Chapter 15: Our Story

Meiyotou Takahashi was a rather simple man; he never much liked things to be too complicated. All though he enjoyed his good share of charades, it always seemed better when things were quiet. So the minute Isshin Kurosaki got a hold of him to give the rather relaxed ex – Shinigami; who was enjoying a wonderful retirement in South America; the news of the three defecting Captains, he was on the next plane to Karakura. It had been a while since he'd seen his old friend and standing before him in Kisuke Urahara's shop seemed sadly surreal. He simply put on the only smile he could muster and rested his hand leisurely on his orange hilted Zanpakuto with a square black cross guard outlined in gold. "Isshin! You got your powers back!"

Isshin laughed lightly. "You couldn't have gotten here sooner? You just missed some great action."

Meiyotou shrugged. "You know me, better late then never."

Isshin leaned in a bit. "That's what she said." He whispered.

Yep same old Isshin…Meiyotou rolled his eyes at the rather immature joke. He started to walk forward into the shop more, taking a look around. His eye caught Orihime's figure as she moved into the kitchen. She had moved ahead of them earlier to allow the two to greet.

Meiyotou studied her Riatsu; it was indeed strange, comforting and warm. He tore his eyes away from the now empty door way to Isshin's snapping fingers which now occupied the space in front of his face.

"Earth to Meiyotou?" Isshin said holding the last word in a singsong voice.

"Sorry, I've been on 'vacation' too long." Meiyotou replied coolly.

The both of them continued on and sat at the low round table next to the kitchen and greeted the others there. Matsumoto cooed at her ex-captain and gave a warm welcome to the familiar face of Meiyotou.

"It's been a while Matsumoto… where's little shiro?" Meiyotou inquired. As Matsumoto was bout to answer Karin walked in.

Karin Kurosaki walked slowly into the dining area of the Urahara shop. She was still a bit sore but nothing she couldn't handle. Her eyes furrowed as she took in the occupants of the room. Isshin sat with an unfamiliar face, and next to him were Matsumoto and Kira. Renji was off with Toushiro and Rukia filing a verbal report with the Head Captain via the gigantic screen in Orihime's bed room.

Tatsuki and Orihime were cooking in the kitchen, the smell already giving Karin's stomach an unsettling feeling and she silently hoped that the new comer had a strong stomach.

Chad was sitting ever so silently against the wall and As for Uryu and Nemu, they volunteered for first patrol.

Hanataro however…

Well… he was taking care of a very grumpy Ichigo who refused to stay in his room. So they moved the healing process, that wasn't really needed, into the room where everyone was, doing nothing but simply getting in the way and making an obnoxiously bright light. Karin swore Hanataro had OCD, god forbid Ichigo gets a scar or two!

Urahara and Yoruichi were… engaged in various activities.

And who the hell even cared about Ikkaku, Yamichikia, Keigo, and Mizuiro. They were probably off getting drunk, searching for women folk.

They were all silent as Karin took a seat looking over at her father and his new look. She wasn't sure if she could get used to this kind of thing. Plus Yuzu was probably all alone, meaning Isshin should be at home.

"Hey kid." Isshin smiled at his daughter.

"Hey…" Karin spoke softly.

Isshin's smile remained as he looked to Meiyotou. "Meiyotou, this…" he motioned toward Karin. "Is my lovely Innocent daughter Karin."

Karin put out a sigh and waved like it really wasn't a big deal. "Hey…" Meiyotou inclined his head out of respect and then smiled.

Isshin then pointed at Ichigo "And that happens to be my Idiot son, Ichigo."

Ichigo scowled. "Screw you old man."

Yes he was still bitter.

"Now, now Ichigo… where did you think you got your powers from anyways. I mean, do I need to explain genetics to you? When a mommy and a daddy both love each other…" Isshin was cut off by Karin's foot.

"You could have at least told us, you pervert." Karin replied after the kick. Ichigo had to agree with Karin on this one.

Isshin quickly recovered. "Fine… "He suddenly became very serious. "I am a Shinigami and always have been. I left Soul Society when Urahara and Yoruichi did and Meiyotou here followed as well. We started doing things our own way, exercising hollows and dealing with them the way we saw fit. We even had a Quincy in the group, but after a while things got a little sour between Ishida and us. You see I met your mother and we both had an interest in her."

Ichigo blinked. "Do you mean Uryu's father?"

Isshin nodded. "Yes… We competed at first but then it turned into a grudge match. He hated me because he thought I had her attention more, or I hated him because I thought he had her attention. It was a mess. We ended up battling, and my Zanpakuto abandoned me for a while because the reason for fighting was out of utter stupidity."

Meiyotou took over. "The group disbanded leaving Soul Society to clean up hallows in this area. Your mother eventually chose your father, leaving Ryuken to deal with the loss, his hatred for Shinigami burning deeper by the day. I went off into obscurity to get in touch with my Zanpakuto. Urahara and Yoruichi, well you know what they're up to."

Ichigo sighed. "You could have told me dad, it might have helped."

Isshin shook his head. "I couldn't, my powers only returned when you came back. I think it might have been your riatsu. So I thank you."

Ichigo set his lips in a line. "I guess I can live with that."

Toushiro sighed. "Yes, Karin Kurosaki is a Shinigami now Head Captain. Urahara turned her into one, although with different results then Ichigo Kurosaki." Hitsugaya had been on a rather dead pan conversation with the Head Caption about the recent kidnapping attempt on Orihime Inoue. He told him of the minor fights that everyone else had and the deadly one Ulquiorra had put up. He also gave information on the new Shinigami and humans added to their ranks.

The Head Captain looked at Toushiro through the giant screen. "Hum… This is rather unexpected, but we can use all the help that we can get."

Toushiro nodded. "Hai, sir. She is strong but needs more experience."

"Help her how ever you can, Captain Hitsugaya. The others as well." The Head captain replied before ending the Transmission.

Toushiro looked to Renji and Rukia before speaking. "Well, I suppose that's it."

Renji nodded solemnly. "I'm just glad they'll be bringing a full defense force soon. They can only spare so many people."

Rukia nodded. "Plus, we have plenty of capable hands already here."

Toushiro began to exit the room. "Let's go, Orihime is more than likely done with making dinner."

All three of them made a rather sour face on their way out.

"So you were a Captain, Dad?" Karin asked.

"Yes, Captain of your boyfriend's squad." Isshin replied making Karin blush a little. "Meiyotou was the Lieutenant of the Seventh Division under Komamura."

Meiyotou nodded at all this. "Who's looking after the big guy now?"

Matsumoto piped up. "Um, Iba is there now. You probably don't know him. He used to be in the Eleventh."

Meiyotou smiled softly. "Just like the Captain to pick some one strong. Well at least I hope he is, coming from the eleventh and all." He laughed a little.

Toushiro, Rukia, and Renji walked in at that moment. They made their way to the table, the two underlings taking a seat by Ichigo, Toushiro moving to sit next to Karin. He smiled at her, caressing her shoulder for a moment before looking at Meiyotou, his eyes becoming wide. "Ta… Takahashi?"

"Little Shiro!" Meiyotou exclaimed, rubbing the boy's spiky white locks.

Hitsugaya fumed. "It's Captain Hitsugaya to you."

The Captain's warning went unheard by Meiyotou. "It's so cute that you have a little girlfriend Toushiro, not to mention the daughter of your old Captain."

Hitsugaya sent a death glare at the ex-Shinigami lieutenant, Karin seeming somewhat annoyed. Meiyotou backed off, sensing the temperature drop, and looked the other way.

Toushiro calmed down and gave his attention to Isshin. "Capt…" The white haired captain paused for a moment remembering the conversation he had with Karin's father regarding names. "I mean Isshin. What is Takahashi doing here?"

"Sharp as always Toushiro…" Isshin replied. "He's here to train Karin."

Karin and Toushiro nodded at first but then turned their reactions to one of surprise. "What!?" they both exclaimed.

Orihime and Tatsuki entered as Isshin was about to reply. Bean paste and Ramen were on the menu, accompanied by a variety of other unheard of concoctions. It was safe to say that no one would have eaten anything Orihime made, except Matsumoto and Meiyotou (who seemed to have a strong stomach after all), if Tatsuki hadn't threatened them all within an inch of their lives. So they all forced down the food as fast as they could.

After the rather deadly dinner, the conversation continued. "Why shouldn't I train Karin?" Ichigo asked as if he had planed on training his sister.

"Because…" Isshin stated. "Except for Urahara, Yoruichi, and Meiyotou you'll hold back, everyone here would. Urahara has taken her as far as he possibly can; Sure Yoruichi could help her with hand to hand combat and Shunpo but its better if she stays here and helps you all."

"I'm just as fast as her anyways." Meiyotou butted in.

Isshin smirked "Yes we know you two used to run around and race each other when you were younger."

"I just let her win all those times… you know how I am with girls." Meiyotou replied.

Matsumoto rolled her eyes "Push over."

"Only you would know well enough, Rangiku." Meiyotou smiled. "Just remember who saved you from Hisagi; you know how grabby he gets when he's drunk."

Matsumoto couldn't retort to that one. "You win…" She blew out a sigh. Kira had a silent laugh to himself at this.

Toushiro shook his head in annoyance. "The only way Karin is going to get the experience needed is by training against an incredibly strong Bankai. So what you're saying is that Takahashi…" He looked to the subject of the conversation.

"I had it back then and still have it now." Meiyotou replied.

Karin smirked at Meiyotou. "Bring it on old man."

Isshin clapped. "That's the spirit, I'm so proud of my daughter..." He kept going on like that for a long while.

Toushiro sighed. "If you kill her, you're going to die Takahashi."

Karin smiled at Toushiro. "I won't give him the chance."

Toushiro could only smile to mask his concern. He knew what Karin was getting into wasn't going to be pretty. Takahashi was strong and Toushiro could only imagine how much stronger he would be with his Bankai activated.

They continued on for a while, talking about times past and distant memories. Toushiro even had a laugh here and there. Karin loved seeing Toushiro like this. It felt as if there wasn't going to be a war which gave her comfort, a sort of comfort that, in the end, scared Karin. She hoped that after all the fighting stopped she could see Toushiro like that more, as long as Soul Society doesn't crucify them for their 'crime' first.

Uryu Ishida sat under a tree on top of a hill over looking Karakura. The night sky was starry and black, setting a comfortable mood. The wind was light, giving a soft warm breeze that intensified the comforting feeling. He looked off into the great wide open letting out an exulted sigh. Nemu sat down next to him and nudged him. He looked over at her with a slight smile. "I used to come up here with my mother. We'd look at the stars and talk about anything."

"What's on your mind Uryu?" Nemu asked. She may have been a rather melancholy girl but she wasn't without compassion. At least she had some for Uryu, even if it was just him she came out of her bubble for. She found he made her feel better about herself, the fear of her father melting away when ever she was with him. She felt safe, something she rarely felt.

Uryu sighed. "I made a promise to my father that I wouldn't get involved with the Shinigami if he gave me my powers back. I broke that promise to him, not that I care… Shinigami are not as bad as he makes them out to be, but I feel like I dishonored him by not granting his wish."

"Captain didn't want me to come here at first because of the simple reason that you were here…" She stated with no fear what so ever. Uryu found that Nemu spoke what ever was on her mind in the time he spent with her, even if it was only him she was this way with. He liked that about her even if some things she said were a tad inappropriate.

"He figured." She continued. "That I had some attachment to you after the Bounto situation as he resented you for that. He isn't a big fan of the Quincy as you can probably tell. So it shouldn't matter what your father thinks, do what you feel is right. Even if that means going above him to get an assignment so you can take in the beauty of the human realm."

"You should take your own advice Nemu, what you told me he's done to you, and what I've seen for my self is…" Ishida retorted.

"Yes, but he's my Captain and law says I must obey him. He can do with me what he wishes." Nemu replied cutting him off calmly.

"That…" Ishida clenched his fist. "is just uncivilized." He fumed for a bit before he felt Nemu's warm hands encircle his clenched one. He looked over only to stare strait into her eyes, a warm expression on her face.

"You care so much for my benefit Uryu, why?" Nemu asked, opening up his hands and tracing his fingers with hers.

Uryu was a bit stunned; he pushed up his glasses with his free hand. "Well, I just… I don't know. Comes naturally I guess."

Nemu inched forward littering light kisses on Uryu's neck. To say the least he was taken by surprise. "What…what are you doing Nemu?" Nemu never answered as she made her way to his lips, kissing him lightly. It took Uryu a minute to get into the swing of things but he eventually fell into the activity, making his affection for the goddess of death known.

A minute later Nemu pulled away. "Thank you Uryu, thank you for caring."

Uryu smiled as he brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, bringing her face forward with his hand for another kiss.

Orihime sliced a few apples with a knife in the kitchen. Dinner had taken a lot out of her but she was always happy to be in the kitchen. It was, in her mind, her domain and she loved every second of it. So she made herself a few apple slices as a reward for a job well done.

"You mind if I have one of those?" A distinctly male voice asked.

Orihime tuned around to smile at the voice, discovering it was Meiyotou. "Oh, Mr. Takahashi, of course you can have one."

"Thanks, I haven't had an apple at all today. They're one of my favorites… and please just call me Meiyotou." He smiled softly.

"Sure." Orihime replied with her ever present smile, returning to her cutting.

Meiyotou took to looking around the kitchen. "Dinner was good, you cook a lot?" He asked picking up an egg beater and examining it like he had never seen such a thing before.

"Thank you Meiyotou, I absolutely love cooking. It's my one great hobby, other than making up games during gym." Orihime replied.

"Gym?" Meiyotou looked confused for a moment, realization striking him short after. "Oh a class, still in high school then? You don't seem young enough."

Orihime giggled. "Oh, well Tatsuki always said I matured faster then the rest of the girls." She brought a plate of apple slices to the table and took one.

Meiyotou sweat dropped at this, realizing the reference to Orihime's large 'gifts'. "Oh is that so…" He took an apple slice letting silence fill the air.

"So your going to train little Karin? She's tough; you might have a lot on your hands." Orihime stated.

"As tough as she is, she doesn't have the experience to fight high level Arrancar like this Ulquiorra fellow everyone was talking about." Meiyotou replied.

Orihime held her head down, memories coming back and ones she'd rather not remember.

"You okay… that guy do something to you?" Meiyotou inquired.

"Yeah… he… just tore me down mentally while I was in Las Noches." Orihime recovered quickly with a smile. "But Ichigo's dad took care of that problem for us."

Meiyotou smiled. "Yeah, he's good at coming in at the right moments."

They laughed at Ichigo's father while eating apple slices. Making jokes at the expense of the Kurosaki's.

The Next Day…

Karin sighed as she stepped outside into the cool weather. It never got too cold around Karakura in time for winter. The only way to get snow was to head up into the mountains, which is exactly where Karin and her dad's friend were heading. "So tell me again, Meiyotou why the hell we're going into the mountains during the end of fall."

"Because." Meiyotou exited behind Karin, Toushiro fallowing. "Harsher environment makes for good training grounds… allows you to move easily in calm weather when finished with training."

Karin still couldn't see the logic in it but shrugged any ways, turning to Toushiro. She smiled at him as he stood there with that serious expression he always wares. "Well?" she asked.

"Come on give her a kiss Toushiro!" Isshin screamed popping out of no where, receiving a punch immediately from Karin.

Karin sighed "Well you heard your Captain; I think that was an order."

Toushiro smirked wrapping his arms around her, giving into her demands. They parted and embraced each other. "I love you." He whispered softly into her ear.

"Right back at ya, shorty." Karin whispered back, a giant grin on her face.

Toushiro laughed "Brat."

The broke apart, Karin walking backwards. "Tell every one I said bye."

Toushiro and the pained Isshin waved as the two walked off, stepping back inside as the travelers vanished into the waning light of the morning.

Ichigo had been running around all morning looking for Uryu, and no one seemed to have seen the Quincy and that weird Shinigami he went on patrol with. He noticed his father step in from out side along with Toushiro. "Oi, Toushiro, Dad, have you seen…" He was suddenly restrained by his father and Toushiro. "What the hell is going on… put me down!"

"We have to train, son." Isshin replied as he and Toushiro dumped Ichigo into the giant chamber beneath the Urahara shop. Ichigo landed hard yelling curses up at them. "Now I suggest you stretch, son, while me and Toushiro get some breakfast." Isshin yelled down before closing the trapped door.

Ichigo had been had, and he was not happy about it.

A/N: Haha… this I think is the longest chapter yet. I duno if I'll have another one out this weekend or not, but I'll se what I can do. I love how Uryu and Nemu have daddy issues. I hoped you liked this one, thanks for the reviews and until next time r&r.