Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, or any of the characters used in this fic. They all belong to Tite Kubo. I only own any of my original characters that I choose to include, as well as any of my own original plot ideas.
Edge of the Unknown
A/N: For a friend on LJ who requested a sequel to "Somewhere Out In Space."
He'd asked, insisted really, that they go somewhere fun. It was the first time Toshiro had even taken a girl out on a real date. She could tell. It was in his eyes, his voice, and in the way his white eyebrows seemed to dance on his forehead.
There was a sort of carnival in town, he had said when he came to the door, due to the New Year's festival, but she'd politely declined. While carnival rides and festival food were all fine, it would be a hassle to be around other people, to wait in line and be trudging through crowds. There would be no quiet place for them to talk.
She'd suggested a little eatery down the street, where they ordered steak croquettes and dumplings, content in one another's company. Children ran past while on their way home, with balloons, toys and prizes, and candy stuck to their faces.
"It's been a while since you've been here, Toshiro." The silence was getting to be too much. "I hope my brother behaved himself during his visit."
He shrugged, white hair bouncing as he rolled his shoulders. "Well, he did get into a bit of a tiff with Renji." Toshiro leaned on his arm. "I can't remember what it was, though. They argue like children..."
Karin laughed. That was her brother, all right. "Maybe we should take a walk?"
Toshiro nodded, gathering up the trash and dumping it in the wastebasket beside the table. They headed down the street together, Karin's hands in her pockets. Really, she wanted to reach out and touch him, take his hand. But what if he didn't reciprocate the notion? What if he pulled away?
She turned away, pretending that something had caught her attention. She didn't want Toshiro to see the red hue lighting up her cheeks.
"What's it like, being a captian?" It came out suddenly. "Do you enjoy it?"
He stuck out his lower lip, making that in-thought face of his. A gloved hand came out of the pockets of his jacket, flipping the blue scarf over his shoulder. A muffled, "It's... interesting, to say the least," coming from behind the fabric.
A laugh. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It keeps me alert. My head on a swivel." He smiled gently. "Especially with Matsumoto. She goofs off a lot, and butts into everyone's business, but... She really does mean well."
Karin jumped as a loud whistle reached her ears. Her eyes widened, and, as a loud bang went off, she grabbed onto Toshiro's arm, breathing heavily.
"It's all right," he said, touching her shoulder. He pointed to his right. "Look."
There, coming from the direction of the festival, were huge fireworks, lighting up the sky with shapes and patterns. Some were just random shapes and designs, while others took the form of animals. A dragon, the symbol of the New Year, seemed to roar to life, its mouth wide open.
There wasn't a thought in her head as she leaned her head on his shoulder, hanging onto his arm with a smile.
It was perfect. And then the snow began to fall.
"Most people don't know this," he said quietly, "but I don't really like snow. Not the way it looks in the Soul Society."
"Why not? Snow is snow, isn't it? Doesn't it look the same everywhere?"
Toshiro shook his head, gloved hand slipping into hers.
"No, it's not. I quite prefer how it looks right here..."