Chapter Five: Crossroads
Three long days had passed since Karin had transformed into a Shinigami. They were three long days of training that involved Tatsuki, Yoruichi, Urahara, Jinta, Ururu, and herself in a giant and rather epic 'everyone for them selves' battle. Besides the previous mentioned participants, there were two new faces, Keigo Asano and Mizuiro Kojima.
"These two idiots." Explained Tatsuki before the training had started. "Wimped out the first time they were here…"
"Did not. I simply had to go to my grandmothers," Defended Keigo.
Tatsuki put on an all knowing face, "I recall the reason for leaving the first time was that you two had insane amounts of home work." Everyone sweat dropped and the two new boys put on desperate faces as they were chased around by an insane laughing Tatsuki. "We're guna get those powers of yours to come out no matter what!"
The rest was a blur to Karin as Urahara took that moment in time to start the brawl. He had said that the exercise would give them all new strength for the upcoming battle. She didn't know about the two new Idiots who claimed to be Ichigo's friends but she wasn't about to give up to some sandal wearing freak.
The first day was nothing really. Urahara was relentless in his attacks but it had seemed like he was holding back. His smirk never left his face. That's how Karin knew he wasn't going all out. What ever, he'll be sorry, because Karin had a secret of her own.
Karin didn't mind Mizuiro and as long as Keigo stayed far away from her, she was all set. When she was trying to recuperate she had caught Keigo and Yoruichi in the middle of battle. He had seemed to have unlocked his power. It had something to do with teleportation but she wasn't paying attention to that. She, instead, noticed Keigo's attempts to woo Yoruichi. It made her so sick that it gave Urahara the perfect time to attack out of nowhere with one, Karin Kurosaki, totally unguarded. She blamed the womanizing Idiot for her faltering that day.
Mizuiro was a different story. His right arm had formed into a giant gun contraption that shot out concentrated spirit particles, much like a Quincy arrow. He didn't exactly like using the powerful weapon because he was against any type of violence, but when push came to shove he'd blast someone though a wall or two without question. That ended the second day.
The last day came rather early. They had fought through the night but Urahara had changed the rules. Everyone now had set opponents. Karin was face to face with the blond haired man who had all but abandoned his green and white striped hat for it had been chopped into pieces thanks to Karin.
Her sixty-two inch blade was drawn and held facing down at an angle by her side. Her feet were planted to the ground and Urahara was floating a good twenty feat above Karin,"You're doing well for not being able to know the name of your Zanpakuto and it's Shikai form." Karin just smirked at the blond haired man's remark. She had wanted to surprise him and she was about to do just that.
Karin brought her blade forward and shouted a few words into the still air. "Glide from the sun… Zanhoshiko."
Urahara's eyes grew wide as he felt Karin's spiritual pressure pour out of her, noting that it was stronger than Ichigo's in his Bankai form. In a violent flash of riatsu the blade of Karin's sword had turned from cold steal to a heated metallic orange, covered in a consistent flame. The hilt and cross guard remained the same, unaffected by the heat of the blade. Karin smiled in accomplishment.
"H-how did you learn your shikai so quickly?" Urahara asked trying to hold back his surprise. My calculations did not account for this.
"Ever since that Cockatiel I was able to pass along and receive memories and messages telepathically. Zanhoshiko saw me fit to learn my Shikai and transmitted her knowledge of it to me. Nothing else though. That's why I'm stuck on the ground and you're all the way up there… cheater," replied Karin. Urahara remembered that bird. He may not have been directly involved but he had been keeping close watch on Rukia at the time. He sighed with relief when she finished her sentence. He still had things to teach her.
"So I am still of some use." Urahara said and Karin nodded pointing her blade to the ground.
"What's next Hat and Clogs?" Karin asked with a smirk.
"We'll start with Shunpo." Urahara disappeared and reappeared behind Karin. She was caught totally off guard as Urahara struck her sending her flying into a mound of rock, creating a miniature dust storm as rocks fell.
"We'll, that's something to start with," Karin said dusting herself off as she came out of the vertical crater she had made, a bit bloody. She picked up Zanhoshiko "Okay, let's get started…"
The training ground was uncomfortably silent. It seemed calm for the first time in several days. In the distance flashes could be seen in the middle of the air. Two people would clash with drawn swords. One blade seemed to be rather normal. The other looked like it was on fire. The two would disappear and then reappear in a different location every second or two. Only those with a trained eye could see them move to their battle rhythm.
Kisuke Urahara was wildly impressed by Karin. She still had yet to achieve Bankai, but she seemed rather skilled in her Shikai. "Ka Tangoku!" Karin screamed thrusting her sword in a downward motion sending a crescent shaped line of fire at the ex-captain; it looked a lot like a solar flare. The attack caused a huge amount of destruction but Urahara was used to it by now. To think, that's her most basic attack.
Seeing Urahara now easily dodging her attacks, Karin decided to step it up. "Rise… Zanhoshiko." And with that the area in front of Karin erupted in molten lava, and heated rock, that came together to form a dragon. This was her Shikai's true form, remotely controlling the giant demon. She sent the Dagon after Urahara who wasn't fast enough to doge it completely and received a nasty gash on his left temple. Fearing he'd have to go Bankai, Urahara called it a day. She learns to fast.
Karin put a sealed Zanhoshiko on her back, "So… What's next?"
Urahara looked down at his student and smiled, "Bankai…"
Karin raised an eyebrow, "Bankai?"
Urahara laughed bringing his fan up to his face, "Yes, your Zanpakuto has one last released form but before we proceed in unlocking it you should probably get some training in fighting against real Hollows." Karin nodded in approval as they reached the ladder. "Get some sleep," Urahara soothed, "We have a long day tomorrow." Little did Karin know that Urahara had put in effect the second stage of his plan.
Toushiro walked the path to his office. He had orders to make his way to the Human World to start operations against the Arrancar. Winter was near and they did all the training they could. Although, right now he would take a small group, reinforcements would come as the time drew near.
To his surprise he found Matsumoto actually doing work. I guess being a little down about Momo got her to work but with us going back to the Human World she's guna see I'm not so depressed anymore.
Matsumoto looked up at her Captain, "Sir, you're… Glowing." She stated confused.
"What? Never mind that. We're going back to the Human World," Toushiro responded
"Oh so that's why…" Rangiku giggled. Toushiro sighed and sat down at his desk and proceeded to work on papers. "Just go get Ikkaku and Yamichika and tell them to get ready to return."
Matsumoto fluttered her eyelashes and responded, "Yes Captain."
Toushiro grunted, "Now lieutenant…" Matsumoto giggled all the way out of his office.
Toushiro stepped out into the Human World and took in the sight. Karakura was the same as it ever was. The rest of Toushiro's contingent followed and the gates to Soul Society disappeared behind them.
The 10th Division Captain sighed and closed his eyes. Why do I feel like this place is home. His thoughts were interrupted by a deadly scream and the sense of a Hollow's riatsu. He opened his eyes and started to walk towards the problem completely calm and emotionless.
"You guys go ahead and get settled in. I'll take care of this," Said the Captain, and without waiting for a response Toushiro shunpoed off towards the Hollow. It only took him a few minutes to arrive at the scene. It was a simple hollow. He didn't even give it a chance to speak before he sliced the mask in half. He sighed as it disappeared and sheathed his sword. turning around, only to come face to face with the Hollow he just killed, Toushiro's eyes went wide, "What the…" The hollow was way to close for him to be able to draw his Zanpakuto in time to defend himself. He was going to be injured, or killed, but he was ready if it came to that. How could I be so Naive…No fear, death is just another life.
"Dumb Shinigami," The ugly Hollow stated, and right before it attacked a flash of bright steel slashed a diagonal line across its body, including the mask. The top half began to slide down off the lower; blood poured and spurted out of the hollows maimed body. The Hollow was done.
Toushiro looked to his left and found a girl with shoulder length black raven hair. She was on one knee and her sword was stretched out away from her, held in one hand. Her back faced him. She slowly stood and sheathed her lengthy Zanpakuto. Her back remained towards Toushiro. Another Shinigami? Who is this?
The girl turned around and smiled at Toushiro, her face revealed. "Hey Toushiro," Said Karin, laughing and scratching the back of her head.
Toushiro was speechless. Karin…
A/N: I know a little boring but hey there's plenty more to come… Karin still has the whole 'Bankai Experience' to go through… Hehe. A few things: Thanks for the reviews! And 'Ka Tangoku' should mean heaven fire or fire heaven, same thing right? So, that's all for now r&r.