Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach; I am just borrowing a few of the characters in order to express the creative thoughts that are crowding my brain.

Waving bye to her friends, Karin left the soccer field as the sun began to set in the horizon. It'd been a long day of practicing, preparing for the game tomorrow. Continuously kicking the ball in the air, she made her way down the road towards her house. As she climbed up a familiar hill, she saw a figure sitting on top of the railing facing the distance. A boy was busy pressing buttons on a cell phone as if it were really important.

Stopping, she stared at the person's back and had a weird sense of déjà vu. There were so many similarities to the boy she had befriended as a kid. Aside from the fact that he was sitting in the same spot, the boy had similar white hair, however, this boy was a lot taller. Though she couldn't see his face, he looked to be around her age.

Deciding to give into curiosity and confirm his identity, she kicked her soccer ball with accurate precision towards his head. Before it could make contact, the boy moved his head and caught the ball with one hand. Looking over his shoulder, familiar sea green eyes scowled at her. "What the hell, Kurosaki?!"

Smiling, Karin jogged over and hopped onto the railing beside him. "Long time no see, Toushirou! I thought it was you."

His eyes narrowed at her. "So you decided to greet me by knocking my head off!"

"Nahh! If it's you, I knew you would catch it." She grabbed the ball from his hand.

"And if I'd been some human? You could have killed me."

"But you're not, so it's all good." Before he could comment on her dangerous assumption, she continued talking. "So, what you been up to?"

It'd been a few years since she last saw him. He'd certainly grown since the last time she saw him. Along with being a few inches taller than her, his shoulders were broader and his arms were corded with muscles developed from continuous use of his sword. Even as a kid, he had a stronger physique than normal children, but now it fit him more. Even so, he still possessed similar traits such as the same expression on his face that made him look as if he were forever scowling. His hair was still pure white, but no longer defied gravity like it used to. Instead he'd grown it out so that it hung just pass his shoulders, though it was pulled back to the nape of his neck with a ribbon. Long bangs hung around his face, brushing over his eyes.

He looked sexy with the wind blowing his hair around him, the whiteness of each strand glistening from the rays of the setting sun.

She froze at that thought. What was wrong with her and these cheesy romantic thoughts? She never thought this way. Ever.

Maybe that soccer ball to the head during practice messed her up. Yeah, that was it.

He turned his attention back to his cell phone. "I've had a lot of work to accomplish due to the winter war and the aftermath. As a captain, there's been a lot of paperwork to complete and problems to fix within Soul Society."

Karin nodded in understanding. These days, she and the family rarely ever saw Ichigo now that he lived in Soul Society since his death a few months after the winter war. (He went out a pathetic, actually. After surviving all the tough battles in the winter war, he was ultimately killed in a car accident by a drunk driver. When she'd found out, her worry had quickly given way to loads of hysterical laughter.) It used to be that he came to visit on a monthly basis afterwards, but since his promotion to captain, he came maybe three times a year. Only she knew about his circumstances. Her dad and Yuzu thought he was off at college and couldn't come home because he was too busy with studies. Like that would ever happen.

"So, what brings you here after so long?"

He shrugged. "No special reason."

She hopped off the railing. "Well, if you have some free time, why don't you come to watch my game tomorrow at school? It's the same high school Ichi-nii attended. You can come see how much better I've gotten." Waving goodbye, she took off down the road before he could give a response.

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Hitsugaya watched Karin's retreating back as she ran towards her home until she was completely out of view.

Inside, she still appeared to be the same girl as a few years ago. Full of energy and quick to ignore his say in matters. Though she still carried her tomboy image, her appearance had completely changed. If not for her familiar reitsu, he never would have recognized her. Her raven black hair had grown longer so that she now wore it in a ponytail. Her child body had given way to womanly curves, though not as apparent through the baggy clothes. If she discarded the boy-like exterior, she could definitely turn a few heads with the beauty she'd developed into.

That thought irritated him. He was not to keen on having other men look at her.

He was very much aware of his attraction towards Karin. Though he'd been a bit slow to understand his interest towards her when he first met her, he'd come to realize the true intent during the Winter War. During each battle, his thoughts would always wonder to her and whether he'd live to see her again. Whether he'd be able to play another game of soccer with her or sit up on the hill together to watch the sunset. Then after the war had ended, he'd been intent on pushing aside such troublesome feelings and thoughts.

However, here he was. Back in the one place he was guaranteed to see her again and cause those thoughts to resurface. He'd been foolish to accompany Matsumoto on her trip to the world of the living. He was ashamed to admit that it hadn't taken much persuasion to convince his to come along. He was positive that she'd know why he'd given in so easily and wanted to say something, but was wise enough to play ignorance.

Sighing, he started walking in the direction of the apartment he and Matsumoto were staying at. Unlike their previous visits to the world of the living, they'd been wise enough this time to rent their own accommodations instead of leaching off others. Taking his time, he didn't arrive at the apartment until it was completely dark out. The complex was similar to the one where Orihime resided before she left for college. Though Matsumoto complained that it wasn't high-class, he didn't really care.

Though, he could ask for better in a landlady. The middle-aged woman was very nosey and rude, prone to assumptions. She didn't seem to like him very much, having sneered at him when he and Matsumoto moved in. He was entirely certain she'd come to the conclusion that he was a troublesome boy and was having an affair with Matsumoto, due to her constant show of shameless affections. It slightly irritated him that the woman looked down upon him as if he were a young boy. He may look like a teenager, but he was older than her by many decades.

As if summoned from his thoughts, he saw the landlady's door opened and out she stepped. Then, of course, the door to their apartment swung open as Matsumoto ran out to greet him. He'd grown tall enough to avoid having her breasts shoved into his face. However, the display was suggestive enough to cause misunderstanding. Having grown a bit taller than Matsumoto, she had to wrap her arms up around his neck with breasts pressed against his chest. The position was similar to one shared between lovers, which was lewd enough to cause the landlady to scowl at them before returning to her own apartment.

"Now look what you've done." He broke away from her to walk into the apartment.

"Just ignore that old hag." Shutting the door behind her, Matsumoto danced around him as he headed towards the living room. "So, where've you been?"

"Patrolling."

"Patrolling where?"

He sighed. "The town, like we're supposed to. Where exactly were you if not doing your duties?" From the looks of the new manicure and glossy hair she sported, he could pretty much guess.

Grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, he went to sit on the couch. The previous residents of the apartment had left most of their furniture. The only thing they'd really added was the giant screen covering one wall that connected them to Soul Society.

Matsumoto lazed over the back of the couch so that she was once again invading his space. "That's not important. So, did you see Karin?" Her eyes twinkled at him.

His narrowed. "Why would you ask that?"

"Well, I sensed your reitsu a short distance from the Kurosaki clinic and thought maybe you saw her." The suggestion in her eyes caused him to be very wary of where the conversation was headed.

Did she know about his feelings for Kurosaki?

That was impossible. He'd been keen on keeping them hidden. Even more so around Matsumoto since she had the knack of uncovering his thoughts, sometimes even before he himself was aware. Even worse, she tended to make it her priority to 'aide' his problems. Whether he wanted it or not.

"Yes, I saw her." His face was neutral.

"And?" Her eyes were full out sparkling with eagerness.

He arched an eyebrow. "And, what?"

"What'd you say to her?"

"I said hello."

"That's it?" She sagged in disappointment.

"What else was I supposed to say?"

"Tell her you missed her. Confess to her. Several things besides a simple hello."

A flush began to develop on his face. "Why would I say such things?" He immediately regretted asking. Deciding to heed the alarm bells in his brain, he stood and headed for his room. "It's been a tiring day. I'm turning in." Though she didn't follow him, he could sense the large grin she wore on her face.

This is my first HitsuKarin fanfiction. They are one of my fave pairings. I hope it isn't OOC, because that's not what I'm aiming for. I like for my stories to remain in-character.

I couldn't resist giving Hitsugaya long, straight hair. I could picture it now. He would look so freakin' hot!!! I really hope you liked it! Please review!