Broken Pasts
Introductions
HitsuKarin
"Okay honey, have a nice night okay"
"Goodnight I love you see you tomorrow, say goodnight to kitty for me" came her reply
"Okay I will I love you too Yuki goodnight baby bye"
"Bye-bye " the line went dead.
She hung up the phone and put it back down onto the bar top she turned to her master
"Yuki said goodnight Yoruichi" she said looking at the women seated next to her.
"Oh that's so sweet well I'm going to go see Urahara I will look after your stuff for you" she said getting up.
"Thanks Master" came her reply
She then picked up her Sake and took another gulp, the glass clinking with the jewellery on her finger. She scanned the dark ballroom spotting the orange hair of her brother at the back of the room with his now wife Rukia and their friends on a raised table. There were a lot of other people attending most seemed to be soul reapers. She arrived only shortly beforehand missing the ceremony and decided to hide away in the corner of the bar out of view. Neither her old friends nor her family had spotted her yet. This is the first time being surrounded by her family and old friends in 7 years but she thought she owed them enough to at least make it here even though she was late. She was always working always traveling never in the same place for long. She just, in fact, got back from Italy 4 hours ago and had driven as fast as possible from Tokyo to get here.
"Hey can I have another one please" called a smooth voice from the man standing next to her to the bartender. Setting his empty glass on the table he then turned to Karin and looked her up and down. He'd been eyeing her up all night and she knew it. Karin's only reaction being to lift up her hand and present it into his view showing her jeweled finger. He immediately got the message and looked away from her grabbing his drinks and walking back to his friends where she could hear them snicker at him saying,
'Told you man you could never get anybody like that anyway'
'Bullshit, anyway she doesn't have to be a such tease in that dress' he replied bitterly.
She looked down at the dress she wore''Damn I knew this dress was to flashy''she swore under her breath. She was wearing a red ankle length dress that was backless and had a plunging neckline that stopped a few inches above her belly button, which gave a great view of her cleavage. She also wore her waist length hair half up half down and bangs framing her face also towering red stilettos impossible to walk in for somebody else but she was used to it. She had left her coat and handbag with her master at the table reserved for her, having only her overloading purse and phone on her. She was also suppressing her reitsu so it was undetectable to anyone.
Momo saw the women sitting back facing them at the bar drinking by herself she had only arrived 20 minutes ago. So Momo decided to talk to her and ask her to come and sit with them.
"Hey does anybody want something to drink its on me" she shouted over the music playing.
"Ahh yeah Momo can you get another bottle of Sake" came her reply from the busty women sitting next to her.
"Sure"
"Can you make that two bottles no wait three" said Renji who was losing a drinking game between Ikkaku, Yumichika and Matsumoto
"Okay what about you Shiro-chan?" she said turning to the now mature looking man. A few snickers were heard across the table at the old childish nickname.
"Stop calling me that I'm taller that you now Momo you bed-wetter"
Ignoring him she asked again kindly "Do you want anything?"
"No thanks I'm still on my first bottle" he said indicating the half full bottle of Sake sitting in front of him. "Actually I think I will go outside for a little while" he told the group getting up and walking out to the Lobby area.
"Okay Shiro-chan be right back," she announced snickers across the table, getting up from her chair and walking to the far end of the bar where the women sat. She looked quite wealthy by the looks of her clothes and accessories.
"Can I have 4 bottles of Sake please" She asked the bartender who was leaning over the bench to hear her over the music.
"Yeah sure that'll be three hundred and forty dollars" she flinched at the price
"Aww crap I only have three hundred on me hold on I will go get some money from my boyfriend" she told him and started to turn around but someone grabbed her arm stopping her.
"Make that 6 bottles and I'll pay for the drinks" the women said handing over the cash. The bartender then turned back to retrieve the extra bottles.
"Hey wait no you don't have to do that I can just go get the money" Momo insisted the stranger. The women just smiled at her and said.
"No problem I just know your boyfriend is running a bit low on money cause he ordered the last two rounds right" the women assured her then added "he got put back quite a lot" she finished with a chuckle.
"Oh ah Thanks but please have this it's the least I could do" Momo pleaded holding out her money.
"No don't worry I really don't want to take your money you might need it next round" she chuckled.
"Well thanks a lot I'm Momo by the way," She said holding out her hand smiling when the women shook it and replied
"I'm Karin pleased to meet you" The bartender put the bottles of Sake down in front of the women. Karin opened a bottle and poured her and Momo a drink.
"Do you live here in Karakura?" Momo asked Karin sitting beside her at the empty stool. She obviously had no idea who she was.
"Ahh no I grew up here though" she replied then taking another sip of her cup.
"Oh you grew up here" Momo relayed
"Yeah, So do you live here in Karakura?" Karin asked Momo already knowing that she was a Soul reaper. Karin decided not to reveal her actually identity to the girl who she didn't know.
"Ahh no no I'm just visiting here for the wedding I met Ichigo when he was 15 been friends ever since and have known Rukia since I was quite young, what about you how long have you known the bride or groom?" Momo questioned Karin taking a sip of her drink.
"Oh I've known Ichigo all my life and met Rukia about 7 years ago" she replied truthfully.
"Wow all your life amazing" Momo said "You guys must be really close then," she added. Karin visibly flinched but rearranged her features and smiled
"Yeah something like that but we lost contact for a bit and I haven't really seen him in a while" she said still smiling. Momo looked at Karin and could tell that there was sadness behind her smile then looked at her table across the ballroom and saw the back of Izuru and Renji talking. She just then remembered the Sake and then decided to bring her new acquaintance over to meet her friends.
"Hey do you want to come meet my friends and sit with us at our table?" she asked standing up from her chair and trying to grab the bottles of Sake.
"Ahh sure okay" Karin said.
"Ah wait here I'm going to have to take these over and come back for the rest" Momo explained picking up two bottles and moving back to her table. She then went to grab an empty chair from the table across from them and placed it between hers and Rangiku's. "I'll be right back with the other bottles," she said
"Hey Momo come on lets go for a dance" Izuru said holding out his hand.
"Um can I get the bottles first I'll be right back" she replied
"Nope they can wait lets go now" he said grabbing her hand and dragging her out to the floor.
"Hey Izuru" she laughed as he pulled her along. He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her as she put hers around his neck and they swayed to the music playing.
"Ichigo looks so happy hey," she breathed into his ear
"Ahh yeah he's actually smiling" Izuru chuckled
"Hey where is he?" Momo asked Izuru curiously. He wasn't at the main table and Rukia was still sitting there.
"Ah he's talking to some lady at the bar" Izuru said twirling them around so she could see the bar. 'Karin' she thought
"Huh I know her I met just before her names Karin" she said "Actually she's looking after the Sake I left there I was also going to bring her to the table"
"Hmm really well lets go get her then" Izuru said releasing her and stepping through the crowd but Momo grabbed his arm and stopped him pulling him back to her.
"Hold on lets give them some time alone she said she hadn't seen him in awhile and that she's known him all her life"
"Hmm okay lets dance a bit more then" He said ducking her down in a low dip.
As soon as Momo walked away Karin spotted Ichigo heading to the bar. She quickly turned her back to him and downed the rest of her cup.
'May as well make myself known' she said to herself and took a deep breath.
Ichigo walked up beside her totally unaware of her identity. She looked at him from the corner of her eye noticing his gentle smile, he looked extremely happy.
"Hey can I have another bottle of Sake please," he asked the bartender.
"Yeah sure might be a minute we're out so I'm going to have to go out back and get another case". He told Ichigo
"No problem I'll just wait here then" he assured the man and sat in the vacant stool next to Karin "God these people sure know how to drink Sake" he sighed
This was the perfect opportunity to say something she thought.
"Hey Ichii how's it been" she said to him quietly but catching his attention anyway. He frowned when he heard the nickname no one had called him in years even Yachiru stopped calling him that. He turned to face her.
"Um Hi do I know you?" he inquired trying to figure out who the beautiful women was and why she was so familiar. The lack of light wasn't helping either.
"You don't recognise me really?" she asked mirthfully
"Um I'm sorry I just don't remember you I would remember that beauty" he said jokingly trying to place her face.
"How flattering Strawberry Head but seriously you don't recognise me at all" said uttered her smirk growing.
"Nope and I'm really sorry but are you a friend of Rukia's maybe" he guessed
"Oh Ichii your hurting my feelings" Karin said with fake hurt in her voice. Then she added "You know I raced here all the way from Italy to make it" it was now that he slowly put the pieces together "the least you could do was remember your own ooff-" she was being strangled in a deadly bear hug by Ichigo who clung to his sister for dear life. "ssissterr-" she managed to wheeze out. She then wrapped her arms around her brother tightly and buried her head in his shoulder. He lent back still hugging his sister and smiled then rambled.
"Karin how, I thought you said you couldn't make it? How long have you been here? Why didn't you come to me first thing? Where's Yuk-" he was stopped with a finger placed on his lips.
"Woah slow down there brother one question at a time" Karin said chuckling
"I'm sorry Karin its just it's been so long since I've seen you I'm just so happy to see you but anyway, how did you make it? You said your flight got delayed and you couldn't get out of there for another few days" Karin chuckled at her brother
"That's true Ichi-nii I flew over in a private jet owned by some Pop Star or something which cost me a quite a lot may I add but I really wanted to see you and I wasn't about to miss your wedding well I did in the end but I'm still here aren't I didn't miss the party" she finished with a smirk. Ichigo smiled down at her and released her from his arms.
"How long have you been here?" he questioned her holding her at arms length
"Oh um about an hour ago but I got side tracked I was talking to this lady called Momo she just went to her table and is coming back to get her drinks" she said pointing to the bottles of Sake sitting on the table. Then the bartender returned with the case of Sake setting one on the table
"That'll be eighty five dollars sir," he said indicating the bottle. Ichigo then looked at Karin with a mischievous smile and glint in his eyes
"You wouldn't mind paying for my Sake my beautiful incredibly rich little sister you know you owe me for not making it to the ceremony" he asked sweetly
"Hey you know I'm paying for this wedding right" she said smirking
"Aww come on Karin please its only eighty five bucks anyways I'm broke I have to pay for the honeymoon" he replied
"Your funny really, when I know your staying in my villa in Fiji"
"Ahh yet another reason you're my favourite sister but don't let Yuzu know she might get jealous" he said jokingly.
"Fine Ichi-nii here" she gave him a $100 bill "and keep the change" she smiled at him.
"Thanks Karin, By the way where's Yuki and Arashi?" he asked while handing the bartender the money.
"Oh she has school in the morning so she couldn't make it but she's gonna come down tomorrow after school Arashi is driving them" she explained.
"Oh well I can't wait to see her its been so long what like a year now and can't wait to meet this Arashi too he sounds nice" he said to her.
"Where are you staying?" he asked her
"Oh um at my apartment across town"
"Ah yes thanks for letting us use that place every now and then too"
"It's alright as long as you don't break anything and clean it up when you're done," she said smiling at him. He smiled back at her gently
"I really did miss you Karin, I know why you left and I understand you needed to but it really did kill me I haven't seen you in 7 years" he told her sadly
"I know Ichi-nii but I'm here now and I'm going to be in town for a few days"
"Yeah I know at least I get to see you for the next couple days"
"Oh yeah that's right you're not leaving straight away"
"Yeah all the flights to Fiji have been delayed and they aren't leaving for the next 3 days so we're just gonna have to wait" he groaned
"Don't worry Ichi-nii when you get to the Villa you have her all to yourself for the next 2 weeks" she said mirthfully the added "Just don't scare away my maids and make sure to get the sheets washed before you leave please" she laughed at his faint blush. He joined her laughter stopping when he heard a gasp behind them.
"Karin?" asked a timid but soft voice. Karin turned around to look at her sister and smiled at her.
"Hey Yuzu how's it been" she said with the wave of her hand. Yuzu rushed forward to her pulling her from the stool and up standing to hug her tightly.
"Ka-Ka-Karin your herrrreee-"she wailed into her sister.
"Aww Yuzu I missed you too" she then looked at her brother who was smiling at the exchange and mouthed 'Help me' but he shook his head no and kept smiling.
"Karin you-you said you wouldn't make it b-but you here after all these years you're finally here" Yuzu cried happily. Karin smiled at her warmly
"Yeah Yuzu I had to pull a few strings to get here but I made it home'' she told her sister kindly.
"Where's Yuki?" She immediately asked letting her go and looking around them.
"Oh she's still in Tokyo but she's going to be here tomorrow afternoon"
"Yay I can't wait to see her she must be really big now" Yuzu pronounced with a large smile and starry eyes. Ichigo then figured he'd spent to much time away and said
"Hey Karin come with me come say hi to everybody"
"Ichi-nii I'm not sure that's a good idea I don't want to attract to much attention please"
"Oh sure Karin I always forget your famous you know" he replied, "Well just come anyway to see Rukia and Dad at least" he begged her
"Okay Ichi-nii just let me grab my stuff" She turned to pick up her phone and saw Momo's Sake sitting on the counter.
"Aww crap I said I would watch the Sake for Momo where is she anyway" she reminded herself then turning to look around the ballroom.
"Umm Yuzu can you take these to Momo for us" Ichigo asked handing her the bottles.
"Yeah sure Ichi-nii" Ichigo then lent down and whispered in her ear while Karin wasn't looking
"Don't let him know she's here just wait okay" She nodded her response and walked to their table.
"Karin let me carry that for you" he said taking one of her Sake bottles off the counter "Lets go," he said walking around the other side of the ballroom opposite Momo's table to the main table.
They approached the table Karin walking behind Ichigo obscured from view behind his tall body. He told her to stay behind him til he moved.
"There you are Ichigo where have you been I thought you ran away" growled Rukia standing up to point at him.
"Hmm no trust aye Mrs Kurosaki I would never think of running away anyway we're already married so there's no running anymore" he said jokingly which earned him a knee in the nuts. "You know we're gonna need those when you want kids" he wheezed bending over slightly to cradle himself.
"I'm sorry Ichigo I will make it up to you later okay" she said sweetly with a wink.
"It's okay you little midget" Ichigo whispered leaning down and giving her a small gentle peck. Rukia then turned back to her chair not even recognising the women behind Ichigo. Ichigo then got the tables attention.
"Ahem" he coughed catching everybody's attention. He turned back to Karin giving her a wink and turned back to look at the table which included their father, Rukia and Byakuya, Yuzu still at Momo's table.
"Ah I found somebody hiding away but first thing try to be discrete she doesn't want anybody else knowing she's here okay" with nods of confirmation he stepped out of the way and Karin stepped forward. She smiled sheepishly and looked up at her Father.
"Hey Dad I'm sorry I didn't come see you sooner" she said apologetically
"Karin" asked two voices unsure
"God seriously you guys you don't even recognise your own ooff-"
"Oh Thank you Misaki for sending our beautiful daughter home after all these years" Isshin wailed holding Karin in the air. Karin raised her leg and her foot connected with his face the stiletto heel digging painfully into his cheek but sending him flying backwards. Once she landed on the floor Rukia then pulled her into another hug.
"Oh Karin I missed you thanks for coming" she said gently putting her down and smiling largely at her. Byakuya remained immaculate and unemotional. Karin turned to him a bowed to him.
"Thankyou for accepting my idiot brother" she said he merely nodded in reply before saying.
"Thank you for financing this ceremony" which she nodded in reply and smiled
"No problems it's the least I could do for my family for being away so long" she said with a sad smile. Ichigo pointed to the seat next to Rukia. She moved around and sat down.
"Thankyou Karin for all of this you really didn't need to brother was quite insistent on paying for everything"
"Oh don't worry Rukia it wasn't much, anyway I'm not about to let the Kurosaki honour or Ichigo's honour be defiled by making the bride's family pay for her own wedding it's the grooms family that should be doing the honours and I know how much he dislikes your brother" she explained with a chuckle. Rukia sighed her agreement.
"I wish they would get along they actually have a lot in common"
They both laughed at the statement. Then Karin looked around her spotting Momo approaching them.
"Sorry guys I'm gonna steal Karin for a bit and introduce her to the others" she said dragging Karin away and towards her table. Karin smiled back at him mouthing a silent "Sorry"
"Hey wait Momo come back-" Ichigo called after them but they were already out of hearing range. "Damn this isn't gonna be good" he thought watching them walk away to her table laughing together. Just then Toshiro walked inside and sat down in his seat. Where he sat was at the circular table was somewhat in the corner his back faced the bar and the direction Momo was walking towards his.
Karin followed Momo to her table weaving through the dancing couples. When they approached the table Toshiro had his back to them he had his phone open looking for any hollow activity. Momo came up behind him blocking Karin's view of the people seated at the table not that the darkness helped anything.
Toshiro had his hair mostly hidden under a hat and was wearing a simple white dress shirt and black pants with a loose black tie around his neck. Also wearing black leather shoes it was effortless yet formal and very attractive.
Momo approached him and lent over his shoulder.
"What you doing Shiro-chan?" she asked curiously. Toshiro felt the vein on his forehead throb.
"If you must know Momo I'm checking for any activity," he replied coldly not turning to look at her. Karin just turned around and looked back at her family watching them from a distance. She was so happy seeing her family she was oblivious to the things going on around her.
"Oh your so boring Shiro-chan, come on loosen up, seriously half of Seireitei is here and you're off duty so put away the phone" she said closing the phone.
"Fine" he huffed stuffing the phone in his pocket and turning away from her to sulk.
"Hehe Shiro-chan is so cute, Anyways guys this is my new friend say hello" Momo told the group over the now pop music playing pulling Karin forward into view of the group.
"Hey" Karin said raising a hand paying half attention to what was going on still looking at her brother in the corner who seemed to be looking at her concerned.
'I wonder what that look is for' she thought.
"Hello" came her reply from the men at table focused on Matsumoto who was taking another shot in their game.
"Wow such beauty" Yumichika exclaimed looking closely at Karin.
"Ahh thanks" she chuckled "I'm a model," she added.
At the mention of her being a model the other males looked up at her to examine her better they started from the bottom going up taking in every detail of her body and the revealing dress she wore. She blushed under their gazes then waving a hand in front of her brought their gazes upwards to her face. They further smiled at her widely. Toshiro finally gave in and looked at the girl not recognising at first who she was but she was so familiar to him somehow. He looked closely at her face again as she giggled at the three idiots drooling over her and he knew.
"Guys this is-"
"Karin" Momo and Toshiro said together Toshiro standing up and stepping towards her to see if it was really her.
"Toshiro" she gasped confirming his guess. She stepped back from him.
"What Taicho you know her" the three idiots Renji, Ikkaku and Yumichika gasped also "And she's a model how'd you meet a model?" they exclaimed jointly crestfallen.
"Karin-chan" Matsumoto asked unsure looking at the girl her open hand raised mid way between her mouth and the table, her glass lay fallen forgotten on the ground.
"Whaa you too Rangiku-san" they pointed at her accusingly.
"I'm sorry Momo I-I have to go now it was nice meeting you all" Karin said turning around quickly and shunpoeing away.
She shunpoed to her master who already had her coat open for her Karin slipped it on and the grabbed her bag off the table. She then shunpoed to Ichigo where he looked at her worriedly she grabbed her wallet and turned to him.
"I'm sorry Ichi-nii I-I need to go I'll see you tomorrow" she said kissing him on the cheek and turning around.
"Wait Karin come bac-" he called after her but she was already gone. She shunpoed outside then to the valet.
"Can you please bring my car around" she asked him hurriedly
"Sure just wait a moment please and it will be right around" he told her professionally.
"Whaa what just happen here Taicho looks like he saw a ghost" Izuru said mirthfully then stopped laughing when no one joined in.
"Momo what's up with Toshiro and Rangiku," He asked Momo leaning into her
"I wish I knew but I think they know Karin-chan," she said looking between them
"Rangiku" Toshiro said strained still looking the direction she fled
"Yes Taicho" she replied worriedly looking at him concerned
"You can have my Sake I'm leaving now," he said walking away from them.
"Wait no Taicho don't-" He had shunpoed away from her.
"Where are you going Karin," asked Toshiro through his teeth.
It started to sprinkle down with rain. He grabbed her wrist tightly preventing her from moving away from him.
"Toshiro let go of me," she begged
"NO not until you tell me," he snarled at her his grasp tightening painfully on her arm.
"Let go of me" she screamed her reitsu flaring dangerously high being released with her outburst but Toshiro was merely brought to his knees but he pushed through it and stood his ground.
The Soul reapers inside felt the power surge, a few lower ranked Soul reapers losing consciousness 'Poor Hanataro'. Ichigo and the others looking at each other worriedly. Ichigo and Byakuya shunpoed outside and behind Karin. She's crying silently in anger and hurt.
" Let her go Captain Hitsugaya" Byakuya says formally and firmly.
"Let go of my sister Toshiro" Ichigo threatens him evilly his eyes glowing, gold and black gathering in the corners, "You're hurting her," he snarled
Toshiro lets her go glaring at her hatefully then disappears shunpoeing away from them and heading towards town. Karin bursts out into tears and Ichigo pulls her to him in a tight comforting hug. Byakuya leaves them alone and goes back inside to calm the people inside. Karin's car then arrives and the Valet guy hands Ichigo the keys while Karin cries into his chest.
"I'm sorry Ichigo I ruined your night" she said muffled
"No Karin its not your fault its mine I invited Toshiro I thought you could finally tell him after all these years but I guess its really your decision when you tell him if you do, but he really deserves to know Karin you owe him a explanation" he said quietly
"I know Ichi-nii I just can't it hurts to much to even look at him knowing i caused him so much pain" she poured out her heart to her brother.
"Well how about telling him a little at a time" he suggested
"Your right Ichi-nii I think its time I spoke with him If you see him tell him I want to talk to him he'll know where to find me" she said stepping away from him and holding out her hand for the keys, "Well I can't go back inside now so I'm gonna go to the pent house and I'll see you tomorrow" she said leaning up to kiss his cheek and take back her keys. Pressing the start button on the remote the car rumbled to life behind them catching Ichigo's attention as he turned back to look at her car for the first time.
"Woah oh my god Karin this is your car Karin holy, you have to let me drive this tomorrow" he exclaimed gaping at the black and white Lamborghini Sharpie parked in front of him. Karin chuckled at him.
"You haven't seen your wedding gift yet have you" she asked him mirthfully.
"Whaa What do you mean? You got us a wedding gift? What is it?" he asked excitedly.
"No, no, no, no, no, no I'm not telling you what it is just yet, oh by the way Yuki is bringing one with her also I think your going to love it" her sadness all but gone now.
"I love you Karin please don't leave ever again and I'm sorry I wasn't here to protect you when you needed me" he said looking at her sadly.
"I love you to Ichi-nii and I'm not going to run away again I will be around much more from now on you can always come and see me to you know I'm gonna be in the country a lot more from now on and its not your fault don't ever tell yourself that ever" she said kissing his cheek then slipping into the driver seat and closing the door winding the window down.
"Okay I'll see you tomorrow then" he stated she nodded her response
"Goodnight Ichi-nii" she said softly revving the cars engine.
"Goodnight Karin-chan" he replied stepping back and watched her speed down the drive hitting 100km before she even got out on the main road.