Chapter Text
About a couple of years ago Ichi-nii started to become more absent than usual.
Not long after I discovered Ichi-nii became a Shinigami.
I saw Hollows, Arrancars, Quincies, monsters, and humans doing monstrosities…but could never fully understand what was really going on, not entirely.
I met other people that weren't shinigami, we had some fun hunting those monsters around, and we became good friends, but after all, it didn't matter…I couldn't do anything when they were in real danger.
More than once I saw my home and my friends at the edge of total destruction, the world was coming undone…
My brother and my father fought to protect everything that we cherish…
But there wasn't anything I could do…I was the one to be protected. Once again.
When I finally thought I could step up and protect my brother…he was back to his old self, and I was back to my old self…my useless old self…
Karin felt the rain pouring gently on her body. The water mixed with blood on the cold pavement. The night was dark. No moon, no stars, no light.
After admitting her pathetic uselessness to the world, she went out alone in the middle of the night. Jumping out of the window, running through the streets. Only to pick up a fight…too bad her target was a menos grande. Now once again she lay there hopeless, bleeding, waiting for the monster's final attack.
"Just finish this already!" She yelled using the last drop of strength she had.
All her senses were blurred; she heard a distant growl, and then nothing more.
"Am I finally dead?" She asked herself when she stopped feeling the thick raindrops against her cheeks. She couldn't see more than a blurry silhouette standing over her, and heard a familiar male voice speak before her eyes and her mind went completely blank.
"My my …in the end seems like I was the one to come to you after all…"
She knew that voice very well.
"If anything happens, please come to me. I will make whatever preparations are necessary".
That's what that man once told her not long ago.
"As stubborn as your brother."
Her brother.
Yes, she had a brother. Strong and brave Ichigo carried all the weight of their family's sadness on his back. But she wasn't like him…not at all.
She could never be like him.
Nothing more passed in her numb mind and she succumbed to deep slumber.
The light coming through the window disturbed her eyes, which slowly open up to adjust to the sunshine which seemed brighter than ever.
"Is this heaven ?" She mumbled not raising her head, she could feel a warm blanket over her, there was no pain from the hollow attacks, she felt warm and safe. Then she heard a female voice, strong but gentle, almost sympathetic say.
"Not quite."
When her eyes finally got used to the light, she saw wooden walls, a ceiling, and a small tea table next to her, and sitting not far from there was a dark-skinned woman; with golden eyes that shone with the sunlight and unusual purple hair.
"Uugh... Oww my head!" She mumbled and winced in pain when she tried to get up but it was useless and her body leaned down again. "You're right, this must be hell."
"Yo kiddo, If I were you I would be more careful, you took quite the beating."
"…then I'm still not dead…greeeat." Karin spoke sarcastically and the woman laughed in response before she continued.
"Tough luck." She answered amused before someone entered the room.
"Well well isn't our little Kurosaki-chan finally recovering". The man said. She recognized him. The ridiculous green hat was too much to forget.
"If your father and brother were here you would have given them quite a scare Karin-chan."
She clenched her jaw tightly.
"I don't think you have met my associate yet, this is Yoruichi."
The feline woman tilted her head with a wide grin.
"Well when you feel like it, come downstairs. I would like to talk to you". He said leaving the room, and Ururu entered right after.
"Karin-chan are you feeling okay?" She asked.
"I guess I am…thanks Ururu." She helped Karin sit up. "My head is still spinning a bit though."
"You were almost dying when you were brought here…"
"So that wasn't a dream he must have saved me from the hollow…"
"I brought you some food." Ururu said gently placing the tray and the teacup on the small table next to the futon.
"Thanks" Karin smiled out of politeness.
After she ate, she got up and Yoruichi presented her to everyone she didn't know. They went to the underground training place and found Urahara waiting for her.
"So what now Kurosaki-chan? Are you ready to fight with your own hands?"
He smiled underneath his hat. It was time for Karin to face her own destiny.