Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ The Ice Lord and The Silver Wolf ❯ The Fury of the Blade ( Chapter 7 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

I would like to thank everyone who reviewed for the last chapter, and everyone
who has reviewed as a whole. Thank you as well to those who asked me questions, or
gave me an honest critique as to spellings, translations, or the speed of the whole
thing. I would like you all to know that it is a privilege and an honor to receive such
glowing testimonials to my work. I hope that this chapter lives up to your
expectations. In addition, I would like to know if you want me to do a side story for
Kon and Tatsuki. I do not know why, but I feel that the two of them rather belong
together. Again, thank you- Zekuran.

Three days after the wedding, Karin walked into Toushiro's office, again without
knocking, a common occurrence. She had settled into the habit of doing all of Rangiku's
work, the chesty Lieutenant usually taking the opportunity to go out and drink.
Toushiro looked up. Something was this time, as if she was going to ask him something.
He was halfway pleased to be proven right seconds later "Yo, Toushiro, do you
remember how that Squads fifth seat is currently open?" Karin asked, walking over and
leaning against the side of his desk.

"I don't see how I can forget, seeing as how it's my responsibility to find someone
to fill in said seat " Toushiro commented dryly, somehow managing to fill out two
reports at once. Karin figured that was what happened when you had to do all of the
paperwork for a Squad for thirty years She hoped that never happened to her "Why
do you ask? Did you happen to find a potential replacement?" he asked, looking up at
her.

"Well, I've actually found three
n eighth seat named Heaven Yuki, a seventh
seat named Gavin Kurei, as well as Senji Hasada. They are all going to take the test that
I have laid out whether they want to or not " Karin said, and Toushiro could almost find
himself feeling sorry for the poor bastards, but only almost.

" ll right, I suppose you want permission to test them, as well as my approval
that whoever passes your test gets the seat?" Toushiro asked, chuckling inside his head
all the while. He did not know why, but Karin was the only one who could come close to
making him laugh aloud "Very well, you have my permission to test them, and when
you're done, just bring your papers to me and I'll sign them, no questions asked Just be
sure not to play favorites They actually have to earn that position " Toushiro warned

Karin only grunted "I know that!" she scoffed, leaving the room

---

By the time ten minutes had passed, Karin had gathered the three approved
applicants in front of her, as well as another eight seat who had applied, well, actually
begged for a chance to be considered for fifth seat position. Karin had reluctantly
agreed. He would have to make one hell of an impression though, because people who
begged for something they wanted annoyed the hell out of her. Clapping her hands for
their attention, she began to speak "You all want to become this Squad's fifth seat,
which is an admirable goal, but unfortunately for you, only the one who is best among
all of you will be considered qualified for the job. Now, as you are all seated officers, I
am going to assume that you can do the paperwork for the job. Therefore, with the
help of Squad Ten's fourth seat, Lareck Retsu, I have devised a regimen that will test you
on Kido, Hoho, Hakudo, and Zanjutsu, and in each event, you can score a possible
twenty-five points in correlation to how skilled a fifth seat is to be expected in each. As
we come to each test, I will explain the criteria that you will be judged on, as well as
how you will gain points in them. The first will be Kido, and you have the next five
minutes to prepare yourselves " Karin said, explaining her expectations for them That
being said, she walked over and stood next to the fourth seat, who she had been
surprised to find had been her teacher.

"I noticed that you didn't tell them what the criteria will be to pass with top
marks in each test " Lareck commented, looking at the applicants, all of whom were
concentrating so hard that their faces were scrunched up. Karin could not help but
laugh at the ridiculous image that their faces made.

"Why would I have done that when it would have made me miss this?" Karin
said, still smirking at the applicant expressions.

When Karin figured that five minutes had gone by, she walked back over and
called the applicants to attention "This test is not one of knowledge in Kido, but rather
the raw power of the spells you can do on the fly." Karin said as she reached over her
right shoulder and drew her sword "You will be judged on how powerful you can make
a simple Byakurei without an incantation. Get ready Heaven, because you are first. Fire
everything you can at me " Karin said, sword ready to be used in her defense.
The young eighth seat stepped forward, with her left hand raised, index and
middle finger pointing at Karin "Hado four, Byakurei!" she cried, and a bolt of lightning
leapt from her fingers, heading for Karin. Karin set herself, then deflected it, being

---

careful that it went into the sky, where it could not do anyone harm. She looked over at
Lareck, who was standing at the sidelines of the training ground they were in.

"I'd say that that would be a thirteen " Karin called over to him, and he
scribbled down the score. Karin turned and beckoned Gavin forward. The process was
repeated, to a score of twenty for the seventh seat. Gavin returned to his former
position at the sidelines smiling slightly, while Senji stepped forward to try his hand. He
left with a score of seventeen, grumbling to himself. Finally, the eighth seat that Karin
did not know stepped forward, readying himself for the Kido. Karin readied her
defensive stance.

"Hado four, Byakurei!" the man cried, unleashing a bolt so powerful that
Karin could not fully deflect it, pushing her back a good ten feet. Lowering her sword,
Karin looked at the man. Her arms were tingling from the force behind the spell.

"Who the hell are you?" Karin asked, if a little rudely, even for her

"My name is Lorcan Guran, Sir " Lorcan replied, adding the sir after a
moment's hesitation

Karin looked at Lareck "That would be a twenty-five, Lareck " Karin
commented casually, as if it had not really surprised her " nyway, moving on " Karin
said as she turned and looked at the applicants "The next test is simple It's a race
using Hoho, or at least the closest approximation to it that you can get "
t these
words, Lareck suddenly disappeared "Lareck will be standing at the finish line, which
I've placed, with special permission from Captain Soi Fon, at the entrance to the
Maggot's Nest, on the other side of the Seireitei, within Squad Two's grounds " Karin
paused, giving Lareck some extra time to get to the finish line "The winner will get the
full twenty-five points, with each successive position behind him or her getting five
points less. In the event of a tie for a position, the competitors in question will both get
the points for that position " Karin explained, motioning for them to get ready "On you
mark, Get set, Go!" Karin shouted
The four applicants, who were rearing to go, took off, Heaven and Senji
disappearing from sight, while Lorcan and Gavin where much slower blurs. Karin settled
back to wait patiently for their return. I hope Soi Fon told the gat guards about this
Karin thought, knowing the feisty Captain of Squad Two had a habit of forgetting
matters that she considered unimportant. About thirty minutes later, her worries were

---

proven unfounded as Lareck returned at the head of the applicants, each of whom
looked like they would give anything for a good rest. Unfortunately, for them, that was
not what was on Karin's mind It was not even close Lareck handed her the paper with
the scores for the race.
First-Heaven-twenty-five points
Second-Senji-twenty points
Third-Lorcan & Gavin-fifteen points
Well, looks like this Lorcan really wants that seat Karin thought, doing the
calculations for the applicants overall score in her head, and realizing that Lorcan was in
first. He has some serious power, but needs to work on his Hoho.

"Okay then, here's what we're going to do now!" Karin said, clapping her
hands together "We, and by we I mean you, are going to spar, using only Hakudo,
against Lareck here. He will be the one giving points this time, so it is him you have to
impress You will be going in descending order of your current score, so it's Lorcan first,
followed by Heaven, then Senji, and finished up by Gavin Hop to it!" Karin ordered,
backing out of the training area to give Lorcan and Lareck some space to move in.

The fight started slowly, Lorcan warily looking at Lareck, before moving
forward, swinging his fist, not for Lareck's face, but for his midsection Lareck quickly
sidestepped to the right, bringing his left elbow into play, trying to smash Lorcan in the
face, but missed as Lorcan quickly backpedaled before immediately lashing out with his
right leg, moving to kick Lareck in his neck. Lareck grabbed his leg with his right hand,
only to realize his mistake when he received a punishing blow to the ribs form Lorcan's
other foot Moving quickly with Lorcan's falling body, Lareck jumped, braced himself on
the leg he still held, and yanked sharply on it Lorcan's leg broke with a sickening
crunch, causing the other applicants, and Karin, to wince in sympathy.

Lorcan, to his credit, barely made a sound until the wounded leg was jarred by
the force of impact as it hit the ground with Lareck's body, sending waves of pain and
nausea through his body. Even then, all he did was groan. Karin quickly ran over to the
rapidly paling man Looking him over, she realized that he wouldn't be able to finish the
test. He would have to give him a choice on another future option. Poor bastard, that
must have hurt Karin thought, looking at the twisted angle Lorcan's leg was at "Lorcan!

---

Lorcan, can you hear me?" Karin asked the man When he nodded his head, she
continued "You are out of the running for fifth seat, no question about that However,
would you like to be put into the running for the next seated position above yours?"
Karin asked, genuinely sorry for this exceedingly talented man. Grimacing, Lorcan barely
managed to nod his head. Karin looked at Lareck, raising an eyebrow as she did so.

Lareck understood what she meant "He would have scored a twenty-one " He
said, rubbing his side ruefully.

Karin looked at Lorcan. She was definitely going to talk to Toushiro about him.
Such talent couldn't be left to go to waste "Lareck, I'm going to take Lorcan to the
Squad Four barracks Continue this test while I'm gone I'll be back to personally
conduct the Zanjutsu test myself very soon " Karin ordered, helping Lorcan up and
moving in the direction of Squad Four. Little conversation was held between the two,
Lorcan concentrating on staying conscious, and Karin concentrating on not hurting his
leg anymore. Upon reaching the Squad Four barracks, Karin turned Lorcan over to
Isane, then hurriedly filled in the paperwork necessary for his admittance and
treatment. She rushed back to the training ground as soon as she was done, hoping that
the other three were still in one piece She needn't have worried, walking onto the
training ground to find the three remaining applicants were panting hard, but
reasonably unhurt. Lareck walked over to her and handed her a paper containing the
applicants Hakudo scores. Lareck really likes paperwork way too much Karin thought,
reading over the scores on the sheet.

First-Gavin-twenty-three points

Second-Senji-twenty-one points

Third-Heaven-nineteen points

"You are all extremely close to each other in terms of skill so far The last test will
have to decide this. So, for this last test, this one based on Zanjutsu. I will give you
chance to earn some extra credit, of a sort. In this test, ten points will be directed
toward whether or not you have attained Shikai, and how much control you have over
it. The rest will be based on your skill in Zanjutsu, with five extra credit points awarded
if you can manage to force me to use my Shikai Get ready Heaven, cause your first "
Karin said, drawing her Zanpakutou.

---

Heaven was obviously nervous as she stepped forward. Drawing her own
Zanpakutou, she grasped the hilt with both hands, raising the sword over her head.
"Glorify, ku Enjeru!" she cried, and a blinding light suddenly erupted from her sword
When the light cleared, gone was the sword, replaced by a double-edged battle-ax, the
blades of which resembled wings. Heaven smirked when she saw Karin charging at her.
Pointing her ax at her charging superior, she cried out, "Tenshi No Boruto!", and a
yellow light lanced from the tip, arcing toward the third seat. Her smirk faded when she
saw Karin meet it head on, slapping it away like it was so much trash. Heaven tried to
shoot again, but was disarmed, with the point of Karin's blade at her throat, before she
could.

"You score a twelve, Heaven, with an overall score of sixty-nine. Your Zanjutsu is
pathetic, and needs a lot of work. You will report to me tomorrow so that I may find a
way to help you rectify that " Karin said, making a mental note to contact Ikkaku If
anybody could whip Heaven into shape quickly, it was him. Gulping, the other girl
nodded before retrieving her Zanpakutou, and standing at the sidelines with the other
two "Gavin, you're up now " Karin said, moving back to her starting place

Gavin stepped forward, pointing the end of his already drawn sword at Karin.
"Hate, Chi Wo Nomu!" he cried, his riatsu spiking as his blade disappeared altogether, to
be replaced by a strange whip, with dozens of chains attached to strange, spike shaped
blades "Let's see you deflect all of these!" Gavin exclaimed, swinging the hilt forward
The chains suddenly came alive, whipping themselves and their deadlier ends
everywhere around Karin. Karin began rapidly backtracking, looking for an opening.
There! she thought, deflecting three of the spikes. Snapping her arm forward, she
threw her sword, which went through a half revolution in the twenty feet separating her
and Gavin. There was a meaty smack as the hilt caught Gavin in the chest. Sputtering
for breath, Gavin collapsed to his knees, looking down at the ground while he slowly
wheezed He didn't even notice that Karin was near until he felt the blade of her sword
against the back of his neck.

"Not bad at all, Gavin You get a nineteen, with an end score of seventy-seven.
You still need a little work though. Mostly on your ability to fight through pain. That
will be all " Karin said, thinking that Ikkaku was going to basically own her when she
asked him to do her this favor. Reaching her starting position, she turned and beckoned
Senji forward.

---

Senji stepped forward confidently, his hand ready to draw his Zanpakutou. At
Karin's nod, he began to draw it, but stopped after the first two inches were revealed.
"Strike from the shadows,
nsatsu Sha " he quietly said
sudden grey mist obscured
him from Karin's view. When it cleared, his sword was gone, replaced with spiked
bracer on his right forearm. Holding his left hand over the bracer, the spikes, already
two inches long, grew another three, making them very formidable weapons. However,
what caught Karin's undivided attention was the yard long blade that also came from
the bracer, extending past his clenched fist. Senji then stepped back, his foot making
contact with a shadow on the ground. Suddenly, he disappeared, dropping into the
shadow Feeling movement behind her, Karin spun, just managing to parry Senji's blade
before he disappeared again Reappearing on the other side of the arena, "How do you
like my Zanpakutou's ability? I can move from one shadow to another almost instantly "
Senji said with a proud smile before renewing his attack.


The next few minutes were a blur as Karin constantly parried attacks coming from
unexpected angles from within the shadows surrounding her Finally, she'd had
enough. Reversing her grip on her sword, and holding her arm out behind her, she
activated her Shikai "Cry unto the Heavens and let all know your sorrow, Gin Kiba "
Karin intoned, her sword changing at four parts into jagged, star like, configurations.
Correcting her grip on her blade, she held it in tightly in both of her hands, then closed
her eyes. The moment she felt the air stir as Senji closed in on his apparently helpless
prey, she twisted, slashing his left side. Senji collapsed, gripping his head and groaning.
Heaven and Gavin couldn't believe their eyes Had she killed him in order to win? Karin
walked up and kneeled in front of Senji "You aren't the only one with an awesome
zanpakutou ability, you know You're probably wondering why your head eels like its
splitting in two. Well, I suppose I can tell you. When my sword connects physically, by
which I mean hits anything but their sword, I can choose to make the damage done
mental instead of physical. The more deadly the blow would have been physically, the
more mentally incapacitated you become. You score a twenty-three, with the five extra
credit points Congratulations, you're the new fifth seat " Karin told the still wincing
man.

"But don't you need Captain Hitsugaya's final approval for that?" Senji asked,
rubbing his head as he stood up next to Karin.

---

"Let me worry about that You, Gavin, and Heaven have all had a nasty day, and
you should all go home rest a bit " Karin said, walking out of the training arena
Fifteen minutes later

Toushiro looked up at the sound of somebody knocking on his door, but it slid
open before he could say anything, admitting, of course, Karin "Why do you knock, and
then come in before I can answer? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of knocking in the
first place?" Toushiro asked

"Not at all, I just knock so that if you're doing something gross, you have time to
clean it up " Karin answered, unable to keep the teasing tone out of her voice

Toushiro just sighed "I would never do anything like that, Karin, and well you
know it " Toushiro said, taking the papers that Karin was offering Looking the over, he
signed them and returned them to her.

"Hey, Toushiro, you know, Senji might not have gotten this if Lorcan hadn't
broken his leg We can't let Lorcan's talent go to waste " Karin said, Moving to the side
of Toushiro's chair and leaning against the desk

"So what are you saying?" Toushiro asked, knowing, but purposely leading her
on.

"You know what Im saying Make Lorcan the new sixth seat There is one vacant
now that Senji is the new fifth seat " Karin said, annoyed at her Captain

Smiling, Toushiro filled out the paperwork she had inadvertently made necessary
with her request "I don't see why not Your judgment, though sometimes
questionable, has yet to lead me wrong Do as you wish in this instance " Toushiro said,
handing her the paperwork He'd be damned if he was going to be the one to file it. As
he passed it to her, however, their hands brushed, leaving a tingling feeling in his hand.
For some reason, he felt the need to e more outspoken than usual "Hey, Karin, I have a
question for you " Toushiro said, almost uncharacteristically soft spoken Karin paused,
about to leave the room "Why did you kiss me? The day after our first soccer game, I
mean " Toushiro asked, looking away as he spoke

---

Karin smiled to herself, walking back over to him, she pulled him out of his chair
and into a tight hug before whispering in his ear, "Part of it was because I thought you
were cute The rest is for me to know and you to find out, maybe "

That being said, she shunpoed away, leaving Toushiro to ask the empty air, "She
thought I was cute?" He sounded confused and excited at the same time

Karin made her way to the Squad Three barracks. She had a date with her new
nee-san, and she wouldn't get a chance to talk to her again until after her and Ichi-nii's
honeymoon.
Two hours later

Karin couldn't remember the last time she had laughed this much. Rukia and she
had had a wonderful time, and they were walking through the gardens on the Kuchiki
estate, looking at the flowers and rocks that had been laid out so carefully. Somehow,
the conversation hade devolved to where Rukia had first felt that she had fallen in love
with Ichigo "I think that the first time I realized was more than just a friend to me was
the night of your death, Karin. He cried himself to sleep that night, and I wanted to help
him so badly, but I was so helpless " Rukia said, her smile fading a little

Karin was positively shocked "I made Ichi-nii cry?" she asked, her surprise
evident "I thought at most he would have just scowled more than usual "

Rukia shook her head "It hurt him far more than that I've never seen anyone
seem so broken I realized then that I would do anything to make sure that something
like that never happened again. I realized that I had somehow fallen in love with him
and his gruff, angry, and impatient exterior, but the thing about him that I truly loved
was the part of him that wanted to protect everyone around him, especially those
closest to him. The part of him that is tender and caring for others It's hard to explain
I'm still surprised that he loved me as well I can only hope that we always stay the way
we are " Rukia said, a reminiscent look in her eyes "But enough about Ichigo and me
What about you, Karin? Any crushes you don't want Ichigo to know about?" Rukia
teased.

"Well, to be honest, I've only ever really liked one guy " Karin said, surprising
Rukia.

---

"Really? You have to tell me who!" Rukia said, pressing Karin for an answer "I
swear, if you tell me, I won't tell anyone else " she promised

Karin looked at Rukia out of the corner of her eye "You'd better not It's, well,
it's Toushiro " Karin said, closing her eyes and bracing herself for laughter When it
didn't come, she opened one eye to see Rukia looking at her thoughtfully "What?"
Karin asked, unsure what the look was for.

"Would you like to go to the real world for a few minutes?" Rukia asked "We'd
be back soon, so you'd be able to get some sleep before work tomorrow Come on, I've
got something you really need to see " Rukia said Reluctantly, Karin agreed Going to
the Kuchiki's private Senkaimone, they entered it, quickly exiting inside a graveyard
Karin didn't know why they were here The Senkaimone's probably screwed up she
thought.

I wouldn't be too sure about that. I think we may be exactly where she wanted to
go. Gin Kiba mused.

Why would she want us in a graveyard. Karin retorted

She had her answer when Rukia bent over and picked something up off a grave.
Walking over to Karin, she handed it to her. Karin gasped when the cold item touched
her skin. It shouldn't be cold. It's the middle of summer here! Karin thought. When she
looked at it, she gasped again. It was a beautiful rose, made entirely of ice. She could
feel Toushiro's spiritual pressure leaking from it. She leveled a questioning look at
Rukia. "Toushiro leaves one of those on your grave every year. They last for an entire
year, so your grave has never been without one. It's his way of saying that, even though
you were alive in the Soul Society, he couldn't be sure that you were the same person,
and that he treasured his time with you. You somehow managed to get closer to him
than anyone else ever before, and outside of your family, he was the one hit hardest by
your death. It's one of the sweetest things I've ever seen, and he's done it for five years.
You know, you're the only one he let's get away with calling him Toushiro? He won't
even let Hinamori do that, and she's his childhood friend. I don't know how, but you
cracked his glacier of a heart and slipped in. I don't know if he loves you, but he
definitely has strong feelings for you. You're special to him." Rukia said before opening
the Kuchiki Senkaimone and heading back to the Seireitei.

---

Hours later, Karin lay on her bed, still holding the ice rose. As sleep slowly found
her, she resolved to talk to Toushiro about it tomorrow. Holding the ice rose to her
chest, she fell asleep with a final, murmured, "Thank you, Toushiro."

uthor's Note's
Aku Enjeru- Archangel

Tenshi No Boruto-angel's bolt
Chi Wo Nomu- Blood Drinker
Ansatsu Sha- Assassin
Gin Kiba- Silverfang

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