Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach in any way or form.

Warning: This is my first time writing Bleach.. So sorry if the characters are off.

Slowly but steadily, the sunlight fell to darkness. The night sky was almost pitch black, with the exceptions of the small stars that weren't obscured by the annoying rain clouds that had raided the sky for the past week.

"So then, Grandma Haru had-" Hitsugaya was on the riverbank, telling Karin stories of the days back when he was first stationed in the world of the living. Karin was asking questions about his stories, and enjoying every minute of it. Behind them was the soccer field. Earlier in the day, Karin's team won (with the help of Hitsugaya) against a tough opponent. After the game, everyone had managed to go head back to their own houses with their own families. Karin stayed back at the field though. It was Hitsugaya's last day back in the living world. He would soon be going back to Soul Society. There wasn't much time left in the day, but wanted to spent as much time as he could in the living world. For some reason, there was something in his chest telling him to stay longer than Soul Society wanted to, but his rationality debated against it. In 20 minutes- possibly 30 minutes- he would open a Senkaimon and head back. For right now he was going to try to enjoy the time left.

"Ah, shoot. I gotta head home soon." Karin interrupted his talking. She seemed disappointed in telling him that. His stories with Grandma Haru in them were the best. Karin couldn't help but be a little sad. "Yuzu is making a special dinner tonight. My old man's gonna be angry if I miss it." Hitsugaya gave a nod in understandment. "Toshiro, before I leave, I have something to give you." He glanced at her with some question in his eyes.

"Karin, I'm not sure if-" Once again he was cut off by the voice of Karin Kurosaki.

"Nonsense! You always help the team with winning, this is the least I could do." A determined Karin was a Karin you did not want to mess with. She opened the red sack that she always put her soccer ball in. Karin took the soccer ball out. It wasn't in the best condition since it had just been kicked around by many people. "Here, you can have it." A few sweat drops formed on Hitsugaya's face. She was giving him the soccer ball that she treasured so much.

"W-Why are you giving me this?!" He handed the soccer ball back.

"Because, you're really good at soccer. If you had a soccer ball to practice with, imagine how good you'd become!" There was a bright look in her eyes. Although he knew he shouldn't argue with her when she was in her stubborn, determined mode she was in then. Still, he couldn't just take the soccer ball, even if she was directly giving it to him. Her voice was going on, but he paid attention to something Karin was saying. "Besides, I got a new soccer ball for Christmas, so it wouldn't be like you're taking my one any only ball. And-"

How long had she been going on? Five minutes? Hitsugaya sighed. "Fine, I'll take it." Karin looked at him with a hopeful smile.

"Really?!"

"Yes, thanks Karin." Her smile didn't fade away anytime soon. She stood up and brushed the dirt off her shorts.

"Well, I have to go now," she took the empty red bag. "Make sure to practice!" Hitsugaya stood up as well.

"Do you want me to walk you home?" Hitsugaya asked. He only had a few minutes until he would return to Urahara's, return the gigai, and then go back to Soul Society. It was a long shot that he would make it back in time if he walked her home.

"Nah, thanks for the offer. You have to get to Soul Society, right?" He nodded. Within a few seconds she was half-way across the soccer field, waving goodbye. He waved back, picked up the soccer ball, and made his way back to Urahara's.

"Captain Hitsugaya, is that a soccer ball with you?" Hitsugaya stopped abruptly. He had put the soccer down right when he had entered the shop, but as he was done with everything he picked it back up. Those kids and the cat weren't anywhere to be found then, so he trusted to put it down for a few minutes. There were only a few minutes left until he would open the Senkaimon. What a bother Urahara was with his questions.

Unfortunately, there wasn't any use in lying. Urahara had already seen the soccer ball, and it would be dumb to tell him otherwise. Hitsugaya gave a sharp nod. Don't use violence, he thought. Control your anger. The time was ticking away. There wasn't any point in staying in the world of the living anytime longer. Urahara didn't necessarily agree though. The shady shop owner had his dark green fan over his mouth so no one could see his sly smile behind the fan. Hitsugaya's voice interrupted Urahara's train of thoughts. "Now, if you would excuse me, I have to go back to Sou-"

"Ara," More irritation. "Does this soccer ball have to do with Kurosaki-san's little sister." How did he know of Karin? Albeit, she was Ichigo's sister, but the relationship between Hitsugaya and Karin was something Urahara shouldn't have known about. A slight blush made way onto Hitsugaya's face.

"That-" Started the young captain as he picked up the beloved soccer ball, "Is none of your business." He walked out, a little angry, ready to open the Senkaimon.

Behind the fan a smile was apparent on Urahara's face. "Ah, young love."

Masumoto Rangiku was miserable. There were several reasons why, but the most prominent reason was clear to everyone in Squad 13. Her captain had been in the living world for a few days and she, the poor lieutenant, had to deal with the nasty paper work. Of course she had assigned some (most)of it to the lower seats, but if Hitsugaya found out she would be in trouble. A moan of distaste came out of her mouth. There's no way I'll get all the paperwork done before this, Rangiku thought. How many stacks were there? Five? Suddenly the door opened. She was right, she wouldn't get the paperwork done before her captain came back.

"Masumoto!" Hitsugaya instantly showed how angry he was as he looked at the large stack of paperwork.

"Ah, Captain, you're back from your trip! How was the world of the living?"

She's trying to get off topic, Hitsugaya thought. "Masumoto, I see wha-" He was interrupted by her enthusiastic voice.

"Did you have fun? How was Kurosaki-kun's sister?" Another slight blush formed on his face. Nearly everyone seemed to know about Karin.

"She is..doing well." The sooner he answered her question, the sooner he could get back to work. Masumoto chuckled at his response.

"I see. Good luck with that," Masumoto laughed more, resulting in another Hitsugaya blush. Rangiku started to head out of the office, leaving Hitsugaya alone with the paperwork. The blush on his face went away from the anger he felt.

"Masumoto! Get back here!" The next few days were be filled with paperwork.

He needed fresh air.

For three days he had been locked up in his office. Three days. Hitsugaya was used to spending days in the office, but Rangiku had been more irritable that usual. Once he was done with the paperwork, he immediately went into his private room, got the soccer ball, went outside, and then practiced. Hitsugaya could see why Karin liked soccer. It got out anger and frustration. Perhaps he would practice more often.

Thank you for the soccer ball, Karin.

Needless to say, the next time he played soccer with Karin, she was impressed.