02

Ignoring the situation at hand did not work.

Mainly because people kept it rubbing in his face, constantly reminding him about their—that was, Karin's and his—relationship.

"Careful, Shirou-chan." Momo sighed, yawning and side stepping yet another pie. "Karin's out to get you."

Splat!

It was, yet another, beautiful new day.

And he knew that whatever that entailed, he would certainly not like it.

"And what about you?" Flatly he enquired, lifting his eyebrows when something rather... gooey sank into his white hair, and began to slurp down his neck.

A certain Kurosaki grinned across the room, waving.

Offering a small smile, Hinamori waved back.

Hitsugaya Toushirou refused to do such an action.

"Oh, it's a girl thing." Repeating that phrase did nothing to irk his anger, not further his understanding of Momo's situation. "Don't worry about that. Besides, now that Karin has essentially engraved mine on your forehead, everyone now knows that you are off-limits."

The last part twigged a growing vein.

What?

"Will you excuse me? There's someone I have to kill so very badly."

Things to do this morning:

Throw pie? Check.

Wave? Check.

Smile? Check.

Laugh? Check.

Read the newspaper and scan it, generally uninterested in what The Yachiru News Column had to say about the community with its resident evil conspiracy theories? Che—

That part of the schedule was interrupted. Partly because it's meant to be handed over to Kurotsuchi Nemu (for green purposes, and saving the world without insanity), and partly because Hitsugaya Toushirou had snatched it right out of her hands with a pout that could make butter melt.

"Gee, this must be love, if we've gotten to the 'only look at me' phase." Sardonic, she rolled her eyes, curious at what her object of obsession was mad at. This time. "Are you unhappy that we aren't dating? Because I can easily remedy that. Name the time and place, and taichou-chan will eradicate a whole block of paperwork. Through dubious means, of course."

His glare intensified.

And her heart flipped in ecstasy.

"What's the problem this time, then?" If she squinted, there's just a dash of blueberry pie on his hair. And neck. And face.

"Aside from the fucking pie?" Mr Grouchy Bear growled. "What's this I've heard you claiming me as your own?"

Honestly, the Kurosaki girl cannot see the problem. But this was Hitsugaya Toushirou, and he liked to complain.

"Oh that." Karin waved it away without a second thought. "Rumours. Taichou-chan loves them, I'm just abiding. Rolling with it, if you will."

Really.

His reactions were simply superb. Not only was he fizzling, he was positively fuming.

What was he going to do next?

Without provocation.

He shouldn't faint.

Not really.

After all, he had more important things to do: like snarl and shout and rage at Matsumoto-taichou.

Instead, the world went black; and fainting was the only word to describe the situation.

At least he tore the newspaper in half – that ought to make Kurosaki-fukitaichou angry.

"He is so heavy!"

It took some time (and still, he remained unconscious) but with some help from Momo, Karin was safely able to drag her ice dragon to Fourth Division, where Yuzu would both examine his health status (the stupid runaway), and gossip.

Connections. How incredible were they?

"Mm, I suppose. But then he's always been such a big eater." Stretching out, Hinamori smiled, impish as always. "Poor Shirou-chan. Always trying to grow taller, and shrinking in response."

"Well, he's alright – no concussion or anything. Maybe he's just really sleepy?" Yuzu shot Karin a knowing glance, warning the older sister all too well about abusing her duties. "Have you been overworking him, Karin?"

There are more implications in that question than should be possible.

"Nah. He's just masochistic." With a sigh, Karin rolled her eyes. And stood up. "Sadly, our relationship hasn't taken that level yet. He's got commitment issues… and I just haven't been able to persuade him."

If there was a note of sadness, then Karin was completely lying.

"Are you in love with him?" Yuzu wondered, tilting her head.

It was a fair question.

"Dunno. I might be. Haven't decided yet." And the question bothered her, because honestly: she didn't know. It might be love, it might just be a crush. In any case, there was definitely lust, which was why she was pursuing him. "But I promise to be gentle with him, if that's what you want, Momo. Won't hurt him, won't crush his feelings."

"Hey, Karin?" Momo asked, leaning back, reclining on a cabinet. "What are you doing?"

She was approaching the unconscious Toushirou, ready to practise her 'bed side manner'.

"I'm using a technique that Taichou-chan recommended. And I'm teasing him, because you know I can't resist."

Despite the fact that Toushirou was not awake, it didn't stop her from straddling him, comfortably lodged. With luck, if she bounced up and down, he just might open his eyes. And when that happened, she would kiss him.

And then take him down to the floor; acting as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

Leaning in, it was this exact moment in which Hitsugaya Toushirou woke up.

And in that same second, Kurosaki Ichigo opened the door.

Though 'opened' might be an understatement… and silence was not part of the Kurosaki vocabulary.

Hitsugaya Toushirou had no clue what happened.

However, he did remember the words Zangetsu being spoken.

Multiple times.

And yet, that did not explain the reason why (apparently, it was the next day), Kurosaki Ichigo was sporting more injuries, plus a black eye, and resting the bed besides him.

Opening his mouth earned a scowling shut up; it's not your business Toushirou.

Which was heard right before the murmured dammit, Karin. I pick your suitors, not you.

Hitsugaya Toushirou was not going to say a damn word.

"You don't mind, do you?" Relaxing, and enjoying the breeze with a dash of sake, Karin stretched her arms. "Me and Toushirou?"

"Not at all. But could you keep your displays of affection to the minimum? You know, when both of you have reached a mutual agreement?"

"One day, Momo. One day."

Absentmindedly, Karin mused. Would that day ever come?

'Not saying a damn word' had its limits.

Because Kurosaki Ichigo had similar traits to Karin—and that was bad. Especially if he could get as easily into his skin as Karin did. (Karin was able to do this with more grace and sparks through his blood, but still, the annoyance factor remained true in that respect.)

Unexpectedly, he was whiny. Complaining about every single thing.

Hitsugaya Toushirou's temper burst, unable to sizzle any longer.

"I'm going to marry your sister whether you like it or not."

Okay, originally, it was an attempt to get Ichigo to shut up but…

He still maintained the fact that it was worth asking the question to see Ichigo get stoned, in order to 'calm him down'.

Although, for some reason, he too was given pacifying drugs… before or after, that was the question… of the question…

Still, permission was permission.

And Ichigo had, albeit not in his right mind, given his blessings.

Both of them were smiling and spouting babble for quite some time.