A/N: When I started this, I had just finished my junior year of high school and I really thought that I had time to keep writing, but senior year was a mess of unknowns for me and my first year at university was a disaster and I got really depressed. My second year got a whole lot better, but it required so much work to keep my grades up, I could never find the time. However, now, I'm done with school until August and I have no job because of the world situation, so I have all the time in the world. So thank you all for staying and thank you to the new people who just found my story! I just wanted to say that I'm almost done with the time skips. I really want to build Karin as a character, but if I wrote what happened every single day of every year, I would never get to the main plot, so please understand. Here's Chapter 5 of Blood Moon!

A quick note before you begin, though. I write, for example, Captain Zaraki and Lieutenant Madarame instead of Zaraki-taicho and Madarame-fukutaicho for a few reasons. English is my native tongue and I am writing it in. There are English equivalences to taicho and fukutaicho so I use them. However, I do use the suffixes of -kun, -chan, -senpai, -sensei, -sama, etc. because there is no English equivalent or it sounds awkward. Like if I were to say Kurosaki-chan, there's no translation of that. However, Kurosaki-senpai is Senior Kurosaki, but that's horrible on the eyes. At least it is to me. Like I have never heard anyone say that in English before. Anyways, that's what I have decided on, so I hope you all respect that

"Listen up!" Kenpachi roared. "I picked you guys because you gave a good show. Squad Eleven only has the strongest men in Seireitei. We fight until we die and if you aren't willing to do that get out. Yumichika will tell you your probationary teams. It is your duty to make all your opponents quake in fear, but we do not fear each other. If someone is stronger than you, you get better."

The newest recruits beamed at their new Captain. Karin remembered a few of them from her class, but most of them were new to her. A bunch of bloodthirsty males surrounded her, but she felt oddly at ease. She remained relaxed as she listened to Kenpachi speak. Honestly, she was a little surprised at how involved the man was. She had the impression that he was just a brute who swung around a rusty sword, but it was clear he knew how to lead.

"Kurosaki," Kenpachi said over Yumichika's voice, "You're mine. Let's go."

Karin jumped at the order squeezed her way out of the towering males that surrounded her. She ran to catch up to the looming figure at the front of the yard. The man made her feel diminutive – Kei had nothing on this guy. She snapped to his attention when she arrived at his side. "Captain."

"I don't do formalities. "Captain" is good enough," Kenpachi said. He began walking so Karin followed. His legs were so long that for every step he took, Karin needed at least two. When they stopped in his office, he motioned for her to take a seat and she complied. "Let's talk."

"About what?" Karin questioned, slightly winded from the walk.

"Your Zanpakuto." Ouch. He sure didn't pull any punches. "You don't have one."

"That's right."

"Neither did I. I've been Captain of the Eleventh for over a hundred years and I've only known Nozarashi for less than thirty. The pain of being nameless is unbearable. Your Zanpakuto is miserable being locked in that Asauchi."

"What am I supposed to do?" Karin snapped. "I've spent hours every single day trying to talk to that thing, but I can't find it! I can't hear it! I'm stuck searching a wasteland for something I know nothing about!"

"Shut your mouth, girl. Whining will get you nowhere."

Karin lowered her head. Her frustration was palpable throughout her body, but her frustration was nothing compared to her Captain's. The air grew tight as Captain and soldier remained silent. Karin wasn't sure what Kenpachi was waiting for, but the man simply stared her down. It was here where she realized she had totally misjudged the man in front of her. He wasn't a killer who held the title of 'Captain', he was a man who just was a Captain. Centuries of fighting and surviving built a wise man who understood more than he knew. Countless enemies felled by his blade and countless souls saved by his hand. Now she knew why the men of the Eleventh fight to the death. If they couldn't live long enough to aid Kenpachi, they didn't deserve the life Kenpachi gave them. It was all or nothing.

"You will train directly under me and Ikkaku," Kenpachi said breaking the silence. "I will help with your Zanpakuto and Ikkaku will take care of the rest. If you can't beat him in due time, you will never stand a chance against me. Nozarashi once told me that I couldn't hear him because I wasn't listening. Instead of blaming your Zanpakuto, blame yourself."

That was good and all, but why was Kenpachi so invested? As far as Karin knew, she was just a mere peon. Fresh from the Academy, she had nothing to her name. There was nothing special about her! Sure, she was an excellent fighter and she wasn't dumb, but she was a Shinigami without a Zanpakuto, and they were always the first to go. She couldn't resist asking the question. "Why do you care so much?"

"There are only a few things I want, Kurosaki, and to increase my chances of getting one, I should probably watch over you, so don't get things wrong. I'm doing this for me, not you." He said as a vicious grin split his face.

Karin was confused. How did she connect to what Kenpachi wanted? She didn't have the chance to question her Captain further because the Lieutenant, Ikkaku Madarame, walked in and whisked her out. A large hand gripped her elbow and dragged her through the compound hallways. Just like before the man's steps were much larger than her own and she struggled to keep up. Irritated with the Lieutenant's treatment of her she roughly pulled her elbow out of his grasp and stopped walking so she could fix her twisted shihakusho.

"I can walk on my own!" She huffed as she stomped passed him. "Well, what are you waiting for?" she said when the bald man didn't move. She watched impatiently as Ikkaku's mouth opened and closed in shock. A new recruit had never treated him like this, and he'd be lying if he said he didn't like it, but he also wasn't about to let a newbie disrespect him.

Ikkaku resumed walking, passed his subordinate, and grabbed her elbow and proceeded to pull her along twice as hard as he previously did. Karin's feet tangled with each other and she went crashing to the ground, but Ikkaku didn't stop. Her shoulder was in a twisted position and it hurt, but she continued to fight to stand. Eventually, Ikkaku tossed her to the ground. Tiny pebbles pushed into her palms and her knees crashed into the dusty field. From somewhere behind her, Karin could hear a group of Shinigami greet their Lieutenant, but they fell quiet at his beckoning.

"Rats like you don't act out. You do what you're told even when you're not." Ikkaku lectured not caring that his words didn't make that much sense. The bald man loomed over her with his arms crossed, but Karin wasn't scared. No, she was offended.

She snapped her neck up to glare at her commanding officer. "If you think I'm going to listen to you after how you treated me, you're mistaken, Lieutenant." Ikkaku's thin eyebrows raised. "Respect goes both ways and I refuse to show respect to a man who treats me like a rag doll." She kept her position on the ground despite her harsh words. She was standing her ground not challenging him.

"You haven't earned my respect, Kurosaki."

"And neither have you."

Karin stared Ikkaku down, and Ikkaku returned her glare. Even though Karin was almost a carbon copy of Isshin, she failed to receive his stature. Thankfully for her, though, Ichigo had taught her one heck of a nasty glare. She knew she was smaller than most and that some people would even go as far as to call her cute, but she was more than her size, and if that meant she had to disrespect her commanding officer to show him that, then disrespect him she would.

Ikkaku was stunned at the spunk of the girl on the ground. She was like dynamite – a deadly explosion packed away into a tiny container. He knew he was putting off an impressive amount of reiatsu because the Shinigami he had worked with for several decades were feet away shivering their asses off yet Karin was as solid as stone. Was this why Captain wanted her? Ikkaku thought. Kurosaki... Kurosaki?Kurosaki!

"Son of a bitch!" he muttered under his breath. "We've got at Kurosaki in our Squad!" Ichigo was a legend in Soul Society and the Shinigami of Squad Eleven almost had as much respect for the orange-haired warrior as they did for their Captain. There was no mistaking the look on her face cause that was the same look Ichigo had on his face when he almost cut Ikkaku down. They started as enemies, but Ichigo saved his life more times than he could count, so Ikkaku (the whole squad, really) would do the man a solid and watch over the girl.

"Clear out!" Ikkaku ordered to the Shinigami. "Get up, Kurosaki. Here's your chance to earn my respect."

No more words were needed. Karin knew exactly what Ikkaku wanted. She stood and brushed the debris from her hands. She readied her stance but it was useless because Ikkaku was already upon her and lashing out. The butt of his scabbard collided with her gut and force sent her tumbling back. Before she could recover, Ikkaku rounded on her again and sent her into the air. So this is the power of a Lieutenant! Once again, Karin was met with a downward kick that returned her to the ground. If she took any time to think, Ikkaku would take his chance and she'd be done for. Her body began moving on its own and she rolled away in a cloud of dust. She didn't allow her body to stop moving and she used a shunpo to get as far away as she could. It was futile, though, just as her body settled from the rapid movement, the bald Lieutenant was in her face, his blade drawn.

As quick as she could, Karin dropped to the ground, but the sword cut into her shoulder. She could feel the warm blood seep through her shihakusho, but she didn't really feel the pain. She was having fun. The more she fought and the harder she trained the more she loved it. There was no other feeling like the strain of muscles and the air rushing past her face. When Karin was low to the ground, she used her hands to lift her body and twist her legs up. The sudden movements managed to clip Ikkaku in the chin. Karin sprang up, drawing her Asauchi in the process. She looked at Ikkaku and he looked back. Both were met with a sweaty grin.

"Not too bad, but you're still weak!" Ikkaku shouted.

"Of course I'm weak to you!" Karin admitted though she showed no signs of backing down. She shot forward with the hilt of her sword pulled close to her chest. Ikkaku's own blade met hers with a resounding clash, but Karin was the only one affected. Her body recoiled against the strength the man had and her back collided with the stone wall separating the Eleventh from the Tenth. The impact caused a series of fissures to spread through the wall and all the air left her lungs. There was no holding back the coughs that wracked her body. Through it all, though, Karin clambered to her feet and raised her sword with a stiff arm. She wasn't done yet.

Ikkaku appeared in front of her and knocked the nameless blade from Karin's hand and pinned her arm to her back. "Stand down, you've lost."

"I haven't lost. I can still move!" She wrenched out of Ikkaku's hold and, despite knowing how useless it was, reached for the edge of his ratty shihakusho. Her hands tightly gripped the fabric by the man's neck and with as much force as she could muster, Karin pulled him down and raised her knee. Ikkaku spat as the small knee crashed into his chest. He should have known better than to underestimate a Shinigami of the Eleventh. No matter how new they were, they always played dirty and Karin was no different. A laugh bubbled in his throat as he thought about how brutal this girl could be. He would have one hell of a time training her.

"Maa, Ikkaku, what are you doing with the new recruit?" An unimpressed voice interrupted. Yumichika approached the battling the duo with crossed arms and a stern face.

Karin noted, not without a bit of envy, how beautiful the man was. His skin was flawless and his hair was silky. He was much shorter than the Lieutenant but no less intimidating. Karin watched as Ikkaku released a string of nervous laughter. "Just following, the Captain's orders."

"Cut the bullshit! Captain didn't tell you to beat her up!"

"Why are you so concerned? We beat each other up every day!"

Yumichika rounded on Karin and gently grasped the hand connected to her wounded shoulder. "A beauty like her doesn't deserve to look so disheveled. Come now, my friend in the Tenth can heal you." The graceful man left his friend to sputter on the ground. Karin was a little confused as to what just happened, but she followed Yumichika without a word.

"You must be wondering why I pulled you from that fight?"

Karin turned her head to look at Yumichika instead of the ground and nodded.

"Tonight all the new recruits go out to drink with each other. It gives the higher ranking officers a chance to be with their friends and it allows all you newbies to make friends in other divisions. From what I remember, the Academy doesn't do it's best at an integrated curriculum so we do our best to counter it. As I said before, you're much too beautiful to look the way you do now, so we're going to fix that before we go out."

It seemed like a lame excuse to Karin but she didn't question Yumichika as she let herself be pulled through the hallways of the Tenth. He led her to an open courtyard where a tall beautiful woman was addressing a crowd of new recruits. The batch of recent graduates that went to the Tenth was much greater than the one she was with. They had at least twice as many people. The woman stopped speaking when noticed Karin and Yumichika approaching.

"Rangiku-chan, can you do me a favor?" Yumichika purred with a sickly sweet smile.

"Anything for you Chika-Kun!" Rangiku smoothly accepted when she saw the coupon for free booze in the man's hand.

Karin found the exchange strange, but her eyes were locked onto to someone else. His dull brown hair was unmistakable. Buro Date had made it into Squad Ten. The other man frowned when he saw Karin, but he made no attempt to acknowledge her. Karin was different, though. She marched forward with blood dripping down her right arm and grabbed him like she had done with Ikkaku moments before. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

Yumichika called for his subordinate's attention, but his cries fell on deaf ears. Rangiku had caught wind that one of the recruits had a bad personality, but she didn't know who. Until now that is. She decided it was best to stay quiet.

Buro's eyes squinted into a glare as she tried to shake Karin off, but the girl's grip was too strong. "Get your hands off of me, Kurosaki."

"You didn't get an offer. How the fuck did a loudmouth like you get in?" Karin demanded. It seemed her words struck a chord with the boy because he reeled his head back and knocked in straight into Karin's head. Too bad, for him, though, because the action had no effect on Karin except for making her angrier. She was about to retaliate with her fist, but another voice interrupted.

"If you hit my Shinigami, I have no choice but to report you for assault."

Karin's head slowly turned towards the hallway she had come from and came to face the lanky Captain of the Tenth. Reluctantly, she released her former classmate. "You're a piece of shit, Date." Her words were spoken with such a genuine sense of disgust and, surprisingly, hurt that everyone flinched. Karin turned on her heel and walked out leaving a trail of blood.

0oo0oo0

Karin had peeled her bloody shihakusho back and winced as the fabric pulled at her skin. She had expected to be looking at the inside of her shoulder, but she was met with unbroken skin. Blood had dried around the area, but it was clear that there was no open wound. Confused, Karin poked around the area but quickly stopped when pain shot through the area. What the hell? She decided to ignore it for now and shrugged on a clean shihakusho. She fingered the blood-crusted frays of the ruined shihakusho and couldn't help but think of her younger twin.

It had been twenty-nine years since Karin passed which meant that Yuzu would be forty-seven years old. Her twin would have had a husband and kids. She probably spent her hours sewing torn clothes and cooking dinners, but Yuzu was a domestic soul so she was probably happy. The thought of her sister growing old without her sent a pang through Karin's chest. She didn't get to be with her family. She didn't get to see how any of them aged. What was Ichigo doing now? Had her dad retired yet? She longed to be with them again. In a fit of indignation, Karin threw the torn shihakusho in the back of her closet and walked out of her room through the shoji doors.

Karin found the rest of the new recruits roughhousing in the courtyards while Yumichika, Ikkaku, and Kenpachi conversed off to the side. When Yumichika caught sight of the small girl he slipped away to greet her. "Are you okay, Karin-chan?"

"I'm okay, Ayasegawa-senpai. I'm just being sensitive." Karin reassured. It wasn't very convincing, though, as her voice cracked. Yumichika, to her relief, didn't pursue the topic anymore.

"All right!" Yumichika announced to the crowd with a smile plastered to his face. "We'll be heading to a bar in West Junrinan with Squads Three, Eight and Ten. Drink to your heart's content, men!"

Karin cursed the fact that she'd be in close proximity with Buro again, but she quickly overlooked that detail. She'd be going back to West Junrinan! If she got lucky enough, the bar they'd be going to would be Isamu's. If she wasn't that lucky, though, she'd just slip away for a bit. It had been a while, a long while actually, since she had visited Jun. Whenever the Academy gave them days off, Karin would go back, but that rarely happened because the Academy didn't believe in days off.

Somehow all four squads managed to arrive at Seireitei's Western Gate at the same exact time. The Captains and Lieutenants greeted each other and the new recruits merged into one blob. Karin quickly lost sight of her fellow Squad Eleven members, but that didn't bother her so much because she spotted the only person that mattered to her. Kei stood a head taller than most of the Shinigami and Karin noticed that there was a Bird of Paradise etched onto the shoulder of his shihakusho. She remembered Kei telling her how the Eighth was his dream and to see that he made it made her immensely happy.

Just as Karin was about to call out for him, Kei found her and immediately began to plow through his comrades as gently as he could. "Karin-chan!" When he reached her, his arms effortlessly wrapped around her. His touch as gentle as she remembered. Karin laughed when she realized that she sounded as if she hadn't seen her friend in decades when in reality it had only been a few days. Her previous funk had been forgotten as she jumped straight into telling her closest friend about how Kenpachi had chosen her as his personal student.

The four Captains held small talk for the duration of the walk to the bar. Kenpachi and Renji got on like old friends and Shunsui and Toshiro were friendly acquaintances. The Lieutenants and Yumichika, though, became a mess of chaos. They were throwing their bodies at each other and challenging to drink each other into oblivion. It was a mess, but they were happy. They lost many friends during the Invasion of Soul Society and it was a long time coming, but they were healing.

The mass of Shinigami stopped in front of an extremely familiar bar and Karin let her smile radiate. Shunsui was the first to enter followed by the other Captains and ending with the recruits. The scent of the alcohol was so nostalgic and Karin even recognized a few of the patrons.

"Akiyama, I have returned and I come bearing gifts!" Shunsui greeted.

The old man who had shown her so much kindness came from the kitchen with a tray of snacks. His small eyes traveled the length of the bar and found the massive group at the door. It wasn't the number of people that caused him to drop the metal tray, though, it was the young woman with black hair who was positively beaming. "Karin-chan!"

Isamu rushed forward as fast as his body could carry him, but Karin met him before he made it halfway. They caught the attention of the current customers and her regulars shouted in glee.

"Karin-chan, its been so long!"

"Where have you been? No one makes the sake special like you do!"

The bar was in a complete uproar. Karin engulfed the man who was like a grandfather to her in a hug. "It's been a while, huh, old man?"

"Almost a decade," Isamu said through tears

The Shinigami behind her remained forgotten as Karin spotted the curtain to the kitchen part. From the kitchen emerged a young boy who was no taller than she last remembered. Jun was every bit of the child she had left behind. His face still retained the baby fat, but his hair was long enough to be tied back now. Karin removed herself from Isamu and faced her little brother.

"Hi," She said weakly. Karin felt something akin to guilt for not being able to be beside this young boy, but she wasn't regretful. She knew that Jun understood why she left, but his pitiful face from seeing her hurt her heart.

Jun's lips trembled as he gazed upon the older woman. Tears burned his eyes and there was no holding back. "Nee-san!" he sobbed. His feet clumsily walked over the raven-haired girl.

Karin dropped to her knees and began to comfort the boy. "Hey, stop with the tears. This isn't supposed to be sad!" Her words only made him cry harder. Their moment was interrupted by Shunsui's shout.

"I knew I recognized you! You're the sweetheart who beat up that guy!"

Jun stopped crying at the sound of another voice and Karin became aware of everyone she came with. Jun stepped around Karin and pointed a finger at the long-haired Captain. "You're the man who helped me!"

Shunsui entered a squat to look the boy over. His hands reached out and began turning Jun in circles. "Whoa, look at you!" The two chattered away and Karin returned her attention to the Shinigami. She wasn't sure how to address her comrades or if she even had to, but Isamu intercepted with an offer of free drinks for the first round.

0oo0oo0

Hours later Karin found herself clinking glasses with not one, but two Captains. She wasn't drunk only pleasantly buzzed. Despite the fun atmosphere, Karin wasn't looking to get hammered. From her spot across from Renji and Toshiro, Karin watched with amusement at the differences between the two. Renji had slammed back the drink like there was no tomorrow. Toshiro had taken a small sip before lightly replacing the glass on the table. Renji's presence was comforting. Something about it reminded her of home and she was basking in it.

"Kurosaki, would you care to take a walk with me?" The white-haired Captain proposed.

Strands of her black hair fell loosely in front of Karin's face. Her hair-tie was long lost at this point. Seeing no real reason to decline, Karin set down her drink and followed her superior out of the bar. The night air was refreshing compared to the stuffy environment of the bar. The group would have to head back soon considering the darkness of the sky.

"I do not apologize for bringing Buro Date into my squad."

Karin stopped walking at the man's words. If this Captain asked her out here to talk about Buro, she would turn right around.

"However, I do apologize for being the reason you hurt." Toshiro stopped walking, but he kept his back towards Karin. He took a small breath while clasping his hands behind his back. "I know of the bad blood between you and Date, but I don't know how deep it runs. Date is an exceptional Shinigami and I couldn't let his talents go to waste."

What kind of apology is that? Karin huffed to herself. She couldn't fault the man before her for wanting a skilled warrior, though, so she decided to make light of everything. Buro Date was not something Karin could control and making her hatred for the man known news wasn't doing anything for her. "You shouldn't be apologizing to me, you should apologize to yourself. Date is a shitty person and he'll make your life hell."

Karin's voice had Toshiro turning around. He hadn't expected such a response from her. He had his suspicions as to who she was, but they wouldn't be confirmed until that person returned. The resemblance was uncanny, though, so he felt safe with his assumptions. "You're not mad that he's here to stay?"

"Of course I am. I want nothing more than to beat his fucking face in and maybe slap him with his own spine, but there's nothing I can do. I may quick to strike, but I'm not unreasonable."

Intrigue took over Toshiro's surprise. From his past experiences, those from the Eleventh were all bite and no bark, but this petite girl was different. It seemed she had some semblance of intelligence. Karin wasn't sure what to make of his silence, so she took the chance to peer up at him. He was a handsome man, Karin couldn't deny that. The shape of his eyes was sharp, but his gaze was soft. His nose was strong, but not overshadowing. And his jawline! It was probably sharper than his Zanpakuto! The Captain's bright eyes drifted downwards and met her own. Karin's face flushed at getting caught in her musings, but she didn't look away. She wasn't that type of person.

Toshiro merely chuckled. Karin was indeed interesting. He would have to pay more attention to her. "It's getting late. We should head back."

Karin agreed and set out to follow after the quiet Captain when a large explosion of reiatsu stopped her in her path. Her eyes grew wide. The energy was coming from the bar. She took off faster than Toshiro could restrain her. She arrived in a few seconds and Toshiro was hot on her heels. Nothing looked wrong, but everything felt wrong. She quickly entered the bar and scanned the area. No one was breathing. It was as if everyone had turned into statues. A flicker of movement drew her attention over towards the stairs that led up to the bedrooms. A stout figure emerged from the shadows holding something but it tossed it to the ground a few feet away. Not something, but someone. Her heart dropped.

"Jun!" Karin's broken whisper sounded. "You stay away from him!"

The figure ignored her pleas. It continued to advance towards Jun. The poor boy remained stiff on the floor. Karin willed her feet to move but it was as if they were glued down. Frustrated, Karin looked down to see purple threads wrap around her ankles. She looked back up to see the same purple threads creep up the bodies of her comrades. Horror spread through her body when she noticed the eyes of somewhat sober Shinigami moving.

"It..." the figure croaked. Karin returned her gaze to the unknown party. A broad grin filled with sharp teeth split the figure's face. Malice was pouring off of it. It crouched low and pulled back its arm. "begins now!" Its arm shot out and plunged into Jun's prone body.

Everything seemed to return at once. Air rushed into their lungs and they jumped to action. Karin stumbled to the floor as she had never stopped fighting her paralysis, but her mind was on one thing. Jun. The young boy didn't move. He didn't breathe. Karin dropped to her knees beside the motionless boy and she cradled him with shaky hands. She immediately knew that he was gone. His skin was pale and his body was already cooling. She clutched him close to her chest as she cried. The conscious Shinigami lowered their swords at the sight. All of them knew too well.

The night was starting to break. Tendrils of sunlight crept up the horizon. Karin looked at the small grave tucked away behind the bar. The grave marker looked back at her and tears had burned at the edge of eyes, but she wouldn't cry. Her tears had dried up and all feelings of sorrow were replaced with rage. Whoever it was that killed her little brother, wanted her. The figure was speaking to her. Its eyes bore into her's when it dealt the killing blow.

"We're leaving." came the gruff voice of her Captain. Karin said nothing as she gripped her Asauchi and rose to her feet. She found her Captain leaning against the wall watching her. He didn't look anything like she had seen of him before. His face was weary and his body heavy. He stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. "You holding up okay?"

"I'm trying."

Kenpachi's hand was suddenly in her face and it was holding the smallest Lieutenant's Band she had ever seen. "That was Yachiru's. She was my Lieutenant before Ikkaku and... my daughter. I lost her during the Invasion."

Karin looked at her Captain and noted that he looked as heartbroken as he sounded. She was speechless. It was probably a horribly rude assumption, but she didn't think her Captain was capable of emotional talks. Every interaction they had proved Karin had the wrong idea about the guy.

"We'll get them. What just happened, that was a declaration of war." Kenpachi reassured. Karin listened as her fighting spirit reignited. Whoever was after her, they were strong enough to keep many Shinigami at bay. She would train and she would get stronger. Kenpachi nudged her forwards and quickly followed.

0oo0oo0

Fifteen Years Later

"Kurosaki-senpai! Kurosaki-senpai!"

Karin tightened her grip on her Asauchi. She had been so, so close! Over the years Karin had been able to coax her Zanpakuto spirit into revealing itself. Although, revealing might not be the right word. Her inner world was a hazy mess as it had always been, but Karin was able to navigate it now. When she was in the Academy it was like walking through a room with no lights, but now it was like walking through a foggy night. And this time she had heard a whisper. She was sure of it! Whoever had the gall to break her Jinzen was going to pay!

"Kurosaki-senpai!"

"What do you want!?" Karin demanded of the Shinigami who flung her door open. The large male shrank back at the venom in her voice.

"Captain says its time to go,"

"Go where?" She asked.

"Lieutenant Madarame and Ayasegawa-senpai were just sent away on a mission and Captain wants you to go to the greeting!"

The greeting? Karin had worked herself to the bone and managed to make it to the unoccupied Fourth Seat, but she didn't think that granted her privileges such as this. There wasn't much she knew about this greeting except that the Captain-Commander had received a Hell Butterfly that informed him of two people returning to Seireitei. In all her years, which wasn't that long, as a Shinigami, she had only heard about the Captain-Commander and, in all honesty, thinking about seeing him for the first time made her shudder.

"Kurosaki-senpai, you have to leave now. You and the Captain are almost late!"

"Why didn't you let me know earlier then?" Karin reprimanded.

The Eleventh was a rowdy bunch, but if there was one thing that they would all agree on was that Karin Kurosaki was terrifying. She had long ago surpassed those she graduated with and showed more potential than so-called prodigies. Many even believed that Karin was worthy of a higher title, but she always refused any promotional offers. She was fiercely loyal to their Captain and that's why the Shinigami of the Eleventh were loyal to her.

Karin darted past the Shinigami and used her impressive speed to chase down her Captain. She found him without too much hassle and shot him a glare when she settled into a run by his side.

"It was last minute, relax," Kenpachi grinned.

"Any other time, it would have been fine, but this is the Captain-Commander, Captain!" Karin almost whined.

"If you can run your mouth to me, you'll be fine,"

"That's not the same thing at all!"

Their bickering came to an end when they passed the threshold to the courtyard holding the Senkaimon. Karin tried her best to smooth down the strands of hair that escaped her low ponytail. She glanced at all the Captains and Lieutenants present as she took her place beside Kenpachi. She was the lowest ranking Shinigami there and knowing that sent her nerves into a tizzy. She wasn't someone who dealt with formal situations often and they made her uncomfortable.

Karin felt a pair of eyes on her and she shifted her attention. She lifted her head and looked in front of her. Toshiro was shamelessly staring at her and it was making her more uncomfortable. They had developed somewhat of an awkward, budding relationship filled with badly timed flirting. Ever since that day in Junrinan, Karin discovered that the Barracks of their two Squads were quite close when he had knocked on her door while she was sobbing over her loss. The quiet Captain had offered a comforting shoulder that night and their relationship grew.

Karin's discomfort seemed to be apparent because Toshiro's Lieutenant, Rangiku, elbowed him in his side and the thin man coughed into his shoulder. Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto flashed into premises with his trusty Lieutenant right behind him.

"It has been a long time coming. They will be here in just a few moments." Yamamoto's voice echoed.

Karin watched as the Lieutenants practically vibrated with excitement. Even a few of the Captains had smiles on their faces. Just who was coming that warranted such a reaction? A humming cut through the air before the gate slowly split open with a blinding white light. Karin squinted as she tried to see through the light, but it was useless. A few seconds passed before the light dimmed and Karin could make out two figures.

"What's up, old man?"

"It's been far too long, Captain-Commander."

Those two voices were unmistakable. It may have been decades, but Karin would never forget the voices of the people who meant the most to her. Her heart stopped and she prayed that her ears weren't deceiving her.

"Isshin-kun, Ichigo-kun, welcome back," Yamamoto said with a smile. They continued to converse until the elder excused himself.

It was undeniable now. It was her father and her brother! No matter how hard she tried, Karin couldn't get air to enter her lungs. Her chest ached and her eyes burned. It was all so much. She hadn't expected to ever see her family again. She resigned to the fact that she would be cursed with the memories of a family she couldn't have. She was relieved and the years of longing for them bubbled to the surface and the tears poured out.

Karin's actions drew the attention of her Captain. Kenpachi grinned at her and slapped her on the back. Hard. The movement sent her sprawling forward, but at least she could breathe now. Karin landed on her hands and knees in the middle of the aisle. She could feel everyone's eyes on her, but the only people that mattered were her father and brother. Both men stood near to where the Captain-Commander was (the elder had retreated to his own Squad's Compound) with a confused face. It took less than an actual second for them to recognize the petite girl.

"K-Karin-chan!" Isshin sobbed as he ran towards her. He didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around his daughter. Karin couldn't get any words out. She held onto Isshin's upper arms as she sobbed into his chest. She had never been a daddy's girl and some would even say that she was rude to him, but no one could deny that she loved him. There was no argument. Isshin pulled away from the hug and moved his hands to her cheek. "My baby girl, you're okay."

To the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, Isshin was a man who possessed epic strength, and to see him crying on his knees shook them to their cores. Everyone who knew Karin suspected that she was more than just a random soul from Rukongai, but they couldn't prove it. She looked so familiar to Isshin, but she acted nothing like him. She acted every bit of Ichigo and shared his family name, but looked nothing like him despite the occasional similarities. It was clear that their suspicions were right. The leading powers of Soul Society watched on in awe as even Ichigo, the young man who sealed away Soul Society's greatest threat, hunkered down and engulfed the Fourth Seat from Squad Eleven.

Karin remained in the center of the mini huddle crying all the tears in her body out. With one hand wrapped around her dad and the other wrapped around Ichigo, she grasped them with all her might. She was terrified that this would turn out to be some twisted dream, but she knew better than that. She could hear the heartbeat sounding from Ichigo's chest as he held her head close.

Isshin rose and turned to the nearest Captain. "Captain Zaraki, do you know why she's here?"

Instead of answering Isshin's question, Kenpachi focused in on Ichigo and practically growled. "Ichigo, long time, no see, eh?"

Ichigo, ever having his defenses raised around the psychotic Captain, jumped to his feet in front of Karin. Kenpachi's savage expression sent chills down his spine.

"Captain Zaraki, do you have something to tell me?" Isshin wisely interrupted the silent battle between his son and former fellow Captain.

Isshin and Ichigo watched as Kenpachi looked to Karin instead. "Wipe your tears, brat, and tell them yourself."

Karin had already pulled herself off of the ground, but the tears kept flowing. She wiped them and blinked hard, but they just wouldn't stop. All the emotions she felt that caused her to cry were gone and replaced with happiness, but it was like someone turned the tap on and broke the handle. "They won't stop!"

Kenpachi, irritated with his Fourth Seat's tone, shoved Isshin and Ichigo aside and got in his subordinate's face. "I told you to stop."

"And I told you I can't!" With her wrist wrapped in bandages, a style she picked up not long ago, she swiped them across her eyes only to pull them away revealing eyes dripping with tears. Her mind filled with a haze as a whisper entered her ears. It sounded like a bunch of gibberish, but a few words were clear as day. Engetsu. Zangestu. A monotonous repeat in the back of her head. Karin pushed the voice back. Now wasn't the time to try and decipher her testy Zanpakuto spirit. She shut her eyes and gave her head a little shake. The voice was almost gone, but she could still hear the drone of ...getsu...getsu...getsu.

"What a pain. I bring you here for this and you can't even explain who you are to them." Kenpachi huffed pulling himself to his full height. "Kurosaki's my Fourth Seat."

Ichigo reeled and reached for Karin. His palm rested on her forehead with concern was written all over his face. His thumbs dried her cheeks and the tears actually stopped. "Karin, are you okay? Blink twice if you need help."

Karin couldn't help the laugh that bubbled out of her chest. "Of course I'm okay!" Her words pulled a stronger reaction than she anticipated and she found herself in another hug. Something deep inside her resonated happily. The voice in her head grew louder and Karin was getting concerned. However, she didn't have time for that.

"Ichigo, fight me!" Kenpachi demanded as he drew Nozarashi.

"How many times do I have to say I don't wanna fight you!"

Kenpachi's wild laughter cut short at Karin's voice. "Oh no, you don't, Captain! You still have work back at the Eleventh! I bet you still haven't approved of the new shihakusho Abiko asked for. And besides, I'm taking the day off, and Ikkaku and Yumichika aren't around to keep things in check so you have to."

The Thirteen Court Guard Squads balked at Karin ordering Kenpachi around, but there was one individual who struggled to keep his laughs in. Toshiro had noticed that the more Karin got promoted, the fewer damages that occurred around Seireitei. He remembered the small woman tell him that, on the day of her promotion to Tenth Seat, Karin had gone off on the Squad, Captain and Lieutenant included, for their recklessness. She had set one too many bones and cleaned up one too many messes and just had enough. Toshiro knew that even though Karin hadn't been around for very long, she had everyone in her squad wrapped around her finger. That and her insane abilities as Shinigami had them following her every word.

Kenpachi had visibly deflated. He turned to Ichigo. "Now that you're here for good, I will get my fight."

Ichigo shuddered at the man's words. He would no doubt spend the rest of his days on the run. The small family noticed that the rest of the Captains had remain and embarrassment struck them. Isshin spent the following minutes catching up with former fellow Captains and Ichigo clowned around with the friends he made while fighting in the Invasion. Toshiro had sidled up to Karin and decided on observing her instead of speaking to her.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Her voice was filled with betrayal.

Toshiro's heart flipped at the tone. He quickly searched his brain for the right words to say. "I wasn't sure. You had never spoken about your family so I assumed Jun was it," It was a lame excuse – he knew that, but it was all he had.

"That's bullshit, Toshiro. For a genius, you're pretty stupid. Even Captain was able to figure it out. Hell, Ikkaku figured it out and told me about his time with Ichigo and everyone knows that any particle of intelligence gets reflected off of his bald head!"

Karin was actually disappointed that Toshiro hadn't said anything to her about her dad or Ichigo. As Karin spent more time at the Tenth, she not only grew close to Toshiro but also to Rangiku. Karin found herself pulled in by the woman's charms. Rangiku was an amazing woman with incredible strength and Karin looked up to her. On the days she sought out Toshiro, but the man was busy, Karin found herself listening to the busty Lieutenant tell stories about her dad when he was a Captain. The older woman had told her that there was no way she was wrong about assuming that Karin's dad was Isshin and she had bet her career as a Shinigami on it.

"Now, Karin–"

"It's okay," Karin smiled, all forms of disappointment gone. "Because you'll be eating dinner alone for the next week." She kept smiling as she watched Toshiro flounder. They had been eating dinner every day for the better part of ten years, so she knew exactly how this would affect him. From what Rangiku told her, Toshiro was quite temperamental when he was younger, and Karin could see the beginnings of a protest start to form. Luckily for her, the crowd of Captains and Lieutenants began to thin and Karin took this opportunity to leave with her father and brother.

Rangiku approached her stunned Captain. "Aw, it'll be okay, Captain" she comforted with a knowing smile.