#such as why Renji and Izuru were moved to other divisions

[hanabiira]

Thoughts on Miki’s bankai, taking up captaincy, and the general timeline.

Miki has served in the Gotei 13 for well over 400 years, the entirety of it being in the 5th division, slowly climbing her way up the ranks. For approximately 50 years, Miki held the position of 3rd seat, dutifully training to attain her bankai and further sharpen her shinigami techniques. 20 years prior to the beginning of the story we know, Miki would’ve first attained her bankai. With bankai being a highly rare occurrence and coveted, her training was largely done alone. She was not exactly sworn to utmost secrecy, but kept her ability under wraps until she felt it was ready. An unprepared and unperfected bankai would be foolish to reveal, thus she spent 20 good years honing it into the deadly weapon it could be. She knew if word were to get out, she would be swept up into power before she was ready. Miki had always sought after a captain’s position, quietly but on her terms. She was not exactly your reckless and headstrong hero that would profess her life goals at every chance she got. 

When Aizen’s plan was fully set into motion, everything went to hell. Their once beloved captain, a traitor. Their lieutenant, nearly dead and out of commission. Miki was left to hold up the shambles of a yet again, demoralized division. She managed well enough, taking hold of the reigns as defacto captain while Momo still recovered. It was the exact test of leadership she needed. No, it wasn’t easy. Prior to then, she still didn’t feel ready to become a captain and despite the sudden vacancy to not one but three divisions she found it...somewhat inappropriate to request the captain’s proficiency exam, thus she remained where she was. Yet she craved more, a true test of power, worthiness, to hold such an esteemed position. 

The few years between the battle between Aizen and the time after it was something of a whirlwhind. The winter war was not a battle she was a part of, once again, holding the reigns of the 5th division while their lieutenant fought. Then, the return of Shinji Hirako, their old captain. Though she is sure he barely remembers her and her mousy ways she makes an effort to quell the worries of anyone who never remembered him as a former captain. The chance for her to be captain seems to be gone, the vizard men returning to their former glory. She remains optimistic despite this, god knows they deserve to be welcomed back after what was ripped from their hands. 

Then the Quincy, the first wave comes and they are broken and battered. Yamamoto soutaichou; Gone. How are they supposed to carry on when their strongest is dead? Shunsui is promoted to head captain and suddenly, the 8th division...is open. It almost seems wrong to her, to grab at it, almost. It has been his for so long.  But with what had happened, the invasion, it was now or never. If she could get through this, oh, she could get through anything she is sure. To shoulder a division in the middle of a war is maybe a little crazy, but they needed a leader. She could die in the war not obtaining a goal, or she could die a captain, doing the best to protect the sereitei with the tools she had. 

Miki requested to take the Captain’s Proficiency Test not days later. Time was of the essence. The two other captains present as witnesses were: Shinji Hirako and Juushiro Ukitake. The process was quick and between the time of the first and second quincy invasion, no one bothered with an inauguration ceremony. The only thing she needed made is a new haori, as Shunsui’s old one was simply too large and surely held too much sentimental value. She scrambled to do what she could with the 8th division, in preparation, morale, and training. She doesn’t find it surprising that the division is a little wary of a brand new captain, but she doesn’t have time to blame them and soldiers on. They survive the war. What feels like just barely. She thinks she maybe has gotten lucky. 

Slowly, they begin to pick up the pieces. The sereitei is rebuilt and with it the 8th division changes in her vision. The gardens are expanded, greenhouses are added. Over time she establishes herself. She manages to introduce herself to the rest of the captains and lieutenants. She becomes trusted, the 8th division becomes a fixture of something new. 

[fatedkings]

i want to preface these thoughts by saying: by no way shape and form will i ever force my headcanons on my roleplay partner of the other character i have the headcanon with. These are just my thoughts and nor do I view muns of villains in a negative light, we all love characters just different types. it does not mean they, the muns, are bad people.

my  ( undead )  izuru headcanons involve Gin/Aizen of course, whom both i love dearly with all my heart, and several other characters like Hisagi, Momo, Renji, and Matsumoto.  I will have a read more,   gore warning etc.  as this WILL get lengthy  ( going in depth about izuru’s state of consciousness leading up to,   the possible backlash,    etc. )

basically tl;dr    izuru kira becomes the epitome of despair.

After a blast in the chest from Bazz-B, obliterating his abdomen tossing his arm aside, Izuru barely “alive” is taken to Mayuri Kurotsuchi to be healed. Held together by a string of will to live, heavy poles, and enhanced by the reiatsu of Izuru’s fallen seated officers now standing at a captain’s level ( as stated by Shaz Domino in their battle in “Beginning of the revive of Tomorrow”. )

much of him ponders his existence:   how he is carrying the souls of the seated officers he was unable to protect, only to continue to fight for his pride as a gotei 13 member.   This mindset  has been the same since Gin Ichimaru left the gotei 13 with aizen in a beam of light, leaving Kira’s trust irreparable. his personality has always revolved around his comrades, his captain, the gotei 13  ( as many shinigami were indoctrinated to unquestioningly  [ i.e. he made momo bow before byakuya even though it was wrong to just allow  renji to be jailed horribly injured as he was. ]  believe to follow the rules and motions at the time making aizens plan easier, izuru is just another sleeper in the system. )

this could be stated as a young shinigami he was impressionable, Aizen “I plan everything to a T” Sosuke stated how he chose Hinamori specifically for being his lieutenant so that he may manipulate her like a puppet for the events of the soul society arc.   (  which arguably pitted them against one another and ruined their [ hinamori and izuru’s ] relationship in my opinion  )    i highly suspect that Izuru was ALSO chosen through the same process that Hinamori was picked so that there were no flaws in this plan, as Gin was in with Aizen one hundred years prior.

now, I am not saying that Gin did not CARE for Izuru personally, I am saying that Gin had a mission and that was to kill aizen by any means necessary even if it meant getting others hurt. Gin played along with Aizen’s game, the manipulation, i even think he cared for Izuru to an extent before the end of their time together, but again he had a mission he had to accomplish. What I have always loved about BLEACH is how morally grey the characters are, and Gin alongside Tosen is a great example of these archtypes. Gin wanted to kill Aizen and return the shard of the Soul King back to Rangiku, what he sold his life away to for the person he loved most.

We know Izuru as a child was more free, chipper to tease and speculate over his and Hisagi’s strength only question what happened to make Kira such a gloomy person. Perhaps it is the exposure to being a soul reaper, but the drastic changes in his personality make me question what made Izuru the person we know now?    it’s only later on in my current re-reading of BLEACH in Izuru’s cell scene did i get the full extent of how uncomfortable it truly was at least for me.    A dilapitated cell,     scratched up,     broken chair,      blood splatter aross the floor, Izuru in a sling self loathing:

Hinamori’s cell was not the same state being absolutely pristine, almost the same for Renji except more concrete than wooden. Kira put the loyalty to his Captain over the loyalty to his friend when it came down to the tension over Sosuke Aizen’s “death”  self loathing over what he had done.  All of this Damage had been done by himself, restrained for his own safety, conflicted over his own emotions:

Izuru was lead to rely and be loyal to Gin ( if not I think part of Kira on the inside was also TERRIFIED of Gin ),  leading to Izuru diverting Matsumoto after the central 46 slaughter although he tells Nayura from “Beginning of the Revive of Tomorrow” Gin did not tell him to fight Matsumoto the opposite is implied in the manga as well as matsumoto’s suspicions of some sort of manipulation  (  rangiku and izuru make up tho and drink so its gucci ) with a q&a of Kira’s after the soul society rebellion sounding lost, stating how he did not want ‘liars’ in his company. However, Hinamori’s q&a had a desire for life and to move on from the tragic events unlike Izuru’s prompt.

Rose might be attached to Izuru, however, Izuru does not want to latch on to Rose and for something unmistakable to happen (  unable to trust, similar to the captain amagai arc in the anime except with one personality of strenuous trepidation and the other willing.  )

It’s always been his mindset to put the Gotei 13 before his friends ( who he loves very much, he worried about rangiku more than himself even though he was a human squirting ketchup bottle ),   he does not have any living family, nor does he seem to have any lingering positive feelings to himself   as now Kira needs to PROVE his worth. Later on in turn back the pendelum with Kisuke and Hiyori visiting maggots nest mentioning how there is no one who intentionally leaves the Gotei 13, implying that in the Gotei 13 you either die as a shinigami or are imprisoned for life.  Unquestioning loyalty is the unhealthy norm among all of them, even if it may seem endearing at times for the Division eleven members, etc.

[Undead] Izuru is just what he says: a ‘different Izuru’. 

although it may be known that the hole in his chest exists, the extent that the mental state has deteriorated would be unknown to most of the people in his life. Just because of the change brought on by Ichigo and his friends does not mean that Soul society has truly made progress, many of the soul reapers linger on the old ways rather than moving forward. Shinigami are still very much sheep apart of the herd and without Kira voicing his concern about the state of being Izuru is in none would be the wiser or know about the souls essentially stapled against his own. Everyone would be complacent, silent... as possibly KIra could decend into a numb void pit similar to a Gillian.

How? Only Arrancar have been stated similar to Shinigami, but the backlash to having the souls pegged onto the motherboard would create some TYPE of hazard for Izuru in the future that would jeapordize his state of being. Here i propose this theory: Gillians are made of hollows intertwined with one another, although, most do not have any sense of individuality because of this make up,

1.)   izuru would eventually lose his sense of object permanence, individuality, perpetually putting his comrades in danger by his own presence that could lead to the harm or slaughter of shinigami and the people he once loved.

2.)   if the process of losing spiritual pressure is painful  ( i.e. how ichigo reacted in the manga when he passed out after mugetsu ) perhaps the same can be said for those who rapidly gain spiritual pressure/reiatsu over a short period of time.

(  in brave souls during his attacks he sounds like hes groaning or in pain.  )

3.)   interacting with izuru is a lot like pulling teeth,  to yank and  tear,   like the moon as a waning crescent his mentality is filled with the dysphoric aftermath.  Unable to turn a new page,   even with the war over,   izuru has not sought help for the gaping cavern that lays in his chest nor does he seem to want to...

(  izuru seems to be content with living alongside his companions day to day as if the days were the same before the TYBW   [ in rukia’s and renji’s getting-married novel he still has the hole because yoruichi tries to unclothe him to look at it ].     Unless kira himself comes to the conclusion that he has regained some sort of status within the gotei 13,     as lieutenant within division three there will be no redemption or acceptance to fill that gap.     it will be there haunting him,      a wound undisclosed with all expected to walk parallel never questioning  his state of being, he is detached from the world around him,  isolating himself for various reasons.    )

4.)    the arm that was blown off is mostly repaired as synthetic, izuru holds his arms and body irregularly    (  i.e.   how attacks with one arm only,    one shoulder is lifted higher than the other.  ) and can be ejected off with enough force if applied.

5.)    SPECULATION**//         his will to fight/kill might be affected,   as we have seen through ichigo,   is what drives a shinigami to gain power in their zanpakuto is their kill intent resolve.     He states that he is only fighting for his pride to gain his status back in the gotei 13, though he protected others, it was to a means to an end.   However,    his former resolve in battle was to the point of no doubt so it would vary by situation   (  i.e. “ can i protect this place?   we will see... “  )

6.)    no one knows about the souls basically stapled to Izuru’s body.     most likely people understand he had grown stronger without a bankai but not HOW.  The only people who know are Mayuri, Nemu ( who is dead), possibly Akon, and very few of those in the twelfth division but those would be sworn to silence.

7.)    a type of imposter syndrome.   believing that he is not the real izuru, since he did indeed die, combined with several different souls who could he be?   it’s why he becomes irrationally agitated when the events of TYBW or the hole inside his body is brought up, why has he not closed it?  truly he is frightened of what the answer might be and only clams up more aka linked back to #3

the reason i call him the epitome of despair is that he always had good intentions, he loves his friends endlessly, he serves his company with loyalty that would be expected of a perfect soldier, but he never had a chance from the start that he entered the academy.

he might have been able to save one girl inside of the central 46 that would go on to do big changes alongside the captain commander and nanao, but for Izuru already so much had been lost at one time significance had no meaning. his life had no meaning, all his faith in the system had been proven to be meaningless as corrupt, most of all he could not protect his comrades that were compounded to his body : how could he continue to be a shinigami in the gotei thirteen, a lieutenant no less? how could he protect others?

i don’t want to stereotype him as the “”””emo””””” type as he, at the core, is far from it even with and despite how gloomy Izuru reacts. He is, for the most part, a grounded level headed individual who is self disciplined, decisive even when it comes to battle that separates him from the rest of the lieutenants  ( he has a usual indecisiveness, but it can be worked to his advantage in some situations. )

Loyal,  soft spoken,  the friend you would WANT to have,  Izuru can still express emotion as the sheer panic and fright he had when yoruichi tried to disrobe him just to look at his hole was genuine enough. hell he even ran division three for a short time by himself, i think that is something to be recognized.

it’s not that he does not believe as the head of central 46 thinks, but that his reasoning for who he was wanes his existence. all of it is jarring, there would have to be some kind of backlash.

it would be easy to say ‘get orihime to heal him’ and ‘get it over with’ but orihime struggled to heal ichigo through ulquiorra’s cero that shot through his chest the first time because of the strong reiatsu that lingered. Bazz-B is a thousand year old quincy,  in comparison the effort would most likely exhaust orihime before she even finishes because of the residual energy that imprinted. Knowing how orihime’s powers work it relies on her mental fortitude, she is human and not indespensible, Kira sees this as a burden on the ryoka and would not ask this of them after all that Ichigo and his friends have done for them.

degradation was not personality/character improvement rather the focus of the marigold on his character was specific, and I am sure there would have been more if Kubo was not rushed by deadlines and illness. I feel like im repeating points by now so i think hopefully everyone gets the picture of what I mean, if anyone has any questions let me know!

[recurring-polynya]

Are you still accepting prompts for Renji's birthday? Would you be willing to write some sort of shenanigans involving him and Izuru and/or Shuuhei?

So, I tried to write something about Renji and Shuuhei helping Izuru move when he gets promoted to Vice-Captain, and it didn’t come out quite as shenanigan-y as I had intended. I have so many feels about Izuru-at-the-Fourth... I feel like it was such a good, healing place for him, except that Izuru feels the needs to put himself on the front lines, which is why I don’t think he could stay there indefinitely. Anyway, the first half of this is tragic foreshadowing and then it just devolves into horny wlw-mlm solidarity. Which seems pretty par for the course when it comes to Izuru stories. I hope you like it!

💪   💪   💪

“You are going to be a wonderful vice-captain,” Isane assured him. “Captain Ichimaru will be lucky to have you.”

“But remember,” Captain Unohana broke in, “you serve him, but you serve your squad as well. It takes many kinds of strength to be an assistant captain.”

“I’ve had a good role model, at least,” Izuru replied mildly, and Isane blushed.

It was true, actually. Isane often seemed nervous and indecisive, but in triage situations, she was all steel nerves and quick decisions. It’s like her brain was always stuck in emergency mode, and tended to give off sparks when it wasn’t bearing enough load. Izuru knew a lot about brains that didn’t work right all the time, and before he worked under Isane, he had worried a lot that maybe he wasn’t cut out for command. But Isane was kind and patient and gentle, and it would have been a great loss to Squad 4 if she hadn’t the confidence to take the post. That’s what Captain Unohana had told Izuru when he asked her whether or not he should take the lieutenant’s exam himself.

He was going to miss Captain Unohana a lot. The Fourth might be looked down on by other squads as mere support workers, but Captain Unohana was the strongest person Izuru had ever met, and she loved and cared for every person who worked under her. She had high expectations, but the Fourth was also a place to be yourself. If you had goals you wanted to reach, the captain was always the first one at your side to support you.

Izuru wondered if the Third was like that. He had a bit of trouble getting a bead on Captain Ichimaru, but the man had been Captain Aizen’s lieutenant, so he must be a good person deep down. Captain Aizen always wanted the best for his subordinates, too. Izuru wished his anxiety hadn’t made it so hard to accept that. But maybe that was a role he could play at the Third. Maybe the lessons of his own insecurities could help him make it a place where anyone could succeed.

“You’re moving this afternoon?” Unohana was asking him. “Do you have help lined up?”

Izuru waved a hand. “Oh, it’s only one division over, and I don’t have much. Everything is packed.” Momo had come over to help with that, but she was busy with her own move and Izuru didn’t want to impose on her more than he already had.

“Oh, Izuru,” Isane gasped “I have appointments this afternoon, but I could see if Iemura or Ogidou are available!”

“Mmm, it looks like that may not be necessary,” Captain Unohana said mildly as they rounded the corner toward the barracks.

Biceps. That was the first thing that popped into Izuru’s head. Lots of biceps. Tons of biceps. Pantsloads of biceps, which were attached to a possibly even greater quantity of well-toned deltoids.

“Yo!” Hisagi Shuuhei greeted him with a wave, as if Izuru had somehow managed to miss him and his magnificently tanned arms.

Next to him, Abarai Renji, no slouch in the arm department either, gave a little salute.

Both of them were wearing sunglasses. Neither of them were wearing sleeves.

“Oh my,” Isane managed.

“Indeed,” Captain Unohana agreed.

“What are you two doing here?” Izuru demanded.

“Momo said you were moving today and you were too stubborn to ask for help,” Shuuhei announced.

Abarai moved in a way that might have been a stretch, but looked a lot like he was flexing. Scratch that, he was just flexing. Izuru had to resist the urge to claw at his own face.

“That was so thoughtful of you, Lieutenant Hisagi, Sixth Seat Abarai!” Captain Unohana declared in a way that assured that Izuru would accept their help and like it. “I am sure it will go very quickly with the three of you working together.”

“I am very good at picking up heavy objects, Captain Unohana, ma’am,” Abarai assured her, with a barely acceptable bow.

“And I’m very good at pointing out heavy things for him to pick up,” Hisagi added. Both Isane and Izuru turned scarlet.

“Goodness, Izuru, you’ll hardly have anything to do, aside from sit back and watch,” Captain Unohano observed pleasantly.

Izuru died. If his spirit were in a body, it would have departed. As it were, he just stood there, feeling his spirit particles dissipate into reishi.

“You’re embarrassing him,” Isane hissed.

“Oh, am I?” Captain Unohana asked innocently. “We should be on our way then, and let Izuru and his friends get on with it.”

It was very fortunate that Izuru had already discorporated and was unable to hear any of that.

“Good luck, gentlemen! Don’t be a stranger, Izuru!”

“No, ma’am,”Izuru’s ghost managed to say. “Thank you for everything, ma’am.”

The captain and vice-captain of the Fourth departed. Izuru could just barely catch Unohana asking Isane why she didn’t own any sleeveless shihakushou.

“What the fuck, you assholes?!?” Izuru snapped at them as soon as the women were out of earshot.

“I told you he’d be mad,” Renji told Shuuhei, as though Izuru weren’t actually present.

“He’ll forgive us once he tries to carry a load of boxes over to the Third and remembers about his noodle arms.”

“You could have told me you were going to show up!” Izuru griped. “How long have you two been hanging around?”

“If we told you, you woulda told us not to come,” Shuuhei shrugged.

“Or worse, tried to finish your entire move before we got here,” Renji pointed out. “Do you have any boxes of breakable things? I love carrying breakable things around.”

“How did you even know I was moving today?” Izuru ignored him.

“Momo,” they chorused.

Oh. Of course.

“So you see our problem,” Shuuhei pointed out. “If we don’t help you, Momo will murder us. Real rock and a hard place situation.”

“More like a rock and a piece of wet cardboard situation,” Renji added frankly. “I am definitely more afraid of Momo than you.”

“Go to hell, Abarai!”

Abarai flexed again. “If I go to hell, who’s gonna move the 800 pounds of poetry books you own? Shuuhei looks good, but he’s hardly got any stamina.” Izuru glared at him stonily, to prove that he was unmoved by Abarai’s antics and also because Abarai’s delts were extremely nice to look at.

“He’s not wrong,” Shuuhei admitted.

“Also, do not flex in front of my captain.”

“She likes it.”

“She’s a lesbian, Abarai.”

“Lesbians love really ripped upper arms. It’s a known fact.”

“Who doesn’t, really?” Shuuhei put in.

“Good point!”

Izuru sighed heavily and unlocked his door. “If I can’t get rid of you dolts, let’s at least get this over with.”

“Yeah, I’m really looking forward to the part afterward where you buy us drinks,” Shuuhei added brightly.

Izuru groaned, because if he didn’t, it might be too evident how full his heart felt right now. These morons. These goons.

“Oh, we brought you something,” Abarai added, rummaging around in his kosode and coming up with a pair of sunglasses. “So you can be part of the cool guy squad.”

“Should I rip the sleeves off my kosode, also?” Izuru asked, taking them with a grin.

“No,” Abarai and Hisagi replied in unison.

[godkilller]

@toomanydamnmuses​

Pitter patter. Shuffle shuffle. A quick glance over and- "... Captain? I was wondering... Why?" A pause, and he even turns to face his Captain more fully. "Why did you pick me to be your Lieutenant? I'm hardly the most suitable choice, after all."

          ❝ H’oh ? Whatcha mean by  ‘ hardly th’ most suitable choice ’ ?  Y’were at th’ top of your class at the Academy, had everybody sweatin’ to keep up with ya. You got a full mastery of Kido ‘n a powerful Shikai from your Zanpakuto, your work ethic’s frankly a lil scary and you don’t let your rank or ego inflate ya like others do. When I first met ya, you were one of the few survivors of that Hollow incident durin’ trainin’ ... showed that you’re jus’ as capable, if not more, as your peers in handlin’ a crisis that y’shouldn’t have been able to. Not to mention you got some Fourth Division experience under yer belt; means you ain’t a mindless fighter like an Eleventh Division grunt that jus’ wants to show how tough he is. You’re good in a pinch, you’re loyal, you care. ❞

          Of course, the unspoken still remained; ultimately, Aizen had selected Hinamori Momo, Abarai Renji, Hisagi Shuuhei, and Kira Izuru as his prime picks to split amongst himself, Tousen, and Gin. These subordinates all had one thing in common in Aizen’s book ... as easily moved chess pieces able to run their respective divisions whilst they were busy committing treason in secrecy. While in some ways he had been unfortunately correct, and Gin had indeed delved into this weakness and manipulated his charge, he also wished to reject the sentiment that Izuru was selected purely to be used.

          No, he had to believe there was more, that he, too, was not simply led by the noose by Aizen to inflict pain onto others, never guiltless, yet all the same a chess piece too. He did not pick Izuru to corrupt him, to hurt him. It wasn’t a lie, anyways. Not completely. Tried as he might, Gin could never fully remove himself, his emotions, from those select few that he cared for. Perhaps Aizen had pulled the strings in their meeting, but the nature of their bond thereafter was something else entirely. HE HAD TO BELIEVE THAT, OTHERWISE DECADES OF HIS LIFE WOULD BE WHOLLY LOST TO THE MONSTER HE MADE HIMSELF INTO.

          ❝ Couldn’t imagine havin’ anybody else. ❞ And that, in fact, was the whole truth.

[bleach-fan-page-blog]

Shinōreijutsuin Spiritual Arts Academy

Akira had woken up the rain had been pounding on what was left of her home, Yoruichi had only left days ago making her sleeping a bit harder to withstand. She could hear others yelling outside about three of the court guard squad captains looking for one girl, I had fussed to stand up and run out looking at them one had let out a small smile. While the one just glared the last had seemed injured in some sort of way, she couldn’t believe they were here it was a matter of if they had been here for her. The one male had nice long white hair while the other two had black and brown, I recognized the two from one of Yoruichi’s picture’s I believe she said their names had been Shunsui Kyoraku and Jushiro Ukitake, I knew with them I had nothing to fear they were not going to hurt me.

 “People of 80 Rukon District we are looking for a girl named Akira” had said Kyoraku, “Ikehara?!” one of the males in my district had asked, “Exactly her” Jushiro spoke quickly, “Right there” the man laughed pointing his hand at me,

Shunsui and Jushiro had began to start walking up to me, I looked at them slightly terrified but I had stood my ground they had smiled at me when they had kneeled on the dirty ground. I looked around at the man still standing back where he was I looked down before the man, with brown hair had lifted my chin smiling such a beautiful smile it had suited the man well. Both men had seemed very happy to of found me I was unsure of why exactly, they both had chuckled to each other it was like something here was making them happy. I knew it surely was not myself but who knows I wasn’t about to second guess as the captains kneeled before me, I blushed lightly trying to hide my face but the movements of the man’s hand were too quick knocking my hand out of the way so he could see my face.

“Akira Ikehara” The man smirked as spoke lightly, “Yes?” I had slightly stuttered my word, “Yes Sir correct yourself girl” the man with the black hair scold me from where I stood, “Enough Captain Kuchiki that is not necessary”  Shunsui had turned his head at him, “Sir?” I spoke quietly as he turned his attention back to me, “Miss Ikehara it’s a pleasure to meet you my name is Shunsui Kyoraku Captain of squad 8” he paused for just a second, “This is Jushiro Ukitake captain of squad 13” he smiled extending his hand, “And finally back there is Byakuya Kuchiki captain of squad 6” he didn’t say a word, “Why are you here Captain Kyoraku?” I questioned, “To bring you to the  Shinōreijutsuin” he smiled, “I’m becoming a” I paused, “Soul Reaper” Captain Kyoraku had finished my sentence, “Get your things and we will leave right away” He smiled, “I have everything, everything I own is on my body” I smiled, “Well let’s go and here” he smiled as he took off his captain's coat laying in on me as I Was clearly soaked, “Thank you” I smiled,

No one knew a single thing about Akira, when she had came to the academy she was just the new girl but that didn’t matter to her. She had made her way to her first class at the academy which had been on the art of Shunpo, she was fully prepared for this class as she had mastered Shunpo with Yoruichi. Akira was never one to blurt out answers unlike a few of her classmates such as Renji Abarai, Rukia Kuchiki, Ikkaku Madarame, Isane Kotetsu, Izuru Kira, Nanao Ise, not all of them make themselves known in class but a lot of them have big mouths that they don’t know how to control. The class was mostly on the uses of Shunpo and how to use to our teacher not exactly knowing he had a Shunpo master in the class, but Akira had still kept quiet making sure to listen even though she knew most of this.

Her days at the academy were always getting better day by day, she wa seeming to make a lot of friends but certainly Nanao Ise had taking a high liking to her. They were in separable throughout the days in the academy Nanao had noticed her greats and record breaking were out of the water, if she had the years on everyone she knew she could easily become a captain. Nanao had noticed her Zanpakuto wasn’t really agreeing with her in the days it was fighting against her, it made Nanao wonder if there was a hidden secret running around the soul society about it. She would have to talk to her Uncle about it Shunsui Kyoraku would be the only way she would get the information, Nanao was still in shock that she had beating most if not all of the records in just a matter of a few years at the academy. Nanao made her way to 8th Division Barracks where her uncle would be lying in the garden, she stood over him waiting for him to notice she was there before he moved his hat he smirked.

“Nanao what can I do for you?” he smiled, “I want to ask you something” she sat beside him, “Who really is Akira Ikehara?” she asked sternly, “That is a long explanation Nanao” he sighed, “So you know about her because she will barely speak of herself” she sighed, “That’s because she doesn’t know everything Nanao” he rubbed his head, “Well tell me” she persisted, Nanao had found out everything about that Akira, things she could've never imagined somewhere she felt bad for Akira now  knowing what she knows. Nanao had told Shunsui he needed to pick her after her breaking records and such other things in the academy, Shunsui had told her he would have to come observe before he made that decision. Nanao and Akira were best friends they didn’t see differently if they were related it would be scary, they needed each other after all Akira had lost and after Nanao losing her mother she had someone. The day was soon coming weather they found out of they were going to become a Soul Reaper, their reports would be coming out in a matter of days or day depending they only had one class left. They were told Captain Kyoraku was coming to observe their Shunpo and Shikai class to help him make his own choice, Nanao was nervous for Akira but both in general were nervous they both headed quickly being prepared for the worst as they would get their cards after this class.

Akira and Nanao had walked outside to where the class would take place, they were the first ones who had gotten their like always their teacher impressed. Well Shunsui stood waiting for the rest to arrive. Akira looked around as more joined it was making her more nervous this meant all or nothing to her, as the teacher looked around trying to make sure everyone was there before we had begun the class. “In today’s class we will be doing the last of our Shunpo and showing Captain Kyoraku your shikai’s if any of you have actually obtained it through these short years” he Paused, “We will begin will Shunpo and our most talented Akira Ikehara that had mastered and beaten the record of Yoruichi Shihoin the flash step master please step forward” he had motioned, “Beat Yoruichi’s record?” Shunsui had mumbled to himself, “Akira will be racing around the Soul Society against two others Renji Abarai and Izuru Kira” he smiled as they stepped up lining up with me, “Three laps around the soul society you will be timed do you understand” i gulped, “Yes sir!” I smiled I could do this and I knew it, “Ready...Set...Shunpo”the teacher had yelled,

 I didn’t even take a glance at the others before using my shunpo to take off, my spiritual pressure making my shunpo even faster than it truly should be. I had already hit one lap before the others were even at half of a lap around the soul society, I knew I was being time I had been pushing myself to work harder I needed this. I knew how much this meant to me to finally become a soul reaper was everything I had wanted, I pushed myself harder reaching the end I could see Captain Kyoraku standing their waiting with my card. I stopped immediately looking at him the biggest grin appeared on his face he was clearly pleased, I smiled as he held out the card as I wiped the sweat from my forehead I took it thankfully.  

Shunsui smiled the girl was extraordinary, she was one of the fastest Shunpo masters faster then Yoruichi herself that is such an accomplishment. He looked at her as she took the card from his hand she was shaking he was sure, she was scared to have been opening as it meant do or die in this situation he hoped she would like his note that the bottom. He slid his hat on as Renji Abarai was next to come and then lastly Izuru Kira to come in last, we still had to show our Shikai’s but I had been the only one to even get close in mastering it I looked around as everyone had been waiting, I stuffed the report in my pocket I would read it after for sure I smiled as I looked around “Dark Roar Dākupurinsesu” as it activated I was able to make myself almost non existent in the smoke, by attacking with her Shikai her enemies are nearly trapped by chains of smoke making them feel as if there spiritual power is lesioning only one known Shikai is able to stop this Byakuya Kuchiki with his Scatter Senbonzakura. My zanpakuto had changed into a very big blade black and pink, the handle is covered in pink lace with two chains hanging with black smoke admitting through, everyone had been clapping and yelling in praise at her amazing Shikai she blushed deeply stopping it. Akira began to open her report terrified of what was to come on here Nanao had been opening hers as well.

Akira Ikehara, Soul Reaper in training, Number 7556892, Ikehara Clan

Shunpo/HoHo: You have brilliant skills in Shunpo, you are now classified as the Best Shunpo Master in the history of the Soul Society, you will be no longer needing this course as you have surpassed captain level.  

Zanjutsu: Your Sword techniques are quite exquisite, your hand eye coordination is nearly perfected,  you have shown amazing improvement since when you first got here.

Hakuda:  Your hand to hand combat could use a tad bit of work, but you are becoming a jack of all trades that’s great for becoming a captain.

Kidō/Hado: both your Kido  and Hado are exceptional for most soul reapers they can not even have hoped to master this so quickly, but you have made it seem like a two year olds play you’ve done very well this year Akira.

Notes: From Captain Kyoraku - you will become my second lieutenant next to Nanao Ise Congratulations Akira you are a Soul Reaper as of today. Shunsui

Senbonsakura

Chapter 3

Credit To Artist

[rinusagitora]

Defriending old demons

Fandom: BLEACH

Characters: Karin Kurosaki, Momo Hinamori, Izuru Kira, Renji Abarai, Toushirou Hitsugaya, Shunsui Kyouraku, OC: Ryuuji Kawashima, OC: Chousuke Watanabe

Pairings: platonic KarinHina, minor RenShuuKiraHina, minor HitsuKarin, platonic KiraKarin, platonic RenKarin

Words: 5700+

Summary: canon divergent, post TYBW arc. Shinigami!Karin. WARNINGS– explicit violence, slurs, depression, mentioned dysfunctional family units, injury. Anger is a hurdle not easily overcome. It’s a good thing there’s not a lot she can’t overcome.

FFN | AO3

She was a lot of things.

Untroubled was not among those.

“Kurosaki-san’s grades are—”

“Karin,” she interrupted with a tight scowl. “It’s Karin.”

“O-of course. As you can see, Karin-san’s grades are superb,” Headmaster Hiroshi said as Momo examined her grade reports. “Our instructors rave about her. She’s focused and unquestionably talented. I’m sure you’ve heard there’s already discussion of Karin-san filling a seated position in your division.”

Momo hummed. “I’m ecstatic to hear Karin-chan is doing well in school, Headmaster, but I have difficulty grasping the purpose of this meeting if there’s nothing wrong. I would appreciate if you were straightforward with me.”

“Of course, Hinamori-fukutaichou,” the headmaster replied. “You see, Karin-san is having trouble cooperating with her classmates. There are a few gentlemen she’s been involved in physical altercations with, namely Chousuke Watanabe. I hope you understand how this affects our image and moral.” She couldn’t help but roll her eyes when the headmaster said that. Image was too important to the faculty. “We don’t plan on expelling any of our students currently, but if Karin-san’s behavior continues, we’ll have no choice but to, Hinamori-fukutaichou.”

Momo’s gaze turned to her, then. “Karin, I would like to hear your side of the story. What have these boys done to provoke you?”

“Witness reports say—”

“I wasn’t under the impression your name was ‘Karin,’ Headmaster.”

“Many apologies, Hinamori-fukutaichou.”

Momo turned back to her. “Go on. I want to hear what you’ve got to say, Karin-chan. Honesty is always the best policy. You know that.”

She sighed. “There’ve been complaints about Watanabe in the dorms. He’s been vandalizing people’s dorms, and he beat up my sparring partner Kawashima in the showers. No one seemed to be doing anything about it so I took matters into my own hands. When I confronted him in the courtyard this morning, he tried to punch me and we just got into it from there.”

“That’s noble of you to stand up for your classmate,” Momo complimented. “What about the other boys?”

Her scowl deepened. Watanabe was the only one she would’ve stated anything about, since their fights had been witnessed by several bystanders who could have testified that he always threw the first punch. The rest were in otherwise empty spans, and though her fights with the other gentlemen started for similar reasons because she hated it when people were used as punching bags, because there were no witnesses it was basically her word against theirs’. Those situations never ended in ways she wanted them to.

“Karin,” Momo said insistently. “Talk to me. You know nothing you’ve done will make me hate you.”

She remained silent.

Momo’s nostrils flared. “Fine, it’s your hide.” Momo turned back to the headmaster then. “Headmaster Hiroshi, you have a problem with your students. Squad Five will be conducting an investigation into this. In the meantime, I suggest you reign in your unruly charges.”

“An investigation is unnecessary, Hinamori-fukutaichou!” Hiroshi squawked.

“Your priority is the safety of the student body, Headmaster, I suggest you act like it. Good day.” She and Momo stood, bowed, and left his office.

She dutifully followed behind Momo. She was enormously disgusted with her secrecy with Momo, but she knew better than to say anything on record that she couldn’t prove. Even to Momo, whom she trusted with her life and body, and especially when she knew Momo’s reputation may have been damaged by allegations they couldn’t prove. She couldn’t do that to the kindest woman in existence.

“Wh-what’re you gonna make me do?” she asked Momo.

“Nothing until our investigation is complete,” Momo replied. “There are repercussions you can’t be spared of unless you’re upfront with me. Your opinion bears more weight than you think, Karin-chan.”

Momo was right. Alas, her standing wasn’t beyond repercussions and only took risks as a last-ditch effort.

The next week was weirdly normal. She and Watanabe duked it out after classes that Saturday by the incinerator because she couldn’t stand his snide ass, she went home with Izuru and never complained to him about the blow Watanabe landed to her gut. She hated the sense of normalcy when she knew she there was an investigation amiss. She just needed something to happen.

A cynical part of her knew nothing would, not to Watanabe at least. His family had enough money to get him out of trouble. Even Momo, with her power, may have been out of her league. It ticked her off.

Still, her sparring partner was grateful. Scared, but Kawashima thanked her profusely every minute he could. It made her taste copper when nothing came of the investigation.

He approached her again at lunch. She moved her lunchbox so Kawashima could have sat beside her.

“Good afternoon, Kira-sensei,” Kawashima bowed respectfully before he sat to her other side. “Hi, Karin. I’m sorry for interrupting your lunches everyday, but I think you’re the only person I’m safe with when I’m not in class.”

“It’s no sweat. Watanabe’s a piece of shit, and the way those kids surrounded you last week was fucking scary. I can play bodyguard until the shitbags are weeded out of here,” she promised him. She meant that. No underdog was hurt, not if she could’ve prevented it.

Kawashima was visibly relieved. “I can’t thank you enough, Karin.”

She jostled him by his shoulder. “No sweat, dude. How’s your face?”

“It’s, um,” Kawashima nervously scratched his short hair, “it hurts. A whole fucking lot. I mean, I can chew now, and I was compensated with dentures for all the teeth I lost.” Kawashima popped out his front teeth as demonstration. “I still can’t see out of my left eye, though. It’s all blurry. The doctor says I may not have normal sight out of that eye ever again.” He shuddered. “I can’t believe this shit, Karin. I haven’t slept since then, and no one’s doing anything about it. I’m just a Rukon rat to these people, but what makes Watanabe better than me? Why does this place allow these assholes to just run amuck?”

“I don’t know.” She hated she hadn’t answers either.

“I hate to interrupt you two, but I figure I’m obligated to at least inform the victim of the investigation’s progress,” Izuru said. She and Kawashima regarded him with eager gazes. “My wife tells me that Watanabe is just a goon in a group of boys in similar trouble. I can’t name any names, but if you can name one they’re probably on that list. There will be action taken against these boys, but it’s not what you two are expecting. I’m afraid if I say anymore, my wife will have my head for breaching confidentiality. But I suggest you two take up running laps and parkour if you haven’t already.”

She and Kawashima nodded. Her gut told her she wouldn’t like the next couple of weeks.

“Finish your lunch, Karin-chan. I’ll see you tonight. Kawashima, where is your next class? I’ll escort you there.”

Kawashima stood and bowed to them. “Thank you, Kira-sensei. My next class is in intermediate class lecture hall three,” he said. “Bye, Karin, I’ll see you soon.”

She nodded to Kawashima and then picked up her lunch. She knew to take Izuru’s advice to heart.

She knew the day had come when Momo woke her up early, dressed in hakuda-specialized clothes, and handed her a pair of padded gloves and kneepads before they went out. They walked briskly to the academy. Momo’s tension was palpable, and her shoulders ached like her mentor’s must have with the knot of muscle between Momo’s shoulder blades.

They met Toushirou at the entrance, he dressed in similar garb as Momo.

“You’re decked out,” Toushirou remarked as she approached. “I’m glad you’re prepared, Karin.”

“Momo-senpai gave them to me. I’m sure I’m sorely underprepared for anything you two are going to put me through,” she replied.

“I have full confidence in your ability. I can’t promise you’ll breeze through this, but I know you’ll succeed.”

Toushirou’s encouragement eased her dread. She made it through Karakura, hollow warzone, with her abilities capped by a body. She could do a hell of a lot more as a shinigami. “Thank you, Toushirou. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“That’s enough dallying. This event begins at eight sharp. Karin-chan, wait in the courtyard, Hitsugaya, follow me,” Momo said.

Toushirou obediently followed, as if their positions were reversed and Momo was the captain. She loitered around the courtyard, and slowly it filled with equally confused and concerned students as they all stared at the muddy obstacle course set up to one side of the courtyard. It was a fearsome thing out of bootcamp, a stark contrast against their prissy dojos.

Kawashima pushed his way through the bodies towards her. “Do you have any idea what’s going on?” he hissed. His forehead was already damp with sweat. Kawashima was a nervous, bookish boy. He didn’t do well outside of the classroom.

“I think we’re gonna run that,” she answered.

“This wasn’t in the curriculum! My brother mentioned nothing about an obstacle course. What the hell is going on, Karin?”

“Use that brain, Kawashima. Bootcamp is made to break you down and build you up according to what the directors want,” she told him. “Just… keep your head down and follow orders the first time, okay?”

“Why are they putting us through this? We didn’t do anything!”

“They’re making an example out of us. It’s a lesson to us that fighting won’t have a good outcome for anyone, and to future classes that they won’t tolerate aggressive shits.” She tucked her bangs behind her ears. “Think of it like this– it’ll end eventually. You’ll get through this.”

“That’s not the point!” Kawashima snapped. “Why are we being punished for something they did? This is stupid, this is so fucking stupid—”

“Shut up, maggots!” Momo voice boomed over the crowd and her classmates immediately silenced. Momo oozed authority despite her small size. Her mentor was a jilted, cheated woman, not a flimsy one. “In case some of you missed your general education classes, I am Momo Hinamori, lieutenant of the Fifth Division. My men have conducted an investigation into your conduct and it is unbecoming of future shinigami! You maggots should be ashamed of yourselves. So, for the next two weeks, we will run you bored maggots into the ground. And maybe the next time you think of beating your future comrades,” Momo continued.

“As you see off to your side, you will be running an obstacle course. Shihouin-sensei, demonstrate as I narrate.” Yoruichi jumped onto the starting platform upon Momo’s askance. “You will begin by swinging by that rope onto the bars which you will traverse using only your hands. From the bars you will crawl under the rope matrix, run through the wheels, and then scale the wall with your injured partner. You will then jump hurdles, climb up the rope, run across those poles, and from there you may rehydrate, snack, and/or piss for five minutes before you repeat the course.”

“You will not speak in the meantime. You will not touch each other or loiter. If you are lapped by another classmate or fudge up a part of the course, you will do drills with Hitsugaya-taichou to the other side of the courtyard. His course is not an out, he will drill you until you are exhausted in which you will return to the course afterwards. Any class time you miss will be tacked onto the end of this semester which you will have to make up. If you fail to complete this course in the allotted two weeks, you will do it again and again on top of your classwork until you pass.”

“Now run, maggots!”

She took off. She figured it was best to get it over with. She was second on the rope, after the third year overachiever. The course was simple enough. Karakura had more original obstacles when she fought hollows in the World of the Living. However, she knew she wouldn’t have been made to run just once. The purpose of that course was to wear them down, it wouldn’t work just once.

Yoruichi tossed her into Toushirou’s drills. Minutes later, Kawashima was thrown into laps with her.

“I hate this,” he hissed.

“Suck it up, Kawashima.” She wasn’t exactly pleased by it herself.

Though, she understood her classmate’s frustration. It felt no different from her arguments with Ichigo– punished when she stood up for her values.

Toushirou threw her back into the obstacle course after they finished push-ups. She bounced between drills and the course, and eventually she was drenched in sweat and her insides ached. Ever a ball of fire, it only pissed her off more.

Watanabe was thrown into drills for the fourth time. He did sit ups in front of her, and though he was barely audible over Toushirou’s whistle, she had keen ears.

“I hate this bitch so much! She’s not our fucking instructor, she doesn’t have the authority to boss us around like this. What the hell is even going on, can they even do this to us?”

No one insulted Momo like that. No one.

She slammed her heel into the back of Watanabe’s head. He lolled forward as she stood. She yanked Watanabe up by his ponytail and then kicked him into the wall. There were shrieks from her classmates as Watanabe crashed into the wall. She charged at him before gravity pulled him to the ground, and then slammed her knee into his throat.

She was torn away from Watanabe by the back of her uniform. It was Toushirou, red from his forehead to his neck. “You two want to fight!? Here’s your chance! Come at me!” he shrieked as he threw his whistle aside.

“Is he serious?” Watanabe squawked.

“Yeah, thanks to your fucking ego!” she spat.

Toushirou charged. He was the love of her life, even in the break of their relationship, but that didn’t mean he would’ve gone easy on her. It was disrespectful and would’ve ruined the point of the entire exercise.

There was no other way she would’ve had it.

She deflected Toushirou’s fist and then aimed a kick for his ankles. He leapt over her leg and caught her neck between his calves midair. When he twisted her, like a crocodile twisted its prey, she was pulled off her remaining leg and arced through the air. Toushirou was good, but so was she. She landed on her feet and then slammed her elbow into his gut. He seemed unfazed. However, he had lost momentum and fell towards the ground, though his legs were still clasped tightly around her neck. He flung her across the courtyard like a ragdoll. She flew past the drills, through a peg of the obstacle course, and into the far wall. Stars sprout in her vision as her head connected with the wall.

It hurt, every inch of her hurt, and it ticked her off more. Her reiatsu burned from the inside out, her vision distorted as heatwaves rolled off every centimeter of her skin. Sweat rolled off her face and blood dribbled from her nose and gushed from the back of her head.

The splintered peg levitated off the ground upon her order. She was a shinigami, but she still retained many of her Quincy-based abilities, especially telekinesis via reiryoku particles.

While she prepared to fling the splintered pole at readied Toushirou, she noted blackness crept from the edge of her vision. A sweet smell came over the air, and then purple blossoms materialized and fell through the air. She wobbled on her feet, intent to stay conscious despite Momo’s unsurpassed kidou abilities. However, even she, in all her resilience, couldn’t hold a flame to Momo’s magic.

She toppled into unconsciousness.

She awoke on her belly with her cheek on a surface much softer than tile.

She was on a hospital bed, she realized as she peeled her eyes open. It was a welcome reprieve to her sore muscles. Surely, those drills hadn’t exhausted her so thoroughly. Perhaps she had expended too much energy when she lifted that pole. It was easier to utilize environmental reiryoku, however it didn’t surprise her that she was way above her head when she tried to lift that thing.

She was just so angry with Watanabe, and the most anyone did was make them run an obstacle course and do drills. It felt exactly the same as when she was made to shake hands with the softball team in high school after they literally ripped off her shirt on her way out from the locker room. Despicable.

“Oh good, you’re finally awake, Karin.”

She pushed herself onto her knees so she could get a look at the door. Hanatarou stood with a clipboard and a friendly smile. She was relieved to see him, her face felt dry and leathery from dehydration.

“Yamada,” she greeted with a nod. “How long was I out? C-can I get a glass of water?”

Hanatarou entered and filled a paper cup for her. “An hour and a half. Not long at all, seeing as how it was Hinamori-fukutaichou’s kidou that put you out. I must say that it’s impressive. The last time Hinamori-fukutaichou used Hakufuku on someone, they were out for almost a week. And that was years ago– I assume Hinamori-fukutaichou has only improved since that time,” Yamada explained.

Her trachea bobbed as she drank. She finished and handed Hanatarou the cup. “Am I good to go then?” she asked.

“You may. But you have a visitor, would you like to entertain them while I fill out your discharge papers?”

Watanabe’s reiatsu lingered beyond the wall. Her nostrils flared. “C’mon in, Watanabe.” If that son of a bitch wanted to rumble, she’d rumble.

Watanabe entered as Yamada left. He sat across from her in a worn chair. Bandages were wrapped around his head and his arm was in a sling angled away from his trunk with a strap across his chest and opposite shoulder. She examined his sling and made an educated guess that she had probably broken his shoulder blade. Good riddance.

“What in the world makes you so brave?” Watanabe asked. “I mean, you went head-to-head against a captain. You lost, you looked like shit just before Hinamori knocked you out, but I wouldn’t have done that because I’d be too scared. I mean, what differentiates you and me? I’m a noble who’s been brought up to be a shinigami all my life, but in you waltz, a commoner with a mysterious past, and you’ve got more connections and power than I can comprehend.”

She felt a vein bulge from her forehead. “You’re so impolite that I’m just gonna ignore you so I don’t end up killing you.”

“I’m serious, Karin! I can’t even stand up to my own mother, how can you be so… so brave, even though you know you’re going to lose?”

“Because, unlike you, my strength is gathered from kindness. I don’t beat people up because my home life is shit, I beat people up who choose to victimize people because they wanna feel big and strong,” she snort.

And then she frowned. Was it the truth, though? She had been so frustrated by her uselessness and Ichigo’s total dismissal of it. She felt powerful every time she fought, that hadn’t changed after she died. Did it really matter that she fought for the underdog when she was violent all the same?

Watanabe scoffed. “That doesn’t make sense. You and Hitsugaya-taichou get along perfectly fine, but you went full-force against him earlier. I get trying to beat the shit out of me since I was talking shit about Hinamori, but Hitsugaya-taichou hasn’t ever done anything against you. You’re as angry as I am, Karin. I want to know what makes you braver than I.”

“Firstly, she’s Hinamori-fukutaichou to you, and if you dare refer to my mentor so informally again, I’ll grind every bone in your body to dust,” she growled. “Secondly, I’m not obligated to tell you anything, Watanabe. You’re wasting both our time. Fuck off.”

“Damn it, Karin! I’m asking for help. Can you throw me a bone or something?” he snapped.

Her lips pursed. To Watanabe’s credit, she understood how hard it was to swallow one’s pride ask for help. Besides, she oughtn’t have passed up the chance to lecture someone she despised. Her hobby had long been to cut egotistical men down to size.

“I am brave,” she began, “because it ticked off my brother.”

Watanabe’s eyebrows shot up. “I-I thought you were an only child.”

“I lied,” she told him. “While I was alive, my brother thought pursuing my powers would endanger me, when the exact opposite was happening. I got to be brave after I realized no matter how long I held my breath, he’d never respect my agency.”

“This conversation is over,” she said as she slipped off her hospital bed. Watanabe watched her with watery eyes and a nervous tinge to her reiatsu. “Best of luck, Watanabe.”

Renji sat at the hospital’s entrance, surely sent by Momo to fetch her. He pulled her off her sore frame and carried her on his shoulder like she was a bird. It was a gracious save on her achy everything, but she wondered if it was wise to pass through arches and doorways. She had enough of the hospital for some time.

“Hey, lemme onto your back,” she said as she straddled his shoulders from behind. A repulsive gesture if it wasn’t against the back of Renji’s head.

“Ready, kid?”

She hummed affirmative and then hopped into the air. Like the gymnasts they were, Renji quickly rounded her calves and caught her by the undersides of her thighs. Her arms wrapped around Renji’s shoulders and then she hummed tiredly.

“Izuru told me you were pretty badass today,” Renji told her. “You’re prodigal, Karin-chan. And you should compliment me for knowing that word because I learned it just last week.”

“You’re so smart, Renji,” she mumbled. “… is Momo-senpai upset with me?”

“I dunno. We haven’t spoken since last night. You guys were up early and I don’t do that to myself.”

It seemed her responses were just lame hums. She was so tired….

“I hate Watanabe. It’s all his stupid fault for getting Momo upset with me,” she said.

“There are plenty of uncertainties in that statement, Karin-chan. If Momo seemed upset with you, it’s because of this whole fiasco– it’s her job to be a drill sergeant the next two weeks.”

“But she was so upset with me…” she whined tearfully. “I made Momo-senpai angry and I put her in uncomfy situation and embarrassed her because I’m stupid.”

“You’re not stupid.” Renji jostled her affectionately. “You lasted against Hitsugaya for five minutes, Karin-chan. It’s not often that a freshman can last more than five seconds against a captain. My bets are she’s as impressed with you as Izuru and I are,” he insisted. “Kid, I know it’s hard, but Momo isn’t upset with you, okay? She’s been in your shoes. She just doesn’t want you to turn out like… like someone like Tousen, consumed by misery.”

She hadn’t heard much about Shuuhei’s former mentor, but Momo told her that grief corrupted Kaname and twisted him into a violent hypocrite. She was told it wasn’t her business past that and she respected that. But it was nice that she was fostered instead of fought against, even if some things seemed cruel in the moment.

“Are you hungry?” Renji asked. “Shuuhei’s making takoyaki. A certain bird told us you like fried seafood.”

Her lip wobbled. “I miss Toushirou….” It was so hard to be so distant from the love of her life. Alas, she would’ve fucked it up if they stayed together while she was so emotionally volatile.

“Oh, I know, sweetheart,” Renji cooed. “He cares about you so much that he’ll wait as long as you need. We’re here in the meantime, okay? And we love you so much, Karin-chan, even if we seem upset with you.”

She nuzzled Renji’s back. She needed that.

They were home before she realized. Izuru pulled her off Renji and sat with her on the couch, though her head had fallen onto his lap before she realized. She didn’t care, she just wanted to nap. The delicious smell of fried fish and the anticipation to finally eat something that wasn’t a bland nutrition bar supplied at the break station kept her awake.

“When’s Momo-senpai coming home?” she asked.

“She should be on her way,” Izuru answered. She wanted Momo home right that second so she could do something akin to apologize for being a total ass.

Shuuhei waved takoyaki in front of her. She reached out with her tongue and rolled one into her mouth because hands were for suckers. There was a collective, fond coo between the three gentlemen she shared the living room with. She was too tired for any witty comments on it.

The door opened just then and Momo walked in. “I’m going to shower and then retire early. Goodnight, all,” Momo announced. Her mentor must have been as spent.

Her lip wobbled some, nonetheless. She wanted to apologize for everything, but it seemed it wasn’t about to happen that night.

She said nothing as Izuru scoot away from her. “I’ll fetch your blankets, Karin-chan. But I think I’m going to bed too. Everything aches….” Moments later, she was draped in a heavy quilt, Shuuhei and then Izuru pressed brotherly kisses to her cheek, and left with her own company.

Her chest ached with self-loathe. What a screw-up.

Momo was kinder the next morning. She was still woken early for breakfast and Momo was still dressed in that hakuda outfit, however her mentor was as affectionate as if it was any other morning. It was a little surreal when she thought back to the day before, but she was scared to ask about it.

“Shit,” Momo cussed. “Karin-chan, we’re running late. If I make that into a sandwich, will you eat it?”

She nodded, of course. Her potato hash was still warm, bread would’ve only made it mobile.

“You’ve got a meeting with Kyouraku-soutaichou and Headmaster Hiroshi this morning. Can you go there yourself? I would join you, but I’ve got these damn drills to do…” Momo said.

“Y-yeah, no sweat.” She wondered to herself what the Head Captain wanted with her. Her guess was cynical. She was Kurosaki’s sister, she was inadvertently part of the political game and it looked bad when there was infighting among one of their star students whom just took on a captain and a noble boy. It wasn’t the first time she had been called into the headmaster’s office. From past experiences, she and Watanabe would walk away with a slap on their wrists, but the irresolute, meaningless lecture she was given never failed to disgust her.

She bravely made her way to the headmaster’s office after Momo and Toushirou met at the entrance. Her heart hammered against her ribs and she tasted copper as she readied herself for politically-driven inaction.

She knocked, waited for the order to enter, and then sat in the plush chair she had only the week before.

Shunsui sat in the headmaster’s chair, conical hat laid on the table and the headmaster at his flank. “Good morning, Kurosaki-san. I hope you’re well.”

“It’s just Karin.” She wondered if she would repeat for all her life.

“I apologize. Old habits die hard,” Shunsui laughed abashedly, but it made his apology seem ingenuine. Shunsui had given her mixed feelings since the moment she laid eyes on him. His grandfatherly appearance was heavily contradicted by his shadowy reiatsu. It gave her the impression she ran barefoot through a pine forest at midnight from something lanky and vengeful. “How are you this morning? You look awfully tired, Karin-san.”

“I appreciate your attempt to diffuse the situation with small talk, but I would be more appreciative if you spared me the pleasantries and got to the point,” she replied.

“You’re as professional as Hinamori-san. It’s good to know she’s having a good influence on you.”

“It’s Hinamori-fukutaichou to you, and god so help me if you don’t get to the point, I’m going back to my studies. You being our leader doesn’t give you permission to waste my time,” she said as she folded her arms.

“Ooh, fiery like her too. But I respect your wishes, Karin-san. We have much to discuss, after all,” Shunsui said. He leaned back in his chair and laid his elbows on its arms. “I understand you’ve been getting into fights lately. Karin-san, why is this?”

“There are some real pieces of shit here who beat up my classmates because it serves their egos, that’s why! I keep saying this and no one does anything, so I take it into my own hands and dish out long overdue justice,” she told Shunsui. “Y’know, this is all a joke. It’s only been, what, five years since Yhwach almost destroyed the world as we know it? Four since Tokinada tried to do the same? Eight since Aizen, Ichimaru, and Tousen’s attempt? Why does this hellhole refuse to nip the problem in the bud before it gets to extreme circumstances? Is it because there’s noble families involved? Why do we cater to these entitled shits instead of serving the balance like we’ve sworn to? It’s sickening.”

“What about it is sickening, Karin?”

“Why’re you asking dumb questions instead of fixing the motherfucking problem?” she snapped.

“We’re taking care of Watanabe and those other students on our end. This is about you, Karin,” Shunsui assured her.

“There’s no problem with me!” she screamed. “You’re all ignoring the actual fucking problem. You’re all the problem! You let these entitled little fuckboys get away with whatever because their family’s got some money. You think talking it out, shaking hands, all that bullshit is gonna help. It doesn’t. People can’t be fixed, they don’t change. But hey, y’all are gonna ignore that like Ichigo does, so I don’t even know why I’m wasting my time.”

“Is this about your brother, Karin?”

Her hands slammed on the desk and she flew to her feet. “Can you all stop making everything about me about him!? He’s not the Freudian-fucking-core of my entire fucking personality! It really is just you fucks!” she shrieked. “This always happens! No one listens to me. People always force what they think is correct down my fucking throat and I can’t. Fucking. Stand it anymore!”

“What has been shoved down your throat?”

“I just fucking said it, Head Captain. Whatever they think is best for me.”

“And who is they, Karin-san?”

Everyone!” Lightbulbs shattered with her screech. “You, Ichigo, the Headmaster, even Toushirou! The only people who’ve taken what I want into account have been Momo, Izuru, and Shuuhei. And it’s….” Her energy suddenly left her. She fell back into her chair. “It makes me feel like I’m nothing. I didn’t matter to anyone but a handful of people here, not even my own flesh and blood. I will always be Ichigo’s little sister. I’m not my own person to anyone, just an extension of him. No matter where I go, he will be forced onto me and I can’t do that anymore.” Tears wet her cheeks, her arms hadn’t the strength to reach up and dry her face.

Shunsui sat in the chair beside her with a kind smile. “I’m afraid I can’t tell you that you’re incorrect, Karin-san. Kurosaki will always be a part of your life because of your lineage. But I promise that you’re a separate entity with a unique will and individual agenda. You’re not just Kurosaki’s little sister.  You’re Karin, who stood up to Watanabe while bureaucracy fart on its hands. You’re Karin, Ryuuji Kawashima’s hero. You’re Karin, the love of Hitsugaya’s life. You’re Karin, beloved tenant of Hinamori, Kira, Abarai, and Hisagi. You’re paving the path for your individuality. The fact that you’re exercising your powers to hurt people when Kurosaki never let you shows me that you’re already establishing yourself without him.”

She sniffed. Creepy as Shunsui’s reiatsu was, he seemed genuine and trustworthy. It was refreshing to be met with such calmness and honesty after one of her tantrums.

She stared for a good two minutes before she finally managed to formulate something that wasn’t profuse apology or more obscenities. “Thank you so much for your understanding, Kyouraku-soutaichou. I cannot begin to express how much your patience and kindness means to me,” she said. “However, I ask that you don’t give me this special treatment in the future. Please supply my classmates with the same support if needed.”

“I come down for any cadet who shows promise, Watanabe included,” Shunsui promised her. “Get back to those drills now, Karin-san. I won’t hinder your education anymore today.”

“Yessir!” She jumped to her feet and bowed lowly before she booked it for the courtyard.

Momo instantly caught sight of her and stalked over. “You passed, cadet. Go to the library and you’ll be given instruction there.”

“Hinamori-fukutaichou, I am asking permission to support my classmates through their trials. We will bear this as a team. I refuse to leave my future squadmates so long as I live!”

Momo’s lips pursed. “Alright, run the obstacle course, cadet. You may give words of encouragement, but this exercise is punishment so you may not physically assist your fellow cadets.”

“Thank you, Hinamori-fukutaichou!”

She jumped straight into the obstacle course. She was exhausted and somehow energized. Freed of the heavy burden that slowed her down and consumed so much of her life, she was too full of life to sit down.

The weeks were a blur. Kawashima passed when she could provide emotional support, and she knew many students passed in droves afterwards. Even Watanabe excelled afterwards, though he didn’t linger like she and so many other cadets had.

She dismantled the obstacle course with the sixth year cadets at the end of the course. Not one of her classmates had not succeeded in that two week time. While her initial energy had passed, she was still supportive and inspired and not so angry. It was wonderful to be free of those burdens.

Izuru met her and Momo outside the academy. Izuru carried her like a backpack because she felt like a limp noodle by that point, having ran the obstacle course two-hundred-plus times.

Momo cooed about how proud she was. She thought then that she had done all that without injury from the coarse itself, and she was damn proud of herself too.

[hallucinogenic-scholar]

History

Yachiru first met Kenpachi in one of the worst districts of Rukongai, the 79th district of the North Alley, Kusajishi, as a nameless child. She crawled over to him after he killed several other men with his unnamed Zanpakutō, and was completely unfazed by the violence she had just witnessed, or the blood on his sword. Even as Kenpachi warned her that the sword was dangerous, she reached out and touched it, giggling as her hand was covered in the blood of dead men. He adopted her after that, saving her from certain death in Rukongai. He named her "Yachiru" in memory of the only person he had ever admired. Her surname Kusajishi was given to her because she was from that district. Since that day, she has spent much of her time clinging to his back for transport.

___________________; PLOT ;____________________

Soul Society arc

Yachiru joins Kenpachi.

When the Ryoka break into Seireitei, she accompanies her captain as he begins searching the city for them. She directs Kenpachi through the city's streets, albeit badly, resulting in them becoming lost, though they blame each other for their predicament. After the pair unintentionally arrive at the 4th Division's compound, they visit Ikkaku Madarame, who, while recovering from injuries acquired from fighting Ichigo Kurosaki, was being interrogated by 12th Division captain, Mayuri Kurotsuchi. After Mayuri and Lieutenant Nemu Kurotsuchi leave, Yachiru tells Ikkaku that she was worried about him, and they trade friendly insults.

Yachiru jumps on Ichigo.

Having learned what Ichigo's destination is from Ikkaku, Yachiru and Kenpachi decide to wait for him near his objective, where they eventually encounter him, Ganju Shiba and Hanatarō Yamada. Yachiru is surprised by how easily Kenpachi scared Ichigo's companions, jumping momentarily onto Ichigo's shoulder to get a better view. As the fight starts, she sits against the wall of a building. She tells Ichigo that he cannot cut Kenpachi with his sword. Later, Yachiru watches on from the rooftops of the nearby buildings, where she is approached by a messenger from the Reversal Counter Force of the Onmitsukidō, who attempts to inform her of the death of Sōsuke Aizen. Yachiru, however, is too engrossed in observing the battle, and orders him to tell her after it ends.

Yachiru with an unconscious Kenpachi and Ichigo.

After the fight, Yachiru thanks Ichigo for giving her captain such a good fight and says she hopes he survives so that the two can enjoy another fight in the future. She then lifts Kenpachi onto her back and jumps up onto the top of a building and calls for Retsu Unohana to heal Kenpachi. Kenpachi tells Yachiru that he lost, but Yachiru refuses to accept this, stating that it was not a fair fight as it was two (Zangetsu and Ichigo) against one. Kenpachi disagrees and laughs at her attempts to justify not winning, which Yachiru responds to by slapping him. The pair reminisce about how they met and gained their names, resolving to get stronger together. Kenpachi then loses consciousness again, worrying Yachiru greatly.

Sometime later, Yachiru finds Makizō Aramaki carrying an unconscious Orihime Inoue, whom he declares he had been bringing to her. Yachiru and Aramaki bring Orihime to Kenpachi and he tells her that he will help her find Ichigo. Orihime attempts to guide Kenpachi, Yachiru, Ikkaku, Yumichika Ayasegawa, and Aramaki to Ichigo, finding and freeing the captured Yasutora Sado, Uryū Ishida, and Ganju on the way. While searching for Ichigo, the enlarged group is confronted by 9th Division Captain Kaname Tōsen and 7th Division Captain Sajin Komamura, as well as their respective Lieutenants Shūhei Hisagi and Tetsuzaemon Iba. Kenpachi, Ikkaku, and Yumichika stay behind to fight the new threat, while the remainder of the group continues on towards the Sōkyoku Hill in search of Ichigo. As the execution ceremony of Rukia Kuchiki begins, she rushes on ahead to determine the situation. After Ichigo rescues Rukia, she waits in the branches of the trees on top of the Sōkyoku Hill for the others to arrive.

Hueco Mundo arc

Yachiru warns against cutting off all of Nnoitra's arms.

Yachiru accompanies Kenpachi when he enters Hueco Mundo, standing back while he fights Nnoitra Gilga. During their fight, Nnoitra injures Kenpachi and, believing that he has won, turns his attention to Yachiru. Orihime uses her Santen Kesshun to shield her. Yachiru, however, points out that he should look behind him as Kenpachi releases a large volume of Reiatsu and cuts off Nnoitra's arm. Yachiru warns Nnoitra that her captain will become angry if he attacks her. Kenpachi denies this, before stating that he will cut off Nnoitra's arms one by one. Yachiru points out that Nnoitra will not be able to fight him if he has no arms left, prompting Kenpachi to say that he will leave the Arrancar with one arm. Still protected by Orihime's barrier, Yachiru watches the battle draw to a close, becoming concerned about the level of Kenpachi's injuries.

Later, when Coyote Starrk takes Orihime, Yachiru is among those who hear Aizen's revelation of his plans via Tenteikūraas he departs to destroy Karakura Town.

Fake Karakura Town arc

Yachiru stays somewhere in Hueco Mundo while Kenpachi and Byakuya Kuchiki fight against Yammy Llargo. After their fight ends, Yachiru leaves Hueco Mundo with them. The two captains are greeted by a small group of Shinigami. Yachiru hangs out of the hair of one of them when they fail to greet her, before rejoining her captain.

Yachiru yells at Kenpachi's impatience.

By the orders of Yamamoto, Yachiru joins all lieutenants and captains of the Gotei 13 in donating a portion of her energy to restore Ichigo's Shinigami power.She then accompanies Kenpachi to the Human World to see the mission completed, during which the Shinigami encounter the Fullbringers. After Kenpachi effortlessly defeats Giriko, he becomes bored and decides to return to Soul Society, only for Yachiru to remind him Yamamoto wants them to go back together or they will be in trouble. After Yukio shuts down the chatrooms, she emerges with Kenpachi and meets with Ikkaku and Renji.

The Thousand-Year Blood War arc

Yachiru explaining the results of her Division's investigation.

While the captains are in a meeting, the lieutenants gather and discuss the situation with the Wandenreich and recent disappearances of Hollows and Rukongai residents. Izuru asks if any of them had investigated beyond District 50. Yachiru states that Ikkaku and Yumichika had gone to District 64 where they saw the same things noted in the 12th Division's report. Izuru asks what the footsteps they saw looked like and she tells him that they were a mix of bare feet and sandals. After Kenpachi goes to train with Retsu Unohana, Yachiru walks into the division's quarters to find Kenpachi's eye patch laid out on a pillow. She picks it up, solemnly calling his name.

Yachiru punches Guenael.

During the second invasion, Yachiru helps Isane Kotetsu heal the wounded, doing so through loudly venturing out into the Wandenreich city and bringing back supplies. As Isane apologizes for making her do such a dangerous job, she dismisses this and says she has nothing to do anyway since Kenpachi is not back yet. When Sternritter V, Guenael Leeconfronts them, Yachiru punches him. However, the moment Yachiru hits him, Guenael disappears, leaving Yachiru wondering if she was trying to hit someone and who it was. Yachiru is struck by Guenael, who introduces himself and explains his power.

As Isane tries to figure out why Yachiru is bleeding, Guenael appears again and introduces himself for the second time. Isane wonders if he is one of the Sternritter, which Guenael admits to by introducing himself once again as well as becoming very annoyed at how many times he has to introduce himself. Yachiru moves to attack him, but he disappears again and attacks her before reappearing, only to have to dodge her once again. When Isane scolds her for attacking someone based on instinct without knowing whether or not they are an enemy, Yachiru explains the feeling she gets from Guenael and why she reacts as she does. Yachiru retrieves her Zanpakutō and notes Kenpachi will not be angry if she attacks someone because he is not around at the moment. Guenael attempts to attack her from behind, but before he can, Yachiru counterattacks and succeeds in hitting him, much to his disbelief. When Guenael claims she could not have hit him because he is sure he dodged, Yachiru explains her Zanpakutō's ability before moving to attack.

Yachiru's arm is grabbed by Gremmy.

After attacking Yachiru starts playing with the two creatures manifested. When Guenael comes back, she expresses surprise at him still being alive. He again moves to attack, but this time a large wound appears suddenly on his shoulder. Another Sternritter appears and kills Guenael. Yachiru tries to strike him, but he effortlessly dodges and ridicules her attack. Being grabbed by Gremmy, Yachiru drops her sword. Noting how brittle her arm is, Yachiru is surprised by the Sternritter revealing he can turn imagination into reality and that he just imagined the bones in her arm being made of cookies. He further imagines all the bones in her body being made of cookies. They are then interrupted by Kenpachi arriving.  Seeing him, Yachiru notes Kenpachi's arrival. When Gremmy raises the ground they're standing on, Yachiru quietly looks on. After being told by Gremmy that she can't move now, Kenpachi picks her up and notes how Gremmy's power must have stopped working on her because of him shifting his attention away from her. Afterward, Kenpachi tells Yachiru to find Isane and get her arm healed, prompting Yachiru to gleefully scurry down the side of the structure in search of Isane.

Soon afterward, Yachiru watches Kenpachi leap toward the meteorite which Gremmy summoned and recalls their first encounter when she was still a baby. After Kenpachi's fight is over, Yachiru has disappeared, leaving her Shinigami uniform and lieutenant's badge behind.

When Kenpachi is lying on the ground after fighting Gerard Valkyrie, Yachiru appears to him, wearing her uniform and lieutenant's armband. She tells him that if he uses her properly, he can beat anyone. She touches his hand and Reiatsu starts emanating from it. She tells Kenpachi that this is the power everyone calls Bankai. He then activates his Bankai and attacks Gerard, but during the course of the ensuing battle, his arm is torn. Yachiru notes that she released too much power at once. She apologizes to him, noting that his body is not able to handle so much power.