Beyond The Eternity

Chapter 3 - Twilight

The sun arced across the sky, casting its warm, bright rays upon the world. The crisp early morning air filled her lungs as another day dawned.

She hadn't experienced mornings like this in a long time. The ones where you could taste the clearness of the air, and bask in the vibrancy of nature. The last time she felt like this was a camping trip her family went on when she was ten. Although, if she remembered correctly, that was cut short because Ichigo got food poisoning.

" I wonder how those idiots are doing..." Karin muttered to herself, resting her chin and hands on one end of the broomstick. She already guessed how Yuzu and her dad would react to the news of her death— that was easy.

Ichigo, on the other hand, was different. Her brother...how should she say it? He was complicated.

There was always a surface to him she couldn't quite crack; an invisible barrier that chambered his heart heavy with burden. His shifty antics and obvious lies may have worked on Yuzu and her dad; however, Karin saw through those several facades and always kept a keen eye on him.

So, it really was inevitable when she figured out Ichigo's biggest secret that he was a shinigami. And by association Rukia who suspiciously appeared around the time his fishy behavior arose. Although, if it weren't for her ability to see ghosts as well, none of this would be believable.

" What's the point of having shinigami powers if you're not gonna use it," She sighed at the blue sky, " He should just get his ass over here and visit me."

Despite saying it herself, hearing those words spoken into existence unsettled Karin. As if to further cement that she was no longer part of the living world.

Karin shook her head disgruntled. It was pathetic how much of a disconnect there was between her mind and heart. Despite all the evidence around her, a nagging part of Karin still resisted in denial. And considering the odd circumstances of her memories, she was left with many perpetual questions.

" Excuse me...Is grandma Yuki around?"

Karin stopped in her train of thought, focusing her gaze at someone who appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Dressed in a red and white uniform with a wooden sword by her hip, the girl bowed.

" Chiyo!" Grandma Yuki's voice was heard from behind. Karin whipped her around and saw as the elderly lady went out to greet her, " I didn't know you would be back already. Are you here on break?"

Chiyo softly shook her head, " No, I just requested leave for the weekend to visit my dad. I thought I should stop by and say hi to everyone now that I'm back."

As the two continued to talk, Grandma Yuki pulled Karin forward, " I should introduce you two. This is Karin, she just arrived yesterday."

" Hi Karin!" Chiyo smiled as Karin greeted likewise, " My name's Chiyo, I live a couple houses from here. But I'm currently away at the Shin'O academy."

" It's nice to meet you too. Sorry but...what is this Shin'O academy?" Karin asked.

" Oh sorry about that. The Shin'O Academy is a school where souls train to become shinigami. I'm currently there as a student."

Karin's eyes widened and it took her a moment to fully register what she'd just heard, " Did you say...shinigami?"

" Yes." Chiyo nodded, " They're a special force assigned to protect the Soul Society! They make up what's known as the Gotei 13. Unlike us in the Rukongai, the shinigami and head officials get to live in the Sereitei — the capital!"

" Oh wow... That's really cool." Karin looked in awe. She'd never given much thought of how shinigamis came to be — not that she needed to know before. Surely Ichigo didn't have to go through this too?