Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ The Ice Lord and The Silver Wolf ❯ A Zanpakutou's Word ( Chapter 6 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

To all fans- thank you for your reviews. I am very glad that lalunaticscribe was able to
help me out with accurately translating the japans I had for Silver Fang. It is actually Gin
Kiba, which is how you see it written form now on. Please, if you have any questions about
what I write, please ask me in the reviews and I will get back to you as soon as possible.-
Zekuran
" ll right Toushiro, you have some explaining to do Why did you make me your third
seat?" Karin asked as she walked into Toushiro's office less than thirty minutes after her
introduction and indictment into Squad Ten. Toushiro, seated at his desk, leaned back and
looked at her. He would the answer was obvious.

"Okay, let's see if you understand this Next to me, and possibly Rangiku, you are the
most powerful Soul Reaper in Squad Ten. I am also confident that you will be able to cope with
the responsibilities of the job. Now, if you would please lee, I have some paperwork left to
do " Toushiro said, pointing at the large stack of paper on his desk Karin gulped It was
almost as tall as she was! Without another word, she left the room. Toushiro sighed, and then
returned to his work. He wondered if Rangiku was drinking somewhere. His door opened
again, and he looked up with a scowl, ready to reprimand whoever it was, when he saw Karin
with a small box. Wordlessly, she took a quarter of the paperwork, and then left again. Forty-
five minutes later, she came back and handed him the papers she had not had the authority to
fill out, before taking almost the rest of the pile, and then leaving again. Just over two hours
after starting, Toushiro only had the paperwork that required his personal authority to fill out,
an easily manageable amount. Karin had left, presumably to fulfill her own duties for the day,
which was reviewing how well the seventh, sixth, and fourth seats ability to do their duties.
She likely had a few hours of work ahead of her, there being one fourth seat, two sixth seats,
and eight seventh seats, each one requiring at least twenty minutes to review. If she could do
that, Rangiku would actually have to work to keep her position. Maybe that is not such a bad
thing Toushiro thought.
Three hours later

Karin set down her pen with a sigh before filing the review for the fourth seat. She had
decided that one of the sixth seats was ineffectual at her job, and had recommended that she
be stripped of her position and relegated to the ranks, and be replaced by Senji Hasada, a very
competent seventh seat. She would have to go over possible replacements for his position
before she left. All she had to do before it could tart is get it approved by Toushiro. Walking
into his office, she found him meditating at the center of the room. He opened an eye, looking

---

at her for a moment before he stood up "I take it you have something for me?" Toushiro
asked, looking at the paper in her hand.

"Yeah, and then I have another two hours of work ahead of me " Karin answered,
rubbing her eyes.

"Just think, you're going to be doing this for a very long time " Toushiro said with a
wicked grin.

"Please, don't remind me " Karin groaned

"It looks like you want to replace Nisa Royes with Senji Hasada " Toushiro said, reading
the reports on both, along with Karin's recommendation for Senji "Everything seems in order,
but who would you have replace Senji? Surely not Nisa, right?"

"Of course not That's why I have another two hours of work " Karin said, rubbing her
sleepy eyes. Toushiro looked at her for a second, then filled out the paperwork " ll right, I'll
trust your instincts Pick whoever you think is necessary " Toushiro said, handing the
paperwork back to her Karin nodded and turned to leave "Hey, Karin, got a question for
you " Toushiro said Karin turned and looked at him "Do you still want that meeting with
Head-Captain Yamamoto?" he asked, looking at her

"Yeah " she answered, too tired to be sure where the conversation was going

"All right then, tomorrow you and I are going to the Squad One barracks, and that way
you can tell him what you think he should know " Toushiro said, telling her to be there by
eight A.M., then dismissing her.
The next day

Toushiro arrived at the Squad One barracks to find Karin already waiting for him, He
looked at her, then continued past her into the barracks, Karin following him closely. Toushiro
knew where the Head-Captains office was, and went directly there. Upon arrival, they were
told to wait by Lieutenant Sosekibe, who told them that the Head-Captain was speaking with
others, but would see them> Toushiro waited patiently, which was more than he could say for
Karin, who paced back and forth like a caged animal constantly. She stopped when the doors
to the Head-Captain's office opened, with Ichigo and Rukia "What were you doing in there,
Ichi-nii, Rukia-neesan?" Karin asked

"You'll find that out in just a little bit, Karin" Ichigo said, walking away with Rukia

---

Karin starred after them for a moment, then was ushered into the Head-Captains office
by Sosekibe. Walking in, she knelt in front of the Head-Captain, while Toushiro stayed outside
the room "Why have you taken the time to seek me out today?" Yamamoto asked, starring at
the young girl in front of him.

"Sir, I have brought a warning, a warning given to me by my Zanpakutou " Karin
answered, hoping he would listen.

"So, the warning of a Zanpakutou, huh? Very well, let me hear it " The old man said,
surprising Karin with his bluntness.

"Sir, the warning was that some ancient enemy of both Hollows and Soul Reapers will
open the Gates of Hell, and some sort of army will pour out of them, and that we need to be
ready for that " Karin said, explaining her encounter with Gin Kiba

Yamamoto thought a minute "Zanpakutou are not always forthcoming with where they
get such information, but their predictions often come true. As such, the word of a
Zanpakutou is considered iron clad Gin Kiba's request that we ready ourselves for this threat
will be honored " Yamamoto said, his words laden with his authority and power "Now, there
is to be a meeting of every Squad's officers, from the fifth set up through their Captain, to
celebrate a momentous occasion. IF we do not hurry, we will be late. I assume we are done
here?" Yamamoto asked, although in reality, it was a command of dismissal, and Karin stood
up and wordlessly left.

"Toushiro, I was told that that there is some sort of meeting?" Karin asked as she left
the office of the Head-Captain.

"Yeah, I just got the message from a Hell Butterfly C'mon, it's not that far off "
Toushiro said as he shunpoed away, with Karin following him closely. They arrived in the room
that usually hosted the Captain's meetings, though it was now much more crowded than usual.
Karin looked around. This place had been made to host thirteen captains, not more than 60
seated officers. She saw a strange looking, blue-haired man, with what looked like a piece of
bone on his jaw, and when he saw her looking, he made his way over.

"Well, if it isn't Toushiro Hitsugaya, but who's this? You haven't been carousing around
have you?" Grimmjow said, seeming to sneer at her and Toushiro, though Karin could see a
glint in his eye in anticipation of a good argument. If that was what he wanted, then she was
more than ready to cut him down to size.

---

"Karin, this is Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, a former Espada, now your brother's third seat "
Toushiro said, by way of introduction. Turning to Grimmjow, he glared at the tall fighter.
"Grimmjow, two things Number one, this is you Captain's little sister, so ply nice Number
two, show some respect for my rank " Toushiro said, not even bothering to conceal his
distaste for the arrancar's disrespect

"You forget Toushiro, I'm the former Sexta Espada, and I could kick your ass any day I
used to kick Ichigo's ass, and you won't be any more difficult " Grimmjow bragged

"You used to beat my brother? Why do I find that hard to believe?" Karin said,
purposely making fun of him.

"I almost killed him on three occasions, and he still owes me a sparring match "
Grimmjow said, looking around the room, as if he was going to start a fight with Ichigo right
there. It was then he saw a green hired woman moving towards them, a strange, skull-like
shape on her head "Damn " Grimmjow muttered before moving off, followed by Karin, who
was still arguing with him.

"Captain Hitsugaya, I trust you were enjoying our third seats company?" the green
haired beauty asked.

"To be truthful, I wasn't the one he ought company with Rather, it is y third seat to
which he speaks " Toushiro said, pointing at the two, who were alternately arguing and
laughing at one another "Nel, I do believe that Grimmjow likes her " Toushiro said, surprised
at the flash of jealousy he felt.

"I don't know about that The reformation classes we put him through changed him,
but not that much. I suppose it might be possible that he respects her, or at least he respects
Ichigo enough to be civil with her " Nel said

"I don't know how you would win someone like that's respect " Toushiro commented,
watching Karin smack Grimmjow upside the head, and Grimmjow return the favor.

"Oh, that's easy enough You just have to beat him to within an inch of his life " Nel
said, a twinkle in her eye.

Suddenly, there was a loud thokking noise as Yamamoto's cane was banged on the
ground "Let us come to the reason that you are all gathered here " Yamamoto thundered
Then stepping aside to let two others step u and speak.

---

"You all know me I am Rukia Kuchiki, and this is Ichigo Kurosaki However, there is
something about us that you don't know We've known each other for the last five and a half
years, and for the last four months, we've been dating Yesterday, I visited Hanging Dog, and
the graves of friends that I lost there. While there, Ichigo, well, he proposed marriage to me. I
have accepted this proposal, and we are to be married in three months " Rukia said all at once,
and the entire room was enveloped by a silence that was punctuated by the glacial glare that
Byakuya leveled at Ichigo.

"Well Ichi-nii, it's about damn time " Karin said bluntly, as she walked up o the newly
engaged couple and hugged Rukia in front of the shocked crowd "Now I have an excuse to call
you Rukia-neesan " she said, holding the smaller girl out at arm's length

Ichigo took that moment to begin speaking " We would have waited until we could go
through the proper channels, but decided to tell you like this so that we wouldn't have to
suffer any sordid rumors if any of you found out while it was still a secret " he explained to the
crowd, mostly looking at Byakuya. Understanding dawned on Byakuya, though he showed no
outward signs of it. The boy had gone over his head and attained personal approval from
Head-Captain Yamamoto so that Rukia's reputation wouldn't suffer badly on the possibility
that their relationship was discovered before they could legitimize it. However, who would be
so callous as to spread rumors like that?

Everybody in the room muttered "Matsumoto" as one She managed to look offended
before everyone in the room laughed at her.


Two months later


Karin entered the Senkaimone, grumbling to herself. Of course, Toushiro would say he
would do a favor for Ichigo, and of course, when it turned out to be going to the real world, he
had dumped it on her. She had been scrambling to find someone to do her work for her while
she was gone, and had found an all-too willing victim in Senji, who she felt had risen to the
occasion. He must be angling for another promotion she thought to herself. He might just get
it Their fifth seat had died right before she joined, and the position was open She'd have to
test his fighting skills, and then recommend him to Toushiro. Thinking of her Captain, a smile
came to her lips. He was so much more relaxed nowadays. Probably because she had taken

---

over all of Matsumoto's work, as well as most of the often drunken Lieutenant's duties
Toushiro, without the massive workload, was able to relax more She'd even caught him
smiling the day before. She stopped smiling. I'm angry with him she reminded herself.

You know you can't stop yourself from being happy for him Gin Kiba told her.

Be that as it may, if I'm in the World of the Living, I have to go see my family, and I don't
know if I'm ready for that. she replied to Gin Kiba.

Oh, you know you've been dying to see them. Toushiro just gave you the perfect excuse.
You know that, and you can't hid anything you know from me. Gin Kiba told her smugly.

Your right, okay? Karin thought, backing off, not wanting to get into an argument with
her sword. He was grouchy and a sore loser when it came to arguments. It was pretty sweet
of him, I suppose. Karin commented as she stepped into the World of the Living.

She had stepped onto the street, and then, as she turned around, bumped right into
something behind her, something that felt as hard as a steel girder. She stood, then looked up.
"Oh, my apologies, Soul Reaper " Chad said, gazing down at her

Karin just stared at him, then without warning, she jumped and snapped a kick to his
chest Landing, she clutched at her aching foot "Idiot!" she cried "Why the hell didn't you
use your power to beat the hell out of the bastards who killed me?" she screamed at him,
almost crying from the strength of her anger.

At first, Chad was totally confused. The confusion gave way to recognition "Karin "
the giant mumbled. Looking at the obviously distraught man, Karin took a deep breath, and
calmed herself down.

"You know what though? I forgive you There was really nothing to be done about it It
just happened too fast " Karin said as she tried to comfort the giant man

"Thank you, Karin I'm truly sorry that I wasn't there to help you out that day " Chad
said, trying to apologize. This earned him a smack to the head. Shaking his head, he looked
down at an indignant Karin.

"Look, I said you were forgiven, and that's all there is too it, got it?" Karin said, glaring
at him Sighing, she rubbed her head "I'm actually here on semi-official business. Here you
go Chad " Karin said, handing him a white card she had pulled out of from inside her kimono.
"If you want to know what it is, it's your invitation to Rukia and Ichigo's wedding "

---

"Their getting married?" Chad asked in total surprise

"Yep, and about damn time too " Karin said "Hey, you know where everyone from
Ichigo's gang lives Here, take these, I have to go see my family " Karin said, giving him all the
invitations before taking off for Urahara's shop

Walking in, she looked around "Can I help you?" asked a rather strange looking man
wearing a pair of geta and a fishing hat.

"Yeah, I'm looking for a gigai, and I heard this was the place to go " Karin answered,
walking over to him.

" h, well, I can certainly help you, but one thing who's paying for it, and who's my
customer?" the strange man asked, pulling out a calculator

Karin sighed This was going to be so depressing "The payer and the customer are one
and the same me, Squad Ten third seat Karin Kurosaki " she said, handing over the necessary
paperwork to pay him directly from the Squad Ten treasury "I hope you know that they're
going to dock my pay for this " she grumbled

The man paid no attention to her final words, still dwelling on her name "Well, I
suppose I could half the charge for a friend " he mused

"You're not my friend, hell, I barely even know you " Karin said, confused

"No, but your brother is a friend, and that's close enough for me I'm Urahara Kisuke, by
the way " Urahara said, grabbing Karin's hand and shaking it

Taking her to the back of the store, he took her measurements, chatting all the while.
"So, you're the third seat of Squad Ten, huh? You must have been a genius. How long were
you in the academy?" Urahara asked as he finished taking her measurements

I graduated from the academy in just two months " Karin said with obvious pride in her
accomplishment.

"Really now? Well, that is a feat to be proud of " Urahara said as he left the room

Thankfully, the conversation halted as Urahara busied himself, using Kido to alter the
features of an already made gigai, soon making it look exactly like Karin currently did. About 5ft
7inches in height, maybe 115 pounds in weight, fair skin, and raven hair that would have hung

---

to the middle of her back where it not for her customary ponytail. Her eyes were almost black
they were so dark a grey. Karin looked at the gigai, impressed. It was like looking in the mirror,
only better "There you go Now, don't be afraid to come back and spend some more money
here!" Urahara said brightly, handing her an assortment of items "These are free of charge "
Urahara said, before he ushered her to the back room to find more appropriate clothes for her
than the white kosode she was currently wearing. Exiting the shop ten minutes later, she
looked completely different. Her clothing theme seemed to be black and silver, which Gin Kiba
enjoyed to no end. Black jeans, black sneakers, and a black t-shirt with four silver lines running
straight from her left shoulder to the right hem. It fit her style just right. Urahara had even
thrown in a black scrunchie and black and silver baseball hat, using both to hold up her hair.
She felt just like she did before she had died. Comfortable and fearless of all those around her.

Drawing up to the Kurosaki Clinic, Karin sighed This wasn't going to be easy She
walked to the door and knocked. The door was answered by a severe looking woman in a
nurse's outfit "Excuse me, is Yuzu here?" Karin asked

The woman swept a disapproving look over Karin's clothes before speaking "She's not
here, She went to the fair with some red-headed loudmouth She won't be back till later "
The woman said, moving to close the door, then glaring t Karin when she put her foot in the
way.

Smiling sweetly at the older woman, Karin was really annoyed "Well then, if not her,
then maybe Isshin Kurosaki?" Karin asked

The woman couldn't keep a sneer from her voice as she answered "Neither of them is
here, now go away!" the woman shrilled before slamming the door

Karin gaped at the woman's audacity This calls for slightly more forceful means she
thought. She made sure that she had a kikanshiki on her before she knocked again, then
quickly brought her hand up, two fingers pointing straight up, in front of her face. The woman
opened the door again, then scowled when she saw Karin "I thought I told yo-" she began, but
Karin interrupted her.

"Bakkudo One! Sai!" Karin intoned as she whipped her arm out horizontal to the
ground. The woman gave a strangled squawk as her arms were pinned behind her back by an
invisible force, and her legs, no longer obeying her command to remain standing, collapsed
underneath her. Karin stepped over the woman, who was threatening to do horrible things to
her. Calmly, she pulled the woman inside, then used the kikanshiki on her, silencing her as she

---

passed out. Karin moved her to a bed in the clinic, and released her kido. Karin walked into
the Kurosaki living room, and looked around. Everything was the same except for one thing;
her father had evidently put up a poster of her eleven year old self next to the poster of her
mother. I guess they really are out Karin thought. I suppose that I'll just have to wait she
thought as she sat on the couch. Realizing how tired she was, she closed her eyes and slipped
into a deep slumber.

Karin awoke several hours later to a muffled gasping sound. Opening her eyes, she saw
a familiar brown-hired figure. Crying out each other's names, the two rushed into each other's
arms. "Yuzu, I missed you!" Karin almost screamed, her eyes pricking.

"Karin!" Yuzu cried, tears flowing from her eyes. Karin wanted to cry with her, but she
didn't. She never cried. Karin just hugged Yuzu tighter and Tighter to her.

"KARIN!" roared a familiar voice. For once, Karin allowed her father to tackle her,
picking her up in a bone-crushing hug. "Masaki, our oldest daughter has returned from the
dead!" he cried.

Karin held Yuzu and her father to her as they both cried. Karin felt as happy as she had
when she had woken up to find Toushiro holding her hand. Karin froze for a moment. Had she
actually thought that? It makes sense for me to be happy here, because I love these two Karin
thought. She knew she had feelings for Toushiro, but were those feelings of friendship, or
something stronger? These thoughts were troubling for the ordinarily stoic tomboy. The
family continued to hold each other for a half an hour, when the sound of the front door
slamming broke the reverie.

"Hey, Isshin, I'm ho-" the voice began, only to stop when its owner saw Karin. Karin
blinked. It couldn't be Ichigo. Ichigo was in the Seireitei. But, if it wasn't Ichigo, then who was
it? Then realization hit her.

"Your Kon, aren't you?" Karin asked, looking him over. He looked exactly like Ichigo,
but someone was holding his hand, and she could see the person's legs behind his. Just as she
saw the person, they moved to stand next to Kon. Karin was absolutely surprised to see
Tatsuke. The older girl froze when she saw Karin.

"Karin?" Kon and Tatsuke said at the same time, obviously shocked to see the sixteen
year old girl.

---

"In the flesh, or rather, whatever these gigai are made of." Karin laughed. "But what do
we have here?" she asked, pointing at their held hands. She smiled when she saw them blush.
The five of them spent hours talking, about Ichigo's engagement, the five years she'd been
gone, anything to fill completely that ach that Karin's death had left in all those around her.

Three weeks later, Kuchiki Mansion


Chad must have found all the people that Ichigo had wanted at his wedding, because all
of the guests had arrived on time. Everyone who attended could understand why the couple
had rushed things. It was autumn, after all. The ceremony was being held in the Kuchiki House
Shinto shrine. Setting herself down into the seiza, position, Karin waited for the bride and
bridegroom to enter. Ichigo and Rukia came in, wearing the traditional clothing of a Shinto
wedding. They were immediately approached by a man bearing a ledger, which they signed
while other men collected envelopes filled with cants from all those present. The priest began
an unintelligible chant as Ichigo and Rukia advanced to the front of the room, where they
performed the San-San-Kido. Drinks of sake were exchanged between the Kuchiki's and the
Kurosaki's. Isshin then stood up and named the family, i.e.: the two fraternal twins, as well as
their relationship with Ichigo. Byakuya stood and did the same with his family. Miko maidens
entered and began passing out sake while Ichigo and Rukia exchanged wedding rings. The two
then proceeded to the sanctuary, where they offered twigs of a Sakaki sacred tree in worship
to the gods. Karin smiled, though her back was totally numb from sitting in the seiza. She was
proud of her Ichi-nii.

Author's notes

A few things. One, don't worry, there's going to be some action in the next chapter,
and in later chapters, pitched battles. Two, I'm thinking about running two stories that
parallel this timeline, and center around the romances of Ichigo and Rukia, as well as Kon
and Tatsuke. Now those two are a perfect match. Who better to keep the perverted mod-
soul in line than Tatsuke? I have Karin's Shikai state sword drawing as my profile pic, so if
you're interested, check it out. Thank you animewarrior519 for coming to me with the
problems you had with my story. For all readers, there are several words in here, the nmes

---

of things or ceremonies that you may not understand. Ask me about them, or anything else
I've written, and I'll explain it to you. Thank you-Zekuran

---