loved her family…"
Kukaku sighs, "Well that's a relief. All I wanted to know was what kind of person uncle would abandon his family and position as captain for. Good to know it was for someone nice, at least."
Karin is silent for a while before she suddenly asks, "Can I ask you a difficult question too?"
Kukaku, with an expectant look in eye, smokes from her pipe, "It's only fair, I guess. Go ahead."
Karin lifts her head and looks back up at fireworks, which is something Kukaku has been doing the whole time.
Karin nervously bites her lip before continuing, "Can you tell me about your older brother? The one Rukia said she killed…"
Ganju sits up from where he was lying on the ground, also interested in hearing his sister speak about their brother. Koganehiko, Shiroganehiko, and Ganju's friends move back inside to give the family some space.
Kukaku sighs a deep sigh, exhaling a stream of smoke as she does so, "You really don't hold back, do you?"
Karin remains silent as Kukaku closes her eyes, seemingly deep in thought. She sighs once more as she opens her eyes and addresses Karin.
"Aw what the hell… I would've told you about him eventually. But first things first, Rukia didn't kill my brother, no matter how much she may try to act like it."
Karin looks a bit confused about this, "What do you mean? What killed him?"
Kukaku looks solemn, "Some hollow, I think. You'd have to ask Rukia herself for the details, although I'd recommend waiting a bit to ask. I think she's still taking things in right now…"
Karin nods slowly, seemingly understanding as Kukaku smiles lightly, "Besides, I'm sure you'd much rather hear about the good times! Am I right?"
Karin nods her head this time with more vigor, "Yeah. What type of person was he?"
Kukaku smirks, recalling tales to tell, "Well you see…"
Karin wears a smile as she chuckles, while Ganju has sad tears of joy at the recollection of his brother.
Kukaku smirks as she concludes the tale, "…I never let him lay his hands on fireworks again after that. His skill with them made Ganju look like a pro, even back then."
"Hey—!" Ganju pouts, once more having his skills in fireworks crafting being questioned.
Karin smiles, "In any case, Kaien does sound like he was a good person… he reminds me a lot of my own brother…"
Karin becomes silent at this, looking off into the distance, wearing a face of guilt.
Ganju frowns and looks away, while Kukaku softens her gaze and pats Karin on the back.
After a long moment, Kukaku speaks, "It's getting late. We should show you to the room you'll be staying in—Ganju."
The man nods, "I'm on it."
Ganju rushes into the house, seemingly making preparations.
Kukaku guides Karin through the Estate before reaching a room at the end of the hall, "This used to be Kaien's room."
Karin opens her mouth to protest but is cut off by Kukaku.
"Oh no, I'm not hearing any objections. My brother would be mad at me if I made our cousin sleep outside! So just go the hell to sleep!" the woman smirks at her younger cousin, which for some reason comes off as comforting to the girl.
Karin bows her head, "Thank you, Kukaku…"
Kukaku's eyes widen slightly before she looks off to the side, "Don't mention it. It really is the least I could do."
Suddenly Ganju opens the door of the room and comes out, which causes Karin to flinch.
"The room is all good to go! I'll see you tomorrow, Karin!" Ganju calls out as he fumbles down the hall.
"He doesn't want you to see him get all emotional… you understand, being our brother's room and all…" Kukaku explains her brother's odd behavior.
Karin rubs her eyes, starting to succumb to her fatigue.
Kukaku guides the girl to the futon. Karin lays on it, her eyes closing as she drifts off to sleep.
As Kukaku leaves the room, she mutters something under her breath, "I won't let you meet the same fate as my brother… don't throw away your life recklessly, Karin…"
Hueco Mundo
White soars through the dark skies of Hueco Mundo, his eyes set on his prey. Currently, he is pursuing other, winged Adjuchas, although these ones are far more bird-like than the dragon, based on their feathers. White struggles to keep up with them, his reduced speed due to his Respira wound holding him back. The dragon narrows its eyes in frustration as the birds get further and further from him.
He groans, mentally, "Damnit! If only I could use my Sonido without expending energy…!"
Suddenly, as if prompted, the dragon hears a distorted voice speak, "Too weak..."
Visions of a buzzing or perhaps flashing figure race through the dragon's mind. The figure is humanoid and completely black, with the exception of a white Hollow-like mask, with blades for arms. It has two forward facing horns that protrude out of the sides of the its head, akin to the horns the dragon has. It continues moving at high speeds nearly invisible to the naked eye before it stops moving, although its exact features are still fuzzy to the dragon. It howls to the sky—a bestial and unnatural sounding cry, which unnerves the dragon somewhat, as if it is listening to some kind of eldritch abomination. The figure stares at the dragon, peering into its very mental essence through its shining red eyes.
The creature opens its mouth, uttering in a distorted voice reminiscent of the dragon's own, "Speed... needs no energy..."
It then immediately continues to move effortlessly at high speeds as it assaults another figure, which is even more hazy to White to the point that he can't tell what it is.
White, returning from his thoughts as he, perhaps, instinctually follows the lead of the figure, his eyes dilating as he does. The dragon suddenly disappears with the buzz of Sonido before cutting off the winged creatures who were previously in front of him. The birds all come to an abrupt halt, horror shining in their eyes.
White practically snickers under his mask as he utters, "Got ya..."
The birds attempt to turn around and leave, but before they can, White punctures one with his clawed hand, causing them to freeze in fear. The dragon then devours the captured bird, causing blood to spurt from the bird's corpse, which hangs limply within his jaws. White swallows before the bird's remains can dissolve, causing the bird to instead merge with him. The dragon sets his sights briefly on the other birds once more before immediately lunging at them, brutally tearing them apart one by one like their brethren before.
Author's Note:
I felt like there needed to be a chapter dedicated to building up Karin's relationship with her cousins, as I have certain plot points planned later on that I don't think will hit as hard without this.
Also, it's just a shame that we don't get any interactions between the Shiba siblings and Ichigo's sisters in canon—actually, we don't even get them interacting with Isshin! Dang, feelsbadman…
In case anyone was wondering; yes, that was a Blue Lock reference.
Lastly, for those who don't know, from the Light Novels, it is stated that Sonido doesn't use up any of the user's Reiatsu, which make it the best among Flash Step, Bringer's Light, and Hirenkyaku. Now, we've only seen this in the case of Espada's like Grimmjow and Luppi, so I've decided to expand upon the lore a bit in this story by making it so only those who have mastered advanced Sonido can use it efficiently enough to not use up their Reiatsu. White, in this chapter, instinctually came to understand how to go about doing this as a means of preserving as much of his life force as possible while hunting the birds.
