Tinted Ice

Chapter 6: Fire and Ice

Thump! The gates from Seireitei opened to Karakura Town. Thump! Sounds of menacing footsteps walked down to the calm town. Thump! Karin and Toshiro were in trouble.

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Karin's outfit turned white like the lightest snow. Her hair had snowflakes on it. Setsumi was in sword form, but now in form of two. Both swords were longer, thinner, and lighter. Her movements were swifter and unnoticeable. Karin had finally awoken her Bankai. Small, but powerful like her brother's.

"Finally Setsumi! After all our training and hard work we mastered our Bankai in just a few days!" Karin exclaimed admiring her accomplishment.

"Hmm. You have made tremendous progress in such a short time. This calls for a celebration." Toshiro said winking at the materialized Hyorinmaru.

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Thump! Every captain and lieutenant reached the ground of Karakura Town. Thump! Their mission, assigned by Yamamoto, is to eliminate Kurosaki Karin and anyone who stands in their way. Thump! This was a surprising and unexpected visit from the Shinigami. They are on the search for Karin and will stop at nothing.

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Toshiro took everyone to the hill where their last fun time occurred. This time was different. He actually attempted to impress Karin. He lit candles and put together an expensive dinner. There was a surprise for the end, a one on one soccer game.

BOOM!

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"What was that!?" Karin shouted.

Everyone stood and ignored the question. It was a startling moment for them. Even Hyorinmaru's straight face had the slightest hint of surprise on it.

Suddenly, an arrow lit with fire hit the ground right next to Karin. A note was tied on it saying, Kurosaki Karin, we came for you. Karin read it and knew what it meant. It was time for the difficult battle that was approaching. Yamamoto finally came to take her down. He knew she would not go down without a fight, but he was confident she was too weak to fight him. Little did he know she had mastered her Bankai and was stronger than Ichigo.

Along with the first arrow, more came crashing down on the ground. Karin was prepared. Setsumi was summoned to her side and Toshiro stood next to her as well. He was risking his role as a Shinigami, but he was going to risk his life for Karin.

Karin looked at Toshiro and he did the same. They nodded at each other and jumped towards their targets. All Shinigami captains and their lieutenants stood before them. With an exception of Toshiro of course. Matsumoto was against Karin too, she was not able to fight for her and Toshiro.

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SSSSSSSS! The sound of hissing fire was close to the couple. The smell of smoke was in the air. This was all the doing of Yamamoto's Zanpakuto. It is said to be the most powerful of all. Karin and Toshiro knew that, but they believed that their power combined could defeat anything and anyone.

Swish! Now they were surrounded by powerful and fearless Shinigami. Karin and Toshiro got into their battle stances and awaited the attacks. Their role was defense for now until they could find an opening.

All the Shinigami came at the cold team at once. Yamamoto stayed still waiting for his turn to fight. He thought he was not needed at the moment.

One by one, the Shinigami were defeated. Their swords clashed and some were defeated before they could use their Bankai. That was how powerful the team was. Karin and Toshiro spared their lives, but left them paralyzed on the ground. Now they awaited the boss. The king, the almighty Genryūsai Yamamoto.

Soon they were blinded by steam caused by the hot Zanpakuto of Yamamoto. He was coming confidently towards Karin and Toshiro. As he walked slowly, but menacingly, Yamamoto left a trail of flames behind him. Then he made a chamber of fire closing in on him, Karin, and Toshro.

There he would have the advantage, but the snow and ice combination was too strong to melt. So to Karin and Toshiro, it was no problem. They all stood staring at each other, trying to anticipate what the other will do. That strategy would not work for Yamamoto's use because Karin's moves were unpredictable. He still thought he would conquer both of them.

"Kurosaki I will dominate both of you! Hitsugaya-Taichou, you have one chance to fight with me. Do not choose wrong, I am the right side." Announced Yamamoto.

"With all of my respect, I must decline your offer. Relieve my title as a Shinigami, but I will fight with Kurosaki Karin, because I love her!" Toshiro yelled.

Karin smirked, but remained focus on her target. Then she saw Yamamoto appear right before her. He swung his sword so fast it was not visible. Just in time, Karin lifted Setsumi to block the strong attack.

"Toshiro it's time! It's the only way we can beat him. Setsumi, consume greatly! Bankai!!!!!" Karin shouted and signaled at Toshiro.

Karin repeated and said with Toshiro, "BANKAI!"

Toshiro wore his wings of ice and Karin her white wardrobe. His two ice-made timers and her two long swords. They were going to give it their all. Death would not come so easily. Yamamoto is their enemy now, and that will not change. It is a fierce battle between Fire and Ice.

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A/N: Ready for the battle? Next chapter will contain everything you've been waiting for. Also I might reveal the meaning behind the title Tinted Ice soon!