Karin sighed and took another drink of her soda. She frowned when the local news came on and was about to switch the channel to something else when her younger sister burst through the door. "Karin! There was an accident down the road! We need all the help we can get!"

Yuzu watched her sister stand up, immediately. "There was nothing good on anyway."

---

Karin sighed and sipped some water from the glass she had in her hand. "Yeah, right! If I would've known they'd make me gopher... I would've said 'no' in the first place! Stinkin' dad..." Karin grumbled to herself while opening the door to the patient's room.

Karin gasped and nearly dropped the glass in her hand. "What the heck are you doing?!" Karin shouted, rushing to Chad's side.With mustered effort, Karin supported Chad's left side. What was he thinking?! Trying to walk in his condition?!

Karin was already crumbling under his weight. This is impossible! "Ichigo's little sister...Just let me go," he mumbled suddenly. "What are you, nuts?! I can't just let you go!" Karin replied. "Dad!" Karin shouted. "Dad get in here! D-ACK!"

Karin's legs had finally gave away. She toppled over with Chad right behind her. Karin shut her eyes, bracing for impact-

-That never came. Karin re-opened her eyes. She found herself pressed against Chad's chest. His strong arms clutching her tightly.

"Are you okay, Ichigo's little sister?" Chad croaked.

Karin didn't answer. She was marveled at Chad. How did he manage to catch me in the fall...?

All the sounds were blocked off, including Chad's question. And only the sound of Karin's fast heart beat was heard.

A blush spread against Karin's face and she quickly unwrapped herself from Chad's grasp.

"Am I okay?!" she started, angry. "That's all you can say?! What about you?! Trying to pull the tough guy act! If it weren't for those wounds of yours, I would've pounded you!-ARGH!"

Karin was by the door now. "Just stay there! I'll go get my dad; you hear me?! Just stay there!" Karin rushed out the door, leaving Chad behind on the floor. "Dad!" she called.

Karin stopped in the center of the hallway and gave herself one second...to look back.